Gao Wu: From a poor man in the outer city to a martial saint of the ten directions

Qian Kuohai's sharp gaze swept over the young faces below the stage, and his booming voice echoed across the playground.

"Students."

"The college entrance exam is approaching, and this year's situation is far more severe than you imagine!"

"In order to prepare for the upcoming changes and to select the most elite martial arts talents for Linghai City, the school board and the city hall held an emergency meeting overnight and decided..."

At this point, under the expectant gazes of all the students, Qian Kuohai suddenly raised his voice.

"Starting today, Linghai No. 7 Middle School will be forming an unprecedented elite training class!"

"This class will only accept twenty students!"

"The selection rules are being finalized urgently and will be announced soon! I hope all of you will be fully prepared and ready to give it your all!"

These words caused an uproar on the previously quiet playground, as if a bomb had been dropped on it!

"An elite training program?! We've never had anything like this before!"

"Only twenty people will be accepted? Our martial arts department has nearly three hundred students across four classes! That's a terrifying elimination rate!"

The students below the stage were utterly shocked and whispered among themselves.

Qian Kuohai had already turned around and walked off the stage with great efficiency.

Sun Feng, the homeroom teacher of Class 1, stepped forward and picked up the microphone.

"Quiet down, everyone!"

The voice, amplified by the Yuan Power of a first-level martial artist, instantly silenced all the noise.

"I know you find it unbelievable, but if you make it onto this list of twenty, you'll receive top-tier teaching resources across the entire university!"

Sun Feng's eyes were gleaming as she threw out the first heavy bait.

"Secondly, the school will break with convention and teach all selected individuals genuine Yellow-level martial arts techniques free of charge!"

Upon hearing the words "Yellow-level martial arts," even Zhou Xiong, who had just been yawning, suddenly brightened up with his dead fish eyes!

But Sun Feng's last words were the real killer!

"Third! And most importantly!"

"This elite training program is fully sponsored by Anlei Corporation, a top-tier conglomerate on Earth!"

"Anlei Company will regularly provide the special training program with their latest high-level elemental energy potions, developed free of charge, to fully support you in breaking through the quasi-martial artist barrier!"

If the previous statements were shocking, then hearing the words "Anlei Company" and "high-level elemental energy potion" left everyone dumbfounded!

All of these things combined mean that entering the special training class guarantees a martial arts expert before the college entrance examination!

Only Lin Yao, who was in the corner, trembled, bit her lower lip tightly, and her eyes instantly turned red.

But Wei Xiu, standing behind her, suddenly unleashed two blazing flames like hungry wolves in his deep, dark eyes!

Anlei Company's new drug?!

Isn't that just obvious experience points and elemental power?

"Finally, I'd like to add one more point."

Sun Feng gripped the microphone, her sharp gaze sweeping over the restless student contingent below the stage.

"Those who wish to register, please submit your personal martial arts file to the academic affairs office before school ends today. Also..."

Sun Feng paused slightly, then cast a meaningful glance at him.

"If you have a good relationship with classmates who work well together, you can form a team in advance."

"Martial arts are never something one person can master in isolation. The assessment format of this special training program isn't necessarily a one-on-one battle. Do you all understand?"

"Disband!"

With the announcement of dismissal, all the teachers on stage left.

There was a brief silence, and the five student formations gradually descended into chaos.

Whispers and exclamations mingled together as almost everyone discussed the three bombshells that had just been dropped.

The school is allocating resources to it, along with Yellow-level martial arts techniques and medicines from Anlei Company!

But most importantly, there are only twenty spots available!

"Old Wei! Big guy!"

Just as Wei Xiu was about to turn around, Lin Qi's hoarse voice came from the side.

Lin Qi, like a slippery eel, squeezed through the crowd and went straight to Wei Xiu and Zhou Xiong.

"The school really went all out this time!" Lin Qi wiped his nose, his eyes shining.

"Old Wei, what do you think? Should we report it or not?"

"Of course we reported it, no doubt about it."

Wei Xiu's gaze was calm yet firm, without the slightest hesitation.

"My goal is the Military Academy of Jiangnan University. I am determined to secure the teaching resources and medicines for this special training class."

Upon hearing the words "Military Academy," Lin Yao, who was originally to Wei Xiu's right and about to leave, suddenly paused.

She turned half of her pretty face to the side, glancing at Wei Xiu out of the corner of her eye.

"Hey, what a coincidence! I was just about to join in the fun too!"

Lin Qi slapped his thigh and then excitedly suggested:

"Didn't Tiger Sun just hint that we could team up? How about we team up?"

As he spoke, he turned his head and craned his neck to look at Zhou Xiong, who stood beside him like an iron tower.

"Hey, big guy, why don't you come with us?"

Zhou Xiong lowered his head, his imposing bull-like eyes scanning Lin Qi from head to toe.

A moment later, a disdainful breath blew out from those cow-like nostrils.

"No."

"Hmm? Why? Teaming up is good for everyone." Lin Qi frowned.

"No, it's good for you."

Zhou Xiong mercilessly exposed Lin Qi's shortcomings, as straightforward as a granite.

"Your Yuan Power is less than 400 right now. Taking you along would be a complete burden."

Upon hearing this, Lin Qi's originally fair face instantly turned a deep purplish-red, and several classmates passing by even burst into laughter.

"I...I just lack practical experience! My Yuan Power will soon break through four hundred!"

Now Lin Qi was in a panic. In order to get back at them, he directly unleashed his trump card...

Take out your wallet!

"Zhou Xiong! If you team up with us, starting today, you can choose any restaurant in Linghai City's inner city!"

"Barbecue, seafood, exotic animal hot pot—all you can eat every day! I'm paying, you can eat until you're stuffed!"

Snapped!

The bulging wallet hit Zhou Xiong on the back, and the pile of red bills scattered all over the ground.

Zhou Xiong, who was about to turn around and leave, froze on the spot!

Those eyes, which had been so indifferent as if they were looking at trash, suddenly lowered their brows, as if they were about to strike at any moment!

Just as everyone was on edge, and Lin Qi even adopted a fighting stance...

Instead, Zhou Xiong squatted down, picked up the money, put it away, and handed it to Lin Qi, then nodded very seriously.

"Sure. No problem."

"From now on, we're a team! What are we having for dinner tonight?"

This sudden change of expression left Wei Xiu speechless.

"Hey, you should have done this sooner! You almost scared me!"

Lin Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief, then took the wallet, straightened his clothes, and proudly announced with his chin raised:

"Since I've invested the money, I have to be the captain of this team!"

"Old Wei, do you have a problem with that?"

"It doesn't matter," Wei Xiu shrugged and shook his head.

The title of captain is just a formality; it doesn't matter who holds it.

The key is to bring Zhou Xiong, a heavy artillery turret, into the team; that would definitely double our chances of winning the assessment.

However, just as Lynch was basking in the glow of being the "captain" and preparing to announce what to eat that night...

A slightly cold, yet resolute female voice suddenly broke in.

"Wei Xiu, may I join your team?"