Class 3

The cool air from the air conditioner filled every corner, but it did little to soothe the students’ anxiety.

Many were desperately awaiting their results, their hearts anything but calm.

Lin Qi, however, was completely composed.

His attention was focused on the panel that appeared before his eyes.

[Name: Lin Qi (17)]

[Occupation: Martial Artist]

[Template: Erlang God Yang Jian (2%)]

[Qi and Blood Value: 6.2]

[Cultivation Techniques: Hunyuan Posture (Great Success), Tiger Form Fist (Great Success), Basic Spear Skill (Minor Achievement)]

[Fist Technique: Tier One 92%]

[Spear Technique: Tier One 60%]

[Body Technique: Tier One 57%]

...

In just one week, Lin Qi had made immense progress. The awakening of his template had greatly increased his Martial Arts Talent.

His Tiger Form Fist had even broken through to the Great Success Realm.

The Qi and Blood Potion he bought also played a crucial role, allowing his Qi and Blood Value to rise rapidly.

He had exceeded his goal; not only did his Qi and Blood Value break past 6.0, but it had reached 6.2.

An increase from 5.2 to 6.2 in a single week.

It was so fast that even Lin Qi himself found it unbelievable.

And all of this was thanks to the Talent template.

The effect of his Stomach Enhancement was extremely powerful, allowing him to fully absorb the nutrients from food, including the Qi and Blood Capsules.

’And this is only at a 2% Fusion Degree. I can’t imagine how terrifying my Talent will be when it reaches 10%, 20%, or even higher.’

Lin Qi believed that he wouldn’t fear even a genius who had Awakened a Special Ability.

...

The class period passed slowly amidst the anxious waiting. Before they knew it, the final period of the day had arrived.

"The scores and rankings are out!"

The class teacher, Yan Hong, stood at the podium, her gaze sweeping over everyone. She took in all their expressions before speaking.

In this era, technology was far more advanced. It didn’t take several days to grade exams.

The results were all out within a few hours of finishing.

And the Martial Arts quiz was even faster.

"Our class has made great progress on this quiz, and there have even been some major shifts in the rankings."

Suddenly, a female student raised her hand and asked curiously:

"Teacher, how many people from our class made it into the grade’s top 50?"

The moment she finished speaking, the atmosphere in the classroom grew tense.

"Eight!"

Yan Hong didn’t keep them in suspense and answered directly.

"Eight people?"

"Then I’m definitely in. I was ranked 7th last semester, so I’ve absolutely made the top 50."

Yang Lei crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair with a confident expression.

"I’ll project the report card, you can all see for yourselves."

Yan Hong didn’t say much more. She turned on the projector and displayed the results.

Li Shaodong looked nervous. The cold air from the AC blew on him, but his palms were slick with cold sweat.

’It’s fine. I can get into the Elite Class.’

Yang Lei took a sip of his drink, his face a mask of confidence.

SWISH!

A 3D light screen materialized on the podium, displaying a huge list of scores.

The moment it appeared, everyone’s eyes were fixed on it.

"It’s out!"

"First place, Yu Jing, second in the grade!"

"Amazing! Yu Jing is as terrifyingly consistent as ever!"

"Second place, Zhu Yuqi, fifth in the grade!"

"No different from before!"

"Third place, Jiangtao, 11th in the grade!"

"Jiangtao improved!"

Seeing his rank, Jiangtao broke into a satisfied smile.

’Up four spots, not bad!’

’Right, and Brother Qi!’

Jiangtao kept reading, eager to find out Lin Qi’s ranking.

"Brother Qi, what’s your rank?"

But Lin Qi’s gaze was sharp, and he had already spotted his own score and rank.

[Name: Lin Qi]

[Academics: 912 (1)]

[Qi Blood: 6.2 (620)]

[Fist Technique: Excellent+ (1000)]

[Total Score: 792.4]

[Class Rank: 6]

[Grade Rank: 45]

...

Seeing his rank, the corners of Lin Qi’s mouth turned up slightly in a satisfied smile. A great weight was lifted from his shoulders.

The scores for Martial Arts Students were based on three criteria: total academic score, Fist Technique (or Weapon) Realm, and Qi and Blood Value.

They accounted for 20%, 30%, and 50% of the total score, respectively.

The Qi and Blood Value accounted for 50%, the highest proportion.

The current test was on the Boxing Realm, but for the college entrance exam, it would be switched to the Weapon Realm.

"Brother Qi, you’re 6th in the class!"

"Now we can go to the Elite Class together."

Jiangtao burst out laughing, throwing his right arm around Lin Qi’s shoulders, his expression thrilled.

"Calm down," Lin Qi said, the corner of his lip twitching upwards.

...

"I’m 9th! 58th in the grade?!"

Li Shaodong shot up from his seat in disbelief.

"My Qi and Blood Value broke 6.0, and my Five Elements Fist Technique reached Great Success! How did I not even make the top 50?"

"The competition is insane, isn’t it?"

"That’s normal. A lot of people broke 6.0 on their Qi and Blood Value for this quiz. It’s not surprising you didn’t get in."

His deskmate said calmly.

Li Shaodong had a good attitude and quickly calmed down. Then he looked further up the list.

"Holy crap, Lin Qi actually got sixth in class? He climbed right over me! How did he improve so much?"

Li Shaodong exclaimed in surprise.

His words drew the attention of others, sparking surprise among many.

"I remember Lin Qi was tenth in class last semester, somewhere just outside the top 100 in the grade. A single summer vacation passes, and he jumps into the top 50? Is he on some kind of super-steroid?"

"For real? That’s badass!"

Many students broke into discussion.

Meanwhile, not far away, Yang Lei’s eyes were wide, staring intently at the projected report card.

His name was glaringly present in seventh place.

Right behind Lin Qi.

"How could Lin Qi’s rank possibly be higher than mine?"

"This is impossible!"

Yang Lei couldn’t accept this reality. Not long ago, he had mocked Lin Qi for being there just to make up the numbers.

But today, Lin Qi had surpassed him, by exactly one spot.

Moreover, he himself was ranked 49th, nearly failing to qualify.

He had almost been eliminated and become one of those just making up the numbers. Yang Lei now felt as if a boomerang had hit him, his face burning with humiliation.

’Damn it! No, I have to find a way to surpass Lin Qi.’

...

In the second row not far away, a handsome boy frowned as he looked at the report card.

’Still second place? No, I will become number one.’

’Li Zhou, in the Elite Class, I’ll see for myself just how you cultivate!’

「A short while later」

RING RING RING!!

"Class dismissed. The top eight students, get ready. You’ll be heading to the Elite Class tomorrow."

The class teacher added before she left.

All the students got up and headed to the cafeteria.

"Brother Qi, now that we’re in the Elite Class, we’ll get a lot of perks. Plus, you can start applying for the genius loan!"

In a corner on the second floor of the cafeteria, Lin Qi and Jiangtao sat down to eat after getting their nutrient meals. Jiangtao was the first to offer his congratulations.

Lin Qi nodded. Getting into the Elite Class was a new beginning.

However, he had also spent nearly all his money. To raise his Qi and Blood Value, he had used his funds to buy Qi and Blood Capsules and Qi and Blood Potion.

What with eating nutrient meals, he had spent almost all of his three thousand Xia Country Coins in just one week.

Hooo...

After finishing the nutrient meal, a warmth spread through his stomach as it furiously digested and absorbed the nutrients.

Lin Qi rubbed his stomach. Over the past few days, his Stomach Enhancement and improved absorption Ability deserved credit for his Qi Blood being able to break through 6.0.

But as of yesterday, he had a bad feeling. A single nutrient meal was no longer enough to make him feel full.

He was worried that in the future, he might have to eat two nutrient meals to feel full, just like Jiangtao.

Jiangtao already needed to eat two portions to be full.

Lin Qi was still short on cash. Guo Heng had said he’d give them long-term work, but it had been almost a week, and he had only just now notified them about a part-time job.

Thinking of this, Lin Qi looked forward to the genius loan even more. After all, even the lowest third-tier loan was for 200,000 Xia Country Coins.

...