Chapter 75: Top Ten

Jiang Xincheng did not agree to Wang Xiaoyu’s request. He was not familiar with this girl, and they had no previous interactions. He also had no intention of developing any improper relationship with Wang Xiaoyu, so he decided it was best not to provoke her.

After being rejected by Jiang Xincheng, Wang Xiaoyu pouted and left the stage unhappily. Jiang Xincheng won easily, stepped down from the stage, and waited for the next match to begin.

Soon, the 208 freshmen from the College of Computer Management and Science who advanced to the second round were announced. Once a student entered the second round, their Combat Proficiency Test score would be at least 15 points. Next, the 208 students would compete to narrow down to 104.

Jiang Xincheng drew number 36, which was relatively early, but his match would not start until the next day. So, Jiang Xincheng left the freshman stage of the College of Computer Management and Science and returned to his rented room to continue cultivating his Primordial Force.

The next day, the sun rose, and a gentle breeze brushed his face—another beautiful day. Jiang Xincheng arrived at the stage and waited for about an hour before it was his turn to compete.

This time, Jiang Xincheng’s opponent was an acquaintance, Wang Feng, who was also in Freshman Class Six. Wang Feng’s strength was only at the Late Muscle-Tempering Stage. When he saw that his opponent was Jiang Xincheng, he smiled bitterly and said, “Oh no, this is too unlucky. I thought I could at least make it into the top few dozen, but I didn’t expect to run into you.”

“Sorry, this isn’t the result I wanted either,” Jiang Xincheng said with a smile.

Wang Feng shook his head and sighed, “Well, I guess I’m just unlucky. There’s a whole realm between us—how can I even fight? I surrender. Let’s have a meal together sometime.”

“Sure, it’s on me,” Jiang Xincheng replied.

Wang Feng nodded and left the stage dejectedly. Among the freshmen, very few had reached the Tendon Training Realm; most were still in the Muscle Training Realm. So, when facing Jiang Xincheng, who was at the Late Tendon Training Stage, there was simply no hope of winning, and they had no choice but to admit defeat.

Jiang Xincheng advanced once again, becoming one of the top 104 students. This result was not unexpected. Jiang Xincheng’s Combat Proficiency Test score increased by another ten points, bringing his total to 25 points.

Afterward, Jiang Xincheng drew lots again. For the 104 to 52 matchups, he drew number 7, an even earlier number. Once he finished drawing, Jiang Xincheng left. His match would not take place until the next day.

On the third day, Jiang Xincheng only waited about ten minutes before it was his turn to compete. This time, his opponent was fairly decent—a Primordial Warrior at the Early Tendon Refining Stage. However, upon hearing that Jiang Xincheng was at the Late Tendon Training Stage, this student also surrendered without even attempting to fight.

All the students felt the same way. With a gap of two minor stages and such a difference in Primordial Force, what was the point of fighting? This student had not practiced any practical combat skills either, so he did not entertain the idea of challenging someone of a higher realm. Upon realizing Jiang Xincheng was so much stronger, he surrendered immediately.

Situations like this occurred frequently on the stage, which led many observing students to feel that the so-called Combat Proficiency Test was just a repeat of the Primordial Force realm assessment and not very interesting.

After this victory, Jiang Xincheng became one of the top 52 elite freshmen in the College of Computer Management and Science. His Combat Proficiency Test score reached 30 points, very close to a perfect score.

Subsequently, Jiang Xincheng drew lots again and got number 20, the second-to-last match.

On the fourth day, Jiang Xincheng waited a little over an hour before his match began. His opponent in the 52 to 21 round was still not very strong—also at the Early Tendon Refining Stage. This one exchanged a couple of moves with Jiang Xincheng, saying he wanted to see the strength of a Late Tendon Training Stage Primordial Warrior. This opponent had learned a bit of Taekwondo combat skills, but it was not nearly enough.

Jiang Xincheng used only two moves, and even then, he was holding back, to defeat this opponent and smoothly advance into the top 21. If he could win just one more match, Jiang Xincheng would enter the top ten freshmen of the College of Computer Management and Science, qualifying to represent the college’s freshmen in the All-School Martial Examination. This would give him a chance to catch the attention of the Flourishing Tang Empire, prove his strength, and successfully join the empire.

The match took place that same afternoon. One of the participating students had to withdraw automatically due to severe injuries, so only 20 freshmen participated in the competition.

This time, Jiang Xincheng finally encountered a real opponent—a Primordial Warrior who, like him, was at the Late Tendon Training Stage. This student was dark-skinned and sturdy, named Li Hu. Among the freshmen, his nickname was “Mad Tiger.” Not only did he have good cultivation talent, but his combat skills were also quite strong. It was said that he had frequently been involved in street fights since high school and had continued until now, so his skills were genuine, making him an absolute combat expert.

The student who had withdrawn from the competition was the one he had severely injured on the stage, forcing them to drop out.

“I heard you’re the biggest dark horse among the freshmen in the College of Computer Management and Science this year, and also the most famous student. You went from being a waste to a genius in just a few months?” Upon seeing Jiang Xincheng, Li Hu said with a mocking tone.

Jiang Xincheng smiled and replied, “It was just luck.”

“That’s probably true. You were just lucky, and such a great opportunity was wasted on you,” Li Hu said arrogantly, a look of pity flashing across his face, which made Jiang Xincheng frown.

Li Hu said coldly, “Since you know it’s just luck, you should surrender now. Otherwise, I might not hold back and end up severely injuring you. You must have heard of my reputation. A Primordial Warrior like you, who only knows how to cultivate diligently, is no match for a combat-oriented Primordial Warrior like me. To avoid humiliation, you should step down on your own.”

“Um…” Jiang Xincheng had not expected Li Hu to be so arrogant. He raised his eyebrows and said, “You? You’re not qualified to make me surrender.”

“What?” Li Hu’s expression changed at Jiang Xincheng’s words. “You actually said I’m not qualified to make you surrender? Fine, you’ve got guts. You probably didn’t see the student whose legs I broke yesterday, did you? She was Liu Lan, a beauty from Freshman Class One. I don’t even hold back against women who don’t surrender, let alone a lucky brat like you. Get off the stage!”

With a fierce roar, Li Hu formed his right hand into a fist and heavily struck toward Jiang Xincheng’s chest. His speed was extremely fast, like a flash of lightning, as he aimed to knock Jiang Xincheng off the stage with one move and win the match.

Watching Li Hu’s lightning-fast punch, Jiang Xincheng nodded slightly. Although this guy was arrogant, cruel, and ruthless, his strength was indeed good. This punch was not only fast but also stable, accurate, and ruthless—truly worthy of a combat expert who grew up in street fights.

However, Jiang Xincheng was not afraid in the slightest. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as he also formed his hand into a fist. Without dodging or avoiding, he met Li Hu’s punch with the same stability, accuracy, and ruthlessness.