"281...282...283..."
Fang Qingyu maintained the rhythm of his breathing, silently counting in his heart.
Today his physical attributes had skyrocketed, making his fitness exercises more enduring than yesterday.
He kept counting until a new prompt popped up before him.
Only then did Fang Qingyu slowly lower his leg.
[Congratulations, your Professional Basic Skill "Dragon Banner" has risen to Level 2 (0/200), reward: one Attribute Point]
"Hmm?"
"This time it didn't reach full level?"
Fang Qingyu looked somewhat surprised; he had initially thought fitness skills all maxed out at level 2.
Now it seems it might be related to the difficulty.
This is actually a good thing.
It allows him to continue grinding.
Goal achieved.
Fang Qingyu took a shower and then went straight to sleep.
Each day was so fulfilling, he had no worries about sleep issues at all.
...
The next day.
Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall.
Qi Hao was waiting at the door early in the morning, and as soon as he saw Fang Qingyu park his electric bike, he walked over with a bit of grievance.
"Qingzi."
"What's up?"
Fang Qingyu saw his expression and wondered aloud.
"You didn't even tell me about entering the official class."
Qi Hao's gaze became more and more plaintive, like a little bride.
"I wanted to give you a scare."
Fang Qingyu laughed, giving him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"Hey, you did give me a scare."
Qi Hao threw an arm around Fang Qingyu's shoulder, walking towards the door together.
"Who else can do what you did, going from an ordinary person to the official class in just over ten days?"
"No one?"
Fang Qingyu paused upon hearing this.
Qi Hao stopped, thought about it: "Uh... there are, but very few; those people are legends now."
"Legend?"
Fang Qingyu raised an eyebrow.
Legend seems a bit exaggerated.
"They're indeed legends, you'll understand later. Come on, come on, let's first go find Teacher Zheng."
Qi Hao eagerly pulled Fang Qingyu into the Martial Arts Hall.
Fang Qingyu followed him in, instinctively locking his gaze on Qin Jiao, then decided to let go of Qi Hao's hand.
"Uh, hold on, I'm going to see Qin Jiao."
Qin Jiao was just standing there, watched Fang Qingyu walk over, and raised an eyebrow.
"Why aren't you attending the official class? Why are you coming to me?"
Fang Qingyu didn't give Qin Jiao a chance to respond, quickly bowed, and then said with a smile: "Thank you very much for your guidance these days, Qin Jiao."
Qin Jiao looked somewhat gratified, but quickly put on a stern face.
"Even if you thank me, the tuition fee can't be refunded."
"Get to class, quickly."
Fang Qingyu heard and reluctantly nodded.
"Okay."
"Pfft..."
Qi Hao was watching from a distance trying to hold back laughter, waiting for Fang Qingyu to come back.
"Do you know what Qin Jiao's nickname is? Not many dare to go back to him once they've left."
"What?"
Fang Qingyu asked instinctively.
Then suddenly remembered something, and asked: "By the way, what's Qin Jiao's full name?"
"Qin Hui, nickname: Sharp Tongue."
Qi Hao answered both questions directly.
"Oh..."
Fang Qingyu remembered the full name, then walked with Qi Hao to the area of the official class.
The main difference here from the ordinary class is that there are many weapon racks, and the punching posts are different here as well.
The punching posts in the official class are deep brown throughout, with surface dense circular patterns.
They have a natural oily sheen more than the ordinary class.
Zheng Jiao just stood in front of these punching posts.
Qi Hao brought Fang Qingyu over to her, and gave a salute.
"Teacher Zheng, new trainee brought in!"
Zheng Jiao nodded, waved her hand at Qi Hao: "Go practice by yourself."
Then she turned her head to look at Fang Qingyu.
"You, come with me."
Fang Qingyu followed her curiously, walking to an office behind the partition.
"Let me see your ID again."
Zheng Jiao sat in the chair afterward, looked at the computer, and reached out to Fang Qingyu.
Fang Qingyu handed her his ID.
A while later...
Zheng Jiao closed the computer, took a sheet of paper out of a drawer, and placed it on the table.
"In the official class, you need to sign two agreements for what you learn, see if you can accept them."
"Alright."
Fang Qingyu curiously took the paper and began to read.
One is a confidentiality agreement, another is an official agreement...
The confidentiality agreement mainly states not to reveal any content learned in the official class to anyone else; if violated, one will be heavily fined and held legally accountable.
Fang Qingyu anticipated this upon hearing the agreement.
Nothing unexpected.
But the second agreement made Fang Qingyu frown, and he looked up at Zheng Jiao.
"To enter the official class, one must join this... regulatory bureau?"
"It's just a name tag, finish reading before you speak."
Zheng Jiao didn't even raise her head, apparently hearing this question many times.
Fang Qingyu then patiently finished reading.
Only then did he understand what it was all about.
What was taught in the official class were all lethal techniques.
So the agreement stipulates that official class trainees must be held severely liable if they hurt someone unless it's under special circumstances.
Secondly, it requires filing with this regulatory bureau for easy access to information anytime.
It's just like a locksmith.
Fang Qingyu understood too.
Thus, he directly signed his name.
He handed the documents back to Zheng Jiao.
"Let's go."
"Do you want to train fists, or weapons?"
Zheng Jiao put away the documents, got up to lead the way, and asked as she walked out.
"Uh..."
"Can I train both?"
Fang Qingyu followed behind, voicing the question he had long thought about.
He really liked fist techniques.
But he also understood the advantage of having longer reach with weapons.
If possible, Fang Qingyu wanted to learn fist technique plus one weapon.
That way, he could respond better no matter what situation arose.
"You can, as long as you can handle it."
Unexpectedly, Zheng Jiao agreed so readily.
Fang Qingyu was eager to begin the training.
"Come, hit me."
Hadn't walked to the punching post yet, Zheng Jiao faced Fang Qingyu, saying relaxedly.
"?"
Fang Qingyu was stunned by the command.
"If I tell you to hit, you hit."
Zheng Jiao's elegant brow furrowed slightly; her demeanor was authoritative.
Fang Qingyu could only grit his teeth, raise his fist, and punch toward her face.
Slap—
Zheng Jiao directly slapped his wrist, scolding with a frown.
"Old Qin taught you basic combat like this?"
Fang Qingyu shook his hand; the red mark on his wrist slowly swelled.
Upon hearing this, he cleared his mind, focusing entirely and intensely.
Taking a deep breath, his heel suddenly exerted force, his left fist traced an arc towards Zheng Jiao's ribs.
Slap—
Zheng Jiao's palm was already waiting for his punch, hitting his forearm.
Fang Qingyu felt like someone pressed the pause button, his whole arm's power weirdly shrank into numbness.
"Hold your breath."
At that moment, Zheng Jiao suddenly leaned in, her right hand seemingly pressed against his abdomen moving upwards.
"Feel the chest cavity's vibration."
Fang Qingyu just wanted to speak when Zheng Jiao flicked his collarbone.
This light tap seemed to activate a switch, stagnant breathing rushed smoothly into his Dantian, and his spine straightened like a recalibrated spring.
"Thunderous sound starts from the heel, triggers at the waist."
Zheng Jiao's thumb pressed his lower back, "When inhaling, the intercostal muscles spread, when exhaling, the coccyx descends, then punch out!"
In the rhythmic press, Fang Qingyu captured some frequency...
Originally speaking Zheng Jiao seemed frozen in time in front of him.
Next second.
Punch!!
On the chart, the Martial Arts Apprentice page's panel quietly changed.
[Detected Professional Advanced Skill "Dragon Sting Breath" activating (1/100)]
[Activation Experience +1]