At Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, Cui Tianfeng was the teacher in charge.

He clearly knew Lv Zhenglong, and with a forced smile on his face, he said, "Not at all, Vice President Lu..."

The moment he spoke, Cui Tianfeng sensed the grip on his hand tighten. His expression shifted slightly; he thought Lv Zhenglong was trying to assert dominance.

But just as he prepared to retaliate, he vaguely sensed a threat emanating from Lv Zhenglong. Looking up suddenly, he saw a cryptic, unsettling smile on Lv Zhenglong's face.

A Grandmaster?! Cui Tianfeng's face registered slight shock.

The news of Lv Zhenglong's impending breakthrough was no secret; the King of Thunder himself was from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy!

But it had been such a short time; when had breaking through to the Grandmaster Realm become so simple?

Upon realizing Lv Zhenglong had already broken through, Cui Tianfeng quickly let his smile fade and said seriously, "It is an honor for Yanjing Martial Arts Academy to be personally greeted by Vice President Lu."

As soon as these words left his mouth, he felt the pressure on his hand lessen considerably.

"Little Cui, you're getting much better with your words," Lv Zhenglong said with a gentle smile.

Hearing this, Cui Tianfeng felt as if he had swallowed a fly. He and Lv Zhenglong were of the same generation; he was even a few years older.

This "Little Cui" was clearly intended to irk him, yet he had no choice but to accept it.

He had no options; the circumstances were beyond his control.

"We are guests; naturally, we understand courtesy," Cui Tianfeng said, his voice tinged with helplessness.

Lv Zhenglong scoffed. If he hadn't come to greet them personally, he could almost imagine the arrogant expressions this group from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy would be wearing.

The four major Martial Arts Academies always put on superior airs when dealing with ordinary academies. Even Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy, one of the top institutions outside the four major ones, was no exception.

"Little Cui, come with me. You haven't seen Old Liu in a long time, have you? Let's catch up," Lv Zhenglong said. "As for your students, aren't they here for a challenge? Let them do as they please. As long as no one is killed, the Military Martial Arts Academy will not intervene at all."

The moment he finished speaking, before Cui Tianfeng could even open his mouth, the students behind him grew eager.

"Sir, are you serious? We were actually worried about going too hard and badly injuring the students of the Military Martial Arts Academy."

"Exactly! Last time at Songjiang Martial Arts Academy, those weaklings couldn't take a beating and still couldn't afford to lose. It was pathetic."

"Hopefully, Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy isn't as pathetic as those from Songjiang."

Listening to these remarks, Cui Tianfeng's face turned green. Since Lv Zhenglong wasn't going to concern himself with these youngsters, he would be the one to bear the brunt of any fallout.

"Enough! The purpose of this challenge is friendly competition..."

"Unnecessary," Lv Zhenglong said, shaking his head with a smile. "As I said, as long as no one dies, a few broken arms or legs are no big deal."

With that, Lv Zhenglong directly pulled Cui Tianfeng away, giving him no further chance to speak.

A chill ran down Cui Tianfeng's spine; he had a strong feeling Lv Zhenglong was up to no good.

The news of Yanjing Martial Arts Academy arriving to issue a challenge caused quite a stir. Firstly, Yanjing Martial Arts Academy's insolent remarks had provoked the annoyance of Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy. Secondly, this challenge felt like an appetizer for the Federal Martial Arts Tournament.

In the latter half of the academic year, the Federal Martial Arts Tournament was a top priority for nearly all Martial Arts Academies; it was of paramount importance.

That very afternoon, the Military Martial Arts Academy announced a three-day suspension of classes, allowing their students to freely spar with the eight young talents from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy.

When Wang Zhan received this news, he was discussing moneymaking schemes with Cheng Shu.

"Little Fatty, our chance has come!" Wang Zhan said excitedly. "Is anyone setting odds this time? Same old rules: all bets on me to win. I'll go up there later and crush them all. We'll make a fortune!"

Cheng Shu nodded eagerly, like a chick pecking at grain, but then added, "Brother Zhan, we can't rush this."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"Look, Brother Zhan, with your reputation now, what if we bet a huge sum on you right away and those guys running the books decide not to open betting? After all, no one really knows just how strong you are."

Cheng Shu's small eyes gleamed with cunning. "I reckon these guys from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy won't stop until they've stirred up some serious trouble. Anyway, we have three days. Let them win for the first two, preferably by showcasing overwhelming strength! Then, when you make your move, Brother Zhan, the payout odds should be much higher."

Hearing this, Wang Zhan clapped Cheng Shu firmly on the shoulder.

"Kid, you should forget martial arts and go into business. You've got a bright future there."

"Hehe, it's nothing, really," Cheng Shu chuckled modestly.

Just as Wang Zhan and Cheng Shu were scheming to bankrupt the seniors organizing the betting, the contingent from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy had already entered the Training Ground.

At this time, many students from the Military Martial Arts Academy had already gathered, waiting to watch the unfolding spectacle.

In truth, everyone understood that very few students in the entire Military Martial Arts Academy were actually qualified to challenge those from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, but the spectacle was still something to be seen.

On the Yanjing Martial Arts Academy's side, Zheng Sikai trailed at the very end of the group, an image of utmost respect. His usual arrogance and domineering behavior in Chu State were nowhere to be seen.

At the head of the Yanjing Martial Arts Academy group was a well-built man, nearly 1.9 meters tall.

Zhong Lun, a Junior at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy and a level 7 Martial Artist.

Although his rank might not seem exceptionally high, those who entered Yanjing Martial Arts Academy and became part of its elite were, without exception, all suppressing their current realm.

It was similar to how Wang Qi had been forced to break through to level 8 previously.

These talented martial artists, unlike Wang Zhan who possessed a powerful cheat like the System, believed that for them, the longer they immersed themselves in the Martial Artist Realm, the better.

"From what I've seen on the way here, this Military Martial Arts Academy doesn't seem like much. Junior students are only level 4 or 5? That's far too weak," Zhong Lun said, shaking his head. "Where's Wang Qi? She seems to be the only decent one at Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy."

"Our senior, Wang Qi, is a Senior now. I heard she has already joined the army," said a girl wearing glasses standing beside Zhong Lun.

Dai Yanran, a level 7 Martial Artist like Zhong Lun.

The fact that she could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him suggested her strength was comparable to his.

Hearing this, Zhong Lun said with disappointment, "I wanted to spar with Wang Qi. She was in the top ten individuals last year; she could barely be considered a worthy opponent."

"After all, it's just a local Military Martial Arts Academy. Having such a student is already quite good," someone in their group commented.

No matter what they discussed, the martial artists from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy spoke with an air of disdain for the Military Martial Arts Academy.

They indeed had the qualifications to feel this way, be it Yanjing Martial Arts Academy's status as one of the Four Greats, or their own standing as elites gathered in Yanjing from various regions.

When facing ordinary martial arts academies, these individuals possessed a natural sense of superiority.

However, just then, Zheng Sikai, from the back of the line, suddenly spoke up, "Wang Qi has a younger brother named Wang Zhan. He placed top three in the Federation in last year's College Entrance Examination, rejected invitations from all four major Martial Arts Academies, and is now right here at the Military Martial Arts Academy."

This statement immediately piqued the curiosity of Zhong Lun and the others.

"Wang Zhan? I think I've heard that name... He refused the four major Martial Arts Academies? Young people these days don't know their own limitations; it's truly pathetic," Zhong Lun scoffed. "Last year's College Entrance Examination... so this Wang Zhan is just a freshman?"

"He broke through to become a level 6 Martial Artist in just six months. His strength shouldn't be underestimated," Zheng Sikai added.

His impression of Wang Zhan was still based on their encounter at the black market over a month ago.

This explanation only intensified the scorn on Zhong Lun's face.

"Rushing to break through, with no time to truly push past his Limits, he's just destined to be an ordinary martial artist, hardly worth a mention," Zhong Lun declared. "If he dares to challenge us, I'll show him just how vast the gap is between him and a true genius."

Hearing this, Zheng Sikai chuckled and nodded in agreement, but inwardly, he was sneering.

He was, in fact, the one who had proposed this official challenge visit from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy.

The ostensible purpose was to scout talent for Yanjing Martial Arts Academy for the Federal Martial Arts Tournament, but his real motive was to get revenge on Wang Zhan.

No matter how formidable Wang Zhan might be, he was still only a freshman. In contrast, the martial artists who had come from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy this time were all powerhouses from their second or third years.

Just you wait. You offended me, Zheng Sikai; did you really think you could get away unscathed? Zheng Sikai silently seethed. Starting now, I will utterly ruin your reputation! Even if the Military Martial Arts Academy protects you, I have countless ways to deal with you!

As they spoke, the group from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy arrived beside the central arena in the Training Ground.

"Zheng Sikai, you're the weakest here. You go up first," Zhong Lun said, his expression impassive. "Don't disgrace Yanjing Martial Arts Academy!"

"Yes," Zheng Sikai replied, obediently stepping onto the arena.

Zheng Sikai was a Junior at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy. The last time he was defeated by Wang Zhan, he had already possessed the strength of a level 8 Martial Artist.

Despite this, he had to meekly obey Zhong Lun.

This was because Zheng Sikai was merely an ordinary martial artist; his Limit-breaking percentage was almost negligible, so he could only enhance his strength by achieving rapid breakthroughs.

If they were to truly fight, he, a level 8 Martial Artist, would be no match for a genius like Zhong Lun.

Furthermore, among the eight from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, nearly all, apart from Zheng Sikai, were individuals whose Limit-breaking percentage exceeded 10%.

Thus, the Zheng Sikai who acted so arrogantly in Chu State City was, in reality, an insignificant figure at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy.

Zheng Sikai stepped onto the arena, his gaze sweeping over all the students from the Military Martial Arts Academy present.

"Zheng Sikai, Junior from Yanjing Martial Arts Academy! Who dares to face me?!"

Even though he ranked near the bottom at Yanjing Martial Arts Academy, Zheng Sikai was confident he could still look down on everyone at Chu State Military Martial Arts Academy.

His provocation soon riled up a student from the Military Martial Arts Academy.

From among the crowd, a figure landed lightly onto the arena.

"Zhou Yi, a Senior."

The newcomer was none other than Wang Qi's teammate, Zhou Yi.

After stepping onto the stage, Zhou Yi said disdainfully, "I'm a year ahead of you. If I can't take you down within ten strikes, I'll consider it my loss."

Before Zheng Sikai could even utter a word, Zhou Yi's figure vanished.

The next moment, Zheng Sikai felt a sharp pain in his chest as his entire body was sent flying backward, tumbling directly off the arena.

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