Chapter 36: Top 20 in the Grade
Chapter 36: Top 20 in the Grade (Please Support)
Tianhai No.2 High School, Virtual Chamber
"Now only Lin Qi hasn't exited yet. He's taking way too long."
"How many examiners did he fight? The fifth? Or the sixth?"
A group gathered around a Neural Pod, discussing curiously.
"Buzz~"
"It's opening. Lin Qi's coming out."
The Neural Pod door slid open. Lin Qi opened his eyes to see several pairs of surprised eyes staring at him.
He calmly stood up. Nearby, Chen Zichuan, Yang Lei, and others had already exited their pods.
"Brother Qi, you stayed in the first round the longest. How many examiners did you fight?" Jiang Tao asked eagerly.
"You'll know when the results come out", Lin Qi replied with a smile.
"Brother Qi, you've gotten worse! Now you're teasing us with suspense", Jiang Tao shook his head.
Lin Qi's mind was still replaying the battle—using the Mountain-Shattering Spear Method to defeat the seventh examiner, then facing the eighth. But the fight lasted less than thirty seconds before he was killed, even using his ultimate move. The gap was too wide. The opponent's spear techniques had already reached the Second Stage, and they could use killing moves too.
Though he lost, he gained valuable insights. Witnessing a stronger version of the Mountain-Shattering Spear Method showed him room for improvement.
As he pondered, Chen Zichuan approached, handing him a drink.
"Thanks. This was my first time using a Neural Pod", Chen Zichuan said gratefully.
"Don't mention it. We're all from ordinary families and classmates. Of course we help each other", Lin Qi declined the thanks while accepting the drink.
"Exactly, Chen Zichuan. Mutual help is natural", Jiang Tao chimed in, patting Chen Zichuan's shoulder.
Chen Zichuan nodded silently, smiling.
The three's bond had grown stronger without words.
...
Nearby, Zhang Cheng watched Lin Qi before returning his gaze to his tablet.
"Lin Qi's exam is done. Let me see how many examiners he defeated."
Zhang Cheng operated his tablet, logging into the Tianhai Education Bureau's backend. As an examiner, he had early access to results.
"Defeating the sixth examiner should be fine. The seventh might be difficult, but scoring around 700 would be great."
Zhang Cheng thought, scrolling through rapidly refreshing data. Then his pupils constricted.
"The eighth examiner?"
Zhang Cheng was genuinely shocked. He knew the eighth examiner had already reached the Second Stage. When Lin Qi first entered the Elite Class, he'd been ranked 45th in the grade. Even the Mountain-Shattering Spear Method had been learned from Zhang Cheng himself.
He knew Lin Qi's starting level better than anyone.
"Good kid. I knew I wasn't wrong about you."
After the shock came deep satisfaction. As the Martial Arts Instructor, he understood Lin Qi's progress best.
"I'm starting to look forward to his ranking this time", Zhang Cheng smiled.
...
Yu Jing exited the Virtual Chamber, quickly glancing at the adjacent Neural Pod.
Seeing Li Zhou hadn't exited yet, his expression darkened. They'd entered simultaneously, so Li Zhou still fighting meant he was weaker by comparison.
Sure enough, Li Zhou exited soon after, shaking his head in dissatisfaction.
"Did you defeat the eighth examiner?" Yu Jing asked.
"Guess!" Li Zhou grinned.
"I'm not a kid. Guessing is pointless", Yu Jing frowned.
Li Zhou grinned wider, walking away.
"Silence!"
Zhang Cheng stood, checking the time before scanning the crowd.
"After today's assessment, all results are finalized."
"Now return to your classroom. Your homeroom teacher will announce the scores and rankings."
Silence fell instantly. Many faces tensed, hearts pounding.
For everyone, the rankings were always a massive test, carrying immense pressure.
...
That evening, Tianhai City's high schools glowed with lights as countless prodigies brimmed with tension.
Meanwhile, the Martial Arts Education Bureau's backend frantically tallied scores for comprehensive rankings.
Elite Class Classroom
Students chatted nervously to mask their anxiety.
"I'm doomed. I might get kicked out of the Elite Class."
"I worked hard this month. My ranking must rise."
"In Second High, I was 11th. In Tianhai, I should make top thirty."
"Top thirty? Dream on. Be happy if you hit fifty."
Amid the chatter, Homeroom Teacher Yan Hong arrived late, her expression unreadable.
"Classmates, today's Tianhai Monthly Assessment is complete. All scores are ready."
"Each year's Monthly Assessment is crucial. It shows your position and future goals."
"Teacher, just show the scores already", Yu Jing interrupted abruptly.
"Yu Jing..." Jiang Tao frowned in displeasure.
Lin Qi's brow furrowed. Yu Jing's behavior was excessive.
Yan Hong's expression shifted, irritation rising, but she suppressed it toward Yu Jing.
"No more talk. Here are the results."
She activated the projector. A massive screen displayed a table filled with data—50 headshots, each with subject scores, rankings...
All eyes locked on the screen, desperately searching for their names.
Lin Qi found his quickly. His lips curved slightly.
[Name: Lin Qi]
[Academics: 922 (1st)]
[Vital Energy Stat: 820 (23rd)]
[Martial Arts: 800 (16th)]
[Total Score: 804.4]
[Grade Rank: 18th]
[City Rank: 288th]
...
His academic score topped the grade. Vital Energy ranked 23rd, martial arts 16th.
In a month, his Vital Energy had risen from 6.2 to 8.2—a massive 2.0 leap.
As for spear techniques, defeating the seventh examiner but being instantly killed by the eighth earned him 800 points—purely due to his combat prowess exceeding his technique level.
His grade ranking soared from 45th to 18th, breaking into the top twenty.
Beside him, Jiang Tao laughed heartily.
"I knew it! 7th place! I'm in the top ten! I'll get my own cool nickname now!"
Excited, he hugged Lin Qi tightly.
"Congratulations, Tao!"
"Wait, Bro Qi. How did you do?"
Regaining composure, Jiang Tao searched the screen for Lin Qi's name.
When he saw the ranking, his pupils widened.
"18TH Place?!"
"Bro Qi, are you defying heaven?!"
His exclamation sparked a chain reaction. Others noticed too.
"Did I read that right? Lin Qi overtook me? I'm 19th!" someone gasped.
"Is this real? From 45th to 18th?!" another cried.
Zhu Yuqi watched Lin Qi with equal astonishment, curiosity burning in her eyes.
In a corner, Yang Lei paled. He'd barely escaped elimination at 48th place while Lin Qi soared into the top twenty.
One in heaven, one in hell.
"I mocked him. I'm such an idiot!"
(End of Chapter)
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