14: Go to the Wushu Association and get certified as a first-level warrior
In the heart of Xu Jiang City, there was a quiet granite path amidst the bustle.
Li Ziyu walked slowly along the winding path.
As he walked, he continuously swung his hand, mimicking the motion of drawing a Knife Skill.
Once.
Again.
And again.
A moment later.
Li Ziyu slowly stopped, reached behind his back to draw his long Knife Skill, and forcefully swung it at the ground in front of him.
Swish!
A whooshing sound echoed as the long Knife Skill in Li Ziyu's hand flashed a phantom image in the air, too fast for the average person's naked eye to catch, and then struck the rock on the ground with a thud.
Clang.
On the ground paved with pure granite, a clear, visible crack appeared, a palm deep and two meters long.
Li Ziyu's eyes lit up as he looked at the granite in front of him, now marred by a crack he had created.
“Open System Panel.”
Name: Li Ziyu.
Realm: First Grade Warrior.
Combat Skills: Swift Wind Blade Technique, Intermediate Blade Technique, Initial Body Technique.
System: Martial God System.
Function: Can absorb all things to increase vital energy and blood; other functions await host's self-discovery.
“I've really mastered the Swift Wind Blade Technique!”
Li Ziyu felt a surge of emotion.
“Before learning the Swift Wind Blade Technique, a full strike from me could only cut through a wall.
But now, I can cleave a twenty-centimeter crack into incredibly hard granite.
The power is at least fifty percent stronger than before!”
“And most importantly, the unparalleled speed of the Swift Wind Blade will definitely be of great help to my practical combat ability!”
Li Ziyu's expression was invigorated as he gripped the long Knife Skill with one hand and swung it a few more times in mid-air.
Knife Skill light flashed, whooshing through the air.
However, he was almost at the Martial Arts Association, so he didn't continue experimenting on the granite ground.
He noticed an old man doing morning exercises in the distance, looking as if he was about to call the police on his phone.
With the long Knife Skill strapped to his back, Li Ziyu walked along the path for a while longer.
He took a few turns and merged onto a bustling main road.
After walking for a moment.
A building more than ten stories high appeared before him, its surface entirely covered in silver glass, giving it a strong sense of science fiction.
At the very top of the building, the seven large characters for Xu Jiang City Martial Arts Association were prominently displayed.
It was only eight o'clock in the morning.
Inside the Martial Arts building, many people, some carrying various weapons, others dressed in suits, were already entering and exiting through the main gate'saisle (passage).
Li Ziyu noticed that while the attire of those dressed as warriors was mostly unremarkable, their expressions were usually aloof and serious.
When they encountered the passage, they didn't swipe cards but went directly through the VIP passage on the side.
Those dressed as elite white-collar workers in suits, however, had to obediently queue up at the passage.
Whenever they encountered a warrior, they would occasionally reveal expressions of envy and respect.
The difference in status was evident.
“This... Warrior sir? What brings you here?”
As Li Ziyu was observing the architectural style of the Martial Arts Association, an inquisitive female voice sounded by his ear.
A tall, beautiful woman in a black-stockinged professional suit was looking at him curiously.
Li Ziyu recognized her as a staff member of the Martial Arts Association from the work badge hanging on her chest.
“I'm here for First Grade Warrior certification.”
Li Ziyu replied with a smile.
“Ah, oh, sir, please come this way, I'll lead you.”
The black-stockinged staff member was first startled, then seemed to react, quickly leading the way in front of Li Ziyu.
As she walked, she couldn't help but secretly glance back at Li Ziyu.
Li Ziyu didn't mind.
He was used to being stared at when he was at Zhenwu Pavilion; he guessed it was because he looked too young, which made them curious.
And indeed, that was the case.
“We've arrived, sir.”
“This is the room specifically used for warrior testing.”
“There's still half an hour until the test begins, you can wait inside for a bit.”
Li Ziyu followed the black-clad staff member into the elevator and arrived on the sixth floor.
They walked through a long corridor and arrived in front of a room.
The black-clad staff member stopped, pushed the door open for Li Ziyu, and said respectfully.
Li Ziyu nodded, pushed the door, and entered.
Once inside, it opened up into a spacious hall spanning several thousand square meters.
At this moment, there were already seven or eight people who had come to take the test, sitting or standing, waiting in the room.
In the center of the room, there was also a vital energy and blood testing device similar to the one Li Ziyu used at Hong Su Martial Arts Hall, as well as a combat power testing pile.
However, this one looked much newer and more advanced than the one at Hong Su Martial Arts Hall.
Li Ziyu checked the time on his phone; there were still about twenty minutes until the test began.
According to what the black-clad staff member had just said, the First Grade Warrior certification at the Martial Arts Association had two sessions a day, morning and afternoon, both starting at a fixed time.
The morning session was at 8:30 AM, and the afternoon session was at 5:30 PM.
Li Ziyu found a seat and sat down, while also observing the other seven people taking the test.
Sitting in the first row was a burly man with a cold expression, wearing metal gauntlets on his hands.
The burly man sat there, exuding the aura of an expert who wished to be left alone.
Everyone else kept a considerable distance from him, and they would occasionally cast gazes of awe towards him.
This should be a powerful warrior.
Li Ziyu stared at the burly man's back, thinking to himself.
About seven or eight meters away from the burly man, there was a young girl who looked to be about his age, also appearing to be a high school student.
The girl wore a simple white T-shirt on top and light blue jeans on the bottom.
Her simple outfit, supported by her perfect curves, gave off a refreshing impression.
Coupled with her exquisite face, even Li Ziyu couldn't help but take an extra glance.
This girl's appearance was far more beautiful than Xu Mengyao's.
She was the most beautiful woman he had seen so far.
Xia Lin
While Li Ziyu was observing the girl, she was also secretly observing Li Ziyu.
A hint of curiosity was revealed in her eyes as she looked at Li Ziyu.
After all, she thought she was already young enough, but Li Ziyu looked even younger than her.
Could he also be preparing to take the Martial Exam?
She just didn't know which school's genius he was.
The girl pondered in secret.
It wasn't just the girl observing Li Ziyu.
When Li Ziyu entered, the burly man and the other few warriors who came to take the test all had their gazes fixed on Li Ziyu.
Curiosity filled their eyes.
As if they were curious about Li Ziyu's age.
They couldn't believe someone so young had come to certify as a warrior.
Li Ziyu's gaze moved past the girl and continued to observe, but he withdrew his gaze after a brief moment.
Aside from the burly man and the girl, who were quite eye-catching, everyone else present looked unremarkable.
With that thought, Li Ziyu began to close his eyes and rest, waiting for the test to begin.
“Ah, the campus belle of Second High, the genius girl Xia Lin is actually here too?!”
“She's also here to participate in the First Grade Warrior certification!”
Just then, the examination hall door was pushed open again.
Xu Mengyao and Bai Haoran pushed the door and walked in.
As soon as she entered, Xu Mengyao looked at the black-haired girl in the room, covered her small mouth, and exclaimed in surprise, while also showing an expression of admiration in her eyes.
“Xia Lin is a genius from Second High, and she's also a top-three seed candidate for this year's Xu Jiang City Martial Exam!”
“It's said that in the school's vital energy and blood test, her initial vital energy and blood was 1.45! Not only does she have high vital energy and blood talent, but she's also a sword dao genius; her sword skills have already reached Intermediate level!”
“She's an idol among all female students in our Xu Jiang City!”
Xu Mengyao said excitedly to Bai Haoran beside her, her face flushed with emotion.
Bai Haoran's gaze also showed seriousness.
“I didn't expect Xia Lin to have already reached the First Grade Warrior level. This test isn't just about Xia Lin; the burly man sitting next to her is also an expert.”
“Eh, that figure, why does he look so much like Li Ziyu?”