Zhang Zhen's Surprise

Wang Tao's shock lasted for quite a while, only gradually subsiding after repeated deep breaths and self-consolation.

Afterward, the look he gave Lin Ye became complex, his eyes filled with a sense of resignation and sincere admiration. The two didn't discuss the details of the challenge anymore, turning instead to trivial campus matters while waiting for the departure announcement.

As more examinees entered the Second Rest Area, the afternoon challenge assessment soon came to an end.

Finally, after the broadcast announced that all examinees could leave, the students in the rest area filed out one after another, pouring out of the venue. Their expressions were far more varied than when they had entered—excited, dejected, annoyed, calm... the list went on.

Lin Ye and Wang Tao followed the crowd out of Linjiang No. 1 High School.

The setting sun dyed the horizon a brilliant golden red. The school gate was packed with parents picking up their children and students dispersing, creating an exceptionally noisy scene. Lin Ye politely declined Wang Tao's invitation to share a ride, choosing to walk for a bit to catch the breeze and clear his thoughts.

Just as he stepped out of the dense crowd, his smart watch began to buzz. Lin Ye didn't even need to look to know that the class WeChat group must have exploded.

But since the watch wouldn't stop vibrating, he found a spot to sit down and lowered his head to check it.

Sure enough, the messages in the class group were refreshing so fast it was hard to keep up. He scanned through them briefly; the screen was filled with discussions about the afternoon's challenge.

"Did anyone hit the seventh stage? I heard the gatekeeper at the seventh stage can switch between two basic martial arts!"

"Buddy, is it even possible for someone outside our class to reach the seventh stage?"

"Who said it wasn't? I heard the class monitor made it to the seventh stage."

"For real? I was out at the fourth stage. That Flowing Cloud Palm is too slippery; I landed a few hits, but the NPC didn't take any damage."

"Damn, the Wind-Chasing Leg at the fifth stage is inhuman. My blood energy is 362, and I was kicked out after holding on for a minute and a half."

"It seems to be true. Li Weiwei reached the seventh stage, apparently. I heard it from some guys in Class 6 who were in the same batch."

"What about Zhang Zhen? @Zhang Zhen, Brother Zhang, come out and tell us how it went."

"@everyone, everyone report which stage you reached? Let me have a baseline so I can die knowing."

"Has anyone seen Lin Ye? @Lin Ye, Brother Ye definitely made it past the fifth stage, right?"

"Hard to say. He failed at the fourth stage last time. Even though his blood energy is higher now, he might have failed at the fifth."

There were countless messages in the group, and students kept tagging him, asking about his results. Lin Ye scrolled through, watching these messages—some curious, some expectant, some just looking for gossip—with an expressionless face, replying to none of them.

Afterward, he set the group to "Do Not Disturb." Just as he was about to look up, a private message notification popped up.

It was Zhang Zhen.

[Zhang Zhen]: Old Ye, are you out? How did it go? Which stage? Did you crash?

The tone was direct, fitting his usual style perfectly.

Lin Ye's fingertips paused, and he replied: [You tell me first, which stage?]

[Zhang Zhen]: "Me? The sixth stage. The AI for the sixth-stage NPC is so high. My blood energy was a bit low, so I couldn't beat it. What about you?"

[The sixth stage.]

As soon as the message was sent, Zhang Zhen replied almost instantly.

[Zhang Zhen]: Holy crap! For real?! You reached the sixth stage too?! What martial art did your sixth-stage opponent use? Mine was Wind-Chasing Leg; it was too fierce, I couldn't handle it at all. Also, how did you manage to reach the sixth stage with 335 blood energy?! (Shocked.jpg)

Lin Ye could feel Zhang Zhen's disbelief through the screen; he could even imagine the guy's wide-eyed, shocked expression.

Lin Ye thought for a moment and didn't explain the specific process, simply replying: [I used a trick to pass the fifth stage. The sixth-stage opponent used Rolling Stone Fist, but their blood energy was just too much higher than mine, so I couldn't win.]

[Zhang Zhen]: Being able to use a trick is a skill in itself. Anyway, making it to the sixth stage is impressive. Thinking back to the last mock exam, you were still failing at the fourth stage. Your progress is way too fast—are you riding a rocket?! (Worshiping.jpg)

Zhang Zhen was clearly shocked by his result, sending several emojis in a row.

After a while, perhaps digesting the news, he sent another message.

[Zhang Zhen]: Don't worry, I won't go blabbing in the group. But... if Teacher Zheng asks me privately, I might not be able to keep it in. Old Zheng's eyes are too sharp; I don't think I can hide it from him.

That was a practical problem. Teacher Zheng would certainly pay attention to him, as it concerned his own interests, and he was now considered a key student in the class.

After a moment of thought, he replied: [If Teacher Zheng asks, just tell him the truth.]

[Zhang Zhen]: OK, I get it, it's settled then. Don't mess up at the Ranking Tournament tomorrow! (Fist.jpg)

[Lin Ye]: Don't worry, I won't mess up. You should be the one to watch out.

[Zhang Zhen]: Pfft, as if! If it weren't for the fact that the challenge only allows basic martial arts, the sixth stage wouldn't have been able to stop me. I have a lot of faith in my luck for the ranking matches. (Fist.jpg)

Seeing this, Lin Ye smiled.

However, not long after ending the conversation with Zhang Zhen, another private message notification sounded.

Lin Ye looked down and saw it was Li Weiwei.

[Li Weiwei]: Lin Ye, did the challenge go well this afternoon? Which stage did you reach? [Smile]

Compared to Zhang Zhen, Li Weiwei's way of asking was much more tactful and polite.

Lin Ye had a good impression of the class monitor, so he didn't hide anything and replied: [It was alright, the sixth stage. What about you, Monitor? The group seems to be saying you reached the seventh?]

This time, it was the other side's turn to pause for a moment.

[Li Weiwei]: ...You reached the sixth stage? (Surprised.jpg) Lin Ye, that's really impressive. As for me, it's just as everyone says—I reached the seventh stage. But the gatekeeper at the seventh stage is very strong and can switch between basic martial arts, making them quite difficult to deal with. Besides, considering your blood energy, reaching the sixth stage is already an outstanding performance. (Thumbs up.jpg)

Even through the screen, Lin Ye could feel Li Weiwei's surprise and admiration; she did not look down on him because her own results were better, but instead affirmed his performance.

[Lin Ye]: You flatter me, Class Monitor. To be able to reach the seventh stage, you truly live up to the title of our class monitor. (Fist.jpg) [Li Weiwei]: It was just luck that I managed to hold on a little longer. Let's both do our best in tomorrow's Ranking Tournament, and maybe we can spar when there's an opportunity in the future.

[Lin Ye]: Mm, let's do our best.

After chatting with Li Weiwei for a while, Lin Ye ended their brief exchange.

Looking up at the sky, the light had already begun to dim, so Lin Ye did not continue sitting where he was. He walked to the nearest bus stop and took the bus back home to adjust his state and prepare for tomorrow's Ranking Tournament.