Morning.
When the 7 o'clock alarm pulled Fang Qingyu out of his dream, the sky was still steeped in dark blue.
After brushing his teeth, he splashed some cold water on his face, put on clothes, and headed out with his backpack.
He rode his electric scooter to the street.
The street-side fried dough stand had already set up its oil pot.
Fang Qingyu habitually chose the plastic stool closest to the intersection, enjoying breakfast and the brief period of peace alone.
Thinking it over, the whole day aside from breakfast.
Every moment was bustling.
Practicing martial arts, delivering food, being a security guard, working out...
Lunch and dinner were had on the go during food deliveries.
Speaking of which...
This was his first time in this world experiencing such a fulfilling life.
Fang Qingyu thoroughly enjoyed this life.
Like when he used to have a head condition, confusion, unease, and fear all impeded his progress.
Today's life wasn't just a change in appearance.
It was a psychological rebirth.
7:50.
Fang Qingyu arrived at the Chenfeng Martial Arts Hall.
Qin Jiao happened to be walking in from the edge of the grounds.
The practice area was divided into several sections.
First, for teaching the basics of Pile Skill.
Second, after getting the basics of Pile Skill, one began to punch.
When the coach believed you met the standard, you could enter the formal student class.
Today, Fang Qingyu came to practice in the punching area in front of the Punching Post that belonged uniquely to him!
"Those who know, can practice on their own. I'll come to you later."
Qin Jiao stood before the Punching Post, leaving a message, and gathered all those newly entered into the second stage.
"Pile Skill Introduction means that you now know how to use your body. At least when I ask you to punch, you won't mistakenly kick."
Everyone laughed heartily.
There was still a sense of achievement belonging solely to them.
After all, there's another group who hasn't even learned the basics of Pile Skill yet.
"The fist technique I'm teaching today has no name, as all major martial arts halls use this set of techniques."
"If you must give it a name, call it Basic Boxing."
"Because this fist set isn't primarily about defeating enemies in combat, but about building a foundation!"
"Only when Pile Skill and this fist technique are used together can one maximize physical strengthening and fitness."
With that, Qin Jiao bent his knees and sunk his hips, standing firm as a rock in the Hidden Dragon Posture.
His right fist emerged from beneath his ribs, the muscles of his forearm taut like coiled ropes, suddenly accelerating three inches from the Punching Post.
Bang—
The dull sound of leather and the teaching voice exploded simultaneously: "Punch lands seven-tenths, leave three-tenths, don't let the Post stance down."
His left fist followed with a half arc upwards, fingers grazing past the wooden post and suddenly transformed into a palm, clasping the post with five fingers and pushing and pulling, making the post vibrate with a hum.
"The spine is the bowstring, the post step is the back of the bow."
He retreated half a step to demonstrate the completion, sweat dripping from his chin onto the dent of the Punching Post.
"Every punch thrown, think about shattering the brick tiles, tearing through the air, but when it meets the target."
The fist lightly touched the leather.
"Think of it like sheathing a sword."
"Remember, the fist is an extension of the post."
He tapped his lower abdomen with his fingertips.
"Strength comes from the ground, goes through the Dantian, travels up the spine, and finally exits through the knuckles."
After watching, Fang Qingyu frowned slightly.
The Basic Boxing felt even simpler than the Hidden Dragon Posture.
No flashy moves.
Unattentive people would only feel Qin Jiao lightly punched a few times.
But once you pay a bit of attention to the muscles, you'll find there's a lot to it.
"Begin, if you have any questions, ask me."
Like with Pile Skill, Qin Jiao demonstrated once before letting the trainees start on their own.
Fang Qingyu stood in front of the Punching Post and didn't rush to begin.
Instead, he reviewed Qin Jiao's stance before punching, looking at which points exerted force.
Only then did he start punching.
Others needed to keep punching, expending stamina to find the right direction forward.
But Fang Qingyu had a roadmap to guide him.
When the first new words appeared.
[Basic Boxing Skills activating (1/100)]
[Activation experience +1]
Fang Qingyu knew he had found the right direction.
All he needed now was to exert great force and create miracles!
The continuously dripping sweat witnessed the activation progress bar, and the surrounding calls and shouts uniquely serenaded the romance belonging to men.
"That's it, rest for half an hour."
Completely unaware that time had slipped away amidst the punching, until Qin Jiao's voice rang out.
Fang Qingyu lowered his sore arms.
His fists were already numb.
The additional point in Physique from last night did not make his body any tougher.
However, he could clearly feel it was more enduring.
"Did you go yesterday?"
Sitting on the ground, Qin Jiao silently came over and asked Fang Qingyu.
"Qin Jiao."
Fang Qingyu first stood up and greeted, then hesitated for a second... nodded.
"I went."
If he said he didn't, he couldn't explain it.
Qin Jiao probably wouldn't have the time to verify whether he went or not.
"Not bad..."
Fang Qingyu had lost count of how many times Qin Jiao had praised him.
"If you don't have any urgent matters, starting today, add two more hours of training each day."
After complimenting him, Qin Jiao furrowed his brow and pondered for a moment.
Although he phrased it as a suggestion, the tone implied he wanted Fang Qingyu to agree immediately.
"Alright."
Fang Qingyu had no objections.
Sacrificing two hours of delivery time wouldn't cost him much.
Training in martial arts is currently the most important path.
All other professions serve the purpose of training in martial arts.
"Keep it up."
Before leaving, Qin Jiao gave Fang Qingyu an encouraging look for the first time.
After spending several days together.
Fang Qingyu's impression of the Martial Arts Hall and Qin Jiao had already changed dramatically.
Before he knew much, he thought the coaches were only slightly more skilled than ordinary people.
But now.
Only after he had started did he truly recognize Qin Jiao's prowess.
Though he hadn't actually fought in real combat yet.
Fang Qingyu now felt he could easily handle a normal adult male one-on-one.
It's not due to attributes nor because he learned any fighting techniques.
It's because he learned how to exert force.
Just as Qin Jiao had said, entering Pile Skill means learning how to use your body.
But even with that, Fang Qingyu still felt like a child in front of Qin Jiao.
It's not the "momentum" that Qi Hao mentioned.
It's a man's sixth sense.
"Bang... bang... bang..."
All his shortcomings at the moment would turn into motivation for Fang Qingyu to progress.
An hour passed.
The new trainees were already starting to run out of strength.
Two hours passed.
The older trainees were shaking their arms, drenched in sweat.
Three hours passed.
All the trainees were finally groaning that the class was over.
Only Fang Qingyu still tirelessly punched the punching post, making a sharp noise when most people were leaving the hall.
"Hello..."
However, the clear voice beside his ear interrupted Fang Qingyu's train of thought.
"Hello?"
Fang Qingyu turned around, out of breath, to look at the person speaking.
A young woman in her twenties.
She had already changed back into casual clothes, her chest bulging as if it could keep several children from dying of hunger.
"Class is over now, aren't you leaving?"
The woman pointed around with a smile, her eyes directly fixed on Fang Qingyu without any hesitation.
"I need to practice a little longer, you all go ahead, thank you."
Though Fang Qingyu was looking forward, he didn't make eye contact with her. Speaking at this moment was purely an instinctive refusal.
In his eyes, the words bouncing on the chart were far more appealing than any woman.
[Activation experience +1]
[Activation experience +1]
[...]
[Basic Boxing Skills activating (72/100)]
Guided by the beacon of the chart, Fang Qingyu practically avoided any detours, combined with being more diligent than anyone else.
Such progression was unsurprising.
"Then I'm leaving..."
The brief encounter between two strangers ended before it began with Fang Qingyu's unhesitant rejection.
When most of the people in the hall had left.
Qi Hao came from the other side, shaking his head, expressing amazement.
"Tsk tsk, Qingzi, you can even reject a woman as beautiful as this?"
"With no woman in your heart, your punches naturally become mystical!"
Fang Qingyu didn't turn around.
"..."
Qi Hao's mouth twitched.
This is training, not becoming a monk.
There's no requirement for abstinence.
"Aren't you leaving? The Martial Arts Hall is closing soon."
Seeing Fang Qingyu showing no signs of stopping, Qi Hao asked curiously.
"Qin Jiao asked me to stay for additional practice, you go ahead."
Fang Qingyu finally stopped, shaking his thoroughly numb fists.
Qi Hao's eyes lit up upon hearing this, but he didn't say much, simply leaving a message to practice well before exiting the Martial Arts Hall.
By this time, no one was left in the hall.
Qin Jiao was nowhere to be seen.
Fang Qingyu didn't think much, since he was told to practice more, he had to continue until the time was up.
So he gritted his teeth against the pain and swung at the punching post.
In the corner he couldn't see.
Qin Jiao was actually standing there, watching him from a distance.
Until it was almost two in the afternoon.
"Hiss..."
Qin Jiao, who had been standing still, finally couldn't resist taking a sharp breath, touching his sparse hair.
"Did this kid take something???"