Chapter 58: Zhang Ze! Qi Lijun!
Early the next morning, the members of Yongsheng Martial Arts School gathered at the entrance of Anqing Martial Bureau.
For Ren Fan, this was the place where he had trained for four years. On the other side, Zhao Wu was a second-year student at Anqing Martial Bureau.
They walked together until they reached a training ground in the northeast corner of the Bureau. The entire training ground was about the size of two or three football fields, and in the center, four small arenas of roughly ten meters in diameter had already been assembled.
Martial artists always carried an air of mystery among ordinary people, so there were no spectators in the surrounding stands. Guided by staff, the group found the rest area assigned to Yongsheng Martial Arts School.
It was worth noting that the entire front stand was reserved for the three martial arts schools of Heyue City. The central spot belonged to Yuehu Martial Arts Club, while Yongsheng and Changxing Martial Arts Schools occupied the left and right sides, respectively.
As Zhang Ze and his companions settled in, the members of Changxing Martial Arts School to their right had also arrived.
Looking around, aside from the northern row of seats reserved for the leadership, the southern section was occupied by the three Heyue City martial arts schools. The western stands held the four martial arts schools from Liuqing and Changshan districts. The eastern stands belonged to Mengyang County Martial Arts School and two schools from Bangqing City.
Peng Fei had barely sat down when he peered to the left with wide eyes. Sure enough, among the crowd, he spotted the figures of Leng Bingbing and Zhang Qingping.
“Hmph~”
When Zhang Qingping's gaze met Peng Fei’s, she snorted inwardly, thinking, “This scoundrel hasn’t learned his lesson; yesterday’s discipline was clearly not enough!”
...
“Instructors and students of the martial arts schools, allow me to announce: the 2019 Anqing Province Martial Arts School Exchange Tournament officially begins!”
Martial artists are always efficient in their actions—unlike the elaborate opening ceremonies Zhang Ze had experienced in his previous life. With a few concise words, the woman handed over the floor to a middle-aged man seated among the leaders.
Having learned in advance, Zhang Ze knew the man’s identity well: Zhao Jinghong!
A seventh-rank grandmaster!
In fact, Zhao Jinghong was only the second seventh-rank martial artist Zhang Ze had ever encountered. From the “Modern Martial Artist Compendium,” he knew that martial artists above the seventh rank were considered high-tier, their most distinctive trait being a cellular strength surpassing ten thousand.
Now, Zhang Ze’s own cell strength was not even three hundred. To imagine the sheer power of such individuals was simply beyond him. Moreover, having previously challenged another seventh-rank martial artist, Lin Feng, Zhang Ze did not hold a deep sense of awe for Zhao Jinghong.
...
“This year’s exchange meet, I see the presence of Mengyang County Martial Arts School, which is quite a rarity,” Zhao Jinghong’s voice boomed as he looked toward the group from Mengyang County. “I hope your performance impresses the instructors in the rounds to come.”
He did not speak much—after two sentences about Mengyang County, he said in a deep voice, “As per tradition, we now begin the first round of selection.”
...
“Five districts, ten martial arts schools, a total of one hundred and twelve students participating in this exchange tournament.”
Hearing this, Zhang Ze frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected so many students! Yet Zhao Jinghong’s next words astonished everyone even more.
“Of the one hundred and twelve martial arts students, the sixty-four who endure my suppressive aura the longest will advance to the group stage!”
“All students, within thirty seconds, gather in the open area at the center of the four arenas!”
“Move quickly!”
With Zhao Jinghong’s command, no one dared to hesitate, no matter their confusion. In just a few seconds, all one hundred and twelve students assembled in the central open space.
After the brief chaos, everyone quickly realized that those standing nearby were unfamiliar faces. Zhang Ze was no exception.
When he saw the young man beside him, he chuckled awkwardly, “You again?”
“For such a short distance, don’t tell me you got lost again.”
Seeing Qi Lijun’s figure, Zhang Ze inevitably recalled yesterday’s events.
...
Compared to Qi Lijun’s genuine tendency to get lost, some people did it deliberately.
For example, Peng Fei and Liu Qianqian, who made sure to stand next to Leng Bingbing and Zhang Qingping. Intentional or not, they managed to position themselves beside the two girls, which made Li Zixing, watching from behind, glare as if his eyes would burst into flames.
...
Setting aside these little tricks, once everyone was assembled, Zhao Jinghong wasted no words.
Leaping forward, he landed atop one of the arenas in front of the group.
“Under the pressure of a strong opponent, not only will your body suffer, but your mind will also be plagued with self-doubt.”
“If you reach your limit, raise your hand at once, and I will remove you from the field.”
As Zhao Jinghong spoke, a terrifying aura instantly unfolded.
A battle-hardened seventh-rank grandmaster facing a group of mere second-rank martial artists—the disparity was obvious!
In the moment his aura expanded, several people immediately raised their hands. With a mocking snort, Zhao Jinghong dismissed them from the arena.
As his suppressive force gradually intensified, the number of participants dwindled.
Watching the scene, Zhao Wu chuckled with interest from the stands, as if reminiscing about how long he had lasted in his own trial years ago.
But to everyone’s surprise, as the pressure became overwhelming, someone dared to joke aloud.
...
“Qi Lijun, you’re useless! You want to join the army, and you’re going to get eliminated just for getting lost?”
...
In the silent training ground, beads of sweat dripped from the bodies of countless students. Suddenly, Zhang Ze spoke up with a teasing tone, shocking those around him.
Even Zhao Jinghong was surprised at first—while others struggled to endure, this young man insisted on making himself conspicuous.
...
After his provocation, Zhang Ze winked at Qi Lijun.
Qi Lijun instantly understood.
He retorted loudly, “Zhang Ze, what’s so great about you? Just because you broke through to the second rank?”
With their exchange, Zhao Jinghong glanced at the two, a smile appearing unconsciously at the corner of his mouth. At the same time, his suppressive force intensified yet again, and five more participants were eliminated.
...
“Qi Lijun, don’t be jealous! I’ve refined all my meridians and am about to break through to the third rank!”
“Zhang Ze, don’t get cocky! My stance attack has reached mastery—I’m ready for a third-rank breakthrough too!”
“Qi Lijun...”
“Zhang Ze...”
Seeing Qi Lijun play along, Zhang Ze grew more enthusiastic. The two began calling each other’s names and boasting about their achievements.
By now, their boasts had grown ever more outrageous—neither cared if they were speaking truth or lies.
Don’t agree? Then argue back!
Under the pressure of a seventh-rank grandmaster, being able to speak at all was proof of strength!
“Qi Lijun! I heard you broke through to second rank at sixteen?”
“Zhang Ze! I heard you’ve only been training for a month and already reached this level?”
“Qi Lijun!”
“Zhang Ze!”
The two kept bickering, and as their boasts ran dry, they simply shouted each other’s names again and again, like a pair of restless spirits.
...
In truth, after the round of selection, no one remembered what these two had bragged about. All they knew was that, at this exchange tournament, there was a Zhang Ze—and a Qi Lijun!