Chapter Thirty-Two: Rewards and Targeting

Xiao Nan felt a surge of joy in his heart. Now truly prepared, familiar with the spiritual tempering assessment set by homeroom teacher Yang Yankun, he began to savor the process. The subtle ripples of spirit emanating from the podium, that peculiar frequency, he grasped and unraveled, transforming it into his own knowledge. Then, applying it to his own spiritual power, he sent it surging through every part of his body.

His vital energy and blood rolled like tides and waves, growing ever stronger, his spirit becoming even more robust. Using spirit to strengthen vitality, and vitality to nurture the spirit, his body entered a wondrous resonance, forming a perfect cycle. Faint humming noises rose from his bones and muscles; he felt a warm, unspeakable comfort suffuse his entire being.

“If I continue practicing the Tide-Tempering Body Method alongside the Spiritual Intent Forge, my physical vitality will improve much faster,” he thought. “And this is only a cultivation method taught by a high school teacher—what fearsome techniques might those top martial academies have to offer?”

This thought filled Xiao Nan with great hope. He glanced at Lin Hao, then recalled Qin Shuang and Li Shaoyun—perhaps these people had long since mastered all sorts of advanced techniques for spiritual tempering. Indeed, in this world, the highest skill of all was simply the skill of being born into the right family. No wonder, in his previous Earth, so many longed to be heirs of wealth rather than the ones who built it. The advantage was so immense, it could drive others to despair.

Fortunately, it was not too late. He still had two months. As long as he was admitted to a good university, he could stand on the same starting line as those others. Then, all advantages would be leveled.

“Very good! Having thirty students pass shows that you’ve all worked hard and possess considerable talent. I originally thought only twenty from our class had a chance to break through the spiritual assessment, but today you’ve all performed to your full potential. Especially you, Xiao Nan; you never compete or show off, but quietly persevere, gathering strength for a great leap. This attitude is worthy of everyone’s emulation.

On the path of the martial artist, you must strive to lead—not through aggression or rivalry, but by maintaining a keen edge in your heart. Outwardly calm, but inwardly passionate—never accept defeat.”

Yang Yankun ceased the flow of his spiritual power, quietly wiped the sweat from his brow, and looked at Xiao Nan with a mix of praise, satisfaction, and surprise. It was hard for him not to stand out, sitting alone in the corner.

The whole class turned to look at Xiao Nan, eyes filled with wonder and confusion.

After a brief remark, Yang Yankun’s gaze drifted to the window, where a few students stood, lost and desolate. He wanted to offer comfort, but held his tongue. At such a moment, any words would be taken as mockery or sarcasm.

I had thought it would be Guo Sanyuan, with his hot-blooded resolve, who would break through the limits—but in the end, it was Xiao Nan. Truly unexpected.

After a while, when the class had quieted, Yang Yankun looked to the back of the room, where several witnesses sat on chairs they’d brought in.

“Mr. Wang, do you think today’s assessment followed the rules?”

“The evaluation was fair and valid. Your class did very well this year, Yang—better than last year. You might even surpass Class One.”

A tall, thin middle-aged man closed his notebook and came forward to shake hands.

“Oh, hardly, we still have a long way to go. They’ve only just entered the martial science program; tomorrow we face the martial skills assessment. The three martial exams are getting stricter every year—it’s not easy to pass.”

“Now, Mr. Yang, don’t be so modest! Everyone knows that at the high school level, the spiritual assessment is the hardest. As long as there’s enough medicine, and a student isn’t lacking in insight, passing the vitality and skills tests isn’t so tough. If you ask me, at least twenty from your class should make the cutoff for Changhe Academy.”

“I’ll take your blessing, then.”

Yang Yankun smiled, the scar on his forehead creasing, yet somehow not appearing unsightly. With a different state of mind, one’s appearance changes, too—truly, the face reflects the heart. To the thirty students in the room, the homeroom teacher now seemed positively endearing.

Changhe Academy was a second-tier martial arts college; compared to the top four elite universities or the prestigious provincial Lijiang Academy, it was hardly competition. Still, it was a reputable national martial university, and admission meant one’s life was set on a fast track.

With the matter settled, Yang Yankun pressed on while the momentum lasted.

“Lin Hao, Wei Yunyun, you’re in charge of distributing the Vitality Pills.”

As he spoke, he produced a silver-white metal case and carefully took out thirty small porcelain bottles, calling for the class officers to help hand out the medicine.

This was the reward for passing the assessment.

A cheer broke out in the classroom, voices rising in excitement, a stark contrast to the deathly silence outside. Wei Yunyun’s face was radiant with joy, while Lin Hao remained calm and expressionless.

For the wealthy students, the Vitality Pills were nothing special. They’d eaten so many they were sick of them, and couldn’t absorb more for the time being. Those students focused only on breaking their bodily limits; too much supplementation could be counterproductive.

For ordinary families, though, a first-grade Vitality Pill was worth fifty thousand yuan—a price utterly out of reach. Over three years of high school, each martial arts student received one per year for the first two years, a welfare benefit funded by educational grants and school subsidies to encourage martial training nationwide. In the third year, only those who passed the assessment received one, and the reward grew heavier: for each of the three martial exams passed, a pill was awarded. Those who passed all three received a Soul-Nourishing Incense as well.

Thus, those who failed the assessment now looked as if they’d lost everything; their progress already lagged behind, and now they’d missed out on even the welfare benefits—how could they ever catch up?

With thousands vying to cross a single-log bridge, others stride ahead while you remain stuck—it’s clear what the outcome will be.

…

Xiao Nan, too, felt a surge of happiness. He was quite satisfied with the welfare policies of this world. Compared to his classmates, he needed such potent medicine even more. Born with a weaker constitution and slower progress, he still had a huge gap in his vitality index and was worrying about how to get more nutrition. This reward was a timely boon.

Though he still lagged behind in vitality, he did have some advantages: for others to raise their index from 3.8 to 3.9 was far harder than for him to go from 1.4 to 2.0.

The further one progressed, the harder it became to improve—a natural law. Unless one used even stronger medicines, or managed to break through the limitations of the body and change one’s natural endowments... Both options were extremely difficult.

So, there was still hope for a determined effort to catch up.

“Xiong Bing.”

“Here.” A burly, honest-faced student stepped forward.

“Nie Dongyun.”

“Present.”

As each student smiled and received their Vitality Pill, Lin Hao finally called Xiao Nan’s name.

“You’ve really surprised everyone. Did you take a second-grade Spirit-Nourishing Incense? Only that kind of medicine could help your spirit improve so quickly—it’s truly enviable.”

What was there to envy? Lin Hao didn’t elaborate, but his tone was mocking, with an implied meaning...

The room fell silent. No one doubted Lin Hao’s words. As the son of the vice principal, he was widely connected and his opinions carried weight.

Everyone knew what the Spirit-Nourishing Incense was. When discussed, it was always with curses at those “rich brats” and “martial heirs” who could use such incense at will, while secretly drooling with envy.

Now, to hear that a poor classmate had enjoyed such a luxury—no one could describe the tangle of emotions.

“Who knows which wealthy family he’s sold himself to? Won’t he be afraid of being ordered around like a servant in the future?” they grumbled, but in truth, many wished they could get the backing of a powerful family themselves. Even if it meant obeying orders in the future, it would still secure a bright future.

Xiao Nan’s expression didn’t change, but his heart sank; that feeling returned. The aura Lin Hao gave off was one of malice.

What grudge could there be between us?

He didn’t know how sharp others’ senses might be, but he himself could vaguely feel the negative emotions directed at him—perhaps an unseen effect of the bronze mirror.

“Class rep, you must be joking. How could my family afford Spirit-Nourishing Incense? And what wealthy household would support a student of my poor abilities? Anyone here would have a better chance. As the teacher said, I passed because I’d been building up for a long time… In fact, that’s not quite right; my spiritual power broke through some time ago, I just never mentioned it. Not like some people, who make a fuss about everything…”

“Oh, so that’s how it is.”

Understanding dawned on the group, and laughter returned—even Wei Yunyun gave Xiao Nan an approving look.

A person of fine character, wholly committed to study. Now, with improved strength, he wasn’t arrogant in front of his classmates, but remained humble.

Xiao Nan truly was a model for them all.

And as for class rep Lin Hao—everyone’s gaze at him became rather peculiar.