Chapter 104: Fair, Just, and Open

Aside from the school trustees and administrators on the main stage, dozens of seats were arranged to the east and west of the martial arena. These seats were occupied by the various elites of Yuanjiang, along with the parents of the students undergoing the test.

Seeing them either boasting loudly and showing off to everyone around, or looking about with anxious eyes, Xiao Nan felt glad he had stopped his mother, Tan Qiuyi, and his younger sister, Xiao Bei, from coming to the school. Had they come, given his reputation at school, they would likely have been subjected to a relentless onslaught of showboating by others.

Withdrawing a fraction of his spiritual power from the "Sitting in Oblivion" state, Xiao Nan sensed the emotions of the crowd. His mind became as clear as a polished mirror, reflecting everything around him with microscopic clarity and meticulous detail. He knew that after these past few days of continuous visualization, his spiritual power had quietly taken another major step forward, building upon his current realm. He just wasn't sure how far he still was from the next level.

However, he was certain that this strange, illuminating, and microscopic perception was not something everyone possessed.

Looking around, Xiao Nan quickly located his class. There, their homeroom teacher, Yang Yankun, was leading the group. Lin Hao and several others were itching to go. None of the eighteen students who felt confident in their vitality values were willing to give up.

Just as he was about to walk over, a sweet fragrance wafted over. Tang Zhixuan was approaching.

She still wore that sleepy, half-awake expression, leaving one to wonder what she had been up to the night before. Her eyes were half-lidded, carrying a subtle, alluring charm that easily set minds wandering. She looked like a fox spirit that had slipped into the mortal realm, but Xiao Nan knew better—she was a tigress. Within the space of the bronze mirror, he had personally experienced just how fierce and wild she could be.

"Xiao Nan, if you find yourself outmatched later, don't force it. Just admit defeat and step down quickly," she said. "Don't worry, when the recruiters from the third-tier martial academies come to the school, I'll keep an eye out to make sure Lin Anguo doesn't try any underhanded tricks."

*Do you really think that little of me?*

Xiao Nan was speechless. His vitality value had almost reached 5.0, and his strength had surpassed his level, reaching an astonishing fifteen hundred pounds. How could he possibly fail a mere vitality test? Talk about poor judgment.

Still, he understood that not everyone possessed his microscopic sensory perception. He couldn't entirely blame Tang Zhixuan. Rumors repeated often enough became accepted as truth, and with everyone gossiping about his poor vitality and weak strength, she had naturally believed them. After all, before breaking through to become a Rank One martial artist, a cultivator's skin, muscles, tendons, and bones showed no outward signs of change. Unless they actually fought, the flow of vitality within their body was incredibly difficult for others to detect. Furthermore, his physique hadn't changed much, and the fluctuations of his vitality were exceptionally subtle. It was only natural that she couldn't see through him.

Seeing him remain silent, Tang Zhixuan assumed he was upset and added, "How about I contact my friend at Yanghe Martial Academy? Pulling strings isn't something to be ashamed of. You might get some cold looks at first, but once you gradually raise your vitality, your exceptional comprehension will ensure you don't fall too far behind."

At this point, Tang Zhixuan grew a little impatient. She felt she had already gone above and beyond for her junior sister, Qin Shuang. Taking such good care of Qin Shuang's kept man was doing more than enough; what more did they expect from her?

Xiao Nan shook his head with a smile. "No need. I have my own plans."

"What plans could you possibly have?" Tang Zhixuan rolled her eyes in annoyance, her tone turning slightly displeased. "You probably don't know much about these things, so you don't realize how dangerous it is. That Savage Ape puppet is a third-generation Imperial model, designed for exploring other realms, mining, and hunting. Even though it's just cannon-fodder grade, it's still not something you students should be facing. For this exam, the school will lower its attack and defense parameters, capping them at the threshold for entering a second-tier academy. Others might stand a chance, but you lack strength, which means you likely won't be able to block the puppet's 'Eighteen Wind-Tearing Claws.' If you get injured, you won't just miss out on Yanghe Martial Academy—you'll miss the recruitment for the third-tier ones as well."

"Are you saying the school is going to lower the puppet's attack and defense?" A spark of realization flashed through Xiao Nan's mind as he began to piece things together.

"Don't even think about it. I won't help you rig it, and besides, the logistics department wouldn't listen to me anyway," Tang Zhixuan said hastily, fearing that Xiao Nan was about to ask for a favor.

With so many eyes on them—trustees, school administrators, parents, and most importantly, the official invigilators from the Ministry of Education—doing something like that was out of the question. Pulling strings behind the scenes was one thing, but cheating in broad daylight was taking it too far. If she were exposed, her reputation would be utterly ruined. How could she ever show her face again? Even if it was for her junior sister's sake, there were lines she wouldn't cross.

"You misunderstand, Teacher Tang. How could I put you in such a difficult position?" Xiao Nan realized that this tigress actually had a rather naive side, and her imagination tended to run wild. He added, "I will play it by ear when the time comes."

"Hmph, see if I ever try to help you again." Tang Zhixuan shook her head helplessly and turned to leave. She looked back one last time and said, "Don't come crying to me when you get hurt. Oh, and here's a piece of news: of the hundred or so students who passed the martial arts test, twenty-nine of them who lacked confidence have already voluntarily withdrawn from the vitality test." With that, she finally walked away.

She was in charge of combat instruction for Class Five and Class Six, so she couldn't afford to waste too much time on Xiao Nan alone.

"Xiao Nan, Teacher Tang seems to care about you a lot," a voice whispered mysteriously from beside him.

"Why do you pop up like a ghost?" Xiao Nan had been deeply engrossed in trying to figure out what tricks Lin Anguo might pull, and hadn't noticed Xiong Bing sneaking up on him. The big guy was like a lingering spirit. What was he trying to achieve?

Xiong Bing wore a look of deep grievance on his honest face. *I walked over in broad daylight, and you didn't even notice. Am I really that invisible?*

Putting his grievances aside, Xiong Bing composed himself and smiled. "Teacher Tang doesn't think you'll pass because she doesn't know what you're truly capable of. Personally, I think anyone else might fail today, but not you. Passing this vitality test will be a breeze for you. Even if the puppet's attack and defense weren't lowered, it would still be easy."

"You're overthinking things," Xiao Nan scoffed. The big guy was still playing mind games, clearly trying to probe him. If anyone fell for Xiong Bing's simple-minded act, they would be sorely mistaken.

...

"Xiao Nan, keep it up! Go, Xiao Nan!" A chorus of clear, ringing cheers erupted from nearby, surprisingly loud and enthusiastic.

Xiao Nan turned to look and saw Zhang Xiaorou standing at the front of the student assembly, pumping her small fists in front of her chest to cheer him on. Surrounding her were more than forty other girls, giggling as they held up a banner that read: *Xiao Nan's Fan Club*. Some of them were even waving pom-poms in the air.

How embarrassing. Xiao Nan felt a sudden urge to bury his face in his hands.

After a moment's hesitation, he turned toward them, flashed a perfectly warm, gentle smile, and waved. After all, they were his support group, and he couldn't be too cold.

Ignoring the strange looks from the crowd, Xiao Nan walked with steady steps to join his class, waiting for the test to begin. He stole a glance at the main stage and saw that Zhang Yi's face had turned completely black. Clearly, he was both shocked and exasperated by his daughter's antics, yet utterly powerless to stop her.

...

A dark shadow crossed Li Shaohua's eyes. He looked down at the broadsword in his hand, glanced toward Xiao Nan, and his lips twitched slightly.

"Grandstanding..." His voice was barely a whisper, unheard by anyone.

Only Lin Hao's eyes flickered, as if he were contemplating something.

...

"...Students, as martial arts candidates, you must possess the spirit of challenging yourselves, pushing your limits, and having the courage to fight and win. The future of the Empire belongs to you... Today is the day to test the fruits of your daily cultivation. You must be bold yet meticulous, and take this exam seriously. This senior year vitality test will adhere to the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency. We will not overlook a single promising talent, nor will we allow anyone unqualified to slip through by luck."

Lin Anguo swung his arm forcefully, his voice ringing with passionate fervor.

"Next, we will begin with the martial arts candidates of Senior Class One. Bring out the puppet!"

As the two-meter-tall, silver-white alloy Savage Ape puppet stepped onto the stage, thunderous applause erupted from all sides.