Nine Years of Compulsory Education Wasted...

Yu Qingqing laughed, finding this more absurd than anything he'd ever seen.

He wouldn't even mention the gap in blood and qi—martial skills cultivated to a profound level could erase part of that difference. But with such a massive gap in martial skill, how did he dare?

His D-grade martial skill had broken through today, doubling his combat power too.

Good. Very good.

He also had a speed-type martial skill; his speed would definitely be far faster than Xu Zhiming's.

Complete suppression across the board—he didn't know how he could lose.

"Have you been listening to old songs for courage or something?"

The few people beside Yu Qingqing frowned, looking down at the crowd blocking the path below.

One of them was extremely impatient.

"If you don't dare to fight, just scatter. Losing some face is way better than ending up in the hospital from injuries."

"Can you get out of the way? Our time is precious—we still need to go collect the school's reward resources."

"Move it now."

Students from the C-grade and B-grade classes looked up at the speakers, angry but not daring to speak out.

They quickly parted to make a path.

Seeing this, the few sneered and left with cold smiles.

They had no time to linger at school. If not for collecting resources today, they'd be training at the Martial Hall outside.

"Yu Qingqing, don't embarrass us."

"If you can't win, you'll lose a lot of face."

"Xu Zhiming is the King of Inner Rolled. You'd better be careful."

Xu Zhiming ignored the mockery in their tone. He hoped these people could still be this arrogant later.

Claiming the rewards—all the rewards would be his.

In the crowd, Wang Hu met Xu Zhiming's gaze and felt that firm resolve.

He made up his mind: if Xu Zhiming fell into a disadvantage, he would step in to help.

He was at least a fifteenth-level martial artist; stopping a fight between martial artists with less than twenty points of blood and qi was still within his ability.

"The Great Xia doesn't forbid martial artists from fighting under fair and just conditions."

"Both sides in a fight bear their own responsibility for injuries."

"If you both agree, all of us here can be witnesses."

Zeng Hao gave Xu Zhiming a meaningful look.

"Xu Zhiming, wait a bit longer. I can lend you money to raise your blood and qi. Fight him after yours surpasses his."

"He also has a speed-type martial skill. You haven't trained one, so you're at a big disadvantage."

Hearing this, Yu Qingqing shot Zeng Hao a fierce glare.

He squinted, flicking his green bangs.

"When I have time, cousin, I'll give you some proper guidance on your martial skills."

Zeng Hao shrank his neck and didn't say another word.

"Guidance on martial skills" meant he wanted to bully him with higher blood and qi.

He wasn't agreeing to that.

At worst, Yu Qingqing would give him some superficial injuries—he wouldn't dare go too far.

Taking a beating in exchange for Xu Zhiming's safety—worth it.

He felt that if he watched Xu Zhiming practice Wind Thunder Fist a bit longer, he might also break through to the fourth layer.

A beating for Wind Thunder Fist's fourth layer—Zeng Hao figured it was a sure win.

Xu Zhiming raised his hand.

"Everyone, please move aside. I need to settle some personal grievances."

Xu Zhiming walked toward the first floor of the Martial Hall.

Yu Qingqing laughed heartily, waving at his companions to come watch the show.

The boys who followed Yu Qingqing's lead immediately grinned with delight.

"Come on, come on, hurry up. In a bit, we'll show you just how big the gap is between Brother Yu and you!"

"Hard work is completely useless in the face of talent."

"You think you can catch up to us through effort? You're not even worthy. Only poor people delude themselves into thinking hard work can close the gap."

The three beside him were no longer in a rush to collect their resources either.

Watching a good show isn't bad either.

Too bad it wasn't them making the move.

Yu Qingqing spotted the red glass bottle in Xu Zhiming's hand.

Level 10 Demonic Beast Essence Blood—he'd drunk plenty of it before.

Wind Thunder Fist cultivated to the fifth layer, a reward from the authorities.

Plus some unexpected gains on the side.

Xu Zhiming set the Demonic Beast Essence Blood aside, his right hand lightly gripping the long spear.

Yu Qingqing withdrew his gaze, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"I don't think fighting's much fun. How about we add a little wager?"

"That bottle of Level 10 Demonic Beast Essence Blood of yours barely qualifies as a stake."

Xu Zhiming sneered inwardly. Such greed.

"You talk too much."

Yu Qingqing's eyes narrowed into slits.

From Xu Zhiming's tone, it seemed he wasn't afraid of him?

He wondered if Xu Zhiming had some hidden card up his sleeve.

"Xu Zhiming, how about I beat him for you, and you give me that bottle of Demonic Beast Essence Blood?"

"Yu Qingqing, are you really that cowardly? You steal someone's potion, they come knocking, and you still won't face them? If that's the case, just give it back."

Yu Qingqing listened, a surge of anger rising in his chest.

Someone with lower qi and blood than him—what was there to fear?

"The hospital's Wi-Fi signal is great. Go in there and scroll through short videos—you'll heal up fast."

Yu Qingqing picked a blade.

The school's weapons were all unsharpened; as long as you didn't hit a vital spot, the injuries wouldn't be fatal.

"If you don't want blood splattered on you, get far away."

Yu Qingqing glanced around, gripping the long knife in his hand.

His eyes were dark, venomous, and ruthless. Many students, frightened by that gaze, stumbled back several steps.

"Done showing off?"

Yu Qingqing's face was all smiles, but his eyes were like a viper's.

He raised the blade.

Walked up to Xu Zhiming.

"I'll cover one day of your hospital bed fee."

Xu Zhiming said nothing.

The reason he wanted so many people watching was precisely to avoid paying a single cent.

Better to tip those dancing girls online than to spend money on Yu Qingqing's medical bills.

Wang Hu stepped out from the crowd and addressed them both.

"No striking vital points. No intent to kill."

With that, a surge of immense qi and blood erupted from his body.

Everyone felt as if a massive bonfire had ignited in the middle of the crowd, radiating astonishing heat.

Many students with low qi and blood couldn't withstand it; sweat instantly beaded on their foreheads as they backed away repeatedly.

The space cleared out even more in an instant.

Their eyes turned toward Wang Hu with profound respect.

This was the reverence the weak held for the strong.

Wang Hu's gaze swept across Yu Qingqing's face.

Yu Qingqing was furious, his eyes narrowing further.

"Didn't you want a bet? I've got two bottles of Level 10 Demonic Beast Essence Blood and three Energy Potions I haven't claimed yet this month."

"The claim token's in my pocket. Whether you can get it is up to you."

Yu Qingqing pulled out a white token, waving it back and forth. A number six was engraved on it.

"I suggest you hand over that Level 10 Demonic Beast Essence Blood. For its sake, I might go easy on you."

Xu Zhiming couldn't be bothered to respond.

"You really talk too much. You've wasted a few minutes of my spear practice."

"If you keep babbling at me, I'll send you flying and put you straight to sleep."

Yu Qingqing's mouth twisted viciously as he gripped his large blade tightly.

"I'll have you lying in a hospital bed, unable to even scroll through videos, so you can reflect on messing with the wrong person!"

Xu Zhiming's gaze fell on Wang Hu.

"Teacher, may I begin now?"

Wang Hu looked at Xu Zhiming's calm eyes and nodded in approval.

"I'll count down from three to one, and then you can start."

"Three... two... one..."

Yu Qingqing's obese figure darted out like a spirit cat.

D-grade martial skill—Spirit Cat Step!

Xu Zhiming swept his long spear horizontally, but Yu Qingqing dodged it easily.

"Too slow, too slow—you can't hit me at all."

After evading the attack, Yu Qingqing couldn't help but taunt him.

The surrounding students sighed one after another.

"As expected, Xu Zhiming still can't work a miracle."

"The top ten students have martial skills and resources that crush ours; Xu Zhiming ultimately can't win."

"I really hoped Xu Zhiming would win, but reality is harsh."

Zeng Hao turned his head away.

He could already picture Xu Zhiming being kited by Yu Qingqing until he collapsed in defeat.

If Xu Zhiming lost, he too would not escape humiliation.

Wang Hu shook his head slightly.

Yu Qingqing, hearing the murmurs around him, grew more smug.

He prepared to feign an attack.

But Xu Zhiming seemed unresponsive, as if he had read his intentions.

Xu Zhiming said nothing, merely adopting a defensive stance.

With that, Yu Qingqing's plan to kite him instantly lost its effect.

Yu Qingqing snorted coldly. Avoiding a fight was just a petty trick.

Then he'd let Xu Zhiming taste what it meant to be crushed by raw qi and blood.

"Take my Cyclone Blade!"

Yu Qingqing didn't use his full strength, intending to test Xu Zhiming's depth first.

The long spear and large blade clashed.

Yu Qingqing felt a powerful surge of electricity course through him, his body going numb and his leg movements slowing.

In his pupils, the spearhead rapidly enlarged.

"Nine years of compulsory education wasted..."