https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-75-Storm-and-Tempest-Four-Updates-Completed-Requesting-Moon-Tickets-/13686500/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-77-Backing-the-Dragon-Overturning-Mountains/13686502/
Chapter 76: Poor, Quarterfinals Battle
The massive blood loss suffered by Xiong Wenwu on this side had drawn the most attention. Spectators, drawn by the sight of blood spilling across the ground, were stunned to see that a student from Songyang High School had actually defeated Hongta High School’s strongest contender. Hu Yuntao rushed over immediately, dragging Xiong Wenwu off to receive treatment.
When he learned that the hemorrhaging was due to hemorrhoids, Hu Yuntao instinctively clamped his legs together.
"What now? Am I supposed to get surgery every time this happens? Just keep going back to the hospital whenever it flares up?"
Thinking about the medical costs this time alone, Hu Yuntao winced in pain. "Damn it! Why do I have external hemorrhoids?! Why can't I have internal hemorrhoids?! If I had internal hemorrhoids, my Body-Refining Technique would protect me—no need for surgery, no need to spend money!"
The competition coach patted him on the shoulder, chuckling, "You silly kid—when you realize your head’s become a weak point, what do you do?"
"Of course! Train the Iron Head Skill!" Hu Yuntao’s eyes lit up. "You mean—?"
"Exactly." The coach’s gaze turned cold, scanning both Hu Yuntao and the unconscious Xiong Wenwu on the operating table. "After returning to school, start your training—Dragon School Director is extremely displeased with your performance."
The paramedic nearby listened quietly, mentally wondering: Why not just wear a helmet if the head’s such a vital target?
...
On the other side of the emergency zone, Bai Zhenzhen’s expression darkened upon hearing the doctor’s quote. After asking several times, she suddenly said, “Just treat my scratches—no need for scar removal or cosmetic repair. I just want the fastest, simplest method. That should be covered by insurance, right?”
The doctor sighed, “Fine, fine… 98,000 via insurance. But you’ll definitely be left with scars.”
As he spoke, the doctor summoned his martial energy, hands blurring into a flurry of motion—cleansing wounds, realigning bones, stitching flesh, stopping bleeding, applying healing ointments, and finally injecting a surge of restorative martial energy into Bai Zhenzhen’s body to accelerate recovery.
Though the fee was steep, the doctor’s skill was undeniable.
Over half an hour later, Bai Zhenzhen felt her injuries had healed significantly. But scars remained—long, jagged marks across her arms, thighs, calves, and waist.
After being escorted back to the rest area, she waved her arm and grinned. “Not bad. I can probably use 80 to 90 percent of my strength now.”
As for the scars, Bai Zhenzhen didn’t care. Beauty treatments, scar removal—those were luxuries for the wealthy. Things that had nothing to do with her.
Lei Jun, watching from nearby, looked at her with a complex expression. “You still planning to keep competing?”
Bai Zhenzhen laughed. “Of course! If I beat Le Mulan next, I’ll face Yu in the finals. One of us takes first, the other second—Old Lei, you’ll look good too.”
Lei Jun sighed. “But your insurance coverage is nearly gone. I’ve seen Le Mulan’s fighting style—her sword qi is sharp, wide-ranging. Fighting her… medical bills could easily climb to over a hundred thousand, even several hundred thousand.”
Bai Zhenzhen fell silent.
Lei Jun continued, “You’ve already made it to the top four—impressive for your resume. Why risk it?”
What he didn’t say aloud was: You’re not going to get into one of the Top Ten Elite Universities anyway. Winning this martial arts competition doesn’t matter much to you.
He pressed on. “Your fighting style is already prone to injury. If you still had tens of thousands left for post-match treatment, I wouldn’t stop you. But are you really willing to take on a debt of tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands, just for this competition?”
Seeing her still silent, Lei Jun shook his head. “A-Zhen, we’re not like those rich kids. When we compete, we have to think about cost-effectiveness.”
Just then, a limping figure approached—Zhang Yu, just finished with treatment.
Seeing Zhang Yu’s battered form, Lei Jun sighed internally. Looks like he won’t be fighting again.
But Zhang Yu stretched his limbs and said, “Don’t worry, Old Lei. I was careful—I didn’t hit any vital points. Just superficial wounds.”
“Plus, I just perfected a hard-body cultivation technique yesterday. The injuries look worse than they are. Insurance only cost me 30,000.”
Lei Jun was skeptical—but after checking Zhang Yu himself, his eyes widened. “You’re kidding me… You really didn’t get hurt?”
“Go grab some food and drinks for both of you. Rest up while you can.”
Moments after Lei Jun left, Zhang Yu, still staring at his phone, turned to the silent Bai Zhenzhen beside him. “I heard what you two were talking about. You know the platform limit’s already maxed out. I can’t get more from there—only what I can borrow from my sister.”
“Still, she’s not easy either. I asked—she can only lend me 200,000. Is that enough for your next match?”
Bai Zhenzhen shook her head. “My foster mother’s funds—self-borrowed, self-repaid. You don’t need to help.”
“But Le Mulan… I’ve studied her. She’s tough. Too easy to get hurt. To beat her… I’d probably need at least 400,000 just to survive.”
She sighed. “Yu… if only we were rich.”
Zhang Yu, having lived two lives, had no answer. He’d never been born into wealth. What could he say?
...
A moment later, with all Top 8 matches concluded and contestants safely treated—life-threatening conditions stabilized—the final four were announced:
Zhang Yu, Song Hailong, Le Mulan, and Bai Zhenzhen.
The quarterfinal matchups were set:
Zhang Yu vs. Song Hailong
Le Mulan vs. Bai Zhenzhen
The winners of these two fights would face off for the championship.
And since the organizers believed the quarterfinals drew greater interest, the two matches wouldn’t be held simultaneously—they’d be staged one after the other.
After a random draw by the referees, the order was confirmed:
First match: Le Mulan vs. Bai Zhenzhen
Second match: Zhang Yu vs. Song Hailong
...
On the arena floor, Le Mulan studied Bai Zhenzhen, her gaze flicking over the ugly scars on her limbs. Her brow twitched slightly.
"Why do you keep scars on your body?"
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. "Can’t afford treatment."
Le Mulan was stunned. She knew poverty was real—but that someone couldn’t even afford to fix their scars? It felt almost horrifying.
This is what poverty looks like… terrifying.
Facing an opponent who couldn’t even afford basic medical care, Le Mulan’s fighting spirit waned instantly. A flicker of pity replaced her usual confidence.
Yes, Bai Zhenzhen had managed to exploit a flaw in Xiong Wenwu’s overwhelming assault and win. But Le Mulan wasn’t worried. She had complete faith in herself—she had no weaknesses.
She was unbeatable against any first-year.
"3… 2… 1… Begin!"
Le Mulan’s fingers danced across the air. A volley of razor-sharp sword qi shot forth—directly at Bai Zhenzhen’s position.
Her 5th-level Star Array Sword Art, capable of striking from five meters away.
The sight of sword qi spanning five meters sent a chill through Bai Zhenzhen. She instantly activated her Penetrating Body Sword Qi, blocking the incoming barrage.
But soon, she realized: Le Mulan’s technique wasn’t just about sharpness. The sword qi weren’t random—they were arranged like a formation, interconnected, attacking from every angle. No matter where she tried to move, the strikes closed in.
Each step forward only tightened the net. She felt trapped in an invisible maze, her space shrinking with every passing second—her situation growing increasingly desperate.
She tried slipping into Stealth State, but the constant blocking and ricocheting sword qi shattered her concealment almost instantly.
Le Mulan’s sword qi was too fast, too dense. Even with her speed and explosive power, she couldn’t rely solely on movement to dodge.
And waiting for Le Mulan to exhaust her martial energy? Bai Zhenzhen watched her opponent’s energy flow—powerful, endless, showing no signs of weakening. To outlast her, Bai Zhenzhen would exhaust her own energy first.
She sighed inwardly: Using stealth in the arena is too risky. It only works as a surprise in the first match. After that, opponents are ready.
Watching Bai Zhenzhen struggle, Le Mulan remained unimpressed.
"My Star Array Sword Art forms its own formation—precise, orderly, flawlessly executed. No openings."
"Unless someone with a superior Body-Protection Technique breaks through head-on, no peer-level fighter can come close."
To Le Mulan, Bai Zhenzhen wasn’t even close to being on the same level.
There are weaknesses, Bai Zhenzhen thought. But my stats aren’t strong enough. If I charge in, I might win—but I’ll be severely injured.
That one strike could cost me 300,000… maybe 400,000.
Was it worth risking hundreds of thousands for a win?
She hesitated.
She had the courage to pierce through Xiong Wenwu’s storm-like assault, to strike his body’s flaw. But now, facing a gamble that could cost her life and debt—she faltered.
And that hesitation was the end.
Her resolve had vanished.
…Ah.
A few seconds later, as sword qi closed in from all sides, Bai Zhenzhen raised her hand—surrendering.
As she stepped down from the arena, a flicker of relief crossed her eyes.
Still not strong enough. Too poor.
Never mind. I’ll tell Yu about her flaw. Let the big guy handle her. He won’t have to spend nearly as much.
With Le Mulan’s victory confirmed, the quarterfinals moved to the second match—Zhang Yu vs. Song Hailong.
(End of Chapter)
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