Chapter 5: Li Yang’s Awakening – The Rise of an Unseen Prodigy

Li Yang didn’t like lying unless absolutely necessary, so she replied, “Yes.”

Yu Hongyuan was asking if her physique value had reached 65 points.

It definitely had.

Yu Hongyuan looked her up and down and then asked, “You look different from before.

Did you take a break from school to train?”

Li Yang replied, “Yes.”

After all, working hard to earn money was also a form of training.

Yu Hongyuan said, “The results are great! Which fitness center did you go to?”

A fitness center was a specialized place where people trained to improve their physique value, somewhat similar to the gyms in Li Yang’s world.

However, the training intensity was much higher, the number of attendees was larger, and the fees were more expensive.

A single private coaching session was said to start at four figures.

Li Yang shook her head and said, “I don’t have money.

I can’t afford to go to a fitness center.”

Yu Hongyuan hesitated for a moment before realizing that Li Yang’s financial situation was poor.

She was even classified as a financially disadvantaged student.

Li Yang didn’t say anything more.

She simply smiled politely and turned away.

However, in Yu Hongyuan’s eyes, that smile looked like loneliness and embarrassment.

Comparing people really was a cruel thing.

Li Yang had worked her hardest to train, yet she had only reached 65 points.

Meanwhile, Yu Hongyuan, although he had also trained diligently, had benefited significantly from the effects of the Condensed Soul Pill.

When the physique value was below 80 points, the pill could easily increase it by 10 points.

One Condensed Soul Pill cost 1 million Huaxia currency, while the girl in front of him couldn’t even afford to go to a fitness center.

Yu Hongyuan sighed in his heart.

“It’s all fate.”

Li Yang’s turn for the test was approaching.

This wasn’t what she had expected.

She was indeed one of the last to be tested, but the number of people on the field hadn’t decreased.

The main reason was the person behind her.

Yu Hongyuan was a well-known figure at Huangcheng First High School.

He loved being in the spotlight, and now he was determined to dazzle everyone at the last moment.

The crowd had already heard some rumors.

They knew that he had boosted his physique value to 86 points using the Condensed Soul Pill.

However, whether he could maintain that score was uncertain, especially during the official test, where nerves could easily cause a drop of one or two points.

Fang Chuyun’s score was stable at 85 points.

If Yu Hongyuan surpassed 85 points, he would undoubtedly become the focus of this year’s class at Huangcheng First High.

If he only reached 85 points, then… given that he had relied on the pill, most people would still favor Fang Chuyun.

These two had been competing since their first year of high school.

After three years, they were finally about to determine a winner.

Naturally, everyone was looking forward to it.

So… not only had none of the students left, but even more students from other grades, along with some teachers, had come over to watch.

Seeing more and more people gathering, Li Yang felt troubled.

She couldn’t help but turn back and suggest to Yu Hongyuan, “Why don’t you go first?”

Yu Hongyuan, basking in the attention, puffed out his chest and said, “No, I want to be the finale!”

Li Yang reminded him, “The finale is actually the second-to-last position.”

Yu Hongyuan was confused.

“Huh? Isn’t the finale the last one?”

Someone nearby chuckled and said, “Yu Hongyuan, the finale is the second-to-last spot.”

Li Yang looked at Yu Hongyuan and sincerely said, “So, you should go first.”

If he finished his test, maybe the spectators would disperse… hopefully.

Yu Hongyuan got flustered and snapped, “No! I insist on being last!”

The previous student had finished their test, and the testing instructor was already watching them impatiently.

Li Yang made one last effort.

“Yu, this position is actually the finale.”

She emphasized the last two words.

Yu Hongyuan stiffened and said, “Rules are dead, but people are alive.

As long as I appear, no matter when, I am the finale!”

Li Yang: “…”

She had tried her best.

The instructor was losing patience.

“Hurry up! Stop wasting time!”

He had been working all day and was too exhausted to tolerate delays.

Li Yang strode up to the testing machine.

The machine didn’t take up much space; it looked like a punching column.

The top was a cylindrical punching bag, and the base was a solid iron block, very sturdy.

The testing method was simple students just had to punch the column.

The punching time was two minutes, after which the sensors on the cylinder would accurately evaluate the physique value.

The original owner of this body had never tested her physique value before, so this was also Li Yang’s first time.

However, she had observed for a long time and simulated it countless times in her mind.

She shouldn’t make any mistakes.

Li Yang couldn’t afford to hold back too much.

If she didn’t reach 83 points, it would be embarrassing.

So far, all the test results had fluctuated within one or two points, but the students were all punching with full force.

No one was deliberately restraining their strength.

Luckily, the test allowed two attempts.

If the first result was below 83 points, she could go all out on the second try.

A score of 90 would attract attention, but she couldn’t miss the opportunity to apply to the Zhongdu Military Academy.

Provincial Education Bureau official Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun also walked over.

They weren’t here for Li Yang; they were waiting to see Yu Hongyuan’s test.

An 86-point physique value was quite impressive and worth observing.

When they approached, the other instructors who had finished their testing duties also came over.

Suddenly, many people were gathered.

Some students whispered, “Li Yang is so unlucky to be tested right before Yu Hongyuan.

If I were surrounded by this many people, I’d be too nervous to function.”

“Yeah, at least I managed to perform stably and scored 65 points.”

“Hopefully, she won’t be too affected…”

While they were talking, Li Yang began punching.

She struck the punching column with a heavy blow, causing the testing instructor to freeze for a moment.

Li Yang didn’t pause and continued throwing punches.

Chen Xiangrong had initially been focused on Yu Hongyuan, but hearing the sound, he turned to look and was instantly shocked.

Principal Sun also noticed something unusual.

He quickly walked to the testing screen, his eyes widening in astonishment, his face turning red.

“This… this…”

The other students couldn’t tell much.

They only noticed that Li Yang’s punches were steady, without looking like she was using much force, yet the punching column was producing deep, resonant sounds.

“She seems pretty strong… This should be at least 70 points, right?”

“Why do I feel like she might be even stronger than Fang Chuyun…”

“Shut up! Fang Chuyun is unbeatable!”

Fang Chuyun also turned to look, her brows furrowing.

She walked toward the testing machine.

The screen showed numbers fluctuating wildly.

“80, 86, 83, 82, 88, 88, 88, 90…”

Each punch had an individual score, but the final value was calculated using a complex formula.

When the 90 points appeared on the screen, everyone who saw it was shocked.

Principal Sun gasped sharply, looking like he needed emergency heart medicine.

Chen Xiangrong was also stunned.

He even took off his glasses and wiped them repeatedly, afraid that he had seen wrong.

The instructor in charge of Li Yang’s test was sweating profusely.

What the hell?!

How could this girl’s physique value be so high?!

Could the machine be malfunctioning?!

The two-minute punching session ended, and the testing machine emitted a notification sound: “Evaluating results, please wait.”

Li Yang felt a little anxious.

How many points would it be?

Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too high.

The machine announced the result, and its monotonous mechanical voice left everyone at the scene utterly stunned.

“Name: Li Yang, Student ID: 20241224001.

Physique value detected: 88 points.”

The entire field crowded in.

They had originally come to watch Yu Hongyuan’s test, but now…

Everyone was completely shaken by this 88-point physique value.

Hundreds of people stood in dead silence.

The instructor gulped nervously and said, “Li… Li Yang, you…”

Chen Xiangrong suddenly said, “Test again!”

The instructor seemed to realize something and quickly agreed.

“Yes! Director Chen is right! This machine has been used for too long, it might be inaccurate.

Let’s test again to confirm…”

“What nonsense!” Chen Xiangrong snapped.

“The machine is fine!

Her physique value can go even higher!”

Not everyone had seen the test screen earlier, but Chen Xiangrong had been watching carefully.

For a brief moment, Li Yang had displayed a physique value of 90!

Principal Sun also reacted quickly and said, “That’s right!

Test again!

I saw 90 flash on the screen earlier!

She still has one more test attempt!

Li Yang, don’t be nervous.

Try again…”

If Huangcheng First High produced a ‘prodigy,’ next year, the provincial education bureau would increase their funding by at least 30%.

More than that…

Principal Sun had been stuck in his position for years.

If a student with a 90 physique value appeared under his tenure, he might have a chance at a promotion!

Thinking about this, Principal Sun couldn’t help but get excited.

He continued, “If your physique value stabilizes at 90, after the practical exam, the school will arrange elite teachers to tutor you in academics…”

Academic tutoring, huh…

But Li Yang was fairly confident in her studies.

88 points were already good enough for her.

She didn’t want to reach 90.

Li Yang smiled politely and replied, “Principal, I’ve already done my best.

Testing again may not necessarily give a higher result.”

Hearing this, Principal Sun looked disappointed.

But he was a seasoned educator with experience.

After thinking for a moment, he understood.

Li Yang’s family background was ordinary if she came from an influential background, he would have known.

For her, an 88 physique value was already an incredible achievement.

If she reached 90, she might feel like she was drawing too much attention.

Yu Hongyuan could afford to be flashy because his family supported him.

Li Yang clearly didn’t have that kind of backing.

But Principal Sun didn’t want to miss this opportunity.

88 points were good, but 90 points would be even better!

Not only was Principal Sun anxious, but Chen Xiangrong was too.

The province had a quota every year, they needed to produce a few ‘prodigies’ for military enrollment.

This wasn’t just about reporting to the central bureau.

It was about strengthening the future of Donghua Province.

‘Prodigy’ students tended to go further in life.

If one of them became a Grandmaster, they would eventually give back to their hometown, benefiting the entire province.

In today’s world, the most valuable resource was talent!

Principal Sun wanted a promotion, but so did Chen Xiangrong.

Chen Xiangrong immediately asked, “Principal Sun, does Huangcheng City provide rewards and support for students who reach 90 physique value?”

Principal Sun quickly replied, “Yes!

Any student who gets into Zhongdu Military Academy receives a 100,000 yuan reward.

If they enroll as a ‘prodigy’ with a 90 physique value, the city provides an additional 100,000 yuan!”

Li Yang: “…”

It was obvious this was meant to entice her.

And yet, she found it very tempting.

Chen Xiangrong added, “Our Donghua Province values talent above all.

So, the provincial government also offers a reward.

If a student’s initial physique value reaches 90 and they pass the practical exam, the province will award an additional 300,000 yuan.”

Li Yang: “!”

She wasn’t blinded by money.

She carefully weighed the pros and cons.

From what Principal Sun had said earlier, it was clear that the 90 points had already been exposed.

If that was the case, there was no point in hiding it.

Besides, while a 90 physique value was rare in Donghua Province, across the entire country, there were still plenty of students with the same score.

It wasn’t enough to get her locked up for research.

As for whether standing out would invite jealousy or trouble…

Well, there wasn’t much difference between 88 and 90 points in that regard.

She was just a poor girl.

Why should she refuse free money?!

With all eyes on her, Li Yang prepared for her second test.

Ironically, she was the least nervous person in the entire crowd.

Everyone else seemed to be holding their breath, especially Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun, who clenched their fists and stared at the screen without blinking.

“89, 88, 89, 88, 90, 90, 90…”

The consistent 90s made the testing instructor’s hands tremble.

Principal Sun wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“Very stable.”

Chen Xiangrong let out a deep breath and sighed with genuine admiration.

“A talented student from a humble background!”

Li Yang’s situation wasn’t unique.

Every year, a few ‘prodigies’ like her emerged from military exams.

In the past, Donghua Province could only watch in envy as other provinces produced these top students.

But this year, luck was on their side!

The second test results came in.

“Name: Li Yang, Student ID: 20241224001.

Physique value detected: 90 points.”

90 points!

All eyes were on Li Yang.

Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun beamed with joy.

“Excellent! Truly excellent!”

If anyone was the most dumbfounded at this moment, it was the person next in line Yu Hongyuan.

He opened his mouth but struggled to find words.

“Wait a second…”

This wasn’t how things were supposed to go!

Wasn’t he supposed to be the main character?!