2: Chapter 2

2

He paused, deliberately slowing his speech: "Do you understand now, Mister... who even failed his awakening?"

Jiang Haojie's gaze fell on Bai Yang's face.

This wealthy young master, well-known within the school, was surrounded by many unpleasant rumors.

At this moment, the expression on the other's face, a mix of pity and disdain, was sharper than any direct insult.

Xu Qing slightly raised her chin, her voice carrying a new, cold rhythm: "Dragons do not dwell with snakes, and Rocs do not roost with common birds.

My journey will be to the throne above the stars, while you are destined only to look up."

Wind blew through the end of the corridor, swirling a few scattered withered leaves.

Xu Qing's words were like ice-tempered blades, precisely piercing the last possibility of warmth.

Jiang Haojie looked at that once-familiar face, and the last trace of a thought to make her stay vanished from his heart.

He didn't feel much anger, only a deep exhaustion and a faint, not-yet-extinguished attachment to the past.

"I understand,"

His voice was very calm, showing no ripples of emotion, "If you choose to leave because of my 'Ancient Martial Artist' talent, I have nothing to say.

But Bai Yang? Xu Qing, have you truly not weighed what kind of person he is in your heart?"

Beside them, the corner of Bai Yang's mouth curled into a mocking arc, his eyes scanning Jiang Haojie with contempt: "Watch your attitude when you speak, Jiang Haojie.

Do you think you're still that glorious number one student? Believe it or not, I could make you disappear silently right now."

"Oh?"

Jiang Haojie suddenly smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes; instead, it made the surrounding air a few degrees colder, "I'd actually like to see that."

The moment the words fell, the warmth in his eyes completely faded, replaced by a glint of piercing cold light.

The long-suppressed frustration and disappointment found an outlet. Without warning, he raised his leg, sending a sharp side kick straight toward Bai Yang's abdomen.

Bang!

Bai Yang hadn't expected the other to actually strike. He was kicked back several steps by the force, nearly falling over.

Xu Qing let out a soft cry of shock. She stared blankly at Jiang Haojie, as if meeting this person for the first time—so decisive, even carrying a strange ruthlessness, so fast she didn't even have time to call out and stop him.

"You dare..."

Bai Yang steadied himself, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water.

He turned his palm upward, and a ball of blazing fire leaped out of thin air, flickering violently and illuminating the churning rage in his eyes.

Jiang Haojie just watched him coldly, along with that ball of fire symbolizing an S-rank talent. "Want to fight? Perfect."

His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, "Then let's see which is more powerful: your S-rank talent, or the talent of this 'trash' like me."

That cold gaze made Bai Yang's heart skip a beat for some reason.

He had to admit that in terms of pure potential and height of talent alone, no one in the entire school could surpass Jiang Haojie.

But immediately after, a sense of superiority surged back—they were both at the starting point of Rank Zero. The future was long, and the destined-to-be-mediocre growth trajectory of an Ancient Martial Artist would sooner or later drag this talent into the mud.

Thinking of this, his confidence returned.

"Bai Yang!"

Xu Qing took a step forward, blocking the space between the two.

She turned to Jiang Haojie, her eyes showing deep disappointment and distance, "Jiang Haojie, you've disappointed me too much.

That you've actually become like this... let's end it here. Don't contact me again in the future."

Initially choosing Jiang Haojie was merely because she valued the future promised by his dazzling potential.

If she herself failed to awaken a powerful ability, this would have been a secure backup path worth relying on.

Now, this path was worthless.

It wasn't that she didn't know Bai Yang's character, but she was confident she had the means to control him.

"Did you hear that, trash?"

Bai Yang took the opportunity to pull Xu Qing by the shoulder, his tone arrogant, "Stay away from Xu Qing. If you dare pester her again, face the consequences!"

The two walked away together. As they passed Jiang Haojie, Bai Yang deliberately dropped his shoulder and slammed hard into Jiang Haojie, intending to make him lose face in public.

However, he underestimated the physical difference between them—even the Ancient Martial Artist path, regarded as trash, had a physical strength in the initial stages that was far beyond a Psionic Controller like him.

After the dull thud of the impact, Jiang Haojie didn't budge an inch. Bai Yang himself was shaken by the counter-force, nearly falling over awkwardly if Xu Qing hadn't hurriedly supported him.

"Hmph, Jiang Haojie, you just wait!"

Bai Yang's face turned red as he forced out a threat, then held Xu Qing tight and walked away quickly.

It wasn't until their figures completely disappeared at the end of their sight that the layer of ice in Jiang Haojie's eyes slowly melted, revealing the deep-seated exhaustion and emptiness beneath.

He stood alone on the spot. The surrounding noise seemed to fade away instantly, leaving only a blanket of silence.

It turned out that a break could be so absolute.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, letting out a self-mocking smile that was bitter to the extreme.

The wind blew through the open space, carrying a faint whimpering sound.

It turned out that the ridiculous one was himself.

How many people had warned him that Xu Qing was a cold-blooded creature who could never be warmed up? He had never believed them, but now he had to.

For three whole years, he had almost poured everything he had into supporting Xu Qing, and the result was...

"All third-year students, assemble immediately. The graduation assessment is about to begin."

Just as Jiang Haojie steadied his mind and wanted to check the system within him, the Dean of Students' deep voice came over the broadcast.

He could only temporarily suppress his thoughts and walked quickly toward the center of the square.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Haojie swept away all his previous dejection, even forcibly pushing the gloom of his breakup with Xu Qing to the back of his mind.

He even managed a faint smile toward the surrounding classmates.

That smile, however, made his classmates look at him strangely, exchanging meaningful glances with each other.

"Could the shock have been too much, and something's gone wrong here?"

Someone quietly pointed to their temple, "Awakening that kind of talent... how can he still smile?"

"You're telling me. Falling from the peak, it would be hard for anyone to bear.

We'd better keep our distance."

"Sigh, he's also quite pitiful.

I heard Xu Qing broke up with him directly because of the results of his awakening."

The various discussions were like a breeze passing by his ears, but Jiang Haojie seemed not to hear them, only silently walking into the queue and standing still.

"If it were me, I wouldn't even come here to humiliate myself."

Not far away, Bai Yang's arm was loosely around Xu Qing's waist as he cast a contemptuous glance at Jiang Haojie.

What did excellent grades matter? Without a powerful awakened talent and ability, one was nothing.

In the end, he couldn't even keep the person beside him.

"Just grandstanding, that's all."

Xu Qing also coldly swept her gaze over that figure, her eyes no longer showing any emotion.

From now on, they were as different as clouds and mud; there would be no more intersection between them.

Once all the third-year students were lined up, the Dean of Students spoke again.

"You should all be clear on the rules for the graduation assessment.

Awakening is only the first step. The following practical combat competition will truly determine your future path."

"I won't repeat unnecessary words; the assessment begins immediately.

Here, I wish you all a great future."

After speaking, he unfurled a simple, ancient scroll in his hand and tossed it into the air.

The scroll stretched out in mid-air, suddenly transforming into a doorway shimmering with faint light.

"Now, all examinees enter the secret realm in order."

The crowd began to move forward, disappearing into the light gate one after another.

Jiang Haojie followed the crowd inside. He thought he would arrive directly at the trial grounds, but his vision suddenly fell into pure blackness.

In the void, only a complex magic circle slowly lit up beneath his feet.

This was a safe secret realm that had been thoroughly cleared, specifically set up for the third-year graduation assessment.

"After all examinees have entered, the assessment will begin uniformly in five minutes."

A calm announcement sounded directly in everyone's ears.

Jiang Haojie nodded in understanding.

This was to ensure everyone started at the same point—if someone entered early and began acting, it would be unfair to the latecomers.

Therefore, assessments nationwide were set to start at the same moment.

Jiang Haojie deeply agreed with this set of rules.

It was impartial and exactly to his liking.

Now was the perfect time to test the gifts he had received.

He concentrated his mind, and with a slight thought, the scene before him suddenly changed.

In the middle of a vast gray mist, a treasure chest shimmering with colorful lusters floated quietly.

Open—he thought silently.

The colorful chest opened at his command.

[Talent 'Critical Hit'

Acquired: When activated, it can increase the power of martial arts by ten times.]

[God-level martial art 'Lingbo Microsteps' recorded.]

[God-level martial art 'Lions Roar Technique' recorded.]

[God-level mental cultivation method 'Shifting Stars' recorded.]

[Newbie gift pack distribution complete, please check.]

The successive notification sounds left Jiang Haojie dazed for a moment.

He hadn't expected this initial gift to be so generous.

Those god-level techniques were exactly what he needed most right now.

An Ancient Martial Artist who hasn't learned martial techniques is only slightly stronger than an ordinary person; once they master martial arts, they are worlds apart.

Jiang Haojie didn't hesitate and immediately comprehended the three techniques.

System notifications followed:

[God-level martial art 'Lingbo Microsteps' - Initial Stage mastered.]

[God-level martial art 'Lions Roar Technique' - Initial Stage mastered.]

[God-level mental cultivation method 'Shifting Stars' - Initial Stage mastered.]

Initial Stage?

Jiang Haojie's joy suddenly paused.

[Martial arts and mental cultivation methods are divided into four realms: Initial, Intermediate, Advanced, and Grandmaster. The host's current mastery is at the Initial Stage.]

The system's explanation sounded at the right time.

He understood immediately.

Even though it was only the Initial Stage, it was enough to satisfy him.

He only regretted that the current occasion wasn't right, otherwise he would definitely try out the brilliance of these three ultimate techniques.

He had been obsessed with legends of wandering heroes as a child, and now he had actually stepped onto this path himself.

With this system by his side, he would surely be able to break free from the shackles of the prejudice that 'Ancient Martial Artists are all mediocre talents'.

He wondered what kind of faces those who had mocked him in the past would have when he revealed his strength.

Ding—

[Random task triggered: Win the title of Dragon City's top scorer in the college entrance examination.]

[Success Reward: One spin on the Lucky Wheel.]

[Failure Penalty: Randomly erase one mastered martial art or mental cultivation method.]

The new task came suddenly, and it even had a penalty clause.

Before Jiang Haojie could think further, the solemn voice from before rang out through the examination hall again:

"All examinees prepare. The secret realm will open in thirty seconds, and you will all be teleported into it."

The crowd immediately began to surge.

If awakening was the brick that knocked on the door of the university, then the results of the secret realm trial determined the force of that knock.

At this moment, it was time for everyone to show their capabilities and fight with all their might.

Jiang Haojie calmed his mind and redirected his attention to the assessment about to begin.

This moment was like ten thousand soldiers competing to cross a river, with only a single line leading through.

"Last five seconds."

"Five."

...

"Three."

...

"One."

His vision suddenly spun, and a strong sense of dizziness swallowed his consciousness.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in the middle of a vast mountain range.

The surroundings were silent, with no sign of other examinees.

[Assessment Goal: Kill one hundred monsters.

The one with the shortest time wins.

Kill counts will be recorded in real-time on the Student Badge.]

[Time limit: One hour.]

The rules floating before his eyes made Jiang Haojie subconsciously stroke his chin.

In the past, he might not have been obsessed with the title of 'Top Scorer,' but now the situation had changed, and he could no longer treat it lightly.

"Roar—!"

A beast's howl interrupted his thoughts.

The bushes not far away shook violently, and a dark shadow resembling a wild boar crashed through the branches, charging straight at him.

Rank Zero monster, Steel-Tusked Beast.

The illustration from his textbook immediately appeared in his mind.

Before Jiang Haojie could think, the body covered in coarse hair had already reached him.

He quickly stepped to the side, narrowly avoiding the first collision.

The Steel-Tusked Beast missed its target, its angry howl rising again. Its hooves pawed the ground as it lunged forward once more.

Jiang Haojie's feet turned lightly, his footwork like stepping on water, dodging again at the critical moment.

Successive failures enraged the monster.

It growled as it adjusted its posture, pointing its tusks at Jiang Haojie, preparing to pounce—

At that very instant, Jiang Haojie held his breath and gathered his qi, his chest swelling, and then he opened his mouth and let out a long roar!

The roar was like a lion shaking the forest, and a wave of air burst forth.

The Steel-Tusked Beast was hit head-on by the sound wave, its sturdy body actually flying backward several yards and slamming heavily onto the ground. It twitched twice and then stopped moving.

At the same time, the Student Badge in Jiang Haojie's pocket flashed with a faint light, and a pale gold mark of "×1" appeared.

He exhaled softly, quite satisfied with the effectiveness of the Lions Roar Technique.

From the looks of it, a hundred monsters were not out of reach.

Steadying his mind, he walked deeper into the mountain range.