Is Instructor Li someone you can challenge?

"Chen Nan, 75 points! Next is Lu Guowei!"

Li Zhanting finished recording the scores, his fingertips quickly flipping open the sheet. His gaze swept over another handwritten roster on the page, immediately confirming the next person was a "special student."

But the moment he looked up, he suddenly noticed someone standing silently before him, though he didn't know when they had arrived.

The person was only three steps away from the stage, their posture as upright as a pine tree. They wore a standard training uniform, washed until it was faded, yet it couldn't conceal the sharp aura emanating from them.

"Lu Jue?"

Li Zhanting frowned, his tone clearly showing displeasure. "Didn't you already achieve Perfection in your Basic Fist Arts? Why are you here causing trouble?"

Lu Jue's expression was calm. He gave a slight bow, his voice not at all humble. "Instructor Li, as the saying goes, there is no end to learning. Although I've luckily cultivated my Fist Arts to Perfection, in terms of combat experience and the details of power exertion, I am certainly far inferior to you. I've come today specifically to seek your guidance!"

"Specifically to seek guidance?"

Instructor Li narrowed his eyes, his tone suddenly deepening. An invisible pressure slowly spread out. "What do you mean? Explain yourself clearly!"

"I wish for Instructor Li to personally take action and spar with me. Only through combat can one deeply learn the true essence of Fist Arts!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in an uproar!

"Is he crazy? Daring to challenge an instructor?" a student exclaimed in disbelief, barely able to trust their own ears.

"That's Lu Jue from our class! Yesterday, he defeated Zhang Tie, who was ranked 135th! It was a complete rout!"

"I know! I know! Yesterday afternoon, Instructor Li punched him and severely injured him, even paying 50,000 in medical fees on the spot? He still dares to come! Is he addicted to trying to extort money?"

"How does he dare? Instructor Li is known for being petty!"

The whispers in the crowd spread like a tide, every student's face etched with shock, confusion, and a hint of excitement.

Challenging an instructor, while not explicitly forbidden in the Martial School, was a rare occurrence that hadn't been seen in many years. Moreover, the challenger had a prior conflict with the instructor.

Lu Guowei, whose turn was inexplicably skipped, froze on the spot, unsure whether to advance or retreat.

He had already adjusted his breathing, preparing to step forward for his assessment, but Lu Jue had cut in.

At this moment, his expression was first one of bewilderment. After hearing Lu Jue's "blasphemous" words, a smirk of ridicule and schadenfreude couldn't help but appear on his lips.

"Lu Jue, have you gone senile from practicing? You think you can challenge Instructor Li? You truly don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!"

On the stage, Li Zhanting was indeed stunned.

He had absolutely not anticipated that Lu Jue would dare to openly challenge him.

Could it be that he really wanted to extort money from him again?

No! That's not right!

If he had truly severely injured Lu Jue yesterday, even with the most advanced medical pod for treatment, it would have been impossible for him to be so full of vigor in less than a day!

The only logical explanation was that his punch had not managed to seriously wound Lu Jue!

A chill crept up his spine, but he quickly regained his composure. As an instructor, he could not lose his composure in front of the students.

Li Zhanting knew very well that there were indeed a very small number of top-tier students in this sixth-grade class whose strength had surpassed his own, such as the top ten students who could be considered monstrous talents.

But that definitely didn't include Lu Jue!

A civilian student who was still hovering outside the top seven hundred just a few days ago, even if he had a sudden enlightenment, even if he was lucky enough to achieve Perfection in his Fist Arts, why would he be able to contend with him?

"It's probably that Hardening Kung Fu that's a bit strange, making him more resistant to blows!"

He sneered inwardly, quickly finding a seemingly reasonable explanation for himself, suppressing that trace of unease.

But even thinking this, his gaze couldn't help but waver.

He didn't want to accept this match.

If he won, it would be as expected. But if he were to be taken advantage of by the opponent, even just a minor scrape, what would become of his reputation as an instructor?

His thoughts raced, and several ideas flashed through Li Zhanting's mind.

Refuse?

With what reason? Directly reprimand him for breaking the rules?

With so many students watching, he might be seen as afraid to fight.

Either he could make Lu Jue retreat on his own, or he could accept the challenge. The latter couldn't be a small skirmish; he had to make this guy pay a price, while also deterring other students who were dissatisfied with him.

In an instant, he made up his mind.

He suddenly raised his voice, deliberately making sure every student in the hall could hear:

"Lu Jue, are you sure you want to spar with me? I must state beforehand, if I, your instructor, truly take action, I show no regard for teacher-student relations! If you insist on fighting, you must sign a 'Duel Agreement'!"

The crowd below immediately erupted in another uproar, cries of shock rising everywhere.

Who didn't know that the "Duel Agreement" was the highest level of sparring permitted by the school, second only to the strictly prohibited life-and-death contracts.

Once signed, as long as it didn't result in death or permanent disability, all consequences were borne by the participants!

This was an attempt to absolve himself of all responsibility beforehand and push the danger level of the match to the extreme!

The students looked at Lu Jue with sympathy, confusion, and even a hint of awe.

Anyone who would sign this is either crazy or truly has something to rely on!

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Lu Jue responded without hesitation, "This student is willing to sign the Duel Agreement!"

"Good! You said it yourself!"

Li Zhanting's eyes twitched slightly, a mix of shock and anger surging within him.

With so many students watching, he naturally couldn't back down.

He had intended to use the agreement to scare the other party away, but who knew this Lu Jue would be completely unfazed, dead set on fighting him!

The words were out, and there was no turning back.

However, he still had a plan. He suddenly stood up, deliberately slowing his tone, "Since that's the case, wait here a moment. I'll go to the office to get some first-aid supplies. This is for your own good!"

Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode away.

As soon as he entered the office, he locked the door with a "click" and went straight to a cabinet, taking out an encrypted metal box. He skillfully unlocked it and retrieved an inconspicuous small black bottle.

He then poured out a dark red pill and placed it in his palm.

This was the Crimson Blood Pill he had secretly prepared, originally intended for the upcoming "Instructor Assessment."

The Crimson Blood Pill could stimulate Blood Essence in a short period, greatly increasing explosive power. Although it would inevitably cause damage to the body afterward, it was enough to turn the tide of battle.

This medicine was contraband for commoners, but with his connections, obtaining a few pills was not difficult.

Li Zhanting stared at the pill in his palm, his expression shifting between indecision and malice.

This forbidden drug was strictly prohibited. Only those who frequented the Wasteland for extended periods would cautiously use it in moments of crisis.

If it were used against someone of his own kind, and the act was discovered, even with his background, he would face severe punishment...

He struggled internally, but Lu Jue's repeated provocations finally overwhelmed his reason.

"Since you're seeking your own death, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

He muttered under his breath, the last trace of hesitation in his eyes turning into ferocity.

He was confident that his strength far surpassed Lu Jue's, but the kid's bizarre Hardening Kung Fu and his sudden surge of confidence made him feel an ominous unease. He had to bring this trump card, just in case.

"A mere commoner, you really think winning against Zhang Tie means you can step all over me? What a pipe dream!"

"If I don't cripple you completely today, won't anyone dare to walk all over me in the future!"

With this thought, he no longer hesitated. He carefully tucked the pill into his inner jacket pocket, composed his expression, and resumed his stern demeanor before pushing the door open and stepping out.