Chapter 12: Lin Shaofeng, the Eighth-Rank Grandmaster

Xiao Yang felt a surge of joy in his heart—it was finally settled.

The thought of entering Jiangnan Martial University as a specially admitted student filled him with excitement.

“Thank you, Director. Thank you to the Martial Hall for nurturing me!” Xiao Yang nodded, expressing his gratitude, and, accompanied by Yang Zhen, Mao Shisan, and Jiang Mu, went forward to greet his grandmother.

Inside the No. 1 VIP Hall, everyone stood up, his parents’ table included. The status and influence of the guests were so immense that many felt both honored and overwhelmed, so all stood to show their respect.

When Xiao Yang arrived with the three martial experts, even his grandfather, Li Chenggong—over eighty years old—stood up and attempted to help his ailing wife rise as well.

Even if an ordinary person possessed wealth, Li Chenggong would look at them with a certain regard; how much more so for figures like Yang Zhen and his companions, who were luminaries of Yuezhou’s martial world—he dared not show the slightest neglect.

Yang Zhen quickly stopped them, saying, “Please, elders, you need not rise. We have merely come to offer our birthday wishes. May you have good health and boundless longevity.”

“May the esteemed lady enjoy good health and a long life!” Mao Shisan and Jiang Mu echoed.

At this moment, the families of his two aunts were deeply shaken, as if a tidal wave had crashed within them. They had never imagined that such powerful figures as the Director and Deputy Director of Tiance Martial Hall would come to honor Xiao Yang’s grandmother because of him.

They could perhaps understand why Feng Yunxing would show such respect, but Feng Jiangong bowing his head had already left them speechless. Now, with even Yang Zhen and Mao Shisan coming to support Xiao Yang, it was simply beyond belief—they could not comprehend it.

One thing was clear, however: these people valued Xiao Yang for a reason. A deep sense of awe toward him welled up in their hearts.

After offering their birthday wishes, Yang Zhen and the others found a table with open seats and sat down, with Xiao Yang joining them as host.

Throughout the No. 1 VIP Hall, all the guests were inwardly thrilled. This banquet was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—not only to share a table with influential figures like Feng Jiangong, but also to drink alongside martial world leaders such as Yang Zhen. Naturally, excitement ran high.

Only the families of his two aunts felt uneasy. Having mistreated Xiao Yang’s family in the past, they now realized that, with his newfound power, any hint of revenge could spell disaster.

Thus, at the dinner table, his parents became the focus of attention. The two aunts’ families toasted them repeatedly, apologizing and recalling childhood stories in an effort to mend relations.

His uncle’s family did much the same.

The table with Xiao Yang, Yang Zhen, and the others—who had come out of respect—was lively, and Xiao Yang played the gracious host.

“Our Tiance Martial Hall has an eighth-rank grandmaster,” Yang Zhen said during the banquet, sharing details about Jiangnan Martial University. “He is one of the six directors at Jiangnan Martial University—his name is Lin Shaofeng. Tomorrow, Director Lin will personally come to fetch you and arrange your entry into the university. Once you’re there, follow his guidance in all matters.”

On Earthstar, martial kings were rare, standing on equal footing with the state. Among the nine martial ranks, the ninth-rank grandmasters were supreme—each held immense status and power. Eighth-rank grandmasters, too, were figures at the very pinnacle.

This pinnacle, of course, referred not to the small city of Yuezhou but to the entire Dragon Nation. Yuezhou was only a third-tier city with no grandmaster in residence; Yang Zhen, as a sixth-rank martial artist, was already the peak there.

During the banquet, Yang Zhen shared much with Xiao Yang. Although humanity stood united against the beast clans, forming a grand alliance, within that alliance the nations were divided into many factions, each vying for supremacy.

The Dragon Nation boasted three great martial halls: Longteng, Hero, and Tiance. The competition among them was fierce.

Every year, the three halls would scout for talented martial artists and send them to one of the four martial universities for foundational training. When these young talents met at university, there was naturally rivalry and a fight for honor.

Xiao Yang took all this to heart; life at Jiangnan Martial University would be anything but dull.

After the birthday banquet, Yang Zhen, Mao Shisan, and Jiang Mu departed first, followed by the other guests.

Xiao Yang did not leave with his family but went to the top floor’s private office with Feng Jiangong and Liu Manxiong.

Feng Jiangong invited Xiao Yang to sit and spoke directly, “Mr. Xiao, Fengrao Group wishes to do business with you.”

Xiao Yang looked at him with interest. “I don’t know anything about business. Why seek me as a partner?”

The arrival of Yang Zhen and the others had only enhanced Xiao Yang’s prestige, making Feng Jiangong even more respectful.

“Mr. Xiao, I’ll handle the business side. All you need do is act as Fengrao Group’s spokesperson. We’ll use your reputation to promote the company. Based on our current assets, if your name brings in more wealth, half of the increase will be yours.”

Fengrao Group would leverage Xiao Yang’s fame to expand, splitting the additional profits fifty-fifty.

Xiao Yang considered the offer. If his reputation soared, acting as spokesperson could indeed bring substantial benefits to Fengrao Group. Even if he declined, the fact that he had once worked as a security guard there would raise the company’s profile. Clearly, Feng Jiangong wanted to downplay his past role and bestow a more prestigious identity—spokesperson.

As for the remuneration, fifty percent was extremely generous, especially considering Fengrao Group was a large corporation with multiple shareholders, while Xiao Yang was just one individual. To do nothing but lend his name and receive half the gains was an excellent arrangement.

Originally, Feng Jiangong had intended to offer forty percent. But after witnessing the respect Yang Zhen and the other martial leaders accorded Xiao Yang, he elevated his importance and raised the offer to fifty percent.

With the Supradimensional Book in hand, Xiao Yang naturally wanted as much money as possible. After all, the Supradimensional World could only be entered once every thirty days, and each visit needed to be as long as possible, which required vast sums.

A hundred and thirty thousand a month allowed only seven days’ stay. To remain longer, the costs were staggering: over ten million for eight days, and more than a hundred million for nine.

If Fengrao Group’s assets grew along with his fame, the resulting income would be tremendous—using the company to generate wealth was a wise move.

After a moment’s thought, Xiao Yang said, “I have no objection, but I have two additional conditions.”

Feng Jiangong’s face lit up at Xiao Yang’s agreement. “Please, Mr. Xiao, speak.”

“During this phase, I’m fine with fifty percent of the new assets generated by my reputation. But if the increase reaches certain thresholds, I want a higher percentage.”

“Over ten billion, I want sixty percent. Over a hundred billion, seventy percent. If it exceeds a trillion, eighty percent! And if it passes ten trillion, I want ninety percent!”

Feng Jiangong was shaken by these words. He had some confidence that he could bring Fengrao Group to a ten-billion valuation, but a hundred billion, a trillion, ten trillion? That seemed impossible—any company of that stature would be backed by titans of unimaginable power.

Unless Xiao Yang himself became such a figure, there would be no hope. But should the company ever reach such heights, even a larger share for Xiao Yang would mean massive profits for everyone.

After only two or three seconds’ thought, Feng Jiangong agreed. “Very well! Mr. Xiao, let’s sign the contract. Fengrao Group’s business has always been strong, but our backing isn’t strong enough! There are fields where we have an edge but must yield to others. That’s our bottleneck. If you rise in the martial world, I guarantee the group’s assets and scale will multiply!”

They quickly finalized the contract.

From that moment on, Xiao Yang became the public face of Fengrao Group.

In the world of martial artists, a young, handsome martial prodigy was more appealing than any celebrity. As long as Xiao Yang advanced in martial arts and his fame grew, so too would Fengrao Group’s stature, ensuring their products sold and their business thrived.

After the contract, Feng Jiangong tentatively asked, “Mr. Xiao, Shi Qiucai and his son are related to you. Would you like us to promote them?”

Xiao Yang shook his head. “No need.”

Feng Jiangong continued, “If you dislike them, I can have them dismissed from the company.”

Xiao Yang laughed. “That’s unnecessary. Just treat them as strangers to me. There’s no need to favor or mistreat them because of me.”

Feng Jiangong nodded. “Understood.”

Shi Qiucai and Shi Guodong would retain their positions, but any future promotions would depend entirely on their own abilities.

The next day, Xiao Yang would head to Jiangnan Martial University. After leaving the banquet, he visited the hospital to check on Chen Wanglong.

His surgery had gone well, and he was now in recovery. In about ten days, he would be able to get out of bed, and in three months, he’d be fully mobile.

Thanks to the world’s spiritual energy, medical technology here far surpassed that of Earth.

That night, Xiao Yang was too excited to sleep, knowing he would soon enter Jiangnan Martial University as a specially admitted student.

Ding!

A new message appeared in his communicator.

Xiao Yang perked up. Every night at this hour, he chatted with Xu Ruqing.

He opened the communicator.

Xu Ruqing: “…”

Xiao Yang: “…”

Xu Ruqing: “Another day survived. Good grief, I feel like I’m going to drop dead from exhaustion. I thought getting into Martial University would mean easy days ahead, but I never imagined the training would be so grueling—it’s even tougher than Yuezhou First Martial School.”

Xiao Yang: “The more you train, the faster your progress. Once you’re a martial artist and can sense Qi, doesn’t cultivation become easier?”

Xu Ruqing: “I wouldn’t know, but right now, it’s killing me. I feel like I’m losing a pound every day.”

Xiao Yang: “That just means you’ll be even slimmer! Ha O(∩_∩)O ha!”

Xu Ruqing: “Sneaky! (*^__^*) Want to see for yourself?”

Xiao Yang: “What do you think?”

Xu Ruqing: “Too bad. You’re in Yuezhou, I’m in Jiangnan. You can’t see me.”

Xiao Yang: “You could send a video!”

Xu Ruqing: “Dream on!”

Xiao Yang: “Or a photo.”

Xu Ruqing: “No way! A girl’s body is only for in-person viewing. Photos and videos aren’t proper.”

Xiao Yang: “If I come to Jiangnan, will you let me see?”

Xu Ruqing: “Sure, but you’re not in Jiangnan.”

Xiao Yang: “I can come.”

Xu Ruqing: “Even if you come to Jiangnan, you can’t get into the Martial University. It’s completely sealed off, with strict management.”

Xiao Yang: “Ha O(∩_∩)O ha! Maybe if I show up, they’ll make an exception for me.”

Xu Ruqing: “Don’t be ridiculous. You may have influence with me, but not with Jiangnan Martial University.”

Xiao Yang: “Tomorrow, I’ll give you a surprise!”

Xu Ruqing: “What kind of surprise? Don’t tell me you’re really coming to Jiangnan. You won’t get in.”

Xiao Yang: “O(∩_∩)O~!”

…

They chatted idly for a while. Xiao Yang wished he could fly to Jiangnan that instant. But with the special plane arriving only the next day, he spent the night in excitement.

The following morning, his parents, sister, and brother-in-law escorted him to Tiance Martial Hall.

He transferred fifty thousand to his mother; in case his grandmother passed away, the family would need funds. He kept only a few thousand for emergencies.

He wouldn’t be returning home soon after entering Jiangnan Martial University, so his parents were both joyful and reluctant to see him go.

“Big sis, make sure you come home often and take care of Mom and Dad,” he instructed his sister, Xiao Luan, before saying farewell and entering the Martial Hall.

The receptionist, Lu Zixun, still remembered Xiao Yang and came up with a smile. “Xiao Yang, you’re here. The Director asked me to bring you over.”

“Thank you, Zixun,” he replied.

Lu Zixun smiled sweetly, her gaze warm and gentle. “You really are likable.”

“That’s just how I am—everyone loves me,” Xiao Yang quipped with a grin.

This visit to Tiance Martial Hall was worlds apart from his previous assessment—a time of self-confidence and optimism, just as he was about to step into the prime of his life.

He spoke more lightly now, but he was only telling the truth.

Lu Zixun led him to a hall. Inside, the Director Yang Zhen, Deputy Director Mao Shisan, and other senior executives were present—many of whom Xiao Yang was meeting for the first time.

Yang Zhen beckoned him over to introduce him to everyone.

All present were at least fourth-rank martial artists, the upper echelon of Yuezhou’s Tiance Martial Hall. They all looked at Xiao Yang with keen interest.

They were well aware of Xiao Yang’s background, knowing that Director Yang Zhen had offered him a salary more than ten times that of an ordinary martial artist to recruit him.

Some regarded him with new respect, while others frowned, doubting whether Xiao Yang was truly worth such a price.

Xiao Yang, unfamiliar with most of them, spoke little. After a while, a martial artist entered and said, “Director, Director Lin’s airship has arrived.”

“Let’s go welcome Director Lin,” Yang Zhen said, rising and leading everyone outside.

Soon, a jet-black warplane descended before them. The hatch opened, the landing gear extended.

A man in his fifties, dressed in a traditional Chinese suit, stepped out.

He appeared unremarkable on the surface, his aura subdued like a dormant dragon, unfathomable.

“Director Lin,” Yang Zhen greeted him with great respect.

“Director Lin,” the others echoed.

This was Director Lin Shaofeng, second only to the president and vice president at Jiangnan Martial University, and a high-ranking figure at Tiance Martial Hall.

In Xiao Yang’s imagination, a grandmaster would exude overwhelming presence, but Lin Shaofeng’s demeanor was gentle, his smile warm. After a quick glance around, his gaze settled on Xiao Yang.

“Director Lin, this is the eighteen-year-old prodigy I told you about—Xiao Yang,” Yang Zhen introduced.

Before Lin Zhen could say more, Xiao Yang stepped forward. “Greetings, Director Lin.”

Lin Shaofeng studied him for a moment. “A fine young man. Yang Zhen has high hopes for you. Once you enter Jiangnan Martial University, you must prove his judgment correct.”

“Yes, Director Lin,” Xiao Yang replied.

“Director Lin, you’ve come a long way. Would you care to come inside?” Yang Zhen offered.

Lin Shaofeng waved him off. “You manage the Yuezhou branch well; there’s no need for inspection. I must make an appearance when all the new students are assembled, so time is short. Xiao Yang, come with me.”

Yang Zhen patted Xiao Yang’s shoulder and gave him a fist-pumping gesture of encouragement.

Lin Shaofeng turned and boarded the warplane, Xiao Yang following.

It was a private aircraft, with few seats but considerable luxury.

Glancing into the cockpit, Xiao Yang noticed there was no pilot. He was astonished—could it be fully automated?

Lin Shaofeng settled into the main sofa and gestured to the seat beside him. “Sit.”

Somewhat nervous, Xiao Yang sat down and set his backpack aside.

Lin Shaofeng picked up a translucent panel resembling a tablet and tapped a few times. Xiao Yang felt as if he were in a science fiction movie.

The aircraft lifted off smoothly into the sky.

Xiao Yang had been focused on martial matters lately, but now realized the technology of this world was far more advanced than Earth’s.

The flight was swift yet steady. Lin Shaofeng turned to Xiao Yang. “I heard you became a martial artist after eating a mutated Fiery Cloud Fruit?”

Xiao Yang nodded. “Yes.”

Lin Shaofeng said, “Years ago, our chief hall master also became a martial artist after consuming a mutated heavenly fruit. You have tremendous potential. With diligence, your future is limitless.”

A soft click sounded—a small door opened and a white metal robot emerged.

The robot moved with uncanny agility, retrieved a drink and two glasses from a cabinet, and poured beverages for both men.

Xiao Yang was amazed by this technological marvel.

Lin Shaofeng went on, “Yang Zhen should have told you—our chief hall master is a martial king. The three great martial halls were all founded by martial kings. At their level, they shoulder the responsibility of protecting humanity while also pursuing personal power. Despite their common cause, relations are far from harmonious, so competition among the three halls is fierce.”

He raised his glass, motioning for Xiao Yang to do the same. Xiao Yang took a sip—the taste was excellent.

“This year, both Longteng and Hero Martial Halls have sent outstanding talents to Jiangnan Martial University. In particular, the Hero Hall’s candidate is exceptional.”

He continued, “His name is Ling Dufei. He became a martial artist after eating a mutated Golden Durian, just like you—blessed by fortune. He is also eighteen and will be your first rival at the university.”

Xiao Yang’s eyes lit up.

His own story about the mutated fruit was just a cover, but Ling Dufei was clearly the real deal—a true prodigy.

The chief hall master of Tiance, Li Tiance, had become a martial artist after eating such a fruit and went on to become a martial king, a legend of the Dragon Nation.

Ling Dufei’s rise was similar—a genuine genius.

Of course, Xiao Yang felt no pressure. The benefits of the Supradimensional Book far surpassed any single mutated fruit.

With ample money now, he could stay in the Supradimensional World for at least seven days each month, ensuring rapid growth and no fear of competition.

He declared, “I will not let Tiance Martial Hall down; I will surpass Ling Dufei.”

Lin Shaofeng laughed heartily. “Director Lu of Hero Martial Hall has been bragging to me, mocking our lack of talent this year. If you can outshine Ling Dufei and master the legacy techniques before him, you’ll bring great honor to Tiance Martial Hall—and to me.”

“That’s why today, I’ll make sure you make a grand entrance. When all the new students are gathered, I’ll announce your special admission status, giving you the upper hand from the very start.”