Starting with Proficiency Panel
Chapter 43: The Times Have Changed

Chapter 43: Chapter 43: The Times Have Changed

Li Ziqing brushed off his clothes and asked, "Are there any other questions?"

Lu Ren took a deep breath, performed a formal bow for a master, and said seriously, "I want to acknowledge you as my master!"

Li Ziqing’s expression shifted slightly, and after a flicker in his eyes, he did not avoid Lu Ren’s kneeling. Whether it was the true teachings imparted over the past month or now, it was worth Lu Ren’s respectful bow.

Moreover, Lu Ren’s talent in martial arts was indeed astonishing. Although he was a bit older, it didn’t mean he couldn’t succeed. Historically, there have been many who started practicing Martial Path at this age and were extraordinarily talented. Also, with the modern world’s technological means providing an extremely rich material environment, the possibilities have greatly increased, but...

After pondering for a while, he shook his head slightly and finally sighed, "If I had met you ten years earlier, I would have definitely taken you as a disciple. I accept your courtesy, but my school... maybe..."

He thought for a moment and then took out a business card from his pocket.

"Lu Ren, today’s world is not what it used to be. The abundance of material wealth in modern society provides a favorable environment for practicing Martial Path. But because we are in an era of information explosion, with technology constantly advancing, desires are rampant, and people’s hearts are restless, few people are willing to lead what can almost be called an ascetic monk-like life of practice. As a result, many fists technique schools are on the verge of decline and no longer keep their skills secret. If you can master the fists technique, you can come to this place to find me, although, maybe you don’t even need to; eventually, you might be here. Also, just call me Teacher."

Li Ziqing made it very clear that there is no need for formal apprenticeship in this era, nor did he deny that Lu Ren was his disciple. He simply hoped that Lu Ren could calm his heart for cultivation, and if his fists techniques are mastered, he could become justified.

Lu Ren was not disappointed at all; in both reason and emotion, such a bow is justified.

"Yes, Teacher Li."

After a pause, Lu Ren curiously asked, "Teacher Li, what do you mean by being here?"

He said meaningfully, "To practice Martial Path, one person cannot progress too fast. The resources you can acquire will restrict your potential for growth. You must understand, for a top martial arts family, just the physique alone, the food consumed daily is extremely alarming, which is not something one person can bear."

Li Ziqing sighed deeply, "Times have changed, it’s now the era of guns and cannons. Martial Path, how many are willing to practice it?"

Shaking his head, Li Ziqing slowly left.

Lu Ren slowly stood up, letting out a long breath. As Li Ziqing said, with the development of the times, Martial Path was gradually fading, and decades of hard training in martial arts couldn’t match a bullet manufactured in a few seconds.

In a material environment of extreme abundance, although the training environment was better, it became even more obsolete due to the limitations of the era.

Just as Lu Ren was reminiscing and planning to ponder over the fist structure formed in the Phoenix Falcon Fist and develop skills, the door of the hospital room opened, and Zhang Li walked in straight towards him to speak.

"Lu Ren, it has been confirmed that there is nothing wrong with your body, you can be discharged."

"Huh?"

Lu Ren was taken aback for a moment. Didn’t that mean he couldn’t eat the nutritious and delicious meals here?!

Outside, it might be tough to get these things. After all, just the medicinal diets noted for the Phoenix Falcon Fist were a considerable expense, and here you could choose from a menu as you wished!

Seeing the hesitation on Lu Ren’s face, Zhang Li said with a bit of humor, "What’s the matter, you don’t want to leave. If you really don’t want to leave, I can arrange for you to stay a little longer in a waiting room."

It seems staying here is not an option now.

Lu Ren said somewhat reluctantly, "Then how much do you plan to reward me for the dagger I brought back? It’s revolutionary black technology from an Alternate Space! Besides, I have been extremely cooperative with you guys for the past few months!"

"The approval from above has already come down; you have a ten million bonus and a villa in the suburbs."

Lu Ren was stunned for a moment and then his face broke into a broad smile, "That’s wonderful, that’s just wonderful!"

After quickly completing the discharge procedures, Lu Ren looked at the ten million deposited into his account displayed on his phone, along with the house deed in his backpack and the keys in his pocket, already feeling like he was on the peak of life.

Lu Ren even felt so happy that he swayed left and right. His previously slightly hunched back now stood straight, and instead of being a creepy action when looking at passing beauties on the street, it was a legitimate appreciation.

This change in spirit even caught the eye of a few young ladies, who were completely indifferent to Lu Ren’s gaze and instead smiled at him.

Money emboldens a man!

He boldly hailed a taxi and followed the given address.

Seeing Lu Ren leave, Zhang Li exhaled, his face deep with worry. Beside him, Xiao Chen also sighed when he saw this.

"The frequency of space tremors is increasing. Currently, there have been thirteen cases with experiences similar to Lu Ren’s, some even in deadly situations where they survived for less than a few seconds before perishing completely."

Zhang Li said solemnly, "The world is changing. Maybe those things from dimensional spaces will come over... I still suggest the top starts the plan as soon as possible."

Xiao Chen nodded slightly, "Across the ocean, they’ve been acting too aggressively lately. Perhaps something bad will happen."

"We can only hurry. We’ll handle our local affairs; let the overseas security management worry about the rest."

...

...

"Wow, even finely decorated!"

After entering this two-story villa, Lu Ren excitedly turned around seven or eight times before calming down. Then he sat on the sofa and frowned in thought.

This past month, Zhang Li frequently came to him, sometimes even three times a day. The questions asked revolved around his two encounters in the Alternate Space, with the details almost just short of asking him about the smell of his excretions.

From the expressions of the other party, it seemed Lu Ren was not unique but rather that such events happened in many places. He simply stood out because he survived the experiences in the Alternate Space and was notable among those who survived before him.

Lu Ren suddenly felt a sense of urgency. Damn, might the world change drastically in the future?

Would those bizarre news articles read before come true?

No way, training is a must!

Lu Ren immediately ran to the second floor, chose the largest bedroom, and slept. When he woke up, it was already night. After dealing with personal hygiene and taking a shower, Lu Ren came to the small garden at the back.

He glanced at the Phoenix Falcon Fist, which had already formed skills on the character panel.

Phoenix Falcon Fist (Beginner 198/1384)

He did not have the so-called realm shackle; he just needed to follow the steps systematically, continuously increasing his skill level to break through. This was an extremely significant advantage over other martial arts families. However, thinking about it, perhaps the higher the fist technique level, the more astonishing the required skill level becomes. As to how high-level fist technique performance manifests, that remains to be seen and only experienced to understand.