Chapter 9

Qingyun City covers a vast area, with a population of hundreds of thousands. The Martial Hall is located at the center of the city, and it has numerous training facilities for martial arts, occupying a significant amount of space.

The purpose of the Martial Hall is to cultivate young martial artists, discover outstanding talents, and serve the court and sects.

In most cases, students of the Martial Hall do not go out, unless they live in Qingyun City.

Martial artists hold a pivotal position in this world, and there are actually many ways to earn money.

For example, alchemists are a highly profitable profession. Herbs worth several hundred taels can be transformed into pills by alchemists, increasing their value several times over.

There are also array masters, whose various auxiliary, offensive, and defensive arrays are very expensive.

Smiths, who forge weapons for martial artists, are highly sought after by countless martial cultivators.

These three professions are undoubtedly the most profitable among martial artists, but they are not something everyone can achieve. First, one needs talent, then inheritance, and guidance from a master.

According to Lu Xiu's knowledge, there are a few students from wealthy families in the Martial Hall who study alchemy, arrays, and forging. Their monthly expenses can reach tens of thousands of taels, which is an astronomical figure for him.

However, apart from these three professions, other martial artists who want to make a living have a more common profession: hunters!

Many deep mountains and large marshes are home to countless beasts and demonic beasts. These creatures are naturally strong and have unique advantages, and the materials from their bodies are valuable and have various uses.

The profession of hunters emerged to meet this demand.

In addition to hunting beasts and demonic beasts, one can also find herbs, precious materials, and minerals in deep mountains and large marshes, which are all in high demand by alchemists, array masters, and smiths.

Qingyun City has a Hunters' Guild, and to become a初级 hunter, one must at least be at the fifth level of Body Tempering. In the past, Lu Xiu's strength was too weak, so he never considered this path.

But to quickly improve his cultivation and strength, the only way for him was to become a hunter.

Hunters can accept various missions from the guild and receive rewards upon completion. They can also form teams to hunt freely, and the items obtained can be handled or sold to the guild. Some powerful hunters earn as much as those in the three special professions.

The Hunters' Guild is located in the bustling commercial district, which is the most lively and prosperous area in Qingyun City. On the tall buildings, there is a symbol of two crossed swords.

This was Lu Xiu's first visit. The hall was spacious, and many martial artists held weapons, exuding strong vitality and engaging in lively discussions.

"So many experts!"

In Lu Xiu's eyes, the life pulses of these martial artists were clearly visible. By sensing the aura of their life pulses, he could discern their strength.

He found that Body Tempering eighth and ninth-level martial artists were abundant here. Someone like him, at the fifth level of Body Tempering, was just a novice. He also saw several Qi Sea Realm martial artists.

At thirteen years old, Lu Xiu's face still had a hint of youthful innocence, so his arrival instantly attracted many gazes.

"Haha, kid, you look so delicate. This is the Hunters' Guild. Did you come to the wrong place?"

A Body Tempering ninth-level martial artist pointed at Lu Xiu and laughed. He wore a badge with two crossed swords, a symbol of his status as a hunter.

"I think he's a student from the Martial Hall, wanting to apply for a hunter badge to show off to his classmates."

"Hehe, a hunter badge isn't that easy to get. I bet this kid will fail, and might even lose his life!"

"Not necessarily. Maybe this kid can pass?"

"Zhu Laoba, want to bet?"

Lu Xiu ignored them, but in this environment, he could feel the bold, unrestrained, and free-spirited nature of martial cultivators.

Every hunter here lived a life on the edge, exuding a fierce and deadly aura. However, Lu Xiu was not afraid; instead, he felt a sense of longing!

"Perhaps I have a deep-seated passion and madness in my bones. Perhaps this is the life I truly want!" Lu Xiu clenched his fist and walked toward a counter in the hunter hall.

The receptionist was a graceful woman with a professional smile, but she was momentarily taken aback by Lu Xiu's youthful face.

But she quickly recovered and smiled, "Little brother, how can I assist you?"

"Little brother?" Lu Xiu's expression was slightly awkward, but he couldn't change his age.

"Hello, I want to apply to become a hunter," Lu Xiu said.

"What?" The beautiful receptionist was taken aback again. "Little brother, are you sure you want to apply to become a hunter?"

Lu Xiu nodded without hesitation and added, "My name is Lu Xiu."

Seeing Lu Xiu's slightly flushed cheeks, the beautiful receptionist couldn't help but giggle, "Okay, Little Brother Lu Xiu."

"Damn!" The receptionist's playful tone made Lu Xiu roll his eyes.

"Haha, Shanshan, are you interested in this kid?"

"Shanshan is the most beautiful woman in our Qingyun City Hunters' Guild. The line of people wanting to pursue her stretches from the south to the north and from the east to the west. Do you like young boys?"

"Don't be silly, Shanshan. This kid is scrawny. How can he compare to me?"

Many familiar hunters in the hall joked.

Shanshan, the beautiful receptionist, blushed and rolled her eyes. "If you want to be my man, wait until you become a four-star hunter."

"Heaven! A four-star hunter? Looks like I have no chance in this life..." Many hunters pounded their chests and laughed.

"Hey, I want to apply to become a hunter!" Lu Xiu slapped the table, feeling ignored.

Lu Xiu's action caused another burst of laughter among the hunters in the hall.

Shanshan looked at Lu Xiu, her smile fading. "Little Brother Lu Xiu, applying to become a hunter is no joke. For your safety, please think carefully before making a decision."

"What? Is becoming a hunter that dangerous?" Lu Xiu asked, somewhat surprised.

"Haha, this kid is not just a novice but a top-notch novice, not even knowing the basic rules."

"Kid, go home and drink milk. Being a hunter isn't that easy."

From the nearby hunters' discussions, Lu Xiu learned that to become a hunter, meeting the cultivation requirement alone was not enough; one must also pass an examination.

The examination process involves certain risks. Without sufficient strength and courage, even a Body Tempering seventh-level martial artist might not pass.

"I want to take the examination," Lu Xiu said firmly after understanding.

Silence!

The entire hall of the Hunters' Guild fell silent.

"Kid, are you feverish? Since three years ago, when a Body Tempering seventh-level student from the Martial Hall's intermediate class died during the examination, only some advanced class students with Body Tempering eighth-level and above have passed. Don't you understand?"

"That's right, Lu Xiu. You're still young. You can come back for the examination in a few years," Shanshan advised, no longer calling him "little brother" and with a more serious expression.

Most of the hunters had cold expressions. They had seen too many life and death situations and were not easily moved.

"The hunter examination tests not just cultivation but practical combat skills. You will face a first-level demonic beast, not just a wild beast," Shanshan added.

"I am determined," Lu Xiu's gaze was resolute.

"This kid has some backbone. Let him try," a burly man said, taking a big sip of wine.

"Zhou Long, shut up! You'll get him killed!" Shanshan glared at the man.

"As long as I meet the conditions, the guild has no reason to refuse my application, right?" Lu Xiu tapped the table. "Besides, are you so sure I'll die in the examination?"

"Haha, the kid is stubborn. I like that!" Zhou Long laughed. "If you pass the examination, I'll let you join my team!"

"Ha, a kid who hasn't even grown hair can pass the examination? If he does, I'll cut off my head and kick it to him!" A bearded man sneered.

"Zhou Long, do you dare to bet?" the bearded man said loudly.

"What the hell, Guo Huizi, what are you trying to do?" Zhou Long glared.

In Lu Xiu's perception of life pulses, both Zhou Long and Guo Huizi were at the Qi Sea Realm. Their argument over his examination was unexpected.

However, becoming a hunter was essential for Lu Xiu. Whether accepting missions or trading items in the guild, one must be a hunter.

After persistent insistence, Shanshan took out several papers, including an application form for the examination and a contract stating that the guild would not be responsible for any accidents during the examination.

Lu Xiu did not hesitate. He believed that with his strength, he could pass the examination. If he couldn't, how could he advance to higher realms in martial cultivation?

With a swift stroke, Lu Xiu signed his name. A guild receptionist then led him to the examination site.

"I bet this kid won't pass the examination!" In the hall, Guo Huizi slapped the table and glared at Zhou Long. "Zhou Long, do you dare to bet?"

Both had their own teams and often had conflicts.

With so many people around, seeing his old rival Guo Huizi being so arrogant, Zhou Long was angry. He stood up, kicked his chair away, and shouted, "I'll bet with you!"