Chapter 6

The general military academy test at Huangcheng No. 1 High School quickly went viral.

Countless posts flooded the internet, captured by students who had smuggled their phones into the testing grounds. Students from other high schools flocked to the threads, asking, "Who is this? It doesn't look like Fang Chuyun."

"Fang Chuyun only hit 85 points!"

"Whoa, has No. 1 High become that arrogant? 85 is just 'only' now?"

"What else would it be? This student, Li Yang, has a physique rating of 90!"

"!!!"

The threads were filled with exclamation marks and an endless stream of shocked reaction memes. Someone whispered, "What about Yu Hongyuan? What was his score?"

"Uh... didn't pay attention. Probably over 83, I guess."

That comment was quickly buried. No one cared about a measly score in the 80s; everyone’s eyes were fixed on that earth-shattering 90.

"Li Yang? Never heard of her. How did she get such a high score?"

"I heard she used to be totally mediocre and unremarkable. Ever since she took a six-month leave, she’s come back a completely different person!"

"That wasn't a leave of absence; she clearly went for special training!"

"Maybe she had some kind of miraculous encounter?"

"Ah! I know! She must be the long-lost granddaughter of some Grandmaster. This past half-year was her returning to her roots, which unlocked her dormant potential, resulting in that explosive 90-point physique!"

"Wake up, the person above; that trope is so overused, it’s practically a failed novel plot."

While the public discussed her fervently, Principal Sun and Chen Xiangrong were questioning Li Yang in the principal's office.

"Which gym did you go to during these past six months?"

"I haven't been to any gym. I’ve just been working."

"What kind of jobs did you have?"

With the original owner's memories, Li Yang rattled off a few places. The original owner had dropped out of high school, and being introverted and inarticulate, she had only been able to find manual labor jobs. It was precisely because of this that her already weak body had pushed itself to the breaking point.

"All manual labor..." Chen Xiangrong muttered.

Principal Sun perked up, saying, "As expected, true knowledge comes from practice!"

Chen Xiangrong added, "It seems we must increase practical training for the students; they can't just rely on gym workouts..."

Li Yang: "..." You’re both right.

She wasn't going to say anything more. In this situation, the more one says, the more one errs. Instead of spinning a wild tale that would only invite suspicion, it was better to stick to the honest truth. Once people conjured their own answers, they would believe them firmly.

Chen Xiangrong asked her, "Why did you drop out of school?"

Li Yang lowered her lashes, her voice calm. "My grandmother passed away, and I had to support myself."

Chen Xiangrong looked at Principal Sun, who immediately interjected, "You can apply for subsidies for a situation like this; it would be enough to support you until the college entrance exam."

Li Yang continued, "My grades are poor; taking the college entrance exam wouldn't be of much use."

Every word she said was the truth and could withstand investigation. Despite her tragic background, she didn't deliberately cry or plead. She sat on the sofa with a straight back and an unpretentious, composed demeanor. It made people feel that this child possessed a stability and integrity far beyond her years, and it only made her more endearing.

Children of the poor grow up early. This girl was the perfect embodiment of that saying.

Chen Xiangrong’s mind shifted, and he suddenly asked, "Were you very close to your grandmother?"

It was a slightly intrusive question, but Principal Sun didn't dare interrupt.

Li Yang replied, "My parents passed away early, and my grandmother raised me single-handedly. She was seriously ill, but she refused to get checked because she wanted to save money for my tuition, and so..." Her eyes reddened, and she couldn't continue.

Chen Xiangrong immediately said, "I didn't mean to be abrupt. It's just that there have been research reports suggesting that some teenagers can experience an explosive growth in potential and awaken a physique far beyond their norm after suffering a major trauma."

Li Yang: "...?" So that’s a theory.

Sure enough, professional matters should be left to professionals. As long as she didn't talk nonsense, someone would explain it for her.

Principal Sun immediately added, "Indeed! Last year in Xihuai Province, there was a similar case where a student's parents died in a car accident, and both..."

Chen Xiangrong interrupted the principal and looked at Li Yang, asking, "Did your body start to change after your grandmother passed away?"

Li Yang lowered her lashes. "Yes." Becoming increasingly frail was also a change.

Chen Xiangrong asked, "Is that why you sought out so much manual labor?"

Li Yang answered honestly, "Teacher, those were the only odd jobs I could find."

Chen Xiangrong: "But if your body wasn't up to it, you wouldn't have been able to do them, right!"

Li Yang: "..." Fine, this man clearly had never known hardship. In the original owner's situation, there was no room to be picky; as long as she could work to earn enough for a meal, that was enough.

The more Chen Xiangrong thought about it, the more logical it seemed. He summarized, "Looking at it this way, the death of her close relative triggered Li Yang's potential, causing her body to undergo a second growth phase, and the subsequent manual labor undoubtedly reinforced her physique..."

Principal Sun's phone rang. After glancing at it, he looked up at Li Yang in surprise. "Did you clear a mutated four-leaf clover a few days ago?"

Ever since Li Yang's test results came out last night, Principal Sun had arranged for an investigation, and this must have been the feedback.

Li Yang’s clearing of the clover in the residential complex had been quite a sensation. Especially the next morning, when residents saw the main path so clear, they marveled, "She actually managed to chop it down!"

"Where there's a will, there's a way. This child is destined for greatness!"

When the school officials went to inquire today, the residents were eager to step forward, nearly blowing Li Yang’s reputation into the stratosphere. It was a good thing! The mutated clover had been blocking the way for so long, and they were truly grateful to her. Since they were short on cash, they couldn't show their gratitude with money, so they had to express it with lavish praise.

Word of mouth always distorts things, and with the residents’ fervent praise, by the time it reached Principal Sun, it had become—

"Student Li Yang, you chopped down that massive four-leaf clover with a single axe?!"

Li Yang: "..." Neighbors, please be realistic!

She quickly said, "No, it took me a long time."

Chen Xiangrong asked, "What made you decide to clear a mutated plant?"

Li Yang said, "After my grandmother passed, my neighbors helped me a lot. I wanted to do something for them, so I went to remove the mutated plant blocking the main road."

Upon hearing this, the way Principal Sun and Chen Xiangrong looked at her became even warmer and friendlier. What a steady, reliable, good child! No wonder she was blessed by the god of luck!

Li Yang paused and added, "Teacher, I don't think I was the one who actually cleared the clover."

"How so?"

Li Yang brought up He Song. A distinguished assistant teacher from the Zhongdu Military Academy was a resource she shouldn't waste.

After hearing her out, Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun were stunned. They exchanged glances, seeing the same thought in each other's eyes: This child has massive opportunities ahead of her!

Chen Xiangrong asked, "That teacher, He Song... how old is he?"

Li Yang replied, "Very young."

"In his twenties, not yet thirty?"

"Yes, he looks to be under thirty."

Li Yang didn't understand the significance of this, but Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun did—anyone who could become a teacher at the Zhongdu Military Academy, even an assistant, was at least a Third-Rank. A Third-Rank Star Practitioner in his twenties... A monster! The Fang family had been proud to produce Fang Suyun, but if this He Song were in Huangcheng, he would be a legendary figure.

Li Yang added, "Teacher He is a very good person. He said the clover was a bounty mission, so he gave me a reward of ten thousand credits."

Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun: "!"

Ten thousand Huaxia credits were nothing. But this Star Practitioner He clearly recognized Li Yang's physique and was extending an olive branch, waiting for her to get into the Zhongdu Military Academy!

Chen Xiangrong had asked all he needed to. Feeling like he had struck gold, he said earnestly, "Student Li Yang, get some good rest and watch your diet. As long as you perform steadily in the practical assessment in a week, you’ll have no problems."

Principal Sun then thought of something else. "Student Li, would you like to move into the school apartment building? It would also be convenient for you to use the school gym."

Huangcheng No. 1 did have student dorms, but the eight-person rooms were in poor condition, and Principal Sun was afraid of wronging Li Yang. However, Li Yang’s living conditions were even worse; the investigator had already sent over photos of her bare, crumbling home.

Principal Sun felt a pang of sympathy, and he was also worried that other high schools would find out and try to poach her. What if she transferred? He had to protect such a prodigy.

Chen Xiangrong saw through Principal Sun’s little schemes but didn't call him out. It didn't matter which school Li Yang attended; she was a talent of Donghua Province!

Principal Sun continued, "Don't worry, the school apartment building is where the teachers live. The security is high, and the living conditions are good. Once you pass the practical assessment, you'll need to catch up on your academic courses, and this will be much more convenient."

Li Yang thought for a moment and decided that moving to the school was a good idea. Heqing Residential Complex was a bit far from the school, and there were too many acquaintances there. Before, no one paid attention to her, but now that her 90-point physique was public, people might show up to "interview" her. If an acquaintance discovered something unusual, it would be difficult to explain. Moving out was a good choice; living at the school was safe and worry-free.

Li Yang said gratefully, "Thank you, Principal."

Principal Sun arranged for a female teacher in her thirties to drive Li Yang to the Heqing complex to handle her move.

-

In a quaint, aged building in the suburbs of Huangcheng.

Fang Chuyun stood up and said, "I’m moving to the Heqing complex!"

Fang Xiyuan looked at his daughter.

Fang Chuyun said firmly, "And that’s not all. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to work odd jobs."

How could Fang Xiyuan not know his daughter's stubborn nature? She had clearly been inspired after reading Li Yang’s resume. Since "practice produces true knowledge and the poor produce the noble," she was going to live in the slums and grasp that practice!

Fang Xiyuan stopped her with a single sentence: "What’s the rush? She awakened her potential after the trauma of losing a loved one. You can wait until I die first."

Fang Chuyun: "............"

-

In the most expensive villa district in Huangcheng.

Yu Hongyuan returned home and began to bawl. He was furious, driven mad.

During his final test, the playground was already empty! When the testing teacher announced his "86" points, it sounded as if he had said "68." He had spent three years preparing and looking forward to this, how... how could he... have his thunder stolen by someone else!

A capable-looking woman in a leather jacket walked in and slapped him across the face. "What are you crying about!"

Yu Hongyuan covered his face and looked up. "Mom, I finally managed to stabilize at 86 points, but then..."

Yu Zhiying looked at him coldly.

Yu Hongyuan shivered. "It’s all that Li Yang’s fault. She’s inhuman. I’m going to—"

Yu Zhiying slapped him again. "What are you going to do? Are you going to bully her? How did I give birth to such an idiot! Is there nothing but air in that head of yours!"

Yu Hongyuan didn't dare to make a sound.

Yu Zhiying threw a card on the table. "Starting tomorrow, you are going to get along well with student Li Yang. I don't expect you to become friends, but just being a follower will do!"

Yu Hongyuan: "???" He looked at her in disbelief.

Yu Zhiying gave him a sharp tap on the head. "Use your brain! A 90-point physique! Li Yang is either the descendant of a Grandmaster or she had some incredible encounter! Either way, her future is limitless! While she hasn't made it big yet, we need to invest in her—it’s a guaranteed profit!"

Yu Hongyuan listened, stunned, and whispered, "Isn't... isn't that a bit much..."

Yu Zhiying was so angry her liver hurt. "If I were thirty years younger, I would have gone to become her sister myself, and I wouldn't need a loser like you!"

Yu Hongyuan sullenly picked up the bank card, though he was deeply reluctant. He, a follower to Li Yang? Why? He was only... 4 points lower in physique than her. His mom was being too dramatic; he’d heard that in Zhongdu, people with 90 points were everywhere. It wasn't that rare.