[Real World, Site 13]
'So, if you don't have money, you're not qualified to practice martial arts? That's such an absurd setting.'
'The Wealthy Martial Arts Tower is too extravagant! Crystal ball, stone lions + iced juice—is this a Martial Arts Tower or a five-star hotel?'
'Martial Potential Credit Card! The Wealthy Martial Arts Group understands high-interest loans! This is capitalism invading the martial arts world!'
'Chen Kong's expression is too real! Like a kid who just came from the countryside, his worldview being severely shaken!'
On the inter-dimensional bullet screen, the person whose worldview was being refreshed by Martial Arts Capital was not only Chen Kong outside the Wealthy Martial Arts Tower.
It was also the inter-dimensional audience at Site 13.
This style of martial arts, which defied people's stereotypical impressions, truly gave many people the feeling that their worldview had been subverted.
Most importantly, this worldview seemed surprisingly rational!
[Wealthy Martial Arts Tower, VIP Reception Room]
The attendant pushed open the expensive carved wooden door of the reception room, carrying a tray of drinks mixed with fruit aroma and Star Energy, and walked in.
"Three distinguished guests, please take a seat and enjoy a cup of our Tower's special fruit juice to rest.
"Recently, the qualifying rounds for the Starry Sky Ladder are about to begin. We have many guests coming to challenge the Tower. The Tower Keepers are busy with assessments, so we can only ask you to wait for a while. Please accept our apologies."
In response, Liu Ma, who was sitting on the sofa, expertly took a glass of juice, took a sip, and sighed contentedly.
"Your Star Energy juice is still the most authentic! The stuff sold outside is watered down and doesn't taste pure!"
With that, Liu Ma pointed at Chen Kong not far away and said, "Get a glass for my brother here, too. It's his first time, let him have a taste."
The attendant smiled and nodded, then handed one of the glasses of juice to Chen Kong.
Chen Kong took the juice. His fingertips touched the icy cold glass, and he couldn't help but shiver.
He looked down and saw that the drink, which looked like juice, not only smelled like a mix of honey and orange but also contained traces of Star Energy.
It was clearly not an ordinary beverage.
Looking at the pale golden juice in his hand, Chen Kong quietly asked Liu Ma beside him:
"H-how much does this glass of juice cost?"
Liu Ma burst out laughing and patted his shoulder.
"Drink it without worry. Here, the juice is free for honored guests!"
"But if it were sold outside, it would cost over a thousand Federal Coins a glass."
Hearing this, Chen Kong's eyes widened instantly.
Over a thousand Federal Coins?
For one glass?
At this moment, he had a clear understanding of the 'Wealth' in the Wealthy Martial Arts Tower.
The fact that they used such an expensive drink as a normal means of entertaining guests showed that, in the eyes of the people at the Wealthy Martial Arts Tower, this kind of juice was nothing.
Thinking this, Chen Kong took a gulp with intense curiosity.
The next second, a rush of warmth entered his body.
Not only did it make him feel warm all over, but he could also feel his Star Energy increase slightly.
No wonder, no wonder Liu Ma maxed out his 'Martial Potential Credit Card' back then.
If one could practice martial arts while drinking this kind of juice every day, even an ordinary person with little talent could rapidly grow stronger.
Wealth is indeed part of one's martial arts potential.
And a very important part at that.
[Meanwhile, on the other side of the Wealthy Martial Arts Tower, VIP Meeting Room]
"So it's you three. It truly has been a long time."
Gon looked at the three figures of Tendo who appeared in the meeting room and greeted them with surprise.
"It certainly has been a long time."
Tendo smiled and nodded, then casually took a glass of premium juice from the attendant nearby.
He shook the glass. Inside the pale golden liquid, Star Energy light particles spun around like little fireflies.
This glass was a higher grade than the one Chen Kong and the others were drinking. It not only had a calming effect but could also slowly repair Star Energy depletion. It would sell for at least five thousand Federal Coins a glass outside.
After taking a small sip, Tendo smiled and said, "I heard you've been selected as the special mentor for this session of the Heavenly Martial Qilin Tower. Congratulations."
Hearing Tendo's words, Gon was momentarily stunned.
The title 'Special Mentor' carried the word 'Special,' meaning it was far more complicated than an ordinary person might think.
And the fact that he had become a 'Special Mentor' was unknown to everyone except some high-level executives of the Qilin Tower.
Where did this guy Tendo get this information?
But after a brief recollection of Tendo's profile, Gon looked at the pale blue eye hidden by the black eye patch and instantly realized the truth.
"Your Future Sight is already able to see the future so clearly? That's truly exaggerated."
Tendo merely smiled at Gon's misunderstanding and offered no further explanation.
Because, in a sense, he had indeed used his eyes to see Gon's future.
It was just that there was a slight discrepancy between the 'seeing' he did and the 'seeing' Gon understood.
After all, Tendo knew about him becoming a Special Mentor because he had finished reading the Season 3 original novel.
Looking at Gon on the screen, many inter-dimensional viewers at Site 13 quickly recalled the 'win-rate obsessed Gon' from Season 1, who pursued a one hundred percent win rate in Deep Blue City.
At the time, most of them thought that the pursuit of an extreme win rate was simply due to Gon's personality.
But as more Star Source intelligence was unlocked later, the inter-dimensional audience understood that the so-called 'one hundred percent win rate' was part of Gon's ritual to complete his 'Perfect Awakening.'
And judging by the situation back then, the current Gon must have succeeded.
Although his strength had undergone a qualitative change, Tendo's transformation was undoubtedly even greater.
As a result, when facing Tendo, Gon no longer carried the air of a senior from Season 1. Instead, he asked with an equal tone, "Speak. Why are you looking for me? After all, I've heard about what you've been doing lately, and I don't think you came here just to chat."
Tendo smiled, then said, "Nothing much. I just wanted to ask your opinion on the Starry Sky Ladder, and... if you're interested in making a deal with me."
"A deal?"
A look of surprise appeared on Gon's face. He seemed unable to think of anything he and Tendo could possibly trade.
But very quickly, Tendo explained the reason.
"It's simple. After the Starry Sky Ladder opens, I will lease out a portion of the Heaven-Grade Student qualifications. You act as the middleman and help me connect with suitable clients."
Hearing Tendo's words, Gon's expression was astonished.
"Manually controlling the promotion slots for Heaven-Grade Students? Aren't you afraid the higher-ups will find out and make an example of you?"
Tendo was quite nonchalant about this.
"No, I'm not."
"Why?"
"Because this... is Martial Arts Capital."
"..."
Gon was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh as well.
"You're right. This is Martial Arts Capital. If you can do it, that's a testament to your ability."
"And outstanding methods are, in themselves, a part of one's strength."
"In a meritocracy like Martial Arts Capital, only the result matters... not the process."