A Martial Artist's Privileges

"Take me, for example. In terms of technique, I'm about the same as you right now. I only achieved Weapon Entering the Minute a few months ago," Dong Xin said. "Your talent in technique is clearly higher than mine. "As long as you can reach Level 39, paired with the Perfection of Inner Vista in your technique, you can become an Earth Martial Artist even without awakening a Star Aspect. "I imagine that's also why Uncle Jiang Wei was willing to help you," Dong Xin said. His guess was close to the truth. Fang Yu's heart stirred. He immediately thought of that slumbering Star Aspect he visualized... If that Star Aspect could awaken, he would have absolute confidence. Yet if the Star Aspect remained asleep and unable to absorb star force, Fang Yu felt the road ahead would be fraught with difficulty. After all, going from Level 20 to Level 39 required multiplying one's physical constitution dozens of times over. If he had to rely entirely on stacking potions and treasures, the difficulty was astronomically high... As his Life Level advanced through its stages, the body-tempering effects of all potions and treasures would grow weaker and weaker. The amount of Star Coins required would be a terrifying figure. "Junior Brother. "I know what you're worried about." Dong Xin seemed to read Fang Yu's mind. "While it's true that the hopes of awakening grow slimmer if you haven't awakened by Level 20, you're still in the Golden Age Bracket. There's always a glimmer of hope. "Second is technique. "If your technique can cross into Inner Vista early on... Inner Vista is a deeper tapping of the body's potential. The exact same potions and treasures can yield a much greater improvement to your physical constitution." Dong Xin said, "Among the students at New Moon Martial University, some manage to become Level 39 martial artists before graduating. "They rely on an exceptionally powerful Star Aspect combined with Inner Vista technique... As a result, the speed of their Life Level progression is astonishing." Dong Xin sighed. "While you can't compare yourself to them, Junior Brother... "...as long as your technique keeps improving, Earth is within reach." "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother." Fang Yu now understood his path completely. On the one hand, he would continue purchasing various potions and treasures to temper his body and raise his Life Level... On the other, he would further refine his martial techniques. Just like this past month, relying on the Great Accomplishment of Entering the Minute alongside his innate divine ability, his Life Level had advanced rapidly. *The two complement each other.* *Only then can I seize more opportunities,* Fang Yu thought to himself. *This time, after years of hard work and with Uncle Jiang Wei's help, I secured the chance at an Elite Contract with Huguang Martial University.* If Fang Yu hadn't possessed sufficient strength of his own... Jiang Wei never would have stepped in. So-called opportunities and fortunes... Only those strong enough could seize them; pies rarely fall from the sky for free. *Senior Brother Dong thinks advancing my technique is the key, but only I know that the most crucial thing is still raising my Life Level as quickly as possible.* *And striving to awaken the Star Aspect.* ... Time slipped by as Fang Yu and Dong Xin talked at length. Dong Xin was exceedingly patient, offering a wealth of advice regarding the undergraduate program Fang Yu was about to attend. He also shared plenty of advice on Primordial Star actual combat, even sending over a substantial amount of material. "Junior Brother, when you were dismissed from the Xinjiekou Branch Club last time..." Dong Xin changed the subject. "...did you find out something while working under Huo Yun?" Fang Yu froze. Why did the topic shift so abruptly? Fang Yu hadn't planned on telling Senior Brother Dong anything about Manager Huo. "Senior Brother, I had originally intended to resign anyway," Fang Yu said. "I checked the company's document records. The submission of your application to become a formal employee was delayed, conveniently stalled until right after the company's new regulations were issued. Was that old fellow Huo Yun targeting you?" Dong Xin smiled faintly. "Even if that could be called a coincidence... why did you sign a nondisclosure agreement? "What could a mere teaching assistant possibly need to keep confidential? "The severance pay Huo Yun gave you was also calculated at the absolute maximum rate... You say you resigned, yet I couldn't find your resignation report anywhere in the records." Dong Xin shook his head. Fang Yu was struck speechless. A resignation report? Back then, he had simply been waiting for Manager Huo and Supervisor Gao to 'deliver the money,' so naturally he hadn't written one. "It's fine. You signed a nondisclosure agreement, so I won't force you to say it," Dong Xin chuckled. "In fact, municipal headquarters has already received reports and is currently investigating them for passing off substandard goods as quality ones. Doing something like that on such a wide scale... how could no one know?" A flicker of surprise passed through Fang Yu's heart. Senior Brother Dong knew all along? "All right. "Before the investigation reaches their door, I'll use your status as a direct-pass student as leverage to bleed them a little more, adding a few bricks and tiles to your martial path," Dong Xin said with a laugh. "Bleed them?" Fang Yu hesitated slightly. "Senior Brother, is that necessary?" Fang Yu was worried that once they were exposed, they would likely suspect him of leaking the information. Even if he wasn't afraid himself, what about his family? "Don't worry. "I won't let their suspicions fall on you. I'm about to become deputy head of headquarters' Audit and Supervision Investigation Team. This top-down disciplinary campaign will last for over two months, and their branch will be inspected last. By then, you'll already be studying at Huguang Martial University," Dong Xin said with a beaming smile. "They'll only think they were unlucky. "That they just happened to get caught. "Besides, given the sums involved in their offenses, to make up for their crimes they'll be sent straight to the Primordial Star to fight and earn civilization points for the group. "Assuming they don't die on the Primordial Star, it'll be a very long time before they ever return." Realization dawned on Fang Yu. So Senior Brother Dong was about to be promoted. The Audit and Supervision Investigation Team—just from the name alone, one could tell it held considerable authority. "Congratulations on the promotion, Senior Brother," Fang Yu said with a smile. "It's hardly a promotion; the rank grade is the same." Dong Xin shook his head. "The senior I work under took office as the general manager of municipal headquarters and assigned me to the Audit and Supervision Investigation Team to straighten things out." Fang Yu nodded slightly. Straighten things out? It was probably not that simple. Still, since it had nothing to do with him, Fang Yu asked no further. "Senior Brother, what are those civilization points you mentioned earlier used for?" Fang Yu couldn't help asking. Civilization points had also been mentioned in Huguang Martial University's Elite Contract. "To be honest, I'm not entirely clear on how civilization points are generated or all their functions," Dong Xin said. "However, whether it's the major martial universities, national governments, their affiliated provinces and cities, or the various martial artist groups, they all take them very seriously." Fang Yu listened intently. "From what I know... "...as a martial artist, whenever you engage in combat on the Primordial Star and kill fierce beasts or powerhouses of alien civilizations, you earn civilization points," Dong Xin said. "However, you cannot use these points directly; they can only be converted into corresponding Primordial Points." *Primordial Points?* Fang Yu felt a sudden jolt, immediately remembering the 200 Primordial Points Uncle Jiang Wei had gifted him. "Let me give you an example. "You've lived in Huguang Province since childhood. In the future, the civilization points you earn throughout your martial artist career will count toward the evaluation metrics of your affiliated government, province, and city," Dong Xin explained. "Your former middle school, your junior college, and your university will all benefit as well." Fang Yu understood. No wonder the contract from Huguang Martial University placed such emphasis on the allocation of civilization points. "Later on, when you join a martial artist group, the civilization points you earn during your tenure will also affect that group," Dong Xin continued. "In short, the influence of civilization points extends across every area. "They affect you personally as well. "Take back taxes, for example. If you engage in zero combat and only seize Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures on the Primordial Star, your civilization points will be very low. After selling those treasures, the top-tier tax rate can reach up to 80%," Dong Xin said solemnly. An 80% tax rate? Fang Yu stared in shock. That was exorbitant. For high-paying jobs in ordinary society earning several million a year, personal income tax topped out around 40%. "That's an extreme case; usually it isn't so high," Dong Xin chuckled. "As a martial artist, the higher your civilization points tier, the lower your personal tax. Under the regulations, if you reach the highest bracket and earn one hundred million a year, your personal tax might not even reach ten million. "Furthermore, why do so many high-tech corporations hire vast numbers of martial artists? Could it be to have them fight and kill for them?" Dong Xin smiled. "To offset taxes?" Fang Yu caught on. "Yes." Dong Xin said solemnly, "Just as large corporations hire disabled workers for tax deductions, hiring martial artists works on the same principle. Many martial artists venture out to the Primordial Star in their early years, where they can easily sustain injuries or disabilities, leading them to retire. Yet simply by holding nominal positions, they can easily pocket hundreds of thousands or even millions of Star Coins every year. "This is considered a privileged benefit granted to martial artists by the Blue Moon Alliance. "After all, martial artists who bleed and fight on the Primordial Star are making contributions to the entire civilization. Their later years deserve to be secured. "In a sense, those who dare not venture out to the Primordial Star to fight and earn civilization points are unworthy of being called martial artists." Dong Xin's eyes shone. "I'm currently still in a phase of rapid growth. "Once I cultivate for a few more years, I will also apply for a transfer into the Tieshan Martial Artist Group and venture out to the Primordial Star. "Junior Brother. "Your talent is exceptional. In the future, our martial brotherhood might just have the chance to venture through the Primordial Star together." Dong Xin laughed heartily. "I'm certainly looking forward to that day." ... Shortly after, the two ended the call. Inside an oversized martial arts training room in Wuling City... "This junior brother of mine really is impressive." The burly Dong Xin smiled faintly. "Perhaps he will be a great helper in the future." Every hero needed help. Dong Xin knew that most friendships made in adulthood were based on utility... whereas martial artists venturing through the Primordial Star needed brothers willing to stake their lives when it truly mattered. It was precisely because of this that even when Fang Yu had failed to awaken a Void Star Aspect and his martial path seemed bleak, Dong Xin had maintained contact with him. Part of it stemmed from the bond forged during their youth. On the other hand, he had harbored a sliver of hope... and now, that hope was turning into reality. "Fang Long and Fang Siyue are also my junior brother and sister. Moving forward, I need to find ways to keep in closer touch," Dong Xin mused with a slight smile. "If even one Earth Martial Artist emerges from the three siblings, it will be of immense help to me." With that in mind, Dong Xin dialed another video call, under the contact name 'Huo Yun.' The call connected shortly. "Manager Dong." Manager Huo appeared on the screen, a smile plastered on his face. "Is there something I can do for you?" "Huo Yun, you've done quite a fine job," Dong Xin said, his expression cold. "Because of you, General Manager Yan just gave me an earful." "What?" A trace of unease flickered through Manager Huo's mind. He had already received word that Dong Xin was soon to be transferred to the Audit and Supervision Investigation Team, holding significant authority; he definitely did not want to offend him. "Do you still remember Fang Yu?" Dong Xin asked coldly. "I do." A note of vigilance crept into Manager Huo's heart. Had Fang Yu reported him? "Today... "...in the Junior-College-to-Undergraduate Upgrade examination for Wuling Martial Junior College, Fang Yu achieved exceptional results and caught the eye of a professor from Huguang Martial University," Dong Xin said with chilling indifference. "He appears to have already secured an Earth Contract. Do you understand what that means?" Manager Huo was utterly incredulous. "Fang Yu? An Earth Contract? How could that be!"