More students came and went after Mo Zun.
Yi Nam and Xu He each earned only 26 points, far behind Mo Zun's performance. Then came Sun Wu, who stunned the crowd by scoring 29—an unexpected result from someone unaffiliated with any major faction.
'I've trained relentlessly. My master gave me everything I needed to train non-stop. I won't be bullied or robbed like the others—not ever again. My hard work has finally paid off.' A faint smile touched Sun Wu's lips as he stepped away from the platform, test completed.
The teacher furrowed his brows. 'Strange... the usual top ten scores hover around 26 or 27. Yet now, even those ranked lower are hitting that range, and the top contenders are reaching 28 or 29. Mo Zun hoarded resources, so that's expected... but Sun Wu too? This year's level is far above previous batches—amazing.'
But he didn't know the real reason.
It was the pressure—the fear. Seeing others get robbed or being robbed themselves had opened their eyes. They had to grow stronger, fast. So they pushed harder. That was all.
"Sun Wu passed me. Do you think I won't make top ten now?" Mo Zun whispered to Mo Bai and Mo Fan beside him, right hand scratching the side of his neck—his telltale sign of anxiety.
Mo Bai's expression remained neutral. "Hmm? Not sure. It'll be tough. Sun Wu was the easiest one to overtake, but he somehow got resources and put them to good use. Your only chance now is for Bai Kuohui to score lower than you. It all depends on how much effort he's put in."
"Really, Mo Bai? That's your answer?" Mo Fan jumped in. "Don't listen to him, Mo Zun. You've still got a solid chance. Bai Kuohui might not surpass you." He gave Mo Zun's shoulder a comforting pat.
"Alright." Mo Zun nodded at both of them, but deep down, he agreed with Mo Bai.
'He's right. My chances are slim now. Damn it, where did Sun Wu even get those resources?!'
At that moment, Bai Kohei stepped toward the testing device, calm and relaxed.
'Let's get this over with.'
He began channeling his energy into the thread, quickly at first, then gradually slowing. At precisely two minutes and fifty seconds, the thread snapped—at the 140 cm mark.
"140 centimeters. 28 out of 100. Control level: Intermediate. Bai Kuohui ties with Mo Zun. They will now share the tenth rank, while Sun Wu moves up to ninth."
"Yes!" Mo Zun cheered, raising both arms high. "I did it—I'm top ten!"
Bai Kohei, meanwhile, remained expressionless, like most of his Bai faction peers.
'Guess I underestimated the others. I'll get scolded for this when we get back... what a headache.'
He strolled off, hands behind his head in a lazy posture, earning a death glare from Bai Ken.
'Bai Kohei is an interesting one,' Mo Bai thought as he watched him. 'I first noticed him during the control lessons. He's more talented than me, honestly—but he's lazy. Never gives his full effort. He'd only train half the allotted time, yet still outperform most. And... he's sharp. I've caught him watching me strangely, like he knows I'm acting with Mo Fan. He's dangerous. Someone like that... should either be on my side or—'
Mo Bai's eyes sharpened dangerously. At that moment, Bai Kohei turned his head, catching his gaze. The two exchanged faint nods.
'This guy's dangerous,' both thought simultaneously, breaking eye contact.
The rest of the students took their turns. No shifts occurred in the rankings—Mo Bai was now the final contender. The highest score so far was 33.
"Next, Mo Bai," the teacher called.
'Finally,' Mo Bai thought as he walked steadily to the testing platform.
'Let's begin. Time to see what effect the carving has had.'
He sent his energy into the thread just like the others, calm and confident. A clear mind was essential to maintaining control.
10 cm, 20, 30... the thread turned a deeper blue with each centimeter, moving at a perfectly even pace—neither rushed nor sluggish. One centimeter per second, until it reached 175.
'175... that's already 35 points. And he's still going? These students really are on a different level this year. I see it more with every new one I test,' the teacher muttered, eyes wide with awe.
176... 177... still steady.
'Damn him,' Bai Shuo clenched his fists as he watched. 'I'll surpass you no matter what. I won't let someone from a lesser faction outdo me.'
Mo Bai remained entirely focused, unaffected by the murmurs or the stares—lost in his own world.
184... 185 cm. The thread snapped.
"185 centimeters. 37 out of 100. Control level: Intermediate. Mo Bai currently holds fifth place."
No emotion crossed Mo Bai's face at first. But as he descended from the platform and crossed paths with Bai Shuo—who was heading up for his turn—a faint, provocative smile curled on his lips.
"Oh, the genius Bai Shuo. You'll score higher than me, right? It'd be such a shame if you didn't. Try your best." He patted Bai Shou's shoulder lightly, not waiting for a response before walking off.
'You bastard... I'll wipe that smile off your face,' Bai Shuo growled internally as he stormed forward to begin his test.
"Well done, Mo Bai! Fourth place is basically yours now," Mo Fan said with a grin, bumping fists with him.
"Heh. Why not just say it's already mine?" Mo Bai replied with a smirk, bumping fists back and turning to watch Bai Shuo's test.
A few minutes passed. Bai Shuo poured his energy into the thread. Like Mo Bai, he achieved an intermediate control rating, with a high score that drew admiration and envy from the crowd—but it wasn't enough.
35 out of 100.
'Damn it!'
The only thing in Bai Shuo's mind as he descended the platform was frustration. He kept his head down, unable to accept the result.
Mo Bai had moved to stand near the edge of the platform on purpose, waiting.
As Bai Shou walked past him, Mo Bai leaned in and said with dripping mockery, "So close... but unfortunately, I'm just more talented. Enjoy fifth place."
"You... bastard!" Veins popped on Bai Shou's forehead as his fists clenched and his eyes reddened with fury, storming forward.