Chapter Twenty-One: The House of Extremes

After hanging up the phone, Zhuge Tao’s face was radiant with joy.

Seeing his smile, Qin Ming also grinned.

“The application is approved. From today onward, Qin Ming, you are a fully-fledged martial artist! However…” Zhuge Tao paused briefly before continuing, “You still have to participate in the practical assessment on August 1st. Yet your circumstances are unique, so a special content will be set for your assessment. If you pass, you’ll certainly reach the rank of War God in the future!”

Wu Tong inhaled sharply. “Director, do you mean…?”

“Qin Ming is also a child of our martial artists. There’s no need to hide this information from him,” Zhuge Tao mused for a moment, then smiled. “At our Extreme Martial Arts Academy, we select talents globally to join the headquarters’ basic training camp, for targeted cultivation. That’s for ordinary talents—Qin Ming has already qualified. But his situation is exceptional; he hasn’t yet gone through the practical assessment. Headquarters has decided to conduct a special assessment for him on August 1st. If he passes, he’ll be sent straight to the elite training camp—the world’s foremost training ground, also known as the ‘War God Preparatory Camp.’ Once inside, as long as you don’t falter, you’ll almost certainly reach the rank of War God. Even if you don’t pass, you can still enter the basic training camp.”

“Entering headquarters?” Qin Yicheng was the most excited. “That’s the holy land for martial artists! I never imagined Xiao Ming would have the chance to train there!”

“If he really enters the elite training camp, Qin Ming might even receive guidance from Hong!” Zhuge Tao’s words stunned everyone present and filled them with envy.

Hong—not only the strongest in the world, but for these martial artists, a faith, a spirit, a living god in their hearts.

To meet him even once would be a great honor, let alone to be mentored.

“So!” Zhuge Tao said solemnly, “Qin Ming, in this month and a bit, you must train diligently and strive to pass the assessment, stepping into the elite training camp. Only there will you have the chance to join the true ranks of the elite.”

“Director, rest assured. I will surely go!” Qin Ming replied with conviction.

“A young man should have such confidence. Excellent!” Zhuge Tao nodded, sweeping his gaze around and speaking seriously, “Everyone, don’t spread word of Qin Ming’s assessment today. And you, Qin Ming, if other organizations try to recruit you, it’s best to refuse; don’t be tempted by money or other lures. Remember, the Extreme Martial Arts Academy is the best place in the world for martial artists—even the Thunder Martial Arts Academy pales in comparison, especially with Hong presiding.”

“Director, don’t worry. If he dares betray us, I won’t acknowledge him as my son!” Qin Yicheng pledged first.

Qin Ming couldn’t help but laugh, but knew he needed to declare his stance: “My home is in the Extreme Martial Arts Academy. How could I join another force?”

“Good!” Zhuge Tao was very satisfied.

After Qin Ming and his companions left, Old Bai frowned. “A genius like this should be sent immediately to headquarters. Why wait over a month? Aren’t you afraid another organization will poach him?”

“The elite training camp’s slots for this year are already set. To enter, he must demonstrate truly extraordinary talent, so we’re giving him more time. It’s also a chance to train some techniques during the month,” Zhuge Tao explained. “Qin Ming’s identity is special—he’s one of our academy’s own. He shouldn’t be swayed.”

“What level can he reach in just over a month of training?” Old Bai sighed. “It’s a pity; he’ll likely only enter the basic training camp.”

“That depends on him. It’s an opportunity, after all,” Zhuge Tao said. “Besides, our support for him has already exceeded the standard. He’s accepted it, so there shouldn’t be any issues.”

Their journey passed in silence. Qin Ming returned directly to Ming Yue Community and requested a villa—conveniently, there was an empty one next to his family’s, so he took it.

This was his reward for becoming a martial artist: free residence.

“Our house is so big—hundreds of square meters, three floors. With just our family, it feels empty, and now you want to move out. Are you tired of your mother?” Upon learning Qin Ming planned to live alone, Luo Xia was quite displeased.

“Mom, my dear mother!” Qin Ming hurried to explain, “Now that I’m a martial artist, I need to train day and night. It’ll surely disturb you and Dad, and I’d feel guilty for that. So, I thought I’d move out. Look, I’ll be right next door—usually I’ll be at home, only heading over when I’m training.”

“That’s more like it!” Luo Xia smiled at last.

After soothing his mother, Qin Ming entered his new home.

Everything was furnished—fridge, washing machine, all necessities—which Qin Ming paid little mind.

Luo Xia began tidying up the house.

Qin Ming and his father went to the second-floor media room.

He opened the internet and entered the “Extreme Home” website, accessible only to martial artists. At once, a massive 200-inch screen appeared on the wall, displaying the homepage of Extreme Home.

After fingerprint verification, his photo came up, followed by personal details—name, gender, city base, and martial artist rank.

Rank: Warrior Level (Beginner)!

Contribution Points: 0!

Account Balance: 50,000,000 Huaxia Currency!

“To be rated as a martial artist, you must hunt ferocious beasts,” Qin Yicheng explained to his son. “For example, a candidate martial artist must have the physical qualities of a beginner warrior and pass the practical assessment to truly become a martial artist. Otherwise, you’d remain a candidate for life—but you’re an exception. To become an intermediate warrior, you must hunt intermediate beast soldiers and submit proof to upgrade your level. The same goes for further advancement.”

Qin Ming nodded in understanding.

In summary, to advance as a martial artist, first you must meet the standards, then hunt ferocious beasts to prove it—an encouragement for real combat.

“I didn’t expect the support for you to be so generous!” Qin Yicheng exclaimed. “For talented individuals, the academy provides a villa and two million currency, plus fifty million in credits for secret techniques and equipment. But you received fifty million outright, your spending limit raised to two hundred million, Zhuge Tao added another five million, so your total spending limit is two hundred and fifty million, plus fifty million cash, totaling three hundred million. Of course, for a genius like you, it’s well deserved!”

Qin Yicheng was proud indeed.

Qin Ming was extremely satisfied with this.

“As for contribution points, after hunting beasts, selling the main materials to the Extreme Martial Arts Academy earns you points. The academy’s prices are usually lower than outside, but you get contribution points! You can also donate, starting at ten thousand Huaxia currency, up to one hundred billion, at a rate of ten thousand currency for one point. Monetary donations can earn up to ten million points—equal to four-star contribution level,” Qin Yicheng added. “Contribution points are important—the more you have, the greater your privileges. For example, purchasing secret techniques and weapons requires the corresponding level of points, and you get them at half-price.”

Qin Yicheng explained thoroughly, and Qin Ming listened attentively.

Upon entering Extreme Home, two emails popped up.

The first was a video from Zhuge Tao’s assistant, congratulating him on becoming a martial artist and explaining the secret technique purchase limit.

The second was from Extreme Home itself, welcoming him to the family and outlining some details about the site.

In short, as long as you have money, everything on Extreme Home is available for purchase—even one-on-one guidance from a War God.

With enough contribution points, everything is half-price.

Without sufficient points, you pay full price.

Qin Ming’s contribution points were zero, but for his first purchase using the academy’s support, he could enjoy the half-price privilege.

After listening, he browsed the martial artist forum briefly, then went straight to the online mall, entering the secret technique page. Immediately, all kinds of techniques appeared, listed by price from high to low, densely packed.

Qin Ming glanced at the spear technique “World Annihilation,” renowned as the strongest offensive skill created by Hong, then looked at the second entry.

“Ninefold Thunder Blade,” category: blade technique. Rating: Ultimate. Price: 100 billion Huaxia currency (full price), 50 billion Huaxia currency (half price, requires four-star contribution points).