Giving Oneself a Slap

Upon entering the classroom, Xu Zhong's demeanor underwent a sudden transformation. He raised his head high and puffed out his chest.

He now possessed the highest vitality in the classroom. How could he not take pride in it?

With confident strides, he entered the room, embodying the essence of disregard for his social standing.

Xu Zhong felt he couldn't walk with his head bowed like the others. He had to walk with his head held high!

"Hey, who's that? Since when did our school admit someone with bowed legs?"

Bowed legs?

Xu Zhong raised an eyebrow. Are you blind? Is this what you call bowed legs?

This was called supreme self-assuredness, alright?

Xu Zhong's expression darkened, and he chose to ignore her comment. Instead, he found an unoccupied corner and settled down, waiting quietly.

He had a pleasant feeling because this corner was close to the window, where the sunlight warmed him.

[Pure Divine Art Proficiency +1]

[Vitality+0.01]

[Pure Divine Art Proficiency +1]

[Vitality+0.01]

"Hey, do you guys know? That's the legendary Xu Zhong from Grade 12 Class 2. His vitality increased by over 100 points in a day!"

"D*mn! Really?"

Someone expressed doubt.

"It's true. They even had a face-off. Xiahou Chi from the Xiahou Family was defeated and lost to Xu Zhong's martial technique."

"My father said we should befriend a genius like him. Why don't we go introduce ourselves?"

The college entrance examination featured two primary tests. The first was the Vitality assessment, which was static and yielded a fixed score.

However, the second test, the combat simulation, involved hunting demon beasts. Therefore, having a skilled teammate at this stage could potentially boost performance.

Xu Zhong remained composed in his seat. At this moment, a girl in a white dress approached him.

She possessed an attractive oval-shaped face with exquisite features. Her skin was smooth, radiating a healthy glow. A geomancy compass dangled from her waist.

Nice…

Xu Zhong couldn't resist oval-faced girls much. How could he possibly try to charm such a beautiful girl?

As a time traveler, pursuing a girl was rather embarrassing for someone on the heaven-defying path. Such thoughts were certainly not advisable. He couldn't become a sycophant.

As a time traveler, shouldn't the Saintess and Demoness throw themselves at him, and fairies and goddesses offer themselves willingly?

He should have regarded the oval-faced beauty before him with an aloof gaze and said, "Take a seat, and don't get in my way."

That was the correct way to handle it, right?

She held a sugar cane and extended it toward Xu Zhong. With a smile, she asked, "Hi, would you like to form a team?"

Xu Zhong considered for a moment. This girl's name was Chen Yingying, and she appeared to be the class belle from the neighboring class.

However, her family background was rather ordinary. Her qualification for the martial arts examination was based on her talent.

Chen Yingying's words instantly garnered everyone's attention. All eyes turned toward them.

Chen Yingying's vitality value was 80, which was considered remarkably high among this group of students. Everyone was somewhat taken aback to see her actively seeking to team up with Xu Zhong.

"D*mn, I didn't expect Yingying to team up with Xu Zhong."

"Hey, how dare you call her Yingying?"

"That's not the point!"

"That's the point!"

The two boys were about to fight.

"Alright, alright. Even though Xu Zhong has already reached F-rank, his progress is remarkably rapid. He always gives off an air of unpredictability. If I'm going to team up with him, I'd prefer someone with a Vitality score of around 70. It feels more stable that way."

"Exactly, exactly. What's Chen Yingying thinking? With her capabilities, she could hunt demon beasts alone without forming a team."

Chen Yingying paid no heed to the onlookers' stares. She glanced at the geomancy compass hanging from her waist once more. The divination it conveyed suggested that joining forces with this young man for the combat assessment would bring them good fortune.

They were bound for victory tonight!

Initially, Xu Zhong was unaware of Chen Yingying's prowess. However, upon hearing the whispers of the surrounding students, he was taken aback.

A vitality value of 80 was indeed impressive.

With a smile, Xu Zhong nodded. "Alright!"

However, deep down, he silently cursed himself. He had readily agreed to team up with Chen Yingying because of her strength, not because he had ulterior motives.

Upon hearing Xu Zhong's affirmative response, a radiant smile graced Chen Yingying's oval face. She handed Xu Zhong a piece of sugarcane and said, "This is for you."

At that moment, a cold and composed woman in her early thirties entered the classroom from outside.

She sported military boots, pants, and a green tank top. Her ponytail was sleek, and her footsteps were nimble. Her figure moved with the agility of a female leopard.

She reached the center of the training room, her red lips parting slightly. Her voice was clear and resonant, akin to ice cubes colliding. "I'm your martial arts instructor for the next month. My name is Yang Yufei. You can call me Instructor Yang."

"Hello, Instructor Yang!"

The students began to chatter, especially the male ones. Attractive teachers were always warmly received.

"Hello, everyone. I'll be looking forward to your guidance for the next month." Yang Yufei offered a formal smile.

She didn't elaborate further. "Alright, let's proceed with roll call."

"Lu Ziye!"

"Here!"

"Hao Tianfeng!"

"Here!"

"Xu Zhong!"

"Here!"

…

Soon, all 17 students in the class had responded to the roll call.

Yang Yufei's gaze scanned the room with the intensity of a hawk. Her voice, clear and resonant, rang out again. "I'll emphasize this once more. Since you're here, you will follow my orders. If not, you're free to leave immediately."

After she made herself clear, Yang Yufei turned her attention to the martial arts students below the stage and addressed them seriously. "Today, I'll teach you a martial technique known as the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms."

She had a classmate distribute copies of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to the students below the stage as she spoke.

With the instructions underway, Instructor Yang began demonstrating the technique.

"This is called the Arrogant Dragon Regrets. It serves as the foundation of the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Once you grasp this move, the remaining seventeen will be much more manageable. The term 'Regrets' in its name embodies its essence. It signifies acknowledging that after achieving strength, decline is inevitable. A large ship sailing smoothly can easily encounter a reef and capsize. Always leave room for maneuvering when handling matters."

Yang Yufei explained while demonstrating on stage. During her explanation, a classmate asked, "Instructor Yang, the recommended cultivation level for the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms is not E-rank. We…"

"I don't take recommendations."

Her response left the student who had spoken feeling stymied.

Yang Yufei seemed to sense that she had been too strict. She pursed her lips and offered a smile. "I'm not suggesting that you all must cultivate the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms to that degree. Rather, by cultivating it, you can indirectly enhance your fist strength. This should prove beneficial for your future cultivation."

Upon hearing that it could boost their fist strength, the student's eyes lit up excitedly.

Everyone listened attentively, except for Xu Zhong.

[Martial Art Detected: Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm]

[Do you want to simplify it?]

Xu Zhong did not hesitate.

"Simplify!"

[Host confirmed!]

[The martial technique Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palm is being simplified…]

[Simplification complete.]

[Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms has been simplified to Heavy Slap]

Huh?

Heavy slap?

Xu Zhong was confused.

However, considering the system's tendencies revealed by the simplified [Primal Chaos Body Formula], Xu Zhong had mentally prepared himself for the system's nature to some extent.

Nonetheless, he couldn't make things difficult for others for no reason, could he? So…

Xu Zhong pondered momentarily and lightly patted his "handsome face."

[Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms Proficiency +3]

Well, it worked!