Chapter 14: Chapter 14: King Xing’s Hint_1
In the administrative building of Chu State No.1 Middle School.
The extravagantly luxurious administrative building was a world apart from No. 33 Middle School. As the best middle school in the entirety of Chu State, its notable alumni included King Xing. Many other Grandmasters have also graduated from here.
Amid the carpeted, spacious corridors and the opulent lounges.
At this mont, the leaders of No. 1 Middle School were standing outside with gloomy faces. They had hoped to impress King Xing, which could have boosted funding for the school for the next year. However, their thunder had now been stolen by the people from No. 33 Middle School.
"Haha. Principal Zhang, to think you’d personally be here to welco us! We’re overwheld, truly," Cao Fugui, laughing heartily, teased as he entered.
Then, Cao Fugui turned to Chen Jun and instructed, "Teacher Chen, send a ssage for the school to prepare a banner. It should congratulate our student Wang Zhan for winning the title of top scholar in this year’s martial examination!"
"Cao Fugui, look at you, pleased as punch just because you’ve produced one prodigy. Such talents appear every year in our No. 1 Middle School. Don’t forget, the martial examination only accounts for part of the assessnt. Apart from the new political review qualification, there are also scores in cultural courses like martial arts theory and beast anatomy to consider. We’ll see who has the last laugh," said Principal Zhang gravely, his eyes lingering on Wang Zhan a mont longer.
But Cao Fugui just laughed loudly, "Principal Zhang is right. But Wang Zhan is surely an exception! With a total combat power score of 100,000, even if he scored zero in cultural courses, I believe he would still be intensely sought after by all major Martial Arts Academies in the Federation."
The door to the lounge opened, and a man about forty years old, emanating a powerful aura, walked out. He scanned the room before his eyes landed on Wang Zhan’s group: "Has Wang Zhan arrived? King Xing is waiting. His ti is limited. Do not delay!"
Without waiting for others to direct him, Wang Zhan stood up and stepped forward. "I am Wang Zhan!"
The man took a long, assessing look at Wang Zhan. "Follow !"
Entering the lounge, they found themselves in the Great Hall, a full hundred square ters, larger than Wang Zhan’s ho. The exquisite beast-leather sofa, the milky-white fur carpet, the decorative paintings hanging on the walls, and various honors of No.1 Middle School were all clearly visible.
King Xing was sitting there, his face cordial with a friendly smile. However, his re presence exuded an abyss-like feeling.
"Take a seat, young man!" King Xing gestured with a smile.
Then he looked at Wang Zhan, and after a mont, he began, "At first, I didn’t quite believe it. Since the beginning of the Martial Arts Era, I have never seen such a prodigy. But now that I see you, I believe. Strength, speed, and physique all at the Martial Student peak, and at such a young age. Truly impressive!"
Wang Zhan was also sowhat nervous. He was a little scared; this was the Martial King, after all. If he were to discover the System or anything like that, it would be difficult to explain. However, after King Xing’s words, Wang Zhan relaxed. At the sa ti, a sense of admiration arose. He truly is a Martial King of the Human Race. He could tell my strength with just a glance—far more impressive than any instrunt. But Wang Zhan also realized King Xing probably didn’t know about the System. It seems this System is quite powerful.
"Strength 2.13; Speed 49.4; Endurance 20; plus a base of 50. A total combat power of 105,222. Very promising!" King Xing remarked.
Wang Zhan was slightly startled but quickly understood. It seed that the virtual cabin did more than just record total combat power; its analysis of all aspects was spot on.
"King Xing!" Wang Zhan asked, "I am a bit confused. Why is the total combat power not simply the sum or product of the three attributes? Why add a base of 50?"
"Haha, a good question. I was wondering if you’d ask," King Xing unabashedly praised Wang Zhan, then explained, "This is not a base. It’s willpower, or you could say, ntal power! Everyone’s ntal power base is standardized at 50. But it doesn’t an everyone’s is actually 50. In this year’s martial examination in Chu State, quite a few students had a ntal power base exceeding 50. One girl’s ntal power base even reached 80. Unfortunately, her actual strength was just too weak."
"Wang Zhan, do not be complacent!" King Xing continued, "Do you think this is your ultimate peak?"
Wang Zhan nodded. In his view, that was indeed the case. The System had stopped increasing his attributes, after all. Wasn’t that the peak?
King Xing smiled. He found nothing unusual in this response from a child hailing from a slum area, who naturally had little worldly knowledge. If Wang Zhan had reacted any differently, King Xing might have grown concerned.
"Haha, we used to think the sa way. But over the years, as we have made progress and gained insights on the battlefield... well, let’s just say, on the front lines, we realized that being a Martial Student is but the beginning of the path of martial arts. Moreover, under the old assessnt thods, a so-called Level 9 Martial Student isn’t even comparable to a Level 7 Martial Student under our current total combat power system. Even in this new system, a Level 9 Martial Student is not the endpoint!"
As he said this, King Xing’s expression grew sowhat wistful. "You know, true prodigies polish their bodies, breaking through their limits ti and ti again before even beginning to cultivate their Dantian. They push their strength, speed, endurance, and even ntal power and willpower to the absolute limit—a state where further improvent is impossible."
"This was an understanding our Human Race gained on the battlefield, through blood and tears," King Xing said with so emotion, as if reminiscing about sothing.
Wang Zhan was shocked. Domain? What domain? Lessons learned through blood and tears on the battlefield? These words horrified Wang Zhan. Obviously, King Xing had concealed many things. Clearly, there were matters that he was not yet permitted to know.
"King Xing!" Wang Zhan called out respectfully, this respect coming from his heart. It was respect for a predecessor in martial arts. King Xing had no personal ties to him, yet he imparted such knowledge selflessly. This kind of character deserved respect.
Wang Zhan continued, "Then why not announce this publicly?"
King Xing replied calmly, "It will not be made public. It’s not suitable for widespread promotion. Within the circle of Martial Artists, it will inevitably spread over ti. But, even if they know, so what? Not everyone can attain this state. Talent, willpower, and resources are all extrely crucial. Geniuses are called geniuses because they can do many things ordinary people cannot. If it could be widely promoted, would there still be geniuses?"
King Xing stood up and glanced at the device in his hand, which made Wang Zhan a little envious. That must be the latest communication system produced by the Federal Science and Technology Group—holographic virtual projection, computational power comparable to a supercomputer. It stored data on all known beasts and plants.
Wang Zhan had seen the advertisent; it was touted as one of the best auxiliary devices for the wilderness.
"It’s getting late. I have other matters to attend to. Keep this in mind. From what I can see, you’ve only learned the general cultivation guide, I gather. I can sense the flow of your internal energy. This is a body refining technique. It should be helpful to you!" King Xing suddenly produced a data file in his hand.
Once again, Wang Zhan was incredibly envious. Was that a Space Bracelet? No wonder the Communication Watch was considered one of the best auxiliary devices; it even had the function of a Space Bracelet!
"Thank you!" Wang Zhan said with sincere gratitude.
Looking at King Xing’s retreating figure, Wang Zhan felt he sowhat understood the aning of the Human Race’s creed: ’Never Be Enslaved.’ Perhaps it was precisely because of the selfless, pioneering spirit of Martial Artists like King Xing, Scarred Teacher, Principal Cao, Teacher Chen, and countless others who forged ahead, that the Human Race was able to continue to survive.
"King Xing!"
"King Xing!"
As the doors of the eting room opened and King Xing stepped out, everyone greeted him. King Xing nodded as a form of acknowledgnt. Then he announced, "The top scholar of this year’s martial arts examination is Wang Zhan from No. 33 Middle School! Chu State City will reward him with a residence in C District, one million in cash, and ten bottles of Grade-9 Essence Pills! Also, next year, allocate an additional two percent of resources to No. 33 Middle School."
As the series of rewards was announced, all the principals were dumbfounded. Principal Zhang, in particular, wore an incredulous expression. Top scholars were produced every year, mostly concentrated in No. 1 Middle School. When had the rewards for a top scholar beco so generous? According to past conventions, getting a house in D District, near E District, was considered pretty good. Cash wasn’t a big deal, but ten bottles of Grade-9 Essence Pills—this had to be a joke, right? As for the two percent of resources, that part ant little to him. No. 1 Middle School traditionally received the most resources anyway.
But Cao Fugui was already beaming with joy. There were a hundred middle schools in Chu State City. Previously, No. 33 Middle School might have received only about 0.2% or 0.3% of the resource allocation. Now, with an additional two percent... This... He’d have to think carefully about how to use it. They could start promoting next year’s enrollnt drive now!
"Yes!" The man next to King Xing imdiately replied respectfully.
As he spoke, soone beside him had already recorded the announcent. King Xing’s hovercar started up and shot into the sky. A light screen flickered briefly, and the hovercar instantly blended into it, then vanished beyond the light screen.
The Chu State officials who remained also began to coordinate with Wang Zhan. anwhile, several principals had gathered around Principal Cao.
"Old Cao, ’when you beco rich and famous, don’t forget your old friends,’ eh? Two percent of the resources! How about we at No. 7 Middle School collaborate with you? You give us so resources, and we’ll jointly cultivate students," Principal Zhou from No. 7 Middle School, who was bald, quickly sidled up, grinning.
"Principal Cao, don’t trust that baldy. When No. 7 Middle School received the cultivation guide, did he think of giving you a copy?" soone interjected loudly.
Principal Zhang also spoke, "Old Cao, think about it, we fought side-by-side back in the day. During the Beast Tide, I even saved your life. How about this: let’s cooperate. I can ensure that No. 1 Middle School transfers two hundred students to No. 33 Middle School. If outstandingly talented students erge from No. 33 Middle School, they can also be transferred to No. 1 Middle School unconditionally. We can consider them jointly cultivated students. What do you think?"
Cao Fugui sneered. Principal Zhang certainly had a shrewd plan. He wanted to use No. 33 Middle School’s resources to nurture students for No. 1 Middle School! It was a blatant ploy, yet hard to refuse. Given the reputation of No. 1 Middle School, its student pool was undoubtedly superior to No. 33 Middle School’s. Many nearby principals looked on with expressions of longing and envy.
Just as Cao Fugui was wondering how to respond, Wang Zhan had already completed the procedures to receive his rewards. An exquisite alloy box had appeared in his hands.
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