Advancement Points Secured

Chapter 50: Advancement Points Acquired

The next day, Martial Way training continued. Zhao Rui went to Wang Zhe's side in the morning as usual.

Wang Zhe's injuries had long since healed, but he was in low spirits. He had previously suffered a backlash from practicing a cultivation technique too forcefully, and was then injured by Tian Zirong, who took the opportunity.

This delayed his recovery.

He was currently channeling all his energy into cultivation, wanting to find a chance for revenge and redeem himself. Naturally, he had no energy for anything else.

Zhao Rui knew his situation and of course wouldn't disturb his training to ask about Martial Way at this time.

He would practice on his own. Since Prajna Palm was already mastered, he had no bottlenecks in his cultivation for the time being.

The entire Martial Arts Team had three sub-teams: one main team and two auxiliary teams.

The main team members were all core players, while the auxiliary team members usually had the captain as a core player, and the others were substitutes.

Wang Zhe had been rejected twice. If Teacher Wang didn't know his situation, the captain position would have been replaced long ago.

The auxiliary teams of the entire Martial Arts Team were generally weaker in overall strength.

Wang Zhe's team had seven people: one senior, five juniors, and only one sophomore. This sophomore was one of the sparring partners Zhao Rui had been training with these past few days.

As for the other sophomores, they had all been eliminated before the new semester began.

The other team was the complete opposite, with more juniors eliminated and four sophomores remaining.

These were Li Xinran and Zhang Kui.

The core players were mainly juniors, mixed with a few seniors.

Currently, the Dongqi Martial Arts Team was, to be honest, experiencing a gap in talent, appearing strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

This was also why Wang Zhanshan had reprimanded the participating team members for their poor performance before. If they couldn't hold their ground, could they really rely on these "crooked melons and split dates" among the sophomores?

This loss was actually a foreshadowing and microcosm of Dongqi University's performance in the next two years of competitions.

In the afternoon, Zhao Rui and Zhang Kui headed to the sparring arena for the sophomore group as usual.

Given the unpleasantness between Cao Guannan and Zhang Kui last time, Zhao Rui was assigned to be his opponent for this training session.

Cao Guannan had been reprimanded twice by Zeng Hongyi, so he didn't dare to cause any more trouble this time.

He honestly practiced Prajna Palm with Zhao Rui.

As they sparred, Cao Guannan suddenly realized that his pride and joy, the Prajna Palm technique, was being suppressed everywhere. Many moves were seen through by Zhao Rui halfway through and countered in advance.

Fortunately, Zhao Rui didn't counterattack, only matching his moves to hone their skills.

Cao Guannan was initially a little unaccustomed to it, but gradually became more focused. He stopped sticking to the established moves of Prajna Palm and instead began to adapt his thinking and approach to striking.

For a time, the two exchanged blows, their moves becoming more fluid and unrestrained. Often, before one move was fully executed, the next was already poised to strike.

What a Prajna Palm, formless yet ever-changing, blending the illusory and the real, like dew or lightning, like a dream or a phantom. How marvelous is Cloud Hand Plucks Stars, hiding endless killing intent within the ethereal nature of clouds, determining life and death by the flickering of stars, blending the illusory and the real as if to break all martial arts in the world.

The two displayed their lifelong learning, fighting fiercely.

Zeng Hongyi watched from the side, nodding repeatedly, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Progress. Zhao Rui, you did well just now. It seems you've been diligently studying during this period."

"Guannan, as long as you have patience, your strength is definitely more than this."

After the sparring ended, Zeng Hongyi, in a rare display, praised both of them.

"Next group, Zhao Rui, you continue..."

Zeng Hongyi was in a good mood. The progress of the sophomore members had always been a key focus for their coaching staff.

Seeing that the sparring was effective, he was naturally very satisfied.

Time flows like water, and waits for no one.

For a period of time afterward, Zhao Rui attended classes and training as usual.

He used his free time to comprehend Prajna Palm and several other high-level martial arts.

During this period, Zhao Rui initially focused mainly on his original techniques, sparring with the sophomores.

As Zeng Hongyi discovered Zhao Rui's understanding of Prajna Palm far surpassed that of the sophomores, he had Zhao Rui try sparring with them using Prajna Palm.

Zhao Rui readily accepted. Although the System had given him a mastery-level skill, martial arts still required constant honing and comprehension.

And sparring was often the best way to test oneself.

Rather than Zhao Rui being a sparring partner for the sophomores, it was more like these sophomores were acting as sparring partners for him.

After a period of time, Zhao Rui's use of Prajna Palm became increasingly fluid and natural, like an extension of his own arm.

Under Zhao Rui's targeted sparring, the four sophomores showed visible improvement in their practical application of Prajna Palm.

This made Zeng Hongyi very pleased and also quite surprised.

"Zhao Rui, stay behind!"

That afternoon, after the practical combat sparring class, Zhao Rui was about to leave with Zhang Kui and two senior students.

Assistant Coach Zeng Hongyi's voice called out to him.

Zhao Rui stopped in his tracks, turned, and returned to Zeng Hongyi's side.

"Coach Zeng!"

"Zhao Rui, I've observed your Prajna Palm has become increasingly proficient these past few days. Have you broken through?"

Zeng Hongyi asked.

"Yes, I've achieved a minor success."

Zhao Rui nodded.

"Oh?"

Although Zeng Hongyi had suspected it, hearing Zhao Rui admit it personally still surprised him. How long had he been practicing?

He couldn't help but think, No wonder Wang Zhanshan was willing to take him in and let him join the team exceptionally. It seems this kid's martial arts talent is average, but his comprehension is excellent!

"You've done well, but your foundation is still shallow. Never become arrogant and complacent with a little achievement. You must continue to strive diligently and strive for complete mastery as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your guidance, Master. This disciple is deeply grateful."

"Good. After some time, I'll speak to Coach Wang myself and have you removed from the Sparring Partner Group."

Zhao Rui was taken aback by his words. He quickly thanked Zeng Hongyi before saying somewhat sheepishly, "Coach Zeng, actually, I quite enjoy being a sparring partner. I feel it improves my martial arts comprehension."

"Hmm?"

Zeng Hongyi paused, then frowned at Zhao Rui. Just as he was about to reprimand him, he reconsidered. It was too early to say such things at this stage.

He said with slight displeasure, "The path of martial arts cannot solely focus on practical combat; cultivating the mind and character is equally important! I will discuss this matter with Coach Wang."

Zhao Rui gave a sheepish smile, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then turned to leave the training hall.

Zeng Hongyi's intentions were good. He saw Zhao Rui's potential for comprehension and wanted to nurture it.

Unfortunately, Zhao Rui didn't want to accept his kindness at all. He had applied to be a sparring partner himself.

Without sparring partners, how could he "farm" his senior brothers and sisters for their skills?

The next day, during training time.

After checking the progress of the second-year team members in Prajna Palm, Zeng Hongyi lifted the restrictions on the techniques they could use during sparring.

Previously, they had insisted on sparring with Prajna Palm to improve everyone's practical combat skills in that technique.

Now that everyone had made significant progress, there was no longer a need to focus solely on the practical application of a single palm technique.

With the restrictions lifted, everyone was eager to try their full abilities against Zhao Rui.

Zhao Rui welcomed it, accepting all challenges.

Throughout the afternoon, there were eight matches, and six of them were against him.

Watching from the side, Zhang Kui felt a complex mix of emotions. Not having to compete himself, not having to "serve" others as a sparring partner, was indeed quite leisurely. Yet, a strange sense of loss washed over him.

Tsk, I'm such a masochist. I'm actually unhappy about not being a sparring partner.

Zhang Kui berated himself mentally.

On the arena, Zhao Rui discarded his other martial arts, using only the Prajna Palm set to spar with Cao Guannan.

Because Cao Guannan had gained considerable benefits from sparring with Zhao Rui earlier, and Zeng Hongyi's tolerance for his provocations had significantly decreased, he was now much more serious and disciplined when sparring with Zhao Rui.

"Great Vajra Leg progress: ten percent, fifteen percent..."

As their sparring continued, Zhao Rui's "long-awaited" Great Vajra Leg finally began to replicate its progress.

"Thank you for the match, Senior Brother Cao!"

"I admire your Prajna Palm, Junior Brother Zhao."

After this final match, Zhao Rui had unlocked the replication of four new martial arts from four senior brothers and sisters.

Besides Cao Guannan's Great Vajra Leg, there were Li Xinran's Primordial Chaos Palm, Qin Rui's Flower Plucking Finger, and another male student's Mantis Fist.

The gains were substantial.

Furthermore, the four martial arts each had their unique characteristics, and the sparring process also honed his adaptability in using Prajna Palm.

As training concluded, Zhao Rui was in high spirits and proactively invited the senior students to a meal together.

To increase their "friendship"!

Li Xinran, Qin Rui, and Zhang Kui naturally had no objections. Another senior student, who was on the same team as Zhao Rui, also wouldn't refuse.

All eyes then turned to the only "outsider," Cao Guannan.

He usually had an arrogant personality, with a hint of roguishness, making it difficult to gauge his attitude.

"Go, why wouldn't I!"

Cao Guannan slung an arm around Zhao Rui's shoulder, speaking intimately, "We're all brothers from now on. Let's all aim to stay for the year-end assessment!"

"No problem, let's work hard together!"

"Let's go!"

Zhao Rui and the others hadn't expected that their accidental approach would actually "subdue" the unstable element within the team. Everyone's spirits immediately lifted, and they left the training grounds chatting and laughing together.

Maple leaves dyed the autumn scenery red, and pine and cypress trees added green to October.

In the blink of an eye, another ten days passed swiftly.

One morning, Zhao Rui and Zhang Kui were preparing to head to the second-year group's area to "go to work" again.

However, they received a last-minute notice from team leader He Zhiyan, telling them to skip the second-year group for now and report directly to the third-year group.

Zhang Kui's face fell as soon as he heard this.

He had finally adjusted his mindset and was enjoying himself in the second-year group.

Now he had to go to the third-year group.

The senior students there wouldn't be as easy to get along with as those in the second-year group.

Zhao Rui, on the other hand, was indifferent. Over the past ten-plus days, he had already copied the signature skills of the four senior brothers and sisters.

He had accumulated a full six advancement points.

In addition to their own martial arts, Li Xinran and Cao Guannan had also contributed two sets of body-lightening techniques.

One was the Flying Swallow Leap, and the other was the Swimming Dragon Steps, both excellent body-lightening martial arts.

They had pretty much "harvested" all they could from the second-year group. Moving to the third-year group was actually a good thing.

Upon receiving the notice, the two rushed over without delay.

As soon as they arrived, they found that everyone from the Sparring Partner Group was there, including team leader He Zhiyan.

Zhao Rui and Zhang Kui quickly jogged to the very edge of the Sparring Partner Group.

"Mm, the Sparring Partner Group is all here. I heard Teacher Zeng say earlier that the second-year group's progress was very good, and you two performed well. Don't slack off now that you're in the third-year group."

The current instructor for the third-year group was Zou Ping, a tall, thin middle-aged man with thinning hair.

Seeing Zhao Rui and Zhang Kui arrive, he looked at them and said.

"Yes, Teacher!"

The two quickly agreed.

"Next week, the Dongqi University of Arts and Sports Martial Arts Team will be visiting our school for an exchange. There will inevitably be a friendly match..."

After listening to Coach Zou Ping's introduction, Zhao Rui finally understood why they had been urgently called over from the second-year group.

It turned out they were cramming, preparing for intensive extra training.

"This time, we need to conduct targeted training against the opponents they might send."

"Team Leader He, there are six of you in total. Each of you will select a set of materials and must imitate the martial arts in the documents to about seventy to eighty percent within these two days."

Hearing this, Zhao Rui visibly froze.

How could they imitate them to seventy to eighty percent in two days? Even if they memorized the moves, it would only be superficial. What use would that be?

However, seeing that no one else objected, he didn't feel comfortable questioning it. He could only silently take note, planning to ask Team Leader He later.

After giving his instructions, Coach Zou had Team Leader He take the Sparring Partner Group to another location to gather and distribute the martial arts materials.

"Yes, Coach!"

He Zhiyan responded, his expression slightly awkward as he turned and led the Sparring Partner Group away from the arena area in the northwest corner of the training grounds.

Once they were a little further from the training grounds, Zhao Rui eagerly asked the question that was on his mind.

Hearing Zhao Rui's question, He Zhiyan's expression became even more awkward.

He hesitated for a moment before saying, both annoyed and exasperated, "Actually, when our Sparring Partner Group first joined, we had a set of exclusive martial arts."

"...?"

Zhao Rui's pupils widened slightly, and he looked at He Zhiyan in confusion.

He and Zhang Kui didn't have that.

"Uh, I was a bit busy during that time and forgot to teach you. I originally planned to teach you in a week or so, but then I just forgot."

"That's allowed!"

Zhao Rui's face went dark. Wasn't this screwing them over?

Now that he said it, who was to blame?

"Brother, it's my fault, but at this point, there's no use saying more. I'll teach you quickly so you can learn as soon as possible."

They continued walking and talking, and soon arrived in front of a serene, golden pavilion-like building.

"This is the Tranquil Heart Pavilion. It has independent meditation rooms. We'll each take one and use the time to learn."

Entering the Tranquil Heart Pavilion, He Zhiyan distributed the materials in his hands according to each member's situation and asked them to quickly learn the martial arts from the documents.

He then called Zhao Rui and Zhang Kui aside and began to earnestly teach them the Sparring Partner Group's exclusive martial arts.

This set of martial arts was somewhat similar to the Lesser Formless Art from his previous life. It could simulate the meridian circulation of other martial arts, achieving a level of deception that was hard to distinguish from the real thing.

However, compared to the Lesser Formless Art, this martial art was much lower level. It lacked the ability to generate Internal Energy, unlike the Lesser Formless Art, which was itself a profound martial art that, upon practice, could accumulate a vast amount of Internal Energy.

The simulated Martial Arts, powered by the unique Internal Energy of the Lesser Formless Art, could unleash power no less potent than the original.

But this Martial Art lacked one thing: it was merely a set of simulated moves.

Through this Martial Art, one could use their already opened meridians to circulate the simulated Martial Arts, achieving a state where both form and spirit were alike.

However, this Martial Art itself could not generate Internal Energy, and the route for circulating it through the meridians was also vastly different from the original.

It was considered half of an empty frame.

The name of this Martial Art was: "Mimic Form Fist!"