Return

Chapter 46: Return

Entering the main hall, the two approached the office desk in a corner.

At this moment, Teacher Wang was meditating with his eyes closed, a rare serious expression on his face, giving him the air of a detached, high-level expert.

"Teacher Wang, you were looking for me!"

Zhao Rui muttered softly.

Upon hearing this, Teacher Wang slowly opened his eyes and let out a hum, his posture remaining that of meditation.

"Starting tomorrow, you two will be assigned to the Sparring Partner Group. Zhao Rui, your training will still be under Wang Zhe's supervision, but your regular team practice activities will be transferred to sparring."

After speaking, Teacher Wang looked at Zhang Kui and said, "Your temperament is too restless; you need some tempering. You, like Zhao Rui, will be temporarily assigned to the Sparring Partner Group... You may go!"

Teacher Wang gave a few more instructions and waved them away.

The two acknowledged and turned to leave. Zhao Rui was in a very good mood; he had finally become a sparring partner.

How many days had it been since he last gained advancement points?

Now that his wish was finally granted, how could he not be happy?

Zhang Kui, on the other hand, looked dejected and gloomy, clearly displeased.

"Brother Zhang, I'll treat you to some barbecue at noon?"

With money in his pocket, Zhao Rui felt at ease. He looked at Zhang Kui and invited him.

Zhang Kui hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "No, I'll treat you."

"It doesn't matter who treats; it's on me today. After training, I'll wait for you!"

"Okay! Alright!"

After agreeing on their lunch plans, they went their separate ways.

Zhao Rui returned to Wang Zhe's side, seeking guidance on his martial arts bottlenecks.

Prajna Palm was profound and extensive. Although it was just an introductory palm technique for the Martial Arts Team, it was already one of the best moves and techniques Zhao Rui had encountered.

It was far superior to Azure Cloud Palm or Taihang Thirteen Palms.

The Martial Arts Zhao Rui currently possessed were primarily Cloud Hand Plucks Stars, Taiyi Light Splitting Sword Technique, and Wing Chun Inquiry.

Other martial arts were commonplace, offering extremely limited improvements in Internal Energy circulation and move variations. Practicing them deeply only led to mundane results.

As the saying goes, "Greed for too much leads to poor digestion." Currently, Zhao Rui's main focus was on these few martial arts, striving to advance further in mastery and reach a state of complete understanding.

This aspect relied more on his own cultivation and comprehension.

At half-past eleven, Zhao Rui, having finished his training, waited for a still unhappy-looking Zhang Kui at the hall entrance. The two left the Martial Arts Academy together.

The Martial Arts Academy also had its own cafeteria, which was quite high-end. It was said that the buffet there was priced at over two hundred yuan per person, comparable to off-campus establishments.

Zhao Rui wanted to try it, but unfortunately, he was not affiliated with the Martial Arts Academy and didn't have the privilege.

Instead of dining near the academy, the two took a taxi to a nearby commercial street, which was more bustling and offered a wider variety of food.

They found a street-side barbecue joint specializing in beef skewers and found an empty seat. They ordered some skewers and beer and began to eat and drink.

Since they weren't very familiar with each other, they casually chatted about interesting campus anecdotes.

After a few bottles of beer, Zhang Kui looked at Zhao Rui's still relaxed demeanor and couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. "You're really patient. Aren't you anxious at all about becoming a sparring partner?"

He had thought Zhao Rui invited him out for drinks to discuss the sparring partner matter, but they had been drinking for a while without a single related word being mentioned.

"I'm from the outer court anyway. I'll do whatever the teacher tells me to do! Actually, for me, being a sparring partner might be the most suitable."

Zhao Rui said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhang Kui chuckled self-deprecatingly. "That's true. You're from the outer court, so you don't expect to go far in the team. Sigh!"

Since Zhang Kui had brought it up, Zhao Rui naturally followed the topic.

"What's the situation with the sparring partners in our Martial Arts Team? Brother Zhang, is there something bad about being a sparring partner?"

"This has to start from the purpose of establishing our Martial Arts Team..."

Zhang Kui raised his cup to clink with Zhao Rui's, then downed the wine in his cup.

It turned out that the concept of a Martial Arts Team didn't exist in this world initially. However, due to certain reasons, the international environment deteriorated, and conflicts between nations became constant.

To ease the situation or achieve certain objectives, under the intervention of some major powers, international martial arts competitions emerged.

Correspondingly, various countries began to establish their own martial arts competition teams, selected from the grassroots level upwards.

Later, as the international environment stabilized, this competition not only didn't decline but flourished even more.

It not only spawned entertainment-oriented martial arts competitions but also drove a series of related peripheral industries, such as movies, anime, and training education.

Martial arts, which originally involved life-and-death struggles and the competition for international influence, gradually evolved into entertainment-based events.

The annual capital involved amounted to trillions upon trillions.

In this regard, martial arts competitions also became a shortcut for many martial artists to get rich and reach the pinnacle of life.

Dongqi University, as a leading university in Dongqi, had always been a renowned martial arts training base in the province.

Besides the university's own Martial Arts Team, there are also carefully selected provincial professional martial arts teams, all located within the Martial Arts Academy.

Zhao Rui is part of the university-level Martial Arts Team, primarily targeting competitions such as the Provincial University League, the National University League, and the Class B adult league.

Outstanding athletes among them can be selected to join the provincial professional team and participate in more professional martial arts events like the National Martial Arts League.

For a martial arts student to stand out and gain fame and fortune, they must have the opportunity to make a name for themselves and attract the attention of social media.

Whether it's the university league or the provincial league, you need to be qualified to compete.

As auxiliary members, sparring partners temporarily lose their eligibility to compete.

This is one of the reasons why Zhang Kui is so upset.

After hearing Zhang Kui's explanation, Zhao Rui felt more at ease. It was only a temporary disqualification, which wasn't even an issue for him.

Don't underestimate him just because he's a Level Six Martial Artist right now.

However, it's important to know that anyone admitted to the Martial Arts Academy of Dongqi University's Martial Arts program is at least a Level Five Martial Artist.

Level Six and Level Seven are very common.

It's not even impossible to find Level Eight.

These individuals are the true chosen ones.

Even though Zhang Kui was eliminated and became a sparring partner, he is a genuine Level Seven Martial Artist.

Level Six Martial Artists were eliminated at the end of the first semester.

Zhao Rui only benefited from being an early applicant; if he had applied in the second half of the year, he wouldn't have even qualified to enter.

Therefore, the competition itself isn't important to him; all he needs is to spar with others to earn advancement points.

"Brother Wang, Teacher Wang is actually looking out for you. If you can settle down and cultivate, you'll have your moment to shine."

Zhao Rui sincerely comforted him.

"Sigh, thanks for your kind words. Let's focus on advancing first. Otherwise, I'll be eliminated when the new students arrive in the second half of the year."

"I heard there are two Level Eight Martial Artists among this year's new students, and quite a few Level Seven. They're really strong!"

Zhang Kui exclaimed, clicking his tongue.

"Let's drink, let's drink!"

Zhao Rui's heart tightened. He never expected this year's new students to be so formidable. He used to think Level Five was already considered a top student, but now he realized he was just a frog in a well.

"Let's drink!"

The two clinked their glasses and downed the wine in gulps.

They chatted for another half hour before realizing it was getting late and they settled the bill and left the restaurant.

Zhao Rui didn't return to the Martial Arts Academy. Apart from specific training times, the Martial Arts Team didn't restrict the members' freedom.

Often, especially for lower-ranked members, they would spontaneously go to Mingchan Courtyard to cultivate.

Zhang Kui mentioned it was because the feng shui there was good and could improve the members' cultivation speed and comprehension.

Zhao Rui wasn't sure if it was true.

Today wasn't a specific training day, so after leaving the restaurant, Zhao Rui went directly back to his rented room and took a nap.

He slept until past three o'clock, washed his face, and then returned to Mingchan Courtyard.

As soon as he entered the courtyard gate, before he could head to the side hall where his team was located, he saw Zhang Kui beckoning him mysteriously.

Zhao Rui hurried over and heard Zhang Kui look around before whispering in his ear, "The main team members who went out to compete tomorrow are coming back."

Hearing this, Zhao Rui looked at Zhang Kui with some confusion. He then heard Zhang Kui continue, "Be careful, don't run into their bad luck. I heard they didn't perform well and were eliminated in the second round."

Zhao Rui nodded upon hearing this. Only the second round; indeed, they hadn't performed well, not even making it into the top sixteen.

"Thanks, Brother Zhang!"

"You're welcome!"

Zhang Kui smiled, feeling a sense of mentoring a junior.

After a brief chat, Zhao Rui headed straight to his team.

As soon as he entered the side hall, he saw a somber atmosphere within the team. Wang Zhe's face was pale, looking as if he were injured.

Zhao Rui walked over curiously and heard Pang Wenyu, the "physique"担当 of the team, suddenly stand up and exclaim, "Brother Zhe, we can't just let this go!"

"What can we do if we don't let it go? Sit down."

Wang Zhe said, coughed slightly, and then seeing Zhao Rui approach, pointed to a cushion in the corner and said, "Zhao Rui, you come sit here too."

Zhao Rui complied and sat on a cushion at the very back of the team.

"As your captain, I've been passed over for the main team twice. While there are objective reasons, my lack of strength is also a fact."

"Tian Zirong dared to provoke me so openly because he knew my cultivation hadn't recovered. There's no use telling Teacher Wang about this. The main team will be back tomorrow, so everyone temper your attitudes..."

After speaking, Wang Zhe looked at Zhao Rui again and said, "I have a grudge against Tian Zirong, and our team members have also been subjected to his harassment because of it. Be careful. He has an older brother named Tian Zihao, who is a main team member. Just so you know."

Zhao Rui's face twitched upon hearing Wang Zhe's words, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

I just came to earn some advancement points, how did I get entangled in grudges and resentments?

Teacher Wang, he didn't deliberately group us like this, did he?

Do I think I got into the team through connections?

Zhao Rui shook his head, unable to figure it out for a moment, but since he had already become a member of Wang Zhe's group, even if he withdrew now, he probably couldn't.

"Hmm, I got it, Brother Zhe."

Zhao Rui responded.

"Alright, everyone disperse!"

After speaking, Wang Zhe waved his hand, signaling everyone to go about their business.

Pang Wenyu snorted indignantly, then walked behind him, sat down cross-legged, placed his palms on his back, and helped him circulate his energy to heal his injuries.

Seeing this, the other team members no longer lingered and dispersed.

Zhao Rui followed suit, walked out of the side hall, and quickly caught up with a senior sister who usually spoke kindly, calling out to her.

"Senior Sister, how did our Captain Wang get injured?"

This senior sister's surname was Peng and her given name was Xinnan. She wore a simple, elegant, yet gentle plain colored dress.

Seeing that Zhao Rui had stopped her, Peng Xinnan glanced at the side hall and said, "Tian Zirong did it. Shh, you'll know later. In short, stay away from Tian Zirong and his brother. Things are different now."

"Oh, Senior Sister, I heard there's a coffee shop by the school gate that tastes good..."

"You want to treat me? Another day!"

Senior Sister Li finished speaking, turned around gracefully, and used a bit of Qinggong to float away.

"So mysterious, it's either related to women or to quotas!"

Zhao Rui, with hundreds of TV drama plots lingering in his mind from his past life, could probably guess the reason.

He thought the Martial Arts Team was a pure land, but it turns out it's full of right and wrong, and very complicated.

No wonder there's a rule in the team about resolving conflicts on an arena.

Zhao Rui shook his head, no longer thinking about it. He was just a nobody right now, and it was more important to improve his strength.

The next day, after Zhao Rui finished his professional class in the morning, he hurried to Mingchan Courtyard.

Today was his first day as a sparring partner, every second counted.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, he first greeted Wang Zhe, then found He Zhiyan, the leader of the Sparring Partner Group, and reported to him.

There were a total of five members in the Sparring Partner Group in the training area at the moment, including Zhang Kui.

Seeing Zhao Rui arrive, the two nodded and exchanged glances.

"Our Sparring Partner Group doesn't have any special requirements. Most of the training is still handled by your own team. Your main job is to be a sparring partner for the competition members, including daily training and combat drills..."

After He Zhiyan introduced the situation of the Sparring Partner Group, he continued, "Captain Gu and the others are returning today, and some people will likely have extra training this afternoon. You can observe then."

"Understood, Group Leader He!"

Zhao Rui quickly agreed, then found a corner and began cultivating on his own.

After cultivating for about forty minutes, he heard a commotion outside Mingchan Courtyard.

"Captain Gu, you're back!"

"Hello, Captain Gu."

The voices came one after another, all greetings along the way.

Zhao Rui glanced at the members of the Sparring Partner Group; they had all stood up and gathered at the entrance.

Even Group Leader He Zhiyan had stood up to greet them.

Zhao Rui quickly followed behind everyone, looking outside.

He saw about a dozen people at the entrance, dressed in various styles, but all exuding an extraordinary aura. They walked with a powerful stride, exuding immense pressure.

Combined with the greetings from the surrounding team members, they looked like underworld bosses making an entrance.

The person in the lead was not tall and looked unremarkable, but he was stout, with a round face and a broad nose. His short hair stood up like the quills of a hedgehog, making him very noticeable.

This must be the legendary captain of Dongqi University's Martial Arts Team, Captain Gu.

"Old Wang, where were you sleeping again?"

Before he even arrived, Captain Gu's voice could be heard from afar. The abundance of inner qi and the depth of his cultivation made Zhao Rui's eyes widen suddenly.

As expected, there was a reason why so many martial arts team members submitted to him.

"What are you yelling about? I'm here!"

Teacher Wang came out, dragging his slippers with an impatient expression.