"Martial Hall? Qin Fen uttered an 'Oh.' A person who could put on airs in front of the military system clearly must have a significant background; the Sacred Martial Hall certainly possessed that qualification. Rumor had it that quite a few generals had undertaken advanced studies there, making it a place with deep connections.

Bai Sheng's proud eyes fixed on Qin Fen, a faint hint of dissatisfaction flickering within.

For a martial artist, possessing excellent composure was a foundational requirement for reaching the pinnacle of the martial path. But even the best composure had its limits, especially upon hearing the words [Sacred Martial Hall]; a reaction was certainly warranted.

Surprise, cheers, excitement, tension! Bai Sheng had seen countless youths display various states of excitement upon discovering a personnel from the Sacred Martial Hall was present. Yet, he had never encountered anyone like Qin Fen, who heard the name 'Sacred Martial Hall' as casually as if hearing 'Men's Restroom.'

The Sacred Martial Hall was the pride and glory of every individual who had entered or currently belonged to it—an eternal sacred ground in their hearts!

Bai Sheng's proud expression took on a slight edge of displeasure. As a specialist from the [Sacred Martial Hall], there was no need to restrain his emotions. Expressing his thoughts freely was the proper demeanor for a martial artist.

'Qin Fen, can you tell me what this attitude signifies?'

Bai Sheng held his chin high, and the temperature in the room seemed to plummet suddenly. The hairs on Qin Fen's arms stood on end again. This wasn't an actual drop in temperature, but rather Bai Sheng's ill-intentioned aura inducing a primal physical response.

'Expected, so there is nothing to be surprised about.' Qin Fen suppressed his body's reaction, his expression as placid as usual. 'I've heard the Sacred Martial Hall doesn't extend invitations based solely on a person's strength. However, I have never considered myself inferior to Little Dragon King Yang Lie or Kai Tian Brooks. If they could receive an invitation, there is no reason I shouldn't have. Your appearance does not surprise me; I was simply well-prepared mentally.'

Bai Sheng narrowed his eyes into slits, like a venomous snake fixated on a toad that could not escape: 'You are arrogant.'

'I am self-assured,' Qin Fen replied with a calm smile, shaking his head. 'A fist of self-assurance can strike with a profound momentum. An arrogant fist, while seeming overbearing, is in truth weak and powerless.'

A flicker of stunned realization crossed Bai Sheng's face. He hadn't expected the subject of this invitation to have grasped martial insights extending beyond the mere pursuit of star ratings, nor was he chasing a specific realm. Instead, this person had already focused on the true essence of the fist's power.

These were insights usually only fully comprehended after passing the rigorous assessments and officially joining the Sacred Martial Hall. To think someone had grasped this before even entering was remarkable.

Bai Sheng nodded slightly, offering no rebuttal as he produced a portable electronic projector. It slid smoothly across the table, stopping steadily before Qin Fen.

'Your performance is very commendable. The Sacred Martial Hall extends its invitation to you with utmost sincerity.' Bai Sheng pointed to the projection that had begun to display its contents. 'The Sacred Martial Hall is not an unreasonable place. There are rules here that allow you to choose your future path.'

Qin Fen nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving the rotating projection screen.

As he read through the lines of text, Qin Fen gradually understood that the Sacred Martial Hall was somewhat different from the rumors.

The true Sacred Martial Hall was a place with a strict hierarchy, divided into the Outer Sacred Martial Hall and the Inner Sacred Martial Hall. Depending on the method of entry, some individuals would enter the Outer Hall, while others would join the Inner Hall.

Comparatively, the Inner Sacred Martial Hall enjoyed benefits far exceeding those of the Outer Hall. For instance, the medicinal pills aiding in foundation consolidation and breakthroughs—both in quality and quantity—were incomparable to what the Outer Hall offered.

The same applied to martial arts; whether ancient or modern, what the Inner Hall members received vastly surpassed the Outer Hall's offerings.

As for insights, notes, and classic texts, the Outer Hall could not hold a candle to the Inner Hall.

To enter the Inner Sacred Martial Hall, merely possessing sufficient talent, strength, and comprehension of the martial path was not enough. It required passing an exceedingly rigorous assessment and signing documents pledging lifelong allegiance to the Sacred Martial Hall. For the rest of their lives, they would be personnel of the Sacred Martial Hall, forbidden to betray it and bound to strictly obey all its commands.

In return, the Sacred Martial Hall provided the most generous rewards. This wasn't limited merely to pills and martial techniques; their families would also receive substantial incomes, almost guaranteeing a comfortable life free from worry about food and clothing, provided they avoided narcotics and excessive gambling.

Furthermore, the financial remuneration received by members of the Sacred Martial Hall was beyond what the outside world could imagine. Rewards were dispensed corresponding to the completion of the Hall's tasks and improvements in martial strength.

Conversely, prolonged inactivity would result in the revocation of martial arts skills and expulsion from the Inner Sacred Martial Hall.

Of course, Inner Sacred Martial Hall members rarely needed to undertake external assignments; even ten years of solitary cultivation was permissible, as long as their strength allowed them to maintain their standing.

And they would have the opportunity for direct mentorship from experts at the Divine Beast level!

In the path of martial arts, ten years of solitary exploration can sometimes be less valuable than a single piece of guidance from a master.

Overall, the Inner Sacred Martial Hall was a place of intense competition, but the benefits were astonishingly immense. Qin Fen's mouth watered as he read.

The conditions of the Inner Sacred Martial Hall were truly too tempting.

If it weren't for this near indenture clause...? Qin Fen sighed and smiled, quickly dismissing the idea of the Inner Hall. A [Sacred Martial Hall] that had stood firm for so many years—playing tricks or planning to join, learn everything, and then betray them—would likely result in him being crippled long before he mastered anything.

The Outer Hall? Qin Fen discovered that the Outer Sacred Martial Hall also had different entry methods. One was the 'Rights Retention Type,' where entrants could keep some of their personal rights but had to transfer a portion to the Outer Hall.

For example, if after completing training, one established a new school, thirty percent of the resulting income had to be remitted to the Sacred Martial Hall. If they concealed income through fraudulent accounting, the Sacred Martial Hall had the right to reclaim their martial arts. Resistance would lead to the total crippling of their cultivation!

Crippling of martial arts! Qin Fen shivered. Every martial artist had enemies and rivals. If their skills were abolished, the resulting misery needed no explanation.

Although this was a society governed by law, martial practitioners often broke those laws. No one could guarantee that an enemy martial artist wouldn't seek revenge through violent means.

The current Federation was not entirely harmonious; Saturn, for example... Kill someone and flee to Saturn! That place was special, renowned in the Federation as a 'Free World.'

Observing the Rights Retention method, Qin Fen began to understand that the practitioners of the New Taekwondo in Hanzhou or the New Karate in Hezhou, who were rumored to have undergone advanced studies at the Sacred Martial Hall, likely chose this retention-based arrangement.

Qin Fen nodded slowly. This Rights Retention model seemed relatively fair. The Sacred Martial Hall wasn't a charity; learning skills there without providing any return would quickly erode the Hall's authority, let alone maintain its current lofty, special status.

As for the final 'Preliminary Type,' almost all rights remained with the martial artist, but the benefits they could receive from the Sacred Martial Hall were significantly fewer. It was mostly for show, making it much easier to find employment externally later on.

Reviewing the string of regulations, Qin Fen began to realize that, barring any major surprises, most people would opt for the Rights Retention Type, which afforded greater personal freedom in exchange for sharing some income and assisting with specific duties.

Continuing to read, Qin Fen found that receiving an invitation from the Sacred Martial Hall did not automatically mean one was a member. It was merely the first screening. The moment the inviting official presented the projector display, the initial assessment was considered passed. Failure meant never even getting the chance to see the projector.

After passing the initial screening, a secondary review assessment was required—the final entry assessment conducted only upon arrival at the Sacred Martial Hall.

Those who passed officially became members of the Sacred Martial Hall, enjoying the benefits stipulated in their contracts. Those who failed would still have had a trip to the Sacred Martial Hall and would receive minor compensation.

For members of major families, this compensation might be negligible, but for ordinary people, even failure in the assessment yielded a substantial income.

'Well?' Bai Sheng rested his chin on his hands, watching Qin Fen with keen interest. 'Which path do you intend to choose? Young man, you must choose carefully. In all my time as an examiner, I never offer advice to invitees. But you are an exception. I feel it necessary to share my opinion. You are an excellent seed, one of the best I've seen. If you can choose the Full Integration Type, your future will be limitless.'

Zhao Huzi’s eyes gleamed with fiery excitement as he stared at Qin Fen, practically wishing to accept the fully committed invitation on the young man’s behalf.

'Young man, the Sacred Martial Hall offers you more than just the martial path,' Bai Sheng continued when Qin Fen remained silent. 'It can provide you with security beyond your imagination. I've reviewed your file: you stirred up trouble alone in the Golden Triangle, unsettling the established powers there, who have sworn to find and kill you. You must understand, the waters in the Golden Triangle are deeper than you think, and they might locate you any day for assassination and revenge. If you join the Sacred Martial Hall, even the Golden Triangle will hesitate, considering the consequences of wiping out your entire lineage.'

The Golden Triangle? Qin Fen’s eyes instantly brightened. Could the assassin who ambushed him that day have been dispatched by them?

'I hear you also managed to offend a high-ranking official in the military system?' Bai Sheng spread his hands. 'Any family with real power would find it easy to deal with you now. Even with the numerous powerful instructors supporting you, it isn't entirely safe.'

Liang Tao? Qin Fen suddenly realized that this Bai Sheng from the Sacred Martial Hall had indeed investigated his background quite thoroughly.

The conference room fell silent once more. Bai Sheng gazed confidently at Qin Fen’s contemplative face.

In the African Recruit Conference Room, the door slowly opened.

'Report, General! Colonel Clara, commanding officer of the African Lion Mobile Armored Unit, reporting!'