On the Day of the College Entrance Exam, Returning to School, and the Regretful Classmates

In the days that followed.

Xu Yihan went with Ji Feiyue's group into the Abyss, while Jiang Yuan trained his body and mind alone at the martial arts gym, preparing for the college entrance exam.

More than a dozen bizarre mass-murder cases and incidents of Class-Transferred Warriors attacking people occurred in Nanjiang City. The city was thrown into a state of panic, and the Martial Artist Association and the Patrol Bureau issued a statement saying they had found the cause and would resolve the problem soon. They urged the public to remain calm.

Remembering what had happened that night, Jiang Yuan was a little worried. He messaged his aunt's family, telling them to stay safe and avoid going out at night if possible.

"We understand. You're living alone out there, so be careful too. Stop getting into trouble with people, and try to avoid fighting," Tao Yufeng replied. It seemed she already knew about Jiang Yuan's fight with Liang Cheng.

Soon.

Time flew by, and the eve of the college entrance exam arrived.

Boom!

A deafening crash.

The Combat Power Tester shook violently and began spewing white smoke. The numbers fluctuated wildly before finally settling.

150392!

"My basic damage with Ripple Force has finally passed 150,000."

A smile spread across Jiang Yuan's face.

"In terms of single-target damage, that's enough to rival an average Tier-Three Class-Transferred Warrior."

"Jiang Yuan, Sister Feiyue said your Bone Spear is finished. She sent it to the guild warehouse, so you can check it there. She also mailed you something."

A pleasant female voice came from outside.

Xu Yihan had just returned from the Abyss. Wearing a plain white martial arts uniform, she walked in with a package in her hands.

She'd gained plenty on this trip to the Abyss, too. After overcoming her inner demons, her spear technique had finally reached mastery, and she'd advanced to Tier Three.

Clatter.

When she saw the number on the Combat Power Tester, the package slipped right out of her hands.

Jiang Yuan opened the guild warehouse and saw the Bone Spear inside. He took it out and inspected it.

The once plain, snow-white spear had gained a dark golden sheen. Its weight, durability, and sharpness had all improved by several levels.

He checked its details.

[Dark Gold Bone Spear (Ordinary Top-Grade): Attack +10%, Attack Speed +10%, Critical Hit +5%. Grants damage reduction, spell-breaking, and tearing effects. Durability: 100%]

Even among ordinary top-grade equipment, its stats were top-tier.

"Not bad at all."

Jiang Yuan grinned and put it in his System Inventory.

"What's this?"

He walked over and picked up the package, curious.

Xu Yihan finally came back to herself. "She probably bought you some clothes. Open it and see."

Jiang Yuan opened it. There were indeed several outfits inside, made from top-quality fabric and bearing high-end brand names. Each one had the Blood Rose logo embroidered on it. They were clearly custom-made.

These outfits were made to measure by [Advanced Tailors], people who had transferred into a life profession. On top of being comfortable, well-fitted, and stylish, they also came with effects such as dust resistance and self-repair. Each piece cost over a hundred thousand.

"Sister Feiyue said the clothes you usually wear are too cheap-looking, so she had a few outfits made for you to wear to the college entrance exam," Xu Yihan said with a smile.

"I feel like I've become some rich woman's kept boy..." Jiang Yuan said with a bitter smile.

"A kept boy couldn't deal 150,000 damage." Xu Yihan glanced at the Combat Power Tester, her expression hard to describe.

"I thought reaching Tier Three would let me relax a little... I didn't expect you to be catching up with me already."

Even without using skills, her damage was only a little over 200,000.

Jiang Yuan was only LV9 right now. Once he reached LV10, he'd gain another class skill at each of the first two tiers, which would give him a major boost.

By then...

She'd probably have to give up her team's main damage-dealer spot.

The next day.

The day of the college entrance exam.

Jiang Yuan returned to school and went to the sports field. The students were dressed in all kinds of outfits. Some wore warrior armor and carried greatswords.

Others wore mage robes and hats, and held staffs. Some carried spears, while others had bows slung over their backs, dressed like elves.

They'd geared themselves up from head to toe.

Couldn't they just put it in their inventories? Jiang Yuan thought in exasperation.

He was still wearing the school uniform of First High School, black and white, plain and simple.

The clothes Ji Feiyue had sent him were nice, but they drew too much attention.

Especially the black custom-made trench coat with the Blood Rose logo. Wearing it made him look like an operative from the Executive Department. It was far too conspicuous.

"Who's that?"

"Is he from S Class?"

"You don't know him? That's Jiang Yuan from Class Three, the one who beat Liang Cheng."

"Oh, him! No wonder he looks so intimidating..."

"He really is handsome!"

"Whoa... So that's him. He's the heartthrob of Class Three, but I thought he'd only awakened an E-rank talent."

"You actually believe that? He must've been hiding his real talent..."

Students in the distance turned to look at Jiang Yuan and whispered among themselves.

Standing in the middle of the field, he had a handsome, fair face with a hint of youthful innocence. His build was tall and lean, and his golden eyes were stern and commanding. His calm expression carried an invisible pressure and a surging aura that made people afraid to approach him.

Even in his school uniform, he was like a blazing sun in the sky, shining so brightly that no one could ignore him.

Some of his classmates spotted Jiang Yuan too, but none dared approach to greet him.

"Is that... Jiang Yuan?"

"Whoa... How did he change so much?"

"I heard he's already a Tier-One Martial Artist."

"No wonder just looking at him scares me. He's just like those monsters in S Class..."

Their eyes were full of awe and admiration.

Huang Yi, dressed in a full set of warrior gear, cowered in a corner. He didn't even dare look at Jiang Yuan, who stood surrounded by admirers.

His Vitality was only 5 now, while Jiang Yuan—the person he'd once mocked and looked down on—had long since become a Tier-One Martial Artist. He'd even beaten Liang Cheng, who Huang Yi thought was incredibly powerful. Now, Huang Yi didn't even have the right to look up to Jiang Yuan.

The girls in his class who had once looked down on Jiang Yuan and said that nobody would want an E-rank talent regretted it so much they could hardly stand it.

He was handsome, strong, from an ordinary background, and hardworking!

He was practically the ultimate high-potential prospect!

Even if they couldn't be his girlfriend, they could have at least been nice to him and become his friend. Maybe one day he'd become someone important, someone who could change their lives with a single word.

But now... they'd buried their chance by ruining their friendship as classmates. They'd lost even the chance to get closer to him.

The thought left their hearts aching with regret.