Peerless Martial Expert in the City
Chapter 590 - 586: Another Side of Zhao Yuhua

Chapter 590: Chapter 586: Another Side of Zhao Yuhua

Under the influence of everyone’s excitement and enthusiasm, Xiao Yi’s heart couldn’t help but grow curious and look forward to this grand occasion.

Of course, what Xiao Yi was curious about was simply to witness what fun and interesting things the event held. As for the hot topics among his classmates, like the beauties and stars, he had no interest.

Compared to that, he was much more concerned about when he could advance his cultivation to the next minor realm and when he could step into the great realm.

Since Situ Qingfeng left, his life had entered a rare period of calm. Apart from occasionally keeping an eye on major news and following the case of the child trafficking ring, he had almost entirely devoted himself to the path of cultivation.

Without a doubt, the effects of the cultivation during this time were very clear. To others, describing his progress as "advancing by leaps and bounds" wouldn’t be an exaggeration. If others at his level knew of his rapid advancement, they would surely be green with envy, filled with jealousy and begrudging praise, to the point of drooling with desire.

Had it been before, Xiao Yi would certainly have been content with such a rate of cultivation. He wasn’t a greedy kitten, and he knew that cultivation had to be steady and progressive, one step at a time.

But ever since he obtained the scripture and knew that he could only cultivate it after possibly breaking through the fourth layer of the Carefree True Scripture into the fifth, and after reaching the high tier of the Condensation period, Xiao Yi was no longer satisfied with this speed of cultivation.

With his current pace, let alone reaching the high tier, even attempting to enter the middle tier of the Condensation period seemed a long and distant journey...

Having a precious scripture in hand without being able to cultivate it was an incredibly frustrating feeling... He didn’t want to wait until he was old and gray, after a decade or two, to cultivate the mysterious techniques recorded in the scripture.

Yet the path of cultivation, indeed, couldn’t be rushed no matter how anxious one was. Although not entirely satisfied, Xiao Yi reluctantly calmed his mind and diligently practiced his cultivation every day.

Xiao Yi felt that the sports meet had nothing to do with him, but somehow, the event had fallen right onto his shoulders.

He had never imagined that his classmates would nominate him to represent the School of Mathematics in the competition!

When he heard the school teacher announce the decision and ask him to participate in the selection trials within the school, he almost thought he had heard wrong. After a while, when he was sure he hadn’t, a wry smile couldn’t help but emerge in his heart.

He was going to participate in the sports meet?

What kind of joke was that?

He, a master at the Condensation period, participating in such a sports meet would be laughable if word got out. What’s more, where was the meaning in it? How could those ordinary students have any competitive edge?

Just as he was about to stand up and decline, he heard the teacher call the next name, and his expression froze again.

Zhao Yuhua?

She was also participating in the sports meet?

Xiao Yi’s eyes widened in shock, his mouth agape as if it could fit an entire egg. He stared blankly at Zhao Yuhua sitting beside him, waiting for her to refuse.

Trusting his instincts, he felt that Zhao Yuhua definitely wouldn’t be interested in these things and would undoubtedly decline without hesitation.

However, contrary to his expectations, Zhao Yuhua, upon hearing the teacher’s announcement, didn’t say a word, her expression unchanged as if she hadn’t heard the teacher’s words at all.

This... How could this be?

Xiao Yi was stupefied.

The students around him were also dumbstruck. Xiao Yi hadn’t expected Zhao Yuhua to agree to compete, and these students were even more surprised by her participation and the fact that she showed no sign of rejection!

Zhao Yuhua was also going to compete, representing our School of Mathematics in the contest!

After a brief moment of being stunned, the entire classroom suddenly buzzed with excitement. All the students showed excited expressions, whispering to each other, clenching their fists secretly. In everyone’s hearts, they were set on not missing Zhao Yuhua’s competition no matter what!

Zhao Yuhua participating in the sports meet was even more thrilling for these youths than hearing about sports stars competing. They simply couldn’t imagine what a scene it would be for Zhao Yuhua to run on the track and what kind of sensation it would cause.

Xiao Yi had never expected Zhao Yuhua to accept without refusal. He was so dazed, he even forgot he was going to refuse. It took a while before he came back to his senses, only to find that the teachers had already left.

This...

Staring at the empty podium, Xiao Yi’s face betrayed a bitter smile. This was too ridiculous; how could he possibly compete?

Whatever the case, he would have to explain to the teacher in the afternoon that he absolutely couldn’t participate.

Such was the firm decision in Xiao Yi’s heart.

However, even as he made this decision internally, he couldn’t help but glance once again at Zhao Yuhua beside him, quietly wondering what game she was playing this time.

Why hadn’t she rejected the teacher’s nomination earlier? Was she truly going to participate?

But that didn’t make sense, did it?

Long ago, he had vaguely sensed that Zhao Yuhua was no ordinary person but a master in her own right, likely influenced by the cultivation of a particular Cultivation Technique.

This was fully confirmed when Xiao Yi broke through to the Condensation period, leaving no doubts, and even more so after Professor Beichen Feng taught him that secret technique. He could then clearly understand even the depth of Zhao Yuhua’s strength.

When he first confirmed Zhao Yuhua’s strength, he was slightly surprised. He honestly hadn’t expected that Zhao Yuhua, a beauty that seemed too beautiful to be real, almost to the point of being a national disaster, and moreover, Miss Zhao of the distinguished Zhao Family, could already have reached the middle tier of the Bone Tempering Period, and even seemed close to stepping into the late period!

However, after observing her more closely, he came to terms with it. The seemingly delicate beauty before him possessed a talent for cultivation that he had rarely seen in his lifetime. Even the likes of Young Master Liu paled in comparison to her; they simply stood no chance at all.

He even felt that if Zhao Yuhua had had the opportunity to be born in a great clan like the Liu Family and received their full support, she might by now have broken through to the Condensation period just like him!

How could a Bone Tempering Period master like her be interested in an athletic competition? Why would she participate? This was something Xiao Yi simply couldn’t fathom. He didn’t believe that Zhao Yuhua was looking to make a splash at the games or earn a medal.

If someone were to offer him that answer, he would unquestionably roll his eyes and gift them two words: "Idiot."

He opened his mouth, wanting to ask her about it, but upon seeing the indifferent expression on her face, he hesitated, swallowing his words. He felt that, no matter what, it was her business, and there was no need for him to embarrass himself by asking.

"The School of Mathematics has always been weak in athletics. Very few people participate."

Just as Xiao Yi was about to give up probing and withdraw his gaze, Zhao Yuhua, who had been cold-faced the whole time, suddenly turned her eyes toward him and spoke indifferently.

"Hmm?"

For a moment, Xiao Yi didn’t catch on, not understanding the meaning behind her words and was taken aback.

"If you don’t participate, it’s likely that no one will be able to. Even if someone is reluctantly brought in to compete, they won’t win any awards."

Zhao Yuhua observed the puzzled look on Xiao Yi’s face, her eyes flecked with a hint of complexity as she glanced at him and added softly, "To compete doesn’t necessarily mean to go all out. With your Bone Tempering experience, even if you rely on sheer strength, you’re bound to win."

Zhao Yuhua’s words, which others might not understand – the notion of someone who had undergone Bone Tempering – were crystal clear to Xiao Yi.

To compete didn’t mean one had to use one’s realm and Cultivation Power; just depending on the hardships endured during the Bone Tempering Period, the toughening of muscles and bones, and sheer physical stamina, one could win.

What Zhao Yuhua said was undeniably true.

In fact, martial arts, initially, are nothing more than the training of muscles, bones, and skin. The so-called talent for cultivation is essentially just athletic talent, though naturally demanding a higher standard.

It can be said that any individual capable of entering the path of cultivation, anyone breaking into the Bone Tempering Period, would undoubtedly become a strong athlete with just athletic training, even without cultivation. And after the arduous tempering of the Bone Tempering Period, they are truly beyond compare with ordinary people!

Yet, Xiao Yi still felt a shock.

You not participating means no one else could, and if people are coerced into participating, they wouldn’t win any awards!

This sentence was also clear to Xiao Yi.

Through this sentence, Xiao Yi grasped the meaning behind Zhao Yuhua’s previous words and the unspoken implication behind "The School of Mathematics has always been weak." Thus, I am competing.

Because he understood and realized this, he was shocked and surprised, finding it incredible.

Could it be that Zhao Yuhua, who always seemed indifferent to everything, actually cared about the honor of the School of Mathematics?

Gazing at Zhao Yuhua, who looked calm, even slightly detached, after having spoken those words without showing any outward signs, Xiao Yi’s eyes suddenly held a touch of unspeakable complexity. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)