Chapter 116: Chapter 71: Be There or Be Square

“Xinran?”

Zhao Rui entered the Martial Arts Hall and walked over to the training area overseen by Coach Zeng, where he was stunned to find Li Xinran—who should have been focused on cultivating her Inner Strength for a breakthrough at this time.

And yet, here she was.

Seeing it was Zhao Rui, Li Xinran’s face showed a complex expression, a mixture of resignation and relief.

“I’m not cultivating anymore. I injured my San Jiao Acupoint and Foot Taiyang Meridian. I won’t be able to break through to Level 8 anytime soon.”

Li Xinran’s smile was a bit forced.

Zhao Rui froze, then quickly looked toward Coach Zeng. Unlike Wang Zhanshan, Coach Zeng was extremely patient and responsible with Zhao Rui’s group.

He wasn’t like Wang Zhanshan, who only had eyes for the chosen few.

“Injuries to meridians and acupoints are a major taboo when a Martial Artist is trying to break through. Even if they’re healed with Healing Medicine, you can’t attempt a breakthrough for some time.”

Zeng Hongyi shook his head, a sense of regret on his face.

He coached these sophomores and juniors, and Li Xinran’s group of four were by far the most hardworking among them.

Of course, he had hoped all four of them would successfully break through to Level 8.

Hearing this, Zhao Rui’s expression darkened. Though he knew a little about healing and restorative arts, his knowledge was only superficial.

Besides, according to Coach Zeng, she couldn’t risk a breakthrough even after she was healed.

Otherwise, it would be all too easy to suffer a backlash.

“It’s okay. I’ve already made it further than most people. Besides, I can still continue my studies at the university.”

Seeing everyone’s crestfallen expressions, Li Xinran was the one who ended up consoling them with a smile.

“Xinran!”

Qin Rui couldn’t help but turn and hug Li Xinran tightly.

“The road of the Jianghu is long, but our friendship is forever. Don’t tell me you’re all going to ditch me just because I’m not on the Martial Arts Team anymore?”

“Of course not! We’re friends for life!”

Zhao Rui stepped forward and gave her a fist bump.

A rare look of sadness also appeared on Cao Guannan’s handsome, cool face.

“You can call me anytime!”

Cao Guannan said solemnly after bumping fists with Li Xinran.

“No problem.”

After her cheerful reply, Li Xinran patted Qin Rui’s long, graceful back and planted a kiss on her cheek.

She chuckled and said, “While I’m gone, you’re not allowed to fall for any other women!”

Hearing her still in the mood to make such sassy remarks, Qin Rui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I only like you,” she said with a playful pout. “Waaaah!”

After speaking, she felt sad all over again, and she hugged Li Xinran’s shoulders and started crying once more.

Partings are always sad. Although Li Xinran didn’t have to leave the team right this second, giving up on her breakthrough meant she wouldn’t be able to return to the Martial Arts Team next semester.

With just over a month left, Li Xinran probably wouldn’t be coming around much anymore.

After sharing a few more sad words of comfort, they happened to see Cai Zhengyang over in the freshman area. He kicked another freshman to the ground with an extremely domineering attitude.

Zhao Rui asked curiously, “What’s with that Cai Zhengyang?”

“What else could it be? He’s an official team member now, so he thinks no one can control him. He’s just being arrogant and throwing his weight around.”

Li Xinran rolled her eyes. Even though she was a girl, she especially despised that kind of bullying.

Naturally, she had no favorable impression of this Cai Zhengyang.

“Uh!”

Zhao Rui hadn’t expected the guy to act like this just from becoming an official member. ’If he were made captain…’

“Forget it. He has a teacher backing him, so it’s not our place to interfere. Zhao Rui, don’t slack off during the break after your exams. If you can break through sooner, then break through sooner.”

Li Xinran said casually.

“Yeah, I know.”

The group chatted for a while longer before Coach Zeng led them to the training platforms for a short session of stabilizing their Cultivation.

「Time flew, and soon it was the registration day for the Provincial University Martial Dao Tournament and the Five-Province League.」

Wang Zhanshan took all the team members who were Level 8 or Above to the information collection room and watched over them one by one as they completed their registration.

His level of seriousness was definitely something that hadn’t been present during the last competition.

Furthermore, this time, he would personally lead the team for all competitions.

Currently, the entire Dongqi University Martial Arts Team had a total of 16 members at Level 8 or Above.

This included 4 freshmen, 2 sophomores, 5 juniors, and 5 seniors.

Originally, there had been 9 juniors, but after four were expelled a while back, only 5 remained.

For a top-tier public university in the province like Dongqi University, this number was truly a bit pathetic.

They barely had more juniors than freshmen!

Once registration was complete, there were less than ten days until the competition.

Wang Zhanshan instructed the sixteen of them to use the time to consolidate their Cultivation and increase their strength.

Everyone roared their agreement.

Zhao Rui didn’t go that day. He didn’t need to register, and the Martial Arts Team had no sparring assignments for him.

But Li Xinran did go. Thinking her time to leave the team was drawing ever closer, she wanted to come by and watch, as if for old times’ sake.

As it turned out, that visit ended up causing trouble.

“This Quiet Chamber—don’t you know I’m the one who uses it?”

In front of the meditation Quiet Chamber, Cai Zhengyang stared coldly at an embarrassed Li Xinran, his tone completely lacking the respect one should show a senior.

“Sorry, I didn’t notice.”

Li Xinran said with an awkward smile.

“I heard you can’t break through to Level 8. What are you still doing hanging around here, wasting the team’s resources?”

After sneering, Cai Zhengyang turned to walk into the Quiet Chamber. Just as he was about to enter, he added, “Can’t even tell if you’re a man or a woman. What a disgrace.”

The moment he said that, rage surged through Li Xinran. She roared, “Cai Zhengyang, you apologize to me!”

“Ugly people just love to stir up trouble!”

Cai Zhengyang sneered, completely dismissing her anger.

“You!”

Li Xinran had never been so openly insulted before. Rage boiling over, she swung her palm and struck out at Cai Zhengyang.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep