Chapter 71: Humanoid Martial Arts Library

The advanced class’s monthly ranking challenge proceeded as usual inside the Martial Arts Dojo.

This time, however, the atmosphere was subtly different from before.

Many people’s gazes drifted toward a particular corner—the spot where Xu Wuyi usually stood, which was now empty.

Zeng Bonan, Hu Haobo, and the others took their turns on the stage, sparring and competing for the rankings below first place.

The fights were still intense, with Qi and Blood surging and the ceaseless sound of colliding fists and feet, but it always felt like something was missing.

It wasn’t until all the challenges were over and the rankings mostly settled that Teacher Zhou Yun slowly walked to the center of the training floor. She scanned the room, her voice ringing out clearly throughout the entire Martial Arts Dojo:

"I have an announcement to make. After deliberation, the school has decided that starting this month, student Xu Wuyi will be undertaking an individual special training program. He will no longer participate in subsequent class ranking challenges."

As soon as she finished speaking, a wave of irrepressible murmurs swept through the hall.

"Individual special training? No wonder I didn’t see him today..."

"Doesn’t that basically mean they’re acknowledging he’s number one, so he doesn’t have to compete anymore?"

"Might as well. It’s not like anyone dares to challenge him now anyway."

Teacher Zhou Yun raised her hand, signaling for silence, and continued, "At the same time, student Xu Wuyi’s original share of class resources will be released and distributed to the next students in rank."

At this, everyone’s gaze fell in unison upon Liu Jing, who was ranked fourth.

Liu Jing herself was slightly taken aback, then an expression of uncontrollable delight spread across her face.

With Xu Wuyi no longer taking up a spot, it meant she would receive the first-tier resource allocation. This was undoubtedly a timely blessing.

The other students also moved up one spot, but she was definitely the one who benefited the most.

"Congratulations, Liu Jing!"

"You really hit the jackpot this time."

The students next to her offered quiet congratulations, their tones mixed with envy.

...

Of course, Xu Wuyi had no way of knowing what his classmates were discussing.

At that moment, he was standing in Teacher Wang’s small, private training room, facing a very serious Wang Wenhai.

He walked up to Xu Wuyi, his gaze sharp. "You should have guessed the reason I called you here for individual training. Do you remember what Principal Zhang told you before?"

"I remember," Xu Wuyi said solemnly. "The Principal said my goal shouldn’t just be the top ten in the province."

"Exactly!" Wang Wenhai’s voice suddenly rose. "At your current rate of progress, by the time of the college entrance exams, your Life Energy Level will be at least 14.5, maybe even higher! And that’s not even counting your aptitude for Martial Arts..."

"Xu Wuyi, you are now fully qualified to make a run for first place in Dongjiang Province!"

Wang Wenhai said, word by word, "In other words, from now on, you need to treat Chu Shanhe as your hypothetical opponent."

"Chu Shanhe..." Xu Wuyi murmured the name.

’The plan’s changed? I’m supposed to aim for number one?’

"Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles." Wang Wenhai opened the tablet he carried and pulled up a file.

"As a well-known figure in the province, Chu Shanhe’s file is very detailed. Of course, this is all publicly available information, so it might be outdated."

A holographic image of Chu Shanhe appeared on the screen, showing a handsome young man.

"Chu Shanhe, a disciple of the Linjiang Chu Family. He comes from a wealthy background. Principal Zhang said he’s not a top-tier Genius, but I’m going to have to give you a reality check."

Wang Wenhai pointed to the data in the file. "Old Zhang has high standards. He spent a long time dealing with Grandmasters and Innate Martial Artists in the past, so his tastes have gotten a bit spoiled."

"Even if Chu Shanhe isn’t considered top-tier, he absolutely cannot be underestimated. His most lauded trait is his talent for Martial Arts."

"Photographic memory, grasping concepts from a single example—those phrases aren’t enough to describe him." Wang Wenhai’s tone was tinged with emotion. "He truly ’learns fast, and masters even faster.’ He can grasp the essence of most Martial Arts after practicing them just a few times, and in a very short period, he can achieve a remarkably high level of proficiency."

"Because of this, he has a nickname: ’Little Eight Extremes’."

"Little Eight Extremes?" Xu Wuyi asked, puzzled.

He knew the title "Eight Extremes" belonged to a Grandmaster from the past, who had since passed away.

"Fist, Palm, Leg, Footwork, Saber, Sword, Spear, and Shield!" Wang Wenhai explained. "He is proficient and skilled in all eight of these common Martial Arts categories! According to public records, he has systematically studied and reached the Minor Achievement Realm or higher in over thirty different Martial Arts during his high school years!"

"Over thirty styles... at Minor Achievement or higher?" Xu Wuyi gasped.

All told, the main techniques he was focused on mastering were only the Basic Body Refining Technique, the Wind-Settling Spear, and the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace, which he had just reached the Entry Level with.

What a terrifying accumulation of Martial Arts knowledge and speed of comprehension!

’He’s a walking martial arts library, isn’t he?’

Several combat clips of Chu Shanhe played on the screen.

One showed his incomparably fierce Fist Technique breaking through a defense. Another showed his phantom-like Body Technique evading a siege. In another, his long spear moved like a dragon, shattering his opponent’s weapon. Then, he was instantly counter-attacking after blocking with a shield...

Whether in unarmed combat or wielding a weapon, Chu Shanhe’s movements were perfectly natural and effortless, as if those exquisite techniques were carved into his very bones.

Xu Wuyi’s Heart and Spirit were shaken as he watched. He couldn’t find a single flaw in Chu Shanhe’s techniques; the only way to fight him seemed to be a head-on battle of attrition.

"He has a natural understanding of Martial Arts techniques and the flow of Power that is far beyond ordinary people. His combat style is ever-changing. No matter what his opponent excels at, he can either find a way to counter it or simply crush them head-on with superior skill."

Teacher Wang pointed to one of the clips. "Look here. He throws a punch, then switches to a Palm Technique mid-motion, unleashing the Eight Trigrams Palm, Jade Bee Palm, and Flying Sand Palm in quick succession. His opponent is left completely baffled."

Xu Wuyi nodded silently. He already realized that he absolutely could not try to compete with Chu Shanhe in terms of Martial Arts techniques. That would be like throwing an egg against a rock.

"Feeling the pressure?" Wang Wenhai asked with a smile, seeing the change in Xu Wuyi’s expression.

"Yeah," Xu Wuyi answered honestly. "It seems like he has no weaknesses."

"No, everyone has a weakness," Wang Wenhai countered. "Chu Shanhe’s weakness is that he’s a jack-of-all-trades. A person’s energy is finite. His depth of mastery in any single area can’t compare to that of top-tier Geniuses who specialize in one thing."

"Furthermore, he lacks a true ace in the hole—a finishing move that can decide the outcome of a fight."

"None of the Martial Arts he’s learned are above C-level. Limited by his Life Energy Level, he also can’t push any of them to the Great Success Realm."

"His low ceiling—that’s his weakness!"

"Against opponents at his own level, Chu Shanhe is nearly invincible. But as soon as an opponent surpasses his level, everything he does becomes useless."

Xu Wuyi nodded slightly upon hearing this. "I understand. If I can’t find his shortest plank, I’ll just use my longest one to smash his whole bucket."