Cultivation Preparation before the Assessment

Mingyue Community, where the warriors who joined the Yangzhou City Xtreme Martial Arts Center reside, was heavily guarded.

The soldiers at the entrance, armed with the latest rifles capable of harming high-level warriors, stood vigilant. Beyond the gates, the community flourished with lush greenery, with single-family villas of various designs spread across nearly a thousand acres. An artificial lake added to the serene and leisurely atmosphere of the place.

A truck drove into the community, and the soldiers at the gate, recognizing it as one from the logistics office of the Martial Arts Center, allowed it to pass after a routine inspection.

The truck stopped in front of a newly constructed villa, and the one-armed elder, sitting in the passenger seat, gradually relaxed as they arrived. 

Curator Xiang Zhonghua was already waiting at the entrance. He greeted Xia Zhi and his grandfather with a warm smile as they stepped off the truck.

"This Villa No. 188 is one of the best in terms of size and facilities in the community," Xiang Zhonghua explained.

"Each floor covers nearly 300 square meters, and the three-story building totals over 900 square meters. Including the basement and the expansive terrace, the total area exceeds 1,200 square meters. The front yard has a well-maintained lawn, and there's a swimming pool in the backyard. The logistics office will take care of the maintenance every week. Everything inside is fully furnished and equipped with the latest appliances. Since we knew you were moving in today, we've prepared dinner for you."

"From now on, a delivery team will serve you every day. If you have specific dietary preferences, just let them know."

The care extended to the warriors by the Martial Arts Center was meticulous. Every possible distraction had been handled in advance, allowing the warriors to focus solely on their training.

For Xia Zhi, this level of luxury was something he had never experienced, neither in this life nor his previous one. Even though he understood that it was part of the martial arts lifestyle, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

The one-armed elder gave a faint nod but remained silent.

"Come on," Xiang Zhonghua said, "let me show you around. Settle in tonight and rest well. Tomorrow, there will be a gathering of the martial artists in the community. Xia Zhi, you'll have a chance to meet them."

They entered the villa, which was painted in elegant red and white tones. The front yard was beautifully landscaped, and the interior exuded a luxurious, modern feel. The most advanced electronics and top-tier furniture filled the space, showcasing a life of refinement.

Xia Zhi stood with his grandfather in the spacious living room, his hand clutching the old man's arm tightly. His slight trembling betrayed the excitement and anticipation he felt at that moment.

This was going to be their new home from now on.

---

**Evening, July 31, Villa No. 188, Mingyue Community**

Aside from the lounge on the third floor, the villa housed a large martial arts hall. Its facilities were even more advanced than those at the Martial Arts Center's training hall for senior students.

Late into the night, the area around the villa was deserted. However, the lights from the martial arts hall illuminated the surroundings, making the night feel almost like day.

The rhythmic sound of bones cracking echoed within the hall.

Xia Zhi, dressed in a white training outfit, lay on his side in the spacious hall, resembling a resting tiger. His eyes were half-closed, his breathing slow and deep, causing his body to shift slightly. A creaking sound occasionally emanated from his muscles and joints.

After a long period of stillness, Xia Zhi opened his eyes, stretched his body, and sat up. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled with a focused calm.

"The introduction to the 'Taishang Body Refining and Bone Strengthening Technique' has improved my physical fitness significantly," he thought, glancing at the wooden post standing against the wall.

Six black throwing knives were embedded in the post, their sharp, streamlined blades gleaming under the light.

Suddenly, the six knives quivered, and then shot out of the wooden post with blinding speed. They became six streaks of cold light, racing toward Xia Zhi.

Two of the knives swerved to the left, circling back toward the post. Two others flew straight, twisting around Xia Zhi's body, while the final pair sliced through the air with deadly precision.

With extreme speed, the knives shredded a sandbag and split the wooden post into splinters. Once the destruction was complete, all six knives hovered in the air before Xia Zhi, moving in intricate patterns.

Eventually, the stream of knives slowed and came to a halt, floating just in front of him.

"The bone-strengthening phase of my training has strengthened my body significantly. I've almost reached the peak of the intermediate warrior level and will soon break through to the advanced warrior level."

"My mental control over objects has improved to the point where I can control six knives simultaneously with perfect precision."

"Even warriors at the general level wouldn't stand a chance against me, and I could even challenge Warlords."

Over the past month, Xia Zhi had focused on both physical training and refining his mental powers. His progress in the 'Taishang Body Refining Technique' had brought him to the bone-refining stage, and his mental strength was steadily growing as well.

The mystery of the nine-story pagoda in his mind was still elusive, but Xia Zhi knew he was getting closer to unlocking its secrets.

"Tomorrow is the actual combat assessment for martial artists. I'll rest early tonight and prepare for it," Xia Zhi thought. "Li Wei and the others will be there too. Maybe I'll find an opportunity..."

"Let's see if a chance presents itself to give him a lesson."

Xia Zhi stood up, and the remains of the sandbag and shattered wooden post floated beside him, following his steps as he exited the martial arts hall.

---

Meanwhile, in the western part of Yangzhou City, within the HR Union's Warrior Community, a different scene unfolded.

In the reception room of a four-story villa, the door opened, and a beautiful girl entered, addressing Li Wei, who was seated on the sofa.

"Master, Li Qiang has arrived."

"Bring him in," Li Wei responded, swirling a glass of red wine, his gaze fixed on the deep crimson liquid within.

The girl, sensing Li Wei's dark mood, trembled slightly as she quickly left the room.

Soon, Li Qiang, dressed in a black suit, entered. His triangular eyes glanced at Li Wei's brooding figure.

"Young Master, you called?" Li Qiang asked.

"Tomorrow is the actual combat assessment. Have you mastered the technique I gave you?" Li Wei asked, still focused on his wine.

"I've reached the beginner level," Li Qiang replied, his excitement barely contained. "Thank you, Young Master! My father says this technique is better than what he's practiced and will be enough to carry me to the peak of the Warlord level. My strength has nearly tripled, and I'm now at the intermediate warrior level."

For most, such secret techniques were only available through powerful organizations once they became full-fledged warriors. However, warriors' children often had access to techniques developed by their families.

Despite that, even for the children of warriors, learning such techniques before officially becoming a martial artist was strictly forbidden.

Li Wei smirked, looking up from his wine. "That's nothing. The faster you grow stronger, the easier it will be to carry out my plan."

"What plan?" Li Qiang asked.

"Tomorrow, during the combat assessment, all the warriors-in-training will be sent to Monster Town, where the military has prepared monsters for the test."

"In previous years, they only used Class H monsters, but this year, I've arranged for a Class F monster to be placed in the area," Li Wei revealed.

Li Qiang's eyes widened in surprise. "An F-class monster? But that's equivalent to an advanced warrior! What are you planning, Young Master?"

"I want Xia Zhi dead," Li Wei hissed. "A dead genius is no longer a threat."

His expression darkened further. "Yiyi belongs to me. That trash Xia Zhi… I'll make sure he never stands in my way again."

Li Qiang's thoughts raced. "You hate Xia Zhi this much just because he exchanged a few words with Yiyi during school-sponsored charity work?"

But aloud, he said, "Young Master, my strength may have increased, but I'm still only an intermediate warrior. Without attack techniques, I can't defeat an F-class monster. It would tear me apart."

Li Wei's face twisted in anger, but he restrained himself. "You're from the Li family, even if only from a side branch. Show some courage!"

His voice softened. "I've prepared a Class D combat suit for you. It can withstand a few hits from an intermediate-level monster."

"Besides, the monster has been hypnotized. I've had Xia Zhi's scent placed on it, so it will target him first. All you need to do is lead Xia Zhi to it. Once the monster wakes up, it will focus on him. Then you just need to escape."

"The town is monitored constantly. Once the monster awakens, the military will take it down, and you'll be safe."

Li Qiang hesitated. "But what if they find out I led him there?"

Li Wei, growing impatient, snapped, "You'll have nothing to worry about. Lead Xia Zhi to the monster, let it attack him, and run. If they investigate, I'll deny everything. Do you think the Li family won't protect you?"

After a pause, Li Qiang nodded, his expression hardening