Soon, the class bell rang and the next lesson was Gene Fusion.

The Gene Fusion teacher, Liu Deren, like the Mechanical Modification teacher Cai Yuanfei, also walked in carrying a stack of test papers.

It was another monthly exam, with the exact same cash rewards as Cai Yuanfei had set.

In the blink of an eye, more than an hour passed.

The Gene Fusion exam ended.

Liu Deren collected the papers and said he would have them graded before lunch break ended.

As soon as he left, the classroom erupted into groans, just like after the Mechanical Modification exam.

“Are they crazy? This was even harder than the Mechanical Modification test. Are they trying to torture us?!”

“I’m done. They showed a picture of a bird’s leg and made us guess which Aberrant Beast bird it was and even its Biological Level. How the hell are we supposed to know that?”

“I’ve never scored below 90 in my life. This time I doubt I’ll even hit 60.”

“Heh, I get it now. This exam was just the teacher’s way of humbling us, crushing our spirit a bit.”

Over half the class was completely demoralized.

Even Lu Gang and Wang Shujie, the prodigies from Nanguan City, were stumped by the Gene Fusion exam and felt they’d be lucky to get 80.

Meanwhile, Shen Qinghan turned to Lin Zichen, eyes bright with excitement. “Xiao Chen, I think I can score at least 70 on that Gene Fusion paper!”

She had grown up reading books about Aberrant Beasts with Lin Zichen, giving her far more knowledge than most her age.

She was able to answer many of the questions.

Lin Zichen teased with a smile, “Your ambition’s too small. Seventy doesn’t suit your smarts. I say you’ll score at least 80.”

Beside them, Li Chuxin heard this and assumed it was just joking.

Seventy was already far-fetched, but 80? Impossible.

That paper was brutal. Scoring 60 to pass would already be impressive.

Just then, Cai Yuanfei entered with the graded Mechanical Modification papers, smiling broadly. “Students, the scores for the Mechanical Modification test are out!”

From his smile, it looked like the class had done fairly well.

“Teacher, hurry up and hand them out, I can’t wait!” He Yu urged.

But Cai Yuanfei shook his head, sat at the desk and said, “The papers won’t be passed out. I’ll read each name and score aloud. When I call your name, come up and collect it. I want to publicly commend or admonish each of you.”

“Teacher, no, that’s too cruel! You can praise the high scores, but don’t shame the low ones.”

Some protested.

But Cai Yuanfei ignored it, continuing, “You’re in the Elite Martial Arts Class now. The first thing you must learn is to face your failures head-on, then rise from shame with courage. In middle school, many of you seemed strong not because you were extraordinary, but because those around you were weak.

Now you’re here, surrounded by top prodigies from all over. Can you still shine like before? For most of you, the answer is no. And over the next three years, many of you will face failure. If you can’t even face that, my advice is to drop out of the elite class and go be the big fish in a small pond elsewhere.”

After his stern words, he picked up the first paper and read, “Chu Yuxi, 48.”

A girl walked up with her head down, ashamed to score below 50.

“Jian Zihao, 59.

Li Guang, 62.

Guo Yanling, 52.”

“….”

“Shen Qinghan, 61.”

Hearing her passing grade, Shen Qinghan beamed and hurried up to collect her paper.

On her way back, she told Lin Zichen happily, “Xiao Chen, I passed!”

Lin Zichen smiled, “Hard work pays off. Well deserved.”

“….”

“Gao Fangfang, 57.

He Yu, 88.”

“Wow—”

The class gasped. After so many failing or barely passing scores, an 88 was shocking.

Under the stares, He Yu proudly collected his paper.

“Well done. I’m very impressed,” Cai Yuanfei said, patting his shoulder.

The class was filled with envy.

Except Lin Zichen, Lu Gang and Wang Shujie.

Especially Wang Shujie, who could sprint 100 meters in 7.98 seconds. His eyes showed disdain—he didn’t rate He Yu at all, despite also being from Nanguan City.

“You’re amazing, He Yu!” Li Chuxin said admiringly when he returned.

He Yu felt thrilled but modestly said, “Just lucky the test fit what I studied.”

Another girl at the next desk smiled at Li Chuxin, “Chuxin, don’t forget, He Yu may not be as bright as Lu Gang and Wang Shujie, but he’s still a Nanguan City prodigy. Of course he’s strong.”

Hearing more praise, He Yu kept a calm face but was inwardly delighted.

In high spirits, he turned to his group and said, “When I win that third-place prize of 333 yuan, I’ll treat you all to a nice meal.”

He assumed he couldn’t beat Lu Gang or Wang Shujie, so third was the best he could expect.

Li Chuxin immediately protested, “What do you mean, He Yu? Why assume that third is yours? Zichen’s test scores are excellent—he won countless medals in middle school competitions. Maybe he’ll beat you! The third-place prize could easily go to Zichen!”

She was a little fangirl of Lin Zichen and disliked He Yu’s arrogance. She believed Zichen had just as much chance at third.

She assumed Lu Gang and Wang Shujie would take first and second, leaving only third to fight for.

He Yu realized he had gotten carried away and laughed awkwardly, “Of course, of course. If not me, then Zichen. No one else.”

But inwardly, he didn’t believe Zichen would beat him. He only said it to save face.

At that moment, Cai Yuanfei announced the next scores.

“Lu Gang, 95.”

“Wang Shujie, 95.”

The class gasped and sighed in despair.

“Holy crap! Ninety-five? How is that even possible?!”

“Nanguan City prodigies are monsters!”

“Sometimes the gap between people is wider than between man and dog.”

Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Gang and Wang Shujie collected their papers.

“Well done. Only the final sub-question of the last problem stumped you, everything else was perfect.” Cai Yuanfei praised.

Wang Shujie calmly replied, “The calculations were heavy. With ten more minutes, I’d have had it.”

“Me too,” said Lu Gang.

Cai Yuanfei patted their shoulders approvingly, “I believe it.”

When they returned to their seats, he picked up another paper, adjusted his glasses and said, “This test was very hard, but you might not believe it—someone in this class got full marks.”

Before the class could react, he announced the name and score, “Lin Zichen, 100.”