Body Tempering Second Layer

Seeing the clamorous 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 and peacefully was already quite good.

"Next, Guo Hongtao."

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 broke into a sprint at a speed utterly at odds with his build, so fast that afterimages appeared behind him.

Very quickly, the speed-testing equipment gave the result: 21.6 m/s.

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

Still, it was obvious that Guo Hongtao was fairly satisfied with the 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 enter a key martial university with some hard work.

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

For two students ranked in the top twenty of their year to appear in an ordinary class was already astonishing enough. There was nothing more to ask for.

Repeating the previous procedure, he 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 stepped out of the line and stopped before the testing area.

After taking the Creation Pill, he felt as though every inch of his 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 stomped his right foot heavily. He shot forward like a cruise missile.

His qi and blood supplied him with strength without end, making him run faster and faster.

A gale howled past his ears, and he vaguely heard his classmates' cries of surprise.

The hundred-meter distance took only a few short strides before he charged across the finish line.

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

"At this speed, he's almost caught up to Guo Hongtao."

"That's ridiculous. In just one winter break, he's like a completely different person. Don't tell me this guy got cheats?"

The students around them discussed heatedly, and the speed test result appeared at that moment.

Speed: 20.8 m/s

Jiang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

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

Without hesitation, Jiang Yuan walked up to the punching-force tester and threw three punches in succession.

Punching force: 435 kilograms.

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

Come on, this result was almost at the Body Tempering Second Layer.

In a single month, he had risen from the middle of the class to the top ten of the year. This development was too absurd.

A trace of surprise appeared on Li Qingshan's face. He tried hard to recall Jiang Yuan's previous test results before finally unable to stop himself from speaking.

"I take back what I said earlier."

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

Among the crowd, Song Xi's face was full of dissatisfaction.

What was this supposed to mean?

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

Could it be that because of such a slight gap, Jiang Yuan was judged to have hope of going to New Star, while she had no hope at all?

Uncle was being far too biased.

Song Xi thought gloomily.

"Don't be unconvinced."

Li Qingshan's voice was low as he suppressed every dissatisfied murmur. "New Star Martial University has never judged admissions by strength, but by talent."

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

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

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

"The only question now is whether this rate of improvement can continue. If he can truly maintain this pace, then going to New Star will be practically a sure thing."

"As for certain students maliciously speculating whether Jiang Yuan took banned drugs, I can tell you clearly now: Jiang Yuan's qi and blood are steady, and his foundation is solid. There is not the slightest sign of pulling up seedlings to help them grow."

"This is entirely the result of his own hard cultivation. I advise certain classmates not to maliciously spread rumors out of jealousy."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan touched his nose with some guilt.

His strength really had been boosted by pills.

Of course, the Creation Pill was different from those banned drugs. Raising strength was merely secondary; what mattered was that it could improve his talent, aptitude, and innate constitution.

Presumably, even compared with New Star's favored sons of heaven in the future, he would not fall the slightest bit behind.

Li Qingshan did not know what Jiang Yuan was thinking and continued, "So when I say Jiang Yuan is the only one with hope of going to New Star, is there anything wrong with that?"

Everyone was rendered speechless.

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

With that, Li Qingshan's protective, calf-guarding attitude also made sense.

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

On the path of martial arts, strength had always been honored above all else.

And talent represented strength that had not yet been realized.

Although talent could not yet be equated with strength, since Jiang Yuan had talent, it was only natural that he possessed more privileges.

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

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

Li Qingshan was not content to remain merely a martial arts teacher. He was going to start investing.

To offer charcoal in the snow when someone was at their lowest—once that person rose to prominence, the returns would be more than a hundredfold.

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

If Jiang Yuan truly made it to New Star, the rewards from the Ministry of Education and the school alone would make him rich beyond belief.

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

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

From the looks of it, he practically regarded Jiang Yuan as his own son.

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

An A-rank martial skill?

How could a high school martial arts teacher possibly have something like that?

Jiang Yuan knew the price of A-rank martial skills. They cost at least a million Blue Star Credits, enough to make people shrink back at the sight of them.

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

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

Hearing that, Jiang Yuan breathed a sigh of 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 Tyrant Blade. Once mastered, no one of the same rank can withstand it!"

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

[Ding! A mysterious mighty expert has been detected passing on their cultivation to you!]

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