Chapter 285: The Second Test
Chapter 285: The Second Test
"Instructor Trainee?" Chen Chuan contemplated the suggestion.
Ni Qianqian glanced around and said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's discuss it in the car. I'll drive you back to school first."
The two walked out and got into the car. As Ni Qianqian started the engine, she said, "You should know about the external students, those who are brought in by the academy to participate in the arena fights.
Instructor trainees, simply put, are assigned to guide and spar with these external students, and the academy will provide them with evaluation points for their efforts."
This wasn't good news.
"Once you accept this arrangement, it's difficult to extricate yourself. You're essentially being pushed into the arena fights. For instance, if an external student is injured or dies, and there's a temporary shortage of fighters, the commercial operations won't just stop. After all, there are many interests and groups backing them. So, if they need a replacement on short notice, who would be the most suitable candidate?
You got it—the instructor trainee. It's only natural, right?"
She spoke with a hint of ridicule, then turned serious as she looked at Chen Chuan.
"Little Brother Chen, I remember your evaluation score was thirty-five percent. You're also part of this. If you were to be a temporary replacement, it's not impossible. But once you step into the arena, don't even think about backing out. You'd be bound to it, and don't consider being passive, unless you don't care about your evaluation points.
A low evaluation score could mean the risk of expulsion or being directly converted to an external student, with the latter being more likely. Even if you want to quit, some people in the academy will use the school rules to legally bind you."
She paused, then continued, "This is just what I can think of. There are definitely other methods I'm unaware of, so you must not go!"
Chen Chuan looked out the car window. At some point, the rain had started falling, merging with the lights outside, blurring the tall buildings and even the shadows on the car window.
He thought for a moment, then said, "Sister Ni, if formal students from Wu Yi are arranged to participate in commercial arena fights, won't the Processing Bureau and higher-ups inquire about it?"
Ni Qianqian sighed, "The Processing Bureau will pay attention to students they've invested resources in, but they can't interfere with the school's specific management. Moreover, Vice Chancellor Tan Wei Xing, Assistant Ling's main assistant, is said to have assumed his position with an important task.
Since his appointment, he has indeed brought some benefits to the Jinbei Dao Wu Yi Academy. In recent years, the Wu Yi Academy has not only become self-sufficient but also generates profits and provides financial support to the Processing Bureau. Therefore, many of his actions are tacitly approved, and even if he does something out of line, he has ways to suppress it.
Not only you, but even students with backgrounds and influence wouldn't find it difficult for him to target them."
Ni Qianqian continued, "Actually, there have been rumors about using formal students in arena fights before, but there hasn't been any action yet. Now that it's being brought up, it's likely that they're preparing to officially push it forward."
At this moment, Chen Chuan couldn't help but think of the words Wu Teacher had said to him. It seemed that the latter wasn't entirely deceiving him; there was some truth to it.
Ni Qianqian stared at the road ahead, illuminated by the headlights, and said, "Now, there's only one way. You need to improve your evaluation to enter the third limit, which can help you avoid a lot of trouble later on."
Chen Chuan considered this. This semester, he had three assessment opportunities, and he had only used one so far. But at that time, he had just entered the academy and wasn't familiar with the specifics, so he tested at the lowest state.
Of course, now, after just over a month, his strength had significantly improved. Even if he suppressed his power, it wasn't comparable to his past self.
"After I go back, I'll take the test," Chen Chuan said.
"Are you confident?" Ni Qianqian suddenly laughed and said, "Hey, it's me asking too much. Look at how you performed just now; how could you not be confident? But..." She fixed her gaze on Chen Chuan and said seriously, "You must try to improve your score. If it's too low, there's still a possibility of complications."
However, Chen Chuan felt that a high score might not necessarily be a good thing. A low state should be sufficient to handle the situation, and even if this assessment wasn't enough, he still had one more chance.
"Thank you, Sister Ni, I understand," he replied.
The rain gradually intensified as the red sports car drove through the straight streets, flanked by towering buildings, and eventually arrived back at the Mystic Palace Tower.
After parting ways with Ni Qianqian, Chen Chuan returned to the dormitory. He went to the washroom to freshen up, then took out a box of treasure ointment, consumed it, and absorbed its effects.
Since he had made up his mind, there was no need for hesitation. After all, he would need to be active after taking the ointment, so he might as well use this opportunity to test his abilities.
As for warming up with the Xuejun Blade, it wasn't necessary against Hong Fu. With his current abilities, he couldn't harm Hong Fu, and the sharpness of the blade made no difference.
After completing his preparations, he entered the training room and stood still, drawing the Xuejun Blade from its sheath. "Hong Fu, I'm going to take the second test," he said.
A red shadow moved, and Hong Fu appeared in the room. She glanced at the Xuejun Blade in his hand and reached out to take it. In her hand, a goose-feather saber with a red tassel appeared.
Chen Chuan felt a sudden sensation and looked up to find himself standing in front of an ancient temple. The bell under the eaves swayed, the stone niches were mottled, and fallen leaves covered the ground. Ancient trees surrounded the area, and rays of light filtered through the gaps in the leaves, landing on the open space in front of him. Birdsong echoed from the mysterious forest, and a hint of sandalwood fragrance seemed to tickle his nose.
Hong Fu remained silent, her lively eyes visible above her veil, gazing at him.
Chen Chuan took a deep breath, slowly moving the Xuejun Blade, holding it with both hands at his side, his gaze fixed on Hong Fu. After a moment, he stepped forward, raising the blade and bringing it down.
Hong Fu turned, and in a flash of red, she deflected the blade with her own, her posture graceful and agile.
Chen Chuan had been following Teacher Zheng's teachings these days, and although he hadn't yet engaged in actual combat, he had almost mastered the control of his force.
He now understood that the assessment required him to demonstrate his skills and abilities to the fullest, and winning or losing didn't matter here.
Moreover, 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 Organ, allowing various emotions to surge within him, and all his altered organs worked together to unleash their power, ensuring that each strike was executed to its maximum potential.
Hong Fu raised her blade to block, and no matter where the blade light came from, she could deflect it with ease. Her techniques were not only exquisite but also graceful in motion.
However, her strength was no different from that of a real person. Everything she did seemed achievable by a martial artist, and the genuine, solid power in the clash of their blades made it hard to believe she was just an active consciousness.
Chen Chuan ignored all this and focused solely on the battle, discarding all distractions. He was completely immersed, forgetting about winning or losing, and swung his blade again and again, each strike attempting to surpass the previous one.
The medicinal power of the Treasure Ointment was continuously unleashed, supporting his unrestrained performance in this state.
Hong Fu maintained her strength and speed, keeping them on par with Chen Chuan's. As the two blades clashed and collided, the two seemed to gradually move out of the forest and onto a large rock. A thunderous roar echoed nearby, and a massive waterfall suspended in mid-air appeared in the distance, its crashing sound reverberating.
The splashing water seemed to land on both their faces and hair, and droplets fell onto the clashing blades, shattering into sparkling fragments that refracted rainbow-colored light.
Chen Chuan wasn't distracted by these external factors. He felt like he had returned to that day in the training hall, determined to use all his current abilities to push back the opponent before him.
After an unknown period, he finally felt unable to advance further. The blade paused, and Hong Fu maintained her blocking stance, her red clothes fluttering in the wind.
Suddenly, a bell rang out from the ancient temple, and a flock of birds took flight, soaring into the distant sky.
The surrounding scenery slowly faded, and the two of them remained in the training room. The morning sun shone through the window, illuminating them.
Unbeknownst to them, a night had passed.
Hong Fu sheathed her blade and took a step back, and a voice sounded in Chen Chuan's ear: "Trainee Chen Chuan, the results of your second assessment are as follows:
"Strength Performance: Excellent
Speed Performance: Excellent
Technique Performance: Above Average
Battle Reaction: Excellent (Slightly Improved)
Combat Decision-Making: Outstanding (Unchanged)
Overall Rating: 84 points.
Potential Assessment: Omitted.
Third Limit Success Rate Assessment: 81%."
Chen Chuan skimmed through the results, his eyes landing on the last item, "Eighty-one percent..." This data had already surpassed the assessment line.
And this was just the result of his performance in a weakened state. He didn't know what his true strength would be, but passing the third limit seemed effortless now. This result was more than sufficient to present to the academy.
He clasped his fists towards Hong Fu in gratitude, "Thank you."
Hong Fu returned the gesture, and as her red clothes spun, she gracefully departed.
Meanwhile, in the principal's assistant's room on the top floor, Assistant Ling soon received a new test result.
"Eighty-one percent..."
He muttered to himself, "After just over a month in the hospital, he's improved so much, or perhaps... is this your true strength? Hmm..."
He used the Boundary Token to contact someone, "Yes, I got it. As soon as the news got out, he came for the assessment, and the result? Eighty-one percent."
The person on the other side of the Boundary Token pondered for a moment, "With this value, the chances of entering the third limit are very high, and his identity is quite suitable. Are you planning to invite him?"
Assistant Ling replied, "I think we should observe a bit more. If Wu Ruo's death is indeed related to him, then this might not be his true strength yet. We need to test him further."
The other person asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Assistant Ling said, "It's simple." He turned and looked down at the countless skyscrapers of the tower, "I'll find a way to leak his assessment to Zhao Qian. When he sees Chen Chuan's test results, he'll take care of this matter for us."
"Zhao Qian? I understand your intention, but if you plan to invite him, he'll definitely find out about this in the future."
Assistant Ling smiled, "It's fine. After understanding the real world, he'll comprehend our actions."
...
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(End)
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