CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 31: MISSING

In the high-level stands.

A group of teachers looked at the rankings from this trial, all very surprised.

Even the grade director, Zhang Jianwu, shook his head and sighed, "Miss Chen’s insight is truly extraordinary. It seems I’ve made a mistake in judgment."

Previously.

He thought Jiang Ye was nearly impossible to enter the top three.

And the result?

Jiang Ye unexpectedly got second place overall.

This was entirely beyond his expectations.

Next to Zhang Jianwu, the woman in the white dress with a cold and elegant demeanor shook her head and said, "Director Zhang, you’re too kind. Actually, I didn’t expect Jiang Ye to get second place either."

Although she said this, she couldn’t suppress the smile on her lips.

This achievement of Jiang Ye also gave her immense pride.

Beside her, a teacher laughed and said, "Teacher Chen has put in a lot of effort to bring a student from a regular class to this level; it’s truly not easy."

"Yes, all thanks to Teacher Chen."

The teachers present all nodded quietly and acknowledged this.

Unexpectedly, Chen Zilu furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head, "Everyone misunderstood; this isn’t entirely my achievement."

"More than anything, it’s Jiang Ye’s own hard work."

She earnestly explained, "Jiang Ye cultivates very diligently."

"I’ve heard from his parents that every night he would cultivate until one or two in the morning, and not once has he broken this habit in the last two years of high school."

"With such hard work, how could you say it all depends on me?"

In Chen Zilu’s eyes, there was a mix of seriousness and displeasure.

Jiang Ye was a student on whom she had spent a lot of time teaching, and his achievements also gave her a sense of fulfillment.

But she refused to take all the credit alone.

Achievements gained through effort being attributed to background, supported by others’ help? She was very opposed to this kind of rhetoric.

Seeing the young woman’s expression, that teacher realized the mistake in his words.

Immediately, the teacher swiftly changed his stance, "Teacher Chen is right, effort is very important too."

Zhang Jianwu also added, "This student merely has Original Talent, yet achieving such results comes from effort far beyond the norm, and that cannot be denied."

Only then did Chen Zilu’s expression slightly relax.

She looked at Zhang Jianwu and suddenly said:

"Director, I heard that the students who rank top three in the first trial?"

"All have a free opportunity to undergo Star Sky Refinement?"

Zhang Jianwu nodded, "There is one opportunity, but... they have to achieve Cultivation Technique Perfection first."

Speaking of this.

His gaze became somewhat deep.

"Jiang Ye is looking quite good now; it’s just unknown how he will perform during the Star Sky Refinement."

As the grade director, Zhang Jianwu often considered from the school’s perspective.

Every Star Sky Refinement requires a lot of funding.

Naturally, these funds are provided by the school.

Of course, not everyone can participate; only the students ranked top three in the trial get a free opportunity.

Even those in the top three in the final assessment don’t qualify.

The trial’s value is much higher than ordinary assessments.

The school does this to cultivate true talents and improve the enrollment rate of the Twenty-Five Schools Alliance.

Logically, Jiang Ye being the second in this trial deserves to participate freely in the Star Sky Refinement.

But...

"Original Talent." Zhang Jianwu slightly shook his head.

The efficiency of Original Talent in absorbing Star Sky Energy might be less than 1%.

While Newborn Talent can reach over 10%.

Tao Bone Talent over 50%.

As for Extraordinary Talent? It might exceed 100%.

An City No.3 High School doesn’t have Tao Bone Talent, but there are quite a few Newborn Talents.

To give such a precious opportunity for Star Sky Refinement to Original Talent? It’s too wasteful.

For Original Talent to achieve something, merely relying on effort won’t work, unless there’s substantial funding.

For the school, investing these funds on Newborn Talent yields far more rewards than on Original Talent.

The teacher’s earlier comment that Jiang Ye’s achievement today was solely thanks to Chen Zilu wasn’t just flattery.

"If I’m guessing correctly, Miss Chen likely personally supported Jiang Ye quite a bit before the trial."

Zhang Jianwu thought.

If not, relying solely on Jiang Ye himself wouldn’t result in such a rapid progress.

"Ding Dong!"

As Zhang Jianwu pondered, suddenly a phone rang.

Zhang Jianwu took out his phone and his face immediately tightened.

"Chen."

He handed the phone to Chen Zilu and spoke with a deep tone, "Take a look, is this a student from your class?"

Chen Zilu took the phone and her face quickly sank.

...

Meanwhile.

Li Zhichao, after resorting to ’any means necessary’, still couldn’t figure out what medicine Jiang Ye took.

He looked at Jiang Ye not far away, gritted his teeth, "This guy, I even called him my adoptive father, yet he still won’t tell me!"

"Could it be, he really hasn’t taken any medicine?"

Thinking this, Li Zhichao’s pupils suddenly contracted.

If Jiang Ye truly hasn’t taken medicine, he felt even more uncomfortable!

"Forget it, I won’t compare myself with him; I just need to become strong myself."

Li Zhichao took a deep breath, his gaze firmed up.

Not far away, Jiang Ye looked at Li Zhichao and laughed, "Bro, finally came to your senses?"

Li Zhichao waved his hand, "Don’t worry, I won’t be comparing myself to you anymore."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Jiang Ye immediately laughed, "That’s great."

Seeing his friend relieved, he too was very gratified.

Next moment, Li Zhichao clenched his fist and said, "My goal now, is to challenge myself with one injection a day!"

His gaze was pure, without the competitive spirit among classmates, leaving only the desire for power.

"..."

Jiang Ye was speechless for a while, shook his head helplessly in his heart, "This guy is truly possessed!"

"Ding Dong!"

At this moment, his communication watch vibrated.

Jiang Ye opened it to see: "It’s Teacher Chen."

"Teacher Chen asked us to go to the office." He said to Li Zhichao.

Li Zhichao nodded.

They quickly headed towards the office.

...

Inside Chen Zilu’s office.

When Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao arrived, Chen Zilu was not there yet.

Ten minutes later.

A woman in a plain white dress, with long, slender legs and a cold, elegant demeanor, entered the office.

"Congratulations, you both passed this trial."

Chen Zilu smiled at the two and took out two bags of bonuses.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Jiang Ye received one of the bags of bonuses, filled with joy.

This was the bonus for passing the trial, a full thirty thousand yuan!

Chen Zilu smiled slightly but soon swapped to a serious expression, saying, "When you return, be cautious. It’s not very safe in the city recently."

"Not safe in the city?"

Jiang Ye was surprised, as Chen Zilu had already told him this.

Now mentioning it again, had something happened?

Chen Zilu said solemnly, "A student from our class has gone missing—Xia Qing, you all know her, right?"

"Xia Qing?"

Jiang Ye immediately remembered the girl who often brought him water.

"Xia Qing, missing?" Jiang Ye’s pupils contracted, somewhat incredulous.