Chapter 285: The Second Test
Chapter 285: The Second Test
"Instructor?" Chen Chuan pondered.
Ni Xixian glanced around and said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go, I'll drive you back to school."
As they walked towards the car and got in, Ni Xixian started the vehicle and said, "You should know about the external students, they're the ones the academy recruits for the fighting tournaments.
And as for the instructors, simply put, they guide and spar with these external students, and the academy will give a certain evaluation score for this."
This wasn't a good thing.
Once you accept this arrangement, it's difficult to back out. Moreover, you're essentially considered a participant in the tournament, pushing you into the spotlight.
For instance, if an external student is injured or dies, and there's a temporary shortage of fighters, the commercial operations can't just stop. After all, there are many interests and groups backing this, so if they need a temporary replacement, who would be the most suitable?
That's right, the instructors. It's only logical, isn't it?"
After speaking with a hint of ridicule, she turned to Chen Chuan with a serious expression.
"Little Brother Chen, I remember your evaluation score was thirty-five percent. You're also included in this. If you were to go there and temporarily fill in, it's not impossible. But once you step into the arena, don't even think about backing out. You'll be bound to it, and don't consider any negative attitudes, unless you don't want that evaluation score."
"A low evaluation score carries the risk of expulsion or being directly converted to an external student, with the latter being more likely. Even if you want to back out, you won't be able to. Some people in the academy will use the school rules to take legal action against you."
"This is just what I can think of. There are definitely more methods I don't know about, so you must not go!"
Chen Chuan looked out the car window, not noticing when the rain started to fall. The raindrops merged with the lights outside, blurring the tall buildings and even his own shadow on the window.
He wondered, "Wouldn't the Processing Bureau and the higher-ups question the use of formal students from Wu Yi Academy in commercial fighting tournaments?"
Ni Xixian sighed, "The Processing Bureau will pay attention to students they invest resources in, but they can't interfere with the school's management. Moreover, Tan Wei, your vice-principal, is the main person in charge, and Ling Assistant. This person assumed office with an important task.
In the three years since taking office, he has indeed brought some benefits to the Jinbei Path Wu Yi Academy. In recent years, Wu Yi Academy not only doesn't require funding from above, but it can also generate profits on its own and provide financial support to the Processing Bureau. So, many of his actions are tacitly approved, and even if he does something out of line, he has ways to suppress it.
Not just you, but even students with powerful backgrounds and influence, he can target them if he wants to."
In fact, there have been rumors about using formal students in fighting tournaments, but there hasn't been any movement until now. Bringing it up now indicates that they're preparing to formally push it forward."
At this moment, Chen Chuan recalled the words Wu Teacher had said to him, realizing that the latter wasn't entirely deceiving him; there was some truth to it.
Ni Xixian looked at the road illuminated by the car's headlights and said, "Now, there's only one way. You have to find a way to improve your evaluation for entering the Third Limit, which can help you avoid problems later on."
Chen Chuan contemplated this. This semester, he had three assessment opportunities. He had only used one previously, but that was when he had just entered the academy, and he wasn't familiar with the specifics. So, he had tested with the lowest state possible.
Now, things were undoubtedly different. Even though only a little over a month had passed, his strength had improved significantly. Even if he suppressed his state, it wouldn't be comparable to before.
He said, "After I go back, I'll take the test."
"Are you sure? Ni Xixian suddenly chuckled and said, "Oh, I asked too much. Looking at your performance just now, how could you not be confident? But..." She stared at Chen Chuan and said seriously, "You must try to improve your score. If it's too low, there's still a chance you might be converted to an external student."
However, Chen Chuan felt that even a high score might not necessarily be a good thing. A suppressed state should be sufficient to handle the test, and even if this assessment wasn't enough, he still had one more chance.
He said, "Thank you for the reminder, Ni Jie. I understand."
The rain gradually intensified, and the dark sky and the straight streets were illuminated by the headlights of the red sports car as it weaved through the towering buildings on either side, eventually arriving back at the Xuan Gong Mansion.
After parting ways with Ni Xixian, Chen Chuan returned to the dormitory. He went to the washroom to freshen up and then took out a box of Vitalizing Ointment, which he consumed and absorbed.
Since he had made up his mind, there was no room for hesitation. After all, he needed to be active after consuming the ointment, so he might as well take this opportunity to test his abilities.
As for preparing to face Hongfu, there was no need for that. With his current abilities, he couldn't harm Hongfu, whether the blade was sharp or not made no difference.
Once everything was ready, he entered the training room and stood still, drawing the Xuejun Sword from its sheath. "Hongfu, I'm going to take the second assessment."
Hongfu's shadow moved, and she appeared in the room, looking at the Xuejun Sword in his hand. She reached out and took out a red-plumed Falcon Blade.
Chen Chuan felt a sudden sensation and looked up to find himself standing in front of an ancient temple. The bell chimed under the eaves, and the stone niche was mottled with age. Fallen leaves covered the ground, and ancient trees surrounded the area. Rays of light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, landing on the open space in front of him. The sound of birds singing echoed from the mysterious forest, and a faint scent of sandalwood seemed to fill the air.
Hong Fu remained silent, her expressive eyes visible above her veil, gazing at Chen Chuan.
Chen Chuan took a breath, slowly lowering the Xuejun Sword, holding it with both hands at his side, his gaze fixed on Hong Fu. After a moment, he stepped forward, raising the sword to strike.
Hong Fu spun around, her red silhouette moving gracefully, and blocked the sword with her own, her posture light and agile.
Chen Chuan had been training with Teacher Zheng for some time, and although he hadn't engaged in real combat yet, he had almost mastered his control over his strength.
He understood that the assessment required him to demonstrate his skills and abilities to the fullest, without concern for winning or losing.
Hong Fu already knew what he was capable of in his weakened state, so he didn't hold back. From the start, he unleashed his altered tissue, allowing his emotions to surge, triggering all his altered tissue to unleash their power, striving to maximize the impact of each sword strike.
Hong Fu raised her sword to block, and no matter where the sword light came from, she deftly deflected it. Her techniques were intricate, and her movements were filled with grace.
However, her display of strength and the authenticity of her actions were indistinguishable from a real fighter. Everything she did seemed achievable by a fighter, and in the clash of dual blades, the raw, tangible power made it hard to believe she was just a sentient consciousness.
Chen Chuan ignored all distractions, discarding all extraneous thoughts. He focused entirely on the fight, forgetting about winning or losing, and swung his sword again and again, each strike attempting to surpass the previous one.
The vitalizing ointment's effects continued to support him, allowing him to fight without restraint in this state.
Hong Fu's strength and speed remained on par with Chen Chuan's, and as their swords clashed and collided, the two seemed to gradually move out of the forest, reaching a large boulder. A thunderous roar echoed nearby, and a massive waterfall hung in the air not far away, its crashing sound like thunder.
The splashing water seemed to land on their faces and hair, and some droplets landed on their clashing swords, shattering into sparkling fragments that refracted rainbow light.
Chen Chuan remained undisturbed by these external distractions. It was as if he had returned to the training hall from that day, determined to use all his current abilities to overcome his opponent.
After an unknown amount of time, he finally felt unable to advance further. The sword paused, and Hong Fu maintained her blocking stance, her red garments fluttering in the wind. Her expressive eyes stared at him.
A bell chimed from the ancient temple, and a flock of birds took flight from the forest, soaring into the distant sky.
The surroundings gradually faded, and the two found themselves back in the training room. The morning sun shone through the window, illuminating them.
Unbeknownst to them, an entire night had passed.
Hong Fu sheathed her sword and stepped back, and Chen Chuan heard a voice in his ear, "Trainee Chen Chuan, second assessment results:
Strength: Excellent
Speed: Excellent
Technique: Above Average
Battle Reaction: Excellent (Slightly Improved)
Combat Decision-Making: Outstanding (Unchanged)
Overall Score: 84.
Potential Assessment: Omitted.
Third Limit Success Rate Assessment: 81%."
Chen Chuan skimmed through the report, his eyes immediately drawn to the last item, "Eighty-one percent..." This score had already surpassed the required threshold.
This was achieved in his weakened state, and he wondered what his true strength would be. Passing the third limit was now within reach, and this score would be more than sufficient for the academy.
He bowed to Hong Fu, "Thank you."
Hong Fu raised her sword in return, and as her red garments spun, she gracefully departed.
Meanwhile, in the principal assistant's office on the top floor, Assistant Ling soon received a new assessment report.
"Eighty-one percent..."
He muttered to himself, "Just over a month since admission, and such improvement. Or perhaps... is this your true strength? Hmm..."
He used the Boundary Vessel to communicate, "Yes, I received it. As soon as the news spread, he came for the assessment, and the result was eighty-one percent."
The person across the Boundary Vessel pondered, "With this score, the chances of entering the Third Limit are high. His identity is suitable, too. Are you planning to invite him?"
Assistant Ling replied, "I think we should observe further. If Wu Ruo's death is indeed related to him, this might not be his true strength. We need to test him further."
The other person asked, "How do you plan to do that?"
Assistant Ling responded, "It's simple." He looked down at the countless skyscrapers outside the mansion, "I'll find a way to leak Chen Chuan's assessment to Zhao Qian. When he sees the results, he'll handle it for us."
"Zhao Qian? I understand your intention. But after he learns about the real world, he'll comprehend our actions."
...
...
(End of Chapter)
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