After the fist technique drill, the next test was breaking wooden stakes.
The miscellaneous workers would break these stakes buried in the ground using only their fists.
This test evaluated the hardness of their bones as well as their Qi Blood Power.
After all, only by mastering the fist technique, having abundant Qi Blood, and hardening joints could one possibly break the stakes.
"Hey, ha!"
A worker let out a loud shout, his arm muscles bulged, and he delivered a punch.
With a crack, the stake broke.
A porter nearby lowered his head to record the corresponding number on paper.
All at once, the training ground was filled with sounds of "hey" and "ha", mingled with the cracking of stakes and groans of pain from failed attempts.
Zhao Ya observed secretly and found that most people's average level was around three to four stakes.
Even those with slightly more strength could only break up to five stakes, which gave him a sense of relief.
"Are you ready?" a porter asked Zhao Ya at this time.
Zhao Ya nodded, rolled up his sleeves, and approached a stake, first pushing it with his hand to feel its hardness, then clenched his fist and struck hard.
Crack.
With a crisp cracking sound, the stake broke.
The porter's eyes couldn't help but light up.
Because, unlike those who bared their teeth and screamed, Zhao Ya remained quite calm throughout.
It was as if these stakes were just dried branches.
After breaking the stake in front of him, Zhao Ya did not pause and moved straight to the next one.
Crack, crack, crack.
In a series of loud sounds, Zhao Ya broke a full eight stakes as if cutting through melon, then stopped, quietly settled his Qi Blood, and nodded to the porter.
"Zhao Ya, eight stakes."
The porter shouted loudly, attracting many people's attention.
After all, this score was the highest record so far.
For a moment, many people's eyes on Zhao Ya changed subtly.
Meng Lei, the Chief of the Escort sitting on the platform, naturally noticed this scene as well.
Seeing that it was Zhao Ya, who had left a good impression during the Five Tiger Fist drill, who broke eight stakes, Meng Lei couldn't help but nod secretly.
This young man had only joined the Escort Agency for a short time yet could perform like this. He was certainly a talent worth cultivating.
Just then, an exclamation suddenly arose from a certain area in the training ground.
"How many stakes is that now?"
"Ten stakes!"
"Hiss, this is incredible. Does this guy intend to break all the remaining stakes today?"
Amidst the chatter, Wei Yu was seen moving swiftly, fists striking out, breaking the stakes he passed by.
This scene immediately drew everyone's attention.
Even Meng Lei couldn't help but stand up to watch.
Crack, crack, crack.
The sound of breaking stakes was incessant, and in the blink of an eye, Wei Yu had astonishingly broken sixteen stakes.
By this time, only two stakes were left in the field.
Then Wei Yu suddenly let out a long howl, charging forward like a fierce tiger, and struck out with both fists.
With two cracks, the two stakes broke simultaneously.
Wei Yu stood upright, head held high, with a proud expression on his face.
"Wei Yu, eighteen stakes!"
The whole arena erupted instantly.
"Hiss, eighteen stakes, could this guy have completed Bone Refining?"
"This young man is truly terrifying."
Amidst the noise, Meng Lei laughed heartily and walked down from the platform to Wei Yu.
"Good, powerful fists, indeed heroes come from the young."
Wei Yu bowed with his fists clasped, "Chief of the Escort, you overpraise me."
Though humble in words, the unconcealed pride on his face betrayed his true thoughts.
Meng Lei patted his shoulder, said a few more encouraging words, then turned and returned to the platform.
"I am very satisfied with today's martial arts performance. Although a small number of people performed slightly worse, it's clear that most people have put in a lot of hard work into their fist technique."
"In today's world, heroes emerge, and the strong are numerous. If you want to stand firm, you must train steadily. After all, hard work never disappoints, it always pays you back."
Meng Lei spoke enthusiastically on the platform. Unfortunately, such motivational words no longer affected Zhao Ya, who glanced at Wei Yu standing at the front.
This young man's strength was indeed impressive.
Although Zhao Ya thought that if he gave his all, he could also break a large number of stakes.
But he chose not to, as being too conspicuous often brings unnecessary trouble.
In contrast, he'd rather be an ordinary middle-level figure.
Perhaps sensing Zhao Ya's gaze, Wei Yu turned his head and their eyes met.
Zhao Ya smiled slightly.
But Wei Yu just raised an eyebrow and then ignored Zhao Ya, turning back.
Facing this silent disdain, Zhao Ya simply smiled, not taking it to heart.
Yet, Tan Dong beside him couldn't bear it.
He had witnessed the whole scene, so with a face full of anger, he said in a low voice: "Old Zhao, this guy is really arrogant, do you want to teach him a lesson?"
"Sure, go teach him a lesson for me then," Zhao Ya said calmly.
Tan Dong shrank his neck, embarrassed, "How could I? I just used all my strength to break two stakes, and my hands still hurt!"
"Then why are you saying this?"
"I'm just mad for you! Plus, if I can't teach him a lesson, can't you? Don't think I didn't notice, you weren't even sweating, clearly holding back…."
Zhao Ya cast a glance at Tan Dong, "If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute."
Tan Dong closed his mouth, not daring to say more.
At this moment, Meng Lei on the platform finally finished his motivational speech.
"Wei Yu, Zhao Ya, Zhou Hua, Luo Feng, you four stay, the rest can leave."
Zhao Ya's heart stirred, knowing the main event was about to come.
Sure enough.
After the others dispersed, Meng Lei gathered Zhao Ya and the others to announce a few things.
First, Zhao Ya and the others' monthly salary was increased.
Zhao Ya's previous monthly salary was one liang and two qian of silver, now directly increased to two liang.
This wasn't even the highest; Wei Yu's monthly salary reached a high of three liang.
But this benefit paled in comparison to what Meng Lei announced next.
Henceforth, lunch for Zhao Ya and the other three would be provided by the Escort Agency.
Don't underestimate this meal; as Meng Lei put it, it is prepared with meat of fierce beasts rich in blood energy.
The main highlight is a bowl of Great Nourishing Soup made from various precious medicinal materials served after the meal, which is highly effective in enhancing Qi Blood and physical strength.
This condition even made Zhao Ya tempted, let alone the other three.
"Thank you, Escort Agency, for the nurturing grace. We will surely remember this and repay with utmost loyalty." Luo Feng, the youngest, was so excited that he immediately pledged his loyalty.
Meng Lei laughed heartily, "No need for extreme loyalty; practicing diligently is the greatest repayment to the Escort Agency."
"Alright, you three go back and rest, Wei Yu, come with me."
Meng Lei called Wei Yu alone, leading him away.
"Brother Wei is favored by the Chief of the Escort; he's rising to the top." Luo Feng said enviously.
In contrast, Zhou Hua remained much calmer, merely glancing at Wei Yu's back before turning to leave.
"Brother Zhao, from now on we're in the same group, want to go celebrate?" Luo Feng asked enthusiastically.
Zhao Ya shook his head with a smile, "Forget it, I have something to do, maybe next time."
Then he turned and left.