Medical staff rushed over, swiftly taking out equipment and medications to check Wang He’s injuries. As they lifted his shirt, a huge dark bruise from a punch emerged.
"Is everything alright? Doctor."
Lu Chenzhou came forward, concerned about his opponent.
A very experienced Martial Arts Doctor smiled and said,
"No worries, it’s just a severe internal shaking that led to unconsciousness due to qi-blood rushing to the heart. There are no fractures or internal injuries... A Sixth Rank body isn’t that fragile."
At this moment, rounds of cheering had already submerged the sports hall.
"It’s still him, a punch from Xiao Lu!"
"The final showdown was too thrilling."
"Wang He is also quite formidable."
"We should have more of these competitions in the future."
"Exactly, no more meaningless concerts with all that chaotic noise."
The audience was thoroughly entertained, excitedly expressing their satisfaction.
The commentator shouted,
"Let’s congratulate Lu Chenzhou on seizing the championship throne! Coming up next are the battles for second and third place. Let’s look forward to them!"
Lu Chenzhou returned to the lounging area.
At this time, Shi Ruyu and the others had all rushed over.
"Junior brother! You were so cool!"
Shi Ruyu’s face was flushed with excitement, more so than if she had been competing herself.
"It was hard enough for me to reach Fourth Rank, and you’re already at Sixth Rank..."
Even with the same Low Class root bone, there’s a chasm between them.
Ji Xuantong smiled and said,
"I always said you had no problem being first."
Old Ji was overwhelmed with emotion as he looked at the screen that prominently featured "Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall." Just the name alone had earned back the 200,000 cash prize awarded to Lu Chenzhou.
A core student earning 200,000 a year.
Without saying much, just bringing in five more would mean a million.
A shrewd person like Old Ji never loses out!
In any case, the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall wouldn’t lack students in the future.
"Congratulations, Ji, your disciple is really remarkable."
The Giant, having watched the entire competition, came with his son Ricken to offer his blessings.
"Hahaha, I’ll treat everyone to a meal some other day."
Ji Xuantong was in high spirits, no longer caring about the past.
Soon, after watching the live broadcast, the old couple called.
Li Xianghua asked with concern,
"Chenzhou, you’re not hurt, are you?"
Lu Guoping said joyfully,
"Son, you must be the first among the Low Class root bone individuals in Su City now, right?"
"In this world of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, before one ascends to the peak of Martial Arts, who dares to claim they are first? Who would dare to say they are unbeatable? My journey in Martial Arts has only just begun."
"Good, that’s my son. Stay humble and keep on striving!"
With the doctor’s aid, Wang He also regained consciousness.
He looked at his father, who was anxious, and smiled,
"Dad, I’m fine. The fight was exhilarating."
"Then keep working hard, son."
He turned his gaze toward the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall’s resting area.
"Cultivating both internally and externally, Stone Buddha Arhat, what a Lu Chenzhou!"
With the might of the Thunder Trigram Palm from the Spring and Autumn Palm technique, it was rare for anyone below Seventh Rank to be able to take it head-on, yet Lu Chenzhou had managed it, impressing him deeply.
Wang He’s loss was not unwarranted.
Throughout history, all Martial Artists who cultivated both internally and externally at the same time were invincible among their peers. Once these individuals broke their limits, they often became even stronger.
Having watched all the youth group competitions, Grandmaster Yuan said with a contented expression, ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
"Very good, very good."
"Senior, Su City truly has an abundance of talents."
Chen Ye had already identified several Martial Artists worth investing in, just waiting for headquarters to approve. It was essential to act early; otherwise, the talents that his Daoist Science and Technology unearthed could be snatched up by the rival competitor, Divine Martial Technology.
"Lu Chenzhou, Wang He, Xu Jiutian, Su Chen..."
Without a doubt, the highest priority was Lu Chenzhou.
The shortest cultivation time, the fastest progress, a boundless future!
Atop the podium, Lu Chenzhou stood on the champion’s platform, nearly fifty thousand gazes fixed on him; envy, jealousy, admiration, frenzy... he raised the trophy.
A young, beautiful host approached to interview Lu Chenzhou:
"What would you like to say right now?"
Lu Chenzhou thought for a moment and exclaimed loudly,
"Flying Swallow, Sea Sweeping, Unrestrained!"
His life had taken off from the Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall.
His future would be an immeasurably vast world.
Below the stage, Old Ji nearly teared up, moved.
As a Martial Artist, it had been a long time since he’d felt this way.
He certainly hadn’t misjudged Lu Chenzhou, even his award speech was giving the Martial Arts Academy free advertising... Such a sincere kid, he decided on the spot to double the prize money.
Four hundred thousand!
Precisely what Chenzhou needed for going to Martial Arts University soon, as it was difficult to move forward without money early on.
This money would serve as an academic advancement gift from him, the teacher.
After the award ceremony, stepping down from the podium, Wang He extended his hand, saying,
"Thanks, Brother Lu, for holding back."
Lu Chenzhou replied with a smile,
"A friendly bout should stop at courtesy, you didn’t go all out either."
Initially, Lu Chenzhou, because of Wang Kang’s actions, had had no fondness for Xihe Martial Arts Hall, but after interacting with Wang He directly, he found that Wang He himself was actually quite likable. Furthermore, since Wang Kang had repaid his father’s money, they could consider that matter closed.
"When I have the chance, I’ll visit Flying Swallow Martial Arts Hall, and we can spar some more."
"Looking forward to it."
Full and intense sparring could speed up proficiency. After that one battle, Lu Chenzhou’s proficiency in Tiger Supreme Fist had already improved on the spot.
Of course, that was just a small part.
More importantly were the improvements in combat awareness and experience, things one can’t learn from just practicing punches. Sparring with peers of similar strength was something he eagerly desired.
The top eight competitors exchanged contact information and agreed to fight again in the future. Thus, Lu Chenzhou also made many friends from outside the school – a trip worth the time.
At that moment, Chen Ye walked over with a beaming smile.
"Would the top eight contenders please follow me?"
He led the group of youths backstage, where eight brand-new cars gleaming with black and gold awaited; these were the renowned Seeking Dao Type 9.
Chen Ye said with a smile,
"The champion’s car is fully equipped, the runner-up has a high configuration, third place has a medium configuration, and all other models are standard but start at a value of a million. These are your prizes."
"Thank you, President Chen, thank you Daoist Science and Technology."
Lu Chenzhou didn’t have a driver’s license; he had asked Lu Guoping, and his father adamantly declined. Saying that he dare not drive such an expensive car, and even the built-in Qi-Blood restoring light was of no use. He suggested Lu Chenzhou should either sell the car once he got it or ask the organizers if he could get cash instead.
Embarrassed, he inquired,
"President Chen, I can’t drive... Can I exchange the prize for cash?"
Wang He exclaimed from the side,
"Brother Lu, this is a limited edition custom-made for the champion!"
He definitely wanted to drive it himself; it would be a matter of prestige.
But remembering that Chenzhou’s family was not well-off, he also suggested,
"Yeah, how about giving Brother Lu cash instead?"
Chen Ye was placed in an awkward position for a moment. According to headquarters, they could not convert prizes to cash. However, he also understood Chenzhou’s predicament, so he did not outright refuse. After all, Chenzhou was the number one Martial Arts prodigy to emerge from Su City’s competition.
"Let me ask the leaders about it, little brother."
Chen Ye went off to make a call.
Some classmates directly drove away in the cars.
"Everyone, see you at next year’s competition."
They greeted each other, all departing.
"Chenzhou, I’m off too. Let’s spar often in the future."
Lu Chenzhou quietly waited for the result.
Before long, Chen Ye returned.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, little brother."
"As for converting the prize into cash, I talked to the company, and they agreed... Additionally, I have here a talent investment and training agreement tailored for you. Would you like to take a look?"
Chen Ye had asked directly to the leadership.
After watching Lu Chenzhou’s match and understanding the relevant details, the upper management had approved his training agreement with unprecedented speed.