章 20: Chapter 20 Part One (Please Favorite)
With Fang Xing's current strength, he naturally progressed swiftly and decisively in the tournament battles.
And as the eight-to-four and four-to-two exams passed, the number of stages dwindled, but the number of spectators for each fight only grew.
Until...
"The final match, Fang Xing versus Liu Wei, you will decide the first and second place of this practical combat assessment!"
On the stage, Xia Long looked at both sides, revealing a hint of a smile.
After all, the top two in practical combat had already been claimed by his first-year class two.
Shouldn't the headmaster at least increase the benefits a bit this year?
If either of these two got into university, he would have to give them a hefty bonus reward!
"Ah Xing..."
Liu Wei looked at Fang Xing, his face showing a hint of eagerness to try: "Come on... I've been eager to see your true strength."
As he spoke, his muscles rippled like flowing water, looking particularly peculiar.
Fang Xing, however, suddenly sighed.
Liu Wei was very strong!
Awakening a superpower was akin to defying the heavens and changing fate, and his was even the most immediate in effect among power-oriented abilities!
Once they started fighting, if he didn't use all his strength, it would be difficult to deal with the opponent.
That would likely reveal some things.
After all, Jade Skin could be said to be the Great Dragon Stance of the Third Realm, and the rapid progress in Pile Skill was due to his astonishing aptitude.
But explaining the nearly half-completed training of the flesh was not so simple; no matter how talented he was, without substantial resources, it would still be impossible.
'Being second in practical combat isn't a bad position, not to mention... there's still the written exam!'
'The hot-blooded youth facing his former friend in a final decisive battle, struggling to win after a fierce fight, that's not my style...'
Having made up his mind, Fang Xing finally spoke: "I concede..."
"Concede?"
Xia Long frowned, but the surrounding students and teachers were in an uproar.
"Why concede?"
"Some say Liu Wei and Fang Xing are good friends, having played together from childhood... Maybe he couldn't bear to fight?"
"Nonsense! My childhood friend and I have a bare-butt friendship, but when we tested for high school, we didn't hold back. He turned me into a pig-headed mess... Isn't it normal for friends to spar with each other?"
"Hmph, foolish! As a bio-engineered human, with nothing else, you can only speak with your grades... The final exams of your first year are very important. If you encounter someone with the same score during university entrance exams, they will definitely review your record for a comprehensive comparison. That bit of historical performance could become the deciding factor on the scales... that Fang Xing, how unwise!"
Some admired him, others scoffed.
Liu Wei's face suddenly darkened: "Why?"
"I don't want to fight you, that's the reason."
Fang Xing exhaled: "Besides... second place in practical combat is good enough."
Liu Wei's heart stirred, knowing that the final grade of the end-term exam was a combination of the written and practical combat results.
And his own academic performance?
It couldn't be said to be a total mess, but it was always slightly worse than Fang Xing's.
"Alright, since the party concerned has conceded, Liu Wei wins this battle!"
Xia Long coughed and a smile appeared on his face: "This term's final exams have concluded smoothly. The grades will now be issued!"
With smart brain grading, the written exam scores were actually already available.
The wait was only for the outcome of the practical combat results.
Soon after, Fang Xing saw his own score.
[Written Exam Score: 874 (out of 1000)]
[Practical Combat Score: 98 (out of 100)]
[Combined Score: 175.6 (Comprehensive Ranking: 1)]
"Huh? I'm first in the year?"
Fang Xing was somewhat dumbfounded, then realized: "It seems those written exam prodigies... lost quite badly in practical combat..."
"How is that possible? I'm only third?"
Liu Wei saw his own score, struggling to accept it.
"It's quite normal, the comprehensive score takes 90% from practical combat and adds 10% from the written exam. Your practical combat score is first in the grade, a total of 100... with a written exam score of 840, totaling 174, you're only one point shy of Bai Lianyi who is ranked second in the year, placing you third..."
Xia Long looked at Fang Xing again: "You knew you were no match and chose to concede decisively, which is also a kind of courage... However, some teachers believe you were timid in battle, thus scoring you slightly lower. Otherwise, you could have obtained 99 points in practical combat as usual... Fang Xing, you must continue to strive, as your position is easily surpassed."
"Yes, teacher."
Fang Xing nodded: "This summer break, I plan to dedicate myself to intensive study and training..."
"Very well, I hope you three can maintain this progress; next semester, I'll apply for scholarships for you."
Xia Long said to Fang Xing and Liu Wei, then turned to Bai Lianyi with an uncontrollable smile on his face, "Bai's academic performance is very good, but you need to put in more effort into practical combat..."
This time, his students really made him proud, sweeping the top three ranks in their grade, so much so that the principal had to toast him several times during the evening banquet...
"Thank you, teacher."
Fang Xing glanced sidelong at Liu Wei and Bai Lianyi, sensing something strange.
Considering the incident with the dog-walking woman, Jing Xia, that had occurred, he decided it would be best to spend the summer holiday sheltering at home, exploring the Otherworld.
As for living expenses?
Since the scholarship was coming soon, there was no need to work part-time.
...
"Finally, it's over..."
Happy Home District.
Fang Xing closed the door behind him and lay comfortably on his bed.
After the final exams, the school had started the holiday.
Two months of vacation was plenty of time for him to thoroughly explore that Otherworld!
"Strength, I need more strength!"
Thinking of Liu Wei's progress made Fang Xing feel a prickle of unease.
It wasn't about begrudging a brother's suffering or envying his success.
It was that… Liu Wei's transformation was somewhat bizarre!
To others, it all seemed normal, but the original owner of this body had grown up alongside Liu Wei as brothers!
Moreover, considering a few things Liu Wei had inadvertently revealed, Fang Xing felt the looming presence of danger.
'Although it may just be my overthinking, perhaps Liu Wei just lucked out with a genetic mutation and gained special abilities...'
'But... I still need to distance myself as swiftly as possible.'
Fang Xing looked deep into his heart, acknowledging another reason for his estrangement from Liu Wei – to prevent his predecessor's good friend from detecting his abnormalities!
'Even though I possess the memories of my former self... I am not the original Fang Xing. A transmigrator's habits always leave some traces that others may not detect, but Liu Wei might... so, had I been gradually distancing myself from him? Even unconsciously?'
Fang Xing sighed.
His predecessor's friends, after all, were not his friends.
In his previous life, when reading novels, protagonists that immediately started calling others mom and dad and showed deep loyalty to friends upon transmigrating weren't his style.
Without the memories of the original owner, it would feel even more false.
'I am who I am, just being myself is fine...'
Fang Xing sighed again, deciding to play a game and commemorate his bygone youth.
"Hmm, there's a new release in the adult games, I'll have to give it a thorough critique..."
He put on the holographic glasses and became immersed in a newly released masterpiece, unaware of the passage of time in the outside world.
He had no idea how much time had gone by until he took off the glasses, satisfied with a sigh, and realized that it was already pitch black outside.
"Huh? Is the takeout here?"
Fang Xing looked at the prompt, went to the door, and saw two courier packages.
After opening them, he found a wig and the retro robe costume he had requested.
To pass as someone from the Otherworld, having long hair was quite necessary; since time was limited, he could make do with a wig for now.
Retro styles were quite popular on Chuying Star, and purchasing an ancient costume wouldn't look out of place.
This ancient costume was very similar to the Otherworld's wide-sleeved robes, and with the special aging treatment he had requested and the use of coarse linen dyed in green, there was hardly any difference.
"Well-fed and watered, tomorrow I cross over... This time, I'll head straight to Qinglin Square..."
After a period of language learning, Fang Xing had largely mastered the Otherworld's language; he had no significant issues in face-to-face communication.
He had even covertly approached a few farm areas and spoken a few words with some seemingly honest farmers without revealing any flaws.
"With two months' time, I hope to achieve something substantial... At the very least, I need to find a source for Innate Pills..."
Advancing in Martial Arts is a lot easier if you have ample resources.
Ascending from the First Realm, the Flesh and Blood Realm, to the Second Realm, Sinew and Bone Realm, is not too troublesome as long as you have enough Qi Blood Pills.
But advancing from the Sinew and Bone Realm to the Rough Jade Realm is quite difficult.
Strengthening the Five Internal Organs and the six organs and nourishing the Inner Breath is not something that can be achieved overnight; many high school students struggle to do so, ultimately missing university altogether.
"With an Innate Pill, my path to the Rough Jade Realm would be clear... and if I could perfect the Great Dragon Stance to the Fourth Stage, grasp the Dragon Intent Realm, then I could smoothly progress to the Fourth Realm, the Courage Realm!"
"By senior year, reaching the Courage Realm not only secures university but also gives a shot at top-tier institutions... Although Blue Star University and Nine Swords Academy might still be a stretch..."
Fang Xing silently planned for the future, his eyes shining ever brighter.
"In such a glittering interstellar era, not to dash to the forefront of the tide would be a true waste, wouldn't it?"
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