Body Tempering Eleventh Stage?

After hearing Wan Keshan's words, Li Qingshan understood instantly.

Yu Lei had definitely been carefully chosen by Wan Keshan to go first.

Not only could she set an example, but she could also help explain the key points.

She was simply the perfect tool.

"Next, Wu He." Wan Keshan's voice rang out.

A fairly sturdy boy stepped forward. Looking somewhat nervous, he walked toward the Light Wall and began the test.

Compared to Yu Lei, Wu He was far more ordinary.

Speed: 8.3 meters/second

Punching force: 173 kilograms

This result was, at best, on the level of an ordinary athletic student.

It wasn't just Wu He. The next twenty-plus students all produced very ordinary results.

A small number of them were even significantly worse than Wu He.

However, Wan Keshan's expression remained calm, without the slightest concern. He merely waved for them to return to the ranks, then continued with the next test.

"Next, Jia Jiang."

Zhao Hongzhou perked up.

"Brother Shan, Jia Jiang's up."

Li Qingshan nodded and also watched the figure before the Light Wall.

Jia Jiang was also from Class 7. They were classmates, after all.

Very soon, Jia Jiang's results came out.

Speed: 9.0 meters/second

Punching force: 203 kilograms

"Brother Shan, after Jia Jiang, will it be our turn?"

Zhao Hongzhou clenched his fists, sweat beading on his forehead.

Just then, Wan Keshan's voice rang out.

"Next, Fang Ju."

Phew!

Zhao Hongzhou let out a breath of relief and raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Li Qingshan turned to look at him, puzzled.

"Why are you so nervous?"

"This is only the first Martial Arts Class. The test is just to get a baseline. Didn't you notice Teacher Wan hasn't even recorded the results?"

"I've never heard of the Grade 3 Martial Arts Class having a baseline test before!"

Zhao Hongzhou grumbled under his breath, lacking confidence.

"What if they kick us out if our results aren't good enough?"

"Relax. You're about as strong as Jia Jiang. You're at least in the upper-middle range. Even if they eliminate people, it won't be you."

Li Qingshan patted Zhao Hongzhou's arm and looked toward several students who had already finished testing and ranked near the bottom.

Worry was written all over their faces. Clearly, they had the same thoughts as Zhao Hongzhou.

Li Qingshan shook his head and said calmly.

"The Grade 3 Martial Arts Class is an opportunity for every high school student in Old Continent. As long as they sign up, they can join. That's a policy set by the Federation. There's no way they'd start kicking people out in the first class."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Zhao Hongzhou became even more nervous. He pressed his lips tightly together and gave him a meaningful look.

Hmm?

Li Qingshan followed his gaze and saw Wan Keshan staring at him with a faint, unreadable smile.

He could hear that too?

Speechless, Li Qingshan immediately shut his mouth.

The surrounding discussions were quite loud, yet Wan Keshan had singled him out so precisely. His strength clearly exceeded Li Qingshan's expectations.

Fortunately, he hadn't said anything bad.

"Next, Zhao Hongzhou."

Zhao Hongzhou's expression tightened. With a miserable face, he walked out of the ranks.

Caught talking, then called on by name.

A teacher's timeless tactic, effective every time.

Li Qingshan could do nothing to help. Since Zhao Hongzhou had gone up, he should be next.

Soon, Zhao Hongzhou finished his test.

Speed: 8.9 meters/second

Punching force: 210 kilograms

Just as Li Qingshan had expected, his results were indeed almost identical to Jia Jiang's.

After returning to the ranks, Zhao Hongzhou felt as though a burden had been lifted. He even began comforting Li Qingshan instead.

"Brother Shan, it's fine. One slash across the neck and it'll be over in no time."

Do you think you're Kun?

Li Qingshan rolled his eyes and stepped forward, preparing to leave the ranks.

"Next, Xiong Xiuying."

Li Qingshan froze mid-step and turned to look at Wan Keshan.

A towering figure stood before the ranks like an iron tower.

"Excuse me, please move."

A soft, timid voice came from behind him.

Li Qingshan withdrew his foot, his face expressionless.

The girl gave him a slightly strange look before stepping out of the ranks.

After that,

One student after another stepped forward for testing, yet Li Qingshan's turn never came.

This had to be deliberate. It was definitely deliberate!

Recalling that faint, unreadable smile from earlier, Li Qingshan gained a deeper understanding of this martial arts teacher.

Time passed, and nearly half the students had completed their tests.

Yet not a single Body Tempering First Stage student had appeared, not even another "specialist" like Yu Lei.

The tests continued. One student after another stepped out, then returned to the ranks.

Finally,

"Speed: 11.1 meters/second. Punching force: 252 kilograms. Body Tempering First Stage!"

"Liang Mingyu! The first Body Tempering First Stage has appeared!"

Cries of surprise rang out one after another, and many people became excited.

Under everyone's watchful eyes,

A skinny young man walked over from the opposite side of the training hall.

He held his head high and chest out, his hands clasped behind his waist. He deliberately slowed his steps, seemingly enjoying the cheers.

When he reached the front of the ranks, Liang Mingyu stopped and stared intensely at Wan Keshan.

Logically speaking, with the first Body Tempering First Stage student appearing, even if the teacher didn't praise him, he should at least offer some comments.

"Get back in line!"

Wan Keshan frowned and waved his hand.

"Next, Liu Jingya."

Liang Mingyu's expression stiffened.

Fortunately, Liu Jingya stepping forward eased his embarrassment. The two seemed to know each other.

After exchanging a few words, Liang Mingyu returned to the ranks while Liu Jingya headed toward the Light Wall.

Looking in Liang Mingyu's direction, Zhao Hongzhou said excitedly.

"Brother Shan, Liang Mingyu's already at the Body Tempering First Stage? I feel like you're no weaker than him. You must be at the Body Tempering First Stage too."

He spent quite a lot of time with Li Qingshan, so he knew Li Qingshan's strength well.

"Probably... not quite?"

Li Qingshan pinched the bridge of his nose, his answer uncertain.

He had watched Liang Mingyu's test process carefully.

Based on his mental estimate, he really could do no worse than Liang Mingyu.

But...

Li Qingshan looked at the panel.

[Realm: Body Tempering 9/100]

Body Tempering First Stage was clearly supposed to be 10/100.

He had always believed he was merely close to the Body Tempering First Stage.

If 9/100 already counted as the Body Tempering First Stage, then wouldn't the Body Tempering Tenth Stage only be 90/100?

How was he supposed to fill the rest of the progress bar?

Could there be an Eleventh Stage? A Great Completion?

More importantly, the improvements to speed and punching force from Body Tempering were nonlinear!

The later the stage, the greater the increase!

Body Tempering Tenth Stage,

Speed: 50 meters/second

Punching force: 10 tons

At that speed and strength, one would be completely beyond human.

If there truly was an "Eleventh Stage,"

Li Qingshan didn't know, nor did he dare imagine, how terrifying it would be.

"Brother Shan, look!"

Zhao Hongzhou's voice pulled Li Qingshan back to reality. Following his pointing finger, Li Qingshan's spirits immediately rose.

"Kid knows what's good!"

Liu Jingya had finished her test and was on her way back.

Sweat soaked her martial arts uniform, outlining her figure as she swayed along with every step.

"Brother Shan, with her figure, she probably isn't suited for martial arts training."

Hmm?

Li Qingshan turned his head in surprise.

Zhao Hongzhou was frowning as he commented.

"During the speed test, she nearly lost her balance and fell over. She was far worse than Yu Lei."

After saying that, Zhao Hongzhou looked over, seemingly waiting for Li Qingshan's opinion.

Facing those wisdom-filled eyes,

Li Qingshan's expression turned serious, and he nodded solemnly.

"You're right. That's exactly what I was thinking."

The tests continued. One student after another stepped out, then returned to the ranks.

Among them, another Body Tempering First Stage student appeared.

Hong Qian.

Speed: 11.2 meters/second

Punching force: 255 kilograms

With Liang Mingyu's example before him, Hong Qian kept a much lower profile and didn't dare show off.

Fewer and fewer people remained untested, yet it still wasn't Li Qingshan's turn.

"He's probably saving me for last."

Li Qingshan could guess Wan Keshan's mischievous intent, but he no longer cared.

His gaze remained fixed on the panel, focused on the Body Tempering progress section.

Did the Body Tempering Eleventh Stage really exist?

Finally,

"Next, Li Qingshan."