"Do you know why martial arts training gets called empty forms?"
Instructor Qin picked up the short stick again and lashed it at Fang Qingyu's constantly punching arms.
"Because too many people treat partner drills as real combat."
He then kicked at Fang Qingyu's raised foot.
"What you practice every day is hitting dead objects that can't fight back. You're training muscle memory, not the instinct to kill."
The short stick suddenly jabbed into Fang Qingyu's armpit. "If you really run into thugs fighting over territory, who's going to follow a routine and fight you?" The stick slid toward his groin. "They'll target your lower body while you're in a horse stance!"
Fang Qingyu, who had originally believed himself extremely familiar with Stance Training Fist Technique,
was like a three-year-old just learning to speak in front of Instructor Qin.
"I told you before that Stance Training is alive. Those fixed forms can be transformed into any other posture at any time."
Instructor Qin's wrist flicked. The short stick suddenly changed from a jab into a twist, entangling Fang Qingyu's blocking right arm and dragging it to the side.
Fang Qingyu staggered into the wooden dummy, his lower back aching where it struck a protruding wooden arm.
"Remember that pain!"
The short stick cracked against the back of his knee.
"Who's going to wait for you to take a perfect horse stance?"
Fang Qingyu had just bent his knees to steady himself when the shadow of the stick darted toward the opening beneath his ribs like a venomous snake.
Just as he tried to block, the short stick once again traced along his jawline, its icy wooden edge pressing against his throat.
"You're too focused on the rigid moves and forms of Stance Training Fist Technique."
"Again!"
Fang Qingyu had just started to assume the opening stance when the short stick pierced the air and shot straight at his face.
He instinctively hunched his neck and tucked in his head.
"Turn your hips!"
Amid the furious shout, Fang Qingyu practically rolled away from the stick sweeping toward his legs. Yet as he rolled, he instinctively pressed his fingers together into a blade and slashed diagonally at Instructor Qin's ankle.
It was a movement that had never existed in Stance Training.
But the short stick abruptly stopped half an inch from his temple.
Instructor Qin finally revealed the first smile of the day. "You finally learned to use your ass to think?"
Only then did Fang Qingyu truly understand what Instructor Qin meant by "living Stance Training." He said thoughtfully,
"So Stance Training and fist techniques aren't methods for fighting?"
"I've been emphasizing this all along. They're primarily methods to Strengthen Body and Health!"
Instructor Qin replied irritably.
"Stance Training builds your foundation, while fist techniques train your power-generation skills."
"As long as your foundation is stable, you can unleash your full strength at any time. Do you think you'd lose to an ordinary person?"
"No."
Fang Qingyu shook his head seriously.
"Exactly. Right now, the most important thing is to free yourself. Don't let those old forms restrict your thinking."
"You'll learn true martial arts in the Formal Class. Those martial arts are the real killing techniques!"
"You're laying the groundwork ahead of time. Once you join the Formal Class, you'll be able to progress faster than the others."
"Understood."
Fang Qingyu let out a breath.
"All right, that's enough for today. We'll continue tomorrow."
Instructor Qin then checked the time and announced that they were dismissed.
Fang Qingyu was just about to turn around and take a shower and change when he suddenly remembered something.
"Hey, Instructor Qin, I wanted to ask you something."
"What is it?"
Instructor Qin turned back again.
"Do you know about that Tongyuan Combat Gym in the city?"
"...It sounds a little familiar. Why?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to ask whether places like that are legal."
Fang Qingyu scratched his head.
Instructor Qin found the question baffling. "Of course they're legal. Aren't they just places for betting on boxing matches? There should be several in the city. Are you planning to fight?"
"Oh, no. I'm going to work as a Security Guard."
"..."
Instructor Qin's mouth twitched.
"You'd make more money fighting than working as a Security Guard."
At those words, Fang Qingyu's eyes suddenly lit up.
He looked at the occupational title above Instructor Qin's head.
Maybe he really could give it a try???
"Is it all right for someone from a martial arts gym to fight?"
He still had to make sure first.
"Of course. Until you reach the Elite Class, you can't participate in the gym's official competitions. That's why many people fight to earn money. Otherwise, how could they afford to go to clubs every day?"
Instructor Qin hadn't expected Fang Qingyu to be so uninformed, so he patiently added an explanation.
"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Instructor Qin."
Only then did Fang Qingyu nod and see Instructor Qin off.
Although he still wanted to ask why he had never seen any Elite Class students, he had already asked quite a lot of questions today.
After showering and changing, Fang Qingyu left the martial arts gym, rode his Electric Scooter, and began working as a Delivery Driver.
But his thoughts had already raced ahead to his nighttime work as a Security Guard.
While waiting for orders, he also searched online to find out how fighting matches at a Combat Arena worked.
They were different from those in his previous life.
They didn't divide competitors into weight classes or anything like that.
The matches here were also divided into two types.
In one type, the venue organizers randomly assigned opponents. These matches focused on randomness, meaning you could be matched against anyone.
The second type was the arena challenge.
You could go up as the champion and wait for others to challenge you, or you could take the initiative and challenge any champion.
The rules were very simple.
The prize money was not low at all.
In arena matches, a champion received a 100,000-yuan reward for Ten Consecutive Wins, while successfully challenging a champion earned a 20,000-yuan reward.
The randomly assigned matches were even more astonishing.
The venue took a cut based on the amount wagered.
According to the figures in the news, the largest match had reached more than one million yuan.
As expected, he really needed to see more of the world.
After reading it all, Fang Qingyu sighed.
In the past, he had only thought about how to survive and had never paid attention to this kind of information.
It was the sort of thing he could see with a simple search.
Yet he had only found out now.
Fortunately, it wasn't too late.
Or rather, the timing was just right!
Fang Qingyu was now somewhat looking forward to seeing what the Combat Arena would be like that night.
He finished deliveries after six o'clock.
He glanced at the Delivery Driver panel.
Occupation: Delivery Driver Lv.1 (59/100) Occupation Basic Skill: E-Bike Piloting Lv.2 (33/200)
Both were increasing steadily.
He then went home to change into his Security Guard uniform and stuffed a set of loose clothes into his backpack.
Only then did he set out for the Combat Arena.
"Five Mile Street."
Fang Qingyu hadn't paid attention to the address before.
Only now did he realize that the Combat Arena was located on the most prosperous street in Qingjian City.
The place was jokingly described as,
"Five miles concealing five cities, with prosperity at every step!"
That alone showed how luxurious it was.
Fang Qingyu rode his Electric Scooter into Five Mile Street and stopped in front of Tongyuan Combat Gym.
"Now that's luxurious."
A formation of crystal chandeliers hung above a twelve-meter-tall brass revolving door. Life-sized bronze statues stood on either side of the marble steps. Rather than the usual bodybuilder poses, they depicted bandage-wrapped fighters throwing punches.
Fang Qingyu parked his Electric Scooter and walked up the steps.
After telling the doorman that he was there to report for work, he was let inside.
"Your job is to stop spectators from rushing beneath the platforms. If they attack you, you can fight back. Understood?"
The head of security here was named Lu Chen. He looked to be in his thirties and was exceptionally burly.
"Understood."
"Good. Tonight, stand beside the fighting platform first and learn how things are done. Tomorrow, I'll assign you to the spectator seats."
"Okay."
After giving his instructions, Lu Chen led Fang Qingyu through the carpeted employee corridor.
The instant he pushed open the soundproof door, a wave of noise mixed with cigar-scented fragrance crashed into Fang Qingyu's nostrils.
Seven gold-plated fighting platforms were arranged in a plum-blossom pattern. Golden threads wrapped around the cables of every platform. Bohemian crystal chandeliers hung above the eight-sided cages, their shattered light flowing across the deep-red velvet seats.
Waitresses in fishtail dresses carried chilled champagne through the crowd. The gold foil floating in the tall glasses trembled with every cheer.
"Go on. Find any platform and stand there, but don't get too close."
Lu Chen patted Fang Qingyu on the shoulder.
"Okay."
Fang Qingyu took a deep breath and walked toward the nearest fighting platform.
He focused his gaze on the two people preparing to fight above it.
One had the occupational title Muay Thai Fighter, while the other was a Jujutsu Practitioner.
Fang Qingyu wasn't surprised. This wasn't the first time he had seen those occupations.
Before signing up at the martial arts gym, he had also visited venues for sanda, judo, and other disciplines.
All the instructors there had those titles.
"Ding-ding—"
A bell suddenly rang above the venue.
It was about to begin!!
Fang Qingyu had already grown somewhat accustomed to the gazes around him, so he focused his attention on the two people in the ring.
It was the perfect chance to see
how the instructors from these venues compared with Instructor Qin.
Before you continue