CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: MARTIAL ARTIST = WEALTH + STATUS (MUST READ)

The emergence of the martial examination has become the hottest topic over the past fortnight.

The destiny of martial artists, their treatment, the Federation’s stance on martial artists, and the development of martial arts candidates.

These topics have gradually become mainstream throughout the Ancestor Star.

The issuance of several new policies has directly ignited a martial arts craze on Blue Star.

The Federation’s latest directive allows martial artists to register with the Martial Arts Department, and they can receive a monthly salary from the Federation based on their cultivation.

Peeping Branch martial artists can receive a monthly federal subsidy of ten thousand, enjoy seven insurances and one fund, and also have a slight privilege of political immunity.

Mingtiao Realm martial artists can receive a monthly federal subsidy of one hundred thousand, enjoy twelve insurances and three funds, and also have a slight privilege of political immunity.

By analogy, the higher-tier the martial artist, the higher the federal subsidy they can receive each month, and the seven insurances and one fund treatment is equivalent to that of civil servants.

But what truly drove the entire nation crazy was the last point.

Privilege political immunity!

Su Tu specifically looked into this so-called privilege political immunity, and the results left him astonished.

The so-called privilege political immunity means that martial artists are not bound by certain laws and possess various privileges. For instance, when encountering danger, martial artists can independently decide to take action.

This sentence, in Su Tu’s view, held great implications.

What does it mean to independently decide to take action if a martial artist, when facing ordinary people, acts recklessly and kills them, and then claims to have sensed danger from the other party before acting?

Does that mean they would be exempt from punishment?

Moreover, when martial artists commit crimes, normal judicial procedures cannot approve them; only the Martial Arts Department has the authority to make a judgment.

Privileges, treatment, subsidies—these elements are capable of maximizing human desire to become martial artists.

And the voices from leading enterprises have pushed this martial arts craze to its peak!

The Sony Group announced a massive recruitment of martial artists, with a minimum monthly salary of 200,000, and the highest treatment involves obtaining company shares and enjoying a thirteenth salary.

Ta’an Technology Company is searching for outstanding martial artists among the masses. Once selected, Ta’an Company will cover all martial arts cultivation expenses and arrange employment for the relatives of the outstanding martial artists.

The conditions offered by various companies are increasingly extravagant and exaggerated.

The martial arts entrance examination, once expected to be ignored, has become extremely popular, with many students eager to sign up and try it out.

Overnight, the term ’martial artist’ has become synonymous with wealth and status.

Having a martial artist in the family now is almost equivalent to achieving the top of the class in the past.

Becoming a martial artist equates to stepping halfway into the privilege class, and under such societal trends, martial arts become increasingly fervent.

"Su Tu, is practicing martial arts fun? It’s been half a month since you left."

"There are a few classmates in our class who also want to learn martial arts, but they didn’t have the qualifications and were sent back."

"I didn’t expect you to actually practice it."

The voice of Chen Xi came from the other end of the phone.

"Practicing martial arts is alright. My talent... is so-so, but it’s passable." Su Tu replied after just finishing his basic skill training.

Hearing his words, Luo Fan, and the chubby Zhuge beside him couldn’t help but roll their eyes.

Yes, yes, your talent is so-so, so should we just bang our heads against the wall?

How long has it been? You’ve opened over seventy acupoints, your skills are nearing Observing the Micro, and yet you say your talent is so-so.

Are you being modest, or are you being conniving?

"That’s fine, you practice well. Recently, I’ve been watching videos online, and martial artists do look handsome, but unfortunately, my physical fitness is lacking, or else I’d practice too."

"When I take off, I’ll show off and take you flying." Su Tu replied with a laugh.

Chen Xi’s body indeed isn’t suitable for cultivation; pursuing academics is his best choice.

"Alright, just don’t crash into a ditch. Oh, and don’t forget the promise you made to me."

"What promise?"

"Tch! Little Hui!!"

"You mean that female friend of yours online, right? Sure, call me when you’re going to meet her, and I’ll go with you."

After Su Tu promised Chen Xi that he would accompany him to meet the girl, the latter hung up the phone.

Since taking a long leave of absence, Su Tu has peacefully cultivated martial arts for nearly half a month. His daily life wasn’t exactly interesting, but it was undoubtedly fulfilling.

Refining basic skills, honing techniques, harvesting Dao and honing his heart—every task was done with utmost effort and dedication.

The Heaven-Flipping Seal still made no progress, but the effect of calming the mind was good; Su Tu loved to fiddle with the hand seal whenever he was free.

This lifestyle brought Su Tu immense joy.

During this time, North Sea was unusually quiet, with no news from either beasts or the Three Deceits Cult.

It was like beneath the calm sea waves, an unknown, terrifying, susurrate gloom was hidden.

Su Tu was sitting on a bench, and as his heart thought subtly moved, the system panel emerged.

[Fighting (Middle Tier): 690/1000]

[Strengthen Body (Middle Tier): 800/1000]

[Harvest Dao (Middle Tier): 260/1000]

[Spiritual Wisdom (Middle Tier): 850/1000]

[Culinary Skill (Middle Tier): 20/1000]

[Divine Skill: Eternal Life: Eternal Flesh (Initial Tier)]

[Skill Points: 10]

Currently, Su Tu had seventy-six acupoints opened within him. Moving forward, the speed of opening acupoints would only slow down, but even so, this speed was regarded as monstrous in the eyes of people like Luo Fan.

All skills have been grinded to the Middle Tier, thus significantly enhancing his overall strength.

However, those skills that reached the Middle Tier early are now increasingly difficult to gain proficiency in.

"Lately, there aren’t any activities to grind proficiency."

Su Tu mused to himself.

Compared to regular grinding, participating in activities would yield higher proficiency, but recently there weren’t any activities he could join.

"Everyone, gather at the Martial Arts Arena!"

Suddenly, Zhou Wuliang’s voice echoed in every student’s ear. The students looked at each other before swiftly heading to the Martial Arts Arena.

Upon arriving at the Martial Arts Arena, they saw Zhou Wuliang sitting in a high position, his frame slender but his presence imposing, waves of awe-inspiring force resonating around him. His mere aura was enough to make everyone breathless.

Next to Zhou Wuliang was an old man with a full beard, exuding a mighty presence like an old lion king, radiating an air of dominance just by standing there.

Ordinary people didn’t even have the qualification to look directly at him.

"Hahahaha, Old Zhou, your students are impressive. They’ve all at least opened seventy-six acupoints, pretty good, pretty good." The old man’s gaze swept over the crowd, his laughter thunderous.

This exaggerated laughter, Su Tu had only seen in anime.

"His laughter is ear-splitting." Zhou Wuliang gave the old man a sidelong glance, then introduced him to the crowd.

"This is Xiong Yingtian, like me, he is also a Beihai Guardian. Both of us need to recruit students to participate in the martial examination. He has a matter to discuss with me, but we need to ask you all first."

At these words, the students exchanged looks—what could a person of the same level as Zhou Wuliang need from them?

"Ahem, kids, I have a troublesome disciple, talented but overly proud, and always thinks he’s unparalleled. I wanted to find someone to teach him a lesson, but my disciples were all disappointing."

"You see, I know Old Zhou has high standards and exceptional students. I was thinking if any of you would be willing to teach my disciple a lesson."

Though Xiong Yingtian spoke about his concern, his expression carried an air of pride—this wasn’t complaining, it was clearly bragging!

Just then, a medium-height young man slowly stepped out onto the stage, his gaze looking upward with his nostrils flaring, as if looking down on the crowd.

"Teacher, I don’t think it’s necessary. Although these senior brothers seem decent, none of them are likely my match. Why waste time?"

The youth’s tone was polite, but his words were thoroughly irritating, dismissing the crowd.

Yet, his tone felt unnatural, and in Su Tu’s ears, it seemed like he was forcing himself to utter these provocative words, though the reason was unclear.

But at this moment, the crowd wasn’t concerned with his tone—wasn’t this guy here to cause trouble?

"But since I’m here already, I’ll just spar with one of the senior brothers....with this one, the senior who has just opened over seventy acupoints. Let me guide you a bit."

The youth pointed towards Su Tu, his tone stiff, as if reciting lines.

Following the direction of the youth’s finger, Luo Fan and the others saw Su Tu. One by one, they stifled the smiles threatening to break out on their faces.

You do know how to pick, don’t you?

Su Tu looked at the youth, his lips slightly curved in a radiant and sunny smile: "Alright."