Chapter 34: Force-Testing Stone Monument! History’s First!

Campus Pathway – Thunder Martial Hall Direction

"Cheng Xue! What a coincidence!" Chu Xinghe fluttered toward the white-clad beauty like a neon butterfly. "Scouting the campus too?"

Cheng Xue retreated half a step, brows knitting. "Chu Xinghe. Stalking me again?"

"Swear to the heavens!" Chu raised three fingers. "Just escorting my bro to Thunder Martial Hall for testing." He jerked a thumb at Lin Ye. "Lin Ye—Cloud Ridge's provincial champ!"

Cheng Xue's gaze sharpened. "The E-Class Special Ability provincial champion? Don't get tangled with this fool. It'll tarnish your rep."

"First," Lin Ye's voice cut frostier than her ice, "we met today. Not friends. Second," he locked eyes with her, "my associations are none of your concern."

"You're ranked 17th in the Freshman Rankings," snapped Cheng Xue's bob-haired companion, her electronic school badge flashing data streams. "Provincial champ? Overhyped. Our Xue's already apprenticed to Dean Zhang Ningyu of Frost Academy—ranked 8th! Her future's limitless!"

Lin Ye noted the ice-blue aura around Cheng Xue's badge—Core Disciple status. Chu whispered: "Cheng Xue took second in Eastern Mountain's combat exams. Barely trailed me!"

"Did you… harass her?" Lin Ye side-eyed his roommate.

"Just… exam misunderstandings!" Chu's face reddened to match his pajama dinosaurs.

"Silence!" Cheng Xue's fingertips crystallized ice petals. "Mention that incident again, and medical ward gets a frostbite case."

Chu mimed zipping his lips. "Ranked 8th, Xue? I'm 7th! We're basically—"

"Who permitted that nickname?!" An ice spear materialized in her grip.

"Consider teaming up!" Chu ducked behind Lin Ye. "You nuke enemies, I tank! Unbeatable combo—"

"No." Cheng Xue turned to leave, yet Lin Ye's disinterested stance inexplicably grated her. "Lin Ye. Dare to wager?"

"Terms?" He matched her glare.

"This year's Freshman Grand Exam." Her hair billowed without wind. "If I outrank you, Chu barks like a dog in public."

"Why me?!" Chu wailed.

"And if you lose?" Lin Ye ignored him.

Cheng Xue's ice spear gleamed. "Name your price."

"Deal." Lin Ye clamped Chu's protesting mouth. "But I'll settle for witnessing a Core Disciple's limits."

Thunder Martial Hall – Testing Chamber

The hall stood minutes from Imperial Capital University's gates, dwarfing Qingyang City's counterpart in scale despite serving fewer schools.

A receptionist in a professional pencil skirt greeted them. "First visit? Which university?"

"Imperial Capital!" Chu Xinghe puffed his chest.

After scanning their student IDs, she led them to a third-floor chamber dominated by five stone monuments. Crowds of students clustered around them.

"These Force-Testing Stone Monuments measure pure physical strike force—no Special Abilities or Combat Skills allowed." The receptionist gestured. "Each corresponds to First through Fifth-Tier Special Ability Holders. Top 5,000 historical rankings grant 50 credits. Higher ranks mean bigger rewards!"

"My turn!" Chu eagerly strapped on the testing gauntlet and approached the First-Tier monument. His data flashed center-stage:

Chu Xinghe Imperial Capital University Freshman First-Tier Upper-Class Special Ability Holder

Whispers erupted:

"Look! A freshman attempting the challenge!"

"First-Tier Upper-Class? Probably cocky."

"Entertainment incoming!"

Chu's right arm swelled thrice its size, stardust swirling as gravitational turbulence amplified his punch.

Strike Force: 760,000 Cal

Historical Ranking: 3,513

Credits Awarded: 100

"Only 3,513th? Must've skipped breakfast!" Chu shrugged theatrically.

"A freshman cracking top 4,000? Not bad."

"Deceptively strong for that clown act."

Chu jabbed Lin Ye. "Your turn, Xiao Ye!"

Lin Ye Imperial Capital University Freshman First-Tier Mid-Class Special Ability Holder

Sneers flared:

"A Mid-Class daring to try? Delusional."

"Bet 5 credits he won't make top 5,000."

Lin Ye inhaled, every muscle fiber coiling. His fist—a black meteor—smashed the monument.

BOOM!

Strike Force: ???

Recalibrating…

Final Value: 4,720,000 Cal

Historical Ranking: 1

Credits Awarded: 1,000

Silence strangled the chamber.