Chapter 42: Tooth for Tooth
Chapter 42: Tooth for Tooth
The change in ranking was like an invisible hand tightening around the throats of the No. 1 Middle School students, leaving them speechless.
It was a loud slap in the face for the Bai siblings, burning with humiliation and disbelief.
Their first-place position was snatched away.
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Shock Spreads Through the Crowd
In front of the projection screen, students who had been watching the previous quarrel turned toward the students from No. 14 Middle School.
Even the No. 14 Middle School students themselves were stunned.
They had expected Xue Ruyan to perform well.
But for her and Jiang Tian to win first place in all of Yue City?
That was unbelievable.
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Doubts About Jiang Tian
Jiang Tian was one of the Four Vajra—a title that meant underachiever in No. 14 Middle School.
If Xue Ruyan had won first place alone, they would have accepted it.
But Jiang Tian?
How was that possible?
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"Wait… could it be that Jiang Tian was secretly training all along?"
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One student muttered in disbelief.
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"I finally get it! The 'Four Vajra' the teachers always talk about aren't really underachievers. They're actually the 'Four Great Study Kings!'"
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"What is wrong with this world?! Why do talented people still feel the need to hide their abilities?"
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"Looks like we need to rename Jiang Tian… he's the real king of the 'Four Study Kings.' Winning first place in all of Yue City? Hey, hey, hey, how does that even make sense?"
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Guo Qihang Joins the Fun
Guo Qihang, another one of the Four Vajra, folded his arms and sighed dramatically.
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"It seems we need to change who's giving out red envelopes."
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He shook his head with exaggerated regret.
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"Classmate Jiang, it's your turn to be generous and share your good fortune."
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Other students nodded in agreement, grinning.
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"Guo's got a point. Winning first place is a big deal!"
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"I never thought the first-place title would go to No. 14 Middle School. Who knew we'd have to thank Jiang Tian for our school's victory?"
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The students of No. 14 Middle School complained playfully, but their voices were filled with pride.
Every few seconds, they would glance at the students from No. 1 Middle School, mocking them.
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No One More Satisfied Than the Long-Haired Boy
Of all the students, none were happier than the long-haired boy from No. 2 Middle School.
He had just been humiliated by Bai Zunren, but now he was watching them suffer instead.
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"Hah… serves them right."
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His anger faded, replaced by satisfaction.
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Bai Zunren and Bai Zunli's Reactions
Meanwhile, the Bai siblings stood frozen, faces dark with fury.
Their hands clenched tightly, their nails digging into their palms.
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"Our first-place position… gone."
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This wasn't just a blow to their pride—
It meant losing out on major rewards.
This city-wide assessment had huge prizes, and the Bai family had planned ahead to secure first place.
It was all arranged.
Now?
Their fat duck flew away at the last second.
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Why Was Jiang Tian's Score So High?
The Bai siblings couldn't understand how Jiang Tian had managed to score so high.
It didn't make sense.
They had calculated everything—
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"They only accepted a high-level mission, not a special-level one. How did they get that many points?!"
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"This must be a mistake!"
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At that moment, a student from No. 14 Middle School shouted—
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"They're back!"
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Everyone turned toward the base entrance.
A group of students was approaching—
And in the center of the group, were Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan.
Huang Xing and his teammates were right beside them, grinning ear to ear.
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Huang Xing's Booming Laughter
Before they even got close, Huang Xing's loud, boastful laughter echoed across the square.
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"Hahahaha! Lao Jiang, look at the expressions on Bai Zunren and Bai Zunli's faces!"
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"Priceless!"
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He was practically dancing with joy.
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Huang Xing Had Known the Truth All Along
In reality, Huang Xing had returned to the base earlier.
He had watched the entire ranking drama unfold.
After seeing how the Bai siblings mocked others, he went to wait for Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan.
And when they finally arrived, he couldn't wait to tell them everything.
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The Truth About Jiang Tian's Score
As Huang Xing retold the story, Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan finally understood.
The top-ranked teams had gained an unfair advantage.
Their families had helped them manipulate the system to secure higher ranks.
They thought they had everything under control.
But in the end…
They had only helped Starry Sky Gate's plan succeed.
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Xue Ruyan's Decision
At first, Xue Ruyan had been hesitant about taking first place.
She thought it would be unfair.
But after learning the truth, she realized—
The Bai siblings didn't deserve to win.
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"Well then…"
She smirked.
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"If they want to play dirty, let's see how they like it when it backfires."
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The Bai Siblings' Meltdown
When Bai Zunli saw Xue Ruyan, she snapped.
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"IMPOSSIBLE! This is a LIE!"
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She pointed at Xue Ruyan, screaming hysterically.
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"YOU CHEATED!"
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Her brother wasn't any calmer.
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"There's no way you got this score from a high-level mission!"
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He glared at Xue Ruyan.
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"How many Flame Birds did you even kill?! How could you get that many points?!"
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Xue Ruyan's Cold Response
Xue Ruyan folded her arms and sneered.
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"If my score is higher than yours, does that automatically mean I cheated?"
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She mocked them with their own words.
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"Losers like you always make excuses."
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The entire crowd erupted into laughter.
The Bai siblings had been slapped with their own words.
But Bai Zunli wasn't done—
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"You little bh! I'll teach you a lesson!"*
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She lunged at Xue Ruyan, raising her hand for a slap.
And at that moment—
Jiang Tian stepped forward.
His cold eyes locked onto Bai Zunli's wrist.
And in the blink of an eye…
He moved to strike back.