The Level-Up Ranking

On Monday of the third week, after their Sun Moon History class ended, Huo Yuhao sought out Feng Tingting to ask for information.

"Tingting, what's the story with that 'Soul Engineer Genius'?"

"I'm one of its writers. I saw how young and talented you were, so I helped get your name out there!"

Seeing no displeasure on Huo Yuhao's face, Feng Tingting let out a small sigh of relief.

"Don't worry, it's nothing too showy. I only put up a few handsome photos."

Really... Huo Yuhao hardly knew what to say. Instead, he asked about what concerned him.

"I heard there's only one Soul Engineer certification exam left before the holidays, and it has something to do with the Level-Up Ranking?"

"Then you've come to the right person!"

Feng Tingting pushed up her glasses, looking every bit the professional.

"I happen to be one of the writers covering this Soul Engineer certification exam. You could say I know its rules as well as the treasures in my own home!"

"The Level-Up Ranking offers the richest rewards, the quickest path to fame, and the greatest prestige of any ranking at our academy! It's divided into six lists, corresponding to the Level 1 through Level 6 Soul Engineer certification exams."

"Scores are converted into points at a ratio of 1:10. Placing in the top hundred not only earns you varying amounts of bonus points, but also gets you onto the list."

"Students whose score records remain in the top ten on the Level 2 Rankings receive between ten thousand and fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins every month while enrolled."

"If you break a record, the rewards are even greater."

"A place on this ranking is highly prestigious proof of ability. After graduation, it makes an excellent door-knocker for popular destinations like the major research institutes, the military, and merchant associations."

"Yuhao, since you've only just entered the academy, I take it you already have the abilities of a Level 2 Soul Engineer and plan to skip straight to the Level 2 certification exam?"

Huo Yuhao had originally intended to show his teacher what he could do by simply taking both the Level 1 and Level 2 Soul Engineer certification exams and placing on both lists.

But then he thought of the students taking the Level 1 Soul Engineer certification exam. Some might be facing difficulties and desperately need those bonus points, just as he once had.

My teacher has given me more than enough resources. The Level 2 Rankings can showcase my abilities too. Having thought it through, Huo Yuhao said to Feng Tingting:

"If that's allowed, I'll skip straight to it. Tingting, how is it scored? And what does the Level 2 Soul Engineer exam involve?"

Feng Tingting said, "The exam involves using no more than three Soul Tools, all Level 2 or below and made on the spot, to face varying numbers of Soul Beasts or Soul Engineers."

"First, the academy provides every candidate with unlimited quantities of common metals and a small amount of rare metals at the examination venue, along with an opponent list covering ten rounds."

"When making Soul Tools of the corresponding level, you can't bring any equipment of your own except a carving knife. Teachers then score the Soul Tools, using double-blind scoring."

"After that, you fight the opponents on the list in order, with each round stronger than the last. Professional tactical analysts score the results of each battle, and you can withdraw partway through."

"The two scores added together make up a candidate's total."

Huo Yuhao considered this. As long as the gap was not too great, everyone was at the same Soul Engineer level. What one could do, another could do too, without taking too much time.

This ranking system could somewhat diminish the head start enjoyed by students with powerful backgrounds, bringing everyone as close to the same level as possible for a fair assessment.

"Tingting, who's near the top of the Level 2 Rankings right now?"

"Looks like you're determined to win this time, Yuhao!" Feng Tingting was not surprised. How could the disciple the hall master had made an exception to take on personally lack ability? Perhaps he could break into the top five?

"Confidence is a good thing, but none of the people you'll be challenging are pushovers! Come with me. The top hundred on the Level 2 Rankings are posted over at the square."

Huo Yuhao followed Feng Tingting to the Level 2 Rankings at the edge of the square. The first thing he saw was his senior brother Xiao Hongchen's portrait, wearing exactly the same expression of a man who could hardly find a worthy opponent as he had seen before.

First place: Xiao Hongchen. Three Soul Tools: 423/450 points. Ten battle rounds: 936/1000 points. Total: 1359/1450.

Second place: Ma Rulong. Three Soul Tools: 410/450 points. Ten battle rounds: 931/1000 points. Total: 1341/1450.

Third place: Meng Hongchen. Three Soul Tools: 408/450 points. Ten battle rounds: 932/1000 points. Total: 1340/1450.

From fourth place onward, none of the students had completed all ten battle rounds, so their total scores dropped sharply.

Huo Yuhao shook his head. Sure enough, his senior brother and sister were both near the top. But who was this Ma Rulong? His score was actually a little higher than Senior Sister Meng's.

As though noticing Huo Yuhao's confusion, Feng Tingting pointed at an exceptionally tall, powerfully built male student who happened to be passing through the square and said:

"That's Ma Rulong! He's a sixth-year student now. Next semester, he'll represent the academy as captain in the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament."

Huo Yuhao followed her pointing finger with his gaze. The young man walked over, his hair short, his eyes gleaming, and his entire body brimming with strength.

"Junior Sister Tingting, advertising your Xiao Hongchen's glorious achievements to the new students again?" Ma Rulong looked at her, speechless.

"Hmph, why shouldn't I?" Feng Tingting huffed. "Do you dare wait for Xiao in sixth year? He'll definitely knock you off the top spot again then."

Ma Rulong spread his hands and said dismissively:

"That guy has always thought his talent was unrivaled under heaven. He keeps challenging me, but he's lost to me every time."

"If he wants to beat me head-on, you'd better tell him to hurry. I graduate at the end of next semester."

Xiao Hongchen certainly is talented, and that's all well and good. But if I graduate before you become a Level 6 Soul Engineer, you won't have earned the top spot in the sixth-year ranking by defeating me.

"And who's this junior brother?" Ma Rulong asked casually, looking at Huo Yuhao.

Feng Tingting's gaze flickered. Although she knew Huo Yuhao was Jing Hongchen's new disciple, Jing Hongchen himself had not publicized it. Why would she tell Ma Rulong?

"A new student Yu asked me to look after."

So that was it. Ma Rulong nodded to Huo Yuhao and left.

Huo Yuhao slowly withdrew his gaze. To think Tingting had a connection with Senior Brother Xiao!

He was not one to pry into his friends' gossip. Smiling, he said:

"Tingting, do you have the opponent lists from previous Level 2 Soul Engineer exams?"

"Of course. Yuhao, go study in the library first. I'll bring the materials over once I've gathered them. I know where you sit."

"Don't worry. Generally, the first five rounds on the opponent list don't change much, but I'll make sure what I give you is the most complete and up-to-date!"

"Thank you, Tingting."

Huo Yuhao thanked her and returned to the library. He had not been reading long before Feng Tingting brought over a stack of printed materials.

The first page contained the venue, procedures, and schedule for this exam.

This Friday!

Huo Yuhao's gaze paused on the date before he calmly turned to the next page. It contained a table headed: Opponent list (reverse order).

Last time:

1. Level 1 Soul Engineer (one)

2. Ten-year Wind Baboons (three)

3. Level 1 Soul Engineer team (three members)

4. Hundred-year Wind Baboon (one)

5. Level 2 Soul Engineer (one)