The total score for the martial arts assessment was 750 points. Strength and speed tests each accounted for 200 points, while martial arts skills made up 350 points.
The strength test was divided into two parts: explosive power test and continuous force test, each worth 100 points.
The ten students whose names were just called by Ryan Ling hurriedly entered the small martial arts room. The others waited outside, where two giant screens were set up—one displaying rankings, and the other broadcasting the live feed from inside the small room.
The students outside acted as supervisors, preventing any teachers from abusing their authority to alter test results.
The ten candidates lined up behind the yellow line. Suddenly, the floor in front of them opened to the sides, followed by the sound of mechanical gears turning.
A two-meter tall punching bag resembling a tanuki (raccoon dog) slowly rose from the floor.
"This is the Tanuki Punching Bag, designed to test your explosive power. It can withstand up to 10,000 jin of force," Ryan explained.
"The distance is ten meters. You're allowed to sprint to build up speed and maximize your punching power."
With a wave of his hand, Ryan shouted, "Begin!"
The first student who was called immediately assumed a sprinting posture. Pressing down slightly with his right foot, he shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
With a "buzz," his right fist struck the Tanuki punching bag's chest.
A mechanical beep sounded:[Charles Chen (Life Intensity: Level 5.1), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punching Power: 1,030 jin, Score: 50].
The screen outside instantly synced, displaying the candidate's data.
"Beep. Beep."[Zachary Zhao (Life Intensity: Level 4.9), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punching Power: 980 jin, Score: 48][William Yang (Life Intensity: Level 5.2), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punching Power: 1,080 jin, Score: 52]
The first group finished quickly, with the highest score being 58, achieved by a student named James Zhang.
Ryan Ling, as the martial arts teacher of the elite Hongzhi Class, knew well that ordinary class students rarely surprised him.
Though he expected no outstanding talents, the results still disappointed him.
The highest score in this group didn't even pass!
For reference, the lowest score on the Hongzhi Class's last semester final exam was 70.
"No one passed in the first group!" a student outside groaned, holding his head.
"Yeah, and James Zhang is the vice class monitor! He didn't even get 60 points," another boy from Class 2 said wryly.
Liang City No.1 High School was the only key high school locally.
Ordinary class students would be considered top students at other schools, yet none of the first group passed!
At this point, a student nicknamed "Donger" spoke up with analysis:
"The evaluation standards for martial arts in the college entrance exam have increased somewhat in recent years."
"But the admission cutoff score hasn't lowered, meaning resources from the top are gradually decreasing."
"They can only be given to the most outstanding!"
"Damn, it's over! Last year, a punching power of 1,100 jin earned 60 points, but James Zhang's 1,120 jin only got 58 this time!"
"Looks like the exam got tougher again!"
After hearing Donger's analysis, a Class 2 student gave up in despair.
Ryan Ling stood aside alone, using a tablet to verify candidate scores.
To prevent cheating via technology, the exam had two layers of security checks.
One was the small martial arts room's door, which scanned life intensity and detected devices.
The other was Ryan's manual audit—any abnormal behavior was immediately noticed.
"Second group!" Ryan called out expressionlessly.
Class 2 soon completed the explosive power test.
Out of 42 students, only five passed, with their class monitor Liam Liu scoring the highest at 67 points.
"Next is the continuous force test," Ryan said, opening the ceiling with his tablet.
Ten black robots, like marionettes on strings, descended from above.
"These are the 'Training Robots,'" Ryan explained.
"Choose your preferred weapon, stand on the green mark over there, and wait for the test to start."
"The robots will run past you one by one but won't attack."
"They're all equipped with sensors."
"You must strike each robot as it passes. Missing one deducts ten points—don't miss any."
The continuous force test was added last year to better quantify students' abilities.
"First group, step forward!" Ryan called again.
Outside, other classes watching chatted.
"I bet the top scorer will be Henry Han from Class 6," a student confidently predicted.
Others considered but found no better candidate.
Henry Han was a wealthy second-generation rich kid.
Though his talent was average, his resources far outmatched regular students.
It was said he spent 100,000 yuan a month just on Qi and blood supplements.
The saying "hardship rarely produces nobles" wasn't wrong.
These moneyed prodigies worked hard besides having money.
"Henry Han's talent is average, all thanks to the supplements!" Toby Ray grumbled behind Ethan.
"Damn, being rich is really nice!"
"True," Ethan admitted. If only he had Henry Han's family conditions, he'd have gotten into the Hongzhi Class long ago!
The Hongzhi Class was also nicknamed the "pay-to-win class," with nine out of ten students wealthy, including one super-rich.
Very few succeeded on talent alone, at least not at Liang City No.1 High School.
Charles Chen stood seriously on the green mark, holding a 1.5-meter-long staff.
With a mechanical sound, the ten robots rushed toward him.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
"So fast!" many students exclaimed.
The robots' speed and density made it hard enough just to hit all ten, not to mention each hit had to be powerful.
"Beep!"[Charles Chen (Life Intensity: Level 5.1), Strength Test (Continuous Force), Hits: 7, Average Attack Force: 680 jin, Score: 56]
"Next!" Ryan called after confirming the score.
Class 2 quickly completed both strength tests, with Liam Liu still holding the top spot.
His adjusted score was 91 points, temporarily ranking first on the strength test leaderboard.
"Next is Class 3, first group: Megan Zhang, Derek Lee, Ethan Chen..." Ryan called.
"Go get that Hongzhi Class ticket, Ethan!" Toby said dramatically after hearing Ethan's name.
Ethan chuckled lightly, no longer feeling embarrassed — he was used to it.
There were three factors determining strength: life intensity, martial arts skill, and spirit power.
Life intensity was obvious—higher meant stronger.
Martial arts skill aimed to maximize the body's potential power.
Spirit power controlled the body, distributing strength efficiently.
Having fought monsters daily in the Crystal Space, Ethan's martial arts and spirit power were far from weak.
Outside, the Class 2 students who finished first stared intently at the screen.
The nine ordinary classes in senior three often compared themselves.
Though inferior to the Hongzhi Class, they still wanted to outperform other ordinary classes.
Suddenly, the explosive power test leaderboard showed a collective shake-up.
Everyone's ranking dropped by one.
First place:[Ethan Chen (Life Intensity: Level 5.1), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punching Power: 1,300 jin, Score: 71]
Second place:[Liam Liu (Life Intensity: Level 5.4), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punching Power: 1,220 jin, Score: 67]
Third place:[Steven Zhang (Life Intensity: Level 5.3), Strength Test (Explosive Power), Punching Power: 1,200 jin, Score: 65]