One Move, Sending Tang San to a Makeup Exam

Zhu Zhuqing's whisper lingered in the night air of the Star Luo Empire, the page resting on the characters of Dai Mubai's name.

That same night, over at Notting Academy, preparations for the departure process had already begun.

Early the next morning, Teacher Zhao walked into the training grounds carrying a stack of assessment forms, his face showing the fatigue of staying up all night to grade papers.

"The graduation qualification assessment consists of two parts."

"Cultural studies, martial soul basics, spirit beast common knowledge, and continental history—all must meet the passing threshold. Both of you have already passed these, which is not bad."

"However, combat stability must also be demonstrated, especially for students preparing for early departure."

Xiao Chenyu squatted outside the wooden fence, holding a pancake, and grimaced as he listened.

"Is early departure really this much trouble?"

Wang Sheng leaned against the fence, arms crossed, and replied.

"You think the academy gives out travel permits for free? If you go out and get beaten back, it's Notting Academy's face that gets lost."

Xiao Wu stood beside Brother Su Hang, a piece of pastry pinched in her hand.

"Brother Su Hang, isn't this kind of assessment too simple for you?"

Ning Rongrong clutched her small bag, the Seven Treasures Token at her waist clinking against her skirt.

"Simple is one thing, but today's focus will definitely be on Tang San."

Tang San and Yu Xiaogang entered the grounds from the other side.

Tang San's cuffs were neatly fastened, and the cloth bag at his waist had been replaced with the style registered by the academy.

Yu Xiaogang stopped by his side and lowered his voice.

"Do not use any unregistered Hidden Weapons this time."

Tang San nodded.

"Rest assured, Teacher, I will only use the registered demonstration Hidden Weapons."

Yu Xiaogang continued to remind him.

"Use Blue Silver Grass to block the path and short arrows to strike the targets; do not lose your rhythm."

Tang San looked toward the wooden targets in the center of the training grounds.

"This time, I will prove that the control-type path is not wrong."

Teacher Zhao flipped open the grade sheet and looked up at the group.

"Tang San, Su Hang, you have both applied for early departure; you will demonstrate in the same session today."

Tang San took a step forward on his own initiative.

"Teacher Zhao, I request to be in the same session as Su Hang."

The edge of the training grounds immediately grew lively.

"In the same session again?"

"Tang San still dares to?"

"His Hidden Weapons have been confiscated, he should be more steady today."

Xiao Wu wrinkled her nose on the spot.

"What is he trying to pull now?"

Ning Rongrong raised her hand and touched the Seven Treasures Token.

"Uncle Ning Chuan, keep an eye on his cuffs."

Ning Chuan stood behind the crowd and moved half a step forward.

"Rest assured, Miss, no unregistered items will enter the field."

Tang San paused for a moment upon hearing this.

Xiao Chenyu immediately chuckled.

"Seven Treasures proctoring, the credibility is maxed out."

Wang Sheng chimed in quickly.

"If Tang San wants to hide anything today, he has to get past Uncle Ning Chuan first."

Teacher Zhao tapped the wooden target rack.

"The assessment rules are very simple."

"There are four moving wooden targets; scoring is based on accuracy and control stability."

"The use of registered items is permitted, but adding extra materials on the spot is strictly prohibited."

Xiao Wu immediately added a remark.

"Did you hear that? No adding extra materials."

Tang San did not respond to her, simply raising his right hand.

A yellow soul ring rose from beneath his feet, and Blue Silver Grass sprouted along the ground, winding toward the first moving wooden target.

The wooden target slid along the track.

The Blue Silver Grass blocked the path ahead first, its blades wrapping around the base of the target and successfully slowing it down.

Tang San clicked the mechanism in his sleeve.

Swish.

A short arrow pinned to the edge of the wooden target, and a segment lit up on the score board.

Teacher Zhao picked up his pen to record it.

"First target, control successful, hit off-center."

Yu Xiaogang immediately straightened up a bit.

"Very good, continue."

Tang San shifted his feet, and the Blue Silver Grass split into two strands—one to block the path, the other to pull the second wooden target.

The rhythm was steadier this time than in the previous attempts.

The short arrow struck the lower-center position of the wooden target.

Several students on the sidelines whispered among themselves.

"He's really quite steady today."

"Without poison needles flying everywhere, it's much safer."

"The short arrows are still accurate, though."

Ning Rongrong watched the field, her fingers tapping against the Seven Treasures Token.

"If you strip away all that messy stuff, he's actually decent to look at."

Xiao Wu was not quite convinced.

"Being decent to look at is useless; his mind is too convoluted."

Su Hang stood by the wooden railing, not in a hurry to enter the field.

"Watch the third one."

Hearing this, Tang San exerted force with his right hand, moving faster.

The third wooden target accelerated along the track.

The Blue Silver Grass circled around from the side, its blades tightening, and the wooden target was held back for half a beat.

The short arrow shot out.

Thwack.

The arrowhead pinned to the outer ring of the wooden target.

Teacher Zhao looked down and made a note.

"Third target, control effective, hit too low."

Yu Xiaogang let out a sigh of relief.

"This is the result of the training."

Tang San retracted his Blue Silver Grass and finally looked at Su Hang.

"It's your turn."

Su Hang walked into the field, his steps very slow.

Xiao Wu immediately followed to the edge of the field.

"Brother Su Hang, be careful he doesn't pull any more tricks."

Ning Rongrong also spoke up.

"Uncle Ning Chuan, keep watching. Don't let certain people turn a make-up exam into an accident."

Ning Chuan nodded.

"Miss, I am watching closely."

Teacher Zhao replaced the wooden targets with new ones and raised his hand to signal.

"Student Su Hang, begin."

As soon as the first wooden target moved, a Deep Purple Soul Ring rose from beneath Su Hang's feet.

Dark Purple Lightning spread out along the ground.

There were no unnecessary movements.

As the Thunder Pressure was released, all the remaining roots of the Blue Silver Grass in the center of the training field flattened against the ground.

Tang San stood to the side, and the Blue Silver Grass he had just retracted into his palm was affected by the aura, the trajectory of its blades slowing down on the spot.

His wrist went numb, and the steady composure on his face was instantly broken.

Yu Xiaogang issued a prompt warning.

"Tang San, don't let it affect you."

Tang San gritted his teeth and channeled his soul power.

"I can stabilize it."

However, as the Poison Pattern within the incomplete soul ring was struck by the Thunder Pressure, the backlash surged up along his right arm.

He tried to regain the rhythm of his Blue Silver Grass, but the short arrow had already been released.

Whoosh.

The short arrow grazed the wooden plaque and embedded itself into the sandbag beside it.

Sand began to pour out from the tear.

The training ground fell silent for half a breath before someone couldn't hold back their laughter.

"That sandbag took the hit quite accurately."

Xiao Chenyu slapped the wooden railing and shouted out directly.

"Tang San controls the wooden plaque, but Boss Su controls the entire field!"

Wang Sheng laughed so hard his flatbread nearly fell out of his hand.

"That line could be posted at the academy entrance."

Xiao Wu immediately lifted her chin.

"See? He always loses his composure whenever he encounters Brother Su Hang."

Ning Rongrong nodded as well.

"This is called combat stability, teachers, please take note."

Teacher Zhao held his pen, the tip hovering in mid-air.

"Well, student Tang San was affected by the soul power on the field, causing the short arrow to deviate from the target."

Yu Xiaogang hurriedly stepped forward.

"Different paths cannot be compared horizontally."

"Su Hang is a power-attack suppressor, while Tang San is a control-support type; the assessment criteria for the two should be separated."

Ning Rongrong crossed her arms.

"Grandmaster, it was Tang San who voluntarily requested to be on the field just now."

Xiao Wu followed up with a jab.

"Asking to separate the criteria after losing, but wanting to prove himself if he wins—there's no such thing as a free lunch."

Xiao Chenyu immediately raised his hand.

"Teacher Zhao, I request that this statement be written into the assessment remarks."

Teacher Zhao ignored him and looked only at Su Hang.

"Student Su Hang, please continue."

The second and third wooden plaques were launched simultaneously.

Su Hang raised his right hand, and the lightning at his fingertips split into two.

Snap.

Two bolts of lightning pierced the centers of the wooden plaques, stopping them instantly at the end of the track.

The fourth wooden plaque had barely popped out, not even sliding half a foot, before it was pinned to the target line by the lightning.

This time, Teacher Zhao even forgot to put his pen down.

Wang Sheng sighed in a low voice.

"What's the point of the test? The wooden plaques didn't even make it out of the beginner's village."

Xiao Chenyu puffed out his chest.

"Get it now? This is what Boss Su calls an early settlement."

Tang San stood where he was, his right hand still numb.

Yu Xiaogang immediately lowered his voice.

"Don't lose focus, the score is only one aspect."

Tang San did not reply, staring only at the short arrow on the sandbag.

Ning Rongrong walked over to Teacher Zhao's side and pointed at the scorecard.

"Teacher, you still have to write down the score, right?"

Only then did Teacher Zhao set his pen to the paper.

"Su Hang, combat stability, excellent."

He looked at Tang San's column again and paused for a moment.

"Tang San, the control aspect is effective, but stability is insufficient when subjected to interference, and the accuracy of the artifact strikes is off."

Yu Xiaogang spoke up immediately.

"Teacher Zhao, this kind of interference is already beyond the scope of a standard freshman assessment."

Teacher Zhao closed the grade sheet, his attitude firmer than before.

"Mr. Yu, if you leave the academy early for Shrek, no one out there will guarantee the range of interference."

Xiao Wu listened, looking very satisfied.

"That's fair."

Ning Rongrong tapped the Seven Treasures Token lightly.

"If he can't even withstand Brother Su Hang's Thunder Pressure, he'll be in even more trouble when he hits the Soul Saint examination at Shrek."

Xiao Chenyu shouted out again.

"Tang San should pay for the sandbags first!"

Wang Sheng patted him.

"Your focus is off, but that's very practical."

Teacher Zhao took out two documents.

"Su Hang, you passed the academic subjects, your soul power meets the standard, and your combat stability is approved. You may collect your Recommendation Pass."

Xiao Wu immediately looked at Su Hang with a smile.

"Brother Su Hang, it's settled."

Ning Rongrong also stepped half a step closer.

"As for Shrek, this young lady will accompany you to inspect the goods."

Tang San looked up.

"Teacher Zhao, what about me?"

Teacher Zhao flipped open another sheet and paused before speaking.

"Student Tang San, you need to take a make-up exam, or have a guarantor recognized by the academy sign for you."