Martial Arts Livestreaming
Chapter 449 - 414: The Storm Approaches

Chapter 449: Chapter 414: The Storm Approaches

"We won, we won, we’ve won!"

At this moment, the number of Hua Country viewers watching the live broadcast had surpassed forty million. When victory arrived, it was a wild celebration for over forty million people.

It’s just that there was no way to give tips during the live broadcast of the Combat World Cup; otherwise, the amount Wu Li and the Hua Country Team would have received tonight might have been a terrifying record.

Meanwhile, a good number of American spectators had already started to leave early. They had come today to witness the American Team becoming champions, but they hadn’t expected this kind of outcome.

In the VIP seats, Dana White and the upper echelons of the UFC all looked quite displeased. One of the main purposes of holding this Combat World Cup was to promote the UFC to the whole world and to show off the strength of the UFC fighters. But now, the championship had been taken by the Hua Country Team, and almost all the competing fighters were from Yanhuang Competition of Hua Country, which meant they were inadvertently promoting someone else’s brand.

"Hmph!"

Several directors stood up indignantly, without so much as a word of goodbye and left directly.

Dana White watched the departing figures, knowing these directors were expressing their dissatisfaction with him. When he originally proposed changing the competition rules, it was these directors who raised objections. Now it seemed, if Dana White hadn’t changed the rules, if there hadn’t been a 2VS2 match, the American Team would have by no means lost.

But actually, Dana White was also helpless; feedback from audiences and viewing figures, among other data, showed that the revised format was indeed more attractive and generated more buzz. If the American Team had won the championship, naturally all the credit would have been his. But unfortunately, the American Team lost, and they lost in the two 2VS2 matches, so Dana White had to shoulder the blame.

Watching Wu Li being hoisted and tossed toward the sky on the platform, Dana White gritted his teeth in hatred — after tonight, the reputation of the Yanhuang Technique was solidified, and the UFC would not only struggle to expand into the Hua Country market, but they might also have to entirely write off the Asian market. And this was the real reason for the directors’ dissatisfaction; they didn’t care whether the American Team won the championship, what they truly cared about was the UFC’s profits, or rather, their own interests.

Unfortunately, even though Dana White wished from the bottom of his heart that he could crush Wu Li to dust, five minutes later he still had to go up there with a smile on his face to present the award to Wu Li and the others of the Hua Country Team.

During the award ceremony, an official holding the specially made trophy stood to one side while Dana White began speaking into the mic,

"I announce, the overall champion of the first Combat World Cup is — the Hua Country Team!"

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Dana White took the trophy from the official and handed it to Wu Li, who stood in the center of the group.

Wu Li received the trophy, raising it high with both hands.

Then Wu Li passed the trophy to his teammates, allowing the trophy to be passed around amongst them.

[Received recognition from a Master Level Martial Artist of White Ape Fist, continuous task Master’s Name completed 8/10]

[Reward: White Ape Fist upgraded to Master Level]

[Received recognition from a Master Level Martial Artist of Ang Fist, continuous task Master’s Name completed 9/10]

[Reward: Ang Fist upgraded to Master Level]

As the trophy was passed around between them, Wu Li received two system messages. He hadn’t expected to complete two tasks just like that in the blink of an eye.

Dong Yunfei had not been able to win the Yanhuang Competition initially, which became his regret, so later on, he was willing to tear his shoulder ligaments, impacting his future career, just to take down that critical match to help the Hua Country Team win the championship. Afterwards, Wu Li also promised him that he would definitely lead him to a more prestigious championship.

Now Wu Li had kept his word, truly delivering the more prestigious championship to Dong Yunfei, resolving his regret and thus earning the system’s recognition.

As for Guo Dongyang’s recognition, it was actually quite simple; he had always held a grudge for not being able to withstand even a single move against Wu Li in the past, always harboring the thought to defeat Wu Li one day. But tonight, the strength Wu Li displayed made Guo Dongyang admire him wholeheartedly, abandoning any thoughts of competing with Wu Li, whether it was the Innate Gang Qi or that Reverse Sumeru move.

...

After the award ceremony, the members of the Hua Country Team all went to a restaurant together for a meal.

On such a night, drinking was essential, but before they could fully let loose, there was a short interview to do with the Seeking Martial Arts program team.

Over the last month, Chen Gang and the Seeking Martial Arts program team staff had been with the Hua Country Team members the whole time, becoming very familiar with each other. From the daily routines of training, to before and after each match, Chen Gang interviewed the team members, asking them to share their thoughts.

Tonight, with the Combat World Cup over, the eighth episode of Seeking Martial Arts was also coming to an end, so Chen Gang needed to conduct a concluding interview:

"I’m just really happy, able to win the championship!"

"I feel like I’ve picked up a championship for nothing, because I was cheering from the sidelines the whole time, haha! I hope, if there’s a second World Cup, I get the chance to fight for the Hua Country Team."

"Happy, very happy! Um... that’s all."

"Everyone sacrificed a lot for this championship."

"I’m honored to have joined such a team."

...

Everyone faced the camera and briefly said a few words. Of course, the last to be interviewed was Wu Li, and he was to make the closing statement for the eighth episode of Seeking Martial Arts.

In the frame, Wu Li was pouring drinks for someone next to him.

"Is it my turn?" Wu Li asked while pouring the drink.

"Yes, it’s your turn to sum things up," Chen Gang replied.

"The captain is awesome!" Wang Ruojun sitting across suddenly shouted out loud.

"The captain is awesome!"

""

"Captain is awesome!"

The rest of the team started chanting in unison upon hearing this.

Wu Li turned to the camera with a smile, "Actually, getting this championship, every single person here, including those who didn’t play, has contributed."

Saying this, he turned and pointed towards Wang Ruojun and others, "They train earnestly every day, we analyze tactics together, do sparring together, because of them, those of us who compete can maintain a good competitive state."

The camera followed Wu Li’s finger and focused on Wang Ruojun and his group, making them slightly embarrassed. Wang Ruojun had previously joked that the championship was undeserved, but now with Wu Li’s words, they felt a warmth in their hearts and were moved.

Wu Li then pointed to a table nearby, "And these members of the coaching team, during the training process, we owe them a lot for the great help they’ve given us."

Tonight, not only the members of the Hua Country Team were there, but also the coaches, masseuses, and nutritionists that Wu Li had invited from the three big clubs, celebrating together.

At the mention of Wu Li’s praise, everyone at the table raised their glasses to the camera for a toast.

Finally, Wu Li turned to face the camera directly, "Last but not least, I want to thank each and every person in front of the camera, thank you all for your continuous support!"

"Seeking Martial Arts, season eight ends here, stay tuned for the ninth season."

"Ohhhhhh!"

As Wu Li finished speaking, everyone clapped and cheered.

"Let’s drink up!" someone called out.

And so, the revelry began.

...

"President Wu, I might not be able to fight in the Yanhuang Competition anymore."

After about an hour of raucous celebration, people started to gather in small groups to chat, and Dong Yunfei suddenly approached Wu Li to speak to him.

Ever since joining Bo Yuan Martial Arts Hall, Dong Yunfei had been addressing Wu Li as President Wu, although Wu Li had suggested a few times not to call him that, Dong Yunfei persisted.

"Thinking of retiring?"

Wu Li paused, then asked.

Dong Yunfei nodded and smiled, "Winning the championship this time, I have no regrets. I’m getting older, and my energy and strength can’t keep up. So I’ve thought about it and decided to retire. From now on, I will be a good coach at Bo Yuan Martial Arts Hall and teach the students."

Wu Li fell silent. Dong Yunfei had a severe ligament tear in his shoulder, and it would take at least six months to recover, followed by rehabilitative training. By the time he returned to the ring, it could be a year later, and it was uncertain whether he could return to his previous form.

At his current age, Dong Yunfei was in the final years of his professional career, every year was precious. To delay for another year and then try to return to the competition would be too cruel, so he had decided to retire early.

"Alright."

Wu Li patted Dong Yunfei on the shoulder without saying much more; if it wasn’t for the Combat World Cup, perhaps Dong Yunfei could have considered retiring in a couple more years, but it was also because of the Combat World Cup that he had achieved a level of honor he had never imagined before, making many viewers truly remember him.

Nearby people overheard Dong Yunfei’s words, and the mood became somewhat subdued upon learning of his decision to retire.

"Uh, Wu Li, I might also have to withdraw from the Yanhuang Competition..."

A voice came through, it was Gao Jianping.

He and Zhao Lixin had both sustained internal injuries and couldn’t drink, but they still came along tonight with everyone else.

Wu Li looked at Gao Jianping, understanding why he might say that. Gao Jianping’s internal injury was even more severe than Zhao Lixin’s due to his forced use of the seriously detrimental ’Dapeng Spread Wings’. He wasn’t sure if he could fully recover.

"You quit my ass," Wu Li suddenly cursed.

Gao Jianping was taken aback, "I..."

Wu Li waved his hand, "I have a set of Qigong that’s really good for treating internal injuries, I’ll teach it to you tomorrow. Plus, in a few months, once my Bone Marrow Great Success is completely achieved and I have a meticulous control over the human body, I can assist you in healing. With both these approaches, you’ll definitely be able to fully recover. So stop thinking about quitting the Yanhuang Competition, just stay and fight for me, and earn money."

"Damn."

Gao Jianping cursed with a laugh, feeling a warmth in his heart, if possible, he of course wanted to stay.

...

At the same time, in a hotel room in New York.

Victor and his companion were organizing data on a computer when, moments later, the companion’s phone received a message. He looked up at Victor, "He’s coming to New York in three days."

Victor pondered for a moment, "Three days, should be enough. We need to set things up in advance, the boss is taking this very seriously!"

The companion acknowledged, "Understood!"

Outside the window, a storm raged, marking another rainy night.