I created an extraordinary era

Chapter 707 The college entrance examination is coming

March 15, Year 44 of the Extraordinary Era.

Jiangcheng No. 7 Middle School, Class 3, Grade 3.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled beams of light into the air thick with the faint scent of books and sweat.

Just then, the voice of martial arts teacher Zhao Gang broke the afternoon's tranquility.

"This year's citywide martial arts rookie tournament will be held next Saturday."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the class before finally settling on a few expectant faces.

"The four students from our class who qualified are Chen Jing, Lin Hao, Zhang Hao, and Li Chang."

"YES!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Hao jumped up instantly, his fists clenched, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

Lin Hao, who was next to him, also showed a relieved smile and patted Zhang Hao's shoulder hard.

Although Chen Jing, sitting in the front row, appeared relatively restrained, the pen she gripped tightly and her slightly gleaming eyes betrayed her inner excitement.

For them, even though they couldn't make it into the top 32 and receive a reward, being able to test their training results on the city's stage and exchange skills with experts from other schools was a valuable opportunity in itself.

However, in stark contrast to the four people, a subtle silence permeated the classroom.

The other students' gazes were a complex mix of emotions as they looked at them.

There was envy, there was congratulations, but more than anything, there was an indescribable sense of loss and resentment.

The number of places available to participate in the Jiangcheng Martial Arts Newcomer Tournament each year is limited, and only students who have a chance to get into university can qualify.

Qualifying is not just about having a chance to compete; it's more like a "pre-admission" certificate that leads to a broader future. It's a symbol of potential, recognized by the school and the Jiangcheng City Education Bureau.

The fact that they were not selected serves as a harsh reminder of a reality for many.

They are unlikely to get into a top university.

This selection process is generally accurate; more than 80% of those who participate in the martial arts newcomer competition each year go on to university.

Those who cannot qualify for the competition have very few chances to turn their fate around in the remaining three months.

Even if there are, there are usually fewer than ten people.

After all, it's difficult to make significant progress in just three months.

Moreover, while you are improving, the people in front of you are also improving, and they have almost no chance to surpass them.

Therefore, being unable to participate in the competition means that they have already fallen behind by more than one step on the road to the extraordinary university.

"Quiet."

Zhao Gang's voice carried its usual composure, slightly suppressing his complex emotions.

"I know everyone feels differently, but the key to extraordinary achievements is perseverance."

"Students who were unable to participate should not be discouraged. There are still three months until the college entrance examination. As long as you don't give up, there is still hope!"

After offering a few words of comfort to everyone, Zhao Gang turned his attention to Chen Jing and the other three.

"The four of you who have qualified, meet at the school's martial arts gym after school. I will give you special pre-competition training this week."

"Yes!"

After Zhao Gang left, the air in the classroom seemed to freeze for a moment, then erupted into a cacophony of noise even louder than before.

However, this time, the focus of the conversation was no longer simply on congratulations or words of comfort.

"Did you hear that? Pre-match training!"

A boy shouted sourly in Zhang Hao's direction.

"Mouse, now you're about to take off!"

Zhang Hao's excitement hadn't faded yet. Hearing this, he scratched his head, wanting to say something, but was pulled back by Lin Hao next to him.

Lin Hao shook his head slightly at him and gestured to the surroundings with his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Hao noticed that many of his friends, who usually cuddled up to him, were now looking at him with a complex sense of distance.

It was a mixture of envy, resentment, and even a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.

Zhang Hao could clearly feel the gazes gathering behind him, as piercing as if they were real.

He didn't like the feeling of being isolated.

But that's the rule.

Once they get into an extraordinary university, they will be people from two completely different worlds.

This realization was like a bucket of cold water, suddenly poured over his boiling blood, making him jolted awake.

The pure joy I felt just now is now mixed with something heavy called "distance".

Lin Hao patted Zhang Hao on the shoulder and whispered:

"Let's go to the training room!"

After saying that, he walked straight towards the classroom door.

Unlike Zhang Hao, who has an outgoing personality, Lin Hao didn't have many close friends in class.

Moreover, he knew exactly what he wanted, so he didn't care about the opinions of his classmates.

As for Zhang Hao...

His grades were not good in the past, and he was only ranked in the teens or twenties in his class.

However, his grades have improved rapidly in the last two months, and he has now risen to third place in the class. He has even qualified to participate in the Jiangcheng Martial Arts Newcomer Competition.

The thrill of his underdog success story was far more intense and glaring than that of Chen Jing and Lin Hao, who were always top students who qualified.

"Let's go, mouse."

"Ok!"

Zhang Hao was at the back. He subconsciously turned around, trying to find his close friends in the crowd.

My buddy and I made plans to go hiking together this weekend.

He saw them, and they were looking at him too, but when he looked over, one of them looked away somewhat awkwardly, while the other forced a smile, waved at him, and mouthed as if to say "Good luck."

But the sense of distance felt more distant than ever before.

A strange sense of loss gripped Zhang Hao's heart.

"Why are you dazed?"

Lin Hao's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Zhang Hao opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, turned around and followed Lin Hao's steps.

The moment he stepped out of the classroom, he felt as if an invisible boundary closed behind him, quietly separating him from a part of his past.

……

the other side.

Zhao Gang has also returned to his office.

He wasn't really moved by the students' reactions earlier.

At this time of year, he sees countless disappointed eyes.

He picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip of strong tea, and looked out the window at the other students from different classes who were running and training on the playground.

Among those figures, there was also longing and resentment.

He was already used to these periodic mood swings.

However, for Class 3, Grade 3, this year's result is already extremely good!
Last year, only one student from the entire class qualified for the competition, but this year the number has suddenly increased to four.

Four spots available!

Just then, Ms. Sun, a teacher from Class Two, said sourly from the desk next to us:

"Old Zhao, your Class 3 really did a fantastic job this time!"

Zhao Gang put down his teacup and waved with a smile.

"It's mainly thanks to Teacher Xia; it has little to do with me."

That's not entirely untrue.

In previous years, at most one student in his class qualified for the competition, and last year not a single student qualified.

Logically speaking, there's a high probability that Chen Jing will be the only student in Class 3-3 this year, with maybe Lin Hao at most.

The increase to four people was entirely due to hiring Xia Yuan to teach practical skills.

Teacher Sun naturally knew about this.

He had approached Xia Yuan before, hoping to ask him to spare some time to give a practical lesson to their second class, but Xia Yuan declined, saying he didn't have time.

Hearing Zhao Gang mention Xia Yuan again, Teacher Sun felt even more bitter and resentful, but she forced a smile, which looked somewhat forced.

"Yes, Ms. Xia is really capable, but she's too busy. Our Class Two doesn't have that kind of luck."

At this point, his tone shifted.

He leaned forward, lowered his voice, and looked on with curiosity and inquiry:
"Speaking of which, who exactly is this Teacher Xia? He's so young, yet his teaching methods are so effective. I heard he didn't graduate from Extraordinary University?"

Zhao Gang paused almost imperceptibly in the teacup he was holding.

He had been curious about this question before and had asked Xia Yuan about it, but Xia Yuan did not give a direct answer, so Zhao Gang did not pursue the matter further.

However, Zhao Gang felt that it was a waste for Xia Yuan to come to No. 7 Middle School with his abilities; he could have gone to No. 1 or No. 2 Middle School.

They even have a good chance of getting into top high schools in Seoul.

After all, judging from Xia Yuan's teaching level, his martial arts realm should not be low. He has probably reached at least the middle stage of Ming Jin, and may even be close to the late stage of Ming Jin!

To possess such strength at the mid-stage of Body Tempering is an extremely powerful talent.

Unfortunately, Xia Yuan couldn't obtain many resources, which is why he is still only at the fifth level of Body Tempering.

If Xia Yuan could acquire more resources, he might have the potential to become a Grandmaster in the future.

The thought flashed through Zhao Gang's mind, tinged with a hint of regret.

Resources are always a shackle around the necks of countless extraordinary individuals.

Aside from a relatively stable job and some teaching resources, what No. 7 Middle School could offer Xia Yuan was not the massive investment needed for him to reach a higher level.

In Zhao Gang's view, Xia Yuan's choice to come to No. 7 Middle School was most likely to prove his value and gain future resource support.

Zhao Gang didn't voice his guess. Faced with Teacher Sun's probing, he simply shook his head, his tone flat:

"I don't know much about Teacher Xia's personal life. What the school values ​​is his teaching ability, and in that respect, he is truly impeccable."

He once again skillfully avoided discussing the specifics of Xia Yuan's origins and realm, shifting the focus back to the teaching results.

Seeing that he couldn't get any more information out of her, Teacher Sun could only smile awkwardly and stop asking questions.

And at the same time.

Class 1, Grade 3.

Xia Yuan also announced the names of the students who qualified for the competition.

"Chen Mo, Li Si, Wang Kai!"

He rattled off the names of eight people in one breath, twice as many as Class 3.

This number is not only unique in Class 1, but also unique in the entire No. 7 Middle School.

In the previous three years, the most students from No. 7 Middle School participated in the Martial Arts Newcomer Competition was only six, which is less than the number of participants from Class 1 this year.

When the principal of No. 7 Middle School learned of this news yesterday, he was so excited that he almost smashed his desk. He immediately approved double the contribution points for Xia Yuan.

Now, the eight students from Class One who qualified for the competition were also very excited.

Although they had vaguely guessed the outcome beforehand, they still couldn't hide their excitement when they heard their names called out by Xia Yuan.

Chen Mo looked at Xia Yuan expectantly and asked:
"Teacher Xia, do you think I have a chance to win a prize given my current abilities?" Xia Yuan glanced at him.

"With your current strength, making it into the top 32 shouldn't be a problem. If you want to get into the top 16, you'll need a bit of luck."

Upon hearing this, the classroom erupted in another uproar.

In the past, all 32 students were from No. 1 and No. 2 Middle Schools. It was already a cause for celebration for the students from No. 7 Middle School to pass the first round of elimination.

Make it into the top 32?

That's a height that even students from No. 7 Middle School wouldn't dare to dream of!

And Xia Yuan was so certain that Chen Mo could do it!

what does this mean?
This means that Chen Mo's strength has at least reached the top tier among the senior high school students in Jiangcheng!

This means that No. 7 Middle School really has a chance to make a big splash in the rookie competition.

All eyes were on Chen Mo.

Chen Mo has made tremendous progress over the past year!

After a moment, Chen Mo asked again:
Will you come to watch our match?

Xia Yuan smiled.

"We'll see. If I'm free, I might go for a walk."

Although Xia Yuan's answer was casual, Chen Mo still felt a surge of joy.

He knew very well that without Xia Yuan, he would never have achieved what he had today.

Let alone making it into the top 32, they might not even qualify for the martial arts rookie tournament.

Xia Yuan's help to him can be described as a life-saving grace.

He still remembers himself a year ago, with mediocre talent, inconspicuous in class, and even somewhat inferior because of his family background and personality.

It was Xia Yuan's appearance that allowed him to grow step by step to where he is today.

"Teacher Xia, what about me? Do you think I can make it into the top 32?"

Zhao Si, who was second in the class, also asked with a grin.

"you?"

Xia Yuan retorted without any politeness:
"Who gave you confidence?"

"Hahaha!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom erupted in laughter.

……

Time flies.

The day of the competition arrived quickly, and the largest municipal stadium in Jiangcheng was bustling with activity.

The huge circular stands were packed, and the noise surged like a tide.

School flags waved in the stands, and parents cheered for their children with all their might.

Of course, most of them are students from various schools.

After all, the annual martial arts rookie tournament is a grand event for all senior high school students in the city.

The spotlight shone on the huge arena in the center, giving it a cold, sharp glow.

The surrounding area is filled with cameras, transmitting images in real time to the giant screen above the venue and to television stations throughout Jiangcheng.

The atmosphere in the backstage rest area was completely different from that in the stands; it was oppressive and tense.

The 14 students from No. 7 Middle School, dressed in their uniform No. 7 Middle School uniforms, solemnly warmed up for the final competition.

Zhao Gang stood in front of them, giving them careful instructions.

"This year's competition is different from previous years. The first round uses a group round-robin format."

"Everyone can play at least three games."

He looked around at the crowd and saw that some students, especially Zhang Hao and Li Chang, had their eyes light up when they heard that there would be at least three rounds, and their tense shoulders relaxed a little.

After all, they didn't have many chances of making it to the second round.

Playing more matches in the first round can help accumulate more practical experience.

Like in previous years, most of the senior students from No. 7 Middle School who participated in the competition were eliminated in the first round, and basically did not play a significant role.

"alright,"

Zhao Gang clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back.

"The format is beneficial to everyone, but the premise is that you have to seize the opportunity. These three matches are not for you to go through the motions."

"Give it your all in every match, and boldly apply what you've practiced! If you win, win beautifully; if you lose, understand why you went wrong!"

Yes, Teacher Zhao!

Zhao Gang nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the silent, promising players such as Zhao Si and Chen Jing.

"As for you, your goal shouldn't just be to advance from the group stage. Every match is a whetstone; you need to use the group stage to quickly adapt to the pace of the tournament, adjust your form, and prepare for the more brutal knockout rounds later! Understand?"

"Especially you, Chen Mo, strive to be in the top thirty-two this time!"

Zhao Gang's gaze fell on Chen Mo, filled with undisguised expectation.

Chen Mo is the ace player of No. 7 Middle School this year, and the only player with a high chance of making it into the prize money pool.

Chen Mo nodded emphatically.

"Teacher Zhao, is Teacher Xia not here today?"

Chen Mo's question startled Zhao Gang. He looked around and indeed did not see Xia Yuan.

He shook his head and reassured her:
"Teacher Xia may have some things to take care of. He said he would come depending on the situation. Don't overthink it. Focus on the competition and give it your best. That's the best way to repay Teacher Xia."

A barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed in Chen Mo's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a resolute fighting spirit.

He nodded.

"I understand."

Half an hour later.

The game officially begins.

Inside the huge stadium, several separate arenas were hosting matches simultaneously. The referee's whistle, the audience's shouts, and the sounds of fists and feet clashing filled the air, instantly igniting the atmosphere.

The contestants from No. 7 Middle School also dispersed to various arenas.

After a series of intense and brutal elimination rounds, the achievements of No. 7 Middle School have shocked the entire education community in Jiangcheng.

Chen Mo, as the undisputed number one ace of No. 7 Middle School, has demonstrated absolute strength to compete for top universities.

He swept through the competition with unstoppable momentum, his playing style as steady as a mountain and as agile as the wind. He encountered almost no opponents who could truly stop him, and easily made it into the top 32.

This historic breakthrough instantly caused a stir in the rest area of ​​No. 7 Middle School.

However, Chen Mo's face did not show much joy.

For him, reaching the top 32 was just the beginning.

In the competition to advance from the top 32 to the top 16, Chen Mo encountered a formidable opponent from No. 2 Middle School.

The opponent was powerful and ruthless, launching a fierce attack from the outset, intending to end the battle quickly.

Chen Mo was initially suppressed and found himself in a very passive position.

In the audience, the teachers and students of No. 7 Middle School were all holding their breath for him.

At the critical moment, Chen Mo recalled Xia Yuanping's usual emphasis on "using stillness to control movement, and striking later to arrive first."

He forced himself to calm down, no longer engaging in direct combat with his opponent, but instead relying on his agile movements and solid defense to maneuver and patiently search for his opponent's weaknesses.

Finally, Chen Mo found his opponent's weakness. His right fist, which had been poised to strike, was like a venomous snake that had been lying in wait, and it struck the side of his opponent's supporting leg joint with precision and speed.

"Oh!"

With a muffled thud, the opponent lost his balance instantly and staggered to his knees.

Chen Mo did not miss this opportunity and immediately followed up with a series of suppressive attacks. In the end, the referee ruled that the technical score was sufficient, and Chen Mo narrowly won and advanced to the round of 16!
"We won! Chen Mo has made it into the top 16!"

The area around No. 7 Middle School erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers, and spectators from many other schools also cast surprised and shocked glances.

After all, in previous years, the top 32 students were almost always from the internal competition between No. 1 Middle School and No. 2 Middle School.

Now, Chen Mo from No. 7 Middle School has not only entered the top 32, but has now squeezed into the top 16.

This achievement is truly remarkable.

"It seems that No. 7 Middle School has really produced a formidable dragon this time!"

Other school leaders muttered to themselves, a hint of envy flashing in their eyes.

The ability to cultivate such a student is of great benefit to the entire school.

Next.

In the round of 16 to the quarterfinals, Chen Mo's opponent was a student from No. 1 Middle School, who was also the third-ranked student in the city's unified exam in March.

The opponent was well-rounded and experienced. Chen Mo fought with all his might, bringing his skills, willpower and tactical execution to the extreme, and at one point the two sides were evenly matched.

However, due to the gap in overall strength, they unfortunately lost and stopped at the round of 16.

However, reaching the top 16 is already an unprecedented and historic breakthrough for No. 7 Middle School.

Apart from Chen Mo, Li Si from Class 1 and Chen Jing from Class 3 also made it into the top 128, which is an extremely good result!

Based on these scores, they should have no problem getting into one of the top 50 elite universities.

However, if you want to get into a top-tier university, you might still be a little short.

As for the others from No. 7 Middle School, only Lin Hao, Wang Kai, and two others barely made it into the second round.

The rest were all eliminated in the first round.

Nevertheless, the overall record of three players reaching the round of 128 and one player reaching the round of 16 is far superior to previous years.

The Jiangcheng Martial Arts Newcomer Competition has concluded, and No. 7 Middle School has achieved remarkable results.

It can be said that No. 7 Middle School is the biggest winner of this martial arts competition.

After all, No. 1 Middle School and No. 2 Middle School have always had excellent results, so it is only natural that they will continue to dominate the top spots this year.

The rise of No. 7 Middle School as a dark horse has transformed it from having almost no presence to now having several students enter the top 128, with one student even making it into the top 16.

The shock and buzz surrounding this breakthrough is far more compelling than the notion that the strong will always be strong.

As a result, the reputation of No. 7 Middle School was greatly enhanced throughout Jiangcheng.

Presumably, when students are admitted next year, those who cannot get into No. 1 Middle School or No. 2 Middle School will choose No. 7 Middle School as their first choice.

……

With the lessons learned and insights gained from the competition, the elite students of No. 7 Middle School returned to campus.

In the following days, the final stage of everyone's preparation for the college entrance examination became increasingly solemn yet full of energy.

The outstanding performance in the rookie competition served as a shot in the arm for the students of No. 7 Middle School, especially the senior students who participated.

Inside the training hall, the figures, sweating profusely, were more focused and worked harder than ever before.

Time flew by amidst the intense preparation for the exam.

The countdown numbers for the college entrance exam in the corner of the blackboard are getting smaller every day.

The pressure and anticipation in the air intertwined, almost solidifying into a tangible form.

Everyone knows that the glory of the rookie competition is in the past; it was just a stepping stone to a higher stage.

The real battle will be fought in the upcoming college entrance examination, which will determine the fate of countless people.
(End of this chapter)