"Whoa, that was satisfying!" "Awesome! That was incredible!" "As expected of Senior Xu, he's just magnificent!" "Holy smokes, a sight like that makes your blood boil, I even want to try swinging a spear myself!" "..."
When the Sabre-toothed Tiger Leader collapsed to the ground, the students in the stands, like gourmets after an exquisite meal, began sharing their enthusiastic impressions.
At that moment, Xu Jingming's image on the screen suddenly shifted, taking the sixth position in the ranking.
[6th Place, Xu Jingming, } 796 points (Jiangcheng Second Middle School)』
"What the hell? How did Senior suddenly jump to sixth place?"
"Senior only had 634 points just now, how did he manage to gain almost 160 points in one go?"
"Even if there were four or five First-Stage ferocious beasts, that doesn't explain such a massive jump in points, right?"
"..."
For a moment, everyone was confused—the point increase seemed excessive.
"Damn it! I just noticed that Senior is no longer in the Middle Zone; he's broken into the Central Zone!"
Someone's surprised exclamation caused everyone to instinctively check the map on the virtual screen. And indeed, Xu Jingming was now in the red Central Zone!
"I knew those Sabre-toothed Tigers looked different. Turns out they weren't just High-Level unranked; they were true First-Stage Ferocious Beasts!"
"So, are you saying Senior just wiped out an entire pack of First-Stage ferocious beasts?"
"Incredible! He was cutting them down as if he was chopping cabbages!"
"..."
Initially, all the students assumed Xu Jingming was still in the Middle Zone and that the beasts he fought were merely High-Level unranked, or at best, Lower-Rank First-Stage. But unexpectedly, Xu Jingming had already infiltrated the dangerous Central Zone! He had just fought Lower- and Mid-Rank First-Stage ferocious beasts!
In truth, the students couldn't be blamed for not noticing immediately—the fight was so intense that they simply didn't have time to pay attention to the details. Now it became clear to them why Xu Jingming hadn't engaged in combat earlier—he was aiming to reach the Central Zone...
"Even Zhou Mingyang, who holds first place and is known as 'The Wind's Light Sword,' would only be able to dodge and retreat when faced with such a group of ferocious beasts. But our Senior simply went ahead and wiped them all out in one sweep!"
People couldn't help but compare Xu Jingming to the first-place holder, Zhou Mingyang. And they concluded that even the star examinee, Zhou Mingyang, probably couldn't demonstrate such absolute dominance!
...
"One person against ten Sabre-toothed Tigers, including even a Mid-Rank First-Stage beast?!"
"With such combat power, he seems to be even stronger than Zhou Mingyang!"
"I wonder which of the Second Middle School teachers coached Xu Jingming? How can one cultivate such a monster?"
"..."
In the spectator stands outside the military district, when Xu Jingming single-handedly confronted the group of ferocious beasts, he instantly captured the attention of all the teachers. Initially, they didn't pay much heed, assuming Xu Jingming would simply flee. After all, since the start of the exam, no examinee had dared to challenge a pack of ferocious beasts in the Central Zone.
However, what followed—his almost overwhelming performance—caused the teachers and school principals to literally gape in astonishment! Especially the Homeroom Teacher of Class 5, Chen Fan—his face was flushed with excitement right up to his hairline. When a student shows outstanding results, his homeroom teacher basks in the reflected glory!
"Who would have thought that Xu Jingming was this strong!"
Even the usually composed Principal of Second Middle School couldn't suppress his surprise; his eyes were wide with disbelief.
"His spear thrusts are swift as a dragon and fast as lightning! This is undoubtedly High-Level Spear Mastery!" Head of the Department of Education Zhang Wenshan exclaimed excitedly, focusing his attention on Xu Jingming's mastery.
One must understand that it usually takes decades for an ordinary person to bring any weapon mastery to an intermediate level. And to reach the high level, an entire lifetime might not be enough! But Xu Jingming is only eighteen years old!
What a genius he is!
However, upon recalling Xu Jingming's superpower, Zhang Wenshan couldn't help but sigh with disappointment: "Alas! What a pity!"
Judging by what Xu Jingming is demonstrating, his strength already surpasses Zhou Mingyang's. If he had a better superpower, he could break the Jiangcheng record, which has held for many years, and enter the top 50 in Jiangnan Province! But Xu Jingming's E-level superpower, alas, condemns him to limited growth...
"High-Level Spear Mastery—no wonder he's so strong!"
"Xu Jingming is barely eighteen, and he's already mastered the spear to a high level? What incredible talent!"
"Even the geniuses from the provincial capital couldn't master a weapon to such a high level, could they?"
"..."
Hearing the sigh of the Head of the Department of Education, Zhang Wenshan, the other teachers also realized the situation and burst into surprised exclamations.
"Principal Zhao, congratulations. It seems that this year, first place in Jiangcheng will go to your Second Middle School," said Liu Hang, the Principal of First Middle School. Although he was inwardly displeased, after watching the fight, any sensible person could understand that Xu Jingming was stronger than Zhou Mingyang, and taking first place was only a matter of time for him. Therefore, Liu Hang decided to show magnanimity and congratulate his colleague, Zhao Yao.
"Principal Liu, you flatter me. The exam isn't over yet, and the result is still unknown," Zhao Yao replied modestly.
First Middle School! The best school in Jiangcheng, not only rich in educational resources but also gathering the most talented students from across the city. Every year, after awakening their superpowers, many gifted students from Second Middle School transferred to First Middle School, attracted by the better conditions.
Therefore, it would be strange if Principal Zhao Yao of Second Middle School didn't harbor some hostility towards First Middle School. However, First Middle School was so powerful that Second Middle School simply had no chance to distinguish itself. Now that the shining moment for Second Middle School had finally arrived, and it was poised to surpass First Middle School, Principal Zhao Yao unexpectedly showed restraint and responded very humbly.
"Be that as it may, Xu Jingming's abilities speak for themselves. The fact that two students from our Jiangcheng will be able to enter the top hundred in Jiangnan Province is already a decent result," Zhang Wenshan said, finally composing himself. He nodded to Zhao Yao: "This time, your Second Middle School has done an excellent job, fostering a student like Xu Jingming. After the entrance exams are over, I will propose to the city authorities to reward your school."
"Thank you, Head Zhang!" Zhao Yao's face lit up.
Individuals like him, who became school principals, no longer held great hopes for enhancing their own abilities and focused more on career advancement. And a single award would not only bring more resources to Second Middle School but also help him personally as the principal. In the future, perhaps he could even advance further and join the Department of Education!
"Xu Jingming, you truly gave me a great surprise," Zhao Yao sighed to himself. He never thought that Second Middle School would have such a day.
...
Just as Zhang Wenshan had predicted, in the subsequent time, Xu Jingming's points grew at an incredible pace.
In less than an hour, he overtook Zhou Mingyang and claimed first place.
By this point, the time was nearing three o'clock in the afternoon. This meant that the martial arts exam would come to an end in six hours...