Chapter Twelve: The Curator’s Invitation

After exchanging a few words with Yang Wu and the other advanced trainees, Luo Yuan realized there were no more attribute orbs to collect in the advanced training hall. Undeterred, he moved on to the intermediate and beginner training halls—after all, even the smallest gain adds up over time, and small changes eventually lead to great transformation. The other trainees eyed him with a mix of bewilderment and curiosity, assuming he was simply showing off, but none dared question his sanity aloud.

“Director, the Luo Yuan you asked me to keep an eye on is running in the training hall again. He’s moving so fast that the surveillance can barely keep up, and his speed definitely exceeds the advanced trainee standard—at the very least, he’s at a quasi-warrior level. His evasive footwork is incredibly subtle,” a staff member suddenly reported as he hurried into the director’s office.

“What? I want to see this for myself.”

Jiang Nian, director of the Limit Martial Arts Hall, left his office in excitement and entered the monitoring room. Staring at the electronic display, he saw Luo Yuan racing across the hall with astonishing speed—his eyes first widened in shock, then sparkled with delight.

“This kid’s speed now rivals that of a junior warrior, and his footwork has already reached the subtle level. It’s only been a few days—what a genius! No, a prodigy! Go, bring him here at once, I want to meet him,” Jiang Nian exclaimed to his staff.

“Yes, sir. I’ll fetch him immediately.”

“No—on second thought, I’ll go myself!”

Jiang Nian, accompanied by several hall supervisors, proceeded to the intermediate training hall, where Luo Yuan was still collecting orbs. They didn’t interrupt him, even though none could fathom why he enjoyed darting madly about the hall in this way.

“Sigh, now that my speed’s improved, even these orbs barely suffice,” Luo Yuan thought as he finished his collection, settling down with a drink and reflecting quietly.

Suddenly, the surrounding trainees stepped aside, forming a respectful path. Heads bowed, they stood in awe and anticipation as a group of figures approached, all clad in silver-black martial uniforms. At their head was a bald, middle-aged man in black whose mere presence radiated danger—a formidable martial artist.

“Hello, Luo Yuan. My name is Jiang Nian, director of this Limit Martial Arts Hall. I’ve been paying close attention to you for some time. Would you mind finding a place to chat?” Jiang Nian’s voice was rich and magnetic, tinged with excitement and brimming with interest.

“Ah, yes, Instructor!” Luo Yuan quickly stood and replied with deference. Here, the director was addressed as Instructor by all trainees, and Luo Yuan, still only at the warrior level, dared not be presumptuous.

Amidst the envious stares of his peers, Luo Yuan followed Jiang Nian and his entourage to the fourth floor of the advanced training building. As he walked, Luo Yuan smiled inwardly at the back of this leading figure of the martial hall. Given his own performance, it was only a matter of time before these people took notice, though he hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.

Upon reaching the fourth floor, Jiang Nian led Luo Yuan straight into the tea room in the lounge area, where they were alone.

“Luo Yuan, this is fine tea shipped from Jinghua Base City. Try some,” Jiang Nian said, pouring a cup. The aroma filled the room, clearing Luo Yuan’s mind as he inhaled. After a sip, a lingering fragrance remained on his lips and teeth, and a look of pleasure crossed his face. Inwardly, he marveled at the luxuries enjoyed by people of power.

“Tastes good, doesn’t it? I’ll have a pound sent to you later,” Jiang Nian said with a smile.

“Thank you, Instructor. May I ask what you wished to discuss?” Luo Yuan composed himself and got straight to the point.

“Haha, judging by your performance in the training hall, you’ve already reached the level of a martial artist, and your footwork is at the subtle level. Your potential is beyond my imagination. Once you officially become a martial artist, how about joining my Limit Martial Arts Hall?” Jiang Nian’s gaze was steady and earnest.

“Um, then could you tell me what benefits I’d receive as a member of the Limit Martial Arts Hall?” Luo Yuan replied calmly. Now was the time to negotiate.

“As long as you become a martial artist in our hall, you’ll be allocated a detached villa in the best area—of course, it’s not for resale. You’ll also receive a base salary of thirty thousand Huaxia credits per month. In addition, you’ll get two million in start-up funds! And three technique manuals—movement, internal energy, and attack—each worth up to fifty million.” Jiang Nian held up three fingers, grinning.

“A villa? Thirty thousand base salary?” Luo Yuan raised an eyebrow; this seemed even more generous than what was offered to Luo Feng.

“A detached villa, even a modest one, would have at least three hundred square meters—worth two or three hundred million,” Luo Yuan mused. It was far superior to his current subsidized housing.

“Luo Yuan, the benefits here aren’t much different from those offered by the national special departments. Their martial artists get salaries and housing privileges, but perhaps the only extra is a ‘license to kill’—the right to execute an ordinary person depending on circumstances. Of course, they can’t abuse this right; they’ll have to account for their actions to superiors.

Here, we too enjoy privileges. If any ordinary person offends you, you can report it, and once the matter is verified, the hall will coordinate with the Jiangnan City Security Bureau to have that person detained,” Jiang Nian explained with a slight smile.

“Join us, and you’ll have wealth, status—everything you could want! You can devote yourself to pursuing the limits of humanity and the martial path!”

Listening to Jiang Nian’s well-practiced persuasion, Luo Yuan couldn’t help but be amused—how many times had he delivered this speech before? Such eloquence was wasted outside the lecture hall.

“Well, Instructor Jiang, I’m willing to join the Limit Martial Arts Hall, but I’m a bit short on funds at the moment. Could I borrow some money for now?” Luo Yuan asked somewhat sheepishly. In truth, he’d already decided to join, but he hoped to get more spiritual attribute points by purchasing more phantom foxes—after all, he couldn’t spend all his time in the monster pet park, and he didn’t want to waste this period.

“Since you’ve agreed, I’ll personally advance you ten million as a subsidy—you won’t need to pay it back. Consider it an investment in your potential,” Jiang Nian replied offhandedly.

“This… I’m really grateful, Instructor. If you ever need anything in the future, I’ll do my best,” Luo Yuan said, surprised by Jiang Nian’s generosity. No wonder martial artists were considered a high-income group.

“Luo Yuan, work hard. You truly have exceptional talent—don’t let it go to waste,” Jiang Nian said, patting him on the shoulder with a smile.

“By the way, may I use the private training rooms for advanced trainees?” Luo Yuan asked as he stood to leave.

“Of course. You can use them for free whenever you like,” Jiang Nian replied, clearly pleased.

After Luo Yuan left, one of the supervisors glanced at Jiang Nian, hesitating as if wanting to speak.

“You’re wondering why I value Luo Yuan so highly, aren’t you?” Jiang Nian smiled at his trusted aide. The supervisors nodded.

“You’ve spent too much time inside; you don’t see the outside world. Do you realize what it means for someone to have martial artist-level strength and subtle-level footwork at eighteen? It means he’s likely to become a war god in the future. With his potential, he could qualify for elite training at the global headquarters. As for how he’s progressed so quickly—every man has his secrets. That’s not our concern.”

PS: Esteemed readers, please bestow rewards, vote, and bookmark. Luo Yuan is deeply grateful.