Bringing Shame on Himself

Inside the Monitoring Hall outside the Hunting Ground, the largest screen showed a live feed of Lu Chong, the current leader of the rankings.

Most of the senior officials and teachers present were watching this dark horse, who had never stood out before.

They were especially impressed when they saw Lu Chong take down a Stage Eight Shadow Cat all by himself. The room buzzed with discussion and praise.

Lu Chong was a Martial Apprentice Stage 8. Going toe-to-toe with a Shadow Cat of the same stage wasn't anything extraordinary.

But the Shadow Cat had been deliberately keeping its distance and dodging him. The fact that Lu Chong had still managed to chase it down and kill it with such ease was unusual.

Strength spoke for itself.

By now, few people still doubted Lu Chong's ability.

His tactics and experience might still be a little immature, but his strength was there for all to see. No one could ignore it.

And with their keen eyes, those present had also noticed that Lu Chong had more than just a perfected Monument-Splitting Palm and Nine-Shadow Step.

Though he had only briefly revealed his Heart-Piercing Kick and Eagle Claw Technique, both were at least at the Microscopic level.

"Impressive, Teacher Wang. You've really been keeping this under wraps. Your student Lu Chong is proficient in at least four Martial Skills."

A senior teacher from another school looked enviously at Wang Tong and exclaimed in amazement, "Come on, give us a hint. Just how many Martial Skills has he learned?"

"Exactly. To be proficient in so many Martial Skills at such a young age—he's the only high school senior this year who can do that."

Wang Tong smiled and cupped his hands toward everyone, modestly but loudly replying, "Not at all, not at all. That's all there is to it. That kid really can't keep his head down. He doesn't know how to hold back."

In truth, even Wang Tong didn't know how far Lu Chong had progressed in his Martial Skill training.

He only knew that besides the Monument-Splitting Palm and Nine-Shadow Step, Lu Chong had also perfected the mid-grade Wind Splitting Leg.

But that was the trump card he'd taught Lu Chong. Of course he couldn't reveal it here.

Li Chengjun sat beside Wang Tong. Remembering how he used to be the center of attention, the stark contrast left a sour taste in his mouth, and he didn't feel like saying much.

Just then, Zhao Longfei and the four Stage Eight students suddenly appeared on the screen, blocking Lu Chong's way.

As the staff watched and operated the feed, Zhao Longfei's cold words rang throughout the hall.

"Your mock Combat Assessment ends here."

The moment he said that, the hall erupted in an uproar.

The teachers present could all tell that Zhao Longfei intended to corner Lu Chong. He was willing to break the rules and lose points just to eliminate him.

Li Chengjun's already foul mood sank to rock bottom.

"Li Chengjun, what's the meaning of this?" Wang Tong had seen the scene too. His smile disappeared as he demanded an explanation.

Li Chengjun looked even more distressed than Wang Tong. He hadn't instructed them to do this.

The problem was that all five students who had moved to corner Lu Chong were from his class. No matter how much he explained, few people would believe him.

"Old Squad Leader, listen to me. I had no idea this would happen. There must be some kind of misunderstanding." Li Chengjun could only force himself to explain.

Wang Tong sneered. "Breaking the rules in public—mock assessment or not, it's still disgraceful."

"It doesn't just bring shame on you and me. It brings shame on our No. 1 High School, too."

At the front, Principal Fang from Third High School smiled as he turned to Principal Wei, about to tease him. But when he saw Principal Wei's frighteningly grim expression, he wisely kept quiet.

Principal Wei set down his teacup. His voice boomed through the hall like thunder. "Li Chengjun, once this assessment is over, bring Zhao Jingcheng to the school to see me."

Who was Zhao Jingcheng?

Many people quickly remembered: Zhao Jingcheng was the owner of the Zhao Clan Martial Arts School in the city, a Martial Master Stage 4 and a highly respected figure.

Zhao Jingcheng was also Zhao Longfei's father, and he had once been a student at No. 1 High School.

Good grief!

The hall fell silent. Everyone knew that the Old Principal of No. 1 High School, a man of great influence in Guanyun City, was truly angry.

Was it really serious enough to call in his father? Surely not.

Only Colonel Huang, Wang Tong, Li Chengjun, and a handful of others understood that the Old Principal's public anger wasn't just because No. 1 High School had been disgraced.

For the Old Principal, a little embarrassment was nothing.

Some competition between students was normal, and even worth encouraging.

But what the Old Principal hated most was anyone turning on their own when they were surrounded by outside enemies.

In this situation, the Shadow Cats were the enemy, and students from schools other than No. 1 High School were their rivals.

What's more, Zhao Longfei had gathered four students to gang up on Lu Chong. It was all the more despicable.

Li Chengjun answered with a dejected "Yes," and Wang Tong's expression softened a little.

When Principal Fang from Third High School saw that Principal Wei had quickly regained his composure, he kindly reminded him, "Old Wei, calm down. It's not worth getting worked up over something so minor. You'll make yourself sick—and you still have to keep your promise, don't you?"

"Don't worry." Principal Wei glanced at Principal Fang with a faint smile. "If Lu Chong loses like this, I won't go back on my word."

Inside the Hunting Ground, in the territory of a Stage Eight Shadow Cat, Lu Chong faced four Martial Apprentices of the same stage without changing expression. "Is this because I turned down your invitation?"

"That's right!"

Zhao Longfei looked as if he had everything under control. He said coldly, "I told you from the start that you'd have to face the consequences."

"Top of the assessment rankings? Lu Chong, are you hoping to claim that huge prize?"

Zhao Longfei smirked. "I'm not going to let you have your way."

"To deal with an ant like you, I don't even need to get involved myself."

He was exploiting a loophole in the exam. Since Zhao Longfei wasn't fighting personally, he wouldn't even lose points for breaking the rules.

"Boring." Lu Chong chuckled indifferently and turned to leave.

"Trying to leave? Stop him!" Zhao Longfei shouted. The four Martial Apprentice Stage 8 students immediately closed in on Lu Chong.

"Don't let him get eliminated too easily. Beat him hard!" Zhao Longfei added.

A student from Class 1 was the first to reach Lu Chong. He opened with an Iron Wire Fist at the Microscopic level.

At the same time, another student approached from the left with Nine-Shadow Step and used a Monument-Splitting Palm at the Microscopic level, joining the attack on Lu Chong.

They all knew Lu Chong had perfected the Monument-Splitting Palm and Nine-Shadow Step, so they joined forces from the start to make up for their disadvantage in Martial Skills.

Yet faced with the incoming fist and palm, Lu Chong didn't even try to dodge. He actually met both attacks head-on, throwing a palm strike and a kick at the same time.

His perfected Monument-Splitting Palm and Heart-Piercing Kick struck together, their momentum terrifying.

Thud! Thud!

Two blows landed in quick succession. The two students who had rushed at him were sent flying. They quickly got back to their feet, their faces tense.

They realized they had still underestimated Lu Chong's combat ability.