Top-Tier Perception Starts From Basic Fist Techniques

With his mind made up, Lu Changsheng walked straight over.

However, the one who had posted the task was already surrounded by a crowd of martial artists. Naturally, given how precious Geng Metal Essence was, and how many types of Saint Bodies required it, lots of people were trying to acquire the essence.

"I'll sign up."

"Me too! With my strength, I can win any fight! Recruiting me is the obvious choice!"

"Hmph, I am an outer division martial artist of the Martial Saint Institute. Outer division martial artists are all supreme talents, certain to become Martial Saints one day. In strength, no ordinary martial artist can compare."

"You're just an outer division martial artist. I'm one too, ranked in the outer division's top hundred, no less..."

Numerous martial artists clamored to sign up. From this alone, the value of Geng Metal Essence was plain; resources like this drew a feeding frenzy.

"No need to rush, everyone! One at a time. But let me be clear up front. This is an arena battle, and the opponent is not a nobody. Defeat could very well result in death..."

That warning failed to dissuade the martial artists. In arena battles, one might encounter all kinds of opponents. If victory seemed out of reach, one could simply concede. Killing your opponent in an arena fight was easier said than done.

Lu Changsheng stepped forward, frowning slightly at the crowd.

"I shall take up this task," he said slowly and clearly. His tone carried complete confidence, and his bearing made it hard to dismiss him.

"And who are you?" asked the recruiter.

"Inner division martial artist, Lu Changsheng."

"An inner division martial artist?"

The surrounding crowd stirred with mild surprise. Inner division martial artists all held lofty status. But Lu Changsheng clearly did not understand how things stood.

In terms of pure strength, inner division martial artists were not necessarily a match for those of the outer division, nor in talent either.

Outer division martial artists had climbed step by step from the very bottom to the Divine Ability Realm, and only the most supreme talents were accepted by the Martial Saint Institute as outer division members.

In both talent and strength, the outer division generally edged out the inner one. Of course, that was not an absolute rule; the inner division had its supreme experts too. Still, more often than not, martial artists belonging to the outer division were generally stronger than those in the inner division, which was why disputes between the two divisions were common.

What the inner division indisputably had over the outer was status and backing; nearly all of them stood on the shoulders of factions with Martial Saints.

"Hmph, you're awfully bold, Mr. Newbie. Acting as if you didn't get into the inner division simply because of your recommendation token. Do you really think you could compare to us in the outer division when it comes to real talent and strength? If you were hoping to claim this task simply because you're in the inner division, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

Hmph, what a bold tone, Sir. Newly arrived at the Martial Saint Institute, are you?" someone sneered. "Don't you know that inner division martial artists only get in on recommendation tokens? In real talent and strength, how could you compare with us of the outer division? If you hope to claim this task on an inner division identity, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

Outer division martial artists had another title: Martial Saint scions. The inner division enjoyed no such acclaim. Facing inner division martial artists, the outer division had every reason for pride.

Unfazed, Lu Changsheng said mildly, "If my being part of the inner division isn't enough to secure this task, perhaps my status as the tenant of Cave Residence No.1 is enough to qualify me?"

Though his tone was calm, his words struck like thunder, jolting everyone around him. Even the outer division martial artists' faces changed instantly.

"Master of Cave Residence No.1? You mean you're Venerable Tian Ming?"

"No, I've seen Venerable Tian Ming. His appearance and aura are completely different. Is this guy trying to impersonate Venerable Tian Ming?"

"Hahaha, someone impersonating Venerable Tian Ming? Did this guy really think we don't know what Venerable Tian Ming looks like?"

Some smirked, while others broke into subdued chuckles. Venerable Tian Ming? No matter how they looked at him, the man before them was not Venerable Tian Ming.

Still, even with the blatant mockery around him, Lu Changsheng's expression didn't so much as flicker.

Suddenly, an inner division martial artist spoke up, his voice uncertain. "Wait. Venerable Tian Ming is no longer the master of Cave Residence No.1. A martial artist newly admitted to the Martial Saint Institute, Lu Changsheng of the Heavenly Sacred City I believe, was assigned Cave Residence No.1 directly by the artifact spirit and became its master. Could this be him?"

"Lu Changsheng? Oh yeah, I heard about that. Since it was an inner division business and only just occurred, word hasn't spread far yet."

"Cave Residence No.1 has indeed changed hands."

At the testimony of these inner division martial artists, the sneering faces all around froze. They had been completely unaware that Cave Residence No.1 had changed masters.

Being assigned Cave Residence No.1 immediately upon entering the Martial Saint Institute was unthinkable. However, someone from the inner division had just confirmed the story to be true.

The task giver's face lit up with delight. "Good, good, good! If you really are the master of Cave Residence No.1, then, of course, you may take up this task. May I ask your name, Fellow Daoist?"

He knew well that the inner division had its experts, the tenant of Cave Residence No.1 being considered the strongest one in the entire division. That title carried real weight. The previous holder, Venerable Tian Ming, had been one of the most supreme Martial Venerables.

"Lu Changsheng," he answered evenly.

"Oh, it really is him!"

"To think he's only just arrived at the Martial Saint Institute and he's already here taking tasks."

"He must be eager to forge his Saint Body."

Many inner division martial artists suddenly understood. They had already heard the name Lu Changsheng, but few had seen him. Now, they finally beheld him with their own eyes.

"Daoist Lu, so you're serious about taking up this task? Then let us discuss the details," said the recruiter.

Lu Changsheng nodded and left the Exchange Hall with the recruiter. He gave no further thought to what had just happened there; he merely noted that his status as the tenant of Cave Residence No.1 came with clear perks.

At the very least, the status gave him an obvious edge when competing for tasks. The moment the recruiter had learned who he was, he had dismissed every other applicant outright and chosen Lu Changsheng.

The two withdrew to a secret chamber in the outer division to talk in detail.

"Let me make one precondition clear," Lu Changsheng said, direct and unequivocal. "The Geng Metal Essence I want is not the nurtured kind, but natural Geng Metal Essence! If you don't have it, then you may go back and select someone else."

"Hmm? Natural Geng Metal Essence?" The recruiter's face changed instantly.

Natural and nurtured Geng Metal Essence differed by a single word, but that single word was the difference between heaven and earth; the two could not be mentioned in the same breath.

Nurtured Geng Metal Essence merely required refining vast quantities of Geng Metal bit by bit. Natural Geng Metal Essence was something one could only hope to chance upon, formed entirely by nature; an entire massive vein of Geng Metal might yield only the tiniest trace of it.

The real difference between natural and nurtured lay in the growth potential. An enchanted treasure forged with nurtured Geng Metal Essence would remain forever exactly as it was made, with no capacity to grow and little malleability.

Natural Geng Metal Essence was another matter. A treasure refined with it could mature slowly over time, and might one day grow into an enchanted treasure of tremendous power. That growth, that malleability, was what made it so precious. One word of difference, and natural Geng Metal Essence was worth at least ten times as much, if not several tens of times.

"Daoist Lu, with all due respect, isn't that asking for the moon? Do you know how precious natural Geng Metal Essence is? Even if our Flying Boat Merchant Association had it, we could never bring it out." The martial artist shook his head.

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly. So this guy belongs to the Flying Boat Merchant Association.

The name was familiar to Lu Changsheng; it was supposed to be a fairly well-known merchant association. And judging by the man's tone, they might really possess natural Geng Metal Essence. If they had it, there was room for negotiation.

"Can you tell me why the Flying Boat Merchant Association needs to recruit Divine Ability martial artists at the Martial Saint Institute?" Lu Changsheng asked. "Surely a faction like yours has no trouble finding supreme Divine Ability experts?"

"It's no secret. Our Flying Boat Merchant Association is contesting a Geng Metal vein with the Mingzhou Merchant Association. We have always controlled a large share of the Geng Metal mines, so every vein is of vital importance.

"If the Mingzhou Merchant Association obtains this one, it would be very bad for us. Both being large merchant associations, there are naturally proper ways to settle this. We can't have Martial Saints coming to blows; that would spiral beyond anyone's control.

"So, the two sides agreed to decide ownership of the vein through an open arena battle between Divine Ability martial artists. The Mingzhou Merchant Association has a supreme Martial Venerable of formidable strength; ordinary Martial Venerables are no match for him. That's why we came to the Martial Saint Institute, to see if we could recruit a supreme Martial Venerable of our own."

Lu Changsheng nodded in understanding. So this is all over a Geng Metal Vein, huh?

In truth, the Flying Boat Merchant Association owned many such veins; this particular one was not especially important to them. But to the Mingzhou Merchant Association, it was critical. With a Geng Metal vein, they could break into the Geng Metal market and compete with the Flying Boat Merchant Association head-on, something the latter could never tolerate.

As such, the Flying Boat Merchant Association was determined to win that vein at all costs!

Lu Changsheng now knew where he stood. He said with a faint smile, "You may send word to the Flying Boat Merchant Association's upper ranks. Give me natural Geng Metal Essence, and I will secure that Geng Metal vein for you."

The Flying Boat martial artist blinked in surprise. "Uh... Fellow Daoist Lu, what makes you so confident that you'll succeed?"

"It's quite simple. No matter whom the Mingzhou Merchant Association sends, I'll just win."

It wasn't much of an explanation, yet Lu Changsheng's words carried unquestionable confidence—not empty boast, but true confidence he had earned every step of the way. Even if the other side brought in Venerable Tian Ming himself, it would not matter. In Lu Changsheng's mind, victory was already secured.

The martial artist of the Flying Boat Merchant Association felt his heart shake, as though intoxicated by Lu Changsheng's unwavering confidence.

He drew a deep breath before speaking in a shake voice. "W-Well, since you are so certain... I'll go ahead and send word to the chairman at once."

Lu Changsheng nodded, then simply closed his eyes and waited. The martial artist stepped out and relayed Lu Changsheng's words to the chairman of the Flying Boat Merchant Association exactly as spoken.

The association's upper ranks urgently convened a meeting. Naturally, being an inner division martial artist of the Martial Saint Institute, and also master of Cave Residence No.1, carried tremendous weight.

The urgency was also heightened by the knowledge that Lu Changsheng had apparently snatched Cave Residence No.1 from none other than Venerable Tian Ming himself, one of the strongest individuals who had ever held the residence.

In about the time it took for an incense stick to burn down, the martial artist of the Flying Boat Merchant Association returned.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, the association has agreed to your terms. If you defeat the Mingzhou Merchant Association's martial artist in the arena, the association will present you with a piece of natural Geng Metal Essence weighing at least ten jin."[1]

The fact that the Flying Boat Merchant Association even specified a concrete quantity put Lu Changsheng further at ease. Ten jin was quite enough!

"Then it's settled. When can we depart?" Lu Changsheng asked.

"We can leave right now."

"Good. I have nothing to prepare. Let us head to the Flying Boat Merchant Association at once." Lu Changsheng had no wish to waste time.

So, he and the Flying Boat martial artist boarded a flying boat and sped toward the association's headquarters.

They arrived about three days later, and the chairman came out to welcome them personally.

"Welcome to the Flying Boat Merchant Association, Fellow Daoist Lu. To have your full support this time is our association's great fortune!"

The chairman of the Flying Boat Merchant Association was a Golden Core True One, and a smooth talker at that.

"You flatter me, Chairman. But may I first have a look at the natural Geng Metal Essence?" Lu Changsheng said directly. It wasn't that he distrusted the Flying Boat Merchant Association, but seeing it with his own eyes would put his mind at ease.

"Of course. Please, come inside."

Lu Changsheng nodded and entered the association's main hall. Soon, someone brought out a fist-sized piece of natural Geng Metal Essence.

Small as it was, it was remarkably heavy—ceartainly ten jin—and the aura it gave off was piercingly sharp. One glance was all Lu Changsheng needed to confirm it: genuine natural Geng Metal Essence.

"Very good." He nodded in satisfaction.

With that, the association put the essence away.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, I must give you a word of caution. The Martial Venerable the Mingzhou Merchant Association is fielding actually came from the Martial Saint Institute himself. He was an outer division martial artist, Venerable Hu Shan, once known as the number one of the outer division. Hu Shan is no longer part of the Institute, his ten-year term having expired, but his strength is plain for all to see. Do be careful."

Lu Changsheng's eyes narrowed slightly. Former number one of the Institute's outer division? I didn't expect that.

Still, former or current number one, it made little difference to Lu Changsheng. As long as the opponent stood at the Divine Ability Realm, he feared no one.

"His reputation doesn't change anything. I'll fight him. Chairman, please arrange the match," he said flatly, without a ripple in his voice. "The sooner the better!"

"Very well, I will see to it at once. Please make your preparations, Fellow Daoist Lu."

With that, Lu Changsheng rose and withdrew to cultivate in silence, awaiting the arrangements for the battle between the Flying Boat and Mingzhou Merchant Associations.

1. Roughly 5kg ☜