CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 41: A CORNER OF BEAUTIFUL JADE

Zhou Leng walked to the left side of the award podium.

Many teachers and school leaders stood there.

Some teachers smiled gently and nodded slightly.

Other teachers and school leaders were polite, their smiles fleeting.

Zhou Leng felt a moment of anxiety and discreetly consulted Teacher Mei and Teacher Sun.

Both teachers reassured Zhou Leng that there was nothing to worry about.

After a while, Sun Xiong came over, looked Zhou Leng up and down, and laughed, "It’s been just a month, and you’ve grown stronger, good."

"It’s all thanks to the good teaching of the Martial Arts Hall instructors."

Teachers around laughed upon hearing this.

Sun Xiong laughed heartily, "Did you think we didn’t know? I thought you’d be bruised and battered today, no, on the brink of death, yet you’re so full of energy, very good. Indeed, you are number 503 on the Freshman Chart. Most of us teachers could never achieve that rank back then."

"You’re too kind, how could I compare to you all," said Zhou Leng.

Sun Xiong glanced at a few school leaders not far away and smiled, "Cultivate well, and when you reach the Innate stage, come visit us at the school."

"I will definitely work hard."

Sun Xiong looked further away and said softly, "Principal Lu has been busy for a long time because of you, remember to thank him personally after the recognition ceremony."

"Alright."

Before long, the recognition ceremony began.

Principal Lu took the stage, first thanking the leaders and alumni, and introduced three Innate Masters who had come.

Each time he mentioned an Innate, Principal Lu would solemnly invite them to stand up and introduce their achievements, followed by resounding applause throughout the hall.

When introducing Zhu Wanlai, an Innate Master quite famous in Rucheng, Zhou Leng clapped until his hands were red, and at that moment, the applause was even more enthusiastic.

This was because Zhu Wanlai was not only an alumnus of Eighth Middle School but also had visited the school two years ago, without any airs, and demonstrated a Qi Blood Realm fist technique, "Mountain Charging Fist," for the students.

Zhu Wanlai’s Mountain Charging Fist had greatly helped Zhou Leng.

After introducing the important guests, a pretty senior girl took the stage to introduce the history of Eighth Middle School.

Zhou Leng had heard it several times, but there was always a slight unfulfilled wish.

Eighth Middle School had produced many Innates throughout its history, but never a Grandmaster, let alone a Martial Saint.

This was the sorrow of all the teachers at Eighth Middle School.

So, many teachers pinned their hopes on Zhang Xinglie, giving him all the resources they could, and even some they could not officially give, they secretly provided him.

The recognition ceremony continued, and Zhou Leng listened sporadically, still thinking about how to accumulate cultivation resources.

After a full hour and a half, the formal recognition began.

Soon, Zhou Leng saw familiar classmates advancing to the award stage one by one.

This included Mo Hai, the Martial Arts Committee Member, who was admitted to West Sea University, one of the Top Ten, and also rewarded by the school.

The recognition proceeded slowly.

As the last student stepped down, Principal Lu approached the microphone, smiling, "Next up for recognition, some of you might have guessed, is our Eighth Middle School’s top student, the second-place holder in Rucheng’s college entrance examination, Zhang Xinglie."

Zhou Leng only listened, as he had talked with Zhang Xinglie before, knowing he had no time to come in person; he might connect via video or have his homeroom teacher accept the award on his behalf.

The principal’s voice echoed in the large playground.

"However, everyone also knows that Yunhua Martial Arts Academy’s curriculum is demanding, and he must compete with freshmen nationwide and worldwide for rankings. Logically speaking, he doesn’t need to come, but I repeatedly persuaded him by saying, Eighth Middle School’s junior students really wish to see you, the genius they’ve been hearing about for three years. Wouldn’t you agree?"

"Yes..." A few students replied, sparse, with no one believing Zhang Xinglie would come.

Principal Lu smiled, "So, today, he is here."

Zhou Leng turned his head sharply, seeing Zhang Xinglie unexpectedly walking out from the back of the podium.

Zhou Leng was both surprised and delighted.

Students from sophomore, senior year, and those who just graduated knew Zhang Xinglie well and stared at the podium in amazement.

"Let us welcome Zhang Xinglie!"

Whoa...

Applause erupted, as intense as for the previous Innate Masters.

Zhang Xinglie walked with brisk steps, approaching Principal Lu.

Tall stature, with lush hair, looking like a mighty lion.

Then, Principal Lu recounted Zhang Xinglie’s achievements and accolades, even showing his award-winning photos and videos on the large screen behind.

Finally, Principal Lu presented the awards to Zhang Xinglie.

In overwhelming applause, Zhang Xinglie held the Pill Voucher and trophy, bowed to Principal Lu, and expressed his gratitude.

Zhang Xinglie did not leave, standing beside Principal Lu.

Principal Lu collected his smile, surveying the audience.

Some school leaders knitted their brows, showing expressions of helplessness.

Principal Lu slowly spoke.

"Next, Zhang Xinglie and I will jointly award a special student."

"Let me first talk about this student’s achievements."

"His name is Zhou Leng, not as dazzling as Zhang Xinglie, and quite ordinary like most students."

"His father, Zhou Xiaomin, was a simple man, an ordinary warrior, who sacrificed his life on the West Sea Demon City frontline."

"His mother, Ma Xia, was also quite ordinary, killed by demons."

"Since childhood, he lived alone, grew up alone, and came to Eighth Middle School alone."

"Six months before this year’s college entrance exam, demons attacked Rucheng, and he was severely injured, bedridden for a month."

"However, he didn’t give up. He lay in the hospital bed, diligently studying, reading the ’Miscellaneous Collection of Zhao Dongjun’, and cultivating True Qi."

"Will things improve? They did not. For over six months, his True Qi showed no progress."

"Due to physical injuries, he failed both the written and physical exams, ranking over seventy thousand in the city."

"Yet he did not get discouraged or bow his head, and continued to cultivate tirelessly."

"He was still preparing for the final martial arts exam."

"We don’t know if it was his perseverance that moved the heavens, or if he gained insight from reading the Martial Saint’s Notes. In any case, his persistence and effort finally bore fruit."

"During the martial arts exam, he performed with an impressive demeanor, scoring 99 points in True Qi Manipulation. How high is this score? Zhang Xinglie, you tell us."

Zhang Xinglie moved closer to the microphone and said, "I scored 91 points. Yunhua Martial Arts Academy is enrolling three thousand students this year, and only five achieved 99 points."

Many in the audience widened their eyes.

Principal Lu continued, "His martial arts exam score was 276 points. This score, even if you place it in an ordinary Martial Arts University, or even at the tenth-ranked West Sea Martial Arts Academy nationwide, it would still be at the top."

"His final ranking improved by sixty thousand places. I suspect many people don’t grasp the significance of this number."

"I’m not sure how to convey the special nature of this number to you, I can only say that after the Martial Arts Civilization began, Zhou Leng is the only one who has advanced sixty thousand ranks in a martial arts exam. The only one."

"The martial arts exam score of 276 fully meets the supplementary admission standards of the Top Ten Martial Arts."

"This is because the supplementary exam set by the state is designed to prevent missing out on students who may be weak in some areas but have martial arts talent."

"So, when applying for universities, I guaranteed Zhou Leng with everything I had."

"I said, Zhou Leng, apply to the Top Ten Martial Arts, apply to West Sea Martial Arts Academy, I can guarantee with my life that talents like you will be sought after by all Martial Arts Universities."

"I said, even the most foolish person can see you, Zhou Leng, are a piece of uncut jade, and the martial arts exam has chipped off a corner, revealing the warm He Shi Bi within."

Everyone took a deep breath, the metaphor of He Shi Bi was indeed weighty.

He Shi Bi not only relates to numerous historical anecdotes but was also made into the Heirloom Seal of the Realm of the Great Qin Empire.

Mandated by heaven, to grant eternal prosperity.

"At that time, I was extremely, extremely happy. I believed Zhou Leng was the third student in the history of Eighth Middle School with the potential to become a Grandmaster."

"But I didn’t expect West Sea Martial Arts Academy to inexplicably cancel Zhou Leng’s eligibility for the supplementary exam."

"They covered that corner of warm jade with dirt."

"I have failed Zhou Leng, if I had let him apply to any other Martial Arts University, even the third-ranked Martial Arts Academy, such an incident wouldn’t have happened."

"Zhou Leng missed the opportunity with the Top Ten Martial Arts and entered the Affiliated Martial Arts Hall of Rucheng University because of the responsibility of me, the principal."

Principal Lu slowly scanned the room and spoke calmly.

"After the incident, I felt deeply responsible, I couldn’t understand why West Sea University rejected such a good student as Zhou Leng?"

"Is it possible that Zhou Leng is only good in martial arts exams, but lacking in other abilities? Please look at the big screen."

The audience collectively turned their attention to the large screen behind the awards podium, where a string of scores was displayed.

Principal Lu said, "The scores displayed are from Zhou Leng’s entrance test at the Great Martial Arts Hall. Since he couldn’t afford pills growing up, none of the ’Pill Five Subjects’ scored full marks, ranking only 503rd on the ’Rucheng Youth Chart’."

The audience looked confused, 503rd is considered ’only’?

"Seeing this number, I thought it might be a low ranking at West Sea University, so I looked up their admissions quota for this year."

"3500 people. If Zhou Leng were placed in West Sea Martial Arts Academy, what would his rank be?"

"335th. In other words, Zhou Leng’s entrance test scores would place him in the top 10% at West Sea Martial Arts Academy."

"Everyone, please note the scores, each of Zhou Leng’s scores were over 90, which is the ’all nines’ achievement pursued by every Martial Arts University."

"So, how many ’all nines’ are there at West Sea University? 19. You heard right, only 19."

"I did another interesting thing, since full scores in the Pill Five Subjects can be achieved by taking enough pills, if Zhou Leng achieved full scores in the Pill Five Subjects, what would his rank be at West Sea Martial Arts Academy?"

Principal Lu spoke slowly and powerfully, "32nd."

Many in the audience showed expressions of astonishment.

This ranking would certainly place him within the top fifty on the ’Rucheng Freshman Chart.’

"Now everyone has a clear understanding of Zhou Leng’s capability in West Sea University."

"But West Sea University didn’t even give him a chance for the supplementary exam."

"These days, I’ve been pondering, is West Sea University afraid he won’t pass, or afraid he will?"

"Or is it that Zhou Leng is not worthy of the prestigious West Sea Martial Arts Academy?"

This remark left the venue in silence.

Many adults showed slight changes in expression, some from the education sector glanced around, shifting slightly.

The people in the front row of the audience remained expressionless throughout.

Principal Lu took a deep breath, saying, "I don’t know the answer, so I invited Zhang Xinglie, the student who grew up with Zhou Leng, and who entered Yunhua Martial Arts Academy with the second highest score in the city, I want to know his perspective on this matter."

Principal Lu turned his head and nodded at Zhang Xinglie.

Zhang Xinglie turned his head to look at Zhou Leng at the side of the awards platform.

The two exchanged glances and nodded gently.

Zhang Xinglie stepped forward, approaching the microphone with his signature smile and white teeth.

"I, Zhang Xinglie, am a genius."

The audience smiled.

"I showed promise from junior high, and soared high in high school."

"However, few asked about my grades in elementary school."

The audience displayed looks of interest.

"In elementary school, I was also a genius."

Many people were both amused and at a loss for words.