9: Chapter 9 Awakening Ritual

Facts speak louder than words.

There was nothing left to say.

Group after group of students stepped forward to take the test.

Some passed. Some failed.

Gradually, the only sounds in the entire room were the ticking of the timer, and the whooshing sound of running.

A tense atmosphere hung over everyone's heart, growing heavier and heavier.

Then it was Zhang Guo's group's turn.

Zhang Guo stepped forward. His face wore his usual confidence. However, deep down, he was cursing.

“Hmph... Lu Chen might have some talent in strength, which is why he could achieve a breakthrough-level score,” he thought coldly.

“But he can't be an all-rounder. I want to see if that bastard can pass the speed test.”

“If he fails... Heh, then I'll settle old and new scores together.”

Then, he began the test, full of confidence.

Ultimately, he achieved a speed of 24 m/s, far higher than the standard requirement.

As the results appeared on the screen, several gasps of air immediately came from the crowd.

A smug smile couldn't help but appear on Zhang Guo's face.

Scattered applause and compliments rang out around him.

Of course, most of it was just for show.

At this moment, who knows how many students were feeling bitter inside.

“Hmph, isn't he just a second-generation rich kid? ...If he hadn't taken the body tempering fluid that only a Formal Warrior can purchase in advance, could he have such a good score?”

“If only I had a good grandfather...”

Many people were indignant, but everyone dared to be angry but didn't dare to speak out.

Zhang Guo was very strong, and his Family had great influence in Base City D-6. Naturally, they wouldn't look for trouble.

Next was Luo Nianwei.

Her expression was calm as usual. She walked to the machine, took a gentle deep breath, then strode out with her long legs, and started the test.

26 m/s.

When her score appeared on the display, the entire room went quiet for a moment, then a chorus of gasps rang out, followed by thunderous applause and deafening cheers.

“Luo Nianwei!”

“Luo Nianwei!”

“Goddess!” one boy shouted even louder, “Please be my girlfriend!”

“Pah!” someone retorted directly, “A toad lusting after swan meat. Get lost, let me do it.”

Amidst the looks of flattery and admiration, Luo Nianwei walked off the machine with a calm expression.

She had no reaction to everyone's cheers or jokes, because her attention was elsewhere at the moment.

Next, it was Lu Chen's turn.

Lu Chen slowly stepped forward, took a deep breath. His gaze was calm.

Unlike the others, Lu Chen was actually not nervous.

His strength and Mental Energy had both increased by 128 times.

If he wanted to, he could easily run at a godlike speed of 50 m/s.

However, he naturally wouldn't expose his full strength.

He did want to establish an image as a peerless Prodigy, that's true, but he didn't want to become a monster to be dissected by others.

The test began.

Lu Chen ran very standardly, with the kind of movement and efficient posture straight out of a textbook.

The result came out, displaying 30 m/s.

The room fell into dead silence again.

No one spoke; there wasn't even the sound of gasping. Only quiet, deathly silence.

The only sound in the entire room was the soft humming of the machine.

The difference between 20 m/s and 21 m/s seems small, but in the world of cultivation, an increase in speed requires an all-around improvement in muscle and nervous System performance.

Many students' strength exceeded 400 kg, but their speed was less than 20 m/s, thus failing to pass the assessment.

But Lu Chen's speed reached 30 m/s. He hadn't even undergone the Awakening yet. This was too terrifying.

The smugness on Zhang Guo's face vanished instantly. His fists clenched involuntarily. His previous smile twisted into a knot.

“How is this possible?!” he roared in his heart.

“How is this possible? I used Medium Grade body tempering fluid to achieve this score.”

“Could it be that Lu Chen also used a similar treasure? Or is he cheating, or did someone help him in secret?”

Questions swirled in his mind one after another. Even the arrogance in his heart couldn't help but start to waver.

Meanwhile, Gao Changpeng looked at Lu Chen with bright eyes, as if he had discovered a rising star.

The joy on his face couldn't be hidden at all. This was no ordinary student, but a true Dragon.

Gao Changpeng walked up with a face full of enthusiasm, smiling, and patted Lu Chen on the shoulder.

“Lu Chen, you are indeed a peerless Genius.”

“Perhaps those B-level Base Cities have Geniuses like you, but at least before you, I had never seen one with my own eyes.”

“If you undergo the Awakening, I will personally present you with your certificate. Good luck.”

Lu Chen nodded with a smile. “Thank you, Officer Gao.”

Old Man Yang walked up to congratulate Lu Chen.

“Good child, I look forward to your performance.”

Luo Nianwei also came over. Her tone was as gentle as ever, but carried a hint of rare playfulness.

“Lu Chen, it turns out you are an Immortal Master who hides his true self; you've hidden it from me so well... I wish you a smooth Awakening.”

Lu Chen nodded. “Thank you. I wish you a smooth Awakening as well.”

Finally, Gao Changpeng turned to everyone and said, “This time, 61 students have passed the speed test,” he announced.

“Those who passed, follow me. The rest, don't be discouraged. Keep working hard, and you will eventually succeed.”

The sixty-one selected students followed Gao Changpeng into another room.

This room was smaller than the others. In the center of the room stood a huge crystal cylinder.

That crystal pillar was about the size of a soccer ball, placed on a transparent glass base.

Inside the crystal was a mass of mysterious energy, pulsing slightly like a flame, emitting an ancient and mysterious aura.