Wang Tao's shock lasted for quite a while before finally subsiding under repeated deep breaths and self-reassurance.
Afterward, his gaze at Lin Ye grew complicated. There was more resignation and acceptance in his eyes, along with sincere admiration. The two didn't discuss any more details about the Challenge Tournament, instead lowering their voices to chat about trivial school matters while waiting for the announcement that they could leave.
As more and more examinees entered the Second Rest Area, the afternoon's Challenge Tournament examination soon came to an end.
Finally, once the broadcast announced that all examinees could leave, they streamed out of the Rest Area and poured outside. Their expressions were far more varied than when they had entered—excitement, dejection, frustration, calm... every reaction could be found.
Lin Ye and Wang Tao followed the crowd out of Linjiang No. 1 High School.
The setting sun dyed the horizon a brilliant gold and crimson. Parents waiting to pick up their children and examinees gradually dispersing filled the school gates, making a noisy scene. Lin Ye politely declined Wang Tao's invitation to "ride together" and chose to walk for a while, feel the breeze, and collect his thoughts.
As soon as he stepped out of the crush of people, the Smart Wristwatch on his wrist began buzzing nonstop. Lin Ye didn't even need to look to know that the class group chat had exploded.
But the watch kept vibrating, so he found a place to sit and lowered his head to check.
Sure enough, messages were flooding the class group so quickly he could barely read them. He skimmed a few, and the whole screen was filled with discussion about that afternoon's Challenge Tournament.
"Did anyone reach the seventh round? I heard the guard in the seventh round can switch between two basic martial techniques!"
"Dude, someone who isn't from our class can reach the seventh round too?"
"Who says they can't? I heard the class monitor reached the seventh round."
"Seriously? I was done by the fourth round. That Flowing Cloud Palm was slippery as hell. I hit the NPC a few times, but it didn't hurt at all."
"Damn, the Wind-Chasing Leg in the fifth round was inhuman. My Blood Qi was 362, and I lasted a minute and a half before getting kicked out."
"Seems true. I heard Weiwei made it to the seventh round. Someone from Class Six said they were in the same group of examinees."
"What about Zhang Zhen? @Zhang Zhen, Zhang, come tell us how it went!"
"@Everyone, come on, report which round you reached. I want to know what to expect, so I can at least die knowing why."
"Did anyone see Lin Ye? @Lin Ye, Brother Night must've made it past the fifth round, right?"
"Hard to say. He fell at the fourth round last time. His Blood Qi Value is a little higher now, but he might've fallen at the fifth round this time."
There were countless messages in the group, and classmates kept tagging him to ask how he'd done. Lin Ye scrolled with an expressionless face, looking at messages driven by curiosity, anticipation, or simple nosiness, but didn't reply to a single one.
Then he muted the group chat. 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'd it go? Which round? Did you get knocked out?
The direct tone was quite in keeping with his usual style.
Lin Ye's fingers paused briefly before he replied: [You first. Which round?]
[Zhang Zhen]: Me? The sixth round. The NPC in the sixth round was so smart. My Blood Qi Value was a little low, so I couldn't beat him. What about you?
[Sixth round.]
Zhang Zhen replied almost instantly.
[Zhang Zhen]: Holy shit! For real?! You made it to the sixth round too?! What martial technique did your opponent use? Mine used Wind-Chasing Leg. It was way too fierce; I couldn't beat him and could barely hold on. By the way, how'd you make it to the sixth round with 335?! (shocked.jpg)
Even through the screen, Lin Ye could sense Zhang Zhen's disbelief. He could practically picture the other boy staring wide-eyed, his face full of shock.
Lin Ye thought it over and didn't explain exactly how it had happened. He simply replied: [I got through the fifth round by taking a clever shortcut. The opponent in the sixth round used Rolling Stone Fist. His Blood Qi Value was way higher than mine, so I couldn't beat him.]
[Zhang Zhen]: Getting through by a clever shortcut is a skill too. Anyway, making it to the sixth round is impressive. Think back to the last mock exam, when you ate dirt in the fourth round. You've improved so fast—it's like you're riding a rocket! (worshipping_the_great.jpg)
Zhang Zhen was clearly stunned by how far Lin Ye had gotten this time. He sent him several stickers in a row.
A while later, perhaps after 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 in private, I might not be able to keep it in. Old Zheng's eyes are too sharp. I don't think I could fool him.
That was a practical concern. Teacher Zheng would indeed keep an eye on him, since this affected his own interests. Besides, Lin Ye was now one of the class's key students.
After thinking it over briefly, he replied: [If Teacher Zheng asks, just tell him the truth.]
[Zhang Zhen]: OK, got it. Then it's settled. Don't let me down in tomorrow's Ranking Tournament! (fist.jpg)
[Lin Ye]: Don't worry, I won't let you down. You'd better watch out, though.
[Zhang Zhen]: Pah, pah, pah! As if! If the Challenge Tournament didn't restrict us to basic martial techniques, would the sixth round have stopped me? I have a lot of faith in my luck in the Ranking Tournament. (fist.jpg)
Lin Ye smiled when he saw that.
But not long after he ended his conversation with Zhang Zhen, another private message notification chimed.
Lin Ye lowered his head and saw that it was from Li Weiwei.
[Li Weiwei]: Lin Ye, did the Challenge Tournament go all right this afternoon? Which round did you reach? [smile]
Compared with Zhang Zhen, Li Weiwei's question was much more tactful and polite.
Lin Ye had a good impression of the class monitor, so he didn't hide anything. He replied: [Not bad. The sixth round. What about you, class monitor? The group chat seems to say you reached the seventh round?]
This time, the person on the other end paused for a moment.
[Li Weiwei]: ...You made it to the sixth round? (surprised.jpg) Lin Ye, you're really impressive. As for me, I did make it to the seventh round, just like everyone said, but the guard there was very strong and could switch between basic martial techniques, so he was hard to deal with. Also, reaching the sixth round with your Blood Qi Value was already an outstanding performance. (thumbs_up.jpg)
Even through the screen, Lin Ye could sense Li Weiwei's surprise and admiration. She didn't look down on him just because she'd done better. Instead, she praised his performance.
[Lin Ye]: You flatter me, class monitor. Reaching the seventh round—you really live up to being our class monitor. (fist.jpg) [Li Weiwei]: I just got lucky and held on a little longer. Let's both do our best in tomorrow's Ranking Tournament. Maybe we can spar sometime.
[Lin Ye]: Yeah, let's do our best.
After chatting with Li Weiwei for a while, Lin Ye ended their brief exchange.
He looked up at the sky. It was already growing dim, so he didn't keep sitting there. He went to the nearest bus stop and took a bus home, where he got himself ready and prepared for tomorrow's Ranking Tournament.
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