The light of dawn lifted the night's veil, and the bright morning light that emerged indicated the arrival of a new day. It was only 6 am, and the students of the martial arts academy were still sound asleep in their dorm rooms.
There was, however, one exception. At that moment, a third-year high school student was doing physical training in the school gym, following the "vitality enhancement method" outlined in the teaching materials.
"90!"
"91!"
"92...!"
After the 100th count, Li Wei set down the heavy dumbbells and picked up a towel with trembling hands.
'I wonder if I'll be able to improve today.'
Li Wei casually wiped his face and walked over to a testing machine that was as tall as a person. Following a series of infrared scans, a line of text was displayed on the screen.
[Current vitality]: 0.35!
[Rating]: F-Rank!
Seeing this result, the look of anticipation on Li Wei's face was immediately erased. '0.35 still?'
Li Wei sat down on the treadmill track. He was well aware that it was impossible to pass the assessment with a vitality value of 0.35. He may even become the weakest link in the entire class, or possibly the entire grade.
It had been three years since he had transmigrated to this high-level martial world. On top of his regular lessons, he did additional training every day. Only one thing motivated him to practice so hard— to become a true martial artist!
In this world, the people called "martial artists" were the most powerful class in human society. They were like superheroes in comics, with great strength and powers. Like the swordsmen in martial arts movies, they could split a boulder with one hand! The martial artists could even fly through the air and attack targets from a distance!
Aside from their amazing power, they had access to more resources and attention than the average person. Therefore, this title was linked to politicians, generals, entrepreneurs, and even celebrities. In other words, it was nearly impossible to become famous or achieve a high social status if one was not a martial arts powerhouse.
Martial artists were the absolute elites of humanity! Obtaining this identity, though, was not an easy task. Take Li Wei as an example. The three years since his transmigration had been spent sweating and training hard.
The amount of effort he had put in was twice, five times, or even ten times that of his classmates! However, the most critical "vitality value" had not been effectively raised. Even after a year, he was still in the F-Rank, the lowest classification. If this continued, he would not be able to pass the college entrance exam in three months.
To be an ordinary person? Honestly, this was not such a good idea.
This was because humans were not the only masters in this world. Other alien races also existed here. They occupied a region of the world and fought against humans on an equal level.
The alien races nearest to the human cities, in particular, were extraordinarily powerful. They have relied on their superior physical conditions and unique abilities to invade human settlements repeatedly, causing great destruction and casualties.
Fewer human martial artists existed compared to the general population in need of protection. There was no way to protect them from all sides. Therefore, due to the fact they were just regular people, they were like lambs awaiting slaughter in the face of the danger posed by the foreign races.
That was not the end of it. As commoners, they were helpless in the face of danger. They also had to bear more social obligations. The heavy taxes alone were enough to choke many low-income families. However, there was no other way.
After hundreds of years of fighting, the present human race was far from its former strength. The land and resources they occupied were decreasing on a daily basis.
To ensure the combat prowess and quality of the martial artists, commoners were responsible for increased production and logistics. Most of their taxes were also spent on various martial art institutions. Even if it was merely to train as a martial artist, the expense was too high.
Of course, the martial artist's own effort and talent could not be separated from this. The key was to train his vitality. This was the standard to measure a warrior's strength and rank.
It was difficult to verify when the vitality appeared. One thing was for sure. This strange energy was far more destructive than guns and cannons. Even if a powerful martial artist used the most ordinary move, the vitality that came with it could level a small mountain!
Other than that, it could also boost various human abilities such as strength, defense, speed, reaction, agility, and so on. In short, the higher it is, the more powerful the person would be!
It was not an easy task to increase one's vitality. First and foremost, once you have established that you have talent in this area, you would enroll in a martial arts school. Then, following the teacher's guidance, you would study hard and gradually improve.
In the past, there were many powerhouses who had become martial artists through the Empire's education. This was the most common way to become a martial artist just by relying on one's talent.
However, it would be a different story if you were born into a rich or powerful family. Not only would you enter the best martial arts school, but you would also enjoy the best teachers.
You were able to rely on your family's wealth to buy all kinds of medicine or surgeries on the market that could improve your vitality. With the infusion of these "luxury goods," day after day, you could also become a powerful martial artist. Even more powerful than those with outstanding talent.
However, it was still a pity no matter if it was his exceptional talent or his well-to-do familial background. Neither was connected to Li Wei.
In terms of talent, no matter how hard he worked, he was still at the bottom of the class. In terms of money, it was even worse. He had to work part-time and study simultaneously for three years to pay for his school tuition.
Moreover, if his rating in the college exam were still F-Rank in three months, he would be unable to advance. He would never be able to enter a University and become a government-certified martial artist.
The only way out was to be like the commoners, to be farmers, and to mine. He would receive a meager salary and eventually die of exhaustion at those jobs. Alternatively, he would be ripped to shreds by the sharp teeth of the alien tribes…
"D*mn it! Why didn't it work?" Li Wei's heart filled with dread whenever he considered such a scenario!
He did not want to resign to his fate, so he deliberately did extra training today with two sets of equipment. He only left the gym when he was completely exhausted.
He leaned on the bed with his textbook in hand after returning to his dorm room, not daring to relax even during his rest time. However, as the fatigue washed over him, his eyes gradually closed...
Just as he was half-asleep, a voice rang out in his mind.
"Ding! The system has been successfully activated!"
"Entering martial farm system!"
Then, his consciousness was enveloped in a black mist!
Soon, the black mist dispersed. Li Wei found himself in a strange place. When he looked up again, he was taken aback!
The warm spring breeze, the spinning windmill, the green grass...
He was… at a farm.