Small Groups, Good Sprouts

"How... is this possible!"

Li Yuan never imagined he would lose, even though Qin Shi displayed incredible resilience, stamina, and toughness.

But that was only because he possessed "extraordinary talent," having mastered the Old Martial Arts training methods and achieved significant improvements.

In real combat, relying solely on brute strength and thick skin couldn't guarantee victory.

Offensive and defensive awareness, combat rhythm, and self-control were the true secrets to defeating an opponent!

Li Yuan was very confident that even if Qin Shi excelled in the final aspect, slightly taking the lead.

He was definitely behind in the first two aspects, with a clear gap between them.

"Brother Yuan, what you said really works!"

Qin Shi took off his protective gear and gloves, then pulled up Li Yuan, who was lying on the mat, and said excitedly:

"Stare at the opponent's shoulders, anticipate their attack direction, and improve reaction speed! It's so effective!"

His joy and satisfaction weren't entirely a pretense to ease Li Yuan's embarrassment.

After being thrown to the ground time and time again and tasting defeat, suddenly winning through his own strength.

That kind of game-clearing passion and thrill truly surged through his brain, providing a satisfaction akin to dopamine secretion.

"You... learn very quickly."

The pain of being hit in the chest with a fist was nothing compared to the despair of his crushing defeat. Li Yuan gritted his teeth and forced out this compliment.

His gaze towards Qin Shi now held a hint of approval and admiration.

No wonder this kid was valued by Old Liang, receiving private tutoring every day.

In just a few hours, he went from zero foundation to understanding fighting techniques, knowing how to judge the emptiness and fullness of an opponent's moves and their landing points.

He even seized counter-attack opportunities so sharply!

This was truly a top student with real fighting talent!

"Holy crap!"

Xie Yucheng, standing outside the ring, seemed to have his brain short-circuit. The only word left in his mouth was this.

"Talent Brother, you're too talented! How did you just remember those basic moves?

This is eye-opening, are all students from New No. 1 Middle School geniuses like you?"

Qin Shi took a breath, calming his racing heart.

The nearly thirteen sets of exhaustion-inducing training, coupled with the physical awakening brought by [Muscle Memory], had drastically shortened his learning curve.

For the same curriculum, relying on [Deep Sleep] for physical recovery and [Muscle Memory] for rapid mastery.

He could probably surpass students starting at the same line by four to five body lengths!

"It's mainly Brother Yuan's guidance that was so spot-on. I have to thank you guys for being willing to spar with me, otherwise, I wouldn't have improved so quickly!"

These words were music to his ears!

Li Yuan, who had been feeling a bit embarrassed and worried about becoming a laughingstock, immediately looked much better.

He waved his hand:

"What are you saying, classmates should help each other. Ultimately, it's Qin Shi, you have a quick mind and excellent physical condition.

Are all those students from the metropolitan area as formidable as you?"

Qin Shi smiled:

"There are always top students and slackers everywhere. It's just that the educational resources in the metropolitan area are more concentrated, so the number of top students produced is relatively higher.

Brother Yuan, Brother Cheng, I actually think our learning ability is no less than theirs, and we work even harder. It's just that we were born on Old Factory Street, and the environment is worse, lacking the conditions."

Subtly, through his linguistic artistry, he had easily categorized himself, Li Yuan, and Xie Yucheng into the same camp, thereby fostering closer ties.

"Qin Shi, so you think so too! If Old Factory Street hadn't declined, we'd definitely be stronger than the top students in the Tai'an Metropolitan Area!"

As expected, Li Yuan, who harbored hostility towards the metropolitan area, strongly agreed.

Especially the words "lacking the conditions," which struck a chord.

It made him instantly see Qin Shi as one of his own, and his attitude became even friendlier.

"Sigh, Brother Yuan, who can blame fate! Nowadays, being born into the right family is the real skill. Studying at New No. 1 Middle School, I often face cold shoulders from the elite class!"

Qin Shi shook his head and sighed, giving Li Yuan plenty of emotional validation.

He could deeply understand the complex feelings most children of workers who grew up in the old city district had towards the Tai'an Metropolitan Area.

A mixture of hostility, dissatisfaction, and aversion, yet unconsciously tinged with a hint of yearning, aspiration, and hope.

Although he disliked the citizens of the metropolitan area, he simultaneously wished to become one of those who had the right to settle there.

"Elite? Bah! They just think they're superior!"

Li Yuan, finding a comrade, patted Qin Shi on the shoulder:

"When you master the Old Martial Arts fighting and training methods, your vitality will surely soar, and you'll give those snobbish rich kids a good slap in the face!"

Xie Yucheng scratched his head, feeling like an outsider.

He didn't understand how Brother Yuan had become so chummy with classmate Qin.

Was this what the Old Martial Arts world called "fighting to become friends"?

The atmosphere building, Qin Shi boldly spoke up, "Brother Yuan, Brother Cheng, I got two boxes of Nutritional Paste today and haven't eaten them yet. Let's share."

As a newcomer, the best way to make an unfamiliar environment comfortable was to integrate into a small group.

Even though there was a saying, "Only sheep travel in herds; beasts always walk alone."

But as long as he wasn't deliberately ostracized, targeted, or bullied, mingling with his classmates wasn't a bad thing.

More friends meant more paths, and there would always be a day when he'd need them.

This was the life experience Qin Shi had gained from his past life driving delivery trucks.

"Thanks, classmate Qin! I didn't do anything, I'm just riding Brother Yuan's coattails!"

"Ah Shi, no need for formalities. If you ever run into trouble in the future, just come to me!"

Most peer relationships in school were simply a matter of "liking" or "disliking."

Clearly, at this moment, Qin Shi had transitioned from the latter to the former in Li Yuan's eyes.

The afterglow of the sunset gradually faded, leaving only a few wisps of dim twilight.

They each put on their sweat-soaked t-shirts, cleaned the training room, and the three of them locked the door and left together.

Old Liang's teaching style was always the same: he'd tell you what you needed to learn, then let you figure it out.

How well you practiced depended entirely on your own effort and persistence.

"It's this late, Old Liang must have gone off to find a place to drink."

Looking at the empty, quiet corridor, Li Yuan muttered a couple of words before calling out to Qin Shi, "Ah Shi, I mooched your Nutritional Paste today, so you'll have to eat another meal tonight. I feel a bit bad about it. How about this, we'll take you somewhere! To meet some more impressive people!"

Xie Yucheng slung his olive-green bag over his shoulder and chuckled, "Brother Yuan, are you sure about this? Classmate Qin is a good kid, a model student from New No. 1 Middle School. Don't go corrupting him."

Li Yuan scoffed, "What nonsense are you talking? I'm not taking Ah Shi to a video arcade to watch adult films. We're diligently learning martial arts and fighting techniques, isn't it all to become stronger and not get bullied! If Ah Shi meets Brother Ze from North Pass Street, he won't have to worry about not having anyone to help him if he gets into trouble!"

Qin Shi listened to their conversation, his eyebrows slightly raised, "Brother Yuan, Brother Cheng, where is this North Pass Street you're talking about?"

Li Yuan tilted his chin up, "It's that night market near Xing Shun Road, where a lot of people set up stalls selling clothes. They recently built a magnificent bathhouse... it's under Brother Ze's protection now."

It sounded a bit like "Brother Chen Haonan from Causeway Bay."

Qin Shi didn't refuse. Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng didn't seem like they'd drop out of school and head for grueling labor jobs in the outskirts' mining areas, based on their usual demeanor. They occasionally talked about "Brother Ze" and "fighters," which piqued his curiosity.

"Then I'll tag along and broaden my horizons."

Qin Shi smiled warmly.

"Let's go."

After the figures of the three young men disappeared at the end of the corridor stairs, the limping Old Liang emerged from the side. He had witnessed the entire practical training session that afternoon, his gaze following Qin Shi's movements.

"If his training methods are outstanding, then his fighting style is simply genius-level!"

Old Liang licked his dry lips, his fingers holding a cigarette trembling slightly, a look of fanaticism involuntarily appearing on his face.

If Qin Shi could see this, he might have been reminded of certain people he often encountered in his previous life hauling goods in northern Myanmar – gamblers who bet their entire fortune on raw stones!

"Luck has arrived, my luck... it's finally here! He truly is a born talent for Old Martial Arts!"