Top Scholar Crowned

On the third day after the mock assessment ended, Jiangnan City Martial Arts Stadium was once again packed with voices and noise.

Unlike the tense, murderous atmosphere before, today felt more solemn and fervent. The city's senior-year martial arts students had gathered here again, awaiting the announcement and commendation of the final results. The stands were filled with eagerly expectant parents, school leaders, and media reporters, their cameras trained on the student formations below.

In Third High School's section, the atmosphere had reached an unprecedented peak. Every student's gaze unconsciously focused on the calm, upright youth at the front of the formation. Though his face was still pale from blood loss and his right arm was fixed in a splint, as long as he stood there, he was like the needle that steadied the sea for Third High School.

Zhang Kuang and his lackeys huddled at the very back of the formation, their faces ugly as they wished they could crawl into a crack in the ground. Zhang Kuang in particular had one arm hanging limp and his head lowered, utterly stripped of his former arrogance. Being hunted down by the Wolf Emperor at the end of the assessment, watching his men die miserably, and witnessing Lin Feng's earth-shattering punch had completely shattered his pride and courage.

Liu Feifei stood among the girls, gazing at Lin Feng's back with complicated emotions as her nails dug deeply into her palm. She knew that between herself and this youth now lay an unbridgeable chasm.

On the podium sat the city Education Bureau leaders, the heads of the Martial Artist Association, and the principals of every school. The deep, unfathomable middle-aged martial artist seated in the center was Lei Lie, director of the Jiangnan City Martial Arts Bureau, who had presided over the previous assessment.

"Silence!" Lei Lie spoke, his voice carrying throughout the entire venue.

The noisy stadium fell silent in an instant.

"Now, the final scores and rankings for this year's Jiangnan City martial arts mock assessment will be announced!" Lei Lie's voice was sonorous, carrying unquestionable authority. "First, the top ten of this assessment!"

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

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

Whenever a name was called, cheers would rise from the corresponding section of the stands. The students whose names had been announced held their heads high, their faces brimming with pride.

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

"Second place, First High School, Zhao Feng! Total points: 1,050!"

When Zhao Feng's name and score were announced, a huge cry of astonishment erupted throughout the venue. 1,050 points! Nearly two hundred points above third place! Was this the strength of First High School's top genius?

Zhao Feng stood at the very front of First High School's formation, his expression still calm, as though this result was only natural. Yet his gaze drifted, seemingly intentionally and yet not, toward Third High School's section.

Only first place remained!

Everyone held their breath. Could someone's score truly surpass Zhao Feng's?

Lei Lie swept his gaze over the entire venue before it finally settled on the injured youth at the front of Third High School's formation. His voice suddenly rose, carrying undisguised admiration.

"First place, Jiangnan City Third High School—Lin Feng! Total points: 1,580!"

Boom!

The entire stadium first fell silent, then erupted in an uproar like mountains roaring and seas crashing!

1,580 points?! More than five hundred points above Zhao Feng?! How was that possible?!

Third High School's students and teachers were stunned at first, then erupted into deafening cheers! Many teachers were so excited that tears filled their eyes. How many years had it been since Third High School had produced the citywide mock assessment's Top Scholar? And with such utterly crushing dominance!

"Lin Feng! Top Scholar!"

"He's from Third High School!"

"That's insane!"

Liu Feifei stood there blankly, listening to the thunderous cheers around her and watching the youth enveloped by countless gazes and glory. Her heart was filled with icy bitterness. 1,580 points... That number was like a heavy hammer, smashing apart the last shred of her fantasy.

Zhang Kuang and the others were ashen-faced, their entire bodies icy cold. A score of 1,580 was like a heavenly moat before them, leaving them without even the courage to feel jealous.

For the first time, Zhao Feng's ever-calm face showed a flicker of emotion. He stared hard at Lin Feng, his gaze sharp as a sword and filled with intense fighting spirit.

"Silence!" Lei Lie spoke again, suppressing the clamor. His blazing gaze settled on Lin Feng. "Student Lin Feng independently killed eleven Tier 1 Mid-Ranked Demonic Beasts, Wind Shadow Wolves, and one Tier 1 High-Ranked Demonic Beast, a Wind Shadow Wolf Guard. He also successfully escaped while being pursued by the Wind Shadow Wolf Emperor. His performance was outstanding! The organizing committee has verified that the points are correct!"

The Wolf Emperor! Escaping alive while being hunted!

Those words were like thunderbolts, shaking everyone once again! No wonder his score was so high! He had actually escaped from the hands of a Tier 2 Demonic Beast?! What terrifying strength and luck!

Countless gazes focused on Lin Feng once more, filled with disbelief, awe, and scrutiny.

"Will the top ten examinees please come up to receive their awards!"

Under the eyes of the entire crowd, Lin Feng drew a deep breath, calming his slightly surging emotions. With steady steps, he walked toward the podium one step at a time. His gait was firm. Though injured, his back remained ramrod straight.

As he passed Zhao Feng, their gazes met in the air.

"You're very strong." Zhao Feng spoke in a low, earnest voice. "At the martial arts exam finals, I hope to fight you."

Lin Feng looked into his eyes, saw the pure fighting spirit there, and nodded. "I'm looking forward to it too."

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

Lei Lie personally pinned a glittering golden medal engraved with the words "Top Scholar" onto Lin Feng's chest, then handed him an exquisite combination case.

"Student Lin Feng, this is your reward: a scholarship of five hundred thousand Federal Currency, as well as three bottles of Intermediate Gene Repair Fluid." Lei Lie patted his shoulder, his voice encouraging. "Work hard. Your future does not end here."

"Thank you, Director!" Lin Feng accepted the heavy combination case and felt the weight of the medal on his chest. A surge of heroic spirit rose within him. This was the first honor and resource he had earned through his own strength!

The award ceremony concluded amid thunderous applause.

The moment he stepped down, Lin Feng was immediately surrounded by countless people.

The admissions directors of various top martial universities nearly shoved their way over at the same time, their faces piled with enthusiastic smiles.

"Student Lin Feng, consider Beichen Martial University! Full tuition exemption, an additional annual scholarship of one million, and a dedicated personal mentor!"

"Come to Thunder Martial Academy! Our academy has the most comprehensive Thunder Element Cultivation Method library, perfect for your development!"

"War God Military Academy can directly grant you the rank of Second Lieutenant and provide the military's finest resources!"

One generous offer after another was thrown out, dazzling the eye. The surrounding examinees watched with endless envy.

Lin Feng did not answer immediately. He merely replied politely, "Thank you for your kind regard, teachers. I will consider it carefully."

He knew this was only the beginning. He needed to weigh the pros and cons and choose the path best suited to him.

After finally breaking free from the admissions offices' encirclement, Mentor Li Zhenhai walked over, his face wearing an incomparably gratified smile. "Good kid! Well done! You've brought great honor to our Third High School!"

"It's because you taught me well, Teacher." Lin Feng said sincerely.

"Cut it out!" Li Zhenhai laughed and punched his uninjured shoulder, then lowered his voice. "Go back and recover properly. The martial arts exam is what truly matters. Also, regarding Zhang Kuang's family... you don't need to worry. The school and the Zhang Family will handle it."

Lin Feng's eyes flickered, and he nodded. He understood that the value he had displayed had already caused the school and certain forces to lean toward him. If Zhang Kuang's family wanted to retaliate openly, it would not be so easy.

Just as he was preparing to leave with his team, a capable-looking middle-aged man in a black suit quietly came to his side 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 lowered his head to look at the Black Card in his hand. It felt icy to the touch, and its material was unusual. The front bore only a simple silver lightning pattern, while the back carried a line of small words and a number.

"I look forward to meeting you.—Lei Lie"

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

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

Lin Feng clenched the card, knowing that this was both an opportunity and perhaps a challenge accompanied by the unknown.

But he feared nothing.

Carefully putting away the card, Lin Feng raised his head and looked toward the vast sky beyond the stadium.

Becoming the city's Top Scholar was only a starting point.

His journey was the stars and the sea.