"Has Mo Tianyi contacted you?" On the school corridor, Zhang Yu listened to Bai Zhenzhen's account and finally nodded slightly.
"Indeed, there's no need to tell them the truth now."
Bai Zhenzhen continued, "And their leader, I always feel there's something strange about him."
"Last time I told you, right? I tried to investigate his identity."
"According to Mo Tianyi and the others, this leader also won a competition prize in his first year of high school."
"I spent several weeks researching, even going through the competition records of the top three prestigious schools over the past few years. Only two of the prize winners could be considered poor."
"But from what I understand, both of them have already signed contracts with Bailong High School, making it impossible for them to get into the top ten universities."
Zhang Yu pondered, "So, Mo Tianyi and the others were deceived?"
Bai Zhenzhen shook her head again, her expression odd.
"According to Mo Tianyi, their leader should have signed a contract with them under the witness of the Heavenly Oath Deity, promising to get into the top ten universities and, when capable, to take them to the second level."
"In short, I don't understand this situation."
As they spoke, they arrived at the training ground.
...
On the training ground.
Martial arts teacher Lei Jun was already waiting for them to attend the martial arts competition tutoring.
Since Zhang Pianpian visited Songyang High School yesterday, the martial arts competition had been reopened for them, and tutoring had resumed.
Three classes a week, costing 3,000 per week.
Although it was a cheap fee for the teacher, it was still a significant burden for Zhang Yu.
After paying this week's 3,000 tutoring fee, Zhang Yu's savings dropped to just over 35,000.
At the moment, Lei Jun was wearing a tank top with the words "Martial Arts Great Use" written on the front, diligently warming up.
Besides Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, there were no other students around.
Only because the participants in the first-year martial arts competition were just the two of them.
Unlike the magic competition, where even if you didn't win a prize, you could still gain experience.
On the martial arts competition stage, there was a real possibility of being disabled by students from the top three prestigious schools.
Especially for the poor, there was a risk of being bankrupted by the students from these schools.
After all, the costs of on-site emergency treatment, hospital expenses for severe injuries, and subsequent treatment fees... would increase exponentially based on the severity of the injuries.
So, after feeling hopeless about winning a prize, neither the rich nor the poor first-year students chose to throw money away in the martial arts competition.
At this moment, seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen arrive, Lei Jun greeted them and said, "I've already registered you two."
Then he sent them a website link.
"First, buy insurance today."
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen understood; the first priority in actual combat was to buy insurance.
However, after looking at the price list, both chose the cheapest insurance.
It wasn't that they couldn't afford the high-end insurance, but the low-end insurance offered better value for money.
After all, compared to spending money on insurance, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen preferred to invest in improving their strength to achieve higher rankings in the competition.
Lei Jun reminded them, "Your insurance can cover up to 100,000 in medical expenses. If you get severely injured, you'll have to pay out of pocket."
"Be careful not to get hurt, or at least minimize injuries."
Zhang Yu agreed wholeheartedly.
The first prize in the martial arts competition was only 50,000 and the right to use a set of expert-level martial arts.
It wasn't worth getting seriously injured and spending over 100,000 on treatment.
Lei Jun sighed, "But you're better off now. In my time, weapons were allowed in competitions. Although there were referees, every year some students either died on the stage or dropped out with a mountain of debt."
"Eventually, in one competition, only seven people participated, and the old guys finally changed the rules, banning weapons."
"Now, martial arts competitions are bare-handed. Whether you can afford the post-match medical expenses is up to you."
"Alright, that's enough. After buying insurance, warm up."
After the two finished warming up, Lei Jun waved his hand and said, "The top three prestigious schools have immortal techniques we don't possess, and their funding is beyond your imagination."
"Things like heavenly spirit root cultivation, the latest lab drugs, and even modification surgeries are commonplace for them."
"I've gathered some data on the top students from these schools participating in martial arts competitions. Their average physical strength is above level 2, and their magic power is above 25. Plus, they might use drugs, combat spirit roots, and other things during the competition..."
"Their stats will far surpass yours."
"They are stronger, faster, and have more magic power than you."
As Lei Jun spoke, a question suddenly arose in Zhang Yu's mind: "With such advantages, how does Songyang manage to win prizes in sports competitions? What methods do they use? Is Wang Hai really that good?"
Meanwhile, Lei Jun continued, "... But actual combat isn't just about who has better stats. Otherwise, there wouldn't be practical exams."
Lei Jun said with a serious face, "So, in the coming time, you need to get used to fighting opponents stronger than you and learn how to avoid injuries."
As he spoke, a powerful aura slowly emanated from Lei Jun, pressing towards Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
"To give you more practical training time, starting today, you two will fight together."
"I will try to maintain level 2 physical strength and speed, and 25 units of magic power to fight you."
Moments later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen charged towards Lei Jun from left and right.
Bang!
With a collision sound, Lei Jun's hands blocked Bai Zhenzhen's kick and Zhang Yu's palm.
The next moment, the three figures intertwined, engaging in a high-speed battle on the training ground.
But Zhang Yu didn't feel like he was teaming up with Bai Zhenzhen against Lei Jun.
Lei Jun's combat experience was unfathomable, and with his current strength and speed far surpassing Zhang Yu's, he could easily neutralize Zhang Yu's attacks, exploit his weaknesses, and even cut off his connection with Bai Zhenzhen.
This made Zhang Yu feel like he was facing Lei Jun's pressure alone.
Zhang Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "In the martial arts competition, will all my opponents have stats higher than mine?"
Zhang Yu realized he had underestimated the challenge.
With the need to hide his level 10 Infinite Cloud Hand as a trump card, the difficulties he would face in the martial arts competition far exceeded his initial expectations.
Moments later, with a loud bang, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were sent flying.
Compared to the panting duo, Lei Jun looked as if he had just taken a stroll, not even breaking a sweat.
Lei Jun said, "Rest for five minutes, then continue."
Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, "Old Lei is really strong. He saw through all my moves. How many martial arts does he know?"
Zhang Yu thought, "Old Lei seems to be at level 10 Dao Heart, 100 points of magic power, level 10 physical strength, and has practiced at least a dozen martial arts to level 10. He's reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage."
"But why hasn't he built his foundation?"
Curious, he asked, "Teacher Lei, are you still at Qi Refining and haven't built your foundation?"
Hearing this, Lei Jun's face darkened.
"Building a foundation isn't that easy."
Seeing their curious looks, Lei Jun sighed and said casually, "Building a foundation requires a foundation qualification certificate, forming a golden core requires a golden core qualification certificate, and forming a Nascent Soul requires a Nascent Soul qualification certificate. Breaking through realms isn't something you can just do whenever you want."
"Building a foundation without a certificate is illegal and will be severely punished by the Eight Righteous Gods and the Ten Great Sects. The Ten Great Sects are very strict about this."
"Only after entering university can you take the foundation qualification exam."
"If you don't get the foundation qualification certificate before graduating, you'll never have the chance in your lifetime."
Recalling his university days, Lei Jun felt a sense of gloom.
He remembered that during the years he was trying to get his foundation qualification certificate, the number of planned admissions for the foundation qualification certificate was reduced.
In those few short years, the successful candidates' spirit roots went from 'human spirit roots' all the way up to 'heavenly spirit roots,' leaving him utterly hopeless.
Instead, after returning to his hometown Songyang on the first level, where he could work and cultivate 24 hours a day to pay off his debts... he felt much more relaxed.
Lei Jun said with emotion, "Whether you get the foundation qualification certificate makes a huge difference."
"Without building a foundation, ten years of university life are just a dream. You can't stay up there and will eventually return to the first level of Kunxu."
Turning to Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu, he thought to himself, "Cherish your relaxed high school days. Once you get into university, you'll miss how easy it was now."
A few minutes later, Lei Jun said, "Enough rest, get up."
The next moment, the three figures clashed again.
After today's tutoring session, Zhang Yu returned to the unfinished building to continue practicing the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique.
This technique could improve both his Dao Heart and physical strength, offering comprehensive enhancement.
It was his main focus during this period.
Especially since the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique included nine types of martial arts—fist techniques, leg techniques, palm techniques, etc.—giving him a deeper understanding of the basics and practical application of various martial arts.
Thus, in the following days, Zhang Yu continued to study, practice, and attend Lei Jun's tutoring sessions with Bai Zhenzhen.
In the blink of an eye, 11 days passed.
...
That night in the unfinished building.
As Zhang Yu executed the final move of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique, he finally raised the technique to level 10.
At this moment, not only did the nine types of martial arts—fist techniques, leg techniques, palm techniques, etc.—seem to flow into his heart like instincts, but the combat mindset contained within the Heavenly Martial Will also became second nature.
It gave him endless fighting spirit and courage while maintaining calm and composure, preventing him from falling into blind passion and impulsiveness.
"As expected of a technique specifically designed for combat, especially this level 10 technique effect..."
As Zhang Yu focused his gaze, everything around him seemed to slow down.
Even his own hand movements appeared to be in slow motion.
It wasn't that everything had actually slowed down, but the level 10 effect of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique had drastically increased his concentration and focus, creating an illusion of slowed perception.
(End of Chapter)