Zhou Yu's lips twitched as he shoved the spirit artifact back into Da Xiong's hand.
"Since it's your reward, you keep it. I'm not interested," he said, his face filled with exasperation.
"If you're really that sincere, then double your training tomorrow. Don't embarrass me in the martial arts competition!"
Though Zhou Yu was poor, he had never lacked in this regard.
It was mainly because the old man gave him too much!
When he was younger, Zhou Yu had even used spirit artifacts as toys...
"Doctor Zhou..." Da Xiong looked touched, clearly not believing Zhou Yu's words.
How could anyone truly not care about spirit artifacts?
Even the lowest-grade Yellow-tier spirit artifacts were not something ordinary martial artists could possess.
Some people had cultivation but had never even touched a spirit artifact in their entire lives!
What Zhou Yu was saying now was likely more boasting than truth.
Zhou Yu naturally noticed the meaning in Da Xiong's eyes, but he just smiled, not intending to clear up the misunderstanding.
He patted Da Xiong's shoulder. "Alright, the reward has been received, and lunch is done. Let's head to the training grounds."
The martial arts competition was not far off.
If he wanted to continue staying at the freshman training base, simply drifting along wouldn't suffice!
Da Xiong nodded emotionally, having already concocted an elaborate internal drama.
No matter what Zhou Yu said, Da Xiong was now convinced that Zhou Yu had refused the spirit artifact because he wanted Da Xiong to achieve a good ranking in the martial arts competition.
"Doctor Zhou, don't worry, I will definitely remember your kindness!"
Da Xiong said earnestly.
Lin Weidong, standing on the stage, couldn't help but twitch his lips as he watched the interaction between the two.
He was speechless for a long time.
This Da Xiong had too much of a dramatic flair!
Seeing Da Xiong and the others about to leave the meeting room, Lin Weidong quickly stopped them.
What a joke, the meeting wasn't over yet. What did they think they were doing leaving now?
"Next, we need to talk about the martial arts competition a month from now."
"The general rules have already been posted outside the meeting room and can be viewed at any time."
"There will be no other tasks before the martial arts competition, so rest assured and train hard, striving to remain in the freshman intensive training base."
Lin Weidong said solemnly.
Although it was called a martial arts competition and stated to be point-stopping, it was, in reality, an elimination tournament!
In the meeting room, many freshmen were already discussing.
"A month of training sounds long, but it's actually useless. It still depends on your foundation."
"Who says that? Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng's strength has advanced by leaps and bounds in the past month or two. It shows that cramming still works!"
"Can that be the same? Who is our instructor, and who is Da Xiong's instructor? Not everyone is that lucky."
"It's clearly because you often skip class and don't practice properly. What does it have to do with the instructor!"
"Alright, both of you, say less. Training is related to the instructor. Zhou Yu doesn't even care about spirit artifacts, can our instructors do that?"
Many among the freshmen started arguing.
Some felt that the martial arts competition was unfair.
After all, they had similar strength when they entered.
Those who encountered good instructors could rapidly improve their strength during training!
But those who encountered less capable instructors remained stagnant.
Therefore,
As Zhou Yu led Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng to the training grounds, a group of freshmen had already surrounded Lin Weidong.
They were all demanding to change instructors...
"If you ask me, these people are blaming the earth for being hard when they can't pass water," Ouyang Feng said, standing at the training grounds and curling his lips.
As a disciple of a second-rate family,
He had neither resources nor a master.
Yet, he was still able to get in?
These people clearly weren't willing to put in the effort themselves and were instead blaming the instructors!
Da Xiong nodded in agreement.
Although Da Xiong seemed to be favored by Lin Weidong and Zhou Yu, like a chosen one,
It was built upon the foundation of Da Xiong's own hard work.
Only when Da Xiong showed potential would others be willing to nurture him.
Otherwise, if he were a hopeless case, who would pay Da Xiong any mind?
"Alright, stop being like the gossipy old women in the village. Let's start training."
Zhou Yu, listening to the two discuss matters so seriously, couldn't help but feel amused.
He gave each of them a flick on the forehead, urging them to start training.
Da Xiong rubbed his head, exchanged a look with Ouyang Feng, and then diligently began his training.
Zhou Yu was true to his word.
Since Da Xiong had spoken of repaying Zhou Yu when receiving his reward earlier,
He had to put in double the effort!
Naturally, Ouyang Feng was left to train by himself.
And Da Xiong, under Zhou Yu's watchful eye, felt like he was suffering immensely.
The entire training ground was occasionally filled with Da Xiong's screams!
Those who passed by couldn't help but cast a second glance!
By the time dinner arrived and they could finally rest, Da Xiong was completely exhausted and collapsed on the ground, unable to move.
It was Ouyang Feng who dragged him to the mess hall.
While eating, Da Xiong accidentally bumped his wounds.
He was covered in bruises, wincing with pain at the slightest touch.
"Doctor Zhou is too ruthless," Da Xiong said with a hint of grievance.
Ouyang Feng tapped his bowl and glared. "You brat, are you showing off to me?"
If Zhou Yu could pay him such attention, it would be something he'd dreamed of for eight lifetimes!
And now Da Xiong dared to complain?
Da Xiong shrank his neck. "Do you want this fortune?"
Ouyang Feng instinctively wanted to say yes, but catching sight of Da Xiong's bruised body out of the corner of his eye, he fell silent.
He shoveled a few bites of food and mumbled, "Just train hard and don't let Doctor Zhou's expectations go unfulfilled."
Da Xiong felt like crying but had no tears!
Ouyang Feng hadn't had it much easier today.
Although Zhou Yu was primarily training Da Xiong, he was also keeping a close eye on Ouyang Feng.
Therefore, when the two unfortunate companions soaked in medicinal baths together that evening, they both grimaced in pain.
"Tomorrow I need to talk to Doctor Zhou, he can't play favorites. Your foundation is weaker than mine, so you should receive more training,"
Da Xiong muttered, half-asleep in the bathtub.
Thinking of Zhou Yu's devilish methods, Ouyang Feng couldn't help but shiver and shook his head repeatedly. "Forget it, I think you have a good chance of winning first place in the martial arts competition. It's better to let Doctor Zhou focus on you first."
Da Xiong immediately turned his head, his eyes accusing Ouyang Feng.
Where was the promised good fortune?
This Ouyang Feng, his words were sweet, but now he was shirking responsibility!
While Da Xiong and Ouyang Feng were still worrying about tomorrow's training,
Zhou Yu had already arrived at the prison.
There was no other reason.
Lin Weidong had sent a message saying that the captured members of the Shadow Organization from this batch had started talking.
Zhou Yu was initially reluctant to go.
But Lin Weidong mentioned that the things these Shadow Organization members were saying were of questionable veracity,
And asked Zhou Yu to come and verify them.