C43 Grouping

Is it possible?

Certainly, it is!

At that moment, all the students remained silent, unsure of what to say.

They were still grappling with confusion in their minds.

They all remembered Chu Yi's past academic performance quite well.

Only fifty of them had managed to pass all four rounds of the Trial Group's rigorous assessments—a notably small number.

Yet, the number of students eliminated in the first round was even smaller!

Chu Yi was among those eliminated in the initial round.

Back then, fewer than ten students were eliminated in the first round, and Chu Yi was one of them.

Given Chu Yi's notoriety at the time, the impact of his early elimination was significant!

But now, just one year later, Chu Yi had become someone whose presence they could scarcely fathom, let alone catch up to. The transformation was nothing short of magical.

In truth, there was no longer any need for discussion about whether Chu Yi should remain. The decision had essentially been made the moment Lee Zi spoke up.

Now that Zhu Yu had been dealt with by Chu Yi, there were no obstacles left.

Many students felt a wave of sympathy for the unfortunate Zhu Yu.

They realized that if Zhu Yu hadn't so brazenly stepped in, perhaps his fate wouldn't have been so tragic.

Indeed, love can often render one blind...

"Well then, since that's settled, Chu Yi will replace Zhu Yu's position. I trust there are no objections?"

Who would object now? Who would dare?

Hadn't they all witnessed Zhu Yu, with all his strength and influence, being so pitifully dispatched by Chu Yi?

They knew they couldn't compare to Zhu Yu in terms of background or ability, so any objections they might have had were now stifled.

"Alright, once you've finalized your team members, elect a captain and bring me the list of names," the instructor said.

With those words, the instructor departed without a backward glance.

But no one caught the barely concealed smile that played on the instructor's lips as he left.

The emergence of a prodigy like Chu Yi in the school meant that Seventeenth High School would reap considerable benefits, and Lee Guoqiang would receive immense support.

This was precisely why those with connections and a strong background were so keen to get into these elite high schools.

Although the instructor had departed, a hushed silence lingered over the room, with many students' eyes fixed on Chu Yi.

There was no denying it—Chu Yi had been exceptionally brutal today.

His strength was formidable, and his methods, exceedingly savage.

One only had to glimpse Zhu Yu's pitiful state to fathom the extent of torment he must have endured.

Chu Yi shrugged nonchalantly and approached a series of instruments.

He was indifferent to the opinions of others; having achieved his objective, Chu Yi had no interest in dwelling on anything further.

He examined the instruments with a puzzled gaze.

Chu Yi was clueless about their purpose and operation.

Yet, he was certain that these devices were key to enhancing his chances of survival.

Chu Yi had great confidence in his abilities, believing that he could outmatch even the most talented individuals from Silver. However, he wasn't so foolish as to think he'd be invincible in the wilderness.

Should he come face to face with a formidable demon, Chu Yi suspected his end would be near.

Hence, safety was his priority.

"Teacher, what purpose do these instruments serve?" Chu Yi inquired, his voice amiable, his smile ever-present.

With his striking features, it was hard for anyone to reconcile this amiable Chu Yi with the one who had just displayed such ferocity.

"Chu Yi, which type of equipment are you interested in selecting?" the teacher asked, clearly fond of him.

It wasn't just Chu Yi's looks that earned him favor—though they certainly didn't hurt—but primarily, it was his prowess that impressed.

The teachers were naturally inclined to appreciate any student with exceptional talent. After all, they were inextricably linked to these prodigies; the better Chu Yi performed, the more they stood to gain.

Thus, their demeanor towards Chu Yi was far more welcoming and affectionate than towards the other students, markedly so.

"We have offensive, defensive, agility, and pure enhancement equipment available," the teacher explained.

After a moment's consideration, Chu Yi responded, "I prefer defensive equipment."

Offensive gear was scarce and offered limited benefits. The school wouldn't provide weapons too powerful; otherwise, what would be the challenge in defeating the creatures with a mere slap?

Moreover, Chu Yi wasn't there to vie for rankings. His goal was to enrich his combat experience, and for that, he had no need for auxiliary offensive methods.

If Chu Yi found himself in a situation where he had no other choice, the strategies at his disposal would extend beyond what any piece of equipment could offer.

After weighing his options, it seemed wiser to opt for defensive gear to minimize or prevent injuries, enabling him to fight more effectively.

Yes, that's the decision!

The teacher was somewhat taken aback by Chu Yi's selection.

Most students, upon their arrival, gravitated towards offensive gear. Even those who didn't, typically went for support or speed-enhancing equipment. It was quite rare for anyone to pick defense.

It wasn't that the students were fearless or overly confident that the creatures in the wild couldn't touch them.

Rather, they believed that with the teachers' guidance and protection, they wouldn't face significant dangers.

Defensive gear was the least popular choice. Although the teacher personally favored offensive and amplifying equipment, he respected Chu Yi's decision and refrained from further comment.

"This A-type armor offers the most robust and comprehensive defense of all the gear available. It's a first-generation surplus from the military, but its protective capabilities are still quite impressive."

"The only downside is its bulkiness, which could potentially hinder your mobility."

The teacher quickly went through the various defensive options with Chu Yi, and it was clear that the A-type armor was his preferred choice.

As the teacher had mentioned, the armor weighed a hefty 70 kilograms!

In a previous era, donning such armor would have made combat, let alone movement, a challenge.

In this world, however, it was not an issue, considering Chu Yi's strength was nearly 2,000 kilograms.

While 70 kilograms was indeed heavy, Chu Yi felt confident he could manage it. As for speed...

If he found himself in need of a quick burst, he could always employ some immortal arts to enhance his agility.

With that, Chu Yi selected the A-type battle suit.

Once the equipment was distributed, the teachers escorted the students from the room to a large hall.

"Okay, you're free to form teams here. Once you've settled on a team, please see Teacher Cang for confirmation."

Teacher Cang was the same instructor who had been guiding them earlier and was effectively the lead of the training center.

Not officially part of Seventeenth High School's staff, Teacher Cang held a mid-level position within the Ministry of Education, under the government's jurisdiction.

Teacher Cang didn't stand out much, but his name always made Chu Yi think of a mentor from another world.

Once the teachers had exited the hall, the students naturally gravitated toward each other, forming groups. They had clearly prearranged their teams. Quickly, nine teams emerged, leaving five individuals unassigned: Lee Zi, Chu Yi, and three others who were expected to join Lee Zi's team.

Chu Yi and Lee Zi had already agreed to team up, a fact Lee Zi had personally confirmed. However, the situation for the other three was somewhat awkward; they seemed unsure of their next steps. They had been brought into the fold by Zhu Yu, who was well-known for his infatuation with Lee Zi. He had picked students who usually trailed behind him, eager for his approval.

Apart from Lee Zi, the trio were essentially Zhu Yu's hangers-on. Previously, this hadn't been an issue, but now it was incredibly awkward. They had followed Zhu Yu primarily for the prospects it might bring them in the future, not because they had a particularly strong bond with him. Yet to everyone else, they were seen as Zhu Yu's people.

Now that Zhu Yu had been pulled away by Chu Yi, the three were left in limbo. Chu Yi gave it some thought and realized that he had no intention of teaming up with them. He planned to undertake the trials alone, leaving the others to their own devices, which had nothing to do with him.

Therefore, Chu Yi turned to Lee Zi and said, "Lee Zi, you're the team leader. It's your call."

Lee Zi gave Chu Yi a complex look but eventually nodded in agreement. "Come over here," she beckoned.

At Lee Zi's invitation, the three approached with relief. Truth be told, their situation had improved with Zhu Yu's departure. Previously, they had shared Zhu Yu's protection, but now, with Lee Zi's decision to partner with Chu Yi, it meant they could potentially benefit from her guardian's protection as well, enhancing their safety significantly.

After a brief glance at Chu Yi, Lee Zi said, "Go register with Teacher Cang."

Typically, such a task was reserved for the team captain, and Lee Zi's demeanor clearly indicated her recognition of Chu Yi as the team's leader.

Indeed, many students exchanged puzzled looks upon hearing her words.

Lee Zi's previous defense of Chu Yi and her support in his confrontations had already bewildered many. Now, by entrusting him with the team's leadership, it would be foolish for anyone not to sense something amiss.

They were students, young and bright – certainly not fools.

Chu Yi simply shrugged. Engaging in such formalities was not his style.

He turned to another girl in the team and motioned with his lips, "You go."

At his suggestion, the girl's eyes lit up with surprise, and she saw Chu Yi in a new light.

Being the captain came with its perks, including extra points. Even if their team didn't perform well, the captain could still reap some rewards after the trials.

But when she caught Lee Zi's icy stare, her fleeting aspirations vanished.

True, she wasn't unattractive, but that was about it.

There had always been a vast divide between her and Chu Yi, and it seemed best left unspoken.

With her ambitions in check, she promptly went to register.

Before long, the team was finalized, and Teacher Cang reappeared before the group.