Chapter 56: I Thought of Something Happy
Chapter 56: I Thought of Something Happy
As Xue Ruyan spoke, she unintentionally took a step back, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
She seemed to have made a new discovery.
Taking a few steps back, then stepping forward again, she repeated this movement several times.
After a moment, she finally stopped three steps away from Jiang Tian.
---
"I Changed the Pressure?"
Jiang Tian watched her with a puzzled expression before realizing what she was doing.
"I caused the pressure in the blood source room to change, didn't I?"
Xue Ruyan nodded.
"That's right. When I'm near you, the pressure decreases. When I move away, it increases again."
"The Level 1 blood source room isn't challenging enough for me, but the Level 2 blood source room is too overwhelming. The problem with blood source rooms is that the pressure is difficult to fine-tune precisely."
"The only controllable factor is the quality of the spiritual energy—whether it's mixed or pure depends on the type of spiritual stones used."
She paused, then smiled at Jiang Tian.
"But now, with classmate Jiang here, I can regulate the pressure perfectly. This way, I reduce unnecessary damage while achieving the best tempering effect."
"And I can stay in here longer!"
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
She looked at Jiang Tian, laughing softly.
"I didn't expect you'd become a human pressure regulator in the blood source room!"
---
A Training Breakthrough
Jiang Tian hadn't expected this outcome.
Not only did this resolve his problem of ineffective training, but it also allowed Xue Ruyan to optimize her practice.
Two birds with one stone!
Without wasting time, Xue Ruyan immediately started practicing her own body-tempering method.
In the extreme pressure of the blood source room, practicing martial techniques would normally be too dangerous, as it would increase the strain on the body.
However, with Jiang Tian acting as a "regulator," she could fully withstand the pressure while practicing, making her training far more efficient.
---
Meanwhile, Elsewhere…
While Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan trained hard in the blood source room, at the Level 2 Portal No. 7 in Xiangcheng, the provincial capital, a very different scene was unfolding.
This portal was located in the outskirts of the central city, where the base had been significantly expanded in preparation for an important event.
The reason?
A red banner hanging over the entrance of the base explained everything:
"National Martial Arts College Entrance Examination – Test Site No. 1, Southern Province."
This site would host high school seniors from Xiangcheng and five surrounding cities as they took the national martial arts entrance exam.
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Xue Xiao on High Alert
Standing in the base, Xue Ruyan's aunt, Xue Xiao, was leading an inspection team.
After the incident in Yue City, she was taking extra precautions.
Her niece would be taking the exam at this test center, so she was personally ensuring that everything was in order.
However, this was Xiangcheng, the provincial capital.
And Xue Xiao herself commanded the Longteng Army stationed here.
The Starry Sky Gate criminals wouldn't dare make a move in this city.
They were cowards who only acted in secret.
The moment they were exposed, they would flee to alien worlds, never to return.
If any Starry Sky Gate members dared to show up at this test site, she would crush them completely.
---
A Surprise Encounter
As Xue Xiao continued her patrol, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
With some surprise, she walked over.
"You actually made a breakthrough?"
The person turned around.
Standing before her, cigar in hand, was Huang Hui.
He grinned smugly.
"Heh, surprised, aren't you?"
---
"This Is Big News"
Xue Xiao studied him carefully, her expression serious.
"This is huge. Now that you've broken through, the human race has gained another top powerhouse."
She knew exactly how talented Huang Hui was.
It was only because of past injuries that he had been stuck at a bottleneck for years.
But now?
He was back.
And that meant big changes were coming.
---
A Major Shift in the Exam
Huang Hui took a slow drag of his cigar, looking thoughtful.
"The scale of this year's martial arts entrance exam is massive."
"They actually chose to hold it at the No. 7 Level 2 Portal… interesting."
Xue Xiao nodded.
"The situation has worsened over the years. The performance of new recruits on the battlefield has declined significantly."
"We've been too soft on students. But the reality is, the human race is still in crisis."
"We can't afford to coddle them anymore."
She looked at Huang Hui.
"That's why this year, instead of using conquered alien worlds for the exam…"
"We're using an active battlefield."
Huang Hui's eyes darkened behind the rising smoke.
"That bad, huh?"
"They're forcing these kids to experience real war."
"Training them as soldiers from the start?"
Xue Xiao scoffed.
"That's how we did it in our day."
"When we took the martial arts exam, we bled for our scores. We fought, we got hurt, and we survived."
"It was a mistake to change that system."
"But now, it's time to fix it."
---
A New Path for Huang Hui
She glanced at Huang Hui's combat uniform.
"Are you being transferred?"
Huang Hui nodded.
"Almost. I'll assist with the martial arts exam first, then I'll be heading to the battlefield."
"You know me, Xue. I never wanted to leave the frontlines."
Xue Xiao studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"It's good to see you back."
"The battlefield will be glad to have you again."
Huang Hui laughed.
"Thank you. And by the way, your family's cultivation resources really helped speed up my recovery."
"I should be thanking you."
Of course, he left out one important detail.
---
The Real Reason for His Breakthrough?
Jiang Tian's cooking.
---
"How Is That Kid Doing?"
Suddenly, Xue Xiao remembered something.
"How's Jiang Tian? Is he preparing well for the exam?"
Huang Hui tried to keep a straight face.
Unfortunately…
He couldn't stop himself.
"Pfft—"
Xue Xiao narrowed her eyes.
"What's so funny?"
Huang Hui covered his mouth, struggling to keep his composure.
"Oh… nothing."
He waved his hand dismissively.
"I just thought of something happy."