Chapter 69: Group Formation

Chapter 69: Group Formation

For this Martial Arts Competition, each school could send a maximum of ten participants.

When Zhang Yu arrived at the venue, he noticed there were only about forty competitors in total, thirty of whom belonged to the three elite high schools. The remaining dozen or so contestants came from other ordinary and key high schools.

These other students likely lacked information about the competition's intensity, perhaps naively hoping to gain experience or test their luck. But as the top schools' powerhouses successively demonstrated their strength, the underdogs gradually lost heart and began withdrawing from the tournament.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, however, stood their ground.

Recalling the rules, Zhang Yu knew competitors would be ranked into tiers based on scores. Then, through random draw, fighters from the same tier would be distributed into eight different groups for elimination rounds. This system ensured each group contained a mix of high and low-tier competitors, preventing multiple strong fighters from eliminating each other early.

Zhang Yu mused, "To avoid being grouped with the strongest, I need to score as high as possible. That way, I can dodge tough opponents in the group stage and secure an eight-man final."

Watching the Yellow Turban Enforcers on stage, Zhang Yu began formulating his strategy.

Soon, it was finally Zhang Yu's turn to compete.

...

In the audience stands, Zhao Tianxing, Qian Shen, and He Dayou sat together. While Qian Shen watched the ring intently, He Dayou wore his usual scowl. Zhao Tianxing, meanwhile, felt self-conscious, convinced students from the three elite schools were staring at him. He couldn't help feeling awkward wearing Songyang High's uniform inside Bailong High's prestigious hall, as though its plain blue fabric drew scornful glances from the crowd.

Truthfully, Zhao Tianxing was overthinking. Most elite students barely noticed him - to them, Songyang High students were just background noise. Who cared about cultivation skills from a second-tier school?

But then a Bailong High student approached, smirking at He Dayou. "Dayou, you actually came to watch my match?"

He Dayou sighed behind his sunglasses and mask. "Just checking how this year's elite schools stack up."

The Bailong student chuckled. "So Songyang High decided to compete? Think they can avoid getting crushed?"

Though aware of Songyang's disadvantages, He Dayou bristled at the jab. As a board trustee's son, he hated hearing his school mocked. Still, he couldn't deny the gap between Songyang and Bailong.

Once classmates, he and Chu Qiuhe had drifted apart after attending different high schools. Now, standing beside Bailong's star, He Dayou felt that familiar inferiority.

Chu Qiuhe barely acknowledged Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing, his gaze returning to He Dayou. "Who knows? The guy placed fourth in the Magic Aptitude Competition, so maybe he's here to try his luck again."

Hearing "fourth place", Chu Qiuhe faltered mid-sneer. "But martial arts requires real combat strength. The gap between schools like ours and Songyang is huge."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu stepped onto the ring. Expecting an easy victory for the elite school, the crowd gasped when Zhang Yu slammed the Yellow Turban Enforcer out of bounds with a single move.

"300 points for Zhang Yu!"

The score stunned everyone. Even Chu Qiuhe gawked. "300? You're telling me Songyang can produce students like this?"

He Dayou allowed himself a rare smirk. "We've got some strong ones this year."

Qian Shen added, "He scored 653 in the aptitude test. He's special."

Zhao Tianxing straightened his posture, suddenly feeling less ashamed of his Songyang uniform.

...

Back at Bailong's coaching area, Chu Qiuhe watched slow-motion replays with their instructor.

"The moment Zhang Yu positioned himself at the ring's edge", the coach explained, "he baited the Enforcer to attack toward the boundary."

"As the Enforcer struck, Zhang Yu intercepted the blow instantly, using Infinite Cloud Hands to redirect the force and throw his opponent precisely out of bounds. Every movement was calculated."

Song Hailong scoffed. "Thought he'd be another dark horse like the aptitude test, but he relies on tricks? Boring."

The coach wisely kept his opinion to himself - Song Hailong's status as both top-ranked student and heir to a corporate empire made criticism unwise.

"Still", he warned the team, "don't underestimate him. Either his reflexes and martial arts understanding are exceptional, or he studied the Enforcer's patterns thoroughly. If you face him, stay alert."

The students nodded solemnly.

...

At Ziyun High's preparation area, Lian Tianji chuckled. "Zhang Yu's impressive as always."

Le Muran glanced at the screen. "Pity he can't even afford a basic Spirit Core rental. Such a poor student taking bankruptcy risks to compete? I'll never understand."

Turning to Lian Tianji, they asked, "You're poorer than him - can you relate?"

Lian Tianji forced a smile, mentally repeating, First place is just blunt-spoken, not intentionally rude.

...

As Zhang Yu exited, Bai Zhenzhen took the stage. Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing watched eagerly until they saw her struggling against the Yellow Turban Enforcer, barely tagging the opponent's sensor pads while dodging relentless attacks.

"Bai Zhenzhen's having trouble?" He Dayou felt unexpected bitterness watching her struggle, memories of his own defeat resurfacing.

"Bai Zhenzhen's fighting style doesn't suit these Enforcers", Qian Shen observed.

Zhao Tianxing worried, "If she scores low, she'll face top-tier opponents in her group. She might get eliminated early."

...

The crowd lost interest as Bai Zhenzhen's match dragged on. Song Hailong yawned, while Lian Tianji muttered, "The girl with Zhang Yu at the aptitude test? Why compete if she's this weak? Is she his slave or something?"

Lei Jun, who'd tutored Bai Zhenzhen for weeks, suspected differently. Zhang Yu also realized her strategy - against the Enforcer's unyielding defense, her weakness in brute-force combat was intentional.

"Understanding my group strategy", Zhang Yu thought, "she's hiding her strength to surprise opponents later."

Finally, Bai Zhenzhen scored 89.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end