...
Ping'an Middle School Martial Arts Dojo.
The eleventh-grade martial arts students were warming up vigorously inside, aiming for a good score in the upcoming exam.
"Hey, did you hear? Seems like some tenth graders are joining us this time."
"Is it that Zong Ping? I heard he's a genius, reached the third Qi and Blood Gate as soon as he started the tenth grade, unlike the rest of us."
"Well, geniuses get special treatment wherever they go, it's normal."
"It's not just Zong Ping, there's also some guy named Meng Chuan taking the exam too. Do any of you know him?"
The group all showed curious expressions; the eleventh-grade martial arts students were busy training and rarely paid attention to school gossip.
"I heard from my tenth-grade cousin. He said this Meng Chuan has decent talent but only practices National Fist every day and doesn't learn any other fist skills. Is he here for the exam just to get a wake-up call from us older guys?"
Amidst the laughter, a person wearing a white training uniform with a broad and strong build came over, his youthful face contrasting sharply with his sturdy physique.
He exuded an intimidating aura like a fierce tiger as he stood near the discussants.
"Stop chatting, Qi Fei is here."
"I heard you all talking about some tenth-grade genius. I'd like to see how impressive they really are."
The discussants quickly said:
"No matter what, he's just a tenth-grade kid, how could he possibly compare to our big brother Qi Fei."
The surrounding students who recognized the broad-backed student, none other than Qi Fei, the top of the grade, all agreed in unison:
"Right, right, big brother Qi Fei is the best!"
Qi Fei smiled contently, enjoying being flattered.
"Hey Qi Fei, showing off again?"
As these words fell, two young men with crew cuts appeared.
Their appearances were very similar, and although their builds were shorter, their arms were exceptionally prominent, thick and long enough to reach their knees.
They were the Hu family's twin brothers practicing Ape Form; the taller one was the elder brother, Hu Jiaxiang, and the shorter was the younger brother, Hu Jiarui.
Being mocked by the Hu brothers, a flicker of annoyance appeared in Qi Fei's eyes:
"Looks like I didn't teach you both enough last time?"
"Little tiger, let's see the truth later with our fists."
The Hu brothers and Qi Fei never got along; they often sparred privately before. Neither of the brothers alone was a match for Qi Fei, but together they wouldn't lose out.
At this moment, the eleventh-grade martial arts head instructor entered the dojo with two people.
"Quiet everyone, let me introduce these two behind me. They are your juniors and will join us in our exam today. Please give them a round of applause."
Sparse applause sounded around as everyone curiously looked at the two juniors behind the instructor, eager to see what they were about.
"They seem ordinary. The one with dyed blond hair is Zong Ping, and the crew-cut guy next to him must be that Meng Chuan we were talking about?"
Some were dissatisfied with the tenth graders joining the eleventh-grade exam and couldn't resist taunting:
"Meng Chuan, why aren't you practicing your Child's Fist? What's the big deal coming here?"
Meng Chuan heard someone mocking him and quietly noted the person's appearance.
If he encounters them on the stage later, he'll teach them how to speak properly with his National Fist.
Ping'an Middle School is not a specialized martial arts high school and lacks a proper Qi and Blood room. During martial arts exams, they must borrow equipment from nearby martial arts dojos.
Just then, two men in black training uniforms dragged a Qi and Blood Tester over, with a chest painting of a chest-thumping white ape.
Seeing this, the instructor stood aside to make way, then loudly said:
"Thanks to Ape God Martial Arts Dojo for providing the Qi and Blood Tester. Practice Ape Form, seek Ape God; Ape God Martial Arts Dojo is your pathway to joining a Martial Arts Family."
Meng Chuan was a bit speechless.
"They even have product placement. Should've had my master provide the equipment instead..."
Continuing with the instructions, the instructor said:
"The equipment still needs time for adjustment, so let me first explain today's exam rules."
"The first part is the Qi and Blood test; because of the large number of participants, please regulate your status in advance and unleash your full strength when punching. The results might have a 0.2 fluctuation, but it won't affect much."
"The second part is the ring competition, supervised personally by our Principal Zong. As usual, those below the third Qi and Blood Gate won't participate."
"Alright, everyone line up first. Once the equipment is set up, we'll start the Qi and Blood test."
Meng Chuan was participating in the school's martial arts exam for the first time and listened carefully to the instructor's explanation of the rules.
"Let's go, Meng Chuan, let's line up too."
Zong Ping invited Meng Chuan, having heard from his principal uncle that Meng Chuan is very formidable. He wanted to see how capable he really was.
Meng Chuan and Zong Ping stood at the end of the line, and since only one punch was needed for the test, it moved along quickly.
Meanwhile, the front of the line was very lively.
"Damn it, this machine must be off, teacher. 3.81, just a bit more and it'd fluctuate to the third gate."
"Go, go, go, just train more and don't blame the machine. Watch me."
[Qi and Blood Value 3.12, second gate achieved]
"..."
It was the Hu brothers' turn to test, and the results drew admiration from everyone.
"The Hu brothers are strong, the elder with 6.41, the younger with 6.05. Probably only Brother Fei can surpass them."
Seeing the test results, the Hu brothers were also pleased, knowing they could definitely continue to Yong'an Martial Arts University.
Their family wasn't wealthy, also coming from humble beginnings, needing to support two young martial artists. Their achievements today were thanks not only to talent and hard work but also to the recognition and support from the Ape God Martial Arts Dojo's owner, who provided them with a 50% tuition discount.
Grateful, the Hu brothers removed the sensor, loudly proclaiming to everyone:
"Classmates, if you want to learn martial arts, only Ape God Martial Arts Dojo is the best!"
The martial arts personnel beside the Qi and Blood Tester applauded, privately sighing:
"Good kids, knowing gratitude and repayment."
The eleventh-grade martial arts had nearly 200 students, and the Qi and Blood test continued.
Meng Chuan was pretty vengeful in reality.
He kept observing those who had mocked him for practicing Child's Fist and coming here.
The result was that his opponent didn't even reach the third gate and wasn't qualified to compete in the later ring competition.
To this, he could only regret silently.
Qi Fei was practicing Wooden Man Posture in a corner, preparing for the ring competition and not in line.
He felt confident, planning to make a grand entrance later.
As the Qi and Blood test queue grew shorter, leaving only Meng Chuan and Zong Ping, Qi Fei approached.
The tenth graders should make way for him; Qi Fei stepped forward with a self-satisfied fake smile and said:
"Let me go first, you two can take your time."