137: Chapter 137 Li Pao and Li Mu!

When he saw Qin Yan during the assembly this morning, wasn't he just as shocked?

Mainly because Qin Yan's progress over these ten days was simply too fast!

So fast it defied common sense!

The magnitude of his overall strength improvement during this period...

In his view, it had even slightly surpassed Lu Youyou and Lu Qingfeng!

In terms of total Vitality alone, there might still be a slight gap between Qin Yan and those two.

But where Qin Yan was truly terrifying lay in his appalling Spear Technique martial arts attainment!

According to some intelligence he had gathered privately...

Some time ago, Qin Yan was already able to unleash four strands of spear force, which is the hallmark of the Third Stage peak!

If he could further master six strands of spear force before the national competition...

And maintain his current terrifying rate of Vitality improvement...

Then Qin Yan's actual combat power at that time might even surpass Lu Qingfeng and Lu Youyou!

At this moment, the gazes of both instructors, Fang Hua and Fang Yan, were focused on Qin Yan.

Countless thoughts flashed through their minds in an instant.

Fang Hua thought to himself, "Modu University of Martial Arts is truly terrifying!

A genius like this, whose Vitality has already reached the Late Bone Forging stage, isn't even worthy of having his strength hidden?

Then those three in front... just how frightening must they be?

Could they all have touched the threshold of the Third Rank? How are we supposed to fight?!"

Fang Yan, on the other hand, pondered, "I need to discuss this with the school leadership immediately upon our return to see if we should also apply for a 'Breath-Concealing Pendant' for Qin Yan.

With his current strength and speed of progress, he is fully qualified to become another hidden trump card of ours!

We can't let him be exposed to the outside world so 'conspicuously' anymore."

...

Mingzhu Martial Arts University, Central Martial Arts Arena.

The spectator stands, capable of holding thousands, were already packed with people, with not a single seat empty.

The passionate waves of sound almost lifted the roof. Students of Mingzhu Martial Arts University waved flags and shouted at the top of their lungs:

"Mingzhu, Mingzhu! Shine in the East! Victory is ours! Victory is ours!"

"Wang Gu, Wang Gu! Fist suppresses the mountains and rivers! The Martial Arts University Nemesis! Crush them!"

"Let the top-tier universities see our strength! Mingzhu is invincible!"

"..."

The noisy waves of sound and the intense fighting spirit formed the unique, passionate atmosphere of a home game.

Standing in the away team's preparation area, Qin Yan and his group could clearly feel the fiery atmosphere blowing toward them.

Sun Kong picked his ear, grinned, and said unhappily, "Tsk, so noisy!

Who is that Wang Gu?

I'll definitely have to go up and beat him into a pig's head later, let's see if they still shout then!"

Instructor Fang Yan smiled and introduced, "Wang Gu is currently the official second rank of Mingzhu Martial Arts University.

He's very strong, at the mid-stage second grade, and his Martial Arts Skill has reached the Third Stage Middle Level.

If you face him, Sun Kong, you two should be evenly matched, and the outcome would be hard to predict."

"Teacher, then who is their number one?" Qin Yan asked curiously.

"The one ranked first is called Bai Gu; he's a true rival whose strength is unfathomable."

Fang Yan explained, "However, as Mingzhu Martial Arts University's final trump card, he most likely won't appear in this sparring match.

Just like Wangshu and the others, he will be preserving his strength."

After saying that, Fang Yan's gaze turned to Qin Yan, and he said, "Qin Yan, you will also be going on stage for the sparring match later.

If they send out that Wang Gu, I'll leave him to you to handle."

Qin Yan was slightly stunned upon hearing this, feeling a bit surprised.

He had originally thought that, according to the school's strategy, he would be preserving his strength just like Xiao Wangshu and the others during this warm-up match, and it wouldn't be his turn to act.

Seeing the confusion on Qin Yan's face, Fang Yan explained gently, "The school's intention is for you to serve as Modu University of Martial Arts's 'official trump card' in this challenge series.

That is, the role of the main attacker.

Whether it's today's sparring or the subsequent official competition.

Whenever there's a match that requires stabilizing the situation or boosting morale, you will serve as the Vanguard!"

He had just reported Qin Yan's situation to the school, and the school immediately gave Qin Yan the Vanguard position.

He explained in detail, "The Vanguard position must be filled by a team member with great strength and stable performance.

Its role is vital: First, through a dominant performance, it can greatly boost our morale, suppress the opponent's arrogance, and lay the foundation for victory;

Second, it can exhaust the stamina and trump cards of the opponent's main members as much as possible, creating favorable conditions for subsequent teammates;

Third, a powerful Vanguard is a deterrent in itself, capable of disrupting the opponent's formation and strategy.

We have evaluated that your current strength, combat style, and steady mindset are very suitable for this role."

Qin Yan listened carefully, quickly weighing the options in his heart.

Serving as the Vanguard meant more opportunities to appear on stage and higher exposure.

At the same time, it also represented greater responsibility and pressure.

But for him, the pros seemed to outweigh the cons.

"As long as I don't get seriously injured, I'll have a chance to appear in almost every match."

He thought to himself, "Setting aside everything else, if I can defeat powerful enemies for Modu University of Martial Arts in every match and render great service...

When the school rewards based on merit afterward, how could they not give me more rewards?"

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated. Meeting Instructor Fang Yan's gaze, he nodded steadily.

His eyes were firm: "I understand, Teacher. I will do my best as the Vanguard."

"Good!"

Fang Yan patted his shoulder with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in the preparation area of Mingzhu Martial Arts University...

Fang Hua's expression was no longer as relaxed and bold as it had been during the welcome; instead, it carried a lingering trace of gravity.

The strength of the Modu University of Martial Arts students he had perceived during the brief contact just now, especially the deeply hidden Vitality of the youth named Qin Yan...

Had truly given his heart a significant shock and pressure.

His gaze swept over his own team members who were standing ready, and he quickly made the first personnel arrangement.

"Li Pao," Fang Hua looked at a particularly burly and magnificent boy with a buzz cut in the team and said in a deep voice, "You're up for the first match!"

Li Pao, ranked third among the New Students of Mingzhu Martial Arts University, was known for his fierce strength and aggressive fighting style.

"Yes, Teacher Fang!" Li Pao's voice was like a resonant bell as he immediately stood up straight.

Fang Hua beckoned, signaling Li Pao to come closer, then lowered his voice and quickly whispered a few instructions in his ear.

Li Pao was slightly stunned upon hearing this, not understanding why the instructor wanted him to do that.

But he agreed nonetheless.

Soon, amidst the loud announcement of the on-site referee, the sparring match between the freshmen of the two universities officially began!

On Modu University of Martial Arts's side, according to Instructor Fang Yan's arrangement, they sent out Li Mu, who was ranked ninth.

Li Mu had a lean build and used a long, narrow straight saber.

Li Pao and Li Mu stood in the center of the arena, and after bowing to each other...

With the referee's crisp command of "Start!", the battle erupted instantly!

Li Pao took the initiative to attack, his entire body charging like a wild bull.

He took a sudden step forward, and the heavy Double-edged Battle Axe in his hand, carrying a vicious wind that tore through the air, hacked down violently toward Li Mu's head!