Chapter 68: Grouping

For this martial arts competition, each school could send a maximum of ten contestants.

Upon arriving at the venue, Zhang Yu found there were only a little over forty contestants in total, with thirty of them belonging to the three major high schools. The remaining dozen or so contestants were from other ordinary and key high schools. They likely didn't fully understand the nature of the martial arts competition, perhaps lacked access to information, or harbored a hopeful mentality, wanting to gain experience or try their luck. However, as the strong contenders from the three major high schools successively took to the stage and demonstrated their power, students from the other high schools gradually lost their resolve and one by one withdrew from the competition.

Of course, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen did not back down.

Zhang Yu recalled the rules, knowing that contestants would be categorized into different tiers based on their scores. Then, contestants of the same tier, after a random draw, would be assigned to 8 different groups for the group elimination rounds. This was to ensure that each group, as much as possible, contained contestants from various tiers, from high to low, preventing multiple high-tier contestants from being eliminated prematurely within the same group.

Zhang Yu mused to himself: “To avoid being grouped with the strongest students, I need to score as high as possible. Only then can I avoid encountering tough opponents in the group stage and better secure a spot in the top 8.”

Looking at the Yellow Turban Warrior on the stage, Zhang Yu gradually formulated a battle plan in his mind.

A moment later, it was finally Zhang Yu’s turn to compete.

In the audience, Zhao Tianxing, Qian Shen, and He Dayou were seated together. While He Dayou wore a look of disdain, Qian Shen was watching the arena intently. Zhao Tianxing, meanwhile, constantly felt that the students from the three major high schools nearby were looking at him, and he felt awkward attending the competition just like them, being from Songyang High School. He also felt that his Songyang High School uniform, at this moment, seemed so rare and out of place in Bailong High School’s hall, and he felt as if people around him had strange reactions upon seeing his Songyang uniform.

Of course, Zhao Tianxing was overthinking it; for most high school students from the three prestigious schools, Songyang High School? Do their students even understand cultivation? What's there to see? We're here for the competition.

Just then, a student in a Bailong High School uniform walked over, looked at He Dayou, and said, “Dayou, you really came to watch my match?”

He Dayou looked at the person, thinking how useless his sunglasses and mask were. “Mhm.” He Dayou nodded and said, “Came to see what the overall standard of the three prestigious schools is like this year.”

Chu Qiuhe from Bailong High School chuckled and said, “I saw your Songyang High School actually entered the competition. What were you thinking? Aren't you afraid of being utterly defeated?”

Although he knew there was indeed a gap between Songyang and the three major high schools, as the son of a school board member, He Dayou still felt an instinctive discomfort upon hearing those words. Damn, to insult Songyang in front of the school board member's son—you're practically asking for trouble. Yet he also understood that there was indeed a small gap between Songyang and Bailong. And even though he and Chu Qiuhe were middle school classmates, ever since he enrolled in Songyang and the other in Bailong High School, their friendship had gradually soured. In front of Chu Qiuhe, He Dayou always felt a sense of inferiority. At that moment, Chu Qiuhe only acknowledged He Dayou, his former middle school classmate, completely ignoring Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing next to him. After all, Songyang High School... *chuckles*.

He Dayou said nonchalantly, “Who knows? Anyway, that person got fourth in the last spell competition, so maybe they just want to try their luck again this time.”

Hearing the mention of “fourth in the spell competition,” Chu Qiuhe was momentarily speechless, then gave an awkward laugh and said, “Martial arts combat is different from spell competitions. Martial arts combat is about overall strength, and the gap between Bailong, Ziyun, Hongta, and other high schools will be huge.” As he spoke, he looked at the arena and said, “Ah, your school's contestant is up. Let me help you see how good they are…”

Meanwhile, seeing a Songyang High School student take the stage, many spectators anticipated a tough battle. But then, Zhang Yu and the Yellow Turban Warrior collided, and with a bang, the Yellow Turban Warrior was actually thrown out of bounds.

Zhang Yu, score 300.

The entire venue erupted in an uproar, as no one had expected a Songyang High School student to achieve such a feat. Chu Qiuhe was also stunned, seeing the Yellow Turban Warrior thrown out by Zhang Yu before he could even finish speaking, and exclaimed in surprise, “300 points?? Your Songyang High School can produce a student like this?” His tone was as if he had seen a fresh flower blooming from cow dung.

Although he strongly disliked Zhang Yu, He Dayou had to admit that at this moment, seeing Chu Qiuhe's astonished gaze, he felt a slight sense of satisfaction. He nodded reservedly and said, “Our current class is quite formidable.” Qian Shen, standing nearby, also said, “Zhang Yu did score 653 points, after all; he's very strong.” Zhao Tianxing, observing the commotion throughout the venue, unconsciously puffed out his chest, feeling that his Songyang uniform no longer seemed so humble.

When Chu Qiuhe returned to Song Hailong's side, he saw the competition coach watching a slow-motion replay with a few others. The coach analyzed: “This Zhang Yu stood at the edge of the arena from the beginning. The purpose was to make the Yellow Turban Warrior actively come to the edge of the arena after it launched its attack. Then he used a simple straight punch, and that’s where it gets interesting.”

In the footage, Zhang Yu, as if anticipating, intercepted the Yellow Turban Warrior’s move in advance. The competition coach analyzed: “In that instant, he judged the Yellow Turban Warrior’s attack, then interrupted it preemptively, and then used the Wuji Cloud Hand to redirect the Yellow Turban Warrior’s force, ultimately throwing the Yellow Turban Warrior a few steps away. And because of his positioning, those few steps happened to be out of bounds. From start to finish, every move was calculated perfectly…”

After hearing this analysis, Song Hailong’s originally keen interest faded instantly. He turned his head, looking bored, and said, “I thought this kid was a dark horse with some actual skill, like in the spell competition. But it turns out he just likes to use these little tricks; how uninteresting.”

The competition coach didn’t refute Song Hailong’s words, because not only was he the dominant top student in his grade, but also absolutely wealthy, so as long as he didn’t insult the teachers, he could say whatever he pleased. Moreover, the coach knew that this ace student didn't really need to consider a contestant of Zhang Yu's level. However, the competition coach still looked at the other students and reminded them, “Don't underestimate him. While there was an element of cleverness involved, being able to make that judgment in an instant means either his reaction speed and concentration are exceptionally strong, and his understanding of martial arts is profound. Or he observed the Yellow Turban Warrior for a long time in advance, and figured out some of its attack patterns. Although his various stats are likely not as high as yours, such an opponent could very well defeat a stronger foe. If you encounter him, you absolutely must not let your guard down. Anyone who loses to an opponent from outside the three prestigious schools today will be fined 10,000 yuan when we get back, and will have to attend all classes on their knees this month.”

The students immediately responded with loud affirmations. Listening to the competition coach's analysis, Chu Qiuhe silently thought, 'So that's how it is.' Initially, seeing Zhang Yu instantly defeat the Yellow Turban Warrior, he had thought the opponent was as strong as Song Hailong. But now, having listened, he felt that with some preparation, he might also be able to achieve something similar.

On the other side, in Ziyun High School’s preparation area, Lian Tianji chuckled, saying, “Zhang Yu is indeed very impressive.” Le Mulan, nearby, glanced over and then said indifferently, “They can’t even afford to rent the most basic combat spiritual root. Poor people are really pathetic. But even though they're so poor, they still come to compete, risking bankruptcy. I truly can't understand it.” Le Mulan turned to Lian Tianji and asked, curious yet puzzled, “You’re so much poorer than me; can you understand their thinking?” Lian Tianji gave an awkward laugh, momentarily unsure what to say, and could only repeatedly reassure himself inwardly, “The Sacred First Rank is just straightforward; she's not intentionally looking down on me. Don't take it to heart.”

Soon after Zhang Yu left the stage, it was finally Bai Zhenzhen’s turn to compete. In the audience, Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing had initially been very excited to see Bai Zhenzhen’s performance. However, a moment later, they saw Bai Zhenzhen struggling in the arena, desperately dodging the Yellow Turban Warrior, and only barely finding openings to touch the sensor on the Yellow Turban Warrior’s body.

“Bai Zhenzhen is struggling so much?”

He Dayou looked at Bai Zhenzhen, who had been so spirited when she beat him up, but was now fumbling and struggling under the Yellow Turban Warrior’s attacks. He suddenly found that he felt no satisfaction at all, but rather a bitter taste. This bitterness, rather than being for Bai Zhenzhen, was more for himself, who had once been beaten by her.

Qian Shen, beside him, frowned and said, “It seems Bai Zhenzhen’s fighting style isn't suitable for dealing with the Yellow Turban Warrior.”

Zhao Tianxing worried, “If this continues, won’t she be assigned to a group with high-scoring contestants? She might very well be eliminated in the group stage.”

As Bai Zhenzhen struggled in the arena, the audience and other contestants quickly lost interest. Song Hailong had long since closed his eyes out of boredom, apparently feeling that even another glance at such a battle would be a waste of time. Lian Tianji, on the other side, also secretly felt surprised: “The girl who came with Zhang Yu to compete, it seems she also came with Zhang Yu to the last spell competition. She's clearly so weak, why did she insist on accompanying Zhang Yu to the competition? Could she be... Zhang Yu’s slave at Songyang High School? Is Songyang also starting to play this game?”

Lei Jun, watching this scene, said thoughtfully, “It seems Bai Zhenzhen realized her fighting style wasn't suitable for the Yellow Turban Warrior, and simply decided to conceal her true strength.” As Bai Zhenzhen’s tutor for two weeks, Lei Jun knew that Bai Zhenzhen’s strength was far beyond what she was displaying in the arena at that moment.

Zhang Yu, arms crossed, watched the figure in the arena, and gradually understood her intentions. Although the Yellow Turban Warrior was only operating at 1.98 physical strength, its inherent material remained unchanged, still too sturdy for students to destroy. Bai Zhenzhen's fighting style had always been to target an opponent's weaknesses. Against an impervious opponent like the Yellow Turban Warrior, which required a direct, forceful confrontation, she would clearly be at a disadvantage.

Zhang Yu thought to himself: “My goal is to avoid strong opponents in the group stage as much as possible, securing at least a spot in the top eight. It looks like Ah Zhen knows she won't get a high score, so she's deliberately hiding her strength, planning to surprise a stronger opponent when she encounters one in the group stage?”

Ultimately, Bai Zhenzhen scored 89 points.