Martial Arts Livestreaming
Chapter 38 - 36 Skill Selection

Chapter 38: Chapter 36 Skill Selection

Liu Xiaochuan, as the head coach of the Qi City Sandboxing training team, had few people whom he personally invited. The reason he invited Wu Li, a college student, was not only because he admired Wu Li’s individual strength but also because of Yan Baili.

Yan Baili was famously known as the iron-blooded coach within the Qi City Sandboxing training team. He was strict in teaching but never secretive, treating his students as if they were his own sons—taking care of their basic needs and even spending his money to buy supplements for them. Therefore, the relationship between him and his students, who generally performed well, was also good.

Regrettably, Yan Baili had once determined to change Traditional Martial Arts and directly left the boxing squad. Over the years, he had never asked anyone from the boxing squad to do anything for him, even when Ren Donglai was challenged to a fight at the doorstep, he refused the boxing team’s offer to fight on his behalf and chose to stand up himself.

Such a stubborn old man, however, made an exception for Wu Li and actively sought help from Liu Xiaochuan and others. Thus, Liu Xiaochuan and Jiang Peng had come to regard Wu Li as a little martial brother after hearing the final words Wu Li had spoken on the arena.

"Thank you, brothers, for your high regard, but I am still in college and currently have no plans to become a combat sports athlete," said Wu Li, tactfully refusing, knowing that his path was destined to be different from everyone else with the system he had.

Liu Xiaochuan felt a bit regretful, nodded, and said, "Alright, then leave your phone number just in case, and contact me or your Brother Jiang if you need anything."

"Okay." Wu Li did not decline. Having more friends meant more avenues, especially when these two brothers had some influence in the Martial Arts World of Qi City.

After bidding farewell to Liu Xiaochuan and Jiang Peng, Wu Li left the Eastward Boxing Club and headed directly to the hospital to check on Ren Donglai’s situation.

...

At Qi City’s First People’s Hospital, when Wu Li arrived, there were already many reporters waiting outside Ren Donglai’s operating room.

"Wu Li!!!"

Upon spotting Wu Li, one person rushed forward first—it was Jia Li.

She screamed at Wu Li with her teeth bared, "If anything happens to my husband, I will never forgive you!"

Wu Li frowned and nimbly dodged Jia Li’s clawing.

"Come on, there are so many reporters here, calm down a bit." Zhang Xiaodong ran over in time to hold Jia Li back.

"Don’t stop me, it’s all his fault, Ren Donglai would not have been in this condition if it weren’t for him!" Jia Li cried out hysterically.

"Calm down," insisted Zhang Xiaodong, holding Jia Li firmly.

"Let me go! Whose side are you on?" Jia Li cried.

Zhang Xiaodong remained silently; Ren Donglai taking banned substances was kept a secret from Jia Li, and he had not told her, fearing she might soften and spoil things at the critical moment.

Now, with Jia Li making such a scene, Zhang Xiaodong actually felt a bit guilty. He was worried about what the doctors might announce soon, which could be awkward, with so many reporters present making it hard to hide anything.

Wu Li dodged Jia Li and Zhang Xiaodong, looking for a corner to quietly wait for the outcome. However, the reporters on-site would not let him go easily, crowding around him.

"Wu Li, what are you feeling right now?"

"If something happens to Ren Donglai, would you feel guilty?"

"Wu Li, do you regret challenging Ren Donglai now?"

"During the fight, you continuously struck Ren Donglai in the face with Yong Chun’s Hiragana Punch when he seemed unable to resist anymore. Do you regret continuing to strike then?"

...

Reporters always enjoyed stirring up controversy with their questions, which caused Wu Li to remain tight-lipped, his brows furrowed.

From a short distance, Jia Li, watching Wu Li encircled by reporters seeming somewhat embarrassed, could hardly conceal her satisfaction, wishing the reporters would portray Wu Li as a cold-blooded, brutal murderer.

Zhang Xiaodong pondered on how to phrase things, planning to clarify things with Jia Li first before consulting with the doctors later, hoping there was a way to keep Ren Donglai’s drug use hidden.

However, before he could start speaking, the doors of the operating room swung open, and a doctor came out.

"Who is a family member?"

"I am, I am. How is my husband?" Jia Li hurried over to ask, with Zhang Xiaodong quickly following.

"He’s out of the critical phase, he’s fine now," the doctor informed.

Jia Li sighed in relief then turned and looked maliciously at Wu Li, deliberately asking loudly, "Doctor, are my husband’s injuries severe? Will there be any lasting effects?"

"Jia Li, we can ask about these things privately," Zhang Xiaodong hastily advised.

Jia Li wouldn’t listen to him; she wanted the doctor to say it himself so that all the journalists present would know how heavy Wu’s hand was.

"Doctor, tell us!"

The doctor said, "His injuries are not too bad, but the drugs in his body are significantly stimulating, and it’s hard to say if there will be any lasting effects."

Jia Li’s expression froze. "You said drugs, what drugs?"

The doctor glanced at the surrounding journalists. He had recognized Ren Donglai in the operating room and knew that Ren was supposed to compete against Wu that night. So when he found prohibited drugs in Ren’s body, he felt an immense disdain. Now that Jia Li insisted, he did not plan to deliberately conceal it.

"We detected a substance in the patient’s body similar to a stimulant, which is highly damaging to the body."

"How is that possible?" Jia Li’s eyes widened.

Zhang Xiaodong held his forehead, falling apart inside.

The journalists surrounding Wu immediately rushed up to encircle the doctor.

"Can you tell us what drug was found in Ren Donglai’s system?"

"Doctor, are you saying that Ren Donglai is in this condition because he took this drug?"

...

Wu chuckled softly; he had suspected that Ren Donglai might have used prohibited substances. Now, with the person okay but the drug use revealed, his reputation was undoubtedly ruined. As for Zhang Xiaodong, the drug issue was likely linked to him too, and with this news, Zhang might find it difficult to continue in this circle.

Wu hummed a tune, leaving the hospital in high spirits.

As he stepped out of the hospital, about ten people surrounded him, giving him a start.

"Mr. Wu, I am from Radiant Entertainment Media Company. Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Mr. Wu, I am from Qingfeng Culture Co., Ltd. May I speak with you?"

"Mr. Wu, I am..."

All ten or so were agents from various MCN companies, all with one intent, to discuss a potential contract with him.

"Sorry, I just finished a match today and I’m quite tired. Let’s talk another time," Wu said uniformly to everyone.

"Mr. Wu, here’s my business card."

"Mr. Wu, this is my..."

Thus, the ten or so people each handed over their business card, suggesting they contact another day.

Wu took a taxi back to the hotel, ignoring countless messages on his phone. He opened the system, found the temporary mission rewards, and decided to confirm his reward first.

Iron Man, Eagle Eye, and Fiery Flame, corresponding to endurance, reaction, and explosive power respectively, were all helpful to Wu, but unfortunately, he could only choose one.

First was Iron Man, whose effect was essentially an enhancement of Wu’s endurance. Looking at it now, Wu’s endurance was sufficient for participating in free fighting competitions, as he could endure the two-minute rounds comfortably; however, he also had to consider if he were to fight in MMA or even boxing matches in the future, the endurance requirements would be much higher.

An MMA round is generally five minutes, for either three or five rounds. If fighting intensely back-to-back, Wu felt that his current endurance might be insufficient; as for boxing matches requiring even more endurance, with rounds lasting three minutes and totaling six, ten, or twelve rounds, the intensity of such matches was significant, and many boxers lost late in the game due to lack of endurance. Thus, Wu needed to consider enhancing his endurance well in advance.

Then there was Eagle Eye, where good dynamic vision was crucial to clearly see an opponent’s fast punches, a particularly important factor in boxing matches. Those millisecond dodges depended on excellent dynamic vision.

Lastly, Fiery Flame, the most intriguing choice, allowed selection of either left fist, right fist, left leg, or right leg, enhancing its explosive power by 10%. This was akin to some people being natural left-handers, with the left fist punching faster and harder; in professional competitions, players would study their opponents’ characteristics, whether they preferred to attack with the right foot or left fist. With Fiery Flame, Wu would have the element of surprise.

Iron Man, Eagle Eye, and Fiery Flame, all three rare skills had their respective upgraded versions. For instance, Iron Man’s next skill level, Endurance Muscle, reduced the rate of endurance consumption by 20%, and its ultimate skill version called Perpetual Motion increased it to 30%.

Eagle Eye and Fiery Flame had similarly advanced skills available, which, besides being more expensive, also had prerequisites, such as needing to exchange for Iron Man before one could exchange for Endurance Muscle. Therefore, Wu’s decision now could likely affect his rare skill exchanges for some time.

After much consideration, Wu ultimately chose Iron Man. He noticed that the system described it as reducing the rate of endurance consumption by 10%, rather than simply increasing endurance by 10%, so he speculated that this skill might indirectly change his breathing patterns and reduce unnecessary movements, which for Wu, was a more efficient option than simply increasing endurance.

As for dynamic vision and explosive power, Wu felt he could first improve these through his own training. The better the foundation, the greater the increase when he eventually obtained the skills.

Having decided on the skill, Wu took out a stack of business cards he received that evening and began to consider whether to sign with an MCN company and, if so, which one.