“Master of the dojo! I wish to recommend someone for direct admission into the inner sect, exempt from the entrance exam.”

“Exempt from the exam?” The master of Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall was named Brian Reed. He opened his tiger-like eyes slightly. “Who is it? Is there a reason for the exemption?”

William Harris cupped her fists calmly and said, “Master, this youth is named Henry Owen. He has excellent innate talent and remarkable perception—an outstanding martial arts prospect. The only issue is that he’s rather young and started training late, so he hasn’t fully learned the Wind-Chasing Blade and couldn’t pass the outer sect’s martial test. I, Ye, do not wish to let such talent slip by, so I ask the master to grant him direct admission.”

The master Brian Reed listened but neither agreed nor disagreed. “Where is this youth? Let him come up so I can take a look.”

At this moment, not only did the many martial artists and officials on the stage look down toward the stone platform, but even the disciples below and the onlooking townsfolk turned their attention this way.

Henry Owen gathered his composure and walked up to the stage with calm confidence, bowing to the master Brian Reed: “Disciple greets the master!”

The master of Zhengyang Martial Arts Hall was not only one of the few fifth-rank experts in Xiushui County, but also a bona fide martial officer of the imperial court.

When the master Brian Reed swept his scrutinizing gaze over, Henry Owen suddenly felt his hair stand on end, as if his body was being seen through and penetrated.

“Is it him?”

After about three breaths, Brian Reed finally withdrew his sharp, blade-like gaze and looked at William Harris with some doubt. “You say he has excellent innate talent and remarkable perception?”

William Harris remained composed and unflustered. “Master, I can vouch for him with my reputation! This youth has extraordinary perception in blade techniques. Although he hasn’t fully mastered the Wind-Chasing Blade, some of his moves are of such high caliber that even martial artists below the ninth rank may not match him. He is truly gifted and worth cultivating.”

At this point, William Harris raised her eyes and gave Brian Reed a meaningful look. “Master, the more than twenty martial artists in our East Wing are all eager to teach such talent. Please grant your approval!”

Brian Reed immediately understood—William Harris was implying that her twenty-some martial artists were all waiting to receive their share of the silver.

Henry Owen’s face turned a bit red.

That was a bit of an exaggeration. He hadn’t even fully learned the Wind-Chasing Blade, let alone being at the so-called lower ninth rank.

But it was understandable. If William Harris didn’t praise him to the skies, what reason would she have to recommend him?

Henry Owen could clearly sense the disdain in Brian Reed’s eyes.

Brian Reed and William Harris exchanged glances across the space, their eyes meeting for a moment. After a brief pause, Brian Reed gave a helpless smile. “This youth’s talent is not weak; he is indeed an uncut jade. If properly nurtured, his future achievements will be extraordinary. Instructor Harris, don’t let me down.”

The townsfolk and martial arts disciples below buzzed with excitement at these words.

“The Wind-Chasing Blade at the lower ninth rank? This boy isn’t even fourteen yet, is he? He’s as skinny as a bamboo pole—looks like he’d fall over in a gust of wind. Is this for real?”

“It must be true. Who is Instructor Harris? She wouldn’t lie. If she says this boy is at the lower ninth rank, then he must be.”

“Instructor Harris was once a sixth-rank Zhaowu Captain in the Anbei Army, with outstanding military achievements. For her to praise him like this, he must be extremely talented.”

“The boy is quite handsome, but why is his face so pale? Could he be ill?”

They were all quite sensitive about the matter of “direct admission,” but William Harris was renowned and highly respected, always inspiring trust.

Besides, even the master Brian Reed said the boy’s talent was not weak and his future achievements would be extraordinary, so it must be true.

Henry Owen, however, could discern the real situation: the master Brian Reed was pinching his nose and accepting this, while also making it clear to William Harris that she must produce results and not let him be “disappointed.”

At that very moment, Henry Owen’s vision suddenly blurred, and a dazzling firework exploded in his field of view.

He was momentarily stunned and quickly looked at the illusory screen before him.

What shocked Henry Owen was that the system panel he had studied for three months without figuring out had suddenly undergone a strange change.

Character: Henry Owen

Reputation: Lower Ninth Rank (False)

Martial Arts: Incomplete Wind-Chasing Blade (Level 1)

Vital Energy Technique: Nourishing Vitality Technique (Level 1 / Not Ranked)

Martial Arts Points: 5

Talent: Quick Hands

Status: Six Yin Soul-Returning Curse

Lifespan: 17 days

The “Reputation” field, which previously displayed “None,” now clearly showed “Lower Ninth Rank (False).”

Henry Owen was momentarily dazed, utterly astonished.

What delighted him even more was that the “Martial Arts Points” field below had also changed from “None” to “5.”

Even the gray “Martial Arts Treasury” icon in the lower right corner had suddenly become vibrant.

The system had actually been activated??

Henry Owen’s heart pounded like a drum.

This damned broken system—no! System Daddy had finally shown some movement.

Henry Owen’s gaze swept over the text, and when his mind focused on “Martial Arts Treasury,” a screen resembling an online shopping mall suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Inside were fourteen colorful product icons.

Henry Owen looked at the first two icons.

They were newbie specials—Eagle Eye, granting vision as sharp as a hawk’s, with the dynamic eyesight of a falcon, able to accurately spot an enemy’s weaknesses.

The original price required 10 Martial Arts Points to redeem, but that price had been crossed out in red, and now it showed that only 2 points were needed to purchase.