I created an extraordinary era

Chapter 708 The Curtain Comes to an End
Time flies, white horses pass by.

When the countdown numbers in the corner of the blackboard quietly changed from two digits to single digits, finally settling on a prominent "1".

The senior year of Jiangcheng No. 7 Middle School is already enveloped in an atmosphere that is a mixture of tension, anticipation and a touch of melancholy.

The hustle and bustle and glory of the martial arts rookie competition three months ago have long since settled into shining moments in memory, transforming into more solid footprints on the road to exam preparation.

Chen Mo, Chen Jing, and others who achieved good results did not slack off at all during these three months.

Chen Mo's grades are more than enough to get him into one of the top thirty exceptional universities.

But he had even higher ambitions: to get into one of the top five prestigious universities in Kyushu.

Among these five prestigious universities, even the least prestigious, Kyoto University, can still rank among the top twenty in the world.

With his grades, getting into one of the top five universities isn't a sure thing.

After all, only 13 people from the entire Jiangcheng were admitted to the top five universities last year. The remaining twenty-odd people were admitted to top universities, but they did not get into the top five universities.

This year, the competition among the top five schools may be even fiercer; only those in the top ten citywide can be considered relatively safe.

Chen Mo's goal is Beiyue Extraordinary University, or even Tiannan Extraordinary University.

As for world-renowned universities like Haicheng Extraordinary University and Jiangcheng Extraordinary University, only those ranked in the top five have a chance.

Chen Mo's score is still far from enough, so he basically has no chance.

The world's number one ranked Kyushu University is no longer among the five prestigious universities in Kyushu.

In the past three years, only one person from Jiangcheng has been admitted to Jiuzhou Chaofan University.

In other words, even the top scorer in Jiangcheng City has little chance of getting in.

The main reason is that the reputation of Jiuzhou Chaofan University is simply too great.

If the competitors of other universities are mostly people from the Nine Provinces, then the competition scope of the Nine Provinces Extraordinary University is the entire human race.

For high school students from almost any power in the world, as long as their scores are high enough, their first choice will always be Kyushu Super University.

It can be said that it brings together top geniuses from all over the world.

Not to mention Jiangcheng, even in Hanzhou, fewer than thirty people are admitted to Jiuzhou Extraordinary University every year.

It was already an extraordinary achievement for Jiangcheng to have one student admitted to Jiuzhou Chaofan University last year.

The chances are slim this year.

Aside from Chen Mo, Li Si and Chen Jing's goal is to get into the top 30 prestigious universities.

Their experience in the rookie competition made them clearly see the gap between themselves and the top talents.

Therefore, everyone has been working hard to improve during this period.

Even Zhang Hao, who was somewhat unruly before, has become much more composed and trained harder after experiencing the subtle barriers brought about by the qualification for the competition and the baptism of real combat on the field.

He knew that only by getting into a prestigious university could he truly cross that invisible barrier and live up to the years of hard work he had put in.

The students who did not qualify for the competition did not give up.

The results of the rookie competition served as a mirror, reflecting the gap between the teams, but also igniting the last vestiges of resentment in the hearts of some.

No one wants to give up until the very last moment.

Inside the training hall, scenes of people sweating profusely repeat day after day.

The air was thick with sweat and a scent that seemed to be “determination.”

The wind howled from the punches, the shadows of the legs were like whips, and the clanging of metal weapons clashing was deafening.

Everyone is squeezing every last bit of their potential, trying to push forward just an inch at the last moment.

The entire senior year of high school is like a fully drawn bow, the string stretched to its tautest point, just waiting for the moment when the arrow is released.

……

The school bell rang for the last time for the senior high school students.

But the ringing did not bring the usual noise and commotion.

The students quietly packed their books and personal belongings, their movements carrying a solemn sense of ritual.

The test papers and notes accumulated in the desks over the past three years were carefully organized and put away, or resolutely discarded.

On the blackboard, someone had drawn a large "Victory is certain" in colored chalk, and it was surrounded by a densely packed signature of names.

On the "Dream Board" on the back wall of the classroom, sticky notes carry the most fervent desires of the teenagers.

"Beiyue Extraordinary University", "Star Spirit University", "Seoul Martial Arts University", "Hanju University of Science and Technology", "Exploring the Stars".
The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the windows, bathing the classroom in a warm orange hue.

Dust motes floated and danced within the beam of light, like spirits of time flitting about.

Zhao Gang stood on the podium in Class 1, looking down at the familiar yet slightly mature faces below.

These are the students to whom he has devoted the most effort since he came to No. 7 Middle School.

"Tomorrow will be the time to test the results of your efforts over the past three years, especially this year."

Zhao Gang's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the ears of every student.

“I have taught you everything I needed to. I have also repeated what I needed to remind you of many times these past few days.”

"Now, I just want to say a few final words."

The classroom was completely silent, and all eyes were on him.

"The path to extraordinary achievements is long and arduous."

"The college entrance examination is just the first formal hurdle on this road."

"No matter what the outcome is tomorrow, I hope you will remember the sweat you have shed over the past three years, the camaraderie you have forged fighting side by side, and the pure passion you have for your dreams right now."

"Stay true to yourself and move forward fearlessly."

He paused, his gaze slowly sweeping over Chen Jing, Lin Hao, and Zhang Hao, scanning each face.

"I look forward to hearing your names in the extraordinary world of the future."

"Alright, dismissed. Go back and get some rest to recharge."

See you at the exam hall tomorrow!

There were no passionate shouts, no excessive encouragement.

His calm words contained the deepest expectations and trust.

"Zhao"

Chen Jing stood up, wanting to say something, but in the end she only bowed deeply.

Following them were Lin Hao and Zhang Hao.
All the students in Class 3 stood up and bowed to Zhao Gang in unison.

Silent actions speak louder than words.

Zhao Gang looked at them, a faint, almost imperceptible smile on his face, and nodded slightly.

Night falls.

As the city lights begin to twinkle, in countless homes, high school seniors are making their final preparations, or forcing themselves to go to bed early, yet inevitably tossing and turning in bed.

Chen Mo checked his admission ticket and necessary items, his mind surprisingly calm.

Zhang Hao lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind flashing back to the events of the past three years, finally settling on the stage of the martial arts rookie competition. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Lin Hao repeatedly reviewed the practical combat techniques that Xia Yuan and Zhao Gang had taught him in his mind.

Chen Jing gazed gently at the distant night sky, her eyes resolute.

For Class 3-3 and Class 1-3 of Jiangcheng No. 7 Middle School, and all the senior students, it was a long night, but also the eve of a hopeful dawn.

……

June 7th, Year 44 of the Extraordinary Era.

Early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking, Jiangcheng was already awake.

On the streets, the usually bustling traffic seemed to have slowed down deliberately, and there were few honks. A solemn and dignified atmosphere permeated the air.

On the roads leading to the various test centers, candidates and their parents could be seen hurrying along everywhere.

The National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) lasts for four days.

The first and second days are for academic performance tests.

These include four disciplines: Mathematics and Basic Symbolic Literature, Integrated Science, Integrated Humanities, and Extraordinary Theoretical Foundations.

The third day was for physical fitness assessment.

The final day was the practical assessment.

For the Department of Cultural Studies, the first and second days are especially important.

For combat-oriented students, the fourth day is the most important.

Classes 1, 2, and 3 at No. 7 Middle School are all combat-oriented, so the academic requirements are not very high.

Of course, no matter how low the requirements are, the score cannot be lower than 60 points.

If you score below 60, you don't even qualify to apply to a prestigious university.

Each of these four courses is worth 100 points, and each course accounts for 25% of the total score. The final score is calculated based on these percentages.

With just a little effort, getting 60 points is not difficult.

Half past eight in the morning.

Outside the No. 1 Middle School examination hall, a huge crowd had already gathered.

A solemn cordon was set up, and the teachers and police officers maintaining order looked serious.

Parents were kept outside the cordon, craning their necks in anticipation, their eyes filled with a mixture of anxiety, expectation, and encouragement.

"Jingjing, don't be nervous, just do your best!"

Chen Jing's mother squeezed her daughter's hand tightly and whispered some words of advice.

The examination venues for academic subjects are randomly assigned, and most people do not take the exams at their own school.

Chen Jing was assigned to No. 1 Middle School.

The subsequent physical fitness and practical assessments were not conducted at the school, but in a designated area.

"I know, Mom!"

Chen Jing nodded, took a deep breath, and followed the flow of people toward the entrance of the examination hall, her back straight and determined.

The entrance to No. 3 Middle School.

Lin Hao said goodbye to his parents and entered the examination room.

Sixth Middle School.

Chen Mo refused his parents' company and entered the examination room alone.

8:50 a.m.

All candidates have taken their assigned seats according to their admission ticket numbers.

The huge examination hall was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Only the faint sound of the proctor opening the exam paper bag and the occasional birdsong from outside the window added to the tense silence.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust particles suspended in the air and every young, taut face.

It was exactly 9:00 AM.

"Ding!"

The crisp sound of the bell broke the silence, echoing throughout the examination hall and resonating in the hearts of every examinee.

"The exam has begun! Please begin answering the questions!"

The proctor's loud voice rang out.

In an instant, the only sound in the examination hall was the soft scratching of pens on exam papers, like silkworms eating leaves, converging into a torrent rushing towards the future. The extraordinary college entrance examination, its first session.

Mathematics and Basic Symbolism

Chen Jing received the test paper and quickly scanned it.

As expected, the questions were closely related to the background of the extraordinary era and were quite difficult.

The multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions tested the understanding of the energy matrix, the stability calculation of the rune structure, and the function model based on the change of source energy concentration.

These were not major obstacles for Chen Jing, who had a solid foundation; she wrote steadily and very quickly.

Until the last comprehensive question, the question was presented as follows:

Based on the geological data (with attached tables) transmitted from the Mars base, design an optimal exploration route from the Hope City base to the Olympus Mountains, and explain your reasoning.

[Requirements: Consider path length, known sandstorm distribution areas, and surface structure stability!]

There is no standard answer to this type of question; it tests students' ability to integrate knowledge, their innovative thinking, and their insight into real-world problems.

This is also the question with the highest score and the easiest way to create a significant difference in scores.

Students majoring in combat rarely encounter such comprehensive questions in the past.

However, Chen Jing knew very well that these open-ended and comprehensive questions were designed to differentiate students from those in the Department of Cultural Studies.

For students specializing in combat, as long as they have clear logic, consider all factors comprehensively, and avoid making fundamental mistakes, that's enough!

As for getting a high score, don't even think about it.

soon.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the first exam of the morning.

After handing in my paper and walking out of the examination room, I found it already bustling with noise.

Parents rushed forward eagerly, while the students either discussed excitedly or sighed in frustration.

Chen Jing didn't participate in checking the answers. She walked through the crowd, found a relatively quiet shady spot, took out the water she had prepared from her bag, and slowly replenished her energy.

At the same time, silently review the exam in your mind, temporarily setting aside some uncertain details and no longer dwelling on them.

After a short lunch break, the afternoon exams began one after another.

The second session: Science Comprehensive.

The exam covered three subjects: physics, chemistry, and biology.

For most combat-oriented students, academic exams are more like a qualifying round they have to pass.

Their primary goal is to ensure their score meets the minimum requirement.

Therefore, the strategies of many combat-oriented students are highly consistent.

Take a steady and solid approach, ensure a solid foundation, and strive to pass the test.

Whether it was calculating energy conduction efficiency in physics, analyzing the principles of catalysts in chemistry, or inferring gene expression regulation in biology, all the questions on the exam paper were answered carefully, relying on the basic knowledge honed over the past three years.

I don't aim for a high score, just a passing grade.

When the afternoon exam ended, many combat students walked out of the exam room without the extreme emotions of elation or frustration that academic students showed. Instead, they had a calm feeling of "mission accomplished."

The shackles of academic subjects have been half removed.

On the second day of the college entrance examination, the same process was repeated.

The courses "Humanities Comprehensive" and "Supernatural Theoretical Foundations" require higher levels of memorization, comprehension, and argumentation skills.

The combat students continued to adhere to a prudent strategy.

Two days flew by amidst the scratching of pens and the rustling of exam papers being turned.

When the final bell rang throughout the examination centers in Jiangcheng, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

For both combat-oriented and culture-oriented students, cultural exams are always the most unpredictable.

The difficulty of the questions, one's condition on the day, and even luck can all affect the final score.

But the physical fitness and combat assessments in the following two days were pretty much as expected!

Everyone knows how many points they can score.

The third day, early morning.

The assessment location is no longer scattered across schools, but is concentrated in Jiangcheng at a standardized physical fitness testing center built more than 20 years ago.

The atmosphere here is completely different from before.

It has lost its scholarly air and gained a metallic clang.

The air was thick with the scents of disinfectant, sweat, and a silent competitive pressure.

The candidates wore uniform examination attire, their muscle definition clearly visible beneath the tight fabric. Their sharp eyes sparked with tension as they sized each other up.

The physical fitness assessment remains the same as before.

Extreme strength, explosive speed, endurance, neural response, and bodily organ function.

The physical fitness assessment is unlike tomorrow's practical assessment.

There are no fancy techniques, only the most primitive and direct display of physical fitness.

This assessment was also the one with the least suspense among all the results.

Most people go to a specialized testing center to take the college entrance examination.

Although the standards are not quite the same as those for the college entrance examination, I still know my own level.

When the third day of the assessment ended, exhaustion swept over every candidate like a tidal wave.

But beneath this extreme exhaustion, a more complex emotion was surging.

It is liberation, the calm acceptance of settling down, and the reflection after gaining a clearer understanding of one's own limits.

Day four: Practical assessment.

This is the final and most exciting chapter of the entire extraordinary college entrance examination.

Whether countless combat-oriented students can get into the Extraordinary University depends on their performance in practical combat assessments.

After all, the practical assessment accounts for 50% of the score.

Those responsible for conducting the practical assessments will be assigned by the Education Department of the Hong Kong People's Federation.

Without exception, all of these people were extraordinary individuals.

They wore matching dark blue uniforms, the emblems of the People's Federation on their shoulder straps gleaming coldly under the lights.

Although the number of people was small, each of them exuded a chilling aura.

That's the kind of pressure only a transcendent being at the Innate Realm can possess.

Jiangcheng is not a big city, so no grandmaster came to preside over the event.

Only places like Seoul would attract grandmasters.

Looking at those people, the young candidates subconsciously held their breath.

Although there are tens of thousands of people in the Innate Realm of the human race today, for many of them, the Innate Realm is still an unattainable realm.

Let's not even talk about those who can't get into top universities.

Even if one can get into an extraordinary university.

Many people are unable to break through to the innate level by the time they graduate.

"The assessment begins."

The middle-aged examiner at the head of the group spoke in a low voice, yet his voice carried clearly throughout the entire venue.

His gaze swept across the candidates present, like a sword being drawn from its sheath:
"Remember, this is not a performance, but a battle. We will score you based on your performance in actual combat."

"Power application, tactical selection, on-the-spot adaptability, and willpower."

“Every detail will determine your future.”

As he finished speaking, the assessment officially began.

The candidates took turns going up to the stage to demonstrate their combat skills.

The examiners remained expressionless, only making quick notes on the scoring board.

Only when a candidate demonstrates exceptional ability will a fleeting hint of approval appear in their eyes.

Most of these examiners are graduates of prestigious universities and have seen countless geniuses.

Naturally, there was no surprise on their faces.

Even the top 100 students in the Jiangcheng Martial Arts Newcomer Competition didn't really pique their interest.

"His technique for generating power is acceptable, but it's too deliberate."

"If the ability to adapt is insufficient, the third move should be to change direction."

"Commendable willpower, but brute force alone won't get you far."

The concise comments are as precise as a scalpel, directly addressing the core issues of each candidate.

At the same time, the group was rapidly assigning scores to each person.

Name: Chen Mo

Power control level: 93
Tactical rationality: 92
Strain rating: 94
Overall score: 93.24.

"This student is good!"

The assistant examiner looked at the data and, unusually, uttered words of praise.

The examiner nodded slightly and made a special mark next to Chen Mo's name.

This score would be considered top-tier in any testing region.

Getting into the top 30 universities is no problem at all, and even the top 10 is within reach.

Of course, this is last year's score.

This year's scores may be much higher.

The assessment continued until dusk.

After the last candidate finished his presentation, the examiners began compiling the scoring data.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the skylight, turning the entire venue golden.

The examiner stood up and his gaze swept across the room once more:

"The assessment is over. Results will be announced in ten days!"

"Remember, whatever the outcome, this is just the beginning."

As the examiners left, the tense atmosphere that had lasted for four days finally relaxed.

The candidates looked at each other in silence, their faces filled with complex emotions.

There is relief, there is anticipation, but also uncertainty about the future.

Chen Mo walked alone to a corner of the venue and quietly watched the sunset.

He has done his best.

Now, all we need to do is wait for that fateful result.

far away.

Zhang Hao was excitedly demonstrating the moves he had just used with Lin Hao, while Chen Jing quietly packed up her equipment.

At this moment, all the sweat and effort have turned into waiting.

In ten days, everything will be clear.

(End of this chapter)