Chapter 62: Qianqian’s Stroke of Incredible Luck

It is worth mentioning that the group matches throughout the morning evolved from somewhat dull beginnings to increasingly spectacular bouts. As some second-rank martial artists entered the stage, their mastery of martial techniques was displayed with truly terrifying power. Qi Lijun, for example, was in the second group; he swept through his remaining opponents, ending the group’s competition in just over ten minutes.

Surprisingly, it was Justice Jia from the first group who advanced next, which caught Zhang Ze off guard. His cellular strength was about the same as Zhang Ze’s, hovering around two hundred ninety, yet under Justice Jia’s flawless mastery of martial skills, he demonstrated formidable combat strength. At the moment he qualified, he even cast a glance in Zhang Ze’s direction. His look seemed to say, “I’m waiting for you.”

Yet Zhang Ze felt no fear toward him. What occupied his mind more was Yu Qian’s fight. This martial artist, nearly thirty, was currently trading blows with a second-rank martial artist on the fourth ring. Yu Qian’s opponent, Yu Ding, hailed from the Six Celebrations Martial Hall of Six Celebrations City. With almost 300S cellular strength, Yu Ding was a bona fide second-rank martial artist. Yet, due to differences in techniques and skill, he found it difficult to overpower Yu Qian.

Though Yu Qian was clearly struggling, there was a mysterious strength in him that everyone could see. Only Zhang Ze truly understood: Yu Qian was displaying the culmination of ten years of martial cultivation. After this Martial Hall Exchange, Yu Qian would have to live as an ordinary man, settling down and striving to make a living. Perhaps he viewed this match as a final reckoning with the past decade of his life.

Thud after thud echoed above the ring. No matter how agitated Yu Ding became, Yu Qian showed no sign of defeat. Knowing he was outmatched in cellular strength and cultivation, Yu Qian fought with even greater caution. Each time he blocked, he minimized his injuries and neutralized as much of his opponent’s attacks as possible. In contrast, Yu Ding grew more exhausted with every exchange, his state deteriorating visibly.

Noticing this, Zhang Ze found himself silently urging Yu Qian, “Hang on, just a while longer!”

Time seemed to freeze as Yu Qian and Yu Ding dueled. No one noticed a contestant named Qian Xiaoming advancing from the third ring. Nor did anyone see the girl chasing a short-haired youth outside the arena, shouting, “Peng Fei, I’ll kill you!”

The youth ran, crying, “Sister! I swear I didn’t mean to grab you there, it was just a reflex...”

Her face flushed, the girl chased Peng Fei straight out the gym doors.

It wasn’t long before, with a muffled thud, Yu Qian, though swaying, stood his ground on the ring. Yu Ding, on the other hand, had collapsed and lay exhausted just off the edge.

The entire training ground fell silent. No one cheered; no referee announced the next match on that ring. After all, who could have predicted that Yu Qian, barely above a hundred in cellular strength, would defeat the second-rank Yu Ding? Witnessing it in person, the shock was inevitable.

Yu Qian returned quietly to his team, a wave of regret rising in the hearts of all who watched. To them, Yu Qian’s skill was extraordinary—he was a rare talent. But, nearly thirty and only just reaching the first rank, he was clearly destined to be overlooked.

Yet to Zhang Ze, that returning figure was more the last stubborn stand of a man refusing to yield.

“Does everyone become a martial artist only to reach higher circles or to increase their worth?” For the first time, Zhang Ze found himself questioning this.

Yu Qian clearly thought otherwise; his pursuit of martial arts seemed far purer.

“I’ll focus on work when this is over. I’ll pay you back soon for the money I borrowed.” At some point, Yu Qian had sat beside Zhang Ze, speaking softly, his tone both light and weary.

“Boss, wasn’t that Cold Bingbing’s best friend who just ran past?” In a side alley near the east dorms, a young man’s voice sounded.

A gruff middle-aged man cursed, “What’s Cold Bingbing’s friend got to do with us? We’re waiting for the brat always hanging around her. Keep an eye on where Cold Bingbing is!”

“Oh...” The youth replied, glancing subconsciously at the person being pursued by Zhang Qingping.

Meanwhile, the sparring between martial hall trainees did not cease for any reason. Yet, by this point, the first round of group matches had seen many unexpected twists. On the third ring, both Zhang Qingping and Peng Fei withdrew. On the fourth ring, after Yu Qian defeated Yu Ding, he did not continue either.

In the end, the results on the fourth ring were astonishing. It was Qian Qian, still a first-rank martial artist, who advanced after defeating the other two first-rank opponents.

He was also the only one among the four groups to advance as a first-rank martial artist. Thus, when Liu Qianqian returned to her team, she was insufferably smug.

As the morning’s four group matches ended, Zhao Jinghong announced that the remaining round would be held at two in the afternoon. The crowd quickly dispersed, each martial hall team leaving the training ground in formation.

“How about it?” Lin Yushan approached Zhao Jinghong again, puzzled by the sudden question.

“Of course I meant Qi Lijun. I can’t exactly recruit a thirty-year-old, can I?” Zhao Jinghong chuckled.

But Lin Yushan shook his head slightly, replying, “But Yu Qian’s martial skill is truly outstanding.”

Zhao Jinghong neither agreed nor disagreed, sighing softly before striding off.

“Brother Ze!” Qian Qian sidled up to Zhang Ze, grinning. “Didn’t I put on a majestic show? As the first elite from our Yongsheng Martial Hall to advance, I feel it’s my duty to pass on some experience to you all.”

Though the others ignored him, Qian Qian continued his ‘victory speech’ unabashed. “Brother Ze, why not come to my dorm later? We can communicate better on the bed, right?”

“You should go find Peng Fei for that,” Zhang Ze replied. Only then did Qian Qian realize Peng Fei was nowhere to be seen. As he scanned the crowd, he spotted a familiar feminine silhouette.

“Heh...” Yu Qian chuckled. “Who would’ve thought Qian Qian would be the one to advance in the end?” With his own match concluded, Yu Qian was visibly more relaxed as he chatted with Zhang Ze.

Hearing this, Zhang Ze also noticed Qian Qian hovering around a certain girl. Smiling, he said, “All thanks to you—if you hadn’t beaten Brother Qian, most likely Yu Ding would’ve been the one to advance from the fourth ring.”