C15 Who Can Surpass the Position of the Class Monitor?
"Damn!"
Chen Haoran was sent sprawling to the ground by a kick, tumbling several times over.
In the Purple Wind Empire, martial prowess was highly esteemed.
Yet, Chen Haoran had always been a layabout, squandering the Chen family's wealth in brothels and pursuing women. Despite his age, he hadn't even reached the second level of Body Tempering, and his health had been severely compromised.
His disgrace was on full display in this moment.
"Chen, Chen Xing! How dare you show such disrespect!" Chen Haoran fumed, his eyes blazing with anger.
"Disrespect?" Chen Xing chuckled. "I am the head of the Chen family. And you are what, exactly?"
"You dare call me a 'what'!"
"Fine, I concede, you're certainly not a 'what'."
Chen Xing shrugged, amused by the first time he'd encountered someone who took pride in being called nothing.
"Fine, fine! I'll be watching to see how you and your nephew plan to bring the Chen family back to glory! There will come a day when you'll be on your knees, begging me for help!" Chen Haoran gritted his teeth. He was convinced that, given the state of the Chen family, they wouldn't last a month! All he needed to do was stay close to the alchemist Yang Dan, and they would surely come crawling back to him!
When that time came, he would repay their humiliation tenfold, a hundredfold!
"Nephew, next time you encounter such a rabid dog outside, just have someone shoo him away. There's no need to get worked up." Chen Xing pulled out a purple crystal card and handed it to Chen Lingran.
"This card holds ten thousand gold coins. Use it to keep the family afloat. Even if our medicinal herbs spoil, they can still serve as fertilizer for the garden. We shouldn't let others profit off our losses."
"Ten thousand gold coins?"
Chen Lingran was astounded!
That was a month's net profit for the Chen family! Though it wasn't a complete solution, it would certainly sustain them for some time.
"No, it can't be!"
Chen Haoran exclaimed in disbelief. He had just predicted the Chen family wouldn't last a month, so where did this sudden windfall come from? How could his own words be thrown back in his face so swiftly?
"Stop kidding yourself! How could a worthless wretch like you suddenly come into ten thousand gold coins?"
Chen Xing stood with his hands clasped behind his back. "Really? As the head of the family, should I tolerate a dog barking at my doorstep?"
Several guards of the Chen family quickly approached. They had hesitated to intervene earlier, unsure of where their loyalties should lie. Moreover, the Chen family's current state was truly dire, plagued by internal strife and the external threat of the Alchemy Union, leaving them worried about their wages.
To their surprise, the newly appointed young master had produced ten thousand gold coins on the spot!
With their pay now secure, they eagerly stepped forward.
"Get out! Get out! Don't interfere with the Chen family's business!"
"Who dares lay a hand on me? I am the branch president of the Alchemist Association!" Yongjun bellowed in rage, not expecting the guards to dare lay hands on him.
"What does it matter if you're the branch president? Are we friends?" Chen Xing asked, a playful smile on his face. "You've come here to disrupt our business; we're enemies now. What's wrong with driving away an enemy? Come on, escort President Yang far away! And if he refuses to leave, let the dust take care of him!"
Arrogant alchemists despise dust, believing themselves too lofty for such filth.
Chen Xing, however, considered his alchemy skills to be subpar. A hundred thousand years ago, someone like him wouldn't even dare claim to be an alchemist. But Yang's level of arrogance was spot on; he certainly fit the part of an alchemist to a tee.
"Fine! You've got nerve!"
Yang Yongjun flung his sleeves dismissively, considering these commoners beneath him.
But this matter was far from over.
"Uncle, are you okay?"
Chen Lingran paused, then burst into laughter, "I'm more than okay; I'm delighted!"
He gazed at the purple crystal card in his hand.
"My confidence in you grows by the day! When I rise again, I'll show the entire Chen family what Chen Lingran is capable of!"
Chen Xing shook his head.
"Uncle, that's not a good thing to say."
"Why limit our sights to the Chen family? We should make the entire Purple Wind Empire and the whole world take notice!"
"Exactly!"
Chen Lingran was brimming with exhilaration.
"Come on! Uncle and nephew, let's have a drink today!"
He maneuvered his wheelchair forward a couple of steps, then hesitated. "No, you're still a student. I'll drink wine, and you'll stick to water."
Chen Xing was dumbfounded.
It feels like you're underestimating the dragon.
"Uncle, that's not fair. I'm now the head of the Chen family. I'll need to handle social obligations and other matters, which means learning to drink. This time, I'm going to have a drink too—it'll be good practice for building my tolerance."
Chen Lingran pondered for a moment.
"You make a good point. Alright, let's give it a try. But remember, our Chen family's wine is potent stuff, aged to perfection! I bet you'll be knocked out after three cups. Be ready for a dizzy head at school tomorrow."
"Really?" Chen Xing stroked his chin with a mischievous grin. "For all you know, I might have an exceptional tolerance, and you might be the one to end up drunk first."
"Are you kidding? Despite my disability, I have a legendary tolerance for alcohol! No one who can outdrink me has been born yet!"
Together, they went inside the house.
The following day, Chen Xing headed to school looking bright and alert. Chen Lingran, however, sprawled out on the chair, deep in slumber.
Truly, anyone who could outdrink this dragon must have long since departed this world.
...
Yan Rufeng stood at the podium, surveying the students below her.
She held a grade report in her hands, but the scores listed were so astonishing that she struggled to believe them.
She rubbed her eyes and steadied herself before placing her hands on the podium to address the class.
"In my hands, I have the grade report from our recent assessment. As you all know, the top three scorers will have the opportunity to enter the Stargazer's Tower to select a magical artifact or cultivation technique. Additionally, they will earn a chance to participate in an outdoor training exercise. Who will receive such an honor is all detailed on this grade report."
The entire classroom was filled with an air of anticipation.
Magical artifacts and cultivation techniques are important, but the opportunity for field trials is incredibly valuable. Starfall Academy doesn't operate on a fixed academic system; only the exceptional survive. Each term, students are weeded out. If you're not exceptional, you're eliminated. Only by continuously excelling can you leave your mark in the Stargazer's Tower. Moreover, securing the support of a stable power is best achieved through these field trials.
Typically, these trials take place in the nearby Ancient Forest, in areas that have been previously explored, though they still pose considerable risks. The entire process is observed by various major forces. If they're impressed by your abilities, they might extend an offer for you to join their ranks.
After all, Starfall Academy is just that—an academy. It cannot be your ultimate support system.
Chen Xing's fiancée, Liu Cheng, was spotted by Longji Pavilion during one such trial and was promptly recruited as a member.
"I'll definitely be in the top three!" declared a student in the front row. His name was Wang Shangwu, and he was also at the seventh level of Body Tempering. If he could maintain a steady performance, he might even surpass Lee Qing.
"Don't be too certain, Wang Shangwu. Xiao Juncai may not be back yet, but he's already claimed the top spot. Plus, we have our class leader. Lee Qing might have failed this time, but Chen Xing, who defeated him, has risen in rank. Are you sure you can make it into the top three?" another student cautioned in a hushed tone.
"Absolutely," Wang Shangwu replied, his eyebrows twitching confidently. "Chen Xing is only at the sixth level of Body Tempering. It's about overall strength, and how could he possibly break into the top three? Lee Qing's defeat was due to his own complacency and impulsiveness. Had he been more methodical, his seventh-level Body Tempering strength wouldn't have failed him so easily."
"Moreover, I'm confident that I'm stronger than Lee Qing, and my offensive and defensive capabilities are more balanced. If Chen Xing faced me in the arena, I'm confident I could take him down!"
The students beside him chuckled quietly, no longer speaking. They couldn't be certain of Chen Xing's strength either. Wang Shangwu's comments weren't without merit; after all, Chen Xing was only at the sixth level of Body Tempering.
Yet, the final martial skill he displayed was somewhat astonishing.
The definitive results would have to wait for the teacher's declaration.
"So, I will begin by announcing the rankings in reverse order. First up, the scores for students below the fourth level of Body Tempering," Yan Ruhong declared methodically.
"Moving on to those above the fourth level, in last place, Lee Qing."
A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd. It went as expected; Lee Qing was the sole member of the Losers Group, thus by default, he was the last above the fourth level of Body Tempering. The genius who was once hopeful for a top-three finish had been unexpectedly bested, landing in last place—a scene that couldn't help but evoke some humor.
Lee Qing's face turned beet red, resembling a monkey's rear. His fists were clenched so tightly that his veins popped.
As the rankings climbed, the tension among the students mounted.
The classroom fell into a hushed anticipation.
"Now, I will proceed to the top five," Yan Ruhong continued after a brief pause.
"In fifth place, Xie Kun."
Xie Kun exhaled a sigh of relief.
Yet, this was anticipated.
His performance had been solid, and achieving this rank was quite satisfactory.
"Just keep pushing, keep striving!" he encouraged himself, fists clenched.
"In fourth place, Wang Shangwu!"
"What?"
Wang Shangwu was taken aback. Fourth place was just one step away from the top three, and he had been so sure of his victory. To find himself in fourth was beyond belief!
"How could I be just fourth?" he protested, nearly jumping to his feet in outrage. The gap between him and the top three was painfully frustrating.
"Who? Who took my spot? This isn't fair!"
"Wang Shangwu!" Yan Ruhong shot him a stern look. "This is the average score given by all the teachers! It's been officially recognized by the school! If you have an issue, take it up with the academy."
Wang Shangwu was at a loss for words. Starfall Academy was a colossal organization that spanned nearly a third of the Udrealor Continent! How could he even think of contending with the academy?
"Who else? Whose name hasn't been called?"
He whispered under his breath, then his gaze abruptly shifted to Chen Xing!
Chen Xing's ranking had still not been called out!
"That cunning scoundrel, relying on petty smarts to steal my spot..."
But before he could finish his rant, Yan Ruhong interrupted with another announcement.
"Third place, Luo Shuining."
"What?"
The entire classroom was taken aback!
Luo Shuining, the class president, had dropped from second to third place!
Who could have possibly overtaken Luo Shuining?
Aside from Xiao Juncai, the prodigy already confirmed for first place, the only name left unannounced was...
Chen Xing!