Evening, Dongning Grand Hotel.
This is considered the highest consumption place in Dongning City. To celebrate her sister passing the Martial Artist Apprentice assessment, the usually frugal Mrs. Chen really splurged this time.
Uncle Chen Dalong's entire family came, except for the cousin who is currently in college. The atmosphere was quite lively.
Chen Shouyi's family has fewer relatives. He has never met his grandparents since he was born. His father's generation only has one uncle, while his mother's side has a few siblings. However, due to some taboo matters, they almost no longer keep in touch.
"Finally, our Chen family has produced a renowned Martial Artist Apprentice, really impressive." Uncle Chen Dalong said while handing over a rather high-end-looking wooden box,
"Thank you, Uncle!" Chen Xingyue gracefully received the wooden box and upon opening it exclaimed with surprise: "Ah, this is an Alloy Sword from the Artifact Workshop."
Chen Shouyi looked somewhat envious, the price of cold weapons varies greatly. The cheaper ones are around one or two thousand, the expensive ones can go up to hundreds of thousands or even millions. The Artifact Workshop is a mid-to-high-end brand of cold weapon manufacturing company.
Even the cheapest sword costs over ten thousand.
The weapon control in Great Xia Country is strict, weapons like swords are mostly for collection, but this does not apply to Martial Artist Apprentices. As soon as one registers as a Martial Artist Apprentice, they possess the privilege to carry weapons freely.
"This is way too much!" Chen Dawei quickly said.
"How can it be called too much? Xing Yue passing the Martial Artist Apprentice assessment is not just your family's business." Aunt, who wore light makeup, affectionately embraced Chen Xingyue and said, then turned her words toward Chen Shouyi: "Shou Yi, you need to work hard, you'll be taking the college entrance examination this year, right?"
Chen Shouyi found himself inadvertently implicated, chuckled dryly: "I'm working hard."
…
This time as well, Chen Shouyi watched his sister become the center of attention at the banquet, dazzling brightly while he was neglected. However, this time he felt no jealousy, genuinely happy for his sister.
He felt truly mature and more confident.
…
Sunday, Youth Martial Arts Training Center's training room.
Simple stakes were set up in a row, and all the students practiced the "basic steps" around the stakes in an S-shape one after another.
"Next, Lin Feng!"
"Next, Chen Shouyi!"
When saying Chen Shouyi's name, the female teacher paused and couldn't help but glance at him.
Chen Shouyi waited for a while, seeing Lin Feng ahead stumbling and almost reaching the finish line, he then proceeded forward, his movements ghost-like, his body undulating, swaying left and right.
There was no deliberate intention, nor any pause, the entire process was natural and smooth, as if drawing a sleek curve.
Upon returning, Chen Shouyi was surrounded by a group of students:
"Brother Chen is amazing, I feel he's on par with the teacher." A boy with a face full of pimples admired.
"Yes, it's just like watching a teaching video."
"Still far from it!" Chen Shouyi smiled and shook his head.
This was not modesty, it really was far from it. Others might not notice, but as someone who daily commits mind and soul to the female teacher's body, he could distinctly sense the difference.
His body still lacks refinement, lacking a bit of finesse, during movement his muscle coordination feels slightly rusted, this requires repeated practice and adaptation.
Off to the side, Lin Feng watched Chen Shouyi from afar, secretly clenching his fist.
Throughout this month, his girlfriend Guo Qianqian showed increasing enthusiasm towards Chen Shouyi. Previously, he hadn't felt much about it, his girlfriend could chat openly with anyone, and most importantly, he is more handsome and cooler than him.
Even Guo Qianqian was the one who pursued him.
But gradually he felt the pressure, no matter how hostile, he had to admit, the terrifying martial arts talent of the other party.
Many times, both make the same new moves, both stumble during practice, but by the next class, the other party already mastered it, the moves feel as if practiced countless times.
Such a person really makes one feel powerless inside.
"Clap clap clap!"
The substitute teacher clapped hands and said: "You all practiced well, meaning the basics are almost mastered, now let's try sparring practice."
The students became excited, their faces lit up with anticipation.
Chen Shouyi felt the same, practicing swordsmanship is meant for combat, finally time for some action today.
"Alright, everyone, collect your Protective Suits and Safety Swords first!"
The suit includes a face mask, short jacket, chest armor, arm guards, pants, and gloves, not only thick but quite cumbersome to put on.
But it's necessary, real combat is very dangerous, even without being Martial Artist Apprentice, anyone who practiced some swordsmanship can unleash unimaginable power.
The precise force-exertion system makes the human body fragile like tofu; no need for real swords, a chopstick, wooden stick, even a tree branch can easily kill an ordinary person.
After much effort, Chen Shouyi finally wore the Protective Suit, then picked up a Safety Sword, a lightweight plastic sword, its blade thin and quite soft, even if it hit exposed skin, it hardly causes injury.
On the other side, the female teacher also changed into a Protective Suit, seemed ready to fight: "Now I'll assign groups, Guo Wenlong against Chen Hailiang."
"Wen Ya against Cao Yunyun."
"Lin Feng against Xie Xiangqing."
…
"As for Chen Shouyi, you'll practice with me."
"Yes, teacher!" Chen Shouyi immediately replied, his heart pounding, not that he had any thoughts about the female teacher.
He had seen enough in Memory Space, regarding her body's familiarity, he wasn't much different than her.
He just felt excited, an excitement for real combat, making his blood boil.
"Please guide me!" He mimicked the lines from TV, saying.
Soon, through the teacher's mask, he seemed to see her smiling meaningfully, before he could react, he saw a blur before his eyes, she swiftly skated close, the long sword darting like lightning repeatedly.
"Clap clap clap!"
His heart, abdomen and face mask, seemed exploded by firecrackers, slightly jolted, involuntarily stepping back.
"You talk too much, if this were real combat, you'd be dead just now." She said calmly, barely smirking.
Sometimes, such highly talented students are not likable, they make the teaching feel worthless, even doubting oneself.
A student group with consistent levels is better.
Facing beauty teacher's disdain, Chen Shouyi was completely oblivious, quickly correcting his attitude: "Yes, teacher!"
This time he concentrated his spirit, eyes focused energetically, unfortunately it was still useless, whether trying to attack or evade, the beauty teacher's offense was like a shadow, as if it could predict.
Chen Shouyi was pummeled for more than a minute, body turned numb, nearly suspecting if he offended the beauty teacher somewhere.
She finally paused, exhaling a long breath.
"Do you know why I can hit you?"
"Because you, teacher, are a Martial Artist Apprentice, react faster, stronger." Chen Shouyi subtly flattered.
"That's just part of it, you know who at the card table is most popular?"
"Rich spenders!" Chen Shouyi thought, suddenly an idea emerged, perhaps teacher likes to play cards.
"Uh, it's novices." Beauty teacher promptly said: "Such people often portray their emotions during gambling, get good cards they're elated, get bad cards they're crestfallen, easy to read, lose every time."
Chen Shouyi realized: "You mean, I expose my intentions before attacking."
"Your gaze too fixated on your intended target, any slightly experienced person can effortlessly see through your plans, your path, evade or counterattack in advance."
"I see," Chen Shouyi felt inspired as if enlightened.
"Then how should I do it correctly?"
"For you, simplest is to keep your gaze level, observe with your peripheral vision, disguise your intent, never easily reveal it.
"Now, again!"