Chapter 124: If You Can't Take It, Just Scream Out

Zhang Ze had no energy left to speculate further. Upon returning to his dormitory, he collapsed onto his bed. It had to be said that the task of clearing out the recent missions had been incredibly draining. Just like that, he lay on the bed and, before he knew it, fell into a deep slumber, so soundly that he hadn't even closed the dormitory door.

...

"Zhang Ze, you coward!"
"If you're scared, come out and beg for mercy! What kind of man hides away all day?"

Zhang Ze was jolted awake by the commotion. Opening his eyes, he saw the figure of Qi Lijun.

"What the hell—"
"Why on earth are you hovering over my bed?"

Startled into a sudden alertness, Zhang Ze felt much more awake. Qi Lijun, however, remained unmoved and said in a deep voice, "Leng Bingbing told me to come get you. That Li Zixing downstairs has been calling for you for ages."

Zhang Ze rubbed his forehead and replied, "Tell him I'll be waiting for him and Li Ziyang at the training grounds tomorrow at ten in the morning."
"Close the door on your way out; I'm going to sleep."

...

In reality, Zhang Ze did not sleep through the night. Staring at his system panel, the events of the past seven days seemed to resurface.

Wealth Points: 25,973
Cell Strength: 899S
Cell Vitality: 78/189
Skills: Shielding (90%), Detection
Meridians: 12 (90%)
Bone Tempering: 0

Zhang Ze stopped looking. Although his cell strength had improved significantly since the beginning of the month, what he took the most pride in was his refinement in combat. The seven-day mission sweep hadn't just been about catching six cultists. Despite his advantage in cultivation rank, he had made great strides in polishing his martial techniques through these engagements. Just as he had told Wu Di, he really didn't care much about a third-ranker like Li Ziyang.

After thinking it over, Zhang Ze swallowed another Qi-Replenishing Pill. As his spirit recovered, he no longer felt drowsy and soon began his cultivation.

...

The next morning, although Wu Di had confidence in Zhang Ze, he still appeared in a corner of the training grounds. Zhang Ze knew Wu Di was there but made no effort to seek him out. While waiting for Li Ziyang, Qianqian and Peng Fei, whom he hadn't seen for days, sidled up to him again.

Qianqian grinned broadly and said, "Brother Ze, I've missed you to death these past few days. When are you going to let me scrub your back?"

Zhang Ze’s face darkened; he nearly kicked the guy in the backside. However, noticing Qianqian’s second-rank cultivation, he smiled and replied, "You’ve made fast progress. You’ve broken through to the second rank in just a few days."

"You know it!" Peng Fei chimed in, mockingly, "His mentor is Instructor Shui Ruoli from our Martial Arts Department—a top-tier beauty."
"He spends all day staring at her, so naturally, he’s got all that motivation."

Peng Fei’s tone was dripping with sarcasm, but Qianqian didn't mind. It was only then that Qianqian remembered and said to Zhang Ze, "I almost forgot to tell you—a third-rank student from the Capital Martial Arts Bureau recently arrived at our bureau. I hear he’s incredibly arrogant..."

"Zhang Ze!"

As the three were chatting, the Li Ziyang brothers approached from not far away. Walking up in a few strides, Li Ziyang taunted, "Haven't seen you in a few days. I thought you were so scared you’d gone into hiding."

"Heh." Zhang Ze signaled for Qianqian and Peng Fei to wait aside. He smiled at Li Ziyang and said, "Scared or not, we’ll find out once we start fighting."
"Let me warn you: when I beat you into the dirt, don't go crying like Li Zixing did."

"Hmph!" Abandoning the war of words, Li Ziyang charged at Zhang Ze.

Although his words were full of mockery, Zhang Ze remained extremely cautious when actually facing Li Ziyang. The two exchanged blows, and a series of thunderous impacts erupted immediately.

"Bang!"

In the very first exchange, Zhang Ze landed a strike on Li Ziyang’s shoulder.

*Thump, thump, thump...*

The latter retreated a dozen steps before finally steadying his footing. As the muscles in his arm rippled, Zhang Ze’s punch earned a nod of approval from Wu Di in the corner. Though he was usually extremely harsh on Zhang Ze, Wu Di was quite satisfied with that punch.

...

"What’s wrong?"
"That’s all you’ve got?"

Seeing that Li Ziyang didn't immediately launch another attack, Zhang Ze couldn't help but ask. The latter’s face was livid. The last time they had met, Zhang Ze could only dodge his attacks. But now, after just a few days, Zhang Ze was capable of delivering such fierce techniques. Li Ziyang couldn't help but warn himself to be careful.

*Bang!*

Thoughts aside, it was impossible for Li Ziyang to be truly afraid of Zhang Ze. Everyone watched as Li Ziyang leaped forward, closing the distance to Zhang Ze. In the next few seconds, Li Ziyang unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks that forced Zhang Ze to retreat repeatedly, barely managing to block the onslaught.

However, from Zhang Ze’s perspective, there was nothing wrong with this situation. He was waiting! Waiting for Li Ziyang to make a mistake! Their cell strengths were very close; even though Li Ziyang’s offensive was fierce, achieving a decisive opening wasn't that simple.

...

"I was wondering..."
"So, this is the level of the 'three-legged cat' kung fu from the Anqing Martial Arts Bureau?"

The sudden mockery disrupted the rhythm of the two on the arena. They retreated in unison, creating distance between them, and turned to look at the young man standing by the training ground. The youth was wearing a dark blue tracksuit and had short hair, looking very spirited.

"No wonder I haven't met anyone worth fighting in the three days I've been at the Anqing Martial Arts Bureau; your level really is just this."

The youth teased as he walked onto the arena.

"Shi Jin, don't get too arrogant!"

Just as the youth stepped between Zhang Ze and Li Ziyang, a voice barked from behind. It was Lu Mingyu, his face red and swollen—Zhang Ze hadn't even recognized him at first. Lu Mingyu, however, noticed Zhang Ze and thought to himself that Li Sanqing was right: this guy had really lied to him about not knowing Zhang Ze.

Right! He didn't know him! Because he *was* Zhang Ze!

Thinking of this, Lu Mingyu felt somewhat annoyed. After reaching the arena, he heard the youth, Shi Jin, mocking him: "Lu Mingyu, oh Lu Mingyu, you’ve already been beaten into this state by me, why aren't you honestly resting in the infirmary? Why do you keep following me around?"

"Hmph!"

Lu Mingyu knew that a new student was sparring with Li Ziyang today. In fact, as a third-year student, he also knew who Li Ziyang was. A tiger father with a dog for a son, surely. But when he saw Zhang Ze, a thought struck him.

...

Turning back to look at Shi Jin, Lu Mingyu said coldly, "Isn't your whole goal, Shi Jin, to defeat other third-rank students to make a name for yourself?"

"Heh." Shi Jin shrugged, not answering.

Lu Mingyu continued, "Li Sanqing went north seven days ago to settle scores. I am no match for you, but any random new student from our Anqing Martial Arts Bureau could knock you flat!"

Hearing this, Shi Jin couldn't help but sneer: "Lu Mingyu, use your brain before you talk."
"Which new student has third-rank cultivation and can defeat me, Shi Jin? Go on, call them up!"

"He’s right next to you!"

No sooner had the words left Lu Mingyu’s mouth than he pointed at Zhang Ze.

...

Ever since he heard Lu Mingyu’s voice, Zhang Ze felt a sense of familiarity, and now he finally remembered. Wasn't this the guy who had come after him with two knives that night? Was he trying to use someone else to do his dirty work now?

With that thought in mind, why would Zhang Ze ever agree to a duel with Shi Jin? He wisely chose to stay silent, following everyone else's gaze as they looked behind him.

Lu Mingyu scoffed twice and shouted: "Zhang Ze, are you still acting high and mighty?"
"Where did that aura go when you fought a hundred students alone on the day the freshmen chose their departments?"

Zhang Ze ignored him!

Lu Mingyu didn't give up, shouting: "Zhang Ze, are you useless? If you’re useless, just shout it out! Admit that you, Zhang Ze, are incompetent!"
"Are you really going to stand by and watch while some stray dog from another martial arts bureau comes to our Anqing Martial Arts Bureau to bark?"

"..."

Zhang Ze was speechless!