Gao Wu: I became a saint through daily settlements

"I remember now, isn't this Lin Yue, the one who killed that evil cultivator from Miaozhou in the Nanyang Secret Realm?"

Someone yelled.

These words immediately attracted the attention of many people.

"Holy crap, it really is."

"No wonder he's so strong!"

Soon, the audience erupted into a lively discussion.

However, the sight of the various temple masters walking onto the stage captivated most viewers.

Then, a person in charge, dressed in the brocade robe of the Martial Hall, stepped to the front of the stage. His voice was powerful and resonant, and with the help of martial arts energy, it spread throughout the entire venue.

"Now, let's officially begin distributing the ranking rewards for this New Generation Sparring Tournament!"

"The first place winner of this competition is Lin Yue from the Jiang Province branch, who won three Bone-Splitting Grasses and a box of Qi-Nourishing Pills."

As soon as he finished speaking, a staff member from the Martial Hall handed Lin Yue a small box.

"Second place, Zhou Yuanwu, one Bone-Splitting Grass, plus..."

"Third place..."

……

The individual award ceremony ended shortly afterward.

Above individual honors lies collective honor.

"The province that won first place in this competition is Jiang Province!"

As soon as he finished speaking, applause erupted like a tidal wave.

"Number one in Jiangxi Province! Number one in Jiangxi Province!"

Jiang Province Martial Arts Hall has always been in the middle to lower ranks among the twelve southeastern provinces. Every year, they are just there to make up the numbers in the new generation regional competitions. They can brag about making it into the top eight for a whole year if they do.

This year, they swept both the gold and silver medals and came in first in the overall team score.

Such leaps in progress would drive anyone crazy.

After the award ceremony, Lin Yue was called aside by Tang Long.

"Let's go, Lord Wan wants to see you."

Lin Yue was taken aback: "Palace Master Wan? The head of the Southeast Branch?"

Lin Yue was deeply impressed by this powerful Grand Master who commanded respect throughout the twelve southeastern provinces.

Tang Long nodded, his expression serious.

"When you meet Palace Master Wan later, you should know what to say and what not to say."

"Don't be nervous. Lord Wan admires you, but don't be too casual. Just maintain basic respect."

"I understand, thank you for reminding me, Hall Master Tang." Lin Yue nodded in agreement, but secretly wondered why this powerful figure in the Southeast martial arts world had suddenly summoned him.

Tang Long led Lin Yue through the long corridor of the Martial Hall and arrived at the door of an office.

The door is made of wood and looks quite old, but it is well-maintained and has a faint woody scent.

Tang Long raised his hand and gently knocked on the door.

"Come in." A deep, steady voice came from inside the door.

Tang Long pushed open the door and stepped aside to let Lin Yue go in first.

The office was small and simply furnished.

An office desk, a few chairs, a bookshelf, and a calligraphy scroll hanging on the wall—

"The path of martial arts is boundless"

The brushstrokes are bold and unyielding, fully demonstrating the endless pursuit of martial arts.

Wan Yu sat behind his desk with a document in his hand. When he saw Lin Yue come in, he put down the document and gave him a friendly smile.

"Lin Yue, right? Don't be shy, have a seat."

Lin Yue sat down in the chair, while Tang Long stood to the side without sitting down.

Wan Yu sized up Lin Yue, his gaze calm yet sharp.

"You played very well in this sparring match," Wan Yu said bluntly.

"Zhao Lingyun is the ace of the Handong headquarters. He was already in the late stage of the Martial Realm six months ago. Being able to defeat him means that your strength has exceeded the average level of the late stage of the Martial Realm."

Lin Yue showed neither arrogance nor humility, but calmly said, "Zhao Lingyun is very strong, and I won by sheer luck."

Wan Yu smiled.

This child has a good character.

"Lin Yue, I called you here not only to see you in person, but also to tell you something else."

Lin Yue sat up straight: "Please speak."

"You practice ancient martial arts, right?" Wan Yu asked bluntly.

"To be honest, Lord Wan, it is indeed ancient martial arts."

"Looks like you've reached the third level of the Body Tempering Technique?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue was slightly shocked and said, "Palace Master Wan has excellent eyesight."

Wan Yu nodded, a satisfied look on his face, then kept everyone in suspense.

"I have something I need to discuss with you privately, Palace Master Tang. You may leave now."

"Yes."

……

Why do you need to talk to Wan Yu alone? Can't Tang Long listen?

"Is he putting pressure on me?" Lin Yue thought to himself.

A one-on-one situation can easily bring out a person's most authentic psychological state.

"I'm asking you a question." Wan Yu paused.

"Would you like to join the Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association?"

Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association?

Lin Yue had never heard of this term before.

Seeing Lin Yue's reaction, Wan Yu laughed even more happily.

"The so-called Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association is an ancient martial arts association jointly established by the martial arts halls of the twelve southeastern provinces. It is full of martial artists who practice ancient martial arts like you."

"However, don't worry, joining the Ancient Martial Arts Association will not cause any breach of contract with the Martial Hall or Martial Arts Alliance."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue's shock deepened.

"I never imagined that ancient martial arts, which were on the verge of disappearing with the tides of time, would still have an association?"

"Palace Master Wan, I need to think about it."

"Ancient Martial Arts Association..."

Lin Yue repeated the unfamiliar term in a low voice, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

Wan Yu noticed the doubt in his eyes, reached into the drawer, took out a thin booklet, and pushed it towards him.

"These are the charters of my Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association. You can take a look before making a decision," Wan Yu said calmly.

"The association does not charge membership fees and does not interfere with members' normal training and missions in their respective martial arts halls. There is one centralized exchange once a year, with the location rotating in different places."

"The annual Ancient Martial Arts Exchange Conference is held in rotation among the twelve southeastern provinces, and this year it just so happens to be our turn in Handong."

Lin Yue opened the booklet and scanned it line by line.

The association's first principle is: "Inherit the ancient martial arts and promote the revival of traditional martial arts."

The rights and obligations of association members are listed below, and the content is simple and clear.

The association regularly organizes ancient martial arts sparring and exchanges, sharing cultivation experiences, and inviting veteran ancient martial arts practitioners to pass on their skills and give lessons. In addition, the association will distribute corresponding cultivation resources based on members' contribution points.

"In other words, joining the Ancient Martial Arts Association is equivalent to having another channel to obtain resources." Lin Yue closed the booklet and looked up at Wan Yu.

"To say it's just about resources is too simplistic," Wan Yu said, shaking his head slightly, his expression becoming serious.

"Most of the members in the association are veteran martial artists who have been deeply involved in ancient martial arts for decades."

"They may not be as physically gifted or as fast at advancing as you younger generation, but the experience they have accumulated in dissecting ancient martial arts moves, combat skills, on-the-spot adaptability, and cultivation insights is exactly what you lack at this stage."

Lin Yue remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the booklet in his hand.

His understanding of ancient martial arts largely comes from the system's assistance.

Ancient martial arts emphasize the importance of accumulating knowledge and experience before unleashing it; only through continuous practice and refinement can one become a true master.

However, this kind of almost leapfrog growth may cause one to be stuck for a longer time when the bottleneck period arrives due to an unstable foundation.

If we could get in touch with more practitioners of ancient martial arts and learn from their different experiences and insights, that would certainly be a good approach.

After all, leveling up on your own is nowhere near as fast as absorbing experience from others.

"Besides resources and connections, what else?" Lin Yue asked the most crucial question.

"After five years of membership, you will be eligible to compete for a place in the Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Heritage Program." Wan Yu's gaze deepened.

"You should know what I'm talking about."

The ancient martial arts tradition of Southeast China.

Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat.

It is said that during the heyday of ancient martial arts hundreds of years ago, there were ancient martial arts families and sects in various parts of Southeast China.

Although many traditions were lost with the rise of modern cultivation methods, the cultivation insights and techniques of some high-level martial artists have been preserved and are now under the unified management of the Martial Hall.

To access these things, one must go through layers of vetting, and the quotas from the Ancient Martial Arts Association are one of the most efficient ways to do so.

"How many successor slots are there each year?" Lin Yue asked.

"Three."

"Just three?"

"Everyone who can compete for these three spots is at least at the peak of the Great Martial Master realm," Wan Yu said solemnly.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue's usually calm expression finally changed slightly.

"A Grand Martial Master..." Lin Yue thought to himself.

A Grand Martial Master isn't someone you can just pick up from a stray dog ​​on the street. How many people spend their entire lives stuck at the Martial Master level and can't break through?

"Your current cultivation level is still far from sufficient, but what about five years from now? Who can say for sure?"

"Ancient martial arts desperately need the strength of your generation!"

Five years.

Lin Yue thought for a moment and then asked.

"Palace Master Wan, I'd like to know, which number am I that you personally invited?" Lin Yue suddenly asked this question.

Wan Yu paused for a moment, then laughed.

"The fourth one."

"Who are the first two?"

"I can't disclose that right now," Wan Yu said with a smile and a shake of his head.

"However, I can tell you that their cultivation levels have already broken through to the Flying Warrior level."

Lin Yue remained silent for a moment.

"No wonder they had to ask Palace Master Tang to leave."

"So Tang Jingyue wasn't invited at all..."

Tang Jingyue had just broken through to the Martial Master realm, which clearly did not match the situation Wan Yu had just described.

In other words, this association is not something you can join simply by practicing ancient martial arts.

The last person invited is now a flying martial artist.

This means that Wan Yu has a keen eye for people, and it also means that the invitation he extended was of high value.

It seems there's no need to consider it anymore.

"Palace Master Wan, I have made up my mind. I am willing to join the Ancient Martial Arts Association of the Twelve Southeast Provinces."

"Great!" Wan Yu laughed heartily.

"Then, sign it!" Wan Yu handed a document to Lin Yue.

Lin Yue picked up the pen and quickly signed it.

After signing, Wan Yu handed Lin Yue a completely black card.

Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association

Lin Yue took the all-black card, and the moment his fingertips touched the card, he felt a slightly cool sensation.

The front of the card has no extra decorations, only a line of small gold lettering: "Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association".

And a simple seal in seal script in the lower right corner.

Turning it over, you'll find a serial number: DND-0027.

"DND is an abbreviation for Southeast Ancient Martial Arts," Wan Yu explained.

"0027 means that you are the twenty-seventh official member since the establishment of the Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association."

27th.

Lin Yue's heart skipped a beat.

In the twelve southeastern provinces, there are tens of thousands of martial arts practitioners, but only a mere twenty-seven people can be admitted to the Ancient Martial Arts Association.

This number speaks volumes.

"The member numbers are not ranked by strength, but by the order of joining." Wan Yu seemed to have seen through Lin Yue's thoughts.

"So don't overthink it, that person number 001 is no longer in the Southeast."

"Where did you go?"

"Your Highness," Wan Yu said only two words before falling silent.

Lin Yue wisely refrained from asking further questions.

The Starry Sky Martial Hall Main Hall—one of the highest power centers of the Martial Arts Alliance—is an existence standing at the pinnacle of the entire nation's martial arts pyramid.

After putting the card away, Wan Yu patted Lin Yue on the shoulder.

"Do a good job."

"Rest assured, Lord Wan, I will certainly live up to your expectations." Lin Yue straightened up and bowed solemnly.

Wan Yu waved his hand, indicating that he could leave.

Lin Yue nodded and pushed open the door to go out.

Tang Long was still standing outside the door. When he saw him come out, his gaze lingered on his face for two seconds. He didn't ask anything, but simply said:

"Let's go, the victory celebration is about to begin."

The two walked through the long corridor and headed towards the main hall of the Martial Hall.

The celebration banquet was held in the hall on the third floor of the Martial Arts Hall. More than 20 people from the Jiang Province Martial Arts Hall came this time, including the contestants and coaches, as well as several members who came from Jiang Province.

As soon as Lin Yue entered, Hou Zhi pulled him to a table.

"Brother Lin! Come, come, sit here!" Chen Bo said excitedly.

The two were both students at the elite version of Jiangcheng Wuke Affiliated High School, so they naturally felt closer.

This table was filled with young athletes from the Jiang Province Martial Arts Hall. Zhou Yuanwu was also there, sipping a glass of wine. When he saw Lin Yue approaching, he nodded slightly in greeting.

Then he raised his glass: "Come on, let's have a drink."

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became lively.

The Jiang Province Martial Arts Hall achieved a great victory this time, and everyone from the hall master to the coaches and athletes was beaming with joy.

The banquet ended after 10 p.m.

Lin Yue didn't drink too much alcohol. With his current physical condition, ordinary alcohol wouldn't have any effect, but he still maintained his habit of staying sober.

Back at the accommodations arranged by the Martial Hall, Lin Yue took a shower, sat on the edge of the bed, and took out the black card to look at it again.

【Southeast Ancient Martial Arts Association · DND-0027】

One twenty-seventh.

This is both an honor and a pressure.

Wan Yu said that the competition for the inheritance quota five years from now will be among those who are at the peak of the Great Martial Master realm or above.

His current cultivation level is only at the late stage of the Martial Realm, with a gap of one whole major realm between him and the Martial Master Realm.

Five years.

The leap from the late stage of Martial Realm to the peak of Great Martial Master is so vast that an ordinary person could not complete it in a lifetime.

Lin Yue checked his current panel.

Life Energy Level: 16.2

[Mastered Body Tempering Techniques: Bear Stance (Tier 3), Bird Strike (Tier 3)]

[Martial arts skills mastered: Flowing Water Rock-Shattering Fist (Tier 2), Mo Dao Saber Technique (Tier 2), Treading Waves and Leaping Steps (Tier 1)]

[Awakened Talent: Martial Will (Tier 2)]

[Supernatural Powers: Records of Martial Arts Treasures, Sprout of True Qi]

"Life energy level is now 16.2."

The past few days of fighting to sustain himself have significantly improved Lin Yue's strength and life force.

Just then, a semi-transparent panel slowly appeared in front of Lin Yue.

Daily Settlement

……