Chapter 51: Martial Arts Grade Eight

Ji Xinghuo was somewhat surprised.

He had heard from others while watching the match that Tu Hongda is a martial arts master and the actual person in charge of this branch.

From the ethereal energy responses, Tu Hongda’s strength was top-tier among the super extrahumans, just one step away from becoming legendary.

A powerful extrahuman like him was clearly not an opponent Ji Xinghuo could handle.

“Every new member’s first opponent is me,” Tu Hongda explained. “This lets me gauge your level of martial arts so I can guide and teach appropriately.”

His reason seemed justifiable.

Nonetheless, it had an undertone of ‘hazing’, showing off his power to establish the authority of a coach.

Ji Xinghuo hesitated no more and said, “Then I ask Coach Tu to enlighten me.”

“Choose a knife,” Tu Hongda’s gaze swept across Ji Xinghuo’s Thunder Rider, pointing towards the weapon rack on the side of the court, which housed various weapons of all sizes, weights, and designs, mostly blunt, meant for martial arts training.

Ji Xinghuo picked a battle knife nearly the same size and weight as the Thunder Rider.

Tu Hongda also chose a battle knife just like Ji Xinghuo’s.

He said, “My preferred weapon is the spear, but using it against you wouldn’t make much sense, so I will use a knife like you.”

Ji Xinghuo nodded.

The advantages of the spear are well known, especially below the level of legend; all other weapons are less effective.

Normally, Ji Xinghuo faces Chi Zhonglin in combat and often loses due to not only the difference in levels but also because Chi Zhonglin uses a spear.

Facing a spear with a knife often leads to near-certain death.

Tu Hongda personally stepping into the ring to spar with him, if still using his most proficient weapon, the spear, would have seemed disgraceful.

The two stood about twenty meters apart in the arena.

“You attack first.”

Tu Hongda declared his stance, defending with his knife, not letting his superior skills make him underestimate Ji Xinghuo.

Ji Xinghuo held his knife downwards in a salute out of respect before starting.

He immediately moved forward at a steady pace, closing in on Tu Hongda with a focused gaze, not on the knife’s edge but observing the shoulders and legs. When only a few meters away, his speed surged.

A flash of the blade drew a horizontal shadow.

A simple cross-cut.

A glimpse of surprise flashed in Tu Hongda’s eyes from just that first strike, noting something exceptional about Ji Xinghuo.

He stepped back half a step; his upper body swayed back as Ji Xinghuo’s blade passed just in front of him, making the cut miss. In just an instant, he stamped his foot on the ground to bounce back, advancing as Ji Xinghuo’s blade hadn’t yet retracted, lifting his own blade upwards.

Ji Xinghuo retreated half a step, leaving the blade to swing through the air.

He hadn’t used all his strength in the strike, allowing himself room to pull back.

Tu Hongda was also ready for this change. His advancing right foot just touched the ground as his left leg came up with a fierce knee strike unexpectedly.

Bang.

Ji Xinghuo could only block with his arm, his whole body thrown backward, receding several steps before stopping.

Tu Hongda stood his ground, not pursuing.

“Not bad.”

Tu Hongda showed approval.

These few moves of combat showed their skill more than if their blades had clashed.

Ji Xinghuo claims to be a Seventh Level Martial Artist, and Tu Hongda had his doubts, but now saw they were unfounded. Moreover, Ji Xinghuo displayed high psychological quality, facing a far superior opponent without panic, making the right choices every time.

“Let’s go again,” shouted Tu Hongda.

Ji Xinghuo shook his numb arm, lightly activated the magnetic field, instantly recuperated, and raised his blade to approach Tu Hongda once more.

Once again, they moved like swift exchanges of hunters and prey, with Ji Xinghuo being pushed back each time.

This round of exchange, blades still didn’t clash.

But a dull sound was heard.

He glanced at his chest, seeing a mark on the armor, left by Tu Hongda’s blade slap, not fully powered nor using “Star Force,” but it still hurt.

“A martial arts master truly is extraordinary,” Ji Xinghuo’s eyes sparkled. “The level is too high!”

He immediately launched another round of attacks.

In the training ground, two figures approached each other every few seconds before swiftly separating again.

Tu Hongda maintained a defensive stand throughout, not moving more than three meters in any direction, but always managed to easily repel Ji Xinghuo’s attacks. However, after a few minutes, Tu Hongda began to notice something was amiss. Although he could still repel Ji Xinghuo, it was unmistakably becoming harder.

Initially, Tu Hongda needed only two or three seconds to complete each defensive counterattack.

After five minutes, it extended to about five seconds.

Even though he was only using part of his strength, against a mid-level extrahuman, it would inevitably lead to light injuries and pain, and stamina would deplete rapidly. However, Ji Xinghuo showed no signs of fatigue but rather an increased fighting spirit.

Ten minutes in, Ji Xinghuo had launched over a hundred attacks, being repelled time after time but advancing again and again, showing a spirit of resilience and mounting courage.

The watching members were all stunned.

They had sparred with Coach Tu when they first arrived, but they could only hold on for a minute or two, with the best lasting only about three minutes.

“Is he really a mid-level ranger?” everyone wondered.

Tu Hongda was also amazed by the power and speed Ji Xinghuo exhibited, which truly belonged to a mid-level ranger, showing a flexible and varied style of fighting.

But Ji Xinghuo’s combat talent…

Tu Hongda noticed something.

Any mistake Ji Xinghuo made and wasn’t pointed out, he wouldn’t repeat; any countermeasure he used, if done once, would hardly work again as Ji Xinghuo would instantly learn and apply it in the ongoing combat.

Though it was just a clumsy imitation, having never been specifically trained, it still had form.

“A natural-born genius!”

“Given time, he’s sure to become a martial arts master, perhaps even a grandmaster!”

While Tu Hongda showed no change in facial expression, his mind was abuzz. “Such a martial prodigy must be recruited into the Extreme Martial Hall. It’d be ideal if he could become an apprentice…”

Concentration is critical in martial competitions.

Just as Tu Hongda was gathering his thoughts, a blade flash suddenly crossed his vision, reacting a fraction too slowly; Ji Xinghuo’s blade swept down.

Whish.

After withdrawing his blade, Ji Xinghuo stepped back, not attacking further.

The venue fell silent; everyone saw the torn fabric on Tu Hongda’s shoulder, diagonal cuts across his neck, leaving a white mark.

If his opponent had been of equal rank and deadly intent, Tu Hongda would have been decapitated.

“Cough!”

Tu Hongda’s face reddened, embarrassed by such a fundamental mistake due to overwhelming emotions.

While accidents are inevitable in martial arts sparring, the higher-ranked doesn’t always secure victory, and even masters can capsize in a ditch, but being defeated by an opponent three levels lower in such a highly visible setting was quite humiliating.

“Coach, you don’t have to let me…”

Ji Xinghuo felt odd but remained composed, giving his opponent a way out.

Tu Hongda, however, waved his hand to interrupt, admitting, “No need for excuses on my behalf; I was distracted. You won this match.”

The expression on the faces of those present was priceless.

A Seventh Level Martial Artist had actually beaten a grandmaster. Although Coach Tu had won over one hundred consecutive times before, his single loss swept away the impact of all those previous victories.

To think that Coach Tu had never lost to a member before!

“No one can be victorious forever.”

Tu Hongda guessed what everyone was thinking and solemnly said, “I’ve lost a lot in the past—to friends, to senior martial brothers, to fellow coaches, to other grandmasters—but it’s precisely these defeats that taught me to improve, allowing me to grow and achieve my current martial level.”

“It’s okay to lose sometimes; what’s crucial is that in the battles that decide your life’s direction, even your life or death, you must win!”

“Let’s continue.”

After finishing, Tu Hongda began to critique Ji Xinghuo’s performance.

He pointed out many deficiencies and areas for improvement, including timing and power application.

Ji Xinghuo listened intently.

Chi Zhonglin, nearing a master’s level and also using a spear, didn’t have Tu Hongda’s rich experience or teaching aptitude.

Not every master is cut out to be a teacher, but Tu Hongda undoubtedly was.

Tu Hongda continued speaking for over ten minutes before other members stepped into the arena.

As Ji Xinghuo watched, he absorbed and digested the lessons he had just learned. After half an hour, it was his turn again.

This time his opponent was not Tu Hongda but another Seventh Level Martial Artist.

The match ended in less than three minutes.

Within those three minutes, they clashed seven times, with Ji Xinghuo winning each time. Although his opponent wasn’t injured, his morale was completely crushed, leading Tu Hongda to call a halt.

Another half-hour passed.

Ji Xinghuo faced an Eighth Level Martial Artist.

They fought five times, with Ji Xinghuo winning four and losing one.

The only time he lost was when his opponent risked injury to secure the victory. Ji Xinghuo, not using the Wanshiang Senluo technique, still gave his all but ultimately was defeated.

Eight hours of real combat training passed in a blink.

Ji Xinghuo fought fifteen rounds, winning more than losing, with an overall win rate of around 65%. Although not the highest in the hall, it was still remarkable.

The two people with higher win rates than him were Ninth Level Martial Artists.

Ji Xinghuo’s progress was evident. Tu Hongda arranged opponents for him, mostly Eighth or Ninth Level, all seasoned extrahumans.

These individuals were somewhat famous in Olympia, mostly as hunting team leaders.

After training, someone immediately invited Ji Xinghuo to join a team. They were disappointed to learn he already had a team but still left their names and contact information.

“Five hundred Yua per hour, worth every penny!”

Ji Xinghuo was satisfied with the training results at the Extreme Martial Hall, which truly lived up to its reputation.

After cleaning up, he was about to leave when a staff member from the hall, who had been waiting for a while, came over and whispered, “Mr. Xin, Coach Tu has asked to see you in his office.”

Ji Xinghuo was not surprised. “Okay, please lead the way.”

In the director’s office, before he could speak, Tu Hongda asked directly, “Liaoyuan, would you like to join the Extreme Martial Hall?”

“Does Coach Tu wish for me to become his apprentice?” Ji Xinghuo responded.

The Extreme Martial Hall started as a private martial hall but quickly evolved into a large corporation that went public, continually expanding with a growing market value, setting up branches in every country worldwide. By now, including various level branches, it encompasses over fifty thousand, with long-term membership exceeding a hundred million people.

Nevertheless, the martial hall retained some tradition.

The hall recruits exceptionally talented students to join its legacy officially, holding apprenticeship ceremonies to become martial disciples.

This resembles a martial arts school.

While the teacher-student relationship isn’t legally recognized, it’s greatly valued in this tradition-heavy martial hall, carrying significant binding power.

Being a disciple of the hall naturally comes with many benefits. The most direct is having a master for careful guidance and various perks. A disciple’s status holds considerable social prestige.

Of course, enjoying these benefits comes with obligations.

When the martial hall needs something, disciples must contribute. They must also follow their master’s orders unless expelled from the hall; otherwise, they share in the hall’s fortunes and misfortunes.

Ji Xinghuo didn’t have averse feelings toward this traditional system but wasn’t particularly eager either.

If conditions were favorable, he’d consider joining.

But if it required many sacrifices and constraints, then it held little interest for him.

“Our hall is very cautious about taking disciples. Even if you’re willing, you’ll have to go through several rounds of evaluations. It’s not just something anyone can enter casually,” Tu Hongda responded with a smile.

He added, “I indeed see potential in you, but knowing nothing about you, how could I immediately take on a disciple? And it’s not a decision I can make alone. I just wanted to give you a heads-up so you can prepare and strive for it.”

“Alright,” Ji Xinghuo nodded.

Seeing his lack of enthusiasm, Tu Hongda asked, “You’re not too keen?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

Though Ji Xinghuo’s response was diplomatic, Tu Hongda understood; Ji Xinghuo wasn’t unwilling to join the Extreme Martial Hall, he just wasn’t keen on having Tu Hongda as his master.

He felt helpless but also knew this was just the way things were.

With Ji Xinghuo’s talent and speed of progression, he might become a martial arts master in a few years. Only a grandmaster would be qualified to take him as a disciple then.

If Ji Xinghuo had just become an extrahuman, the gym might have offered him attractive terms. But clearly, he already had some accomplishments.

Moreover, he had joined a hunting team.

Such extrahumans, even if they join the gym, are master-apprentice in name only. Their loyalty can’t compare to disciples cultivated by the gym from the start.

The binding force of a master-apprentice relationship was also lacking.

Realizing this, Tu Hongda suddenly felt it pointless. He spoke a few words before sending Ji Xinghuo away.

Sitting alone in the office, he finally shook his head.

He had planned to return to Earth to report on Xin Liaoyuan’s background for the gym to investigate.

Now, he changed his mind and decided to let things take their course.

Ji Xinghuo, unaware of Tu Hongda’s thoughts, went straight home from the villa. He practiced for another three hours in his training room before going to bed.

From then on, he attended the Extreme Martial Hall daily for actual combat training.

Though Tu Hongda no longer requested him to become a disciple, he still showed great favor toward Ji Xinghuo.

Every day after practice, he took half an hour to coach Ji Xinghuo alone, sparing no effort in his guidance.

Ji Xinghuo’s martial arts skills improved leaps and bounds.

After half a month in the Star Realm, competing against eighth-grade martial artists, he managed to win 90% of the matches. Though he still lost more than he won against ninth-grade, his own level was now firmly at eighth-grade or above. A few more months of practice could see him reaching ninth-grade.

As his martial rank increased, so did his star power, now at 185 points.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three sharp sounds of metal clashing.

Accompanied by sparks flying, Ji Xinghuo made three chops, each faster and heavier than the last, stepping forward three large steps.

His opponent had to hard block the three consecutive chops, retreating rapidly and finally exhausted.

The alloy sword was swung open, losing posture.

Ji Xinghuo then stepped forward once more, eloquently flipping the handle of the war blade, pressing it to his foe’s neck with the blade’s edge, firmly halting.

“Thanks for the opportunity, Brother Qi.”

Ji Xinghuo immediately withdrew his blade and stepped back, exhaling lightly.

This win had not come easily. His opponent, Qi Zhaofeng, was a ninth-grade martial master. Over dozens of past matches, Ji Xinghuo’s win rate was less than 20%.

“Impressive!”

Qi Zhaofeng rubbed his slightly pained neck, “Today I lost to you twice, both times due to minor mistakes that you capitalized on. I’ll need to be more cautious in our future matches.”

“It’s only because Brother Qi wasn’t going all out, otherwise I’d have lost this match too,” Ji Xinghuo humbly replied.

“No need for you two to flatter each other.”

A voice from the sidelines joked, “Hurry up and get down here, it’s time for a change of players.”

Those present were all martial artists, one in ten thousand. They sparred multiple times daily, improving together. Except for a few who were independent or introverted, most got along very well.

The winners weren’t arrogant, and the losers weren’t discouraged.

Ji Xinghuo and Qi Zhaofeng moved to the sidelines where Tu Hongda gave them a few tips before announcing the end of today’s training.

After everyone had left, Ji Xinghuo and Tu Hongda practiced alone for another half-hour.

As usual, after cleaning up, Ji Xinghuo left the gym to catch the bus home. Just as he was about to board, a voice came from behind: “Liaoyuan, please wait.”