Body Tempering Second Layer

Seeing the noisy crowd below, Li Qingshan had no intention of explaining.

In his view, New Star was still far too distant for these children. That was something geniuses should be considering.

For ordinary people, getting into a key martial university, finding a high-paying job after graduation, and living out their lives safely was already quite good.

"Next, Guo Hongtao," Li Qingshan called.

The crowd immediately fell silent. Guo Hongtao stepped forward into the infrared speed-testing area, adjusted his condition slightly, and began the test.

With a whoosh, Guo Hongtao burst into a sprint at a speed completely at odds with his build, so fast that afterimages appeared behind him.

Soon, the speed-testing equipment produced the result: 21.6 m/s.

Next came the strength test. He only scored 395 kilograms, not even as much as Song Xi.

Still, it was obvious that Guo Hongtao was quite satisfied with that result.

The dozen or so students who went next could not compare to the first two, but their results were still excellent—good enough to get into a key martial university with some effort.

Li Qingshan's expression remained calm. He was not disappointed.

Having Song Xi and Guo Hongtao, two students ranked in the top twenty of their year, emerge from an ordinary class was already incredible. There was nothing more to ask for.

He repeated the previous procedure and called out the next name. "Next, Jiang Yuan."

Guo Hongtao perked up and shouted excitedly, "Go, Brother Yuan!"

Under the gaze of the entire class, Jiang Yuan walked out of the line and stopped before the testing area.

After taking the Creation Pill, he felt as though his entire body was brimming with strength.

To be honest, even he wanted to know his true strength.

Jiang Yuan took a deep breath, mobilized the qi and blood throughout his body, and stamped his right foot heavily. He shot forward like a cruise missile.

His qi and blood supplied him with a constant stream of power, making him run faster and faster.

The wind howled past his ears, and he vaguely heard his classmates cry out in surprise.

The hundred-meter distance took only a few short steps. He charged across the finish line.

"I feel like Jiang Yuan is even faster than Song Xi."

"At that speed, he's almost catching up to Guo Hongtao."

"That's ridiculous. He changed so much in just one winter break. Don't tell me this guy got some kind of cheat?"

The surrounding students broke into discussion, and the speed-test result appeared at that moment.

Speed: 20.8 m/s

Jiang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

He had achieved that score while still not fully accustomed to his strength. Once he completely mastered his rapidly increased power in a few days, he would definitely surpass little fatty Guo Hongtao.

Without hesitation, Jiang Yuan walked over to the punching machine and threw three punches in quick succession.

Punching force: 435 kilograms.

Everyone's mouths fell open, their faces filled with disbelief.

Come on, that score was almost at the Body Tempering Second Layer.

In just one month, he had gone from the middle of the class to the top ten in the year. This development was way too absurd.

A hint of surprise appeared on Li Qingshan's face. He tried hard to recall Jiang Yuan's results from previous tests before finally speaking.

"I take back what I said earlier."

"At the very least, I see a glimmer of hope in him for reaching New Star."

Among the crowd, Song Xi looked thoroughly unconvinced.

What was this supposed to mean?

Jiang Yuan was only a tiny bit stronger than her. She would catch up soon enough.

Did that tiny gap mean Jiang Yuan had hope of going to New Star, while she had none at all?

Her uncle was really biased.

Song Xi thought sullenly.

"Don't be unconvinced."

Li Qingshan's deep voice suppressed every dissatisfied murmur. "New Star Martial University has never recruited based on strength alone. What it values is talent."

"Do you know what Jiang Yuan's previous test results were?"

"Punching force: 350 kilograms. Speed: 16 m/s."

"In just one month, he improved by so much. That fully proves Jiang Yuan's talent."

"The only remaining question is whether this rate of improvement can continue. If he can truly maintain it, then getting into New Star is practically guaranteed."

"As for certain students maliciously speculating whether Jiang Yuan took banned drugs, I can now tell you clearly: the qi and blood in Jiang Yuan's body is stable, and his foundation is solid. There is not a trace of forced advancement."

"He earned all of this through hard training. I advise certain students not to maliciously spread rumors just because they are jealous."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan guiltily rubbed his nose.

His strength really had been boosted by pills.

Of course, the Creation Pill was different from those banned drugs. Increasing strength was only a secondary effect; what mattered was that it could improve his talent, aptitude, and physique.

Presumably, in the future, he would not fall behind New Star's prodigies in the slightest.

Li Qingshan had no idea what Jiang Yuan was thinking and continued, "So when I said Jiang Yuan was the only one with hope of reaching New Star, was there anything wrong with that?"

Everyone was left speechless.

Put that way, there really was nothing wrong with it.

That also explained why Li Qingshan seemed so protective of Jiang Yuan.

Who told them their talent was inferior to Jiang Yuan's?

On the martial path, strength had always been supreme.

And talent represented strength that had yet to be realized.

Although talent could not yet be equated with strength, Jiang Yuan's talent meant that it was perfectly reasonable for him to have more privileges.

Therefore, they had no objections to Jiang Yuan receiving some special treatment.

Sure enough, Li Qingshan then put on a kind expression and said, "Jiang Yuan, stay after class. I'll teach you a martial skill separately."

Li Qingshan was unwilling to remain merely a martial arts teacher. It was time to start investing.

Offering help when someone was at their lowest point—once they rose to prominence, the returns would be more than a hundredfold.

He thought very highly of Jiang Yuan's future and believed this investment could not possibly lose money.

If Jiang Yuan really made it to New Star, the rewards from the Ministry of Education and the school alone would make him a fortune.

And if Jiang Yuan truly became some great figure in the future, a casual helping hand could completely change Li Qingshan's fate.

At that thought, Li Qingshan's gaze toward Jiang Yuan grew increasingly fervent.

He looked as though he were treating Jiang Yuan as his own son.

After class, once everyone else had left, Li Qingshan beckoned Jiang Yuan over and said, "I have a set of A-rank martial skills here."

A-rank martial skills?

That was not something a high school martial arts teacher should have, was it?

Jiang Yuan knew the price of A-rank martial skills. They easily cost millions of Blue Star Credits, enough to deter anyone.

"Of course, it's only an incomplete version."

"But it's enough for you to use right now."

Hearing that, Jiang Yuan sighed in relief.

He did not want to owe too many favors. If it was only an incomplete version, he could still accept it.

"This combat skill is called the Tyrant Blade. Once mastered, no one of the same rank can stand against it!"

Li Qingshan's expression turned solemn. He took out a large saber and said flatly, "Watch carefully."

[Ding! A mysterious expert has been detected transmitting their power to you!]

[Infusion in progress: 1%... 30%...]