High Martial Arts Era

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: A Gentleman Does Not Stand Under a Dangerous Wall

"Could it be because his martial arts skills are high?"

Lin Lanyue could only think of this one possibility. Then she said, "Aunt, let's go home. I still need to do some homework."

"Alright." The young woman nodded, walking and glancing at Lin Lanyue, "Yueyue, you really didn't know about Li Yuan signing an early contract with Starlight Martial Hall?"

"I really didn't know." Lin Lanyue shook her head.

"Maybe you should ask him about it? A B-level contract—there are only two or three slots a year at the Martial Hall." The young woman was curious, "It seems you two have a good relationship."

"I won't ask." Lin Lanyue shook her head decisively, "If someone doesn't say something, there must be a reason for it."

"By the way, don't mention this in the parents' group or gossip about it," Lin Lanyue looked at her aunt. She knew her aunt had a big mouth.

"Alright." The young woman replied dismissively.

"I mean it," Lin Lanyue said seriously, "Or I won't help you with your membership card later."

"Okay, okay, my little ancestor, I promise not to say anything." The woman in the fur coat raised her hands in surrender.

...

As Li Yuan was taking his younger siblings home in the Martial Hall's special car, on the twelfth floor of the Martial Hall building, in a quaintly decorated office.

"Hall Master."

Instructor Xing pushed open the door and walked in.

In front of a large floor-to-ceiling window, a middle-aged man in a Tang suit was standing with his back to the door, looking down at the night scene outside.

"How did it go?" Hall Master Wan didn't turn around, his voice calm.

"I asked and also retrieved the data from the testing equipment in each martial arts room. The six pre-signed members performed well," Instructor Xing reported respectfully. "The best performance and the greatest improvement was from Li Yuan."

"According to Fang Longhu, Li Yuan's physical fitness should be close to level 8, and his skill level is nearing the third stage perfection," Instructor Xing said. "Compared to two months ago, the progress is astounding."

"Oh?"

"Indeed, his progress is quite fast." Hall Master Wan finally turned around, smiling, "What do you think, Instructor Xing?"

"Hall Master, you have a keen eye." Instructor Xing bowed his head.

"Relax, old Xing, don't worry about my intentions," Hall Master Wan smiled. "I know what you're thinking. In your mind, based on Li Yuan's current performance, he barely qualifies for a C-level contract, right?"

"I wouldn't dare," Instructor Xing quickly said.

"Don't worry," Hall Master Wan laughed. "I have my reasons for giving him a B-level contract. Just keep recording the data."

"Yes," Instructor Xing replied.

He secretly thought, "You're the Hall Master. As long as you don't blame me later, whatever you say goes."

After Instructor Xing left,

"The person recommended by Iron Tower is indeed good," Hall Master Wan sighed. "But if he ultimately can't awaken his martial arts spirituality, growth will be tough after reaching level 10..."

He shook his head lightly and stopped thinking about it.

The pre-signed martial arts geniuses were only a small part of his work, something he checked on once a month.

Half an hour later.

"Alert—alert—" A voice suddenly sounded in the office.

Buzz~

Hall Master Wan's smart ring flashed red, making his face change. He quickly checked the message, "Astral Realm creatures? At least nine at level one, the strongest nearing level two? Appearing in the area between Southeast Lake and Lakeside Road, already causing at least thirty-five deaths?"

"Could it be the remnants from the last sweep along the Xiang River?" Hall Master Wan instantly recalled the previous operation.

Every warrior is registered with the Martial Arts Hall.

Their identity information is linked to their smart ring.

Once a Astral Realm creature appears and is detected by the 'Skynet' system of China, it immediately notifies nearby warriors for assistance.

As a source warrior, Hall Master Wan's smart ring had a maximum detection range of 100 kilometers.

This meant that if a Astral Realm creature of sufficient strength appeared within a 100-kilometer radius, he would be alerted.

Without hesitation.

"Dahe, immediately notify the Martial Hall's combat-ready warriors, teams one and two, to mobilize and coordinate with the military for eradication and containment," Hall Master Wan ordered. "Bring me my weapons."

"Yes, master," the auxiliary AI responded in the office.

One of the important duties of the Martial Hall is to protect local residents.

Every grassroots Martial Hall has warrior teams on standby, ready to deploy at any time.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two furniture robots emerged from the weapon room, one carrying a shield and the other a battle saber.

Hall Master Wan grabbed the shield and battle saber, then lightly pressed a metal button on his chest.

Immediately, his loose Tang suit rapidly transformed into a thin, metallic battle suit, covering his entire body in a black, oppressive and cold armor.

"Master, the single-person aircraft has arrived," the AI announced. "Shall I open the window?"

"Open the window," Hall Master Wan commanded.

With a loud rumble, the large window opened outwards, exposing the room to the gusty wind.

Whoosh!

With a slight push of his leg, Hall Master Wan's figure shot forward, crossing dozens of meters in an arc, like a cannonball falling directly to the ground.

This was from the twelfth floor! More than forty meters above ground!

Boom!

A loud explosion echoed in the air as a single-person aircraft, shaped like a speedboat, skimmed at high speed, catching Hall Master Wan perfectly.

The aircraft shot up, flying about a hundred meters above ground, rapidly heading towards the incident location.

...

The next day, after training all night, Li Yuan finally left home at around four in the morning.

Walking on the street.

In winter, it was still pitch dark at five in the morning, with a light drizzle making the ground slippery.

"Hmm?" Li Yuan had just left his residential area when he noticed something unusual. He saw heavily armed troops in the distance.

There were also two patrolling soldiers.

Occasionally, drones flew overhead, conducting surveillance.

The area was heavily guarded.

"Are they capturing a fugitive? No, could it be..." Li Yuan instantly thought of a possibility.

Without hesitation.

Li Yuan immediately opened his smart ring and entered an app called 'Astral Realm Creature Alert', setting his location to Guanshan District, Jiangcheng City.

He scanned the dozens of alert messages posted there.

"It's really Astral Realm creatures? How dare they appear in Jiangcheng?" Li Yuan was shocked. "According to the news, so far, there have been dozens of casualties?"

"Over thirty Astral Realm creatures have been killed."

"Up until now, there are still suspected Astral Realm creatures at large, and the entire Guanshan District is under lockdown for a thorough search?"

Thinking for a moment.

Li Yuan turned around.

He went upstairs and returned home.

"Even though there are military vehicles and drones outside, it looks safe, but walking alone on the street is too conspicuous," Li Yuan thought. "Lakeside Road is less than ten kilometers from here."

"With bad luck, walking on the street alone, I might actually encounter a fleeing Astral Realm creature."

"At home."

"The residential area has warning systems in place, the buildings and windows are reinforced, the corridors require facial recognition to enter, and home is very safe," Li Yuan thought. "Although the probability is low, it's better not to take risks."

Right!

As an elite student, Li Yuan's martial strength was already better than most adults... but he was still no match for firearms, let alone Astral Realm creatures?

A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.

This was something his uncle, Li Changzhou, had taught him since he was a child.

Similarly.

From early childhood, all students are taught one rule: If you do not have the strength of a warrior, when faced with a Astral Realm creature, disperse and flee immediately! Call for help and report it as soon as possible!

In fact.

All warriors are also given a warning: If you do not have the strength of a source warrior, do not engage a Astral Realm creature alone. Wait for heavy weapons! Wait for attack drones and combat robots!

...

Back home, Li Yuan was not too flustered.

Instead, he opened the door.

Then, in his bedroom, he calmly practiced his stance and punched, continuing with his basic cultivation methods.

From a young age.

Li Yuan remembered that every half a year or even shorter, Jiangcheng would encounter attacks from Astral Realm creatures.

There was no way around it.

Jiangcheng was a city of interconnected rivers and lakes, with water systems running throughout.

Jiangcheng was one of the cities in China most frequently attacked by Astral Realm creatures.

Most attacks were small-scale, and it was best to stay calm and wait for the military and warriors to clear them.

As for large-scale attacks? Li Yuan had only experienced one when he was very young, and his memories of it were very vague.

Soon, at around six in the morning.

"The alert has been lifted?" Li Yuan received a notification on his smart ring.