Chapter 50: Extreme Martial Hall

Time flies.

With Ji Xinghuo’s relentless training, Star Realm has entered “Wind and Moon”, the sixth month of the hot season, where starry nights grow longer, lasting over 15 hours a day.

Snap!

Ji Xinghuo launches an arrow that hits the target a hundred meters away right in the bullseye.

Glancing at the tightly packed arrows in the target, he shakes his head slightly; the villa’s archery range has only one lane, and it’s mere hundred meters makes it hard for him to see any improvement even with eyes closed, he could hit the bullseye.

Not just archery, martial arts training also faces restrictions.

Martial arts is not about solitary practice, but improving through real fights, engaging with varied opponents to gather experience and derive lessons for substantial progress.

Swinging a sword at the air a million times at home might bring you to a climax in mental training but falls short compared to sparring with a peer for three days.

“It all comes down to real combat eventually.”

Ji Xinghuo murmurs and sets aside his compound bow.

Opening the interface of Wanxiang Star Pupils, not much has changed except for a significant advancement in the “Star Power” section.

【Star Power: 178/178】

Nearly two Earth months of diligent training, now December 2223, his star power has increased by 15 points.

With today’s nine training cycles finished and both physical and star power replenished, it’s time for martial arts training as planned.

However, these two months have seen scant progress.

Still stuck at the seventh level of martial arts.

Continuing this way feels like a waste of time; pondering, Ji Xinghuo dons his lightweight ceramic armor and steps out for the first time in two months since Jiangnan Caiyi’s visit.

The villa neighborhood supposedly houses two or three legendary extrahumans with heavily patrolled, secure extrahuman security.

But with him leaving the villa unattended, Ji Xinghuo does not want to risk any loss.

Most of his money has already been deposited in the banks of Olympia.

The most valuable things on him now are his weapons and gear; his swift wind boots and “Lei Chi” saber tucked into a simple scabbard only revealing the handle, its true worth not evident. The compound bow, though not as valuable, is left back in the room for convenience.

Ji Xinghuo casually hops on a steam bus, gazing at the buildings passing by the window.

He’s seeking a martial arts pavilion.

Martial arts thrive on Earth and saturate Olympia with at least a thousand pavilions; Ji Xinghuo, aiming for a larger one, stays on the bus for now.

Ten minutes later, he spots the grand facade of a huge pavilion with a massive plaque hanging by the main door.

“Extreme Martial Hall.”

His eyes brighten, “Does Extreme Martial Hall have a branch here in Olympia too?” He alights without hesitation and walks towards the pavilion.

Extreme Martial Hall stands among the most famed on Earth, unmatched in seniority and prestige.

While there are others of comparable size and student count, none surpass the cachet of Extreme Martial Hall, which dominantly leads globally.

Credit goes to the pavilion’s founder, the ‘Spear Saint’ Xing Lie!

Xing Lie, a martial arts grandmaster, was the first human to earn the title ‘Warrior Saint’ and stands amongst the thirteen powerhouses of the Asia-Pacific Community. He set up and headed the global martial arts association, ranking sixth globally.

His entire life is a legend.

Born in 2043, Xing Lie lived through nearly two centuries of wars, crises, and upheaval from the Star Gate era into the 23rd century.

At 40, Xing Lie established the Extreme Martial Hall, offering apprenticeships and spreading his martial arts expertise through free online videos.

His selfless contributions massively advanced the martial arts skills of extrahumans globally.

Many later grandmasters, having watched his videos, stepped into the martial arts realm reaching significant heights, all grateful to Xing Lie.

Almost every extrahuman considered him a mentor through his online tutorials.

Masters from Extreme Martial Hall are seen worldwide.

Among Xing Lie’s disciples are two Warrior Saints and numerous grandmasters and masters.

Thusly, Xing Lie’s status and influence in martial arts are immense, respected even among the hostile factions of the American Federation.

Ji Xinghuo enters the pavilion, and the first sight he catches is an inscription on the hall’s wall:

Martial arts are endless, strive ever onward!

“Hello sir, what can I assist you with today?” asks a clerk in black-and-white martial arts attire, spotting Ji Xinghuo’s entrance.

Cutting to the chase, Ji Xinghuo says, “I’m looking for a sparring partner.”

“Of course.”

Efficiently, the clerk details, “Our Extreme Martial Hall’s Qinghao branch features the best amenities and coaches in Olympia, comparable to those on Earth. Based on registrants’ skills and levels, we schedule spars daily with varying fees. May I have your name, sir?”

“Xin Liaoyuan.”

Ji Xinghuo uses a pseudonym, unverifiable in Olympia.

“May I know your rank and level, Mr. Xin?” she registers his details.

“Intermediate extrahuman at level seven.”

Surprise flits through the clerk’s eyes; intermediate is common, but level seven denotes a professional status, quite rare.

“Mr. Xin is enviable, so young yet so capable.”

Complementing briefly, she continues: “There is a two-level flexibility in matchups, from level five to nine, with 25 registrants in total. Duels run from 28 to 36 o’clock split into two intervals. You may start upon arrival, with a coach arranging matches or opt for challenges with other members at your discretion. Would that be suitable?”

“That’s fine,” nods Ji Xinghuo, “What’s the fee?”

“It’s hourly based, 500 Yen per hour,” the clerk smiles.

Planning an eight-hour training day, Ji Xinghuo faces not only the area rent of 4000 Yen but potentially double on medications, treatments, and private lessons.

Truly, the rich engage in martial arts.

“Sign me up,” Ji Xinghuo states, wincing inwardly but showing no outward emotion, “I’ll take a thirty-day membership.” He pays up 120,000 Yen.

The clerk’s smile widens.

She quickly registers Ji Xinghuo for the course and hands him a document. “Mr. Xin, martial arts have no emotions or eyes. Our pavilion offers the arena and healing but can’t ensure complete safety, so please sign this waiver.”

Ji Xinghuo was aware, he signs under the name ‘Xin Liaoyuan’.

“You’ve come at a perfect time, the professional levels are sparring now. Would you like to join?”

“Lead the way.”

Ji Xinghuo follows the clerk into the pavilion.

They reach a vast indoor combat arena, roughly a thousand square meters with five meters high ceilings, the entire metallic floor clean and glistening. Two people are currently sparring with a dozen watchers around the edges.

The clerk walks towards a man by the arena, waiting rather than speaking.

Ji Xinghuo watches the dual.

A man and a woman, both high-level extrahumans judging by their etheric energy reactions, seem evenly matched; he wields a long two-handed crop blade and she, a long spear, the fight intense.

“They both are level seven in martial arts.”

“The spear has an advantage, but the crop blade’s power tops it slightly—over 70% chance he wins.”

After a few seconds, Ji Xinghuo turns to the man beside him.

Dressed in Extreme Martial Hall coach gear, hands clasped behind, his stern face and tall, graceful build ooze high-level martial arts mastery.

“A supreme extrahuman,” Ji Xinghuo notes inwardly, “His martial arts level isn’t evident.”

The coach has two assistants, one a White Knight and the other a Plant Witch, both healers by extrahuman profession.

The rest, ten in total, are sparring registrants.

Ji Xinghuo surveys the group, seeing mostly intermediate or high-level extrahumans, all armed and experienced.

Clang!

A loud crash resonates as the woman’s spear flies from her hands, her opponent’s crop blade now pressed against her neck, drawing blood.

“I surrender,” the woman declares.

“Sorry, I didn’t control my strength,” her male opponent quickly withdraws his blade, guilt evident as he examines the cut on her neck.

“It’s okay.”

While she verbally dismisses the injury, her expression shows discomfort.

She retrieves her spear and steps aside where the White Knight’s healing touch and a faint glow quickly mend her wound.

“Coach Tu.”

Then the clerk speaks respectfully, “This is Mr. Xin Liaoyuan, a newly-registered member.”

“I’m Tu Hongda, a martial artist by profession,” the robust coach turns to Ji Xinghuo, forcing a smile and extending a hand, “Welcome, Mr. Xin.”

“Please guide me well, Coach Tu,” Ji Xinghuo shakes his firm hand.

Tu Hongda speaks, “Tell me your rank, level, and preferred weapon so I can arrange your matches.”

“I’m an intermediary ranger, level seven, mainly using sabers.”

“Understood.”

Tu Hongda nods then suggests Ji Xinghuo start by watching.

He resumes his task, briefly critiquing the duo who just sparred before setting up the next match. Others listen intently, observing closely because they will each have a turn.

Fights among martial arts experts don’t last long.

Including initial sizing up, most bouts end within two minutes, sometimes instantly deciding the outcome.

Tu Hongda lets pairs spar a few times until injury or the bout loses its instructive value, before calling it.

Ji Xinghuo watches for half an hour, gaining much insight.

“Liaoyuan, everyone has had a round; how about showing your skills?” Tu Hongda suddenly turns and asks.

“Sure,” Ji Xinghuo isn’t shy; he came for combat.

His glance sweeps over the members, asking, “Coach Tu, who’s my opponent?”

“Me,” Tu Hongda answers sternly.