Top Scholar and Rank

Three days after the mock assessment ended, Jiangnan City Martial Arts Stadium was once again packed with people.

Unlike the tense and somber atmosphere before, today's mood was more solemn and fervent. High school seniors specializing in martial arts from across the city were gathered here again, awaiting the announcement of the final results and the awards ceremony. The stands were filled with eager parents, school leaders, and media reporters, their cameras and microphones pointed at the students' formations below.

In the area for Third High School's team, the atmosphere was more spirited than ever. All the students' gazes were involuntarily drawn to the front of the formation, to the young man standing tall with a calm expression. Although his face was still pale from blood loss and his right arm was in a splint, his presence there was like the anchor of Third High School.

Zhang Kuang and his lackeys were huddled at the back of the formation, their faces grim, wishing they could disappear into the ground. Zhang Kuang, in particular, with his arm in a sling and head bowed, had completely lost his usual arrogant demeanor. The experience of being chased by the Wolf Emperor at the end of the assessment, the deaths of his subordinates, and Lin Feng's earth-shattering punch had completely shattered his pride and courage.

Liu Feifei stood in the girls' formation, gazing at Lin Feng's back with a complex expression, her fingernails digging deeply into her palms. She knew that an insurmountable chasm now lay between her and this young man.

On the main stage sat leaders from the Municipal Education Bureau, heads of the Martial Artist Association, and principals from various schools. The middle-aged martial artist in the center, with a profound aura, was Lei Lie, the Director of the Jiangnan City Martial Arts Bureau, who had presided over the assessment last time.

"Silence!" Lei Lie's voice boomed, echoing throughout the venue.

The noisy stadium instantly fell silent.

"Now, I will announce the final results and rankings of this year's Jiangnan City Martial Arts Mock Assessment!" Lei Lie's voice was loud and carried an undeniable authority. "First, I will announce the top ten finishers of this assessment!"

"Tenth place, Second High School, Zhou Min! Total points: 580!"

"Ninth place, Tianyao Martial High School, Chen Feng! Total points: 595!"

With each name announced, cheers erupted from the stands. The students whose names were called stood tall and proud, their faces beaming.

"Third place, First High School, Li Hao! Total points: 880!"

"Second place, First High School, Zhao Feng! Total points: 1050!"

When Zhao Feng's name and score were announced, a huge gasp swept through the crowd. 1050 points! That was nearly two hundred points higher than the third-place finisher! Was this the strength of First High School's top genius?

Zhao Feng stood at the forefront of the First High School formation, his expression still calm, as if this result was only to be expected. However, his gaze subtly swept towards the direction of Third High School's formation.

Only the first place remained!

Everyone held their breath. Could anyone's score possibly surpass Zhao Feng's?

Lei Lie surveyed the entire venue, his gaze finally landing on the injured young man at the front of Third High School's formation. His voice suddenly rose, with undisguised admiration:

"First place, Jiangnan City Third High School—Lin Feng! Total points: 1580!"

BOOM!

The entire stadium was silent for a moment, then erupted in a tidal wave of uproar!

1580 points?! Over five hundred points higher than Zhao Feng?! How was this possible?!

The students and teachers of Third High School were stunned at first, then erupted in deafening cheers! Many teachers were moved to tears; it had been many years since Third High School had produced a top scholar in the city-wide mock assessment! And to do so with such overwhelming dominance!

"Lin Feng! Top Scholar!"

"He's from our Third High School!"

"So awesome!"

Liu Feifei stood frozen in place, listening to the thunderous cheers around her and looking at the young man enveloped by countless gazes and glory. Her heart felt cold and bitter. 1580 points... this number, like a heavy hammer, had completely shattered her last shred of fantasy.

Zhang Kuang and the others looked ashen, their bodies ice-cold. 1580 points, this score was like an unbridgeable gulf, leaving them no courage even to be jealous.

Zhao Feng's usually calm face finally showed a flicker of emotion for the first time. He stared intently at Lin Feng, his eyes sharp as swords, filled with intense fighting spirit.

"Silence!" Lei Lie spoke again, suppressing the commotion. His gaze was burning as he looked at Lin Feng: "Student Lin Feng, during the assessment, you independently killed eleven Tier 1 Mid-Ranked Demonic Beasts, the Wind Shadow Wolf, one Tier 1 High-Ranked Demonic Beast, the Wind Shadow Wolf Guard, and successfully escaped under the pursuit of the Wind Shadow Wolf Emperor. Your performance was outstanding! After verification by the organizing committee, the points are correct!"

Wolf Emperor! Escaped under pursuit!

These words struck everyone like thunder once more! No wonder his score was so high! He actually managed to escape from a Tier 2 Demonic Beast?! What terrifying strength and luck!

Countless gazes focused on Lin Feng again, filled with disbelief, awe, and curiosity.

"All top ten candidates, please come to the stage to receive your awards!"

Under the gaze of everyone, Lin Feng took a deep breath, calmed his slightly agitated emotions, and strode steadily towards the main stage. His steps were firm; despite his injuries, his back was straight.

As he walked past Zhao Feng, their eyes met.

"You're very strong," Zhao Feng said in a low voice, his tone serious. "In the finals of the Martial Arts Examination, I hope to fight you."

Lin Feng looked at the pure fighting spirit in his eyes and nodded. "I'm looking forward to it too."

He walked to the center of the main stage and stood in the highest position.

Lei Lie personally pinned a shining gold medal engraved with the word "Top Scholar" onto Lin Feng's chest and handed him an exquisite combination lock box.

"Student Lin Feng, this is your reward: a scholarship of 500,000 Federal Dollars and three bottles of 'Intermediate Gene Repair Fluid'," Lei Lie said, patting his shoulder with an encouraging voice. "Keep working hard; your future is more than just this."

"Thank you, Director!" Lin Feng took the heavy combination lock box, felt the weight of the medal on his chest, and a surge of pride welled up within him. This was the first honor and resources he had earned through his own strength!

The award ceremony concluded amidst thunderous applause.

As soon as he stepped off the stage, Lin Feng was immediately surrounded by a crowd.

Admissions directors from various top martial arts universities practically jostled to get to him simultaneously, their faces beaming with enthusiastic smiles.

"Student Lin Feng, consider Beichen Martial University! Full tuition waiver, an additional scholarship of one million Federal Dollars annually, and a dedicated instructor!"

"Come to our Thunder Martial Academy! Our academy has the most complete collection of lightning-element cultivation techniques, perfect for your development!"

"Our War God Military Academy can directly grant you the rank of Second Lieutenant and provide top-tier military resources!"

Generous offers were thrown out one after another, dazzling everyone. The surrounding examinees watched with envy.

Lin Feng didn't reply immediately, only responding politely, "Thank you for your kindness, teachers. I will consider it carefully."

He knew these were just the beginning. He needed to weigh the pros and cons and choose the path that best suited him.

After finally escaping the encirclement of the admissions office, Instructor Li Zhenhai walked over with an immensely pleased smile. "Good kid! You did great! You've brought great honor to our Third High School!"

"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, teacher," Lin Feng said sincerely.

"Don't give me that!" Li Zhenhai laughed and lightly punched his uninjured shoulder. He then lowered his voice, "Go back and recover from your injuries. The Martial Arts Examination is the most important thing. Also, regarding Zhang Kuang's family... you don't need to worry. The school and their Zhang family will handle it."

Lin Feng's eyes flickered, and he nodded. He understood that the value he had shown had already caused the school and certain factions to lean towards him. It wouldn't be so easy for Zhang Kuang's family to openly seek revenge.

Just as he was preparing to leave with the group, a middle-aged man in a black suit with a sharp demeanor quietly approached him and handed him a black card without any markings.

"Mr. Lin, someone asked me to give this to you." The man's tone was respectful. After speaking, he turned and left, disappearing into the crowd.

Lin Feng looked down at the black card in his hand. It was cool to the touch and made of a special material. The front of the card had only a simple silver lightning pattern, while the back had a line of small text and a number:

"Looking forward to meeting you. -- Lei Lie"

Lin Feng's heart trembled. He looked up towards the podium, only to find that Lei Lie had already left at some point.

The Director of the Martial Arts Bureau... personally inviting him?

Lin Feng gripped the card, knowing this was both an opportunity and potentially fraught with unknown challenges.

But he was fearless.

He carefully put the card away, then looked up at the vast sky outside the gymnasium.

Being the top scholar in the city was just a starting point.

His journey was to the stars and the sea.