38: A joke-like fight

Chu Yuan didn't know what to say, but he could roughly understand Jiang Fei's mood, so he perfunctorily brushed him off with a few sentences and hung up the communication.

It did, however, confirm the old man's stance as a Martial Artist outside the system, making it unlikely he would do anything untoward.

This put Chu Yuan's mind at ease quite a bit; at the very least, he no longer had to worry about going out to participate in a Secret Realm trial, only to return and find his sister gone...

...

At Chenyang No. 1 Middle School, the third-year students were not Cultivating in their classrooms but had been notified to gather on the playground...

It is worth mentioning that the teaching building where the third-year students were previously located had been smashed to pieces by Ma Hui with a single slap, but it had been rebuilt by the next day, and even the Energy Gathering Array had been set up.

Aside from the potential for excessive formaldehyde levels, there were no other issues...

Beyond their formidable combat power, Martial Artists could actually be called nuclear-powered workhorses in any field.

For example, when it came to building houses, they were both good and fast!

They even saved on cranes and such...

They would twist steel bars directly by hand;

If the cement didn't dry, they would just use energy to force it to dry!

Of course, the average person couldn't afford to hire Martial Artists as construction workers...

The atmosphere on the playground was not very lively; most people were quite gloomy.

In the Blood Sucking Array, aside from Class 2, where Chu Yuan was, and the adjacent Class 1, other classes had all suffered casualties to varying degrees.

Former classmates and friends had perished in the sudden danger;

some had even nearly died themselves... This kind of psychological trauma was still too great for third-year students, and a mere two days were simply not enough for them to move on.

Qi Da was clearly well aware of this. He walked onto the high platform and didn't waste any words, saying in a deep voice:

"I am announcing one thing!

The Zhenwu Bureau and the Ministry of Education have jointly organized a Secret Realm trial operation with generous rewards. The trial is for all third-year students in Great Qin.

Our school has three spots. After discussion, the school has decided to award these three spots to:

Class 1: Li Hong, Class 2: Chu Yuan, Yang Yi."

As Qi Da's voice fell, there was a small commotion in the crowd.

Chu Yuan heard someone say:

"If it was already decided, why did they make us come? To watch them show off?"

"No, I know Chu Yuan and Yang Yi, but who is this Li Hong?"

"It's rigged..."

"Who told us to have no background."

"Forget it, buddy. With your talent, you're still thinking about this level of trial?

You'd better think about whether it's better to be a security guard or deliver takeout after the College Entrance Examination; that's more pragmatic..."

"Get lost, you #￥@#￥..."

"..."

Qi Da did not give the students below much opportunity to discuss, and spoke again: "Of course, adhering to the principles of fairness and justice;

everyone has one chance to challenge the three of them.

If you are stronger, you can take their spots."

The field fell silent again.

"If it were really fair and just, why not draw lots..."

"Yeah, we haven't even learned any Martial Skills;

Yang Yi's father is a powerful Martial Artist, and Chu Yuan has also received resource support from the school... How could it be fair."

"Funny... Is it fair only if all the resources are given to you?

I also have resources provided by the school, so what, you don't? Could it be because your talent is too poor?"

"... When did I say that?"

"Isn't that what you meant? And draw lots... What would be the point of drawing you to go up there? To embarrass Chenyang No. 1 Middle School when you get there?

Or to add an entry to your resume for when you become a security guard later?"

"... If you suck up to them so much, will they reward you with a bone to eat?"

"What? Do you want to eat one too?"

"I'll eat your &*&* %..."

"Fine, don't leave after school!"

"..."

Although there was discussion below the stage, most people still looked unconcerned; after all, they knew their own talent, and it wasn't considered outstanding even within their own classes... Even if such spots could be contested, it certainly wouldn't be their turn.

However, there were still some who were tempted—specifically those students with decent martial talent.

Someone shouted: "Principal, when does the challenge start?"

"Now, right here." Qi Da pointed to an open space: "Li Hong, Chu Yuan, Yang Yi, you three go over there."

The three of them walked out from their respective class queues. Chu Yuan felt a bit strange;

was this... a school-wide competition?

But it was a bit too crude, like a joke; most of the students hadn't even entered the Qi and Blood Realm, and a real fight might not be as exciting as a street brawl between hoodlums.

However, considering that Qi Da had only set this up to appease the students' emotions... he felt relieved.

He turned his head to look at the student named Li Hong. The other party felt his gaze and turned to smile at him.

He looked handsome and sunny, with a lean and agile build.

There was an inexplicable aura about him—gentle, confident... giving people a feeling that he was easy to get along with and worth befriending.

Chu Yuan didn't look much longer and then withdrew his gaze;

"Um... Chu Yuan, you are not allowed to use weapons." Huang Bo reminded him.

Chu Yuan didn't mind; he casually tossed the wind slasher out, plunging it into the ground with its scabbard, and stood there waiting for someone to challenge him.

"I want to challenge Li Hong!" A girl shouted, stepping out from the crowd.

Everyone's eyes were instantly fixed on this brave soul who dared to be the first to take the plunge.

Being watched by so many people, she seemed a bit embarrassed, but she still walked over with her head down and stood several meters away from Li Hong.

Li Hong said in a gentle tone: "Are you ready?"

"R... ready..."

"... Forget it, you make the first move."

The girl forcibly steadied her emotions, then moved her feet and charged at Li Hong like a little heifer!

Chu Yuan was a bit surprised; had this girl already entered the Qi and Blood Realm?

Her talent was already very good...

Then there was no 'then'. The next moment, Li Hong's hand was already gripping her neck...

Huang Bo, who was guest-refereeing on the side, hurriedly said: "Alright, Li Hong wins."

Li Hong let go and nodded to the girl: "Sorry..."

"No, no, thank you..."

To Chu Yuan's surprise, challengers for Li Hong came one after another;

but not a single person challenged him, and not even Yang Yi was challenged!

But in reality, Yang Yi was not as strong as Li Hong!

The moment Li Hong made his move, Chu Yuan already knew his Realm; he had actually already reached the Inner Breath Realm!

While Yang Yi... had only just reached the Leakless Realm...

The challenge session did not last too long, as Li Hong was very efficient;

mainly, not everyone wanted to come up to challenge, with at most four or five from each class...

Soon, the other students were led back to their classes by their teachers.

Yang Yi came over and said with some regret: "You say, why didn't anyone come to challenge me?"

"Maybe it's because your father is Yang Tianlei."

"... Then why didn't anyone challenge you either?"

Chu Yuan recalled the scene where he kicked and broke Zhou Zhe's lower leg and said firmly: "That's because everyone respects me."

"Hello everyone, I am Li Hong."