My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 337: Chapter 168: Red Hot

As for Huajin Martial Artists, they almost never have to participate in the second round.

Because the second round consisted of arena battles.

These arena battles were, in fact, specifically designed for Anjin Martial Artists...

Having them enter the arenas to fight one another was a chance to display their own strength... an opportunity to catch the eye of a major faction in need of new talent.

For example, the Black Armor Army recruited new members during this process.

As for Huajin Martial Artists... they almost never entered the arenas.

”The arena battles for Huajin Martial Artists are challenge-based and are held during the final two days of the second round. On that same day, the results from the first round will be ranked and announced... and those results basically determine who the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect will recruit.”

”If you’re accepted into the Outer Sect, there’s not much to it... Unless some astonishing situation occurs during the third round’s Talent and foundation assessment, your placement in the Outer Sect won’t change... Your ranking is also meaningless... After all, you’re just entering the Outer Sect.”

”But for those chosen to enter the Inner Sect... that’s a different story. For example... the competition for the twelve seats!”

”Why do people say Shen Han and Fu Chen have a chance to claim one of the twelve seats? Because their Talent is exceptional, and they’ve basically already been confirmed for the Inner Sect. Since they’re also still within the age limit, they can choose to challenge someone who scored higher than them in the first round and is currently holding one of those twelve spots.”

”If they win, they’ll receive a bonus point reward... which will let their own ranking shoot up.”

”As for the final foundation and Talent assessment... unless someone is exceptionally outstanding, everyone’s scores will end up being very close.”

Why was Qian Ruhai so sure after the first round that Qin Fang’s top position was secure?

Because after this point, it was practically impossible for anything to change.

...To have cultivated True Essence at the age of twenty—nothing else mattered.

According to the competition’s rules, it was impossible for anyone to surpass Qin Fang.

”I saw that last night and this morning, a lot of people went to give gifts to Young Master Qin... What do you guys think, should we go?”

Lost in thought, Qin Fang overheard some people passing by downstairs.

’Are they actually discussing whether to give me gifts?’

”This... maybe we should forget it? For small-fry like us, just being in the same group as Young Master Qin and exchanging a few words is already incredible... It’s the kind of thing you can go home and brag to your kids about for the rest of your life. But a person like that... he’s ultimately not in the same circle as us...”

Someone lamented.

Hearing this, Qin Fang felt a bit strange.

But on second thought... he fell silent.

Barring any surprises, once he entered the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect, he most likely would never return to the Post House.

These people from D Building...

It was indeed very likely their paths would never cross again.

...The class divide in this world was even more severe than he had imagined.

”You can’t say that. Young Master Qin is approachable, and we’ve at least met. Giving a gift is a way to show our goodwill, not because we expect to ask Young Master Qin for favors later... I think we should still give something.”

”But... would Young Master Qin even deign to look at anything we could give?” someone asked worriedly.

”Important people have their ways of giving gifts, and unimportant people have theirs. If Young Master Qin truly looks down on it, that’s fine. What matters is that we’ve shown our sincerity... In any case, I’m going.”

They debated amongst themselves. Some decided to go, while others who heard this became hesitant.

Their voices faded as they walked away.

Upstairs, Qin Fang didn’t know whether to laugh or cry...

...’Listening to people discuss whether or not to give me gifts right under my nose... it’s a bit strange.’

Shaking his head, Qin Fang also got up and left.

When he returned to the Post House, he found a long line snaking out from the entrance, almost entirely composed of people waiting to deliver gifts.

He was speechless. After a moment’s thought, he decided not to go back to the Post House at all...

...There was still that ”must return by midnight” rule, but he knew the Post House wouldn’t dare to enforce it now.

...Rules, after all, were only ever for constraining the weak.

The strong were always the ones to break them.

However, after waiting until the crowds disappeared in the early hours of the morning, Qin Fang returned to the Post House.

As expected, when the Black Armor Army guards saw him, none of them mentioned the ”must return by midnight” rule. Instead, every one of them greeted him politely.

Qin Fang saw the familiar Li Yao and gave him a smiling wave.

Li Yao was stunned for a moment, then broke into a brilliant smile.

Back at A Nineteen Courtyard, Qian Ruhai and the others were still there. Upon seeing Qin Fang, Qian Ruhai naturally couldn’t help but complain at length.

Qin Fang looked at the courtyard, which was so full of gift packages that there was almost no room left to put them, and was secretly astonished...

...’This must be the Prefecture City, alright.’

’So many rich people!’

”In just the last two days, the gold and silver alone are worth over one hundred thousand taels... The other items are even more valuable. If we sold everything, it would be at least three hundred thousand taels... Brother Qin, the speed at which you make money is enough to make even me jealous...”

Qian Ruhai lamented.

Qin Fang was stunned...

’Three hundred thousand taels?’

...’I’ve never seen that much money in my life, okay?’

”You think these favors don’t need to be repaid?”

Qin Fang rolled his eyes.

He saw the spot specially designated for storing calling cards; they were piled so high that just looking at them made him dizzy!

...He was used to being on his own. With Qian Ruhai temporarily handling all this for him, things were still relatively easy.

’But Qian Ruhai is an outsider, after all. What am I going to do once I enter the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect?’

’I can’t just bring Qian Ruhai into the Heavenly Gang Wuji Sect with me, can I?’

The thought of having to go through those cards one by one, memorizing the names of people and factions he had never even met, gave him a massive headache.