CHAPTER 5: CHAPTER 5: A FAMILY OF FOUR

"Thank you."

Looking at the shy girl in front of him, Jiang Ye didn’t hold back and took the water bottle directly.

The girl ran away shyly, a hint of joy on her face.

Jiang Ye recalled Chen Zilu’s last words in class.

"I’ll indeed need to consult more with the teacher in the future."

According to the system, his comprehension would only improve by 30% when Chen Zilu was teaching.

Whether in class or during private coaching sessions, these were opportunities for him to advance.

He started planning his future.

Jiang Ye finished his day’s cultivation and embarked on the road home under the sunset.

...

Taoyang District.

Building 12, Apartment 606.

As soon as he returned home, a delicious aroma wafted through the air. Looking up, he saw a dish of braised beef with an enticing color and corn ribs on the dining table.

"You’re back?"

In the kitchen, his adoptive mother Li Anping saw him and smiled, "Hurry and sit down to eat."

Jiang Ye washed his hands and came to the dining table.

"Brother!"

A little girl, about fourth or fifth grade, ran over. She was adorable, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, and hugged Jiang Ye coquettishly.

"Brother, do you have any candy?"

Li Anping scolded, "Tingting, it’s time to eat."

Jiang Ting, Jiang Ye’s sister, was a cute little girl not yet twelve.

Jiang Ye took a lollipop out of his pocket and said, "Eat your meal first, then you can have candy. Otherwise, no more candies next time."

"Okay, I understand."

Jiang Ting accepted the lollipop with a happy expression.

The three of them sat at the dining table, and Li Anping casually asked, "Ye, how was your opening exam today?"

"It was okay, 25th place," Jiang Ye replied.

Li Anping exclaimed with surprise, "25th? That’s 15 places higher than last semester!? Your dad will be so happy when he hears this."

Jiang Ye smiled and said, "Why has dad been coming home so late these days?"

"He’s been working overtime at the factory these days."

Li Anping didn’t elaborate.

His adoptive father, Jiang Dahai, worked at a bionic prosthetic factory in An City, a place specialized in processing bionic limbs.

Due to the "Shadow Disaster," even in the city, there could be lurking dangers.

Every time a Shadow Disaster struck, the injury rates soared, leading to a rapid rise in the bionic industry.

"This is the news. Last night, a second-level ’Shadow Disaster’ occurred in Cyan Yang City, West Mountain Province."

"The police, along with the Cyan Yang City Shadow Hunting Bureau, have successfully controlled the Shadow Disaster... Residents are advised to reduce outings at night, and those below the Martial Arts First Realm should avoid going out at night..."

On the wall-mounted TV in the living room, the evening news was broadcasting.

"Cyan Yang City?"

Jiang Ye was slightly taken aback when he heard this news.

Cyan Yang City is just next to An City and ranks among the top five cities in West Mountain Province.

It also hosts a Martial Arts University, boasting much better public safety than An City.

Even so, once a Shadow Disaster strikes, casualties are inevitable.

Jiang Ye frowned slightly.

"Only those in the Martial Arts First Realm can have a slim chance of self-protection during a Shadow Disaster..."

There are seven realms in martial arts.

Breaking through each realm is a process of breaking the shackles of life and reaching new heights.

During this process, various extraordinary abilities emerge.

Those who break the Life Shackles for the first time are called "Star Sky Martial Artists."

Also known as the "First Break."

Only at this level do they have the strength and confidence to face a Shadow Disaster.

...

After dinner, Jiang Ye returned to his room to continue his cultivation.

The Star Martial Cultivation Technique is the foundational cultivation technique formulated by the Blue Star Federation, also the first step on the path of Star Sky Martial Arts.

Reaching Perfection in cultivation indicates nearing the first Life Shackles.

But this alone is not enough to enter the Martial Arts First Realm; it requires undergoing several Star Sky Refinements to truly transform.

Of course, these are still distant for Jiang Ye at the moment.

He glanced at his status panel.

—Grounded Martial Arts Achievement System—

[Name: Jiang Ye]

[Constitution: Mortal Body (C-Level)]

[Cultivation Technique]

Star Martial Cultivation Technique: Minor Success (1%)

[Achievements]

Martial Arts Master, Ancestor’s Friend

—

Reflecting on the benefits brought by the two achievements.

Jiang Ye earnestly sighed, "It’s great to have cheats."

He felt no shame in using cheats.

In the vast multiverse, which powerhouse doesn’t use cheats?

Using cheats doesn’t contradict hard work. Working hard while using cheats is the true path of a powerhouse.

"To quickly become stronger, I must unlock more achievements," Jiang Ye contemplated.

These achievements are essentially buffs.

The effects can stack infinitely.

The challenge is figuring out how to unlock new achievements.

"The achievements I unlocked seem to be due to system misjudgments..." Jiang Ye’s expression turned odd.

Simply put, the system failed to accurately identify his environment.

It mistook the Over-the-Top Martial Arts World for the Grounded Martial Arts World.

It mistook exams for sparring.

The outcome was right, but the process was a mess.

The current question is whether the system will continue down this path.

Will it self-correct later on?

These are all unknowns.

"For now, I should focus on honest cultivation," Jiang Ye thought.

For him, the safest strategy is to strengthen his abilities and unlock higher martial arts achievements.

By unlocking more achievements and identifying patterns, he might gain some insights.

"Breaking through Great Success in cultivation will bring about a transformation."

"Perhaps at that time, new achievements will be unlocked."

Jiang Ye gradually immersed himself in practicing without distraction.

...

At ten o’clock in the evening.

"Creak~"

The sound of the door opening was heard, and a middle-aged man walked into the home.

"How’s it going, dear? Did you find a new job?"

Li Anping approached and asked softly.

Jiang Dahai shook his head slightly, looking somewhat fatigued, "It’s hard to find one. Many companies reject me when they hear I’m over forty."

Midlife, facing the risk of unemployment.

Jiang Dahai was one of those caught in this wave of layoffs.

"Tomorrow, I’m thinking of applying at the Shadow Hunting Bureau. I heard there are overnight security positions available," Jiang Dahai said while sitting on the sofa, planning.

Li Anping’s expression changed slightly, "The Shadow Hunting Bureau? Isn’t that the place dealing with Shadow Disasters? Isn’t it too dangerous?"

"Don’t worry, it’s just guarding the place. There’s nothing dangerous."

"But working at night..."

Li Anping looked worriedly at her husband.

The news even recommended not to go out at night.

While Shadow Disasters can happen during the day, they are more frequent at night.

Although Jiang Dahai has had some training, he hasn’t even reached the First Break, making self-defense difficult in dangerous situations.

Understanding these concerns, Li Anping was unsure of how to persuade him.

Jiang Ting is at an age where she needs nutritional support for growth, and Jiang Ye is at a crucial stage of martial arts cultivation, requiring a lot of supplemented nutrition.

Both children need money.

The substantial family expenses left her at a loss for further persuasion.

"Alright, don’t worry."

Jiang Dahai tried to reassure her, "I’m only guarding the place, and it’s the Shadow Hunting Bureau, the safest place in the city."

"Besides, I’m almost at the First Break. I’m not as weak as you think."

"By the way, our little Ye ranked 25th in his opening exam this time," Li Anping mentioned.

"Really?"

Jiang Dahai’s eyes lit up with surprise and joy, "Hahaha! That kid, I knew he could do it. He improved so much this time..."

Jiang Dahai had been observing Jiang Ye’s diligence.

But after the excitement, Jiang Dahai’s expression turned solemn as he continued, "Still, with his level of effort, if only he had better talent, he could get into one of the good martial arts universities and wouldn’t have to follow our path."

Both he and Li Anping were of lower talent.

Jiang Dahai knew well the limitations low talent posed in martial arts.

Jiang Dahai slowly clenched his fist, "No matter what, I, as his father, can’t drag him down when he’s working so hard."

"Even if I have to sell everything, I have to send our child to Martial Arts University," Jiang Dahai said with determination.