Core Class

Dead silence, eyes wide open.

On the practice field, as Xu Dongtai crashed to the ground, everyone's eyes turned to the sturdy black-clothed youth.

Some stood with their mouths agape in shock, while others trembled and stiffened on the spot.

"This guy really is a monster."

Lin Hao spoke with a complicated expression, a trace of envy flashing through his eyes.

He loved martial arts the most, but unfortunately, he did not have much talent for it.

Shaking his head to himself, he saw that the other trainees were still frozen in place and decided to give things a push.

"I surrender."

As the words fell, everyone finally came back to their senses.

They then saw Chen Feng turn his head to look around, his expression calm and indifferent.

Then they saw the burly figure unconscious at his feet.

One by one, the trainees who had not yet been eliminated shuddered and followed suit.

"I surrender!"

"I surrender! Don't hit me!"

Voices rang out one after another. Before long, the final victor emerged.

"Mastery in Sanshou, proficient in Judo."

"Even without a Martial Awakening, that talent is still exceptional."

As they watched the youth win on the field, someone from the assessment panel quickly commented.

A fiery light flashed in their eyes. They knew very well how important such talent was.

"Senior Brother Lu, if I remember correctly, you never taught Judo, did you?"

Cao Tong withdrew his gaze, having thought of something crucial.

"Heh heh."

Understanding what he meant, Coach Lu was in an excellent mood.

As a coach at a branch martial arts gym, if a genius emerged from the class he led and successfully entered the martial arts hall's core—

he would receive contributions and rewards as well.

"Junior Brother Cao, I truly never taught him Judo."

Coach Lu's eyes shone brightly as he looked at Chen Feng, filled with amazement. "And a week ago—no, five days ago—

he did not even know Judo."

At those words, a sharp gleam flashed in Cao Tong's eyes, while the other two assessors were also visibly shaken.

Rapid progress in a single martial art over a short period of time could be explained as a simple moment of enlightenment.

But if it happened with several, then it was no simple matter.

"To be honest, I did not expect his Judo to progress so quickly either."

"Even with Sanshou, I did not expect him to break through so fast."

Coach Lu continued with a broad smile, but Cao Tong and the other two were no longer listening.

As they looked at Chen Feng on the field, a fiery light flashed in all their eyes.

Clearly, if what Coach Lu said was true—

then Yan Wu Academy had truly found a treasure.

Thinking of this, Cao Tong immediately added a few more remarks, calling him Senior Brother Lu at every turn, making Coach Lu beam with delight.

Nodding cheerfully throughout, he soon walked onto the practice field, spoke with Chen Feng, and brought him over.

"Chen Feng, congratulations. Starting today, you're a member of the Core Class."

"These three are core disciples from earlier generations of our martial arts hall. From now on, they are all your seniors."

"This is Cao Tong, currently a coach for the Core Class. This is—"

After the introductions, Chen Feng looked at the three people before him and politely addressed each of them as Coach Lu instructed.

Then, thinking about the identity of a core disciple that Coach Lu had mentioned, he could not help feeling a trace of confusion.

Wasn't it core trainee?

"A core trainee can only be considered a reserve disciple, also called a prospective core member."

Cao Tong saw his confusion and explained kindly, "Only after successfully graduating from the Core Class and gaining an introductory understanding of a Martial Dao School—

can you be considered a true core member of the martial arts hall. You can then become an official disciple and serve in the martial arts hall."

With just a few words, Chen Feng understood.

"Chen Feng, your Judo techniques look somewhat familiar to me."

"I wonder, who taught you?"

Curious, Cao Tong recalled the scene where Chen Feng had used a shoulder throw earlier.

Different people had different habits and styles.

Naturally, there were also subtle differences.

Moreover, he wanted to probe Chen Feng's background and see whether he had hidden his Judo skills from Senior Brother Lu from the start.

"You taught me." Chen Feng's tone was calm.

The moment those words came out, Cao Tong froze, while Coach Lu and the other two wore even stranger expressions.

"I taught you?" Cao Tong thought he had misheard.

"Yes, online."

Chen Feng roughly guessed what he was thinking and added an explanation.

At once, he could feel the expressions on Coach Lu and the others become extremely colorful, while Cao Tong looked at him with even greater goodwill.

No wonder it had seemed familiar.

So he was his little fanboy?

Cao Tong thought to himself, growing even more astonished by Chen Feng's talent in martial arts.

At the same time, he no longer doubted whether Chen Feng was lying.

After all, verifying such a claim would be simple. He felt there was no need to test him further and risk hurting his little fanboy's feelings.

"Good kid. You've got talent."

Cao Tong said with a smile, reaching out to pat Chen Feng on the shoulder.

"Starting tomorrow, come to the branch martial arts gym in Jinhua District at nine in the morning."

"That's where the Core Class is taught. Come, let's add each other on WeiChat so you don't get lost."

Chen Feng soon nodded and went to the locker room to retrieve his phone.

After they added each other, Cao Tong and the other two soon went to the meditation room to rest.

"There are still a few Sanshou classes that need to be assessed later, and I'll have to go with them too."

Coach Lu gave an explanation, then glanced at the trainees nearby who were watching them and led Chen Feng to a corner.

"Chen Feng, your talent really is very high—far greater than I expected."

"But don't get arrogant. Yan Wu Academy never lacks geniuses."

With a sighing tone, Coach Lu rarely spoke like an elder. "Once you enter the Core Class, you'll find that people at Xu Dongtai's level are everywhere. They're nothing special."

"So no matter when it is, you must humbly seek guidance. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me privately as well."

Coach Lu said a great deal, mostly advising him to stay humble and not become conceited.

Chen Feng knew he meant well. He did not argue and merely nodded lightly in response.

Seeing that he had taken it to heart, Coach Lu smiled in satisfaction.

Finally, he patted Chen Feng on the shoulder.

With a complicated gaze, relief mixed with a hint of envy, he turned and headed for the meditation room.

Tap tap!

Tap tap!

Then familiar footsteps sounded behind him.

"Congratulations, Chen Feng."

Lin Hao had been standing nearby all along. When he saw Coach Lu leave, he smiled and walked over.

"Thanks."

Chen Feng nodded and looked at Lin Hao.

He was the only friend Chen Feng knew in the Sanshou class. They were not especially close, but Chen Feng still felt something for him.

"Don't worry. Even though you're no longer in the Sanshou class, I'll still do what I promised you."

Lin Hao said with a grin, as if to ease Chen Feng's concerns.

Then, before Chen Feng could speak—

he quickly glanced toward Zhou Xin, who stood alone in a corner of the practice field with his head lowered and his face pale.

"And besides—"

"That punch you threw earlier, heh, I have to say."

"It felt pretty damn good."