Chapter 17: Small Circle, Good Seedling

"How... is that possible!"

Li Yuan never imagined he would lose, even if Qin Shi displayed extreme resilience and physical ability, as well as a constitution resistant to throws and beatings.

But that was only because he possessed "extraordinary talent," mastered the Old Martial Arts Training Method, and gained a massive improvement.

In a real fight, relying solely on outstanding brute force and thick skin and tough flesh cannot securely seize the chance of victory.

Offensive and defensive awareness, combat rhythm, degree of control over oneself — these are the secrets to defeating the enemy!

Li Yuan was very certain; even if Qin Shi's last aspect was relatively outstanding, slightly ahead.

The first two aspects were absolutely lagging behind, with an obvious gap existing compared to himself.

"Brother Yuan, what you said really works!"

Qin Shi took off his guard gear and gloves, pulled up Li Yuan who had fallen on the soft mat, and spoke with high spirits:

"Watch the opponent's shoulder, catch his attack direction, improve reaction speed! Too effective!"

This joy and satisfaction of his was not entirely a disguise to resolve Li Yuan's embarrassment.

After being thrown to the ground time and again, tasting the flavor of failure, suddenly winning a victory by his own strength.

That game-clearing passion and thrill would indeed rush to the brain in an instant, providing a psychological satisfaction similar to dopamine secretion.

"You... learn fast."

The pain of his chest being struck by a fist could not compare to the dejection of a crushing defeat; Li Yuan gritted his teeth and barely squeezed out this praise.

Looking at Qin Shi, his eyes involuntarily held a trace more recognition and admiration.

No wonder this kid was valued by Lao Liang, given special private training every day.

In just a few hours, he progressed from zero foundation to having a grasp on fighting style, understanding how to judge the feints and landing points of the opponent's moves.

He even seized counterattack opportunities that sharply!

This is a true top student with fighting talent!

"Holy shit!"

Xie Yucheng outside the arena seemed to have his brain crash; his mouth seemed to only have this sentence left.

"Talent bro, you're too talented! How did you remember those basic moves?

Eye-opener, are all students at Xin Yi High School geniuses like you?"

Qin Shi took a breath, calming his heartbeat.

Training volume approaching thirteen sets to exhaustion, plus the physical awakening brought by 【Muscle Memory】, allowed him to greatly shorten his learning cost.

For the same curriculum, relying on 【Deep Sleep】's physical recovery and 【Muscle Memory】's rapid mastery.

He probably could surpass fellow trainees standing on the same starting line by four to five body lengths!

"Mainly Brother Yuan's guidance was too on point. I have to thank you guys, willing to spar with me in actual combat, otherwise how could there be such fast progress!"

These words were pleasant to hear!

Originally his face was somewhat unable to hold up, worried about becoming a laughingstock, Li Yuan's complexion looked much better at once.

He waved his hand:

"What are you saying, classmates should naturally help each other. When it comes down to it, it's still that Qin Shi, your brain turns fast, and your physical quality is also outstanding.

Those students in the Urban Circle, could it be every single one is as formidable as you?"

Qin Shi smiled:

"Top students and slackers exist everywhere. It's just that the Urban Circle's educational resources are relatively concentrated, so the number of top students produced is also relatively larger.

Brother Yuan, Brother Cheng, actually I feel our learning ability doesn't lose to them, in effort we even surpass them, just born on Old Factory Street, environment a bit worse, no conditions."

Unbeknownst to them, through verbal artistry he easily grouped himself together with Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng into the same camp, thereby drawing the relationship closer.

"Qin Shi, so you think that way too! If Old Factory Street hadn't declined, we'd definitely be stronger than the Urban Circle's top students!"

Sure enough, Li Yuan, who harbored hostility toward the Urban Circle, greatly agreed.

Especially the three words "no conditions," they spoke directly to his heart.

Making him instantly regard Qin Shi as the same kind, attitude becoming even more friendly.

"Hah, Brother Yuan, who let the heavens be unfair! In this era, reincarnation is what most tests ability; I study at Xin Yi High School, usually haven't received few cold looks from the Elite Class!"

Qin Shi shook his head and sighed, giving Li Yuan full emotional value.

He could deeply understand the complex psychology of the vast majority of workers' children who grew up in the Old City District toward the Taian Metropolitan Area.

Carrying hostility, dissatisfaction and aversion, yet unconsciously revealing a trace of longing, yearning and eager anticipation.

Although disliking the Urban Circle's citizens, simultaneously hoping to become one of those who obtain Urban Circle Residency Rights.

"Elite? Pah! Just self-proclaimed superiors!"

Li Yuan, like finding a comrade, slapped Qin Shi's shoulder:

"Once you master the Old Martial Arts' fighting style and training method, your Qi Life Force will definitely skyrocket, fiercely beat swollen the eyes of these rich kids who look down on people!"

Xie Yucheng scratched his head, seeming like an outsider.

He didn't understand how Brother Yuan just got all chummy with Qin Classmate?

Could this be what the Old Era Martial Arts World calls, "no fight, no acquaintance"?

With the atmosphere built up to this point, Qin Shi spoke magnanimously:

"Brother Yuan, Brother Cheng, I got two boxes of Nutrient Paste today and haven't eaten them, let's split them together."

As a newcomer, the best way to turn an unfamiliar environment into a comfort zone is to integrate into a small circle.

Although there's a saying: "Only cattle and sheep form herds, fierce beasts always walk alone."

But without being deliberately excluded, targeted, or bullied, getting along well with surrounding classmates isn't anything bad.

More friends, more paths; there will always be a day they come in useful.

This is a life experience Qin Shi summed up from delivering takeout by car in his previous life.

"Thanks, Qin Classmate! I didn't do anything, just basking in Brother Yuan's glory!"

"A Shi, no need for polite words. If you run into trouble later, just come find me!"

Relationships between peers in student days mostly come in only two kinds: "can stand" and "can't stand."

Clearly, right now Qin Shi had already shifted from the latter to the former in Li Yuan's eyes.

The sunset's afterglow gradually faded, leaving only a few dim rays of rosy light that had not yet dissipated.

Each put on their sweat-stinking short sleeves, then cleaned the training room spotless, and the three locked the door and left together.

Lao Liang's teaching was always like this: tell you what you need to learn, then wash his hands of it.

What level you can train to depends entirely on your own effort and persistence.

"At this hour, Lao Liang's definitely gone off to find a place to drink."

Looking at the empty, quiet corridor, Li Yuan muttered a couple of sentences, then turned to call to Qin Shi:

"A Shi, today I mooched your nutrient paste, making you eat an extra meal tonight, really embarrassed.

How about this, we'll take you to a place! Let you see even more formidable people!"

Xie Yucheng slung his army-green bag diagonally across his shoulder, laughing hehe:

"Brother Yuan, thought it through? Qin Classmate is a good obedient kid, a good student at Xin Yi High School, don't go leading him astray."

Li Yuan tsked:

"Talking nonsense, I'm not taking A Shi to a video hall to watch porn, we're studying boxing hard, learning fighting techniques, isn't it all to become strong, to not be bullied!

Get to know Brother Ze on Beiguan Street, and if A Shi runs into trouble later, he won't be afraid of having no one to help!"

Qin Shi listened to the two's conversation, eyebrows raising slightly:

"Brother Yuan, Cheng Ge, the Beiguan Street you're talking about, where is it?"

Li Yuan lifted his chin:

"That night market on Xingshun Road, lots of people setting up stalls selling clothes. Recently a glorious, gold-and-jade bathhouse was built... now it's under Brother Ze's protection."

Sounds a bit like "Chen Haonan of Causeway Bay."

Qin Shi didn't refuse; Li Yuan and Xie Yucheng's usual behavior didn't look like dropouts heading for manual labor in the suburban mining area.

They occasionally talked and exchanged words, always mentioning "Brother Ze," "Boxer" and such information.

Making one a bit curious.

"Then I'll tag along and broaden my horizons."

Qin Shi smiled gently and kindly.

"Let's go."

Only after the three youths' figures disappeared at the corridor staircase did the lame Lao Liang flash out from the side.

The afternoon's practical combat training had all fallen under his gaze; his eyes looked downward, moving slowly along with Qin Shi.

"If you could say this kid's training method is outstanding, then his fighting style is simply genius-level!"

Lao Liang lightly licked his dry cracked lips, fingers holding the cigarette trembling slightly, his face involuntarily revealing a trace of fanaticism.

If Qin Shi saw this scene, he would probably recall a certain type of person often seen driving cargo in Myanmar in his previous life — gamblers who went all-in with their entire wealth to buy rough stones!

"Luck's arrived, my luck... finally arrived! He truly is a natural-born Old Martial Arts Seedling!"

(Chapter End)