Chapter 12: The Test (Please Keep Reading)

At this moment, sweat drenched him, his martial arts uniform soaked through and clinging tightly to his body. Heat radiated from every pore, a surging current flowing through his limbs and bones, power endlessly streaming forth, accompanied by a tingling sensation.

A profound transformation was underway.

All fatigue was rapidly fading away.

“The fusion degree of the template has surpassed 2%. My talent has grown even stronger, and my Tiger Fist technique has broken through.”

“My comprehension is the first to strengthen, and my body is transforming. By tomorrow, the efficiency of tempering my physical form will improve further.”

Lin Qi clenched his fists as power surged within him, intoxicating. He glanced once more at the data displayed on the panel.

His Tiger Fist had now reached a breakthrough, all that remained was his vitality value.

“One day left until the test, and I am fully capable of pushing my vitality beyond 6.0.”

Lin Qi thought to himself, looking at the martial arts classroom where only a few remained, then began packing up to go home.

One hour later.

Lin Family, Building 4, Room 301.

In the bathroom, Lin Qi stood at the washbasin, and suddenly his throat twitched.

“Pfft~”

He spat out a thick, blackish-red liquid, splattering into the sink, emitting a foul stench.

“This is the stagnant blood inside me, accumulated and expelled in one breath.”

Staring at the dark blood, Lin Qi recognized it immediately.

Practitioners of martial arts inevitably carry hidden injuries or stagnant blood within their bodies.

The wealthy could afford regular hospital treatments, but ordinary people, lacking means, had no choice but to endure.

Lin Qi was one of them. Despite knowing the toll on his body, he still pushed himself relentlessly.

“All the external wounds on my body have healed, and the stagnant blood has been forced out.”

He examined his body and found that all remaining bruises had completely faded, and some abrasions had already scabbed over.

Waves of energy surged into him, refreshing his spirit, and muscle fatigue vanished.

“Could it be that increasing the fusion degree not only enhances my talent but also heals my bodily injuries—a kind of cleansing?”

Lin Qi guessed, feeling that his intuition was nearly spot-on.

Such an effect was powerful, saving time and money on muscle relaxation and recuperation—a perfect boon for someone like him.

Now, all that remained was to await the test.

Lin Qi’s gaze grew resolute.

...

Martial Arts Calendar 2045, September 7th.

Time passed swiftly—a week had gone by.

Students of Tianhai No. 2 Middle School were about to face their weekly assessment.

“The weekly test is a tradition at our school, a regular evaluation of students’ martial abilities.”

“For ordinary students, it’s just a routine test, but for us, it’s the key to entering the elite class.”

Someone spoke to nearby classmates, and a variety of sounds filled the air—punching, swordplay, spear handling...

In Classroom 3’s martial arts room, just before 6 o’clock, dozens had already gathered to begin training.

“Lei, how prepared are you?”

Yang Lei, dressed in his martial arts uniform, stood confidently with hands on hips, chatting with a few others nearby.

“That goes without saying. I, Yang Lei, will definitely enter the elite class. Just watch.”

Yang Lei basked in the admiring gazes of his classmates, brimming with confidence, while casting a glance at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi alone squatted in a corner, standing calmly in a meditation stance, sweat pouring down his body.

Time slowly passed.

“Ding ling ling!”

With the ringing of the class bell, Wu Kang appeared promptly at the door, carrying a thermos, quietly observing everyone.

Behind him followed two male teachers, serving as exam proctors.

“Today is the test!”

Wu Kang stepped inside, and his words silenced the entire class. A tense atmosphere blanketed every corner of the martial arts room.

“Two people, bring the punch force detector to the center. A few more, set up the timer.”

Wu Kang directed two students to carry a large, square black device to the middle of the room.

At its center was a red punching target, and atop the device, an electronic screen.

Others set up four pillar-shaped instruments spaced twenty meters apart, activating them to emit infrared beams.

This was the speed detector.

Nearby students gradually gathered around. Lin Qi finished his stance and joined the crowd. Jiang Tao also came over.

“Our school still uses the old-fashioned method of calculating vitality from punch force and speed.”

“I heard No. 1 Middle School has started using new scanning devices to measure vitality directly through body scans.”

Someone murmured softly, earning nods of agreement.

Lin Qi nodded too. Vitality represented one’s life force, physical energy, even human magnetic fields...

It was difficult to measure precisely with instruments, so punch force and speed qualities were used, then calculated through a large model formula with about 90% accuracy.

But Lin Qi was different—having his data panel, he could check his vitality at any time.

“According to student numbers, I will call up names for the test.”

Wu Kang held a tablet, standing before the punch force detector, announcing the first student’s name.

“Zhou Ping!”

“Here!”

The first was an ordinary-looking boy, with some acne on his face.

He clenched his fist and stepped forward. Under everyone’s gaze, his vitality surged as he suddenly threw a punch.

“Bang! Bang!”

His fist struck the target like a bullet.

The punching target shook violently, and the electronic screen displayed a number—“512 kg!”

“Only 512 kg!”

Wu Kang shook his head upon seeing the result.

“Zhou Ping, after a whole vacation, your punch force improved by less than 30 kg. What have you been doing for two months?”

Zhou Ping’s face flushed with embarrassment.

“Next, test speed!”

Zhou Ping moved to the starting line of the track, facing the infrared beams.

“Whoosh~”

Like a gust of wind, Zhou Ping dashed forward like a wild horse breaking free.

...

“Ding!”

In a breath, the machine sounded, and he had crossed the finish line.

The screen at the end lit up—“11 m/s!”

Wu Kang shook his head. “Next!”

Zhou Ping lowered his head and quickly merged into the crowd.

“Punch force 500 kg, speed 12 m/s, vitality estimated around 5.1. No chance of making the elite class.”

Someone sighed.

In the Martial Arts Era, source energy poured forth from spatial rifts, causing transformations in the world’s plants and animals.

Humans consumed disaster beast meat, absorbing source energy, optimizing their physiques and greatly enhancing physical abilities.

Even high school students now had punch forces surpassing legendary boxers like Tyson in their previous lives.

“Wang Feng!”

“Li Shaodong!”

“...”

One by one, students called up began testing their punch force and speed.

“Punch force 605 kg, speed 14 m/s. My vitality definitely exceeds 6.0 now.”

Round-faced Li Shaodong laughed heartily.

“What? Li Shaodong improved this fast?” Someone exclaimed in disbelief.

Lin Qi’s heart skipped a beat. Li Shaodong, ranked ninth in the class, had made such rapid progress?

“Qi Ge, many students this week have been taking various resources to boost their vitality.”

“Taking two vitality capsules before the test to make their life force surge for better performance is an unspoken rule.”

Jiang Tao whispered beside him.

Lin Qi nodded, planning to do the same. With flexible boundaries and a chance to improve his results, why not?

...

“Punch force 645 kg, speed 14.3 m/s!”

“Yang Lei is amazing!”

“That data is strong. Vitality definitely over 6.0. He’s guaranteed the elite class.”

Suddenly, someone in the crowd cheered.

Yang Lei walked off the track, head held high, smugly casting a challenging glance at Lin Qi.

“Lin Qi!”

Wu Kang called out.

Jiang Tao whispered, “Qi Ge, show everyone your strength.”

Lin Qi nodded and stepped out from the crowd, many eyes filled with curiosity.

...