Becoming a Deity from Planting the Bodhi Tree

Under the reminder tone of a message from the terminal.

Ji Jingqiu finished his afternoon nap.

The message came from Mei, just one sentence:

["Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall owes me a favor, you might as well consider owing me one too."]

Linking this to what Elder Mu mentioned in the morning, it was clearly an encouragement to seek martial arts training at Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall using her name.

Ji Jingqiu did not refuse, replying with four characters:

"Thank you, Mei!"

Through the practice of the Visualization Method, he was convinced that Martial Arts did indeed benefit his illness; even if it couldn't cure him, it could alleviate the pain.

So now, he needed systematic Martial Arts training.

Ji Jingqiu located the address of Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall on the terminal and set off following the navigation.

This Martial Arts Hall turned out to be located in an upper-middle-class area, established three years ago.

Taian City was not short of Martial Arts Halls, but most were located in lower-middle-class areas.

This city, resembling a primordial forest, also featured a forest-like vertical structure.

The higher one's residence, the higher one's overall social status naturally was.

For a Martial Arts Hall to be set up in an upper-middle-class area, the energy it possessed was clearly not to be underestimated.

Moments later.

Ji Jingqiu stood at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.

There were many people clustered around the front, seemingly in line, many accompanied by their parents and children.

Getting closer, he could hear many people talking in low voices.

After listening for a while, Ji Jingqiu learned that Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall had recently made a name for itself at a Martial Arts Association demonstration, and these people had come to sign up upon hearing the news.

"Line up in order, no pushing, anyone who cuts will have their registration cancelled."

A buzz-cut man dressed in practice attire stepped out from the Hall with large strides, his voice booming, warning those behind.

The crowd quickly restored order, forming a long line, with Ji Jingqiu getting squeezed towards a position in the middle of the back.

"Brother Liu Xi! May I ask how many people the Hall is recruiting this time?" Someone in the crowd asked.

"As long as you pay, everyone can enter."

The buzz-cut man, called Liu Xi, said offhandedly.

He seemed to be expecting someone, standing at the gate and looking out anxiously.

"A True Inheritor spot too?" someone eagerly asked.

Liu Xi rolled his eyes, not bothering to respond.

At that moment,

the person Liu Xi was waiting for arrived.

It was a teenager around Ji Jingqiu's age, whom Liu Xi warmly embraced by the shoulder, walking into the Martial Arts Hall together without lining up.

"Fellow student, are you here by yourself too?"

Suddenly, someone patted Ji Jingqiu from behind.

Ji Jingqiu turned around; there was a sturdy-looking peer behind him.

"I'm Zhao Qian, sixteen years old, from Dragon Tiger Second Middle School, and you?" The boy was quite cheerful.

"My name is Ji Jingqiu, also sixteen this year, I came here alone."

"There you have it, we're all grown-ups now; being this old and still having to be dragged to sign up for Martial Arts by parents."

Zhao Qian was straightforward, then said mysteriously,

"By the way, do you know who just got welcomed into the Hall?"

"Who?"

"Zhang Xingshan, the grandson of the chief of the Security Bureau!"

Zhao Qian chuckled,

"If the rumors are true, the old master of the Hall has been employed as the Martial Arts Chief Instructor by the Security Bureau, and Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall is now legitimate, living on government support from now on."

Ji Jingqiu was startled.

These days, those who ran Martial Arts Halls were, to put it bluntly, somewhat involved with the underworld or at least in a gray area. For Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall to be able to situate itself in the upper-middle class and gain cooperation with the Security Bureau, it indeed seemed to be on the path to becoming legitimate.

Zhao Qian had very good sources, and Ji Jingqiu got a lot of information from him.

For example, the disciples of the Hall were divided between True Inheritors and Outer disciples.

Outer disciples could enter by paying, but they were also doomed to not touch the core teachings of the Hall.

As for the True Inheritors, there were more factors to consider.

Talent was certainly the first priority, followed by character and many other aspects.

Being a True Inheritor meant being a core disciple of the Hall, which also meant being highly bound to the Hall, with corresponding responsibilities to bear.

Simply put, one's glory or loss was shared.

However, Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall was now on an upward trend; it was rumored that not only had the old master been hired by the Security Bureau as the Martial Arts Chief Instructor, but he also made connections with the local Security Bureau.

To become disciples of Master Yang meant their status would inevitably soar.

By the way, it should be mentioned that Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall's fees are quite expensive, even the outer disciples need to pay a hundred thousand Federation dollars.

Ji Jingqiu pondered, uncertain of the extent of Mei's favor, hoping the other party would grant him a substantial discount.

After queuing for over half an hour.

It was finally Ji Jingqiu's turn.

"Young man, fill in this form, then go over there to make the payment... Wait, is it you?"

Just as Ji Jingqiu was about to go fill in the form, he was stopped by a staff member of the Martial Arts Hall.

The staff member's tone suddenly shifted from neutrality to marked surprise.

This person was, in fact, the leader of the three who had brushed past Ji Jingqiu that morning in the lower district at the corner.

He gestured to another disciple of the Martial Arts Hall to take over his recruitment duties and pulled Ji Jingqiu aside, cupping his hands in greeting and cautiously asked:

"I am Yang Yao, if I'm not mistaken, young man, you also know Mei?"

Ji Jingqiu recognized him as well.

He took out his mobile phone and said, "My name is Ji Jingqiu. Mei said this is the place to learn martial arts."

Yang Yao solemnly took over the phone, scrolled through the messages, and after confirming the sender, he had a pretty clear idea.

He handed back the phone and cupped his hands again:

"I understand now, please hold on a moment, young man. I am going to notify the master right away."

Yang Yao quickly walked away, meanwhile calling over someone: "Xi, please take care of this young man."

Soon, Liu Xi, who had earlier gone out to maintain order, came over, smiling as he invited Ji Jingqiu into the Martial Arts Hall.

Behind them.

Zhao Qian's eyes bulged out.

He watched enviously as Ji Jingqiu received special treatment from the Martial Arts Hall's eldest senior disciple, Yang Yao, and was invited into the depths of the Martial Arts Hall.

Last name Ji...

Which leadership of Taian City's Security Bureau has the surname Ji?

Wait... could it be that this kid's actual last name is Ji?!

...

Ji Jingqiu entered the Martial Arts Hall.

The inner area was vast, filled with sweat-soaked figures everywhere, kicking and punching, and also a few fighting rings. On the rings, pairs of students were engaged in fierce combat, with instructors supervising by the side, ready to shout stop and step forward to correct techniques at any moment.

There were even more students here than Ji Jingqiu had anticipated.

The students were divided into two factions: one faction was composed of muscular men with tattooed arms, basically children from gangs; the other was of youngsters around Ji Jingqiu's age.

"Young man, how may I address you?"

"Ji Jingqiu."

"I am Liu Xi, twenty-one this year. You can call me Xi like everyone else, or if you want to give me face, you can call me Brother Xi. Our Martial Arts Hall covers various aspects of unarmed combat, wrist-grappling included. What interests you, Mr. Ji?"

"Brother Xi, I'm interested in learning about the Visualization Method," Ji Jingqiu got straight to the point.

"The Visualization Method?" Liu Xi stroked his chin, "How old are you this year, Mr. Ji? Have you had any prior experience with Martial Arts?"

"None. I just turned sixteen."

"That can't be rushed, the Visualization Method involves Spiritual Cultivation, which requires extreme caution. I suggest you start with the Pile Skill. Martial Arts is like climbing to heights, we must tread carefully, secure our footing and not act rashly…"

While Liu Xi was advising and educating on the side, Yang Yao quickly returned.

"Little brother Ji, the master wishes to see you, please come this way!"

He led the way in the front, guiding Ji Jingqiu to a room at the back of the Martial Arts Hall.

Upon entering the room, beneath the pungent smell of medicine, there was an undeniable scent of blood.

A tall, robust old man sat cross-legged, with untrimmed beard and hair, thick eyebrows and a prominent nose, and there was an inherent imposing aura about him that commanded respect without anger.

At a glance, Ji Jingqiu sensed a certain illusion of entanglement with the Golden Lion King.

The elder stated straightforwardly: "I am Yang Yan, the owner of this hall. May I ask, what is your relationship with Miss Mei?"

Ji Jingqiu thought for a moment: "An employment relationship."

The elder nodded in understanding, yet seemed somewhat puzzled.

That Miss Mei was a mysterious figure with a legacy, and Ji Jingqiu, having the connection to employ her, must be from no less significant background. Why would Miss Mei send him to learn martial arts at his own place?

Though the Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall seemed prosperous, it paled in comparison to certain mysterious societies.

However, he did not probe too deeply, understanding that knowing too much might not be a good thing.

Moreover, it was his duty to fulfill the request of a benefactor to the best of his abilities.

Yang Yan readily declared: "Miss Mei has done me a great favor; if you wish to learn martial arts, I will teach you for free."

"Thank you, Master Yang!" Ji Jingqiu sincerely bowed in gratitude, secretly amazed at Mei's significant influence.

To avoid complications, Yang Yan gestured for him to sit down and started clarifying some things right from the start:

"Disciples of the Martial Arts Hall are usually categorized as True Inheritors and common disciples. Common disciples pay and can learn, but they are destined not to touch upon the True Skills of our lineage.

True Inheritors have access to the core True Skills, but that also means being highly bound to the Martial Arts Hall. Just like Yang Yao and the others, they call me 'Master' and not just 'Teacher.'

Of course, you are an exception, young man. You may call me 'Teacher' and I will still impart the True Skills to you.

Currently, Yang Yan Martial Arts Hall has two introductory Body Skills cultivation techniques and three introductory Combat Skills. You may choose one of each to begin your practice, and I will teach you for free, how about that?"