Wang Luo paused here, taking a sip of water from his cup before continuing:
"Furthermore, if those powerful Secret Martial Arts were to fall into the hands of vicious, cruel murderers with strong antisocial tendencies.
The harm they could cause might be no less than that of the Black Blood Species.
You have to understand, the evil in the human heart can surpass even that of a so-called Devil.
Itâs best for this kind of power to remain in the hands of a select few.
Most importantly, the main force for resisting the Black Blood Species isnât just comprised of Secret Martial Artists at the Qi Blood Realm. The key players are the Martial Arts Families who have opened a Divine Treasure.
Only the will of such individuals can influence the decisions of the Xia Federation.
All these factors combined have led to the current situation.
However, it seems the Federation has been entertaining the idea of changing this status quo in recent years.
Theyâve started offering Fighting Technique courses in some schools, and students with decent aptitude can even earn a spot as a gifted student, which leads to being recruited by a School."
At this point, he seemed to realize he had strayed off-topic and coughed.
He returned to the original topic.
"You can think of Zhu Xi as something like the Mercenary Guild.
Theyâll never require you to do anything unless thereâs a major incident that endangers the entire city.
In the hundred-plus years since Zhu Xiâs founding, a situation like that has only happened a few times.
So, whether you accept missions and participate in hunting the Black Blood Species is entirely up to you.
Completing missions earns you points and cash, which you can then use to exchange for things you need."
Listening to Wang Luoâs confident explanation, Hu Qiâs doubts were resolved.
He understood why the Federation had designated the various Schools as local headquarters.
Using the Schools as hubs and their Sect Leaders as directors, they established Zhu Xi branches.
He had to admit, it was a pretty good method.
Thinking of this, Hu Qi smiled and said:
"Teacher, youâre truly knowledgeable. Listening to your explanation, I feel like everything has suddenly clicked into place."
A complimentâs weight depends on who says it. Coming from an ordinary person, it would be one thing, but this was Hu Qiâa genius who had generated Qi and Blood in just seven days.
Hearing those words was exceptionally gratifying.
A broad smile crinkled Wang Luoâs rugged face:
"These things arenât exactly secrets. Youâll find out about them naturally once youâve been here long enough. Here, take a look at the contract."
Hu Qi then opened the contract and began to read through it.
The contract wasnât long, only eight or nine pages.
Aside from clauses requiring confidentiality about the Black Blood Species from ordinary people, the rest detailed the benefits of joining Zhu Xi.
For example, an additional ten thousand on top of the base salary for core class members, making it twenty thousand a month.
Other benefits included the ability to use oneâs Zhu Xi status to requisition police officersâand even military personnelâin an emergency, as well as a certain degree of immunity for killing!
Hu Qiâs pupils constricted at that last point.
"That provision exists, but its main purpose is to allow Secret Martial Artists to act without hesitation when hunting the Black Blood Species.
If it isnât necessary, try not to take it too far."
Wang Luo seemed to have noticed where Hu Qi was looking and warned him in a solemn voice.
"If you go too far, youâll easily attract hostility and even assassination attempts from other Secret Martial Artists."
Hu Qi nodded, indicating that he understood. After finishing the contract, he looked up at Wang Luo and suddenly asked.
"What happens if I donât join?"
"Nothing. Itâs completely voluntary," Wang Luo said with a smile.
"What, you donât want to join?"
"Of course Iâm joining."
Hu Qi smiled as well.
âZhu Xi doesnât have too many restrictions, and I can use it to learn more about the Black Blood Species. Itâd be stupid not to join.â
âSince the Black Blood Species exist, an encounter is just a matter of time.â
âHiding from them is useless. Itâs better to be prepared, so when the time comes, I wonât just be swept along by the current.â
He picked up the pen and signed his name on the paper.
"You rascal."
Wang Luo was left speechless.
He took a tablet from his drawer and handed it to Hu Qi.
"Also, according to the rules, once your Qi and Blood has awakened, you can learn a Fighting Technique that works in tandem with it."
"This type of Fighting Technique is different from the ordinary ones you learned before. Only a Secret Martial Artist can use it.
Thatâs because it incorporates pathways for circulating Qi and Blood. Without Qi Blood Power, you canât unleash its true strength. We usually call these Qi Blood Techniques."
Hearing this, Hu Qiâs expression turned a little strange. He felt a sense of dissonance, choosing something like this on a tablet.
âShouldnât I be picking from a secret manual or a book or something?â
Despite his internal complaints, Hu Qi reached out, took the tablet, and immediately began swiping through the options.
Coiling Dragon Palm, Red Falcon Fist, Gale Leg, Fine Rain Sword... The names were varied and impressive; they sounded ridiculously powerful just by their titles alone.
A quick count revealed a considerable number of Qi Blood Techniques.
There were several dozen in total, all carefully categorized: Fist, Claw, Leg, Palm, Sword, Saber, and so on.
Beneath each name was a link that, when tapped, opened a short demonstration video of that particular Qi Blood Technique.
Hu Qi browsed through the list once before looking up at Wang Luo.
"What if I want to choose a second one?"
"To prevent you from biting off more than you can chew, the rules state you can only choose one. If you want to learn a second, youâll have to wait until your power reaches the Qi Blood Second Transformation."
Wang Luo explained.
"All the information on each Qi Blood Technique is on there. Try to pick one that suits you."
Hu Qi nodded and went back to browsing.
Recalling the experience of cutting down those two Blood Slaves with an axe, Hu Qi decided to choose a weapon-based Qi Blood Technique.
Having a goal made the choice easier.
A few minutes later, his eyes locked onto one of the Fighting Techniques. He tapped the video link, and after watching it, his mind was made up.
"Iâll take this one!"
At his words, Wang Luo looked over and saw three large words on the screen: [Ghost Slaying Saber]
His expression immediately turned strange as he looked at Hu Qi.
"Are you sure? This Qi Blood Technique is powerful, but itâs very difficult to master and has some drawbacks. Very few people have successfully learned it."
"Iâm sure."
Hu Qi nodded.
"Alright, then!"
Seeing his certainty, Wang Luo didnât press the issue.
...
"He actually did it in just seven days?"
Lin Tong hung up the phone, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief.
The call had been from Wang Luo, telling him that he had won their bet.
This left him astonished.
He had only made the bet with Wang Luo casually, after all.
Cultivating Qi and Blood within fifteen days was already considered the mark of a top-tier genius. He had never even considered it possible to do so in under ten days.
âThis is bound to attract the Sect Leaderâs attention. It might not be long before the Sect Leader takes on another Disciple.â
The thought rose in Lin Tongâs mind, bringing a bitter taste. âThereâs really no comparing people,â he thought.
He himself had developed Qi Blood Power in twenty-one days. To an ordinary student, that was already the mark of a genius, but compared to this, it was nothing.
However, that thought didnât linger for long before it was replaced by sheer elation.
âIâve really struck it rich this time.â
As the one who had guided Hu Qi into the Shexin Sect, he was bound to receive no small amount of benefits.
Perhaps he could use this opportunity to try and break through to the next Realm.