Martial artists can never be ultimately insulted.

Is it because the living environment has changed?

No...it shouldn't be.

Looking at the small room that was now hers... Although it was as simple as a thatched hut compared to her mansion in the Seocho district, for some reason, this was the first time Han Zhuli had felt that familiar feeling of home since her parents left.

Feeling like she was dreaming, Zhu Li pinched her arm, only stopping when she realized it really hurt.

I pushed open the door and headed towards the bathroom to quickly freshen up, but just as I got there, the door next to me suddenly opened.

"Uh... Chun-Li... Sister?" Although she called her "Auntie" yesterday, the situation was rather special then, mainly due to her rebellious streak. Now that life is starting anew, Zhu-Li is quite polite—as long as she's not rebellious or defiant.

"Huh? Ah...Zuri..."

Upon seeing Han Zhuli, Chunli was taken aback for a moment, then greeted her with a tired expression, and prepared to wash together.

However, while going to the restroom, Chunli seemed to remember something and asked, "How is the soundproofing of the house? Zhuli, have you heard any strange noises? If you have, we can take advantage of this time to renovate together."

“Strange noise? No.” Han Zhuli shook her head.

"That's good..." Chun-Li breathed a sigh of relief.

Han Zhuli didn't take it to heart, but after looking at it for a while, she said, "Wait, Sister Chunli, there's something on your face."

"thing?"

Upon hearing this, Chun-Li was also taken aback. She then turned to look in the mirror and saw a curved hair near her mouth, as well as some creamy marks.

With a slight twitch of her lips, Chun-Li casually flushed the hair down the toilet to destroy the evidence, subtly scraping the cream residue into her mouth as she did so. Then, while squeezing toothpaste with a resentful expression, she said:

"I had a cream cake for breakfast..."

"Eh..." Upon hearing this, Han Zhuli didn't suspect anything, but while washing up, she exclaimed, "There's actually hair in the cake. That baker is far too careless."

"Yeah, it's absolutely damn..."

Chunli cursed the awful baker childishly before focusing intently on brushing her teeth.

After getting acquainted, the two girls helped each other tie their hair. By the time they went downstairs, Yuan Chen had already prepared breakfast.

Croissants and steamed buns.

Looking at the uniquely presented breakfast, even though she knew it must taste delicious, Han Zhuli couldn't help but complain, "I rarely use malice to describe a breakfast."

"I don't understand what you're saying." Yuan Chen shrugged, then brought over the remaining plates: "If it's not to your liking, you can add sausage and thick cream."

Chunli rested her chin on her hand in dissatisfaction; there was only one steamed bun on her plate.

Han Zhuli, who was enjoying a ham and cream croissant, tilted her head in confusion: "Why aren't you eating?"

"...I ate breakfast this morning, but I don't have much of an appetite," Chunli grumbled.

Yuan Chen didn't care and just buried himself in his food.

I enjoyed the meal quite a bit because I had just used up some of my energy that morning.

After eating and resting, Yuan Chen glanced at the time and said, "If there's nothing else, I'll go to school to register."

Volume 1: Chapter 96 - Han Zhuli's Sparring Partner, Glory Boxing Gym

"Going to school..."

Hearing Yuan Chen's words, Chunli and Han Zhuli both felt somewhat disappointed.

The former felt a strange sense of nostalgia because she had graduated a long time ago and the word suddenly came up. The latter simply hadn't been to school for a while...

There's still some time before the actual start of school, but since we're already at school, it's better to register as soon as possible to avoid being delayed by encountering other worlds later.

"Speaking of which, Zhuli should also start preparing for school."

Chun-Li, standing nearby, said, "Zhu-Li and A-Chen are the same age, right? Modern technology is advancing rapidly. As a martial artist, it's no good if you don't understand modern science and technology. As far as I know, the world's major powers are basically researching technological equipment related to martial artists."

Upon hearing Chun-Li's words, Han Zhu-Li's face showed a hint of annoyance, but she did not refute them. She just made her movements when eating the croissant much rougher, making cream everywhere.

Yuan Chen, standing to the side, asked with some curiosity, "Martial arts equipment? That sounds interesting. Has it reached mass production stage?"

To be honest, Yuan Chen wasn't too surprised by the fact that martial artists were using technological weapons to enhance themselves, nor did he have much resistance to it.

Yuan Chen enjoys using his fists because he likes the visceral feeling of each punch, and it's a way to carry out his own will. But on this basis, Yuan Chen doesn't believe that using weapons and equipment diminishes his purity.

Or, whether it's Street Fighter or other miscellaneous fighting games and anime, they all incorporate elements of weapons to some extent.

Similar to the earlier Baroque style, because they did not want to touch the dirty with their hands, they used iron claws as weapons to carry out their pursuit of beauty.

In both the Street Fighter and King of Fighters series, a significant number of characters rely entirely on technological equipment to fight, and some are even cyborgs created through technological advancements.

"Not yet, not right now." Upon hearing Yuan Chen's question, Chunli shook her head and said:

"Even technological equipment infused with Qi is not something ordinary people can control. To be precise, because of the difference between Qi and intention, the corresponding martial artist can maximize its power."

Therefore, it seems that the academic community is currently trying to weaken the connection between qi and intention, allowing qi to function as a purely energy-driven device... but with little success.

Upon hearing that the current research direction was to weaken the connection between Qi and Intent, Yuan Chen frowned slightly.

Although he didn't know much about the technology, an instinct told Yuan Chen that this wouldn't work.

However, Yuan Chen did not rush to comment. Instead, he looked at Han Zhuli and teased her, "Instead of this, what school are you planning to go to, Zhuli?"

"Do I really have to go..." Han Zhuli scratched her head, somewhat annoyed. "I've been skipping classes for months now, and I feel like I can't adapt at all."

“You absolutely have to go to school,” Chun-Li reiterated earnestly. “And even if it’s just to stay here, you have to go to school.”

“Eh…” Upon hearing this, a look of resentment appeared on Zhuli’s face.

"Aunt Chunli is so mean... She almost kicks people out if they don't go to school..."

Upon hearing this, a vein bulged at the corner of Chun-Li's mouth, but she then sneered:

“I won’t kick you out, but I don’t know what Director Kim will think when he finds out you’re not even going to school. We have a video call scheduled for tonight, so let’s talk to him about your plans to drop out of high school then.”

Although they are the same age, Han Zhuli is still a senior in high school because of her martial arts background and other reasons.

Upon hearing Chunli's words, Han Zhuli immediately bowed and said, "Sister Chunli, I was wrong."

"Hmph!" Aunt Chunli chuckled smugly.

Yuan Chen also showed a leisurely expression.

Sister Chunli is always right, while Auntie is always right; she speaks her mind frankly, but she's also opportunistic...

"How about the Royal Cherry Girls' Academy?" Yuan Chen suggested from the side.

Upon hearing about the Royal Sakura Girls' Academy, Chun-Li nodded thoughtfully and said, "That's a good choice."

After arriving in the Battle Realm, Chun-Li specifically investigated matters related to the Sakura family, including the Imperial Sakura Girls' Academy where Sakura Hibiki attended.

Although Yuan Chen thought that Sakura Hibiki came from an ordinary background, just a moderately wealthy family, this only applied to people like Yuan Chen who only cared about fighting.

In fact, the fact that the Sakura family could casually pull out tens of millions of yen to sponsor a bodybuilding competition shows that, while their wealth might not seem like much compared to those true business tycoons, it is definitely a fortune for ordinary people; they are just a bit too low-key about it.

Royal Sakura Girls' Academy is a prestigious girls' school with a long history, controlled by the Soryuin family. The chairman of the board is Soryuin Shion, and the student council president is Soryuin Akemi.

In this situation, the two parties know each other, and their ages and genders are suitable, making it a very good choice indeed.

"I'll ask about it later," Chun-Li said, sounding somewhat tempted.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen nodded, then turned his gaze to Han Zhuli beside him and asked, "Speaking of which, Zhuli, is there anything you need today?"

"...No, what's wrong?" Han Zhuli raised an eyebrow.

"If not, how about we go out and find a place to practice?"

Yuan Chen said, "I'm going to register at the school today. I plan to find a training ground to test the environment for the rest of the time. I'm still missing a sparring partner."

"Sparring partner? No problem." Hearing Yuan Chen's idea, Han Zhuli nodded readily.

Similar to the concepts of "law, land, wealth, and companions" in fantasy novels, martial arts cultivation also requires something similar.

The method goes without saying; a good teacher who knows how to teach according to aptitude can help someone progress rapidly in martial arts. The place refers to the training location and the necessary equipment. As for wealth, there has always been a saying that the poor study literature and the rich study martial arts. If a family is poor and can't even get enough to eat, insufficient nutrition will put them at a disadvantage in future training and cultivation.

The word "侣" sounds like it refers to a partner or lover, but more often it refers to a companion who walks side by side, supports each other, and shares the same goals.

For this reason, the interpretation of '侣' is also the broadest. Apart from lovers and partners, anyone who can constantly hone their will, even sworn enemies or adversaries, is included in the scope of '侣'.

After yesterday's battle, Yuan Chen's strength is undeniable, regardless of other aspects.

In particular, according to Yuan Chen, he is also practicing modern Muay Thai—a style that also emphasizes legwork, which corresponds to the practical Taekwondo he practices.

Thinking this, Han Zhuli quickly finished her croissant and asked, "When do we leave?"

"No rush, the person who's taking us to the martial arts school hasn't arrived yet."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chen gestured for him to calm down, and then came to Han Zhuli's side and said, "Instead of this, let's stabilize the condition of your eyes first."

Upon hearing Yuan Chen's words, Han Zhuli nodded and then looked up, revealing her left eye.

Yesterday, after Iori Ichika left, Yuan Chen also tried to find a way to heal Han Zhuli's eyes.

Although Han Zhuli's eyes have had their previously blocked blood vessels and nerves reopened thanks to last night's life therapy and the transformation of her will, there is still a long way to go before they are truly restored to a healthy state.

In this situation, although it is only a temporary solution, one can recharge the eyeballs by regularly injecting life energy every day, so as not to let them affect one's daily life.

Yuan Chen placed his finger around Han Zhuli's eye sockets, but instead of injecting life energy, he mobilized the life energy that Han Zhuli had already absorbed and directed it toward her eyes.

After a short while, the guidance was complete, and Yuan Chen nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Well, that's about it. Once you get more familiar with it and understand the form of life energy, you'll be able to naturally control life energy to recover even without me."

Upon hearing this, Han Zhuli blinked her left eye forcefully, and nodded thoughtfully as she felt the energy flowing within it.

But then, Han Zhuli looked at Yuan Chen with suspicion and said, "Compared to this... why do you seem... a little special?"

"It's caused by the activation of life energy," Yuan Chen said, shaking his head. "It's like the suspension bridge effect."

Hearing Yuan Chen's explanation, Han Zhuli nodded thoughtfully.

The suspension bridge effect refers to the phenomenon where people in dangerous environments, such as on a swaying suspension bridge, feel terrified. If there is someone of the opposite sex nearby, some people may mistakenly believe that they are attracted to that person.

And considering the current situation...

"Hmm... This is the first time I've heard someone talk about O-drugs in such a refined and elegant way." Han Zhuli pouted.

"Who told me I created this life energy?" Yuan Chen was completely unaffected, even shrugging his shoulders and saying nonchalantly:

"If you can quit, then quit; but if you can't find a substitute, you'll just have to swallow the essence I've created while suppressing your dissatisfaction..."

"Wow, I feel like you're even more evil than Yingluo?!"

Han Zhuli was shocked.

Yuan Chen remained unaffected: "The exclusive formula is like this... but in essence it's just a resonance of blood and qi, so there's no need to worry."

Yuan Chen said, "If you feel uncomfortable, you can slow down the rate at which you ingest the food, and you won't feel that way anymore."

"Then forget it." Hearing this, Han Zhuli waved her hand and said, "I still have a lot of things waiting for me to do. I don't have that much time to absorb everything slowly."

"Work and rest should be balanced~" Although he said this, Yuan Chen did not offer much advice.

After finishing my meal and getting my eyes treated, I waited a while and then heard car horns honking outside.

"You're here to pick you up!"

Chunli waved to Yuan Chen, who was already prepared, and Yuan Chen didn't dawdle. He put on his coat, told Han Zhuli to hurry up and get ready, and then came outside.

Upon seeing Yuan Chen emerge, the windows of the van parked at the restaurant entrance were rolled down, and pairs of curious eyes peered out from inside.

Although there were no lasers or anything, it was indeed "shot out".

Since there was no malice in that gaze, Yuan Chen didn't take it to heart and calmly got into the car.

The car's interior isn't luxurious, but it's very comfortable.

The space is quite large. Although the three little ones, Huang Ying, were already inside, there was still plenty of room. Given their size, you could probably fit six more inside without any problem.

On the one hand, commercial vehicles do indeed prioritize comfort. On the other hand, because martial arts flourish in this world, the average physical fitness of the inhabitants is quite good, and there are relatively more muscular men.

To better meet consumer demand, similar large-capacity family cars have emerged, and the legally mandated car frames are also wider than those in Yuan Chen's previous life, which can be considered one of the many influences of martial arts culture on the world.

"Brother Yuanchen~!"

Watching Yuan Chen get into the car, Zou Liuyuan Zhu Mei was already drooling with happiness, as if she were on a craving, and her whole expression began to become extremely decadent:

"Hiss, this intense physical pressure... It's only been one night, and it's gotten even stronger?! Damn it, I really should convince my sister to come up with a way to apply for the boarding school!"

"Stop daydreaming." Hearing this, Ayaka Uehara said helplessly from the side.

"Once a host family is chosen, they won't easily change it even if you move out. Besides, Hibiki really likes Yuan Chen... well, it's because of his cooking skills."

With a hint of helplessness, she glanced at the restaurant outside, its glaring eyes seeming to yearn for a feast right then and there. Ayaka Uehara sighed inwardly: