Chapter 344: First Academic Year, Final Major Exam
On the battlefield, Gongshu Jin charged forward relentlessly through the relentless bombardment, repeatedly breaking through the storm of Thunderfire.
He carried Ying Xin on his left shoulder, Zhang Yu on his right, Yu Xinghan pressed against his chest, and Li Xiao on his back.
Despite the bloodied, critically wounded, and even breathless state of his four classmates, he never considered abandoning them.
He knew that survival depended on relying on his comrades.
“On this treacherous battlefield, students from the Civil Engineering Department are the best protective talismans.”
“Thank you for guarding me.”
The artifact spirit nodded slightly. “Calm and decisive, with swift action. Even in the face of mortal peril on the battlefield, he showed no panic, demonstrating willpower befitting his Dao Heart Level.”
“We can recommend him for the Spirit Realm Competition next semester.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, suddenly wealthy, strolled down the street.
Having amassed over 1000 Spirit Coins, he resisted the urge to splurge. Instead, he displayed his account balance on his forehead, instantly gaining countless friends and receiving a wave of gifts.
He skillfully evaded every scam that came his way, maintaining his composure throughout.
The artifact spirit recorded: “Even with sudden wealth, his core remains stable, demonstrating exceptional self-control…”
Reviewing Zhang Yu’s scores, the artifact spirit remarked blandly, “As expected, his dao heart still surpasses Gongshu Jin’s, now on par with Ji Yuanshu’s.”
At the Magic Power Exam, students were being tested on their Magic Power Strength, Magic Power Quality, and Gang Qi Conductivity. As each student’s scores appeared, gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd.
Li Mingbo, the Magic Power teacher, naturally checked his students’ results with keen interest. In his Bionic Eye, the students were arranged according to their Origin Layers. As their scores appeared, they generally correlated with their layer: higher layers meant higher scores.
“Based on the data so far, first place goes to Ji Yuanshu from the Sixth Layer, second to Gongshu Jin from the Fourth Layer, third to Ying Xin, fourth…”
But then, his gaze sharpened slightly.
A name shot up the rankings like a rocket, surpassing Gongshu Jin from the Fourth Layer and now rivaling Ji Yuanshu from the Sixth Layer.
“Zhang Yu.”
“From the First Layer.”
Li Mingbo remembered this name. Zhang Yu was one of the three First Layer students who always sat in the last row of class.
“Last semester, his Magic Power scores barely kept pace with Gongshu Jin’s. How has he suddenly become comparable to Ji Yuanshu this semester?”
Li Mingbo stared in disbelief. “A First Layer student… catching up to the level of a Sixth Layer student?”
During the physical strength exam, under the awestruck gazes of everyone present, two figures shot out like lightning bolts, refusing to yield an inch to each other as they crisscrossed and darted across the complex Simulation Battlefield. Neither could shake off the other.
One of these figures was Zhang Yu.
At that moment, his vital energy boiled within him, his blood surging like molten lava. He had pushed the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art to its absolute limit, instantly boosting his physical strength by 1.5 levels to an astonishing 17.38.
Fueled by this berserk physical enhancement, his speed reached unprecedented heights. Even his full suit of Secret Steel No. 20 felt weightless to his senses.
Simultaneously, he split his focus, controlling his body’s movements while also commanding several Formless Warriors. Aided by his Third Eye Mystic Power and Time-Worn Demonic Eye, these warriors intercepted the various attacks launched by the Simulation Battlefield’s defenses.
Yet even with this formidable combination of strength and strategy, he found himself unable to surpass Ji Yuanshu ahead.
“This guy… he’s so fast.”
“He’s got way too many Bionics boosting his speed.”
“Looks like I still can’t beat him in this test.”
Zhang Yu was already accustomed to this. Speed had never been his forte; his current blistering pace was entirely the result of brute-forcing his base stats and sheer physical strength.
“The real test of our standings will be the construction exam,” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “After this semester of relentless training, my meticulously honed construction skills are my greatest strength.”
Zhang Yu had already learned that the Civil Engineering Department’s final exam each academic year would be the most challenging, carry the highest weight in Comprehensive Points, and have the greatest impact on the class rankings.
Meanwhile, behind Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu, Gongshu Jin’s entire body crackled with surging Gang Qi, his streamlined frame tearing through the atmosphere with relentless speed.
Yet even with all four of his Bionics specifically swapped for a displacement-boosting set, he could only watch helplessly as the two figures ahead of him pulled further and further away, until even the flashing ranking numbers above their heads disappeared from view.
Gongshu Jin’s eyes burned with resentment. “How is this possible? How could the gap widen even further?!”
Over the past semester, he had maxed out his loans and burned through Spirit Coins, investing in separate Bionic sets for Magic Power cultivation, physical strength training, and specialized exam preparations.
He had meticulously planned every second of his daily training, leaving no time wasted.
“Why? Why can’t I catch up to them despite all this effort?!”
“How much money did they even spend?”
As each examination progressed, Ji Yuanshu and Zhang Yu gradually became the focal point of attention for all the students in the class.
Especially after witnessing their repeated neck-and-neck performances in the Examination Fields, or repeatedly watching Zhang Yu chase after Ji Yuanshu’s shadow, the students realized that the title of Freshman Class Champion would be decided between these two.
And based on the current situation…
Ying Xin analyzed, “Ji Yuanshu’s chances of winning are probably much higher.”
“After all, at the end of last semester, his Comprehensive Points were already 27 points ahead of Zhang Yu’s.”
“Even if his lead over Zhang Yu isn’t significant in this final exam, it will be extremely difficult for Zhang Yu to surpass him.”
Yu Xinghan watched Zhang Yu, who had ultimately failed to overtake Ji Yuanshu in the Speed Examination Field, and let out a soft sigh of relief. “Thank goodness, Zhang Yu didn’t overtake Ji Yuanshu.”
“That was terrifying! I thought he was really going to snatch the class champion title.”
Yu Xinghan couldn’t even imagine how agonizing it would be to see Zhang Yu defeat Ji Yuanshu and leave him so far behind…
That would be far more agonizing than seeing his best friend use the Time-Worn Demonic Eye.
While the students could only speculate vaguely, the teachers, who had access to the scores behind the scenes, had a much clearer grasp of the situation.
Tu Lishan had been meticulously tracking both Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu’s scores after each exam, calculating the changes in their Comprehensive Points.
As he crunched the numbers, he murmured to himself, “Overall, Zhang Yu’s foundational data has actually approached Ji Yuanshu’s level?”
“Incredible.”
But then he considered the sheer volume of medication Zhang Yu had consumed this semester and couldn’t help but marvel that Zhang Yu was still alive at all.
“His constitution is even more remarkable than he lets on. He truly deserves priority cultivation.”
“Ah, what a pity. If he were from the upper strata — even just the Second Layer — he might have surpassed Ji Yuanshu in this exam.”
Just as Tu Lishan had observed, Ji Yuanshu sensed the same shift.
As he watched the notifications from the Qi Luck Monitor, observing his win rate steadily climbing, he seemed to already envision the throne of class champion falling beneath him.
However, defeating Zhang Yu had always felt like his due.
After all, under the Qi Luck surveillance, he had consistently observed his opponents’ extremely low win rates.
What concerned him wasn’t defeating Zhang Yu, but rather whether to double down on his investment now that victory was assured.
After all, he was still far from achieving the 100-point lead his master had demanded.
“When others are fearful, I am greedy.”
Recalling the famous adage from the Finance Department, Ji Yuanshu instantly made up his mind.
“Now is precisely the moment when Zhang Yu, Gongshu Jin, and the entire class are thoroughly intimidated by my strength, consumed by fear.”
Ji Yuanshu knew that accumulating Qi Luck wasn’t easy, especially for a Freshman like him.
“I must seize this opportunity to further condense Qi Luck, solidify my position as the class leader, and lay the groundwork for cultivating the Qi Luck Dao Technique later.”
“Moreover, this will further enhance my strength. Even if I can’t exceed 100 points, I’ll surpass the target by as much as possible.”
He @mentioned Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin in the group chat again.
Ji Yuanshu: “Gentlemen, unleash your full potential in the remaining exams. Make it more entertaining for me.”
As soon as he sent the message, Ji Yuanshu felt wisps of Qi Luck flowing toward him from various directions.
It was the collective faith of his classmates.
Throughout today’s exams, he had become like an undefeated general, each victory anchoring the words “certain victory” in the students’ hearts.
This was the convergence of human will, the return of Qi Luck to its rightful place.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the copper coin magical artifact gently swayed, having already suppressed all the gathered Qi Luck and begun enhancing his various attributes.
“The Dao of Qi Luck demands flowing with the current.”
“By skillfully manipulating public opinion through displays of power, subtle pressure, and strategic promotion, one can harness Qi Luck.”
“Cultivation fuels momentum, and momentum in turn nourishes cultivation.”
“In this virtuous cycle, one’s power grows ceaselessly.”
“Ultimately… one becomes the momentum itself.”
Ji Yuanshu believed that by seizing first place in the class, he had already become an unstoppable force.
As for Qi Luck backlash?
Ji Yuanshu couldn’t even conceive of the possibility of defeat.
Because even before the final exam, he still led Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin in Comprehensive Points.
“Those two have no chance now.”
“I’ll secure even more Comprehensive Points in the final exam.”
In the simulated construction site, the Foundation Establishment Class students gathered for their final exam.
Tu Lishan stood before them and began, “To make the exam more practical and objectively assess your professional skills, the department has reformed the testing system since last year.”
“Today, we’re integrating all professional skill assessments into a single exam. You’ll be evaluated through real-world scenarios on Engineering Formation Drafting, Architectural Blueprint Reading, Building Materials, Construction Engineering Surveying… and your comprehensive construction capabilities.”
“After all, practical skills are paramount in the Civil Engineering Department.”
“Today is the day to demonstrate what you’ve learned in your freshman year.”
As he spoke, blueprints materialized in everyone’s Bionic Eyes.
Tu Lishan gestured to the left side of the simulated construction site. “To your left are all the building materials available for this exam.”
“You have thirty minutes to select and transport the materials you need.”
“To your right are your individually assigned construction sites.”
“Within the thirty-minute timeframe, select and transport as many materials as possible to your site.”
“But once the thirty minutes are up, you cannot leave your construction site.”
“Afterward, you’ll have three hours to construct according to the blueprints.”
“After three hours, everyone, regardless of completion, must immediately stop work and leave their sites.”
“Your projects will then be evaluated based on completion rate.”
“Finally, all construction sites will uniformly face ten waves of simulated attacks.”
“The performance of your projects during these ten waves will also determine your final exam score.”