“Did Mo Tianyi contact you?”

In the school hallway, Zhang Yu listened to Bai Zhenzhen’s account, finally nodding slightly, “Indeed, there’s no need to tell them the truth right now.”

Bai Zhenzhen continued, “And their leader, I always find him very strange.”

“I told you before, I tried to investigate his identity.”

“According to Mo Tianyi and the others, this leader also won awards in competitions during his freshman year.”

“I investigated for weeks, even studying all the freshman competitions of the three prestigious schools over the past few years. Only two award winners could be considered impoverished.”

“But as far as I know, both of them have already signed contracts with White Dragon High School, making it impossible for them to get into the top ten universities.”

Zhang Yu, upon hearing this, said, “So, Mo Tianyi and the others were deceived?”

Bai Zhenzhen shook her head again, a strange expression on her face. “According to Mo Tianyi and the others, this leader signed a contract with them under the divine witness of Tianyue Tongqi, promising to get into the top ten universities and take them to the second level when capable.”

“In short, I don’t understand this situation.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the training grounds.

…

At the training grounds.

Martial arts teacher Lei Jun had been waiting for them to attend the martial arts competition tutoring.

Ever since Zhang Pianpian visited Songyang High School yesterday, they were once again allowed to participate in the martial arts competition, and the tutoring resumed.

Three classes a week, costing 3,000 (currency unit) per week.

Although it was a very cheap fee for the teacher, it was still a considerable burden for Zhang Yu.

After paying this week’s 3,000 tutoring fee, Zhang Yu’s savings dropped to a little over 35,000.

At this moment, Lei Jun was wearing a vest with the words ‘Great Use of Martial Arts’ written on the front, seriously warming up.

Apart from Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, there were no other students around.

That was because they were the only two participants in the freshman martial arts competition.

Unlike the magic competition, where even if you didn’t win, you could still gain experience, the martial arts competition arena was where you could truly be crippled by students from the three prestigious schools.

Especially for the poor, it was possible to be financially ruined by students from the three prestigious schools.

After all, the on-site emergency expenses, hospital expenses after a serious injury, and subsequent treatment costs… would increase exponentially depending on the severity of the injury.

So, feeling hopeless about winning, neither the rich nor the poor students in the freshman year chose to waste money at the martial arts competition.

At this moment, seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen arrive, Lei Jun greeted them and said, “I’ve already registered you two.”

Then he sent a website address to them, “Buy insurance first today.”

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen understood; practical combat’s first priority was buying insurance.

However, after looking at the price list, both of them chose the cheapest insurance.

It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford high-end insurance, but that low-end insurance was more cost-effective.

After all, instead of spending money on insurance, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen preferred to spend it on improving their strength and achieving a higher ranking in the competition.

Lei Jun reminded them, “This insurance can only cover medical expenses up to 100,000. If you are severely injured, you will have to pay out of pocket.”

“Be careful not to get injured too much during the fight, minimize the damage.”

Zhang Yu deeply agreed. The first prize in the martial arts competition was only a 50,000 reward and the right to use a set of expert-level martial arts techniques. He couldn’t afford to sustain injuries that would cost tens of thousands in medical bills just to win that first prize.

Lei Jun sighed, “You guys are better off now. Back then, weapons were allowed in the competitions. Although there were referees watching, every year students either died in the arena or dropped out with a mountain of debt.”

“In the end, there was one competition with only 7 participants. Those old guys finally changed the rules and prohibited the use of weapons.”

“Now, martial arts competitions are all unarmed. Whether you can afford the post-match medical expenses is up to you.”

“Alright, that’s all. Warm up after buying insurance.”

After the two finished warming up, Lei Jun beckoned and said, “The three prestigious schools have immortal techniques that we don’t have, and the amount of money they invest is incomparable to yours.”

“Heavenly spiritual root cultivation, the latest laboratory drugs, and even modification surgeries are commonplace for them.”

“I’ve found some data from the martial arts competition prodigies there. Their average physical strength is above level 2, and their average mana is above 25. Plus, the drugs and combat spiritual roots they might use during the competition…”

“Their data must be far superior to yours.”

“They have more strength, more speed, and more abundant mana than you.”

Just as Lei Jun was saying this, a question suddenly arose in Zhang Yu’s mind, “The three prestigious schools have such a big advantage, so how does Songyang win awards in sports competitions? What methods do they use? Is Wang Hai that powerful?”

Meanwhile, Lei Jun continued, “… But real combat is never a guarantee that the person with stronger data will win. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be practical exams.”

Lei Jun said with a serious expression, “So, in the following time, you must get used to fighting people stronger than you and learn how to avoid injuries as much as possible.”

As he spoke, a powerful aura slowly emanated from Lei Jun, rushing towards Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

“To give you more practical training time, starting today, you two will fight together.”

“I will try to maintain a physical strength level of 2 and a speed level of 2, with 25 units of mana, to fight with you.”

A moment later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen charged towards Lei Jun from the left and right, respectively, with a whoosh.

Bang!

With a collision sound, Lei Jun’s hands blocked Bai Zhenzhen’s kick and Zhang Yu’s palm.

In the next moment, three figures crossed back and forth, fighting at high speed on the training grounds.

But Zhang Yu didn’t feel like he was attacking Lei Jun with Bai Zhenzhen at all.

Lei Jun’s combat experience was already unfathomable. Coupled with the strength and speed he was maintaining, which were far superior to his own, he could easily defuse his attacks, hit his flaws, and even cut off his connection with Bai Zhenzhen.

This made Zhang Yu feel like he was facing Lei Jun’s oppression alone.

Zhang Yu couldn’t help but sigh in his heart, “Are the opponents I will fight in the martial arts competition all people with higher stats than me?”

Zhang Yu realized that he had been a little too careless. In the situation where he had to hide his 10th-level Limitless Cloud Hand, the difficulties he would face in the martial arts competition far exceeded his original estimates.

A moment later, with a bang, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were knocked away one after another.

Compared to the two who were panting, Lei Jun wasn’t flushed or out of breath, looking like he had just taken a stroll.

Lei Jun said, “Rest for 5 minutes and continue.”

Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, “Old Lei is really strong. All my attacks were seen through by him. How many martial arts does he know?”

Zhang Yu thought, “Old Lei seems to be at Dao Heart level 10, with 100 points of mana, and physical strength level 10. He has also cultivated at least a dozen martial arts to level 10. He has reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage.”

“Then why hasn’t he reached the Foundation Establishment stage?”

Then he curiously asked a question, “Teacher Lei, are you still in the Qi Refining stage? Haven’t you established your foundation?”

Lei Jun’s face darkened upon hearing this, “Foundation Establishment isn’t that easy.”

Seeing their curious gazes, Lei Jun sighed and said casually, “You need to pass the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate exam for Foundation Establishment, the Golden Core Qualification Certificate exam for Golden Core, and even the Nascent Soul Qualification Certificate exam for Nascent Soul. How can realm breakthroughs be achieved whenever you want?”

“Foundation Establishment without a certificate is an illegal and criminal act, punishable by extreme penalties by the Eight Divine Guardians and the Ten Great Sects. The Ten Great Sects have always been very strict in this regard.”

“Only by entering university can you take the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate exam.”

“If you don’t obtain the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate before graduating from university, you will never have another chance in your life.”

Recalling his university days, Lei Jun felt a hint of gloom in his eyes.

He remembered that during the years he took the Foundation Establishment Certificate exam, he happened to be caught in a situation where the planned enrollment numbers for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate were reduced.

He remembered that in those short years, the requirements for spiritual roots alone had risen from ‘Human Spiritual Root’ to ‘Heavenly Spiritual Root,’ driving him to complete despair.

On the contrary, after returning to his hometown of Songyang on the first level, he felt much more relaxed in his days of working and cultivating 24 hours a day to repay his loans…

Lei Jun said with emotion, “There’s a huge difference between passing and failing the Foundation Establishment Certificate exam.”

“Without Foundation Establishment, ten years of university life are just a dream. You can’t stay on the upper levels and will eventually return to the Kunxu first level.”

Turning to look at Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu, he thought to himself, “Cherish the easy times in high school now. When you get into university, you’ll miss how easy it is now.”

A few minutes later, Lei Jun said, “Rest enough, get up.”

In the next moment, three figures were fighting again.

After the tutoring session, Zhang Yu returned to the unfinished building to continue practicing the Celestial Martial Heart Refining Art.

This technique could both improve his Dao Heart and enhance his physical strength. It was a comprehensive improvement and his main training goal during this time.

In particular, the Celestial Martial Heart Refining Art contained nine types of martial arts, including fist techniques, leg techniques, and palm techniques, giving him a deeper understanding of the fundamentals and practical application of various martial arts.

In the following days, Zhang Yu studied and cultivated while receiving tutoring from Lei Jun with Bai Zhenzhen.

Eleven days passed in the blink of an eye.

…

That night, in the unfinished building.

As Zhang Yu performed the final move of the Celestial Martial Heart Refining Art, he finally raised this technique to level 10.

At this moment, not only did the nine types of martial arts, such as fist techniques, leg techniques, and palm techniques, feel instinctive to him, but the combat thinking contained in the Celestial Martial Will was also easily controlled, giving him both endless fighting spirit and courage while maintaining calmness and composure, preventing him from falling into blind enthusiasm and impulsiveness.

“As expected of a mental cultivation technique specifically designed for combat, especially the level 10 special effect…”

As Zhang Yu’s gaze focused, everything around him seemed to slow down a beat.

Even the movement of his own hand seemed to be slowed down.

This wasn’t that everything had actually slowed down, but the level 10 effect brought by the Celestial Martial Heart Refining Art allowed his focus and concentration to explode instantly, giving him the illusion that everything was slowed down.