He paused momentarily and struck a shoulder-stretching, chest-expanding pose.
Slightly relaxed, Bai Xiao headed for the exit of Training Hall No. 2.
In the somewhat cool corridor, he was steadily making his way to the changing room. Unexpectedly, he bumped into a familiar bald head midway.
Standing at 1.8 meters tall, with a sturdy build and a shiny, bald crown.
It was Zhou Bing, whom Bai Xiao had encountered during the punch strength test. Zhou Bing was the most outstanding student in the class based in Training Hall No. 3.
"We meet again."
Zhou Bing stopped in his tracks, looked over, and said, "Bai Xiao."
"Zhou Bing," Bai Xiao also stopped and recited the other person's name.
"You... seem to have gotten a lot stronger than before?"
Zhou Bing stood by the corridor window, his bald head reflecting the sunlight, forming a white halo around it. He stood thinking for a moment before speaking hesitantly.
"Do I?" Bai Xiao's expression was unchanged.
Zhou Bing shrugged, unsure. But in his memory, Bai Xiao did not have such a robust physique, nor did his eyes have the current sharpness, carrying an impression of vigorous vitality.
"Maybe, he has improved during this period..."
Zhou Bing convinced himself, his thoughts shifted and a spark of realization flashed through his mind, "Ah, right. Bai Xiao, it seems you haven't joined our Huai Shui City fighting circle group yet, I haven't seen you there. How old are you now, you're not over twenty-five, are you?"
Bai Xiao was slightly taken aback, then responded, "I'm twenty-four."
"Then that's fine, our group only recruits fighting prodigies under twenty-five years old, it's sort of an exclusive club for enthusiasts."
Zhou Bing started to explain, "In that YY group, there are people like me and Kang Li, mostly old-timers who have been in the fighting scene for a long time, though their ages might not be very big. Aside from me and Kang Li, there are a few group members who are training in other branches of White Bird Martial Arts Hall in Huai Shui City, so it also serves as a channel to exchange information. You're pretty strong, want to join?"
With clear-cut words, he extended the invitation to Bai Xiao.
In the corridor passage, Zhou Bing looked at Bai Xiao with an evaluative gaze, weighing in his mind. He still remembered Bai Xiao's last punch test, which was roughly 84kg, already beyond amateur second-dan. Though it was considerably less than his own 120kg punch power, it was still quite good.
He was definitely qualified to join their group chat.
He wouldn't be a core member but would probably be middle to lower tier.
"Okay."
Bai Xiao accepted Zhou Bing's invitation; he didn't really have any other channels to learn about fighting skills. Perhaps he could find out more through this group.
"Alright, go change your clothes. I'll wait for you at the entrance of the martial arts hall," said Zhou Bing, who also needed to change.
The two nodded at each other and headed towards the changing rooms separately.
Five minutes later, Bai Xiao changed his clothes and carried a canvas bag over his shoulder. He crossed the corridor, passed the marble foyer, and appeared at the entrance of the martial arts hall.
At this moment, it seemed like class break at the dance training institute across the street.
Some pretty girls in airy dance outfits came out, their smooth hair styled into elegant updos. Their beautiful features were accentuated with heavy makeup: shimmering eyeshadow, red eyeliners, foundation, and blush.
They looked as though they were part of a touring ballet troupe.
"Why isn't Xue Ling here today?"
"Didn't she say she feels uneasy without a day of dancing?"
A girl crouched on the ground said.
"I heard from the dance teacher that there's been a big issue at home, something about her mom suddenly disappearing. No one knows what's really going on..."
Another tall girl who was standing replied.
"Could it be human trafficking? My God..."
At the entrance of the martial arts hall, Bai Xiao could faintly hear the conversation from across the street. His expression icy, he once again looked up, glancing at the shiny White Bird Martial Arts Hall sign overhead, his pupils gathering a mysterious shade, gradually becoming resolute.
"Here we are."
In the foyer, Zhou Bing jogged over and pushed open the door.
"You should add me on YY first, then I'll invite you in."
Bai Xiao quickly took out his phone and went through several operations.
Two minutes later, he joined a YY group with around sixty people.
The group name: Boxing Club
Upon entry, there was an announcement.
These are the rules of the Boxing Club:
Rule one, you must not talk about the fight club.
Rule two, you must not talk about the fight club again.
Rule three, fighting must not stop, not even if you're injured.
Rule four, take off your clothes and shoes, and welcome fighting barehanded.
Rule five, make sure you're always ready for a fight!
"What's the meaning of this announcement?" Bai Xiao looked up at Zhou Bing.
Zhou Bing smiled, then said, "It's nothing, just a reference to a movie line that the group owner tweaked a bit. The gist is that members should always maintain their wildness and firmly remember their primal instincts, not to be blinded by luxurious life and the dazzle of the city..."
"If you have fallen and neglected your fighting technique, then you don't deserve to be a member."
Zhou Bing extended his fist and lightly touched Bai Xiao's shoulder.
"Let's encourage each other and make progress together."
Bai Xiao hesitated for a moment, then also extended his fist and touched Zhou Bing's shoulder.
"Let's encourage each other and make progress together."
He suddenly felt that the atmosphere in the Boxing Club group was quite good. At least, some of the philosophies spoken there were very much to Bai Xiao's taste.
"By the way, now that we're group buddies, I might as well tell you."
Zhou Bing put away his phone and said, "I don't know if you've been following the training class situation at our martial arts hall. There are a total of ten classes, Kang Li is in class one, you are in class two, and I am in class three. However, in class nine, I heard there's a genius, who has been confirmed ahead of time for the elite class. His name is Chu Ming, and four days ago, he personally defeated a coach during a sparring match..."
"He personally defeated a coach?"
Bai Xiao's gaze sharpened slightly, as this was indeed very impressive. As a student, he had actually managed to defeat a coach. Even Bai Xiao, before he had improved in Jujutsu, had only managed to bring out seventy percent of Zhang Hongtao's actual strength.
This Chu Ming must be very strong.
"Yes," Zhou Bing nodded. "His Sandboxing is incredibly powerful, and he also has his own unique style, even the coach couldn't beat him. I suspect that his family must be skilled in Sandboxing as well, most likely from a martial arts lineage..."
"By the way, Bai Xiao, what fighting technique do you specialize in? Me, I'm best at boxing." Zhou Bing assumed a boxing stance and asked.
"For me, Sandboxing, I guess..."
Bai Xiao was telling the truth.
Sandboxing was the only professional Skill he had fully mastered.
"Sandboxing, huh? Then it seems you and Chu Ming are of the same type. His Sandboxing is extremely powerful, maybe you can reach out to him for advice and possibly learn something. Of course, that's if Chu Ming is approachable..."
"The number one in the martial arts hall's elite class, he's definitely a strong contender!"
Zhou Bing was an undiscovered chatterbox; once he started talking, he wouldn't stop.
"Number one, huh?"
Bai Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly, with a profound look in his eyes.