Zeng Bonan

Xu Wuyi's pupils contracted slightly.

Zeng Bonan, Class 1, Senior Year, Honghe No. 1 High School—the acknowledged number one in martial arts!

His Life Energy Level had surpassed 10.5 even before winter break. He was a seeded contender for the top martial arts universities and the target all martial arts students chased after.

He had not expected his first virtual opponent to be this famous figure known throughout the school!

It seemed the matching in the "Beginner Arena" was not entirely random. It might prioritize matching people from the same region.

When Zeng Bonan saw Xu Wuyi, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes before he returned to his usual serious expression.

He gave a slight nod in greeting.

"Xu Wuyi." Zeng Bonan's voice carried no arrogance, though it held a trace of eagerness. "I didn't expect to be matched with you. Teacher Zhou said you've improved greatly. Perfect—we can spar."

Zeng Bonan was Class 1's ace, so he naturally interacted frequently with their martial arts teacher, Zhou Yun. It was from her that he had learned of Xu Wuyi.

During winter break, Zeng Bonan had certainly not stood still either. His Life Energy Level was already nearing level 11.

In reality, he could not have challenged Xu Wuyi. Their physical attributes were no longer on the same level, but a virtual battle was just right.

As he spoke, he naturally assumed an opening stance. A faint sound of wind accompanied his movements, clearly indicating a fist technique of no low rank.

The powerful fluctuations of his blood and qi carried a solid, steady air. Even across the arena, Xu Wuyi could feel the heavy pressure bearing down on him.

This was the strength of the school's number one!

Zeng Bonan was famous at Honghe No. 1 High School because more than one teacher had remarked that his talent and comprehension were not exceptional. He had achieved what he had today through sweat and hard work as well!

Xu Wuyi took a deep breath and suppressed every distracting thought in his heart.

Facing an opponent like this, he felt pressure, but even more than that, his fighting spirit was stirred.

He sank his awareness into his sea of consciousness. The Mountain Moving Method began circulating silently, and its calm, weighty intent spread through him, instantly making his mind cool and focused.

He assumed the defensive stance of the Basic Body Tempering Method, his gaze fixed tightly on his opponent.

"Please enlighten me," Xu Wuyi said in a low voice.

The battle was about to begin.

Zeng Bonan moved.

His figure shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, far faster than Han Mengmeng, whom Xu Wuyi had fought in reality.

In the blink of an eye, Zeng Bonan had closed in before Xu Wuyi. His right hand formed into a blade with two fingers together, carrying a sharp force as it thrust straight for Xu Wuyi's throat.

Before his fingertips even arrived, an intense pressure was already rushing toward him.

D-rank martial art, Wind-Breaking Finger!

Xu Wuyi's heart tightened. This attack was clearly aimed at killing, completely unlike an ordinary spar. This was a truly real battle.

If this had not been inside a virtual simulator, Xu Wuyi would never have had the chance to experience this style of combat.

He did not dare slack off in the slightest, keeping his eyes locked on Zeng Bonan's movements.

His feet rooted themselves to the ground. Following the footwork foundation of the Basic Body Tempering Method, he slid steadily backward. At the same time, he raised his left arm, tensing the muscles in his forearm as he met the hand blade in a standard blocking posture.

Bang!

A dull impact echoed through the Virtual Arena.

The force transmitted through his arm was incredibly solid, far surpassing Han Mengmeng's Spirit Snake Hand. It numbed Xu Wuyi's arm and sent his blood and qi churning slightly.

Though virtual bodies were all adjusted to a Life Energy Level of 10, the power boost produced by different martial arts techniques and different efficiencies in circulating blood and qi naturally varied.

His foundation is very solid, Zeng Bonan thought. He showed no contempt; instead, he grew even more serious, as if his suspicions had been confirmed.

His assault did not stop. The Wind-Breaking Finger shifted into a palm strike, palm wind whistling as it enveloped several vital points on Xu Wuyi's upper body.

His moves flowed together at great speed and included constant variations. Clearly, his proficiency in martial arts was far beyond that of an ordinary student.

Xu Wuyi had fallen into the most difficult moment since the battle began.

Like a reef in a storm, he could only keep blocking and dodging, gradually accumulating injuries.

Zeng Bonan's attacks came like waves. He used all sorts of martial arts techniques with ease, fingers, palms, fists, and legs changing unpredictably. Every strike came from a tricky angle and carried tremendous force.

Xu Wuyi fought with his hands tied. Although their Life Energy Levels were the same, he was being completely suppressed. The true gap lay in combat experience.

Zeng Bonan had reached level 10.0 at least half a year earlier and had long since adapted to virtual combat, whereas this was Xu Wuyi's first battle.

There were little tricks involving feints and transitions into real attacks that Xu Wuyi knew he would probably not fall for next time, but the losses he suffered in this battle were unavoidable.

As the situation worsened, Xu Wuyi could not help growing agitated.

Rip—

His dodge was a moment too slow, and Zeng Bonan's fingertips grazed past Xu Wuyi's shoulder.

The virtual combat suit was sliced open, and a burning pain flared across his skin. He would not truly be injured, but the pain simulation was extremely realistic.

Xu Wuyi glanced at the wound. A chunk of flesh had been gouged away. If this had been a spar at school, he would have been sent straight to the infirmary.

But in a Virtual Arena battle, this was merely one of his ordinary injuries.

I can't panic. The more anxious I am, the faster I'll lose.

Seeing the battle become increasingly one-sided, Xu Wuyi instead gradually calmed down.

He visualized a great mountain in his mind. It was as though he himself had become that mountain, and his emotions immediately settled.

He brought the defensive stance of the Basic Body Tempering Method to its limit, almost completely abandoning offense. Every movement was as standard as if it had come straight from a textbook.

His center of gravity remained firm. No matter how fiercely Zeng Bonan attacked, though his feet constantly retreated and adjusted, they never became disordered.

His mind was highly focused, and the calm brought by the Mountain Moving Method allowed him to analyze the battle clearly.

He realized that although Zeng Bonan's martial arts were varied and exquisite, the force behind each strike was not particularly strong. It was as if he were probing for weaknesses.

There was naturally nothing wrong with this style of fighting. Against an opponent of equal caliber, rushing in carelessly would only expose openings. Caution was the correct choice.

But Xu Wuyi was a novice. It was precisely Zeng Bonan's caution that allowed him to survive the initial hardship and gain a foothold.

If Zeng Bonan had gone all out from the start, Xu Wuyi would likely have had no path but swift defeat.

On the other hand, he also discovered that Zeng Bonan's martial arts style was actually somewhat similar to his own—

They had both evolved from the Basic Body Tempering Method!

In other words, Zeng Bonan was likewise a Martial Artist who emphasized fundamentals. He had merely dabbled in other martial arts, using them as versatile techniques rather than as his foundation.

This method of laying a solid foundation and progressing step by step was undoubtedly the proper path in martial arts, yet hope ignited in Xu Wuyi's heart.

When it came to the Basic Body Tempering Method, he truly feared no one.

His Body Tempering Method had already reached the peak of the Beginner level and was only one step away from Minor Achievement. Among the students of Honghe No. 1 High School, he was absolutely unmatched. Even some martial arts teachers might not be able to achieve it.

Take Zeng Bonan before him, for example. Once Xu Wuyi could observe him calmly, he realized that Zeng Bonan's Basic Body Tempering Method had reached only around 30% of the Beginner level at most, still a considerable distance behind his own.

Wait a little longer. Wait for an opportunity, Xu Wuyi judged. This is a contest of hard strength and mentality. Whoever relaxes first loses.