Chapter 10: The Beginning (Please Recommend!)

"There's a plus sign after 'Beginner,' does that mean this supernatural ability can be upgraded to a higher level?" Tang Mubai pondered.

Unlike the Tiger Roaring Fist, which he had practiced for more than ten years, becoming intimately familiar with its forms and routines—though never reaching the entry-level realm due to his limited talent and inability to fully grasp its essence—this new ability was entirely foreign to him. With the system's aid, he had suddenly broken through to the mastery stage, which was akin to having his thoughts clarified and organized, as if the fog that once clouded his mind had lifted. Everything became easy to absorb, without the slightest awkwardness.

But supernatural abilities were different. This newly acquired power had been forcibly instilled into Tang Mubai’s blank slate. Despite the detailed instructions and explanations, it still required time for Tang Mubai to truly master it.

Fortunately, that time wasn’t long.

By the time the mechanic at the repair shop finished replacing his windshield, Tang Mubai had already fully grasped the 'Pressure Control' ability.

As for whether to upgrade 'Pressure Control' to a higher level, Tang Mubai hadn't attempted it. There was no choice; his remaining lifespan had barely surpassed a hundred years, reaching 105 years—who knew if that would be enough for an upgrade.

After this ordeal, Tang Mubai dared not take shortcuts anymore.

For the next three days, he dutifully followed the main roads. Each morning, after dropping off his little cousin at school, he would make rounds at several hospitals, then wander near a few slaughterhouses. In the afternoons, he stayed at Hongyun Slaughterhouse, and in the evenings, he picked up his little cousin and continued his hospital rounds.

Whenever he heard of an accident or a death nearby, he would rush over immediately.

After three days of this routine, the vitality he harvested every day, when converted into lifespan, amounted to nearly eighty years. His total accumulated lifespan reached 357.6 years!

With over three hundred fifty years, Tang Mubai first spent ninety years to raise his 'Constitution,' 'Strength,' and 'Agility' to attribute level five.

The remaining 267.6 years were used to enhance his martial arts.

Though Tang Mubai’s father was gone, the martial arts he had collected over decades remained. Without martial arts, a fighter could only bully ordinary people; hunting non-human life was mere fantasy.

Golden Mist Art, Tiger Roaring Fist, Wave-Breaking Blade Technique, Mountain-Leaping Nine Arrows, and Grass Step.

These five martial arts were the legacy his father had painstakingly acquired, the foundation of the Miracle Mercenary Group.

Tang Mubai had practiced Golden Mist Art and Tiger Roaring Fist since childhood and knew them inside out.

But Wave-Breaking Blade Technique, Mountain-Leaping Nine Arrows, and Grass Step were new to him. These three encompassed blade techniques, archery, and lightfoot skills—covering close combat, ranged attacks, and speed.

Tang Mubai spent fifteen years of lifespan on each to bring them to mastery. He then devoted half a day to fully assimilate these techniques.

With 222.6 years of lifespan remaining, Tang Mubai considered boosting his 'Willpower.'

The result: a single upgrade consumed one hundred years of life!

Upgrading 'Perception' once cost fifty years.

Enhancing 'Willpower' consumed twice as much as 'Perception.'

Twice as much!

Tang Mubai was astonished, but not distressed. With his improved 'Willpower,' if anyone tried to suppress him with their aura again, he wouldn’t be as helpless as before.

With 126.6 years left, Tang Mubai spent one year to raise Golden Mist Art to entry-level, ensuring it wouldn’t hold him back.

The remaining 125.6 years were reserved as a precaution.

He opened the system panel—

Name: Tang Mubai
Constitution: 5 (+)
Strength: 5 (+)
Agility: 5 (+)
Perception: 2 (+)
Willpower: 2 (+)
Vitality: 12k (+)
Martial Arts: Golden Mist Art (Entry+), Tiger Roaring Fist (Mastery+), Wave-Breaking Blade Technique (Mastery+), Mountain-Leaping Nine Arrows (Mastery+), Grass Step (Mastery+)
Supernatural Ability: Pressure Control (Beginner+)
Lifespan: 125.6 years
Followers: 1
...

"With this strength, I should be able to pass the professional fighter assessment!"

Looking at the system, Tang Mubai was filled with confidence.

The next morning, after escorting his little cousin to school, he turned the steering wheel toward the Martial Arts Association headquarters in the city center.

The 'Martial Association,' or 'Martial Arts Association,' was, like the Security Bureau, a major institution of the Great Xia Federation.

It wielded significant power; one of its key functions was overseeing the professional fighter assessments!

...

Driving to the Martial Association building, Tang Mubai entered the assessment hall, where many people had already gathered.

Some clustered in small groups, chatting quietly; others sat silently; a few practiced martial arts in the corners...

Each went about their business, but they shared one thing in common: they were older.

As Tang Mubai stepped through the doors, a crowd turned their heads to look.

"So young, here for the assessment? Is he serious?"

"Ha, the kid's probably just here for fun. The registration fee is cheap, after all."

"Just hope he's not discouraged!"

The crowd chuckled and quickly lost interest in Tang Mubai.

"Old Zhou, are you sure you’ll pass this time? I know I will!"

"Confidence is good, but we’ll see soon enough."

"Eh, the assessment here is fine. It’s the actual combat test I fear—I’ve failed that three times now."

"I spent a hundred thousand on two Vitality Pills, just for the combat test!"

"I heard the 'Xuanwei Martial Arts Hall' hired a master-level fighter as their chief instructor. If I fail again, I’ll join 'Xuanwei Martial Arts Hall!'"

"Count me in!"

...

The crowd buzzed with conversation.

Tang Mubai found a seat and listened quietly.

Professional fighter assessments had no age limit.

As long as your vitality reached ten units, you could register, and the fee was minimal—just one hundred federal credits.

Because of this, those who met the requirements but failed the assessment returned almost every month—some even weekly, or every three days.

Young people fresh out of high school, like Tang Mubai, were rare.

Anyone with these qualifications had usually already been admitted to a martial arts university!

It was natural that Tang Mubai was mistaken for someone just fooling around.

He didn’t bother to explain, listening to the surrounding chatter as he waited for the registration window to open, signed up, then returned to the waiting area to await the assessors.

As time passed, people continued to arrive, and soon the number of registrants exceeded a hundred, with women making up about a third.

These women were just as imposing as their male counterparts.

With them present, the spacious assessment hall grew lively and bustling.

Near nine o’clock in the morning, a group of men and women in matching uniforms emerged from a corner of the hall.

Leading them was a middle-aged man with a powerful aura, a chiseled face, and a stern expression.

"They’re here! The assessors are here!"

At this, the previously noisy hall fell silent in an instant, not even a whisper to be heard.