"…"
The expressions of all the students in the arena subtly changed.
"Oh?"
"Did Su Yi just break through?"
"Finally dared to use the Gene Potion?"
Jiang Gengyao, who had just arrived at the playground, immediately showed an excited smile.
To motivate students for the preliminary test, every year the school's top students went first, inspiring enthusiasm among the others.
Thus, the first round of tests for Su City No.2 Middle School were basically the strongest students, almost guaranteed to advance.
"Wow, Principal Jiang, this student is pretty impressive!"
"The barrier around the test point is shaking!"
Next to Jiang Gengyao stood a stern middle-aged man in a dark uniform, walking with precise steps and an aura of authority—Du Yingbo, the chief examiner and supervisor for this Martial Examination preliminary test at Su City No.2 Middle School.
He was also a peak Hidden Strength Warrior!
"Hahaha, this student is indeed excellent!"
"He has the strength to challenge Warrior status, one of the hallmarks of this year's cohort!"
Jiang Gengyao smiled faintly, but Du Yingbo's eyes twitched: "One of the hallmarks?"
"That means there are others?"
Du Yingbo glanced at Jiang Gengyao. Honestly, with his experience, he could tell that Su Yi was among the school's top elite, likely a Warrior or near-Warrior.
Previously, the school usually had at most one such student—sometimes none.
But this year, surprisingly…
"Yes, three!"
"And Su Yi might not even be the strongest-"
Bang!
Before Jiang Gengyao finished, a deafening roar came from Class 7's direction.
Lin Qiuli had just pushed out her first strike.
Du Yingbo's expression shifted slightly. Seeing Jiang Gengyao so excited, he squinted: "Principal Jiang, your school may soon be recognized as a national-level key institution!"
It was rare for any school nationwide to produce three Warriors through Martial Examination.
Jiang Gengyao said nothing but fixed his gaze on the screens at Class 1 and Class 7 test points.
He wanted to see who would be the top student of Su City No.2 Middle School.
He had expected Lin Qiuli to clinch the top spot.
But he hadn't expected Su Yi to have spent 5 million to take a Gene Potion for this test.
He already knew Su Yi's strength hovered around 1400 kg, but the recent push force clearly reached 1500 kg, possibly 1600 kg.
That was obviously the Gene Potion's effect.
Beep!
Su Yi's push force for the first test appeared on Class 1's large screen—1598 kg!
The number stunned everyone present.
"Whoa!"
"1598 kg!"
"Old Su is so fierce!"
"He was only at 1400 kg before, how did he surge so much in a few days?"
Many students in Class 1 screamed in surprise.
The second student in Class 1, watching Su Yi's number, suddenly felt his confidence waver.
He thought he had closed the gap but now saw it was still huge.
"Old Su had been avoiding Gene Potions, but this time he went all out for the test!"
"A few days ago, he said he took one because Luo Xiu from Class 7 provoked him!"
"It increased his strength by almost 200 kg, but the 5 million price isn't something everyone can afford!"
Some Quasi-Warrior students whispered nearby, but then a shout came from Class 7.
1569 kg!
Lin Qiuli's first push force appeared—second only to Su Yi.
The previously quiet Class 1 erupted again in cheers.
Compared to Su Yi's renown, Lin Qiuli was better known for her beauty and charisma.
She had always hidden her strength, so many thought she was just a Quasi-Warrior.
But now, pushing 1569 kg, nearly matching Su Yi, shocked many.
"That's the school beauty from Class 7, that strong?"
"Oh man, first we had that freak Luo Xiu, now the school beauty!"
"Old Yun's third place might be in danger!"
"Old Yun's in trouble!"
Everyone was stunned by Lin Qiuli's strength.
By now, all ten classes had completed their first push force tests.
Except Su Yi and Lin Qiuli, the third highest was the Class 2 monitor, with only 780 kg—far behind.
"Punch power now!"
"Old Su is punching!"
All eyes turned to the test chamber as Su Yi took a deep breath and threw his first punch.
Boom rumble!
Almost simultaneously, Lin Qiuli threw her punch too.
Then others followed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The punch machines groaned in pain, and numbers began appearing on the screens.
All attention, however, was on Su Yi and Lin Qiuli.
Duang!
Su Yi's and Lin Qiuli's punch power numbers appeared one after the other:
9748 kg!
11234 kg!
The first number belonged to Su Yi; the second to Lin Qiuli.
The crowd fell silent in shock at Lin Qiuli's 11.2-ton punch.
11.2 tons!
Only Warriors could generate such power—an amplification of 7.16 times.
Su Yi's 9.7 tons (6.1 times amplification) was strong but still 0.3 tons shy of the Warrior benchmark of 10 tons.
That 0.3 tons marked the gap between them—Lin Qiuli could already surpass 10 tons, while Su Yi was just short.
"Still, the Lin Family girl has the edge!"
"Old Lin knows his stuff!"
Jiang Gengyao smiled gently; Du Yingbo nodded appreciatively.
"Over seven times amplification, this student's talent is exceptional!"
"Just wonder… if she gave full effort?"
Jiang Gengyao's sudden question surprised Du Yingbo:
"11.2 tons, not full effort?"
"Wait for the second round."
Su Yi's second push force dropped slightly to 1577 kg.
"Looks like 1.6 tons is his max push force."
Jiang Gengyao shook his head, then sharply turned his gaze to Class 7's test point.
Boom!
An earth-shattering sound came from Lin Qiuli's station.
Her push force this time was even stronger than before.
"I said so—she wasn't full power the first time!"
"Probably spurred by being out ranked by Su Yi!"
Bang!
A staggering number appeared on the screen:
1701 kg!
A full 132 kg stronger than her previous push.
The crowd went completely silent.
Even Class 1 students stared, dumbfounded—they hadn't expected Lin Qiuli to hold back initially.
Jiang Gengyao laughed heartily.
1.7 tons push force was an extraordinary score nationally.
"This is probably her true strength!"
"Old Lin really had a good daughter!"
Jiang Gengyao's gaze seemed to pierce the testing chamber, noticing Lin Qiuli's face tightening with resolve.
Then Lin Qiuli struck her punch like a sword into the punch machine's target.
Boom rumble!
12247 kg!
The screen displayed a number that drained hope from all onlookers.
Su Yi's punch power on the other hand was only 9533 kg.
The final round held no surprises—Su Yi's push force weakened further, while Lin Qiuli remained the undisputed champion.
Ding!
The final best scores flashed on the big screen:
Lin Qiuli
Best Push Force: 1701 kg
Punch Power: 12247 kg
Rank: Primary Warrior
Su Yi
Best Push Force: 1598 kg
Punch Power: 9748 kg
Rank: Peak Quasi-Warrior
...
The top students' scores from the first round were announced in order.
Jiang Gengyao nodded with satisfaction but then shifted his gaze to the second student from Class 7 who was to test next.
He expected Luo Xiu would be up, but was momentarily stunned.
"Hm?"
He instinctively looked at the third student.
No.
Second was Wang Zhe, whom he recognized.
Third was Chen Fan.
"Where… where's Luo Xiu?"
Jiang Gengyao's eager expression turned to disbelief, and Du Yingbo noticed.
"What's wrong, Principal Jiang?"
"Nothing…"
Jiang Gengyao forced a smile but scanned the Class 7 students carefully.
Then his face sank—Luo Xiu wasn't in the lineup.
Nor was Class 7's homeroom teacher, Xiao Ming.
"What's going on?"
Jiang Gengyao's mind was full of question marks as he rushed toward Lin Qiuli.
"Principal Jiang!"
Lin Qiuli politely greeted him.
Jiang Gengyao smiled: "Xiao Qiu, your father would be very proud of your results."
"Probably not, he wasn't too satisfied with my previous push and punch results," Lin Qiuli said humbly.
"I still have to work harder."
Jiang Gengyao casually asked, "By the way, where's Luo Xiu? Why isn't he here?"
Lin Qiuli's smile stiffened, and she said helplessly, "Xiao teacher went to his house, but he… he seems to have forgotten about the test and didn't come."
Jiang Gengyao nearly collapsed.
He had considered everything except that Luo Xiu would forget such a crucial test!
"Not here?"
"This critical test, and he's not here?!"
Veins bulged on Jiang Gengyao's forehead.
"Principal, don't worry," Lin Qiuli comforted him.
"He should still make it in time."
"I'm curious about how strong he's become after seclusion."
"Maybe the Grandmaster is giving him grueling training!"
"He was so tired he forgot!"
Lin Qiuli excused Luo Xiu's absence, but Jiang Gengyao's expression darkened.
Students took turns testing, time passed… but Luo Xiu was nowhere to be seen.
Other classes noticed too.
Luo Xiu had become the school's sensation recently—a sudden Quasi-Warrior that everyone was curious about.
But even after several Class 7 students tested, no sign of him.
"Hey, where's Luo Xiu?"
"Yeah, why isn't he testing second or third?"
Whispers filled the crowd.
Du Yingbo noticed the change and smirked at the gloomy Jiang Gengyao:
"Principal Jiang, is your third Warrior student missing?"
"Rules say no late entries after one hour. You should call him."
"Ten minutes left."
Jiang Gengyao was about to take out his phone when Lin Qiuli hurried over.
"Principal Jiang, Xiao teacher just called…"
"What did he say?"
Lin Qiuli hesitated, signaling bad news.
"He said Luo Xiu wasn't home."
!
Jiang Gengyao's worst fears were confirmed.
He worried Luo Xiu was still secluded and would miss the test.
"Has the preliminary test ended?"
A loud, abrupt voice suddenly echoed from the playground's side.
Swish!
Everyone looked up to see Luo Xiu, dressed in pajamas, dashing onto the field like a shooting arrow.
The speed made Jiang Gengyao's pupils dilate in shock.
Lin Qiuli's mouth also dropped open.
"…"
The entire crowd was stunned by Luo Xiu's astonishing sprint.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]