South City, Hua Nation. Lacquer Street.
Inside a martial arts gym.
"Trash!"
"These frauds are the ones ruining the reputation of traditional Chinese martial arts!"
Zhu Jiu roared in anger.
On the computer screen in front of him, a video of a so-called "traditional martial arts master" in competition had just finished playing.
In the video, the master performed a flashy and theatrical set of moves. His punches and stances looked powerful, his aura imposing.
But in the very next second, a Sanda fighter rushed forward, delivering a devastating straight punch that knocked the master out instantly!
The "martial arts master" collapsed to the ground, blood streaming down his face. The Sanda fighter raised his arms in triumph, basking in the laughter and cheers of the audience below.
The comments under the video were filled with ridicule for traditional martial arts:
"Traditional martial artists are all frauds, completely useless in actual combat...""Just fancy moves—flashy but ineffective.""It's like a circus act!"
As a passionate martial arts enthusiast and practitioner, Zhu Jiu felt a surge of fury. If he could, he'd leap into the screen and fight on behalf of martial arts.
"The reputation of martial arts has been completely destroyed by these fake masters."
A few years ago, Zhu Jiu had opened his own martial arts gym. With his good looks and exceptional skills—he could take down three to five ordinary men by himself—he had initially attracted many students. Life was good.
But over the past few years, the declining reputation of traditional martial arts, coupled with sabotage from competitors, caused his gym's business to dwindle. Now, he couldn't recruit a single student.
The gym was running at a loss, forcing Zhu Jiu to work as a delivery driver to make ends meet.
Yet the money he earned delivering food was a mere drop in the bucket. Zhu Jiu had reached the end of his rope.
As he seethed with rage, his phone suddenly vibrated. He swiped it open to find a text message.
"Saw the video, didn't you? Martial arts is finished. Just sell me your gym—I'll give you a million! Oh, and starting tomorrow, don't bother delivering food anymore. I've made sure no one in South City will hire you!"
The sender was Duan Zeri.
"Too much!"
Seeing the text, Zhu Jiu's fury erupted. His eyes burned with rage, and he slammed his fist onto the table.
Duan Zeri was the owner of a nearby Sanda gym and a former underground boxing champion of South City—a man of some renown.
A few years ago, Zhu Jiu had clashed with him when he first opened his gym. Back then, Duan Zeri lost to Zhu Jiu and bore a grudge ever since, frequently playing dirty tricks behind the scenes.
Zhu Jiu's current dire situation had a lot to do with Duan Zeri's interference.
"Duan Zeri, you want to ruin me? Then I'll destroy you first."
Zhu Jiu's thoughts turned murderous.
At that moment, a loud rumble echoed outside.
"Boom!"
The sound was reminiscent of thunder, but far more intense.
"What was that?"
Zhu Jiu looked out the window and noticed the sky had darkened without him realizing it.
The clouds were dense and oppressive.
"The weather forecast said it'd be clear. Why did it suddenly turn overcast?"
Frowning, Zhu Jiu walked toward the window.
Suddenly, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
[Detected: strong dark energy wave. Activating Ultimate Ancient Martial Arts System.]
[Host matched successfully. System initiating binding process.]
[This system assists the host in becoming a master of ancient martial arts, capable of moving mountains and subduing rivers with a single punch.]
[Host can use points to purchase items in the system mall or upgrade ancient martial arts techniques.]
"What's that voice?"
"Who's playing tricks on me? Show yourself!"
Zhu Jiu immediately scanned his surroundings but found no one.
The mechanical voice spoke again:
[System binding complete.]
[System mall unlocked.]
[Host panel unlocked.]
[Would the host like to view the personal panel?]
"Is this real?"
"Did I just bind to an ancient martial arts system?"
Zhu Jiu froze for a moment before excitement overtook him.
"Moving mountains and subduing rivers... Can this system really make me that strong?"
"Is ancient martial arts truly that powerful?"
Without hesitation, Zhu Jiu activated his personal panel.
[Host: Zhu Jiu (Healthy)]
[Title: Robust Mortal]
[Martial Arts: Wing Chun (Level 4) (Wing Chun is a Tier 1 martial art. Costs 10 points to upgrade.) | Bagua Blade (Level 1) (Bagua Blade is a Tier 1 martial art. Costs 10 points to upgrade.)]
[Points: 100 (The system can convert dark energy into points.)]
[Warning: Dark energy outbreak detected. The first wave of catastrophe is imminent. Please prepare accordingly.]
"Dark energy? Catastrophe?"
Zhu Jiu frowned as he looked outside.
Everything seemed normal. People bustled in front of the gym, cars flowed smoothly on the roads, and only the cloudy weather stood out.
"Can I trust this system? It looks normal out there. What catastrophe?"
"And I've been practicing Wing Chun for years—how is it only Level 4?"
Zhu Jiu felt indignant. He'd merely dabbled in Bagua Blade, so Level 1 was fair.
But he'd practiced Wing Chun since childhood, dedicating over a decade to it. Relying on Wing Chun, he'd dominated South City's martial arts scene. Yet it was only Level 4?
"Ten points to upgrade. Let's see how much stronger Wing Chun gets after upgrading."
"System, use all my points to upgrade Wing Chun!"
[Wing Chun upgrading...]
[Wing Chun upgrade complete.]
[Host consumed 50 points. Wing Chun upgraded to Tier 1, Level 9.]
[Wing Chun has reached its tier limit. Cannot upgrade further until advancing to Tier 2.]
The moment the upgrade succeeded, a surge of knowledge flooded Zhu Jiu's mind.
His head throbbed painfully.
But soon, he assimilated the information. It was as if he'd practiced Wing Chun for a hundred years, mastering every move and technique to perfection.
Moreover, his physical condition improved dramatically.
"This is maxed-out Wing Chun?"
Zhu Jiu stared at his fists, his pupils contracting.
His body felt incredibly powerful.
He walked over to a punching bag, clenched his fist, positioned it an inch away, and struck with full force.
Sinking his hips, shifting his shoulder, he launched his punch!
In a single instant, power erupted. Muscles rippled under his skin, veins bulging.
Wing Chun.
Inch Punch!
"Bang!"
The sturdy punching bag exploded, sand scattering everywhere.
"I wasn't imagining it."
"I've become much stronger!"
Breathing deeply, Zhu Jiu swung his fist in the air.
Bare-chested, his muscular frame was on full display. His arms bulged, and his fists shot out like cannonballs. Though punching at empty space, his strikes produced audible thuds, as if shattering the air itself.
Hearing the sound, Zhu Jiu's eyes gleamed.
"Fist resonance!"
Punching with such force that sound emanates—a hallmark of martial arts mastery!
To control one's body so perfectly that power flows seamlessly, endlessly.
In the martial arts world, such mastery signified the birth of a grandmaster, capable of defeating ten foes with ease.
This was a realm Zhu Jiu had never dared to dream of.
His panel now reflected the change:
[Host: Zhu Jiu (Healthy)]
[Title: Novice Martial Artist]
[Martial Arts: Wing Chun (Level 9 | Tier 1) | Bagua Blade (Level 1)]
[Points: 50]
"This system isn't lying."
"If 50 points made me this strong, what about 500? 5,000?"
Zhu Jiu muttered to himself.
"If the catastrophe is real, how terrifying will it be?"
He quickly called his family, disciples, and close friends, urging them to stay home without mentioning the end of the world—it was too absurd to explain.
"I need food, medicine, weapons, and a safe shelter. Food is the top priority!"
Zhu Jiu grabbed his custom double knives, gathered all his savings, and headed to the supermarket.
Suddenly!
As he opened the gym's door, a menacing figure lunged at him!