Before the test, he had already left his number with the Martial Arts Association, so he wasn't worried that they wouldn't be able to find him when it was time to deliver the technique.
The third-floor lounge was roughly three to four hundred square meters, with a layout resembling a combination of a bar and a library.
However, its activity space and luxurious décor surpassed those of a bar by who knew how many times.
Above him hung a luxurious French crystal chandelier, while at the very center stood a bar serving alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
A ring of spacious, comfortable round sofas surrounded the bar. At the far edge was an enormous panoramic floor-to-ceiling window, more than twenty meters tall.
At this moment, people were sitting in twos and threes on the sofas.
Li Ziyu casually found a sofa by the window and sat down.
From here, he could overlook the bustling traffic throughout Xujiang City.
Also by the window, not far from Li Ziyu,
two tall, lively girls brimming with youthful energy were drinking beverages and chatting.
"I wonder how Sister Xia Lin's test went. We really should have gone in and watched from the side just now."
"Don't worry. Sister Xia Lin is the number one genius of our No.2 High School. Among all the high school seniors in Xujiang City, only those few from First High School have greater talent than her. Passing the Level 1 Martial Artist certification will definitely be no problem!
"We can just wait here in peace."
"That's true. But Sister Xia Lin is incredible. She's already able to become a certified Level 1 Martial Artist at such a young age. Unlike me—I'll probably have to enter a martial arts university before I have a chance to break through to Level 1."
The two girls chatted while gazing at the scenery around them.
Just then, one of the girls, who had a baby face and an adorable appearance, seemed to have discovered a new continent. She quietly pointed in a certain direction and said to the other girl, who had an oval face:
"Hey, Xiaonan, look. That boy is pretty handsome. Judging from his appearance, he seems to be a high school student like us."
"What do you think about me going over to ask for his Feixin?"
"Hey, Xiaonan, why are you spacing out? I'm talking to you!"
When the baby-faced girl saw that her companion was staring blankly without responding, she pouted and waved her hand in front of the oval-faced girl called Xiaonan. Only then did she draw the other girl's attention back.
Seeing that her companion's attention had returned, the baby-faced girl teased her with a grin.
"Xiaonan, don't tell me you can't walk when you see a handsome guy? That doesn't sound like you!"
"No... I just feel like this boy looks familiar. He resembles one of my relatives."
The oval-faced girl blushed shyly, then looked at Li Ziyu's profile with a thoughtful expression as she spoke.
But then she shook her head, as though denying what she had just said.
"Still, he probably isn't the same person. My relative doesn't have this boy's air about him."
The oval-faced girl had just been about to say something when the boy she had noticed seemed to sense something and turned his head. Their eyes happened to meet.
Surprise first appeared on the boy's face. Then he flashed a row of bright white teeth and spoke with a smile:
"Cousin, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you here."
Li Ziyu was somewhat surprised.
Wasn't the oval-faced girl sitting not far from him and chatting his maternal aunt's only daughter—his cousin, Zhao Yanan?
Actually, he and his cousin Zhao Yanan had gotten along fairly well when they were children. But because the gap between their two families was too great, and because his former self had been somewhat insecure,
they had barely kept in touch after entering middle school. Even when they met, they hardly greeted each other.
Still, it truly was a remarkable coincidence that he had run into his cousin Zhao Yanan here today.
He wondered what she had come here for.
"Yeah, what a coincidence."
"Cousin, what brings you here?"
A smile also appeared on Zhao Yanan's face, revealing two tiny dimples. At the same time, a trace of hidden surprise flashed in her eyes as she looked at Li Ziyu.
She hadn't expected this boy to really be her cousin, Li Ziyu. But it had only been a few months since they'd last met—how had her cousin changed so much?
In her memory, her cousin had always been somewhat hunched, and he didn't even dare look people in the eye when speaking with them.
But now, the boy before her not only stood tall and straight, his eyes also shone with unwavering brilliance.
The intense confidence radiating from him, from the inside out, made even her—a talented figure at her school—feel somewhat ashamed of herself.
"I'm waiting for someone."
Li Ziyu smiled as he replied.
"What a coincidence. I'm waiting for someone too..."
Zhao Yanan also responded.
After that, a long silence descended.
Li Ziyu hadn't had much contact with Zhao Yanan to begin with, and now that they had met, he didn't know what to say.
Can't find the book by searching its title? Try searching for the author instead—maybe it was simply renamed!
Afraid that Zhao Yanan would feel awkward, Li Ziyu smiled at her, then rose and walked toward the bar.
He planned to sample the Martial Arts Association's drinks.
After Li Ziyu left, Zhao Yanan quietly breathed a sigh of relief for some reason.
"You sly little Xiaonan! You have such a handsome cousin and you never thought to tell me!"
"Perfect! Hurry and give me his Feixin! I want to add him as a friend! I've never even dated anyone yet!"
The baby-faced girl hurried over to Zhao Yanan, baring her claws with an expression that said she would resort to torture if Zhao Yanan refused to speak.
Zhao Yanan shifted her gaze away from Li Ziyu and gave the baby-faced girl a helpless look. Then she sighed and said:
"The school held a blood-and-qi test the day before yesterday. My cousin's blood and qi was only 0.8..."
When the baby-faced girl heard Zhao Yanan's words, the eagerness on her face instantly faded by more than half, and she sat back down in her seat.
"His blood and qi is only 0.8? Wouldn't that mean he can't even get into a martial arts university? Since that's the case, forget it."
Zhao Yanan didn't say anything upon hearing this. The baby-faced girl's reaction had been within her expectations.
After all,
their blood and qi levels all met the requirements for entering a martial arts university, and they were destined to become Martial Artists in the future.
But with only 0.8 blood and qi, her cousin would probably have no hope of becoming a Martial Artist in this life.
Martial Artists and non-Martial Artists would ultimately belong to two completely different circles.
"Student Li Ziyu, your Martial Artist Badge has been issued! With the president's approval, we've decided to issue you a Peak Level 1 Martial Artist Badge."
"The Body Tempering Skill is also a Level 2 Mighty Bull Body Tempering Skill!"
"Not only that, but you can also receive a monthly subsidy of twenty thousand yuan from the Martial Arts Association! You don't need to collect it yourself. It'll be transferred directly to your card."
Li Ziyu had just ordered a Blaze Mountain Cocktail and was watching the bartender playfully shake the mixing tin up and down in a flashy display.
Then he heard the Martial Arts Association staff member who had been responsible for his test earlier running toward him, excitement written all over his face.
In his hands, he carried a dark-yellow metal badge that shimmered faintly, along with a book whose cover looked brand-new.
The moment he reached Li Ziyu, he hurriedly stuffed both items into his hands, as if afraid Li Ziyu would be dissatisfied if he were even a moment too slow.
Li Ziyu took the two items in his hands.
The badge's surface was orange-yellow, with patterns engraved on both its front and back. At the very center were four star-like carvings.
It had some weight to it.
Li Ziyu had initially thought it was made of brass.
But after touching it, he realized that its texture was exactly the same as the weapons made from Asma Alloy that he had seen at the Precious Martial Pavilion.
Noticing the curiosity in Li Ziyu's eyes, the Martial Arts Association staff member standing nearby smiled and explained:
"This badge is made entirely from Asma Alloy. Each level corresponds to Asma Alloy of the same level."
"Level 2 Martial Artists correspond to silver plating, Level 3 to gold, and Level 4 to platinum. The four stars in the center represent the holder's Martial Artist level."
"Four stars represent the peak realm."
The Martial Arts Association staff member glanced again at the Body Tempering Skill in Li Ziyu's hand. A trace of envy appeared in his eyes as he continued:
"This Mighty Bull Body Tempering Skill is a Level 2 skill. After cultivating it, you can not only strengthen the quality of your blood and qi, but also improve your defense and stamina!"
"Tsk, a Level 2 skill. I'm only cultivating a Level 1 one right now. I'm a little envious."
Li Ziyu chuckled. He had originally planned to obtain a Level 1 skill this time, but he hadn't expected this unexpected bonus.
A Level 2 Body Tempering Skill—if sold outside, it would be worth at least a million yuan!
He had to go outside the city walls and test its effects!
He was currently a Peak Level 1 Martial Artist, and he also possessed advanced blade techniques.
At the same time, he had mastered the Level 1 Gale Blade, so he wasn't lacking in offensive power.
Now that he had gained another Level 2 Body Tempering Technique, Li Ziyu found himself looking forward to his actual combat ability.
After chatting with the Martial Arts Association staff member for a while and finally tasting the bartender's specially made cocktail,
Li Ziyu said his thanks. Under the reverent gaze of the Martial Arts Association staff member, he prepared to leave the Martial Arts Association.
When he reached the elevator, Xia Lin happened to step out, and her eyes met Li Ziyu's.
Li Ziyu nodded at her, then entered the elevator.
"I didn't expect Xujiang City to have a genius of this caliber. And I'd never even heard any news about him before. He's truly kept a low profile."
"But I won't lose to you during the Martial Arts Exam!"
Xia Lin watched Li Ziyu's departing back, her eyes blazing with fighting spirit as she clenched her delicate fist and swore inwardly.
"Sister Xia Lin, you've finished your test?"
"How did it go, Sister Xia Lin?"
Before you continue