Chapter 5: Young Sir, You Look Quite Unfamiliar!
Xiao Yang stood at the bedside.
The Book of Transcendence lay quietly beside the bed.
Clenching his fists, a surge of joy flooded Xiao Yang’s face, and his eyes shone with a brilliant light.
He felt the powerful strength now coursing through his body.
He sensed the intense presence of qi within.
Xiao Yang’s suspicions had been correct!
The cultivation gained in the Transcendent World could truly be brought back to reality.
Before entering the Transcendent World, Xiao Yang had only been a martial apprentice, far from the realm of a true martial artist. Now, he was officially a practitioner of the Qi Sense stage.
“This is real!”
“I’ve become a martial artist!”
“I really have become a martial artist!”
Overwhelmed with delight, Xiao Yang muttered to himself, his heart soaring.
Becoming a martial artist in the real world brought ten times the joy compared to achieving it in the Transcendent World. There, it had felt like playing a game; only now did he truly affirm that he was a martial artist.
A month ago, at the exam, not a single student from Yuezhou’s First Martial School had reached martial artist status; all were mere apprentices. Even Xu Chao, the top student, was only ninety percent of the way to the minimum standard.
Today, while the admitted students were just arriving at Jiangnan Martial University, Xiao Yang, who had not been admitted, had already become a true martial artist. If this were known, would it not astonish everyone?
At this moment, Xiao Yang wanted to burst out laughing.
“Yangyang, are you in your room?” his mother called from outside.
“Yes, it’s me!” Xiao Yang suppressed the urge to laugh aloud and replied.
“When did you get home? You didn’t tell us. Your father and I have been back for a while, and we didn’t even know you were in your room,” his mother said.
Sensing her mood was a bit off, Xiao Yang explained, “Today Jiangnan Martial University came to pick up students. I took leave to see Ruqing off and then came back home to sleep.”
Mentioning Xu Ruqing lifted his mother’s spirits. “I haven’t cooked for you yet. Let me make you some noodles. Don’t just stay locked up in your room when you’re home.”
“I’ve just gotten up. I’ll be out soon,” Xiao Yang replied.
He forced himself to calm down, thinking about how to explain to his parents his sudden transformation into a martial artist.
Martial artists enjoyed special privileges. Through certification by authoritative institutions, they could receive generous benefits. Even the lowest-ranked martial artist would get a monthly stipend of one hundred thousand yuan.
Now that he was a martial artist, Xiao Yang naturally had to get certified. One hundred thousand yuan a month was equivalent to his parents’ annual income—such a benefit was not to be missed.
Moreover, maintaining access to the Transcendent World required money; the more he had, the longer he could stay, and the greater the rewards.
But an eighteen-year-old martial artist was too extraordinary—especially since only a month ago, his exam results had been far from the standard.
Now, suddenly becoming a martial artist would require explanations not only to his parents but to others as well.
It was just a matter of finding a plausible excuse. Xiao Yang recalled some information he’d seen online—some mutated heavenly fruits could directly turn ordinary people into martial artists. He had his plan.
He picked up the Book of Transcendence from the bed.
A message entered his mind.
Book of Transcendence: cooldown time, thirty days.
Thirty days later, he could enter the Transcendent World again. Thinking of everything he had experienced there, Xiao Yang grew excited.
His first entry had made him a martial artist; what would he gain next time?
Next time, he must stay longer and reap even greater rewards!
He stowed the Book of Transcendence in the corner of the bed, pressing it down with the quilt. This was his priceless treasure—whether he could become a martial arts master in the future depended entirely on this book.
His strength had increased, he had gained qi sense, become a true martial artist—and he also retained the martial skills he’d learned in the Transcendent World.
Phantom Palm!
Phantom Step!
Xiao Yang remembered them perfectly.
“My cultivation and skills came with me directly. What about the items I acquired in the Transcendent World? How do I bring those out?”
He pondered.
“Open inventory!”
No response.
“Virtual space!”
No response.
“Transcendent space!”
There was a response!
A flash of insight, and a strange scene appeared in his mind.
A grid-like screen appeared in his consciousness.
He didn’t know where this space existed, but the image was clear in his mind.
A total of eight by eight squares.
The first square: 269 silver coins.
The second: an iron sword.
The third: 55 beast crystals.
The fourth: a refined iron sword.
His consciousness acted as a hand, touching the grid screen.
He willed himself to take out a beast crystal.
Instantly, a beast crystal appeared in his hand.
“Deposit in Transcendent space!” he thought.
The crystal in his hand did not respond.
He tried several times but could not return the crystal to the Transcendent space.
“It seems, in the real world, Transcendent space only allows items to be taken out, not put back in.”
He placed the beast crystal in his pocket.
Checking the money in his pocket—no change.
Xiao Yang picked up his phone and checked his bank account.
Originally, he had 1,500 yuan; now only 389 remained, exactly 1,111 less.
It matched the four hours spent in the real world and four days in the Transcendent World’s monetary consumption.
Apparently, the Book of Transcendence could automatically connect to the real world’s network and deduct money directly from his bank.
Next time, he’d need to ensure his bank account was well funded—the longer he could stay, the better.
Once certified by the authorities, he’d receive a monthly benefit of one hundred thousand yuan. Five hours in the Transcendent World would require 11,111 yuan; six hours, 111,111 yuan.
With a monthly benefit of one hundred thousand, he could sustain five hours next time, and six hours the time after that!
“Yangyang, the noodles are ready—why aren’t you out yet?” his mother called.
“Coming, coming!” Xiao Yang replied, his face bright with happiness as he stepped out of his room.
His father had already finished eating and was reading a newspaper in the living room.
His mother was still eating, obviously having paused to cook noodles for him.
Both his parents bore troubled expressions, their brows knit with worry.
Sitting at the dining table, Xiao Yang asked, “Mom, are my sister and brother-in-law fighting again?”
His mother shook her head. “Your brother-in-law treats your sister well, though his parents are difficult. But for his sake, we don’t hold grudges with them.”
“Then why are you and dad so worried?” Xiao Yang asked.
His mother sighed, “In three days, it’s your grandmother’s eightieth birthday. We just got notified that your eldest aunt is planning a grand celebration.”
Xiao Yang immediately understood the source of their distress.
His mother had two older sisters and a younger brother.
Both sisters had married well, while his father’s family was ordinary and had a sickly mother—Xiao Yang’s grandmother.
His grandfather had strongly opposed their marriage, but his mother had married anyway, leading at one point to estrangement. It was only through his grandmother’s pleas that contact was restored.
After marriage, they first treated the ailing grandmother, and after her passing, devoted themselves to raising Xiao Yang. Their family remained modest, always looked down upon by his mother’s family.
His aunts, who had married for money, often flaunted their superiority and mocked Xiao Yang’s family whenever they met. As a result, his parents never borrowed money from her family, no matter how difficult things became.
His grandmother cared for them but was elderly and ill, unable to help much.
It was reasonable for her daughters to arrange a grand birthday celebration for their mother, but Xiao Yang sensed from his mother’s tone that his eldest aunt’s plans were extravagant, far exceeding normal standards.
His aunt had money and loved to show her filial piety, but the cost would be split among the three daughters. She never let their father’s family pay, insisting her sisters share the expense.
His second aunt’s family could afford it; Xiao Yang’s family could not, and each time, they scraped together what little they could.
“How does eldest aunt plan to do it?” he asked.
His mother rubbed her forehead. “They booked sixty tables at Spring Garden, 2,888 yuan per table, split among the three families—each must pay over fifty-seven thousand. Now… where can we find that much money?”
Xiao Yang raised his eyebrows. Fifty-seven thousand per family—this was nearly pushing them to ruin!
“Two years ago, grandfather’s eightieth birthday didn’t cost this much,” he remarked.
His father put down the newspaper, displeased. “They’re doing it on purpose, knowing you didn’t get into Martial University and won’t become a martial artist. They want us to be embarrassed.”
His mother’s face was troubled. “But their excuse is good—they say our mother suffered giving birth to us, is now sick and may not have long to live. They want to give her a grand celebration while she’s still here, to bring joy and ease her troubles.
If this were for my father, I’d rather be called unfilial than agree to such extravagance. But my mother has always been good to me—the only one in her family who thinks of us. My sister knows this, and deliberately puts me in a difficult position. She knows we can’t come up with the money, but if we don’t pay, we’ll lose face. She’ll say terrible things in front of all the relatives.”
His father sighed. “We really can’t scrape together that much, not fifty thousand, not even twenty or thirty thousand.”
His mother said, “Should I swallow my pride and ask my in-laws…?”
His father replied, “You know what they’re like. Since Yangyang didn’t get into Martial University, even the money Xiao Luan sends home they demand back. How could they possibly lend us anything?”
His mother said, “So what do we do? Mother doesn’t have long, and I can’t miss her eightieth birthday. If we don’t pay, my sister will humiliate us in front of everyone.”
His father sighed again.
Seeing his parents trapped and distressed, Xiao Yang felt pained. Since his becoming a martial artist was bound to be revealed, he might as well tell them now and bring them some happiness, lest their health suffer from worry.
“Dad, Mom, don’t worry—I have good news. Fifty-seven thousand isn’t a problem!” he said.
Both parents looked at him, asking in unison, “What good news?”
Xiao Yang smiled, “I’ve already become a true martial artist.”
His parents froze, as if turned to stone.
His words were so shocking, both were left speechless.
Just last month, his martial exam score had barely passed the standard, placing him in the lower middle among candidates—he hadn’t even gotten into Martial University.
Now, out of the blue, he claimed to be a true martial artist—how could that be?
Their first reaction was not joy, but astonishment and disbelief.
After a few seconds, his father finally asked, “Are you joking?”
Xiao Yang answered seriously, “I’m not joking. I came home today, bought a Firecloud Fruit on the way, ate it, and felt feverish and drowsy when I got back. I slept until just now, and when I woke up… I found my strength had greatly increased and qi was flowing inside me. I really have reached the Qi Sense stage as a martial artist.”
His parents were shocked again, but this time with intense joy.
His father jumped up from the sofa. “You got a mutated Firecloud Fruit?”
Firecloud Fruit was a common fruit on Earthstar, but sometimes it mutated into a heavenly fruit that could turn ordinary people into martial artists. Xiao Yang naturally used this as his excuse.
He nodded. “I think so! Tomorrow I’ll go to a nearby martial hall for certification. As a martial artist, I’ll get ten thousand yuan a month—the birthday banquet expense is no longer an issue!”
His mother stood up, disbelief in her eyes. “My goodness! A heavenly fruit—such a rare treasure, and you found one by chance?”
Xiao Yang nodded with a smile.
His parents exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with overwhelming joy.
“Heaven has eyes! Heaven has eyes! My son really became a martial artist! My son really became a martial artist!” his mother rejoiced, coming over to touch and squeeze his arm. “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful—too wonderful! My son is a martial artist. Let’s see who dares mock us at the birthday banquet now.”
“Our ancestors bless us!” his father pressed his palms together, bowing repeatedly to the ancestral tablet. “My great-grandfather was a martial artist; our family has martial blood. I always knew Yangyang would become a martial artist. He didn’t get into Martial University, but instead was blessed to become a true martial artist early. Eighteen years old—a martial artist! In all of Dragon Country, that’s a top-level talent.”
Xiao Yang had crossed into Earthstar’s nation that revered the dragon as its totem, known to the world as Dragon Country. Its territory was slightly larger than Earth’s Celestial Empire, including the northeastern peninsula.
The vast majority of martial artists only became so after studying at Martial University for a year or two.
Before entering Martial University, it was extremely rare for anyone to become a martial artist—almost unheard of, except in some powerful martial families.
Xiao Yang was only eighteen, not yet in Martial University, and already a martial artist—a true marvel.
With the news, his parents’ worries and gloom vanished, replaced by joy and ecstasy.
Though ordinary people comprised over ninety-nine percent of society, the world ultimately belonged to the martial artists—the less than one percent.
Now that Xiao Yang was a martial artist, no matter how wealthy his aunts were, he was a step above them.
No one was more delighted than his mother. Every visit to her family, his parents had endured humiliation; this birthday banquet would gather all the relatives, and she could finally stand tall.
The next day, Xiao Yang went to certify his martial artist status.
The official military and the three great martial halls were all authoritative institutions with the power to certify martial artists.
Xiao Yang’s home was closest to Tiance Martial Hall.
Tiance Martial Hall, one of the three great halls of Dragon Country, had branches in every city.
On Earthstar, beast monsters occupied the wilds and oceans; all humans lived in cities, where land was precious.
Yet Tiance Martial Hall’s Yuezhou branch occupied a vast area in the city—its plaza alone was the size of a soccer field.
At the center stood a statue of a man with hands behind his back gazing at the sky.
This was the founder, Li Tiance—a legendary figure in Dragon Country’s martial world, equal in status to the nation itself.
Li Tiance’s martial hall was spread across Dragon Country, and even the government recognized its authority, including its right to certify martial artists.
Xiao Yang looked at the statue of Li Tiance—his aspirational goal.
With the Book of Transcendence in hand, Xiao Yang was confident that one day, he too would become a legend.
Many people came and went at the hall, not all martial artists.
Children of martial families who failed to meet the standard could not enter Martial University, even with extra points.
Every year, some martial family children failed the exam.
Martial families lacked neither money nor resources; they could support talented children in continued training—the halls were their place to do so.
Xiao Yang entered Tiance Martial Hall without attracting much attention, except for a few glances from the receptionists, impressed by his handsome looks.
At his age, failing the martial exam and continuing training at a hall was normal.
Seeing him approach, the receptionist nearest him greeted him, “Hello, you look new—are you here to train at Tiance Martial Hall?”
Xiao Yang smiled. “Hello, I’m here for martial artist certification.”
The receptionist was clearly surprised. “You… certification?”
The best place to begin martial training was Martial University, with its comprehensive teaching and foundational martial arts.
Only those who failed the exam came to the hall to train.
After ten years or more of training at a hall, one might become a martial artist.
So, those who came for certification at the hall were usually at least in their twenties, often in their thirties.
Xiao Yang looked barely twenty, like a recent exam dropout.
Certification at his age?
Was it possible?
The receptionist looked at him incredulously.
Xiao Yang’s smile was warm. “Yes, I really am here for martial artist certification.”
She found him likable and didn’t mock him, but advised, “Certification requires three martial artists of rank three or higher as examiners. If you fail, they’ll be very unhappy, and you’ll have to pay a hefty fee!”
Xiao Yang’s smile remained. “I’m confident.”
Her voice rose in surprise. “You’re so young—not even twenty—how could you possibly pass?”
Her words drew attention.
Many in the hall turned to look at Xiao Yang.
Some shook their heads and laughed. Not even twenty, coming for martial artist certification?
Ridiculous!
With that kind of talent, he’d have gotten into Martial University—why come to a hall?
Xiao Yang’s smile faded, his voice louder, “I wish to be certified. If Tiance Martial Hall refuses, I’ll go elsewhere!”
The receptionist dared not refuse and hurriedly said, “Of course you can—don’t be upset, I’ll take you to the examination room.”
There were several receptionists; this one, named Lu Zixun, left the desk and led Xiao Yang to the examination room.
Xiao Yang followed quietly.
Lu Zixun, still favorably disposed, said, “I really think it’s impossible, but I hope you pass!”
Xiao Yang smiled softly. “You won’t be disappointed.”
The examination room was much like a school testing room, but larger and more advanced.
Lu Zixun settled Xiao Yang in the room and reported his request for certification, waiting for the hall to send examiners.
One wall was transparent glass—many people had followed from the hall and now waited outside.
A young man under twenty seeking martial artist certification was a rare sight; having heard the news, everyone came to see the spectacle—was he ignorant, or truly capable?
After about twenty minutes, three martial artists arrived.
All were over forty, and looked at Xiao Yang with impatience.
To seek certification, Xiao Yang had submitted his identity information.
The three knew he was only eighteen, a student of Yuezhou First Martial School, and had failed the martial exam a month prior.
To come for certification now, having failed just a month ago?
It was practically a joke.
The three showed no friendliness toward Xiao Yang.
Still, the hall had assigned them as examiners, so they had to go through the process.
Each silently decided that if Xiao Yang fell far short of the standard, they would give him a good lesson afterward.
Of the three, Jiang Mu was the highest-ranked and chief examiner.
Seated at the center, Jiang Mu spoke in an imposing voice, “First item: punch force test, begin!”