Zhang Hongtao did not make any grand announcements; he simply observed in silence.
He was a coach at the White Bird Martial Arts Hall, but he also had the responsibility of selecting fresh talent for the core Fierce Bird Sect of the martial arts hall. The elite class of the academy served as a specialized filtering stage. Each class's instructor would select students with exceptional talent and understanding and recommend them for the elite class.
During the training process of the elite class, some students would be sifted out.
The ones remaining were the truly vibrant new blood.
It is important to know that the White Bird Martial Arts Hall was not just one venue in the Pujiang District; there were a dozen branches across Huaisui City and several nearby cities, with the headquarters being in Huaisui City.
"Focus on observing Guo Hao and Bai Xiao..." Zhang Hongtao thought to himself.
Half an hour later, all the students gathered to watch the instructors demonstrate.
Zhang Hongtao began to explain that apart from basic moves in Sandboxing, there were also some advanced training processes, such as target practice that followed. One student would wear something like boxing gloves, which cushioned power on both feet and hands targets, and then another beginner-level Sandboxing student would practice punching.
Zhang Hongtao chose some students to come up and experience it.
Among them were Guo Hao and Bai Xiao.
Bai Xiao stepped forward and quickly put on the feet and hand targets.
He nodded at Zhang Hongtao, signaling that he was fully prepared.
The next second, Zhang Hongtao suddenly threw a punch. His large, calloused fist cut through the air and with a bang, slammed into the hand target.
Bai Xiao only felt a jolt in his palm, half of his body numbed, and he took two steps back. He looked up in surprise at Coach Zhang, who had already retracted his movement. The power behind the coach's punch was far beyond his own by a factor of eleven. Moreover, it looked effortless and without full strength.
"Next."
Bai Xiao stepped down, and another young man with a crew cut was brought up.
Soon, the target practice experience was over.
Coach Zhang then demonstrated the methods to practice heavy punches and kicks after mastering the basic moves. At this point, it was of course time to bring out the heavy sandbag.
In the corner of the training hall, three different-sized black leather sandbags were tied to a metal rod. 80cm, 120cm, 160cm. The largest one, 160 centimeters, was thick and long, and it seemed larger than a human body.
Above the sandbags, there were two extremely forceful artistic characters for "White Bird."
The sturdy Zhang Hongtao stood in front of the sandbag, assuming a punching stance. Around him, over thirty students gathered and watched.
"Boom!"
His fist careened forwards, striking right at the center of the sandbag.
Squeak!
The metal chain and bracket rubbed together, creating an unpleasant sound.
The massive 160-centimeter sandbag was instantly thrust upwards.
Only after swinging through an arc of over sixty degrees did it heavily fall back down.
Beside him, students who were watching exclaimed in surprise. Such a large sandbag weighed at least eighty kilos, heavier than an adult man.
If Coach Zhang's punch could send the sandbag flying so high, one could hardly imagine the consequences if it landed on a grown man.
"Fuck, coach, that's too fierce!"
One of the more boisterous students called out in shock.
"Fierce? Haha..."
Zhang Hongtao glanced at him, chuckled, and shook his head. While reaching out to stop the still-swaying sandbag, he spoke.
"My skills are not worth bragging as 'fierce.'
"In the White Bird Martial Arts Hall, there are plenty who are much stronger and more impressive than I am."
"Believe it or not, there are people who could burst this leather sandbag or break the chain holding it with a single punch..."
The students cried out in disbelief, urging Coach Zhang to bring out someone capable of such a feat to see if there really was such a prodigy who could burst a sandbag.
It wasn't any canvas bag, but a leather one with excellent cushioning.
Being able to punch through leather...
almost means you can punch through a person.
Within the crowd, Bai Xiao's gaze flickered, his eyes growing even more fervent. He felt that what Coach Zhang had said was mostly true, that someone really could burst a punching bag.
It seemed that the profession of Fighter did indeed hold higher potential.
And not just limited to the common fighting of his previous life.
In front of the punching bag, Zhang Hongtao smiled without speaking, only after a moment did he start to talk.
"You should know that in the Tianxia Federation, there's an official classification regarding fighting levels, used to regulate competitions large and small, and for fighting enthusiasts. Amateur fifth-division, professional fourth-division, these are collectively called the Federation Nine-Division. Above the Federation Nine-Division, are the well-known and well-named Boxing Kings in the major fighting competitions..."
"For instance, Ye Feng, Tai Shan."
"And for those of you who haven't even started, you're collectively called fighting enthusiasts. Fighting enthusiasts who haven't obtained official certification and haven't been officially recognized, cannot participate in various fighting competitions."
"As for my division, it's professional second-division, with a punching power of around two hundred and twenty kilograms. If I use special skills... hehe..." Zhang Hongtao chuckled, then slowly turned around: "Anyway, practicing fighting is a process..."
"As long as you have talent and the persistence to keep training, with the guidance of my White Bird Martial Arts Hall, you can gradually reach my level..."
His eyes swept across the crowd, deliberately lingering on Guo Hao and Bai Xiao for a while before the two made eye contact and he withdrew his gaze.
"Enthusiasts, amateur fifth-division, professional fourth-division, Boxing King."
Bai Xiao muttered to himself softly, quickly forming a clearer understanding in his mind. He was deep in thought when he suddenly felt a gaze from the crowd on him. Turning his head, he looked through the gaps between many students' figures and saw a handsome and deep-featured young man looking at him.
Guo Hao.
Bai Xiao and he made eye contact from a distance, and after a moment, both withdrew their gazes.
As time ticked away in the training hall.
By three-thirty in the afternoon, the training ended, and many of the students scattered.
Bai Xiao hung back, turning his head to glance at the hall. Inside, Guo Hao had not left yet, surrounded by a lackey, as well as the ponytailed girl and short-haired girl from last time. The four of them were laughing and talking, with Guo Hao at the center.
It seemed that after training, they were planning to go out together.
Bai Xiao swept them a glance, his face expressionless as he turned to head for the changing room.
He was not like Guo Hao and the other students who had summer break after their college entrance exams. Bai Xiao still had to grind for his professional experience; he had important things to do.
Personal panel information flashed momentarily on his retina.
[Your professional skill "Sandboxing" experience +10!]
[Your profession "Fighter" experience +2!]
Around four-ten in the afternoon, Sunshine District.
Bai Xiao set off as usual, climbing into his beat-up car.
The familiar residential district, the familiar city streets, the familiar turning intersections, Bai Xiao had practically roamed the entire city. By six in the evening, he found himself back in the secluded factory area he had visited before.
It was the same factory, the same guardhouse.
When Bai Xiao came out, he found himself inexplicably in front of a utility pole.
He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over it.
There were a few more missing person posters than before, it seemed they were newly posted.
"June 2nd, June 5th, June 7th..."
"The number of missing people... is increasing..."
Bai Xiao couldn't help but think of the dark shadow he had encountered the night before.
He always felt that within the nocturnal shadows of this city.
Something seemed to be gradually stirring up chaos.