After Wan Keshan finished speaking, Li Qingshan immediately understood.
Yu Lei went first; she was clearly hand-picked by Wan Keshan.
Not only could she put on a show, but she could also conveniently teach everyone a few points.
She was simply a perfect tool!
"Next, Wu He." Wan Keshan's voice sounded.
A fairly sturdy boy stepped forward with a slightly nervous look and approached the light wall to begin the test.
Compared to Yu Lei, Wu He was much more ordinary.
Speed: 8.3 m/s
Punch Force: 173 kg
This result was at best ordinary athletic-student level.
Not only Wu He — the next twenty-odd students all posted very average scores.
Some were even much worse than Wu He.
But Wan Keshan's face remained calm, showing no concern. He merely waved them back to their places and went on to test the next student.
"Next, Jia Jiang."
Zhao Hongzhou perked up.
"Shan-ge, Jia Jiang is up."
Li Qingshan nodded and watched the figure at the light wall.
Jia Jiang was also from Class 7, at least a classmate.
Soon Jia Jiang's test results appeared.
Speed: 9.0 m/s
Punch Force: 203 kg
"Shan-ge, after Jia Jiang, is it going to be our turn?" Zhao Hongzhou clenched his fists; sweat formed on his brow.
At that moment Wan Keshan's voice sounded again.
"Next, Fang Ju."
Phew!
Zhao Hongzhou breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Li Qingshan turned to him and asked curiously, "Why are you so nervous?"
"This is only the first martial training class, just a baseline test. Didn't you see Teacher Wan didn't even record the scores?" Zhao Hongzhou whispered. "I didn't hear of baseline tests in past years for the martial class!"
He spoke low, lacking confidence. "If the results are bad, wouldn't they kick people out?"
"Relax. Your skill level is similar to Jia Jiang's. At least you're mid-to-upper tier — if there were eliminations, it wouldn't be you."
Li Qingshan patted Zhao Hongzhou's arm, then looked at several classmates who had been tested and scored near the bottom.
They all wore anxious expressions, clearly sharing Zhao Hongzhou's worry.
Li Qingshan shook his head and said calmly, "The senior-year martial class is the chance for all Old Continent high school students. Anyone can sign up and get in — that's a policy set by the Federation. They won't start kicking people out in the very first class."
After he spoke, Zhao Hongzhou grew more nervous and shut his mouth, giving Li a meaningful glance.
Huh?
Li Qingshan followed his gaze and saw Wan Keshan staring at him with a half-smile.
He could get noticed that easily?
Li Qingshan was speechless and immediately closed his mouth.
Discussion around them rose — Wan Keshan had singled him out, which indicated his perception exceeded Li's expectations.
Fortunately, he hadn't said anything bad.
"Next, Zhao Hongzhou."
Zhao Hongzhou's face tightened and he trudged forward, looking miserable. Being called out — the old teacher trick never failed.
Li Qingshan could do nothing; Zhao Hongzhou went up, and it would be his turn soon.
Zhao Hongzhou finished.
Speed: 8.9 m/s
Punch Force: 210 kg
As Li Qingshan had expected, the result was close to Jia Jiang's.
Returning to the line, Zhao Hongzhou breathed a sigh of relief and even tried to console Li Qingshan.
"Shan-ge, it's fine. A quick neck-stretching slash and it's done; super fast."
(You think you're Kun or what?)
Li Qingshan rolled his eyes and stepped forward to the light wall.
"Next, Xiong Xiuying."
Li Qingshan paused and glanced at Wan Keshan.
An iron-tower-like figure stood at the front of the line.
"Excuse me, please make way," a meek voice came from behind.
Li Qingshan withdrew his step, expressionless.
The girl shot him a slightly puzzled look and stepped forward.
One by one, students went to the light wall and returned, yet Li Qingshan still hadn't been called.
They were doing it on purpose — definitely doing it on purpose!
He recalled that half-smile and formed a deeper impression of this martial teacher.
Time ticked on; nearly half the students had been tested, yet not a single person at Body Tempering Level One had appeared — not even a specialist like Yu Lei.
The testing continued, students stepping forward and back into line.
Finally:
"Speed: 11.1 m/s, Punch Force: 252 kg — Body Tempering Level One!"
"Liang Mingyu! The first Body Tempering Level One has appeared!"
Cries of astonishment rose; many students excitedly reacted.
Under everyone's gaze, a thin young man walked from the opposite side of the arena.
He walked with his chin up, hands clasped behind his back, slowing his steps as if savoring the cheers.
When he reached the line, Liang Mingyu stopped and looked at Wan Keshan with piercing eyes.
Normally, when the first Level One appears, the teacher at least offers some commentary, right?
"Return to your place quickly!"
Wan Keshan frowned and waved.
"Next, Liu Jingya."
Liang Mingyu's expression froze. Fortunately Liu Jingya stepping out eased his embarrassment; the two seemed to know each other.
After a few words, Liang Mingyu returned to the line as Liu Jingya approached the light wall.
Zhao Hongzhou looked toward Liang Mingyu and said excitedly, "Shan-ge, Liang Mingyu is already Body Tempering Level One? I feel like your strength isn't any less than his — you must be Level One too."
"You probably... still a bit short?" Li Qingshan pinched his brow, answering uncertainly.
He had watched Liang Mingyu's test closely, and by Li's internal estimate, he could indeed perform no worse than Liang Mingyu.
But—
Li Qingshan glanced at the panel.
[Rank: Body Tempering 9/100]
If Level One was apparently achieved at 9/100, shouldn't Level Ten be 90/100?
What would the progress bar look like after that?
Could there really be an eleventh level? A Great Perfection?
More importantly, the growth in Body Tempering and punch force wasn't linear!
The later stages increased by far larger amounts!
Body Tempering Level Ten,
Speed: 50 m/s
Punch Force: 10 tons
Such speed and strength were utterly inhuman.
If there truly was an "eleventh level,"
Li Qingshan didn't know — and didn't dare imagine — how terrifying it might be.
"Shan-ge, look!"
Zhao Hongzhou's voice snapped Li Qingshan back to reality. Following his finger, Li's spirits rose.
"Hey, get in line!"
Liu Jingya finished and was returning.
Her sweat soaked through her martial uniform, outlining her figure; she walked back unsteadily.
"Shan-ge, with that body she probably isn't suited for martial training," Zhao Hongzhou frowned, watching.
Li Qingshan turned in surprise. Zhao Hongzhou's brow wrinkled as he commented, "During the speed test she almost lost her balance and nearly fell — much worse than Yu Lei."
After saying that, Zhao Hongzhou looked back as if waiting for Li's agreement.
Facing those wise eyes, Li Qingshan straightened, nodded seriously, and said, "You're right. That's what I thought too."
Testing went on, student after student.
Another Level One appeared.
Hong Qian,
Speed: 11.2 m/s
Punch Force: 255 kg
Having seen Liang Mingyu's example, Hong Qian kept a much lower profile and didn't show off.
Fewer and fewer untested students remained, yet it still hadn't been Li Qingshan's turn.
"They must have put me last on purpose," Li Qingshan guessed. He could sense Wan Keshan's mischievousness, but he didn't care much any longer.
His eyes remained fixed on the panel, glued to the Body Tempering progress bar.
Does Body Tempering really have an eleventh level?
Finally,
"Next, Li Qingshan."