C146 Blossom Lee Zi!!
Chu Yi was smiling—a smile of joy, even a bit audacious!
Watching Lee Zi, who appeared to be gracefully dancing, Chu Yi was filled with an indescribable sense of elation.
Lee Zi, bloom!
Bloom with all your might!
Let everyone witness your presence, your magnificence!
Chu Yi was well aware that Lee Zi had endured much hardship recently.
Despite her maturity and frosty demeanor, Chu Yi hadn't forgotten her true age.
Eighteen years old!
She was still just an eighteen-year-old girl!
Even Chu Yi would find the outside rumors and gossip unsettling, so one could only imagine how Lee Zi felt.
That's why, since his return, Chu Yi had insisted that Lee Zi practice cultivation with him, even going so far as to prohibit her from attending school.
His primary concern was to shield Lee Zi from the potentially harmful rumors and gossip.
Yet, Chu Yi was acutely aware that the impact of those rumors lingered.
Lee Zi was fully aware of everything, from the attitudes of the Adirang Academy's teachers to the academy's public revocation of her special enrollment status.
Chu Yi could shield her from direct encounters, but he couldn't prevent her from coming across the news online.
Despite Lee Zi's daily cheerful laughter, Chu Yi could sense the repression deep within her.
He knew that Lee Zi was not truly happy.
In less than a month, she had advanced from Bronze to Silver...
Such progress was astonishingly rapid. Even though Lee Zi had previously made a breakthrough and had a wealth of resources at her disposal, the pace was still incredibly swift.
But Lee Zi was not Chu Yi.
Lee Zi was the Five Elements Original Combat Body!
Her relentless dedication to cultivation and her drive to break through stemmed from an unyielding spirit within her.
She was determined to prove herself to all, to show those who ridiculed her—
Lee Zi was still Lee Zi!
Lee Zi was no longer the Lee Zi they knew!
She remained the exceptional Lee Zi, no longer the 'weak' Lee Zi of the past!
And now...
"Now is your moment to shine..."
At last, the assessment commenced. With increasing velocity, Lee Zi's speed surged, turning her nearly into a blur.
If Chu Yi's leisurely pace was surprising, then Lee Zi's velocity was truly astounding.
Absolutely stunning!
The speed at which Lee Zi performed was simply too fast, almost beyond imagination.
"Such speed..."
"How can this be possible?"
"It can't be, it just can't!"
"Wasn't Lee Zi finished?"
Many people refused to believe their own eyes.
Lee Zi's speed was astonishing. Not even the gold-ranked examiners dared claim they could match it!
Speed on par with gold?
Indeed, speed on par with gold!
Though it was solely her speed, it was nonetheless astounding!
After the shattering of her genetic power's origin, Lee Zi still had the potential to reach the rank of a gold general, but gold would be her ceiling.
Moreover, Lee Zi's path ahead was far more arduous than that of the average person.
But now...
How much time had passed?
Lee Zi's speed had become comparable to those of the gold-ranked generals.
Keep in mind, even before her genetic power was shattered, Lee Zi couldn't have achieved such velocity!
Round one, round two, round three...
In each round, Lee Zi demonstrated her extreme speed, and as the rounds progressed, her speed continued to increase!
Her velocity was now on par with the more formidable gold-ranked generals!
"Speed like this shouldn't exist!"
Lee Zi still had a solid foundation, that much was clear to everyone. Even with her genetic power shattered, she remained stronger than the average student.
But her strength was supposed to be just slightly above the rest, yet now...
This was no longer a mere edge; it was a complete and total domination!
Aside from the enigmatic Chu Yi, no one could hold a candle to Lee Zi!
In fact...
People were aware that if Lee Zi kept pushing forward, she could undoubtedly surpass Chu Yi's achievements.
Yet, at the conclusion of the 24th stage, Lee Zi chose to bow out.
She decided not to press on and stopped right there.
Lee Zi's score was identical to Chu Yi's, placing them both at the top of the leaderboard.
As Lee Zi returned, Chu Yi's eyes sparkled with an affectionate smile.
"Why didn't you go on?"
Lee Zi gently shook her head: "Because I want to be with you..."
Chu Yi's body quivered slightly, his eyes shining even more brightly.
Because, all I wanted was to be with you...
Yes, we must always be together, no matter what.
Chu Yi had initially believed that Lee Zi would continue to advance through the challenges. Even if she held back somewhat, she would at least surpass the 30th or 40th stage. She was determined to make all those who had once looked down on her regret their disdain and feel the sting of their mistake!
However, Chu Yi hadn't anticipated it would end like this...
...
"Lee Zi, your injuries..."
Lee Guoqiang's face was a canvas of excitement.
None of these people were fools. They clearly understood that the strength Lee Zi had demonstrated was not something someone whose genetic power had been shattered could possess.
Even if Lee Zi was a prodigy, it was impossible for her to achieve all this just a month after being injured.
So, so...
"Principal, my genetic power is indeed shattered, and it hasn't recovered..."
Lee Guoqiang's smile stiffened in an instant.
He knew Lee Zi well and was aware that she would never lie about such a matter.
But, but...
"Principal, please be assured."
"Even without my genetic power, I, Lee Zi, remain the most brilliant genius in this world!"
"I am still the same Lee Zi!"
Though he didn't know how Lee Zi had managed it, her confidence was infectious, and Lee Guoqiang couldn't help but be moved.
"Good, good, good!"
Lee Zi had been gravely injured and lost everything she once had, which pained Lee Guoqiang deeply. Yet, his primary concern was for Lee Zi herself!
If it weren't for this, Lee Guoqiang would not have stood up for her against Adirang Academy.
Seeing that Lee Zi had not lost her relentless determination, Lee Guoqiang was both relieved and overjoyed.
As for the source of Lee Zi's confidence...
Lee Guoqiang preferred not to pry any further.
...
Five hundred students participated in the assessment, divided into groups of twenty.
With only twenty-five groups in total and the assessments proceeding rapidly, by mid-morning, only the last three groups remained.
Of course, the assessment wasn't limited to this one aspect, and given the pace, completing it all today was virtually impossible.
By this time, everyone should have been feeling the strain, likely thirsty and hungry.
Yet, it was precisely at this moment that the audience's enthusiasm intensified.
As the final few rounds approached, the spectators' excitement had reached an all-time high.
The stage was set for the emergence of true geniuses. Not the kind known among the common folk, but those cultivated by the most influential and powerful families.
These prodigies were extraordinary. While they may not have been on par with the likes of Lee Zi, they were in a league of their own compared to the so-called geniuses from the schools.
They were formidable, possessing an abundance of resources, meticulously crafted plans, and personalized coaching. Their training methods were the most advanced and scientific available.
Moreover, their combat experience far surpassed that of the average genius.
Their arrival sent ripples of excitement through the crowd.
The testing ground was home to thirteen such exceptional talents, and in this round, three would make their presence known.
Amidst high anticipation, the three geniuses took their places in the arena, exchanging glances that conveyed an unspoken understanding.
At last, the examination commenced.
These top-tier geniuses lived up to their reputation, effortlessly navigating the onslaught of dyed cannonballs without a hint of distress.
While they might have lacked the casual grace of Chu Yi or the blistering speed of Lee Zi, they handled the challenge with remarkable ease.
In the second stage, only one of the three geniuses acted, drawn by the proximity of a red scoring orb.
These individuals were not only talented but also astute, fully aware of their standing.
The dynamics had shifted since the days when Lee Zi and Chu Yi were the undisputed centers of attention, untouchable by the rest.
Now, with three powerhouses in the fray, any contention could lead to unforeseen consequences.
However, they all understood the odds. Whichever genius was nearest to the orb would undoubtedly secure it before the others could intervene.
This was a pact among the thirteen geniuses to prevent any mishaps. They had agreed that if an orb appeared in one's area, the others would not interfere.
Indeed, it was a harmonious arrangement.
After four rounds, only the three of them remained.
True to their heritage, these geniuses, honed by the elite families, showed no signs of fatigue even after the rigorous trials.
In the blink of an eye, they had reached the eighteenth round.
Indeed, compared to the average geniuses, they were in a league of their own. However, when compared to Lee Zi and Chu Yi, they fell short.
At least when Chu Yi and Lee Zi faced this challenge, they were completely unfazed. Moreover, no one doubted that Chu Yi and Lee Zi could advance to the thirtieth or even the thirty-sixth round.
But at this moment, these geniuses...
By the nineteenth round, signs of fatigue were evident.
They could still push through, at least for this round.
But if they were to continue, the outcome might not be the same...
Knowing that pressing on would yield no benefits, it might be wiser to step back.
That way, they could at least preserve their dignity.
Nevertheless, they persisted until the twenty-fourth round, the same level reached by Lee Zi and Chu Yi.
Even though it seemed they were on par with Chu Yi and Lee Zi, their scores were nowhere near.
It was a simple matter for Lee Zi and Chu Yi, who had each secured all the points on their own, while the others needed three or even four people to share the spoils.
Thus, when the final results were announced, Lee Zi and Chu Yi were tied for first place!
The runner-ups, in second and third place, were far behind, with only a third of their points.
This outcome surprised many, as most had previously believed that the aristocratic family geniuses would dominate the first round. Yet, Lee Zi and Chu Yi emerged as unexpected frontrunners.
However, this round was only a test of speed, and the next...
Everyone knew that the main event was just around the corner...
