Old Liang sat under the tree shade, holding a bottle and drinking water while explaining the points to note for the Rank Examination to the students.
"There are only two aspects. First, the test on Life Force development to see if you have reached the corresponding unit point, that's the first one.
The second aspect, naturally, is arena combat."
Qin Shi listened carefully, having specifically inquired about it and consulted the teacher in charge of his Hongzhi Class.
He learned that the difficulty of the Rank Examination at the Amateur Level is not very high.
From the lowest Ninth Rank to Seventh Rank, the Martial Arts Association hasn't set overly harsh conditions.
The vast majority of people can reach the passing line level with three to five years of diligent training.
The reason Qin Shi and his close friend Zhou Ning are unsure about passing is due to their intense high school curriculum.
Physical education classes to enhance Life Force and combat classes start in the second year of high school, once or twice each week.
The rest are general courses like history and language.
It's hard to improve significantly just by attending classes.
"The students from New First High School's Hongzhi Class who passed the Rank Examination are fewer than the fingers on one hand."
Qin Shi silently sighed; only students from elite classes with privileged backgrounds can lead at the starting line.
They start laying the foundation from elementary and middle school and receive private tutoring after entering high school.
By the third year of high school, when planning for university, these elite class top students will surge up to Amateur Level Eighth Rank, even Seventh Rank.
Becoming academic giants that the Hongzhi Class aspires to be!
"Urban Circle calls this educational investment..."
Qin Shi gathered his scattered thoughts and focused back on Old Liang.
"Arena combat tests your actual combat abilities. Top-tier Administrative New Stars might use bionic robots to precisely measure your punch power and strike position for a comprehensive assessment.
In Heng Province, we don't have this privilege. Mostly, a Martial Artist at Amateur Ninth Rank from the local Martial Arts Association branch is selected for body opposition within the stipulated time."
Xie Yucheng raised his hand with a question:
"If someone is very rich, can they bribe the examiners and easily pass the exam?"
Old Liang lowered his head and smiled:
"That possibility can't be ruled out. Although the examination environment is closed and non-public with real-time electronic monitoring and recording, and a jointly supervised examiner, referee, and clerk.
But there are always loopholes in the rules. The world is never short of 'smart people' who know how to exploit them.
In the past few years when Martial Artists were just emerging, like the Urban Circle citizens from Hai Province and Yuezhou.
They wouldn't hesitate to spend heavily, buying Star Sea voyage tickets, traveling all the way to Heng Province for the Rank Examination..."
Some Great Cosmos Era college entrance exam immigrants?
That's a huge cost!
Qin Shi's mouth twitched.
One economy cabin ticket for a long-distance Star Sea voyage costs at least around fifteen thousand.
That's equivalent to a new Tai'an Metropolitan Area off-road vehicle or three years' rent for a high-end apartment in the central district.
As for the nutritional paste from Longxiangji, he could consume one box and toss another.
"Make use of it intensely!"
"But after the Martial Arts Association's reform, such phenomena are strictly cracked down.
Top-tier academies like the Four National Universities now conduct re-examinations on the Life Force rank of the candidates.
Moreover, this level of effort is to strive for Amateur Second Rank, First Rank, aiming to reach the specialized level threshold to earn the Martial Artist title.
It's not much related to you."
Old Liang poured cold water.
In the many schools of Old Factory Street, let alone Amateur First Rank, it's been years since seeing top students reaching Fifth Rank.
"You've rested enough. In these few days of actual combat training, the best performers are Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng.
At least they know how to throw a punch, how to dodge, how to skillfully use the stances and techniques I've taught."
Old Liang stood up, surveying the territory like a tiger, his gaze sweeping across the students of Heng Province Ninth Middle School.
"Li Yuan, Xie Yucheng, step forward. Later, you'll learn techniques from me. The rest, continue your paired sparring in the original groups."
Li Yuan, sitting in the front row, showed a joyful expression.
"Finally able to learn technique! Enhancing Life Force and boosting combat strength will surely win Zeger's favor!"
He asked his family for money to enroll in Old Liang's tutoring class for this reason!
Unable to get into the Urban Circle or afford a good university, he wanted to establish himself in Old Factory Street.
Either work hard or risk one's life!
But without a good job, even working hard and risking one's life, he couldn't escape the harsh fate of being an ox or horse!
"Brother Yuan, go easy when practicing; my fists are lighter than yours, a few hits and I'll be down!"
Xie Yucheng was equally excited, knowing he's not the prodigy with talent like Qin Shi.
No matter how much effort he puts into the training method, his achievements are limited.
Even if he pushes himself crazily, enduring physical decline in his thirties or forties, he might not break the Life Force twenty-point threshold!
Thus, learning techniques is more practical, more clearly beneficial!
"Both of you remember to prepare red flower oil and bruise ointment. The risk of injury in technique training is high; to learn how to hit, first learn to take a hit."
Old Liang finished his tips, ready to take Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng to the training room.
He glanced at Qin Shi from the corner of his eye:
"Shi, come along too. The Old Martial tree, its training method is the root, the technique is the trunk.
Strong roots with a weak trunk lead to slow growth, while a strong trunk with weak roots doesn't go far.
It falls with a gust of wind, unable to withstand blows. The best is to advance equally!"
Qin Shi nodded and swiftly followed.
A week of intensive training had made his Life Force increasingly strong, with a vigorous feeling almost overflowing.
Meanwhile, he saw other tutoring class students passionately engaging in real combat sparring.
He was also eager from within but hadn't been allowed so far.
"It's truly not easy, Old Liang finally loosened up. Must grasp both training method and technique firmly and strongly!
Once the school term starts, my progress will make qualitative leaps!"
Qin Shi was full of fighting spirit and confidence.
A few minutes later, the group arrived at the training room.
It was spacious, nearly a hundred square meters, with various weights of black sandbags hanging around.
Corners were piled with large crates containing disposable protective gear and wooden sticks and bamboo swords.
"You two practice as usual."
Old Liang instructed and then looked at Qin Shi:
"Shi, watch their stance closely. Li Yuan has long legs, a lean figure, fast speed, and swift movements; his stance is the 'Eight-armed Stance.'
Hands raised high, focusing on upper body protection, with balanced weight aiding in dodge and counterattack."
Qin Shi listened intently, eyes fixed on the geared-up Li Yuan, trying to firmly remember this stance.
"The Eight-armed Stance mainly uses fists, elbows, and knees for attack. Once caught in his rhythm, you'll endure a barrage of strikes.
However, its weakness is also clear; it can't handle close grappling, only suitable for mid to long-range fights.
If you face such a situation, you must find ways to counter the offensive and close in."
Old Liang, an adept combat expert who participated in the Star Cup, analyzed sharply and insightfully.
After describing Li Yuan, he pointed to Xie Yucheng:
"Yucheng uses the 'Military Stance,' with the rear hand punch placed near the chin, the front arm bent at ninety degrees, the elbows hanging low, and the legs pressed down.
This stance balances attack and defense, suitable for long kicks, close strikes, and grappling.
But it requires the boxer to master kicking techniques and grappling method..."
Qin Shi absorbed the knowledge while comparing it to the actual combat practice of Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng.
He instinctively mimicked the stance movements, pondering how to defend and attack.
"When exerting force, your muscles and bones should twist into a single thread! Try to maintain the rhythm of Capturing Qi Sensitivity, synchronizing breath and movement..."
Old Liang was quite strict, even though Qin Shi had never touched the basic stance, technique moves, he didn't relax his requirements.
This is a teacher's expectation and trust in a good seedling.
"Every attack move and defense move can be broken down into seven or eight variations.
Not only must you remember firmly, but also be familiar with them, seize the opportunity, and make offensive or defensive judgments...
Once truly hands-on, Qin Shi understood that technique training was no easier than the training method.
Involving too much content, to cultivate it into a body's instinct requires a great deal of effort.
"Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng took half a month to train into semblance shape, I don't know how long it will take."
Qin Shi adjusted his mindset, not rushing, starting from the most basic steps, punches, and exertion.
Alone in the corner, repeatedly practicing advance and retreat movements, after getting proficient, then upgrading to thrust steps and back steps.
Fortunately, he had strengthened his physique through the Old Martial training method wave.
His stamina far surpassed the tutoring class students, fully sustaining this consumption.
[Group of exhaustion training completed]
[Growth +50...]