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Chapter 53: You Can't Win
Chapter 53: You Can't Win (Please Keep Reading)
7:30 PM, the evening breeze cool and gentle.
At Tianhai No.2 High School, everyone was in their classrooms for evening study.
Inside the Virtual Chamber, the ten students of the Elite Class and martial arts instructor Zhang Cheng had assembled.
Ten Neural Pods, plus a newly installed eleventh, stood quietly in a row.
A massive screen projected in the center displayed an empty white arena - a compact coliseum in appearance.
Amidst the murmurs of the group, Zhang Cheng crossed his arms and swept his gaze over Li Zhou, Lin Qi, and the other nine students before speaking.
"The exchange match is about to begin", he said. "After logging into Scarlet Realm, access the Tianhai Official Website and locate the Martial Arts Exchange Match link."
With that, he stepped into the newly installed Neural Pod.
The other ten students followed suit, each entering their assigned Neural Pod, Lin Qi included.
Logging into Scarlet Realm, Lin Qi navigated through his personal space's Status Panel to find the link for the Tianhai Martial Arts Exchange Match.
"Whoosh!"
In the next instant, his surroundings shifted. A teleportation force extracted him from the real world and transported him elsewhere.
When his vision cleared, he found himself seated in the spectator area, with Jiang Tao occupying the seat beside him.
Before them stood a circular arena in the style of ancient Rome.
"This is the exchange match venue?" Jiang Tao asked, his voice tinged with surprise as he looked around. "Didn't expect multiplayer capability."
"Pine and Cypress Middle School has arrived!" Zhu Yuqi announced, pointing ahead.
Everyone turned to see eleven figures materializing on the opposing spectator seats.
Seven boys and three girls, plus a male teacher.
The males ranged from tall and muscular to sharp-featured and intense. The girls were either statuesque and striking or lively and energetic. They regarded the Tianhai group with arrogant expressions.
No words were exchanged between the two groups, but tension filled the air as they warily observed each other.
"Huh?"
Lin Qi's attention suddenly locked onto a familiar figure - Blitz Sword!
An expert swordsman he'd encountered in Scarlet Realm the previous day, leaving a strong impression with his blinding sword techniques.
Lin Qi hadn't expected this Blitz Sword to be a student from Pine and Cypress Middle School, let alone participate in this exchange match.
"Could Pine and Cypress Middle School all be this strong?" Lin Qi found himself questioning their overall combat capability.
Zhang Cheng stepped onto the arena to greet the opposing school's instructor.
Their opponent's leader was a middle-aged man with a hooked nose, compact physique, and a sinister aura - his presence equally imposing.
"Hello!"
They shook hands warmly, introducing themselves.
"Tianhai No.2 High School, Zhang Cheng."
"Pine and Cypress Middle School, Cao Bin."
"Hope this exchange match fosters friendship above competition, and everyone gains valuable experience."
"Of course!"
Their faces beaming with smiles, the atmosphere seemed warm and pleasant.
But as soon as Cao Bin returned to his seats, his expression darkened. With a cold sneer, he declared:
"Tianhai No.2 High School will learn what Pine and Cypress strength truly means. They won't forget this match for a month."
"What status do they think they have to challenge Pine and Cypress in martial arts?"
"Understood, Teacher Cao!" several responded with cruel smiles.
On the other side,
Zhang Cheng's smile vanished the moment he returned, his expression shifting like a Sichuan opera mask. He grinned fiercely:
"You all represent No.2 High School today, represent all of Tianhai City."
"No matter what, we must win."
"Rest assured, Teacher Zhang. I'll shock them completely", Jiang Tao said confidently, rolling up his sleeves.
"Exactly. Maybe we'll win six matches straight and the rest won't even need to fight", someone declared boldly.
Zhang Cheng nodded, not wanting to dampen their spirits. He turned his gaze to the arena, his heart filled with concerns.
After all, Pine and Cypress Middle School was the second-tier school in Egret City. Frankly speaking, their overall strength surpassed that of No.2 High School.
Whether they could win remained uncertain. It all depended on the students' performances now.
【Martial Arts Exchange Match Rules】
【Students from both schools will compete according to the list. The school with the most victories wins!】
【First match competitors, please step forward!】
A robotic female voice echoed through the air. Lin Qi narrowed his eyes, preparing to enter the arena.
According to the rules, competitors would fight in order from weakest to strongest. As number ten on their list, Lin Qi would be the first to fight.
"Brother Qi, do you think you can win?" Jiang Tao asked seriously.
"I can", Lin Qi replied with a nod.
Jiang Tao's face brightened: "Knew it!"
In the next instant, Lin Qi vanished from his seat and reappeared in the arena.
【Lin Qi, you have thirty seconds to prepare. Please select your weapon!】
Without hesitation, Lin Qi chose his familiar Black Long Spear from the Status Panel.
Meanwhile at the Pine and Cypress Middle School area,
"Fan Yong, crush him in the first match and show them Pine and Cypress strength!" someone urged.
Fan Yong, with his square jaw and somewhat honest-looking appearance, grinned excitedly as he pounded his chest. "Leave it to me!"
He too was transported to the arena.
"Wait!"
Liang Kai looked like he wanted to say something, but Fan Yong had already entered the arena. With a sigh, he fixed a serious gaze on Lin Qi.
"He looks so familiar!"
Black combat suit, black long spear, even his physique and demeanor matched. The only difference was the absence of a black mask.
This opponent was practically the spitting image of the one who had defeated him yesterday.
"If that's truly him, then Brother Yong might be in trouble."
"But Fan Yong's Blade Techniques have advanced to the Second Stage. He should win, right?"
Nearby, Cao Lin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Fan Yong's combat ability is formidable. If not for his low Vital Energy stat and poor academic performance, he wouldn't be stuck at tenth place."
"A Second Stage Blade Techniques user like him will surely secure our first victory and crush the enemy's morale."
Inside the arena,
Fan Yong, clad in black and crimson combat attire, swung his broad blade. His weapon was long and wide - a horsehead saber. Standing nearly two meters tall with broad shoulders and thick arms, he radiated an aura of solid strength.
A smile spread across Fan Yong's innocent-looking face:
"Tianhai No.2, witness my Blade Techniques!"
Lin Qi responded calmly: "A mere jester."
"You're asking for it!" Fan Yong's expression darkened.
【Preparation begins!】
【3, 2, 1...】
【First match officially begins!】
"Boom!"
Fan Yong charged forward, his heavy steps shaking the ground as he lunged. His saber sliced through the air with the momentum of a mountain collapsing.
At the same time, Lin Qi also sprang into action, his figure darting forward.
He gripped his spear with one hand while charging, then both hands grasped the shaft firmly as he neared his opponent. The spear tip trembled as he poured his strength into a powerful strike.
Lin Qi had launched the first attack.
Fan Yong smiled slightly, swinging his saber. His movements were steady and slow, as if mountains were rising from the earth.
He lifted his saber in a smooth upward arc, creating a perfect defensive circle.
Immovable Stone Defense!
"Clang! Clang!"
Lin Qi's incredible arm strength drove a dozen spear thrusts, all blocked by Fan Yong's saber defense.
"You won't break through my defense!" Fan Yong declared, his blade dancing like an unshakable stone.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
With powerful and wide-sweeping motions, Fan Yong's saber generated gusts of wind as if carrying thousands of jin of force.
The collision between spear and saber created powerful shockwaves.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Lin Qi launched several attacks, all deflected. The counterforce left his arms numb.
Seeing this, Fan Yong's face split into a self-satisfied grin.
"I told you! You can't penetrate my defense!"
On the spectator seats, Jiang Tao's expression turned grave.
"Trouble for Brother Qi", he muttered.
"Fan Yong's strength is formidable. His Blade Techniques have already reached the Second Stage. Brother Qi can't break through his defense."
Having trained in Colossus Blade himself, Jiang Tao understood this martial art perfectly.
He could clearly see Fan Yong's strength was formidable - even he wouldn't confidently claim victory against such an opponent.
"Lin Qi might lose this first match", Yu Jing opined.
"Don't rush to conclusions so quickly. You understand everything now?" Li Zhou retorted.
Yu Jing's face darkened, but before he could respond, Zhang Cheng interrupted:
"Don't all jump to conclusions. Battles change rapidly. Never make assumptions before the final moment."
"This applies equally to actual warfare."
Zhang Cheng's voice was firm as he spoke.
The others nodded and turned their attention back to the match.
Zhang Cheng furrowed his brow. Though he had confidence in Lin Qi, he couldn't guarantee victory.
Only time would tell how this match would unfold.
(End of Chapter)
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