"What are you daydreaming about?" Scarred Teacher immediately frowned. He shouted harshly, "Is this the caliber of Cao Fugui's student? A loser like you will be torn apart by a beast in those few seconds of distraction on the battlefield."
Wang Zhan was stunned for a moment. This damn guy is sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. But Boss Wang won't pamper you. Wang Zhan immediately raised his brow, "Tear me apart? They better have the guts for it. Boss Wang will give them a minute."
Watching Wang Zhan enter the virtual cabin, a faint smile flashed across Scarred Teacher's face, "Wang Zhan! Interesting."
The entire virtual cabin operates in a foolproof manner. As Wang Zhan entered, after inputting his examinee information, a scan ensued. Wang Zhan's consciousness entered a vast space.
It was roughly the size of a small town, equipped with large arenas and surrounded by various buildings, resembling the current architectural style of the Federation.
As Wang Zhan was momentarily baffled, a prompt sounded within the space: The challenge has begun!
After the electronic voice fell, a transparent outline began appearing in the space, gradually becoming real. The figure opposite resembled Wang Zhan and had the strength of an ordinary person. Wang Zhan barely moved, delivering a punch that easily settled the fight.
At that moment, as the figure dissipated, another character appeared, its strength already at the Martial Student level.
...
While the examinees were undergoing tests, in No. 1 Middle School's vast information center, in front of a gigantic electronic screen, King Xing and others stood here.
King Xing remained silent, intimidating everyone else into not speaking. Such was the dignity of a martial arts king.
"This time we've adopted a brand new assessment model, and it's so sudden. Are there any discontented voices?" King Xing glanced at the real-time leaderboard, then spoke.
King Xing's voice was somewhat raspy, sounding like a broken gong, unpleasant even. Yet the dignity emanating from him commanded respect.
The martial arts kings are the backbone of humanity. No ordinary person can govern a city, that's a Federation iron rule. Meaning the entire Federation, with fifty giant cities plus members from the Federal Parliament, Martial Arts Academy, and Military Department, has strictly fewer than a hundred known martial kings.
King Xing wasn't often seen in Chu State City. Ordinarily, the management was handled by the Chu State Council, Martial Arts Academy, and Chu State Military Region. But for this College Entrance Examination, King Xing personally oversaw it, along with the temporary change in assessment, introducing the new virtual cabin assessment technology. Everyone vaguely speculated about some matters.
"King Xing! Is there new research and discovery on the battlefield?" Someone cautiously asked.
King Xing glanced, just briefly, making that person quite nervous, "Don't ask what shouldn't be asked, don't think what shouldn't be thought. Focus on the present, manage Chu State's education and economic livelihood. That's your duty."
Another person smiled and said, "King Xing, although the comprehensive combat power assessment system just emerged, we've extensively publicized it. We even pre-distributed the cultivation guide to the top twenty high schools citywide. This year, the number of Martial Arts Examination registrants has doubled compared to last year. Moreover, thanks to effective promotion, students have given unanimous praise to this comprehensive combat power assessment."
King Xing remained silent, gazing at the leaderboard, "Zhou Tianyu! From No. 1 Middle School. Combat power 16,773.5, right? This strength is better than mine back then. Nearly at a Martial Artist's level, right? Show me the detailed data later."
"Not at all, King Xing, you are modest. You were the first from No. 1 Middle School. Chu State No.1 Middle School's top ranking in the city and being among the Federation's top twenty, is all due to your care and guidance."
The principal of No. 1 Middle School also smiled and said, "King Xing's discerning judgment! Tianyu is indeed Grandmaster Zhou Zhen's young son, with extraordinary talent. Plus, the family's nurturing. If following prior assessment methods, Tianyu would be at Martial Artist level."
No one considered the data low. Martial arts today have seen all-around development; however, conditions to achieve it are harsh. Talent blocks many people. Even with sufficient talent, resource consumption is vast. Previously, martial artist cultivation emphasized strength and speed; endurance was less focused on.
No one can develop as comprehensively as Wang Zhan. Zhou Tianyu's data, in this regard, indeed checks out.
King Xing nodded, slowly said, "Endurance is crucial. Our martial artists suffered due to lacking it on the battlefield, until recently acquiring some... ahem, comprehensive combat power is more rigorous. Martial artist contests aren't about who's stronger or faster, not like competition sports in peace times. On the battlefield, it's about victory and survival! It's who's tougher, who can stay alive! Surviving is the ultimate reason."
"King Xing, did you come specifically for the Martial Arts Examination?"
Facing such inquiries, King Xing was affable, nodded, "Not just me, others from Giant Cities have also returned."
...
Unaware of these happenings, Wang Zhan was engrossed in fighting within the virtual cabin. In terms of strength, Wang Zhan's output was very balanced, mostly over 2 tons. His speed nearly reached 50 in degree. And the opponents before him have already morphed over 19 rounds.
Starting from ordinary people, in the first ten rounds, each round had one opponent, but their strength increased by one minor realm. By the ninth round, it was already a level 9 Martial Student. The eleventh round had two level 9 Martial Students. During the recent battle, Wang Zhan was already facing attacks from nine virtual figures of the same level 9 Martial Student realm.
"It should end now!" At this moment, Wang Zhan was exhausted to his limit. He was extremely fatigued. Nine opponents of the same level. Even random punches could suffice, let alone having fought from one to two all the way up.
Even with Wang Zhan's current physique, it was becoming difficult to continue.
However, to Wang Zhan's surprise, another shadow appeared in front of him. Although there was only one this time, its aura was overwhelming. Just as Wang Zhan began to charge forward, he saw that the opponent's speed was even faster, reaching him in the blink of an eye. The speed was at least over 70. He felt his chest bone about to shatter. His whole body flew backward. Wang Zhan was left with only one thought—Is this the strength of a Martial Artist?
Immediately after, Wang Zhan felt his consciousness return to his body. The virtual cabin opened. At this moment, the Scarred Teacher had already approached. He looked at Wang Zhan and said, "Are you really a student of No. 33 Middle School?"
"Is there a problem, Teacher?" Wang Zhan retorted, "Does the Teacher think students from No. 33 Middle School can't make it?"
The Scarred Teacher hesitated, not answering. He waved his hand, "Okay, you can go out now."
As Wang Zhan stepped out of the virtual cabin, many people from No. 33 Middle School had already finished their tests. Deng Chaofan looked calm, while Lin Qiang's face showed delight. Even many from the Hidden Dragon Class had gathered around.
Seeing Wang Zhan come out, these people all came to greet him. They were all teenagers around seventeen or eighteen years old, and they already understood basic social interactions. In fact, many of them had thoughts of currying favor.
"Boss! How did it go? This virtual cabin is too advanced. I was almost beaten to death, barely holding on to the level 1 Martial Student stage, then I got knocked out," Lin Qiang said with a smile.
"Then you should have a chance to get into the Martial Arts Academy, right?" Wang Zhan was also surprised. He knew Lin Qiang's strength. With the previous evaluation mode, he certainly wouldn't have passed. But he didn't expect Lin Qiang could actually hold on to the Martial Student realm. This was quite subtle.
"Holy crap!" Deng Chaofan suddenly exclaimed, pointing at a display screen in front, "Boss, you made it to the top of the rankings. You're the top scholar."
At this moment, the leaderboard had changed. Zhou Tianyu was now in second place. The first name had astonishingly become Wang Zhan, with a terrifying overall combat power of 105,222 behind it.
Ten… a hundred thousand!
As Wang Zhan's overall combat power was revealed, not only the people from No. 33 Middle School were exclaiming, but all the students participating in the martial arts examination in Chu State City were astonished.
Over at Chu State No. 1 Middle School, a tall and dignified student, standing at 1.82 meters, frowned. Someone beside him said, "Tianyu, there must be a malfunction. How could this be possible? You only have 16,000 combat power. Is that person supposed to fight ten all at once?"
At this moment, Wang Zhan had already walked to Yao Yao's side. Yao Yao was a bit silent, sitting alone by a flower bed, hugging her knees, her chin resting on them. Her slender fingers were drawing with a twig on the ground.
"What are you thinking? In my impression, Yao Yao isn't someone who would be so downcast."
"Then what kind of person am I?"
"What kind of person, huh," Wang Zhan said, seriously thinking for a moment, "You're a brave, spirited, yet extremely adorable girl!"
"Wang Zhan!" Yao Yao had already stood up, "Will we meet again in the future?"
Yao Yao's performance didn't need to be seen for Wang Zhan to understand. If Lin Qiang could barely meet the standard, it was already a miracle. Yao Yao... was too weak.
"We will!" Wang Zhan said, looking into Yao Yao's eyes with utter seriousness.
This sentence seemed to give Yao Yao immense courage. Her eyes began to sparkle, becoming full of life and agility: "Then... will you remember me?"
"Wang Zhan!" A shout came, and Cao Fugui walked over, full of excitement. Not only Cao Fugui, but Chen Jun was also extremely thrilled, and even Li Cheng had a smile on his face.
Before Wang Zhan could speak, Cao Fugui dragged him toward the office building, saying, "You! That's awesome! Really awesome. How did you do it? Over a hundred thousand combat power! Do you know? You've already become the top scholar of the Chu State Martial Arts Examination. Now King Xing wants to see you!"
Watching Wang Zhan being surrounded and leaving, Yao Yao's expression began to turn resolute.