Chương 59: The Soft Persimmon Turns Hard

"By drawing on the strengths of many, incorporating them into one's own understanding, and integrating them into a coherent whole, one can truly reveal one's true self!"

Zeng Hongyi glanced at everyone and slowly said, "I hope everyone can be like Zhao Rui, good at summarizing and innovating. Without the pioneers who paved the way, how could martial arts be so prosperous today!"

"Disciple understands!"

Everyone responded in unison.

Zeng Hongyi nodded in satisfaction. Although these students weren't particularly talented, they had a solid foundation; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get into the Martial Arts Academy of Dongqi University.

There's definitely a gap compared to those geniuses, but in the path of martial arts, there are many factors that contribute to success.

If people gave up on martial arts simply because they discovered they lacked talent, there wouldn't be so many extraordinary masters who later surpassed them.

Among the martial arts masters he encountered were many who had mediocre talents in their youth but later had many extraordinary encounters and broke through their own limitations.

……

"Unofficial third-year students, report to my office!"

Two days later, during the training session, Zeng Hongyi also called over the few remaining unofficial members from the third year.

According to Wang Zhanshan's new arrangement, he will be in charge of training freshmen, while another teaching assistant, Tian Lei, will be responsible for training the official team members and senior team members.

As for Zeng Hongyi, in addition to the original second-year members, an unofficial third-year member was added.

The three had a clear division of labor, which was a significant improvement compared to the previous somewhat chaotic training methods.

Clearly, Wang Zhanshan had higher expectations for this group of newcomers.

Anyone with eyes can see it at a glance.

Zhang Kui and the others patted Zhao Rui on the shoulder to encourage him, after all, such an assignment was tantamount to kicking him out of the "reserve talent pool".

"No, what are you doing? You're making me look really sad!"

Zhao Rui looked at everyone speechlessly.

"It's okay, we understand how you feel."

Zhang Kui nodded seriously.

"Okay! I admit it. Senior Sister Qin, can I lean on your shoulder for a bit?"

Zhao Rui looked at the beautiful senior sister beside him with a sorrowful expression and said.

"Sure!"

Qin Rui smiled coldly, raised her slender hand slightly, and positioned her delicate white fingers as if to pinch someone.

"Let's see how tough you are!"

As Qin Rui spoke, a look of gritted teeth appeared on her lips.

"Never mind, I'll just use Senior Brother Zhang's!"

Zhao Rui pretended to be scared and quickly moved closer to Zhang Kui.

"Now you've remembered me? Too late. I'm a man's shoulder to lean on!"

"Ugh!"

Zhao Rui was immediately "heartbroken" and sighed repeatedly.

"Snapped!"

Li Xinran, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore. She walked over, kicked Zhao Rui in the butt, and spat, "Why are you so dramatic? You're still not good at using this Reincarnation Technique. You practice with me."

After saying that, she grabbed Zhao Rui and walked towards the martial arts arena on the side.

Zhao Rui stretched slightly, turned around, shrugged at the group, and said, "They didn't even give us a moment to grieve!"

"You don't deserve it. A mediocre student has no right to be sad!"

"Ugh!"

After a few playful exchanges, everyone went off to cultivate.

The newly joined third-year students watched them joking around and couldn't help but shake their heads.

They're hopeless cases.

Compared to these carefree sophomores, they were the ones who were truly upset.

I originally thought that since the senior students would be leaving the team in less than a year, they would be given special attention and training.

After all, there really wasn't anything outstanding among the sophomores.

For at least the next year or two, the entire Dongqi Martial Arts Team will have to rely on these third-year students to carry the team.

Unexpectedly, reality dealt them a heavy blow; before they could even shine, they were demoted.

It's no wonder they all looked pale in this situation.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and start training. Learning martial arts isn't just for the martial arts team. If you don't work hard, you can't count on anyone else."

Zeng Hongyi clapped his hands, rousing the still-dazed third-year students.

After the group dispersed, Zeng Hongyi glanced in the direction of the main hall, his expression somewhat complicated.

……

With the addition of freshmen, the martial arts team became much more vibrant and its training became more standardized than before.

Physical training, equipment training, weapon combat, aerobic and anaerobic rehabilitation, static simulation, hydrotherapy...

Seeing the treatment the freshmen received, Zhao Rui realized that Wang Zhanshan had been slacking off for the past few months since he arrived, and hadn't really cared about the martial arts team at all.

Really...

Forget it, getting angry is bad for your health.

However, putting aside personal emotions, the current training is actually quite good for Zhao Rui.

At least it's finally back to normal.

Moreover, as new people join, the number of people he can train with will increase, and consequently, the more system benefits he can earn.

Perhaps it was Zhao Rui's previous "impersonation" of a senior that made some self-important freshmen slightly unhappy.

As soon as the martial arts sparring course began, several freshmen called out Zhao Rui's name and asked him to spar with them.

Wang Zhanshan's practical training session was intended to test the combat skills of the first-year team members, and also to give them an opportunity to showcase their abilities in front of all the team members.

He wanted all team members to know why he valued the freshmen.

Seeing that a few people had stepped forward, everyone turned their attention to Zhao Rui, who was standing on the side of the second- and third-year students.

Even if he was very easygoing when he received these freshmen, he was still an oddball in their eyes.

A martial arts student from the outer academy, who even joined the martial arts team on his own.

It is said that his talent is also average.

No matter how you look at it, they're not the same kind of people as them.

That's just how people are; they always harbor the greatest malice towards those who are not on their side.

Seeing everyone's attention focused on him, Zhao Rui smiled calmly, stepped out from the group, and said, "I'd be happy to oblige!"

"What a show-off! Anyone who didn't know better would think he was a real expert."

"What do you think he's after? He insists on joining our martial arts team. He's not even a proper martial arts student anymore."

"Who knows!"

"I heard he's Luo Min's classmate, do you think it's possible...?"

"That's possible, they're really overestimating themselves."

A murmur of whispers suddenly emanated from the freshman group. In the vast training ground, the autumn wind rustled and buzzed, making it difficult to hear clearly.

"Zhao Rui, although you joined our martial arts team a few months earlier than them, your foundation is shallow, so don't feel any pressure."

"Ge Wenlei, Zhao Rui, you two come up here and practice a bit. Pay attention to the competition rules..."

Seeing this, Wang Zhanshan nodded and spoke up, which was considered as agreeing to the requests of these people.

"Just boost our momentum, but don't bully them too much and make the regular team members complain."

Among the new students, Wang Dalong solemnly gave Ge Wenlei a few words of advice.

"Understood, Brother Long!"

After speaking, Ge Wenlei took the lead and jumped onto the ring.

This kid made a strong first move, using his superb lightness skill to leap from the crowd ten meters away onto the arena.

This single display of lightness skill left many veteran team members astonished; they certainly didn't possess such an ability.

Zhao Rui wasn't in a hurry. He slowly flipped over into the ring and then put on his mouthguard and other protective gear.

He then walked to the center of the ring, clasped his hands in greeting to his opponent.

"I look forward to receiving your guidance, Senior Brother Zhao!"

Ge Wenlei said with a half-smile.

"You're too kind! I'm not necessarily older than you!"

Zhao Rui replied with a smile that since they wanted to establish their authority with him, he didn't need to indulge them.

In the world of martial arts, the strong are respected, and forbearance will only lead to more blatant bullying.

Ge Wenlei was surprised that Zhao Rui would so leisurely engage in banter with him, and couldn't help but smile contemptuously. He then assumed a starting stance and called out to him, "Please!"

"please!"

Zhao Rui didn't hesitate either. He clasped his hands together in front of his chest, stepped on the Seven Stars, and held his palms up as if supporting Mount Sumeru.

Qi originates from the dantian, ascends along the Kidney Meridian of Foot-Shaoyin, passes through the perineum and Mingmen, and splits into two streams that flow into the Jianjing acupoint.

This is the first move of the Prajna Palm, the first appearance of Mount Sumeru.

"Junior brother, please!"

Since you're willing to call me senior brother, then you can be my junior brother!

Upon hearing this, Ge Wenlei's eyes turned cold, and he immediately struck out with a palm, aiming at Zhao Rui's vital points.

Zhao Rui calmly stepped back and dodged, his right palm pushing diagonally while his left palm attacked the Yanggu acupoint on the forearm.

Ge Wenlei bent his arm to block, deflecting the vital points, and then unleashed a series of kicks, like a whirlwind blowing through willows, instantly creating waves.

Zhao Rui pressed down with both hands, dodging the opponent's series of kicks in mid-air, then turned and swept his leg, followed by the Mighty Vajra Leg Technique.

The two men's legs crossed, and a tremendous force emanated from between them, producing several muffled thuds.

"Such profound internal strength!"

Ge Wenlei's face stiffened. He sensed a powerful internal force, no weaker than his own, between the crossed legs.

"This guy, with such internal strength at only a freshman, how could he possibly not get into a martial arts academy?"

Ge Wenlei's mind went completely off balance. He had originally thought that since the other party couldn't get into the martial arts academy, he was probably only at the fourth level.

Even with the training I've received at the martial arts academy these past few months, I'd be at most level five, or at most level six.

It was only after this exchange that he discovered that Zhao Rui possessed at least the internal strength of a level seven martial artist, or even more.

"Senior brother, your internal strength is truly impressive!"

"You're not bad either!"

After they finished speaking, the two resumed their fight.

This time, Ge Wenlei abandoned the idea of overwhelming Zhao Rui with his internal energy, and instead used his exquisite martial arts skills to find his weaknesses.

Seeing that his moves had suddenly become exquisite, Zhao Rui remained calm and composed, still using the Prajna Palm technique, seemingly empty yet not empty, as immovable as a mountain.

The two exchanged blows with exquisite moves and swift actions, exchanging dozens of blows in a short time.

Wang Zhanshan's eyes narrowed slightly, a glint of something sharp flashing across them.

He hadn't expected Zhao Rui to be so calm and composed when facing Ge Wenlei.

Especially his Prajna Palm technique, which is truly amazing.

Even some third-year students might not have his level of skill.

The image of Zeng Hongyi talking about Zhao Rui to him involuntarily came to his mind.

"Zhao Rui may lack talent, but he has excellent comprehension. It's still worth observing him."

It turned out to be the case.

Wang Zhanshan suddenly realized.

Meanwhile, the situation on the stage remained tense. Ge Wenlei used his Bagua Lianhuan Palm technique, which he was good at, and his body moved like a swimming dragon, his feet wading through muddy deep rivers.

A pair of hands, one or two, alternating up and down, avoiding direct attacks and striking diagonally, using the diagonal to achieve directness, that is the way. The palm techniques fly without interruption, and the steps flow like water around your body.

Zhao Rui was overjoyed to see the exquisite palm techniques and footwork of the man, and had already started the copying process on the system panel.

Of course, he didn't let go of that set of light footwork from before.

Since we're here, let's keep them all!

Zhao Rui possessed profound martial arts skills and had nearly twenty years of deep internal strength, so he was naturally fearless!

He fully displayed his mastery of the Prajna Palm technique and fought Ge Wenlei to a standstill.

The freshmen who had been watching the spectacle, expecting Zhao Rui to be easily defeated by Ge Wenlei, were instantly dumbfounded.

With that skill, you can't say he doesn't have talent?

Are you kidding me?

Although Ge Wenlei is not a level eight expert like Wang Dalong, he is still recognized as one of the most talented students in his freshman year.

With the strength of a level seven martial artist and his exquisite martial arts skills, very few people can defeat him.

To everyone's surprise, someone who hadn't even been admitted to Dongqi Martial Arts University managed to fight him to a standstill.

Several freshman girls who "knew" Zhao Rui couldn't help but turn their gaze to Luo Min standing to the side.

Luo Min also looked horrified. Noticing the questioning looks from the others, she shook her head slightly, indicating that she didn't know either.

"Brother Lei, stop holding back, we've been fighting for almost half an hour already."

After a while, someone in the audience couldn't contain himself and shouted loudly towards the ring.

His shout instantly drew everyone's attention.

Especially attracting the attention of some second- and third-year university students.

However, these gazes did not seem to praise what he said; rather, they were filled with reproach.

"Walking like a dragon, changing stances like an eagle, shoulders relaxed and elbows dropped, energy flowing through the palms..."

Ge Wenlei displayed all his skills, executing the Bagua Lianhuan Palm technique with impenetrable precision.

But as time went on, he did become increasingly anxious.

His prolonged attack failed, and he also had to be wary of Zhao Rui's counterattack, which kept him in a state of high tension.

"The practice sessions with Wang Dalong didn't seem this difficult..."

Looking at Zhao Rui's composed demeanor, Ge Wenlei couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.

Why did I take the lead?

"drop!"

The two fought for far too long. With the sound of a whistle, Wang Zhanshan took the initiative to engage Zhao Rui and his companion.

"call!"

Ge Wenlei, now separated from his partner, breathed a sigh of relief. Neither winning nor losing was a victory in itself.

He quickly suppressed his frustration, clasped his hands in a salute to Zhao Rui, and then stepped off the stage.

"What happened?"

Back in the group, Wang Dalong immediately asked in a low voice, puzzled.

"This kid's internal strength is as profound as mine, and he is proficient in several high-level martial arts techniques. I can't defeat him for the time being."

"Okay, I got it."

After listening to Ge Wenlei's explanation, Wang Dalong couldn't help but look at Zhao Rui, who was waiting for his second opponent.

"This is getting more and more interesting!"

Wang Dalong couldn't help but smile, crossed his arms, and looked at the martial arts stage with great interest.

"Who else wants to come up and spar?"

"Weren't there several people just now? Li Yi, didn't you want to train with Zhao Rui?"

Seeing that no one had come to sign up yet, Wang Zhanshan became somewhat displeased and directly called on one of the people who had rushed out earlier.

"Coach, I'm not feeling well, let's do it another day!"

The boy named Li Yi immediately lost his temper and didn't even dare to look at Zhao Rui.

"Since there's no competition..."

"Teacher, I want to fight him!"

Just then, Luo Min suddenly stepped forward and walked straight towards the ring.

(End of this chapter)