Exotic Battlefield: I Can Activate Dual Talents
Chapter 81 - 79, Lesson for Lu Lin (Request for first order)

Chapter 81: 79, Lesson for Lu Lin (Request for first order)

As Lu Lin and Guan Yue went upstairs, fitness coaches and familiar gym members kept approaching to greet Guan Yue, who responded to each of them with a smile.

「On the second floor.」

Compared to the noisy and bustling first floor, crowded with various fitness equipment, it was much more spacious here. There were three rings, and people were sparring in each of them. Lu Lin almost immediately spotted Guan Yue’s father, who was also the man in charge of this Boxing Gym: Guan Pingchao.

Guan Pingchao, in his forties, had a rugged, muscular build and stood over two meters tall. As he stood in the ring, he looked like a prehistoric beast—fierce and flamboyant.

"Dad!"

Hearing Guan Yue’s voice, Guan Pingchao, who was in the ring, faltered for a moment while dodging his opponent’s fist and took a punch to the face.

"Oh, daughter, you’re here!" Guan Pingchao, ignoring the blow, kicked his opponent, sending him flying. Then, grabbing the ropes of the ring with his left hand, he vaulted down.

After taking just two steps, he saw Lu Lin standing beside Guan Yue. He took in Lu Lin’s appearance: young, handsome, with a slim, tall build, and a mature, composed temperament. A pang of something akin to jealousy tugged at Guan Pingchao’s heart before he grinned and teased, "Daughter, is this your boyfriend? I didn’t realize your taste was so picky."

"Dad, don’t talk nonsense," Guan Yue said, a hint of dissatisfaction in her voice. I wish! But this Lu Lin fellow just doesn’t understand romance at all, she thought. "Dad, this is Lu Lin, the new Star Guide from our Green City Mentor Branch." Then, turning to Lu Lin, she added with a mischievous grin, "Lu Lin, this is my dad. You can just call him ’Mr. Guan the Meddler’."

’Mr. Guan the Meddler’? Lu Lin was astonished. President Guan is truly something else, daring to joke like that even in front of her own father!

"That’s right, that’s right! ’Mr. Guan the Meddler,’ that’s me!" Guan Pingchao boomed, playing along. "Hello, Lu Lin. Daughter, why did you suddenly come over to my place?"

Upon hearing that Lu Lin was not Guan Yue’s boyfriend, Guan Pingchao visibly relaxed, his wariness subsiding. He found Lu Lin much more agreeable to look at now.

"Dad, Lu Lin said he was practicing a martial skill but didn’t have a suitable place. I thought I’d bring him here; it could save him some registration fees and whatnot."

Guan Pingchao looked at his daughter, momentarily speechless. Bringing him to our family’s gym just to save him some registration fees... what a considerate little treasure she is, he thought. "Alright, no problem. There’s still space upstairs. Lu Lin, just pick any spot you like."

"Thank you, Uncle Guan." Of course, Lu Lin couldn’t actually call him ’Mr. Guan the Meddler’. He expressed his thanks politely, then tactfully moved to the side, opened his backpack, took out his broken knife, and began his cultivation.

Guan Pingchao pulled his daughter aside and asked softly, "Daughter, are you interested in this Lu Lin?"

"Hmm... No, no, Dad, what are you talking about? Lu Lin is only eighteen this year. If I liked him, wouldn’t that be like an old cow grazing on tender grass?"

"Alright, alright, don’t ask anymore. Go practice your boxing."

As Guan Yue hurriedly pushed her father away, Guan Pingchao saw it clearly. Ah, my daughter’s heart has truly been captured. It seemed he would have to test this young man named Lu Lin when he had the time, to ensure his daughter’s lifelong happiness wasn’t jeopardized. As for the age difference, Guan Pingchao didn’t dwell on it.

While Lu Lin was engrossed in practicing his Ten Steps Kill, Guan Yue bustled about, fetching him snacks, sports drinks, and a towel. She even got a set of men’s training vest and shorts from the front desk. After several trips, she finally settled down to watch Lu Lin’s cultivation. However, Lu Lin only practiced a few repetitive movements, and soon Guan Yue found herself growing tired and drowsy. She truly lacked any talent or interest in combat. Otherwise, she would never have chosen a stable, support-type profession like a Star Guide.

Although Guan Pingchao was sparring, his gaze kept drifting towards his daughter. He knew her personality better than anyone. Sure enough, Guan Yue couldn’t stay awake for long and soon dozed off in the rest area.

Guan Pingchao knew. My chance has come!

He spoke to his sparring partner, then stepped out of the ring and walked over to Lu Lin. "Little Lu, practicing like this won’t cut it," he said. "The most crucial part of cultivating martial skills is actual combat. How can you develop a feel for it by training alone? Come on, I happen to be free right now. Let me spar with you for a bit." Guan Pingchao extended the invitation.

Lu Lin paused his movements and looked at Guan Pingchao. Guan Pingchao was an ordinary person. Although he looked incredibly burly, he had no Star Veins. His physique was honed solely through the slow absorption of Star Power Factor by his Star Core; he was no match for Lu Lin.

"There’s no need, Uncle Guan. I’m a Star Core Warrior, so I’m quite strong." Lu Lin subconsciously glanced at Guan Yue, who was snoring softly in the rest area. "If there’s an accident or something... President Guan would definitely be angry."

Hmph! This fiery temper of mine! Guan Pingchao fumed internally. He’d been running this boxing gym for over a decade and had never met anyone as arrogant as Lu Lin. Guan Yue had just mentioned that Lu Lin was a high school graduate this year and had only awakened his Talent about ten days ago—not even half a month. No matter how strong he was, there had to be a limit. Guan Pingchao had sparred with several Zero Level Star Core Warriors before. While he wouldn’t boast about other things, he was confident he could absolutely crush these newly awakened youngsters in terms of raw strength and combat experience.

"It’s fine, it’s fine, Little Lu. Combat experience is built up over time," Guan Pingchao insisted. "Although your Uncle Guan here isn’t a Star Core Warrior, my strength isn’t something an ordinary person can withstand. How about this: we’ll both wear protective gear and just practice some boxing techniques and footwork."

Seeing Guan Pingchao’s insistence, Lu Lin felt he couldn’t refuse. He could only remind himself to go easy during the spar and, by all means, avoid hurting the man.

The two put on their protective gear and stepped into the ring. Guan Pingchao even formally asked one of the boxers to act as their referee.

With preparations complete, the referee shouted, "BEGIN!"

Guan Pingchao didn’t rush to attack. He stayed in place, taking small, shuffling steps, observing Lu Lin’s movements. After just a few moments, Guan Pingchao could tell Lu Lin was a rookie. He probably had no prior boxing training. Every move he made was hesitant; he looked around nervously, unsure of what he was worried about.

Seeing this, Guan Pingchao chuckled inwardly. You brat, daring to turn down my daughter? I’ll teach you a little lesson today!

Guan Pingchao suddenly ducked low, his feet moving in a rapid shuffle. In an instant, he was in front of Lu Lin, throwing a punch. It was fast, fierce, and precise. The onlookers knew Guan Pingchao doted on his daughter and would likely want to teach Lu Lin a small lesson. Seeing the power behind this punch, they instantly knew he was using his full strength.

Excellent! Lu Lin exclaimed internally. The timing and angle of Guan Pingchao’s punch were perfect. If Guan Pingchao were also a Star Core Warrior, Lu Lin would have undoubtedly been hit. But he wasn’t.

Under Lu Lin’s Star Skill Perception, Guan Pingchao’s movements seemed to unfold in slow motion, like watching a replay. It was that distinct feeling of knowing exactly where and how the opponent would attack.

Lu Lin stomped on the ring floor. His entire body shot back half a meter, neatly evading Guan Pingchao’s fist. Then, unfamiliar with sparring rules, Lu Lin clenched his right hand into a fist and brought it smashing downwards.

He used about one-tenth of his strength in that punch. Guan Pingchao shouldn’t get hurt from this... right?

"AH!" Just as Guan Pingchao was about to mentally applaud Lu Lin’s retreat, he saw Lu Lin’s fist descending. He’s just a kid who awakened his Talent barely half a month ago; his body has only been tempered by Star Power for that long. How much strength could he possibly have?

However, despite underestimating his opponent, Guan Pingchao instinctively tried to retract his arm.

But it was too late!