Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

Li Chang had never been so humiliated in his entire life.

But, just to maintain his image in front of Sophia Zhou, he couldn't vent his frustrations. Seeing Zhang Beixing's brazen and unapologetic lack of manners only added to his suppressed anger. This unpleasant feeling made him seethe.

He glared fiercely at Zhang Beixing. Li Chang resolved that when it came time to compete, he would give it 200% of his strength to utterly crush Zhang Beixing and reclaim his dignity.

After toying with Li Chang and venting his own frustrations, Zhang Beixing dropped his frivolous demeanor. He seriously began to warm up his muscles, ready to give Li Chang a proper challenge.

It was true he had overwhelmed Sophia Zhou earlier. But that was because Zhang Beixing had enhancements from the System, and Sophia specialized in long-distance running, meaning their contest had been about endurance.

Now, due to his "Qi and Blood Deficiency" status, Zhang Beixing couldn't aggressively enhance himself as before. Furthermore, the competition had shifted from endurance to speed.

It's not exactly exposing my true abilities, Zhang Beixing thought, but it's enough to make me take this seriously. Competing with a sports student in a 400-meter dash... this really is a first. Looks like I can't hold back like I did during practice; time to show some real skill.

After warming up and stretching thoroughly, Zhang Beixing felt he was in peak condition. He walked to the white starting line on the track and waited.

The commotion naturally caught the attention of others, who turned to watch. When they saw Zhang Beixing was about to compete, the group of students from Shi University burst into laughter.

"Who is this guy, acting all tough? Daring to challenge our all-rounder from Shi University?"

"Never seen him before. However, I heard a group of sports students are here for a training camp, preparing for the provincial competition. He must be one of them."

"Ah, so that's it, a sports student... No wonder he dared to challenge our Zhang Bro. Zhang Bro, aren't you going to demolish him?"

"You're right, Zhang Bro! It's your undeniable duty to restore the glory of Beijing Ke University!"

"Man, you're acting like this doesn't concern you, just enjoying the drama, huh? But go, Zhang Bro! Let them see that not all of us from Shi University are just nerds weak in sports; we've got tough guys too! Smash him!"

"Smash him!"

Hearing the rising chorus of cheers, Li Chang stood at the starting line, his heart wavering. He suddenly realized Zhang Beixing seemed quite famous at Shi University and apparently had many supporters. I really shouldn't have tried to show off on someone else's turf, he thought. It's just asking for trouble.

But it was too late to back down. The two competitors locked eyes, the air thick with animosity.

Meanwhile, Lin Siqi, who had been watching intently and knew the whole story, somehow procured a starter pistol. She handed it to Sophia Zhou, saying, "Here, Sophia. You're a sports student and more professional, so you be the referee."

"This... okay!" Sophia hesitated for a moment, then nodded and took the starter pistol from Lin Siqi.

She released the safety, slid out the magazine, and confirmed it was loaded with blank cartridges.

Sophia raised the pistol. "On your marks..."

Just as Li Chang tensed, preparing to start, he stumbled. He then heard Sophia turn to Zhang Beixing and ask with some uncertainty, "Um... Beixing, do I need to explain the starter pistol technique and rules to you?"

Zhang Beixing waved his hand impatiently, signaling her to just get on with it.

"Alright then."

"On your marks…"

BANG—!

As the sharp sound of the gunshot rang out, Zhang Beixing almost instantaneously powered forward like an arrow released from its bow. He blasted off with lightning speed, catching everyone completely off guard, gone in the blink of an eye.

As for Li Chang, he only began to react after Zhang Beixing had already sprinted more than two meters ahead, and he hastily tried to catch up. He accelerated with all his might, chasing Zhang Beixing. His already plain face turned beet red with the effort, his legs pumped furiously, and his arms swung vigorously.

He was closing in, almost catching up!

Seeing the gap between Zhang Beixing and Li Chang narrow, the students from Shi University grew tense, worried for Zhang Beixing.

But just as Li Chang was about to overtake him:

SWOOSH—!

Zhang Beixing suddenly accelerated, his speed skyrocketing again. In an instant, he once more left the rapidly closing Li Chang a good two meters behind!

"Holy cow, awesome!"

...

「Fifty-three seconds later.」

At the finish line, Zhang Beixing crossed first without any surprises, looking completely at ease. He turned to look at Li Chang and saw that he was still about thirty meters from the finish. Li Chang's initial burst of speed had left his breathing erratic, and he was visibly struggling to maintain his pace towards the end.

Seeing Li Chang in this state, Zhang Beixing was somewhat taken aback. During this race, he had only used about eighty percent of his strength and hadn't even removed the weights he wore. He hadn't expected to defeat Li Chang so easily. And here I thought you were actually capable, after all that impressive posturing earlier, Zhang Beixing mused. Turns out, you're just a big-talk loser! With that level of skill, what gives you the right to act tough here at Shi University?

Watching Li Chang finally stagger across the finish line, Zhang Beixing scoffed dismissively, feeling like he had wasted his energy. It was like finally managing to get a date with a beautiful girl, only for her to open her mouth and say, 'Oh my god, little bro, you're quite the show-off, aren't you?' It was like being struck by lightning; everything became crystal clear! Apart from boredom and tedium, there was nothing left. Just sheer boredom and tedium.

"Sports students are nothing special!" Lighting a cigarette, Zhang Beixing made a sweeping generalization, causing Sophia Zhou, who stood beside him, to grimace.

But she couldn't argue. After all, Zhang Beixing's physical prowess was truly astounding. He had crushed her in endurance. In terms of reaction time, explosive power, and stamina, even Li Chang was no match for him.

"So this is what martial artists are like?" Sophia Zhou exclaimed sincerely. "No wonder they're not allowed to participate in regular sports competitions; their physical abilities are just too terrifying!"

Hearing her words, Zhang Beixing paused, instinctively wanting to say, Nonsense, there's no such rule for martial artists. But as the words reached his lips, he suddenly remembered that he himself had been the one to make that claim. Oops! Well, no problem then. Martial artists indeed have such a rule!

...

While Zhang Beixing and Sophia Zhou were chatting, Li Chang, his breathing ragged and chaotic, finally reached the finish line. Looking at the calm and composed Zhang Beixing, his spirit was utterly crushed.

He had challenged Zhang Beixing because he was supremely confident in his own abilities. As a professional, how could he possibly lose to an amateur? He had assumed Zhang Beixing merely had slightly better stamina. If they ran a 400-meter race, he believed he could easily demolish him.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Beixing had accepted the challenge, and they had indeed run the 400 meters, but...

Why am I the one who got demolished? Damn it! I provoked Zhang Beixing and even spent money, all just to prove I'm incompetent? This is just... damn!

"Are you a national second-level athlete?" Li Chang gasped, staring at Zhang Beixing.

Hearing this, Zhang Beixing raised an eyebrow. Why this question again? he thought.

Then, looking at Li Chang, he replied, "Not at all. I'm just an ordinary sparring partner. I have nothing to do with being a second-level athlete."

"That's impossible!" Li Chang blurted out. His face was flushed, whether from exhaustion, agitation, or shame, it was hard to tell.

Li Chang looked at Zhang Beixing, scrambling for an excuse, "How could you not be a second-level athlete? With the speed you just showed, I'd believe you even if you said you were a national first-level athlete!"

His words immediately drew unanimous agreement from the surrounding onlookers. Although they weren't entirely clear on the specifics of what had transpired, the fact that Zhang Beixing had effortlessly demolished Li Chang was undeniable.

"Although Li Chang doesn't look like much, he's definitely top-tier in the 400 meters at our school. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen to represent our city in the Northern River provincial sports competition."

"Goodness, a true master keeps a low profile. Who would have thought Shi University had such a hidden talent?"

"Pfft, if you ask me, it was just a coincidence. Li Chang just happened to compete in this guy's specialty. If you challenged him in long-distance running or sprinting, he definitely wouldn't stand a chance!"

"Huh??? Brother, you must be from another school, right? My Zhang Bro lacking stamina? Holy shit! You're the first person I've ever met who dares to say that about my Zhang Bro. But no worries, ignorance is no sin. Just wait a couple of days, and you'll see just how formidable his stamina is and how strong his endurance is!"

"Hmph, just mystifying nonsense. I don't need to wait a couple of days; I'll challenge him right now. I refuse to believe a mere sparring partner can be that incredible at everything!"

"..."

People buzzed with discussion. One or two students from other schools who were there for the training camp, irked by Zhang Beixing's dominance, even stepped forward on the spot, wanting a man-to-man showdown.

To this, Zhang Beixing indicated that as long as they paid, any competition was negotiable. But for now, they would have to wait, because Zhang Beixing hadn't finished his current job.

Although his relationship with Li Chang wasn't great, and there was even some conflict, Zhang Beixing still possessed basic professional integrity as a sparring partner.

"Speaking of which," Zhang Beixing said with a friendly smile on his face, "I remember we made a bet before the race, didn't we? Shouldn't we settle that?"

His words, however, were designed to sting. "Of course, if you don't want to honor the wager, that's fine. You just need to let me know. After all, you're my client now. In fact, during our sparring session, I can even run with you a few more times. I'll go easy on you this time, let you have a twenty or thirty-meter head start. How does that sound?"

Hearing this, Li Chang's face turned green.

While saying this, Zhang Beixing didn't actually expect Li Chang to honor the bet. He was even prepared for Li Chang to try and back out.

"Dad!"

"Eh?" Hearing Li Chang unhesitantly shout the term, Zhang Beixing was taken aback, somewhat perplexed.

Seeing his surprised expression, Li Chang naturally understood what he was thinking. To be honest, if I could avoid it, I wouldn't have wanted to say that, Li Chang thought. But there's no helping it; a loss is a loss. There's nothing shameful about being out-skilled. Besides, losing to Zhang Beixing, who might very well be a national first-level athlete, isn't really embarrassing.

Having rationalized it this way, Li Chang felt considerably better, and the failure no longer seemed so unacceptable. He looked at Zhang Beixing and gritted his teeth, "I've already paid, so we have to train until the session is over!"

"No problem!" Since Li Chang, the client, had said so, Zhang Beixing certainly had no objections.

「An hour later.」

Li Chang left, completely satisfied. Recalling the experience of the past hour, he sincerely remarked before departing, "Dad, you're really freaking awesome! These 28 yuan were totally worth it!"

Zhang Beixing: "..."