CHAPTER 76: CHAPTER 69 GRINDING

"At most, you can fight two? You really don’t take the Five Tigers of Shuizhou seriously..." Wei Hong muttered softly.

During the morning class, Zhou Leng glanced at his Demonized Watch.

A message from Xue Chengsong.

"Tian Wenhua has invited a sophomore from West Sea Martial Arts Academy, at the early stage of Blood Transport. You need to be careful."

"A sophomore still at the early stage of Blood Transport?"

"A gambler-student, they want to make money through gambling and related combat, pushing themselves hard with Qi and blood, but crazily refining their body. They can’t compete for too many resources, so they resort to this."

"Each has their own way."

"Typically, such students can withstand a mid-stage Blood Transport without issue and even have a chance to win. I checked, that person made it to the top two hundred on last year’s freshman chart. Later, they suppressed their Qi and blood and fell behind, a true young prodigy."

"Is there a chance for them to reach ’Qi Follows Body Movement’?"

"Impossible. If they could achieve ’Qi Follows Body Movement,’ they wouldn’t make money this way; they’d definitely be given special training."

"That’s good then."

"The other two on the opposing side, like us, are two veterans, limited in talent but with a solid foundation, so it’s fifty-fifty. Therefore, the outcome of your match with that martial arts student is crucial."

At noon, Zhou Leng walked along the path from the Martial Arts Hall to the cafeteria.

As he walked, a familiar voice rang out.

"Zhou Leng." The voice was clear and pleasant.

Zhou Leng turned back and said, "Xu Qingjin."

Xu Qingjin was holding a multi-layered plastic bag, inside which a steel pot could be vaguely seen.

Xu Qingjin said, "My mom heard yesterday that you have a gamble fight. She made you a pot of beef stew this morning. You once said my mom’s beef stew is delicious."

"Thank Auntie so much. I’ll take it." Zhou Leng reached out, their right hands touched as they exchanged the plastic bag.

Xu Qingjin took a deep breath secretly and said, "Let’s have lunch together."

"Sure."

Xu Qingjin quickened her steps to catch up.

After walking for a while, Xu Qingjin sneaked a glance at Zhou Leng and said, "If I go watch the gamble fight today, will it affect you?"

Zhou Leng was momentarily stunned, his heart lightly skipped a beat.

"It shouldn’t," Zhou Leng said.

"Then I’ll go watch."

"Mm." Zhou Leng replied.

Xu Qingjin smiled lightly and continued forward, gazing at the campus.

Today’s sunshine was extraordinarily bright.

The two of them got their meals first, then found a corner in the cafeteria and chatted as they ate.

Feng Wenhao saw them, chuckled, and walked over.

Wei Hong extended his arm, locked Feng Wenhao’s neck, and desperately dragged him back.

The two wrestled, flushed and thick-necked, and Feng Wenhao had no choice but to leave with Wei Hong.

In the afternoon, Deng Zhijue found Zhou Leng and entered a private martial arts room to give him guidance.

During the guidance, they also discussed some battle strategies.

After instructing Zhou Leng, Deng Zhijue entered the Hall Master’s office.

"Hall Master, my guidance today felt a bit redundant."

"Hmm?"

"He’s reached ’Qi Follows Body Movement,’" Deng Zhijue said.

"Hmm." Wang Boxiong paused his work, lost in thought.

Deng Zhijue continued, "I always thought Zhou Leng had potential. Didn’t expect that in just a month, he’s had consecutive breakthroughs. Not only have the five pill categories obviously improved, but he can even achieve the especially difficult ’Qi Follows Body Movement.’

"Currently, probably only the students from Yunhua and Jinjing mostly achieve ’Qi Follows Body Movement.’ There won’t be many in the Top Ten Martial Arts."

"I was thinking, should we prepare to apply for a high-level scholarship?"

"I checked his meal records in the cafeteria on the way. From eating 9 rounds in one meal, it has increased to 15 rounds today."

"In other words, his body is still growing rapidly."

After Deng Zhijue finished reporting, Wang Boxiong was silent for a moment, then said, "After this monthly exam, regardless of his grades, have him participate in the Martial Guard Department Elite Training Camp qualification test."

Deng Zhijue said, "With his ability, he’s sure to achieve good results in the Elite Training Camp."

"No, this is just the beginning."

"What about after that?" Deng Zhijue asked curiously.

Wang Boxiong said, "The top-level training camp quota is unattainable for anyone but Yunhua Jinjing, and it’s too eye-catching, not suitable for him. I’ll find a way to get him into the sophomore training camp."

"Huh? The intensity of the sophomore training camp, won’t it exhaust him like a dog?" Deng Zhijue asked.

Wang Boxiong said, "Within half a year, have him go to a Warrant Officer Camp."

"This..." Deng Zhijue was speechless and even slightly suspected that Wang Boxiong might have a grudge against Zhou Leng.

In the Warrant Officer Camp, most are at the Body Refining Stage, and every year there’s a death toll.

Grinding a millstone is easier than being in the Warrant Officer Camp.

Wang Boxiong said, "And it’s the tiered Warrant Officer Camp, he deserves it."

What Deng Zhijue heard was, he deserves a greater grind...

Subsequently, Deng Zhijue helplessly nodded, acknowledging that the Warrant Officer Camp’s feed has always been plentiful, enough lower-grade Meat Herbal Cuisine.

If he climbs the tiers, the upper-grade Meat Herbal Cuisine is also sufficient.

Deng Zhijue asked, "In the Martial Guard Department’s Three Eagles Plan, he should be close to the Eagle Plan’s standard, right?"

"Already applying," Wang Boxiong said.

"Hall Master, you’re really considerate of the students."

Deng Zhijue thought to himself, the high-level scholarship is the limit for ordinary students.

The Three Eagles Plan is far superior to high-level scholarships.

To better cultivate outstanding talent, the Martial Guard Department initiated the famous Three Eagles Plan, divided into the levels of Young Eagle, Flying Eagle, and Divine Eagle.

Many outstanding martial arts students join the martial arts dojo specifically for the Three Eagles Plan.

In the Dragon Country, the only talent program better than the Three Eagles Plan that one can apply for before reaching the Innate stage is the "New Qing University Fund".

This famous fund is so competitive that major forces strive fiercely for it.

Xiong City, Yunhua Martial Arts Academy.

Zhang Xinglie looked at the paper before him, clearly printed with a line of text.

Application form for the Dragon Country Rising Youth Martial Arts Fund.

Even for students at Yunhua Jinjing, applying for the New Qing University Fund is extremely tough, let alone for the higher-level Two Qing, which is a hundred times more difficult.

Gaining eligibility to apply is already a blessing; as for whether one can successfully apply, there’s no need to hold out hope.

Zhang Xinglie bent over the desk, writing the application.

On the top right corner of his desk were a dozen invitation letters from various Pioneer Companies for the position of "Martial Arts Director."

In the martial arts hall of the Great Martial Arts Hall, Zhou Leng continued cultivating.

Xue Chengsong sent information on a dozen people, all candidates from Tian Wenhua, who might match up against Zhou Leng.

In the evening, Zhou Leng and a group of curious classmates jogged towards Minghe Martial Arts Hall.

Xu Qingjin followed beside Zhou Leng, her black ponytail swinging cheerfully.

A few female classmates from Class 01 occasionally glanced at Xu Qingjin’s back unconsciously.

The male classmates chuckled, chatting about the upcoming match as they ran.

On the open grounds at the entrance of the Minghe Martial Arts Hall, people stood on both sides.

The groups occasionally glanced at each other, looks unfriendly.

As the classmates and Zhou Leng approached, some were startled and slowed down.

Others curiously looked around.

Instinctively, Xu Qingjin leaned towards Zhou Leng, their arms touched, prompting her to quickly pull away.

"It’s fine, just think of it as a real battle drill," Zhou Leng said.

"Okay," Xu Qingjin responded, taking a deep breath.

"The main players are here, let’s enter," Tu Rong, dressed in leather, shouted, and people from the Five Tigers of Shuizhou entered first.

Xue Chengsong noticed a girl following Zhou Leng, smiled, and waved a greeting.

"Zhou Leng."

"Young Master Xue."

"Let’s head in too."

A large group entered Minghe Martial Arts Hall.

Only a few, like Zhou Leng, entered for free, while the rest used QR code tickets on their phones, costing ten yuan each.

The group walked to the number three small martial arts stage.

Zhou Leng glanced around; inside, there were nearly a thousand seats, with over two hundred people already seated.

In the middle of the lit area, stood the martial arts stage, more than a meter high.

The entire stage, about ten meters in diameter, was encircled by an octagonal iron cage.

Watching fights in martial arts halls was a common entertainment for people in the Martial Arts Era, more popular than watching movies or playing games.

Feng Wenhao exclaimed, "I never thought Zhou Leng would have the chance to be on a martial arts stage so early; it was my childhood dream. Zhou Leng, work hard and aim for ticket prices to rise above a thousand. Then, I’ll scalp tickets for you as a ticket tout."

"You’re really hopeless, dreaming of eating more meat but not daring," Wei Hong joked.

Xue Chengsong said, "Zhou Leng, as a competing martial artist, go to the back room to prepare. By the way..."

Xue Chengsong lowered his voice, "I’ve heard those two mid-stage Blood Transport veterans aren’t happy about you going first; they think you might lose trying to steal the limelight."

Zhou Leng nodded, following Xue Chengsong to the preparation room.

On the way, Xue Chengsong asked, "You know all the rules of this match, right?"

"I know quite a bit, but not everything."

"Then I’ll briefly explain."

"First, the rewards: nine participants, each with a basic appearance fee, like today’s five thousand."

"Then there are victory rewards; regardless of whether they fought, simply being on the victorious side, as per the betting stakes, one gets one Replenishing Essence Pill plus ten Great Nourishing Pills."

"Additionally, there’s a single match victory reward, generally ten thousand per match; this time, it’s thirty thousand per win."

"For you, there’s an added reward. Tian Wenhua mentioned you’d get an extra Replenishing Essence Pill and ten Great Nourishing Pills for each win, and five extra for three wins, totaling to fifty."

"Then there’s the strategy issue my dad and Uncle Li decided on..."

The two continued talking as they entered the preparation room.

In the spacious room, some were skipping rope, some were practicing slow movements, and others were sitting in meditation.

Xue Tongming, Li Linhan, and others, including the team doctor, were on the other side.

Xue Tongming walked up to Zhou Leng, clapped his hands, and said, "Let me introduce to everyone, this is Zhou Leng, who’s leading in today’s match, ranked 503rd on the Rucheng Freshman Chart."

Other participants greeted with smiles or nodded in acknowledgment.

Xue Tongming said, "It’s about to start. Does any participant have anything to say?"

A middle-aged man, his neck wrapped with a snake tattoo, spoke, "Zhou Leng, hello. I’m Tan Feikuo. I’m in the same match, with my Qi and blood suppressed at the early Blood Transport stage. I only wish to win. I’m puzzled as to why you’d participate in such a crucial first match."

The eyes of everyone shifted between Zhou Leng and Tan Feikuo.

Xue Tongming and Li Linhan didn’t interfere, just watching Zhou Leng silently.

Zhou Leng said, "Explain why you’re puzzled."

"Alright," Tan Feikuo said, "The match is highly dangerous; some tactic is often necessary."

"This isn’t a competition; it’s about stepping up one by one: lose and leave, win and stay for the next round until one side’s three fighters are defeated."