Going to the Boxing Club

"Then thank you for the encouragement."

A slight smile curved Wang Qinghe's lips, her expression sincere.

She changed the subject, her bright eyes looking at Ling Yun with anticipation.

"Oh, right, junior schoolmate Ling Yun! Have you considered joining our Boxing Club? With your skills, winning the provincial Free Combat youth championship for the men's division would be a piece of cake! You might even have a chance to compete professionally!"

Although she asked, her eagerness was almost a plea.

Seeing the expectant glint in Wang Qinghe's eyes, Ling Yun's heart stirred.

He needed to complete that "Become Famous in One Area" achievement quest, but it wasn't easy.

It required becoming an iconic figure in a vast field.

Free Combat seemed like an excellent opportunity for him to enter the sports world and make a name for himself.

"I can give it a try."

Ling Yun nodded affirmatively at Wang Qinghe without hesitation.

"That's great! I'm heading to the Boxing Club right now, junior schoolmate, come with me!"

Wang Qinghe was overjoyed and almost instinctively reached out to grab Ling Yun's wrist.

Ling Yun gently pulled away, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "Going now? I have class later."

"No problem!"

Wang Qinghe immediately chimed in, looking confident.

"Just have junior schoolmate Zhou Da ask for leave for you. With your skills, winning the provincial championship is a sure thing! The school will be thrilled, not stop you!"

She pointed to Zhou Da beside them.

"If that's the case... Da Zi, you handle the trash can yourself, I'm going to take a look."

Ling Yun understood and turned to Zhou Da, giving him a "bye-bye" gesture.

"Brother Yun! Take me with you!"

Zhou Da's eyes widened with envy as he watched Ling Yun get to skip class.

"You?"

Wang Qinghe couldn't help but laugh.

Then she teased, "If you're confident you can get third place in the provincial competition, you can come too. If not... hehe, let's see if the school will give you trouble?"

Zhou Da deflated instantly, but quickly rallied, scratching his head and chuckling.

"Forget it, forget it... But Brother Yun, isn't this too unbelievable? You can do everything? Tsk, that's great, my novel's protagonist can have another... uh, cool skill!"

He stopped himself just before saying "show off" and was already lost in his own fantasy world.

Ling Yun shook his head helplessly at his expression, said goodbye to Wang Qinghe, and they walked towards the Boxing Club together.

Zhou Da, only realizing what was happening, could only hold the trash can and watch the backs of the two as they walked away with a look of dejection.

As soon as they stepped through the doors of the Boxing Club, a mixed scent of sweat and disinfectant hit them.

The air was filled with the dull thud of fists hitting sandbags, the rustling of footsteps, and short, powerful shouts.

"These are all members of our Boxing Club."

The members were undergoing high-intensity training, the atmosphere tense and passionate.

"Today is the club's internal selection. We'll choose one strongest representative from each of the men's and women's divisions to participate in the upcoming city-level competition."

Wang Qinghe led Ling Yun inside, explaining as they walked.

"Oh? The women's division is selecting too?"

Ling Yun looked around. The training ground was filled with boys drenched in sweat.

If you think this book is good, don't forget to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

He couldn't help but ask, "But I don't see any female trainees here?"

"We have small internal competitions regularly," Wang Qinghe replied calmly, without any hint of boastfulness. "They... well, they all know my level, so the female trainees have forfeited this selection."

Her words sounded a bit like humblebragging, but from her calm face, there was no trace of pride.

Perhaps this was the mindset of a true powerhouse? Uninterested in the weak, only eager to challenge stronger opponents.

Ling Yun understood.

"Qinghe! Who is this?"

A rather muscular young man walked over, his gaze appraising Ling Yun.

"Zheng Chenyang!"

Wang Qinghe's brow furrowed immediately, her tone clearly impatient.

"I've told you countless times, don't call me Qinghe! We're not that close."

She rolled her eyes unceremoniously.

"Alright, alright, Wang Qinghe, Wang Qinghe."

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Zheng Chenyang's face, but he quickly plastered on a smile and shamelessly sidled closer. "And who is this new face…?"

"This is junior schoolmate Ling Yun," Wang Qinghe announced, raising her voice both to Zheng Chenyang and the club members who were casting glances their way. "He's here today to participate in our city tournament selection!"

"Selection?"

"New guy?"

"There's only one spot…"

As soon as Wang Qinghe finished speaking, the atmosphere in the training hall subtly shifted.

Many of the members who had been training stopped, their gazes uniformly focusing on Ling Yun. Their eyes instantly filled with wariness and undisguised hostility—one more person meant the competition for that precious spot had just become a fraction harder.

Zheng Chenyang sized up Ling Yun, who didn't look particularly strong, and a contemptuous curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. He deliberately said in a loud voice, "Wang Qinghe, no offense, but before the selection starts, you'd better advise this junior schoolmate to make a 'strategic retreat.' Otherwise, once we're on the mat, fists and feet have no eyes. We won't hold back just because he's new."

He emphasized the words "strategic retreat" with deliberate weight, his tone brimming with provocation. The look he gave Ling Yun was filled with undisguised jealousy—Wang Qinghe's attitude towards this newcomer made him extremely uncomfortable.

He secretly resolved that if Ling Yun dared to step onto the mat, he would teach him a harsh lesson.

"Zheng Chenyang, the selection hasn't even started yet, don't speak so confidently!"

Wang Qinghe immediately stepped forward to defend him, not wanting Ling Yun to be underestimated from the start. "Junior schoolmate Ling Yun's strength is absolutely beyond your imagination!"

Wang Qinghe's defense was like a stone tossed into a calm lake.

Those club members who knew her personality understood that she approached Free Combat with extreme seriousness. She never praised people lightly, and certainly wouldn't exaggerate to favor someone.

Her confident endorsement of a newcomer instantly turned their dismissive glances into solemn and cautious ones.

The smile on Zheng Chenyang's face froze for a moment, then a stronger fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. He turned to Ling Yun and said with a fake smile, "Oh? Someone Wang Qinghe praises so highly? Perfect! During the sparring session later, junior schoolmate, how about we have a good 'chat'? Let me broaden my horizons too?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "chat," his provocative gaze locked onto Ling Yun.

Ling Yun met Zheng Chenyang's malicious gaze, and that hypocritical fake smile finally exhausted the last shred of his patience.

The corner of his mouth curved into a calm yet cold arc, and he nodded. "Since senior schoolmate is inviting so 'warmly,' I… will naturally do my best to accompany you."

Seeing the two men, thick with gunpowder, finally confront each other, a glint of excitement flashed in Wang Qinghe's eyes, and she almost clapped her hands in delight.

She finally had a chance to see that annoying Zheng Chenyang get thoroughly thrashed! The reason was simple: Zheng Chenyang was recognized as the strongest among the male students this year, the seeded contender most likely to represent the school in the city tournament.

In regular training and internal matches, he had almost no opponents who could match him.

Although Wang Qinghe herself possessed exquisite technique, far surpassing Zheng Chenyang, the sheer disparity in strength between men and women meant she couldn't truly suppress him in a real fight.

Ling Yun's appearance offered her the possibility of a "natural predator."

"Alright! All contestants for the city tournament selection, gather in the center of the mat immediately!"

A woman Ling Yun vaguely recognized from his past life clapped her hands, her loud voice cutting through the noise in the hall. "Pairing will begin shortly, no dawdling!"