In the following days, Xu Yihan went into the abyss with Ji Feiyue's group, while Jiang Yuan trained his physique and spirit alone at the martial arts hall, preparing for the College Entrance Exam.
Nanjiang City then saw over a dozen more bizarre cases of family exterminations and Martial Artist assaults, causing widespread panic among the citizens. The Martial Artist Association and the Patrol Division issued a public announcement, stating that they had found the cause and would soon resolve the issue, urging the public to remain calm.
Jiang Yuan remembered what happened that night and, feeling uneasy, sent messages to his aunt's family, telling them to be careful and try not to go out at night.
"We know. You should also be careful living alone. Don't always provoke others, and try to avoid fighting," Tao Yufeng replied. It seemed she already knew about Jiang Yuan's fight with Liang Cheng.
Soon, time flew by, bringing them to the eve of the College Entrance Exam.
"Boom!"
With a loud bang, the combat power testing machine shook violently, emitted white smoke, and its numbers fluctuated wildly before finally settling.
150392!
"My basic damage with Ripple Force has finally broken one hundred and fifty thousand."
Jiang Yuan smiled.
"In terms of single-target damage, it's comparable to an average Third-Order Martial Artist."
"Jiang Yuan, Sister Feiyue said your bone spear has been forged and transferred to the guild warehouse for you to see. She also sent you something."
A pleasant female voice came from outside.
Xu Yihan, who had returned from the abyss, walked in, dressed in a plain white training uniform and carrying a package.
Her trip to the abyss had also been fruitful; after resolving her inner demons, her spear technique finally reached Major Achievement, and her Rank also reached Third-Order.
Clang.
Seeing the numbers on the combat power testing machine, the package in her hand dropped directly to the ground.
Jiang Yuan opened the guild warehouse and saw the bone spear inside. Taking it out, he saw that the formerly plain white bone spear was now tinged with dark gold. Its weight, hardness, and sharpness had all improved by several levels.
He checked its information.
"Dark Gold Bone Spear (Common Superior): Attack +10%, Attack Speed +10%, Critical Hit +5%, comes with damage reduction, spell breaking, and rending effects, Durability 100%."
Even among Common Superior equipment, these were top-tier attributes.
"This is really good," Jiang Yuan said delightedly, placing it into his System inventory.
"What is this?"
He walked over and picked up the package curiously.
Xu Yihan finally snapped back, saying, "It should be clothes she bought for you. Open it and see."
Jiang Yuan opened it. Indeed, there were several sets of clothes, made of top-grade fabric, from a high-end brand, and embroidered with the Scarlet Rose logo, clearly all custom-made.
These were all tailor-made by advanced Tailors, who had specialized in life professions. Besides being comfortable, well-fitting, and aesthetically pleasing, they also came with effects like dust-repelling and self-repair. Each piece cost over a hundred thousand.
"Sister Feiyue said your current clothes aren't up to par, so she custom-made a few for you to wear to the College Entrance Exam," Xu Yihan said with a smile.
"I feel like I've become a kept man," Jiang Yuan said with a wry smile.
"A kept man can't deal one hundred and fifty thousand damage." Xu Yihan looked at the combat power testing machine, an expression on her face that indicated she didn't know what to say.
"I thought I could relax a bit after reaching Third-Order… I didn't expect to be caught up to by you so quickly."
Her current damage without using skills was just over two hundred thousand.
Jiang Yuan was currently LV9. When he reached LV10, he would gain a professional skill for both First-Order and Second-Order, leading to a significant increase.
At that time, she might have to give up her position as the team's main attacker… The next day, on the day of the College Entrance Exam.
Jiang Yuan returned to school and went to the playground, where he saw students dressed in various ways: some in warrior armor, carrying greatswords; some in mage robes and hats, holding staffs; some carrying long spears; and some with bows and arrows, dressed like elves.
They were fully equipped, as if trying to max out their gear.
"Can't they just put it in their inventory?" Jiang Yuan thought silently.
He was still wearing the simple, plain black and white school uniform of First High School.
The clothes Ji Feiyue sent were good, but they were too eye-catching.
Especially a black custom-made trench coat with the Scarlet Rose logo; wearing it made him look like an enforcer from the Executive Department, far too conspicuous.
"Who is he?"
"Is he from Class S?"
"You don't know him? That's Jiang Yuan from Class Three, the one who defeated Liang Cheng."
"Oh, it's him! No wonder he looks terrifyingly strong…"
"He's so handsome!"
"Hiss… So it's him. The Class Three heartthrob, but I remember he only awakened Rank E Talent."
"You believe that? He must have hidden his Talent…"
Students in the distance turned their heads, looking at Jiang Yuan and whispering.
He stood in the center of the field, his still somewhat youthful face handsome and fair, his figure tall and slender. His golden eyes were sharp and authoritative, and his indifferent expression exuded an invisible pressure and surging Aura, making people dare not approach him.
Even in a school uniform, he was like a blazing sun in the sky, radiating a dazzling light that could not be ignored.
Some of his classmates also saw Jiang Yuan but dared not go up to greet him.
"Is that… Jiang Yuan?"
"Hiss… How has he changed so much?"
"I heard he's already a First-Order Martial Artist."
"No wonder just looking at him makes me feel scared, it's like seeing those monsters from Class S…"
Their eyes were filled with awe and admiration.
Huang Yi, clad in warrior gear, cowered in a corner, shrinking his neck, not even daring to glance at Jiang Yuan, who was like the moon surrounded by stars.
His current Qi and blood had only reached 5, while Jiang Yuan, whom he had once mocked and underestimated, had long become a First-Order Martial Artist and had even defeated Liang Cheng, who was incredibly powerful in his eyes. Now, he didn't even have the right to look up to Jiang Yuan.
Those female classmates who had once looked down on Jiang Yuan, saying that Rank E Talent was not worth mentioning, were now filled with regret.
Handsome, strong, from an ordinary background, and hardworking!
He was simply a top-tier potential stock!
Even if they couldn't be his girlfriend, if they had just been nice to him back then, being friends would have been fine. Who knows, he might become a big shot in the future, and a single word from him could change their lives.
But now… the camaraderie of classmates had been ruined by themselves, and even the chance to get closer was gone.
Thinking of this, their hearts were filled with bitterness.