Chương 54: Big 2?

Chapter 54 Sophomore year?

"There were no students in the audience!"

Qin Rui glanced at the venue, then turned her head slightly to Zhao Rui and said.

The girl's fragrance wafted into my nostrils, bringing me a sense of joy.

"Did it happen before?"

Zhao Rui asked.

"Yes, last year the school gathered quite a few students, not only from the Martial Arts Academy, but also from other academies, and there were even cheerleaders!"

Qin Rui said in a crisp voice, then pursed her lips slightly and sighed.

Times have changed.

Just as the two were talking, the leaders of the two schools walked in from outside the arena with an air of "not recognizing anyone," and then sat down in the front row near the ring.

"Dean Zhang, our two schools have a long history and have been supplying a large number of martial arts talents to Dongqi Province and even the whole country since the founding of the People's Republic of China. The 35th National Martial Arts Conference will be held next March. We should strengthen exchanges and strive to achieve better results."

A fat man with a large head and ears, a face like a silver plate, and a flat nose smiled slightly and spoke to Dean Zhang beside him.

Dean Zhang was the dean of the Martial Arts Academy of Dongqi University. Upon hearing the fat man's words, the muscles on his face twitched slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed across his face.

"Not at all, not at all. If we're talking about contributions to the martial arts tournaments over the past two years, then Dongyi University has done a better job. Dean Sun, we should learn more from you."

"Whether it's making a contribution or not, we're all contributing to the country by training talent. Let's work together..."

After exchanging a few perfunctory pleasantries, Dean Sun wiped the sweat from the back of his neck, glanced at the training ground, and said, "Dean Zhang, although a skilled craftsman doesn't reveal his true abilities, the continuation of a family is like the growth of countless children. I propose that today's competition primarily feature second-year students, what do you think?"

"Primarily targeting second-year students?"

Dean Zhang's face darkened, and he cursed the fat scoundrel inwardly for his cunning.

If you're a full member, even though you lose more than you win, that only represents the present.

If you play in your sophomore year and lose badly, you've jeopardized your future.

"Second-year students haven't had much experience in major competitions, so such hasty preparation might hinder their performance. Let's stick to the usual practice!"

"Ah, that's precisely why they need so much training!"

"this……"

"Is there something inconvenient about our Dongda University? If so, I'm truly sorry for being so presumptuous."

Dean Sun smiled slyly.

Dean Zhang's lips twitched.

"Don't you know how presumptuous you are, you fatso?"

"There's nothing inconvenient about it."

Dean Zhang made a firm decision, turned to Wang Zhanshan beside him, and said, "Zhanshan, you heard Dean Sun's suggestion, right? Go and gather the students!"

Wang Zhanshan nodded, got up and walked to the back row of the audience, calling out to Li Xinran and the other second-year students.

After glancing at Zhao Rui, he casually called him up as well.

There's no way around it, there are too few sophomores left. Regardless of their actual abilities, let's just make up the numbers for now. Even someone like Zhao Rui can be considered a half-sophomore!

When Wang Zhanshan called them up, Li Xinran and the others were confused, thinking that he wanted them to handle some logistical matters.

After hearing Wang Zhanshan say that they would be allowed to compete, they were all dumbfounded, their mouths agape in astonishment.

Even Cao Guannan, who is usually pretentious, was dumbfounded and incredulous.

"Me? Us? Coach, are you kidding me?"

"What are you talking about? Just do whatever you want, winning or losing doesn't matter."

"The rules of the arena competition stipulate that attacks on vital areas are prohibited, as are the use of concealed weapons or other unconventional methods, and verbal abuse is forbidden..."

Wang Zhanshan gave everyone a few instructions and then led them to the waiting area behind the arena.

The official team members who were already waiting there were also quite surprised to see this group of second-year students arrive.

Unfortunately, Wang Zhanshan didn't have time to deal with them. After leading the five sophomores and Zhao Rui to the first row, he squatted down slightly and pointed out their shortcomings and problems to each of them.

Unfortunately, he didn't pay much attention to the second-year students, and when he did say a few words, they were all just empty talk.

When it came to Zhao Rui, he simply said, "Just don't be nervous. Just do your best."

Soon, the second-year students from the East Asia Art Center also strode over from the other side with vigorous strides and an imposing air.

There were nearly fifteen or sixteen of them in a large group.

The sheer scale of the event far surpasses that of Dongqi University.

"Coach, what are our chances of winning?"

Li Xinran touched her head covered by short hair and said stiffly.

Wang Zhanshan glared at her, stood up and said, "Coach Zeng will bring the martial arts uniforms over in a while. When you hear his name, go up to the ring with him. He will give you instructions on the specifics."

After saying that, Wang Zhanshan got up and left the waiting area.

There was clearly no joy on his face. Wang Zhanshan could actually understand the sudden attack from Dongyi Academy.

After all, they had been suppressed by Dongqi University for so many years. Now that the tables have turned, they naturally wanted to be more flamboyant and vent their pent-up frustrations.

Dongqi University's current predicament is entirely of its own making. Even though Dongyi University has attracted a lot of outstanding students in recent years, the gap wouldn't be this obvious.

Unfortunately, the previous principal was an arrogant intellectual who turned the martial arts academy into what it is today.

Enough of the small talk!

Zhao Rui and the others hadn't been there long when Zeng Hongyi rushed over, followed by two staff members, each carrying some martial arts uniforms.

"Don't be nervous. When you go up on stage, just like when we practice, think about how you were in high school, how you dominated the game."

Zeng Hongyi leaned down slightly, looked at everyone one by one, clapped his hands, and said, "Cheer up, everyone! You senior brothers and sisters have to set a good example for Zhao Rui! Come on, let's do our best!"

After saying that, Zeng Hongyi gave everyone a high five and cheered them on.

Seeing that everyone's expressions were still somewhat "dull" and they hadn't recovered from the fact that "they actually came on stage," Zhao Rui stood up and approached the five people.

"Senior brothers and sisters, why are we so nervous? The ones who should be nervous are the ones on the other side."

Everyone was taken aback and looked over.

"Think about it, with our skill level so low, do you think they wouldn't know?"

Upon hearing Zhao Rui's words, everyone rolled their eyes at him with disapproval.

"See, losing is normal, but if we win, they'll lose face. What's there to be afraid of? Just do it!"

"At worst, someone dies... cough cough."

"Pooh!"

Qin Rui blushed and spat at him.

"Uh, that's what I mean. Haha. Come on, come on, come on, let's do our best!"

After Zhao Rui finished speaking, he stretched out his hand and placed it flat in front of everyone.

Zhang Kui and Li Xinran nodded and placed their hands on it, followed by Qin Rui and another boy.

Cao Guannan glanced at everyone, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He narrowed his gaze and placed his hand on them as well.

"Fuck him!"

"Dry!"

"Dry!"

Even Qin Rui quietly echoed the sentiment.

Zeng Hongyi was stunned as he watched the six of them cheering each other on as if no one else was around. He never expected that Zhao Rui, a freshman, would become the "core" of the "six-person group".

interesting!

Regardless of the outcome, at least the team's spirit hasn't been lost.

Zeng Hongyi felt much more at ease.

Just as the cheering ended and everyone came out of the changing room, the temporary referee stepped onto the stage and announced the official opening of the martial arts exchange.

"The first pair of contestants is Li Xinran from Dongqi University, versus Pang Junze from Dongqi College of Arts and Sports."

As the referee announced the list of contestants, Li Xinran stepped onto the ring amidst encouraging glances and cheers from the crowd.

At the same time, the opposing contestant also stepped onto the stage. He was a muscular man about 1. 7 meters tall with a very muscular build, which made him stand out from the crowd.

Both sides clasped their hands in a salute, and with the sound of the whistle, the match officially began.

Both sides were cautious at the beginning, and their moves were mostly unrefined but their strength had returned, mainly to test each other.

After a few tentative moves, the short, stocky boy got the hang of it. His expression hardened, and in an instant, his arms were bent like a bow and arrow. His right fist was clenched, ready to be released, while his left arm was held vertically along the midline of his body, with his fist pointing outwards, like a tiger waiting to pounce down the mountain.

"Tiger and Dragon Form Fist!"

The boy roared, accompanied by a thunderous sound that echoed in Li Xinran's ears. His figure was like a dragon emerging from the sea, or a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey.

He suddenly lunged at Li Xinran.

Li Xinran never expected that the other party would also have a "sound wave" type of attack. She was immediately disoriented. Fortunately, the members of the Dongqi Martial Arts Team learned the Mind-Calming Technique upon joining the team, and their minds were quite resolute. After a slight hesitation, they regained their senses.

In the blink of an eye, the opponent's fist was already upon them.

Li Xinran had no time to dodge, so she had to raise her arms and secretly channel her inner energy to withstand the punch.

Suddenly, a tremendous force came from her arm, like the impact of a heavy truck, and sent her flying horizontally.

Li Xinran, while in the air, used the Flying Swallow Leap, her figure flipped, and her feet touched the pillars at the edge of the arena, using the force to deflect the impact, and she spun back to the arena.

"Well done, senior sister!"

Zhao Rui and others in the audience cheered.

Li Xinran felt bitter inside. What was so great about her beating? Her arms were still trembling.

Without wasting words, the short boy launched another attack as soon as he finished his first, his feet moving with mysterious steps, his body seemingly shrinking the distance between them, as he suddenly rushed towards Li Xinran.

Li Xinran was now prepared and quickly used her Hunyuan Palm technique to fight her opponent.

"Senior Sister's Hunyuan Palm has not yet reached the level of combining hardness and softness, so I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to withstand such a fierce fist technique."

"Hmm, Li Xinran needs to find a way to avoid their sharp edge, use Flying Swallow Leap more often, create distance, and create time for them to open up their defenses."

The crowd below watched Li Xinran's match on the stage with even greater immersion than if they were there themselves.

In the first row of the audience, at the leaders' seats, Dean Sun smiled and nodded, saying, "Your female student performed very well!"

"He still needs more practice. He can't compare to this young man from your school, who is already a peak level seven martial artist, right?"

One shouldn't hit a smiling face. Since Dean Sun praised his student, it's only right and proper to return the compliment.

"I've already reached level eight, the intermediate level."

Sun Xiaoyuan said with a smile.

Dean Zhang was stunned for a moment, then his face darkened. When he looked back at the arena, he saw that something had suddenly happened.

Li Xinran, who had been using her movement skills to keep a distance of one or two body lengths from her opponent, was suddenly brought close by her opponent in an instant.

Then, the opponent unleashed two consecutive punches, and Li Xinran, caught off guard, was sent flying.

Before she could even change position, her opponent attacked again, grabbing her ankle and slamming her to the ground.

It made a loud bang.

This time, the entire training ground could hear it clearly.

The spectators below the stage were stunned, especially the students from Dongqi University, whose faces instantly turned ugly.

Just then, the referee rushed forward, pushed the short, stocky boy aside, and then raised his hand to Li Xinran, who was lying unconscious on the ground.

"What's the point of counting!"

Dean Zhang was furious. He shouted and ordered Wang Zhanshan to rush onto the stage to examine Li Xinran's condition.

"This kid, how can he be so rough! Doesn't he know how to be considerate of girls?"

Dean Sun, standing to the side, looked annoyed and said helplessly.

"Dean, I never expected her to be so easily defeated!"

The short, stocky boy looked aggrieved upon hearing this. But these words only made the expressions of the people from Dongqi University even more unpleasant.

On the stage, Wang Zhanshan helped Li Xinran recover her energy for a moment, and the medical workers who had been waiting also joined the stage.

They lifted the now-conscious Li Xinran onto a stretcher and took her out of the training ground.

"Watch your strength, everyone. Don't go overboard. We're all from the same school. Were you fighting to the death back then?"

Dean Sun cleared his throat and reprimanded the group from Dongqi Arts and Sports Academy.

After reprimanding him, he smiled and said, "Dean Zhang, shall we continue?"

"Okay, continue!"

Dean Zhang responded with a gloomy face.

The match resumed.

The next one to appear was the sophomore boy who was on the same team as Zhao Rui.

Seemingly frightened by Li Xinran's experience, the boy hesitated and dared not make a move from the start.

After the opponent made a move, he was knocked to the ground by a sweeping kick after only a few moves.

Looking at the result on the field, Dean Zhang's face darkened even more.

Even Wang Zhanshan, who was standing to the side, looked ashamed and somewhat at a loss.

"Brother Wang, stand up. Think about how we usually fight. Just treat him like me!"

Zhao Rui, sitting in the audience, shouted anxiously to the second-year student on stage.

As if hearing Zhao Rui's voice, the boy gritted his teeth and stood up from the ground while the referee was counting down.

"Hold!"

Wang Xuege, who is usually quiet and has little presence, unexpectedly swore.

"Zhao Rui, you bastard!"

Wang Xuege shouted and unleashed the Prajna Palm Technique, striking at his opponent with extremely tricky and strange moves.

"..."

Zhao Rui, sitting in the audience, was speechless. You're treating him like me, but I didn't ask you to insult me too!

Qin Rui and the others, who were initially heavy-hearted because of Li Xinran's injury, were amused by his actions and couldn't help but smile.

"After the second move of the Prajna Palm, is this the next move? Why is it different from the demonstration?"

Just as the boy from the opposite East Art University was about to defend himself, he suddenly realized that Wang Xuege's move had turned into a variation he had never considered before.

Startled, he dodged away.

Seeing that his moves were effective, Wang Xuege was overjoyed and quickly used the Prajna Palm technique that he usually practiced with Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui already had a thorough understanding of the Prajna Palm technique, so when sparring with them, he was always able to anticipate their moves, leaving the second-year students flustered.

Later, they had to rack their brains to come up with unconventional and strange tricks to deal with Zhao Rui.

The Prajna Palm emphasizes the state of being neither empty nor empty, a state of being without moves.

Over time, they came up with some different ways of using the Prajna Palm than usual.

(End of this chapter)