Chapter 59: The Soft Persimmon Hardens

"Draw on the strengths of all schools, integrate them into one's own use, master them thoroughly, and only then can one see their true self!"

Zeng Hongyi swept his gaze across the crowd and slowly said, "I hope everyone can be like Zhao Rui, adept at summarizing and innovating. If the predecessors and masters had not blazed the trail in the beginning, how could martial arts be so flourishing today?"

"Understood, Master!"

The disciples answered in unison.

Zeng Hongyi nodded in satisfaction. Although these students were not exceptionally gifted, their foundations were quite solid, otherwise they would not have been admitted to the Martial Arts Academy of East Qi University.

There was certainly a gap compared to those geniuses, but on the path of martial arts, many factors contributed to success.

If one simply gave up martial arts upon discovering mediocre talent, there wouldn't be so many peerless experts who later surpassed their peers.

Among the martial arts grandmasters he had encountered, quite a few had mediocre aptitude in their youth, only to experience endless fortuitous encounters later and break through their own shackles.

...

"Third-year informal members, report to me!"

Two days later during training, Zeng Hongyi called over the few remaining informal members from the third-year cohort.

According to Wang Zhanshan's new arrangement, he would primarily focus on the training of the first-year freshmen, while another assistant instructor, Tian Lei, would be responsible for the training of official team members and fourth-year seniors.

As for Zeng Hongyi, building upon the original second-year members, he was additionally assigned the third-year informal members.

The clear division of labor among the three instructors represented a significant improvement over the previously somewhat chaotic training methods.

Clearly, Wang Zhanshan held higher expectations for this batch of newcomers.

Anyone with discerning eyes could easily see it.

Zhang Kui and the others patted Zhao Rui on the shoulder to show encouragement, since such an assignment was essentially equivalent to kicking him out of the "reserve talent pool."

"Wait, what are you guys doing? You're making it look like I'm heartbroken!"

Zhao Rui looked at them speechlessly.

"It's fine, we understand how you feel."

Zhang Kui nodded earnestly.

"Fine! I admit it. Senior Sister Qin, can I borrow your shoulder to lean on?"

Zhao Rui looked at the pretty senior sister nearby with a sorrowful expression and asked.

"Sure!"

Qin Rui wore a sneer at the corner of her mouth, her slender hand lifting slightly, her fair fingers forming a pinching gesture.

"Let's see if your skin is tough enough!"

As Qin Rui spoke, she even flashed a teeth-gritting expression.

"Never mind, never mind, I'd better use Senior Brother Zhang's instead!"

Zhao Rui feigned fear and hurriedly leaned toward Zhang Kui's side.

"You remember me now? Too late. This brother's shoulder isn't for leaning on men!"

"Sigh!"

Zhao Rui immediately looked "heartbroken to the extreme," sighing repeatedly.

"Slap!"

Li Xinran, unable to bear it any longer, walked over, kicked Zhao Rui in the rear, and spat, "Why are you so dramatic? My Samsara Reversal technique still isn't polished enough; come spar with me."

With that, she grabbed Zhao Rui and dragged him toward the martial arts arena nearby.

Zhao Rui stretched his body slightly, turned back to spread his hands toward the others, and said, "You guys won't even leave me a moment to grieve!"

"You don't deserve it. Academic slackers have no right to grieve!"

"Sigh!"

After exchanging a few playful banters, the group went back to their respective training routines.

The newly joined third-year members nearby watched them fooling around and couldn't help shaking their heads.

Truly hopeless.

Compared to these "carefree" second-year students, their own mood was genuinely sour.

They had originally thought that since the fourth-year seniors would be leaving the team in less than a year, they would become the focus of cultivation.

After all, this group of second-year students didn't really have any standout talents.

At least for the next year or two, the entire East Qi martial arts team would have to rely on this group of third-year students to hold their ground.

To their surprise, reality dealt them a heavy blow; before they could even bloom, they were demoted.

In such a situation, it would be a wonder if their complexions looked good.

"What are you all standing around for? Go practice immediately! You study martial arts for yourselves, not for the martial arts team. If you don't put in the effort yourselves, you can't rely on anyone."

Zeng Hongyi clapped his hands nearby, driving the third-year members who were still in a daze back to their training.

As the few dispersed, Zeng Hongyi couldn't help casting a glance toward the direction of the main hall, his gaze somewhat complex.

...

With the addition of the first-year cohort, the entire martial arts team gained a lot of vitality, and the training became increasingly more formal than before.

Physical conditioning, equipment training, weapon combat, aerobic and anaerobic rehabilitation, static simulation, hydrotherapy recovery...

Seeing the treatment afforded to the first-year freshmen, Zhao Rui finally realized that for the past few months since he arrived, Wang Zhanshan had clearly been coasting and had barely cared about the martial arts team at all.

Truly...

Forget it, getting angry hurts the body.

However, leaving personal emotions aside, the current training regimen was actually quite good for Zhao Rui.

At least it was finally formal.

Furthermore, with the newcomers joining, his sparring partners would increase, and correspondingly, the system rewards he earned would be even greater.

Perhaps Zhao Rui's previous "pretending" to be a senior had slightly irritated some of the self-important freshmen.

As soon as the martial arts sparring class began, several freshmen called him out by name, asking Zhao Rui to spar with them.

Wang Zhanshan's practical combat class this time was intended to test the practical combat abilities of the new first-year members, while also providing an opportunity for the first-year members to showcase themselves in front of all the team members.

He wanted all the members to know why he valued this group of first-year students so much.

Seeing a few individuals step forward, everyone turned their gazes toward classmate Zhao Rui, who was standing on the side of the second and third-year teams.

No matter how amiable he had been when welcoming these first-year members earlier, in the eyes of this group, he was an anomaly.

A martial arts student from an external college who had entered the martial arts team on his own.

His talent was also said to be average.

No matter how one looked at it, he wasn't cut from the same cloth as them.

People were always like this; toward those who weren't of their kind, they always harbored the greatest malice.

Seeing everyone's gazes converge, Zhao Rui smiled calmly, stepped forward from the team, and said, "Gladly accompany you!"

"Such a showoff. Anyone who didn't know would think he's an expert."

"What do you suppose he's after, insisting on joining our martial arts team? He's not even considered a proper martial arts student anymore."

"Who knows!"

"I heard he's Luo Min's classmate. Do you think..."

"Quite possible. Truly overestimating his capabilities."

A burst of whispering instantly spread from the first-year team. In the vast martial arts arena, the autumn wind rustled, buzzing so indistinctly that the words blurred.

"Zhao Rui, although you joined our martial arts team a few months earlier than them, your foundation is shallow, so don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"Ge Wenlei, Zhao Rui, you two come up and demonstrate. Pay attention to the match rules..."

Seeing this, Wang Zhanshan nodded and spoke out, effectively granting the request of those few individuals.

"Just boost our momentum, don't bully him too harshly, lest those official team members take issue with it."

In the freshman team, Wang Dalong instructed Ge Wenlei in a solemn tone.

"Understood, Dragon Brother!"

With that, Ge Wenlei took the lead and jumped onto the arena stage.

This kid made a striking first impression; utilizing an exquisite lightness skill, he stepped through the void and leaped from the team ten meters away onto the stage.

This single display of lightness skill left many veteran members looking startled, as they lacked such a capability.

Zhao Rui wasn't in a hurry. He leisurely vaulted into the arena from the side entrance, then put on protective gear such as a mouthguard one by one.

Only then did he walk to the center of the ring, cupped his fists toward his opponent, and greeted him.

"Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Zhao!"

Ge Wenlei said with a half-smile.

"You're too polite! I might not even be older than you!"

Zhao Rui smiled and replied. Since they wanted to use him to establish their authority, he had no need to humor them.

In the world of martial arts, the strong were respected; forbearance would only invite even harsher bullying.

Ge Wenlei hadn't expected Zhao Rui to casually trade witty remarks with him, and could not help showing a contemptuous smile. Then he assumed a starting posture and called out to him, "Please!"

"Please!"

Zhao Rui didn't hesitate either. He pressed his palms together in front of his chest, stepped in the pattern of the Dipper, and cupped his palms as if supporting Mount Sumeru.

Qi rose from the Dantian, traveled upward along the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian of the foot, passed through the Huiyin and Mingmen points, and split into two streams flowing into the Jianjing acupoints.

It was precisely the first form of the Prajna Palm: The Emergence of Sumeru.

"Junior brother, please!"

Since you insisted on calling me senior brother, you might as well play the junior brother!

Hearing this, Ge Wenlei's eyes grew slightly cold, and he immediately threw a palm strike, slashing toward the vital points on Zhao Rui's chest.

Zhao Rui calmly retreated and dodged, his right palm obliquely pushing forward while his left palm attacked the Yanggu acupoint on his opponent's forearm.

Ge Wenlei bent his arm to block, evading the vital strike, and launched a flurry of kicks like a fierce wind blowing against willow branches, instantly stirring up turbulent ripples.

Zhao Rui pressed his palms downward, leaping through the air to avoid the continuous kicks, and then followed up with a turning sweep kick, seamlessly transitioning into the Mighty Vajra Leg Technique.

Their legs intersected, and instantly a massive force burst from between their legs, producing several muffled thuds.

"Such profound internal energy!"

Ge Wenlei's expression froze as he sensed an oppressive internal energy that was no weaker than his own passing through the clash of their legs.

"This guy has this kind of internal energy even as a freshman; how could he possibly fail the martial arts academy entrance exam?"

Ge Wenlei's equilibrium of thought shattered instantly. He had originally assumed that since the other party failed the martial arts academy entrance exam, his level was likely around grade four.

Even factoring in the training he received at the martial arts academy over the past few months, at most it would be grade five, or pushing it, grade six.

Yet upon engaging in combat, he discovered that Zhao Rui's internal energy level was at least that of a grade-seven martial artist, if not superior.

"Senior brother has great internal energy!"

"You're not bad either!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the two renewed their engagement.

This time, Ge Wenlei abandoned the idea of forcefully overwhelming Zhao Rui with internal energy, opting instead to use his exquisite martial arts techniques to search for flaws.

Seeing his opponent's moves suddenly become extraordinarily refined, Zhao Rui remained unhurried and composed, maintaining the Prajna Palm stance—seemingly empty yet unmoving like a mountain.

As the two exchanged blows, their techniques were refined and their movements swift. In a brief moment, they had already fought dozens of rounds.

Wang Zhanshan narrowed his eyes, a flash of bright light passing through his gaze.

He hadn't expected Zhao Rui to be so calm and poised when facing Ge Wenlei.

Especially this display of the Prajna Palm; it was truly astonishing.

Even some third-year members might not possess such a level of mastery.

His mind involuntarily recalled what Zeng Hongyi had previously said to him about Zhao Rui.

"Zhao Rui's talent is slightly lacking, but his comprehension is exceptional. He's actually worth keeping an eye on."

So that was how it was.

Wang Zhanshan understood in his heart.

Meanwhile, the situation on the stage remained deadlocked. Ge Wenlei deployed his specialty, the Eight-Trigrams Interlocking Palms, moving like a swimming dragon and stepping like a traveler wading through deep rivers.

His palms, whether single or double, intersected alternately, dodging the direct approach to strike at an angle, embodying the essence of fluid palm techniques and graceful footwork circling the opponent.

Seeing his opponent's exquisite palm techniques and footwork, Zhao Rui was overjoyed and promptly activated the copying program on his system interface.

Naturally, he didn't let go of the previous lightness skill either.

Since they came, he would keep them all!

With advanced martial arts in both fists and feet, backed by nearly twenty years of profound internal energy, Zhao Rui naturally stood firm and fearless!

He fully unleashed his mastery of the Prajna Palm, fighting Ge Wenlei to a complete standstill.

The freshmen off the stage, who had initially gathered to watch the fun and wait for Zhao Rui to be beaten down by Ge Wenlei in a few moves, were instantly dumbfounded.

With this kind of martial prowess, you call his talent bad?

Are you kidding me?

Although Ge Wenlei wasn't a grade-eight powerhouse like Wang Dalong, he was still widely recognized as one of the genius students of the freshman cohort.

With the strength of a grade-seven martial artist coupled with exquisite martial arts, very few people could defeat him.

Yet never had they expected that someone who hadn't even passed the entrance exam for East Qi Martial Arts University would fight him to a draw.

The few freshman girls who "recognized" Zhao Rui cast inquiring glances toward Luo Min.

Luo Min also wore a look of shock. Catching their questioning gazes, she shook her head slightly, indicating that she had no idea either.

"Lei brother, stop holding back. You guys have been fighting for nearly half an hour."

After a while, someone off the stage couldn't help holding back anymore and shouted loudly toward the ring.

That single shout instantly drew everyone's attention.

Especially the gazes of some second and third-year students.

However, those gazes didn't seem to be praising him for speaking well; rather, they were filled with reproach.

"Walking like a dragon, shifting forms like an eagle, dropping the shoulders and sinking the elbows, qi running through the palms..."

Ge Wenlei poured his lifelong learning into executing the Eight-Trigrams Interlocking Palms with airtight precision.

Yet as time passed, his inner anxiety grew.

Unable to break through after a prolonged offense, and forced to constantly guard against Zhao Rui's counterattacks, his nerves remained at a high state of tension.

"Sparring with Wang Dalong didn't seem this exhausting..."

Ge Wenlei looked at Zhao Rui's leisurely demeanor, a trace of bitterness welling up in his heart.

Why did he have to stick his neck out?

"Whistle!"

The combat had lasted far too long. With the sound of a whistle, Wang Zhanshan stepped forward personally to separate the two.

"Phew!"

Being separated, Ge Wenlei couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief. A draw without losing was practically a win.

Suppressing the gloom in his heart, he hastily cupped his fists in a salute to Zhao Rui and stepped off the ring.

"What's going on?"

Back in the team, Wang Dalong asked in a low, puzzled voice.

"This kid's internal energy is no less than mine, and he's proficient in several high-tier martial arts techniques. I couldn't take him down for a moment."

"Hmm, alright, I get it."

After listening to Ge Wenlei's explanation, Wang Dalong cast his gaze toward Zhao Rui, who was currently waiting for his second opponent.

"This is getting more and more interesting!"

Wang Dalong smiled slightly, crossed his arms, and looked toward the stage with keen interest.

"Who else wants to come up and spar?"

"Weren't there several people just now? Li Yi, didn't you want to train with Zhao Rui?"

Seeing that no one volunteered after a long silence, Wang Zhanshan grew somewhat displeased and directly called out one of the people who had rushed forward earlier.

"Coach, I'm not feeling well. Let's do it another day!"

The male student named Li Yi instantly lost all enthusiasm, not even daring to meet Zhao Rui's gaze.

"Since there are no more matches..."

"Teacher, I want to fight him!"

At that moment, Luo Min suddenly stepped forward and walked straight toward the arena stage.