Chapter 5 (continued)

"Yes," Li Yang said. How did working to earn money not count as a kind of training?

Yu Hongyuan said, "That worked really well! Which physique training center did you go to?"

A physique training center was a place that specialized in helping people improve their Physique Points. It was somewhat like a gym in Li Yang's world, but the training was far more intense, more people went, and the fees were higher.

A private training session reportedly started at four figures.

Li Yang shook her head. "I don't have the money. I can't afford a physique training center."

"Uh..." Yu Hongyuan faltered. Only then did he remember that Li Yang's family was very poor. She seemed to be a student from a low-income household, too.

Li Yang said nothing more. She smiled politely and turned back around.

But to Yu Hongyuan, that smile looked lonely and awkward.

Comparisons between people really were cruel.

Li Yang had trained with all her might, yet she had only reached 65 Physique Points. Yu Hongyuan, on the other hand, had trained hard too, but the Soul Condensing Pill's effects were astonishing. In particular, when his Physique Points were below 80, he had gained 10 points with hardly any effort.

A single Soul Condensing Pill cost one million Huaxia Currency, while the girl before him couldn't even afford a physique training center.

Yu Hongyuan shook his head and sighed inwardly. It's all fate!

It was almost Li Yang's turn to be tested.

This wasn't what Li Yang had expected. She was indeed among the last few to be tested, but the crowd on the sports field hadn't thinned at all.

The biggest reason was the person behind her.

Yu Hongyuan was a prominent figure at Huangcheng No. 1 High School. He loved being in the spotlight, and now he was pulling out all the stops, determined to blind everyone with his brilliance at the very last moment.

Everyone had also heard through the grapevine that he had reached 86 points with a Soul Condensing Pill, but whether he could hold on to that score was another matter. It was all too common to drop a point or two from nerves during the official test.

Fang Chuyun's result was already there for all to see: a solid 85 points.

If Yu Hongyuan could exceed 85 points, he would undoubtedly be the center of attention in Huangcheng No. 1 High School's graduating class. If he only reached 85, then he... After all, he had relied on a Soul Condensing Pill to get there, so everyone would surely think more highly of Fang Chuyun.

The two had been competing since their first year of high school. After three years, a winner was finally about to emerge, and everyone was looking forward to it.

So... not only did the students who had been tested stay put, but even more students and teachers from other grades had rushed over to watch the excitement.

Watching the crowd on the sports field grow, Li Yang became deeply troubled. She couldn't help turning around and urging Yu Hongyuan, "You go first."

Yu Hongyuan was enjoying being the center of attention. Holding his head high and his chest out, he said, "No, I'm saving my entrance for the penultimate act!"

Li Yang reminded him, "The penultimate act is second to last."

Yu Hongyuan said, "Huh? Doesn't the penultimate act mean the very last one?"

Someone nearby snickered. "Yu Hongyuan, the penultimate act is second to last."

Li Yang looked at Yu Hongyuan and said earnestly, "So, you go first." Once Yu Hongyuan had finished his test, perhaps the spectators would disperse... right?

Yu Hongyuan flared up, his embarrassment turning to anger. "No, I'm going last!"

The student ahead of them had finished, and the teacher conducting the test was already staring at them. Li Yang made one last attempt. "Student Yu, this spot is the penultimate act." She placed special emphasis on the last two words.

Yu Hongyuan stiffened his neck. "Rules are dead, but people are alive. Whenever I appear, no matter what position I'm in, it's the penultimate act!"

Li Yang said, "..." She had done her best.

The teacher conducting the test grew impatient. "Hurry up, don't waste time!" He had been busy for most of the day and was already exhausted. He really couldn't stand watching people dawdle.

Li Yang strode over to the testing machine.

The machine didn't take up much space and looked a lot like a punching post. On top was a cylindrical punching bag, while underneath was a solid, hefty iron base. It was extremely sturdy.

The testing method was simple too. Students only had to throw punches at the post. They had two minutes to punch, after which the sensors attached to the cylinder would precisely evaluate their Physique Points.

The original owner had never tested her Physique Points, and this was Li Yang's first time too.

But she had watched for so long and rehearsed it countless times in her head, so she probably wouldn't make a mistake.

Li Yang didn't dare hold back too much. It would be awkward if she failed to reach 83 points.

Although every test result so far had fluctuated by only one or two points, the students had all thrown their punches with everything they had. None of them had deliberately held back.

Fortunately, there were two chances to take the test. If she scored below 83 points the first time, she could put more force into it the second time.

Although 90 points would draw a lot of attention, she couldn't miss her chance to qualify for admission to Zhongdu Military Academy.

Chen Xiangrong from the provincial education bureau and Principal Sun also walked over. They hadn't come to watch Li Yang, but were waiting to see Yu Hongyuan's test.

Eighty-six points was a very high score, and worth paying attention to.

As soon as they came over, the teachers who had finished conducting tests came over too.

A crowd gathered all at once. One student whispered, "That student Li is so unlucky, having to go right before Yu Hongyuan. If this many people were watching me, I'd go crazy with nerves."

"Seeing that, I think I was pretty lucky. At least I performed consistently and got 65 points."

"I hope she won't be affected..."

As they spoke, Li Yang began to punch.

She slammed a fist heavily into the punching post, and the teacher in charge of her test visibly froze.

Li Yang didn't pause, throwing punch after punch.

Chen Xiangrong had been watching Yu Hongyuan, but when he heard the sound, he turned to look. Then he was suddenly startled.

Principal Sun also noticed something was amiss. He strode over to the testing screen, his eyes slowly widening and his face flushing bright red. "This... this..."

The students behind them couldn't really tell what was happening. They only thought the girl's punches were very steady, and she didn't seem to be exerting much force, yet she was making the punching post give off heavy, muffled thuds.

"She's got something... Wouldn't that be at least 70 points?"

"Why do I feel like she's even better than Fang Chuyun..."

"Shut up! Our Sister Fang is invincible!"

Fang Chuyun looked over too. Her brows knitted, and she strode over to the testing equipment.

Numbers were jumping wildly across the screen.

"80, 86, 83, 82, 88, 88, 88, 90..."

Each punch had a value, but the final result was calculated using a complex formula. When 90 points appeared on the screen, everyone who saw it turned pale with shock.

Principal Sun drew a sharp breath, looking as though he desperately needed a fast-acting heart pill.

Chen Xiangrong was shocked too. He even took off his glasses and wiped them again and again, afraid his eyes were playing tricks on him.

The teacher in charge of Li Yang's test was sweating profusely.

What the hell!

How could this girl's Physique Points be so high!

Could there be something wrong with the machine?!

The two minutes of punching ended, and the testing equipment sounded a notification. "Evaluating results. Please wait."

Li Yang was rather apprehensive. How many points would she get? Hopefully it wouldn't be too high.

The testing equipment announced the result. Its mechanical voice was perfectly flat, but the score it gave made everyone present's jaws drop.

"Name: Li Yang. Student number: 20241224001. Physique Points for this test: 88."

Everyone on the sports field gathered around. They had originally wanted to watch Yu Hongyuan's test, but now... they were all stunned by those 88 Physique Points.

Several hundred people fell utterly silent. Not even a sparrow could be heard.

The testing teacher swallowed dryly. "Student Li, Li Yang... you..."

Chen Xiangrong suddenly said, "Test her again!"

The testing teacher seemed to think of something. "Right, right, Director Chen is right. This machine has been in use for too long, so it might not be entirely accurate. Let's test her again and see..."

"What nonsense!" Chen Xiangrong snapped. "There's nothing wrong with the machine! Her Physique Points can be even higher!"

Not everyone had seen the testing screen earlier, but Chen Xiangrong had seen it all perfectly clearly.

For one instant, Li Yang had erupted with 90 Physique Points!

Principal Sun caught on too and immediately said, "That's right, test her again! Ninety points flashed on the screen just now! She still has one chance left! Student Li Yang, don't be nervous. Try again..."

If a "Heavenly Chosen" appeared at Huangcheng No. 1 High School, the provincial bureau's education funding for Huangcheng would increase by at least thirty percent the following year.

And that wasn't all... Principal Sun had been stuck in his position for a long time. If a Heavenly Chosen with 90 Physique Points appeared during his tenure, he might just be able to climb another rung!

Thinking of this, Principal Sun found it hard not to be excited. He continued, "If you can keep your Physique Points steady at 90, once the practical combat assessment is over, the school will arrange for expert teachers to tutor you in your academic subjects..."

Extra tutoring in academic subjects...

But Li Yang was actually fairly confident.

A physique value of 88 points was quite good. She didn't want to reach 90.

Li Yang smiled and said politely, "Principal, I've already done my best. Even if I try again, my score might not be any higher."

Hearing this, Principal Sun's face filled with disappointment. But he had become a principal, so he did have brains and plenty of experience.

After a little thought, he understood.

Li Yang's family circumstances were ordinary—if they had been exceptional, he would have known.

And Li Yang was already very satisfied with 88 Physique Points. If she really reached 90, she would instead feel that it was too attention-grabbing.

Yu Hongyuan dared to draw so much attention because his family gave him the confidence to do so. Li Yang clearly had no such support.

But Principal Sun didn't want to miss this opportunity. Eighty-eight points was good, but how could it compare to 90?

Principal Sun wasn't the only one growing anxious. Chen Xiangrong was anxious too.

The province had quotas, and they had to find a few Heavenly Chosen every year. This was not only to give the central bureau an account, but also to strengthen Donghua Province's future!

Heavenly Chosen generally went further. If one happened to become a grandmaster, they would surely give back to their hometown, and all of Donghua Province would benefit greatly.

In this world, talent was the greatest wealth!

Principal Sun wanted to climb another rung, but didn't Chen Xiangrong want the same?

Chen Xiangrong made a snap decision. "Principal Sun, Huangcheng City has rewards and support for a 'Heavenly Chosen' with 90 Physique Points, doesn't it?"