Chapter 54 Sophomore?

“No students as spectators!” Qin Rui glanced at the venue, then slightly turned her head to say to Zhao Rui.

The faint scent of the young girl’s fragrance gently wafted into the nose, bringing an involuntary sense of delight.

“Did we have that before?” Zhao Rui asked.

“Yes, last year the school gathered quite a number of students, not only from the Martial Arts Academy but also from other departments to cheer on. There was even a cheerleading squad!” Qin Rui’s voice was crisp as she spoke, then she pursed her lips slightly and sighed. Times have changed.

As the two conversed, the leaders from both schools strode in with resolute steps, taking their seats in the front row near the arena.

“Dean Zhang, our two schools have a long-standing history. Since the founding of the nation, we’ve continuously supplied a great number of martial arts talents to Dongqi Province and all of Huaguo... The 35th National Martial Arts Tournament will be held in March next year. We should strengthen our exchanges to achieve better results,” said a rotund man with a broad face and flat nose, smiling gently at Dean Zhang beside him.

Dean Zhang, the head of Dongqi University’s Martial Arts Academy, twitched the muscles of his face slightly upon hearing the man’s words; a fleeting displeasure crossed his expression.

“Nonsense, if we talk about contributions to the martial arts tournaments over the past two years, Dongyi has done better. Dean Sun, we should be the ones learning and seeking guidance from you,” Zhang replied politely.

“It’s not about contributions, we’re all nurturing talents for the country. Let’s work together...” The two exchanged courteous but insincere pleasantries before Dean Sun wiped the sweat from his neck and glanced at the arena.

“Dean Zhang, although good craftsmen do not reveal their flaws, as the saying goes, ‘like melons and gourds growing together endlessly,’ referring to new beginnings, I propose that today’s competition focus mainly on second-year students. How about that?”

“Mainly second-year students?” Dean Zhang’s face darkened; inwardly, he cursed the fat man’s slyness. If they used the official team members, although they often lost more than they won, that only represented the present. But if second-year students took the stage and lost badly, it would mean losing the future.

“Second-year students haven’t been tempered by major competitions yet. With such rushed preparation, they’ll hardly perform well. Let’s stick to our usual custom,” Zhang said firmly.

“That’s exactly why they need more grinding!” Sun retorted.

“Well...” Zhang hesitated.

“Is there something inconvenient about our Dongqi University? If so, I must apologize for speaking out of turn.” Sun smiled slyly.

Zhang’s mouth twitched. Did that fat man not know this was a bold move?

“There’s nothing inconvenient,” Zhang said firmly, then turned to Wang Zhanshan beside him. “Zhanshan, you heard Dean Sun’s suggestion, right? Go gather the students.”

Wang Zhanshan nodded and rose to call the second-year students, including Li Xinran, from the rear audience seats. After glancing at Zhao Rui, he called him up as well.

There was no other choice—too few second-year students remained. Regardless of skill, they had to fill the numbers. Zhao Rui could be considered half a second-year student, at least!

When Wang Zhanshan summoned them, Li Xinran and the others were puzzled, thinking they were being asked to handle some logistics. Upon hearing the instruction to compete, they were stunned speechless, mouths agape.

Even the normally arrogant Cao Guannan was dumbfounded, unable to believe it.

“Us? Coach, you must be joking?”

“What joke? Just play freely. Winning or losing doesn’t matter.”

“The rules forbid attacking vital points, using hidden weapons or unconventional methods, and verbal insults...” Wang Zhanshan gave them a few reminders before leading them to the waiting area behind the arena.

The official team members, who had been waiting, were also surprised to see this group of second-years arrive.

Unfortunately, Wang Zhanshan had no time to engage with them. After seating the five second-years and Zhao Rui in the front row, he crouched down slightly to briefly point out their individual shortcomings.

However, since he rarely paid attention to second-years, his advice was mostly superficial.

For Zhao Rui, he simply said, “Don’t be nervous. Just play naturally.”

Soon, the second-year students from Dongyi strode in from the opposite side, nearly fifteen or sixteen in number, their imposing presence far surpassing Dongqi University’s group.

“Coach, what are our chances of winning?” Li Xinran rubbed her short hair, her face stiff.

Wang Zhanshan shot her a glare, then stood up and said, “Coach Zeng will bring the martial arts uniforms soon. When you hear your name called, go up to the arena. He’ll guide you on the details.”

With that, Wang Zhanshan left the waiting area.

His expression showed no joy. Wang understood Dongyi’s sudden aggressive move perfectly. After years of being suppressed by Dongqi University, the tide had turned, so naturally, they wanted to show off and vent pent-up frustrations.

Dongqi University’s current predicament was entirely self-inflicted. Despite Dongyi recruiting excellent students over the years, the gap should not have been so glaring.

Unfortunately, the previous principal was an arrogant intellectual who had ruined the Martial Arts Academy’s development.

Enough gossip.

After a short while, Zeng Hongyi hurried over, followed by two assistants carrying martial arts uniforms.

“Don’t be nervous. Once you’re on stage, just think of it as sparring practice, like when you were in middle and high school, dominating the field,” Zeng encouraged, bending slightly to look each of them in the eye, patting them on the shoulder. “Get your spirits up. You’re the seniors here; you have to set an example for Zhao Rui. Come on, let’s go!”

He fist-bumped with each of them for encouragement.

Seeing their still somewhat stunned expressions, not quite recovered from the shock of competing, Zhao Rui stood and approached the five.

“Seniors, why be nervous? The ones who should be nervous are on the other side.”

Everyone looked at him, surprised.

“Think about it. They know we’re no match, right?”

Hearing this, they gave him unfriendly glares.

“Losing is normal. If we win, they’ll be the ones embarrassed. What’s there to fear? Just do it!”

“At worst, people die... cough cough.”

“Pah!” Qin Rui blushed and spat at him.

“Uh, that’s exactly what I mean. Haha. Come on, let’s go!” Zhao Rui said, extending his hand forward.

Zhang Kui and Li Xinran nodded, placing their hands on top, followed by Qin Rui and another male student.

Cao Guannan glanced at them, a fierce gleam in his eyes, narrowing his gaze before placing his hand down.

“Let’s crush them!”

“Crush!”

“Crush!”

Even Qin Rui quietly echoed.

Watching this boisterous encouragement, Zeng Hongyi was momentarily stunned. He never expected that the “core” of the six-person group would be first-year newcomer Zhao Rui.

Interesting!

Regardless of the outcome, at least the team’s spirit was intact.

Zeng Hongyi felt much reassured.

After the pep talk ended and the group finished changing, the temporary referee stepped onto the arena and officially announced the start of the martial arts exchange.

“The first match: Dongqi University’s Li Xinran versus Dongyi Academy’s Pang Junze.”

With the announcement, Li Xinran walked onto the arena amid cheers and encouragement.

At the same time, her opponent, a stocky young man about 1.7 meters tall, muscular and imposing, also stepped onto the stage.

They bowed to each other and with the whistle, the match began.

Both started cautiously, mostly feinting, testing one another.

After a few probes, the short, muscular opponent’s expression hardened. Suddenly, his arms bent like drawn bows; his right fist clenched, ready to strike, while his left arm stood along his body, fist facing outward—a mountain tiger poised to pounce.

“Tiger’s Bold Dragon Form Fist!” he roared.

A fierce sound like tiger and leopard thunder exploded in Li Xinran’s ears as his figure surged forward like a dragon leaping from the sea, a hungry tiger attacking its prey.

Li Xinran was unprepared for the opponent’s “sonic wave” style attack, momentarily shaken. Fortunately, Dongqi’s martial artists trained in the Meditation Technique, which strengthened their spirit, and she quickly regained composure.

But in the blink of an eye, the opponent’s fist was already before her eyes.

Li Xinran had no time to dodge, raising both arms while secretly channeling the Primordial Inner Power to withstand the blow.

A tremendous force surged through her arms, like a heavy truck crashing into her, sending her flying backward.

In midair, she performed the Flying Swallow Maneuver, flipping and planting her feet on the pillar at the arena’s edge to leverage and dissipate the force, spinning back onto the platform.

“Well done, senior!” Zhao Rui and the others cheered from below.

Li Xinran felt bitter inside—what’s so good about it? Her arms were still trembling.

The short opponent wasted no time, launching another series of rapid punches, stepping with mysterious footwork, his movements shrinking distances like teleportation, rushing toward Li Xinran.

Prepared this time, Li Xinran countered with the Primordial Palm.

“Senior’s Primordial Palm hasn’t yet mastered the balance of hardness and softness; it may not withstand such fierce strikes,” one spectator noted.

“Yes, Li Xinran needs to avoid the sharp edge, use more Flying Swallow Maneuvers to keep distance and create openings,” another added.

The audience watched Li Xinran’s match more intensely than if they were fighting themselves.

In the front row, where the leaders sat, Dean Sun nodded with a smile and said, “Your female student is performing excellently.”

“Still needs more honing. Not comparable to your male student, who is already a Peak Level Seven Martial Artist, right?” Dean Zhang replied, graciously returning the compliment.

“He’s already reached Mid-Level Eight,” Dean Sun smiled.

Zhang was taken aback, then his face darkened. Looking back at the arena, sudden changes had occurred.

Li Xinran, who had been keeping a distance using her footwork, was suddenly caught close by the opponent.

He unleashed two rapid combo punches. Li Xinran failed to defend in time and was heavily knocked away.

Without waiting for her to recover, the opponent charged again, grabbing her ankle and slamming her onto the ground with a loud crash.

The entire arena heard it clearly.

Spectators were stunned, especially Dongqi University’s team, whose faces turned grim instantly.

At that moment, the referee hurried forward, pushing the short opponent away and signaling a count over the unconscious Li Xinran.

“What’s the count for?” Dean Zhang shouted furiously, ordering Wang Zhanshan to rush onto the arena and check on Li Xinran.

“That guy has no sense of strength! Doesn’t he know to take it easy on a girl?” Dean Sun complained helplessly.

“Dean, I didn’t expect her to be so fragile!” the short opponent said with a wronged expression, which only made Dongqi’s team look even more displeased.

On the arena, Wang Zhanshan channeled energy to help Li Xinran recover. Medical staff soon arrived to lift the slowly regaining Li Xinran onto a stretcher and carry her out.

“Be careful with your strikes! We’re brother schools, not enemies. Are you fighting to the death?” Dean Sun scolded the Dongyi team.

After the reprimand, he smiled and said, “Dean Zhang, shall we continue?”

“Hm, continue,” Zhang replied grimly.

The matches resumed.

The next to enter was the second-year male student from Zhao Rui’s team.

Shaken by Li Xinran’s injury, the young man was timid and hesitant at first.

After a few exchanges, he was swept off his feet by a low kick.

Seeing this, Dean Zhang’s face grew even darker.

Even Wang Zhanshan looked remorseful and uncertain.

“Brother Wang, get up! Think about how we usually fight. Pretend he’s me!” Zhao Rui shouted anxiously from the sidelines.

Hearing Zhao Rui’s voice as the referee counted down, the young man gritted his teeth and rose from the ground.

“Damn it!”

The usually quiet, inconspicuous senior unexpectedly cursed.

“Zhao Rui, you bastard!” he shouted, then unleashed the Prajna Palm technique with a series of cunning, unconventional moves toward his opponent.

“...” Zhao Rui was speechless on the sidelines. Just because he told him to think of him doesn’t mean he should curse at him!

Even Qin Rui and others, who had been somber over Li Xinran’s injury, couldn’t help but smile at his antics.

“After the second move of Prajna Palm, he follows up with this? It’s different from our usual drill,” the Dongyi male opponent said, preparing to block the unexpected variation.

Startled, he dodged.

Seeing that the move worked, the senior grew pleased and quickly unleashed the usual Prajna Palm techniques he practiced with Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui, being deeply familiar with Prajna Palm, often anticipated their moves during sparring, leaving the second-year seniors flustered.

Later, they had to devise strange and unorthodox variations to counter Zhao Rui.

Prajna Palm emphasizes the state of “emptiness and non-emptiness, non-emptiness as emptiness,” a realm beyond form.

Over time, they managed to develop some unconventional techniques differing from standard Prajna Palm forms.