Chapter 6: The Storm After the Test – Rising Fame and Unexpected Reactions

The military school assessment at Huangcheng First High quickly spread.

There were tons of posts online, and some students had secretly brought their phones to capture the scene.

Students from other high schools came to watch and asked, “Who is this? It doesn’t look like Fang Chuyun.”

“Fang Chuyun only scored 85 points!”

“Wow, you guys at First High are really something now, calling 85 points ‘only’?”

“Well, this student, Li Yang, scored 90 points in physique value!”

“!!!”

The post was filled with exclamation marks and an endless stream of shocked emojis.

Someone hesitantly asked, “What about Yu Hongyuan? How many points did he get?”

“Uh… no one really paid attention.

Probably above 83?”

This comment was quickly drowned out.

Who cared about a mere 80-something score?

Everyone’s eyes were glued to that jaw-dropping 90 points.

“Li Yang? Never heard of her.

How did she get such a high score?”

“I heard that she used to be pretty average and unremarkable, but after taking half a year off from school, she came back completely transformed!”

“That’s not just a break; that’s full-on special training!”

“Maybe she had some sort of lucky encounter?”

“Ah! I got it! She must be the long-lost granddaughter of a Grandmaster.

She reconnected with her family during this break, unlocked her hidden potential, and that’s how she suddenly reached 90 points!”

“Wake up, man. That trope is so overused.

Every novel that tries it flops.”

While the internet was in a frenzy, Principal Sun and Chen Xiangrong were questioning Li Yang in the school office.

“Which fitness center did you go to during these six months?”

“I didn’t go to any fitness center.

I was working.”

“Then where did you work?”

Li Yang had the original owner’s memories, so she casually listed a few places.

The original owner had dropped out of high school, was introverted, and wasn’t good at communication.

Most of the jobs she found were labor-intensive, which eventually caused her already weak body to collapse.

“All physical labor, huh…” Chen Xiangrong muttered.

Principal Sun’s eyes lit up.

“See! Practical experience leads to real results!”

Chen Xiangrong nodded.

“Looks like we need to increase students’ practical training.

We can’t just rely on fitness centers…”

Li Yang: “…”

Sure, whatever you say.

She wasn’t going to say much.

In this situation, the more she spoke, the more mistakes she could make.

Rather than giving a random explanation that might raise suspicion, it was better to just tell the truth.

Once they convinced themselves with their own theories, they would believe in them even more.

Chen Xiangrong asked, “Why did you take a break from school?”

Li Yang lowered her gaze and replied calmly, “My grandmother passed away.

I had to support myself.”

Chen Xiangrong glanced at Principal Sun, who quickly said, “In your situation, you can apply for financial aid.

It’s enough to support you until the college entrance exam.”

Li Yang continued, “My grades aren’t good.

Taking the exam wouldn’t do much for me.”

Every word she spoke was the truth, and it could stand up to any investigation.

Despite her tragic background, Li Yang didn’t deliberately play the victim.

She sat straight on the sofa, her posture upright, exuding confidence and dignity.

She gave off the impression of someone far more mature than her peers, making people feel both admiration and sympathy.

Children from poor families grow up fast.

The girl in front of them was the perfect example of that saying.

Chen Xiangrong had a sudden thought and asked, “Were you close to your grandmother?”

The question was a bit intrusive, but Principal Sun didn’t dare interrupt.

Li Yang replied, “My parents passed away early.

My grandmother raised me alone.

She was sick for a long time, but she refused to get checked because she was saving money for my tuition.

That’s why…”

As she spoke, her eyes turned red, and she couldn’t continue.

Chen Xiangrong immediately said, “I didn’t mean to be rude.

It’s just that some research studies suggest that certain teenagers experience a sudden awakening of potential after major life upheavals, resulting in a physique value far beyond their normal limits.”

Li Yang: “…?”

That’s a thing?

Well, it turned out that letting professionals do the explaining really was the best choice.

As long as she didn’t say too much, someone else would do the work for her.

Principal Sun quickly added, “That’s true!

Last year, there was a case like this in Xihuai Province.

That student’s parents died in a car accident, and both…”

Chen Xiangrong cut him off and turned back to Li Yang.

“Did your body start changing after your grandmother passed away?”

Li Yang lowered her eyes.

“Yes.”

Growing weaker was also a change, after all.

Chen Xiangrong asked again, “Is that why you took on so many physically demanding jobs?”

Li Yang answered honestly, “Teacher, those were the only jobs I could find.”

Chen Xiangrong frowned.

“But if your body was weak, how did you manage those jobs?”

Li Yang: “…”

Alright, clearly this man had never suffered hardship in his life.

By the time the original owner of this body reached that stage, there was no room to be picky.

As long as she could earn a little money and eat, that was enough.

The more Chen Xiangrong thought about it, the more his theory made sense.

He concluded, “So it seems that the loss of her closest relative triggered an awakening in Li Yang.

Her body began secondary development, and her decision to take on so much manual labor only helped reinforce her physique…”

At that moment, Principal Sun’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it, then looked up at Li Yang in surprise.

“Did you, a few days ago, clear a mutant four-leaf clover?”

Back when Li Yang had taken her test the night before, Principal Sun had sent people to investigate her background.

Now, the report was coming in.

Her act of chopping up that massive four-leaf clover had actually caused quite a stir in her neighborhood.

The next morning, when the residents saw how clear the main road was, they all marveled, “She really did chop it down!”

“If you put in the effort, you can achieve anything!

This girl is destined for great things!”

By the time the school’s investigators asked around, the neighborhood residents were eager to share, hyping up Li Yang as if she were a legendary hero.

It was a great thing!

That mutant four-leaf clover had been blocking the road for ages, and Li Yang had finally taken care of it.

The residents were grateful.

They just didn’t have the means to thank her in material ways, so they expressed their appreciation through endless praise.

And of course, as the story spread, it got more and more exaggerated.

By the time it reached Principal Sun, it had turned into

“Li Yang, you chopped that massive four-leaf clover down with a single axe strike?!”

Li Yang: “…”

Come on, neighbors, at least keep it somewhat believable!

She quickly corrected, “No, it took me a long time.”

Chen Xiangrong asked, “What made you decide to clear out a mutant plant?”

Li Yang replied, “After my grandmother passed, my neighbors helped me a lot.

I wanted to do something for them, so I cleared the plant that was blocking the main road.”

Hearing this, Principal Sun and Chen Xiangrong’s gazes toward her became even softer and more approving.

What a responsible, reliable child!

No wonder she had been blessed with good fortune!

Li Yang paused before adding, “Teachers, I don’t think I was the one who actually cleared it.”

“Oh?”

Li Yang mentioned He Song, a Zhongdu Military Academy assistant instructor.

If she could use his name, why not?

After she finished speaking, Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun exchanged glances, seeing the same realization in each other’s eyes

This girl had a major opportunity ahead of her.

Chen Xiangrong asked, “This He Song… how old is he?”

Li Yang replied, “Very young.”

“Twenty-something? Not yet thirty?”

“Yes, he looks younger than thirty.”

Li Yang didn’t understand the significance of this information, but Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun certainly did.

To become a teacher at Zhongdu Military Academy, even at the assistant level, one had to be at least a third-rank Star Wielder.

A third-rank Star Wielder in their twenties…

A prodigy!

The Fang family had been elated when they produced Fang Suyun.

If He Song were in Huangcheng, he would undoubtedly be a major figure as well.

Li Yang added, “Teacher He is a very kind person.

He said the four-leaf clover had a bounty, so he gave me 10,000 yuan as a reward.”

Chen Xiangrong and Principal Sun: “!”

10,000 yuan wasn’t a significant amount.

But this He Song had clearly recognized Li Yang’s physique value and extended an olive branch, just waiting for her to enroll in Zhongdu Military Academy!

Chen Xiangrong had asked all he needed to and felt like he had found a rare gem.

He spoke sincerely, “Li Yang, make sure to rest well and maintain a good diet.

As long as you perform steadily in the combat assessment next week, you’ll be fine.”

Principal Sun suddenly thought of something and said, “Li Yang, would you like to move into the school’s apartment building?

It would also make it easier for you to train at the campus fitness center.”

Huangcheng First High had student dormitories, but the conditions in the eight-person rooms were too poor.

Principal Sun was worried that Li Yang would be uncomfortable there.

But Li Yang’s home conditions were even worse.

The investigators had already sent photos of her nearly empty house.

When Principal Sun saw them, he felt both heartbroken and concerned.

If other high schools found out about her situation and tried to recruit her, what if she transferred?

A prodigy like this needed to be protected.

Chen Xiangrong could see through Principal Sun’s thoughts but chose not to expose them.

It didn’t matter which school Li Yang attended she was still a talent of Donghua Province!

Principal Sun continued, “Don’t worry.

The school’s apartment building is occupied by teachers, so it’s very safe.

The living conditions are also excellent.

After you pass the combat assessment, you’ll need to catch up on academic subjects, and living on campus will make that easier.”

Li Yang thought for a moment and realized that moving to the school would be a good idea.

Heqing Community was a bit far from school, and she had too many acquaintances there.

Before, no one paid attention to her.

But now, with her physique value reaching 90, people might start coming to “interview” her.

If any familiar faces noticed something unusual, it would be hard to explain.

Moving out was a good idea.

Living at school would indeed be safer and more convenient.

Li Yang expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Principal.”

Principal Sun arranged for a female teacher in her thirties to drive Li Yang to Heqing Community to handle the moving process.

In the outskirts of Huangcheng, inside a quaint, old-fashioned villa.

Fang Chuyun stood up and declared, “I’m moving to Heqing Community!”

Fang Xiyuan looked at his daughter.

Fang Chuyun said firmly, “Not only that, but starting tomorrow, I’m going to do part-time labor.”

Fang Xiyuan knew his daughter’s stubborn nature all too well.

She must have read about Li Yang’s experiences and felt inspired.

Since “real knowledge comes from practice” and “great talents emerge from hardship,” she was determined to immerse herself in a tough life!

Fang Xiyuan shut down her idea with a single sentence:

“What’s the rush?

Li Yang awakened her potential because she suffered a severe emotional blow from losing her closest relative.

If you really want the same experience, then wait until I die.”

Fang Chuyun: “…”

In Huangcheng’s most luxurious villa district.

Yu Hongyuan returned home and immediately burst into tears.

He was furious absolutely livid.

By the time he finally took his test, everyone had already left the field!

When the instructor announced his “86” points, it sounded as if he had only scored a “68.”

He had prepared for three years, eagerly anticipating this moment.

How… how had someone else stolen the spotlight?!

A sharp-dressed woman in a leather jacket walked in and slapped him across the face.

“What are you crying for?!”

Yu Hongyuan clutched his face and looked up.

“Mom, I finally secured 86 points, but then…”

Yu Zhiying stared at him coldly.

Yu Hongyuan shivered and said, “It’s all Li Yang’s fault!

She ruined everything!

I’m going to”

Before he could finish, Yu Zhiying slapped him again.

“What are you going to do?

Are you seriously thinking of bullying her?

How did I give birth to such an idiot?!

Is your head just an empty shell?!”

Yu Hongyuan didn’t dare make another sound.

Yu Zhiying tossed a bank card onto the table.

“Starting tomorrow, I want you to get along with Li Yang.

I don’t expect you to become her friend, but at the very least, be her follower!”

Yu Hongyuan: “???”

His face was full of disbelief.

Yu Zhiying knocked him on the head again.

“Use your brain for once!

A physique value of 90!

Li Yang is either the lost descendant of a Grandmaster or someone who had an extraordinary stroke of luck!

Either way, her future is limitless!

Before she rises to the top, we need to invest in her early it’s a guaranteed win!”

Yu Hongyuan sat there, dumbfounded.

He mumbled, “That… that seems like an exaggeration…”

Yu Zhiying was so furious that her liver hurt.

“If I were thirty years younger, I would’ve already befriended her myself!

You wouldn’t even get the chance!”

Yu Hongyuan sulkily picked up the bank card but was extremely reluctant.

She wanted him to be Li Yang’s follower?

Why?

He was only… four points below her in physique value.

His mom was overreacting.

From what he had heard, 90-point physique values were everywhere in Zhongdu.

It wasn’t that special.