A Difficult Choice

[Host: Xu Zhiming]

[Talent: C-Grade]

[Level: Level 9]

[Health: 39.99 (Quality 2.3)]

[Mental Power: 2.88]

[Skill: Spear Arts]

[Martial Technique: D-Grade Wind Thunder Fist (Seventh Layer), A-Grade Coiling Dragon Surging Waves (Incomplete)]

[Martial Dao Visualization Chart: C-Grade Rolling Heavenly Thunder]

Xu Zhiming swept his gaze over it, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.

No wonder he'd been feeling his mind sharpen lately—his Mental Power had been climbing higher.

The panel had also gained two new entries: Talent and Skill.

Skill meant his mastery over various weapons.

In other words, his close-combat ability.

His spear arts hadn't broken through to the beginner level yet, and the 108 Forms hadn't appeared on the panel either.

But Xu Zhiming felt the 108 Forms were extremely useful and worth practicing continuously.

He could clearly sense his understanding of Coiling Dragon Surging Waves slowly deepening.

However, since he'd only trained for a week, the improvement wasn't very noticeable yet.

Many students had gathered around the two of them; it was nearly seven o'clock now, and most people were already exhausted from training.

Those who stayed wanted to see who would come out on top between the two.

When most people saw Wang Ma stop, his face full of fatigue, they were somewhat stunned.

"Holy crap, Wang Ma's the school's second-place student, and he still can't out-grind Xu Zhiming?"

"Too strong, too strong, such a grind. Look, he's still refining Monster Beast Essence Blood—he's more beastly than a workhorse."

"Can't out-grind him, absolutely can't. Good thing we're not on the same track; Xu Zhiming and the others are all aiming for the top three universities."

"I think I can run through my martial technique two more times. I'm not going back yet."

Quite a few students turned back, practiced their martial techniques twice more, then dragged their even more exhausted bodies along.

They looked at Xu Zhiming with deep admiration.

"If Xu Zhiming can keep going, then I can too!"

Zeng Hao stood to the side, his eyes shining.

Three minutes later, he plopped down onto the ground, sweat dripping from his back onto the floor.

His eyes stared blankly at the sky—he really wanted to sleep, so he wouldn't have to watch others grinding.

Seeing that Xu Zhiming hadn't stopped, Wang Ma walked over and tested his Health.

The increase was less than 0.3, and there was still a large bucket of Level 30 Monster Beast Essence Blood sitting there.

A flash of excitement crossed his eyes—Level 30 Monster Beast Essence Blood, sold outside at 100 milliliters per bottle, cost at least 150,000.

He'd already downed over ten bottles just now.

"Teacher Huang, does this mean I've passed your assessment too?"

Huang Yilong nodded.

For this big guy Wang Ma, he felt he was pretty decent.

Even if he couldn't match Xu Zhiming, there was no jealousy in his heart—only deep respect.

Even if his face showed a look of defiance.

This was true competition.

"Alright. Your combat strength should be about the same as Xu Zhiming's. Tomorrow, you two will spar."

Wang Ma's eyes widened, his heart surging with excitement.

He'd see how he could reclaim his pride in a real fight tomorrow.

He'd watched Xu Zhiming's combat videos—decisive and strong.

But Xu Zhiming had improved too fast; his combat talent was decent, but it couldn't hide the fact that he lacked battle experience.

At least he'd sparred with Feng Li many times, giving him far richer combat experience than Xu Zhiming.

"Good. Xu Zhiming, tomorrow's spar—let's see who's stronger!"

Xu Zhiming nodded.

Having a training partner wasn't bad either. Combat strength wasn't just about visible stats like Health.

Battle experience was also extremely important.

[You diligently refine the Monster Beast Essence Blood. Vitality increased by 0.1. 10x Critical Hit triggered. Vitality increased by 1.]

[Vitality: 41.15]

Xu Zhiming exhaled deeply, casting a lingering glance at the bucket of Level 30 Monster Beast Essence Blood.

There was still so much left. He wondered if Teacher Huang would be willing to sell it.

If he could refine it all, how much stronger would he become?

Huang Yilong closed the lid, preparing to carry it into the Training Room.

"Teacher Huang, won't the energy in the Monster Beast Essence Blood dissipate?"

"Could you sell me some?"

Huang Yilong was taken aback. This kid had gotten a taste of the benefits, hadn't he.

He wouldn't beg for the One Hundred and Eight Styles of Spear Technique, but there would always be a time when he needed something.

"I can, but I think you might regret it."

Xu Zhiming shook his head repeatedly. How could he possibly regret it.

Such excellent Monster Beast Essence Blood, and he still had plenty of money on him.

The over seven hundred thousand from First High School's compensation, the two hundred thousand monthly cash reward from Second High School, and the cash from selling the E-grade Visualization Chart.

All together, it came to over three million.

As for the cash he'd helped Meng Tian with to break through to the fourth level of Wind Thunder Fist, Xu Zhiming decided to let it go.

Others had already given him more than enough.

C-grade Rolling Heavenly Thunder and A-grade Coiling Dragon Surging Waves were only one level away from completion.

Calculating the two together, their value should exceed two hundred million, right?

He had searched online but found no reference price for A-grade Martial Skills.

B-grade Martial Skills cost over a hundred million, so A-grade would certainly be even more precious.

Huang Yilong looked at Xu Zhiming, a sly smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Since you want to buy, I can sell to you."

"Originally, I was going to let you all drink from this bucket of Monster Beast Essence Blood. Whoever drinks the most earns it by his own skill."

"I'll just have to find another chance to go out and kill a few more beasts."

Xu Zhiming's smile froze on his face.

"Teacher, I didn't bring money today. I'll buy some when I have it later."

Without giving Huang Yilong a chance to respond, Xu Zhiming turned and ran.

Zeng Hao and the others watched, dumbfounded.

"Hahahaha..."

For a moment, the air was filled with cheerful laughter.

On his way home, Xu Zhiming saw the messages Zhang Wei and the others had sent.

They introduced the details of this Ten-School Joint Examination.

The rules had changed from what was previously announced.

Each city could only send three people. These thirty would compete for first place.

Only the top thirty would receive rewards; the remaining seventy would get nothing.

The sudden rule change gave Xu Zhiming a sense of absurdity.

"On May 1st, each city submits the list of its top three."

Xu Zhiming decided not to worry about it.

He estimated that his current combat strength wasn't enough to defeat Qiu Yingzong.

Cloud Water City was very small, with only First High School and Second High School.

Right now, only three people could threaten him.

Feng Li, Qiu Yingzong, and Wang Ma.

He couldn't rule out the possibility that these people had hidden cards.

Especially Feng Li, who gave him an unfathomable feeling.

Meng Tian, with over seventy points of vitality, had been kicked flying by Feng Li without any chance to fight back.

Wang Ma, relatively speaking, posed a smaller threat.

He would know Wang Ma's strength tomorrow.

Xu Zhiming opened the message Meng Tian had sent.

"Brother Xu, remember to accept the little brother's daily medicine delivery."

Xu Zhiming's eyes narrowed. What daily medicine delivery?

He sent a message asking about it.

"Brother Xu, hold on a moment, I have to go hit someone."

Xu Zhiyuan put down his phone, completely confused.

Forget it, time to practice Rolling Heavenly Thunder.

"Principal Zhao Deyun said that recently, people will come to test my Heavenly Pride level."

"Soldier, General, King—three levels. Based on my current strength, I should be at the General level."

"The greater the potential, the easier it is to be targeted by evil cults, but the resource allocation you receive is also greater."

"Truly a difficult choice."

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