Evolving infinitely from ground zero

"Everyone, train seriously!"

"Don't slack off!"

"There are only four spots left to compete for, and only those who perform well will represent our school in the competition!"

In the gymnasium, Guo Xiangyuan abandoned his usual laissez-faire attitude and was strictly supervising the team members' training.

The final exams had just concluded, and the Martial Arts Team was preparing for the most important martial arts competition of the year, which would take place in mid-summer vacation.

The competition was jointly organized by eight middle schools in the district.

The event was scheduled for August 1st.

Thus, in the month leading up to the competition, Guo Xiangyuan gathered the team members back at school for intensive training.

Afterwards, based on their performance during the training, four members would be selected to represent the school in the competition.

While Guo Xiangyuan was pushing the seven team members through rigorous training, Lin Zichen, who had already secured a spot in the competition and did not need to train with the others, was training Shen Qinghan on the side.

Ever since Shen Qinghan decided to continue with the Martial Arts Class in high school, Lin Zichen had created a summer training plan for her to improve her physical condition.

To avoid affecting her growth, the intensity of this training plan wasn't very high, and the daily regimen only consisted of the following:

One: Jog for 3000 meters to increase stamina.

Two: Practice martial arts techniques for an hour to improve fighting skills.

Three: Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, and pull-ups to train the muscles, performed with reasonable effort for a dozen or so reps each to slightly increase physical strength.

Beyond this, there were no other activities.

Even so, Shen Qinghan, who was somewhat frail, still found it a bit too much.

Right after exercising, she collapsed to the ground, panting non-stop and drenched in sweat.

"Han Han, that was good, you've successfully completed your training for today as well."

Lin Zichen twisted open the bottle cap and passed the sports drink in his hand to Shen Qinghan, affirming her training attitude.

Taking a few sips of the sports drink, Shen Qinghan said with still uneven breaths, "Chen, training the body is really tiring, much more than studying."

"That's for sure, since it does make you sweat." Lin Zichen took a yoga mat from the side, spread it out, and then knelt down on it, saying, "Come, lie down on the yoga mat with your legs spread apart, and I'll help you relax your muscles."

Shen Qinghan obediently lay down on the yoga mat and slightly spread her slender and straight legs.

Seeing this, Lin Zichen quickly started to massage her proficiently.

Perhaps the massages were a bit too vigorous, as the stimulation to the sore muscles might have been too intense.

From time to time, Shen Qinghan would let out a shy, muffled moan, her hands instinctively gripping the yoga mat tight, and her face looked to be in discomfort.

Sometimes, when she could no longer bear it, she would involuntarily cry out in pain and plead for him to be gentler.

Unfortunately, gentleness wasn't an option.

Because to quickly dissipate the lactic acid that had built up in the muscles, some force was necessary during the massage, or else it would be ineffective.

First, he massaged her calves, then her thighs, and lastly her arms. In just a short ten or so minutes, Lin Zichen had massaged nearly every part of Shen Qinghan's body.

Feeling that the massage was sufficient, he took out a set of clean clothes from his backpack and handed them to Shen Qinghan, saying, "Go take a shower, and after that, we'll head home."

"Okay, I'll be quick." Shen Qinghan got up from the yoga mat feeling refreshed, took the clothes Lin Zichen passed her, and headed to the changing room.

After each training session, she very much enjoyed being massaged vigorously by Lin Zichen.

Although the process was somewhat painful, afterwards she would feel completely relaxed all over, which was especially comfortable.

...

A month later.

The training camp ended.

The five competitors were determined.

Among them, the very lively Zhang Kai didn't make the cut.

Disheartened, he left the Martial Arts Team upon hearing the results and didn't even bother to attend as a spectator.

However, no one paid it much heed, life went on as usual.

The next morning.

Guo Xiangyuan drove the school bus, taking the team to the city gymnasium for the competition.

Shen Qinghan also went along, saying she would cheer for Lin Zichen from the spectators' seats as his little fan girl.

Lin Yansheng and Zhang Wanxin also managed to take time to come to the event, wanting to support their son.

As for Xu Meng and Shen Jianye, the couple was busy teaching the senior class at school and couldn't take time off to watch the competition.

However, they asked Shen Qinghan to record Lin Zichen's match and bring the video back for them to watch.

...

City gymnasium, athletes' rest area.

All the competitors from the eight schools lined up to draw lots for their match-ups.

The rules of the competition were straightforward—school against school, and only three rounds were needed to decide the champion.

One round was fought each day, completing the event in three days.

Soon, the draw results were announced.

Shanhai High School, where Lin Zichen was a student, unfortunately drew Shanhai No.1 Middle School, the strongest competitor.

Upon seeing this, Guo Xiangyuan's face changed instantly.

The other four teammates also had grim expressions, all feeling like they would be eliminated in the first round.

Among them, the teammate named Li Shutong even lost hope before the fight started, saying, "It's over, I've heard that this year No.1 has a tough guy who can sprint 100 meters in under 9 seconds. We're definitely going to be smashed!"

"What are you babbling about? We have Zi Chen with us, so it's not certain who'll lose," Guo Xiangyuan glared at Li Shutong and retorted.

That's what he said, but as a coach, he didn't have much confidence either.

In his eyes, Lin Zichen was indeed formidable, but after all, he was just a first-year junior high student and hadn't fully grown yet. Facing someone who could sprint 100 meters in under 9 seconds, most likely he would be crushed.

Sigh, he just hoped the kid's mindset wouldn't be shattered too.

Otherwise, if his confidence was affected, that would be a huge loss.

The Martial Arts Team's banner for the next two years would still have to be carried by him... Guo Xiangyuan worried inwardly.

Lin Zichen, the person in question, had a calm expression at this moment, his heart not the least bit perturbed.

A 9-second 100-meter sprint was strong, but in front of him, who could run 100 meters in 4.61 seconds, they were as insignificant as ants, easily squashed with a simple press.

...

Before long, the first round of the competition began.

The opening match was between Shanhai High School and Shanhai No.1 Middle School.

"Which one of you four will go first?"

Guo Xiangyuan looked at the other four teammates besides Lin Zichen and asked.

None of them made a sound. They were all intimidated, not wanting to be the first to confront the opponent.

Shanhai No.1 Middle School was the champion of the previous year, and they were even stronger this year than last. The first one to go up against their team was basically the same as being the first to be beaten up.

Junior high students are in their most face-conscious period, and no one wanted to be the first to make a fool of themselves.

"Does no one want to go first?"

Guo Xiangyuan furrowed his brow and, seeing that still no one wanted to step up, finally said, "Since none of you are willing to go first, let's decide by drawing lots."

After saying this, he went to get a pen and paper.

However, before he had taken two steps, Lin Zichen spoke up, "Coach, I'll go."

Guo Xiangyuan immediately refused, "No way, you're our trump card. You need to go last to make the most of your advantage."

The benefit of going last is that one can observe the opponent's habits from the sidelines, thus knowing the enemy and oneself, winning every battle.

But, for Lin Zichen, who overwhelmingly outclassed everyone, this wasn't necessary at all.

What he needed was to defeat as many opponents as possible to quickly complete his achievement tasks and gain rewards.

So he said earnestly, "Coach, I want to be the first one to go up."

Guo Xiangyuan was silent, not immediately answering.

But seeing the seriousness in Lin Zichen's eyes, and that the other four really didn't want to go, he eventually had to compromise, "Alright then, Zi Chen, you'll go first."

...

After both sides had decided on their first competitors,

the first round's opening match soon commenced.

The opponent's first to take the stage was a big boy over 1.9 meters tall, all muscle, looking like a mountain seated on the Martial Stage, exuding an immense sense of pressure.

Lin Zichen, whose body hadn't developed as quickly and was less than 1.7 meters tall, stood in front of the other guy like a freshly hatched chick, easily squashed.

"Little junior from Shanhai, I've seen your information on the roster, it's impressive that you're standing on the Martial Stage of the eight-school competition as a first-year. You're very talented," the burly boy said with a naive smile on the Martial Stage.

Seeing how naively the opponent smiled, Lin Zichen thought the big guy seemed pretty nice.

But just as he was about to reply politely, the burly boy's demeanor shifted abruptly, his eyes becoming filled with contempt as he said,

"However, I think it's my duty to tell you that this is not a place for a first-year like you, especially one who's not even 1.7 meters tall."

With that, the opponent tensed his muscles forcefully, showing off his massive pecs with a juvenile attitude, "Soon, you'll experience what a physical disparity feels like, what a difference in strength means!"

...

PS: Holding out my bowl, seeking Monthly Pass and recommendation tickets!