At this moment, there was no one on the martial arts training field.
Pei Jinye didn't know whether the others hadn't arrived yet or if they had other places for cultivation, so he curiously glanced around before honestly withdrawing his gaze.
Li Xiaoyin then said, "Hit me with a punch first."
Pei Jinye was taken aback, looking at the other person's tall and sturdy body, and then at his own pale fist. He didn't lose his mind and ask if it was okay but instead took a deep breath, "Then, Senior Sister, here I come, be ready."
Li Xiaoyin was indifferent, as if she didn't care at all.
"Whoosh!"
The fist swung out.
The next moment.
"Smack!"
Li Xiaoyin casually blocked it with one hand.
Instead, Pei Jinye was the one who was forced to retreat three or four steps, his expression shocked.
This strength!!!
It's even sturdier than mine!
He covered his hand incredulously as he saw that the instant he made contact, her palm felt like a steel wall, covered with many calluses.
"You're too weak," said Li Xiaoyin, shaking her head.
"..."
Pei Jinye's expression stiffened.
Within a single day, he had been looked down upon by two ladies.
Without more words, Li Xiaoyin pointed to a stone in front of them, "First, lift this stone to strengthen your muscles because with your small stature you won't be able to withstand the 'Blood Guiding Art.'
"Yes."
Pei Jinye didn't say much and picked up the stone from the ground.
"Whoa!"
Li Xiaoyin's voice came over, "The stone you're holding is fifty catties. Do two sets of lifts, twenty times each set, rest a minute, and then do a set of deep squats ten times. If you still have energy left, continue."
"Yes."
Pei Jinye lifted the stone, exhaled softly, and felt a bit of surprise in his heart.
It was hard to imagine that if it weren't for his recent entrance into concentration and the sudden increase in his Vitality Value, he would probably find lifting this fifty catties stone extremely difficult.
In the past, he couldn't even lift the 15-kilogram dumbbells from the school gymnasium twenty times.
Li Xiaoyin didn't leave either; she picked up another larger stone and ran to the opposite side of Pei Jinye to start her cultivation practice. Pei Jinye glanced over with the corner of his eye.
No one said anything, and the two of them silently began their cultivation.
More than an hour later, as the last glimmer of twilight faded, the white incandescent lamps lit up the martial arts training field.
Pei Jinye took a long breath and stopped exercising completely, putting down the stone. At this moment, every muscle in his body was sore, but after a full workout, his Vitality had actually stabilized.
He heard Li Xiaoyin's voice nearby, "It took a bit longer than I expected, not bad."
Pei Jinye looked up and saw Li Xiaoyin glance at the time and estimated, "Here, you can get a dose of Medicinal Soup every day to relieve the muscle soreness. Don't forget, it's located at the cafeteria."
"Yes, Senior Sister," Pei Jinye hastily thanked her.
Li Xiaoyin waved her hand indifferently, "You don't have to call me Senior Sister. Here, the students are divided into outer and inner sects. The light blue martial robe is for outer sect students, and the dark blue is for inner sect students. Be careful in your interactions in the future."
Pei Jinye noticed Li Xiaoyin's deep blue outfit and showed his respect.
His arrival was sudden, so Li Xiaoyin had casually given him a light blue robe for outer sect students, as if those not in the inner sect were unworthy of consideration.
"Which school are you from?"
While Pei Jinye was still pondering the difference between the inner and outer sects, he was caught off guard by the last question, but quickly responded, "I am from No.2 Middle School."
"No.2 Middle School of Da Peng City?"
"Yes."
Li Xiaoyin softened a bit when she heard Pei Jinye's reply, nodding, "I'm also from there, but I graduated earlier."
Pei Jinye's heart stirred, and he smiled, saying, "So you are my senior."
Li Xiaoyin pondered for a moment before saying, "Did the person who brought you here introduce you to this place?"
Pei Jinye shook his head, but his heart skipped a beat.
What did this question imply?
Is there something particularly noteworthy about the Bronze Association?
Li Xiaoyin spoke in a lower voice, "Those who come to the Bronze Association to learn are either rich or noble, and some are here on recommendation. I guess that's how you came."
Pei Jinye nodded.
Li Xiaoyin spoke in a low voice, "Right now, there are only three people in the club who came through recommendations."
"Including me?" Pei Jinye said in surprise.
Li Xiaoyin nodded, "It's not necessarily a bad thing, but ultimately, people are somewhat utilitarian here, and often judge by one's background when interacting."
Pei Jinye's sole purpose for coming here was to cultivate, and it was a fool's dream to imagine mingling with the people here based on his current status; he simply wasn't qualified.
Li Xiaoyin said casually, "Just be careful when you're dealing with the students from the club. I'm telling you this because you're a junior and I don't want you to get into trouble with the wrong people."
From this interaction, she saw that Pei Jinye was honest. Had he seemed the sly type, she wouldn't have bothered saying so much.
Pei Jinye nodded, "Thank you, senior student."
Li Xiaoyin shook her head, not continuing the topic, but instead switched subjects, "Have you had dinner yet?"
Pei Jinye shook his head, "Not yet."
"Let's go to the cafeteria then, I'm hungry," Li Xiaoyin said frankly, and took Pei Jinye with her to the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was not too far from the training ground, just a five-minute walk.
Compared to the school cafeteria, it was more rudimentary, furnished with ten tables and chairs. Apart from a middle-aged man who was engrossed in reading a book, there was no one else.
"Miss Li." The man stood up hurriedly when he heard someone approaching and saw it was Li Xiaoyin.
Li Xiaoyin nodded coolly, "Old Hu, this is a new student. Also, prepare two of my usual meals, and give him a bowl of medicinal soup."
"Of course, Miss Li. Please wait a moment," the middle-aged man said politely, nodding to Pei Jinye before picking up his book and heading to the kitchen.
Pei Jinye sat down with Li Xiaoyin and poured two cups of water from the teapot nearby, handing one over to her.
However, Li Xiaoyin did not drink it but asked casually, "Your vitality seems decent. Did you just break through?"
"Yes..." Pei Jinye's heart skipped a beat, still too weak. It seemed anyone could feel his vitality now.
Li Xiaoyin seemed to notice his concern and gave a light smile, "You haven't practiced the 'Drawing Blood Art' yet. Wait another couple of days, and after you've started practicing, you'll know how to conceal the fluctuations in your vitality."
Suddenly, Pei Jinye thought of something and quickly asked, "By the way, senior student, I heard Teacher Chang mention an assessment in a month. Do you know what it's about?"
Li Xiaoyin shook her head slightly.
Such assessments were only for those with connections; naturally, she never paid attention to them.
But Pei Jinye was her junior, so she reassured him, "It's nothing more than assessing your practice of the 'Drawing Blood Art,' or seeing your vitality, whether you have broken through the first layer of Power Practice. As long as you prove your potential, Teacher Chang would naturally not expel anyone."
Potential... Pei Jinye felt somewhat relieved.
As long as he could get more Attribute Light Groups, his potential should not be an issue.
He expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, senior student."
Li Xiaoyin waved her hand dismissively, "It's nothing. For the next couple of days, you should focus on Power Practice. There are two stages in it. Once you reach the first stage 'skin hardening,' I will teach you the 'Drawing Blood Art.'"
Pei Jinye nodded, only partially understanding.
Before long, Old Hu came out with two bowls of fried rice and a bowl of medicinal soup.
Li Xiaoyin signaled for Pei Jinye to drink the medicinal soup first before saying, "It contains a mix of medicinal herbs, so don't mind the bitterness. It's beneficial for your constitution."
Pei Jinye was somewhat surprised.
But he was even more astonished that after consuming a bowl of the medicinal soup, the soreness in his body subsided in an instant.
He looked at Li Xiaoyin in shock.
Li Xiaoyin just smiled lightly, as if she had seen this reaction many times.
She mentioned offhandedly,
"The effects of the medicinal soup will last for two hours."
Pei Jinye hastened his eating.
After dinner,
Li Xiaoyin, having matters to attend to, left first. Pei Jinye remained at the Bronze Association to continue his cultivation.
In the meantime, a few people came to the training ground, but nobody interacted with each other, each busy with their own tasks.
As time passed, Pei Jinye was left alone on the training ground.
It wasn't until after eight in the evening, when the effect of the medicinal soup wore off, that he got ready to go home.
However, before leaving, a strange premonition came over him, as if something was guiding him.
The next second,
his gaze fixed.
In the nighttime,
a small white light group floated in the corner of the backyard wall.