Chapter 9: The First Martial Arts School

"Lin Zhen, we at Blue Sky Martial Arts Hall have decided to recruit you. You can sign a five-year contract, with a salary every month as per higher-level trainees!"

"Come to Shadow Dance, our contract terms are definitely no worse than Blue Sky's, and if you have any requests regarding your family, we can also take care of employment for them and ensure you enjoy the living benefits of Base City!"

"We can offer the same, plus provide you with housing—a two-story detached villa in the West City District for you to live in for free!"

"Stop fighting over him. We at Changfeng have decided to take people in. You could also join the headquarters' special training, where War General instructors teach for free, and our Changfeng members enjoy a 9.5% discount on goods, something those smaller martial arts halls don't have."

The surrounding area was filled with a chaotic noise, these high and mighty Martial Artists acting like vegetable vendors, desperately pitching their own martial arts halls.

There was no helping it, Lin Zhen's performance was simply too outstanding.

His punch strength and speed had reached the level of a third-tier Warrior, and his nerve response was freakishly at a fourth-tier level—a critical factor determining a Martial Artist's survival capability. Without any surprises, Lin Zhen might very well become a War God-level master in the future.

Keep in mind, Lin Zhen was not even seventeen years old yet.

Who would have thought such a talent could emerge from Sixth School, let alone outshine students from those elite schools like First, Second, and Third.

He was expected to be dazzled by such generous offers, yet Lin Zhen stood in the crowd with a faint smile on his face, utterly unmoved.

He was still waiting, waiting for even better conditions.

Ouyang Yu looked at Lin Zhen with jealousy, watching as Brother Li, who had just promised to help him, was busy calling the responsible person to discuss a generous contract for Lin Zhen, completely sidelining himself.

But before Dragon Slayer's representative could finish the call, Gale Martial Arts Hall's Zhao Liang came over, accompanied by Meng Dong, who was making faces at Lin Zhen.

"Lin Zhen, Gale is offering you a second-tier student's contract, signing for three years at first because we believe that after three years, the existing contract won't be suitable for you anymore. We promise to resolve your family's employment and living issues, and offer you a three-story detached villa in the West City District with a strict security system, making sure your family lives worry-free," Zhao Liang said.

Meng Dong also chimed in, "Lin Zhen, come to Gale. This is Hua Xia's No.1 Martial Arts Hall. We can continue to be together and team up to fight monsters in the future—forming a brotherly team to carve out our own sky."

Lin Zhen exhaled gently, "Then I'll go to Gale."

Hearing Lin Zhen's decision and the offer from Gale, other martial arts hall representatives finally shut up. Gale was indeed generous, offering to give away a three-story detached villa as they said, which they could not afford.

Only Dragon Slayer's representative, having just hung up the phone, immediately said, "Lin Zhen, we can offer you the same benefits! Maybe even better than Gale."

Lin Zhen glanced at Dragon Slayer's people and shook his head, "I'm still going to Gale."

"Why? Shouldn't a Martial Artist pursue maximizing his own benefits?" The representative from Dragon Slayer was somewhat puzzled.

Lin Zhen's lips curled into a slight smile, suddenly pointing behind him at Ouyang Yu, "Because I don't like the look of this guy. If you break his legs right now, I might consider joining Dragon Slayer."

The representative from Dragon Slayer was stunned and opened his mouth but said nothing.

Breaking Ouyang Yu's legs was naturally out of the question, but it made him realize something—Lin Zhen's refusal to join Dragon Slayer was probably because of Ouyang Yu, which caused him to harbor some resentment towards him.

Had he known this would happen, he would have rather snubbed Zhang Huai than recruit Ouyang Yu—clearly, Lin Zhen's potential far exceeded that of Ouyang Yu, and he could have earned a handsome reward, all now spoiled.

Frantically, Ouyang Yu called out from behind, "Brother Li, don't listen to this brat's nonsense. He's just trying to stir up trouble!"

"I'm not a fool, no need for your nonsense!" Brother Li coldly replied and turned away, leaving the testing hall.

The dust settled and people from various martial arts halls dispersed. The graduation exam at No. 6 Middle School had ended.

Right there, Lin Zhen signed a contract with the people from Gale. The contract stipulated that Lin Zhen must comply with the basic arrangements of Gale Martial Arts Hall, prioritize the interests of Gale above all, and must not betray them.

At the same time, Lin Zhen also enjoyed the treatments of Gale, with a second-class student contract being very generous. Meng Dong had only a third-class student contract, and a third-class student could earn a monthly salary of two hundred thousand, while a second-class could earn up to five hundred thousand.

Gale also promised to solve living problems for Lin Zhen's parents, providing them a monthly life protection of five thousand yuan in the Base City. The elderly couple could earn ten thousand yuan each month without doing anything. Although it wasn't a lot of money, it was enough to maintain a basic living standard, which Lin Zhen valued greatly.

Moreover, as a first-time joiner of the martial arts hall and a second-class student, he could additionally receive one month's salary. Gale's Zhao Liang instantly gave Lin Zhen five hundred thousand and even the keys to a three-story detached villa in West City, transferring the property right there.

Besides these, Lin Zhen could also access the internal network of Gale Martial Arts Hall in the future. As a second-class student, he would enjoy a 9.5% discount on online shopping.

Do not underestimate a 9.5% discount. For martial artists, buying things is the biggest expense. Accumulated over a long period, a 0.5% discount would also amount to substantial wealth. Moreover, as Lin Zhen's level advanced, the discounts he would enjoy would increase even more.

For instance, a first-class student could enjoy a 9.3% discount, and an official Martial Artist would be able to enjoy 90%. That is when real savings would happen.

Additionally, there were also the martial arts hall's uniforms and satellite phones, which were unique, and both Lin Zhen and Meng Dong had them.

After these necessary procedures were completed, Zhao Liang patted Lin Zhen and Meng Dong on the shoulders, "Let's go, today Big Brother Zhao is inviting you two for a drink, welcoming you to Gale Martial Arts Hall, and also to show you the world of martial artists."

Socializing in the world of martial artists is very important, having many friends helps when problems arise. Zhao Liang clearly saw great potential in Lin Zhen and Meng Dong. As a veteran martial artist willing to make connections with newcomers, this was quite rare.

Lin Zhen had initially planned to go home today to surprise his parents, but it was difficult to refuse Zhao Liang's goodwill. After thinking it over, he decided to inform his family first.

Pulling out his phone, Lin Zhen made a call home.

His father answered quickly and immediately inquired about Lin Zhen's graduation exam results for the day.

Lin Zhen hesitated for a moment. Seeing that there were still quite a few people around, he, now a member of Gale Martial Arts Hall, shouldn't be too high-profile. He only told his father on the phone, "Dad, rest assured, I did quite well this time. I'll tell you more when I get home, but it might be very late by then."

Beside him, Zhao Liang said, "What do you mean 'very late'? Today we're drinking all night till morning."

Lin Zhen could only continue, "If it gets too late, I won't come back tonight and will return tomorrow morning."

His father agreed and then hung up the phone.

After hanging up, Lin Liye turned to Li Qin who was looking forward with expectation and said, "This kid, I guess he might not have done well. He always reports only the good and not the bad; you know that, don't you?"

Li Qin nodded, "If the child didn't do well, we shouldn't scold him when he comes back."

"Don't worry, I am aware of the delicacy."

The old couple were uncertain whether Lin Zhen had really joined any martial arts hall, which made them somewhat uneasy.

After finishing the call, Lin Zhen and Meng Dong left No. 6 Middle School following Zhao Liang.

Walking out of the school gate, Lin Zhen looked back for a moment. He had ended his high school career once again; however, this time, he had finally entered Hua Xia's No.1 Martial Arts Hall and started a completely different life.