Four Against One? One Against Four!

Li Qingshan's words fell, and the scene fell silent.

The surrounding Second Year martial arts students froze for a few seconds before snapping out of it, shouting in discontent.

"Fight us all at once? Is Li Qingshan crazy?"

"A First Year freshman, and he wants to take on four of us? Who does he think he is?"

"I think he's gotten dizzy from all the praise from his classmates downstairs. He really thinks being First in the new intake makes him invincible!"

Yang Peng and the three behind him also wore ugly expressions.

Li Qingshan's move was clearly a slap in their faces.

A mere freshman who'd only been in the Martial Arts Class for two months, looking down on them?

On what grounds?

"Li Qingshan, we came here just to fight for the single training room. We didn't mean to target you."

"But since you're so clueless about your place, don't blame us for showing no mercy."

Yang Peng cracked his knuckles, joints popping.

The other three also shifted their feet, encircling Li Qingshan.

"Hold on!"

Teacher Li frowned and called a halt, fixing his gaze on Yang Peng and the others.

"A one-on-four isn't right. Stick to the original plan—pick one of you to duel Li Qingshan."

Yang Peng frowned, displeased.

"Teacher, it's not like we wanted to fight four-on-one!"

"Heh, it's fine. I think it's good."

Wan Keshan waved a hand to cut in, a meaningful smile on his face.

"Since Li Qingshan asked for it himself, let them go ahead!"

Yang Peng and the others were a bit surprised but still politely thanked him.

"Thank you, Teacher Wan!"

Teacher Li stood behind them, raised a hand to his forehead, and looked utterly speechless.

These four students had really packed their brains full of muscle. Hadn't they heard him say "one-on-four" just now?

He wasn't worried about breaking the rules.

He was worried that after his four students teamed up, they'd end up traumatized!

Li Qingshan lifted the Thunder Pattern Blade, frowning at the empty-handed four, puzzled.

"You're not using weapons?"

"Fists are handier than blades."

Yang Peng clenched his right fist, dropped into a lunge, and bent low, poised to strike.

"Of course, use your blade. We don't mind."

Looking at the black long blade in Li Qingshan's hand, a faint trace of mockery flickered in the four's eyes.

Both First and Second Year in the Martial Arts Class focused on Body Forging. To fight for the training room, they'd poured all their effort into Body Forging.

Without Mastery-level or higher martial techniques, a weapon would only be a hindrance.

Only a freshman like Li Qingshan would think holding a blade gave him more security, right?

The other three thought as they moved to the other directions, boxing Li Qingshan in.

Surrounded on all four sides, Li Qingshan was like a lamb to the slaughter.

The atmosphere grew heavy, and the students outside the door unconsciously held their breath.

Just then, Draw the blade, unsheathe it.

The long blade sang, and like a signal, Yang Peng and the others moved.

Over ten meters, crossed in three steps.

Fists or palms, four attacks arrived nearly simultaneously in front of Li Qingshan.

Li Qingshan's right hand, gripping the hilt, had already risen.

"He wants to make an example of me?"

Yang Peng, facing him directly, slowed his motion by a hair, with no intention of testing the blade himself.

Block if he could, retreat if he couldn't.

After all, the other three's attacks were still coming. Li Qingshan couldn't dodge them no matter what.

Just as he hesitated, The long blade left Li Qingshan's palm, flying to the side.

"Li Qingshan threw his sword!?"

Yang Peng was momentarily stunned, then realized Li Qingshan had vanished from in front of him.

What was going on?

"I'm behind you!"

A shout rang out. Before Yang Peng could react, sharp pain exploded across his back and all four limbs.

Strikes rained down like a violent storm, relentless and unending.

He barely lasted two seconds before his sturdy frame crashed to the ground.

"Right, this kind of fight is smoother with the scabbard."

Li Qingshan stood behind Yang Peng, twisting his right hand to twirl the scabbard in a flourish.

The Thunder Pattern Blade was too sharp; using it here would only make him hesitant.

"All together!"

The remaining three roared, forcing down their shock.

At this moment, the priority was taking Li Qingshan down.

All three were within two meters of him, their attacks arriving in an instant, leaving seemingly no room to dodge.

But after last night's training in the Martial Arts Space, compared to the coordinated assault of a Body Tempering fifth level fighter and three beasts, these three were far from enough.

Li Qingshan stepped forward with his right foot, twisting his waist and hips, miraculously evading the encirclement.

At the same time, the scabbard in his right hand turned into a blur of shadows.

Bang bang bang!

In just a few seconds, the remaining three hit the floor, grimacing in pain.

For a moment, the entire room fell silent.

A dozen pairs of eyes outside the door stared, nearly frozen.

The fight ended so fast they hadn't even processed it.

In under thirty seconds, all four of their class's top fighters were on the ground?

Since when did First Year get this fierce?

"Alright, the fight's over. Stop gawking."

Teacher Li sighed helplessly again, calling the students outside to come in and help Yang Peng and the others up.

"Teacher Wan, we'll take our leave."

Wan Keshan grinned, showing his teeth.

"No problem, it's good for students to interact more. Come again when you have time!"

Interact? More like a one-sided beating!

Teacher Li's face twisted like he'd eaten something sour, and he turned to lead his crestfallen students away.

"Alright, kid, I should be going too."

Wan Keshan's smile lingered as he patted Li Qingshan's shoulder and walked out of the training room.

"Focus on training, prepare for the Rookie Competition at year-end. Remember, martial skills alone won't get you far—body tempering is the foundation!"

"Thanks, Teacher. I understand."

Li Qingshan watched Wan Keshan leave, then looked down at his Communicator.

Wan Keshan's last words were right—body tempering was the foundation.

The one million prize money had already arrived. He could buy Intermediate Nutrient Solution now, and it seemed there was no need to waste time at Yinghai anymore.

"Perfect. Turning him down face-to-face might hurt Manager Zhou's pride, but a message is more tactful."

Thinking of Manager Zhou's email that morning, Li Qingshan sent a short reply, declining both the resignation and the offer in one go.

After sending the message, he scrolled through his contacts and quickly found a number.

It was from the girl who'd sold him nutrient solution at the mall before.

As a big client, she naturally offered home delivery service.

Yinghai Flagship Store, General Manager's Office.

Knock knock knock!

A series of urgent knocks sounded at the door.

Fu Wen frowned and said in a low voice, "What's the panic? Come in and speak!"

The Bald Middle-Aged Man pushed open the door and said urgently, "General Manager Fu, Li Qingshan replied to my message."

"Oh?" Fu Wen's expression softened slightly, a hint of a smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "Looks like I overestimated him. After all, he's just a poor student from a Publicly Supported Background—couldn't hold his nerve for long."

"No, that's not it!" Manager Zhou swallowed hard and said cautiously, "General Manager Fu, Li Qingshan's reply was a refusal to sign the contract, and he also resigned from Yinghai."

"What?"

Fu Wen's smile froze on his face, unable to believe his ears.

Can't find the book by its title? Try searching by the author—maybe it just changed names!