Move

After sending Zhuge Tao away, the curator brought Xia Zhi to his office. Sitting behind his desk, the curator studied him for a while, eyes scanning him up and down. Just as Xia Zhi was about to break the silence, the curator finally spoke.

"You kid, you're really going to go far," he said with a smile. "An A-level contract like this isn't signed every year, even among martial arts gyms worldwide. Judging by the supervisor's attitude towards you, he's genuinely optimistic about your potential. I'll also personally cover the extra cost for any additional martial arts manuals you need."

Xia Zhi blinked in surprise. "Isn't that a bit too generous from the supervisor?"

The curator shook his head. "Money means different things to people at different levels. An ordinary person can live on an annual income of over 100,000 yuan, but for a warrior who hunts a beast-level monster outside the city, that's just a single job's profit. Let alone a hunter-level or even a lord-level monster."

"To the supervisor, this is pocket change. But for a newcomer like you who's just stepping onto the path of a warrior, it's invaluable. Just remember the kindness."

Xia Zhi nodded solemnly. "I will remember." He understood well that once one reached a certain level of power, money became secondary. He made a mental note of the favor and said nothing more.

The curator then opened a drawer next to his desk, pulling out a document. "From today onwards, you can officially move into our martial arts villa complex. The warriors of Yangzhou all live in the Mingyue community. It's safer there, with better facilities for your family."

"There's even a dedicated martial arts hall in the community. Everyone living there is a martial artist, so the atmosphere will be more conducive for training. You should move in as soon as you can."

Xia Zhi skimmed the document briefly before returning it. "Sounds good. I'll move today."

The curator smiled and nodded. "I'll arrange everything. Focus on preparing for the upcoming assessment and don't get distracted by anything else." He paused and then added, "Why don't we call your instructor and have a meal together at noon to celebrate?"

Later that day, Xia Zhi and the curator enjoyed a hearty lunch at the instructor's cafeteria in the martial arts hall.

Meanwhile, in the west of Yangzhou City, in a small community spread over several acres, luxurious villas dotted the lush gardens. At the highest point of the community stood a grand four-story villa, towering over the others, signifying the prominence of its owner.

Inside this opulent villa, the expensive decorations were shattered, with broken appliances and fragments of tea sets strewn across the floor. A young man with handsome features and slightly yellowish hair stood amid the wreckage, chest heaving with anger.

The door to the room creaked open, and a timid girl of 16 or 17 cautiously peeked inside. Seeing the chaos, she nervously called out, "Master…"

"Get in!" the young man snarled, his furious gaze locking onto her like a predator eyeing its prey. Terrified, the girl trembled but obediently stepped inside. Before she could get far, the man lunged, grabbed her arm, and flung her onto the sofa. He pinned her down, his eyes ablaze with fury.

"Xia Zhi, you lowly trash," he spat. "You think you're so great now, but I'll make sure you know your place when the combat assessment comes. Untouchables like you will always be untouchables."

This enraged young man was none other than Li Wei, the one who had previously led a group to assault the original owner of Xia Zhi's body, causing the soul's dissipation. The memory of that day and a recent conversation with his friend, Li Qiang, further fueled Li Wei's anger.

For years, he had been compared to Xia Zhi, a younger student with far superior martial talent despite their differences in status. The very thought of Xia Zhi's accomplishments made Li Wei's rage flare, and his movements became more violent.

"Now you're all proud of yourself, but I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me during the combat assessment. I'll make sure you suffer!" Li Wei snarled through gritted teeth.

---

At five o'clock in the afternoon, as the summer heat showed no sign of cooling down, a small crowd began to gather outside the waste recycling station in Huainan District. People dressed in ragged clothes arrived, pulling carts or riding tricycles loaded with discarded items.

Among them was Xia Zhi's grandfather, the one-armed old man. He pedaled a tricycle piled high with old refrigerators, televisions, and folded cartons. His rolled-up trousers revealed tight, sinewy calves as he struggled to keep the load balanced.

After selling off the scrap he had collected for the day, the old man parked his tricycle and leaned back, sighing as he massaged his aching back.

In the distance, a motorcycle zoomed toward him, and the rider shouted as he neared, "Old one-arm! Get home quick! Your grandson passed the quasi-warrior exam, and the martial arts hall sent people to move your stuff!"

The old man's sunburned face lit up with excitement. "He passed? Ha! That's fantastic news! I'd better get home then!"

His neighbor, who had brought the news, watched in amusement as the old man scrambled to pedal the tricycle home.

"Why bother with that old thing anymore?" the neighbor called. "Your grandson's a warrior now! You're moving into a villa! No need for this scrap anymore."

Hearing this, the old man stopped abruptly and chuckled. "You're right, no more of this." He abandoned the tricycle and accepted a ride from his neighbor, his movements more sprightly, as though he had suddenly shed ten years.

---

At the old community where Xia Zhi had lived, a crowd gathered, watching as a van from the Xtreme Martial Arts Hall pulled up. The van's arrival caused a stir among the neighbors. It wasn't every day that an ordinary family moved out of low-rent housing into a warrior's villa, a feat considered legendary.

The crowd murmured excitedly, with many calling out congratulations to Xia Zhi and his grandfather as they watched the movers load their belongings into the van.

"Brother Xia, your grandson really made it! The martial arts hall even sent a team to move you!" someone shouted.

"Uncle Xia, I always said your grandson was destined for greatness, didn't I?" chimed in a neighbor who had previously mocked Xia Zhi for practicing martial arts on the rooftop.

The old man, slightly overwhelmed by the attention, smiled and waved back at the crowd, his heart swelling with pride. As he stood beside Xia Zhi, watching the movers work, he felt a profound sense of satisfaction.

Soon, the movers finished, and Xia Zhi and his grandfather climbed into the car sent by the martial arts hall. As they drove away from the old neighborhood, the crowd was left buzzing with excitement.

"That kid really changed the fate of his whole family by becoming a warrior," one person remarked.

"Good people always get rewarded in the end," another said. "Uncle Xia's hard work raising that boy is finally paying off."

What had happened today would undoubtedly become the talk of the community for years to come, inspiring more young people to work hard and strive for a better life, knowing that dedication would eventually lead to success.