CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55 RETURNING THE ORIGINAL NUMBER

The sight of Xie Sisi spewing blood caught everyone off guard. Disbelief was etched on every face; even Song Bo, standing in the ring, was bewildered and unsure of what to do.

Among all the students, only Wang Lan understood what had transpired.

Dark Strength Fist!

Inch Strength Fist is a type of Dark Strength Fist, but Dark Strength Fist encompasses more than just Inch Strength Fist.

Dark Strength Fist is a general term for a category of fist techniques, with Inch Strength Fist being merely one variety. Through a special method of exerting force, a seemingly ordinary punch could unleash power several times greater.

Within the Dark Strength Fist techniques, there existed an even more insidious type. Its fist energy would penetrate the target’s interior, causing internal damage. Mastering the force exertion technique of Dark Strength Fist required repeated practice and intuitive understanding; it was something that could be comprehended but not verbally conveyed.

"Song Bo, what are you doing?" the combat instructor roared furiously.

"I don’t know... I just meant to push her away with an ordinary palm strike. I don’t know what happened to Xie Sisi. I... I didn’t do it on purpose."

"You... Two students, quickly take Xie Sisi to the infirmary."

Wang Lan rushed to Xie Sisi’s side, Jiang Xinyu’s figure flashing as she followed.

Wang Lan touched Xie Sisi’s neck to check her pulse. Such a vicious punch, he thought. Dark Strength penetrated right through, directly perforating her stomach. An injury like this is incurable; she can only be carefully nursed.

Furthermore, the quantity and types of food she could ingest would be severely restricted. In other words, if treated with conventional methods, Xie Sisi’s stomach would essentially be as useless as a newborn’s.

As for Song Bo’s claim that he threw the punch unintentionally, that was simply impossible.

One might not be able to execute a Dark Strength Fist even if they tried intentionally, let alone by accident. It required the coordination of dozens of muscles and the fluid transfer of that muscular power to the hand.

It was a complex, precise operation, completed in an instant. Unintentional? The difficulty was akin to acing the entrance exams for Tsinghua or Peking University with your eyes closed.

"Don’t move!" Wang Lan whispered to Jiang Xinyu. "Severe internal injuries, gastric perforation! Cover for me."

Jiang Xinyu understood immediately. Wang Lan discreetly slipped his hand under Xie Sisi’s collar, pressing down on her stomach. Star Power surged from him, rapidly healing Xie Sisi’s injuries.

"What are you all doing? Why haven’t you taken her to the infirmary yet?"

"Wang Lan is a Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior! He’s treating her, and I’m assisting him!"

"Oh?" The instructor’s eyes lit up, a pleasantly surprised smile spreading across his face.

Wang Lan’s name was renowned among the faculty of Suzhou No.1 Middle School.

For Wang Lan to awaken his Star Martial Warrior talent on the eve of his second-year graduation was considered nothing short of a miracle. He had been a promising student, on track for Jade Country’s top university, but then he had unexpectedly transferred to the Star Martial Arts Campus. The authorities at Suzhou No.1 Middle School were not pleased.

But what could they do? All students with Star Martial Warrior talent had to attend the Star Martial Class.

The principal of the Star Martial Arts Campus had even allowed Wang Lan to enroll directly as a third-year student. Many saw this as a move that would ruin Wang Lan’s future. Even for a genius like Wang Lan, falling behind two years meant that just catching up to the average academic level in a single year would be an extreme challenge.

Getting into a good university? Don’t be ridiculous!

However, the principal had issued a strict directive at a teachers’ meeting: Wang Lan was to be given special attention and cultivated.

What was to be done?

Liu Jie felt immense pressure.

But now... Liu Jie suddenly realized, Our principal truly is our principal—shrewd and far-sighted!

Wang Lan being a Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior meant he could practically walk into a prestigious university.

Shielded by Jiang Xinyu, no one saw Wang Lan’s hand slip under Xie Sisi’s collar. The unconscious Xie Sisi was also unaware. A few seconds later, Wang Lan swiftly withdrew his hand and stood up.

"She’s out of danger now."

"That’s excellent! Wang Lan, I had no idea you were a Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior. What kinds of injuries can you treat?"

"Basically, I can treat most physical injuries. It just consumes a fair bit of Star Power, but it’s manageable."

"Alright, let’s move on to the next pair."

Soon, all twenty-four pairs in the class had completed their sparring matches. However, with fifty students in the class, there should logically have been twenty-five pairs.

"Since Qin Qiaoqiao is on leave, and today is Wang Lan’s first day, we’ll conclude the assessments here..."

"Ah, some people have all the luck, getting to skip the test... Teacher, what rank would Wang Lan have gotten in this assessment?" a male voice called out from the students.

"Since Wang Lan did not participate, he won’t be included in the rankings."

"Is that so? Then is Wang Lan even part of our class? Teacher, have you considered his feelings? His esteemed self, the God of Studying, has deigned to grace our class, and you’re treating him like an outsider..."

"Exactly! This is a placement test. Teacher, you should at least gauge the new student’s abilities, right?"

Wang Lan glanced towards the speakers; they were the members of the so-called Commoner Genius Association. Song Bo was being the loudest.

"Mr. Liu, I’d like to participate in the assessment. I studied combat before becoming a Star Martial Warrior, so I have some foundation."

"Is that so? Alright, I’ll pick a classmate to spar with you. Remember, keep it to a light touch!"

"Teacher, I’ll do it!" Qin Jian, a tall and burly student, shot up from the crowd.

"I should be the one," Song Bo also stood up, a smile on his face.

"You sit down! I haven’t even dealt with you for injuring Xie Sisi like that. What are you trying to pull now?"

"Mr. Liu, now, now... I’ll turn myself in after class, how about that? Who knew Xie Sisi was unwell? She didn’t say anything. My palm strike was gentle, practically no force behind it. Everyone saw that."

Jiang Xinyu sneered inwardly, then looked down at Xie Sisi in her arms, who seemed to be stirring.

"Are you alright?"

"It... doesn’t hurt anymore? I’m fine!" As Xie Sisi spoke, her ears turned crimson.

"Teacher, let it be Song Bo then," Wang Lan said. "I also saw what happened; Song Bo didn’t do it on purpose. Xie Sisi probably has a stomach ulcer from an irregular diet, and Song Bo’s punch triggered it. Just let Song Bo spar with me; we’ll stop at a touch, right?"

"A stomach ulcer?" Liu Jie looked at Wang Lan with a strange expression. "Are you implying I’ve never seen a stomach ailment, or that I can’t tell what kind of injury this is?"

"Mr. Liu, Wang Lan is a Medical Attribute Star Martial Warrior. How could he misdiagnose it?" Xu Xiangwen chimed in with a smile.

"Exactly! Since Song Bo is so enthusiastic, Teacher, you shouldn’t stop Wang Lan from interacting with his classmates..." Gong Feiyu added his support.

"Well... alright then!" Liu Jie agreed, though a little worried. "Just a light touch, understand? Song Bo, you are not to attack any of Wang Lan’s vital areas, got it?"

"Understood, understood. Limbs are fair game, right?" Song Bo stepped into the center of the practice area, his face beaming with excitement.

Hitting Xie Sisi was just because I was furious that bitch made the four of us lose face this morning. Hitting her with a Dark Strength Fist was just to vent some anger.

But as for Wang Lan? Hehehehe...

How could I vent this anger if I don’t cripple you? And you, what the hell do you think you are? If you’d cursed us some other way, it would have been over. But you, you son of a bitch, had to make your insult so ’classic’?

Now, it’s not just the third-years; even the first and second-years are talking about it. In a single morning, I got the nickname Pi! Damn it! It’s a monumental disgrace, and my infamy has spread far and wide. If I don’t make you a cripple for life, I, Song Bo, will take your surname!

As for why Jiang Xinyu and the others weren’t stopping this, and even seemed happy for Wang Lan to spar with me? This made Song Bo hesitate for a moment.

But the hesitation was instantly dismissed. All things considered, you, Wang Lan, only awakened two months ago. How strong could your combat skills possibly be? An ordinary person’s fighting ability is child’s play in the eyes of a Star Martial Warrior. Only when one truly becomes a Star Martial Warrior does their training truly begin.

This fist of mine carries five years of training. You, a newbie who awakened just two months ago, think you can block it? Dream on.

"Song Bo, I look forward to your guidance!" Wang Lan said respectfully, bowing to Song Bo.

"I look forward to your guidance too, Wang Lan. You may attack first," Song Bo replied, placing one hand behind his back and the other before his chest.

Wang Lan raised his fists and charged towards Song Bo with large strides.

Song Bo’s eyes narrowed, a cold smirk playing on his lips. Unsteady footing, an unstable lower body, his attacking intent is too obvious. No attempt at a feint? Such a novice. Trash!

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Wang Lan’s gaze suddenly sharpened. With a swift shuffle of his feet, Wang Lan instantly closed the distance.

Song Bo’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly crossed his arms before his chest to block, but Wang Lan’s hands, like Mantis Blades, instantly pried open Song Bo’s defense.

A fist shot out, then instantly transformed into a palm.

BOOM—

With that push, Song Bo’s body was sent flying backward.

As Song Bo sailed through the air, blood sprayed from his mouth. A searing pain, as if his internal organs were being scorched by fire, instantly engulfed his entire body.

This series of actions happened so quickly that even Mr. Liu didn’t have time to react.

A deathly silence fell over the area. Every student stared, eyes wide with disbelief, at Wang Lan’s back. Xie Sisi, in particular, was stunned. Two words echoed, dominating her mind.

So cool—

The same scene, the same situation... Could it be that Wang Lan did this for me?

A young girl’s thoughts are wonderfully complex. In that instant, her heart felt as sweet as honey.

THUD—

Only then did Song Bo crash to the ground.

"Challenge successful. Reward: ten experience points, one skill point!"

COUGH COUGH COUGH— Violent coughs wracked Song Bo’s body, accompanied by spatters of blood.

"Huh? How could this happen? You... Song Bo, do you have a stomach ulcer too?" Wang Lan exclaimed in feigned disbelief.

"Song Bo!" The other three members of his group rushed to his side. As they tried to help him up, a sharp, crisp sound came from Song Bo’s chest.

CRACK—

Song Bo let out a bloodcurdling scream, "Ahh—"

Wang Lan’s earlier punch had broken three of Song Bo’s ribs, but the force had been so well controlled that the bones were merely fractured, not displaced. However, with his three classmates now trying to lift him forcefully, the ribs had shifted out of place.

"Broken... They’re broken..."

"You!" Qin Jian whirled around furiously. "Teacher, it was agreed no attacking vital areas! Aren’t you going to do anything?"

"Wang Lan, explain yourself!" Mr. Liu’s face darkened. This was becoming blatant.

"Teacher, your instruction about not attacking vital areas was directed at Song Bo, not me. Besides, the area I struck wasn’t a vital point. As for Song Bo coughing up blood, everyone saw I just pushed him. It shouldn’t have been that serious, right?"

"You bastard, you broke Song Bo’s ribs!" Qin Jian roared.

"It was very quiet here just now. I believe many students heard it. That cracking sound seemed to occur when you three were trying to help him up, didn’t it? There are surveillance cameras here. If necessary, we can review the footage. I’m starting to wonder, did you three break Song Bo’s bones just now to frame me?"

Wang Lan looked utterly innocent, baffling the watching students.

Indeed, it had seemed like Wang Lan had only given Song Bo a light push, and he had gone flying. If bones could break that easily, how brittle must they be? Amidst the confusion, Jiang Xinyu’s lips curved into a faint smile.

"Wang Lan, please treat Song Bo," Mr. Liu said.

"Teacher, treating Xie Sisi earlier exhausted my Star Power. To treat him now would require... about three hours for my Star Power to recover. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure he’s healed before school ends."