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Kyoto No. 2 Middle School.
Xuan Tianwen's gaze fell on the Thunder Flood Dragon, Lei Jiao, and he remained stunned for a long time.
He confidently declared war, but it ended in a draw...
No!
He lost!
"Lei Jiao's level is one level higher than its opponent. Even with the advantage, I only managed a draw. I'm still the one who lost."
Although this wasn't a martial arts exam, he still couldn't believe Lei Jiao had lost to its opponent.
If the opponents were Mu Bing and Beiming Yan, he would find it normal; after all, he had a mixed record against them.
Only Liu Fufeng was terrifyingly strong, and he had a contract with the Liu family's inherited magical beast—the Golden Dragon. He had never seen anyone stronger than Liu Fufeng among his peers.
Xuan Tianwen suddenly stood up and began training.
The pressure was overwhelming. If he lost in the match a month from now, securing a good ranking this year would be nearly impossible.
Yan Tao rubbed his face, feeling like crying.
"Is this year's event some kind of hellish challenge? I'm already at the Third Rank early-stage, and I'm still getting beaten up!"
In previous years, he would have been a solid top-20 contender in the national martial arts exam.
Thinking of this, Yan Tao couldn't help but feel curious about Ling Qingxue's identity.
...
Lingtian Middle School, Kunpeng Class.
The atmosphere in the entire class of thirty was extremely tense.
Even the usually active students were shrinking back, not daring to speak.
Lin Yutang stood on the podium, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"I won't comment too much on your performance today. I believe you all know what you're capable of.
Today, I'm announcing the school's latest resource allocation plan!"
At this, everyone looked up at Lin Yutang. This was a matter of great importance to their cultivation.
"For the last three months, the principal encourages everyone to challenge students from Nanhua Middle School. As long as the opponent's level is not lower than yours, you will receive a reward. Challenging opponents of a higher level will double the reward. This reward will be 30% of your original resources!
If you don't challenge, you'll only receive a maximum of 70% of your original resources. Challenging and winning could potentially exceed your original resources. The choice is yours!"
Hearing this announcement, Chen Feng's eyes lit up.
He was already a hardcore gamer; challenges were just part of his daily training.
If he could obtain more resources, he might have a chance to break through to the Second Rank peak within the last three months!
"Let's get to it! From now on, I'll dedicate three hours every day to challenges, only fighting those little brats from Nanhua!"
"Damn, doesn't that mean some people will get fewer resources?"
"What's that got to do with anyone else? It's your own fault for being useless. Win a few more matches, and you'll get the rewards!"
A lively discussion ensued.
Lin Yutang was fairly satisfied with everyone's performance; at least they seemed motivated.
He tapped the lectern to signal for quiet.
"You've all witnessed Ling Qingxue's strength and talent today. You're not at her level. That may sound harsh, but it's the truth. Avoid provoking her in the future. If something happens, you'll be the ones in trouble."
Lin Yutang smiled slightly. "Let me tell you, the principal specifically recruited Ling Qingxue to our school to groom her for a top-ten ranking in the martial arts exam!"
The entire Kunpeng Class stared wide-eyed.
Top ten in the martial arts exam!
Millions of martial artists participate in the martial arts exam every year; it was so difficult to get into the top ten!
Furthermore, Nanchuan Province had never produced a top-ten martial arts prodigy.
Zhou Weiwei looked somewhat uncertain.
"But Ling Qingxue is only at the Second Rank mid-stage. Even if her combat power reaches the Second Rank peak, it's probably impossible for her to get into the top ten in the martial arts exam, right?"
The others were equally incredulous.
"Yeah, the level gap is too big. Even at our school, it'd be tough for her to break through to the Third Rank in the remaining three months."
"It's more than just difficult. Our Brother Yan has been stuck at the Second Rank peak for over a month. He'll need at least another month to break through to the Third Rank. Even if Ling Qingxue is a genius, she can't do it, right?"
"Holy crap! Guys, look at the news!"
Someone swore, and everyone started pulling out their phones.
[The biggest dark horse of this year's martial arts exam has emerged! Brothers, train like crazy!!!]
A video took first place in the top trending topics. In less than an hour, it had millions of views, hundreds of thousands of comments, and was being shared like crazy.
This level of popularity was almost comparable to the martial arts exam itself.
Lin Yutang was also somewhat puzzled, so he turned on the multimedia computer in the classroom to check.
A moment later, a battle video appeared on the screen. The two sides fighting were Wu Liang and Lei Jiao.
Or rather, Ling Qingxue and Xuan Tianwen.
"That's Xuan Tianwen! A top contender for this year's martial arts exam champion. He's already at the Third Rank mid-stage! How could she be on equal footing with him?!"
"Damn, that kitten-sized beast is a Third Rank beast! Its strength is on par with Xuan Tianwen's Thunder Flood Dragon?!"
"Incredible! I'm actually in the same school with a genius like that!!"
The initial resentment towards Ling Qingxue had completely vanished.
Who the hell would dare to disagree?!
The fact that she could fight on equal terms with Xuan Tianwen meant that she was qualified, at the very least, to compete for a place in the top ten in this year's martial arts exam.
To have a chance at the top-ten ranking, Shen Congwu practically begged her to come—yet they still dared to gather and block the entrance...
It was like the sky had fallen!
Qin Hongyan swallowed hard, feeling incredibly uneasy.
"This is just a simulated battle, and only a fight between magical beasts. Ling Qingxue and Xuan Tianwen haven't actually fought. If they really fought, Ling Qingxue would most likely lose."
Normally, he would have said that she would definitely lose, but now he had to be more tactful.
This was someone he couldn't afford to offend.
Lin Yutang tried hard to suppress a grin.
"Alright, alright, winning or losing is other people's business. What you should be doing now is focusing on your training!"
He hurriedly left the classroom.
As soon as he entered Principal Shen Congwu's office, he heard Shen Congwu and Zhang Tiancheng arguing.
"Shen Congwu, you bastard! Did you already know that Ling Qingxue's magical beast possesses the Taotie bloodline? You're a real scoundrel!"
Shen Congwu deliberately moved his phone further away, his face full of smugness.
"Zhang Tiancheng, what are you yelling about? I'm not deaf. It's not my fault that you're blind. My good judgment is none of your business! This year, Lingtian Middle School will definitely surpass Nanhua Middle School. Just you wait!"
The phone call ended, and Zhang Tiancheng, sitting in his Nanhua Middle School office, was furious, his face turning black.
To be honest, he was now filled with deep regret.
If he had known that Ling Qingxue's magical beast possessed the Taotie bloodline, he probably would have gone to great lengths to recruit her to Nanhua High School.
That ferocious bloodline alone would have guaranteed a spot in the top thirty and even a push into the top ten.
But now, while everyone knew about the Taotie bloodline, Shen Congwu had already poached her, and she even had the potential to be a top student!
This was tantamount to Shen Congwu slapping his face.
"Damn it! If I had another chance, I'd rather sleep on the ground outside Linjiang Middle School than leave!"
Just because he left early, he didn't even get to see Ling Qingxue, thus missing out on a top-tier talent.