Chapter 41: A Genius Among Geniuses

Central South University, Celestial Dome Martial Arts Gymnasium.

The place was bustling with noise and excitement, already packed with a large crowd.

They were teachers and students leading delegations from various high schools across Star City, clustered together in groups chatting and discussing amongst themselves.

"Old Li, your Changjun High has really produced a remarkable talent this year."

A chubby teacher greeted with a smile, "I heard Xu Shuo's divine soul is at level 10. Simply incredible!"

"Haha, you flatter me, you flatter me," replied Old Li, the delegation leader from Changjun High, his face beaming with smiles. "Your Mingde High has also produced several fine prospects this time. They are all exceptionally good!"

Everyone maintained a courteous facade, exchanging mutual praise.

A total of seventy-eight students had been selected for this municipal training class.

Among them, the top four schools—First High School, Changjun High, Yali High, and Mingde High—accounted for fifteen students, while the remaining sixty-three came from other schools.

The average divine soul level stood at 8.1.

These were the finest students filtered out from 125,634 high school sophomores across Star City.

The selection rate was a mere 0.062%.

The Star City Education Bureau pinned high hopes on these elite students.

First, to ensure that the top scorer of Nanhu Province remained in Star City.

Second, to anticipate their breakthrough into the prestigious National College Entrance Examination Celestial and Terrestrial Rankings.

Especially the Celestial Ranking; candidates from the entire Nanhu Province had failed to make the Celestial Ranking for two consecutive years. If no one made the list again next year, it would truly be a dismal outcome.

Just as the martial arts gymnasium grew increasingly lively, four individuals from Yali High stepped through the entrance.

Yu Guochuan walked in the lead, Shi Yu occupied the center, and Jiang Chenchen and Wan Song brought up the rear.

The entire gymnasium instantly fell silent.

Every gaze converged upon them.

"Old Yu is here."

"Is the one right behind him... Shi Yu?"

"That legendary student with a level 12 divine soul?"

"Terrifying. I originally thought such monsters only appeared in Beijing or Donghai City, but I never expected one to emerge right here in Star City!"

"Shi Yu is so handsome! Truly living up to being someone else's child!"

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

At that moment, Liang Cheng from Star City First High School stood beside a student with a sword-like bearing and sharp gaze, exclaiming excitedly, "Sword God, Shi Yu is here!"

"He's the one walking right in the middle!"

Last Saturday, after witnessing Shi Yu's astonishing performance in clearing the Yuelu Mountain trial, Liang Cheng immediately reported the news to First High School's current strongest fighter—Sheng Jianxing.

Sheng Jianxing had occupied the top spot in their grade since his freshman year, earning the moniker "Sword God."

Whether in martial arts classes or academic subjects, his position at the summit had never once been usurped.

In the past, Liang Cheng only held deep admiration for him.

But now, naturally, there was an additional Shi Yu.

Ever since the citywide sophomore term-end divine soul testing, news concerning Shi Yu had gradually circulated throughout the high school circles.

Some enthusiastic busybodies had even privately compiled a divine soul level ranking for Star City high schoolers.

First place: Yali High, Shi Yu, level 12 divine soul.

Second place: Changjun High, Xu Shuo, level 10 divine soul.

Third place: First High School, Sheng Jianxing, level 9.5 divine soul.

...

With sword-like brows, starry eyes, and an aura of heroism, Sheng Jianxing gazed at Shi Yu walking into the gymnasium and slightly tightened his fists.

He, too, had tried the Yuelu Mountain two-worlds warfare interactive simulation.

To clear it, he would need at least another half a year.

The strength of the handsome young man before him was unquestionably above his own.

A blazing fighting spirit ignited within Sheng Jianxing's eyes.

He had long lacked any opponents worthy of a challenge at First High School.

The appearance of Shi Yu, however, provided him with a renewed sense of competitive drive! Only such a powerhouse was worth surpassing!

"In this municipal training class, let me properly witness your strength," Sheng Jianxing murmured softly. "There is no one who cannot be surpassed. During next year's entrance examinations, let's see just who can break into the Celestial Ranking!"

...

Yu Guochuan smiled brilliantly, taking in all the gazes around him with immense satisfaction.

He enthusiastically pulled Shi Yu along, introducing his prize student to the arrivals from various schools.

He smiled as he introduced them, his mouth unable to close from ear to ear.

After making a round, they arrived before Changjun High.

"Old Li, long time no see!"

Yu Guochuan strode forward, firmly grasping the hand of Li Xiuming from Changjun High, acting like brothers separated for years, filled with immense emotion.

"Ah, and this must be student Xu Shuo!" He turned to look at a tall, slender student standing beside Li Xiuming, possessing a rather fair complexion.

"Truly a picture of talent! Gifted by nature! A star of tomorrow!"

Yu Guochuan's words of praise flowed endlessly like a rushing river.

Li Xiuming scoffed inwardly, knowing that Old Yu was definitely not praising Xu Shuo, but rather flaunting his own student.

Under normal circumstances, Xu Shuo would undoubtedly be number one in Star City, but this year a monster like Shi Yu had popped up.

If Heaven created Shuo, why must it also create Yu...

Initially, he didn't want to engage much, but looking up, he saw Yu Guochuan gazing at him with innocent, expectant eyes, clearly anticipating something.

He could only offer a dry laugh, "Not at all, not at all..."

"When it comes to raw talent, one still has to look at student Shi Yu~~" Li Xiuming had no choice but to follow up by complimenting Shi Yu as well.

"No, no, Xu Shuo is exceptional."

"Not at all, he cannot compare to Shi Yu."

To outsiders, the two of them appeared to be engaged in a warm and deeply affectionate conversation.

Shi Yu and Xu Shuo standing beside them were both left speechless, wondering what on earth their teachers were up to...

Shi Yu looked at the tall, slender boy before him and proactively extended his hand.

"Hello, I am Shi Yu from Yali High."

The tall, slender boy hesitated slightly before extending his hand as well. "Hello, I am Xu Shuo from Changjun High."

Xu Shuo examined the handsome youth before him with a trace of curiosity.

Shi Yu was of a similar height to him, around 1.85 meters tall, with a straight and well-proportioned physique.

His features were extraordinarily handsome, and his eyes shone brightly like stars in the night sky.

Meeting him in person truly surpassed mere reputation.

For some time past, he had constantly heard tales of Shi Yu's legendary exploits.

While teachers and elders said nothing on the surface, he knew very well in private that everyone was comparing Shi Yu to him.

And everyone felt a sense of regret.

Had there been no Shi Yu, he would undoubtedly have been the most dazzling star.

Teacher Li Xiuming had constantly encouraged him, fearing that his mindset might destabilize due to the comparisons with Shi Yu.

In reality, however, Xu Shuo didn't care all that much.

His temperament was naturally somewhat lazy and easygoing, and for reasons unknown, his divine soul had tested at level 10, startling even himself.

At first, he had been ecstatic, feeling immensely overpowered and wondering if he could swagger around unhindered from then on.

However, as time passed, it simply felt troublesome, as if he were burdened with the hopes of the entire village.

Both teachers and parents watched him closely.

The school had even specially formulated a series of training programs, making him feel as though he couldn't breathe freely.

Fortunately, the appearance of Shi Yu rescued him.

This guy was even more overpowered than him; according to the school teachers, he belonged to the monster tier.

This反而 gave him a sense of release.

Whatever the Celestial Ranking was, let Shi Yu go fight for it.

Acting honestly as the second-best in Star City suited him just fine!

...

Just as the two were chatting casually back and forth, another youth with sword-like brows and starry eyes stepped forward.

Sheng Jianxing!

The three of them exchanged greetings.

At this moment, gathered together, these three youths instantly became the most dazzling focus of the entire venue.

The supremely handsome Shi Yu, the heroically spirited Sheng Jianxing, and the tall, easygoing Xu Shuo—the Three Heroes of Star City, each possessed their own unique brilliance.

Liang Cheng watched them.

Jiang Chenchen and Wan Song watched them.

Yu Guochuan, Li Xiuming, and every teacher and student present cast their gazes over.

If the seventy-eight students present were the elites of the city,

Then these three were geniuses among geniuses, representing the absolute pinnacle of standards.

They were the strongest high school students of this generation in Star City.