Chapter 32 : Chapter 32
Chapter 32. Zhou Yu
The next day, at mid-morning.
A group of martial artists gathered on the training grounds. Their movements had grown increasingly rapid and fierce, carrying a faint sense of restlessness.
Clearly, as the end of the month approached, anxiety had begun to creep into everyone’s hearts.
Among them, the northern area drew the most attention. A group of female martial artists practiced there, their movements crisp and decisive, their bearing heroic and spirited, occasionally attracting subtle glances from nearby onlookers.
“Ha!”
Sun Rong’s forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat. Her movements were methodical, and her punches were steady and powerful.
Beside her, a woman with a slightly pointed chin seemed somewhat distracted. When she noticed the seemingly “casual” glances from the opposite sex, she felt secretly pleased, though she said disdainfully,
“Look at those guys. They clearly want to sneak a look, yet they do not even dare to raise their heads properly. Always shrinking back—how boring!”
“Exactly. Yesterday, there was this tall, skinny guy who came up to me, saying he wanted to get to know me. But when I asked, it turned out he had not even gotten started with the fist techniques. Tell me, is that not ridiculous?”
Nearby, a long-faced woman rolled her eyes. Even though she herself had not yet gotten started with the fist techniques, it did not stop her from looking down on others.
“Now that you mention it, I just remembered that guy from a few days ago who said he wanted to guide Rongrong. What was his name… Xu Yuan, right? Do you know how long it took him to become a martial artist?”
As the sharp-chinned woman spoke, she suddenly smiled mysteriously. “It took him more than fifty days to finally break through! And he still dared to talk about guiding others in fist techniques—he really has no idea of his own limitations.”
Hearing this, the other girls nearby also chuckled softly.
Sun Rong frowned, clearly displeased. “A-Li, did I not tell you not to bring this up again?”
A-Li—A-Li—laughed and said, “Rongrong, you should keep your distance from people like that who lack self-awareness. Otherwise, you might get dragged down without even realizing it.”
“What are you all talking about? It sounds lively.”
A fair-skinned woman with delicate features walked over. Even more eye-catching was her neat short hair, which gave her a somewhat unconventional air.
“Big Sister, you’re here. We were just talking about Rongrong’s former friend…” Huang Lihong quickly recounted the earlier incident.
After listening, Zhou Yu—Zhou Yu—remained expressionless and said calmly, “Everyone has different insights when practicing fist techniques. It is not necessarily wrong. However, with such mediocre aptitude, anything he says lacks reference value.”
“Rongrong, you should keep your distance from such people. There is nothing to gain from associating with them.”
Sun Rong’s expression changed slightly, but she could only nod. “Understood, Sister Yu. I will be careful.”
Zhou Yu had always been authoritative in the dormitory, decisive and strong-willed. Yet she treated the other girls very well. Whenever it came to martial practice, she never hesitated to share her insights.
Because of this, the others both respected and feared her.
Huang Lihong, however, looked puzzled. “Big Sister, at a time like this, you should have been focusing entirely on practicing Benlei Fist. Could it be that…”
“That’s right. I’ve already reached entry level in the fist technique. I’m about to inform Instructor Chen.” Zhou Yu folded her arms and spoke calmly.
“As expected, I knew Big Sister was the best!” Huang Lihong’s face lit up with excitement as she immediately showered her with praise.
The others nearby also offered their congratulations.
“Alright, enough of your flattery. I’m heading over,” Zhou Yu said, giving her a mildly annoyed glance before stepping forward.
Curious about what Instructor Chen would say to the first person to reach entry level in the fist technique, Huang Lihong and the others followed along to watch.
…
In the crowd, just as Xu Yuan was about to step forward, a short-haired woman beat him to it. In a cool voice, she said, “Instructor Chen, I’ve reached entry level in the fist technique.”
Her words stirred a wave of shock. Every martial artist present showed surprise, and discussions erupted without end.
Xu Yuan paused, waiting patiently. Only after she left and the crowd’s attention dispersed did he step forward unhurriedly. “Instructor Chen, I’ve also reached entry level in the fist technique.”
Chen Ze was momentarily stunned. After confirming it, he was overjoyed and immediately burst into laughter. “Haha, excellent! Two have reached entry level in the fist technique in a single day!”
The month was nearly over, yet only one person had broken through in cultivation, and not a single person had achieved entry in the fist technique. He had been worrying about his performance metrics, and now Xu Yuan and Zhou Yu had brought him such good news—how could he not be delighted?
Afterward, he explained some details about self-selected duties to Xu Yuan, then said earnestly,
“Since you have reached entry level in the fist technique, you now qualify for three months of self-selected assignments. As for the specifics, they will be announced at the end of this month.”
“For the remaining time, you should focus on your cultivation and see if you can break through to the second meridian realm. In any case, having more freedom in choosing assignments is always beneficial.”
Xu Yuan naturally expressed his thanks. After Chen Ze left, the training grounds became lively once again.
Zhou Yu, who had been about to leave, frowned and cast a deep look at Xu Yuan.
Sun Rong looked at Xu Yuan with a trace of astonishment, murmuring to herself, “He… actually reached entry level as well, and at the same time as Sister Yu…”
Beside her, Huang Lihong’s eyes were nearly bulging out of their sockets, her face full of disbelief. “How is that possible? With his kind of aptitude, how could he be faster than us?”
And their reaction was already intense.
As for the group from Room D who had been practicing martial techniques, they all gathered around Xu Yuan upon hearing the news. They congratulated him enthusiastically and asked about his experience in reaching entry level.
At that moment, Wang Huan, who had been practicing stance training in a quiet chamber, also heard the commotion and came out.
For the past few days, Wang Huan had been stuck at the bottleneck of the second meridian realm, utterly frustrated and without any clue how to proceed. He had even begun to consider practicing fist techniques to gain new insights.
Now, upon hearing that Xu Yuan had already reached entry level, his mind buzzed as if struck by lightning. He stared blankly and said, “Xu Yuan… reached entry level in fist techniques? That’s not a mistake, is it?”
“How could it be fake? Instructor Chen said it himself.”
Chen Sanli replied casually, then immediately moved closer to Xu Yuan and said eagerly,
“Brother Xu is incredible! The first in our dormitory to reach entry level in fist techniques. With three months of self-selected assignments, you’ll be completely at ease.”
Li Shan stood to the side, his expression complicated. He had clearly become a martial artist before Xu Yuan. Now that they were practicing Benlei Fist together, how had Xu Yuan entered first instead?
Back then, it was the same with Sun Rong. Now it was Xu Yuan as well…
Could it be that his own talent was truly so lacking?
His heart churned with mixed emotions, but he ultimately suppressed them and stepped forward to offer his congratulations.
As for Tian Yang, Xiao Sheng, and Gao Yuan, they naturally gathered around Xu Yuan, congratulating him.
“Brother Xu being the first to reach entry level is a joyous occasion. I propose we pool some money and go out for a meal to celebrate,” Chen Sanli suddenly suggested.
As soon as he said this, everyone turned to look at him in disbelief. Was this really the same Chen Sanli from their dormitory?
Everyone knew he loved taking advantage of small things—tissues, snacks, even freeloading wherever possible… And now he was suggesting treating everyone?
“Sanli, has the sun risen from the west? Or has someone possessed you? Hurry and tell them to come out,” Qin Yang joked.
“Get lost.” Chen Sanli spat back. Seeing their confusion, he said seriously, “I’m genuinely happy that Brother Xu reached entry level. What’s wrong with that?”
…