At the counter, Zhou Fu looked at the friendly-looking receptionist and said politely, "Hello, could you help me check the schedule for 'the high schooler who beat up martial artists' after today's matches?"

Chen Xiaoke was full of confusion; although the martial arts dojo had over a million registered members, that name definitely left the deepest impression on her.

How could she possibly forget that handsome, but reckless high schooler who didn't heed her advice?

Three hours ago, it was she who registered Lin Feng's membership card, but she couldn't figure out why this chubby man was asking like this?

Could a high schooler really have special matches?

Who do you think he is—a signed martial artist with the dojo?

Besides, what could possibly be so exciting about a high school student's matches?

At this moment, Chen Xiaoke's face was blank, her delicate and cute features obviously bewildered. The service desk was far away from the arena, so she had no idea what had happened there.

Nor did she know that Lin Feng, whom she'd looked down on, had already become the talk of the dojo.

"Hello sir, that high school student registered at the dojo for the first time today, and it's his first competition as well. There aren't any scheduled matches."

Though curious, Chen Xiaoke's professionalism still made her explain patiently.

Zhou Fu already knew all this; he was only bringing it up to segue into his next topic, so he continued, "Then could you help me look up that student's profile? I'd like to get to know more."

"I'm sorry, sir, but the dojo has a rule against disclosing customer information."

"Come on, help me out," Zhou Fu slid a membership card across the counter, underneath it a thick cowhide envelope, calmly and quickly slipped it inside the desk, and smiled, "Just a little favor, a token of gratitude."

Modern tech makes transferring money fast and easy, but as a businessman, it's good habit to carry some cash.

"Uh..."

The receptionist jumped in shock, first surprised, then questioning herself?

She'd actually been bribed!

Since when was she important enough to be bribed?

This was the first time in her three years.

The thickness of that envelope—there must be at least ten thousand New Coins in there!

This chubby middle-aged guy sure was generous. That was three months' salary for her.

No way she wasn't tempted!

If it were a hundred thousand, she might hesitate and say yes immediately; after all, it was just a little favor. But risking getting fired for ten thousand—definitely not worth it.

As a receptionist at Thunder Martial Arts Dojo, the pay wasn't high, but it was stable no matter what, and the work environment and benefits were great.

Three years ago, only three spots were open, and even though the requirements were tough, tens of thousands of people applied. Getting hired was one-in-a-million, and not easy. Working under the Thunder Martial Arts Dojo was like having a big tree for shelter. Even as a receptionist, most people wouldn't dare mess with her.

Plus, even her family's safety was guaranteed, so Chen Xiaoke cherished this job.

"Sir, please don't joke around. That's the dojo's regulation."

Chen Xiaoke's face fell a little, her tone serious.

As she spoke, her gaze couldn't help glancing at the nearby surveillance cameras.

"No worries, I'll just wait till you're off and take you out to dinner."

Zhou Fu noted her look toward the cameras, smiled as he took back the card and envelope, and slipped them into his pocket.

To him, this girl was clearly timid. Wait until she's off work, put the cash in front of her—he bet she wouldn't say no.

If not, maybe a few extra tens of thousands would do the trick.

Of course, he could just go straight to Lin Feng, but as a businessman, he wanted to be well prepared—get all the facts before acting. Ideally, decide everything on the first meeting with Lin Feng.

Negotiations shouldn't drag on. That was his seasoned business principle.

"Sir, I really am sorry. That's the rule. Even off the clock, the result is the same."

There's more? Not taking it at all?

Chen Xiaoke was tempted, but kept up a straight face, refusing firmly and righteously.

"Alright, I'm leaving!"

Zhou Fu waved his hand, pretending to leave in regret.

Not long after Zhou Fu left, before Chen Xiaoke could recover, someone else came to ask about Lin Feng.

This time, though, there was no bribe, so she sternly refused.

"I really want to see what's so special about you?"

After handling that, Chen Xiaoke pulled up Lin Feng's profile from the backend. Soon, Lin Feng's latest stats popped up on her screen.

"Nine fights, nine wins? He even beat Gao Tong, who's the strongest Ninth Rank Body Cultivator."

That was when Chen Xiaoke finally realized why so many people were asking about Lin Feng.

"One hundred eighty grand?"

Chen Xiaoke's jaw dropped, clearly shocked. Lin Feng's eight hundred bet had ballooned to a hundred eighty thousand.

And that was just because Lin Feng's betting limit was low, capped at ten thousand—otherwise it might've hit a million.

Even one hundred eighty thousand—that's more than she could earn in years!

A high schooler, not even a full afternoon, and he'd made that much.

Chen Xiaoke was stunned, unable to recover.

.....

Inside a simply furnished but lavishly decorated room at the dojo, seven figures were watching a holographic projection on the wall.

"What do you all think?"

The speaker was a middle-aged man—Lin Xuan, deputy curator of Thunder Martial Arts Dojo.

Lin Xuan was a Seventh Grade martial artist, his demon spirit a Fifth Grade Tearing Mad Wolf. As a Demon Spirit Master, his strength was formidable. He hadn't been at the dojo; it was a call from his staff about a promising talent that brought him back in a hurry.

For a high schooler to cause such a commotion at the dojo, he was curious.

"To reach Seventh Rank Body Cultivation during senior year is impressive. According to his profile address, he's clearly not from a major clan, doesn't have much support for cultivation, so his martial arts talent must be excellent. But yesterday's Awakening Day, he didn't refine a demon spirit—doesn't have Demon Spirit Master talent." A woman said blandly.

"Without the Demon Spirit Master talent, there's no point in developing him. He might be the strongest in Body Cultivation, but once you become a martial artist, facing Demon Spirit Masters, fighting technique alone is useless."

"What a shame. If only he could be a Demon Spirit Master—even with a middle-grade demon spirit—his skill would absolutely make him recommended to the club."

"Definitely. At least a B-level contract." Several people looked regretful.

As Thunder Martial Arts Dojo execs, "club" referred to Thunder Club, of course.

Thunder Martial Arts Dojo belonged to Thunder Club, and part of their duty was recommending promising talents to the club.

Once any member showed martial arts potential and was rated worthy—if they agreed—the dojo would recommend them, a B-level contract. That wasn't low; it was the same tier as Ya Ge's contract with Ju Xing.

Lin Feng's fighting technique had shocked everyone. That clean, decisive style might look plain, but there was a real beauty to it.

Unshowy but effective—already far above standard fighting skills. It almost resembled a killing skill.

A killing skill—something only mastered after countless life-and-death battles.

A high schooler, with no war or demon beast hunting experience, had achieved this? Truly incredible.

Lin Feng was just sixteen years old, and that level of combat talent was extremely rare.

Within the Body Cultivation Realm, it'd be hard for Lin Feng to meet a worthy opponent.

"It's a pity. Such a shame."

Lin Xuan looked at Lin Feng's moves on the screen—even he felt regret.

That kind of combat talent was way above the usual standard for high school or college students, and even many martial artists couldn't match his technique.

It showed just how extraordinary Lin Feng's talent was in combat.

He'd seen all kinds of martial arts geniuses, talent with refinement of Earth Chart demon spirits, but never a high schooler with this kind of combat prowess.

Too bad he couldn't be a Demon Spirit Master. If he could, pick a full attack-type demon spirit to match that combat talent—he'd be every enemy's nightmare.

"Such a shame."

A long sigh rang out, full of endless regret.

.....

On the arena, Lin Feng was the focus of thousands.

"Damn brat, you tricked us. You made me lose ninety thou!"

"High schooler, go for it! I'm still betting on you!"

"Kid, I'm gonna beat you up!"

The crowd couldn't help shouting—and now, the curses were even louder.

Even Gao Tong, Ninth Rank Body Cultivator, got crushed, but Lin Feng had a drawn-out fight with an Eighth Rank opponent. By now, even idiots realized he'd been playing dumb all along.

"Stop."

During the break, Lin Feng raised a hand to signal the referee to halt any further challengers.

His stamina was running low. Against Body Cultivators, it didn't matter, but if he ran into a First Grade martial artist by bad luck, that could be dangerous.

So he had no intention of continuing the challenge this time.

He'd stirred up enough excitement—to maximize the advertisement effect, it was time to step off.

"I'll be back tomorrow night—to challenge First Grade martial artists directly."

Lin Feng walked to the center of the ring, his voice cold as he raised his hand, fading from sight as the arena platform descended, leaving behind waves of excited cheers.

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