C21 The Physical Value Testing Area Had Become the Library.

"Lyu Faang, three-acupoint Body Tempering, not yet rudimental, with a physical value of 203!"

At the testing station, the instructor's voice boomed as he announced the new students' scores.

"Holy cow, three-acupoint Body Tempering and not even rudimental?!"

"203? He's broken the 200 mark! There's always a higher mountain, always someone better. Vermilion Bird College is downright formidable!"

"Lyu Faang ranked third in this year's martial examination for new students, an Awakened with the S-class combat transformation talent 'Primordial Gift'..."

A buzz of whispers spread among the new students queued for testing.

Even the upperclassmen guiding the newcomers were visibly impressed.

Rumor had it, this batch of freshmen was the most formidable in history.

Three had scored over 720 in the martial examination.

Fourteen were Awakened with S-class talents.

Sixteen were rudimental martial cultivators.

All surpassing Vermilion Bird College's historical records.

And these were just the preliminary figures.

Enrollment wasn't even complete!

"Lyu Faang was a classmate of mine in high school. Not the best character, but his strength is undeniable."

"With you and Lin Yang, two powerhouses choosing Vermilion Bird this year, he's left in third place."

At the end of the line, Zhang Wanyu chuckled as she briefed Bai Le.

Many new students hadn't arrived yet, but the locals from Aermagh were already settling in.

Lyu Faang was a standout among these local freshmen.

"Mhm."

Bai Le stood with arms folded, eyes closed, conserving his energy.

To him, rankings were as inconsequential as clouds, unworthy of his attention.

"Bai Le?"

His presence caught the attention of some freshmen.

"The martial examination's top scorer!"

"How does Bai Le's combat strength stack up against Lyu Faang's? I have a feeling Lyu Faang might have the upper hand in a real fight."

"Ridiculous. Bai Le's just awakened. His physical value can't be more than 100. He's no match for Lyu Faang."

"What are you even saying? Haven't you seen the video of Bai Le taking down a beast with a single slash?"

Bai Le's arrival stirred the crowd significantly.

A person's reputation casts a long shadow.

If there was one thing that shook the martial examination this year, it was Bai Le's swift blade.

Rumors about him were rampant.

Like his upcoming duel with Qi Dongsheng, which was already the talk of the college.

Naturally, he became the center of attention.

Hostile glares came from several directions.

Many were eager to make a name for themselves by defeating him!

At that moment, Lyu Faang emerged from the testing chamber.

Standing two meters tall, he towered over the rest like a crane amidst chickens.

Broad-shouldered, with a powerful build, he exuded an air of dominance.

His well-defined muscles under the combat dress hinted at explosive strength, and his ancient, battle-hardened aura caused many to break out in cold sweats.

Among the freshmen, he was a behemoth, a living embodiment of the warrior Lu Bu.

Spotting Bai Le at the end of the line, Lyu Faang flashed a challenging smile.

"Bai Le, you weakling."

To add insult to injury, he gave Bai Le a thumbs-down.

Clearly, he too was looking to make his mark by stepping over Bai Le.

As the newcomers witnessed the scene, their eyes gleamed with excitement.

The tension was palpable!

Indeed, most who made it to Vermilion Bird College were headstrong and rebellious, so a little friction among the freshmen was to be expected.

In response to Lyu Faang's challenge,

Bai Le simply ignored it.

"Hmph, Lyu Faang is as conceited as ever."

"Bai Le, should we put him in his place?"

Zhang Wanyu's eyes narrowed with disdain for Lyu Faang.

"He's nothing but a jester."

Bai Le remained with arms folded.

If Lyu Faang truly had courage, he'd directly issue a challenge.

His provocations were nothing more than a fear of openly breaking the freshmen rules.

"A jester?"

Lyu Faang bared his teeth in a cold sneer.

His face, twisted with aggression, made his smile all the more sinister.

He advanced towards Bai Le with the presence of a fearsome warrior.

"Bai Le, once military training is over, I'll show you who the real clown is."

Had he not been concerned about just joining the academy, Lyu Faang would've struck then and there!

The spectacle drew many curious glances.

What a show! The third call-out among the freshmen!

"Thinking of challenging me?"

Bai Le's eyes snapped open as he met Lyu Faang's gaze.

"And why should I? Because you're taller?"

A mocking smile played on his lips.

"Hahahaha, Bai Le, it's no wonder you dare to challenge upperclassmen. You're truly a reckless fool!"

Lyu Faang burst into laughter.

With pride, he boasted, "I have the Desolate Scripture talent, the Armor Body, and with my three acupoints Body Tempering, my physical value reaches 203!"

"Well? Impressed?"

It was undeniable; Lyu Faang had grounds for his pride.

An Awakened with an S-grade talent and superb martial prowess.

Even in the vast city of Aermagh, he was a prodigy seen once in a blue moon!

"Not impressed; it's pathetic."

Bai Le shook his head, his disdain clear as day.

"Fine, that's how it is!"

Seeing Bai Le's dismissive attitude, Lyu Faang grinned broadly.

"Never mind your 'Decimals' talent or my Desolate Scripture."

"We won't even discuss real combat skills."

"Here at the physical value testing area, do you dare to compete with me?"

"With the way you look, is your physical value even over a hundred? Hahahaha!"

Lyu Faang was no fool.

In fact, he was sly and cunning as a fox.

Aware that Bai Le had been Awakened for less than ten days and hadn't begun Body Tempering, he aimed to embarrass him.

"Scared? Not in the slightest."

Bai Le chuckled.

Lyu Faang was cunning, but he was even more so.

He had been baiting Lyu Faang all along.

You think I'll be humiliated?

A physical value of 203?

Ever heard of the Blood Crystal?

"Bai Le, don't stoop to his level."

Zhang Wanyu held Bai Le back, seething.

"Lyu Faang, have you no shame? You've been Awakened for over two years! How long has Bai Le been Awakened?"

If it weren't for the academy's grounds, she would have already taken Lyu Faang on!

After all, they weren't strangers to brawls since high school.

Zhang Wanyu had suffered more losses than the rest.

"Zhang Wanyu, you sure have a knack for turning your back on us quickly."

"Already taking the side of the country folk after just a few days?"

Lyu Faang's mocking was sharp and relentless.

"You!"

Zhang Wanyu could no longer contain her anger and was on the verge of striking out.

"Wanyu, let it be."

This time, Bai Le was the one holding her back.

"Lyu Faang, is it? I hope you're still as loud as a barking dog later on."

With that, he headed towards the physical value testing area.

The other freshmen stepped aside to let him through.

No one seemed to mind Bai Le cutting in line; after all, the drama unfolding was far more entertaining than the physical value test itself.

"Is that Bai Le?"

The teacher at the physical value testing station inquired, holding the registration form.

"Yes, teacher," Bai Le confirmed with a nod.

"The physical value test is straightforward. Inside the testing room, there's a machine. Just remove your outerwear, lie down on it, and wait for my signal to get up," the teacher instructed, a smile playing on his lips.

He had witnessed the standoff between Bai Le and Lyu Faang.

He enjoyed watching the young ones spar; it added a bit of vitality to the atmosphere!

Still, he didn't really believe that Bai Le's physical value could surpass Lyu Faang's.

Based on his years of experience, he thought it would be a miracle if a newly awakened martial artist could even hit a physical value of 100.

"Understood, teacher."

Without further ado, Bai Le entered the testing room, all eyes on him.

"Bai Le actually thinks he can outdo Lyu Faang in physical value? Has he lost his mind?"

"The top scholar is about to embarrass himself... how amusing."

"Hahaha, well played, Lyu Faang! Bai Le's reputation as a scholar is totally unearned!"

"Lyu Faang is overdoing it. Isn't this blatant bullying?"

The new students buzzed with commentary.

Most were ready to witness Bai Le's humiliation.

A novice who had awakened less than ten days ago, competing in physical value with someone who had tempered three acupoints? Ridiculous!

Inside the testing room, Bai Le followed the teacher's directions, stripped down to his underwear, and lay on the machine.

The room was reminiscent of a CT scan room from Bai Le's past life, spacious and stark white.

As Bai Le settled onto the machine, it began to glow from above and below, scanning his body.

Five minutes later, outside the testing room.

The teacher monitored the computer, waiting for the machine's data feedback.

"Hmm? No feedback yet?"

The teacher was puzzled.

Typically, data for a tyro-level martial artist would be available in two to three minutes.

Five minutes had passed with no response, which was odd.

Another three minutes ticked by, and the new students were growing curious.

Lyu Faang's bushy eyebrows knitted together; his own test had taken only four minutes.

Why was Bai Le's taking so long?

Suddenly, the computer beeped with a response.

"Finally, some feedback..."

The teacher breathed a sigh of relief, having feared the machine was malfunctioning.

He announced loudly, "Bai Le, Heavenly Peak Acupoint opened, no Body Tempering, tyro level, physical value..."

He paused mid-sentence, eyes widening at the number on the screen.

The crowd grew restless with anticipation.

At this critical juncture, he stops? Just spit it out already!

The teacher cleared his throat and regained his composure before continuing.

"Bai Le, Heavenly Peak Acupoint opened, no Body Tempering, tyro level, physical value... 239!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a hush fell over the entire crowd, as profound and still as a library at dawn.