Chapter 54: Please Begin Your Performance
The first afternoon was Subject Four: Cultivation Technique Mastery and Application, worth a total of 100 points.
They say the earliest college entrance exams were strictly ordered, Subject 1 through 5. In recent years, to better manage the students’ physical stamina, the high-energy and low-energy subjects were scattered, leading to the current format.
Subject Four was divided into a written test and a practical exam. The former involved answering questions on paper, while the latter required demonstrating the Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist in a room filled with cameras and sensors.
It was designed to test the examinee’s cognitive and practical understanding of core Body Forging abilities, human biomechanics, and energy conversion models.
This was Yang Shen’s strong suit. Out of the 40 points for the written theory test, he consistently scored between 35 and 38. This was the result of grinding through mountains of practice questions. Back when he had no hope of advancing his martial arts, he had focused entirely on cramming theory.
As for the practical demonstration, all the instructors at the Training Camp had agreed he was at least at "Level 8" proficiency. With a bit of luck, he might even reach "Level 9" and get five bonus points.
The only shitty part was that he was always in his best condition in the morning, under the Rising Sun, but Subject Four was always held in the afternoon.
It was as awkward as someone who, like clockwork, had to take a dump at seven every morning but whose alarm was set for eight.
The written test went smoothly. After leaving the exam hall, Yang Shen compared answers with a few others and estimated he’d scored around 37 points—a solid performance, right on par for him.
The practical demonstration, however, proceeded at a glacial pace. Each student had to perform solo, and there weren’t many of the special rooms equipped with cameras and sensors. The whole process was as slow as the line for a bathroom at a tourist trap during peak season.
Yang Shen was about to doze off when he finally heard his number being called.
He walked into the room. It was about 30 square meters, fairly spacious, and the walls were covered with all sorts of cameras, high-speed photography equipment, source sensors, and infrared probes.
In here, the equipment could analyze not only the form of the Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist, but also the many secrets hidden within the user’s body.
What appeared to be a mirror on one of the walls was actually one-way glass. Behind it was the proctors’ observation room, where they issued commands and monitored the students.
Huo Jun stood with his arms crossed, looking rather bored. Beside him was the school’s dean, Director Liang Shen. It had been less than half a month since they’d last met, but the dean—the school’s second-in-command—already looked exhausted.
"Elder Huo," Director Liang began, "Nanliang High School is decent enough for Jinshui District, but compared to the rest of Jianghuai City, we’re just an average school. I hope you’ll forgive us if our students aren’t up to your standards."
Huo Jun looked half-asleep and replied nonchalantly, "I’m only here for two months. I’ll be gone as soon as the entrance exams are over, so I don’t care how high or low the standards are."
He had been assigned here by the authorities. His background was beyond the school’s purview. His True Gang Realm strength alone was enough to make Nanliang High School treat him like a king.
As for Director Liang, he had to constantly check in on Huo Jun, asking if he was happy at the school, if any misbehaving students needed a "heavy-handed intervention," or—most importantly—if he was planning to start his own loan business on campus.
Just then, a student walked in, and Huo Jun perked up. "Ah, Yang Shen’s here? Finally, something interesting."
Director Liang’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly he was surprised. ’Huo Jun actually remembers Yang Shen’s name?’
’I doubt he’s even bothered to remember my name...’
’Looks like he really favors this student.’
So he chimed in with his own praise. "Yang is something of a late bloomer among the seniors. His recent progress has been by leaps and bounds; it’s quite remarkable."
Huo Jun nodded. "Of course he has. He’s killed someone, after all."
Liang Shen paused.
’Shouldn’t it be because he mastered Fist Intent?’
Huo Jun let out a sly laugh. "Among the millions of examinees every year, you can count the ones with real combat experience on one hand, let alone those who’ve actually killed someone. A good kid like that is bound for greatness. He’ll become a pillar of society!"
In the control room, the other teachers exchanged glances.
’Is he for real?’
’We all knew Nanliang High School wasn’t a charity case... but this feels downright inhuman!’
’And... this Yang Shen killed someone?’
Not everyone at Nanliang High School was privy to the details of the tragedy at the Training Camp. A chill ran down the spines of these regular teachers and office staff.
’His scores improved so fast, he must have taken out a massive loan.’
’And now we hear he’s even offed someone? You have to respect that!’
’What a badass!’
Yang Shen had no idea who was behind the glass. He simply stood quietly in the center of the room, awaiting his instructions.
After about a minute, a proctor’s voice crackled through the speakers. "Yang, you may begin your performance!"
Yang Shen nodded, sank into his stance, and began the routine.
The conversation between Huo Jun and Director Liang must have piqued the other proctors’ interest, because they all watched with rapt attention.
The moment he began, the proctors immediately sensed the difference.
’As expected of someone who’s killed before!’
’Er, no! As expected of someone who has mastered Fist Intent!’
Although every punch and kick Yang Shen threw was a standard move from the Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist, each one was Harmonious and powerful. There was no trace of awkwardness in the transitions between them.
If the other top students’ demonstrations were like sharp blades, each strike delivered with maximum force to show off their power...
...then Yang Shen’s was like a perfect "circle." Every movement held something in reserve, yet it never hindered his ability to Exert Force or shift his position.
This meant that in a real fight, in close quarters, Yang Shen’s responses would be more refined, more fluid.
Furthermore, the readouts from the various sensors and probes showed that the Qi and Blood and source energy within Yang Shen’s body were also unique, faintly forming an imperfect "circle"...
...like a Rising Sun.
Its source was deep and its cycle, unending.
Director Liang nodded to himself. He hadn’t paid much attention to Yang Shen’s Fist Intent before. After all, for someone at the Skin Refining realm, Fist Intent didn’t offer a significant boost. ’But seeing it today,’ he thought, ’it seems his Fist Intent is particularly suited for Strengthening Qi and Blood Value.’
"Show me Yang Shen’s scores from this morning’s exam."
A proctor pulled up the scores on a computer. Director Liang looked on, lost in thought.
’Judging from his Subject One data, he’s at least at the mid-stage of Bone Training. And it’s only been a month since the Training Camp...’
’He must have taken out a hefty loan!’
’A pity... he didn’t get it from me. The kid is still too distant. In all of Nanliang High School, my interest rates are definitely the lowest...’
’He must have been lured away by some outside lender!’
Though he inwardly lamented missing out on an "Unpayable Beauty," Director Liang still gave a fair assessment:
"Yang’s mastery of the Body Forging Fist has reached at least level eight. If none of the other top students have a breakthrough this monthly exam, he might just take first place in the school for this subject."
If his theory score is also up to par, he’s looking at a total score of 95 or higher, which still gives him a shot at first place overall.
The fact that the loan hadn’t come from him didn’t stop him from being happy for the student. ’After all,’ he thought, ’they’re all assets of Nanliang High School. When big companies come to recruit, here’s another top-tier student we can sell for a high price!’
After speaking, Director Liang didn’t forget to flatter Huo Jun:
"Huo, your eye for talent is truly sharp. He is every bit the student you made him out to be."
But Huo Jun just shook his head. "No... it’s terrible! Absolutely terrible!"
Liang Shen: ???
Huo Jun’s expression was grave. "I don’t see any Killing Intent... His form is all technique. It’s no good without Killing Intent! Such a promising sapling, how can he be wasted like this!"
"Hmph... kids these days are too soft, too used to comfort. It looks like after the monthly exams, I’ll have to put him through some special training!"
Director Liang worked his jaw for a moment before finally managing to say, a bit stiffly:
"Huo, just a reminder... killing people is illegal now..."
’We just had several students die at our school... Please, I’m begging you!’