The universe was vast. The more humanity developed, the more they understood their own inadequacy and ignorance.
The two chatted for a while. The examination inside had been going on for 20 minutes now.
This was a little long. And this was not an exam where you could take your time.
Once you failed, the system would immediately administer the results.
Redington frowned as well. "Who could it be inside?"
"No idea, but it's been 20 minutes. It must be someone from our class."
Xuan grade's class 1 was the crème de la crème. To have risen to the Xuan Grade, and entered the Xuan grade's class 1 was a form of recognition and glory in itself.
"Could it be Diablo?" Redington laughed. "I saw him around just now."
"Hmm, but anyway they should be out soon." Ling Luoyu's curiosity was peaked now. The Xuan Grade was different from the Huang Grade. Nobody would go around flaunting their ability X now. What needed to be understood and guarded against should all have been clearly laid out in the Huang Grade. One needed more prudence the higher one rose, only holding nothing back in crucial moments like the competition.
"Oh, y'all are around too." Ai Xiaolu appeared, accompanied by a hunk with short silver hair in a white T-shirt. He had a sharp look and an evil aura about him, but he did look very cool.
It was Lya Sphinx's Diablo. Rumors were that he was chasing Ai Xiaolu, although admittedly Ai Xiaolu was a great beauty. She was only overshadowed by Snow Li's presence. In dressing up, Ai Xiaolu was second to none. She was one of those who looked good in anything. She was easy on the eyes, and one liked her the more one looked.
"You two are progressing really quickly." Redington teased.
Ai Xiaolu turned up her mouth. "You can eat rubbish, but don't speak it."
Diablo shrugged, unfazed. His interest in Ai Xiaolu was widely known. Chasing women was a pleasure in itself, especially a fine product like Ai Xiaolu.
Redington preferred Snow Li. Pretty was pretty, but Diablo did not like too dazzling a beauty, preferring the comfortable type like Ai Xiaolu.
"Redington, how's your preparation coming along? I hear that the 4 main Academies are split into 5 groups this time."
"I'll deal with whatever arises. I have long wanted to test the standards of the other academies."
"I hear a lot of new students have signed up. The White Tiger's Olivios is something else. He completely does not treat the Xuan Grade as worthy of respect." Redington chuckled.
"White Tiger Region's fame seems unwarranted then, to let a newcomer be so full of himself. If he was in the Azure Dragon Region, he would have been taught a good lesson. To think a bunch of rookies would think to come and join the party. They must have a death wish." Diablo said darkly.
"Don't speak too early. A lot of ambitious newcomers are thirsting to bring us down. Be careful. Don't get careless and slip up, or you'll regret for a lifetime." Ai Xiaolu tinkled.
Perhaps because of her relationship with Mo Ling, Ling Luoyu did not feel Ai Xiaolu was anything special, just another member of Class 3. Although she did act as though she knew everything.
Suddenly, the four's laughter subsided. From another corner, someone else had appeared, merely acknowledging them with a slight nod. They were reserved, even restrained.
As expected, it was Ai Xiaolu who recovered first. "Pampas. To think we would see you here. Looks like your individual training is over?"
Pampas looked at Ai Xiaolu with a hint of a smile. "The big mecha battle is coming. I have to be back no matter what. And besides, I haven't seen you all in a while."
Pampas of the Azure Dragon Region, the number one expert in Xuan 1. He had basically completed the whole syllabus, and was immersed in punishing training to delve deeper and challenge his boundaries. He had no intention of following the system, and was preparing to directly participate in the promotional examination. This mecha battle was undoubtedly a good time to test himself. If he could become the top in the Xuan Grade, then he would be qualified to challenge the promotional exam.
One had to know that the Earth Grade and the Xuan Grade were two completely different worlds. It was not like the close distance between the Xuan and Huang Grades.
Just Pampas' presence brought intangible pressure to Redington and Diablo, but Pampas did not seem to be focused on them, instead looking at the training arena.
"Who's inside?"
"No idea, but the guy's been inside for half an hour. That's more than enough to pass the first stage. It should be the second stage now, so it should be one of our Xuan class 1 classmates.
Ai Xiaolu offhandedly said.
Pampas switched on his own Skylink, giving the door a sweep. His Skylink immediately displayed an In Progress situation.
This was privilege. Clearly Pampas' authorization was much higher than the four's. This was the difference. In Elite Academy X, competition for such special privileges abounded. This was the best way to galvanize geniuses to dig deep and shine, and these little privileges were of no loss to the school.
Vanity was humanity's greatest weakness, but also the best motivator.
At first, Pampas was not paying attention. He just did not want to waste time. But seeing the numbers displayed, his focus returned. A repressive aura began to seep out, causing Ling Luoyu to feel the pressure.
Ai Xiaolu was again the first to respond, scooting over. But when she saw the numbers displayed, she was shocked too. "This… how could this…"
The person inside had already been tested until Level 3. More importantly, his ability X usage rate was… zero.
Clearly this was the reason for Pampas' frown. The strongest knew the importance of one's body strength. Solely depending on ability X was not viable. In his absence, such an expert had actually appeared in Xuan 1. Interesting!
Ling Luoyu and the rest could feel his battle lust rising. This was rare. Pampas was practically invincible in Azure Dragon's Xuan Grade. Although some could stand up against him, but none had a real hope of winning. He had spent a year just training. Meeting him now, they found that his drive had been well concealed, and the year had not been wasted. And now the person inside had caught his interest, something that Redington and Diablo were incapable of.
Ling Luoyu was curiosu as well. Who was it? She racked her brains through the Xuan 1 people. It seemed like nobody else was here today.
Inside, Wang Zheng was totally engrossed. No wonder the school council wanted this as the standard. It was indeed quite difficult. The Elite College was full of experts. After spending so long, he had just reached Grade 3, but Zhang Shan and Oli were spamming his Skylink with calls. Since he had already qualified, he would continue next time. They must be worried about him.
Wang Zheng ended the training, and the simulation faded. He was sweating heavily, and a little hyped up.
Opening the door, Wang Zheng was taken aback. There were actually 4 people standing outside, staring intently…
He must have taken up too much time.
And when they saw it was him, they shouted almost in unison. "How could it be you!"
Ling Luoyu stared inside. "Wang Zheng, who did you come with! How could you enter here!"
Wang Zheng was not sure how to respond. This senior Ling Luoyu was a little strange. Even though the blind date had been a disaster, but he had explained everything clearly, and had not brought too much of a bother to her. In fact, he had felt quite good about it.
But for Gail, Wang Zheng did not mind such small matters.
Smiling slightly, he said "Senior Ling, the training arena is a public facility, isn't it? Why can't I be here? Besides, there's no one else. I don't even know who signed me up for this mecha competition, but I don't want to let them down. So I came to take the test. There're plenty of people below, and none here. It's a waste to leave it standing empty, right?"
At this moment, his Skylink chirped again. Wang Zheng switched it on. "Zhang Shan, stop bugging me. I know. I'll go over in a moment. Nope, I'm fine. D*mn, y'all are so noisy I couldn't even finish my training. You're not my wife, stop nagging."
Zhang Shan thought something must have happened, and was ready to roll up his sleeves and wade into the fray. His imagination was too vivid.
Pampas smiled. Interesting. Looked like he had not failed, but simply stopped the test halfway.
Ling Luoyu had a grave expression, and Diablo looked at Wang Zheng like he was a monster. Redington had a similarly black expression. Only Ai Xiaolu laughed loudly.
"Wang Zheng, this is our Xuan Grade training ground. What you just did was the Xuan Grade test."
Ai Xiaolu now understood why Snow Li had completely ignored Redington. If she had been in her shoes, she would have done the same. This was a real man!
Redington loved to act cool, as though afraid that others did not know he liked to act cool. But people like Wang Zheng were the true experts, casually doing things that scared people half to death.
"Er, that… I did think it was strange how there was nobody here. But to do so is not against the school rules, is it." Wang Zheng laughed.
"Although it's not a violation, but who let you in? Boundaries are there for a reason. That's why we have them." Redington said icily. He had no goodwill for Wang Zheng, who was his love rival. He could not pretend any longer.
Wang Zheng smiled in reply. "I think so too. And since the boundaries let me in, then naturally it's fine, right?"
This guy had guts. The kind of guy who would think about starting a dye shop after getting his hands on 3 shades of red.
He looked at Pampas, who met his gaze. An interesting person had shown up. Wang Zheng could feel his incredible aura emanating clearly. Even in the Xuan Grade, this must be a pro.
"Impossible. If a Huang class 7 scum like you had such privileges, the school must belong to your family!" Redington sneered.
Pampas suddenly laughed. "I believe you."
Immediately nobody spoke. Pampas had spoken to shut them up. Whether one was 'qualified' or not made no difference. Skill was everything.
"Student Wang Zheng, pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm called Pampas. Let's get to know each other better when we're free." Pampas smiling stretched out a hand.
Wang Zheng smiled as well, and the two gripped hands. It was not a clash with sparks flying, but they did have an exchange. After one reached a certain level, one's intuition became especially sensitive. There was no need to test the other in flashier ways.