*Hiss...*

Lin Qi felt a little flustered. Beside him, Fang Huiyi gasped.

’Even though I think my Talent is high,’ Lin Qi thought, ’my current ranking doesn’t seem to warrant a personal meeting with Yue Feng, the Seventh Realm Vice Hall Master, does it?’

Yue Feng spoke in a hearty voice.

"You two haven’t eaten yet, have you? Let’s talk over a meal."

As he spoke, he pointed to a square black table nearby, gesturing for Lin Qi and his mother to sit.

He sat opposite them. A square, white robot rolled up beside them, 2D facial features appearing on its square face.

The metal lid on its head opened automatically, releasing a rich aroma as it revealed the brightly colored dishes inside.

"Have a taste of our Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo’s nutritional meal," Yue Feng said as he placed the food on the table.

"Student Lin Qi, Sister Fang, please eat up. This meal is worth four bottles of Energy Potion," Manager Sun explained from the side.

Lin Qi was inwardly shocked. ’Four bottles of Energy Potion is 20,000 Xia Country Coins. What kind of nutritional meal is this expensive?’

"This is a more advanced nutritional meal. Once you get into one of the three top universities, you’ll be able to eat this every day."

"Go on, eat!"

Yue Feng said with a smile.

Lin Qi took the chopsticks and looked at the four dishes and one soup on the table. Without holding back, he picked up a piece of stir-fried meat and put it in his mouth, chewing.

The meat was fresh, tender, and succulent. It was cooked to perfection and tasted delicious.

Lin Qi nodded. It was far more delicious than the nutritional meals from the cafeteria at No. 2 Middle School.

’Worthy of being a 20,000-coin nutritional meal, indeed.’

His mom, Fang Huiyi, couldn’t help but nod after a few bites. A warmth spread through her body, and a healthy, rosy color returned to her cheeks.

After eating a few pieces, Lin Qi felt his whole body heat up, especially his stomach. His Strong Stomach ability began to activate.

"Lin Qi, your teacher, Zhang Cheng, recommended you to me. He said you’re a genius," Yue Feng said after taking a simple sip of soup.

’Teacher Zhang...’

Lin Qi was surprised. He hadn’t expected Teacher Zhang to have a connection with Yue Feng.

"Student Lin Qi, I also watched your livestreamed match against Songbai Middle School yesterday."

"In that battle, you proved your Talent. You deserve a B-level Contract."

Yue Feng spoke slowly, his expression serious. Manager Sun took out a tablet and turned on its projector.

Before Lin Qi, the device projected a contract document onto the screen: B-level Contract.

’It’s finally here!’

Lin Qi thought to himself. What he wanted was a B-level Contract. Chongming and Obsidian Martial Arts Dojos wouldn’t give him one, but the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo was willing to.

"To be frank, our Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo’s comprehensive strength ranks first in the Xia Country, and perhaps even first in the world."

"Our requirements for geniuses are the strictest among all the dojos."

"We have the fewest geniuses who receive A-level or B-level Contracts among the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos."

"For example, Qiu Jie, who is ranked tenth in your class. According to our standards at Red Dome, he would only qualify for a C-level Contract."

"But at the Obsidian Martial Arts Dojo, he could get a B-level Contract," Yue Feng slowly explained.

Lin Qi nodded, listening quietly.

"Although they are both B-level Contracts, with the same amount of money and resources, and no difference in the early stages, things will be different later on," Yue Feng explained with a smile.

"Sorry, I got a bit off-topic."

"A B-level Contract, unlike C-level and D-level Contracts, is in a different league, just like an A-level Contract."

"First, Red Dome will provide you with 3 million Xia Country Coins, as well as 2 million worth of resources, for a term of five years."

"Furthermore, you will receive a 25% discount when shopping at any supermarket under the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo’s banner."

"Not only that, but you will also have access to a free Virtual Cabin at our Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo."

"And a free Independent Martial Arts Room, equipped with a Punch Force Tester, a Speed Tester, a Rehabilitation Pod..."

"You will also receive 500,000 Points for the Red Dome House, which is a significant amount of money in itself."

"This will be useful when you break through to the First Realm or master your third Killing Technique."

In one breath, Yue Feng laid out all the benefits and compensation.

Looking at the benefits of the B-level Contract projected on the screen, Lin Qi’s heart began to hammer traitorously in his chest.

He was amazed. ’A B-level Contract is no joke. It’s so much better than a C-level Contract. The cash alone is 2 million more, and the resources are 1 million more.’

And all of this was being given to him for free, with no need to pay it back.

They weren’t even in the same league. The difference was immense.

’With this money, I’ll have enough to pay off all of my family’s loans.’

Not to mention the other benefits, like the free Independent Martial Arts Room. He had been in Guo Heng’s martial arts room before.

He knew exactly how convenient it was and had been incredibly envious.

Now, once he signed, he could have one for free.

Beside him, Fang Huiyi’s chopsticks froze mid-air. The moment she saw the B-level Contract, she was completely stunned.

’Little Qi can sign a B-level Contract?!’

When Fang Huiyi was a student, she had only signed a contract with an ordinary martial arts dojo, worth just 200,000.

Her brother, Fang Zhe, had only managed a D-level Contract with the Obsidian Martial Arts Dojo.

And Lin Zhen, who had the best Talent of them all, had also only signed a D-level Contract, with the Chongming Martial Arts Dojo.

She had originally thought a C-level Contract with the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo would be Lin Qi’s limit. She never imagined it would be B-level.

Her heart reeling from the shock, Fang Huiyi looked at her son, Lin Qi, and suddenly felt a sense of unfamiliarity. Her mind went blank.

"Student Lin Qi, that is everything our B-level Contract entails. Do you wish to sign?" Yue Feng asked, looking at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi didn’t rush to sign. Instead, he looked at Fang Huiyi.

"Mom, what do you think?"

Fang Huiyi snapped back to reality and spoke slowly.

"Little Qi, you should decide for yourself."

She felt her life experience wasn’t enough to offer any meaningful advice. It was better to let her son make his own decision.

Lin Qi nodded and calmly made his decision.

"This B-level Contract, I’ll sign it!"

"You’re not going to think about it some more?" Yue Feng asked.

Lin Qi put down his chopsticks and shook his head. "There’s no need to. I accept the B-level Contract."

"For Master Yue to personally negotiate with me... if I didn’t accept, it would be truly ungrateful of me."

Yue Feng burst out laughing.

"Interesting. I’m liking you more and more."

"Old Sun!"

Manager Sun cleared away the used bowls and chopsticks, then took out the documents and the tablet, pointing to the signature line.

Lin Qi took the black fountain pen and carefully signed his name.

[Lin Qi]

He then pressed his handprint on the document and repeated the process on the tablet.

"Alpha!" Yue Feng called out.

On a nearby table, a smooth, blue metallic sphere opened a pair of black eyes and began to hover in place.

It flew swiftly over to Yue Feng.

"Master, I am here!"

A female voice emanated from the metallic sphere.

"Take a picture of us!"

"Understood!"

"Come on, Lin Qi. Let’s take a picture together and upload it to the headquarters’ network."

"Once it’s approved, the contract will take effect immediately," Yue Feng explained.

Lin Qi nodded and stood with Yue Feng for a photo. Afterward, he pointed at the metallic sphere and asked curiously:

"What is this?"

Yue Feng smiled and explained, "Alpha is an intelligent lifeform. It’s a great help in improving my efficiency in martial arts training, daily life, and work."

Lin Qi watched "Alpha" as it moved about in the air, utterly astonished. He had never seen such an intelligent lifeform before.

"Of course, these things are rare and expensive—even more expensive than a Virtual Cabin," Yue Feng explained.

Lin Qi shook his head. ’A Virtual Cabin already costs over ten million. For an intelligent lifeform to be even more expensive is just unimaginable. There’s no way I could afford one, anyway.’

"Student Lin Qi, from this moment on, you are officially a member of our Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo."

Yue Feng looked at Lin Qi with a serious expression and said:

"The reason I came to sign this contract with you personally today is that this is a privilege not granted to other B-level geniuses."

"According to the rules of the Three Great Martial Arts Dojos, contracts can be upgraded. However, the conditions are harsh, and very few people can meet them."

"Over the years, only a handful have ever upgraded their contracts. Those who have upgraded from a B-level to an A-level Contract are even rarer, like a phoenix feather."

"However, I believe you can do it, because your potential has not yet been fully unleashed."

"If you can significantly raise your ranking in the mid-term, or even the final national assessment, your B-level Contract will be upgraded to an A-level Contract."

"And I am willing to believe in you."

Yue Feng spoke each word with solemn gravity.

As his voice fell, the entire office fell silent.

...