High Martial Arts: I Awaken a Low-Tier Martial System Chapter 5: A Family of Four

"Thank you."

Facing the bashful girl standing before him, Jiang Ye accepted the water bottle without any reluctance.

The girl dashed off bashfully, her face revealing a trace of delight.

Jiang Ye remembered Chen Zilu’s final words from the class.

"I’ll definitely seek more guidance from the teacher going forward."

As per the system, his comprehension boosts by 30% solely under Chen Zilu’s instruction.

Both classroom lessons and one-on-one sessions offered him prime chances to progress.

He began mapping out his path ahead.

Jiang Ye wrapped up his daily cultivation and headed homeward amid the setting sun.

...

Taoyang District.

Building 12, Apartment 606.

Upon arriving home, a tempting fragrance filled the air. Glancing over, he spotted braised beef with a mouthwatering hue and corn ribs on the dinner table.

"You’re back?"

From the kitchen, his adoptive mother Li Anping spotted him and grinned, "Come sit and eat quickly."

Jiang Ye cleaned his hands and approached the table.

"Brother!"

A young girl around fourth or fifth grade rushed up. She looked charming, eyes sparkling with naughtiness, and clung to Jiang Ye playfully.

"Brother, got any candy?"

Li Anping chided, "Tingting, it’s mealtime now."

Jiang Ting, Jiang Ye’s little sister, was an endearing child just shy of twelve.

Jiang Ye pulled a lollipop from his pocket and stated, "Finish your food first, then candy. Or no more next time."

"Alright, got it."

Jiang Ting took the lollipop, beaming happily.

The trio gathered at the table, and Li Anping asked offhandedly, "Ye, how’d the opening exam go today?"

"Not bad, 25th place," Jiang Ye answered.

Li Anping gasped in astonishment, "25th? That’s 15 spots better than last term! Your dad will be thrilled to hear it."

Jiang Ye grinned and inquired, "Why’s dad returning so late lately?"

"He’s pulling overtime shifts at the factory recently."

Li Anping kept it brief.

His adoptive father, Jiang Dahai, labored at a bionic prosthetic factory in An City, focused on crafting artificial limbs.

Thanks to the "Shadow Disaster," dangers could lurk even within city limits.

Each Shadow Disaster outbreak spiked injuries, fueling a boom in bionics.

"Breaking news: A second-level ’Shadow Disaster’ hit Cyan Yang City in West Mountain Province last night."

"Police and the Cyan Yang City Shadow Hunting Bureau have contained the Shadow Disaster... Locals should limit nighttime outings, and those under Martial Arts First Realm must stay indoors after dark..."

The living room’s wall TV aired the evening broadcast.

"Cyan Yang City?"

Hearing this, Jiang Ye felt a slight jolt.

Cyan Yang City borders An City and stands among West Mountain Province’s top five cities.

Home to a Martial Arts University, it enjoys far superior safety over An City.

Yet Shadow Disasters still bring unavoidable losses.

Jiang Ye’s brow furrowed faintly.

"Just Martial Arts First Realm grants a faint shot at surviving a Shadow Disaster..."

Martial arts feature seven realms.

Each breakthrough shatters life’s chains, ascending to greater peaks.

In this journey, unique powers awaken.

First-time Life Shackles breakers earn the title "Star Sky Martial Artists."

Known too as the "First Break."

Only then possess they the power and assurance against Shadow Disasters.

...

Post-meal, Jiang Ye retreated to his room for further cultivation.

The Star Martial Cultivation Technique forms the core method from the Blue Star Federation, marking the initial stride in Star Sky Martial Arts.

Perfection signals approach to the first Life Shackles.

Yet perfection alone won’t suffice for Martial Arts First Realm; Star Sky Refinements are needed for true change.

Such steps remain far off for Jiang Ye now.

He checked 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

—

Pondering the gains from these two achievements.

Jiang Ye sighed deeply, "Having cheats is truly wonderful."

He harbored no guilt over cheats.

Across the endless multiverse, what mighty figure lacks cheats?

Cheats pair perfectly with diligence. True powerhouses grind hard with cheats in hand.

"To surge in strength fast, unlocking more achievements is key," Jiang Ye mused.

These serve as pure enhancements.

Their boosts stack without limit.

The puzzle lies in triggering fresh ones.

"The ones I got arose from system errors..." Jiang Ye’s face grew peculiar.

In essence, the system misread his world.

It confused this Over-the-Top Martial Arts World with Grounded Martial Arts.

It saw exams as fights.

Results matched, but logic faltered.

Now, will the system persist in mistakes?

Or fix itself eventually?

All uncertain.

"Best stick to steady cultivation for now," Jiang Ye decided.

His surest bet: bolster strength, chase advanced martial achievements.

More unlocks might reveal patterns and clues.

"Hitting Great Success in cultivation sparks change."

"New achievements may trigger then."

Jiang Ye sank fully into focused practice.

...

Ten PM sharp.

"Creak~"

Door swung open, admitting a weary middle-aged man.

"Any luck, dear? Found work yet?"

Li Anping drew near, whispering gently.

Jiang Dahai shook his head wearily, "Tough out there. Firms ditch me once they hear I’m past forty."

Midlife job hunts spell peril.

Jiang Dahai rode this layoff tide.

"Tomorrow, I’ll try the Shadow Hunting Bureau. Heard they need night guards," Jiang Dahai sank onto the sofa, outlining plans.

Li Anping paled slightly, "Shadow Hunting Bureau? That handles Shadow Disasters, right? Too risky!"

"Relax, just watch duty. No perils."

"Night shifts though..."

Li Anping eyed her husband anxiously.

Broadcasts urged avoiding nights outdoors.

Shadow Disasters strike anytime, but nights see more.

Jiang Dahai trained some, yet lacks First Break, struggling to defend himself.

Grasping her fears, Li Anping struggled to sway him.

Jiang Ting demands growth nutrients now, Jiang Ye craves cultivation supplements at this pivotal phase.

Kids’ costs drain funds.

Heavy burdens silenced her pleas.

"Fine, no fretting."

Jiang Dahai comforted, "I’ll just guard the site at the city’s safest spot, the Shadow Hunting Bureau."

"Plus, First Break’s within reach. I’m tougher than you imagine."

"Oh, little Ye hit 25th in his exam," Li Anping added.

"For real?"

Jiang Dahai’s eyes sparked with delight, "Haha! Knew that boy had it in him. Huge leap this time..."

He’d noted Jiang Ye’s hard work.

Joy faded to gravity as Jiang Dahai pressed, "With that grind, better talent would land him top martial universities, sparing our struggles."

He and Li Anping shared modest gifts.

Jiang Dahai knew talent’s martial limits intimately.

Fist tightening slowly, Jiang Dahai vowed, "Whatever it takes, I won’t hold back my striving son."

"I’ll sell all if needed to get our kid into Martial Arts University," he declared resolutely.