Lei Jun's heart was surging with emotions at this moment.
He felt a sense of satisfaction about the upcoming bonuses, salary raises, and teaching achievements, but more than that, he was reminiscing about his past.
There was a time when Lei Jun was a spirited high school student, dreaming of one day defeating all his opponents with his iron fists, trampling over the top students and the wealthy, and standing at the pinnacle of all high schools in Songyang.
"One punch to break a billion coins! That's the ultimate realm pursued by generations of martial artists!"
But reality quickly slapped him in the face.
The scores from the monthly exams made him feel powerless to catch up.
The intense competition in the contests made him realize that he and those wealthy top students were not even in the same dimension.
It was like a mayfly looking at the vast sky—a gap that could only be described as despair.
That's when he understood that the Fist Sect, Sword Sect, Qi Sect... none of them could compare to the Money Sect.
Breaking through all obstacles with a billion coins was the reality.
He also learned a truth: only with money could his fists be strong.
The more money in his account, the more powerful his fists.
But today, his student, with a frail body, defeated many strong opponents, using unparalleled talent and skill to make up for the weakness of his physique, the gap in medical insurance, and wealth, crushing these top students from prestigious schools.
He had done what Lei Jun once dreamed of but later didn't even dare to think about.
He thought to himself, "Sigh, using my own fists to defeat money... that's the realm we martial artists pursue. Even if it's just in a high school tournament, it's something worth remembering for a lifetime."
At the same time, the emergency doctor in front of him said indifferently, "Sigh, it's nothing serious. He just lost too much blood and is a bit weak. Just replenish some blood, and he'll be fine."
"I'll prescribe some medicine to restore your stamina, mana, and energy..."
Lei Jun took out a few boxes of medicine from his pocket: "No need to prescribe anything. Just take mine. These should work, right?" He thought to himself that this way, his insurance premiums wouldn't go up as much next time.
The emergency doctor curled his lips, thinking to himself that it was really hard to squeeze any extra money out of these three poor guys.
A moment later, the referee also came over, first asking about Zhang Yu's condition, then asking Bai Zhenzhen if she wanted to compete with Song Hailong for the third place in the tournament.
Bai Zhenzhen naturally chose to refuse.
Song Hailong's muscular, super-tank fighting style was too much of a counter to her.
So, a moment later, the top four of the martial arts competition were finalized, from first to fourth: Zhang Yu, Le Mulian, Song Hailong, and Bai Zhenzhen.
On the other side, Le Mulian had already regained her mobility after receiving treatment.
After resting for a while, Zhang Yu, along with Le Mulian and Song Hailong, walked to the podium to receive their gold, silver, and bronze medals.
However, apart from Zhang Yu, who was all smiles, both Le Mulian and Song Hailong had gloomy faces, as if they were constipated.
The audience seats were filled with cheers... and curses.
Someone from Hongta said with jealousy, "This Zhang Yu has such high talent. He can learn martial arts just by watching others practice. When he watches others practice, he should pay them, or else he's a martial arts thief!"
Someone from Ziyun cried bitterly, "This Zhang Yu actually rode on the sacred number one! I wouldn't even dare to dream of doing that! Damn it, this is worse than killing me!"
Someone from Bailong sighed, "The winner stands, the loser kneels. I never thought Songyang High School would have a top student worth kneeling to."
Being worth kneeling to was already the highest praise for a top student in Bailong High School.
In front of the podium, Lei Jun, all smiles, took out his phone to take pictures.
Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen took a few photos and then started recording a video, already thinking about how to use the fame from the martial arts competition to get advertising deals.
As she took pictures, she said to the three on the podium, "Smile a bit. Looking so grim is really unattractive. Zhang Yu, I'm not talking about you. Tone it down a bit, don't smile so arrogantly."
Lei Jun said beside her, "After the competition, I'll treat you all to a meal. Later, go ask Qian Shen and the others if they're coming and discuss what you want to eat."
...
In the rest area of Ziyun High School.
Le Mulian, holding the second-place medal, slowly walked back.
The school uniform that had been stained with blood during her fight with Zhang Yu had already been changed.
The complex emotions of ferocity, anger, and unwillingness that had been on her face after the fight had disappeared.
She now looked as calm as if nothing had happened.
However, after returning to the rest area, Le Mulian saw Lian Tianji kneeling on the ground and frowned slightly, "Get up. I'm withdrawing the punishment of being a stool."
Lian Tianji looked up in surprise, his gaze at Le Mulian seeming to carry a hint of confusion.
This was the first time he had seen Le Mulian take back her words.
Le Mulian said indifferently, "I've already lost. What right do I have to punish you?"
"If you were to be my stool, wouldn't I, who also lost, have to be your stool? Or maybe Zhang Yu's stool?"
As she spoke, she slightly turned her head, looking in Zhang Yu's direction, her tone complex, "Your failure this time isn't entirely your fault. This Zhang Yu is indeed very strong."
"Although I still don't understand why he doesn't want to earn more money, he has indeed made me realize my own weaknesses."
Le Mulian's mind was already planning future training for close combat.
After the initial post-match analysis, Le Mulian felt that she had been too confident and underestimated her opponent.
She had thought that a simple dodge would be enough to easily defeat her opponent, but she hadn't expected such a small flaw to be seized upon.
However, after reviewing the entire fight, she suddenly realized that her opponent had come prepared.
Not only had he discovered her small flaws, but he also had the ideas and ability to exploit them.
In addition, she naturally thought about her aversion to Zhang Yu's blood.
"Appropriately interacting with the poor..."
Thinking of this, Le Mulian couldn't help but frown again, feeling an uncontrollable discomfort, a kind of mental distress.
"It goes against my mental cultivation. Changing one's mindset is indeed not easy."
Suddenly, she remembered that she had already added Zhang Yu as a friend.
Le Mulian thought to herself, "Maybe I should start by looking at the poor people's social media..."
Lian Tianji smiled as he got up, "This failure will make us stronger. Next time we meet Zhang Yu in a competition, we'll definitely win."
"Next competition?" Le Mulian said, "You mean the physical competition? Even if we beat him there, it wouldn't feel like much of an achievement."
Lian Tianji was slightly stunned, then nodded in agreement, saying helplessly, "That's true. His physical strength is already so far behind ours. By the time of the physical competition two months from now, the gap will probably be even wider."
"Unless he can join Songyang's competition team and undergo their so-called special training program..."
...
In the rest area of Bailong High School.
Facing his classmates, the awakened Chu Qiuhe sighed, "It was only after I woke up and carefully analyzed the match that I realized how terrifying Zhang Yu is. Among all the first-year students in Songyang City, there probably isn't a single one who can surpass him in practical combat skills."
A Bailong student said unconvinced, "That's too exaggerated. I think Brother Hailong just sweated too much, which caused him to slip off the stage. If he had just sprayed some antiperspirant before going on stage, it would have been fine."
Chu Qiuhe pointed at him and said, "What's your score? What's your ranking? Kneel down first before you talk to me."
After seeing the other person kneel down, Chu Qiuhe slowly said, "The terror of Zhang Yu is something you can't fully understand unless you actually fight him..."
At this moment, as Song Hailong returned, everyone immediately fell silent.
Song Hailong casually tossed the third-place medal into his bag and paid no further attention to it.
Song Hailong understood that while the third-place result in the martial arts competition was an honor for others, for him, it was a disgrace.
Just then, his phone rang, and a mature male voice came from the other end, "I've watched your match. The two people ahead of you aren't stronger than you."
"You lost to someone weaker than you."
"Father is very disappointed in you..."
Hearing this, Song Hailong felt a wave of panic, "Brother, I was careless..."
"Don't make excuses," the other person said coldly, "You know how much Father hates people making excuses for their failures."
Song Hailong took a deep breath and said softly, "I'm sorry."
The two-and-a-half-meter-tall giant, now listening to the scolding on the other end of the phone, looked as uneasy and panicked as a primary school student.
A moment later, after hanging up the phone, Song Hailong looked angrily in Zhang Yu's direction.
Since he had lost this time, he would find a way to make up for it in another way, using the methods unique to the wealthy.
Quickly arriving at the rest area of Songyang High School, Song Hailong's imposing figure immediately cast a shadow over Zhang Yu.
Under the wary gazes of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, Song Hailong said coldly, "How much?"
"How much would it cost to hire you as a sparring partner?"
As an absolute wealthy person, after being defeated by an opponent, of course, he would spend money to hire that opponent as a sparring partner, training until he could crush them!
If you lose to someone, spend money to learn everything from them!
Hearing Song Hailong's words, both Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu's eyes lit up, feeling that Song Hailong had become even more impressive.
Zhang Yu coughed and said, "I'm very expensive and very busy. I'll have to check my schedule to see if I have time."
Bai Zhenzhen beside him nodded repeatedly, "Come on! I'm Zhang Yu's agent. You can talk to me about the money!"
"I'm also a top-four finalist in the martial arts competition and Zhang Yu's sparring coach. I guided him in his final match against Le Mulian. Do you want to hire me too?"
After adding Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu as friends, Song Hailong looked at the two and said, "Discuss the specific price and let me know."
"But there's one thing..."
Looking at Zhang Yu's thin body, Song Hailong said dissatisfied, "You'd better find a way to improve your physical strength."
"Because I will only get stronger and faster. I won't wait for you."
"If your stats are too low, I can easily crush you with strength, and then there's no need for you to be a sparring partner."
Watching Song Hailong's retreating figure, Zhang Yu knew he was right.
Whether it was to earn money as a sparring partner, prepare for the physical competition two months later, or even for future college entrance exams, he needed to work harder to improve his physical strength.
"I need to catch up to Song Hailong and Le Mulian."
A moment later, Zhao Tianxing, Qian Shen, and He Dayou also came down from the audience seats to visit Zhang Yu.
Zhao Tianxing said excitedly, "You were so cool, Yu! I took pictures of you on the stage. Take a look..."
Qian Shen sighed, "The competition is indeed way beyond the syllabus. It's already a test in another dimension. The 100 points in martial arts practical combat can't fully express your achievements in martial arts."
Bai Zhenzhen asked, "Old Lei is treating us to a meal later. Are you guys coming? Any ideas?"
Zhao Tianxing said, "What are we eating? I'm fine with anything, but something healthy like boiled chicken would be best."
Bai Zhenzhen nodded, noting on her phone, "Okay, Zhao Tianxing is fine with anything."
He Dayou said indifferently, "I don't eat poor people's food. If it's not an expensive place, I won't go."
Bai Zhenzhen nodded, noting, "He Dayou isn't going."
Qian Shen said, "I know a good restaurant. I'll treat everyone to drinks."
Bai Zhenzhen noted, "Qian Shen is treating."
...
In a restaurant in the city.
As soon as Zhang Yu walked in, he said, "Do you have king crab? Bring ten."
Lei Jun, following behind, turned pale.
Damn, are you trying to bankrupt me?
Qian Shen beside him said, "This place doesn't serve seafood, and seafood isn't nutritious anyway. It's not suitable for high school students."
"This place specializes in authentic pre-made dishes, with no extra seasoning. You taste the original flavor of the pre-made dishes."
"The dishes are also very nutritious, with over 10,000 calories of clean energy per plate. I often come here to eat after training."
Lei Jun nodded secretly, thinking that Qian Shen was sensible and considerate of the teacher's hardships.
Qian Shen said to the waiter, "Do you have pre-made dishes with monster meat? Today's guests are all top students from Songyang High School. Do you have any health-boosting dishes?"
Lei Jun sighed.
Qian Shen was also being inconsiderate.
He wasn't a Taoist teacher and didn't know that martial arts teachers had limited incomes.
Not letting the students order randomly anymore, Lei Jun directly said, "I only brought 6,000. Any more, and we'll have to wash dishes together."
A moment later, the group sat together and raised their glasses of beast protein milk: "Cheers!"
After all, they were healthy high school students and teachers, so of course, they should drink healthy and nutritious beast protein milk.
Besides, after this meal, it would almost be time for school, so naturally, they couldn't drink anything that would affect their performance in class.
(End of Chapter)