55: Chapter 55 Han Ming Exposed?

In the Zhang Family council hall, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the calm before a storm.

"Boom..."

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu slammed his palm down, shattering the table in front of him, sending wood splinters flying.

His son, the Zhang Family's number one Genius, Zhang Beiwang with his S-grade Talent for Thunder, was dead—killed inside the Martial Exam Secret Realm.

"Blood Demon Alliance..." Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu roared through gritted teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.

Although the others present said nothing, their expressions were equally terrifyingly gloomy.

Zhang Beiwang was the hope of their Zhang Family's generation, with the potential to reach the Martial King or even Martial Emperor realm, leading the Zhang Family to become a top Family in Jiangbei.

And now, he was dead?

How could they not be furious?

"Sigh... Second Brother, please accept your grief and move on!"

Seeing that Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu had vented enough, a middle-aged man at the head of the table sighed helplessly.

He was none other than the Zhang Family Clan Chief, Zhang Mingshan, an 8-star Grand Martial Master.

The Blood Demon Alliance was powerful and hidden extremely deep; even the Great Xia Alliance could do nothing about them. What could their small Zhang Family possibly do?

Grand Elder Zhang Mingyu slumped in his chair, looking utterly dejected; he had lost his former vitality, appearing to have aged ten years in an instant.

He knew the power of the Blood Demon Alliance; avenging his son was impossible.

They would never have guessed that Zhang Beiwang's death was not the work of the Blood Demon Alliance, but rather the Han Family, whom they had never taken seriously.

"Beiwang is dead? How could that be?"

In the Zhang Family backyard, an old man who appeared kind and amiable frowned, murmuring to himself in confusion.

He was the Zhang Family Old Ancestor, Zhang Zhentian, a Peak Martial Ancestor expert and the true pillar of the Zhang Family.

"I hope it wasn't you..." He narrowed his eyes, looking toward the north of the city, and whispered.

Deep within his pupils, a flash of abnormal crimson appeared and vanished in an instant.

On the other side, after the Blood Demons had been cleared away, the Martial Exam results were officially announced.

In the plaza, students from various Martial Arts high schools gathered together, waiting for the verdict of their fate. Some were expectant, some nervous, and some anxious.

President Zhou Zhenghe stood on the high platform, holding a list, his voice carrying across the entire venue via an amplification array:

"This Martial Exam has ended early due to the Blood Demon Alliance attack. Results are based on the scores candidates had before the Secret Realm closed."

There was silence below the stage.

"First place, Lin Fan, 3,820 points!"

Applause broke out. Lin Fan stood in the crowd, his expression calm.

"Second place, Zhao Yuting, 3,100 points!"

Zhao Yuting was pushed up in her wheelchair. Her face was pale; she knew that if Zhang Beiwang hadn't died, she wouldn't have taken second place.

At this moment, she still felt a lingering fear; if not for the life-saving trump card her father had left her, she would already be a corpse.

"Third place, Liu Qingqing, 2,900 points."

"Fourth place, Xie Yunpeng, 2,890 points."

"Fifth place, Gong Shuting, 2,560 points."

As President Zhou Zhenghe read out the names one by one, the top twenty candidates were quickly announced.

Because over a dozen of the original top twenty had died, Han Ming, who had been coasting, also made it into the top ten.

Li Xuewei ranked eleventh.

Even Su Wanning, along with No. 3 High School students Zhou Hao, Zhao Feng, and Liu Yun, entered the top twenty.

Principal Wang Yang of No. 3 High School stood below the stage, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

Since No. 3 High School was founded, it had never achieved such results; seven candidates had entered the top twenty, and Lin Fan had taken first place by a wide margin.

This was truly an unprecedented first.

"Old Wang, congratulations! Your No. 3 High School has really stolen the spotlight this year."

The principal of No. 1 High School walked over and said sourly.

Principal Wang Yang laughed heartily: "Luck, just luck."

He was humble with his words, but his heart was blooming with joy.

"Isn't it just good luck? If so many Genius students hadn't been killed by the Blood Demon Alliance, it would be impressive if your No. 3 High School had even two or three in the top twenty."

The principal of No. 2 High School also walked over and said sarcastically.

Their No. 2 High School had also suffered significant losses; several of their top twenty prospects were dead.

The principal of No. 1 High School's face turned even uglier upon hearing this. Their No. 1 High School had also suffered many losses, especially Zhang Beiwang; otherwise, there was no telling who would have taken first place.

As the results were fully announced, the atmosphere in the plaza became even more heated.

Everyone looked at the top twenty candidates with envious expressions.

Especially those who had only a few hundred points and made it into the top twenty by luck.

"Alright, the results for this year's Martial Exam have been announced. The top twenty candidates are to remain; everyone else is dismissed! Return home and wait for the acceptance letters from the Martial Arts Universities in one month."

While the crowd below was whispering, President Zhou Zhenghe's voice came from above once again.

As President Zhou Zhenghe's voice faded, the crowd in the plaza gradually dispersed.

The top twenty candidates did not leave; they were required to stay and wait for the admissions mentors from the various Martial Arts Universities.

Han Ming stood in the crowd, hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. His rank was ninth, with 1,980 points. This result wasn't dazzling, but it wasn't bad either.

Li Xuewei stood beside him, occasionally stealing a glance at him, a faint smile on her face.

"What are you looking at?" Han Ming asked, raising an eyebrow as he noticed her gaze.

"No... nothing." Li Xuewei quickly turned her head, her ears turning slightly red.

Su Wanning stood not far away, watching this scene, biting her lip without saying a word.

Lin Fan stood alone in a corner, eyes closed to rest, as if the bustle around him had nothing to do with him.

About an hour later, several black hover-cars drove into the plaza.

The doors opened, and over a dozen people stepped out. They wore various uniforms with different school emblems on their chests, their aura deep and powerful; even the weakest among them had the strength of the Martial Ancestor level.

"They're here, they're here! The admissions mentors from the Martial Arts Universities!"

"Look! That's Modu Martial Arts University! Last year, only one person from our Jiangbei was recruited by Modu Martial Arts University!"

"Kyoto Martial Arts University is here too! And Jinling Martial Arts University, Wuchang Martial Arts University!"

The crowd became restless.

Teacher Xue Muhan stepped out from the lead car, dressed in white robes, her long hair like a waterfall, her cold gaze sweeping across the venue. Behind her followed two middle-aged men, both experts at the Martial King level.

"Martial Emperor Xue is here in person!" someone exclaimed.

Teacher Xue Muhan ignored the surrounding chatter and walked straight toward the high platform. President Zhou Zhenghe hurriedly went to greet her, his attitude respectful.

"Lord Martial Emperor Xue, the top twenty candidates are all here."

Teacher Xue Muhan nodded, her gaze sweeping through the crowd before finally landing on Lin Fan.

"Lin Fan, come here."

Lin Fan opened his eyes, was silent for a moment, and stepped forward.

Teacher Xue Muhan looked him up and down, sweeping him with her Divine Sense, a flash of surprise appearing in her eyes.

A 6-star Martial Master, he broke through so quickly?

"Are you willing to join Modu Martial Arts University?" Teacher Xue Muhan asked straightforwardly.

The entire venue went quiet. All eyes were focused on Lin Fan.

Lin Fan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I am willing."

Teacher Xue Muhan nodded in satisfaction, her gaze continuing to the others, when suddenly she looked at Li Xuewei and said in surprise:

"Eh? You actually awakened the Mystic Ice Spirit Body?"

Teacher Xue Muhan looked at Li Xuewei, a flash of appreciation in her eyes: "Mystic Ice Spirit Body, SS-Rank Talent. Are you willing to take me as your master and join Modu Martial Arts University?"

The crowd was in an uproar once again.

SS-Rank Talent! Mystic Ice Spirit Body! This girl, previously unknown, actually hid such a talent?

Li Xuewei was stunned and instinctively looked at Han Ming. Han Ming nodded at her.

Teacher Xue Muhan frowned slightly: "What, are you unwilling?"

"No..." Li Xuewei took a deep breath and gathered her courage, "Martial Emperor Xue, I... I have a condition."

The venue went quiet. A candidate actually dared to negotiate with a Martial Emperor?

"Speak," Teacher Xue Muhan said indifferently.

Li Xuewei pointed at Han Ming: "Han Ming... can he also join Modu Martial Arts University?"

All eyes turned to Han Ming.

There was surprise, curiosity, amusement, and disdain.

"Han Ming? Is that the Han Ming from No. 3 High School? The ninth place in the Martial Exam?"

"Ninth place, my foot. It was just luck; otherwise, it would have been impressive if he even made the top twenty."

"Exactly. If the Blood Demon Alliance hadn't slaughtered over a dozen Geniuses, could an 8-star Martial Apprentice like him have made the top twenty?"

Many students who hadn't left began to make snide remarks, their eyes full of jealousy as they looked at Han Ming.

Why should an 8-star Martial Apprentice be allowed in the top ten?

Getting into the top ten was one thing, but now, because of a single sentence from Li Xuewei, he might actually get into Modu Martial Arts University—how could they not be envious and jealous?

Su Wanning stood in the crowd, watching this scene, her fingers unconsciously gripping the corner of her clothes. Her feelings were very complex; she hoped Han Ming could enter Modu Martial Arts University to Cultivate, but she also worried about Han Ming being too far away from her, leaving her feeling empty inside.

"An 8-star Martial Apprentice... eh, no, your physical strength cannot be as simple as an 8-star Martial Apprentice. You were actually able to deceive my investigation. Speak, who exactly are you?"

Teacher Xue Muhan's Divine Thought swept over Han Ming; her previously indifferent expression instantly became serious, and she stared sharply at Han Ming, demanding an answer.