52: Chapter 52 Under the Spotlight! The Undercurrents Before the Assessment

"Have you heard? Jiang Yun from the Rookie Class is taking the Advanced Class assessment tomorrow!"

"No way! Hasn't it only been a week since he contracted his Beast?"

"He's a Genius! Haven't you heard about the three days to the Sixth Tier thing?"

...This news, which first spread from an unknown source.

Was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake; within just one hour before school ended.

It stirred up huge waves that swept through the entire Qingquan No. 1 Middle School.

The news was initially just a vague mention of Jiang Yun challenging the Advanced Class assessment, but after being passed and fermented through countless mouths, various exaggerated versions emerged.

Some said he received personal guidance from the principal and made rapid progress.

Some said he had a fortuitous encounter in the Misty Forest and soared to the sky.

Others even claimed with absolute certainty that they had seen his Beast's size explode and its aura become terrifying.

The authenticity could no longer be verified.

But when Jiang Yun defeated Xiao Hong previously.

He had already become quite famous among the Core Students of Qingquan No. 1 Middle School.

Black Iron Sixth Tier in three days.

That wasn't something just anyone could achieve.

It had already drawn many people's attention back then.

Now, the news that he was taking the Advanced Class assessment after only a week.

Undoubtedly became the focus of the entire school's attention once again.

At the edge of the Rookie Class Training Ground.

Xiao Ling's face was terrifyingly gloomy.

Several lackeys surrounded him.

"Advanced Class assessment? Just him?"

Xiao Ling almost squeezed these words through his teeth, his face filled with jealousy and resentment.

Ever since he learned of the gap between him and Jiang Yun last time.

He hadn't dared to say much in front of Jiang Yun.

But in his heart, he still harbored deep resentment toward Jiang Yun.

Clearly, the grudge ran deep.

"That crappy fish of his, can it really rush to the Black Iron Eighth Tier in such a short time? I don't believe it! He must have had some dog-shit luck or used some forbidden medicine that overdraws potential!"

"Why does this kind of good luck always fall on his head!"

...On the Intermediate Class Training Ground.

Xiao Hong's eyes were sinister; compared to Xiao Ling's irritability.

He felt more shock and uncertainty in his heart.

After that battle with Jiang Yun last time.

He knew better than Xiao Ling how strange and powerful Jiang Yun's Fire Dragon Fish was.

However, he still sneered coldly.

"Hmph, really overestimating himself, actually going straight to challenge the Advanced Class assessment. He's simply courting death."

"The Advanced Class assessment involves facing real Vicious Beasts, not just school sparring. Combat experience and on-the-spot reactions are both indispensable. A rookie like him, who's been a Core Student for less than half a month—I hope he doesn't pee his pants in fear, or better yet, gets torn to pieces by a Vicious Beast due to a mistake!"

He cursed maliciously.

As if only this could alleviate the sense of frustration in his heart.

At the same time.

When Jiang Yun's figure appeared at the Rookie Class Training Ground.

The originally noisy classroom instantly went silent for a second, and all eyes focused on him simultaneously.

Those gazes were filled with shock, curiosity, envy, and even a hint of unbelievable awe.

The next moment, whispers spread like a tide.

"It's really him... he's going to take the Advanced Class assessment!"

"My god, how long has it been..."

"How on earth did his Fire Dragon Fish Cultivate? It's terrifying!"

...Jiang Yun paid no mind to these discussions.

At this moment.

Zhang Qiang, Li Na, and his younger sister Jiang Yunyun walked over, their faces filled with excitement.

Jiang Yunyun was even more like a little rabbit.

Bouncing in front of her brother first.

"Brother! You're truly amazing!"

Yunyun's small face was flushed red with excitement, and her voice was clear and bright, as if she were afraid the whole class wouldn't hear her.

"The Advanced Class assessment! You're about to become a Core Student of the Advanced Class! But you've improved way too fast! You didn't even wait for me!"

Zhang Qiang slapped Jiang Yun's shoulder hard and growled excitedly, "Brother Yun! You kept us in the dark for so long! Making such a big stir without a word! You've really brought honor to our Rookie Class!"

The smile on his face almost reached his ears, as if he were the one going for the assessment.

Li Na stood to the side, her eyes sparkling, sincerely happy for Jiang Yun, but being attentive, she couldn't help but remind him, "Jiang Yun, congratulations! But... I heard the Advanced Class assessment is very strict and involves actual combat with strong Vicious Beasts. You must be careful."

Jiang Yun looked at his friends and sister who were truly happy for him, and a gentle smile appeared on his calm face.

He nodded, his tone still indifferent. "Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

His calmness and composure stood in stark contrast to the surrounding excitement, instead adding a few hints of mystery and a powerful aura.

The students looked at him, the envy in their eyes growing stronger.

They understood that this classmate, whom they once considered a talentless waste, had already soared to the sky at a speed they couldn't comprehend, and was about to head to a platform they could only look up to.

Jiang Yunyun looked at her brother's calm demeanor.

She proudly puffed out her small chest, her sparkling eyes seemingly announcing silently to the whole class.

Look, this is my brother!

He's the best!

She felt very proud in her heart!

...The scene shifted.

Common student area.

It was mostly a scene of excitement from people watching the spectacle.

"We must go to the Core Area tomorrow to watch! The Advanced Class assessment! That's a major event! Anyone who can take the Advanced Class assessment is a Genius of Qingquan No. 1 Middle School!"

"And I heard this Jiang Yun reached the Sixth Tier in three days! So reaching the Eighth Tier in a week is quite reasonable, right?"

"Black Iron Eighth Tier... Also having no talent, my Beast took half a year to reach the Fifth Tier. Comparisons are odious! I wonder how on earth this Jiang Yun did it!"

"Do you think he'll succeed? I remember the passing rate for the Advanced Class assessment isn't very high..."

"Who knows, as long as there's a show to watch!"

...The Core Area for Advanced Class student activities.

The atmosphere here was completely different from other places.

When the news arrived.

Most of the dozen or so Advanced Class students who were resting or training showed surprised expressions.

To enter the Advanced Class, each of their Beasts' strength had already reached the Black Iron Eighth or Ninth Tier; their Aptitude and strength were bound to be very powerful.

As the chosen ones, each naturally had their own pride.

A tall, sturdy boy who was wiping his boxing gloves raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That rookie who reached the Sixth Tier in three days and defeated Xiao Hong from the Intermediate Class? His speed is indeed startlingly fast."

"I recall it's been less than a week! He's already reached the Black Iron Eighth Tier?"

The boy was doubtful.

His tone carried a hint of scrutiny.

Beside him, a girl wearing glasses.

A relatively quiet-looking girl pushed up her glasses and analyzed calmly, "To improve so quickly in such a short time, either resources were piled up to an unimaginable degree, or the Beast's Aptitude is truly extraordinary. Either way, he's worth paying attention to."

"If he successfully advances to our Advanced Class, he will surely become another powerful obstacle in competing for spots."

"Obstacle? Heh! Just a grandstander."

The girl had just finished speaking.

In the corner.

A tall, thin young man with a handsome face but a natural air of arrogance.

Only let out an extremely light sneer.

As if he had heard some boring joke.

A follower beside him immediately understood and echoed loudly, "Brother Feng, it seems any random person now thinks they can enter our Core Class. Relying on a bit of luck and Evil Paths to quickly raise their Rank results in an unstable Foundation. In actual combat, they're just paper tigers. The Vicious Beasts released for tomorrow's assessment aren't pushovers; he'll likely show his true colors on the spot!"

He slowly stood up.

His eyes indifferently swept toward the direction of the arena outside the window.

His tone was flat but carried a bone-chilling coldness. "The Advanced Class is not a stage prepared for grandstanders. Without the corresponding strength and heritage, even if one gets in by luck, they will be eliminated very quickly."

The young man's pride stemmed from his absolute strength and long-term status as the number one in the Advanced Class. He instinctively rejected anyone who might challenge or share his spotlight.

Jiang Yun's sudden rise and the attention he received made him extremely displeased.

Sixth Tier in three days?

Taking the Advanced Class assessment in one week?

In his eyes, it was nothing more than grandstanding.

The young man smiled disdainfully.

"Tomorrow, I'll see what kind of tricks this so-called fast-leveling Genius has."