At Zhang Jianwu's words, the other teachers all turned to look toward Jiang Ye.
A few teachers even took out their phones and started checking Jiang Ye's scores on the school's website.
"His most recent final assessment was 330 points?"
"With a score like that, he's still a long way from the top three. I doubt he even has a one-in-ten chance."
The teachers whispered among themselves, all astonished.
With a chance of less than one in ten, how could the director call it three in ten?
Was there something special about that boy?
But when Chen Zilu heard this, she smiled faintly and said softly, "The director may be underestimating Jiang Ye."
"Oh?"
Zhang Jianwu looked a little surprised. Smiling, he asked, "Then how likely do you think he is to make the top three?"
Chen Zilu replied, "I think at least five in ten. Maybe even seven in ten."
A stir!
The moment she said that, the entire viewing stand fell silent.
Many of the teachers stared in astonishment at the cool, beautiful woman in the white dress.
Had they heard her right?
Seven in ten?
What made Miss Chen so confident in that student?
Even Zhang Jianwu was taken aback. He couldn't help shaking his head with a laugh.
After all, among the students taking part in this trial, at least three were already close to mastering the Star Martial Cultivation Method.
A seven-in-ten chance of making the top three?
Only the Key Class students in their second year of high school had that kind of confidence!
"Xiao Chen, you're that confident in him?"
Zhang Jianwu looked at the woman in white. He didn't argue, but a hint of doubt showed in his eyes.
Chen Zilu smiled faintly, her voice clear and cool. "If it were a direct contest of strength, Jiang Ye would indeed struggle to beat so many people. But as far as I know, this trial isn't just about raw strength."
At that, Zhang Jianwu looked thoughtful.
This trial? Of course he knew what it involved.
So he understood what Chen Zilu was getting at.
But Jiang Ye making the top three? It was practically impossible.
"Then I'll have to watch closely."
As he spoke, Zhang Jianwu looked toward the hall again.
When it came to breadth of knowledge, he might not be as well-informed as Miss Chen.
But when it came to judgment, he, as the year director, trusted his eye for students far more than Chen Zilu's.
Eight in the morning.
"Clang—"
At the platform, Wang Ziang struck the suspended golden bell behind him with all his might. Its deep peal rang out.
The spherical building's doors slowly closed.
"The trial is about to begin!"
Everyone perked up. Many students looked around, curious and nervous.
"It's finally starting."
Jiang Ye also braced himself. Even now, he still didn't know what the trial involved. At last, he was about to find out.
On the platform, Wang Ziang said coolly:
"This trial has three main parts."
"First: the Martial Will Trial!"
"Second: the Flowing Light Trial!"
"Third: the Thunder Fire Trial!"
At the names of the three trials, Jiang Ye's eyes lit up.
Martial Will? That was his strong suit.
But he wasn't very familiar with the other two trials.
Wang Ziang went on to explain, "Complete all three trials, and you'll pass this assessment and receive a thirty-thousand-yuan bonus."
"In addition, the top three in this trial will each receive an advanced art—the Eight Divisions Thunder Sound Fist!"
As he said this, he clapped his hands.
A hum rang out!
The next moment, a circular platform rose from the center of the hall.
A brocade box embroidered with gold thread sat on it. Faint rumbles of thunder came from inside.
The Eight Divisions Thunder Sound Fist was inside that box.
"An advanced art that makes sounds on its own?"
Seeing this, Jiang Ye felt as if he'd just seen the world.
Li Zhichao, beside him, murmured, "That's because there's a speaker inside the box."
"..."
Jiang Ye nodded expressionlessly, once again feeling as if he'd just seen the world.
Then he looked back at the platform.
"Even if I only get the thirty-thousand-yuan bonus, this trip will have been worth it," Jiang Ye thought.
Of course, he would also do everything he could to compete for the Eight Divisions Thunder Sound Fist.
"Now it all depends on these three trials."
"I wonder what they actually involve," Jiang Ye thought, puzzled.
While he was wondering, someone called out:
"Hey! Wang Ziang!"
A girl in a red dress called toward the platform. "What exactly are the three trials? Explain them properly!"
Li Zhichao looked at the girl in red, his eyes sharpening. "That's Zeng Xueqing from the Key Class. Her Cultivation Method is close to perfect mastery. She's a formidable opponent."
Wang Ziang also glanced at Zeng Xueqing. She was his classmate. Although she ranked near the bottom, she was very pretty.
"Zeng Xueqing, please mind how you speak to the third-ranked student in the year."
Wang Ziang spoke coolly.
Once he sensed the admiring gazes directed at him, he nodded with satisfaction and continued:
"The Martial Will Trial naturally tests the strength of your Martial Will."
"The Flowing Light Trial mainly tests your footwork and reaction speed."
"The Thunder Fire Trial uses thunder and fire to temper your bodies. The longer you endure it, the more benefits you'll receive."
"You'll find out the specifics once you enter the trials."
Wang Ziang raised his voice. "Enough talk. The trial is about to begin. Take your positions!"
At his words, everyone went to sit in the virtual pods.
Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao stepped forward too, taking seats next to each other.
They put on their Virtual Helmets.
A hum rang out!
Jiang Ye's consciousness sank, and then he entered the virtual city.
After a brief darkness, the scenery around Jiang Ye gradually brightened.
He looked around and saw that he was standing in a spacious, brightly lit room.
Not far away was a large bed with crisp white sheets.
"Why does this scene look kind of familiar?"
Jiang Ye muttered, then looked around in confusion.
"The virtual network is called Virtual Starry Sky. I should see the starry sky as soon as I enter."
"Why do I end up in a city every time?"
Jiang Ye pondered. "Is that how it's set up?"
Just then, he heard a pleasant voice say, "Student, the Martial Will Trial is about to begin. Please get ready."
Jiang Ye's spirits lifted, and he turned around.
A breathtakingly beautiful girl was walking slowly toward him, her snow-white feet bare.
Looking at her, Jiang Ye frowned. "Who are you?"
The beautiful girl spoke softly. "I'm a staff member for this trial. It's about to begin, so please lie down on the bed and let me give you a relaxing massage before the assessment."
"A pre-assessment massage?"
A look of surprise crossed Jiang Ye's face.
The beautiful girl nodded. With her small, snow-white feet bare, she walked toward the bed and urged him, "Student, hurry up. The trial is about to begin. Take off your clothes and lie down."
Her voice was soft and gentle, yet seemed to hold a kind of magic. It was so sweet and tender that anyone could easily get lost in it.
As she spoke, the girl had already begun to undress, revealing her snow-white, smooth shoulders. As her skirt shifted, it offered a glimpse of a pair of sleek, shapely legs. A captivating fragrance wafted over.
At the sight, a strange look appeared in Jiang Ye's eyes.
It looked like he was already in an illusion?
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