233: Chapter 233 Before the game

"Hmm?"

Chen Moxuan keenly sensed this hostility, but he had no idea where it was coming from.

As far as he could remember, he didn't know these people on the School Team at all.

He had only entered the School Team as a temporary substitute, and it was only after his outstanding performance in the last match that he was promoted to a regular member.

But a series of events had occurred since then; the only time he had stepped into the School Team's Training Building was to retrieve the qi and blood agent that Liu Kai had swapped out.

In reality, Chen Moxuan had never actually spent any time with these people.

However, one of them soon stepped forward, revealing the source of his hostility.

"Hey, newbie, why are you only showing up now?"

"We haven't seen you come to the Training Building for intensive training once in all these days. Isn't that a bit too undisciplined and disorganized?"

Chen Moxuan was slightly taken aback for a moment, but then he understood.

As it turned out, these people wanted to give him, a newcomer who had just arrived, a show of authority.

It made sense; these people were, after all, just eighteen-year-old third-year martial arts students. How many complex schemes could they really have?

All they were thinking about was putting the newcomer in his place to consolidate their own sense of presence in the team, or perhaps forming small cliques and the like.

Furthermore, their information was extremely isolated.

Their perception of Chen Moxuan was still stuck on the half-true, half-false information that the Tianyuan Army had intentionally controlled and disseminated.

They still believed that Chen Moxuan had simply had explosive luck and won the match entirely because his opponent's identity as a member of a foreign race was exposed.

They also thought he had received a large bonus and a grade a blood qi essence because of it, and had even leaped into becoming a regular member of the School Team.

This left them feeling more than a little resentful and indignant.

Being psychologically unbalanced, they naturally wanted to make up for it in other ways.

Add to that the fact that Liu Kai had been stripped of his vice-captain position for committing a crime.

As for the specifics, the Liu Family had requested the school not to disclose them publicly on the grounds of it being a family scandal, so these few individuals weren't clear on the details.

But it was a set fact that the position of School Team vice-captain was currently vacant.

Graduating with the status of School Team vice-captain and getting into a martial arts university would also net a large grant from Henghuo Martial Arts School.

If anyone else present got the position, they might feel a bit disgruntled, but they could generally accept it.

But if this guy who had suddenly barged in also dared to vie for the position, they wouldn't be happy about it.

So, after discussing it privately, they planned to make this arrogant newcomer who was currently in the spotlight understand his place, so he wouldn't think about stealing the limelight or fighting for things he shouldn't.

However, their worries were purely redundant.

While they were still thinking about things like the School Team, bonuses, and qi and blood agents, what Chen Moxuan was considering was already worlds apart from their level.

"Number 13... it's over there."

Chen Moxuan acted as if he hadn't heard, turning a deaf ear to the man's words. Without stopping, he walked straight toward the locker where the uniforms were kept.

"Hey, a Senior is talking to you, and you won't even say hello?"

Seeing this, the man who had spoken earlier became ashamed and angry. He quickly chased after Chen Moxuan from behind and lunged forward, trying to grab Chen Moxuan's shoulder to stop him.

Just as his hand was about to touch Chen Moxuan, Chen Moxuan's body swayed slightly, causing the man to grab thin air.

"Don't touch me casually."

Chen Moxuan turned his head halfway, his gaze glancing over while simultaneously releasing a wisp of Spiritual Sense pressure.

The man only felt an invisible but powerful pressure rushing at him. His heart felt exceptionally heavy, the hairs all over his body stood on end instantly, and his legs trembled uncontrollably.

"O-Okay... I'm sorry."

His voice trembled as he apologized in a hurry, then he retreated dejectedly.

"Yue Jun, what's wrong with you? Didn't you say you were going to give this newcomer a show of authority before the captain arrived?"

"Exactly, why did you end up apologizing to him?"

"I don't know... my legs suddenly went weak, and his eyes were so scary..."

"I think we should just forget it; the match is about to start anyway."

The whispers of those few people entered Chen Moxuan's ears without missing a single word.

Seeing them whispering with their heads together, thinking he wouldn't hear them.

The corners of Chen Moxuan's mouth curled up slightly, and he couldn't help but find it a bit amusing.

He didn't need to lower himself to bicker with a few Blood Accumulation Realm students.

If he wanted to, the Spiritual Sense pressure he could release with a single thought would be enough to make these people instantly faint and lose consciousness.

Even if he were to strike now and give these people a harsh lesson, as long as he was the first to step onto the arena later, Principal Li would praise him for a fight well fought afterward.

However, Chen Moxuan had never had a penchant for bullying the weak. Whether in the past or now, he always kept a clear distinction between kindness and grudges.

Since the other party wanted to give him a show of authority, he would simply return a wisp of Spiritual Sense pressure to scare them a bit.

Chen Moxuan raised his hand and pulled open the locker door. Inside, the orange-red team uniform was neatly folded. He reached out to take it, then took off his jacket and briskly changed into it.

Since Captain Zhang Qing hadn't arrived yet, those three team members were still huddled on the other side whispering.

Chen Moxuan, on the other hand, sat calmly on a chair, slowly closing his eyes to rest his mind.

Another few minutes passed.

The door to the preparation room was suddenly pushed open, and a person very familiar to Chen Moxuan stepped inside.

The few team members were sharp-eyed; as soon as they saw who it was, they immediately stopped whispering and greeted him enthusiastically.

"Teacher Ma."

Upon seeing the newcomer, those team members immediately stopped their conversation to greet him.

"Has Zhang Qing not arrived yet?"

Ma Jingyuan asked while scanning the people in the room.

Inadvertently, his gaze fell on Chen Moxuan, who was sitting with his back to the door.

At that moment, Chen Moxuan also happened to turn his head, and their eyes met instantly.

Seeing this, Ma Jingyuan couldn't help but look delighted and said with a smile:

"You kid, you didn't even come to say hello to me after coming out."

"I had originally declined this match for you, and I only found out you were coming to compete after hearing it from the Principal just now."

Originally, the ranking matches in the Spirit Gathering Secret Realm wouldn't officially end until tomorrow.

Chen Moxuan had essentially achieved an absolute high score that couldn't be surpassed, allowing him to leave the Spirit Gathering Secret Realm early.

When he had come out of the Spirit Gathering Secret Realm earlier, Ma Jingyuan was in the middle of giving a lecture.

After Chen Moxuan finished seeing the Principal, he had returned to the Superpower World, and then had other matters to handle, so he hadn't had a chance to meet Ma Jingyuan.

It wasn't until today that Ma Jingyuan learned that Chen Moxuan had come out of the Spirit Gathering Secret Realm early.

"I really couldn't find a suitable time," Chen Moxuan responded with a smile as well.

"Just as well. Since Zhang Qing can't be reached right now, you'll take over as acting captain for the pre-match ceremony."

Ma Jingyuan made the decision decisively, arranging things briskly.

"The team is still short one person this way. I'll have Peng Jie, who's in the stands, fill the spot. He probably won't actually have to go on stage anyway."

"Wait, Teacher Ma, letting a newcomer be the acting captain might be a bit inappropriate, don't you think?"

One of the team members couldn't hold back and asked urgently in response.

As he spoke, he also stole a glance at Yue Jun beside him, blaming him for staying silent at such a critical moment.

"Inappropriate? Then why don't you go and trade blows with the opposing captain?"

Ma Jingyuan gave that person a cold glance.

Hearing this, the man quickly shut his mouth tight.

The captain of the Jiangshui Martial Arts School team was Xie Ning, who was previously recognized as the number one martial arts student in Dongchang City, at the Qi Control Realm Sixth Stage.

Wasn't it suicide for someone like him, at the Blood Accumulation Realm Ninth Stage, to go and fight him?

Thinking about it this way, the title of acting captain seemed like a hot potato.

Seeing the man fall silent instantly, Ma Jingyuan couldn't help but feel a hint of disdain.

These people were just like Liu Kai; in the last match, as soon as they heard the opponent was Lin Muhan, they all found ways to ask for leave like cowards.

This year's School Team at Henghuo Martial Arts School had been deeply poisoned by the former Vice Principal Wang Minghui. Most of the members were incapable of great things and couldn't handle a real stage.

Originally, Ma Jingyuan had been mentally prepared to lose face completely for this match.

However, once he learned that Chen Moxuan was also competing, everything became completely different.

Before entering the Spirit Gathering Secret Realm, Chen Moxuan was still at the Qi Refining Realm Ninth Stage.

But with Chen Moxuan's current strength, even he, at the Qi Control Realm Perfection, couldn't see through him at all.

This meant that Chen Moxuan had very likely already stepped into the Tiangang Realm.

A Tiangang Realm at such an age, Ma Jingyuan had heard that it was rare even in those martial arts families with deep Legacies.

Today's match had attracted the attention of almost all martial arts high schools and major powers in Dongchang City.

Not only that, but many people from martial arts universities had also come to watch.

The purpose of their trip was to scout the young talents on the field in advance and see if there were any martial arts Geniuses worth giving a guaranteed admission spot.

However, almost all of these people were here for Xie Ning.

After all, Xie Ning was known as a martial arts Genius rarely seen in Dongchang City for decades, and had been in the spotlight ever since his first year of high school.

At this moment, a burning expectation suddenly surged in Ma Jingyuan's heart.

He looked forward to the moment when the student he had always highly valued, Chen Moxuan, would suddenly burst onto the scene under all those gazes.

Let them see what a true Genius really is!

"Alright, everyone get your team uniforms on straight. Follow me to the arena now."

Ma Jingyuan reined in his inner excitement, swept his gaze over everyone, and led the way out of the preparation room.

...

The spectator stands were a multi-layered, circular structure, tightly surrounding the arena in the middle.

At this time, the stands were packed, and the air was filled with the noise of the crowd.

This was the last major event held in Dongchang City before the Martial Arts Exam.

Many teachers and students from Henghuo Martial Arts School and Jiangshui Martial Arts School had come of their own accord to show support.

At the same time, students from other martial arts high schools in Dongchang City also flocked to the scene to watch the match with an attitude of learning and observation.

Unlike the School Teams, they usually only sparred with classmates or training robots within their own schools, so their actual combat experience was relatively lacking.

The School Team, after all, represented the top level of students in a school. Learning from their combat logic and techniques was undoubtedly of great benefit to these students.

On the last level of the large circular platform, there was a viewing building.

The view here was extremely open. Standing in the building, the entire scene could be taken in at a glance.

School leaders and specially invited guests who were there to oversee the event would all gather here.

"Old Mr. Liu, since your encounter with that vampire last time, has your body recovered well?"

A middle-aged man with somewhat thin cheeks turned slightly to greet the white-bearded old man sitting beside him.

This old man was none other than Liu Tai, who had overseen the match last time.

And the middle-aged man who took the initiative to speak was Principal Qin of Jiangshui Martial Arts School.

Liu Tai moved his body slightly and responded kindly:

"The Cultivation Technique I Cultivate has quite an advantage in terms of recovery ability. It's already been a week since that incident, and I'm fine now."

"But if something like that happens again, I'm afraid these old bones of mine really won't be able to take it."

Principal Qin heard this and smiled slightly:

"Lei Hongyu of the Punishment Army has already carefully deployed layers of defense outside the arena. Presumably, no more accidents will occur."

"Lei Hongyu? He's in Dongchang City's Punishment Army?" Liu Tai was somewhat surprised.

He wasn't a local of Dongchang City; he had come at the invitation of the organizers to serve as external support, so he didn't know much about the various information of Dongchang City.

Principal Qin raised an eyebrow slightly and asked:

"Old Liu knows him?"

"I met him once ten years ago. He was a very promising young man. He was already at the Qi Control Realm Ninth Stage at the age of twenty. Such outstanding talent left a very deep impression on me."

Principal Qin had a smile on his face, his tone carrying a hint of admiration:

"Then Old Liu might be even more surprised now. That Captain Lei is now a Tiangang Realm Late Stage expert."

"Tiangang Realm Late Stage? Even though he's from a branch family, he truly lives up to being a scion of a great family. The younger generation is truly to be feared..."

As he spoke, Liu Tai couldn't help but sigh inwardly, a hint of hard-to-conceal loneliness flashing across his face.

He had started late, and in his youth, he had lacked the careful guidance of a famous teacher, so he had taken many detours on the path of martial arts Cultivation.

Now, over eighty years old, he was still stuck at the Tiangang Realm Early Stage. In his helplessness, he could only focus more of his energy on studying Martial Skills.

Although he had made quite some achievements in Martial Skill research over the years and had made many friends among his peers and juniors who respectfully called him Old Liu.

However, when it came to advancing his cultivation, he could never see a shred of hope, and his heart was inevitably somewhat melancholy.

As time went on, his progress in martial arts cultivation would only become more difficult.

If things continued like this, perhaps all that awaited him was the arrival of the end of his life's span.

Principal Qin didn't notice Liu Tai's subtle expression; he picked up his teacup and took a light sip:

"With Captain Lei standing guard outside, and with me, Old Liu, and Principal Li of Henghuo Martial Arts School here, three Tiangang Realm Martial Artists are overseeing the place."

"Moreover, many teachers in the arena are at the Qi Control Realm Late Stage. In my opinion, even if some unexpected situation really occurs, there's no need for Old Liu to be at the very front like last time."

"That is for the best... It's just that I see this empty seat beside Principal Qin. Has Principal Li of Henghuo Martial Arts School not arrived yet?"

Liu Tai glanced at the empty seat next to Principal Qin and asked in confusion.

Principal Qin chuckled upon hearing this.

He and Principal Li were old rivals of many years and knew each other inside out.

He secretly surmised that Principal Li must be well aware of the awkward situation of this match and was afraid of being mocked by him, which was why he was dawdling and refusing to come in.

Principal Qin put down his teacup and said:

"Old Liu, don't mind him. I know Principal Li; he cares quite a bit about his reputation. I'm afraid he..."

Before he could finish his sentence, just at that moment, Principal Li was seen gently pushing open the door and stepping inside.

With a hint of apology and embarrassment on his face, he quickly said:

"I'm truly sorry for keeping everyone waiting. There are many affairs at the school, and I was tied up by some matters, which delayed me for a bit."

"Old Liu, please forgive me."

Principal Li bypassed Principal Qin, who was closest to the door, and greeted Liu Tai.