At this moment, they finally understood why the instructor had repeatedly praised them for looking spirited.
However, this was just the beginning. The real highlight was the one-minute talent show that followed.
Only now did the Peking University students understand what it meant to be "proficient in both literary and military arts".
The six were performing with lightly modified red-tasseled spears.
The red-tasseled spear was a type of long spear.
In ancient times, long spears were called the king of hundreds of soldiers. Their power could be fully utilized in actual combat.
The red-tasseled spear was an even sharper weapon on the battlefield.
The red tassel was not just a decoration. The tassels could absorb blood and prevent it from flowing down the spear shaft, which would affect the spearman's ability to exert force.
To put it bluntly, it was like a blood wiping cloth.
As for why red was chosen, it was naturally to give the impression that it had been dyed red with blood, in order to deter the enemy.
As a secret weapon to extend the combat time of long spears, the red tassel was simply an "indispensable secret weapon" for long spears.
Unfortunately, the red-tasseled spears used for this performance were substandard in both weight and accessories compared to real weapons.
Fortunately, Ji Ruochu and the others were not actually going onto the battlefield. On the contrary, the slightly modified lighter red-tasseled spears allowed them to wield it even more impressively.
As the saying goes, "Distinguishing Yin and Yang in spear handling, grip the spear tightly."
When Ji Ruochu and the other five firmly gripped the spear shafts with both hands, the knowledgeable instructors who had come to watch instantly became serious.
At this moment, hundreds of onlookers nearby had already quietly gathered around the periphery. The moment they sat down, there was suddenly an exclamation from the front.
When everyone looked up, they saw that in the center of the crowd, the six holding long spears moved in unison along with their weapons.
Although they were simple spear maneuvers, they gave off an astonishing aura. Their spearmanship demonstrated precise control over power and angles, worthy of being called masters.
"Well done!"
A teacher immediately applauded, and the surrounding students also began to clap. They couldn't comprehend the essence but knew that the six school idols' movements were uniform, they were handsome, and their aura was full marks. It was simply a visual feast.
The main techniques of long spears were parrying, seizing, and thrusting attacks.
What Ji Ruochu's group was currently performing were the spear drills.
In the blink of an eye, they executed multiple maneuvers including level thrusts, upward angled thrusts, downward angled thrusts, and more.
To the laymen watching, it just seemed like the spears were pushed back and forth a few times.
But in the eyes of several instructors, such agile footwork and high-speed offense in combat could have already turned the opponent into a human blood fountain full of holes at this point.
On the other side, the first climax came when the group finished the last spear thrust and withdrew their weapons.
Just as Ji Ruochu and the others withdrew their red-tasseled spears using their right hands to grip the spearheads, they suddenly turned and leapt up into the air.
At the same time, the spear shafts spun, and the moment they landed, the spearheads were reversed with the shafts powerfully striking the ground.
Bang!
The crisp sounds of spear shafts striking the floor rang out in unison.
"Wow!!!"
As exclamations sounded, the students directly in front of the six inexplicably tumbled and fell east and west.
Not because they were accidentally injured, but because Ji Ruochu and the others' powerful aura gave them the illusion that they were about to be smashed by the spear handles. So they dodged backward instinctively.
But it only lasted a second before in the next moment, the students let out excited screams due to the close proximity of the six as they approached.
Before the crowd could react, they saw the long spears bounce up after striking the ground and perform a rotating somersault high overhead before landing steadily back into each person's hands.
"Wow!!!!"
By now, the atmosphere on the drill grounds had reached explosive levels.
...
A minute later, when the six finished the routine by withdrawing their parried spears, the drill grounds were filled with the sounds of cheers and screams.
But to Ji Ruochu and the others, these noises seemed strangely distant at the moment. For some reason, they felt as if instead of being on Peking University's drill grounds, they were back in the martial arts hall in Kyoto, training day after day.
In the past, after completing the last Army Breaking Spear drill during morning lessons, they would welcome the hall's special segment of freely choosing opponents to spar with.
Usually at times like these, the gluttonous Qi Yibin who doesn't learn from mistakes would challenge Ji Ruochu while the other eight brothers would randomly pick opponents based on affinity.
And now, Ji Ruochu and Qi Yibin exchanged glances before simultaneously making their move.
Only after having one of his spear strikes easily neutralized by Ji Ruochu did Qi Yibin recall how he had tricked them into performing.
In that moment, all the cold sweat drenching the former fatso and current school hunk told Qi Yibin that he was no match for Ji Ruochu in actual combat.
"I..."
Qi Yibin swallowed nervously, just wanting to explain his helplessness, but it was already too late.
What awaited him was a fierce beating from Ji Ruochu.
While busily accepting the beating per usual, Qi Yibin couldn't help sneaking glances at his sworn brothers who were faring no better...
Hmm, they're also getting thrashed.
Great, psychological balance has been instantly restored.
The trio of young ladies: Talent show? Required people to cooperate? How's my cooperation so far?!
The trio of brothers: ...Such suffering is unbearable.
When Qi Yibin attacked Ji Ruochu, the spectators were still confused. Only after seeing the other four pair up and act out fight scenes did they realize it was also part of the talent performance.
But... why do the school hunks and campus belle look so weak? They're eagerly eating those punches.
Of course, this didn't stop the crowd from cheering. In fact, as the scene grew more intense, for a time, everyone was dazzled.
Over there, Ren Yujun did a flying spear thrust that forced Kong Chao into an embarrassing retreat. On the other side, Mi Siyu had practically mowed down the army with her powerful sweep, nearly knocking Jiang Zhi over.
And another glance showed that Ji Ruochu was already beating Qi Yibin into helplessness over there.
Unlike the other two rascals who were clearly going easy on their opponent out of guilt, Qi Yibin's side... he really was no match for Ji Ruochu!
Two minutes later, the six finally assumed the proper stance of holding their spears in salute.
Talent show one minute, venting frustrations sparring two minutes.
On this day, the primary school couple finally withdrew from the CP fan circle.
It was also on this day that Peking University officially uploaded the one minute long spear maneuvering segment video of the six onto short form video platforms.
Within minutes, it exploded across the web.
【Ahhh! Dear god! Is this really just an impromptu performance? It's not actually a well-rehearsed month-long routine right?】
【Save me, why are you guys being so charming? Isn't it just for my heart? Fine, take it, take it!】
【I heard they are the campus belles and hunks of Peking University and have been childhood sweethearts since little! Ahhh! I can't help but ship this couple now!】
【Note this: They're only 15!】
【15 years old, Peking University, campus sweethearts, absurd combat ability... Ahhh save me, why does that girl in front look more and more familiar?】
【Ruoruo sweetie (heart-wrenching sobs)!!!】
【Sweetie pie! Stop playing with red-tasseled spears! Play with me instead! Play with me!!!】
Passerby netizens:.....Respected fan, have some self-respect.
Thus, at the critical moment just before the end of military training, Ji Ruochu and her five companions' red-tasseled spear performance became the hottest military talent show this summer.
