Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Ranking

Translator: 549690339

At five o’clock in the afternoon, Jack Clark left the school with his shoulder bag.

However, he didn’t go straight home, but planned to head to a pet market. The Iron Beetle that the shopkeeper had ordered for him had arrived.

As he walked, Jack thought about the problem of True Martial Compatibility that Freya Louise had mentioned earlier.

According to Freya, all cultivation methods alter the practitioner’s physical attributes. Thus, the higher the level of the cultivation method, the greater the change it brings about.

Under such circumstances, if someone’s physique is inherently compatible with a particular cultivation direction, not only will their cultivation speed be faster, but the power of their martial arts will also surge dramatically.

For instance, a few years ago, a student at South Sky Martial Height achieved a perfect match with the low-level martial arts they were cultivating. As a result, by their first year, they had broken through to the Third Layer Heaven and were invincible among students of the same grade, even against seniors who cultivated high-level True Martial arts.

Freya, however, cultivates a unique martial art that doesn’t follow the conventional paths. Therefore, the requirement for her method’s compatibility is spiritual realm rather than physique.

“Your Iron Beetles are here, and to avoid trouble if they died on the way, my friend actually caught two extra ones for you. So, consider it a ‘buy one get two free’ deal.”

In Flower, Bird, Fish, and Insect Store, Jack Clark took a black beetle out of the box.

Unlike other beetles that can fly, in pursuit of defense, the Iron Beetle’s exoskeleton-all over its back and even its entire body-evolves to merge into one seamless piece.

Despite being only two centimeters long, according to scientific data, this beetle can withstand more than 30,000 times its own weight.

Satisfied that the beetles were fine, a smile appeared on Jack’s face. “Thanks, boss. I’ll come find you again when I need something.”

“Sure, feel free to drop by anytime.” The boss was grinning ear to ear after accepting the money.

These beetles are commonplace in the Northern Continent, as easy to come by as ants. So, the boss had an easy time making a few hundred bucks just by making a phone call to a friend who sent them via express delivery.

Once back home, Jack didn’t worry about the beetles starving to death as the box they were in contained some damp wood shavings. He just casually tossed the box into a drawer.

“Next, it’s time for the Avatar to evolve.” Jack then turned his attention to the side, where his six-legged salamander Avatar was lying quietly, its appearance becoming more and more formidable.

…

On Monday morning, as soon as Jack Clark stepped out of his house, he felt that something was off.

Patrol cars were frequently passing by on the street. Law enforcement officers were on duty at some intersections, and the cameras on light poles and roadblocks were also flashing from time to time.

“Did something happen?” Jack furrowed his brows.

In the classroom for cultural classes, Jack had just taken his seat when Justin Welan in front of him turned back to approach him.

“Hey, Jack, did you know? Jane Aiken from Class 1 has already condensed True Strength and broken through the Second Layer Heaven.”

“…Impressive.” Jack exclaimed.

Establishing the foundation within two days, reaching the First Layer Heaven Limit within a week, and breaking through to the Second Layer Heaven after a few more days-the astonishing speed of her breakthroughs was enough to make anyone feel powerless.

After all, the gap had gotten so large it felt hopeless.

You have to understand that more than half of our grade’s freshmen haven’t reached the Foundation Establishment yet.

Shaking his head, Jack dismissed the information and took out a textbook from his drawer to review. After all, they have a monthly exam on Friday.

No matter what, he had been the top student back in Forest Mount No.1 Middle School. It would be a shame if his grades dropped significantly right after entering high school.

Besides, other people’s talents have nothing to do with him. Practicing martial arts earnestly should suffice for him, but…

“The freshman ranking.”

In the afternoon, while in the cultivation room, Jack felt a bit bewildered upon hearing this news.

Why would anyone rank new students who had just started practicing martial arts? Could it be entertaining to watch a bunch of newbies duke it out?

Justin Welan excitedly said, “It’s said that the officials have allocated a lot of resources, aiming to nurture the new generation of cultivators, especially to accelerate the growth of those with outstanding talent.”

“Not only our South Sky Martial Height in this city, but also the first-class universities of South Martial Height next door have made a new student ranking.”

“Starting from the first day of next month, the top 50 will be determined on that day. Those on the list can earn an extra 5 contribution points each month.”

5 Contribution Points, it’s equivalent to everyone getting an extra five thousand bucks subsidy each month, it’s a significant boost indeed, considering the large number of students in a school.

Even Jack Clark was a little moved when he heard this.

He only gets 3 points a month, not enough to exchange for a fraction of Tyrant Elephant Essence Blood at a normal price.

If he could use another portion of the Tyrant Elephant Essence Blood for cultivation, even if he could not break through the first layer of the martial art, he could still save one month of cultivation time.

Jack Clark raised an eyebrow, “No, it starts on the first day of next month. Doesn’t that mean those who have just reached Foundation Establishment won’t have a chance?”

During this period, many freshmen who worked hard for most of a month have just reached Foundation Establishment. If the competition takes place in a few days, many people may not have reached the threshold of the First Layer Heaven.

“Do you think it’s a bit unfair?”

Justin Welan patted Jack Clark on the shoulder and sighed, “Jack, if this world were truly fair, there would be no distinction between talent and background.”

“If everyone is the same, that’s fair. But do you think that’s possible?” Willard said, shrugging his shoulders.

Jack Clark was a little surprised, “I didn’t expect that, Willard, you could say something so philosophical.”

“Hehe, of course, I’ve always been philosophical, it’s just that you haven’t noticed.” Justin replied smugly.

He was right, fairness doesn’t really exist in this world. It’s just that humans are thinking beings, who also live in groups, and have stepped into modern civilization.

Therefore, the society on the surface seems pretty equal.

But only on the surface; no matter the era or society, people always divide themselves into levels, which is an unchangeable fact.

After chatting a bit with Jack, Justin went off to cultivate diligently.

Not just him, learning that the school actually has a real student ranking, instead of the casual rankings on the official website, all the students were full of motivation.

Because after making the list, it’s not just about resources, but also fame.

After all, they’re teenagers. Who doesn’t want to show off?

“Top 50, huh?” Jack Clark thought pensively.

According to the information Justin gathered, out of more than 1,900 freshmen, over seven hundred have successfully reached Foundation Establishment after nearly a month of hard cultivation.

Among the 48 classes, there are over 130 ordinary ‘geniuses’ who reached Foundation Establishment within a week, and more than 200 with average talent who reached Foundation Establishment within half a month.

That is to say, if Jack Clark wants to participate in the competition and aim for the Top 50, he will have to defeat at least eighty ‘geniuses’ who are cultivating advanced martial arts.

This doesn’t even include those over 200 students who reached Foundation Establishment within half a month, who knows if there are ‘geniuses’ among them who would make a significant breakthrough.

“I wonder how strong those who are cultivating advanced martial arts are?” Jack Clark said, eyes slightly squinting.

Although he wanted to keep a low profile and develop slowly.

But when opportunities and resources appear before him, he should fight for them. At that time, it shouldn’t be too difficult to rank in the 40s or 50s,right?

After all, people only remember the first place, nobody cares about the second place, let alone him at the bottom of the list.

Moreover, if he doesn’t strive in the early stage of cultivation, once those geniuses obtain more resources, the gap in strength between them will grow larger. Finally, he may not even be able to see their shadow.

Of course, Jack Clark is just thinking about it for now.

Unless the second evolution of his Avatar in a few days greatly improves his strength, there’s no need to participate because it will only result in him ranking at the bottom.