"Zhengyang my ass. Don’t tell anyone I broke through. I have to continue my seclusion."
Cai Zhengyang’s expression soured. He turned and stord out of Mingcan Courtyard.
His two lackeys stared at each other, stunned.
Then, their eyebrows shot up with a shared understanding:
"Let’s go. We’re still on for tonight!"
Back in Mingcan Courtyard!
Zhao Rui entered the main hall and walked up to Wang Zhanshan.
"Coach, I just ran into Cai Zhengyang. He broke through to Level 9!"
"That fast?"
A look of delight crossed Wang Zhanshan’s face. He nodded and said, "This afternoon, I need you to notify everyone. Tell them to gather in the main hall tomorrow. I’m taking you all to the training site."
Zhao Rui rubbed his nose. "I’m just a temporary mber. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for to be the one gathering everyone?"
Hearing this, Wang Zhanshan shot him a glare. "The way I see it, with your knack for stirring up trouble, even ’temporary mber’ is too lenient. You should be kicked off the Martial Arts Team entirely."
Zhao Rui scratched his head sheepishly. "I was just saying... If I go to the training camp, I won’t be able to work my part-ti job..."
"I’ll restore your status after the training is over. Now hurry up and get lost! The sight of you is irritating!"
Wang Zhanshan waved his hand dismissively, shooing Zhao Rui away.
Zhao Rui grinned. "Thanks, Coach."
’The benefits of being an official mber shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s a proper, salaried position.’
’Of course, that was just a small part. The main things were the year-end performance awards, free access to various school benefits, and eligibility for school scholarships.’
’All of those ca with special perks.’
’It’d be foolish to pass them up.’
With his orders in hand, the first thing Zhao Rui did was call Miao Miaomiao.
She was on the list too. The special training squad had a total of five people.
Besides him and Miao Miaomiao, there was also Wang Dalong, Cai Zhengyang, and Zheng Minghao, who had broken through to Level 8 over winter break.
As for Luo Min, she had already left with a film crew for a production base in Sichuan Province to play her part as a period-drama Female Knight.
Qin Rui had gone with her as well.
Because of this, rumors spread through the team that Qin Rui had secretly latched onto one of the crew’s managers.
How else could her na have suddenly appeared on the list?
While these words were clearly tinged with jealousy, they still made Qin Rui furious for days.
Fortunately, these people only gossiped behind her back and didn’t dare say anything to her face.
Zhao Rui couldn’t be bothered with it. ’If she wants to experience the life of an actor but can’t even handle a few rumors,’ he thought, ’then what’s the point?’
After calling Miao Miaomiao, Zhao Rui hurried over to the Martial Arts Team’s Martial Arts Arena.
He scanned the area, spotted Wang Dalong, and strode over.
Zhao Rui had to admit, he was quite impressed by this genuine Martial Dao prodigy.
The guy had an arrogant streak, but he wasn’t completely naive about the ways of the world.
He wasn’t flashy, but he wasn’t overly modest either.
He gave off the impression that first place was naturally his, that he was simply ant to be that outstanding.
Seeing Zhao Rui—soone he’d barely ever spoken to—walking toward him, Wang Dalong frowned.
’Although I don’t think I’m afraid of Zhao Rui, a man’s reputation precedes him.’
’This guy had already taken down so many people.’
’From freshn to juniors, from the Level 8 Cai Zhengyang to the Level 9 Gongye Lingchen.’
’There was no one he wouldn’t dare to challenge.’
’We’ve always kept to our own lanes, so I have no idea why he’s looking for .’
"Brother Rui, you’re looking for ?"
Wang Dalong took the initiative and asked as he approached.
"Yeah, Coach Wang asked to let you know that we’re to gather in the main hall tomorrow morning. He’s taking us to a training camp. Pack so extra clothes."
Zhao Rui affird and explained the matter.
"Just you and ?"
Wang Dalong asked, surprised.
"And the other Level 8 freshn."
"Oh!"
Hearing that, Wang Dalong understood.
After speaking with Wang Dalong, Zhao Rui went to inform Zheng Minghao.
However, after looking all over, he couldn’t find Cai Zhengyang. Zhao Rui eventually found his two followers and, upon asking, learned that Cai Zhengyang had actually gone into seclusion.
’What’s with this guy? Why is he trying so hard?’
Zhao Rui was stunned. ’Didn’t he just break through to Level 9?’
’This is so out of character for him.’
Little did Zhao Rui know, if Cai Zhengyang hadn’t run into him, he would be out partying and bragging all over the place right now.
Secluded training was serious business. People often turned off their phones to avoid being disturbed.
Zhao Rui was familiar with this, so he just left Cai Zhengyang a ssage explaining the situation.
It wasn’t until almost midnight that Cai Zhengyang finally called him back to ask for the details.
When he heard that five freshn were going, Cai Zhengyang was instantly displeased.
’In his mind, only he, Wang Dalong, and Zhao Rui were qualified to be on the special training squad.’
’Anyone below Level 9 is an ant!’
’Especially that Zheng Minghao guy. He just hit Level 8. Who the hell does he think he is!’
The squad hadn’t even departed yet, but Cai Zhengyang was already secretly drawing lines and forming cliques.
Unfortunately for him, Zhao Rui had no idea what he was thinking.
If he had known, he would have fired back with, "Anyone below Level 10 is an ant!"
「The next morning.」
The five of them gathered in the main hall of Mingcan Courtyard, suitcases in hand.
Wang Zhanshan went over so rules for the trip. As he spoke, he stared pointedly at Zhao Rui, his gaze all but saying directly:
’This is ant for you.’
’So listen up!’
After he finished his instructions, they waited a short while before a minibus picked them up and drove straight out of Dongqi University.
After less than an hour on the road, the bus arrived near the Jeju Western Yellow River Forest Park.
It pulled to a stop at a place that looked like a training base.
Zhao Rui and the others looked out the window at the sign by the gate.
Dongqi Province Martial Arts Training Base!
’This is...?’
Zhao Rui and the others were shocked. This was the ho of the Dongqi Martial Arts Team.
The Dongqi Martial Arts Team, not the Dongqi *University* Martial Arts Team. The difference of a single word carried a completely different aning.
The Dongqi Martial Arts Team was a legitimate hub for professional Martial Dao competitors.
It wasn’t a school-affiliated organization, but a gathering place for the most outstanding Martial Dao talents from all corners of society.
Its mbers included, but were not limited to, top graduates from the province’s major universities, Martial Dao masters from heritage families, and inner disciples from renowned Martial Arts Dojos.
Of course, there were also a few disciples from various Sects.
"We’re here. Look sharp! Grab your bags, let’s get off the bus."
Once the bus ca to a complete stop, Wang Zhanshan clapped his hands and led the group off the minibus.
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