High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 412: Chapter 412: Battle Group

He clicked submit.

The application entered the review queue.

As was customary, an Innate Martial Artist’s battlefield application would be prioritized. There would usually be a result within twenty-four hours.

Xu Wuyi turned off the light screen and began organizing his gear.

His Meteor Iron Long Spear needed maintenance, the energy circuits in his combat suit had to be checked, and his supplies needed replenishing... These were all trivial matters, but he handled them with meticulous care.

An hour later, his personal terminal vibrated.

It wasn’t a reply from the military, but two communication requests that popped up at almost the same time.

One was from Qiao Zhiyao.

The other was from Tana.

Xu Wuyi raised an eyebrow and accepted Qiao Zhiyao’s call first.

The light screen lit up, and Qiao Zhiyao’s figure appeared. She seemed to be in a study, with rows of bookshelves in the background and several ancient-looking tomes spread out on her desk.

"Senior Brother," Qiao Zhiyao said with a smile. "I heard you submitted an application for the Star Realm Battlefield?"

"You’re well-informed," Xu Wuyi said, not surprised. The Qiao Family had operated in Dongjiang Province for many years; it was only natural they’d have channels within the military.

"As it happens, I have something to discuss with you." Qiao Zhiyao’s expression turned serious. "You know about the ’Battle Group’ system, right?"

Xu Wuyi nodded. "I know a little."

The Battle Group system was a unique feature of the Federation.

Any faction—be it a family, a corporation, an academy, or even an individual—could register a Battle Group with the military.

When a Martial Artist under a Battle Group operated in the Star Realm Battlefield, their earned merits would not only count toward their personal total but also accumulate toward the Battle Group’s grand total.

A Battle Group’s merits couldn’t be directly exchanged for resources, but they represented its "contribution level."

The Federation would offer preferential policies based on a Battle Group’s merit ranking, such as mining rights for resource stars, development rights for newly discovered parts of the Star Realm, priority for military contracts, and so on.

To put it bluntly, a Battle Group’s merits were a manifestation of soft power and, in the long run, more valuable than individual merits.

"The Qiao Family’s ’Dongjiang Battle Group’ would like to invite you to join," Qiao Zhiyao said, getting straight to the point. "In return, the Battle Group will give you a resource compensation equal to an extra 10% of your personal merits. This is the market rate; it’s what all the Noble Families offer when recruiting Independent Practitioners."

Xu Wuyi didn’t answer immediately.

A 10% resource compensation wasn’t a small amount. At his current strength, after entering the Star Realm Battlefield, the merits he could earn each month would be worth at least hundreds of millions of Federation Coins when converted to resources.

More importantly, joining a Battle Group meant having the support of a faction. On the battlefield, intangible assets like intelligence, supplies, rescue, and retreat channels were sometimes more critical than merits.

"I need to think about it," Xu Wuyi said.

"Understood." Qiao Zhiyao nodded, but then she immediately added, "Besides the 10% resource compensation, the Qiao Family has an additional offer."

She paused, looking at Xu Wuyi. "If you are willing to join the Dongjiang Battle Group, the Qiao Family will provide some faculty support to your alma mater in Dongjiang Province, Honghe First Middle School."

Xu Wuyi froze.

"Honghe First Middle School..." he repeated in a low voice.

The place where he had spent three years. That ordinary high school with middling Martial Arts results, where students struggled to even meet the minimum threshold for university admission. The alma mater of Teacher Wang and Principal Zhang.

"The Qiao Family is the number one family in Dongjiang. We have some influence within the education system." Qiao Zhiyao’s tone was calm, but her words carried significant weight.

"We could transfer some high-quality teachers there, or we could act as an intermediary to establish a support partnership between Honghe First Middle School and a key Martial Arts High School in the provincial capital. The specific details are negotiable, but it would certainly help the school."

Xu Wuyi fell silent.

Money, resources, factional support... he could weigh all of that calmly. But his alma mater... that was a different matter entirely.

He thought of Honghe First Middle School’s slightly dilapidated training hall, of Teacher Wang’s roars of frustration—disappointed that his students weren’t living up to their potential—and of his classmates who, like him, had ordinary talent but still practiced desperately.

’If Honghe First Middle School could get some better teachers... If it could form a connection with a key high school... Even if it just meant a few more students getting into a Martial Arts University, even if it just meant a few more lives were changed...’

"I need some time," Xu Wuyi finally said.

"Alright. I’ll wait for your decision," Qiao Zhiyao said with a small smile, then disconnected the call.

The light screen went dark, but it lit up again almost immediately. Tana’s communication request was still waiting.

Xu Wuyi rubbed the bridge of his nose and accepted the call.

"Xu Wuyi!" Tana’s voice was full of energy. The background sounded like a Training Ground, and the clash of weapons could be heard. "You’re going to the Star Realm Battlefield?"

"Yes."

"Join our Ximo Royal Family’s ’Azure Wolf Battle Group’!" Tana threw out the invitation directly. "We’ll give you a 10% resource compensation, and we Desert People are straightforward. We don’t play games behind your back. What we promise is what you get."

Xu Wuyi gave a wry smile. "You know about it too?"

"Of course! All the major Battle Groups are scrambling to recruit people right now, especially promising Innate Martial Artists like you who don’t have a background," Tana said bluntly.

"The Star Realm Battlefield is a hunting ground right now. You can earn merits quickly, and Battle Group rankings rise just as fast. Who wouldn’t want to rope in a few more experts?"

She paused, then added, "Besides, our Ximo Royal Family has money. The resource compensation is negotiable—11%, even 12% is possible. So, what do you think? Care to consider it?"

Xu Wuyi was silent for a moment before asking, "Besides the resource compensation, are there any other terms?"

Tana was taken aback for a second. "Other terms? What do you want? A Cultivation Technique? Equipment? Or..."

She suddenly remembered something, and her eyes lit up. "Oh, right! What I said before still stands! My sister really is..."

"Stop," Xu Wuyi quickly cut her off. "I meant something like, help for certain places or certain people."

Tana scratched her head. "Oh, that... Our West Desert faction doesn’t have much of a foundation in Dongjiang Province, so we can’t help there. But if you need anything else, like over on the West Desert’s side..."

"I understand," Xu Wuyi nodded. "Thank you, Tana. But I might need some time to think about it."

"Fine," Tana said, being very straightforward. "Let me know when you decide. But be quick about it. The competition to recruit people is fierce right now."

The call ended.

The Cultivation Room fell silent.

Xu Wuyi walked to the window, gazing at the blooming peach blossoms outside as thoughts churned in his mind.

Two choices.

The Qiao Family’s Battle Group: 10% resource compensation, plus faculty support for Honghe First Middle School.

The West Desert Battle Group: potentially higher resource compensation, but limited to just resources.

From a purely pragmatic perspective, the West Desert’s invitation might be more lucrative. The Ximo Royal Family was fabulously wealthy. If he really negotiated the compensation up to 12%, the difference over a year would be substantial.

But...

Xu Wuyi thought of Honghe First Middle School, of the figures on the field, their sweat flying like rain.

Among those kids, there might be the next Xu Wuyi. The next Martial Artist with ordinary talent but a willingness to fight for it, lacking only an opportunity and a little guidance.

If the Qiao Family could truly help Honghe First Middle School, even if only one more student set foot on the path of Martial Arts because of it, it would be worth it.

Money could be earned again. Resources could be obtained again.

But the chance to change a school, to change the fate of a group of kids—that didn’t come along every day.

Because some things couldn’t be solved with money. Even if Xu Wuyi donated a large sum to his alma mater, he wouldn’t necessarily be able to recruit suitable Martial Arts Teachers.

Screening and recruitment was an exhausting task. More likely, he’d just end up hiring a bunch of useless freeloaders who were only in it for the money.

But with the Qiao Family’s help, none of that would be a problem. And even if issues arose, they could be quickly remedied.

Xu Wuyi took a deep breath and made his decision.

He pulled up his contacts, found Qiao Zhiyao’s name, and made the call.

"Senior Brother?" Qiao Zhiyao answered quickly.

"I’ll join the Dongjiang Battle Group," Xu Wuyi said decisively. "But regarding Honghe First Middle School, I want to see a concrete plan."

A hint of a smile was audible in Qiao Zhiyao’s voice. "Don’t worry, the Qiao Family keeps its word. I’ll send you the preliminary proposal tomorrow. You can give us your feedback, and we’ll make adjustments."

"Good."

"Then, welcome aboard." Qiao Zhiyao paused, her tone growing serious. "Also, about the Star Realm Battlefield... once your application is approved, be sure to contact me. Our family has a camp in the East Third District. You can go there first to get familiar with the situation and resupply your gear."

"Understood."

The call ended.

Xu Wuyi put down his personal terminal and looked out the window at the darkening sky.

Joining a Battle Group was just the first step.

Next came the real battlefield.