Cousin Zhao Yanan, Level 2 Body Tempering Skill!

Before the test, he had already left his number with the Martial Association, so he wasn't worried they wouldn't find him when delivering the technique later.

The third-floor lounge was about three to four hundred square meters in size, laid out like a blend of a bar and a library.

But the activity space and the luxury of the decor far surpassed any bar by many times over.

Overhead hung an opulent French crystal chandelier, and at the very center was a bar counter offering drinks and beverages.

Around the bar were rows of spacious, comfortable circular sofas, and at the far edge, a massive floor-to-ceiling window twenty meters high and wide.

At that moment, people sat scattered 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 of all of Xujiang City.

Also by the window, not far from Li Ziyu's spot.

Two tall, lively girls brimming with youthful energy were sipping drinks and chatting.

"I wonder how Sister Xia Lin's test is going. I really should have gone in to watch from the sidelines."

"Don't worry, Sister Xia Lin is the top genius of our No.2 High School. Among all the senior high students in Xujiang City, only those few from First High School have better talent than her. Passing the Level 1 Martial Artist certification is definitely no problem! Let's just wait here peacefully."

"True, but Sister Xia Lin is so amazing, already able to certify as a Level 1 Martial Artist at this age. Unlike me—I'll probably have to wait until I enter Martial University to have a chance at breaking through to Level 1."

The two chatted while gazing at the scenery around them.

Just then, one of them, a doll-faced girl with a cute appearance, seemed to discover something like a new continent. She subtly pointed in a direction and said to the other, an oval-faced girl:

"Hey, Xiaonan, look at that guy over there—he's pretty handsome. And by the looks of him, he's a high schooler like us, right?"

"What do you think if I go ask for his Feixin?"

"Hey, Xiaonan, what are you spacing out for? I'm talking to you!"

The doll-faced girl, seeing her companion dazed and unresponsive, pouted and waved her hand in front of the oval-faced girl called Xiaonan, finally drawing her attention back.

Once the oval-faced girl's focus returned, the doll-faced girl smiled and teased.

"Xiaonan, don't tell me you can't move your legs just because you saw a handsome guy? That's not like you!"

"No... I just think this young man looks a bit familiar, like a relative of mine."

The oval-faced girl blushed sheepishly, glanced at Li Ziyu's profile, and spoke with a thoughtful expression.

But then she shook her head, as if denying her own words.

"But it's probably not the same person. That relative of mine doesn't have the same aura as this young man."

Just as the oval-faced girl was about to say something more, she saw the young man she'd been watching seem to notice something. He turned his head, and their eyes met perfectly.

A flicker of surprise crossed the young man's face, then he flashed a bright grin and spoke with a smile:

"Cousin, what a coincidence. Didn't expect to find you here too."

Li Ziyu was a bit surprised.

Wasn't the oval-faced girl sitting not far from him, chatting away, none other than his little aunt's only daughter, his cousin Zhao Yanan?

Actually, when they were kids, he and his cousin Zhao Yanan had a decent relationship. But because the gap between their families was too wide, and his original self had a somewhat timid personality, they'd drifted apart after starting middle school. Even when they met, they barely greeted each other.

Still, it was quite a coincidence running into his cousin Zhao Yanan here today.

He wondered what she was doing here.

"Yeah, what a coincidence."

"Cousin, what are you here for?"

Zhao Yanan smiled back, revealing two small dimples, while her gaze at Li Ziyu held a hint of quiet surprise.

She hadn't expected the young man to really be her cousin Li Ziyu. But in just a few months without seeing him, the change in her cousin was enormous.

In her memory, this cousin of hers had always been a bit hunched, with a personality that avoided direct eye contact when talking.

But now, the young man before her not only stood tall and straight, with a bright, steady gaze.

The strong confidence radiating from him, inside and out, even made her—a school genius—feel a bit inferior.

"I'm waiting for someone."

Li Ziyu replied with a smile.

"What a coincidence—I'm waiting for someone too..."

Zhao Yanan responded.

After that came a long stretch of silence.

Li Ziyu had never had much contact with Zhao Yanan, and now that they'd met, he didn't know what to say.

Afraid Zhao Yanan might feel awkward, he gave her a smile, then took the initiative to stand up and walk toward the bar counter.

Let's try the Blaze Mountain Cocktail and see how the Martial Arts Association's drinks taste.

After Li Ziyu left, Zhao Yanan quietly breathed a sigh of relief for some reason.

"You little Nan, having such a handsome cousin and not telling us!"

"Perfect, give me his Feixin! I want to add him as a friend! I've never even dated before!"

The doll-faced girl immediately crowded up to Zhao Yanan, looking fierce and threatening, as if she would resort to torture if she didn't get the answer.

Zhao Yanan pulled her gaze away from Li Ziyu, glanced helplessly at the doll-faced girl, sighed, and said:

"At the blood and qi test held at school the day before yesterday, my cousin only scored 0.8..."

When the doll-faced girl heard Zhao Yanan's words, her eager expression instantly faded by more than half, and she sat back down in her seat.

"Only 0.8 blood and qi? Then he can't even get into a martial arts university. Since that's the case, forget it."

Zhao Yanan heard this and said nothing. The doll-faced girl's reaction was within her expectations.

After all.

Their blood and qi levels all met the standards for martial arts universities, and they were destined to become Martial Artists in the future.

But her cousin, with only 0.8 blood and qi, would probably never become a Martial Artist in this lifetime.

Martial Artists and non-Martial Artists would be people from two completely different circles from now on.

"Student Li Ziyu, your Martial Artist Badge has been issued! With the chairman's approval, we've decided to give you a Peak Level 1 Martial Artist Badge."

"As for the Body Tempering Technique, it's the Level 2 Mighty Bull Body Tempering Skill!"

"Not only that, you'll also receive a monthly subsidy of twenty thousand yuan from the Martial Arts Association! You don't need to come and collect it; it'll be directly deposited into your card."

Li Ziyu had just ordered a Blaze Mountain Cocktail and was watching the bartender toss the mixing shaker up and down with flair.

When he heard the Martial Arts Association staff member who had administered his test running over to him with an excited expression.

In his hand, he held a dark yellow metallic badge and a brand-new book with a pristine cover.

Upon reaching Li Ziyu, he hurriedly shoved both items into Li Ziyu's hands, as if afraid that any delay would displease him.

Taking both items in his hands.

The surface of the badge was orange-yellow, engraved with patterns on both sides, with four star-like carvings in the very center.

It was a bit heavy.

Li Ziyu initially thought it was made of brass.

But after touching it, he realized the feel was exactly the same as the weapons made of Asma Alloy he had seen at the Precious Martial Pavilion.

Seeing the curiosity in Li Ziyu's eyes, the Martial Arts Association staff member standing nearby smiled and explained.

"This badge is entirely made of Asma Alloy. Each level corresponds to the same grade of Asma Alloy."

"A Level 2 Martial Artist corresponds to a silver finish, Level 3 is gold, Level 4 is platinum, and the four stars in the center represent the holder's Martial Artist rank."

"Four stars represent the peak realm."

The Martial Arts Association staff member then glanced at the Body Tempering Technique in Li Ziyu's hand, a hint of envy in his eyes, and continued:

"This Mighty Bull Body Tempering Skill is a Level 2 technique. After cultivating it, not only can it enhance the quality of your blood and qi, but it can also improve your defense and endurance!"

"Tsk, a Level 2 technique. I'm still only cultivating a Level 1 one myself. I'm a bit jealous."

Li Ziyu chuckled. He had originally come intending to get a Level 1 technique, but he hadn't expected this pleasant surprise.

A Level 2 Body Tempering Technique! If this were on the open market, it would be worth at least a million or more!

He had to go outside the city wall and test its effects!

With his current strength as a Peak Level 1 Martial Artist, combined with his advanced saber technique.

And also mastering the Level 1 technique, Gale Blade, his attack power was already sufficient.

Now, with an additional Level 2 Body Tempering Technique, Li Ziyu was quite looking forward to his actual combat capabilities.

After chatting a bit more with the Martial Arts Association staff member and finally getting to taste the bartender's specially made cocktail, Li Ziyu said his goodbyes and, under the staff member's respectful gaze, prepared to leave the Martial Arts Association.

As he reached the elevator, Xia Lin happened to step out, and their eyes met.

Li Ziyu nodded at her and then got into the elevator.

"I didn't expect Xujiang City to have a genius of this caliber, and I've never heard any news about him before. He really keeps a low profile."

"But during the Martial Arts Exam, I won't lose to you!"

Xia Lin watched Li Ziyu's retreating figure, her eyes burning with fighting spirit, her small fists clenched as she silently vowed.

"Sister Xia Lin, are you done with your test?"

"How did it go, Sister Xia Lin!"