Chapter 79: The Peculiar Test

This… was merely the disappointment of an ordinary young man! Zhang Pu was no longer that naive boy from his previous life, pure as a blank sheet of paper.

Because of his cultivation, he quickly dismissed his childish idea—Qi Yan was absolutely not giving Huang Xiaobiao special treatment, allowing him to flaunt his academic prowess in the class again.

But why was Qi Yan doing this? As Zhang Pu pondered, Qi Yan's test began: she called on a few students, but their results were far from satisfactory.

Such tests were designed for prodigies or students with a solid foundation to excel. Just as Zhang Pu realized this, he saw Huang Xiaobiao volunteer to take the test! At once, all eyes in the classroom turned to Huang Xiaobiao.

Zhang Pu was also curious to see how well Huang Xiaobiao would fare.

Meanwhile, Zhang Pu quietly activated a minor cultivation spell he used to cope with schoolwork. It was more of a whim, a sudden desire to see how this little spell would perform against Qi Yan's test.

Huang Xiaobiao finished his test quickly. Though he didn't score a perfect hundred, he received ninety-five—vastly superior to the previous students, all of whom had failed.

Some classmates, both boys and girls, cheered for him, their admiration and affection evident. Huang Xiaobiao was brimming with pride.

He concluded that, for such a test, even geniuses would struggle to achieve a perfect score. He believed himself to be among the elite.

During this time, Zhang Pu caught a glimpse of appreciation in Qi Yan's eyes directed toward Huang Xiaobiao.

If the beautiful teacher's attitude toward Huang Xiaobiao changed… Zhang Pu felt a strange bitterness gnawing at his heart.

From the podium, Zhang Pu’s gaze unconsciously drifted to his desk mate, Zheng Xiaoming.

With just a glance, Zhang Pu could tell that Zheng Xiaoming believed he could never reach Huang Xiaobiao’s level. Zheng Xiaoming seemed troubled and lost in his own worries.

Was it now? Was it this moment? As Qi Yan continued to call on students for the test, Zhang Pu made a silent resolution.

More importantly, he felt that the little cultivation spell he was about to use was perfectly suited for Qi Yan’s test—like a blade meeting its whetstone.

After several more students took the test, all with unsatisfactory scores, Zhang Pu realized this only served to highlight Huang Xiaobiao's triumph.

Qi Yan’s approach… Zhang Pu felt he had to act.

Looking at Zheng Xiaoming again, his head hung so low it was as if he were admitting defeat; he dared not challenge Huang Xiaobiao’s brilliance.

"Zhang Pu, would you like to take the test?"

Qi Yan's voice suddenly rang out, and the whole class turned their attention to Zhang Pu. Many gazes were filled with anticipation! Zhang Pu especially caught the look from Huang Xiaobiao, laced with a hint of malice.

Everyone knew: Zhang Pu excelled at basketball, but his academic performance was at best average, and he often took leaves of absence. He wasn’t outstanding in English either. At this moment, it seemed less like the teacher was giving him a chance to shine and more like she was setting him up for embarrassment.

But this beautiful teacher didn’t seem the type to play tricks…

The students’ minds were awash with speculation, some even whispering among themselves.

Regardless, Zhang Pu felt the attention of the entire class reach its peak, including Qi Yan’s unwavering gaze and Zheng Xiaoming, who had turned to look at him intently.

He might as well have been a gorilla on display! Zhang Pu thought with a touch of self-deprecation.

He stood up, bold and resolute!

Zhang Pu began the test…

He lost himself in the process, for the little cultivation spell designed to tackle Qi Yan's test was already active!

He barely knew how he was answering the questions—he entrusted everything to the spell. It was as if something mysterious possessed him; he was no longer himself, just the vessel of his body.

Gradually, Zhang Pu’s consciousness began to return, and he noticed everything around him had changed—the skepticism and worry of his classmates had vanished.

When Zhang Pu fully observed Qi Yan, Huang Xiaobiao, and Zheng Xiaoming, all frozen like puppets, he could also see the shock sweeping over the entire class.

Many wore expressions of disbelief, while class monitor Lin Xuehong and life committee member Du Aizhu were especially animated: it was true that Zhang Pu had dazzled them during the basketball match, but that had quickly faded—time is the best remedy for memories, and academic achievement is the school's priority.

Zhang Pu often disappeared due to his frequent absences, so whatever affection Lin Xuehong and Du Aizhu once felt for him had long ago shifted to the outstanding student Huang Xiaobiao. Some had admired Zheng Xiaoming, but as Huang Xiaobiao continued to overshadow him, more switched their allegiance, leaving Zheng Xiaoming wounded.

Today, after Huang Xiaobiao’s earlier performance, they had been elated.

But in just a moment, everything changed—Zhang Pu completely outshone Huang Xiaobiao!

Because Zhang Pu scored a perfect hundred!

Almost no one could believe such a score was possible!

Even the beautiful teacher herself had thought it impossible. Yet here it was, undeniable.

When Zhang Pu realized the ordeal was over and quietly withdrew his spell, he saw Qi Yan still standing in place.

Huang Xiaobiao’s face was a spectacle—its complexity beyond words.

But Zhang Pu was filled with joy, astonished at how quickly he had eclipsed Huang Xiaobiao. Earlier, he and many others had assumed the teacher was intentionally favoring Huang Xiaobiao, giving him another chance to boast, but unexpectedly, he ended up outshone, left with nothing but bitterness.

Zheng Xiaoming was genuinely excited: no matter what, he wanted Zhang Pu to surpass Huang Xiaobiao!

Then, came the applause as everyone recovered from their shock.

Zhang Pu shamelessly basked in his newfound prestige, making Huang Xiaobiao seem utterly dim in comparison.

“Zhang Pu, come to my office after class.”

Qi Yan’s announcement sent a ripple of excitement through the class.

The new English teacher, so beautiful, personally inviting Zhang Pu to her office! Such fortune…

Zhang Pu glanced sideways, noticing Huang Xiaobiao’s face turning pale one moment and livid the next, no doubt from the sting of disappointment and anger at losing favor.