Chapter 150: The First Team
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
After Christmas, the twelfth month of the lunar calendar officially began.
New Year’s Eve was only a month away. During that period, the National Championship would be the biggest highlight!
News reports on the Freshman National Championship would saturate the channels!
Currently, the list of participants from each school had not been revealed.
However, there were rumors of some names circulating on the Internet.
Han Xu from Capital City Martial Arts University, the national champion in the 2008 martial sciences examinations!
His achievements for the Gaokao: Rank-1 martial science theory, 230cal Vitality, 720 marks for cultural studies, full marks for general studies and practical test!
Li Ran from Capital City Martial Arts University: second place in the 2008 martial sciences examinations in Capital City, right behind Han Xu in the first place. 226cal for the Vitality test.
Zhao Lei from Magic City Martial Arts University, the champion in the 2008 martial sciences examinations in Magic City. For the Gaokao, he achieved 225cal Vitality, 715 marks for cultural studies, and full marks for all the other subjects!
Wei Bin from Eight School Alliance, Sino Nation Martial Arts University: the champion in the 2008 martial sciences examinations in North Border Province, 220cal for Vitality test...
Martial Arts University Alliance... currently had no outstanding participants.
Martial Arts University Alliance consisted of many schools, and some of them had proposed a few conditions to hold on to some of the local champions. However, their situation and progress were unclear.
As for Fang Ping, he was less popular than one would think.
His Vitality test for the Gaokao was a mere 149cal which was no big deal. In the beginning, there were hundreds of martial artists whereas he was just an aspiring martial artist. Apart from little fame he had gotten in Auspicious Sun, he did receive much attention from the general public.
...
Magic City Martial Arts University.
In a blink of an eye, December passed by.
Training room.
Tang Feng said in a low voice, “Today, the team groupings will officially be revealed. There will be 5 first team players and 5 people in the reserves!
“If a first team player gets injured or if their Vitality is depleted, the reserve teammates will take their place on the stage!
“First Team player, Fang Ping!”
“Zhao Lei!”
“Fu Changding!”
“Yang Xiaoman!”
“...”
For the last person, Tang Feng glanced at Chen Yunxi and suddenly turned his head to Tang Songting. “Tang Songting!”
Chen Yunxi’s face turned completely pale for a moment and then her expression darkened.
Yang Xiaoman kept quiet the entire time but Zhao Xuemei bluntly proclaimed, “Teacher, I want to challenge Tang Songting!”
Tang Songting frowned but did not back down. In a low voice, he said, “I accept your challenge!”
“Why don’t you just wait a moment for me to announce the name list for the reserve team first!”
“Chen Yunxi, Zhao Xuemei, Xu Yikai, Li Zhaoxu, Jin Lei, these 5 are members for the reserve team!”
After he had finished announcing the names, Tang Feng then looked at the two of them squarely and said, “Zhao Xuemei, are you sure you want to challenge?”
“I’m sure!”
“Great! Other students can also challenge if you wish. However, each person is only allowed one chance!”
With that announcement, Tang Feng retreated to the side of the room.
Zhao Xuemei picked up her staff and stepped forward while Tang Songting gripped his scimitar.
“Begin!”
At Tang Feng’s word, Zhao Xuemei dashed like a cheetah, fast as a thunderclap, and attacked Tang Songting in an instant. The gold alloy long staff slashed through the air!
Tang Songting’s performance was equally amazing!
His temples quivered for a moment and suddenly the movement subsided. His entire body seemed to slim down and his arms suddenly grew big and muscley!
As soon as the match began, Tang Songting used his secret maneuver!
The sunken temple was a sign of Vitality being drawn away.
“The tornado inducing staff versus the hellfire scimitar!” whispered Fu Changding.
The moment he uttered those words, Zhao Xuemei entered a crazed frenzy, swinging her metal staff so fast that all the bystanders could see was its afterimage. Ping ping ping, she went, dishing out 7 or 8 swings in one shot!
Tang Songting, looking strong and unruly, refused to yield as he raised his scimitar to face Zhao Xuemei head on!
Zhao Xuemei’s staff actions were not hindered by his maneuver. The outburst of strength from Tang Songting’s upper limbs far exceeded Zhao Xuemei’s due to his tempered upper limbs.
Even though Zhao Xuemei was attacking relentlessly, Tang Songting swung his scimitar several times and successfully parried her long staff!
When her attacks were blocked, Zhang Xuemei gave a roar and abruptly pulled her weapon back. The staff pierced through the floorboard as she used it to gain momentum to push her legs up for a flying kick!
“What a violent woman!”
Fu Changding exclaimed as he witnessed Zhao Xuemei’s wild fighting skills. Compared to her, Tang Songting was unexpectedly passive.
“Hmph, it’s because all you men are useless!”
On the sidelines, Yang Xiaoman snorted loudly and shouted, “Finish him with your kick!”
Fu Changding did not bother retorting and merely pouted.
Fang Ping watched intently the entire time. Zhao Xuemei had changed into her alloy combat boots which were sharper than Fang Ping’s. The ear-piercing sound of metal colliding rang out, again and again, as she mercilessly kicked Tang Songting’s scimitar.
Momentarily, the gold alloy long staff gave Zhao Xuemei the upper hand, her entire body like a flag waving on a pole. Her hands were pressed on the staff while both of her legs were in the air kicking! The airborne kicks were so fast that only the afterimage could be seen!
Tang Songting did not back down. Stepped back would negate Zhao Xuemei’s advantage, but the move may cause him to suffer an unknown amount of damage.
Tang Songting was adamant on not retreating, his blade like flames as it sliced at the direction of Zhao Xuemei’s legs swiftly and vigorously!
The others were frightened and distressed at the recklessness of the fight. If Zhao Xuemei let even an ounce of guard down, there was a possibility of both her legs getting chopped off!
Just as it seemed the two of them were in a deadlock, Zhao Xuemei suddenly pulled her legs back and she maintained her firm grip on the staff as she made a 90 degree turn with her body. She made a surprise attack as she yanked the long staff from the floorboards and charged toward Tang Songting with enough strength to split a mountain!
As Tang Songting was suppressed by the relentless onslaught, he finally unleashed the frustration burning through him as he grabbed his scimitar with both hands. This time, his arms bulged once more as he slashed at the long staff!
The scimitar and staff rubbed off sparks, and Tang Songting took the opportunity to change his angle of attack. He slashed his scimitar toward the metal staff, generating more sparks, then aimed an attack at Zhao Xuemei’s right hand.
Zhao Xuemei’s upper limb strength was weaker than his. She was completely dominated in the struggle, unable to counterattack even if she wished to.
Just as everyone thought she was about to relinquish her staff, Zhao Xuemei’s eyes suddenly flashed fiercely. Her right hand held on firmly as she removed her left hand from the gold alloy staff and grabbed the spine of Tang Songting’s scimitar directly!
“Fuck me!”
Fu Changding was startled. Her actions were extremely dangerous. If she did not grab it properly, her right hand would be completely severed!
Tang Songting seemed to hesitate for a moment, as his grip on his scimitar slackened. At that time, the friction caused streaks of blood to trickle out of the fingers on Zhao Xuemei’s hand that had grasped the spine of the scimitar. In an instant, the scimitar was stained red but she succeeded in stopping the blade from slicing her hand off.
When his slash was blocked, Tang Songting seemed to hesitate again, which made unable to change his moves in time!
Seizing the moment, Zhao Xuemei pointed her toes as she prepared for a high kick. With one swift kick, she hit the middle of the scimitar’s spine.
“Clang!”
Sparks flew as Tang Songting’s arm buckled. Zhao Xuemei held the staff with her right hand and swept it toward Tang Songting’s waist.
For that brief moment, Zhao Xuemei had grasped the spine of the scimitar with her left hand while her right hand swung the staff horizontally. Tang Songting had two choices: either he released his scimitar and back up, or try his luck grabbing the scimitar back to defend himself.
Tang Songting showed no signs of retreating; he pulled his scimitar back in defense!
However, Zhao Xuemei’s left hand grabbed tightly and held firm. Even though everyone saw that her left fingertips were bleeding alarmingly, she showed no intention of letting the scimitar go!
When Tang Songting saw the situation, his eyes flashed with a hint of shame and annoyance. He had no choice but to release the scimitar as he retreated a few steps back!
As soon as he gave up his weapon, the intensity of the combat immediately dropped by three levels.
Next, Zhao Xuemei once again launched a frenzy as she ran up to overpower Tang Songting. Her facial expression said that she would not stop until she killed him!
...
After a minute, Tang Songting gave a pained pant as he retreated to the side, his head beaded with sweat.
“Stop!”
Tang Feng yelled, putting an end to the combat.
At that moment, Zhao Xuemei’s left hand was already crimson with blood but her eyes were crazed as she stared at Tang Songting, clearly eager to continue.
Tang Songting cursed under his breath as his arms shook. He was completely speechless. Eventually, he shouted, “I lose!”
‘This lady is out of her mind!’
This had long passed the point of learning from each other. It was heading toward a homicide because she was obviously indifferent with getting hurt.
After hearing the admission of defeat, Zhao Xuemei calmed down and walked to the side to bandage her injured hand. Both Yang Xiaoman and Chen Yunxi rushed forward to help but they watched her with odd expressions.
Fang Ping was lost for words. Was Zhao Xuemei, in fact, stronger than Tang Songting?
Of course not. If anything, she was probably weaker than him. Otherwise, Tang Feng would not have chosen Tang Songting to be on the first team.
Zhao Xuemei sure is crazy!
Every move she made was unnecessarily dangerous. She could easily have lost any of her limbs. However, she did not seem to mind it at all. Instead, Tang Songting was the one who hesitated. During the battle, he had wasted so many opportunities because of his unwillingness. In the end, it was his decision to discard his scimitar that resulted in his crushing loss.
Tang Feng observed Zhao Xuemei with some admiration but then turned his gaze toward Fang Ping, disapproval in his eyes.
Fang Ping was dismayed. ‘What the heck, who did I offend this time?’
Tang Feng’s expression gave a pretty clear message: ‘Fang Ping, you’re a man and even you couldn’t fight as vigorously as Zhao Xuemei did!’
Fang Ping felt wrongly accused!
‘I don’t have to go all out to win, so why should I try that hard? Only weaklings have to be this desperately. As a powerhouse, wouldn’t it be stupid to fight like a madman?’
Of course, he understood where Tang Feng was coming from.
Lion Tang was nicknamed “mad lion”. People like him knew, the only way to get stronger was to fight with their life on the line.
After grumbling darkly to himself, Tang Feng looked away and smiled. He said, “Zhao Xuemei is now on the first team and Tang Songting will be on the reserve team. Would anyone else still like to challenge?”
After that, a few others decided to challenge some of the reserve members.
However, no one else from the reserve team tried to challenge for the first team.
Chen Yunxi was probably strong enough to try but she kept quiet, and Tang Feng did not force it either.
After an entire morning of mayhem, the team still consisted the 10 of them. The only changes were Tang Songting and Zhao Xuemei.
The dismay on Tang Songting’s face never left. He found the whole situation unbelievably embarrassing!
...
After the team was decided.
Tang Feng immediately said, “There are 9 more days until the opening ceremony. From tomorrow onward, we’ll head to the other universities for some warm-up matches!
“The reserve team will go first and the first team will be in charge of suppressing them!
“The other schools won’t want to lose too badly. Even if they don’t put up their main fighters, they won’t field the weakest either.
“Besides, Zhao Xuemei and the rest of you are close to breaking through Peak-Rank-1 so train your hardest for these few days. You may even reach Peak-Rank-1 before the competition!”
There was still hope for Zhao Xuemei and Tang Songting to reach Peak-Rank-1. The only thing keeping them from finishing their Rank-1 honing was a few bones.
Except for Chen Yunxi, the other three people on the reserve team were also close to the milestone.
“For the friendly matches, our first stop will be at East Sino Nation Normal University and the second will be at South Sino University of Science and Technology. The students from both these universities are members of the Eight University Alliance.
“Even though they may not be as good as MCMAU or CCMAU, do not underestimate their strength.
“Analyzing their strength will be an advantage for everyone, even if it’s only for a short while. All of you should take this opportunity to amend your shortcomings and take the time to see what you lack.”
Fu Changding and the rest were not too interested in this aspect. The chances of the first team showing their strength were slim; this time the focus was on the reserve team.
What piqued Fu Changding’s interest was the other schools’ powerhouses. When Tang Feng finished his announcement, Fu Changding asked, “Teacher, are we not going to Sino Nation Martial Arts University?
“I heard Wei Bin from Sino Nation Martial Arts University is pretty strong...”
“Since Sino Nation Martial Arts University is located at Capital City, we won’t be going there. We’ll find out sooner or later how strong Wei Bin is.
“On the other hand, I can vouch that Han Xu is really strong!”
Tang Feng groaned, “Han Xu is probably a thrice-honed martial artist. At the very least, he’s already Peak-Rank-1 or may already have breakthrough Rank-2.
“MCMAU on the other hand...”
Tang Feng glanced at Fang Ping with some contempt and grumpily said, “Fang Ping’s opponent will be Han Xu. Therefore, he is not allowed to lose!
“If Fang Ping loses, any exchange of resources will cost an additional 10% in credits for the next three years!”
Fang Ping nearly coughed up blood. Unsatisfied, he cried, “Teacher Tang, aren’t you being too unreasonable here?”
“You’re right, I am giving you a hard time on purpose... You’re a brave one aren’t you, calling me Tang Lion amongst your friends, hmm?”
“Ahem... I don’t know what you’re talking about. Someone must have been bad-mouthing me on purpose. Yang Xiaoman and Zhao Lei have been against me since the beginning...”
I heard it with my own ears!”
“I’m sure you heard wrongly...”
“I’m Peak-Rank-6 and I have no problems with my ears!”
Tang Feng snorted and irritatedly said, “If you beat Han Xu, then you can call me whatever you want with your friends and I’ll never bother you again.
“But if you lose... Heh heh!”
“Teacher, you don’t have to do this. I have an instructor too, you know...”
“Lu Fengrou doesn’t have a problem with this so why should you?”
Fang Ping had the sudden urge to vomit blood again. ‘Am I really the top fighter in MCMAU? Then why does it feel like everyone hates me!’
Fortunately, Tang Feng’s next few words gave him some comfort, “If you beat Han Xu, the school will award you 100 credits!”
“Just 100 credits? He’s the national champion for Pete’s sake...”
“Whatever you say, months have passed since the Gaokao. Nobody knows how Han Xu has been progressing. There’s a chance he’s not even as good as the reserve team...”
“Then... Okay then.”
Fang Ping had the saddest and most helpless look on his face but Tang Feng thought, ‘This kid must be jumping with joy inside.’
Fang Ping felt that he was accused harshly but he could not say whether he was happy or not. Meeting people from CCMAU was inevitable and so was fighting Han Xu.
Since they were destined to fight, Fang Ping did not want to lose either.
If he won, he would get an additional reward which was an unexpected bonus.
In the event where he lost... Fang Ping groaned in his heart. ‘Isn’t it illegal to make exchanging resources 10% more expensive just for a loss!’
If it happened, he would seriously consider changing universities. ‘I wonder if CCMAU will accept students from MCMAU.’
Naturally, Tang Feng was oblivious of Fang Ping’s inner thoughts.
The instructors had to rack their brains to come up with methods to motivate Fang Ping.
...
When they were done assigning the teams and confirmed that they were going to East Sino Nation Normal University, the meeting was adjourned.
On the way back to the hostel, Fu Changding said heavily, “Fang Ping, you’ll have to be careful with Han Xu. And not just him, too, but Li Ran as well.
“I know these two very well.
“They were the famed geniuses in Capital City High School. I’ve seen them both in action a few times and I can say they’re both very strong...”
“How do you compare to them?”
“Last time I was just slightly weaker than them, but now... I can’t say!”, Fu Changding said without a hint of modesty.
“Then it should be no problem.”
“What... What’s that supposed to mean?”
“If it’s no problem for you, why should it be for me?”
Fu Changding looked annoyed and snorted, “We’ll just wait and see then, won’t we? When they pummel you down to the ground, it’ll be my time to shine. I’ll defeat them and finally everyone will know who the true champion of MCMAU is!”
“You? Go beat Zhao Lei first, then we’ll talk. That prick was defeated by my own two hands!”
“That’s irrelevant. Everyone had different stages of honing last time but we’re all Peak-Rank-1 now...”
Fang Ping pretended to yawn and ignored him. ‘It’s not you’re the one improving!’
‘Does you think I haven’t been working hard all this time?’