Chapter 107: Time Is Running Out

Even now, Xiao Nan remained uncertain about Lin Anguo’s true intentions.

“Could it be that he’s really given up tampering with the Qi and Blood Test?”

Many prominent figures from society were present at the scene, along with officials from the Ministry of Education acting as witnesses. Under the scrutiny of countless eyes, Xiao Nan could not fathom how Vice Principal Lin intended to deceive him or cause him trouble.

Was he so sure that my Qi and Blood value hadn’t improved much, and that I couldn’t reach six hundred jin of strength?

Though puzzled, Xiao Nan remained vigilant.

He noticed that as his name was called by the host, Lin Anguo cast a subtle glance in a certain direction.

With clear and penetrating spiritual perception, all around was as if laid bare before his eyes.

Xiao Nan observed that a slightly overweight middle-aged man wearing glasses quietly nodded.

That was Chen Chusheng, the director of the school's logistics department.

“It seems the problem lies with the puppet controller.” Piecing together various details, Xiao Nan’s understanding deepened.

He recalled how Tang Zhixuan had mentioned earlier that the puppet had actually been adjusted, significantly reducing its offensive and defensive capabilities for testing purposes.

A guess in his mind gradually took shape.

From what he had just heard from the students, the Fierce Ape Puppet was a third-generation exploratory-type puppet, classified as a standard first-level combatant.

This ranking corresponded to the strength of martial artists. Given the unique alloy materials used in its construction, it was tougher to deal with than a first-grade martial artist of the same rank, due to its greater endurance.

It was a typical cannon fodder-level force, designed specifically to counter heavily burdened Beast Barbarian warriors.

When faced with opponents it couldn’t overpower, it could at least hold them off for a time.

Of course, since this was a test, it hadn’t demonstrated the full power of a first-level martial artist.

But regardless, the puppet’s essence remained unchanged.

Could it be that the strategy lay in manipulating the puppet’s combat capability itself?

Xiao Nan slowly stepped onto the stage, prepared to face the challenge. Like all the other students, he showed no sign of abnormality.

...

“That’s a child from the Qiu family.”

Su Yuqing, languidly sitting on the dais and growing bored, suddenly straightened up excitedly. “Zhixuan, watch closely. Don’t let that kid get hurt, or your junior sister might give you a hard time.”

As a mother, she looked utterly helpless when speaking of her daughter.

Tang Zhixuan sneered. “He doesn’t listen to advice. What does that have to do with me? I’m not his babysitter.”

Though she said this, her feet unconsciously shifted closer to the platform, clearly sharpening her attention and ready to watch closely.

Su Yuqing smiled radiantly. Though middle-aged, she still exuded boundless charm.

She turned to Sun Yuanli and said, “That kid is so stubborn, just like his mother. He hasn’t been to my house in ages; I wonder if he even recognizes me as his aunt.”

“Qiu Yi is right. It’s better not to get involved with your family,” Sun Yuanli, unusually focused, shook his head. “Her family has rarely been stable, and they live in hardship. It’s best not to cause trouble for those three women.”

“Tch, you’re still so protective. If Qiu Yi hadn’t chosen Xiao Zhenjiang back then, things wouldn’t be like this now. Do you have something on your mind?” Su Yuqing chuckled, trembling with laughter.

“What nonsense are you talking about? We’re old enough for you to keep your words in check.” Sun Yuanli blushed slightly, feeling a sharp pain in his heart, and whispered in irritation.

“Actually, I think Xiao Nan getting too close to your family will only bring trouble. That’s not good.”

“Stop worrying so much. Why don’t you tell my daughter that and see if she doesn’t spit all over your face.”

“Uh…”

Li Yuancheng, who had been eavesdropping nearby, suddenly leaned forward. “Actually, my son Shaohua is quite outstanding. Our two families have many complementary businesses in Yuanjiang. As for the proposal last time…”

“The test has started. Ah, it looks like he can’t hold it?” Su Yuqing fixed her gaze on the stage, clutching her chest nervously.

She seemed to half-hear, half-ignore Li Yuancheng’s words.

Li Yuancheng smiled and shook his head, saying no more, sitting upright and watching the stage with poise.

...

As soon as the Fierce Ape Puppet struck, Xiao Nan knew he was right.

The Eighteen-Style Wind-Tearing Claw technique hadn’t changed, and its speed hadn’t increased much, but its power was overwhelming and heavy.

Beneath the stage, the silver-white alloy arm swung at will. Xiao Nan extended his sword to block, producing a metallic clang, much like the previous sixty-seven students who had taken the stage.

But in Xiao Nan’s perception, the puppet’s striking force was a staggering fifteen hundred jin.

He stepped back two paces, his expression darkening.

If his own Qi and Blood value were truly only around 3.0, taking such a strike would surely cause severe injury.

Without knowing the details, facing a fifteen hundred jin attack with only six hundred jin of strength seemed a grim fate.

What was more frustrating was that to everyone else, it wouldn’t appear the puppet had grown stronger, but that he himself was too weak.

If he recklessly got injured or worse, it would be seen as his own fault.

As long as the secret of the puppet’s control chip wasn’t discovered afterward, no one would suspect the underlying scheme.

Xiao Nan parried the strike without using his full strength; he didn’t want to reveal his hand just yet.

But the current situation clearly left no room for further concealment.

To pass the Qi and Blood Test and qualify for the provincial capital examination, he had to show some skill.

He glanced down to see Lin Anguo’s expression — a mixture of pride and surprise.

Pride, naturally, at having laid a clever trap to undermine him invisibly; surprise, because the first attack had been successfully blocked by Xiao Nan.

That was a main battle puppet formerly used by the military. Though retired, it had once earned a formidable reputation.

Its strength, defense, and chip intelligence were all sufficient for handling complex situations.

Yet, at full power, it had failed to defeat a high school senior with a low Qi and Blood value in a short time.

Thinking too much, the Fierce Ape Puppet did not stop.

It surged forward wildly, its twin claws weaving into a blur of light and shadow.

Xiao Nan’s sword trembled slightly, releasing three blossom-like sword forms...

Large silver-white petals bloomed and faded, slicing at the puppet’s moving arms.

The attacking Wind-Tearing Claw immediately faltered.

The sword light did not pause; a silver streak darted forward.

“Thud!”

The sword’s edge struck heavily against the puppet’s chest and abdomen.

“Stomp, stomp, stomp...”

The puppet stepped back thrice, the platform shaking violently beneath its feet.

Xiao Nan turned to the electronic display, which showed the values:

Qi and Blood: 2.7, Strength: 543 jin.

They had been thorough, blocking every last loophole in advance. Even the puppet’s Qi and Blood value had been preset to prevent any unexpected hits.

But as long as people weren’t blind, no one would believe that a force of just over 540 jin could push the puppet backward.

Even Li Shaohua’s Fulong Sword had only managed to force the puppet back two steps.

Glancing around with his peripheral vision, Xiao Nan realized he had overthought things.

No one present found anything strange. Lin Anguo and Chen Chusheng showed no sign of alarm.

Xiao Nan paused, then understood.

He still didn’t fully grasp the Fierce Ape Puppet’s nature and had made assumptions.

A main battle puppet naturally wouldn’t only advance without retreat.

If others thought the puppet wasn’t being forced back but was instead retreating voluntarily, that would seem perfectly normal.

By now, after the exchange of attacks and blocks, twenty seconds had passed.

Time was running short.

If he couldn’t stop the puppet within one minute, he would fail.

But Xiao Nan was certain that no matter how he attacked, the electronic display would never show a Qi and Blood value above 3.0, and the puppet would never cease its assault.

Unless Chen Chusheng confirmed his failure and voluntarily pressed the button to stop controlling it.