Chapter Forty-Six: Return

Entering the main hall, the two approached a desk tucked away in a corner. At that moment, Teacher Wang sat with his eyes closed, meditating. His rare, focused demeanor carried an air of carefree refinement, like a master above the mundane.

“Teacher Wang, you wanted to see me?” Zhao Rui whispered softly.

Hearing this, Teacher Wang slightly opened his eyes and gave a faint hum, still maintaining his seated posture.

“Starting tomorrow, both of you will be transferred to the sparring group. As for cultivation, Zhao Rui, you will still be under Wang Zhe’s responsibility, but your regular team training activities will shift to the sparring group.”

After speaking, Teacher Wang turned to Zhang Kui. “You’re too impulsive and need some time to refine yourself. Like Zhao Rui, you will temporarily be assigned to the sparring group… Off you go!”

After a brief instruction, Teacher Wang gestured for them to leave.

The two acknowledged with a nod and turned to exit. Zhao Rui was in high spirits—finally becoming part of the sparring group. How long had it been since he’d earned any advancement points? Now that his wish was fulfilled, how could he not be happy?

In contrast, Zhang Kui looked despondent and gloomy, clearly displeased.

“Brother Zhang, I’ll treat you to some barbecue at noon,” Zhao Rui said, feeling at ease with money in his pocket, inviting his companion.

Zhang Kui hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “No, I’ll treat you.”

“Who treats whom doesn’t matter—it’s on me today. After training, I’ll wait for you!”

“Alright, sounds good.”

They agreed to meet for lunch, then each returned to their own tasks.

Zhao Rui went back to Wang Zhe to seek guidance on his martial arts bottleneck.

The Prajna Palm was profound and expansive. Although it was only an introductory palm technique for the martial arts team, it was already one of the best moves Zhao Rui had encountered, far superior to the Qingyun Palm or the Taihang Thirteen Palms.

Currently, Zhao Rui’s strongest skills were Cloud Hand Star-Picking, Taiyi Light-Dividing Sword Technique, and Wing Chun Inquiry. Other martial arts he practiced were more common and limited in terms of internal energy manipulation and technique variation, only mediocre at best.

As the saying goes, “don’t bite off more than you can chew.” Zhao Rui focused on mastering these few arts, striving to reach the next level of proficiency and achieve a comprehensive understanding.

This progress depended largely on his own cultivation and insight.

By 11:30, training finished, Zhao Rui waited at the hall’s entrance and soon found Zhang Kui, whose complexion still looked poor. The two left the Martial Arts Academy together.

The academy had its own cafeteria, quite upscale, with buffet prices comparable to those outside at over two hundred yuan. Zhao Rui wanted to try it but couldn’t, as he wasn’t officially part of the academy.

Instead, they took a taxi to a nearby commercial street, more bustling with a greater variety of food.

They found a street-side barbecue restaurant specializing in beef skewers, took an empty table, and ordered some skewers and beer.

Since they barely knew each other, they chatted casually about campus anecdotes.

After a few beers, Zhang Kui shook his head and smiled, “You really have patience. You’re not anxious at all about being a sparring partner?”

He had expected Zhao Rui to bring it up, but after drinking for a while, not a word was said on the topic.

“I’m from an external college, so I just do what the teacher says. Honestly, being a sparring partner might be the best fit for me,” Zhao Rui said with a smile.

Zhang Kui gave a self-deprecating laugh. “True, you’re from an external college and probably don’t expect to go far on the team. Sigh…”

Since Zhang Kui opened the topic, Zhao Rui naturally asked, “What exactly is the situation with the sparring group, Brother Zhang? Is being a sparring partner really that bad?”

“That goes back to why our martial arts team was established…” Zhang Kui raised his cup and clinked it with Zhao Rui’s before downing it.

Originally, there was no concept of a martial arts team in this world. But due to deteriorating international relations and constant conflicts between nations, a series of martial arts international tournaments arose under the intervention of major powers to ease tensions and achieve certain goals.

Accordingly, each country began forming their own martial arts teams, selecting members from the grassroots up.

With the stabilization of the international environment, these tournaments not only survived but flourished, spawning entertainment-style martial arts competitions alongside related industries like film, animation, and training education.

Martial arts evolved from life-or-death combat for international dominance into popular entertainment events, involving trillions in funds annually.

Dongqi University, a prestigious institution in the province, was renowned as a martial arts training base.

Besides the university’s own team, there were carefully selected provincial-level professional teams housed within the Martial Arts Academy.

Zhao Rui belonged to the university-level martial arts team, whose main competitions were the provincial college league, national college league, and adult B-level contests.

Outstanding players could be selected to join the provincial professional team and compete in national martial arts leagues.

For a martial arts student, to achieve fame and fortune, one must seize the chance to stand out and attract social media attention.

Whether the college or provincial leagues, you must qualify to compete.

As a sparring partner, you temporarily lose competition eligibility.

This was one reason Zhang Kui felt so disheartened.

After hearing Zhang Kui’s explanation, Zhao Rui felt more at ease. Temporary suspension from competition wasn’t a big deal for him.

Though he already held a Level Six martial artist status, any student admitted to Dongqi University’s Martial Arts Academy was at least Level Five, with Levels Six and Seven being common, and even Level Eight not unheard of.

These were truly exceptional talents.

Zhang Kui, despite being demoted to sparring, was a genuine Level Seven martial artist.

Level Six fighters were eliminated as early as the first semester finals.

Zhao Rui was fortunate to have come early; had he applied later, he might not have even qualified.

Thus, competitions weren’t particularly important to him—earning advancement points through sparring was his main goal.

“Brother Zhang, Teacher Wang is actually doing this for your own good. Sometimes you need to accumulate quietly; your moment to shine will come,” Zhao Rui earnestly comforted him.

“Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll focus on advancing first—otherwise, with the new freshmen coming next semester, I’ll be eliminated,” Zhang Kui sighed.

“I heard this year’s freshmen have two Level Eight martial artists and quite a few Level Sevens. Impressive!” Zhang Kui exclaimed.

“Let’s drink!” Zhao Rui’s heart tightened; he hadn’t expected such strong newcomers. He once thought Level Five was outstanding, but now he realized he’d been a frog in the well.

“Cheers!”

They clinked glasses and gulped down their drinks.

After chatting for another half hour, seeing it was late, they settled the bill and left the restaurant.

Zhao Rui didn’t return to the Martial Arts Academy. Except during specific training periods, team members were free to spend their time as they wished.

Often, lower-ranked members voluntarily trained at the Cicada Courtyard, said to have good feng shui that enhanced cultivation speed and comprehension. Whether true or not, he didn’t know.

Today was not a scheduled training day, so after leaving the restaurant, Zhao Rui went straight to his rented room for a nap.

He slept until past three, washed his face, and then returned to the Cicada Courtyard.

Just as he entered and before heading to his team’s side hall, Zhang Kui mysteriously beckoned him over.

Zhao Rui hurried to him, and Zhang Kui glanced around before whispering, “Tomorrow, the main team members returning from competition will be back.”

Hearing this, Zhao Rui looked at Zhang Kui in puzzlement, who continued, “Be careful not to cross them—they’re in a bad mood. I heard they were eliminated in the second round.”

Zhao Rui nodded. Indeed, they hadn’t performed well enough to reach the top sixteen.

“Thanks, Brother Zhang!”

“No problem!” Zhang Kui smiled, feeling like a mentor.

After a brief chat, Zhao Rui headed straight to his team.

Entering the side hall, he sensed a tense atmosphere. Wang Zhe’s face looked pale and strained, as if injured.

Curious, Zhao Rui approached just as the team’s “muscle” member, Pang Wenyu, suddenly stood up and shouted, “Brother Zhe, we can’t just let this go!”

“And do what if we don’t? Sit down,” Wang Zhe replied, coughing lightly. Seeing Zhao Rui, he pointed to the mats in the corner. “Zhao Rui, come sit too.”

Zhao Rui complied and sat cross-legged at the back.

“As your captain, I admit failing to make the main team twice has objective reasons, but my lack of strength is also a fact,” Wang Zhe said.

“Tian Zirong dared to openly provoke me, knowing my power hasn’t recovered. Telling Teacher Wang won’t help. The main team will be back tomorrow; everyone calm down…”

He then looked at Zhao Rui. “I have a grudge with Tian Zirong, which causes our members extra trouble. Watch out for him. His older brother, Tian Zihao, is a main team member. Just keep that in mind.”

Hearing this, Zhao Rui’s face twitched, unsure how to respond. He was just here to earn advancement points—how did he get wrapped up in grudges and quarrels?

Could it be that Teacher Wang deliberately divided the teams this way? Thinking Zhao Rui had connections to get in?

Shaking his head, Zhao Rui couldn’t figure it out. But now that he was part of Wang Zhe’s team, it was probably impossible to leave.

“Alright, got it, Brother Zhe,” Zhao Rui answered.

“Okay, everyone disperse!” Wang Zhe waved his hand, signaling everyone to attend to their own matters.

Pang Wenyu snorted in frustration, then sat behind Wang Zhe, crossed-legged, pressing his palms against his back to channel healing energy.

The others took the cue and left.

Zhao Rui imitated them and stepped outside the side hall, quickly catching up to a usually easygoing senior sister.

“Senior sister, how did Captain Wang get injured?” he asked.

Her name was Peng Xinnan, dressed simply but elegantly, radiating warmth.

Noticing Zhao Rui’s approach, she glanced toward the side hall and said, “Beaten by Tian Zirong. Shh, you’ll understand soon enough. Just stay away from Tian Zirong and his brother. Times have changed.”

“Oh, senior sister, I heard there’s a good café near the school gate…”

“Trying to invite me? Maybe another day!” Sister Peng said, turning gracefully and lightly stepping away with a touch of agility.

“Secretive—it’s either about women or quotas!” Zhao Rui thought, recalling plots from countless dramas from his past life.

He had hoped the martial arts team was a sanctuary, but it was full of complicated affairs.

No wonder the team had a rule to settle disputes in the ring.

Zhao Rui shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it. For now, he was just a small cog—his priority was to improve his strength.

The next day, after morning classes, Zhao Rui hurried to the Cicada Courtyard.

It was his first day as a sparring partner; he was eager to make every second count.

Upon arrival, he greeted Wang Zhe, then found the sparring group leader, He Zhiyan, to report in.

There were five members in the sparring group on the field, including Zhang Kui.

Seeing Zhao Rui, they exchanged a nod.

“Our sparring group doesn’t have special requirements. Most training is still under your own team. Our main job is to support the competition team with daily training and live drills,” He Zhiyan explained.

He continued, “Captain Gu and the main team will be back today. Some may do extra training this afternoon—you’ll observe them then.”

“Understood, Leader He!” Zhao Rui replied promptly, then found a corner to begin his cultivation.

After about forty minutes, a commotion arose outside the courtyard.

“Captain Gu, you’re back!”

“Greetings, Captain Gu!”

Voices echoed along the path. Zhao Rui saw the sparring members all rise and gather at the door.

Even Leader He stood to welcome them.

Following the group, Zhao Rui looked out.

About ten people approached, dressed variously but all exuding formidable presence, their strides commanding and imposing.

Amid the greetings from team members, they resembled a group of underworld bosses making a grand entrance.

Leading them was a short, unremarkable man with a sturdy build, round face, and broad nose. His short, spiky hair stood out sharply like a hedgehog’s quills.

This was reportedly Gu, the captain of Dongqi University’s martial arts team.

“Old Wang, where were you sleeping this time?” Captain Gu’s voice rang out before he even arrived, full of vibrant internal energy and profound skill, startling Zhao Rui into wide-eyed awe.

Indeed, there was reason so many martial artists respected him.

“Stop yelling—here I am!” Teacher Wang grumbled, dragging on his slippers as he appeared.