WHOOM—
At that, the entire venue exploded into an uproar.
Open challenges. This meant opportunity, but it also meant endless competition!
"The top nine students all have Life Energy Levels exceeding 10.0, qualifying you to access the Star Martial Battle Network," Zhou Yun added. "In principle, your challenges will be conducted on the Battle Network's stages to avoid injuries that could affect your training."
"Of course, the simulation on the stage will be based on your individual Life Energy Levels to be consistent with reality."
"Now, if you have any objections to your ranking and wish to issue a challenge, you may begin."
Her gaze swept almost imperceptibly over Liu Jing and a few other students who looked unconvinced.
The scene fell silent for a moment.
A challenge required courage, but it required strength even more, especially under the watchful eyes of so many.
Liu Jing took a deep breath. She knew her advantages lay in her Body Technique and a family-inherited C-Level Finger Technique, the Spirit Finger. Actual combat wasn't her strongest suit.
But the difference in resources was simply too great; she couldn't afford to back down.
She gritted her teeth, took a step forward, and looked resolutely at Wang Wenhai and Zhou Yun. "Teacher Zhou, Teacher Wang, I… I want to challenge the third-ranked student, Xu Wuyi!"
'As expected!'
Everyone's gaze instantly shifted back and forth between Liu Jing and Xu Wuyi.
Class One's long-standing third-place student challenging a dark horse who had suddenly risen through the ranks—this was undoubtedly the most eye-catching battle of the day.
Xu Wuyi's expression was calm, as if he wasn't the least bit surprised by the challenge.
Meeting Liu Jing's gaze, which held both a hint of nervousness and grim determination, he gave a slight nod.
"Permitted," Zhou Yun approved directly. "Connect to the Battle Network, Junior Stage."
...
「Star Martial Battle Network, Junior Stage.」
The figures of Xu Wuyi and Liu Jing materialized at the same time.
Around the stage, the virtual avatars of the other students from the sprint class also appeared one after another, clearly using spectator permissions.
Zeng Bonan and Hu Haobo stood at the very front, their expressions focused.
Xu Wuyi glanced around his surroundings before quickly retracting his gaze.
This was a virtual battlefield simulating reality, so both sides weren't using the standard 10.0 Energy Level, but rather one adjusted according to their real-world physical stats.
After testing, Xu Wuyi was indeed at Level 10.2, while Liu Jing had clearly not slacked off during the winter break, her Life Energy Level having reached 10.4, giving her a slight advantage.
Liu Jing looked at Xu Wuyi, whose expression was as tranquil as an ancient well, and the pressure in her heart intensified.
She was well aware that Xu Wuyi's third-place rank was no fluke; both Zeng Bonan and Hu Haobo regarded him with great importance.
'But it has come to this. I have no choice but to give it my all!'
Rankings don't guarantee victory. Winning and losing still depend on one's performance in the moment.
The path of Martial Arts is one of contention. 'If I don't even have the courage to compete, what right do I have to call myself a Martial Artist!'
"Begin!" The virtual system's prompt sounded.
With a sharp cry, Liu Jing's figure instantly moved.
She knew Xu Wuyi's defense was formidable—even Zeng Bonan hadn't been able to break through it initially. Thus, she unleashed her full power from the very start!
Her Body Technique was like a butterfly flitting through flowers, exceptionally agile, as she circled Xu Wuyi rapidly, searching for an opening.
At the same time, she held the index and middle fingers of both hands together. Their tips glowed faintly, striking out like a viper's tongue, periodically jabbing at Xu Wuyi's joints, acupoints, and other weak spots.
C-level Martial Arts, Spirit Finger!
It specialized in breaking through Qi and Blood defenses, concentrating Power into a single point for extreme Penetration Power!
Unlike Hu Haobo, who chose his C-level Martial Arts, Liu Jing learned Spirit Finger entirely because her father was a true Martial Artist.
Spirit Finger was her family's heirloom Martial Arts. Not only did she have guidance from experienced seniors, but she also used a unique Secret Medicine, allowing her progress to be no slower than someone practicing a D-level Martial Arts.
When Teacher Zhou had previously commented that her combat experience was lacking, it was from the perspective of her mentality; it didn't mean Liu Jing's actual combat power was truly weak!
The sharp Finger Wind whistled through the air.
However, facing this storm of attacks, Xu Wuyi still adopted his most familiar strategy—a stable defense.
His feet seemed to have taken root, firmly planted in place. Relying solely on subtle movements of his upper body and precise blocks with his arms, he neutralized Liu Jing's successive waves of attacks.
After he reached the Minor Achievement realm in the Basic Body Refining Technique, his defensive stance appeared even more fluid and natural.
Furthermore, he had already comprehended the True Intention of Martial Arts: "Mountain." Although he didn't fully activate it, his every move still carried a unique quality.
In Liu Jing's eyes, Xu Wuyi was like a veritable mountain, standing firm and unmoving no matter how the wind and rain battered it.
Blocking, sidestepping, deflecting force… every single action was exceptionally precise, without a shred of wasted movement.
Liu Jing's Finger Force struck his arms, shoulder blades, and other areas, but it felt like hitting incredibly tough cowhide. The concentrated Finger Force was like a clay ox sinking into the sea, unable to penetrate his profound and heavy Qi and Blood defense.
This was precisely because Xu Wuyi's precise evasions prevented her from hitting any vital acupoints. At the same time, his Qi and Blood circulation was so powerful that the Spirit Finger's effect of cutting off Qi and Blood couldn't manifest.
One minute, two minutes, three minutes...
Cold sweat gradually beaded on Liu Jing's forehead.
This situation was completely different from anything she had encountered before.
When sparring with Zeng Bonan and Hu Haobo, she was usually the one on the defensive. No one had ever just let her attack like this.
And yet, it was precisely in a situation where she could attack at will that she grew more and more alarmed as the fight went on.
His defense was just too good—so good that not only did he not reveal a single flaw, but he even seemed to have energy to spare.
'Every one of my movements is being seen through, every attack neutralized with nonchalant ease.'
This feeling was just like facing a Martial Arts Teacher in a guided match!
The frustrating feeling of throwing a full-power punch only to hit empty air made her grow increasingly anxious.
Her Qi and Blood were being consumed at a high rate, and her Spirit was also beginning to tire from maintaining such a high-intensity offense for so long.
Outside the stage, the crowd of spectators held their breath.
Hu Haobo folded his arms, his eyes sharp. "Liu Jing's Spirit Finger is quite well-practiced, and her angles are tricky enough, yet she can't even make him move a single step?"
Zeng Bonan said in a low voice, "His foundation is too solid. He has completely seen through Liu Jing's movements. His Basic Body Refining Technique is much stronger than mine."
Shi Yi, Wang Yunze, and the others were mesmerized by the sight. They asked themselves, if they were in Xu Wuyi's position, they would have probably been defeated long ago.
Five minutes passed.
Inevitably, Liu Jing's offense began to falter slightly. The high-speed movement and full-power finger strikes took a huge toll on her stamina and Heart and Spirit.
Just as she unleashed a three-strike finger combo, Xu Wuyi, who had been as still as a boulder, finally moved!
His movements weren't fast, but they possessed a precision that seemed to see through everything.
The arm that had been blocking swung outward like an iron gate, accurately striking Liu Jing's wrist.
Liu Jing only felt her wrist go numb as her concentrated Finger Force instantly dissipated!
And in that same instant, Xu Wuyi's other hand moved.
It was still a straight punch, simple to the extreme. There was nothing fancy about it, just the condensed sum of all his stored power. He struck second but landed first, like a long-dormant tiger suddenly pouncing!
The fist was aimed directly at the acupoint on Liu Jing's Chest!
'Not good!' Liu Jing's pupils contracted violently. She wanted to dodge, but it was too late.
THWACK!
A heavy, muffled thud echoed clearly across the stage.
Xu Wuyi's fist landed squarely on Liu Jing's chest, instantly shattering her bones and severing her heart meridian!