The indoor disciples glanced around at each other, some wanting to approach and comfort Sheng Qiangwei, but were driven back by her gloomy aura. Everyone soon left, leaving only Sheng Qiangwei and Emily alone in the room.
Sheng Qiangwei sighed heavily, her face filled with frustration. "I really lost badly. I'm so unwilling to accept it."
"Indeed, who knew that regardless of right or wrong, his magnetic card was suspicious to begin with." said Emily.
"Strange or not, I don't care! But that guy called Feng Yi, he's incredibly formidable, Emily, can't you comfort me a little?"
"Comfort? How should I do that?" Emily tilted her head, portraying a naive and cute look. "I didn't sense any frustration from you."
Sheng Qiangwei let out a helpless laugh. "Heh, there's no need to wear one's emotions on the face. But to be honest, you're interested in his abilities too, right?"
"Uhm... really?" Covering her mouth while gazing at the ceiling as if she were deep in thought, Emily said, "Just so you know, I have never been interested in Ancient Martial Arts."
"Stop pretending, you hide your talents well. Emily, can you help me figure out his fighting style? I want to know if he's a swift-type martial artist."
"How do you want me to find that out?"
"Of course by challenging him. We've already fought once, and I doubt he would accept another challenge."
"Ah? But I don't understand Ancient Martial Arts."
"Come on Emily, I'm begging you... If we know ourselves and know our enemy, we can win a hundred battles."
Emily pondered for a moment before letting out a coy sigh. "Since you insist, Sheng, I can't really refuse. Especially since you took up for me."
Before Sheng Qiangwei could express her joy, Emily added, "But let me warn you first, his aura is very controlled and intense. It's as if he's enveloped in an invisible storm. Even I can't fully comprehend it."
"What?"
Sheng Qiangwei was astonished! While Emily may not have any interest in Ancient Martial Arts, it didn't mean her ability was not strong. On the contrary, her seemingly gentle exterior concealed her true strength. Aside from the headmaster and Sheng Qiangwei, none of the other disciples knew how formidable Emily was.
As a special talent, Emily demonstrated her genius abilities from a young age. She did well in everything she attempted. At the age of 6, her grandfather ordered her to learn Ancient Martial Arts. In just a few months, she was able to defeat all her peers in the Martial Arts Hall, which gradually led to a loss of interest in Ancient Martial Arts.
While she neglected her Ancient Martial Arts skills over the years, by the age of 13, she was still able to easily defeat those who were much older than her with her superior abilities. This is the main reason why Emily doesn't have any particular interest in Ancient Martial Arts. The headmaster, Gandalf, had repeatedly told her that there are always people who are better, but Emily has rarely come across anyone stronger. It's not that she doesn't want to learn martial arts, it's that she doesn't need to.
In fact, Emily was at the Martial Arts Hall only to train her mind. She often assumed the role of a wise sage, reflecting and contemplating, unswayed by external influences, believing that understanding one's heart is the path to higher realms. Feng Yi receiving such high praise from someone as wise as Emily was testament to his exceptional abilities. For a moment, Sheng Qiangwei too was curious to know what he had gone through?
Regardless of his experiences, challenges were necessary. "Emily, let's send him a challenge letter tomorrow morning. What do you think?"
"That's up to you. Either way is fine." Emily sighed helplessly. The misunderstanding at the dining hall was set to continue in another form. With all this on her mind, Emily felt quite helpless.
Meanwhile, Feng Yi was strolling around. His first need was to buy a wake-up alarm. During his walk, the sight of several formidable numbered military school buildings made Feng Yi pause. Looking at the Mechas, Shadow Riders, and Battlefield dynamics on the giant outdoor screen, Feng Yi's thoughts were suddenly pulled back to Colonial Planet number 3, a place filled with gun smoke.
As an aspiring soldier, he had once touched the steel skin of Mechas multiple times, mostly through sensory perception. Feng Yi gained experience operating virtual combat machines gifted by his grandfather, Lasso. His skills at handling the outdated Phantom Knight 0001, or the Shadow Rider, had become second hand due to a lack of a network at the Colonial Planet 103 to gain updated models.
There was a saying that anyone who could operate the Phantom Knight 0001 could master any model. Despite being hyperbolic, it implied the difficulty of controlling the Shadow Rider. Even now, Feng Yi couldn't confidently say he completely mastered the Shadow Rider 0001. Seeing the retired Shadow Riders displayed in the camp stirred emotions within him.
Feng Yi shook his head, deciding to sideline those feelings and focus on what was important. After dinner, he had to continue his cleaning job. After reaching the department store, he was overwhelmed by an array of alarm clocks. He finally picked a cheap one. Despite its low cost, he still felt the sting as he walked away with it.
Feng Yi never wasted time on afternoon breaks. As a part-time disciple, he was an exception who could get away with napping indefinitely due to his relationship with headmaster Gandalf. But he decided to take a stroll around the Martial Hall as it was under his nominal duty.
As he walked, he observed the movements of the disciples. Every time he passed a room, he would pause. At first, he moved quickly but gradually he slowed down... Yes, he was starting to grasp something. The offensive techniques used in the Ancient Martial Arts resembled his own combat techniques.
To him, the intrinsic nature of a battle was a matter of individual spiritual understandings. The meaning of a flower, a leaf, a single move or thought, could be like a micro universe or an expansive world, unpredictable and immense. Feng Yi was primarily interested in the nature of battles.
He coolly leaned against the wall, observing for a long time, oblivious of the admiring glances from the girls passing by, and sighed. If the cultivation of the disciples who truly understood the essence was not prioritized, this Ancient Martial Arts might come to an end. The closed Martial Arts Hall was more than just a simple name. Most of its members, barring a few inner disciples, were students who came just for fitness. It was difficult to find genuine talents. Sheng Qiangwei though was a bit more promising.