Author: 易修罗 / Yi Xiu Luo

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

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Chapter 58

The entire venue was shocked. “What?!”

Whether it was the exam takers, the instructors, or the students who had come to watch, everyone seemed to be in a temporary state of stupor. Compared to the thunderous applause when Ling Xiao finished, Ying Feng calmly walked out of the examination arena in complete silence.

Not a single person cheered for him, including those who should’ve been closest to him.

It took a while before the instructor in charge of the exam regained his composure. “How… How is that possible? Using mental energy for direct attack—wasn’t that ancient method of combat phased out long ago?”

A long time ago, the people of Tianxiu did indeed combine their mental energy with their naturally superior physical abilities to fight. In that era, they wrought devastating damage that made enemies tremble in fear.

However, since the advent of soul crystals, the utilization of mental energy reached its pinnacle, and no one directly used it for attack anymore. If it could be said that a bit of mental energy was used to inflict a certain amount of damage, with the aid of a soul crystal, that damage could be amplified fivefold.

Due to its poor cost-effectiveness, people nowadays, even if they knew of this method, wouldn’t use it. Furthermore, it had long been removed from the curriculum, with many senior students unable to grasp it.

But it was undeniable that without soul crystals, nothing was more effective than a direct mental attack. This candidate from Bikong had caught the instructors’ attention on the open day with his teleportation, showcasing a mental ability beyond his peers. It turned out that his performance that day was far from his limit.

One instructor incredulously flipped through his file. Clearly written, just a month ago, he was still in his fledgling state, having received only ten years of primary education. Many of those present today, whether they were eleventh, twelfth graders, or even repeaters, couldn’t independently defeat an SS-level creature. Yet, this tenth-grader not only defeated it but did so instantly.

“8 seconds 13—could this be a record in the history of Royal Sky Academy?” An instructor murmured to himself.

“That includes the time the bear took to run over,” another instructor helpfully reminded.

“Using such a primitive method, could he really be someone who time-traveled from the ancient past?”

“If it was him, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

The instructors turned their heads and saw Major General Fu Yao, who had just returned from a mission.

“Sir? You’re back?”

Originally alerted by an emergency that unidentified flying objects were found in nearby space, it was later confirmed to be a spaceship of interstellar pirates that had gone off course due to a failed jump. Fuyao was ordered to eliminate them.

Without even returning after finishing the fight, he was again commanded to head to a nearby mining star to eliminate invaders there, which took him half a month. This was his first time setting foot on his homeland since then, and he rushed over to watch Ying Feng’s entrance examination.

As someone who had seen Ying Feng’s detailed military medical report, Fu Yao wasn’t surprised by his performance. He had expected Ying Feng to come into contact with his mental powers early but didn’t expect him to advance it so much in such a short time.

“How much mental energy do you think is required to instantly kill a creature of SS-level?” Fuyao asked.

The instructors exchanged glances. “Without relying on soul crystals, at least 70 points?”

“Exactly, but don’t forget, in life-threatening situations, one can unleash double their mental energy.”

The reason Ying Feng stood still was for that split second when his life was on the line. A moment too early, and he wouldn’t have been able to fully harness his power; a moment too late, and he would’ve been crushed. What Ying Feng possessed was not only exceptional mental power but also unparalleled focus, reaction, will, and bravery.

“Assuming his current mental power cap is 35, which is what ordinary students achieve after three months at the military academy, how much do you think he will achieve in three months given his learning ability?”

The instructor swallowed hard. “Reaching the peak shouldn’t be a problem… right?”

Fu Yao didn’t deny his estimate. “I’ve seen the data reports for the two of them. The current question is hardly a challenge for them. However, the next one could be problematic.”

“You’re kidding, right? The next question is practically a giveaway. It’s rare for candidates to fail it in past exams,” an instructor expressed disbelief.

“Let’s wait and see,” Fu Yao confidently replied.

From the time Ying Feng came out, many people had been sneaking glances at him. For his peers, his combat strength was beyond terrifying. Facing such a disproportionately powerful opponent didn’t ignite the fighting spirit but rather invoked respect and distance.

Ever since the green light lit up, Ling Xiao’s brows hadn’t relaxed. As a Qizi, he should have been the first to congratulate Ying Feng after his match. Yet, until this moment, his lips remained tightly pressed together. Surpassing Ying Feng had been his biggest goal for the past decade. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this goal turned into trying to catch up. Only today did he realize how terrifyingly advanced Ying Feng had become in areas he couldn’t see. The gap between them might never close.

Because of Ling Xiao’s unusual reaction, Bing Can swallowed the words of congratulations he was about to say. Red Head, not understanding, kept asking, “Why aren’t you happy? Celebrating such a formidable ally, not an enemy, is worth cheering a hundred times over. Besides, the one who defeated the bear in eight seconds was none other than your Qizhu. You should feel proud. If it were me, I would have rushed over immediately.”

Ling Xiao gave him a disdainful glance. “It’s your turn to go up. You’ll get your chance to leap into action.”

Red Head heard the instructor call his name. He took the stage, his red hair standing out starkly against the vast, snowy plains. His fighting style primarily relied on overpowering strength. While it might not have the aesthetic appeal of Ling Xiao’s, it was very practical. Ling Xiao initially thought he was all talk and noticed his fawning attitude towards his Qizhu. After watching him fight, he realized Red Head’s strength wasn’t to be underestimated.

At 14:50, Red Head took down his polar bear, becoming the second person to defeat an S-level opponent.

A strong Qizi indicated a strong Qizhu. As expected, Bing Can’s performance that followed was eye-opening for everyone. Unlike Red Head, he excelled at long-range combat. The snowflakes he lifted, and the sharp icicles all became his tools in battle. With his ghostly movements and elegant actions, Ling Xiao saw for the first time someone who could interpret fighting so gracefully. Given enough time, defeating the opponent seemed a given.

The instructors nodded in agreement. Facing an SS-level creature was much harder for a Qizhu of their age than challenging an S-level creature for the Qizi. Therefore, they usually grade the candidates based on their performance within fifteen minutes. This one’s performance was already quite outstanding. Perhaps in previous years, he could have scored the highest. However, this year, a monster emerged, unsurpassed by anyone.

After watching an exciting match, Ling Xiao seemed to have snapped out of his previous despondency.

He nudged Red Head. “Didn’t you want to rush over?”

Red Head actually did, and Ling Xiao could almost imagine a wagging tail behind him. More than their skills, he envied their bond. After observing their interactions, Ling Xiao suddenly felt a gaze on him. Turning, he met Ying Feng’s eyes.

“Besides, the one who defeated the bear in eight seconds was none other than your Qizhu. You should feel proud.”

Red Head’s words echoed in his ears.

Proud… What does that feel like?

Ah, the brilliant figure on the stage is my Qizhu. The urge to let the whole world know might just be pride.

The prolonged eye contact made Ling Xiao feel a bit uncomfortable.

“What are you looking at?” he asked.

Hopefully, it’s not because he didn’t greet him happily like Red Head did or the other Qizis.

“Even if you look at me, I won’t rush over to you.”

After all, wouldn’t it be strange if I did? I’d probably get pushed back, right?

Without a word, Ying Feng turned his head as if nothing had happened.

‘What was that about?’ Ling Xiao wondered.

After the morning’s trials in the five arenas, the first round of tests was over. Their major only accepted fifteen pairs, or thirty students. Therefore, nearly half of the candidates were deemed unsatisfactory. But that didn’t mean they failed. As long as they passed two out of the three tests, they could enter the final manual selection process. Of course, that was up to the internal discussions of the academy.

During lunchtime, Red Head enthusiastically invited Ling Xiao for a meal.

“We’ll be classmates soon. Let’s have lunch together!”

The underlying meaning was that both their admissions were certain.

Having watched the morning’s matches, Ling Xiao too felt the urge to get to know the other side better.

“Sure, we have a car. Let’s take ours.”

“Did you all buy a car?” Red Head exclaimed in surprise. “We came on the academy’s flying vehicle this morning. Our savings can only afford a single seater. My Qizhu said we should wait a little longer.”

“Isn’t it because you haven’t saved a dime in twelve years?” Bing Can stepped forward, candidly exposing him.

Ling Xiao and Ying Feng exchanged glances, finding the situation all too familiar.

Hold on!

“But I earned the money for the car all by myself!” Ling Xiao proclaimed with pride.

“You’re right,” Ying Feng conceded without objection.

The four of them reached the academy’s entrance. Ling Xiao took out the car key and pressed it. A sleek Flying Shark transformed from its compact standby mode to a sports car in the distance. The whole process took only two seconds.

Red Head was flabbergasted. “This-this-this-this is your car?”

Ling Xiao tried to mimic Ying Feng’s calm and poised demeanor, but he couldn’t pull it off with the same natural flair.

“Wealthy friends!” Red Head exclaimed, excitedly hugging Ling Xiao’s leg. Ying Feng’s forehead twitched. He grabbed him by the collar and tossed him to Bing Can. Bing Can caught him smoothly. Though he was surprised, he was far more composed than Red Head.

“Your car is impressive. I’m quite envious,” Bing Can complimented.

Ling Xiao confidently sat in the driver’s seat. “Get in.”

Red Head tried to climb into the passenger seat but was pulled down by Bing Can and shoved into the back. The car was originally bought to provide a place for Ling Xiao to lie down after blood extraction. It was spacious, with ample room for all four.

They found a nearby restaurant. As they became more familiar, the conversation flowed more freely. At one point, Bing Can voiced a question he’d been pondering for half a month.

“After your coming-of-age ceremony, were you two ever forced to separate?”

Ling Xiao was puzzled by the sudden question. “No, why?”

“When I examined you last time,” Bing Can began, “I found that besides significant blood loss, you had mild mental trauma. This is usually due to insufficient rest during unstable or critical periods. You guys…”

As he spoke, he noticed the odd expressions on their faces, realizing he may have overstepped.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry,” he apologized.

“Haha, it’s fine,” Ling Xiao said, trying to sound upbeat. “We had a small conflict back then, but it’s all in the past now.”

As he said this, Bing Can discreetly observed Ying Feng’s reaction. He noticed Ying Feng subtly glancing at Ling Xiao. Considering Ying Feng’s earlier departure without Ling Xiao showing any emotion, Bing Can suspected that the “past” Ling Xiao mentioned might not truly be behind them.

There were too many mysteries surrounding these two—mental trauma, severe blood loss, inability to take medications, immense mental powers, and a luxurious vehicle. There must be a complex story hidden in their past.

“I was being presumptuous,” he said, trying to steer the conversation away from that topic. This was probably the only hiccup during their lunch. After the meal, they exchanged contact information, tacitly acknowledging each other as future classmates.

In the afternoon, the examination resumed. As per the rules, candidates who hadn’t finished couldn’t observe the exam content or receive hints from anyone.

After waiting for a while, it was finally Ling Xiao and Ying Feng’s turn. They were ushered into separate booths, where they found only a chair and a multi-functional eye mask. Upon seeing the mask, Ling Xiao understood that the second test involved virtual combat.

He put on the mask and found himself in an open field, facing a ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex.

This opponent is tough. That was Ling Xiao’s initial thought. Nonetheless, he fearlessly launched his attack, as he always did.

Elsewhere, Ying Feng faced a human-sized monkey, which immediately charged at him. Having recently depleted all his mental power and given that it wouldn’t help in a virtual battle, he relied solely on physical prowess to fight.

Ling Xiao’s opponent proved more formidable than expected, managing to throw him off multiple times. Despite Ling Xiao’s various evasive maneuvers, the T-Rex stood firm, not moving an inch, its unwavering presence reminding him of someone.

Ying Feng was quickly getting annoyed by this monkey. It darted from the east to the west, never staying still. He really wanted to grab it, pin it to the ground, and give it a good beating. Its lively and restless behavior reminded him of someone.

Above the field, ten stars lit up. With time, one would fade out periodically. Ling Xiao instinctively assumed that this was a timer.

The students who had already taken their exams watched this battle through the holographic projection screen, and they were deeply entertained by the exciting match.

However, the instructors in the examination seat couldn’t help but shake their heads, sighing long and short breaths. How could these candidates, unanimously seen as top seeds by everyone, perform this way?

Time was running out. Ying Feng finally saw an opportunity. With impeccable accuracy, he grabbed the monkey by the neck and forcefully pinned it to the ground, placing one knee on its belly to keep it down before it could resist.

Despite it being a virtual battle, the Tyrannosaurus rex’s massive stomp still made Ling Xiao feel as though all his organs were being crushed.

Ling Xiao’s neck was tightly squeezed. The grip was getting tighter, making it hard for him to breathe.

Oxygen was dwindling, and his consciousness was fading. He couldn’t believe he was going to lose here. Now, it wasn’t about victory or defeat; it was a matter of life and death.

He was going to die here, under the hands of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Wait! His detached consciousness was forcibly pulled back a bit. The T-rex had such short arms; how could it simultaneously stomp on his stomach and strangle his neck? Was this some kind of joke?

He tried to call for a stop but couldn’t utter a word. Why did this damn virtual battle game have to be so realistic?

Just as Ling Xiao was about to give up, the force choking him suddenly stopped. In his daze, he saw the Tyrannosaurus rex open its mouth. “…Ling…Xiao?”

After a puff of smoke, both returned to their original states. Ling Xiao lay on the ground, almost breathless, while Ying Feng’s knee was pressed against his abdomen, his right hand still tightly gripping Ling Xiao’s throat.

The stars above stopped fading, with only three left. An irritating voice rang out. Both turned their heads to see a red light above.

For the second round of the entrance exam, Ling Xiao and Yin Feng had failed.

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The author has something to say:

The characters have something to say:

Ling Xiao: I’m Ling Xiao (凌霄), not Ling Feng (凌风).

Ying Feng: I’m Ying Feng (嬴风), not Lei Feng (雷风).

Zhen He: I’m Zhen He (枕鹤), not Shen He (沈鹤).

Peach Pit: It’s peach pit (桃核), not walnut (核桃)*.

*Clarity: These are just clarity the author is making to the names as a lot of people were misspelling them in the comments (on JJ).

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