Chapter 65: A Role Model

January 15th, Dongjiang Martial Arts Hall.

In the morning, the round of sixteen matches took place. The vast martial arts hall had just one arena set up at its center, with rows of seats arranged ten meters from the ring, allowing the audience to watch the battles up close.

This time, the hall was packed to the brim, with over thirty thousand spectators present. Of these, a third were high school students.

Indeed, high school students were not lacking in spending power.

Parents were more than willing to invest considerable resources in their children’s education. Watching the Xuetao Cup live was clearly more meaningful than attending a concert or similar events.

Even if many came for Gao Wu, that too held significance.

Middle-aged people generally disliked internet celebrities and the rambling nonsense of self-media online. Yet, they all thought highly of Gao Wu as a web celebrity.

First, Gao Wu came from humble beginnings, and his personal character was impeccable. More importantly, this young man was positive and diligent, outstanding in martial arts, always spreading positive energy, and remarkably charismatic.

He was an excellent role model for the youth!

Adults might have many thoughts, but the minds of the young were much simpler—they were here to enjoy the spectacle, to see their idol, the captain of the Passionate Youth Brigade, Gao Wu. They hoped to witness Gao Wu ascend to the summit with their own eyes.

Should that happen, Gao Wu would become the first high school champion in the fifty-year history of the Xuetao Cup! For these young people, it would be an event of extraordinary significance.

This perspective, once raised on the Dongjiang High School Forum, sparked an immediate and overwhelming response from countless students.

To welcome this glorious moment, even students who weren’t ardent fans of Gao Wu prepared all kinds of support banners and light boards. To show their identity as part of the Passionate Youth Brigade, they agreed to tie red ribbons on their heads or wear red headbands.

A sea of teenagers gathered, most dressed in red and sporting red headbands, waving scarlet flags and light boards, occupying a vast area within the hall.

Their unified attire created an imposing presence, and though they made up only a third of the audience, their momentum completely dominated the hall, rendering the other twenty thousand or so spectators almost invisible.

Shen Yue, his face alight with excitement as he gazed at the sea of red, sidled up to Gao Wu and whispered furtively, “I started this on the forum and in the video comment sections, even spent some money to get those support flags. Sure enough, young people are easy to rally, hehe…”

Yesterday’s Passionate Youth Brigade had deeply affected him but also sparked his inspiration. Gao Wu already enjoyed immense popularity. By positioning him as the representative of Dongjiang’s youth, he could further ignite the enthusiasm of all high school students.

Dongjiang had a million high schoolers; if just one percent acted, that alone was a formidable force.

With such guidance and mobilization, the students’ passion was set ablaze, resulting in today’s spectacular scene.

“Well done,” Gao Wu praised Shen Yue loudly, patting him on the shoulder. While he wasn’t one to seek empty vanity, the presence of so many supporters gave his battles deeper meaning.

Even if only for his peers, he was determined to claim the championship!

Not everyone was a fan of Kuaisheng. Many present had never even heard of Gao Wu. Seeing banners and lights proclaiming “Gao Sheng, Number One Under Heaven,” they were bewildered.

Who was this warrior bold enough to claim supremacy over all?

Dongjiang endured half a year of winter each year, and its people shared a common trait: they were warm, outgoing, and loved to chat. Only such personalities could maintain energy through the long frozen months.

Any question, casually asked, would be answered with enthusiasm. Those who didn’t know Gao Wu quickly caught up.

“Gao Wu, let me see…” A curious middle-aged man pulled out his phone, opened a small app, and saw that Gao Wu’s odds of winning the championship were 30 to 1.

He was surprised. In the round of sixteen, each contestant should have a 1/16 chance at victory. Of course, skill levels varied, so odds would fluctuate accordingly.

The two favorites—Xu Sanhu and Tie Biao—had odds not even reaching 2.

Most others had odds around 10 to 1, and a visiting eighteen-year-old female warrior had odds of 12 to 1.

The man was puzzled. Looking at the bracket, Gao Wu would have to defeat Wan Cangshan, Bai Yushuang, and Xu Sanhu—three particularly formidable opponents. Especially Xu Sanhu, the tournament’s top seed.

Given that, Gao Wu’s chances of winning were indeed slim. Glancing at the swathes of scarlet flags, the man found the spectacle rather interesting. After a moment’s thought, he bet a thousand yuan on Gao Wu.

If he lost, it would just be for fun; if he won, he could revel in joy for a month!

According to Beizhou’s regulations, gambling was prohibited. Yet, this kind of online betting was a gray area.

Betting enthusiasts craved excitement, and high odds greatly increased their willingness to wager. Gao Wu had performed exceptionally well before; seeing his odds so high attracted many bets on him.

Song Mingyue, too, saw Gao Wu’s odds on her phone. At this stage, anyone with a discerning eye could see Gao Wu was already a top-tier fighter, further strengthened with reinforced muscles and bones, giving him a distinct advantage in the ring.

Assigning him such high odds was clearly abnormal. They clearly intended to manipulate things around Gao Wu.

Song Mingyue glanced at Gao Wu preparing to mount the stage but said nothing to him. The morning would decide the top two, with the finals scheduled for 9 p.m.

There was still plenty of time—no need to worry just yet.

Gao Wu noticed Song Mingyue’s gaze and, with two fingers, made a suave gesture at his brow, giving a cool salute.

Shen Yue, beside him, couldn’t help but comment, “He must think he looks so cool and impressive.”

“He does look cool,” Song Mingyue replied softly. She meant it sincerely, not just to tease Shen Yue.

As Gao Wu’s best friend, she felt obliged to stand up for him.

“Ha…” Shen Yue chuckled awkwardly.

He hadn’t expected Song Mingyue to talk to him; he was both surprised and embarrassed, his face flushed red. Luckily, his complexion was dark enough that even with his ears burning and sweat beading on his brow, no one noticed his awkwardness…

On the stands, the teenagers clearly shared Song Mingyue’s opinion, erupting in excited, shrill screams and waving their flags with renewed vigor. The hall instantly buzzed with noise.

Hearing the cheers from the stands and seeing the swaying scarlet flags, Gao Wu felt his own heart surge. Unconsciously, he realized that he already had so many supporters!

He stood tall and saluted toward the section where the Passionate Youth Brigade’s banner fluttered. Song Mingyue was his best friend and could be teased, but to his passionate fans, he owed proper respect—just as they respected him.

To match the theme, Gao Wu had even brought two sets of scarlet martial arts uniforms.

These could be custom ordered from the Tianwu Association’s official website, just for a price. High school students got discounts.

The scarlet martial arts uniform was vibrant, but the cut was classic, with a golden embroidered dragon on the chest and the words “Iron Dragon” in bold on the back.

Though Tie Dalong was now incarcerated, Gao Wu remembered the kindness shown to him. He had promised in advance to advertise the Iron Dragon Dojo during the competition.

It wasn’t about the promised bonus—it was about being true to his word.

All the cameras were trained on Gao Wu—upright and heroic in his scarlet uniform, he radiated a fierce, blazing presence.

“Ahhh—”

“Gao Sheng, Number One Under Heaven!” The cries of the teenagers rose and fell in waves, the volume soaring yet again.

Most of the other spectators cheered and applauded as well. Gao Wu’s opponent, Wan Cangshan, was an outsider; emotionally, they naturally supported their own, Gao Wu from Dongjiang.

Another crucial point: Gao Wu was a natural-born star. Just standing on the stage, he exuded a dazzling, unrestrained brilliance that drew all eyes and won everyone’s favor.

Song Mingyue felt this even more keenly. Even if Gao Wu’s mental strength was average, he possessed a unique and powerful aura that could easily move others.

In layman’s terms, Gao Wu was immensely charismatic. Song Mingyue, however, knew this was his gift—a formidable power that allowed him to face supernatural beings.

The atmosphere was electric. As for Wan Cangshan, Gao Wu’s opponent, he remained exceptionally calm. At thirty-three, he had faced monstrous beasts head-on and, in secret, had killed who knew how many people.

To him, everything outside the ring was irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was his opponent, Gao Wu.

This eighteen-year-old, tall and lean, possessed an extraordinary physical strength. This was evident by comparison—even a “mad dog” who’d undergone biochemical surgery wasn’t as strong as Gao Wu.

Moreover, his power was great, and his martial arts skills were excellent. Wan Cangshan knew to be cautious.

He had come to the Xuetao Cup as an attempt by his family to break into Dongjiang. Behind him, many in the Wan clan were watching.

Wan Cangshan said coldly to Gao Wu, “Kid, this is the ring, not your playground. If I accidentally kill you, don’t blame me.”

Gao Wu grinned and wagged his finger. “Uncle, don’t be so sure of yourself!”

Wan Cangshan’s face darkened. He despised this flippancy, his heart filled with murderous intent. If given the chance, he would kill this boy without hesitation!

At the referee’s signal, both Gao Wu and Wan Cangshan swiftly closed in on each other. Gao Wu struck first, Wan Cangshan blocked with a cross punch, immediately sensing Gao Wu’s force was a bit loose.

At his level, just by touch he could sense the tension in the opponent’s muscles.

“Gao Wu is up to something!” Wan Cangshan’s combat experience was vast. Without hesitation, he batted aside Gao Wu’s fist and stepped straight in, his right fist crashing toward Gao Wu’s face like a cannon.

After nearly thirty years of practicing the Bull Demon Fist, he could gather every ounce of muscle and bone into his punch, making the air itself seem to explode.

The sound carried clearly through the sound system to the entire audience. The screaming force of the punch made everyone’s heart sink.

Bai Yushuang watched closely. In her eyes, Wan Cangshan’s strength surpassed Gao Wu’s, and his Bull Demon Fist had honed his body to incredible toughness—at least on par with Gao Wu, if not better. Plus, he had twenty years of combat experience.

By every measure, he outmatched Gao Wu. This stage would likely be Gao Wu’s undoing. She felt a twinge of regret—if he won, she’d face him next and could teach that proud boy a real lesson!

She wasn’t alone—other experts held the same view. Gao Wu’s fighting style was highly restrained by Wan Cangshan. With Wan Cangshan’s seasoned skill, Gao Wu would get no opportunity.

Faced with Wan Cangshan’s fierce, cannon-like straight punch, Gao Wu didn’t retreat but advanced. Instead of blocking, his left hand shot out to grab the collar of Wan Cangshan’s jacket, his head turning aside to dodge.

Wan Cangshan’s punch was faster, landing first on Gao Wu’s exposed chin, snapping his head back and sending his sleek black hair flying.

Taking the blow head-on, Gao Wu managed to seize Wan Cangshan’s collar. Wan Cangshan noticed the brightness in Gao Wu’s eyes—such a heavy strike had failed to inflict real harm. He was surprised.

But his reaction was swift. Taking advantage, he drove his elbow at Gao Wu’s neck.

His entire body’s force, channeled through his spine, was consolidated in his elbow. The impact was like a thousand-pound hammer, twisting Gao Wu’s neck with its force.

Yet despite landing two consecutive heavy blows, Wan Cangshan felt a chill. By rights, his strength should have snapped Gao Wu’s neck, or at least left him unconscious. But the feedback from his elbow was met with stubborn resistance—his force simply couldn’t penetrate.

“This kid’s body is monstrous! Not only can he take two heavy hits, his core strength is rock solid…” Wan Cangshan realized something was wrong, but it was too late.

Just then, Gao Wu tensed his arm and hoisted Wan Cangshan into the air. With two thousand kilograms of strength, lifting a man of barely over a hundred kilos was effortless.

Dangling in midair, Wan Cangshan had no way to exert force. No matter how strong he was, he couldn’t compete with Gao Wu. He knew Gao Wu would follow with a throw and curled up defensively.

Just as Wan Cangshan predicted, Gao Wu used an over-the-shoulder throw to hurl him out. Gao Wu followed up, adjusting his stance and gathering strength. With the power of a dragon’s tail, every muscle and tendon channeled his force down to his foot, which crashed into Wan Cangshan as he fell.

Upside down, Wan Cangshan glimpsed the danger and hastily shielded his head, hunched his chest, and tucked in his abdomen.

But Gao Wu’s charged kick pierced through Wan Cangshan’s arms and landed squarely on his chest.

More than 2,500 kilograms of force drove through his foot into Wan Cangshan, crushing his chest bones so deeply that his heart and lungs were violently compressed, blood spurting from all seven orifices.

The terrifying thing about this kick was its instantaneous explosive force at close range, leaving Wan Cangshan no chance to absorb or deflect it.

He crashed to the ground, his body limp and powerless.

Gao Wu didn’t pursue. He simply waved his palm in a virtual chop at Wan Cangshan. “If I brought this palm down, you really would die, Uncle.”

The referee rushed over to stop Gao Wu and signal the match was over.

A few young men rushed onto the ring—two to help Wan Cangshan, while another, his face crossed with a long scar, pointed at Gao Wu and cursed, “You little brat, are you looking for death?!”

The referee intervened, signaling the young man to shut up and leave.

The young men dared not go further, muttering threats at Gao Wu as they left… Gao Wu ignored them. None of them were up to Wan Cangshan’s level; if it came to a real fight, he could teach them a lesson with two punches.

The battle had ended in a flash—another clear victory for Gao Wu in the eyes of the ordinary spectators.

The Passionate Youth Brigade’s banner flew high, and once again the resounding song, “The youth have their wildness,” echoed through the arena.

Standing at the center of the ring, Gao Wu glanced at Wan Cangshan, whose face was ghostly pale but, fortunately, still conscious—though several ribs were certainly broken.

Satisfied that Wan Cangshan was all right, Gao Wu saluted toward the Passionate Youth Brigade.

Then, placing both hands over his heart, he made a gesture of forming a heart, a sign clearly meant for the Brigade.

No one had done this gesture before, yet its meaning was immediately obvious to all.

The teenagers went wild with excitement.

The true experts, however, were reviewing the battle footage. Watching Gao Wu get punched and elbowed, his hair slightly tousled yet not a bruise on his skin, they all frowned in concern…

At the Jinsheng Hotel, Lü Hongsheng burst into laughter. “What a prodigy! This kid really has a shot at the finals.”

He muttered to himself, “Twenty million should be enough to buy off Xu Sanhu, right?”

Xu Sanhu was the top seed and undisputed favorite to win the Xuetao Cup. If they could get Xu Sanhu to throw the match, they could clean out the gamblers.

Once Gao Wu reached the finals, they could use him to trap another batch. This year’s Xuetao Cup could net them at least several hundred million!

Huang Hai, though, shook his head slightly. “Xu Sanhu is with the Aurora Legion, and Song Chunqiu is here too—it won’t be easy.”

“We have to try,” Lü Hongsheng replied indifferently. “The championship’s only worth two million. Aside from the title, it means nothing. If Xu Sanhu is smart, we could even bring him into our circle…”

(Thank you all for your enthusiastic support~ A deep bow of gratitude~ Special thanks to Alliance Leader ‘Fish in the Romantic Rain’~ Today, in honor of three Alliance Leaders, there will be five extra chapters~)