Li Yao's Resolve

In the lounge on the third floor of the Summer Solstice Villa, I had just finished reading the first email on the summer solstice. Calming my excitement, I clicked on the second email.

It was another video.

"Dear new warrior Summer Solstice, hello."

"On behalf of the Xtreme Martial Arts Gym, we welcome you to our big family."

A sweet-looking girl smiled warmly and said, "This is your first time accessing the internal network of the Xtreme Martial Arts Hall—Xtreme Home! Let me guide you through the features of Xtreme Home."

······

Xtreme Home was a platform of great significance for martial artists. Whether it was martial arts techniques, weapons, potions, or even rare treasures, everything sold to martial artists by the Xtreme Martial Arts Hall could be purchased here.

Furthermore, the unique contribution point system allowed martial artists to buy items at discounted rates, provided they contributed to the martial arts hall. Contribution points could be earned by killing monsters and selling their materials to the hall or by making donations.

As the sweet girl explained, Summer Solstice listened attentively. Although he had a general understanding of this from his previous life's knowledge of the original work, he still wanted to familiarize himself thoroughly before deciding on his future path.

Summer Solstice entered the Martial Artist Forum and selected the "Martial Artist Basic Knowledge Database."

A wealth of information appeared on the screen, such as Essential Survival Knowledge for the Wilderness, Maximizing Your Chances of Escaping a Lord-Level Monster, and Two or Three Things About Encounters with King-Level Monsters. Most of these posts were contributed by martial artists themselves. Summer Solstice filtered out the best posts, absorbed the knowledge they offered, and deepened his understanding of the dangers in the wilderness of this world.

"It's still the three essentials—body technique, attack technique, and guidance technique—that matter the most! The Taishang Physical Exercise I'm practicing is clearly just a basic method to strengthen the body. I wonder if there will be more advanced techniques later."

Thinking about the nine-story pagoda in his sea of consciousness, Summer Solstice felt a sense of helplessness.

Even though his mental strength had already reached the Warlord level, his willpower wasn't strong enough to get close to the pagoda in his sea of consciousness; he could only look at it from a distance.

"I still lack strength! I'll keep training. I refuse to believe that with continuous effort, I won't be able to unlock its secrets even when I reach the Star level or Constant Star level!"

Temporarily setting aside the mysterious pagoda, Summer Solstice turned his attention to choosing a technique. At this stage, the strongest techniques on Earth were those created by Hong and Thunder God.

Among them, Thunder God's Ninefold Thunder Blade technique was one that, in his previous life, the original protagonist Li Luofeng had chosen as his foundational technique.

After contemplating for a moment, Summer Solstice entered the online mall page and searched for Ninefold Thunder Blade. Soon, the technique's details and price appeared on the screen.

Ninefold Thunder Blade

Category: Blade

Evaluation: Research grade

Price: 100 billion Chinese currency (full price), 50 billion Chinese currency (half price)

Requirement: Four-star contribution value

A four-star contribution value meant 10 million contribution points, which would require donations worth 100 billion Chinese currency to obtain.

"Sure enough, for the strong, money really is just a number." Summer Solstice shook his head helplessly. "I can't afford the full set, so I'll just buy it in parts."

The first three levels of Ninefold Thunder Blade were priced at 200 million Chinese currency (full price) or 100 million (half price) and required a two-star contribution value.

Without hesitation, Summer Solstice confirmed the payment and saw the success message on the screen. He let out a sigh of relief.

Spending 100 million in one go—it was an extravagance he hadn't experienced in two lifetimes.

"Thankfully, the first purchase of a technique ignores the contribution value limit," Summer Solstice thought with a hint of relief. "That initial 20 million starting capital seemed like a lot, but I'll have to spend it carefully."

He then clicked on the weapon list page and quickly found the Blood Shadow War Blade series. As he browsed combat uniforms, shields, and flying knives, his brows furrowed even more.

"Making money is easy, but spending it is even easier! The 20 million won't last long at this rate. Still, with my rapid growth in strength, I should be able to reach the Senior General level soon."

With that in mind, Summer Solstice gazed at the page, calculating the costs. To equip himself at the Senior General level, a full set of gear would cost at least 60 million at the discounted rate for one-star contribution value. This didn't even include additional purchases like combat knives and shields.

A one-star contribution required 10,000 contribution points, equivalent to 100 million Chinese currency.

At this stage, with no earnings from hunting monsters in the wilderness, Summer Solstice's starting capital was insufficient.

"Low-level equipment will quickly become obsolete as my strength improves. Forget it—I'll choose what's essential for now and upgrade later when I have more funds."

Just then, melodious music played in the house, signaling an incoming video call request.

"So late—who could it be?"

Puzzled, he clicked to accept.

"Hello, Mr. Summer Solstice." A young woman appeared on the large screen. She was the same one from the video in the first email.

The woman smiled warmly and said, "I'm Director Zhuge's assistant. Apologies for disturbing you at this late hour."

"It's fine. May I ask what the Director needs from me?"

"Yes, the Director received a notification from Xtreme Home and noticed that you've used your free quota to purchase a technique. He has instructed me to inform you not to buy any weapons or equipment just yet. Please visit the headquarters of the base city's martial arts hall tomorrow. The Director wishes to meet you."

"Did he mention why?" Summer Solstice asked, more puzzled than before.

The assistant in her crisp white professional attire replied, "It's regarding compensation for the accident during the actual combat assessment. The supervising officer will explain everything in detail when you arrive tomorrow."

Summer Solstice's heart stirred. It seemed that Li Wei's conspiracy had been brought to light.

"I understand. I'll go tomorrow," he promised.

"Very well, I won't take up more of your time. Goodbye," the assistant said, ending the call.

Pondering the events of tomorrow, Summer Solstice decided to forego shopping for equipment. Turning off the screen, he stood and walked toward the martial arts hall.

"In the end, personal strength is what matters most."

---

Meanwhile, in the HR Alliance Warrior Community, west of Yangzhou City...

Inside a room on the third floor, muffled groans echoed before Li Wei stepped out, wearing a nightgown.

As soon as he exited, he saw an old man waiting outside.

"Uncle Eagle? Is Father here too?" Li Wei asked in surprise.

"After speaking with Zhou Feng, the Jiangnan Base City Alliance President, the master rushed over. Young Master, this time... sigh!"

The old man's gaze carried a trace of disapproval as he looked at Li Wei's bloodshot eyes.

"Master wishes to see you."

Hearing this, Li Wei clenched his fists. Behind him, faint sobs could still be heard from the room.

Inside the martial arts hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a loose, dark blue martial robe sat cross-legged. His long hair fell loosely around a face as cold as stone. Even with his eyes closed, his aura was terrifying.

This man was Li Yao, the "Vulture," a renowned God of War-level powerhouse.

As Li Wei entered, Li Yao's eyes opened suddenly, and the room's temperature seemed to drop. His entire presence exuded a suffocating menace.

"Father."

Under Li Yao's cold gaze, Li Wei lowered his head and greeted him quietly.

Li Yao snorted and said, "You still remember you have a father? And all this trouble—over a woman. Do you think that's how I raised you?"

Li Wei remained silent, his head still lowered.

"You couldn't even kill an ordinary person properly, causing all this mess. Is this what I've taught you?" Li Yao's tone was icy.

"I didn't want to wait—I just wanted him dead immediately!" Li Wei roared, his eyes bloodshot and filled with rage.

Seeing his son in such a state, Li Yao softened his tone slightly. "Fine. Come home with me tomorrow. Your mother misses you. Let the Eagle handle the rest."

The old man standing silently to the side responded immediately, "Yes, sir."

"I've already spoken to Zhuge Tao. Tomorrow, go deal with it. Offer some money to settle this matter," Li Yao continued coldly.

"And then, investigate this Summer Solstice thoroughly," he added, his tone sharp and foreboding.

"The Li family's money isn't so easily earned."