Gazing upon Zhang Yu’s formidable physical prowess, registering at a level of 3.21, He Dayou stood dumbfounded, his face a mask of disbelief.

He found it impossible to accept that, despite his own immense investment and relentless training, he had been left so far behind by Zhang Yu.

His heart churned like a tempest, roaring with disbelief. “How can this be? How is this even possible?”

“What methods has Zhang Yu employed? How has his physical strength improved so drastically in just a month, far surpassing my own?”

“Could he have resorted to some novel medication or cutting-edge technology? But where would he acquire the funds for such things?”

Blue Ridge, standing nearby, also wore a grave expression, pondering inwardly, “Could Zhang Pianpian be assisting Zhang Yu from the shadows? What sorcery has this woman employed to achieve such astonishing advancement? Could she have tapped into the mystical arts of White Dragon High School?”

Wang Hai, equally intrigued by Zhang Yu’s quantum leap in strength, wondered, “Which pharmaceutical company? Which research institution developed this new technology? Are they attempting to leverage Zhang Yu to promote their new product?”

He scrutinized Zhang Yu, noticing the absence of needle pricks near his temples and the usual telltale marks of training on his arms.

Normally, a high school student like this wouldn’t appear to be a seasoned body cultivator.

Wang Hai mused internally, “Those needle marks must be concealed in places beyond my observation. Is it the Heavenly Demon Needle Technique? Or the Blood Corpse Needle Technique? What secrets lie behind this?”

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, feeling uncomfortable under Wang Hai’s intense scrutiny, muttered under his breath, “Old Wang is surely suspecting me of using performance enhancers again.”

“I’ve emphasized countless times that my physique is the result of natural cultivation. Demonic beast meat powder? Which body cultivator doesn’t partake in that? Animal protein milk has practically no side effects. And the Primordial Chaos Pill can hardly be classified as illegal doping.”

“I am one with the heavens and earth, cultivating purely through natural methods.”

Zhang Yu turned his gaze towards the towering Blue Ridge, considering him to be the true product of advanced immortal cultivation techniques, a human elixir.

Zhang Yu inquired, “Now that we’ve joined the competition team, are there any further obstacles?”

Blue Ridge’s eyelids flickered slightly as he responded in a sardonic tone, “According to the agreement, it is, of course, permissible…”

At the same time, in stark contrast to the others’ shock, suspicion, and curiosity, Ye Haitao, formerly ranked fifth, was consumed by despair.

With the addition of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, her ranking had plummeted to seventh, effectively eliminating her from participating in the sports competition.

Recalling the vast sums her family had invested to secure her place on the competition team and participate in the special cultivation program, the heavy debts they had incurred… Now, to be denied the chance of competition, Ye Haitao felt a dizzying sensation, as if the world were collapsing around her.

Her legs gave way beneath her, and she collapsed to the ground, her limbs twitching uncontrollably.

Wang Hai’s eyes sharpened at the sight. “Her Dao Heart is faltering! Quickly, fetch the Dao Heart Buffer and administer it to her!”

On the other side, Li Yong, who had fallen from fourth to sixth place, found the result even more unbearable, especially since his physical strength was only 0.02 levels below Bai Zhenzhen’s.

“My parents have already endured so much, just to provide me with a high school education, to earn the money for me to compete, to allow me to participate in the special cultivation program…”

To earn money, Li Yong’s father had joined a gang, risking his life smuggling children’s flying swords, constantly facing the threat of execution. His mother had joined the Food Gang, counterfeiting prepared meals in underground factories, repeatedly facing gang warfare and corporate crackdowns, and now, with the rise of synthetic food, she faced the threat of being laid off and expelled from the gang.

This was Li Yong’s family: while their income was higher than that of white-collar workers in the city, they lived constantly in the shadow of death, bankruptcy, and debt, a typical gang family.

As a second-generation gangster, Li Yong had harbored a dream of attending university since childhood.

“I am the hope of my family. Only by entering university can I change my family’s destiny, escape the gang background, and walk the righteous path…”

“To keep up with the training, I take over twenty kinds of medicine every day and eat a meal every two hours. I have suffered multiple bone fractures during extreme muscle training, and now I am in excruciating pain if I miss a dose of painkillers…”

“My family has sacrificed so much, and I have tried my best. Why did I lose?”

“Is it simply because Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen have become lackeys of the wealthy? Just because they have received investment and are financially powerful, must I, a poor man, be defeated by the claws of the rich?”

Clearly, in the eyes of many students, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, who frequently changed their spiritual roots, had become the lucky ones, spotted and recruited by the wealthy.

Therefore, upon hearing Blue Ridge’s agreement to allow Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to join the team, Li Yong stepped forward.

He glared fiercely at Bai Zhenzhen and declared resolutely, “Our physical strengths are only 0.02 levels apart, which is not a decisive gap in the sports competition. I challenge you!”

Having undergone training, Li Yong knew well that sports competitions were not simply about comparing numerical values of physical strength.

Otherwise, all the high school students in Songyang could simply be ranked according to their physical strength, so what would be the point of competition?

The numerical value of physical strength was only the foundation. Sports competitions considered… also the student’s level of control and expression of their flesh and blood power.

“Bai Zhenzhen has Zhang Pianpian, a wealthy woman, supporting her, so her funds are definitely more abundant than mine. But I don’t believe that her training in this month can be more diligent or more focused than mine. Her control over physical strength may not be as good as mine.”

“Moreover, in the special cultivation program, my fascia restrictions have been removed through surgery, and my muscles can explode with power beyond their limit… I will definitely win!”

As Li Yong encouraged himself inwardly, he pointed to Bai Zhenzhen. “I want to compete with you, to see whose strength is stronger. Do you dare to accept the challenge?”

Before anyone else could speak, Bai Zhenzhen was overjoyed, exclaiming excitedly, “Today is my time to shine! Yu will not steal the show this time!”

But thinking of how Zhang Yu had no one to challenge him due to his high stats, and thus could not continue to show off his prowess, Bai Zhenzhen’s joy was slightly diminished.

She turned her gaze to Li Yong, her expression as cold as ice, aloof and unapproachable, and said calmly, “How do you wish to compete?”

Li Yong strode forward. “Good, then let’s compete in…”

“Enough!” Blue Ridge snorted coldly. “This matter concerns the school’s competition quota, not a personal duel between the two of you. The specific competition items will be decided by me and the other teachers.”

After some discussion, it was decided that Bai Zhenzhen and Li Yong would compete in physical strength through barbell weightlifting.
Naturally, as with all martial arts competitions, the use of magical powers was strictly forbidden during the trial. It was a contest of pure physical strength.

Therefore, detection patches were affixed to both of them to monitor whether they were channeling their Qi.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu mused to himself, “It seems I’ll have to pause the Celestial Cycle Qi Gathering Art during these physical competitions. A pity, losing a moment for passive Qi absorption.”

Zhang Yu could, of course, control the start and stop of the Celestial Cycle Qi Gathering Art’s passive absorption at will, as it was a breathing technique he had mastered.

Meanwhile, Li Yong strode to the 1500-kilogram barbell. His hands shot down, and with a roar that shook the heavens, he, his face flushed crimson, strained to lift the barbell.

After enduring for five seconds, with a thunderous crash, the 1500-kilogram weight slammed back to earth, bouncing several times.

Li Yong turned a grave expression towards Bai Zhenzhen. “Your turn.”

Under the gaze of the crowd, Bai Zhenzhen gracefully approached the barbell. Her lithe frame trembled slightly as every muscle instantly coiled, tensing. She seemed to expand ever so slightly.

Each individual muscle intertwined and coordinated, becoming as one.

Originally, under the forging of the Thunderstruck True Body, Bai Zhenzhen’s nervous system had been intensely strengthened. Her recruitment and control over muscular power were already extremely formidable.

Later, after swapping spiritual roots with Zhang Yu for cultivation, her body refinement incorporated some of the effects of the Crimson Marrow Primal Qi. This further enhanced the coordination and explosive power of her muscles, like adding wings to a tiger.

At that moment, Bai Zhenzhen lightly grasped the barbell. Her expression was calm, and she easily lifted the 1500-kilogram weight above her head.

As she lifted the barbell, her expression was indifferent. She softly spoke, “This weight is far too light. Let’s try something more challenging.”

After holding it for five seconds, Bai Zhenzhen casually dropped the barbell and strode towards another, weighing a daunting 2000 kilograms.

Then, before the astonished gazes of the crowd, Bai Zhenzhen’s cheeks flushed slightly. With a low shout, her arms suddenly exerted force, and she lifted the barbell straight above her head.

Lan Ling’s eyes narrowed. He thought to himself, “Both her explosive power and muscular control are exceptionally outstanding. This is likely not her limit. Zhang Pianpian is truly sparing no expense.”

He Dayou had initially harbored similar thoughts to Li Yong. He believed that although Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s physical strength had surged in a short period, they hadn’t participated in any special training programs, so their control over power might not surpass theirs.

But now, seeing Bai Zhenzhen easily lift the 2000-kilogram barbell, a hint of gloom flickered in his eyes.

Of all those witnessing this scene, Li Yong was undoubtedly the most disheartened.

After all, his previous limit was only lifting a little over 1900 kilograms. Bai Zhenzhen’s performance clearly far exceeded his.

Logically speaking, he should give up.

But his heart burned with unwillingness.

“I’ve put in so much effort, struggled all the way here. Am I supposed to back down just because of the wealth of the rich?”

And so, Li Yong stood before the 2000-kilogram barbell. He took a deep breath and suddenly reached down.

In an instant, every muscle in his body tensed like a taut bowstring. The 2000-kilogram weight seemed like a towering mountain before him, only trembling slightly as he exerted his strength.

Li Yong roared in his heart, “I want to go to university!”

“I absolutely won’t let my parents remain trapped in the mire of the gangs!”

“Rise!”

As every muscle in his body trembled violently, and veins bulged on his crimson forehead, he slowly raised the 2000-kilogram barbell.

With a roar, Li Yong raised the barbell high above his head, a hint of grateful smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

However, in the next instant, slight “crackling” sounds came from his arm.

Then, before his dazed eyes, blood gushed like a spring from his right arm.

As his arm fell weakly, the barbell, which he had just lifted above his head, crashed down.

Seeing this, Wang Hai’s expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped forward, one hand steadily catching the two-thousand-kilogram barbell, and the other supporting Li Yong.

Li Yong struggled to control his right arm, trying to lift it, but he found that the muscles in his hand trembled uncontrollably, completely unresponsive.

Li Yong asked in a panic, “Teacher… what’s wrong with me?”

Wang Hai glanced at it and understood the situation. He sighed softly and said, “After receiving fascia release surgery, the expansion of your muscles can exceed the limits.”

“However, your physical body has not yet adapted to the overloading operation of the arm muscles, causing the flesh to tear.”

Wang Hai knew that this was one of the drawbacks of the special training program. The muscles in the body were not a unified whole. When transplanted muscle fibers unleashed tremendous power, if the original flesh and blood couldn’t bear the load, it would lead to collapse.

Hearing this, Li Yong became even more anxious and uneasy. “Can I recover? Can I continue to participate in the special training program?”

Wang Hai reassured him, “Don’t panic. After some treatment and a few days of rest, you can resume training…”

Lan Ling ignored the defeated Li Yong. He merely looked at Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu, his expression impassive, and said officially, “According to the agreement, your results are sufficient to join the sports competition team.”

“Next month’s sports competition will be contested by you and He Dayou and the other two.”

“As for subsequent training courses for the competition team, whether to participate or not is up to you.”

Zhang Yu, however, asked curiously, “Then… what about that special training program? Can we participate?”

Both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had long been curious and yearned for the special training program that could allow He Dayou and the others to have their physical strength surge within a month.

Lan Ling looked at the two of them and sneered inwardly, speculating, “Could it be that Zhang Pianpian also covets the transplantation technology of my Songyang High School? That’s why she arranged for these two to join?”

His expression was cold, and he replied earnestly, “The special training program is led by the student council and coordinated by the school, selecting participants based on specific criteria.”

“You two do not meet the requirements and are not eligible to join this program.”