"To measure strength, we measure striking force. Without using any equipment, you may use any method or technique, and any part of your body, to strike this area."
Mo Changfeng pointed at a dark gold plate in the center of the doorframe-shaped machine. Its middle was already covered in extensive wear.
"Alright."
Shi Yan nodded and stepped forward, several thoughts flashing through his mind.
The minimum Blood Vitality requirement for a First-Order Warrior was 10 calories, while the strength requirement was a thousand jin.
Judging by the force he had used to kill the dog demon, exceeding a thousand jin would not be a problem.
But what if he added the Southern Bright Blazing Fire?
With the Martial Arts Examination drawing near, he felt he ought to gain a clearer understanding of his own strength.
And so... he threw a punch.
The fifth floor trembled slightly as specks of pure white flame drifted through the air.
A string of numbers appeared on the machine: 6799.
Immediately afterward, an accident occurred. Some of the pure white flames fell into the machine, and the entire device began crackling.
It caught fire.
"Uh..."
Shi Yan was stunned, then his expression turned bitter.
The display screen was above his head; he had not even seen his score.
More importantly, this machine looked rather expensive.
"Curator-in-Chief Mo, for the compensation, I'll need... Where did he go?"
Shi Yan turned around, only to discover that Mo Changfeng had vanished.
This...
What he did not know was that Mo Changfeng had already reached the rooftop and made a phone call.
"Special Envoy Liu, I need to speak to the Hall Master. We've found a treasure!"
"Curator-in-Chief Mo?"
Shi Yan called out several times, but received no answer.
Fortunately, the floor here was thick and the space was wide. By the time the flames had exhausted their energy, they had not set anything else alight.
The moment the fire went out, Mo Changfeng reappeared like a ghost.
"No compensation necessary. I've wanted to replace that machine for a long time."
An inexplicable expression had appeared on Mo Changfeng's face, filled with the tender affection of a grandfather looking at his grandson.
"Congratulations. Your score is 6799."
Over six thousand!
Generally speaking, the force a First-Order Warrior could unleash was a hundred times their Blood Vitality.
By rights, Shi Yan's strike should have been around two thousand jin.
Yet the number he had produced was more than triple that!
There was only one possible explanation: Shi Yan possessed an SSS-Class ability!
As everyone knew, S-Class abilities doubled one's power, SS-Class abilities tripled it, and SSS-Class abilities quadrupled it.
Beyond that, the increase gained was comparatively small.
Judging from the way Shi Yan had punched just now, he had probably not pushed his ability to its limit yet.
In other words, Shi Yan's SSS-Class ability was even more terrifying than others of the same rank!
Baiyun No. 1 High School had hidden itself deeply indeed...
"Thank you, Curator-in-Chief Mo."
Shi Yan was delighted. This number had exceeded his expectations.
Once he had a weapon in hand, he would have no fear of most demon beasts in the examination grounds.
But after glancing at the ruined machine beside him, he truly felt too embarrassed to ask the Extreme Martial Arts Hall for a weapon.
Even if it were only a Fine Steel weapon.
"Then, Curator-in-Chief Mo, my Martial Artist Certificate..."
"Don't worry. I've already had Xiao Wei handle it for you."
Mo Changfeng smiled faintly. Then, with a raised hand and a casual swipe, three items appeared out of thin air before him.
They were a sheathed long saber, a blue-covered book, and a thumb-thick glass bottle about ten centimeters long.
With another casual wave, the three items were pushed before Shi Yan.
"Curator-in-Chief Mo, this..."
"Of course, they're your rewards." Mo Changfeng explained, "First, you've broken the Extreme Martial Arts Hall's record. Second, every year we sponsor the city's top students. Finally, outstanding students from difficult family circumstances are also among those we support. You meet every condition."
Hearing that, Shi Yan knew he could no longer refuse.
Besides, his purpose in coming here had been to obtain a weapon.
As for the machine he had burned out, once he had money, he would buy a new one and return it.
"Hmm?"
The moment Shi Yan grabbed the saber, his hand sank, and he nearly dropped it to the ground.
The number he had just produced was no joke. Yet a saber alone had made him feel such weight?
"A Tang Saber forged from Essence of Lava. Four hundred and eighty jin, B-class."
Mo Changfeng explained it, enjoying the sight of geniuses showing surprise.
"That book is the B-class Martial Arts technique, Explosive Flame Eighteen Sabers. The small bottle is Intermediate Body Tempering Medicine. I originally intended to give you an Advanced Body Tempering Medicine, but there are regulations from above: students are not permitted to take Advanced Body Tempering Medicine before the Martial Arts Examination."
"Isn't this... a little too much?"
Shi Yan felt that this reward was even more valuable than he had imagined.
Like abilities, weapons and Martial Arts techniques were also divided into seven ranks. The gaps between ranks were enormous, and high-level items in these two categories were even harder to come by.
S-Class abilities appeared every year, but S-Class equipment and Martial Arts techniques were exceedingly scarce. Even combined, the number of SS-Class items in these two categories had not reached double digits. As for SSS-Class items, there were none.
B-class items might not be top-tier, but in the hands of a First-Order Warrior, they were still incredibly rare.
For instance, B-class weapons were generally only possessed by Fourth-Order Warriors.
Most B-class Martial Arts techniques could only be afforded after reaching the Fourth Order as well.
As for Body Tempering Medicine, it was not as rare as the previous two categories, but it was generally enjoyed only by those with substantial family wealth.
Of course, the higher the grade of the Body Tempering Medicine, the fiercer its medicinal effects. Taking it recklessly could very easily damage one's foundation.
"Activate a little of your ability and let me see."
Mo Changfeng did not explain much further. Instead, he pointed at Shi Yan's right hand holding the saber.
Shi Yan's heart stirred, and he activated his ability as instructed.
White flames rose faintly by about an inch. The next moment, he noticed that the saber had become much lighter.
"This is the Lava Spirit Devouring Saber. It's rather special—it needs to devour a warrior's ability every day. But it's very useful and highly heat-resistant, making it perfect for you. As for its weight, figure it out yourself. It can change according to the amount of ability you channel into it."
A trace of shock flashed through Mo Changfeng's eyes, too subtle to detect. This saber had actually been subdued in an instant?!
Fortunately, he hid it well enough that Shi Yan did not notice.
After that, he explained the Martial Arts technique to Shi Yan as well.
It took a full hour before Mo Changfeng finally had Shi Yan go downstairs.
Only after Shi Yan left did he reveal a bitter smile. "Hall Master, you truly are generous. A treasure that can grow to S-Class—you just gave it away like that..."
By the time Shi Yan reached the first floor, the place had already emptied out considerably.
It was time for dinner, and many people had long since left. Most service counters at the Extreme Martial Arts Hall had already closed for the day.
The attendant, Xiao Wei, was still there. Upon seeing Shi Yan, she handed him his First-Order Warrior certificate and thoughtfully prepared an exquisite bag for the Martial Arts technique and certificate.
"Until we meet again."
After slipping the medicine into his pocket, Shi Yan took his leave.
When he stepped outside, he found that the sky had already darkened.
In the distance, dim, hard-edged buildings stood like the fangs of colossal beasts.
Shi Yan headed down the street ahead, as though walking into the maw of a shadowy giant beast.
Before he knew it, night had completely fallen. The lights of the city came on, like sharp swords piercing the darkness.
Shi Yan had also arrived at the entrance to his residential complex.
Inside was the home his parents from this body's former life had left him. It was not large, but it was fairly comfortable.
"Hmm? Caution tape!"
The moment he reached the entrance, Shi Yan saw the cordon stretched across the complex, as well as Monster Suppression Bureau vehicles with lights flashing incessantly.
A demon beast had appeared here too?
Just as he was thinking that, he saw a fully armed security guard walk over.
"A demon beast has been spotted in the complex. Non-residents are not allowed inside."
"Uncle Li, it's me." Shi Yan raised his student ID and waved it at the guard.
"Of course I know it's you. Tonight is unusual. Don't go out unless you absolutely have to."
The guard naturally recognized Shi Yan, the orphan who lived in the complex. After glancing at the flashing lights inside, he could not help reminding him.
Shi Yan smiled and nodded, agreeing with the guard's words.
"Do I look like that kind of person?"
Before you continue