Chapter 181 - 100: Reaching the Top at Number One
Lin Yi ignored her completely, picking up a napkin to wipe his mouth as if she didn’t exist.
Although Gao Yongkang found her annoying, he couldn’t just coldly tell her to get lost. He simply gave a cool, perfunctory reply, "Not great. Our performance was terrible."
Liu Ying looked a bit embarrassed at not getting the enthusiastic response she wanted, but she continued the conversation by complaining:
"Sigh, it’s all because our luck was so bad! Did you guys know? I heard that in our year, there are three absolute monsters!"
She deliberately lowered her voice, speaking as if sharing a secret:
"They single-handedly crushed the Nanjiang Martial Arts University students guarding the gates! The others in their teams didn’t even have to lift a finger! My god, those were Third-Grade Martial Artists! If only we could’ve been assigned to one of those three teams, how great would that be..."
"Yeah, bad luck..." Gao Yongkang looked up, a playful glint in his eyes. He repeated Liu Ying’s words, but his gaze drifted subtly toward Lin Yi.
...
「Meanwhile.」
In the core area of the training camp.
Inside the massive control room.
Dozens of huge holographic screens floated against the walls.
They clearly replayed the intense battle scenes from each examination site that afternoon.
Uniformed assessors moved about, their fingers swiping rapidly across virtual light screens as they recorded, analyzed, argued, and graded the performance of every student on the screens.
At the front of the control room.
The two highest-ranking officials of the training camp—
Lieutenant General Zhao Jun from the Nanjiang Military District.
And Director Liu Haimo from the Nanjiang Province’s Provincial Education Bureau.
—were conducting their final confirmations.
Zhao Jun was powerfully built and wore a crisp military uniform. He glanced at the tactical watch on his wrist and said in a deep voice:
"Director Liu, have the student assessment rankings and class assignments been finalized? It’s almost seven. It’s time to release them to all the students."
Liu Haimo pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, nodded lightly, and pulled up the central light screen:
"Everything has been processed. The class rosters and rankings are locked."
"According to the Rules, based on a comprehensive multi-dimensional evaluation of combat performance, potential assessment, teamwork, and more."
"Class A will have thirty people, Class B will have three hundred, and Class C will have six hundred and seventy."
He paused, tapped a finger on the light screen, and the images on the six largest central screens changed.
"As for the three examination sites that were carried to victory, all their members will be placed in Class B. After all, on the battlefield, luck can sometimes be a part of one’s strength. That’s perfectly understandable."
He continued operating the screen.
Three other screens froze on three key battle scenes.
Beside them, the detailed profiles and combat data of three students were displayed simultaneously.
"We really have some good saplings this year. It’s quite a pleasant surprise." Liu Haimo’s voice held a trace of admiration. "Three genius students have emerged who were able to fight above their level and defeat Third-Grade gatekeepers while only being at the Second Grade Realm."
He pointed to the first screen, which showed a young woman whose figure was as agile as the wind, leaving behind afterimages amidst the gatekeeper’s ferocious attacks:
"Examination Site 11, Lu Xue, a peak Second-Grade Martial Artist. The data shows she has awakened the ’Mourning Wind’ Spiritual Essence. What’s even more rare is that she has already gained a preliminary understanding of Gale Intent. Her speed far surpasses others of her grade; the gatekeeper couldn’t even track her true form. She used her speed advantage to constantly harass and wear him down, ultimately leading to his defeat. Combat Evaluation: S-Rank."
The second screen showed a young man as steady as a mountain, withstanding the gatekeeper’s bombardment of attacks and advancing step by step:
"Examination Site 24, Li Hao, a peak Second-Grade Martial Artist. Awakened the ’Giant Stone’ Spiritual Essence and comprehended the Immovable Mountain Realm. His Defense Power is astonishing. He completely overwhelmed technique with brute force, tanking the attacks to crush the gatekeeper. Combat Evaluation: S-Rank."
The image on the final screen was from Examination Site 35.
On the screen.
A figure wasn’t displaying any particularly exquisite techniques.
He simply, directly, and even somewhat crudely crushed his opponent with sheer power.
Liu Haimo pointed at the figure:
"Examination Site 35, Lin Yi."
"The initial file from Yang City No. 1 High School states he is a First-Grade Martial Artist, but based on the strength, speed, and reflexes he displayed today, he has definitely reached the Second Grade standard, and possibly even higher."
𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"He specializes in spearmanship, and the file notes that he has comprehended Wave Intent, but..."
Liu Haimo’s tone was tinged with clear doubt and amazement.
"During the assessment, he used neither a spear nor Wave Intent. Relying solely on pure strength and speed, he completely suppressed a gatekeeper with Third Grade strength, winning in just two blows."
"The file shows he completed the Refinement of his torso bones while still in the First Grade stage! This kind of talent... is unbelievable."
"Combat Evaluation: S+ Rank."
Zhao Jun stared sharply at the recorded image of Lin Yi and asked:
"This Lin Yi, has his Spiritual Essence been tested? Is his level of strength and physique related to a special Spiritual Essence?"
Liu Haimo shook his head:
"There are no relevant test records from Yang City. Should we schedule an in-depth Spiritual Essence test for him?"
Zhao Jun pondered for a moment:
"Let’s observe him first. This pure power type has a huge advantage in the early stages. Mark his file for special attention, and we’ll observe his potential more closely in the subsequent training. S+ Rank... Interesting."
...
In the dining hall.
As time passed, the atmosphere grew somewhat tense.
"DING! DING! DING...!"
Suddenly, the specialized training camp communicators worn on every student’s wrist let out a crisp and urgent chime almost simultaneously.
The screens instantly lit up, projecting information with a soft glow.
"The class assignments are out!"
"Quick, look! What class am I in?"
"Class A! It’s Class A! Haha, I got into Class A!"
"Class B-7... Not bad. At least it’s not the worst."