Let Me Game in Peace Chapter 5 - Strength Test

Translator: CKtalon Editor: CKtalon

Tian Xiangdong aimed his remarks straight at Zhou Wen, yet the latter stayed calm without any anger.

The combat test during the college entrance exam shaped the future for ordinary folks in the latter part of their lives. Everybody yearned to give their all and avoid any interference impacting their scores.

Attending a top school, landing a solid job post-graduation, or even climbing into elite circles largely hinged on this exam.

Moreover, a teammate's power directly influenced personal safety. Nobody wanted to gamble with their life.

Before acquiring the enigmatic phone, Zhou Wen himself had targeted a prestigious academy. It offered better paths to grow stronger and avoid squandering his potential. Thus, he completely understood why Tian Xiangdong spoke out like that.

Once Tian Xiangdong finished speaking, he ignored Fang Ruoxi and fixed his gaze on Zhou Wen.

Fang Ruoxi glanced at Zhou Wen and stated, “Zheng Yi could be impressive too, but I believe Zhou Wen makes the ideal choice.”

From the side, Li Zhi pondered before saying, “We trust your knack for spotting talent, Ruoxi. Zhou Wen does stand out, yet the combat test outcomes matter greatly to us all. We must approach it seriously. Here's an idea: if Zhou Wen agrees, let's run a quick test. The results will clearly show if he fits our team.”

“Li Zhi makes a good point. Count me in,” Tian Xiangdong quickly added.

“What sort of test?” Fang Ruoxi inquired.

“That's easy. I'm the weakest of us three. Have Zhou Wen spar with me. If he beats me, he's surely team material. That can't be seen as unfair, right?” Tian Xiangdong pressed eagerly.

Fang Ruoxi stayed silent and turned to Zhou Wen.

Zhou Wen realized he had to speak up now; staying quiet would block his entry. Though not overly eager for this group, he wanted strong combat test scores. Fang Ruoxi's squad was probably Guide High School's top team, so joining brought clear benefits.

“That works for me. Still, real fights carry dangers. It'd be awful if someone got hurt,” Zhou Wen agreed with a nod.

Tian Xiangdong chuckled. “Zhou Wen, word is you've practiced Ascetic Meditation. Your Constitution and Strength are likely top-notch, but Speed probably lags. I won't exploit that. How about we settle it with a Strength contest?”

Fang Ruoxi furrowed her brow upon hearing Tian Xiangdong.

Tian Xiangdong practiced Lightning Art, a Primordial Energy Art focused on explosive power surges. He paired it with the Primordial Energy Skill, Lightning Fist. Though his Lightning Fist sat at Rank 1, few high schoolers encountered such skills. Mastering one that synced with their Primordial Energy Art was exceptionally uncommon.

Fang Ruoxi knew little of Zhou Wen's background, but since he trained Ascetic Meditation—a Primordial Energy Art—without buying extra Primordial Energy Crystals, his family likely struggled financially. If crystals were out of reach, pricey Primordial Energy Skill Crystals were even less feasible.

Besides, during his clash with An Jing, no Primordial Energy Skills appeared from him.

Fang Ruoxi's lips twitched, but she held back. Internally, she mused, “Let's watch how Zhou Wen manages this.”

Zhou Wen eyed Tian Xiangdong and questioned, “How exactly do we test Strength?”

“The school has Strength testers, but those cold digits lack thrill. Let's trade punches—whoever steps back first loses. Sound good?” Tian Xiangdong proposed with narrowed eyes.

“I'd prefer the school's Strength-measuring device,” Zhou Wen decided after a pause.

“Why? Scared I'll hurt you?” Tian Xiangdong sneered, lips curling.

Zhou Wen just smiled silently. He worried more about accidentally killing Tian Xiangdong in one hit.

Tian Xiangdong's Primordial Energy Skill, Lightning Fist, was no secret around school. Pure strength alone might not overcome it. Thus, deploying Vigor Divine Fist could shatter Tian Xiangdong's arm—and more—with a single blow.

“Fine. If you're that cautious, we'll use the Strength-measuring device,” Tian Xiangdong conceded, a bit disappointed.

Over three high school years, teachers and peers hailed Zhou Wen as Guide High School's top genius. Tian Xiangdong chafed at that and yearned to topple him personally.

Many star students shared this small ambition. Zhou Wen's loss to An Jing's strike had dulled it somewhat.

Yet, with this shot at victory, Tian Xiangdong buzzed with eagerness. After all, Zhou Wen once held Guide High School's genius crown.

What irked Tian Xiangdong was lacking An Jing's flair—he'd win via machine numbers, not fists.

Lunchtime kept the device room student-free. As usual, Yu Qiubai checked each machine himself for issues needing fixes.

Seated in a spacecraft-resembling Primordial Energy-measuring device, Yu Qiubai heard the door swing open, followed by approaching steps.

Peering through the device's viewport, Yu Qiubai spotted Fang Ruoxi, Tian Xiangdong, Li Zhi, and Zhou Wen. Surprise flickered within him.

These four ranked among Guide High School's senior class elites. Minus Zhou Wen's recent slump, the trio sparked high hopes.

Their group visit to the device room, Zhou Wen included, piqued Yu Qiubai's interest. He wondered at their purpose.

Heart racing with curiosity, Yu Qiubai lingered inside the Primordial Energy-measuring device to eavesdrop.

“You first or me?” Tian Xiangdong strode to the Strength-measuring device and faced Zhou Wen.

“Doesn't matter to me,” Zhou Wen replied coolly.

“Everyone gets three attempts anyway, best score counts. Order's irrelevant, so I'll start,” Tian Xiangdong declared, positioning before the machine.

Tian Xiangdong inhaled deeply, channeling Lightning Art to build power, then slammed his fist into the device's pressure board.

The board, forged from metal alloy with hydraulic backing, recoiled variably by force applied, flashing a screen number.

Tian Xiangdong's punch, sans Lightning Fist and pure Strength-driven, halted the climbing digits at 7.

Without the skill, Tian Xiangdong felt pleased with the 7.

For typical high schoolers, a Strength of 7 towered over the rest.