"Old Xie, you said just now that Cao Bing still hasn't found a Martial Artist squad." After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Song Shengnan suddenly spoke to Xie Hongxin, who was still stuffing himself.
"Burp!" Xie Hongxin swallowed a mouthful of food and let out a full belch before saying, "That's right. With Little Cao's assessment results, no Martial Artist squad has invited him to join? I think those squads must be blind."
As he spoke, Xie Hongxin glanced at Yan Ying, seemingly casually.
"Yes, yes. Killing more than eighty monsters on his first real combat mission—that's impressive!" Song Shengnan promptly gave a thumbs-up as well.
"You two don't need to put on an act here. I understand what you mean." Yan Ying, her face stern, put down her chopsticks and spoke seriously.
"You want Cao Bing to join our squad. I have no objection to that, but this squad isn't mine alone to decide for."
"Captain, I have no objection to Little Cao joining us. At worst, we can make a few trips to lower-level towns and show him the ropes. Once his strength improves, we can head back to City No. 003." After Yan Ying finished speaking, Guan Yong stated his opinion directly.
"Captain!"
"Old Fang." After Guan Yong finished, Fang Ye, the oldest member of the squad, spoke up. Everyone turned to look at him.
"Captain, I have no objection to adding a newcomer to the squad, but I need to know exactly how strong Little Cao is. If his strength truly can't keep up with our squad, then he shouldn't join. That wouldn't be helping him—it would be harming him. I, Old Fang, have spent so many years roaming the wilderness. I've seen far too many—"
"—cases like that. So I still think that if Little Cao really isn't strong enough, he should join another squad instead. Not entering dangerous areas would actually be safer."
"This..." Once Fang Ye spoke, everyone fell silent.
"Uncle Yan!" A confident smile appeared on Cao Bing's face. "Don't we need to test my strength? How about we go to Limitless Martial Arts?"
"Little Cao." Everyone looked at Cao Bing again, only to see that his expression remained calm, carrying a confident smile. Even Fang Ye and Zheng Ke could not help feeling surprised.
"Hahaha, worthy of being my nephew. You've got spirit!" Xie Hongxin laughed loudly.
"Good. Once everyone is done eating, let's make a trip to Limitless Martial Arts!" Yan Ying stood up and made her decision.
The others looked at one another and rose as well. Xie Hongxin voluntarily went to settle the bill at the restaurant.
Since everyone had a car, the group quickly arrived at the nearest Limitless Martial Arts gym.
"Little Cao, don't be nervous. Just perform as you normally do." Standing before the punch target, Song Shengnan patted Cao Bing on the shoulder encouragingly.
"Don't worry, Sister Song!" Cao Bing said confidently.
"Good! In that case, let's begin." Yan Ying still wore that stern expression.
"Mm." Cao Bing nodded.
With that, he lowered his center of gravity, and his fist shot out like a cannonball.
Bang! 3567 kg!
Cao Bing glanced at the information on the punch target, his gaze calm. Not bad. That's my usual level.
"Damn, 3,500 kilograms! That's almost Advanced Warrior level!" Xie Hongxin exclaimed. The expressions of the others changed as well. Cao Bing's punching strength had clearly far exceeded their expectations.
"Test your speed again." Other than a slight movement in her eyes, Yan Ying's expression remained calm as she spoke to Cao Bing.
"Okay!" Receiving the instruction, Cao Bing went to the track, started the machine, and instantly dashed out.
66.2 meters per second!
"Damn, that speed is at least Advanced Warrior level!" Xie Hongxin exclaimed again. The others were no better off, including Guan Yong, who was the best at speed among them.
"Old Xie, if I remember correctly, your speed is only about 65 meters per second, right?" Song Shengnan poked Xie Hongxin with her hand.
Xie Hongxin was the slowest among them, serving as the team's meat shield.
"Go on, go on. Why bring that up? We're talking about Little Cao. Since when did this kid become such a freak?!" Xie Hongxin's expression instantly turned awkward, and he hurriedly waved his hands to change the subject.
"Captain, I have no objections now." Fang Ye suddenly spoke.
"Me too." Zheng Ke, the youngest member of the squad, spoke as well. This was one of the few times Cao Bing had heard him say anything since getting to know him.
Finally, at Cao Bing's request, they tested his reaction nerves as well. The result shocked everyone again. Even Yan Ying, the captain who rarely smiled, could not help curling her lips slightly, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Perfect at Intermediate Warrior level, excellent at Advanced Warrior level.
In terms of physical fitness alone, I've already surpassed Luo Feng, haven't I? I just wonder whether I could beat him if he used Psychic Force.
"Little Cao, interested in exchanging a few moves?" Guan Yong, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.
"Guan Yong!" Song Shengnan shouted in displeasure.
"Haha, Sister Song, don't worry. My hands are just itching, and I want to spar with Little Cao for a bit. Besides, I watched Little Cao grow up. It's not like I'd really hurt him!" Guan Yong hurriedly took a step back and explained.
"Hmph! I doubt you'd dare!" Song Shengnan snorted coldly.
"Hehe, what do you say, Little Cao? Want to exchange a few moves?" Guan Yong chuckled twice, then turned to Cao Bing again.
"Sure!" Cao Bing was interested as well. The people he had sparred with before were either Trainee Level fighters or newly minted Martial Artists like Luo Feng. Of course, Luo Feng didn't count—he was a freak!
So far, Cao Bing had never truly sparred with a real Martial Artist. Those Martial Artists who had genuinely entered the wilderness and experienced bloody slaughter were different from a rookie like him.
"Since Little Cao wants to fight, then let them have a match. It'll also let us see Little Cao's actual combat ability!"
Guan Yong's challenge had clearly drawn everyone's attention. Yan Ying, as the captain, stood to one side and pondered for a moment before speaking.
"What weapon does Little Cao use?" Guan Yong asked.
"Phantom Battle Blades!" As he spoke, Cao Bing drew a battle blade from the weapon cabinet and held it in his hand. It was a little light, but not bad.
At the same time, Guan Yong also drew a Phantom Battle Blade.
"Perfect. I'm skilled in the Phantom Series too!" Guan Yong smiled and walked to the center of the training room.
The instant Guan Yong stood in the center of the training room, Cao Bing felt his aura change abruptly.
Looking into Guan Yong's eyes, Cao Bing felt as if some terrifying ferocious beast had fixed its gaze on him, as though he were prey that could be slaughtered at any moment.
What a terrifying presence. What horrifying killing intent!
Under Guan Yong's gaze, Cao Bing felt as though the blood throughout his body had begun to flow more slowly, while every hair on his body stood on end beyond his control.
"Hehe, Guan Yong is taking this seriously right from the start. He's even released all his killing intent. He isn't going to scare Little Cao, is he?" Xie Hongxin laughed carelessly.
"Hard to say. Guan Yong is known as the Ghost Leopard. His hunting methods are even more terrifying than those of Beast General Level leopard-type monsters..." Song Shengnan could not help looking toward Cao Bing with concern.
Before you continue