https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-16-The-Independent-Martial-Arts-Room/12972663/
Chapter 17: A Wager Protected by Law
Chapter 17: A Wager Protected by Law
"It wasn't me." Wan Xiao waved his hand dismissively.
The soundproofing in the martial arts room was excellent, but with the door wide open and Li Yuan's keen hearing, he naturally overheard the conversation.
He turned to look.
A boy with a black martial arts uniform, a well-proportioned figure, and a buzz cut took a few quick steps and arrived at the entrance of Room 4011.
The boy was half a head shorter than Wan Xiao and about the same height as Li Yuan, with a rather delicate appearance.
"Wan Xiao, how did you manage to open the window...Hey! How did this martial arts room become occupied?" The boy was about to speak when he noticed the green indicator on the door.
There were three indicators at the entrance of each martial arts room, displaying different states: Occupied, Unoccupied, and Invaded.
The green indicator represented a room being normally occupied by its owner.
"Room 4011 isn't unoccupied...Who are you? How do you have access to Room 4011?" The boy finally noticed Li Yuan inside the martial arts room and looked puzzled.
The boy wasn't stupid.
He initially thought Wan Xiao had opened the window to enter the room.
But from Wan Xiao's words and the green indicator at the door, he instantly deduced that Li Yuan was the owner of the martial arts room.
"Wan Xiao, aren't you going to introduce him?" Li Yuan smiled.
He could tell the boy had no ill intentions; he was just straightforward and didn't seem to have any hidden motives.
"This is Gu Qianghan from Senior Three (1) Class," Wan Xiao introduced the boy with a smile, "nicknamed 'Not Tough.'"
The first class of each grade was the elite class.
"Wan Xiao, let me say this again. Call me Gu Qiang, or I'll get really upset if you call me by my full name next time." The boy's face showed displeasure.
Wan Xiao laughed and ignored him, then pointed to Li Yuan, "Gu Qiang, after Teacher Xu's class the other day, weren't you talking about Li Yuan non-stop? Well, this is Li Yuan."
The boy, who had been looking unhappy, suddenly lit up, staring at Li Yuan, "You're the Li Yuan that Teacher Xu mentioned, the one with exceptional gun skills?"
"Hmm, exceptional gun skills?" Li Yuan smiled, "My gun skills aren't that exceptional, but if Teacher Xu was talking about Li Yuan from Senior Three (2) Class, then it should be me."
Li Yuan already knew who the boy was.
When checking the second semester finals rankings, he had naturally paid attention to the previous year's top students.
Gu Qianghan was the third-ranked student in the second semester finals based on martial arts scores.
However, his appearance was somewhat unexpected, with a delicate look that didn't quite match his name.
"If Teacher Xu says you're exceptional, then you must be good." Gu Qianghan's eyes lit up, "I checked, and in last semester's finals, your martial arts proficiency score was the highest in the entire grade."
"Hmm," Li Yuan looked at the boy with interest.
"I want to challenge you." Gu Qianghan stared at Li Yuan, his face filled with excitement.
"Li Yuan, don't underestimate him."
"This kid is very cunning. When I first joined the elite class, I was deceived by his appearance." Wan Xiao quickly spoke up.
"What do you mean I deceived you? I didn't ambush you; I openly challenged you." Gu Qianghan scowled, "You look like a bear, yet you couldn't even block ten of my punches. How can you still talk about it?"
Wan Xiao was taken aback.
He was speechless.
When he first joined the elite class, he encountered Gu Qianghan's challenge. Seeing his gentle and handsome appearance, he thought it would be an easy win, but...he lost badly.
"Ten punches?" Li Yuan nodded slightly, not surprised.
Based on the second semester finals results, Gu Qianghan's raw score was even higher than his, so it was normal for him to defeat Wan Xiao.
"Well?" Gu Qianghan stared at Li Yuan, "Let's have a full-armor combat. I want to test your gun skills."
Gu Qianghan's eyes gleamed with battle intent.
Li Yuan smiled.
From their previous conversation, Li Yuan had guessed the reason for the boy's challenge.
It was likely that Teacher Xu had used Li Yuan as an example in class, saying some unflattering things.
For instance: "You still call yourselves the elite class? In my opinion, not a single one of you can match Li Yuan from Senior Three (2) Class."
"Even Li Yuan, who hasn't awakened his martial spirit, can knock all of you down with his gun skills."
Using other students as examples to belittle those in their own class was a common tactic among teachers.
Similarly, it indirectly created a lot of resentment towards Li Yuan.
"Li Yuan, if you're a martial artist, accept my challenge." Gu Qianghan looked at Li Yuan.
Li Yuan gave Wan Xiao a strange look, as if he hadn't heard such a juvenile term in a long time.
Wan Xiao spread his hands, indicating that Gu Qianghan had always been like this.
"I don't accept." Li Yuan shook his head.
Gu Qianghan glared, "Li Yuan, do you have the spirit of a martial artist?"
"Since I'm not even a martial artist, of course I don't have the spirit of one." Li Yuan rolled his eyes at Gu Qianghan.
"Alright, this is my martial arts room, and I'm going to start my cultivation."
In truth, Li Yuan didn't refuse the challenge out of fear.
It was meaningless and carried risks.
After sparring with Teacher Xu Bo, Li Yuan was well aware of the teacher's superior strength, which allowed him to control the entire sparring session and deliberate act to ensure no one would get injured.
However, when two students of similar strength sparred with cold weapons, it was impossible to control their own strength.
Even when wearing full armor and using unsharpened cold weapons, there was still a high risk of severe injury or even death.
Such incidents were not uncommon.
Li Yuan was not willing to take risks for something that offered no benefits.
"You..." Gu Qianghan was about to speak.
"Gu Qianghan, who gave you the guts to find someone for a private duel?" A low shout suddenly came from outside the door.
Gu Qianghan's face stiffened, not because the other party called out his full name, but his eyes flickered with a hint of fear.
"Sis—" Gu Qianghan suddenly turned around, placing his hand on Li Yuan's shoulder, his face now filled with a smile: "I was just joking with Li Yuan. Right, Li Yuan?"
Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, caught off guard.
Wan Xiao shrugged, indicating that this was nothing unusual.
Gu Qianghan vigorously shook Li Yuan's shoulder, frantically signaling to him.
But Li Yuan stood firm like a rock, unmoving, his gaze now fixed on the figure at the door.
A girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, wore a tight-fitting practice outfit in a crimson shade. Her face was exquisite yet exuded a sense of strength; her bright eyes and white teeth, and the determination and firmness in her brows, gave off a sharp and resolute aura.
Her black hair, cascading like a waterfall, was neatly pinned up at the back of her head, giving her an extra air of competence.
However, the most eye-catching feature was the fiery longsword hanging at her waist.
"Hello, Li Yuan. I'm Lin Lan Yue from Class 1 of Senior High," the girl also looked at Li Yuan and spoke up: "I'm here on behalf of my brother to apologize. He's used to his impulsive behavior, and I hope you won't take it to heart."
"It's fine," Li Yuan waved his hand and smiled.
The girl nodded, her eyes becoming sharp as they returned to Gu Qianghan, making him feel a tingling sensation on his scalp.
"Sis!" Gu Qianghan instinctively removed his hand from Li Yuan's shoulder.
"If I ever find out you're looking for private duels again, you'll be calling me mom and it still won't help," the girl said coldly.
Gu Qianghan awkwardly rubbed his head, not daring to speak.
Since childhood, Gu Qianghan had an innate fear of his half-year-older cousin, Lin Lan Yue.
"It's no big deal."
"Don't blame him. We're also fine," Li Yuan smiled.
Li Yuan recognized the person before him at a glance.
He had spoken at the school's assembly more than once.
Since the start of school, he had consistently been on the honor roll.
The top Martial Dao student in the senior high's third year, and the universally acknowledged Martial Dao genius with the highest chance of entering the Starry Sky University—Lin Lan Yue.
"As long as you don't blame him, it's fine."
The girl nodded, her eyes still fixed on Li Yuan: "Li Yuan, my brother was wrong to challenge you to a private duel, but Teacher Xu said that your Martial Dao skills are better than everyone in our class, not just my brother."
"In fact, I also don't agree," Li Yuan said.
Wan Xiao was also taken aback.
Gu Qianghan's eyes lit up, his face full of excitement, as he was too familiar with his cousin's personality.
She appeared kind on the surface, but deep down, she was firm and unyielding.
"I also want to ask you something. I want to see just how skilled the person Teacher Xu described as having gun skills close to unification is. But it won't be a real fight," the girl stared at Li Yuan: "How about a match on the Starry Sky Combat Network?"
The Starry Sky Combat Network was a virtual combat platform where no one would get injured.
"What's in it for me?" Li Yuan shrugged and smiled: "I never do things without benefits."
"Benefits?" Lin Lan Yue frowned.
"How about this: we'll make a bet," Li Yuan smiled: "If you win, I'll publicly acknowledge you as the top Martial Dao student in the entire grade."
"If I win, you'll lose two thousand Blue Star Coins to me. How about it?" Li Yuan smiled.
"What kind of bet is this?" Gu Qianghan glared: "You're thinking of a sure win, aren't you?"
"It's up to you."
Li Yuan smiled: "If you don't agree, please leave. Don't waste my cultivation time."
"Alright, I agree," Lin Lan Yue looked at Li Yuan.
"Sis!" Gu Qianghan exclaimed.
"Shut up," Lin Lan Yue frowned.
"Then how about 2 PM on Saturday? Is that okay?" Li Yuan smiled: "Let's add each other as friends first, and then I'll send you my account name."
"Okay."
Soon, the two became virtual network friends.
"Gu Qiang, let's go," Lin Lan Yue turned and left, with Gu Qianghan reluctantly following.
Only Li Yuan and Wan Xiao remained.
"Li Yuan, you're at a loss here," Wan Xiao couldn't help but say: "You don't know, Lin Lan Yue comes from a wealthy family. I estimate that even if you bet five thousand or even ten thousand Blue Star Coins, she would still agree."
Li Yuan shook his head: "Foolish."
"According to Xia Guo's laws, bets on the Starry Sky Combat Network cannot exceed two thousand Blue Star Coins for minors."
"Bets exceeding two thousand Blue Star Coins on the Starry Sky Combat Network are not protected by the law."
(End of Chapter)
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