News of the Martial Arts School Ranking Battle (Chapter 69)
"Xiao Han, has your strength increased again? Lan Biao's strength is close to a 5th-rank Martial Artist, and even he was no match for you."
At this moment, his father, Chu Zhan, voiced his doubts.
As a former Martial Artist, he could naturally see that his son seemed to be hiding his strength, even from his parents.
Chu Han smiled. "Dad, I didn't tell you my true strength back then because I was afraid you'd worry. I did have some fortuitous encounters, but I can't talk about them."
Chu Zhan said with relief in his eyes, "You're an adult now; it's only normal to have secrets. Your mother and I just want you to be safe and sound. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
A wave of warmth flowed through Chu Han's heart. With determination in his eyes, he said, "Don't worry, you two. The Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall is no threat to me."
Chu Han spent the entire morning at home to Cultivate.
Near noon, his communicator suddenly rang.
Opening it, he saw it was actually a call from Zhao Tianlong.
"Hello, Uncle Zhao."
"Chu Han, I know about your situation with the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask. Since Lan Kui's Breakthrough to the 6th Rank, his actions in Jiangcheng City have become increasingly unscrupulous."
"Uncle Zhao, I can handle the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall myself. However, I must trouble you to arrange for someone to protect my parents. I'm not afraid of Lan Kui, but I'm worried he might use underhanded methods."
"Haha, what spirit! I'll take care of your parents' safety. I guarantee Lan Kui won't dare touch them!"
"Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
With the guarantee from Zhao Tianlong, the president of the Martial Arts Association, Chu Han's concerns were significantly alleviated.
Between him and the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall, it would now just be a contest between Martial Artists.
"After the Martial Arts Grand Examination, it will be the end for the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall!"
Chu Han said to himself inwardly.
A moment later, his communicator rang again.
He thought it was Zhao Tianlong again, but when he picked it up, it was someone unexpected.
"Hello, Sister Qiuyue, is there something you need?"
Chu Han was bewildered, wondering why Zhao Qiuyue was contacting him.
Does she want to hit on me? Doesn't she like the mature type?
From the other end of the communicator, Zhao Qiuyue's voice rang out: "Chu Han, there's something I'd like your help with."
"Oh? What is it?" Chu Han asked.
"It's about the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall. I'd like to invite you to represent the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall in the Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament."
"The Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament? What's that?"
It was the first time he had heard of this event.
"Held every five years, the Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament determines the Rank, reputation, and student source for each school. The participants must be young Martial Artists under the age of 25, which is why I thought of asking you for help."
Chu Han frowned slightly upon hearing this. To be honest, he had no interest in such competitions, so he made up an excuse: "I'm afraid my strength doesn't meet the school's requirements; after all, I'm at this age."
However, Zhao Qiuyue chuckled on the other end. "Don't lie to me. I heard from Zhao Feiyu that your strength has reached the level of a Fourth-Tier Martial Artist and that you even killed Night Owl. During your previous martial artist certification, you received a Third-Tier Martial Artist medal."
Chu Han scratched his head, inwardly cursing Zhao Feiyu for being a big mouth.
He was silent for a moment, then asked, "Is the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall participating in the tournament too?"
Since it involved a struggle between martial arts schools, he naturally thought of the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall.
"The Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall? Of course. They've been ranked first for two consecutive terms. If they take first place again today, their rating will be upgraded, and they'll become the first Provincial-Level Martial Arts Hall in Jiangcheng."
When Zhao Qiuyue mentioned the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall, there was a clear hint of envy in her tone.
"Oh, then I'll participate." Chu Han immediately changed his mind.
Since the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall would be there, he didn't mind collecting some interest first.
If the Blue Eagle Martial Arts Hall lost its first-place spot, Lan Kui's expression would probably be quite a sight, wouldn't it?
On the other hand, he also planned to trade blows with experts from other schools under high gravity.
Actual combat would allow him to adapt to high gravity faster, which was exactly what he needed right now.
"That's great! With you joining, the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall will definitely achieve good results in this competition."
"When is the tournament?"
"Tomorrow!"
"So soon?"
"Because one of our contestants had a last-minute change of heart and went to another school, so I contacted you to help out in this emergency."
"So that's how it is."
Chu Han was momentarily speechless.
Sister Yue then explained some of the key points and rules of the competition to him and arranged for Chu Han to meet at the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall the next morning.
After hanging up the communicator, Chu Han continued to Cultivate.
He also needed to make some preparations for the battles in the Martial Arts School Ranking Tournament.
Early the next morning, Chu Han first performed a lottery draw.
The item he drew today was also very special: a mask that could change at will, called the Shape-Shifting Mask.
After putting on this mask, one only needs to inject a bit of Yuan Qi, and the mask's appearance will change into whatever form is desired, even altering the user's voice.
Chu Han took the mask out of the Lottery Space; it looked like a very ordinary black mask.
He put on the mask and, with a thought, found that some of the Yuan Qi in his body was indeed being drawn out, and then the mask on his face began to change.
When the transformation stopped, he went to the mirror and found that the mask on his face had indeed turned into the same style as the ones used by the Black Crow Organization.
"It really can turn into whatever I imagine."
Chu Han grew interested and, with another thought, the mask on his face immediately turned into the likeness of the Monkey King.
He then tried several other classic cartoon images from his memory, such as the Joker, Nezha, the Calabash Brothers, Pleasant Goat, Big Big Wolf, Tom the Cat, and Ultraman.
It could even mimic voices.
This mask was more than just a toy; it was a Divine Artifact for arson, murder, and hiding one's identity!
He immediately stored the mask in the Lottery Space, thinking he might need it later.
After eating breakfast, Chu Han arrived at the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall.
Sister Yue was waiting for him at the front desk.
"Chu Han, you're here. Let's go upstairs; I'll take you to see the Hall Master."
Chu Han followed Sister Yue to a Cultivation Chamber on the top floor of the martial arts hall.
This Cultivation Chamber was the most luxurious one in the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall, equipped with all kinds of cultivation equipment and covering a large area.
It was Hall Master Gao Jun's exclusive cultivation room, also serving as an office and conference room.
At this moment, Hall Master Gao Jun was discussing something with two young Martial Artists.
"Hall Master Gao, is the person you mentioned reliable? We've already contacted a friend. As long as your compensation is sufficient, we can have him come over."
"Wait a bit longer; he'll be here soon."
The appearance of Chu Han and Sister Yue interrupted the trio's conversation.
"Uncle, I've brought Chu Han. He's the helper I found for you!"
Sister Yue said with an excited look.
Uncle?
Hall Master?
Chu Han suddenly realized that the Hall Master of the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall was Zhao Qiuyue's uncle. No wonder Zhao Qiuyue could take the initiative to invite him.
This was also his first time meeting the master of the War Hammer Martial Arts Hall, so he began to size him up.
He found that Gao Jun's strength barely reached the level of a 5th-rank Martial Artist.
Among all the Hall Masters in Jiangcheng City, Gao Jun's strength was considered upper-middle, but he was completely incomparable to the 6th-Rank Lan Kui.
"Qiuyue, he's the helper you mentioned?" Gao Jun frowned, his gaze sweeping up and down Chu Han's body, his face full of doubt.
He's way too young, isn't he?
Sister Yue explained with a smile, "Uncle, he's a friend of mine and is very strong. Although he's young, he has already obtained a Third-Tier Martial Artist medal. His strength is absolutely trustworthy!"
Gao Jun's expression softened slightly upon hearing this, but he was still somewhat skeptical.