One Move

"Teacher Li! I refuse to accept this!" The one who stood up was Wang Yunze. His Life Energy Level had previously ranked second in the class at 9.7. After cultivating hard over winter break, he had raised it to 9.8.

"Shi Yi and I are both at 9.8. Why was he chosen instead of me? Xu Wuyi was only at 8.6 in the last mock exam. What right does he have to get in?"

Wang Yunze's questioning stirred up a wave of commotion, though quite a few people supported his view.

Xu Wuyi had been far too ordinary before, and his Life Energy Level had been much lower. Could he really have improved by a full level over a single winter break?

Li Hong looked at him, her gaze calm and unruffled. "Wang Yunze, sit down. The selection criteria are comprehensive; Life Energy Level is not the only consideration. The teachers have seen your hard work, but the Sprint Class has limited spots. This was a joint decision by the school and the Martial Arts Teaching and Research Group."

"If you still have questions, you can speak to a martial arts teacher after class."

Wang Yunze's chest heaved violently. He clearly found it hard to accept, but faced with his homeroom teacher's authority, he ultimately sat back down unwillingly.

"Xu Wuyi, Shi Yi, go report to No. 1 Training Hall now. Teacher Wang is waiting for you." Li Hong said no more and motioned for the two to leave.

Xu Wuyi and Shi Yi rose to their feet and walked out of the classroom one after the other beneath the complicated gazes of their classmates.

In the hallway, Shi Yi could not help pumping his fist excitedly. He then turned to Xu Wuyi. "Xu Wuyi, I didn't expect you to improve so much over winter break."

"Now that we're in the Sprint Class, we'll have plenty of chances to spar and learn from each other!"

"Of course. You're welcome anytime," Xu Wuyi said with a nod.

At No. 1 Training Hall, just as the two arrived, a voice sounded from behind them.

"Stop!"

Wang Yunze had caught up and blocked their path. His attention was mainly fixed on Xu Wuyi. "Xu Wuyi! I refuse to accept this! Why you? Just because you beat Han Mengmeng in the last practical combat class? She was careless. If you've got the guts, fight me!"

Shi Yi frowned, about to speak.

"What's going on?" A steady voice came from nearby.

Wang Wenhai had appeared at some point and was standing not far away, watching the three of them.

"Teacher Wang!" Wang Yunze seemed to have found his support and hurriedly said, "I refuse to accept the Sprint Class selection! Shi Yi and I are both at 9.8, while Xu Wuyi—"

Wang Wenhai raised a hand, cutting him off. His gaze swept over Xu Wuyi and Shi Yi before settling on Wang Yunze. "You're dissatisfied?"

"Yes!" Wang Yunze lifted his chin stubbornly.

"Talk is cheap." Wang Wenhai's tone was calm. "If you're dissatisfied, let your strength do the talking. Come with me."

With that, he turned and headed into the hall.

Wang Yunze froze for a moment before immediately following. Xu Wuyi and Shi Yi exchanged a glance and silently followed as well.

No. 1 Training Hall was the school's best-equipped and largest training facility, normally open only to outstanding martial arts students and teachers.

At that moment, more than twenty students were already gathered in the open area at the center of the hall.

They stood tall with sharp gazes, clearly the elites of their respective classes.

Zeng Bonan, Hu Haobo, Liu Jing, and other top students from Class One were among them.

When Wang Wenhai entered with Xu Wuyi and the other two, everyone turned to look.

Zeng Bonan stood at the front. His gaze passed over Wang Yunze and Shi Yi before finally landing on Xu Wuyi. A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded. "Xu Wuyi, you really came."

This scene surprised quite a few ordinary students present.

Zeng Bonan was the top martial arts student in Class One. He was somewhat reserved and rarely took the initiative to greet anyone, especially a student from an ordinary class.

Hu Haobo stood farther away with his arms folded. His cold gaze sized Xu Wuyi up, and his brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Xu Wuyi nodded as well. This was not the time for idle chatter.

Wang Wenhai ignored the interaction between the students. He walked to the center of the training ground, looked around, and spoke in a booming voice. "Everyone's here. Before the Sprint Class's formal training begins, we'll settle a small matter first."

He pointed at Wang Yunze and Xu Wuyi. "Wang Yunze has objections to Xu Wuyi being selected for the Sprint Class. Among Martial Artists, if there are objections, settle them with your fists. You two, step forward."

The crowd automatically spread apart, clearing the center of the training ground.

Wang Yunze took a deep breath and strode into the center, staring intensely at Xu Wuyi with fighting spirit blazing in his eyes.

He considered his Life Energy Level far from low, and he had never stopped diligently practicing martial techniques. He refused to believe he would lose to a Xu Wuyi who had "suddenly emerged."

Xu Wuyi's expression remained calm as he slowly stepped forward and stopped opposite him.

"The rules are simple. This is primarily a spar, and you stop at the right point. No deliberately attacking vital areas." Wang Wenhai reiterated the rules of practical combat. "Begin."

Everyone's eyes focused on the center of the training ground.

Wang Yunze gave a low shout. The vitality and blood of his 9.8 Life Energy Level surged into motion as he assumed the opening stance of the D-rank martial technique he excelled at, Heart-Piercing Leg. His aura was fierce.

He had made up his mind to defeat Xu Wuyi in one burst and prove himself.

Yet Xu Wuyi merely stood there casually, taking the defensive stance of the Basic Body Tempering Method. His aura was tranquil, like a mountain, without the slightest flaw.

Putting on airs! Wang Yunze snorted inwardly.

He hesitated no longer. Power surged through his legs as he rushed forward, firing a swift side kick straight at Xu Wuyi's waist and abdomen. The wind from his leg howled, displaying the results of his winter training.

Faced with the fierce strike, Xu Wuyi did not move his feet. He merely sank his waist slightly and raised his left arm as though he had anticipated it all along. The muscles in his forearm instantly tightened as he blocked Wang Yunze's shin with perfect precision.

Bang!

A dull thud rang out.

Wang Yunze felt as if his leg had struck a solid iron pillar. A rebounding force surged back, numbing his calf and instantly breaking apart his attack.

His heart jolted. His opponent's strength and defense far exceeded his expectations!

His reaction was quick enough. Borrowing the rebound, he spun his body, and his other leg swept out like a whip toward Xu Wuyi's head!

The change came incredibly fast, drawing several startled gasps from the onlookers.

Xu Wuyi's gaze remained calm.

The instant Wang Yunze changed moves, he moved.

His movements did not appear fast, yet they were perfectly timed.

His upper body leaned back, narrowly evading the fierce sweeping kick. At the same time, his right fist, which had been gathering momentum all along, shot forth like a dormant tiger leaving its den, striking after yet arriving first!

It was still the most basic exertion technique from the Basic Body Tempering Method, but enhanced by Minor Achievement, the punch was fast as lightning and heavy as crumbling stone!

Wang Yunze's sweeping kick had just passed Xu Wuyi's nose. His old momentum was spent, but new force had yet to arise. He could only watch helplessly as that fist rapidly filled his vision.

Puff!

Xu Wuyi's fist stopped steadily just before Wang Yunze's nose, the wind from it even stirring his hair.

The entire hall fell silent.

Wang Yunze froze in place, cold sweat instantly breaking out on his forehead.

He knew that if Xu Wuyi had not held back, that punch would have been enough to break his nose and rob him of his fighting ability in an instant.

Xu Wuyi slowly withdrew his fist and took a step back, still as calm as ever. "You let me win."

Wang Yunze's face shifted between green and white. In the end, all his pride and unwillingness turned to dejection.

He opened his mouth, but could not say anything. Lowering his head, he silently walked back to the edge of the crowd.