For the past few decades, the best graduate of Jiangnan Province usually emerged in the provincial capital, Ninan City, or in nearby affluent cities. This was quite natural, for as the saying goes, the poor study, and the rich pursue martial arts. People able to live in these cities were generally well-off, and their descendants usually possessed very strong abilities.
Consequently, the best graduates of the province, similar to those in the capital Qingjing, usually had A-level abilities and High-Rank First-Stage strength. However, now, the best graduate of Jiangnan Province not only did not come from the cities familiar to the faculty of Modu Superpower University, but wasn't even a Superpower User—just an Awakened, and with the second-lowest E-level ability at that. Who would believe it?!
Therefore, when the information about Xu Jingming sounded in the ears of the faculty, their first reaction was disbelief.
"How can an Awakened become the best graduate of the province? Must be an error?"
"Maybe the information gathering was wrong and confused him with someone who has the same name?"
"Hmm, that's possible."
"..."
The results of every participant in the martial arts exam underwent professional verification by the State Education Administration. No one doubted the authenticity of the scores, but suspicion arose that there might have been an error in the information gathering, and the data was collected about a person with the same name.
However, the information gathering capabilities of Modu Superpower University should not make such basic mistakes as confusing people.
"Eve's information cannot be wrong!" As if sensing the doubt, a holographic projection of an unusually cute glowing sphere appeared in the room. The sphere even displayed a human-like expression of anger. This was Eve, the Artificial Intelligence responsible for information gathering and management throughout Modu Superpower University.
"Eve is a top-level AI and does not make such basic mistakes. Perhaps the issue with Xu Jingming's information arose during the initial registration in the database," the slightly plump middle-aged man waved his hand. "Let's watch his martial arts exam video, and everything will become clear. Eve, play Xu Jingming's exam video."
"Affirmative, Director," soothed by the director's words, Eve removed the angry expression from her glowing sphere.
Simultaneously, a holographic projection of Xu Jingming appeared above the center of the round table. The video started from the moment he entered the innermost Central Zone, confronting a multitude of High-Rank First-Stage and Second-Rank ferocious beasts.
"Wow, he uses a spear as a weapon. That's rare," one of the faculty members' eyes lit up, looking at the slender figure with a spear on his back. Among the more than ten best provincial graduates they had seen previously, almost all used long swords or great knives as weapons. The spear appeared for the first time.
"The spear is even more difficult to use than the sword or knife," another faculty member nodded.
Although Xu Jingming's weapon caught the attention of the faculty, they did not forget their main goal—to determine his ability and level.
The ability had not yet been demonstrated, so it could not be determined, but the level could be easily established. There is a fundamental difference between a Superpower User and an Awakened—the aura!
Although Xu Jingming's aura in the video was sharp, the admissions faculty members present did not detect the characteristic signs of a Superpower User.
"So, Xu Jingming is indeed only an Awakened?!" After repeated checks, all the attending faculty members were stunned.
What did it mean for an Awakened to be the best graduate of the province? This was something unheard of in the last few decades!
Then the battle began on the holographic projection. When Xu Jingming activated his Purple Sky Divine Thunder, wiping out a multitude of High-Rank First-Stage ferocious beasts, the faculty members watched with wide eyes filled with astonishment.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! That is definitely not an E-level ability!"
"Such power is at least A-level! How can this be the E-level ability 'Weak Electric Discharge'?"
"How could those who registered the abilities make such a mistake?"
"..."
The experienced faculty members of the admissions committee immediately noticed the discrepancy in the power of Xu Jingming's ability. The Admissions Director, standing in front, narrowed his eyes and commanded:
"Eve, analyze the level of Xu Jingming's ability."
Special equipment is usually required for the precise determination of an ability's level and type. However, with the help of advanced artificial intelligence, a sufficiently accurate analysis can be performed.
"Xu Jingming's ability belongs to the Lightning element within the Natural system. As it is impossible to gather information on elements in the air, the analysis is based only on the video footage. The probability of Xu Jingming's ability being B-level is 4%. The probability of A-level is 10%, S-level is 83%, SS-level is 1%, SSS-level is 0%," Eve quickly provided the analysis result.
Upon receiving this data, the Admissions Director sharply narrowed his pupils: "S-level probability... 83%?"
As an advanced artificial intelligence, Eve was almost never wrong in her assessments. An 83% probability practically confirmed that Xu Jingming's ability was indeed S-level!
"S-level?!" The breathing of all the faculty members present instantly quickened.
What does S-level mean? The one who develops such an ability becomes an absolute top-tier combat force! In modern Great Xia, there hadn't been an Awakened with an S-level ability for three or four years now!
At that moment, on the holographic projection, Xu Jingming finished off the Second-Rank Bloodthirsty Ferocious Bear with an incredible, brutal single spear thrust.
"A presumed S-level ability, plus such powerful combat skills—Xu Jingming fully deserves the title of best graduate in the province!" The Admissions Director took a deep breath and, after a moment's consideration, said seriously: "Xu Jingming receives an S+ level special recruitment quota. We must attract him at all costs!"
"An S+ level special recruitment quota!"
"We haven't used that level of special recruitment in many years, have we?"
"S+ level special recruitment—it looks like we'll have to offer something truly worthwhile."
"Director Zhang, I went for special recruitment in Jiangnan Province last year. Perhaps I should go this time too?"
"Director, I also want to go for special recruitment in Jiangnan!"
"..."
The S+ level special recruitment quota, plus the practically confirmed S-level ability, instantly made Xu Jingming a coveted prize. Many faculty members were eager to get the chance to travel to Jiangnan Province for the special recruitment process.
However, the Admissions Director, Zhang Chaoyang, shook his head: "You don't need to go. I will go there personally this time."
"The Director is going personally—it's sure to succeed now."
Although the other faculty members were slightly disappointed, as a Fifth-Rank Superpower User of the Spiritual system, Director Zhang Chaoyang, who had already attracted many potential students to Modu Superpower University, was indeed the most reliable choice for this mission.
"An S-level ability... Xu Jingming, I hope you don't disappoint me..." Looking at the tall figure on the holographic projection, Director Zhang Chaoyang muttered softly.
…..
June 12th, the fifth day after the martial arts exam concluded.
"Jingming, don't worry, the results should be announced no later than today."
"Director, I know. I'm not worried."
"Good, good, good. Not worrying—that's right. I'm just afraid that you young people are too impatient…"
"…"
Xu Jingming walked through the residential complex, having just managed to end a long phone conversation with the school principal.
"Honestly, everyone tells me not to worry, yet they are the most anxious ones," Xu Jingming shook his head.
During these few days of waiting for the ranking announcement, he had received countless calls from his homeroom teacher, the school principal, and even the Head of the Department of Education. They all said there was no need to worry, that the ranking would be announced sooner or later. However, their tone was anything but calm—it seemed they wanted the results to be announced the very next day after the exam concluded.
Of course, Xu Jingming could understand them. After all, their city of Jiangcheng desperately needed an opportunity to prove itself.
"But it's already the fifth day, the results must be announced, right?" Just as Xu Jingming was pondering this, a notification sound rang out—ding-ding.
He pulled out his phone, unlocked the screen, and checked the message:
"Xu Jingming, a student at Jiangcheng Second Middle School, the Jiangnan Province Martial Arts Exam Ranking has been published. Please check in a timely manner."
Below the message was a link to a webpage.
"The exam ranking is published!" Xu Jingming's eyes lit up, and he clicked the link without hesitation.
Instantly, a densely filled document appeared on the phone screen, containing the ranking and results of all exam participants in the province. Xu Jingming immediately looked at the first line of the document:
"First Place in Jiangnan Province: Xu Jingming (Jiangcheng Second Middle School), Total Score: 11124."
"First place! The best graduate in Jiangnan Province!! I did it!"
At this moment, even Xu Jingming, usually calm by nature, couldn't suppress a joyful smile and excitedly pumped his fist.