Chapter 121: Chapter 117: Eastern Capital Military Academy’s Number 1 (Part 2)

’It still hurts!’

’Handsome men are nothing but trouble!’

Kong Kun, however, remained silent, merely clenching his fists.

"Let’s go. I’ll take you to see the Battle Rankings, and we’ll pick up a couple of training uniforms on the way," Gui Zian said simply, then turned to lead the way.

「...」

The grounds of the Eastern Capital Military Academy were vast.

Gao Neng had arrived the previous night and hadn’t gotten a good look around. This morning, he’d gone straight to the training grounds. Walking through the campus now, he found it all quite novel.

He didn’t waste any time, though.

After this morning’s great battle, he had come to truly understand that at the Eastern Capital Military Academy, strength was everything. If he weren’t strong enough, he’d probably have been beaten to death by now.

After walking for a bit, Gao Neng began to cultivate as he observed his surroundings.

His Spiritual Power was formidable, allowing him to multitask. So, as he followed Gui Zian, he also continued to magnetize his arms.

"You can multitask?" Gui Zian paused, seemingly able to sense the energy fluctuations as Gao Neng magnetized his body.

"Multitask?!" Kong Kun and Feng Qingqing’s expressions changed.

Gao Neng just nodded casually.

’Isn’t this standard practice?’

"Even if you can multitask, magnetizing your body while walking consumes an immense amount of Spiritual Power," Gui Zian continued.

"It’s fine. My bone marrow, muscles, and blood are perfected, so my Spiritual Power recovers quickly." Gao Neng didn’t bother being secretive; after all, they would all be training together from now on.

Kong Kun and Feng Qingqing’s expressions changed once more.

It wasn’t just them; even Gui Zian’s expression flickered.

’So what if you’re a genius?!’

’Damn it!’

"Gao Neng, Gao Neng, what color is your magnetic core?" Fang Tangtang, on the other hand, didn’t seem too discouraged by his words. Instead, she sidled up next to him.

"What about yours?" Gao Neng asked cautiously.

"Hahaha, even though I’m only at Tier Two Mid Stage, my magnetic core is light pink!" As she said this, a faint, proud smile graced her lips.

"Light pink?" Gao Neng nodded. Then, he glanced at his own magnetic core and instantly felt that something wasn’t right. His core, which had originally been bright red, had now turned into a light red.

’What’s going on?’

In truth, Gao Neng didn’t know much about the concept of magnetic cores.

Seeing this, he hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "I guess mine would be considered light pink?"

"What?! Yours is light pink too?" Fang Tangtang shrieked.

It wasn’t just her. Even Gui Zian, who was leading the way, froze mid-stride.

"Gao Neng, did you say your magnetic core is light pink? Are you sure?!" Gui Zian seemed utterly astonished, staring at Gao Neng in disbelief.

"I... think so? Is there a problem?" Gao Neng wondered inwardly. ’Why was it fine when Fang Tangtang said hers was light pink, but everyone has such a huge reaction when I say it?’

"Breaking the Fourth Human Limit is truly a world apart from the third!" Gui Zian nodded and explained, "The color of a magnetic core represents its ’quantity.’ To put it bluntly, different amounts of stored energy result in different colors. Generally, only someone at Tier Two Late Stage or Tier Three will have a pink core!"

"Oh, so what color comes after pink?"

"Red, of course."

"Huh? That’s really weird, then. Mine was definitely red last night. I don’t know how, but today it’s turned pink."

THUMP!

Feng Qingqing’s foot slipped, and she nearly fell flat on her rear.

Meanwhile, Gui Zian, Kong Kun, and Fang Tangtang were frozen on the spot. The three exchanged a look, with Kong Kun and Fang Tangtang staring at Gao Neng as if he were some kind of monster.

Even Gui Zian’s expression twitched.

"Gao Neng, this is no time for jokes. Was your magnetic core actually red?" Gui Zian’s expression was exceptionally serious.

"It really was," Gao Neng nodded.

"How long did it take you to break through and become an Energy Warrior?" Gui Zian asked.

"About two months, I think. Dr. Lan knows about it." Gao Neng had considered hiding it, but it wasn’t really a secret; after all, Dr. Lan and his team already knew.

’Of course, the main thing is that Gui Zian just said the core’s color only represents its energy storage. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?’

"Two months!" Gui Zian’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. Then, he mused, "What a damn monster. A Tier One’s magnetic core is the same as a Tier Four’s?!"

"By the way, what color is your core, Instructor?" Gao Neng asked tentatively.

"Me? Heh heh, you’re just trying to ask what my strength level is, aren’t you, kid? No harm in telling you. My magnetic core is purple, and I’m a Tier Seven. If you want revenge for this morning, I’m happy to accept your challenge." Gui Zian sneered. ’No matter how much of a freak you are, you’re still just a Tier One right now.’

’Did you really think I can’t keep you in line?’

"Haha... You’re joking, Instructor. How could I possibly fight you?" Only then did Gao Neng truly realize Gui Zian’s level of strength.

’He’s actually a Tier Seven?!’

’No wonder his aura is even more oppressive than Shen Ning’Er’s!’

’I wonder what tier Shen Ning’Er is at now?’

"I don’t mind if you want to fight. The invitation is always open." Gui Zian had naturally guessed what Gao Neng was thinking and replied casually before continuing, "Your magnetic core’s color has faded likely due to energy consumption. You might want to go to Logistics and trade for some Energy Pills."

"Are they free?"

"In your dreams. Energy Pills are refined from energy-rich ores and herbs; how could they possibly be free? If you want to trade for them, use Merit Points!"

"Merit Points can be exchanged for Energy Pills?"

"Not only can you exchange Merit Points for Energy Pills, you can trade them for all sorts of things. Even promotions in military rank are tied to Merit Points!" This time, it was Fang Tangtang who answered. At the mention of Merit Points, her eyes lit up again. "Gao Neng, are you short on cash? I can buy your Merit Points from you."

"The academy’s Merit Points can’t be bought with money. No matter how rich you are, you have no hope of getting a promotion without them," Kong Kun, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.

"Kong Kun, what’s your rank?" Fang Tangtang asked immediately.

"Sergeant. Why?" Kong Kun replied.

"Oh, nothing. It’s just that I’m already a Lieutenant. Would I ever deliberately flaunt my rank in front of a Sergeant like you?" Fang Tangtang beamed.

"..." Kong Kun was speechless.

"Alright, we’re here!" Just then, Gui Zian finally stopped. He pointed to four massive screens on the building before them. "Those are the Battle Rankings."

"The Battle Rankings!" Gao Neng looked up.

Before him were four massive screens, and at the top of each was a large letter: "A," "B," "C," and "D."

Below those letters, each screen listed the names of twenty teams.

After each team’s name were the names of its captain and members.

In addition to that...

In front of each team, there was also a corresponding number.

For example, the top team on the "A" ranking read: "ID: Training Room 001, Hunt God Team (Captain: Lin Ying; Members: Chen Qing, Qiao Yaqiu, Han Yuping)." Each team consisted of four people.

"So if I defeat this... ’Hunt God Team,’ I’ll be number one on the Battle Rankings, right?" Gao Neng asked casually, looking at the names on the screen.

"That’s right. Defeat the Hunt God Team, and you’ll be number one on the rankings. Defeat Lin Ying, and you’ll be the number one student in the entire Eastern Capital Military Academy. To be honest, that Lin Ying kid’s strength is pretty average. Tier Five Late Stage, with seven talents over 80 percent. Want to give it a shot?" Gui Zian said with a placid, sarcastic smile.

"No need to think about it. First place on the Battle Rankings is mine for the taking. And not just that, I’m determined to become the number one student at the Eastern Capital Military Academy," Gao Neng stated with a calm expression.

’Tier Five Late Stage? So what?’

Before he’d even become an Energy Warrior, he had already taken Shen Ning’Er down twice. Was that something he’d just make up?

(Today’s update is a bit late, but here’s a 4,000-word Chapter for you!)