Test Begins!

Xu Mengyao was wondering whether she should go over and greet Xia Lin, introduce herself.

Then she spotted Li Ziyu sitting not far from Xia Lin, and her brow immediately furrowed:

"Why do I run into him everywhere?"

Disgust and contempt flickered in Xu Mengyao's eyes.

Last time at the Hongsu Martial Arts Hall, when she went for the blood and qi test, she ran into Li Ziyu. Now she was here for the Martial Artist Certification, and Li Ziyu was here again.

What was going on was obvious, crystal clear!

Li Ziyu must have followed her here!

On purpose!

The more she thought about it, the more annoyed Xu Mengyao became.

Without hesitation, she strode up to Li Ziyu, hands on her hips, looking down at him with cold disdain:

"Li Ziyu! That's enough!"

"Didn't I already say we're broken up?! Why are you still clinging to me, pestering me nonstop!?"

"I ran into you at Hongsu Martial Arts Hall last time, and now I'm here with Young Master Bai for the Martial Artist Certification, and I still run into you—you deliberately followed me here, didn't you!?"

"I've told you we're not from the same world, how can you be so naive!?"

"Look at yourself—a waste with less than 0.8 in blood and qi test results, do you really think there's any chance between us?"

"For the sake of being classmates, I'm warning you one last time: stop bothering me!!"

"Now! Right this instant! Get out of my sight!!!"

Xu Mengyao's voice was icy, her expression full of contempt as she berated Li Ziyu.

Her voice, dripping with disgust, echoed through the testing hall.

She felt she had reached her limit.

Last time at the martial arts hall test, Li Ziyu could still claim he was there for the same test—a coincidence.

But now, at the Level 1 Martial Artist Certification, Li Ziyu wasn't going to say he was also here to certify as a Level 1 Martial Artist, was he?

Was that even possible?

"Scram."

Li Ziyu shot Xu Mengyao a cold glance, not bothering to engage with her, and spat out a single word.

He was a bit speechless too—Xu Mengyao really was like a haunting spirit, showing up everywhere.

If it weren't for all the people watching, Li Ziyu would have wanted to slap Xu Mengyao flying.

What kind of person was she, really!

Such a delusional woman!

"You!"

Xu Mengyao's face flushed bright red, her chest heaving violently as she prepared to lash out.

But just then.

Several people wearing the standard uniform of the Martial Arts Association walked in through the main door.

They glanced at Xu Mengyao and Li Ziyu, asked someone nearby what was going on, and immediately understood the situation.

One of them, a middle-aged man in a white combat uniform with stubble on his chin, furrowed his brow and directly scolded Xu Mengyao coldly:

"Are you here for the Martial Artist Certification?"

"If not, get up immediately and don't interfere with our normal testing!"

Xu Mengyao was startled, her pretty face flushing even redder, and she opened her mouth to snap back.

But when she clearly saw the gleaming bronze badge on the middle-aged man's chest, she immediately backed down.

This bronze badge was uniformly issued by the Martial Artist Association, representing the identity of a martial artist.

Bronze meant Level 1 Martial Artist.

This middle-aged man was a Level 1 Martial Artist.

Although she was about to take the Martial Arts Exam and was considered half a martial artist, there was still a difference between half a martial artist and a full-fledged martial artist.

If an ordinary person actively provoked a certified martial artist, they could be beaten and have no place to appeal.

Xu Mengyao shot Li Ziyu a vicious glare, then slunk away to a corner.

"Hmph! Trying to catch my attention by passing the Level 1 Martial Artist Certification? I can only say that idea is utterly stupid. I'll just wait and see how embarrassing you'll be in a moment!"

After retreating to Bai Haoran's side, Xu Mengyao's face shifted to a pitiful, aggrieved expression.

Bai Haoran's expression was stern; he cast a cold glance at Li Ziyu, then turned to comfort Xu Mengyao:

"Don't worry. Whatever grievance you suffered from Li Ziyu, once I finish my test, I'll help you get even!"

"At school, challenges are allowed!"

Xu Mengyao was just a minor interruption. Li Ziyu ignored her and turned his attention back to the center of the stage.

A middle-aged man in a white combat uniform, with a beard on his chin, was explaining the testing rules.

It was similar to what Li Ziyu had seen at the Hongsu Martial Arts Hall—first, a Qi-Blood test.

Then, a Combat Power test against a target.

If Qi-Blood reached 1.5 and Combat Power reached 180, one could become a Level 1 Beginner Martial Artist recognized by the Martial Arts Association.

A Level 1 Martial Artist would receive a bronze medal and a monthly subsidy of five thousand yuan from the Association.

Rumor had it that beyond bronze, there were silver, gold, and diamond medals.

These corresponded to Level 1 Martial Artist, Level 2 Martial Artist, Level 3 Martial Artist, and Level Four Martial Artist.

The subsidy for each level differed, set according to the martial artist's strength.

As for what medals lay above that, Li Ziyu didn't know.

Some things were inaccessible until you reached that level.

As Li Ziyu pondered, the on-site testing began.

"Su Nantian, Qi-Blood value 1.53."

The first to step up was a short-haired youth who looked about twenty-five or twenty-six.

Lying on the Qi-Blood Tester, the middle-aged Martial Arts Association staff member called out a number.

"Great! After three certifications, my Qi-Blood finally meets the standard! I've got a real shot at passing this time!"

Hearing this number, the short-haired youth instantly relaxed, clenching his fist with barely contained joy on his face.

Next came the Combat Power test.

The short-haired youth walked up to the Combat Power test target, took a deep breath, and wore a solemn expression.

Then he drew the long blade from his waist and slashed fiercely at the target.

Li Ziyu's gaze followed the youth's blade as it fell.

On the center of the Combat Power test target, a number representing the youth's Combat Power appeared.

"169."

The tester reported the value expressionlessly.

Hearing this number, the youth froze for a moment, then looked up at the test target. When he saw the value, his expression turned grim.

"Damn! Missed by just a little!"

"You have three test attempts total. Do you want to try the other two?"

The staff member said flatly.

The short-haired youth paused, waved his hand, and replied with low spirits:

"Forget it. I haven't practiced the Body Tempering Method, and my blade technique is only beginner-level."

"Even if I keep testing, my Combat Power fluctuation will probably be about the same. I'll come back after I've trained my blade technique to intermediate level."

With that, the short-haired youth didn't leave the testing ground directly. Instead, he found a seat and sat down to watch others' tests.

After failing, his expression actually relaxed. When he noticed Li Ziyu looking at him, he grinned back.

"Good attitude."

Li Ziyu nodded in response, silently thinking to himself.

It seemed that while Qi-Blood was crucial, simply stacking Qi-Blood without keeping martial techniques and the Body Tempering Method in sync was pointless.

Just like that short-haired youth.

His Qi-Blood value was 1.53, but because he hadn't practiced the Body Tempering Method and his martial technique was only beginner-level, his Combat Power wasn't high—only about ten percent above the normal standard.

If it were someone else with the same Qi-Blood value of 1.53 but with intermediate-level, or even advanced-level martial techniques, or even combat skills, their Combat Power would completely crush his.

"It seems I can't just focus on raising Qi-Blood. Simultaneously improving attack, speed, and defense is the true path."

As Li Ziyu pondered, several more rounds of testing took place in the arena.

But without exception, everyone's Qi-Blood met the standard while their Combat Power fell short.

Li Ziyu understood this well. After all, Qi-Blood could be boosted by consuming natural treasures or Qi-Blood-enhancing medicines.

But martial techniques could only be honed through solid personal training or talent.

The difficulty of cultivation was several tiers higher than simply raising Qi-Blood.

Just then.

The voice of the Martial Arts Association staff member suddenly rang out from the arena, a hint of surprise in his tone:

"Wang Donglang, Qi-Blood value 3.1!"

"Combat Power, 360!"