8: I have my own rhythm when it comes to showing off.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class.

Lin Fan was just about to get up.

Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the classroom door.

A young man wearing a black military uniform stood there.

Epaulette: Second Lieutenant.

"Excuse me, is student Lin Fan here?"

His voice was loud and clear, carrying the characteristic toughness of a soldier.

The entire class went silent.

All eyes turned toward Lin Fan.

Lin Fan stood up.

"That's me."

The Second Lieutenant walked into the classroom, stood at attention, and saluted.

"Student Lin Fan, Colonel Zhao sent me to pick you up."

"The preliminary training for the Preparatory Camp begins this afternoon."

"The car is outside the school gate."

After saying that, he handed over a metal folder.

Lin Fan took it.

He opened it.

Inside was a gold-embossed invitation and a non-disclosure agreement.

"Leaving now?" Lin Fan asked.

"Yes." The Second Lieutenant nodded. "The training will last for three days and is a closed-session."

Lin Fan closed the folder.

"Alright."

He picked up his backpack and walked out of the classroom under the gaze of the entire class.

As he passed Su Muyu's seat...

...she suddenly whispered.

"Be careful."

Lin Fan's footsteps paused.

He glanced at her.

He nodded without saying a word.

The black off-road vehicle sped along.

It passed through the bustling city center and drove into a heavily guarded military base on the outskirts.

High walls, electric fences, and sentries with loaded rifles.

The atmosphere instantly became solemn and grim.

The Second Lieutenant said nothing, just driving silently.

Lin Fan leaned against the car window, watching the training grounds flash by outside.

Robust figures were running with heavy weights, their blood qi surging, far exceeding that of ordinary high school students.

"So this is the military's foundation..."

Lin Fan's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Nothing special!"

[Host! High-quality prestige-earning environment detected!]

[Suggestion: Keep a low profile, then stun everyone with a single feat to maximize prestige value gains!]

The System popped up a prompt at the right moment.

Lin Fan smiled to himself.

"Good suggestion. Don't suggest anything next time."

In terms of data analysis, he was no good.

In terms of acting cool, the System was no good.

Acting cool... Lin Fan had his own rhythm!

The vehicle stopped in front of a gray building.

"We're here."

The Second Lieutenant got out and led Lin Fan into the building.

The interior space was massive and brightly lit.

Quite a few young people were already waiting.

Men and women, about twenty to thirty people in total.

Each one had vigorous blood qi and sharp eyes, carrying the arrogance unique to Geniuses.

Clearly, these were the "seeds" selected from various schools.

As soon as Lin Fan entered...

...he instantly attracted all eyes.

He was too conspicuous.

His faded school uniform and somewhat thin build.

Along with the "weak" aura caused by his passive skill.

He was completely out of place among the group of Geniuses in branded martial arts suits and with fierce auras.

"Who is this guy?"

"A new face. Which school is he from?"

"His blood qi feels... really weak."

"How did he get in? Did he use connections to get here?"

Whispers drifted over.

Unconcealed scrutiny and contempt.

Lin Fan's expression remained calm as he walked to a corner and sat down.

He closed his eyes to rest.

He completely ignored the chatter.

[Ding! Facing public ridicule with indifference! prestige value +50!]

[Current prestige value: 8,150 points.]

...A while later.

A cold-faced middle-aged man in an officer's uniform walked onto the platform.

His epaulettes showed he was a Lieutenant Colonel.

He had a powerful presence.

The moment he appeared, the hall fell silent.

All the Geniuses sat up straight.

"My name is Lei Bao."

The middle-aged man spoke, his voice like a resonant bell.

"I am the head instructor for this Preparatory Camp!"

"Here, that little bit of talent you have is worth nothing!"

"If you're a Dragon, coil up! If you're a tiger, crouch down!"

"Do you understand?!"

"Understood!" the group below responded in unison.

Lei Bao's gaze swept across the room like a hawk.

Finally, it landed on Lin Fan in the corner.

He paused for a second.

"Now, for the first item of the camp!"

"Blood qi testing!"

"When your name is called, step forward for the test!"

A soldier brought out a machine.

Unlike the school's Power-Testing Stele, it was more precise and Advanced.

"Zhang Hong! blood qi value: 2.58!"

"Li Xue! blood qi value: 2.51!"

"Wang Meng! blood qi value: 2.55!"

...The Geniuses whose names were called stepped forward one by one.

The scores were generally around 2.5.

This drew waves of exclamation.

As expected of seed candidates.

Soon...

...it was the turn of a tall, arrogant-looking young man.

"Jiang Bei! Step forward for testing!"

The young man stepped out proudly.

He pressed his palm onto the machine.

Buzz!

The machine emitted a blinding light!

The numbers on the display jumped wildly!

They finally settled!

blood qi value: 3.08!

The crowd erupted!

"3.08?! That's so high!"

"As expected of the Genius from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School!"

"He'll probably be the number one in this Preparatory Camp..."

Jiang Bei enjoyed the crowd's amazement and withdrew his hand smugly.

He swept a provocative gaze across the room.

Finally, it also landed on Lin Fan.

A hint of disdain curved his lips.

Lei Bao nodded, showing a rare trace of approval.

"Not bad. Next..."

He looked at the list and read.

"Lin Fan!"

Swish!

All eyes focused on Lin Fan once again.

Curiosity, doubt, and waiting for a joke.

Jiang Bei crossed his arms, wearing an expression of someone waiting for a good show.

Lin Fan slowly stood up.

He walked toward the testing machine.

"Wait."

Lei Bao suddenly spoke, pointing to a larger metal pillar covered in runes nearby.

"You use this one."

Huh?

Everyone was stunned.

That machine looked more Advanced; it seemed to be... specially made?

Lin Fan was also slightly startled.

But he quickly understood the reason.

He walked up to that special machine.

"Place your hand on it and circulate your blood qi with all your might."

Lei Bao said, a hint of expectation deep in his eyes.

Colonel Zhao had specifically instructed him to give this kid special "attention."

He wanted to see just how strange the blood qi of a freak who could shatter a Power-Testing Stele with one palm really was!

Lin Fan took a deep breath.

He didn't activate the Muscle Black-Grade Pagoda.

He only mobilized a portion of his basic blood qi.

He pressed his palm onto the cold metal pillar.

The machine vibrated slightly.

The screen lit up.

The numbers began to jump.

0.87... 0.88... 0.89... rising at a snail's pace.

"Pfft..."

Someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Not even 0.9?"

"What's going on? How did someone with these stats get in?"

"Definitely a product of nepotism! Seriously, any random person can get in these days..."

Jiang Bei sneered directly.

"A piece of trash!"

Lei Bao also frowned.

This is it?

Did Colonel Zhao misjudge him?

As the crowd's mockery reached his ears, a smile of being in total control appeared on Lin Fan's lips.

The next moment...

...just when everyone thought the result was set.

Lin Fan's eyes narrowed!

Inside his body, the Muscle Internal Energy surged quietly!

The Black-Grade Pagoda war-markings flickered faintly beneath his skin!

Boom!

It was as if a sleeping Dragon had awakened!

The machine shook violently!

The numbers on the screen were like they were on a rocket!

0.91! 1.0! 1.5! 2.0! 3.0!!!

Soaring wildly!!!

"What?!"

"That's impossible!!"

"Is the machine broken?!"

Everyone was stunned!

The sneer on Jiang Bei's face instantly froze!

It was replaced by unbelievable horror!

Lei Bao also snapped upright! His eyes were as sharp as knives!

The numbers were still jumping!

3.5! 4.0! 4.5!!!

Finally!

...they settled on a number that brought a dead silence to the entire hall—

blood qi value: 5.0!!!

...Silence!

A deathly silence!

You could hear a pin drop!

Everyone's mouth was wide open, and their eyes were practically popping out!

5.0?!

Is this a level a damn high school student can reach?!

Many Martial Masters don't even have a blood qi value this high!!!

Lin Fan slowly withdrew his hand.

His expression remained calm.

As if he had only done a trivial little thing.

He looked at the dumbfounded Lei Bao and spoke indifferently.

"Reporting to the instructor, the test is complete."

Then...

...he turned his head.

His gaze swept across the group of petrified Geniuses.

Finally, it stopped on the pale-faced Jiang Bei.

A slight curve formed at the corner of his mouth.

"Just now..."

"Who was that barking like a dog?"

"Why aren't you barking now?"

[Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!]

[Hiding strength, a subversive reversal, shocking the entire audience! prestige value +500!]

[Machine special effects maxed out, visual effect perfect! prestige value +200!]

[Precisely slapping the provocateur's face! prestige value +100!]

[Causing the head instructor to be highly shocked! prestige value +200!]

[Current prestige value: 9,150 points!]

[Achievement unlocked: A Phoenix Among Cranes!]

[Reward: Advanced Lucky Draw x1!]