Embodying Myriad Traits, I Will Ultimately Become Immortal — Part 29

"Today, I have some news for everyone. After the New Year, a new round of martial arts academy ranking matches will begin. The older students already know the rules, so let me explain them to this year's newcomers."

"Brother Dong, does that mean we get to fight in a competition?"

"That's right. The academy ranked first will receive prize support worth millions. Last time, our Infinite Martial Arts Academy took first place."

"Holy shit, that's awesome! Can I compete?"

"You're eligible for the minor division, but each academy can only send one person per division. I don't think you've got a chance."

The noisy discussion went on for a full minute.

"Alright, quiet down first. I'll announce the competitors now. If anyone has objections, you may challenge them. The winner competes, and the loser steps down."

"There's no need to say anything about the academy owner division. Liu Ru will compete in the youth division. Any objections?"

Everyone in the academy looked toward their big brother, Wang Dong, their meaning obvious.

Seeing this, Wang Dong shook his head like a rattle drum.

"Why are you all looking at me? I've already passed my thirty-fifth birthday. I'm not young anymore."

"Instructor Liu is a peak sixth-stage Manifest Force expert. If you can do it, go ahead. Don't drag me into it."

Last time, Wang Dong had represented the youth division, only to be eliminated in the first round. Even if he had not aged out, he would not go embarrass himself again this time.

Seeing that no one objected, Luo Guanyun spoke.

"Good. Then Instructor Liu Ru is confirmed for the youth division."

Liu Ru was delighted as well. Having a chance to perform in front of the academy owner was already more than enough.

"I need to train hard and let the academy owner see my talent and effort."

Luo Guanyun continued.

"As for the minor division..."

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At this, many people began rubbing their fists and palms together. The new student who had just asked Wang Dong looked especially eager to give it a try.

There was also Le Ping. He had reached the Third Blood Qi Threshold, and his Cannon Fist had made some minor breakthroughs recently.

Looking around, he carried the air of there being no one else but him.

"Meng Chuan."

Hearing Teacher Luo call him, Meng Chuan answered and walked onto the ring.

Le Ping had already closed his eyes, ready to welcome the challenge.

"Huh—what???"

He felt as though he had misheard. How could it be Meng Chuan?

When Wang Yue heard Academy Owner Luo call Meng Chuan's name, he did not react at first either. He stared blankly at Meng Chuan, not knowing what to say.

"Academy Owner, I refuse to accept this. I challenge him."

Before Le Ping could react, that new student took the lead in challenging Meng Chuan.

"Yang Ping of Through-the-Back Fist, Second Blood Qi Threshold."

"Meng Chuan, Third Blood Qi Threshold."

"Holy shit! You broke through the third?"

Yang Ping blurted it out, while the other students wore equally disbelieving expressions.

"Junior Brother, be careful."

Meng Chuan warned him, then stomped off the ground and burst forward, sprinting straight before Yang Ping.

Yang Ping did not react at all before a fist hovered in front of his face and lightly tapped his forehead.

To avoid hurting him, Meng Chuan stopped right there.

"Thanks for yielding, Junior Brother."

Only then did Yang Ping come back to his senses. He gave a bitter smile and clasped his fists in return.

"Thank you for holding back, Senior Brother."

Then he silently walked off the ring.

Meng Chuan knew he was not the only minor in the academy at the Third Blood Qi Threshold. There was also Le Ping, so he spoke up.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?"

"I'll do it."

Le Ping flipped onto the ring with a Hawk Turns Over.

Though he was shocked by how quickly Meng Chuan had progressed—he had not even entered a stage during the previous test, yet had broken through the third in just a few short months—Le Ping was confident he could win.

Le Ping encouraged himself inwardly.

"I've spent longer accumulating strength at the Third Blood Qi Threshold, and my boxing forms are more seasoned. No problem."

"Do you think Meng Chuan can win this time?"

"I think it'll be tough. They're both at the third threshold, but Brother Le's foundation is clearly deeper."

"But Meng Chuan's pretty fierce too. No idea why he hasn't come lately, but he used to be insanely strong. He's the little prince of the National Obligatory Basic Fist Art, after all."

Le Ping attacked first.

The instant he moved, he struck with all his might. Flashing close to Meng Chuan, he drove a straight punch upward at a sixty-degree angle.

The force of the punch detonated through the air. Listening closely, one could make out six blasts—it was Skyward Cannon, striking head-on!

Meng Chuan was utterly fearless. Facing the fist right before him, he did not even blink.

He was far too familiar with Cannon Fist. He used Inch Step, drawing a semicircle with his right foot and turning sideways to evade the blow. Borrowing the force of his twisting waist, he followed with a left hook that lashed toward Le Ping's face.

Le Ping reacted swiftly as well, raising his right arm beside his ear to block the punch.

Even though he blocked it, a bang! still rang out, and his body staggered.

"Meng Chuan's reaction speed is way too fast! Every move links into the next, wave upon wave without end."

"Case closed. Who said Meng Chuan was taking advantage when he sparred with Sister Ru? Did you see that? He was honing his actual combat ability."

After steadying himself, Le Ping swiftly adjusted his stance. His right arm drew back above his earlobe, while his left arm stood straight out before him, fist eye facing upward.

He set his guard again, his gaze exceptionally grave.

"Again!"

"Good!"

Meng Chuan was fighting to his heart's content as well and wanted to have a satisfying match with Le Ping.

As soon as the words fell, Meng Chuan bent low and exerted force, instantly thrusting toward Le Ping. Before he arrived, the sound did!

A cannon blast exploded beside his opponent's ear. It was likewise one cannon, six bursts—not the slightest bit inferior to Le Ping's.

Le Ping's eyes were filled with astonishment. No matter how he thought about it, he could not believe Meng Chuan had trained Cannon Fist to mastery in such a short time.

Cannon Fist was supremely hard and fierce; it could not be received head-on.

But Le Ping did not possess movement techniques at the proficient level. He could only abandon his guard and roll across the ground, dodging in a miserable state.

Meng Chuan still wanted to practice Cannon Fist and raise its proficiency, so he did not choose to beat a drowning dog.

Once Le Ping got back up, the two continued to tangle together.

Liu Ru often sparred with Meng Chuan and fed him moves, so naturally she could see what he was thinking.

"Meng Chuan has won, that kid."

"His improvement is enormous. It's like he's become a different person. Could he have awakened a trait recently?"

Liu Ru sincerely felt that Meng Chuan had changed too much. She became even less certain whether she could become the academy owner's personal disciple.

In the blink of an eye, Meng Chuan and Le Ping had exchanged more than a hundred moves. With the buildup of Inch Step, Meng Chuan's fist force grew fiercer and fiercer, while his training uniform snapped and rustled with every movement.

Everyone cried out.

"Damn, this is what martial combat should look like! Just watching it is exhilarating!"

Le Ping felt that his opponent's fists were growing heavier with every strike, and he was about to be unable to withstand them. He hurriedly blocked another incoming punch, then pulled back to create distance, preparing to regulate his breathing.

The time was about right. Meng Chuan gave him no such opportunity.

A high right roundhouse kick sealed off Le Ping's retreat. Then Meng Chuan twisted his waist and whipped his body into motion, leaping into the air before following with a second spinning back kick from his left leg that sent Le Ping flying off the ring.

Le Ping sprang to his feet with a Carp Leaping Out of Water. There was no unwillingness on his face; he could tell Meng Chuan had held back.

"I lost. I didn't expect you to be this strong now."

Meng Chuan smiled.

"One win or loss means nothing. We'll keep going next time."