Through the gloomy corridor, across the old threshold, Lou Cheng and the others walked into the stadium of the Wensheng School.
A light fell from the dome, mingled with glazed color, and lightened the stony ring at the center, the surrounding practice area, and scuffs and marks on it.
On the two sides of the stadium were raised platforms which were divided into several rows, the highest one with chairs exclusive to VIPs.
Here, it was hard to associate it with the animation and freestyle of the martial arts club in Songcheng University. All audience was dressed in formal exercise clothes or suits and ties as if they were watching an opera rather than an exciting fight.
"Old-timers, officials, celebrities, and students..." Lou Cheng could almost figure out most identities.
Next to him, Yan Zheke also felt the same way. She tipped her head and whispered in his ear, "It feels like a gathering of different schools in ancient records..."
"Right!" Lou Cheng was enlightened suddenly.
This is exactly the perfect conclusion of my feelings!
In ancient times, different schools had communications and fights to learn from each other. They also invited local senior masters of martial arts, officials, and squires as guests and encouraged their disciples to observe and learn.
There was nothing wrong with it, but the atmosphere here was the complete opposite of what they were familiar with since their early years.
In that period, martial arts didn't belong to the general public!
Common people were even not eligible to cheer!
There was no doubt that Lou Cheng preferred his noisy Martial Arts Club arena.
He exchanged his feelings with Yan Zheke and followed Geezer Shi into the locker room for guest teams.
On a seat of the raised platform, Ye Youting watched Lou Cheng walk away, a light-colored coat over her shoulder. She said with a mixture of emotions spreading over her face, "Sister Lan, who do you think will win?"
The draw in the Yanling division would be held on tomorrow evening. She didn't hurry back with Jiang Lan since they couldn't interfere with the final results.
Jiang Lan put his head in the hand and said with a smile, "Speaking of odds of success, Wensheng School is a potential winner. But Lou Cheng and Lin Que have their own strengths and they're the top among the Professional Ninth Pin fighter. If they're in the Little Warrior Sage Challenge Tournament, they also have a great chance to defeat an Eighth Pin fighter in a one-on-one when the opponent is worn out with time. If they took the tactic of attrition warfare, I'm afraid Junior Brother Zhou would not be able to handle it."
"Senior Brother Zhou is stronger than Wei Shengtian indeed, but not too much. Compared to the time when they competed with Fearless Squad, Lou Cheng and Lin Que have made great progress now..." Ye Youting didn't say explicitly but what she meant was clear. She was afraid that Zhou Zhengquan would lose more badly than Wei Shengtian.
She paused, and then said in half curiosity, "Sister Lan, do you think Lin Que has entered into the Danqi State?"
"How could it be so easy to enter into the Danqi State?" Jiang Lan chuckled and said, " Lin Que didn't understand the meaning of "contract" until the late March. It has been not more than two months since that. Only for the meticulous work, he can't complete it. It took me the entire seven months to enter the Danqi State from since I mastered the "contract". Even if he has the gift, without three to four months to lay the foundations, he won't get there so quickly just as high buildings won't rise from the ground without sound foundations.
"I see..." Ye Youting nodded, his eyes lost in thought. "But Wensheng School has a greater chance to win. Junior Brother Hou, Senior Sister Zhuo and Senior Sister Li are all strong Ninth Pin fighters.
Especially the former, I'm not so sure that we'll definitely win.
In the locker room of the guest room, seeing the weary faces of Li Mao, Sun Jian and others, Geezer Shi made a sound "Hey", attracting all attention.
"Yan, what kinds of tactics do you think the Donglin Squad will take? how will they choose their formation?" He pointed to Yan Zheke and said with a smile, "Don't be shy, and give us your opinions."
"Right, right. Say something, Master Yan!" Guo Qing laughed.
Completely confused with mystified eyes, Yan Zheke blushed by the laughter of them. However, she didn't refuse but said in a calm,
"The Donglin Squad has watched the video of the fight between the Fearless Squad and us, and they'll try to check Lou Cheng's terri-terrifying strength."
Speaking of her boyfriend's great strength, she couldn't help but chuckle. Then she despised herself and said silently,
Yan Zheke, Yan Zheke. If it was a speech, a laugh would spoil everything!
You're not like this before...
As Lou Cheng was swept up in this, he took on a face of innocence and said quietly, "Is it so funny?"
Yan Zheke rolled her eyes to him, took a breath and continued seriously, "They don't know our formations, so they can't arrange Zhou Zhengquan of Eighth Pin in Dan stage, according to the order of Lou Cheng and Lin Que. I think they'll find a halfway measure and let Zhou Zhengquan come out second."
"In that case, if Lin Que goes first, he'll begin his fight Zhuo Yanjun, Li Shengnan or Hou Yue. All of them are of Professional Ninth Pin. Even he knows himself and his enemy, if no accident, he can't get a quick victory. That's to say, after consumed much energy, he has to play Zhou Zhengquan in such condition. If so, it's still a coin toss whether he can open up a situation for Lou Cheng. Once Lou Cheng begins to face a complete Zhou Zhengquan, he can't fully show what he can even if he has good physical stamina."
"If Lou Cheng comes out first, with his terrifying strength, he does have a chance to compete with Zhou Zhengquan when his enemy is most alert and energetic. So he can create an opportunity for Lin Que to win. But Lin Que's strength is average. After a fierce fighting with the Mighty One in the Dan stage, does he have any hope to win in the face of the Professional Ninth Pin of Donglin Squad? But we have the Senior Brother Sun Jian with us. We should fight for it."
Hearing her detailed analysis, Sun Jian, Li Mao and the others all nodded gently. It was exactly the possible tactics that Donglin Squad would use. Moderate but pragmatic!
By the way, they also grumbled silently. "Although all know you're Lou Cheng's girlfriend, you can't show such a strong bias towards your boyfriend. Don't always aim at Lin Que's average strength. Cheng's strength is abnormal actually!
It's because you want to display affection in front of us damn singles?
Be careful. It might damage the harmony, animation, peace, and unity of the Martial Arts Club!"
Sensing the long looks from the others and a curious gaze from his cousin, Yan Zheke couldn't help but touch her blushing face.
Is there something wrong with my analysis?
Why is everyone so weird, except Cheng?
She restrained her confusion and added, "By the way, watch out for Hou Yue. He is currently undefeated in the group competitions, and the worst result was that once he asked for exiting the ring because he got too tired, but he never pushes himself to the limits."
That's to say, nobody knows if Hou Yue has any more aces up his sleeve!
All of these above had been discussed between Yan Zheke and Lou Cheng in private.
"Very good." Geezer Shi nodded with a smile.
"Coach Shi, another thing..." Yan Zheke raised her hand, face flushed.
Oops, I forgot it. So embarrassing!
"Say it." Geezer Shi nodded with a smile.
Yan Zheke spoke fast, "'Water Sect' focuses on nourishment and eternality, so all martial arts derived from it feature good stamina and endurance. I believe 'Fly Fall Punch' of the Wensheng School is no exception."
"Right. 'Fly Fall Punch' does have this feature. Zhou Zhengquan is a big rival in the attrition warfare as a fighter of Eighth Pin in Dan stage." Since Yan Zheke has found his blind spots that were hidden deliberately, Geezer Shi simply gave a little bit more about that. "No matter Lin Que or Lou Cheng, compared to the time when they were in Yimo, they have improved much. Don't worry about it."
"So what's the biggest problem for us?" Geezer Shi chuckled and said, "Apart from our two leading players, all substitutes are somewhat weak. But for the Wensheng School didn't apply for the special competition format because they wanted to spare his blushes and win the match as usual, or we would have zero chance to win."
At that, Sun Jian, Li Mao, Yan Zheke and all felt embarrassed.
"But, with no more than one year-round special training, you have improved so much. It's quite pleasing." After giving the setback education, as an elder friend, Geezer Shi began to comfort them and said, "Li Mao, I've seen some progress in your still stance recently. It won't take a long time to get there. By then you can easily reach the Amateur First Pin since you're so physically fit. Try your best to get the capability near to the Professional Ninth Pin by this November."
Hearing Coach Shi's words, Li Mao felt very excited. Although he did realize a little bit progress in his still stance these days, as a person lack of confidence, he still got butterflies in his stomach. Until he heard that, he felt a sense of relief and certainty.
"As for you, Yan," Geezer Shi looked at Yan Zheke and said, "with two or three more months of practices, your strength will be strong enough to do 'Internal Training'. By then, you should ask for it from your family and try to have the capability near to the Professional Ninth Pin by this November too."
"Yes, Master!" Yan Zheke set her mouth in a grim line and nodded, eyes shining.
Think that she was near to the Professional Ninth Pin, the girl couldn't restrain her excitement.
Lou Cheng's Thunder Roar Zen was not only a play style but also an internal training that was to integrate this into your bone and flesh. It was similar to Meteor force of Family Ji. But the reason why Yan Zheke didn't use it was that she was not physically strong enough to learn it. If she pushed herself, the five viscera and six bowels would be damaged. In the same way that Lou Cheng was not taught Thunder Roar Zen until this semester.
"Guo Qing, you're so skilled in the Mountain-moving Punch, add to that you got the talent. The Ninth Pin like Yan and Li Mao aside, attaining the Amateur First Pin is possible for you. Sun Jian, if you and Lin Hua keep special training in the next two semesters, hopefully, you'll get the certificates of the Professional Ninth Pin before graduation." Geezer Shi gave his comments one by one and seized this opportunity to give the missing education.
At last, he looked at Lou Cheng and Lin Que, and said with a grin,
"As for the order of play, don't care much about it. Bear our original purpose in mind. We come here to learn hands-on experience."
"Last time, Lin Que battled with a fighter of Eight Pin in Dan stage, so this time Lou Cheng will go instead."
Then he said with a serious face,
"Lou Cheng, you come out first today!"
Lou Cheng took a breath and said in a loud voice,
"Yes, Master!"
What would it be like to face a fighter of Eighth Pin in Dan stage who is in his best physical and mental condition?