High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices-Chapter 35: Everyone is Working Hard

Principal Zhang’s fingers, which had been tapping on the desk, paused. "11.4? I remember he just broke past 11.0 half a month ago. At this rate, he hasn’t slowed down at all compared to before he reached Level 11!"

Wang Wenhai and Zhou Yun exchanged a look, and smiles appeared on their faces.

The three of them were all formidable Martial Artists, so they naturally understood what Principal Zhang meant.

It was normal for a Martial Artist’s Life Energy Level to increase rapidly before Level 11. For that growth to continue at such a pace afterward meant he could even digest D-level Potions quickly.

"Xu Wuyi has reached Minor Achievement in his *Basic Body Refining Technique*, and his Qi and Blood conversion efficiency is extremely high," Zhou Yun explained, her tone tinged with admiration.

"More importantly, his comprehension far exceeds our expectations. Not only is his Life Energy Level rising fast, but his progress in Martial Technique cultivation is also lightning-fast."

"Martial Technique?" Principal Zhang pressed. "Did he choose a weapon?"

"He chose the *Wind-Settling Spear*," Wang Wenhai added. "Based on our observations, he already has a preliminary grasp of the power-generation skills for the ’Cloud-Pushing Force,’ and has even begun trying to integrate Spear Intention into his Fist Technique."

"In the last ranking challenge, he was at the same Energy Level as Hu Haobo but defeated him with a single punch imbued with Spear Intention."

Principal Zhang leaned forward slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes. "Integrating the essence of a weapon-based Martial Art into his fists and feet? And it’s only been this long... It seems our Honghe First Middle School has truly found a treasure this year!"

He pondered for a moment, then said, "However, the folks from United and Silver Port are no pushovers. Yu Peiling went to the provincial capital for special training and won’t be in this joint exam, but they have other experts."

Zhou Yun’s expression grew a bit more solemn. "We’ve received news that Li Mo from Silver Port First High School has already reached a Life Energy Level of 12.5."

"12.5?" Wang Wenhai sucked in a shallow breath. "Now that’s a bit of a problem."

Principal Zhang nodded. "Mhm. This Li Mo’s Martial Arts techniques are said to be relatively mediocre, but he relies on the absolute advantage of his Life Energy Level to brute-force his way through. He’s hard to deal with."

"In addition, there are two others from United Middle School to watch out for. One is named Zhao Ding, with a Life Energy Level of 11.6. He cultivates the C-level Top-tier Defense Martial Arts, *Iron Wall Technique*, and has extreme stamina;"

"The other is a girl named Su Yueling, Life Energy Level 11.3. She’s the prized student of a famous master, excels at *Shadow Sword Technique*, and is nearly impossible to guard against."

He looked at the two teachers. "This joint exam will simulate the college entrance exam’s combat rules. First, there will be guided battles for placement, and then student-on-student battles to determine the final rankings."

"We’re not just fighting for individual places, but for the school’s overall performance. The Provincial Martial Arts Association’s special recruitment recommendation spots depend on this performance."

"Don’t worry, Principal. We’ve already drawn up a detailed plan to prepare," Zhou Yun said gravely.

"Good." A smile appeared on Principal Zhang’s face. "Go light another fire under the kids. The school has also prepared a reward. The individual who ranks first in the three-school joint exam will be rewarded with a 200,000 Federation coin funding allowance!"

...

「The next day. Training Hall No. 1.」

The atmosphere in the intensive training class was even more fiery than usual.

News about the three-school joint exam and the Provincial Martial Arts Association observers had already spread among the students.

Zhou Yun and Wang Wenhai stood at the front, their gazes sweeping over the twenty-four faces below, all brimming with fighting spirit.

"I presume you all know the news," Wang Wenhai’s voice boomed. "The three-school joint exam will be held on March fifth! This is the most important combat test before the college entrance exams, and a chance for you to show yourselves on a bigger stage."

Zhou Yun stepped forward. Her cold, clear voice landed like a splash of ice water, silencing the restless atmosphere. "The joint exam is packed with experts. Li Mo, from Silver Port First High School, has already reached a Life Energy Level of 12.5."

A wave of suppressed gasps rippled through the students.

A Life Energy Level of 12.5 was like a giant boulder pressing on everyone’s hearts.

Such a huge gap in Level meant a complete domination of Qi and Blood, strength, and speed.

"Scared?" Zhou Yun’s gaze was sharp. "The path of Martial Arts means that to meet the strong is to become stronger! Cowering before a fight is a Martial Artist’s greatest taboo!"

Her tone shifted, now carrying a hint of encouragement. "The principal has specifically instructed that for this joint exam, the school will distribute extra rewards based on ranking!"

"Anyone who makes it into the top twenty among the three schools will be rewarded. And if you can take first place, the reward is a 200,000 Federation coin funding allowance!"

"Two hundred thousand!"

At this, even the most composed Zeng Bonan’s eyes lit up, to say nothing of the others.

Two hundred thousand Federation coins, if used entirely to buy D-Level Qi Blood Potions, would be enough for one or two months!

Moreover, this was an extra reward; it wouldn’t use up their regular school funding allowance.

The enormous temptation instantly washed away the pressure, replacing it with an even more fiery fighting spirit.

"Now, the ranking challenges begin," Wang Wenhai announced at the perfect moment. "This is the final internal ranking adjustment before the joint exam. I expect you all to give it everything you’ve got!"

As soon as his voice fell, challenges rang out one after another.

Spurred on by the news of the joint exam and the huge reward, the atmosphere of the challenges this time was unprecedentedly fierce.

Everyone wanted to raise their rank at the last minute, obtain more resources, and face the joint exam in peak condition.

Shi Yi challenged a student ranked above him. After a hard-fought battle of ten minutes, he ultimately won by a narrow margin.

Liu Jing was also challenged again. This time her eyes were cold, and her fighting style was more ruthless and decisive than before. Her *Spirit Finger* struck out repeatedly, and in less than three minutes, she had taken down her opponent, securing her fourth-place position.

Hu Haobo also easily defeated a challenger. His *Stone Splitting Palm* seemed to have improved again; the force of his palm strikes was even more ferocious.

But right after, he was challenged by Liu Jing. With their Life Energy Levels being so close and both specializing in offense, the fight quickly became a head-on clash.

The two held nothing back, and a winner was decided in under three minutes. In the end, it was Liu Jing who was outmatched by a narrow margin and lost the duel.

From the sidelines, however, Xu Wuyi could tell that Liu Jing’s *Spirit Finger* was genuinely powerful, and her proficiency with it was quite high.

By his estimation, she was at least 50% past the Entry Level.

She only lost because of the gap in their Life Energy Levels. If she had been a bit more strategic, she very well could have won.

’Both of their Martial Arts skills have improved so much,’ he mused. ’They must have participated in Rank Battles.’

He wasn’t sure if they had formally learned weapon techniques or had simply used things like finger tigers or gloves to gain experience. Either way, everyone was working hard.

After a series of battles, some were joyous and others dejected.

After the final challenger was defeated, the training hall fell temporarily silent.

Everyone’s gazes involuntarily turned to the two who had yet to make a move—Zeng Bonan and Xu Wuyi.

Zeng Bonan took a deep breath, stepped forward, and his gaze landed on Xu Wuyi.

"Xu Wuyi," Zeng Bonan’s voice was steady. "Last time in our virtual spar, I lost by a single move. In the time since, I feel I’ve also improved."

"With the joint exam upon us, I want to fight you again... for real!"

In an instant, all eyes were on them.

Zeng Bonan versus Xu Wuyi!

This was widely recognized as the ultimate showdown within Honghe First Middle School!

Xu Wuyi looked at the fighting spirit in Zeng Bonan’s eyes and nodded. "For real, huh...? Alright!"