The Potential Index Ranking

As they approached the large screen, a crowd had already gathered there, including Manager Zheng and Zhao Xin with his mother.

Noticing Shen Qian and Xiao Xuan approaching, Zhao Xin was momentarily stunned before a trace of jealousy surfaced in his eyes.

Compared to the middle-aged man in a formal suit standing nearby, Xiao Xuan, dressed in tight-fitting martial arts training attire, was far more approachable.

Shen Qian ignored him and focused his gaze on the large screen.

"Jiuzhou Martial Arts Academy Student Potential Index Ranking."

That was the title of the ranking.

There were two leaderboards: one displaying the overall ranking across all five branches in Jing City and another specifically for the Nancheng branch, each listing the top 50 names.

"The ranking serves two purposes: to motivate students and to promote the brand… Look, do you see who's ranked first on the overall leaderboard?"

Xiao Xuan whispered into Shen Qian's ear while pointing at the screen.

"Jing City No.1 High School, 17 years old, Wang Shuo, Beicheng Branch, Martial Artist Stage 3+, Potential Index: 97."

Hearing the name, Shen Qian felt it was oddly familiar but couldn't recall where he had heard it before.

"It's Wang Shuo! The guy who was featured on Jing City TV! Last year, he represented our city in the National Youth Martial Arts Tournament and made it into the top 100!"

Seeing Shen Qian's puzzled expression, Xiao Xuan couldn't help but remind him.

So, it was him!

Shen Qian suddenly remembered.

He had watched the live broadcast of last year's Youth Martial Arts Tournament and had been quite impressed by Wang Shuo.

The host had introduced him as a prodigy who had grown up surrounded by accolades.

At just 13 years old, Wang Shuo had broken through to the Initial Martial Artist stage. Before even finishing middle school, he had received offers from four prestigious martial arts universities—North Wu, Hua Wu, and Shen Wu included. If it weren't for Jing City No.1 High School refusing to let him go, he might have become the youngest martial arts university student ever.

By last year's tournament, if Shen Qian recalled correctly, Wang Shuo had already reached Martial Artist Stage 3.

A 17-year-old at that level was naturally the center of attention. Shen Qian had even overheard classmates at No.7 High School discussing him more than once.

"He's also a student at Jiuzhou Martial Arts Academy?" Shen Qian grew interested.

"Yes, but unfortunately, he's at the Beicheng branch. I've never seen him in person," Xiao Xuan sighed.

"How is the potential index calculated? It doesn't seem to be based solely on realm level," Shen Qian asked curiously after glancing at the rankings.

His question was valid. For instance, in the top ten, the fourth-ranked person was only at Initial Martial Artist Stage 7, while the third-ranked wasn't even officially a martial artist.

"Of course not. While most trainees here are students, there are also martial artists from society, varying in age, with even some advanced martial artists present. Judging purely by level would be unfair…"

Xiao Xuan explained, "The calculation follows a complex formula, and I don't know the exact details. But generally, the younger someone is when they reach a high level, the higher their potential index."

Shen Qian nodded and scanned the overall ranking again. He noticed that out of the top 50, nearly 20 students were from Jing City No.1 High School, whereas No.7 High School had only three representatives. The highest-ranked among them was a student named Zhou Xiaoguang, who placed 17th.

Of course, Shen Qian didn't recognize any of them.

"It looks like Ding Yi isn't training at Jiuzhou Martial Arts Academy," Shen Qian murmured.

With Ding Yi's talent, there was no way he wouldn't have made the rankings.

His gaze then shifted to the Nancheng branch leaderboard, and he couldn't help but shake his head.

Compared to the overall leaderboard, the Nancheng branch's ranking looked utterly lackluster.

The number one spot at the Nancheng branch was held by a 20-year-old social martial artist named Jiang Xiancheng, who was only at Initial Martial Artist Stage 3, with a potential index of 81.

The second place was occupied by a high school junior, 17 years old, with an explosive strength of 143kg and a sprint time of 10.2 seconds—still far from meeting the qualifications of a quasi-martial artist. His potential index was 79.

Noticing Shen Qian's expression change, Xiao Xuan felt a little embarrassed and quickly explained, "Our Nancheng branch has only been open for less than six months, and honestly, the talent pool here is a bit weaker..."

After finishing their tour of the first floor, Xiao Xuan led Shen Qian to the second floor.

"Starting from the second floor, all the rooms are private training chambers. Each chamber varies in facilities and specifications based on its rank."

Shen Qian followed Xiao Xuan from the second floor to the fifth, carefully inspecting the facilities before nodding in satisfaction.

The training rooms were categorized into Silver, Gold, and Platinum tiers. The Platinum training rooms were more than sufficient for his needs.

"That's basically everything. We also offer a free trial session for potential members. You—"

"No need. Just sign me up for a membership," Shen Qian interrupted.

It wasn't that he didn't want to take advantage of a free session, but the trial was only an hour long—far too short for his plans today.

"Alright, then we—wait, you… you want to sign up?"

Xiao Xuan instinctively nodded but then suddenly realized what he had said and asked in surprise.

"What? Do I not look like someone who'd sign up?" Shen Qian teased.

"You really don't," Xiao Xuan nearly blurted out but held back.

Although she was just an intern, she had developed an eye for potential clients. She had assumed that all her efforts today would be in vain, but Shen Qian had signed up so decisively.

"I'll take you to the first floor to complete the registration."

Xiao Xuan's steps became noticeably lighter. In the end, she couldn't help but whisper to Shen Qian, "You're my first customer, you know!"

Returning to the first floor, Xiao Xuan guided Shen Qian to another corner of the lobby. Beside the registration counter, there was a standalone machine.

Shen Qian immediately recognized it as a Martial Arts Simulation Machine and asked curiously, "What's this for?"

"It's for assessing strength. If your potential index is high enough, you get a discount. Shen Qian, this must really be your first time here. Are you sure you have enough money?"

A slightly mocking voice came from behind.

Zhao Xin, his mother, and Manager Zheng had walked over at some point.

"So, you've been here before?" Shen Qian glanced at Zhao Xin, then at Zhong Xiaoli beside him. He suddenly understood, "I always see you clinging to your mom. Thought you were just shy."

"You—"

Zhao Xin, who had been holding Zhong Xiaoli's hand, flinched as if electrocuted, immediately pulling away with embarrassment flashing across his face.

"Enough, go take the test. It's getting late," Zhong Xiaoli said coldly, glancing at Shen Qian before urging Zhao Xin forward.

Suppressing his anger, Zhao Xin stepped onto the simulator with a confident smile, as if remembering something.

Jiuzhou Martial Arts Academy's simulator was similar to the one at No.7 High School, though an older model. It only tested basic strength and speed.

Once the machine connected to his neural system, Zhao Xin tensed his body, let out a low growl, and punched into the air.

Beep, beep!

"Age: 18, Explosive Strength: 131kg, Sprint Speed: 10.8s/100m, Potential Index: 68."

Seeing the result, Zhao Xin removed his helmet and sighed, "Just a little short of 70."

Manager Zheng smiled as he instructed a staff member to record the data. "With a potential index above 60, you get a 10% discount. Since your score qualifies for the Nancheng ranking, you also get an additional 20% discount, making it a total of 28% off."