The second day of the Martial Arts exchange competition.

No. 2 Middle School, Elite Class.

"Did you guys hear? In the exchange competition with Bailu City, we won some and lost some."

"Even No. 1 Middle School, the strongest one, only managed a tie against Bailu No. 1 Middle School."

"Wow, Bailu City’s overall strength is really impressive."

"But our No. 2 Middle School was one of the few schools that actually won," someone said smugly.

Many others nodded in agreement.

Lin Qi listened to his classmates’ discussion while looking at his book.

"Brother Qi, you’re in the top ten of our grade now. Have you thought about a nickname?" his deskmate, Jiangtao, leaned over and asked in a low voice.

"You’re already recognized as a top-ten student in our year. How can you not have a nickname? For example, I’m called Sword Ape now. Pretty cool, right?"

"I’m not interested in that," Lin Qi said, shaking his head.

’Of course, if someone came up with a cool nickname for me, I might reluctantly accept it.’

’But if it sounds bad, then sorry, no deal.’

"How can that be? How about I give you one? What about Fierce Tiger Spear, or Mountain-Breaking Tiger?"

Lin Qi shook his head. ’What kind of nicknames are these? I’d rather not have one.’

"Taozi, there are no classes this afternoon. I’m going to the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo to discuss a contract."

"If it works out, I’ll sign with them," Lin Qi said, changing the subject.

Jiangtao’s eyes lit up.

"The Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo is great! You should definitely sign with them. I’m a huge fan of Red Dome. If you sign with them, I’ll sign with them too, no questions asked."

"Alright!"

...

RING RING RING!

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and everyone started packing up their things.

Today was the weekend, and they had a half-day off in the afternoon. Many students looked relaxed.

People aren’t machines. Studying desperately and practicing Martial Arts every day kept their minds and bodies taut, making rest essential.

The road outside the school gate was wide. A temporary parking area had been set up, and countless private cars were parked along the roadside, waiting to pick up students.

Lin Qi and Jiangtao walked out of the school gates, and a black luxury car soon pulled up in front of them.

The rear window rolled down, revealing a familiar face: his mother, Fang Huiyi.

"Auntie?" Jiangtao jumped, startled.

"Oh, Xiaotao! Long time no see."

"Little Qi, get in the car!"

After the greeting, Fang Huiyi gestured for Lin Qi to get in.

"Okay!"

Lin Qi nodded, opened the car door, and got in.

"Taozi, I’m off!"

Jiangtao waved goodbye, watching the black luxury car slowly drive away. He was secretly amazed.

’Holy crap, the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo sent someone personally to pick him up! And that looks like a Star Sea Series car. One of those costs over a million Xia Country Coins!’

’Even a genius with a B-level Contract doesn’t get this kind of treatment, right?’

...

The black luxury car drove smoothly down the road. Lin Qi sat in his seat, feeling incredibly comfortable. It was the first time in his two lifetimes he had ever ridden in such a car.

A faint, pleasant fragrance filled the air—it was aromatherapy.

"Lin Qi, please allow me to introduce myself." The middle-aged man in a black suit, sitting in the driver’s seat, introduced himself with a smile. "My name is Sunx Wang. I’m the manager of the contract department at the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo’s Celestial Sea Branch. I was the one who contacted you this morning."

’The department manager?’

Lin Qi was inwardly shocked. That morning, Teacher Zhang Cheng had suddenly sent him a WeChat contact card, saying it was someone from the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo who wanted to talk to him about a contract. He never expected it to be a department manager.

Both the Chongming and the Obsidian Martial Arts Dojos had only sent ordinary employees from their contract departments.

The Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo not only sent a manager to pick them up, but they were also heading directly to the dojo itself, not some cafe on the street.

Their attitude and the importance they placed on him were on a completely different level.

Beside him, Fang Huiyi was also a bit dazed. She had received a sudden notice from Lin Qi that morning, saying someone was coming to pick her up to go to the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo to discuss his contract.

As an ordinary person, she had never been in a situation like this. Being chauffeured by a manager left her feeling both overwhelmed and deeply flattered.

"Hello, Manager Sunx!"

Lin Qi replied.

Manager Sunx smiled and said, "There’s no need to be nervous. Student Lin Qi, the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo places great importance on a genius like you."

Lin Qi thought to himself, ’Who has such good judgment? They actually discovered my Talent.’

Sitting in the back seat, he looked out the window at the bustling street. Countless people glanced at their car, their faces filled with envy.

Lin Qi was familiar with that look; he had worn it himself in his past life.

For a moment, an indescribable emotion welled up inside him.

...

A short while later, the black luxury car stopped at the main entrance of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo.

"Let’s go, Student Lin Qi, Sister Fang!"

Manager Sunx, Lin Qi, and Fang Huiyi got out of the car. The luxury vehicle drove itself into the garage, and the three of them walked into the Martial Arts Dojo.

In the main hall, the young woman at the front desk was going about her business as usual, until she saw a familiar person walk into the Martial Arts Dojo.

"Hello, Manager Sunx!"

Manager Sunx nodded.

Seeing the boy following respectfully behind Manager Sunx, the young woman at the front desk showed a surprised expression.

She had a deep impression of this boy. Just two months ago, he was here with a friend looking for part-time work.

But now, Manager Sunx from the contract department was personally receiving him? Manager Sunx was a big shot at the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo!

"Who on earth is he?"

Another receptionist asked curiously. The first young woman watched Lin Qi’s retreating back and replied.

"Probably another rising genius!"

...

Lin Qi followed Manager Sunx into an elevator and went straight to the top floor.

The elevator doors opened to a spacious corridor. There weren’t many doors, and the walls were made of a special metallic material painted silver-gray.

Photos chronicling history were embedded in the walls.

"This is..."

After exiting, the three of them walked straight to a large, silver door. The electronic screen above it read:

"Vice Hall Master’s Office!"

Lin Qi was shocked. ’Whose office is this? Aren’t we here to talk about a contract?’

BEEP!

A red, metallic eyeball on the silver door suddenly swiveled toward them as they appeared.

Lin Qi felt something scan his body.

WHOOSH—

The next moment, the metal door slid open.

The first thing he saw was a spacious area that lived up to all his fantasies of futuristic, high-tech design.

At the far end of the room, with his back to them, stood a burly and imposing man. He was over two meters tall, dressed in a form-fitting black martial arts uniform, and exuded a powerful aura.

The man turned to look at Lin Qi, extended a large hand, and smiled.

"Welcome, Student Lin Qi!"

The instant he spoke, his aura intensified. The tyrannical presence was like a lion charging toward him.

BOOM—

Lin Qi felt as if his brain had been hit by a powerful shockwave. A wave of dizziness washed over him, his body froze, and it felt as if a hand was wrapped around his neck, choking him.

For a moment, he felt like he was going to die.

But he just clenched his jaw and endured it.

A second later, the painful sensation vanished. Lin Qi recovered, panting heavily.

He looked at the man opposite him, and a name surfaced in his mind: Yue Feng, the Vice Hall Master of the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo in Celestial Sea City.

Lin Qi had seen Yue Feng on TV before, watching his invincible display as he slaughtered Calamity Beasts on the battlefield.

He never thought he would actually meet him in person.

Just the aura he gave off was suffocating, so much stronger than what he had felt through the television.

He and ordinary people were like two different species.

’Why would such a major figure suddenly want to see me?’

Filled with confusion, Lin Qi took a deep breath and reached out to shake Yue Feng’s hand.

"Hello, Master Yue!"

He could feel the astonishing power contained within the man’s palm. If Yue Feng were to squeeze, his hand would be crushed to powder in an instant.

Beside him, Fang Huiyi didn’t even dare to breathe too loudly, keeping her head down as she stood behind Lin Qi.

Manager Sunx explained from the side:

"Student Lin Qi, Sister Fang, it was our Hall Master who invited you here today."

"He will be personally discussing the contract with you."

...