Chapter 11

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Sensing the atmosphere stiffen, Gao Boshan smiled to ease the tension. "Shi Yi, we won’t keep you any longer. Let’s go get some food over there. We’ll catch up next time."

Jiang Shiyi glanced at him and nodded. "Okay."

Upon entering the cafeteria, Jiang Shiyi scanned around and quickly spotted the spot where Xu Jintang and the others were seated. She turned and headed in that direction.

At that moment, Xu Bohan and his group also noticed Xu Jintang’s team.

“Why are they in the cafeteria?” Yao Wenna frowned, thinking only their team had finished the combat mission early.

Xu Bohan’s expression darkened as he stared at the three. “Probably just luck. They must have encountered the beasts immediately upon entering the simulation battlefield. With Song Tianqi on their team, it’s no surprise they finished faster than us.”

Yao Wenna scoffed defiantly. “We only encountered the beasts at the eighth minute, which delayed us. If we had faced them right away, we would have definitely been faster.”

“Forget it. We beat them in the baseline assessment, that’s what really proves our strength,” Xu Bohan said, patting Yao Wenna on the shoulder to comfort her.

“Shiyi, sit here.” Song Tianqi spotted Jiang Shiyi from afar and beckoned her over, patting the empty seat beside him.

Jiang Shiyi walked over and took the seat.

Xu Jintang greeted her, “Good to see you again.”

Jiang Shiyi nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes. I heard you guys went to the simulation battlefield for the afternoon practical class?”

Mentioning this, a proud smile crept onto Song Tianqi’s face. “Yeah, we took down a first-level Vine Snake in under two minutes.”

Jiang Shiyi’s gaze swept over Song Tianqi. “Proud of that? The beasts in the simulation are all virtual constructs, with rigid behaviors and no resistance. With your ability level and two teammates cooperating, finishing in two minutes is normal.”

Song Duoduo quietly ate beside them, saying little.

Xu Jintang slowly chewed a meatball, while Song Tianqi, who had been ready to boast, quickly shut up. “Shiyi’s right.”

After a moment of silence, Xu Jintang looked up and suggested, “Next time we enter the simulation battlefield, why don’t we try second-level beasts?”

Song Tianqi’s mouth twitched. “Second-level beasts? Isn’t that a bit too strong?”

Beasts of the same level are naturally stronger than humans, and the combat power of second-level beasts multiplies several times over.

Jiang Shiyi nodded approvingly at Xu Jintang’s suggestion. “Good idea. Since your team can easily crush first-level beasts now, fighting them again won’t improve you much. Besides, the second-level beasts in the simulation aren’t that terrifying.”

Knowing his objections were useless, Song Tianqi sighed quietly and buried himself in his food.

Song Duoduo quickly nodded. “The class monitor and Shiyi both make sense. Let’s try it next time.”

Xu Bohan and his group sat down on the other side after getting their food.

Yao Wenna’s gaze landed on Xu Jintang’s table, unwillingness flashing in her eyes. She forcefully picked up a piece of tofu and chewed it fiercely, as if biting into Xu Jintang herself.

“This soup tastes good. Let me serve you some,” Gao Boshan smiled as he ladled soup for everyone.

After the afternoon’s practical class ended, news spread that Xu Jintang’s and Xu Bohan’s teams had both finished their tasks early.

“Wow, I thought Xu Bohan’s team finishing in under twenty minutes was impressive, but Song Tianqi’s team came out in less than five minutes?”

“If I’d known Song Tianqi was this strong, I’d have teamed up with him too.”

“This time in the academy’s baseline assessment, Xu Bohan’s and Song Tianqi’s teams will definitely face each other. It’s going to be a good show.”

Meanwhile, inside the teachers’ office.

Jiang Lu smiled, raising his teacup for a sip. “No wonder they could recruit Leikdast. Song Tianqi’s skill damage is truly terrifying.”

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Huang Binhan turned off the replay video of the simulated battle and sat opposite Jiang Lu. “The student surpasses the master. This really is the era of these kids now.”

As they were reflecting, the door suddenly knocked.

“Teacher, I’ve come to submit the team list,” Xu Jintang’s voice came from outside.

“Come in,” Jiang Lu replied.

The door opened and Xu Jintang entered, smiling brightly as she held the list before Jiang Lu. “Teacher, our three-person squad is finalized.”

Jiang Lu took the list and glanced down.

[Team Leader]: Xu Jintang
[Members]: Song Tianqi, Song Duoduo

“Good,” Jiang Lu nodded.

In the afternoon, more and more students began submitting their team lists. After collecting all, Jiang Lu smiled and looked at Huang Binhan.

“I have a feeling this baseline assessment will be very exciting.”

Huang Binhan leaned back in his chair, a spark of interest on his face. “Yes, worth looking forward to.”

In previous years, the academy’s baseline assessments were more like kids playing tag and pretend fights; teachers had little interest.

But this year, the third-year students’ overall strength was higher than ever.

Plus, Song Tianqi’s presence added an unpredictable variable, making everything more intriguing.

In the girls’ dormitory.

Xu Jintang sat cross-legged on the bed edge, hands resting on her knees, eyes closed as she breathed slowly.

Blue strands of spiritual energy enveloped her.

The powerful spiritual fluctuations even momentarily distorted the surrounding air.

Half an hour later, Xu Jintang exhaled slowly and stopped her meditation.

A group of ability users must practice both combat skills and cultivate their spiritual power level.

After all, the more spiritual power one possesses, the stronger the energy they can channel through their abilities.

However, Xu Jintang’s spiritual power hadn’t increased for a long time.

“Strange, I’ve been training all winter break, but why do I feel no increase in spiritual power? Dragon, do you know why?”

The recently awakened Ice Soul Dragon yawned and replied, “Your spiritual sea is twice as large as others’, so naturally your cultivation speed is slower.”

Xu Jintang was stunned, almost forgetting this fact.

“You mean my cultivation will always be twice as slow as others’?”

The spiritual sea is like a vessel that holds spiritual energy. When it’s fully filled, the ability user advances to the next level.

If the spiritual sea is larger, it takes more time to fill completely.

The Ice Soul Dragon confirmed, “Exactly. But there’s an advantage: at the same level, your spiritual power reserves are twice as much, so your endurance is stronger.”

Xu Jintang sighed softly, rubbing her forehead. “But the cultivation speed is so slow. Nearly two months now, and no sign of progress.”

The Ice Soul Dragon said, “Cultivation is never as simple as you think. Slow isn’t necessarily bad.”

After resting briefly, Xu Jintang resumed her meditation.

In the quiet night, the dormitory stayed brightly lit.

With no classes over the weekend, Xu Jintang found time to inscribe some enhancement runes, slightly boosting her cultivation speed—not by much, but better than nothing.

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A new week dawned, and the third-year students at Chenxi Academy faced their first baseline assessment since the semester began.

At the podium in Classroom One, Jiang Lu’s gaze swept sternly across the room.

“The academy places great importance on this assessment, with the rewards for the top three richer than in past years.”

“Not only our class is eyeing these rewards; students from other classes are too. Who wins them depends on your own efforts.”

In the afternoon, the elimination round draw began.

Thirty-two teams entered the competition, and the first round was a knockout from thirty-two down to sixteen.

Teams that lost this round would be immediately eliminated, missing the subsequent assessments.

At the academy’s arena.

Hundreds of teachers and students gathered below the platform, each class forming its own contingent, with teams from Classes One, Two, and Three.

Huang Binhan was appointed as the chief examiner for this assessment, responsible for managing all procedures.

“Class One’s team leaders, step forward to draw your numbers.”

Xu Jintang stepped forward and approached the draw box, quickly pulling out a number—one.

Huang Binhan explained, “There are sixteen numbers in the box. Teams drawing the same number are opponents. The matches proceed sequentially from one to sixteen.”

Xu Bohan drew number ten.

His eyes darkened as he glanced at Xu Jintang, then silently returned to his team.

Xu Jintang returned with her number.

“So our opponents are number one. Song Tianqi, watch closely to see which team draws number nine,” Song Duoduo nudged Song Tianqi.

“Got it.” Song Tianqi looked up, standing on tiptoe to watch the draw area.

Soon, a team leader from Class Two raised his number and shouted, “We’re number one! Anyone else got number one?”

Song Tianqi immediately raised his hand. “Here! We’re number one.”

Xu Jintang turned to look.

The boy speaking wore square glasses, had a black flat-top haircut, and smiled with a scholarly charm.

He waved politely.

Xu Jintang smiled back in kind.

Huang Binhan glanced at the two teams and announced, “Teams with number one, please proceed to the arena to prepare. The elimination match starts in five minutes.”

Below the stage, Class Two’s homeroom teacher smiled as he approached Jiang Lu.

“What a coincidence, our two classes face off in the first elimination round. Talk about enemies meeting on a narrow path.”

Jiang Lu glanced at him expressionlessly. “Your team’s in trouble, drawing Song Tianqi’s team in the first round.”

Jiang Zhongtian smirked faintly. “Don’t speak too soon. Our team is well-prepared; we might still beat Song Tianqi.”

“Teacher Jiang, you must have forgotten,” Jiang Lu smiled calmly, “Xu Jintang is on this team too. Targeting Song Tianqi alone won’t be enough.”

Sensing the subtle tension between the two teachers, the surrounding students lowered their heads and remained silent.

The rivalry between Jiang Lu and Jiang Zhongtian had long been known in the academy.

Whenever it came to grade-level assessments, the two always clashed fiercely.