Chapter 24: Zhang Cheng's True Face
Chapter 24: Zhang Cheng’s True Face (Please Keep Reading)
“Dada~”
September rains poured relentlessly over Tianhai City, drenching its streets in relentless storms.
Inside the Martial Arts Classroom, a roar erupted like a lion’s thunderclap, reverberating through the hall.
“Boom!”
Zhang Cheng lunged forward, his foot snapping out to kick aside a boy’s spear.
“Look at your form—pathetic! The spear thrust should cut a straight line. Where’s your line? Even my eighty-year-old grandmother could stab steadier than you!”
“These spear techniques will carry you onto battlefields against Disaster Beasts. The slightest mistake could mean death. Your strikes must be fast, precise, and ruthless—every move perfected.”
“Practice the Fundamental Spear Manual ten more times, then the Rock Solid Spear Techniques!”
The boy flushed crimson under Zhang Cheng’s scathing critique. As a prodigy, when had he ever been berated like this? His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Zhang Cheng.
Zhang Cheng grinned widely. “Want to punch me? Go ahead!”
“Clack-clack!”
He rolled his shoulders, a ferocious aura erupting from him like a caged lion unleashed.
The boy’s rage dissolved instantly. He lowered his head and resumed drilling the Fundamental Spear Manual.
Zhang Cheng swept his gaze across the hall, bellowing like a war drum. “What are you all staring at? Train!”
The onlookers scrambled to obey, their weapons clashing obediently. Zhang Cheng stalked toward another student, launching into another tirade.
After correcting several more students, he strode through the training hall, declaring, “If you dislike my teaching style, say so. Train alone—I won’t stop you. But if you stay, endure it. Self-discipline alone won’t elevate a martial artist. You need pressure, guidance, and relentless pushing to unleash your full potential. I guarantee—stick with me a year, and you’ll thank me for today’s hatred.”
Lin Qi and Jiang Tao trained diligently nearby, absorbing Zhang Cheng’s words. Lin Qi marveled inwardly—Teacher Zhang’s methods were truly unconventional.
On day one, everyone assumed Zhang Cheng was an ordinary instructor. But by day two, his iron-fisted approach had shocked them all, revealing his unique philosophy. Undeniably effective, their martial prowess surged visibly.
“Hiss~”
As Lin Qi pondered, a sudden chill prickled his neck. He glimpsed a flash of cold steel—a spear thrusting toward him from Zhang Cheng’s single-handed grip, slicing the air with a whistle.
“Clang-clang!”
Lin Qi spun his spear into a defensive whirl, retreating as he parried. A horizontal block!
“Fast reflexes!” Zhang Cheng praised, pressing his assault. “Mastering new spear techniques has three stages: First, fluency in execution. Second, refining each move for battlefield application. Third, grasping the Three Deadly Strikes. Lin Qi, you’ve surpassed the second stage—your techniques now breathe in combat.”
“Clang!”
A thunderous force surged through Lin Qi’s arm, numbing his limbs as he staggered backward. Zhang Cheng nodded, satisfaction evident. Lately, he’d monitored Lin Qi’s meteoric progress—undeniably gifted, a rare gem.
“Good thing I intervened,” he mused. “Such talent might’ve been wasted otherwise.”
Nearby, whispers circulated.
“Why’s Teacher Zhang focusing on Lin Qi? Is he that talented?”
“Pfft—probably pitying his poverty,” Yang Lei muttered sourly.
---
Evening, Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion, Training Hall A-128
Rain’s roar faded beyond the insulated walls. Two figures in protective gear clashed fists, evenly matched.
“Thud-thud-thud!”
Their tiger-claw strikes collided repeatedly before both leapt back, panting.
Guo Heng ripped off his helmet. “Let’s stop. I’m spent. Lin Qi, your strength’s skyrocketing—I can’t keep up unless we spar seriously.”
Lin Qi removed his helmet too, sweat-drenched but composed. “Master Guo, no weapons today?”
Guo Heng slumped onto a bench, guzzling an Energy Brew. “Gulp-gulp-gulp!” The bottle emptied in seconds.
“Phew! Drop the ‘Master Guo’—call me Ah Heng. I’m too rough with weapons. Fear I’ll injure you and stall your training. Good sparring partners are rare—I’d hate to scare you all off.”
Lin Qi nodded. Though newly acquainted, their camaraderie had solidified swiftly. He understood why Guo Heng, a genius himself, befriended him and Jiang Tao—shared brilliance forged bonds.
“Wash up. I’ll show you something amazing.”
“Something amazing?” Jiang Tao perked up.
Minutes later, Guo Heng led Lin Qi and Jiang Tao through Crimson Vault’s corridors, clad in fresh uniforms.
“Beyond private training halls and recovery chambers, Crimson Vault holds one more place.”
At the corridor’s end loomed double-sized metallic doors, bustling with traffic. Inside, a colossal space unfolded—vast beyond their high school’s martial arts classroom.
Rows of silver-white, egg-shaped machines embedded in cubic frames lined the room, each flanked by a crystalline prism—each larger than standard recovery pods.
“Full-Dive Pods?!” Jiang Tao gasped.
“Correct!” Guo Heng grinned. “They simulate over 90% of human neural activity, linking us to virtual helmets with lifelike sensations. Real combat risks injury, but in virtual worlds, we fight without limits—even kill. I’ve only seen these in news reports!”
Lin Qi remained outwardly calm, though curiosity burned within. “Recent breakthroughs in virtual tech,” he noted. “Training martial arts in simulated worlds?”
“Can we play holographic games too?” Jiang Tao blurted.
Guo Heng’s smirk widened. “Of course—and let me tell you, those games are beyond imagination. But first, training.”
He waved them deeper. “Master Heng’s here!” greeted several trainees.
Guo Heng exchanged nods effortlessly, leading them to a pod. “Today, I’ll show you virtual combat arenas.”
(End of Chapter)
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