Discussions once again broke out across the vast Martial Arts Training Ground. It was as if everyone had seen a glimmer of hope, and each of them felt their energy renewed.
"Everyone, quiet down. This test is now over. Students who did not directly advance to the honors class should return to their own classrooms and await news. The promoted students will follow Instructor Xiao to your new cultivation areas.
In three months, the academy will hold an outdoor expedition, and in six months, there will be a martial arts tournament. I hope you all take note of the dates and dedicate yourselves to your cultivation," Xiao Wenjie announced.
Soon, the instructors of the five classes led their students through a Teleportation Gate, leaving the Martial Arts Training Ground and returning to their respective classroom buildings.
Ye Tian and the other promoted students followed Xiao Yaoyao and another beautiful female instructor to a special Teleportation Gate. However, just as Ye Tian was about to teleport, Guan Tianshui called him back.
"You'll stay behind for now. The Dean has some questions for you. I will personally escort you back to the honors class area later," Guan Tianshui said.
Ye Tian felt a little frustrated, but he couldn't disobey the Vice-Dean's command, so he reluctantly followed him. When he saw Ye Feifei's lingering, reluctant gaze, however, his heart ached a little.
Before long, everyone had left the Martial Arts Training Ground, leaving only Ye Tian, Guan Tianshui, and Xiao Wenjie. The arena stage was still standing. 'Do these two want me to test again?' Ye Tian wondered.
"You two Deans have kept me behind, but for what reason? Please, enlighten me!" Ye Tian said respectfully. Facing two Five Veins experts, he could only swallow his pride and be subservient.
"We mean you no harm in keeping you here. You gave us too many surprises during today's test. Among all the students tested, you and that Ye Feifei undoubtedly have the most terrifying talent. We want to focus on training the two of you. Perhaps in the future, you'll have a chance to enter the Imperial City Academy," Xiao Wenjie said.
Ye Tian was slightly startled. 'I didn't expect them to have this kind of goal in mind.' To be honest, though, he was also very curious. He wanted to know just how high his Combat Value really was, and what that bizarre Talent Value reading meant.
"I'm afraid I might disappoint you two Deans. I'm not that outstanding, am I? Are you sure you haven't made a mistake?" Ye Tian said with a smile.
"There's no need to be so guarded. Whatever secrets you have, we will keep them. You've been hiding your strength, haven't you? If I'm not mistaken, you should be at the One Vein Ninth Layer. And as for your talentā¦ needless to say, it must be at least at the Blue Star level. It's safe to say you are the number one genius in our academy," Xiao Wenjie said.
Both men looked at Ye Tian, their gazes so intense it felt as if they were trying to see straight through to his soulāa terrifying sensation.
"It's true I hid my strength, but as for my talent being amazing, I honestly wouldn't know. The screen couldn't measure it, so there's nothing I can do!" Ye Tian said helplessly.
Facing two Five Veins experts, he could only tell the truth. After all, their experience and knowledge were vast; it was normal for them to have figured these things out. Even if he wanted to hide it, he couldn't find a good excuse.
"It's just the three of us here now. We want to see what Combat Value you can produce with an all-out strike. For the academy to have a talent like you is incredibly rare, so we need to get a clear picture," Xiao Wenjie said.
"Alright then! It might not be very impressive!" Ye Tian replied. 'Only by showing my true strength can I satisfy their curiosity,' he thought. 'It might even lead to better opportunities for development. Right now, what I need most is to increase my strength.'
'The powerful Martial Skills left to me by the War Dragon Remnant Soul are impossible to cultivate because I'm not strong enough. This might be the chance I need.'
After speaking, Ye Tian walked toward the arena stage. This time, however, he stopped about twenty meters away. He planned to use the momentum from his movement to enhance his attack on the stone pillar, which would allow him to display his greatest possible Combat Value.
Xiao Wenjie and Guan Tianshui watched Ye Tian without blinking, their eyes fixed on him. Only they knew the depths of their curiosity and shock regarding the young man.
Ye Tian slowly closed his eyes. He began to circulate the Dragon Spiritual Power within his body, standing perfectly still.
After a good while, there was still no movement, which Xiao Wenjie and Guan Tianshui found very strange. 'What on earth is this kid doing?' they wondered. 'Surely he doesn't need this long to prepare a single attack?' Despite their thoughts, they didn't dare interrupt him with questions.
After a few more breaths, Ye Tian's eyes snapped open. He glanced at the stone pillar in the distance, and then his figure flashed forward, leaving an afterimage as he charged toward it.
Ye Tian executed the sixth transformation of the Dragon Form Hundred Transformations, pushing his speed to its absolute limit. The two deans watching from the side were startled. 'This kid is so fast!' The same thought flashed through both of their minds.
Immediately after, he unleashed the final form of the Thunderbolt Fist. An arc of electricity appeared over his fist as it struck the stone pillar with perfect accuracy.
The strike was perfect, executed with exhilarating power. A loud BOOM resounded from the stone pillar, and this time, Ye Tian was knocked back several steps by the recoil before he could steady himself.
'I'm extremely satisfied with that strike,' Ye Tian thought. 'The amplifying effect of the War Dragon Heavenly Arm was fully unleashed. I figure this attack had to have a Combat Value of at least 6,500.'
Guan Tianshui's figure flashed, and he instantly appeared in front of the screen. When he saw the number displayed on it, his jaw dropped in astonishment.
The exaggerated expression on his face startled Xiao Wenjie, who couldn't help but fly over to the screen himself. When he saw the number, he too was stunned speechless.
After a long moment, Guan Tianshui finally said, "A Combat Value of seven thousand five hundred and thirty. That's an Attack Power comparable to someone at the Second Vein Second Layer! This is simply unbelievable. You truly are a geniusāthe number one genius in the academy."
Hearing the result, Ye Tian felt a surge of excitement. It was much higher than he had expected. He was especially pleased to hear Guan Tianshui say his Attack Power was on par with a Second Vein Second Layer Martial Artist.
'If I use the War Dragon Heavenly Arm, my power should be comparable to an expert at the Early Three Veins realm. Leaping that many realms is a terrifying thought. The power of the War Dragon is truly extraordinary.'
Xiao Wenjie and Guan Tianshui walked over to Ye Tian, their expressions having returned to normal. "To see such a powerful Combat Value from someone at your realm is a first for us. Now, what we want to know most is your Talent Value.
Infusing Spiritual Power from your body into the screen is one testing method. There is another, simpler method that can test it directly, but it causes a certain amount of pain, which is why we didn't have everyone use it."
"What is this method? Please enlighten me, Deans. To be honest, I'm also very curious about my own Talent Value. I'm not afraid of pain. How can a cultivator be afraid of a little pain?" Ye Tian said, his expression completely seriousā¦