Chapter 159: The College Entrance Exam Begins

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: The College Entrance Exam Begins

"This past year, our senior year, we’ve all struggled and strived together."

"You are all the elite of our No. 2 Middle School, and only we know how much we’ve all sacrificed for the sake of Martial Arts."

"Every day was a simple routine: study and cultivate, eat and sleep. We repeated this process day in and day out."

"For countless days and nights, you gritted your teeth and endured the monotony of training, the physical exhaustion, and the aching muscles."

"And all of it was for one purpose: to achieve a better score on the college entrance exam, get into one of the three top universities, and secure a brighter future."

"The day after tomorrow is the college entrance exam. It’s the moment to test the fruits of our labor."

"So here and now, I sincerely wish you all great success in your Martial Arts endeavors!" Yan Hong declared in a loud voice.

"CLAP! CLAP!"

As Yan Hong finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the classroom.

Next, the teachers of the other subjects each said a few words, and an indescribable emotion began to spread through everyone’s hearts.

Finally, the burly Zhang City walked up to the podium. He smiled and said,

"I’ll say a few final words."

"As your Martial Arts Instructor for the past year, I can proudly say that every one of you has made tremendous progress."

"The students of our Elite Class can rank among the very best of Celestial Sea’s nine key middle schools."

"This proves that none of you are lacking. In this year’s college entrance exam, our No. 2 Middle School is definitely going to give every other school a surprise."

"I believe you can all do it."

Finally, Zhang City cupped his fist and said, "I wish you all great success in your Martial Arts endeavors!"

All the students rose to their feet at once, their expressions solemn as they performed the same cupped-fist salute. "Great success in our Martial Arts endeavors!"

Their voices were unified and resounding, their momentum so immense that they could be heard clearly throughout every building on campus.

...

"BOOM!"

A moment later, the entire Tianhai No. 2 Middle School erupted into a lively clamor as students in every class began packing their things, preparing to leave.

In the Elite Class, Lin Qi was busy taking photos with his classmates, especially those with lower rankings.

They knew very well that their scores wouldn’t be enough to get them into the three top universities.

These next few days might be the last time they would see Lin Qi.

With a photo together, they could show off a little once they got to college.

"Lin Qi, can we get a picture with you?"

Zhu Yuqi came over, bringing Qi Yuelin with her. The latter kept her head down, a shy blush coloring her delicate face.

Lin Qi smiled. "Of course, no problem!"

And so, Qi Yuelin and Zhu Yuqi leaned in on either side of Lin Qi for a photo.

...

「Half an hour later」

Everyone gradually left the classroom. Carrying several bags, Lin Qi arrived at the off-campus parking lot.

Lin Zhen and Fang Huiyi came up to meet him, taking his backpack and bags to load into the trunk. The group of four then slowly drove away from Tianhai No. 2 Middle School.

"Brother Qi, I’ve been training like a madman this month. I’m definitely going to blow you all away during the college entrance exam."

From the back seat, the increasingly tall Jiangtao spoke with a smile. The aura around him had also grown more formidable, and it was as if his very bones had undergone a transformation.

Lin Qi thought to himself, ’Looks like the effects of that mysterious red gemstone are becoming more and more obvious.’

The sense of power Jiangtao exuded was growing stronger. Just as he said, his progress over the past month had been immense.

"What about you, Brother Qi? I feel like you’ve improved even more," Jiangtao asked.

Lin Qi also smiled. "I’m also curious just how strong I’ve become."

...

「That evening, at the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo!」

In room B123, a fierce wind swirled, causing the curtains to sway constantly.

Lin Qi, dressed in a black Martial Arts Uniform, sat cross-legged on the floor. Gusts of fierce wind emanated from him, and a powerful aura radiated from his body.

"ROAR~"

In his Consciousness Space, a Vajra Tiger over 50 meters tall—as majestic as a small mountain—threw its head back and roared, inhaling Source Energy Particles with its Gale Technique.

Its muscles bulged, their lines as hard as cast iron. Its fur seemed to be forged from brilliant gold.

Its head was enormous and majestic, and on its forehead was a golden mark shaped like a bolt of lightning, within which energy could be seen faintly flickering and flowing.

Under Lin Qi’s visualization, the Vajra Tiger in his consciousness became increasingly vivid and lifelike, each detail growing more complete.

It was as if a real Vajra Tiger truly resided within his consciousness.

Lin Qi became the Vajra Tiger, slowly and continuously absorbing Source Energy Particles to transform his muscles and sinews.

The twelve Great Tendons all over his body pulsed as if they were coiling flood dragons. His veins bulged like steel rebar wrapped around his limbs, and his muscles rose and fell with each breath.

It was as if steel were being repeatedly hammered, its impurities removed, its essence condensed and forged into a truly peerless weapon.

An hour later, Lin Qi’s eyes snapped open, seeming to shoot out a ray of brilliant light.

"Hooo~"

His chest heaved. He puffed out his cheeks and took a deep breath, which formed another fierce gust of wind.

[You have completed a training session. Your body has undergone Refinement. Qi and Blood Value +0.15]

[Qi and Blood Value: 26.85 → 27]

Lin Qi slowly rose to his feet. A large amount of unabsorbed Source Energy flowed through his muscles.

A continuous stream of power coursed through him. He felt he was in peak condition.

Looking at his Qi and Blood Value, which had reached 27, he clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking.

’I’ve perfectly met the goal I set for myself back then.’

’Time to test my current Fist Power!’

Lin Qi walked over to the Punch Force Tester and pressed the red switch.

"BEEP!"

After seeing the electronic screen light up, he took a deep breath, and a formidable aura erupted from his body.

He stomped down hard. The force traveled from his legs to his waist, and his spine arched like a great dragon. His body’s Great Tendons compressed to their absolute limit like powerful springs before releasing.

His body was like a powerful engine, driving his strength outward.

He seemed to transform into a Vajra Tiger, striking out with its giant paw!

"BANG!!"

The Punching Target shook violently, and a string of data immediately appeared on the electronic screen—"2310.1 kg".

"Hooo~"

Lin Qi clenched his fist, feeling the endless power within it. He smiled as he looked at the data.

"Excellent. 2,300 kilograms of Fist Power. I’m less than 200 kilograms away from the minimum requirement for the Third Realm."

"Once my Qi and Blood Value breaks through 30, my Fist Power should also officially surpass 2,500 kilograms."

"My strength far exceeds that of other Martial Artists at my level. Chen Li also has Innate Divine Strength, but his power is definitely inferior to mine."

Lin Qi then turned on the Speed Tester and began to test his speed.

A few minutes later, a gust of wind shot past, and Lin Qi appeared at the finish line like a phantom.

The Speed Tester’s electronic screen refreshed, displaying the data—"30 m/s!"

Lin Qi saw this and nodded. His speed was 30 m/s, while the minimum for the Third Realm was 36 m/s.

When he breaks through to the Third Realm, his speed will surpass other Martial Artists of the same realm in every respect.

’I wonder where my current strength ranks nationally compared to the other S-class geniuses?’

Lin Qi thought of the other S-class geniuses from the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo that Gong Ruo had told him about.

Top-level geniuses like Huo Wanyang, Ao Feng, and Tao Xue, who ranked among the top ten in the Imperial Capital and Shanghai.

’Gong Ruo said that Huo Wanyang and the others are much stronger than I am right now.’

’Chen Li and Li Zehao can’t even break into the top 20 nationally, so there’s no comparison. Those guys are on another level entirely.’

’But give me a little more time, and I will surpass them.’

Lin Qi picked up the black Thunder Horn Spear and began today’s Spear Technique cultivation.

...

「Meanwhile, in a luxurious suite at the Red Dome Martial Arts Dojo headquarters in the Imperial Capital.」

Deputy Dean Liu Jing, a short, stout man with large earlobes, stood before the window in a white robe.

Outside, under the pitch-black night sky, the entire city was bathed in the glow of colorful neon lights.

He frowned and said, "It’s been over a month, and the college entrance exam is the day after tomorrow."

"Lin Qi still hasn’t gotten back to us. Either he’s already accepted another offer..."

"...or he’s not satisfied with our offer and is waiting for a better one."

Behind him, Luu Wei, who was looking through some files, asked worriedly. She was dressed in a white uniform that accentuated her full figure, and her face had a touch of baby fat.

"Dean, what should we do then?"

Dean Liu turned around, his eyes narrowing. "During this time, I managed to get Lin Qi’s detailed file from Wen Rui."

"I think I have a good idea of what he needs now."

"Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to Celestial Sea City in Cang Province."

"After the college entrance exam is over, we’ll talk to him again."

"The other academies are already close to signing their contracts. We’re moving too slowly. We absolutely cannot let Lin Qi slip through our fingers."

"He is the top-level genius we need."

...

「June 6th. The entire Xia Country was in a state of heightened alert, preparing for the next day’s college entrance exam.」

Information about the college entrance exam was being broadcast on every TV station and all over the internet.

The hottest topic was still the college entrance exam.

Even with the encouraging videos released by the major Martial Arts Dojos, the high school seniors preparing for the big day couldn’t suppress their inner turmoil.

The students of Tianhai No. 2 Middle School were no exception, sending messages in their group chats.

Lin Qi, however, had shut himself in the Martial Arts Room. His mind was calm as he proceeded with his cultivation step-by-step, completely unaffected by the impending exam.

...

「Martial Arts Calendar, Year 2046. June 7th.」

The first day of the college entrance exam was clear, sunny, and hot.

Lin Qi woke up at seven in the morning. When he came out of the bathroom, he saw his parents were already bustling about.

"Little Qi, do you have your admission ticket and stationery all ready?"

"Little Qi, after you finish breakfast, I’ll take you there."

His father, Lin Zhen, and his mother, Fang Huiyi, were both extremely nervous. They seemed more like the ones taking the exam than Lin Qi did.

Lin Qi sat down to eat his breakfast and said,

"I’ll just ride my bike. The traffic will be too heavy during the two days of the exam."

A few minutes later, Lin Qi set off for the exam site on his bicycle, carrying a pencil case.

His parents chose to follow behind him on their electric scooter.

"BEEP! BEEP!!"

Driving along the roads of the University City, traffic jams had already formed, and the sound of car horns was everywhere.

Lin Qi headed toward his assigned exam site: Tianhai No. 1 Middle School.

A short while later, he arrived at his destination.

The area around Tianhai No. 1 Middle School was silent. There were very few vehicles, as all traffic had been rerouted, and not even the sound of a horn could be heard.

The entire No. 1 Middle School occupied a huge area, its buildings all white. With a quick glance, Lin Qi had to admit that his No. 2 Middle School couldn’t compare to No. 1 Middle School.

The school entrance was currently occupied by a group of burly Martial Soldiers, each one of them exuding a formidable aura.

"Brother Qi!"

"Brother Lin Qi!"

While Lin Qi was waiting with his parents, Jiangtao ran over from a distance, bringing with him Jiang Miaoyin, who was wearing a pink dress.

"Haha, Brother Qi, we were actually assigned to the same exam site! It must be fate," Jiangtao chuckled.

"Brother Lin Qi, good luck on the exam!" Jiang Miaoyin shouted, pumping her fist.

"Okay!"

Lin Qi smiled as well. It was good to have an acquaintance here.

After a short wait, a bell rang.

"DING-DONG"

"Will all examinees please enter the examination hall in an orderly fashion!" a voice announced over the broadcast system.

The several hundred students at the school gate filed into the exam site.

The college entrance exam had officially begun with great fanfare.

...