Zhou Yu

The next day, at the hour of the Snake.

A crowd of martial artists gathered in the training ground, their movements growing ever more rapid and fierce, carrying a faint air of restlessness.

Clearly, with the end of the month approaching, anxiety had begun to stir in everyone's hearts.

Among them, the northern area drew the most attention. A group of female martial artists practiced there, their movements crisp and decisive, valiant and heroic, occasionally drawing covert glances from those nearby.

"Ha!"

Fine beads of sweat seeped from Sun Rong's forehead. Her every movement was precise and methodical, her punches steady and forceful.

Beside her, a woman with a slightly pointed chin seemed somewhat absent-minded. Catching the seemingly "unintentional" looks cast her way by men, she secretly rejoiced, yet said disdainfully:

"Look at those guys. They clearly want to sneak a peek, but they don't even dare raise their heads properly. They're all shrinking their necks like turtles—what a bore!"

"Exactly. Yesterday, some lanky fellow came looking for me and said he wanted to get acquainted. But when I asked around, I found out he hadn't even gotten started in fist techniques. Isn't that laughable?"

Nearby, a long-faced woman rolled her eyes. Even though she herself had not entered the door of fist techniques either, that did not stop her from looking down on others.

"Speaking of that, I'm reminded of that guy from a few days ago who said he wanted to guide Rongrong. What was his name again—Xu Yuan? Do you know when he became a martial artist?"

The pointed-chinned woman gave a mysterious smile. "It took him more than fifty whole days to break through! And he still dared say he'd instruct others in fist techniques? He simply doesn't know the height of heaven or the depth of earth."

At that, the few good sisters beside her also smiled.

Sun Rong frowned, somewhat displeased. "A Li, didn't I tell you not to bring this up again?"

Huang Lihong, however, said with a cheerful smile, "Rongrong, you should keep your distance from people who lack all self-awareness. Otherwise, you might get dragged into a pit before you even realize it."

"What are you all discussing? It sounds quite lively."

A fair-skinned woman with delicate features walked over. What caught even more attention, however, was her neat short hair, which made her seem rather distinctive.

"Eldest Sister, you're here. We were talking about Rongrong's former friend..." Huang Lihong proceeded to recount what had happened.

After listening, Zhou Yu's expression did not change. In an even tone, she said, "Everyone has different insights when practicing fist techniques, so it cannot exactly be called wrong. But with such mediocre aptitude, whatever insights he speaks of have no value for reference."

"Rongrong, keep your distance from people like that in the future. There's nothing to gain from associating with them."

Sun Rong's expression changed, but she could only nod slightly. "Sister Yu, I'll be careful."

Zhou Yu had always been unquestionable and domineering in the dormitory, yet she treated all her sisters extremely well. Whenever she had any insights or realizations about martial practice, she never begrudged sharing them.

Thus, the others both respected and feared her.

Huang Lihong was somewhat puzzled. "Eldest Sister, at a time like this, shouldn't you have been continuously practicing Thunderclap Fist? Could it be..."

"That's right. I've already entered the door of fist techniques. I was just about to go tell Master Chen." Zhou Yu folded her arms and spoke calmly.

"As expected! I knew Eldest Sister was the best..." Huang Lihong's face filled with delight, and a stream of flattering words immediately poured forth, praising Zhou Yu until she felt thoroughly at ease.

The others beside her also opened their mouths to congratulate her.

"Enough with your sweet talk. I'm going over there." Zhou Yu shot her an annoyed look, then stepped forward.

Curious what Master Chen would say to the first martial artist to enter the door of fist techniques, Huang Lihong and the others also went up to join the excitement.

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Just as Xu Yuan was about to step forward amid the crowd, a short-haired woman beat him to it. In a cool voice, she said, "Master Chen, I've entered the door of fist techniques."

One word stirred up a thousand waves. Every martial artist present revealed astonishment, and discussions erupted without end.

Xu Yuan paused, patiently waiting where he was. Only after she had left and everyone's attention had scattered did he unhurriedly step forward. "Master Chen, I've entered the door of fist techniques as well."

Chen Ze was initially startled, but after confirming it, he was equally delighted. At once, he stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "Haha, not bad! Two people entering the door of fist techniques in one day!"

The end of the month was nearly here. Yet there had only been one breakthrough in cultivation, and not a single person had entered the door of fist techniques. He had been worrying over his performance, only for Xu Yuan and Zhou Yu to bring him such good news. How could he not be happy?

Afterward, he explained the details of choosing one's own assignments to Xu Yuan, then said earnestly:

"Now that you've entered the door of fist techniques, you qualify to choose your own assignments for three months. As for the specifics, you will be informed at the end of this month."

"For the remaining time, you can focus on cultivation and see whether you can break through to the Second Meridian Realm. In any case, having more time to choose your own assignments is always a good thing."

Xu Yuan naturally thanked him profusely. After Chen Ze left, the training ground grew restless once more.

Zhou Yu, who had intended to leave, furrowed her brows and gave him a long, deep look.

Sun Rong stared at Xu Yuan with a strange light in her eyes, murmuring, "He... actually entered the door of fist techniques too, and at the same time as Sister Yu..."

Huang Lihong, beside her, looked as though her eyes were about to pop out, her face full of disbelief. "How is that possible? With aptitude like his, why is he faster than us?"

Their reaction alone was already this great.

All the people from the D-Class Room who practiced martial techniques gathered here. Upon hearing that Xu Yuan had entered the door of fist techniques, they surrounded him one after another, offering congratulations and asking how it felt.

At this time, Wang Huan, who had been cultivating stance work in the quiet room, also heard the commotion from the training ground and opened the door to come out.

For the past several days, Wang Huan had been stuck at the bottleneck of the Second Meridian Realm until he felt neither alive nor dead, without the slightest clue how to proceed. He had even been considering whether he should practice fist techniques to draw parallels from one thing to another.

Hearing that Xu Yuan had already entered the door of fist techniques, his head buzzed as though it had exploded. He stood there blankly and said, "Xu Yuan... entered the door of fist techniques? Are you sure?"

"How could that be false? Master Chen said it himself."

Chen Sanli casually replied, then returned to Xu Yuan's side, speaking eagerly:

"Brother Xu, that's incredible. You're the first in our dormitory to enter the door of fist techniques. You've earned the qualification to choose your own assignments for three months—you'll be free as a bird."

Li Shan stood to one side, his expression somewhat complicated. He had clearly become a martial artist before Xu Yuan. Now they were both practicing Thunderclap Fist, so how had Xu Yuan entered the door before him instead?

Sun Rong had done it before, and now Xu Yuan had done it too... Could his own talent truly be this unbearably poor?!

Li Shan's heart was a tangled mass of flavors, but he soon suppressed those surging thoughts and congratulated Xu Yuan.

Tian Yang, Xiao Sheng, and Gao Yuan needed no mention; all three gathered around to offer their congratulations.

"Brother Xu being the first to enter the door of fist techniques is a joyous occasion. I suggest we pool some money and go out for a good meal to celebrate." Chen Sanli suddenly proposed.

The moment he said that, everyone looked over, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Was this still Chen Sanli from their dormitory?

Who did not know that he loved taking petty advantage of others? Tissues, snacks, even firecrackers—he had mooched plenty of all of them... And someone like that was actually taking the initiative to treat everyone?

"Sanli, did the sun rise in the west? Or did someone possess you? Hurry and tell them to come down." Qin Yang laughed as he teased him.

"Get lost." Chen Sanli spat at him. Seeing the confusion on everyone's faces, he said with a solemn expression, "I'm genuinely happy that Brother Xu entered the door of fist techniques. What's wrong with that?"

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