Chapter 19: Seventy-Two Tiger Subduing Fists (Third Update)

In Xin Lang’s heart, there was only one woman—Red Sleeve. Compared to the celestial grace of Red Sleeve, Meng Linglong still lacked a certain refinement, as if she had not yet descended from the heavens.

The pudgy Gu remarked, “Boss, I’m truly impressed. I can’t imagine what kind of woman would ever catch your eye.”

Meanwhile, the match on the dueling stage had ended. Both contestants were third-level martial apprentices, but the student from Xuyang Academy was at a slight disadvantage, and having not used any martial techniques, lost in less than a move and was knocked off the platform.

The teachers and principal of Luoyang Academy watched their student claim victory with smug expressions. Principal Luo Yuan turned to Meng Linglong and said, “Linglong, why haven’t your students used any martial techniques? Don’t tell me your Xuyang Academy’s martial instructors can’t even teach a simple technique?”

Before Meng Linglong could reply, Meng Chuchu beside her interjected, “Hmph, what’s so impressive about winning a single match? Our students from Xuyang Academy can beat you even without using martial techniques!”

“Now, now, Chuchu, don’t be upset!” Luo Yuan smiled. “Today’s event is just a friendly exchange between our two academies; winning or losing won’t affect the rankings in the Nine Academy Tournament.”

Though these private matches didn’t affect the official rankings, their impact on the academies’ reputations was significant. If Xuyang Academy lost, it would cast a shadow over their recruitment, as new students would surely choose the victorious Luoyang Academy over the defeated Xuyang. This would breed a vicious cycle, where the best students flocked to the top-ranked academies, leaving others to languish—just as Xuyang Academy was now.

Meng Linglong wore a cloud of worry; she had only recently taken over Xuyang Academy and had yet to fully understand its inner workings, and now Luo Yuan had come seeking an “exchange” to suppress them. If they lost, it would bode ill for the academy’s future.

She turned to Luo Hengxing and asked, “Teacher Luo, who do you think would be suitable to send up next?”

Ever since Meng Linglong learned that Luo Hengxing was a martial artist, she had begun to rely on him more, quickly promoting him to academic supervisor within days.

Luo Hengxing considered the matter. “There’s a student in the junior class named Qian Baidu. He’s quite talented, and also a third-level martial apprentice. He’d be a good choice.”

Meng Linglong nodded; she knew a bit about Qian Baidu—one of the few naturally gifted students at Xuyang Academy, though a bit lackadaisical.

“I know who would be best!” Meng Chuchu’s eyes lit up at the mention of Qian Baidu’s name. “Xin Lang! Let Xin Lang go up—he’ll flatten those Luoyang Academy idiots!”

Her voice rang out, drawing the attention of Luoyang Academy’s teachers and students, who wondered just who this Xin Lang was. At the same time, all Xuyang Academy students turned to look at Xin Lang by the dueling stage. As Xuyang’s first negotiation student, his notoriety was high; almost everyone knew him.

Hearing his name called, Xin Lang turned to leave. Though he had little fondness for Luoyang Academy, his temperament, forged through two lifetimes, made him loath to become a spectacle for others.

Just as he was about to depart, his upgrade device popped up with a mission: “Seven-star side quest—represent Xuyang Academy, defeat all Luoyang Academy contestants. Reward for completion: 35 experience points. No penalty for failure. One extra point for every move used to subdue an opponent.”

A seven-star side quest! Xin Lang was overjoyed. He almost wanted to rush over and plant a kiss on Meng Chuchu’s face—her loud call had triggered this valuable quest. Though side quests reward only half as much as main quests, there was no penalty for failing.

Thirty-five experience points left Xin Lang without hesitation; he jumped onto the dueling stage.

Seeing him take the initiative, Meng Chuchu was delighted, thinking, “So his usual indifference toward me was all an act! As I expected, my irresistible charm never fails!”

“Can this negotiation student do it? I hope he doesn’t embarrass Xuyang Academy,” one student below the stage worried.

“Right! He doesn’t even meet the physical requirements for admission. Can he really beat a third-level martial apprentice? If anyone should go up, it ought to be someone from the senior class,” another chimed in.

“That may not be true! I heard he defeated Qian Baidu, a third-level martial apprentice. He’s not much worse than our senior students,” someone else countered.

“What? A third-level martial apprentice? Impossible! He’s only been here a few days—how could he jump from ordinary person to third-level martial apprentice so quickly?” another exclaimed in disbelief.

Shi Cheng’en, Luoyang Academy’s martial arts instructor Shi Lang’s nephew, was also a third-level martial apprentice, though newly enrolled. Exceptionally talented, he’d won his first duel, and his pride was sky-high. He said to Xin Lang, “I’ve heard Xuyang Academy’s ‘Dragon Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms’ is famous in the city of Nine Suns. I came today just to witness it. Don’t disappoint me as your classmate did.”

Xin Lang laughed, “You? You’re not worthy. I don’t need any martial arts technique—I’ll settle you with a single punch!”

“Arrogant fool! Let me show you what I can do! Mortal-level martial technique—Tiger Subduing Seventy-Two Punches!” Shi Cheng’en launched his academy’s signature low-level martial art.

Xuyang Academy was known for ‘Dragon Subduing One Hundred and Eight Palms,’ while Luoyang Academy recruited with ‘Tiger Subduing Seventy-Two Punches.’ The two academies had been rivals for decades in Nine Suns City, each vying for dominance.

Xin Lang watched Shi Cheng’en’s technique, not rushing to strike. He intended not only to learn the Tiger Subduing Seventy-Two Punches, but also to defeat his opponent in a single move.

He sprang back, feet tapping the ground.

“Trying to escape? Not so easy!” Shi Cheng’en saw Xin Lang retreat and assumed he was frightened, lunging forward like a tiger.

“Detected: Mortal-level low-tier martial technique ‘Tiger Subduing Seventy-Two Punches.’ Would you like to learn it?” the upgrade device prompted.

PS: Third update done; fourth update at ten in the morning, brothers, don’t forget to check it! Monday’s ranking challenge, votes needed!