I will eventually become a god through sheer hard work.

"...Li Chengxuan, a direct disciple of the Qingcheng Jinfeng Dojo, is a student of professional martial artist Jiao Hongyuan, a ninth-dan master..."

On the computer screen, someone Xue Jing was familiar with was being introduced. Then the screen cut to showing highlights from Li Chengxuan's past matches.

"...The dark horse contestant who emerged in the previous preliminary rounds practices the martial arts style 'Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword,' also known as the 'Four Blades Without Blades Style.' It is a terrifying martial art that trains the hands and feet to become real swords. Every time it is used, it results in death or serious injury!"

In the scene, Li Chengxuan flashed past his opponent, flicked the blood off his hand blade, and his opponent slowly fell to the ground, looking quite dashing.

Yin Muhu, standing next to him, curled his lip and said, "It's such an obvious pose...too deliberate."

Jiang Siwei chuckled and said, "Aren't all young people like this? They love to show off."

...If only this person loved to show off as much as he did.

Jiang Siwei looked at Xue Jing and couldn't help but think.

He lacked any youthful exuberance, appearing far too precocious and lacking any semblance of control.

As the contestants continued to be introduced, it was soon Xue Jing's turn.

This time, the screen only showed a photo of a black shadow with a white question mark in the middle, followed by some basic information, which was pitifully little.

Only his name, the Hidden Dragon School of martial arts, and that he was a representative seed player of the Galaxy Martial Arts Club were provided; nothing else.

"Pretty mysterious, isn't it? Doesn't it give you the feeling of a hidden boss?" Xue Jing raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Jiang Siwei shook her head and said, "This is actually quite common. Many big clubs arrange their debut matches for newly signed young talents in the U19 league to make a name for themselves. Audiences are used to it."

Yin Muhu agreed, saying, "You are indeed the hidden boss."

Xue Jing waved his hand, sighed, and said modestly, "Why are you speaking such blunt truths?"

Soon, the contestants finished their introductions, and the scene shifted back to the main stage.

"Next is the draw... I hope you can get into the first eight matches and finish them on the first day."

Jiang Siwei said.

"This way, they'll have an extra day of rest compared to the players in the last eight rounds..."

"Martial artists are prone to serious injuries in competitions, so every bit of rest they get is precious."

The preliminary round of the knockout stage is a round of 32 to 16, which is played over two days. After that, there is only one day of rest. Players who are drawn into the first eight rounds can finish their matches on the first day, which is considered a good draw.

Yin Muhu's lips twitched: "Uh... I don't think you need to worry about that."

Jiang Siwei pushed up her glasses, looking somewhat curious.

This girl looks really strong... and seems to really admire Xiao Jing.

Although she had read Xue Jing's information and knew that he was quite strong, she had never seen him in person and did not have a concrete understanding of his martial arts level.

Yin Muhu scratched his head and muttered in a contrasting sweet girlish voice, "I hope I'm not in the same bracket as you... I don't want to go back in disgrace after only two matches, or I'll be laughed at by that old geezer, Master, for a whole year."

Xue Jing patted her shoulder reassuringly.

"I don't think you'll be that unlucky, Sister Yin."

In the live broadcast, an elderly man dressed in a practice uniform, with a handsome face and full of energy, walked from backstage onto the stage. His steps were extremely steady, and his body did not tremble at all as he walked.

"Next, please welcome Xu Jinghong, 8th Dan, to draw the lots!"

……

In a penthouse suite of a hotel in Maple City.

Li Chengxuan was soaking in a large, round bathtub, holding a wine glass filled with champagne. Beside him were two beautiful, naked women embracing him and nestled on his shoulders.

Looking at the images displayed on the large television screen in front of him, his previously cheerful mood instantly turned gloomy.

[Sixth Match: Xue Jing of 'Hidden Dragon Style' vs. Li Chengxuan of 'Golden Wind and White Rainbow Sword']

"Damn it, that persistent brat!"

"Fine, I was careless last time. This time on the field, I'll definitely beat you to a pulp!"

Li Chengxuan made some harsh remarks, but a strange unease, which he was unwilling to admit, inexplicably arose in his heart.

……

Chapter 127 Maple City University Martial Arts Club, Xue Jing: "I should be a little stronger than him." (4K)

“Li Chengxuan…”

Xue Jing stared at the live stream for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

"That's quite a coincidence."

Yin Muhu, standing beside him, nodded and said, "I've watched a few of Li Chengxuan's matches. His style, 'Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword,' is quite interesting and has a reputation in the inner circle. I heard my grandmaster say that the 'Three Heroes of Jade City' had a dispute with disciples of this style back then."

Xue Jing smiled and said, "I've heard my master mention this before."

Yin Muhu: "My grandmaster said that most of the troubles the three of them encountered were caused by the Dragon King Li Qi. He said that Li Qi heard that the Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword School had a great reputation, and when he saw a disciple of that school, he immediately said, 'What are you looking at?'..."

"However, I think this was probably a frame-up by our grandmaster. He's probably the one who caused all this trouble..."

Xue Jing: "..."

He felt that it shouldn't be a frame-up; even if there was some embellishment, it was generally the truth.

I don't know why Yin Muhu has such a deep prejudice against his own master.

"Li Chengxuan is quite strong. He is ranked in the top twelve out of the thirty-two contestants in this elimination round, which puts him in the 'upper tier'."

Jiang Siwei spoke from the side, her hands constantly typing on a thin laptop.

"The general consensus among industry insiders is that, with a bit of luck, he has a good chance of becoming one of the final four."

"Xiao Jing, you need to be careful..."

Jiang Siwei paused for a moment, then continued, "I know you are very strong... but this is your first time competing, so you may not be used to it. The schedule for this knockout tournament is very tight, and you will have to play three matches in a short period of time. Even if you get injured in any of them, it will become a significant disadvantage in the following matches."

"We not only want to win, but we also want to win while minimizing our own injuries. It's always better to be cautious."

Xue Jing glanced at her, smiled slightly, and said softly, "Don't worry, Sister Wei, I'll be careful."

In the live broadcast, the sprightly old man continued drawing lots.

Soon, Yin Muhu's name also appeared on it.

"The ninth game... Luckily, we're not in the same half of the draw."

Yin Muhu nodded in satisfaction and said with some relief.

The knockout stage format is such that the first eight matches belong to one half of the bracket, and the last eight matches belong to the other half. Xue Jing is in sixth place, which belongs to the first eight matches, while she is in ninth place, which belongs to the last eight matches.

Each of the two brackets will play three matches to determine two teams that advance.

In this way, she won't run into Xue Jing on the field until the entire knockout stage is over.

Jiang Siwei asked curiously, "Shouldn't you martial artists all emphasize courage and continuous improvement? Being afraid of running into Xiao Jing... that kind of mentality seems a bit off, doesn't it?"

Yin Muhu glanced at her, extended his right hand, shook his thick index finger, and corrected her:

"It's not that I'm afraid of encountering it, but that I don't want to encounter it; there's a difference between the two."

"No matter how brave and skilled a martial artist is, they are not mentally deficient... If they know that they have a high probability of not winning against an opponent, they will avoid it if possible. This is not cowardice, but a strategic retreat."

Yin Muhu said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world, without the slightest embarrassment.

Xue Jing rubbed his chin and agreed, "Sparrow food."

……

After watching the lottery ceremony, Xue Jing had a meal with the two at the hotel, and then they went their separate ways.

Xue Jing returned to his room and began his daily practice of the Armor Shaking Technique and the Hidden Dragon Technique.

After finishing the training, he conducted a simulated combat exercise in his consciousness space, using almost pure force throughout the entire fight.

When I felt my spirit begin to dry up and I withdrew from my consciousness, it was already 2 p.m.

After taking a shower and changing his clothes, Xue Jing walked out of the hotel and planned to visit his sister Xue Wan's school.

He first called Xue Wan to inquire, and after receiving a reply that there was no problem, he hailed a taxi and headed to Xue Wan's school—Fengcheng University.

……

The entrance to Fengcheng University.

"Wanwan, we're on our way to karaoke, want to come sing with us? There are a few handsome guys coming too!"

Three female college students walked out of the school gate and saw Xue Wan holding a cat. One of the long-haired girls' eyes lit up and she invited her.

"Hey, what an adorable cat! Did this cat used to be at school? I don't think I've ever seen it before."

Among the three, the short-haired girl with glasses looked curiously at the cat in Xue Wan's arms and reached out to touch it, but the cat glanced at her and turned its head away.

Xue Wan smiled and said, "This is my cat. It's very shy and won't let anyone touch it... You guys go ahead, my younger brother is coming to school later, and I need to show him around."

"Your brother!?" The three female college students' eyes lit up.

"Is it that younger brother you always mention? The really handsome one?"

"It must be that one! Wanwan showed us the photos before, wow, that handsome young man is actually coming to our school... *slurp* (wipes drool)."

"Wanwan~~ could you introduce yourself to us?"

Of the three, the last one, a petite girl with a youthful face, immediately hugged Xue Wan's arm and said in a coquettish tone.

Xue Wan looked puzzled: "Weren't you guys going to sing karaoke with a handsome guy...?"

The long-haired girl said seriously, "Any handsome guy can be asked out anytime."

The short-haired, bespectacled man immediately added, "Top-tier handsome men are a rare find. Forget about trying them, just looking at them is good for your health!"

Xue Wan's lips twitched: "Try it... Don't you dare have any designs on my brother."

"No way!" the three of them said in unison.

The long-haired girl smiled and said, "However... if my little brother has designs on us, then there's nothing we can do."

Xue Wan waved her hand dismissively: "Ah, don't count on it, it won't happen."

"Hmm? How so?" the girl with glasses asked curiously.

Xue Wan laughed and said, "He grew up with me since he was a child...you know what I mean."