Chapter 24: Zhang Cheng's True Colors (Please keep reading)

"Da-da~"

It was September, the rainy season, and the entire city of Tianhai was shrouded in downpour.

Inside the martial arts classroom, a roar like an angry lion echoed in everyone's ears.

"Bang!"

Zhang Cheng lunged forward in a single stride, kicking away the long spear of the boy in front of him.

"Look at your movements—soft and weak. You're trying to trace a single line, but where is your line? Even my 80-year-old grandmother's spear thrusts are steadier than yours."

"Your spear technique is meant for the battlefield, to fight against Calamity Beasts."

"A single moment of negligence could lead you straight to the grave."

"Your spear technique must be fast, accurate, and ruthless. Every single move must be precise."

"Practice the basic spear techniques ten more times, then practice the 'Rock-Solid Spear Technique'."

The boy was scolded mercilessly, his mind reeling. As a genius, when had he ever been insulted like this? He stared at Zhang Cheng, his eyes turning bloodshot.

Zhang Cheng grinned

"You want to hit me? Go ahead!"

"Ka-ka!"

Having said that, Zhang Cheng began to stretch his limbs, releasing a fierce aura like a rampaging lion.

Seeing this, the boy's gaze instantly cleared. He silently began to practice his long spear, working through the basic techniques.

Zhang Cheng looked around and shouted in a voice like a booming bell

"What are you looking at? Everyone, start practicing!"

The onlookers immediately began practicing their weapons in earnest.

Zhang Cheng changed targets, moving from person to person to offer blunt, direct guidance.

After instructing several people, he walked through the martial arts room and spoke

"If you don't like my teaching style, fine. Tell me, and you can practice on your own; I won't say a word to you."

"But since you have chosen to accept it, then endure it."

"For a martial artist to improve their strength, self-discipline alone is not enough."

"You need someone to provoke you, to guide you, to stimulate your full potential and release it."

"I guarantee that as long as you can persevere, you will absolutely not regret it a year from now. You might hate me now, but you will thank me then."

Separated from one another, Lin Qi and Jiang Tao listened to Zhang Cheng's words while practicing their respective secret manuals with full effort.

Lin Qi marveled inwardly; Teacher Zhang's teaching method was indeed extraordinary.

On the first day, everyone thought Zhang Cheng was no different from an ordinary teacher.

But by the second day, Zhang Cheng began to exert his authority, letting everyone experience his unique teaching style.

It had to be said that the benefits of this method were extremely obvious.

The improvement in martial arts was also remarkably significant.

"Swish~"

Just as Lin Qi was lost in thought, a powerful sense of danger enveloped him.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a cold flash approaching.

Zhang Cheng was thrusting a spear from the side with one hand, piercing through the air with a whistling sound.

"Clang, clang~~"

Lin Qi immediately swung his long spear, forming a defensive circle as he retreated to block the strikes.

A horizontal block!

"Fast reflexes!"

Zhang Cheng praised him, swinging his spear to continue the assault.

"After learning a new spear technique, there are three stages."

"The first stage is being able to execute the technique proficiently."

"The second stage is mastering every single move to the point where they can be used in combat."

"The third stage is comprehending the three great killing moves."

"Lin Qi, you have already surpassed the proficiency stage and can apply the spear technique in combat."

"Clang~"

A powerful force surged through the spear as it struck, transferring to Lin Qi's arms. It left his limbs numb and forced his body to stumble backward.

Zhang Cheng looked at Lin Qi with satisfaction. Lately, he had been paying close attention to Lin Qi and could clearly feel the boy's rapid progress.

Possessing extraordinary potential, he was a truly fine prospect.

*It's a good thing I came, otherwise, such a fine talent would have gone to waste,* Zhang Cheng thought to himself.

Nearby, people were whispering.

"Why does it feel like Teacher Zhang is paying a lot of attention to that Lin Qi? Does he have great talent?"

"Great talent? He's probably just giving him extra attention because his family is poor," Yang Lei said sourly from the side.

...

Nightfall.

Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall, Martial Arts Room A-128.

The sound of rain was blocked out. Two figures clad in protective suits were exchanging blows, their fists clashing with equal strength.

"Bang, bang, bang!!"

After their fierce tiger-claw strikes collided several times, both parties retreated several steps.

Guo Heng took off his helmet and panted heavily.

"Stop!"

"I'm tired. Lin Qi, your strength is getting stronger and stronger. Unless it's actual combat, I can't do anything to you anymore."

Lin Qi also removed his helmet. Despite being drenched in sweat, his expression remained calm.

"Young Master Guo, aren't we going to practice with weapons?"

Guo Heng walked to a corner, sat heavily on a stool, and took a large gulp from a functional energy drink.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp~"

A few seconds later, only an empty bottle remained.

"Whew~"

"Don't call me Young Master Guo. Call me Ah Heng."

"There's no rush. I don't know my own strength when I strike, and it's even worse with weapons."

"I'm afraid I might accidentally hurt you guys and hinder your martial arts cultivation. Sparring partners like you aren't easy to find. If you all run off, I'll be the one losing out."

Guo Heng slowly explained his reasoning.

Lin Qi nodded. Although he had only met Guo Heng a few times, their relationship had progressed very quickly.

They had essentially become friends.

He knew very well why a genius like Guo Heng was willing to be friends with him and Jiang Tao.

It was entirely because he and Jiang Tao were also geniuses; their decent talent was what earned them Guo Heng's respect.

"By the way, go wash up. I'll take you to see something good."

"Something good?" Jiang Tao asked curiously.

A few minutes later.

Guo Heng led Lin Qi and Jiang Tao, who had changed into their school uniforms, through the corridors of the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall.

"In the Chiqiong Martial Arts Hall, besides the independent martial arts rooms and recovery rooms, there is one more place."

A moment later, the three of them reached the end of the corridor.

There stood a massive metal door, twice the size of an ordinary martial arts room, with people constantly entering and exiting.

As Lin Qi and Jiang Tao followed Guo Heng inside, they discovered a vast, incredibly open space.

Lin Qi was secretly shocked; it was too large, even bigger than the martial arts classroom at their Second Middle School.

What met their eyes next were rows of massive, silver-white machines, shaped like giant oval eggs embedded within cubes.

They were much larger than ordinary recovery pods, and each machine had a metal prism beside it.

"Is this... a holographic virtual pod?" Jiang Tao said, his eyes widening.

"Exactly!" Guo Heng nodded.

"Holographic virtual pods are said to be able to simulate over 90% of the human body. We connect to a virtual helmet, and it provides realistic touch and experience."

"In reality, fighting makes it easy to get injured and prevents you from going all out. But in the virtual world, it's completely different. You can fight with everything you have—even kill."

"I've only ever seen it in the news," Jiang Tao said, his expression excited.

"Taozi is right!"

Lin Qi appeared calm on the surface, but he was also looking at the holographic virtual pods with curiosity.

"Virtual technology has made massive breakthroughs in recent years."

"The holographic virtual pod is a masterpiece, allowing us to enter the virtual world to improve our martial arts skills."

"Does that mean you can play holographic games too?" Jiang Tao suddenly asked.

The corners of Guo Heng's mouth curled up slightly.

"Of course. And I can tell you, playing holographic games is incredibly satisfying—beyond anything you can imagine."

Guo Heng's words sent Jiang Tao's imagination running wild.

"However, playing games is just a way to relax after training."

As Guo Heng spoke, he began to walk further inside.

"Ah Heng is here!"

Several people greeted Guo Heng with smiles upon seeing him.

Guo Heng responded familiarly.

Soon, the three of them arrived in front of a holographic virtual pod.

"I brought you here today so you could experience the competition of the virtual world."

...

(End of Chapter)