116: You are not challenging me, you are delivering a package to me.

“Yu Qiuyi.”

When Professor Gu Xinrou heard this name, she was stunned.

Yu Qiuyi…

“The granddaughter of Liaobei Province’s Governor?” Professor Gu Xinrou asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Principal Zhang nodded.

Professor Gu Xinrou immediately fell into contemplation, countless thoughts swirling in her mind.

She said with a hint of confusion, “Logically speaking, Yu Qiuyi shouldn’t be so narrow-minded.”

“Putting everything else aside, just Shen Bei’s achievement of single-handedly suppressing the demon den—how many people, let alone Lingnan City Martial Arts University, but across the entire country, could accomplish that?”

“Is this her own intention, or the Governor’s?”

Principal Zhang also pondered, thinking for a long time: “Yu Qiuyi won’t say, so no one can guess, but I don’t have high hopes for Yu Qiuyi. The National Exchange Competition isn’t that simple; life and death are common occurrences.”

“Only—”

Principal Zhang paused here, made a gesture across his neck with one hand, and continued, “Those who have killed before know how to deal with life-and-death crises.”

Professor Gu Xinrou agreed with this point.

For a Martial Artist, killing is both simple and extremely difficult.

This threshold is not easily crossed.

And the process of crossing it is the most dangerous.

Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall.

Even a desperate rabbit will bite.

In those moments of life and death, who lives and who dies is unpredictable.

Last-ditch reversals, feigned surrender reversals, acting reversals… there are simply too many tricks and sneak attacks.

Knocking someone down and killing them are two entirely different things.

Professor Gu Xinrou asked, “Then what does Principal Zhang mean?”

Principal Zhang tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze deep, and after a long moment, he said, “If it were any other student who disagreed, I’d just kick them out. But Yu Qiuyi… her identity is special and sensitive.”

“This damned society of favors.”

Principal Zhang leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling: “Then let them have a match.”

…

Martial Arts University Training Hall.

Every teacher and student in the entire school, without exception, gathered and sat down in the hall.

Even the cafeteria cooks, the cleaning aunties, and the gatekeeper grandpa squeezed in.

At this moment.

The hall was bustling with noise, incredibly boisterous, as students whispered to each other, eagerly inquiring about the news they had gathered:

“What’s going on today? Why have they herded all of us here?”

“You still don’t know? The National Exchange Competition is about to begin, and our Martial Arts University needs to select students to go out and compete.”

“Select? Principal Zhang set a goal of the top 20, is that a task a human can complete?”

“Too low, the scope is too low. Have you heard of Shen Bei, from the first year?”

“Oh… then there might actually be some hope. But the problem is, why call us here? They could just select internally. Is it possible someone disagrees?”

“You hit the nail on the head! Someone really does disagree, and it’s the campus belle, Yu Qiuyi!”

“Hiss!!! Isn’t she the Governor’s—”

“Shhh, it’s something to be understood, not spoken aloud.”

“Then we’re in trouble. Does Shen Bei dare to disrespect the Governor’s Face?”

“That’s why there’s a good show to watch.”

…

The next moment.

Principal Zhang ascended the stage, holding a microphone and testing it a few times.

“Students, teachers, please be quiet.”

“The reason I’ve gathered everyone here today is precisely because the National Exchange Competition is about to begin.”

“As you may have heard, a while ago, Yin Hong, that scoundrel, severely damaged the reputation of Lingnan City Martial Arts University. Now the entire nation knows that a scoundrel emerged from among us!”

“Lingnan City Martial Arts University must wash away this shame!”

“We must use this National Exchange Competition to showcase our style, foster friendship, and achieve results!”

Principal Zhang looked around the audience and spoke again: “In my capacity as Principal, I nominate Shen Bei as the sole representative for Lingnan City Martial Arts University. Second-year students will not participate.”

“Regarding this suggestion of mine, who agrees, and who opposes?”

The entire training hall fell silent.

Students looked around, hoping to see if anyone was bold enough to object.

In truth, they all understood that Shen Bei’s strength might already surpass that of second-year students.

After all, not only did he single-handedly suppress the underground den, but Yu Hao’s death at Shen Bei’s hands alone was enough to shock everyone.

Just then.

Yu Qiuyi slowly stood up, a captivating smile blooming on her beautiful Face. She lifted her snow-white chin slightly, her voice very soft, very light, yet incredibly penetrating:

“I object!”

As these three words were uttered.

All the teachers and students in the hall were stunned!

Everyone turned their gaze towards Yu Qiuyi.

Some well-informed students were not surprised by this.

But some students were completely bewildered as to what was happening.

Faced with Yu Qiuyi challenging Shen Bei, their minds were blank.

The scene was silent for a few breaths before erupting into a furious discussion:

“The campus belle is challenging Shen Bei?”

“Wow, there’s a good show to watch now! From an emotional perspective, I still hope Yu Qiuyi wins. But in terms of strength… I don’t have much hope for her.”

“Nonsense! Yu Qiuyi doesn’t show off her skills, but that’s because you don’t know her identity! In other words, all her abilities weren’t learned at the Martial Arts University; she has a Family Legacy!”

“What? A Legacy? From what great power?”

“The Governor of Liaobei Province!”

“Hiss~~~ Then she definitely has some unique skills. Shen Bei might even lose.”

“So, if that’s the case… Yu Qiuyi’s strength is unknown?”

“Go, Goddess, go!”

…

Meanwhile, in the audience, Jian Tong’s eyes widened in disbelief, and a surge of anger flared within her.

The Face of a pure and beautiful young girl twisted into that of an old hag.

It looked as if she wanted to devour someone.

It was no wonder Jian Tong was angry.

Can any random person challenge Shen Bei?

Does being good-looking increase combat power?

You’re everywhere.

She had finally had a few days of peace, and now she’s jumping out again.

Hmph!

At this moment.

Shen Bei stood among the crowd, looking helpless, and said, “If she wants to participate, then she can. Why drag me into it?”

Professor Gu Xinrou, beside him, raised her eyes and glared at him, her pretty Face showing a hint of annoyance: “If she could do it, would she need you?”

“Look.” Shen Bei pointed at Yu Qiuyi on the stage: “She’s confident enough to challenge me, so she must have the ability to covet this spot. With this proud demeanor and confident attitude, the school must support her.”

“Support is support, results are results.” Professor Gu Xinrou spread her hands: “Those are two different things. Right now, the school needs to achieve results to wash away the stain and trouble brought by Shepherd.”

Shen Bei sighed softly.

For Shen Bei, this kind of National Exchange Competition was purely about gaining fame.

It was like a kindergarten 100-meter dash; what did it matter to come in first?

The bigger stage was in society, in the underground den.

Shen Bei rubbed his chin and asked a crucial question: “If I achieve results, will there be a reward?”

“You deal with Yu Qiuyi first, then we’ll talk.”

“No motivation.” Shen Bei spread his hands: “I feel weak all over.”

Professor Gu Xinrou pushed Shen Bei onto the stage, her beautiful Face cool and indifferent, and said lightly, “There will be a reward, okay? Don’t be like a lazy donkey grinding a mill; have some sense of honor.”

At this, Shen Bei perked up.

Things that couldn’t activate his daily settlement panel, Shen Bei wouldn’t even bother to look at; he wouldn’t care if the sky fell.

“Cash, it must be cash.”

Shen Bei leaped onto the stage, shouting at Professor Gu Xinrou.

Professor Gu Xinrou’s innocent yet alluring Face was about to crack.

Stop shouting.

Please, stop shouting!

…

On the stage.

Principal Zhang looked at the two of them and said, “Without further ado, whoever wins between you two will represent the school in the competition.”

“Also, this is only about fighting techniques, so we will focus on techniques and stop before causing serious harm.”

Having finished his instructions, Principal Zhang left the stage to the two of them, flipping down.

Shen Bei’s gaze shifted to Yu Qiuyi, and he grinned: “First, let me state that as opponents, there’s no distinction between male and female. I’m not an honest person; I’ve never had the idea that men shouldn’t hit women.”

Yu Qiuyi’s voice was gentle: “In life-and-death situations, there’s no distinction between male and female either.”

Although Shen Bei’s reputation had risen rapidly during this period, Yu Qiuyi had full confidence and did not believe that he could surpass her in pure Martial Skill techniques.

After all, the skills she learned at school were merely superficial.

And secretly… her Family Legacy was her true trump card.

Feeling that she was locked onto by Yu Qiuyi’s gaze, Shen Bei looked around and shrugged casually:

“Ladies first, you go ahead.”

At this moment, Yu Qiuyi did not make a move, but instead asked with interest: “You have a conflict with Qiu Qianren, don’t you?”

Shen Bei was somewhat surprised by this topic: “What does that have to do with you?”

“Actually, I’m not here for the National Exchange Competition spot. I was entrusted by my grandfather. Could we discuss something, regarding—”

Yu Qiuyi had not finished speaking.

Shen Bei knew what she wanted to express.

It was nothing more than Qiu Qianren’s uncle, Provincial Capital Martial Arts University Principal Qiu Bu Ye, pulling strings and trying to pressure him.

Shen Bei decisively refused: “Impossible, don’t be delusional.”

Yu Qiuyi said: “Martial Skill isn’t exclusive to one person. If you Cultivate it to Major Achievement, what does it matter if you give it to Qiu Qianren?”

Shen Bei stared directly into her Face, not saying a word.

Yu Qiuyi’s eyes and brows regained their vivacity: “Then I won’t say more. It was my grandfather’s instruction anyway, and it has nothing to do with me.”

Then, Yu Qiuyi took out a Martial Skill: Martial Skill: Heart-Piercing Cannon Hammer.

“This Martial Skill, Martial Skill: Heart-Piercing Cannon Hammer, is Qiu Qianye’s wager. It should be useful to you.” Yu Qiuyi placed it on the edge of the stage: “If you defeat me, this Martial Skill is yours.”

Shen Bei narrowed his eyes.

Martial Skill: Heart-Piercing Cannon Hammer… the name sounds quite impressive.

I want it!

It’s always good to have more skills.

Shen Bei reached out and pulled out the King Kong Indestructible Martial Skill, placing it aside: “Fair enough?”

Yu Qiuyi nodded: “I bear you no ill will; it’s just that my grandfather’s instructions are difficult not to follow.”

Shen Bei stretched his neck: “I like your delivery.”

“It’s too early to say that.” Yu Qiuyi’s button-like eyes sparkled: “Are you ready?”

Shen Bei nodded.

The next moment.

Swish!

Under the watchful eyes of all the teachers and students, a cloud of dust suddenly erupted from beneath Yu Qiuyi’s feet.

And she, like a ghost, sprang forward, a flash of cold light in her hand trailing a series of fleeting, faint afterimages, striking directly at Shen Bei’s chest with a speed so great that the students’ vision couldn’t even catch it!