Whoosh! The crowd erupted into chaos as Sofia's words hung in the air.
In this era, the city was the last bastion of safety. Beyond its walls lay the Demonic Beast Domain, teeming with monstrous creatures. For cultivators, this perilous realm held the key to advancement, but it came at a steep price.
The thought sent shivers down their spines. With limited combat experience and low cultivation levels, venturing out seemed suicidal. They needed seasoned guides to survive.
This was where the Bounty Hunter Guild came in – their expertise was the only lifeline for novice cultivators brave enough to face the unknown.
As one of the Sky Martial Continent's three dominant powers, the Bounty Hunter Guild played a dual role: completing missions and sponsoring cultivators' growth. For a price, they'd escort weaker cultivators, providing vital protection.
Fatty Tom's financial resources had saved him from the unforgiving outside world. Without them, his fate would have been sealed.
The dangers beyond the city walls were staggering, deterring all but the bravest. Venturing out was akin to a demonic beast voluntarily entering human territory – a reckless gamble.
Only the desperate or well-prepared dared to take the risk, and the Bounty Hunter Guild was the sole lifeline for those seeking to rise through the ranks.
The room fell silent, memories of past excursions flashing in their minds. Each of them had ventured into the treacherous outside world, relying on the Bounty Hunter Guild's experts for protection. The thrill and terror still lingered, etched in their faces.
Sofia's voice broke the reverie. "Those who wish to opt out before tomorrow, report to me. Now, new students of the Sky Martial Court, follow me to select your martial techniques."
The crowd stirred, exchanging nervous glances. Some hesitated, weighing the risks, while others stood resolute, eager to begin their journey.
With a swift gesture, Sofia led the new students out of the hall, toward the martial technique selection room. The fate that awaited them outside loomed large, but for now, they focused on the first step: choosing the art that would define their path.
Following Sofia, over 200 students poured into the expansive hall within the Sky Martial Court. Anos had noticed this location before, but had never ventured inside.
The hall teemed with students, including some from the advanced class. Its enormity rivaled a train station waiting room, effortlessly accommodating the influx of new arrivals without feeling crowded.
Row upon row of shelves lined the walls, laden with ancient tomes, scrolls, and glowing martial technique manuals. The air vibrated with anticipation as the students eagerly awaited their chance to select the martial art that would shape their destiny.
Sofia's presence commanded attention, and the murmurs subsided as she began to speak. "Welcome, new students. Here, you'll choose your martial techniques. The options are vast, so consider wisely."
....
Sofia gazed out at the sea of eager faces. "Martial technique selection begins now. Ordinary techniques require only memory transfer, taking less than ten seconds."
"Choose wisely, as this will be your primary martial art. After mastering it, we'll introduce your second technique."
The crowd erupted into excited chatter, dispersing swiftly to collect their martial technique chips.
"Martial techniques! Finally!" someone exclaimed.
This was the moment they'd been waiting for – the chance to unlock their true potential.
With chips in hand, the students rushed to the rows of shelves, scanning the ancient tomes and glowing manuals. Each chip would unlock a single technique, defining their path in the world of martial arts.
The air pulsed with anticipation as they began their search, eager to discover the perfect martial art.
Anos also ventured into the martial technique selection area, where machines stored various skills, reminiscent of self-service vending machines.
The martial techniques were categorized into two main groups:
[Attribute Martial Skills]
[Non-Attribute Martial Skills]
Anos noticed the stark contrast between the two categories. While attribute skills had numerous options, the non-attribute section was eerily empty. Moreover, the strongest techniques available were only three-star yellow rank, considered common skills.
Sofia's eyes widened as she saw Anos standing alone in the attribute-less martial skill area. Attribute-less techniques were generally weaker than those with attributes. However, she recalled Anos's assessment results – no detectable attributes.
Could it be true? What a pity if so.
Anos inserted a chip and began browsing martial techniques, their grades and effects displayed. Sofia approached him, curiosity getting the better of her.
"You really don't have any attributes?" Sofia asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
Anos turned to face Sofia, nodding affirmatively. "Of course. Why not choose a non-attribute martial technique?"
He inserted the chip and selected the three-star yellow rank martial technique, Heavenly Star Fist!
Shua! A brilliant ray of light enveloped Anos, and simultaneously, a flood of memories and knowledge surged into his mind.
The Heavenly Star Fist technique, its intricacies and power, became crystal clear. Anos's eyes sparkled with excitement as he grasped the martial art's essence.
"Ding… Learning martial technique [Heavenly Star Fist]."
"Ding… You have successfully learned the martial technique [Heavenly Star Fist]."
[Heavenly Star Fist]
Grade: 3-star yellow rank
Spirit Force Cost: 20
Non-attribute martial technique
Effects:
- Infuses spirit force into any fist and punches out
- Increases strength by 20%
Anos nodded, satisfied with the Heavenly Star Fist's capabilities. A 20% strength boost was notable, especially for a three-star yellow rank technique.
However, his curiosity shifted to the Five Thunder Constellation.
[Five Thunder Constellation]
Grade: 8-star earth rank
Spirit Force Cost: 300
Lightning attribute martial technique
Effects:
- Uses lightning power to destroy enemies instantly
- Unstoppable violent power of lightning
- Maximum release range: 20 meters
- Deals 300% of user's lightning damage
- Concentrated lightning damage increases with reduced range
- Maximum damage: 600%
Anos's eyes lingered on the Five Thunder Constellation's details, his mind racing.
"… ..." He trailed off, lost in thought. Without a basis for comparison, the numbers meant little.
But one thing was certain – the Five Thunder Constellation was a true powerhouse of a martial technique!
Anos's gaze turned wistful. "If only I had the lightning attribute..."
He couldn't help but curse his luck. "Damn it!"
"Heavenly Star Fist? That's impressive." Sofia said in a soft voice.
Anos turned around and said to Sofia with a playful smile, "But Miss Sofia, you're making things difficult for me today."
"Difficult? How?" Sofia asked, puzzled.
Anos suddenly grinned, "You're making me like you even more."
"Ding… Successfully teased Sofia. Scum Man Points + 10,000. Mission Progress: 50%."
Sofia's eyes flashed with surprise, then narrowed into slits as her face flushed with irritation. Her delicate hands clenched into fists.
"This Anos, he never misses a chance to provoke me!" she thought, gritting her teeth. Why did he always manage to get under her skin?
Anos burst into laughter, thrilled by Sofia's reaction. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Ha, ha, ha… You shouldn't have constantly challenged me," he thought, amused. He reveled in the thrill of their verbal sparring.
His grin widened, enjoying the upper hand.
Sofia's gaze turned icy, her voice dripping with warning.
...
Sofia crossed her arms, her piercing gaze locking onto Anos as she said, "I'll let you be arrogant for now. In the future, there will be plenty of chances to deal with you. Just wait for your death."
With that, she turned and walked away, her every step exuding confidence and sensuality. Her hips swayed seductively, as if beckoning Anos to follow. The soft bounce of her curves mesmerized him, making his pulse quicken.
As Sofia disappeared into the distance, Anos couldn't help but stare, transfixed by the tantalizing view.
"Che," Anos scoffed, attempting to shake off the sudden rush of attraction. But his eyes lingered, tracing the contours of Sofia's retreating figure. He didn't believe she could do anything to him.
Yet, Anos couldn't deny the spark of intrigue Sofia's bold words and sultry departure had ignited within him. The virtual battle ahead suddenly seemed more intriguing.
.....
The virtual battle simulator consisted of progressively challenging levels, with each participant's progress recorded. The first level pitted contestants against a one-star Qi Building Stage beast. Defeating it granted access to the next level, creating a gamelike experience.
For three consecutive days, Anos was fully absorbed in the virtual battle. While others struggled to reach the 46th level, requiring multiple attempts, Anos astonishingly surged to the 81st level.
Even the instructors overseeing the virtual battle were stunned. The 61st level alone featured an eight-star Qi Building Stage beast, a formidable opponent.
Anos's harvest was unprecedented. In just three days, he had recognized over ten types of beasts, mastering their martial techniques, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.
His focus hadn't been on the Scum Man System, but on honing his experience and combat prowess. Yet, with the Experience Fruit's aid, he achieved a remarkable breakthrough: reaching the four-star Spirit Condensation Stage.
"Hu!" Anos sprang up from the battle platform, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
Anos smiled, satisfied, as he stepped off the platform. "81st level, not bad," he murmured to himself.
His remarkable growth sparked curiosity and envy among the observers. Anos, once considered an ordinary student, had transformed into a formidable contender.
.....