Chapter 56: Zhang Xue from No. 3 Middle School

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Zhang Xue from No. 3 Middle School

Li Heng didn’t say a word the entire time, quietly waiting for the two big shots to finish their exchange.

However, Li Heng wasn’t just idly standing by. There was a girl from No. 3 High School next to him, who he assumed was the Zhang Xue the two big shots had mentioned earlier.

Since he couldn’t get a word in and didn’t know what to say anyway, Li Heng focused most of his attention on Zhang Xue. Judging by her looks and figure, he would have believed it if someone told him she was the school belle of No. 3 High.

Zhang Xue was in the same boat, unable to chime in and unsure of what to say. She noticed Li Heng looking at her, but whenever she glanced his way, Li Heng would nonchalantly shift his gaze to avoid eye contact.

Zhang Xue glanced at the two big shots, who were still trading passive-aggressive remarks, then at Li Heng, who kept sneaking glances at her. She took a few steps over to him and spoke softly.

"Hello, I’m Zhang Xue from No. 3 High School! It’s a pleasure to meet you!"

Seeing the girl take the initiative with a smile and her hand extended, Li Heng paused for a moment before readily introducing himself and politely shaking her hand.

As they shook hands, however, he noticed that her hand was exceptionally smooth.

It wasn’t that Li Heng was trying to take advantage of the situation; he didn’t consider himself that much of a loser. It was just that her hand didn’t feel like one that wielded a weapon.

"Li Heng. You must have participated in the mock college entrance exam, right? How come I didn’t see you at the end?"

"Oh! There were probably too many people. Besides, I teleported out on the third day!"

Li Heng felt that Zhang Xue was just genuinely curious, with no hidden barbs, so he told her the truth.

"By the evening of the sixth day, there were only about twenty-something people left at the gathering point, so I was just a little curious. If it’s not too much to ask, could I inquire as to why you ended the exam early?"

If it had been anyone else, Li Heng wouldn’t have wanted to continue the conversation. The way she questioned him made him feel vaguely uncomfortable, and he would have definitely just laughed it off and changed the subject.

But, on account of Zhang Xue being pretty, having a nice figure, a pleasant voice, and rather smooth skin, Li Heng decided to chat a little longer, since it wasn’t like he had anything better to do just standing there anyway.

"My team ran into a group of Cold Ice Pythons. I was the closest to them and didn’t have time to retreat, so I tore up my Teleportation Talisman."

"That’s such a shame! Otherwise, with your strength, you definitely would have been able to last until the final day of the exam." Zhang Xue’s voice was filled with regret.

"Who knows. But since you lasted until the final day, your strength must be pretty impressive too."

Li Heng and Zhang Xue continued their idle chitchat. At a certain point in the conversation, Zhang Xue suddenly asked, "Li Heng, what are your thoughts on this ’Top Ten Outstanding Students’ award and the national targeted exam?"

"To be honest, I’m still a bit lost. I’m not even entirely sure why Manager Lin brought me here. As for that national targeted exam, I’m not that interested."

Li Heng was telling the truth. He currently had two Dungeons he hadn’t fully cleared yet—in fact, he was stuck in them. He was planning to spend the next ten days grinding them.

Whether it was the targeted exam for the Top Ten Students or the regular secret realm college entrance exam, Li Heng had a fair amount of confidence in his own strength.

He couldn’t say for sure how well he’d perform, but Li Heng believed that as long as nothing went horribly wrong, getting into a Soul Energy University shouldn’t be too difficult.

Since he could get into a Soul Energy University either way, he naturally wasn’t very interested in the "Top Ten" award. It was just an honor; grinding a Dungeon one more time was far more practical.

"Zhang Xue! Come here!"

"Okay!"

Just as Li Heng was about to say something else, he heard Wang Junde call Zhang Xue over. She replied, gave Li Heng a nod, and quickly walked to Wang Junde’s side.

It seemed the two big shots’ "pleasant exchange" was finally over.

Although Li Heng didn’t hear Lin Jiangang call his name, he caught his eye and understood the signal to follow, so he slowly walked over as well.

"Li Heng, your Swordsmanship is excellent. What’s even more commendable is that you come from an ordinary family. To have reached this level through your own efforts requires both talent and perseverance. However, this national targeted exam is of great significance, so we must reconsider this carefully."

Li Heng just listened. He knew this wasn’t the time to interrupt, so he remained quiet and waited for what was next.

"Originally, according to the city’s regulations, the selection for the Top Ten Outstanding Students was to be based on the mock college entrance exam. The first and most basic requirement was to last the full seven days in the Falling Flood Dragon Icefield Secret Realm. Technically, Li Heng, you are not qualified to be nominated for the Top Ten."

At this point, Lin Jiangang cut in, interrupting Wang Junde, "But according to the last clause in the city’s directive, exceptional students can be considered at our discretion. That’s why I chose you."

Wang Junde didn’t comment on Lin Jiangang’s interruption, merely nodding silently before turning to Li Heng. "Because the secret realm for this national targeted exam is rather special, you and Zhang Xue will compete for the spot in a moment. If you don’t succeed, I will personally compensate you. Giving you Alliance Coins directly would be too crass, and you probably wouldn’t care for it anyway. So, I’ll compensate you with a stalk of Sword Qi Grass."

With things laid out like that, what more could Li Heng say? In truth, he didn’t know what to say next, so he just nodded silently and offered a polite word of thanks.

"All the Realm-Breaking Soul Beasts here are Tier One. The rule for your competition is simple: it’s a one-versus-many battle. Whoever defeats the most wins. In the event of a tie, the winner will be the one who sustained less damage and finished faster."

"So... who wants to go first?"

’One-versus-many?’

Hearing this, Li Heng’s interest was piqued. He had never fought a Soul Beast in real life before.

Plus, he had recently been accumulating experience in one-versus-many battles, so he couldn’t help but look toward the vibrating Fine Steel Cages.

"I’ll go first!"

While Li Heng was still lost in thought, Zhang Xue, who was beside him, took a step forward.

"I want to fight five Soul Beasts!"

Zhang Xue’s voice was low, and her initially calm expression now held a trace of nervousness after she spoke.

Hearing her request, Wang Junde simply nodded without comment and went to find the staff to prepare the release of the Soul Beasts.

Lin Jiangang, on the other hand, praised Zhang Xue, "At the Soul Pupil Realm, simultaneously challenging three Soul Beasts is already considered outstanding. I remember you also tamed a Cold Ice Python pet in the Fallen Jiao Icefield. Even though it’s not a mutated one, it should be able to tie up one Soul Beast for you. That means you’ll be facing four Soul Beasts by yourself. Good luck!"

Zhang Xue quietly thanked him. Seeing that five cages were already set up in the "Soul Beast Brawl Arena," she took a deep breath. A silk ribbon slipped out from her left sleeve, and she walked straight toward the arena.

Zhang Xue knew that the pressure she faced today was the greatest she had ever experienced in her life. But no matter what, she had to win this competition today!