HPDBC Chapter 7 The Big Exam Begins
Chapter 7 The Big Exam Begins
For the next twenty days, Lin Fan's life turned into a precisely operating machine.
I get up at five o'clock every morning, practice Huishanquan and Longxingquan for two hours, and then go to school.
During the day at school, he listened attentively to humanities classes and paid more attention to martial arts classes than anyone else, but he never practiced martial arts at school.
He didn't want anyone to know about his changes.
I don't want to right now, at least not right now.
During lunch break, while others ate and chatted, he ran to the abandoned old playground at the back gate of the school and practiced for forty minutes.
After evening self-study, he went home and practiced in his usual spot in the neighborhood until late at night.
Zhou Lan has completely abandoned him.
It wasn't that she gave up, but rather that she saw something in her son that she had never seen before.
It wasn't the kind of high-energy excitement that comes from being injected with adrenaline, but rather a calm, resolute quality, like steel that has been tempered.
She didn't know what her son was doing, but she knew she shouldn't stop him.
Twenty days.
The third level of the Returning Mountain Fist, the state of perfection.
The difference between perfection and subtlety is greater than the difference between subtlety and beginner.
"Perfection" means being able to precisely control each layer of force, while "perfection" means that the superposition of nine layers of force has become an instinct of the body. There is no need to deliberately mobilize qi and blood, and no need to prepare in advance. A casual punch can be a superposition of nine layers of force.
Lin Fan tried punching a bluestone slab in the residential area.
When the fist was still three inches away from the stone slab, the nine layers of force had already been stacked at the tip of the fist.
The moment the fist landed on the stone slab, nine layers of force exploded simultaneously. The surface of the bluestone slab remained intact, but when it was turned over, the back was cracked into a spider web.
This is the Ninefold Returning Mountain in the state of perfect perfection.
The force is completely contained within, with not a single bit wasted in the outward punching wind; all the destructive power is concentrated and explodes at the moment the fist strikes the target.
Dragon-shaped Fist, reaching a state of profound subtlety.
The Twelve Forms of Dragon Fist, from the first form "Azure Dragon Emerging from Water" to the twelfth form "Dragon Returning to the Vast Sea," is meticulously detailed.
He also mastered the Dragon Breathing Technique.
The breathing technique that only Qi Condensation Realm martial artists can learn sounds like a fantasy, but Lin Fan actually mastered it. After his martial spirit awakened, it was as if he had an extra antenna in his body, able to detect the faint fluctuations of energy in the outside world.
The core of the Dragon Breathing Technique is to resonate the internal energy and blood with the external energy of heaven and earth at the moment of punching. Lin Fan cannot achieve true internal energy resonance, but he can use his own internal energy and blood to "simulate" that resonance.
Although its power is not as great as that of true qi, it is sufficient for the Body Refinement Realm.
With a single punch, the howling sound of the fist cutting through the air was mixed with a faint dragon's roar, and when the fist's power was concentrated, even a very faint dragon-shaped phantom would flash by behind him.
That's not a martial spirit.
That's the essence of boxing.
It is the illusory image of fist intent that naturally arises after practicing Dragon Form Fist to a subtle level.
If Zhao Xiaoyue's father were to witness this scene, that Earth-level martial artist would probably be so shocked he'd crush his teacup.
The Dragon-Shaped Fist generates a phantom image of fist intent, something even a Qi Condensation Realm martial artist might not be able to do, yet a high school student in the Body Refinement Realm has actually accomplished it.
But Lin Fan was unaware of these things.
All he knew was that he was very strong now.
He wasn't sure how strong he was. Since perfecting the Returning Mountain Fist and mastering the Dragon Form Fist, he hadn't tested his strength again. Not because he didn't want to, but because he felt it was unnecessary.
You'll find out on the day of the college entrance exam.
……
The day before the college entrance examination.
Lin Fan did not practice boxing.
He put away all the martial arts books, spent some time reading his Chinese notes in the morning, flipped through the history chronology in the afternoon, and went to bed at nine o'clock in the evening.
Zhou Lan looked at the light in her son's room, which had been turned off early, and turned to Lin Jianguo, saying, "Why is the child sleeping so early today? Is he nervous?"
Lin Jianguo stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "So what if I'm nervous? The exam will be over tomorrow."
They'd already discussed it: Lin Fan's martial arts skills were definitely out of the question, but as long as he performed normally in the humanities, getting into a good liberal arts university wouldn't be a problem. Jiangbei University's School of Humanities had an admission score of 580 last year, and Lin Fan's three mock exams all scored above 600, so it was a sure thing.
As long as he can perform normally.
……
The first day of the college entrance examination, humanities.
The examination venue was set up at Jiangcheng No.1 Middle School. Lin Fan's examination site was at his own school, which saved him time of adapting to the environment.
At 7:30 a.m., Lin Jianguo and Zhou Lan escorted him to the school gate.
The school gate was already packed with people, filled with test takers and their parents. Some were doing their final review, muttering to themselves; others were taking deep breaths, trying to calm their nerves; and some parents were holding their children's hands, repeatedly reminding them to "read the questions carefully" and "don't be nervous."
Zhou Lan wanted to say a few words of advice, but after opening her mouth, she only managed to say, "Do your best on the exam."
Lin Fan smiled and said, "Okay, Mom."
When he turned and walked into the school gate, his back was straight and his steps were steady.
As Zhou Lan watched her son's retreating figure, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat.
She recalled how, a month ago, her son would come home from school every day looking dejected, asking her, "Mom, am I really that useless?"
Back then, Lin Fan walked with slumped shoulders and a bowed head, like a blade of grass touched by frost.
The boy who is now walking into the examination room has his shoulders outstretched and his head held high.
Like a general going to a battle he is certain to win.
"Old Lin," Zhou Lan tugged at Lin Jianguo's sleeve, "have you noticed that Xiao Fan has changed lately?"
Lin Jianguo watched his son's figure disappear into the examination building and hummed in agreement.
"It's changed."
……
When the liberal arts exam papers were handed out, Lin Fan flipped through them from beginning to end.
Then he laughed.
It wasn't a smug smile, but a relaxed "I knew it" kind of laugh.
The Chinese language exam included a recitation section of classical Chinese poems, excerpts from "Drinking Alone Under the Moon" and "Ode to the Red Cliff," which he recited flawlessly. The reading comprehension section consisted of a social science article about the awakening of martial spirits and human evolution, with clear logic and well-defined test points.
The essay topic was "On the Relationship between Martial Arts and Literary Arts." He had written an almost identical argumentative essay a month ago, and all the materials, arguments, and evidence were in his mind.
The history exam paper, with multiple-choice questions, covered three major sections: the history of the awakening of human martial spirits, the history of the war between monsters, and the history of the establishment of the Huaxia Federation. All of these were knowledge points that he had compiled for Zhao Xiaoyue.
The question was about the "Battle of Qinling" between humans and monsters three hundred years ago. He didn't even need to read the material carefully; the background, process, impact, and significance were all clearly presented.
The pen tip landed on the answer sheet, making a soft, rustling sound like spring rain falling on leaves.
He finished the first subject, Chinese, twenty minutes early, checked it twice, and changed one multiple-choice question.
He finished the second history exam fifteen minutes early, checked it once, and didn't make any changes.
Lin Fan walked out of the examination room with a smile on his face.
It wasn't the kind of relief that comes with finally being free after finishing the exam, but rather a calm satisfaction of "I did what I was supposed to do."
The corridors and school gates were filled with test takers.
Some people were laughing, but most were sighing.
"Oh no, I went off-topic in my essay! I wrote that martial arts are more important than humanities..."
"I didn't review the material about the Battle of Qinling in history, so I just wrote something random."
"In the Chinese reading comprehension passage about the evolution of martial spirits, what was the correct answer for the third question? I struggled with that for a long time."
"Don't ask me anymore, my brain has already exploded."
Lin Fan weaved through the crowd and found his parents waiting at the school gate.
As soon as Zhou Lan saw him, she asked nervously, "How are you?"
"Exceptional performance".
Upon hearing those four words, Zhou Lan's eyes immediately welled up with tears.
"Good, good, that's great, you performed exceptionally well."
Lin Jianguo patted Lin Fan on the shoulder without saying anything, but the force of his hand on his son's shoulder was much heavier than usual.
After a month of anxiety, they finally felt half relieved.
Even if Lin Fan's martial arts skills are lacking, his academic performance in the humanities alone is enough to secure his place in the School of Literature at Jiangbei University.
In this world where martial arts are revered, getting into a good liberal arts university is already a pretty good option for an average family.
……
Ziyuan Villa District, Zhao Family.
When Zhao Xiaoyue got out of the car, her mother was already waiting at the door.
"How is it?"
Zhao Xiaoyue's face broke into a big smile: "Mom, no problem, I did an exceptional job!"
She threw her schoolbag onto the sofa and slumped into it, but her eyes were frighteningly bright.
"For the Chinese composition, Lin Fan helped me compile three materials that I could use. The history material question was about the Battle of Qinling, which he explained to me and even summarized the answer template for me."
Mom, you have no idea, the moment I saw the exam paper, I almost burst out laughing in the exam hall.
Zhao's mother breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as she patted her daughter's head: "Then we really have to thank Xiao Lin properly."
When Zhao's father came out of the study and heard this, he nodded: "After the college entrance examination, we'll treat Xiaolin to a meal to thank him properly."
He paused, then asked, "How are the preparations for the martial arts exam going?"
Zhao Xiaoyue sat up from the sofa and said seriously, "No problem. My strength is now stable at 1450 jin. I've reached the second level of the Returning Mountain Fist, the subtlety stage, and the third level, the entry level."
The martial arts exam includes both a strength test and a combat assessment, and my Ice Phoenix Feather martial spirit has an advantage in combat.
Mr. Zhao nodded and said, "Last year, the minimum admission score for martial arts at Shanghai Martial Arts University in Jiangnan Province was a strength of over 1400 jin and a combat assessment grade of B or above. You meet both of those requirements. As long as your academic scores are above the passing mark, you shouldn't have any problems."
"I'll definitely pass." Zhao Xiaoyue said confidently. "The lessons Lin Fan gave me will definitely be fine."
When Zhao's father saw the light in his daughter's eyes as she spoke of Lin Fan, he raised an eyebrow slightly, but said nothing.
……
The Sun family of Jiangcheng.
When Sun Hao got home, he casually tossed his schoolbag onto the cabinet in the entryway, changed his shoes, and walked into the living room.
"How did the exam go?" Sun's mother asked.
Sun Hao sprawled on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said casually, as if he were commenting on the weather: "It's alright, anyway, I don't rely on academic subjects."
Mr. Sun put down the documents in his hand, glanced at his son, and asked, "What about Wu Ke? Are you confident?"
When the topic turned to martial arts, Sun Hao's expression finally became more serious.
"no problem."
His tone carried an undeniable confidence.
"I've been working on my strength for the past month, and my current limit is 1530 jin (755 catties). If I perform consistently, I can easily exceed 1500 jin (750 catties). I've mastered the second level of the Returning Mountain Fist, and I've also reached the threshold of the third level."
He held up one finger and pointed it in the air.
"Top three in the grade, no doubt about it."
"Top five in the city should be no problem."
"In the whole province—" He thought for a moment, "top ten, I guess. There are indeed a lot of geniuses in Jiangnan Province. There are a few freaks in the provincial capital. It is said that their strength has already exceeded 1700, but apart from those few people, I don't think anyone can reliably suppress me."
After hearing this, a look of satisfaction finally appeared on Sun's father's face.
"That's good."
Although the Sun family has some influence in Jiangcheng, it's not enough within the entire Jiangnan Province. If Sun Hao wants to get into a good martial arts university, family connections alone won't be enough; he'll have to rely on his own abilities.
1530 jin, second level of the Returning Mountain Fist, and the Xuan-grade superior martial soul, Flaming Blade.
With this lineup, Wuhan University in Jiangnan is a sure thing, and it's not impossible for them to even challenge Wuhan University in Shanghai.
"Do your best in tomorrow's martial arts exam," said Father Sun.
Sun Hao nodded, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
The martial arts examination was his true domain.
What's the point of memorizing all those humanities subjects?
True geniuses always let their fists do the talking.
……
The second day of the college entrance examination, the martial arts exam.
Compared to the massive crowds outside the exam hall the day before, there were significantly fewer people outside today.
Although there are many senior high school students, not all of them will participate in the martial arts exam.
The path of martial arts has its own set of barriers.
For those with a strength below 500 jin (250 catties), going would be a waste of time; they'd be better off considering liberal arts or vocational studies. Therefore, for most students with poor martial arts scores, yesterday's liberal arts exam was practically the end of their college entrance exams.
In a school, it's considered good if two or three out of ten students actually participate in the martial arts examination.
Although the number of people was smaller, the atmosphere was even more somber.
The candidates standing at the school gate were all lean and sharp-eyed, exuding a fierce aura that liberal arts students lacked.
Some of them had bandages wrapped around their arms, injuries from the final sprint training; some had bloodshot eyes, traces of not sleeping well the night before; but all of them stood ramrod straight, like swords sheathed in their sheaths.
Students of martial arts and students of humanities are essentially two different species in terms of temperament.
When Lin Fan arrived, a queue had already formed outside the examination hall.
He was wearing a clean white T-shirt and black sweatpants, and walked calmly towards the school gate.
Then he heard his own name called.
"Isn't that Lin Fan?"
"Lin Fan? Who's that?"
"The one from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School, that good-for-nothing who awakened a humanoid martial soul but couldn't be tested for its grade."
"A humanoid martial spirit? There are such martial spirits?"
"Yeah, a sleeping woman is useless. I heard that she only weighed 300 jin in a strength test a month ago, the lowest in the whole school."
"300 jin? And he still came to participate in the martial arts exam? Isn't he just humiliating himself?"
The person speaking was very loud and made no attempt to be discreet.
Lin Fan turned his head and glanced at it.
A burly, crew-cut boy leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a mocking expression on his face. Several other students, also dressed in their respective school uniforms, stood beside him, and upon hearing these words, they all looked at Lin Fan with the eyes of someone eyeing a rare animal.
Zhang Hu.
Lin Fan knew him.
Sun Hao's follower, a student in Class 5 of the third year of high school at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School, has a strength of about 800 jin (400 catties), which is not bad among ordinary people, but nothing in front of a real master.
He usually follows Sun Hao around, agreeing with whatever Sun Hao says, and stepping on anyone Sun Hao dislikes.
A very loyal dog.
When Zhang Hu saw Lin Fan looking over, he not only didn't restrain himself, but laughed even more unrestrainedly.
「看什幺看？我说错了？你一个月前300斤，一个月后能涨多少？400斤？450斤？就算你涨到500斤又有什幺用？武科大学最低录取线也要600斤起步。」
He shook his head, his tone full of well-intentioned advice from someone who had been through it all.
"I advise you to go home and wait for your humanities results. Don't embarrass yourself here. The martial arts exam isn't like the humanities exam; you can't just memorize a few books and get by."
Several other students from other schools nearby also started laughing.
"300 jin? That's too weak. I weighed more than 300 jin when I was in the third year of junior high school."
"Jiangcheng No. 1 High School has students like this? Isn't it said that the school is quite strong in martial arts?"
Even the best schools have their worst students, that's normal.
"Alright, alright, stop talking. At least they had the courage to participate, that's an attitude, isn't it?" Someone pretended to smooth things over, but the sarcasm in their tone was impossible to hide.
Lin Fan quietly looked at Zhang Hu.
I looked at it for about three seconds.
Then he looked away.
He turned around and continued walking towards the entrance of the examination room.
How can ants know how vast the world is?