Thanks to Tang Qi, Xu Qingwan knew quite a bit about the university entrance exams.
Over the years, the highest score recorded in Jiangcheng had only ever been just over a thousand points.
Even the provincial top scorers in Jiangnan Province had typically achieved scores in the range of eight or nine thousand.
Therefore, when she heard Xu Jingming claim he had scored ten thousand points, Xu Qingwan froze for a moment.
However, she quickly came to her senses and instinctively chose not to believe him. Furrowing her brow, she said:
"Xiao Ming, don't joke around. Tell me your real score."
"Mum, Jingming isn't joking. He really did score over ten thousand points.
No—wait. To be precise, it's 11,124 points.
It's already been reported on Jiangcheng's official news account."
Tang Qi handed over her mobile phone with a beaming smile.
On the screen was a report that had just been published by Jiangcheng's official media channel.
The headline read:
'11,124 Points! The Absolute Dark Horse from Jiangcheng No. 2 High School!'
The accompanying image showed Xu Jingming wielding a long spear as he struck down a Second-Rank Bloodthirsty Bear.
"It's Xiao Ming!"
Xu Qingwan immediately recognised Xu Jingming from the image and began scrolling through the article.
Xu Qingwan had always been gentle by nature. Ordinary matters rarely stirred her emotions.
Yet as she read on, her eyes grew increasingly bright.
A flush of excitement gradually spread across her face.
"Over ten thousand points! First place in Jiangcheng! Wonderful! Wonderful!"
Xu Qingwan felt as if she had just won a lottery prize worth tens of millions.
She kept reopening the article, examining it over and over as though it were a winning ticket.
She murmured softly to herself:
"Xiao Ming has finally made something of himself…"
"Now the Xu family finally has someone to carry on the family name…"
It took quite some time before her emotions gradually settled.
"Xiao Ming, with results like these, won't you be able to choose freely among the Top Ten Universities when the time comes?"
Xu Qingwan asked, her eyes shining.
"The headmaster told me yesterday that I've already qualified for special admission.
I won't need to submit an application. I just have to wait for the universities to present their offers."
Xu Jingming explained with a smile.
Tang Qi chimed in from the side:
"Mum, with Cousin Jingming's results, he's practically guaranteed to rank among the Top Three in Jiangnan Province.
Even if he somehow doesn't take first place, he'll definitely place in the top three.
With a ranking like that, even the Top Three Universities will compete to recruit him. He won't go through the normal application process at all."
"The Top Three Universities? Special recruitment? Good, good, good! Xiao Ming, you've really given your aunt a wonderful surprise!"
Xu Qingwan repeated the word "good" three times in succession.
Then she asked somewhat impatiently:
"By the way, when exactly will the official Martial Arts College Entrance Exam results be released?"
"The exact time hasn't been announced yet, but it should be within five days at the latest."
After thinking briefly, Xu Jingming replied.
Across the entire nation, Martial Arts College Entrance Exam results were released simultaneously.
Before that, each province conducted strict reviews of recorded combat footage to prevent cheating.
It was an enormous undertaking.
But no matter what, the results would be released no later than June 13.
"Excellent! Once the results are announced, I'll treat you to a grand feast!"
Xu Qingwan's smile was radiant.
After a brief pause, she asked the question that had been lingering in her mind:
"But Xiao Ming… weren't you originally only an E-Rank ability user?
How did you manage to achieve such a high score?"
Throughout history, it had been widely accepted that the rarer an ability, the greater its combat power.
Although there had been individuals who rose to prominence using low-grade abilities…
Such cases were exceedingly rare.
One could almost call them miracles.
And based on what she had read in the article—massive lightning surges, overwhelming destructive force, and the slaughter of numerous high-level First-Rank ferocious beasts—
This was clearly not the level of power an E-Rank Weak Electricity ability should possess.
After all, Xu Jingming was still only an Awakened One, not yet a full Ability User.
Hearing Xu Qingwan's question, Tang Qi also turned to look at him with curiosity shining in her eyes.
Xu Jingming had long prepared for this question.
Smiling slightly, he explained:
"The day before yesterday afternoon, I was training in the living room when a bolt of lightning suddenly struck through the window and knocked me unconscious.
When I woke up, I realised my original ability had undergone some kind of mutation.
It became… much stronger."
"So that's why you went to the Thunder Training Hall afterwards to test your ability!"
Tang Qi suddenly understood.
Xu Qingwan nodded thoughtfully.
"There really was a thunderstorm that afternoon.
To survive a lightning strike without injury—and instead awaken an ability mutation…
That's truly fortunate.
Later, we should visit the Ability Testing Hall again for another evaluation.
We need to determine what grade your ability has evolved into.
Judging from the power described in the article, your ability should now be at least B-Rank, if not higher."
Xu Jingming nodded.
Ability mutations were rare—but not unheard of.
Using this explanation as the reason behind his sudden power increase was something he had planned in advance.
It just so happened that when his ability evolved, lightning had indeed struck his home—many people in the neighbourhood had witnessed it.
"Alright then—no matter what, you two have both done excellently!
One ranked 12th in Jiangcheng, the other ranked 1st.
Come on! Let's head to the market and buy some ingredients.
I'll cook a proper meal for lunch!"
Xu Qingwan's face was filled with pride.
Seeing her so happy, Xu Jingming couldn't help but smile as he walked beside her, with Tang Qi following alongside.
---
June 11 — 9:00 PM
Magic City Ability University — Admissions Office
Inside the admissions office, the atmosphere was unusually tense.
Third-Rank and Fourth-Rank Ability Users—individuals rarely seen elsewhere—now filled the entire room.
They gathered around a massive circular conference table, numbering at least thirty to forty people.
All of them appeared slightly anxious, as if waiting for something important.
Before long, a slightly portly middle-aged man strode into the room.
In his hand, he held a metallic data disc.
"The national Martial Arts College Entrance Exam rankings have been released."
His voice carried authority.
"Everyone—prepare yourselves."
The official rankings were kept strictly confidential until public release.
However, for elite institutions like Magic City Ability University, obtaining early access was hardly difficult.
"The rankings are finally here!"
"They seem to have taken longer this year."
"Not really. Last year they were only released one day earlier."
Murmurs spread throughout the room.
For the admissions office, this period was the busiest time of the year.
They needed to determine recruitment strategies based on the Top Three candidates from each province.
Students with exceptional talent required heavy investment.
Those with lower potential received fewer resources.
Not just Magic City Ability University—
The other two elite institutions, Qingjing Ability University and Jincheng Ability University, followed the same process.
"As usual, we'll begin by reviewing the provincial top scorers."
The middle-aged man inserted the disc into the projection system.
A soft hum followed.
Moments later, a national ranking list appeared on the screen, displaying results from more than thirty provincial regions.
"First region: Qingjing City."
As his voice rang out, the display shifted instantly.
Everyone's gaze locked onto the top of the ranking.
First Place: Zhou Yi — Qingjing High School — 9,343 Points
"Eva, display Zhou Yi's detailed profile."
"Yes, Director."
An ethereal artificial voice responded.
Immediately, a holographic projection appeared at the centre of the table.
The scene showed Zhou Yi fighting during the exam.
"Zhou Yi. Age: 18.
Ability: Enhancement-Type — Bronze Body (A-Rank)
Rank: Upper Tier — First-Level Ability User.
Father: Fourth-Rank Ability User…"
Magic City Ability University possessed extraordinary intelligence-gathering capabilities.
As the combat footage played, Zhou Yi's personal details echoed clearly throughout the room.
"Bronze Body… that's quite respectable among A-Rank abilities."
"Indeed. His control over the ability looks solid as well."
The teachers discussed among themselves.
Soon, the footage ended.
The director spoke again:
"Zhou Yi is assigned an A+ Special Recruitment Grade.
Professor Wang Jian—you'll handle this one."
"Understood."
A teacher stood and nodded.
Once the meeting ended, he would depart immediately for Qingjing City.
"The second region: Hunan Province."
…
Time passed steadily.
One provincial top scorer after another was reviewed.
Each received a recruitment grade:
A+, A, or A−.
Even the weakest among provincial champions was still considered elite.
Eventually—
It was Jiangnan Province's turn.
"The thirteenth region: Jiangnan Province."
The projection screen shifted again.
"Last year, Jiangnan Province produced an A+ recruit."
"I expect the same this year."
"Most likely."
Jiangnan Province was one of the most densely populated regions in the Great Xia Nation.
Historically, its top students had always been formidable.
Naturally, every teacher—including the admissions director—focused their attention on the top line of the ranking.
First Place: Xu Jingming — Jiangcheng No. 2 High School — 11,124 Points
Silence fell instantly.
"Over ten thousand points?! Jiangnan Province has outdone itself this year!"
"Jiangcheng… where exactly is Jiangcheng?"
"Isn't Ning'an City the provincial capital?"
"Then what city is Jiangcheng?"
Confusion spread across the room.
Most of them had never even heard of Jiangcheng.
"Xu Jingming. Age: 18.
Ability: Natural-Type — Weak Electricity (E-Rank)
Rank: Awakened One.
Parents: Deceased seven years ago…"
As Xu Jingming's profile continued playing, the confusion in the room deepened into outright disbelief.
Someone finally exclaimed:
"What on earth is this?!
An E-Rank ability…
An Awakened One…
How can someone like that possibly become the provincial top scorer?!"