The total score for the Martial Arts assessment was 750 points. Strength and speed tests each accounted for 200 points, while martial skills made up 350 points. The strength test was divided into two parts: the explosive power test and the continuous force test, each worth 100 points.
The ten students whose names were just called by Ryan Ling quickly entered the Small Martial Arts Room. The other students waited outside, where two giant screens were set up. One displayed rankings, and the other streamed live footage from inside the room. The outside students acted as supervisors to prevent any teachers from abusing their power to alter scores.
The ten test-takers lined up behind a yellow line. Suddenly, the floor in front of them split open to the sides, accompanied by the sound of mechanical gears turning. A two-meter-tall sandbag shaped like a tanuki slowly rose from the ground.
"This is the Tanuki Sandbag used to test your explosive power. It can withstand up to 10,000 jin of force," Ryan Ling explained. "You have ten meters to sprint and accelerate, trying to maximize your punch power."
With a wave of his hand, he commanded, "Begin!"
The first student stepped forward, taking a sprinting stance. With his right foot pressing down slightly, he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow. With a "buzz," his right fist struck the sandbag's chest.
A mechanical beep sounded:
[Chen Bo (Life Strength: 5.1), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punch Power: 1030 jin, Score: 50]
The outside screen immediately updated to show his stats.
"Beep beep."
[Zhao Xie (Life Strength: 4.9), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punch Power: 980 jin, Score: 48]
[Yang Wei (Life Strength: 5.2), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punch Power: 1080 jin, Score: 52]
Soon the first group finished, with the highest score being Zhang Jun's 58 points. As the Martial Arts teacher for the Hongzhi Class, Ryan Ling knew it was hard to expect any surprises from these regular class students. Though he was prepared for a lackluster result, the scores still left him disappointed — none even reached the passing mark. To put it into perspective, the lowest score in the Hongzhi Class last semester was 70.
"Not a single passing score in group one!" a student outside exclaimed, holding his head.
"Yeah, and Zhang Jun is the vice class president — not even 60 points," a boy from Class 2 said with a bitter smile.
Liang City No. 1 High School was the only key high school in the area. If these regular class students went elsewhere, they'd be top-tier. Yet not a single one passed.
At this moment, a knowledgeable student analyzed the situation:
"The martial arts assessment standards have been raised over recent years, but the admission cutoff hasn't lowered."
"That means fewer resources are being allocated from above — only the very best get through!"
"Oh no, it's over! Last year, a punch power of 1100 jin earned 60 points, but Zhang Jun just scored 58 points with 1120 jin!"
"Looks like the exam is harder this year," a Class 2 student sighed in despair.
Ryan Ling stood aside silently, confirming scores on his tablet. To prevent cheating via tech, there were two layers of security: the Small Martial Arts Room's entrance scanned life strength and detected devices, and Ryan's personal review caught any suspicious behavior.
"Group two!" Ryan announced expressionlessly.
Class 2 completed the explosive power test. Only 5 out of 42 students passed, with the highest score of 67 achieved by their class monitor, Liu Yang.
"Next up is the continuous force test," Ryan said, opening the ceiling with his tablet.
Ten black robots, like puppets on strings, descended from above.
"These are Educational Training Robots," he explained. "Choose your preferred weapon and stand on the green mark to await the test start. The robots will run past you one by one but won't attack."
"They're covered with sensors. Your job is to strike each robot as it passes."
"Miss one and you lose 10 points. Don't miss any targets."
The continuous force test was a new item added last year to better quantify student ability.
"First group, come over!"
Outside, students from other classes chatted casually.
"I bet Han Yiming from Class 6 will take first place," one confidently said.
Others wanted to argue but found no better candidate after thinking.
Han Yiming, a wealthy second-generation student, lacked outstanding talent but had resources beyond most students' reach. Rumor had it he spent over 100,000 yuan monthly on vitality products alone.
"Han Yiming's talent is average. He's only up there because of all the vitality drugs he takes!" Toby Ray complained behind Ethan Chen.
"Damn, having money is really nice."
Ethan didn't deny it. If only he had Han Yiming's family background, he'd have already made it into the Hongzhi Class. The Hongzhi Class was known as the 'pay-to-win' class — nine out of ten students were rich, with one mega-rich. Natural talent alone rarely made the cut, at least at Liang City No.1 High School.
Chen Bo stood seriously on the green mark, holding a 1.5-meter staff. When the mechanical sound signaled, the ten robots rushed toward him.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"Fast!" many students gasped. Just hitting all ten was difficult, let alone striking with sufficient power.
"Beep!"
[Chen Bo (Life Strength: 5.1), Strength Test (Continuous Force), Hits: 7, Average Force: 680 jin, Score: 56]
"Next!" Ryan called after confirming the score.
Class 2 soon finished both strength tests. Their class monitor Liu Yang led with a converted score of 91, topping the strength leaderboard.
"Next is Class 3's first group: Zhang Min, Li Dingjun, Ethan Chen…"
"Go Ethan! Get that Hongzhi Class spot!" Toby Ray cheered with his usual flair.
Ethan smiled lightly, not embarrassed—he was used to it by now.
Strength was determined by three factors: life strength, martial method, and mental strength.
Life strength spoke for itself — the higher, the stronger.
Martial method aimed to unleash the body's latent power.
Mental strength controlled the body, distributing power effectively.
Ethan, who fought monsters daily in the Crystal Space, naturally excelled in martial method and mental strength.
Outside, Class 2 students who finished first watched the screen closely.
The nine regular senior classes often compared themselves, eager to outdo other ordinary classes despite being no match for the Hongzhi Class.
Suddenly, the explosive power leaderboard shifted.
Everyone's rank dropped by one.
First place was:
[Ethan Chen (Life Strength: 5.1), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punch Power: 1300 jin, Score: 71]
Second place:
[Liu Yang (Life Strength: 5.4), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punch Power: 1220 jin, Score: 67]
Third place:
[Zhang Xing (Life Strength: 5.3), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punch Power: 1200 jin, Score: 65]