Translator: CinderTL

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“Just a quick announcement, due to special considerations, the assessment for core students will start ahead of schedule today.”

On the martial arts training ground, Coach Lu walked with the three assessors to an open area.

His booming voice echoed in everyone's ears. Many students, who had speculated about this, showed varying expressions of surprise or relief.

"Just as I thought."

"I didn’t expect the assessment to start early, that’s quite sudden."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later, anyway, it won’t be any of us."

Quiet murmurs spread as Lin Hao stood at the edge with a smile, flashing Chen Feng a look that said, I knew it.

Then, perhaps because of the rising noise, Coach Lu raised an eyebrow.

With a slight wave of his hand, he pressed down on the sound and said, "You have ten minutes left to warm up."

"After ten minutes, the assessment will start right here on the training ground, supervised by the three assessors behind me."

"The assessment is a free-for-all battle. The last person standing will earn a spot in our Flame Tiger Martial Arts Academy’s core class..."

Coach Lu quickly explained the rules of the assessment. Many students were surprised to hear the news.

Seeing their reactions, Coach Lu didn’t elaborate further and instead looked toward the three people beside him, particularly at the leader – Cao Tong.

"Junior Brother Cao, do you have anything to add?"

His tone was sincere. Coach Lu was well aware of his junior’s talent and strength.

Long ago, Cao Tong had reached the seventh-dan in his specialty, and it was rumored that he had begun practicing true martial arts, with a chance to become the sect’s true successor.

Compared to him, Coach Lu was just a coach for a branch academy, their positions worlds apart.

If it weren't for Cao Tong's old friendship, Coach Lu, even at his age, would have to address him as Senior Brother.

"No."

"Brother Lu, just go ahead and make the arrangements. We are here only to observe," Cao Tong said, his voice deep and resonant.

Upon hearing this, Coach Lu nodded. The students on the field began to warm up, clearly not daring to waste time.

In no time, stretching, punching, and various other exercises began...

Shouts echoed in the several hundred square meters of the training ground, quickly making the area lively.

"Brother Lu, do you see any promising students this time?"

Someone in the assessment team asked. Coach Lu instinctively glanced at Xu Dongtai and Chen Feng on the field.

The former had once been his top prospect, likely to reach the professional level.

Moreover, it was heard that he had recently acquired a secret medicine.

But...

After thinking for a moment, Coach Lu pointed toward Chen Feng and said, "This student is quite impressive."

"Just a week ago, he unlocked his martial arts potential, and in just one day, he's transformed. In seven short days, he went from being a complete beginner to mastering Sanda and even learning Judo to high proficiency."

"I personally think his talent is very high. He is more than qualified to join our academy's core class."

As soon as he finished speaking, Cao Tong remained expressionless, but the two people behind him raised an eyebrow.

Martial arts potential unlocked?

Such examples were rare, but those who had experienced it all ended up at the professional level or above.

"Brother Lu, are you sure it was unlocking martial arts potential and not just a simple breakthrough in Sanda?" Cao Tong asked, his tone skeptical.

Coach Lu hesitated at this. There was a significant difference between unlocking martial arts potential and just gaining insight into fighting techniques.

The former represented a real transformation in talent and could lead to going far in martial arts.

The latter, however, was just a quick comprehension of a single martial art style. While it might allow rapid progress in the short term, it was not sustainable.

"Eight or nine out of ten," Coach Lu said after a pause, gritting his teeth.

He trusted his judgment and didn't want such a talented person to be overlooked by the academy.

After all, he knew Xu Dongtai had obtained the secret medicine, dramatically increasing his strength. He was probably already nearing the amateur seventh-dan.

Compared to that, Chen Feng's martial arts potential had been unlocked too recently. Today's free-for-all battle might be a bit too tough for him, and he could lose.

"Unlocking martial arts potential takes time to verify, Brother Lu. Be careful not to misjudge," someone in the assessment team reminded.

It was clear that they thought this possibility was unlikely. After all, if the academy mistakenly enrolled someone based on such a judgment, it could waste resources.

And the person who recommended him would have to bear the consequences.

"Junior Brother Zhao, I..." Coach Lu started to respond, but another member of the assessment team shook his head.

"Brother Lu, unlocking martial arts potential is too elusive. There have been few cases in the history of our academy, and in this generation, only Junior Uncle has achieved it."

"Junior Brother Zhao is also concerned about you being punished for a wrong judgment. Don't blame him for speaking out."

Upon hearing this, Coach Lu understood. He sighed, refraining from arguing further, and ultimately looked at Cao Tong.

Cao Tong was the one in charge of the assessment, and whether Chen Feng would still have a chance to be enrolled in the core class after a failure in the battle would depend on whether Cao Tong spoke up.

"We'll see," Cao Tong said, his expression unchanging, like a towering figure.

Solemn and calm.

Seeing this, Coach Lu understood and said no more, silently turning his head to watch Chen Feng on the training ground.

Chen Feng, ah, Chen Feng, I’ve done my best.

I hope you can impress Junior Brother Cao.

...

"Zheng Qiang, are you really going to help Xu Dongtai?"

On the training ground, Yu Shan asked Zheng Qiang, who was standing nearby, in a low voice.

"Of course, why not earn the money?"

"One thousand yuan, most fighters wouldn't get that much."

Zheng Qiang replied with an expression that said are you stupid, making Yu Shan raise an eyebrow.

"Of course, there’s also personal grudges."

Zheng Qiang, knowing his thoughts had been seen through, didn’t hide anything.

"That kid embarrassed me badly the other day. I couldn’t hold my head up for days."

"Now that I have a chance, I must make things right."

Yu Shan gave a knowing look, then glanced at the young man warming up in the corner. A trace of pity appeared on his face.

What a shame.

He was a good talent...

...

"Brother Dong, you don’t think Zheng Qiang and Yu Shan will betray us, right?"

On the training ground, Zhou Xin, standing beside Xu Dongtai, asked cautiously.

With the free-for-all assessment about to begin, he was worried these two might turn on him.

"As long as they’re not stupid, they know what to do."

Xu Dongtai replied indifferently, exuding confidence.

Then, he stood in place, stretching his muscles, and his gaze shifted unconsciously toward the assessment team. His eyes lingered for a moment.

Cao Tong!

He hadn’t expected him to be the one overseeing the assessment.

Seventh-dan professional, likely to be the sect’s true successor.

Xu Dongtai’s family’s private coach had often praised Cao Tong’s strength.

If he could show more potential in today’s battle, he might win Cao Tong’s favor and gain an important ally.

With this thought, Xu Dongtai’s eyes burned with passion and longing.

Then, his gaze shifted.

He looked toward the corner, where Chen Feng was warming up quietly with Lin Hao.

As if sensing the gaze, Chen Feng turned to look.

Their eyes met, and Xu Dongtai sneered, drawing his hand across his neck in a mocking gesture.

After taking the secret medicine, his strength was already close to amateur seventh-dan.

Not to mention that Zheng Qiang and Yu Shan had both been brought into his fold.

What was once a threat from Chen Feng now seemed like an ant that could be easily crushed.

With these thoughts, Xu Dongtai’s expression became indifferent as he withdrew his gaze.

Stretching his muscles, his body heated up.

He knew it was a done deal—the core student spot was his!

(End of the Chapter)

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