On a blue public bus adorned with hospital advertisements, Bai Xiao quickly finished the last meat bun on the right-side plastic rear seat, crumpled up the plastic bag into a ball, and stuffed it into the net pocket on the side of his canvas bag. He reached out to open half of the window, allowing the fresh air from the outside to flow in gusts.
The sunlight was strong, prompting Bai Xiao to squint his eyes slightly as strands of his black hair fluttered above his forehead, watching the shops and guardian trees pass by outside.
"The vehicle has reached the stop, please exit from the rear door."
As the bus's announcement played, Bai Xiao stepped down and exited.
He shouldered his backpack, walked along the sidewalk, and turned into a corner.
Grain pancakes, meat floss rice balls, Yunqing noodles — street vendors were setting up their stalls, with some late-rising customers paying through their phones dressed in slippers.
Bai Xiao glanced, then quickened his pace.
Before long, he saw the advertisement board of a martial arts hall up ahead.
"White Bird!"
The two large artistic characters captured the eye, with the edges of the font resembling the wings of birds of prey ready to take flight, full of tension. Below the characters 'White Bird', there were several keywords: combat, professional, package, discount.
Not much further now.
A metallic signboard that reflected the daylight slightly caught his gaze.
[White Bird Martial Arts Hall]
Knowing the way well, Bai Xiao walked straight in and headed directly to the changing room.
After changing into his training attire, he hurried to the second training hall.
Sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides, the black mats on the floor giving off a leathery scent. A quick glance revealed several leather punching bags of different sizes, from 80, 120, to 160 centimeters, hanging from iron frames.
In the far corner were four to five metal equipment racks, with items such as punch mitts, boxing gloves, mouth guards, hand wraps, and belts; professional equipment that White Bird Martial Arts Hall specifically used for sandboxing training.
The training hall was spacious, able to accommodate over thirty trainees even with all these equipments; and now, many people had already arrived. About half of them appeared to be under eighteen, looking young and innocent.
Walking past them, Bai Xiao found his row and sat down.
Beside him, a group was chatting in a lively manner.
A long-legged girl with a ponytail and a pretty face was particularly popular. Another girl with light makeup and lipstick, sporting short hair, also caught a lot of attention. Surrounded by male peers of the same age, they were continuously striking up conversations.
However, clearly, both girls' attentions were focused on Guo Hao, who was over six feet tall, with a lean build and handsome face. They were both creating topics, laughing lightly in an effort to maintain a relaxed atmosphere.
"Guo Hao, what did the coach keep you behind for yesterday?"
The ponytailed girl with big eyes stared at Guo Hao and asked in a clear voice.
"Nothing much, just that of our class I performed the best, so Coach Zhang wants to move me up to the elite class. It's probably for me to further my studies..."
Guo Hao smiled crookedly, putting on airs in a casual manner.
Boys of this age are all like this, especially in front of girls.
"You're really good." The short-haired girl also turned her gaze towards him.
It wasn't exaggerated admiration but carried a hint of surprise.
"Of course, Brother Hao's athletic talent is high. He easily became the captain of the basketball team, he's also the top in long-distance running, and picking up fighting is just as effortless…"
Next to Guo Hao, a freckled boy, obviously trying to ride on his coattails, also chimed in looking a bit proud by association.
Just then, Coach Zhang Hongtao briskly walked in from the corridor outside.
He was carrying a thermos in his right hand and clad in black training clothes. The sleeves and shoulders of his attire featured patterns reminiscent of raptor feathers.
"Time's almost up; everybody start warming up,"
"After warming up, practice the moves I taught you yesterday twice..."
Suddenly, the chattering in the hall ceased.
The trainees stood up one by one, beginning to stretch and limber up.
Ten minutes later.
Coach Zhang called for a stop and continued to explain the remaining sandboxing moves.
Like yesterday, he had everyone copy him. During this process, Zhang Hongtao also began to walk among the crowd, correcting any incorrect moves.
A few of the worst ones were corrected at least a dozen times.
Bai Xiao was corrected seven or eight times as well.
Only Guo Hao, indeed quick to understand, was corrected just once.
As time went by, the sun outside climbed higher and higher.
"Next, is independent practice,"
Coach Zhang announced from the front of the venue.
After speaking, he took his thermos and stood next to Guo Hao.
In fighting, in martial arts, talent is too important, even more so than effort.
"Coach, how's my training going?"
Guo Hao, while demonstrating a fairly standard Fist Skill, asked Zhang Hongtao by the window. His question was both friendly and a bit showy.
"Not bad, but don't get cocky, kid."
"That opportunity might not necessarily be yours."
Zhang Hongtao took a sip of his tea.
He was somewhat annoyed by Guo Hao's flashy attitude, typical of young fellows.
"Hehe."
Guo Hao chuckled softly, still not voicing what was on his mind.
"If not me, then who could it be?"
At that moment, in a corner of the hall,
a black-haired young man was practicing his punches intensely, sweating profusely.
Bai Xiao had found the rhythm!
It was uncertain whether it was the stimulation from last night or a sudden epiphany that morning. Either way, the more he practiced, the more fluid his moves became, and the more invigorated he felt.
Four fingers together, his waist and hips slightly twisted, his arm lashed out with sudden force.
This was Charging Fist.
Knees slightly bent, powering up instantly, his right leg whipped out high and fast.
This was Whip Leg.
Soon, his gray training outfit was soaked with sweat, faintly seeping through.
Bai Xiao entered a zone, his eyes becoming ever brighter.
At last, with a tip-toe step, he thrust forward with a straight punch.
Then, he froze in place.
He'd done it!
In his field of vision, with a whoosh, the character panel flashed.
In the profession column, something began to shine brightly and enlarge.
[Profession: Fighter (Activating)]
[Conditions: 1. Average Attributes above 10 √, 2. Beginner Sandboxing √]
Humming...
[You have activated the new profession 'Fighter'!!!]
[You gained the new profession talent 'Pure Heart'!]
His brain suddenly felt hollow, followed by a bit of dizziness.
Bai Xiao looked forward once more.
[Profession: Fighter LV.1 (1/100)]
[Talent: Pure Heart]
[Skill: Beginner Sandboxing (1/100)]
He had finally awakened the Fighter profession, and he'd gotten the hang of Sandboxing.
Next was the profession talent 'Pure Heart'.
Pure Heart: Removes complicated and chaotic information during learning and working, extracting only the most essential and purest parts, enhancing efficiency.
Great stuff!
Bai Xiao's eyes lit up, feeling as if when he needed a pillow, sleep came.
This body's athletic talent wasn't great, below average, or even poor. But with 'Pure Heart' as an aid, everything would change drastically!
"Why not try out the effects now?"
He was rubbing his hands together, eager to test the Fighter profession's talent.
In front of him, however, another change suddenly occurred.
[Your character panel has more than two professions!]
[Main and secondary professions, opening separately]
[Would you like to set 'Fighter' as your main profession?]
[Would you like to set 'Deliveryman' as your main profession?]