Morning.
The morning breeze parted the curtain corner, and sunlight flowed along the silk curtain's warp and weft, becoming a golden thread.
Dust danced in the lattice of light, dyeing the wood grain on the desk into moving light spots.
Fang Qingyu got up and came to the window, pulling the curtain open.
Letting the room, which hadn't seen much sun in a month, get rid of its humidity.
Finally, it's not raining.
That phrase once said online, "You say spring is not late, but my underwear hasn't dried in a month," manifested itself in April.
Fang Qingyu quietly basked in the sun for a while.
All the cells that had been dormant for a day seemed to awaken slowly with the sunlight's arrival.
The feeling of weakness had been accompanying him all day yesterday.
The 12-hour system described in ancient legal history matched exactly.
It wasn't until he woke up this morning that he fully recovered.
Time to practice, time to practice!!
Fang Qingyu was eager to start.
Picking up his backpack, he dashed down the stairs, quickly ate three trays of soup dumplings and a bowl of wontons at a breakfast shop, then rode his electric scooter towards the martial arts hall.
Just one day of absence.
Looking at the sign of Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall overhead, he felt an unusual sense of closeness.
"Are you going to stand there as the Gate God?"
A voice suddenly came from behind, it was Qin Hui.
"Qin Jiao."
At these words, Fang Qingyu immediately turned around, smiled, and greeted warmly.
"Come in, did you rest well yesterday?"
Qin Jiao led the way into the martial arts hall, questioning casually.
"Yes..."
Yesterday, Fang Qingyu only did four things.
Saving money, delivering meals, working as a security guard, and practicing the Breathing Technique.
None of them were physically demanding, much easier compared to training in martial arts.
"Although practicing martial arts is like sailing against the current, you fall back if you don't move forward, but when your boat is about to give out, you must dock and rest."
Qin Jiao was quite relieved to hear that Fang Qingyu rested well.
A promising talent mustn't be exhausted so soon.
"Go and practice."
Upon entering the martial arts hall, Qin Jiao waved him off dismissively.
"Alrighty."
Fang Qingyu then headed to the dressing room to change his clothes.
"How's the Breathing Technique coming along?"
Lin Jiao stood by the weapon rack, meticulous as always, and upon seeing Fang Qingyu approach, immediately inquired about his progress.
"Feels like I'm about to grasp it."
Fang Qingyu answered truthfully, while glancing at Lin Jiao's plastered right hand.
"Lin Jiao, what's with your hand...?"
"Oh, I took a fall, nothing major. How long can you maintain the technique now?"
Lin Jiao glanced at his own right hand, showing no change in expression, as if it was a trivial matter.
"30 seconds."
Seeing this, Fang Qingyu decided not to ask further.
"That seems about right for getting the hang of it. Later, when you practice Baji Fist with Lin Jiao, maintain the frequency of the Breathing Technique."
Lin Jiao nodded in approval, instantly knowing that Fang Qingyu hadn't been slacking even on his rest days.
"Okay."
Although Lin Jiao wasn't as amiable as Qin Jiao, he was just as dedicated in teaching.
Even with a plaster cast, he constantly gave pointers to others.
Fang Qingyu, as usual, found a corner with Qi Hao to enhance the Breathing Technique through practical combat.
"...Stop, stop, stop!!"
But barely into the spar, Qi Hao jumped back in surprise, exclaiming.
"What's your punching force now?"
"I don't know, haven't tested it these past two days."
Fang Qingyu shook his head.
"Test it now."
Qi Hao insisted, dragging Fang Qingyu to the side of the machine.
Bang—
Fang Qingyu held his breath and concentrated, applying some Baji Fist knowledge.
155KG!!
"?"
"What was it last time?"
Qi Hao was taken aback, turning to look at him.
"143."
Fang Qingyu replied honestly.
After practicing Baji Fist the day before yesterday, adding a bit of power, this number wasn't surprising.
"..."
Qi Hao fell silent, his mouth twitching.
Gaining over ten kilograms of punch force in one day, and yesterday was a rest day.
"What's the matter, can't take the hit?"
Fang Qingyu teased, struggling to hide his grin.
He had seen this expression before.
On Qin Jiao's face.
"Hehe..."
Qi Hao turned around, laughing wryly.
"Alright, let's continue."
....
"He's Fang Qingyu."
As the two were still engaged in a fierce battle, Lin Jiao introduced him to someone nearby.
"Hmm."
Lin Jiao crossed his arms, watching with a calm expression.
Although Fang Qingyu's strength had increased slightly during the battle, he was still being suppressed entirely.
However, Qi Hao wasn't employing any Martial Technique.
The two of them were exchanging blows using the foundational Pile Skill and Fist Techniques.
When the opponent's strength and reaction surpassed his, Fang Qingyu not only had to avoid being beaten too badly but also maintain his breathing rhythm.
Despite everything, the situation wasn't as disastrous as expected.
Every time he entered the Dragon Sting Breath state.
Once he could somewhat see Qi Hao's movements clearly, the Weakness Gaze skill activated.
Some actions that originally couldn't be reacted to were preemptively analyzed in his mind, allowing Fang Qingyu to anticipate the opponent's next move.
"Have you learned combat before?"
Lin Jiao watched with a slight frown.
"No, Fang Qingyu, male, 18 years old, grew up in Guangyi Orphanage. He claimed to have a brain condition when he was a child, but hospital visits didn't reveal any issues. His grades have always been poor. He met Qi Hao in high school, and a few months after graduating, was introduced to study here. The records are clean."
Lin Jiao shook his head, having memorized Fang Qingyu's background.
"Well, that's certainly interesting."
Having listened, Lin Jiao pondered as he watched the fight.
But before the fight concluded, Fang Qingyu suddenly raised his hand.
Qi Hao's incoming punch halted in mid-air, almost causing him to choke.
Not paying attention to Qi Hao, Fang Qingyu exhaled deeply, closing his eyes.
[Congratulations, you have activated the profession advancement skill "Dragon Sting Breath"]
His mind was instantly filled with insights about Dragon Sting Breath.
It was another unique experience of learning a skill.
Right from activation, it could be used.
Though its duration was somewhat unsatisfactory.
But now it was all set.
Fang Qingyu opened the skill map.
[Profession: Martial Arts Apprentice Level 2 (38/200)]
[Talent: Martial Seed (★)]
[...]
[Advanced Skill 2: Dragon Sting Breath Level 1 (0/100)]+
[...]
[Skill Points: 2]
He currently had two saved skill points, both Deliveryman and Security Guard having leveled up earlier.
He had been waiting for this moment!
He directly clicked on the plus sign behind Dragon Sting Breath.
At the moment the skill point was infused, Fang Qingyu felt as though he had fallen into a deep pool.
Water ripples formed some ancient rhythm beside his ears, his pores pulsing along the waves, and he could clearly sense the airflow rushing into his nasal cavity.
The originally clunky breathing rhythm suddenly seemed to have a code solved.
"Awesome!!!"
Fang Qingyu opened his eyes, involuntarily taking a deep breath.
He felt his entire being had become much more transparent.
"Have you mastered it...???"
Qi Hao, being the closest, recognized the familiar scene, and unbelievingly inquired.
"Yes."
Fang Qingyu nodded, then eagerly glanced at him.
"Let's go again, but this time you don't need to teach me Breathing Technique!"
Dragon Sting Breath activated!
Fang Qingyu wanted to see how long the Level 2 Breathing Technique could last in combat.
"Damn, how do we compete with a BT!!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Hao became a bit frenzied, yelling angrily as he charged forward.
Lin Jiao stood aside, slightly frowning.
If he remembered correctly, Fang Qingyu had only joined the formal class the day before yesterday.
Mastering the Breathing Technique in just two days!?