466: The martial arts competition ended with awards and guidance

Time flew by as Yang Dian and his Silly Younger Sister chatted.

Five minutes later, Yang Lele had fully recovered, and the first-year university group competition officially began.

After the first-year group finished, it was the turn of the second-year, third-year, first-year graduate, and second-year graduate students. After each grade level competed, the champions of each grade level faced off against each other.

Once the grade level champions finished, it was the turn of the Martial Security Bureau and Public Security Bureau contestants.

After the Public Security Bureau, it was finally the military's turn.

As soldiers from the army, navy, air force, and special forces took turns competing, Yang Dian turned to Mo Yuntao, Director of the Martial Security Bureau next to him and said,

“Next year's Martial Arts Competition might be able to be divided by age group.”

“Seven-year-olds in one group, eight-year-olds in one group, nine-year-olds in one group, and so on, up to fifty years old.”

Old Daoist Qingfeng, who was nearby, bristled and glared:

“What, aren't ninety-eight-year-old old men people? Why isn't there a ninety-eight-year-old group?”

Yang Dian sighed helplessly:

“Old Daoist, if you want any resources, just tell the organization directly, won't you? Will the organization shortchange you?”

The Old Daoist glanced at Yang Dian:

“Do I look like the kind of person who reaches out to the organization for things?”

As the Old Daoist finished speaking, Mo Yuntao, Director of the Martial Security Bureau also chimed in:

“Soldiers' combat abilities are generally stronger than ordinary civilians.”

“If we only limit the age of participants and not their profession, then soldiers would pretty much sweep over ninety percent of the champions, runner-ups, and third-place winners.”

“Wouldn't that be a bit unfair?”

Before Yang Dian could speak, the Old Daoist spoke first:

“What's unfair about it?”

“If you truly feel it's unfair, then join the army.”

“I believe that soldiers fight tooth and nail on the front lines, risking their lives. Any benefits given to them are not excessive.”

Yang Dian nodded:

“I have the same thoughts as the Old Daoist...”

Amidst their chatter, the final match concluded.

The host announced amidst cheers:

“Fellow compatriots, the final match of the First Martial Arts Competition has officially ended! Let us congratulate Qian Sheng from the 14th Corps of the Eastern Theater Command of the Army for winning the competition!”

“The First Huaxia Martial Arts Competition is about to officially draw to a close. Next, let us welcome all the winners of the various events to the podium!”

“First, let us welcome the champion of the first-grade primary school group, classmate Abdul Aziz from Urumqi First Martial Arts Primary School in Xinjiang, runner-up classmate Xu Song, and third-place classmate Huang Wen.”

“Second-grade primary school group champion...”

“Third-grade group champion...”

“Fourth-grade...”

...Once the winners were standing on the podium, the host loudly announced from the commentary stand:

“Next, let us welcome the Commander of the Huaxia Expeditionary Force, General Yang, the recipient of the first Pioneer Medal, to present awards to the winners and deliver the closing remarks.”

Yang Dian rose from the judges' panel as instructed, stepped through the air, and walked to the front of the podium, nodding to the excited winners on stage:

“You fought well, displaying the Huaxia spirit.”

Hearing this, everyone on the podium immediately straightened their backs even more.

After a word of praise, Yang Dian then walked over to Abdul, the first-grade primary school winner.

Looking at the sturdy Abdul, Yang Dian patted his shoulder, then pointed a finger at his shoulder blade:

“You fought well, but the Qi and blood circulation in your shoulder seems a bit restricted?”

Abdul scratched the back of his head:

“I was bitten by a wolf when I was little, and it left some lingering effects.”

Yang Dian nodded slightly:

“If you have difficulties, find the organization.”

“Once the lingering effects are resolved, your strength should also be able to Breakthrough to the Qi Blood Smoke Realm.”

At this point, Yang Dian smiled and said:

“The task of breaking the record for the youngest Martial Artist to Breakthrough to the Qi Blood Smoke Realm in Huaxia is entrusted to you.”

The young student, entrusted with the task, was so excited his face turned red:

“I guarantee to complete the mission.” After responding, he then asked with some trepidation:

“Commander, can I join the Expeditionary Force?”

Yang Dian shook his head slightly:

“Currently, military recruitment only enlists people aged twenty-two and above.”

“If you're not old enough, you cannot join the army.”

“Even I cannot change the rules.”

“If you truly want to join the Expeditionary Force, then Cultivate diligently, strive to enter the Qi and Blood Wolf Smoke Realm, the Qi Blood Dragon Transformation Realm, or even become stronger by the age of twenty-two.”

“At that time, you won't even need to apply yourself; our Expeditionary Force will send you an enlistment invitation.”

Abdul puffed out his chest and said with firm eyes:

“I will definitely work hard and will not let you down, Commander!”

“I have high hopes for you.” Yang Dian patted Abdul's shoulder again, then took the gold medal from the tray held by a serious-faced young student and placed it around Abdul's neck.

Then he picked up the trophy and handed it to the excited young student:

“Congratulations, you have won the championship of the first-grade primary school group in the First Martial Arts Competition.”

“If there is a Martial Arts chronicle in the future, your name might appear on the first page of the 'Martial Arts Competition' volume.”

Holding the trophy, Abdul's face flushed with excitement.

Even though he was just a child, he knew what it meant to be recorded in history.

That was an immense honor!

Yang Dian smiled and nodded at Abdul, then walked over to Xu Song, the runner-up, who looked a bit dejected.

“Don't be arrogant in victory, and don't be discouraged in defeat.”

“A setback is only temporary; a temporary failure does not mean eternal failure.”

“Work hard, and in the next Martial Arts Competition, you might just win.”

Xu Song cheered up and nodded earnestly:

“I will definitely work hard!”

“Next time, I will definitely win it back!”

“Very good, very spirited.” Yang Dian reached out and patted Xu Song's shoulder, and as he placed the medal around his neck, he also offered guidance:

“You Cultivate the 'Tyrant Fist'.”

“The Tyrant Fist embodies an unyielding fist stance, a domineering aura of invincibility.”

“Since you Cultivate the Tyrant Fist, when you throw a punch, you don't need to consider how to throw the next one; just focus on delivering the current punch with unwavering resolve.”

Xu Song nodded earnestly:

“I remember.”

After presenting the award to Xu Song, Yang Dian walked over to Huang Wen, the third-place winner.

Perhaps it was as the internet said: after a competition, the second-place finisher is the most unwilling.

Because the second-place finisher was truly just a hair's breadth away from becoming the first, from winning the championship.

So, compared to Xu Song's unwillingness, Huang Wen appeared much calmer.

He even let out a silly chuckle upon seeing Yang Dian.

After also presenting Huang Wen with a medal and offering guidance, Yang Dian then walked over to the champion of the second-grade primary school group.

This was a little girl, also from Sichuan Province.

Like Pei Sisi, she had also Awakened a body-type talent, and relying on her physical prowess, which far surpassed children of her age group, she swept through the competition undefeated to win the championship.

‘That place in Sichuan Province really seems to have something special about it.’

The little girl, with pigtails, looking delicate and weak but fighting like a small tyrannosaurus, immediately showed an expression of adoration upon seeing Yang Dian and raised her right hand, saying:

“Brother Yang, I'm your fan.”

Yang Dian smiled, then reached out and ruffled her hair:

“Then I am honored to have a fan who can win the championship in the Martial Arts Competition.”

After also placing the gold medal on her and handing her the trophy, Yang Dian continued:

“Classmate Li Huihui, your strength is very good, and your Awakened body talent makes you excel in the Martial Arts path.”

“But your control over your own strength is still a little lacking.”

“After you go back, practice 'Hun Yuan Strength' more to control your own strength, otherwise, when you Breakthrough to the Qi Blood Smoke Realm, it won't be easy to materialize your Qi and blood into weapons.”

Li Huihui nodded earnestly:

“Idol, I will definitely work hard!”

...Time flew by as Yang Dian presented awards and offered guidance to the winners of each group.

When he arrived at the third-year high school group, Pei Sisi was giggling at Yang Dian, Li Fugui was quietly muttering, 'If I had just been a little more careful, the championship would have been mine,' and Yang Lele had a proud expression, like a peacock vying for attention, waiting for Yang Dian's praise.

Personally placing the medal on Yang Lele and handing her the trophy, Yang Dian then patted her shoulder.

Looking at Yang Lele, who stood on the champion's podium, having won not only the third-year high school group championship but also the high school grade level championship, Yang Dian finally couldn't help but exclaim:

“My Lele has also grown up~”

“Hehe.” Yang Lele chuckled, “Brother, I didn't disappoint you, did I?”

“You have never disappointed me.” He slightly raised his hand, wanting to ruffle his Silly Younger Sister's head, but then thought it might not be appropriate to do so in public, under the gaze of over a billion people. So Yang Dian suppressed the thought and instead affirmed:

“Your brother is proud of you!”

Yang Lele smiled, her eyes narrowed:

“You are my pride too, big brother.”

The two siblings exchanged a smile, then Yang Dian walked over to Li Fugui and also patted his shoulder:

“It's still the same saying: don't be arrogant in victory, and don't be discouraged in defeat.”

“You have great talent in comprehending 'Martial Dao Will,' but to truly unleash the power of Martial Dao Will, you must also possess powerful fundamental strength.”

“Next, shift your Cultivate focus and first improve your fundamental strength, at least Breakthrough to the Qi Blood Smoke Realm.”

“Today, in your match with Lele, you lost because your Realm was not as high as Lele's.”

The little fatty nodded earnestly, “I understand! I will definitely work hard to make up for my shortcomings.”

After guiding the little fatty, Yang Dian then placed the medal on Pei Sisi, then walked into the university student area.

Then, he saw a familiar face.

Yao Jie, the sixth-ranked student in the Fuda Martial Arts Department, who was holding the medal tray, and who had previously unilaterally competed with Yang Dian out of jealousy over the Pokémon Three Sisters, wanting to clash with Yang Dian in the Martial Arts Competition, watched Yang Dian approach, and his mouth gradually opened.

The figure before him gradually overlapped with the image in his memory, finally turning into an incredulous whisper:

“You... you... you...”

“You are the Commander of the Expeditionary Force?”