Zhang Yuqing let out a long breath and slowly stepped back from the fist strength target.
On the screen of her machine, an even more exaggerated and shocking number was displayed.
[1.269 tons].
A genius, after all, was a genius.
The unit of measurement had even changed.
With an indisputable number, she once again declared her reigning status as one of the top three students at Dongjiang First Middle School.
Lin Ye didn't feel the slightest bit of discouragement or jealousy.
He knew full well that a gap existed between him and these geniuses, who came from excellent family backgrounds and were incredibly hardworking themselves.
But that gap, once as insurmountable as a chasm, was now rapidly closing at a rate visible to the naked eye.
The previously stern examiner now looked at Lin Ye's second result with a complicated expression as he officially recorded it.
He walked over, his attitude clearly much gentler, and couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "Young man, you... did you have some kind of major breakthrough in your fist technique?"
In his view, it was difficult for a Martial Artist's foundational strength to change qualitatively in such a short time. The only logical explanation was that Lin Ye had an epiphany-like leap in his force-application techniques—that is, his understanding of martial skills.
Before Lin Ye could answer, Chen Meng, like a solid wall, pulled him back behind him.
He turned and glared fiercely at the examiner. "None of your damn business!"
With that, he ignored the examiner, who was left standing there awkwardly, and led Lin Ye straight back to the Class 7 line.
'Only Chen Meng knew the truth. Lin Ye's fist technique was average at best, nothing special.'
'This kid is a staff user!'
'If today's fist strength test had allowed the use of weapons to measure power, Chen Meng had no doubt that Lin Ye's final result would have been even more absurd than what he'd just shown.'
The first test, fist strength, ended quickly. With no break in between, the second test began immediately.
The second test was a martial arts foundation test, which used precision sensors to measure a student's Qi and Blood Index and Life Index.
Compared to fist strength, which could be boosted by technique and short-term bursts, these two metrics more directly reflected a Martial Artist's foundation, substance, and future potential.
They were also the most important assessment criteria.
The venue changed, and the equipment was set up.
Due to the limited number of testing machines, the second assessment was conducted for the entire third-year student body of Dongjiang First Middle School at the same time.
"Li Jun!"
"Here!"
"Come up and test!"
Li Jun's name was unexpectedly the first one called.
It made him jump in fright.
Amid the good-natured teasing and cheers from his Class 7 classmates, he took a deep breath and nervously climbed into the Qi Blood Pod.
A few dozen seconds later, his test results appeared on the light screen.
"Class 7, Year 3, Li Jun. Qi and Blood Index: 13.01. Life Index: 10.50. Overall Evaluation: Pass!"
When Li Jun stepped out of the Qi Blood Pod, his face was filled with the unrestrained ecstasy of someone who had just survived a disaster.
He immediately spotted Lin Ye watching him from the crowd and excitedly threw his arms up in a big "V for victory" sign.
Several Class 7 students in the front row turned to look.
"Holy crap, are you blessed by fate or something? You always manage to just scrape by!"
"Seriously, clearing it at the absolute limit. I'm jealous!"
A burst of heartfelt, good-natured laughter erupted from the Class 7 line.
Only Chen Meng remained stone-faced as he looked at the smug Li Jun.
He chided in a low voice, "You only just passed. What's there to be proud of? You seem pretty pleased with yourself, huh?"
Li Jun's neck snapped back, the smile on his face freezing instantly. He immediately deflated.
His comical appearance once again triggered an even louder burst of laughter from the surrounding students.
The tense and somber atmosphere of the testing site eased considerably as a result.
Although Class 7's overall performance had always been in the lower-middle ranks of their year, the atmosphere within the class was united and harmonious, far better than that of the elite classes where competition was nearly cruel.
As the tests proceeded,
one by one, results of "Pass" or "Fail" appeared.
This time, Zhang Yuqing's name was called over the broadcast before Lin Ye's.
When she walked toward the sensor pod, she drew the gazes of nearly everyone present.
Soon, her test results appeared on the large screen. Every number was like a sledgehammer, pounding heavily on everyone's hearts and instantly electrifying the entire venue!
"Class 1, Year 3, Zhang Yuqing. Qi and Blood Index: 52.12. Life Index: 19.07. Overall Evaluation: Excellent!"
As the announcement ended,
a fierce discussion erupted in the crowd.
"Those numbers are insane! That's terrifying!"
"Her Qi and Blood Index is over 52! My god, once your Qi and Blood Index reaches 60 and you pass the official Martial Artist certification exam, you're considered a Rank 1 Martial Artist!"
"She's actually not far from becoming a true, official Martial Artist!"
"A Life Index of 19.07... Her talent is simply monstrous!"
"Isn't it just because she has a good dad? I heard her father is..."
"SHHH! She's coming out! You're screwed if she hears you!"
Just as Zhang Yuqing slowly stepped out of the testing pod, feeling the countless gazes filled with fervor, envy, awe, and even jealousy,
her eyes subconsciously swept over the noisy crowd, finally locking precisely onto the calm figure in the Class 7 line.
This was the first time Zhang Yuqing clearly knew who the mysterious "super-grinder" was—the one who trained even harder than her in the gravity room every morning and put immense pressure on her.
He was actually from the ordinary martial arts Class 7.
At the same time, Lin Ye also learned Zhang Yuqing's name and class from the information clearly displayed on the large screen.
He had long guessed that Zhang Yuqing was a top student from Class 1, a truly prominent figure, but he hadn't expected her reputation and fame in the school to be so high.
"Class 7, Year 3, Lin Ye!"
After a while, the crisp electronic voice on the broadcast finally called his name.
Lin Ye calmly stepped out of the line and, under a sea of complicated and expectant gazes, walked toward the sensor pod that had just become available.
Thanks to his stunning performance in the earlier fist strength test, Lin Ye had now attracted the attention of quite a few people from his year.
The metal pod door slowly closed, completely sealing off the clamor from outside.
The test officially began. A soft blue beam of light swept back and forth inside the pod, performing the deepest level of scan on his body.
The final result would take some time to come out after precision analysis.
Chen Meng stood at the very front of the line, his arms subconsciously crossed over his chest, his eyes glued to the external display of the Qi Blood Pod Lin Ye was in.
'Suddenly, he felt it was all a bit absurd.'
'He had taught many graduating third-year classes and been through countless major and minor exams.'
'So why, at this particular moment, was he feeling a long-lost sense of nervousness over the results of an ordinary student from his class?'