CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 0019: HIRED AS HEAD COACH OF THE MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL_1

"He’s my business partner."

Liu Ruolan didn’t go into detail about how she knew Zhang Bin, but her face was filled with an unmistakable delight that she couldn’t conceal.

Just 16 meters per second? It seems I’ll need some more time before I can cultivate to the Rushing Pulse Realm, Zhang Bin muttered to himself.

The cultivation stages of the Qingmu Longevity Technique were similar to those of Inner Family Kung Fu: Body Refinement, Qi Cultivation, Rushing Pulse, Qi Sea, Liquefaction, Seed Condensation, Small Tree, Large Tree, and Divine Tree Realms. One could only use Longevity Qi to heal diseases after reaching the Rushing Pulse Realm. After reaching the Minor Tree Realm, one could synthesize nature’s spiritual energy using the Small Tree in their Dantian, allowing them to survive without food or oxygen and possess a long lifespan.

Right now, Zhang Bin was desperate to cultivate to the Rushing Pulse Realm so he could cure his father’s illness.

"Xiao Bin, come on, let’s go test your strength," Liu Ruolan said with a playful laugh, naturally taking hold of Zhang Bin’s arm.

Instantly, shocked expressions appeared on the faces of the many students at Longyin Martial Arts Hall.

Liu Ruolan’s demeanor was noble and elegant. She was stunningly beautiful, dressed in designer brands, and drove a car worth over twenty million. She was a goddess that all men could only admire from afar.

And Zhang Bin? He was dressed in tattered clothes with messy hair, looking every bit the poor loser.

But now, this goddess was intimately holding the loser’s arm. It was a sight they couldn’t accept.

Surprise also showed on Tian Bingbing’s face as she stared at Liu Ruolan as if she were a monster. She was well aware of Liu Ruolan’s extraordinary status and how arrogant she had been in the past, never showing such affection toward any man.

What’s wrong with Sister Lan today? Is she possessed? Tian Bingbing wondered.

However, she didn’t let it show. She simply led the way to the strength-testing area.

Zhang Bin’s arm brushed against something soft, and he caught a whiff of an intoxicating fragrance on the breeze, causing his body to stiffen slightly. He felt as if he were walking on clouds, wishing the moment could last forever, yet also hoping it would end soon. His mind was in utter disarray, and a faint blush crept across his face.

"Xiao Bin, you have to take me to meet your master later. I want to meet such an extraordinary person," Liu Ruolan said coquettishly.

So she has an ulterior motive, Zhang Bin thought, feeling a sense of relief. He became more composed and sighed. "My master is critically ill and might not last much longer. Besides, he lives deep in the mountains. It takes me five to six hours just to get there. If I brought you along, it might take three days. And the terrifying part is, the deep mountains are full of fierce beasts, posing a constant threat to one’s life."

"That’s a shame." Liu Ruolan shot Zhang Bin a look, seeming to realize he was turning her down. "I wonder, how much of your master’s skill have you learned?"

"I’m working on it," Zhang Bin said with a grin.

You little fox, that’s the same as saying nothing, Liu Ruolan grumbled internally.

At last, Tian Bingbing led them into a special room where a single machine stood.

"Zhang Bin, punch the machine here with all your might, and it will test your strength," Tian Bingbing said.

"Alright."

Zhang Bin agreed, warmed up for a moment, and then threw a fierce punch at the screen-like area on the machine.

A muffled BOOM echoed.

A nearby display showed the result: 750 kilograms.

"750 kilograms? How is that possible?" Liu Ruolan stared at Zhang Bin as if he were a monster, exclaiming in disbelief. Today, this young man named Zhang Bin had shocked her multiple times—first with the Century-old Ginseng, then the miraculous Bright Eye Liquid, and now his speed and strength.

She was no ordinary person. Having seen much of the world, she had naturally met many remarkable and eccentric individuals. However, she had never seen someone so young and so powerful. Cultivating Inner Family Kung Fu required decades to achieve any significant results.

"Zhang Bin, you’ve really cultivated to the Mid Phase of the Lianqi Realm! You’re about to break through to the Late Phase," Tian Bingbing said, looking at Zhang Bin with admiration. "In your lifetime, you might even cultivate to the Golden Core Realm. Then you’ll be able to fly through the sky and tunnel through the earth—truly omnipotent!"

"Not at all. I was just lucky enough to get some cultivation resources, which is why I’ve progressed so quickly. It might not continue in the future. It’s questionable whether I can even cultivate to the Rushing Pulse Realm," Zhang Bin said humbly.

"Stop being so modest," Tian Bingbing said charmingly. "Are you interested in being the chief instructor of our hall?"

"I’m a farmer. I have fields to tend," Zhang Bin said, startled.

"Hee hee..." Tian Bingbing giggled, her body trembling gracefully. "Being the chief instructor won’t interfere with your other business. You just need to come over when an expert challenges the hall. Besides, you live in Sanchahe Village, which is only a twenty-minute drive, so you can get here quickly."

This really wouldn’t interfere with my other business. And I’d get a prestigious title: Chief Instructor of Longyin Martial Arts Hall! What’s more, if I become the chief instructor, I can spar with experts like Tian Bingbing often. It’d be pleasing to the eye and a good way to improve my practical combat skills.

With these thoughts, he asked hesitantly, "Do experts often come to challenge the hall? Are they very strong?"

He had only been practicing the Qingmu Longevity Technique for about a month. Although he was much stronger, his mindset hadn’t changed yet. He still thought of himself as a farmer who was just a little stronger than an ordinary person.

"Actually, challenges are rare; we might not even get one a year. The challengers are certainly experts, but the strongest are only at the Mid Phase of the Lianqi Realm. Those in the Late Phase of the Lianqi Realm are as rare as a phoenix feather or a unicorn’s horn," Tian Bingbing explained.

"What about the Rushing Pulse Realm? Are there none?" Zhang Bin asked curiously.

"Of course, there are. But experts who have cultivated to the Rushing Pulse Realm are all old men. They’re famous masters in the Martial World, possibly military or special forces trainers. Even my dad holds a special position. So, experts like that don’t usually come to challenge our hall," said Tian Bingbing.

"What’s the pay?" Zhang Bin asked, tempted.

He was confident he could reach the Rushing Pulse Realm within a month. At that point, he wouldn’t fear even a Rushing Pulse Realm Master. So, it was like getting a great job for free, without even having to show up for work.

"Fifty thousand a month, plus a full benefits package. How does that sound?" Tian Bingbing said with a smile.

"The pay is that good?" Zhang Bin’s eyes lit up, and his blood boiled with excitement.

"Bingbing, isn’t fifty thousand a bit stingy?" Liu Ruolan chided coquettishly. "Even those personal bodyguards without any real skill get paid more than that."

Now that she has a sweetheart, she’s forgotten her best friend, Tian Bingbing grumbled to herself, then said with a pained expression, "Alright, how about sixty thousand?"

"Deal, I accept," Zhang Bin agreed at once, without any further haggling.