Chapter 10

Silence.

The students who had been waiting to see the joke had their smiles frozen in an instant.

Did they see it wrong?

Many students stood dumbfounded, their mouths open for a long time without closing. Some rubbed their eyes, looking at the screen in disbelief. Shi Wenlong, like a stunned goose, had dilated pupils, and even the mentor Yin Roshuang showed a look of surprise. The instructor in charge of the test was completely stunned.

The two mentors from the Crown Elite Academy and the Sunset City Genetic Academy, who had originally been calm, instantly showed a myriad of expressions, their brains short-circuiting for a moment.

Suddenly—

"Wow~" A brilliant red light flashed, and the sun lamp on the left side emitted a dazzling light, once again illuminating the entire testing center. The expressions of the two mentors from the Crown Elite Academy and the Sunset City Genetic Academy were vastly different. The mentor from the Crown Elite Academy was overjoyed, while the mentor from the Sunset City Genetic Academy frowned, wanting to press the control hub but hesitated for a moment and ultimately chose to give up.

He had already exceeded the quota, and even if he wanted to snatch Lin Feng, he could only offer the most ordinary conditions, which would inevitably be outmatched by the Crown Elite Academy.

9.90%!

Even Lin Feng himself was a bit dazed, and his first thought was the same as that of most students—

Is the brain domain width tester broken?

But Lin Feng quickly calmed down. This high-tech instrument was extremely precise, and the probability of it breaking just as it was his turn and only slightly affecting the results was extremely low. This could be seen from the fact that the mentors and instructors, though surprised, did not check the instrument.

"My brain domain width has recovered?" Lin Feng felt both shocked and delighted, feeling that fate was playing tricks on him.

Three months ago, his brain domain width had plummeted to its lowest point, 5.00%, which was even lower than that of a new student, earning him the title of a "tenth-class genius" in the academy. But in just three months, his brain domain width had mysteriously recovered?

"No, it's not a recovery." Lin Feng's eyes sparkled.

If his brain domain width had not recovered in a full year, how could it recover in just three months of practicing ancient martial arts?

It was too far-fetched.

"No wonder the absorption of elemental energy has been like encountering a blockage recently, slowing down a lot. It turns out my brain domain width is almost at the critical point." Lin Feng thought to himself, his doubts now dispelled. He had thought there was a problem with his cultivation, but he hadn't considered that his brain domain width was approaching a bottleneck.

It was indeed too incredible. Even if he said it, no one would believe it. In just three months, after only three months of practicing the ancient martial arts...

His brain domain width had increased from 5.00% to 9.90%!

It was more than terrifying!

"I started rigorous training at the age of twelve, soaking in genetic fluid, and it took me more than four years to bring my brain domain width close to the critical line." Lin Feng's mind was in turmoil, filled with shock. "Even my brother, with his extraordinary talent, spent three full years!"

Now?

It took just three months!

"Phew~" Lin Feng exhaled deeply, and an image of the strange small sphere in his dantian immediately appeared in his mind. He shook his head. What was going on? Was there some unknown reason? He couldn't figure it out now.

Lin Feng's gaze fell on the shocked faces in front of him, as if they were looking at a monster.

"Crown Elite Academy?" Lin Feng's gaze then fell on the screen in front, the red light from the sun lamp reflecting on the clear screen, with the words "Special Benefits" prominently displayed at the top. All the terms were clearly listed, and they were all very familiar to him.

"1: One D9-level elemental core of any type."

"2: One basic genetic nutrient chamber, four bottles of genetic fluid per month."

"3: One set of D9-level genetic armor and genetic boots."

...

Lin Feng had seen this a year ago.

But it wasn't "Special Benefits," but rather "Exclusive Benefits." Each student recruited in advance enjoyed different exclusive benefits based on their individual talent and potential, which were much better than the "Special Benefits." Just the first item, the elemental core, was vastly different.

At that time, Lin Feng was given a D1-level elemental core of any type.

The price difference between D1 and D9 was more than tenfold.

But this was already the best offer the Crown Elite Academy could make, specifically for "quasi-genetic warriors" whose brain domain width was just a step away from the critical line.

...

Silence.

All the students were staring at the sun lamp, their eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment, especially Shi Wenlong. His handsome face was twisted and pale, losing all the charm of a young master. He looked like a wild beast whose food had been snatched away, his eyes bloodshot, and he wanted to swallow Lin Feng whole.

The mentor from the Crown Elite Academy smiled, looking at the mentor from the Sunset City Genetic Academy with a superior air.

As if to say: Until the last moment, it's not clear who will laugh last!

With a brain domain width of 9.90%, Lin Feng's brain domain width was even better than Xiao Shiyuan's!

He was the true "first" in this graduation assessment!

But...

"Click!" The red light went out, and the sun lamp's glow dimmed, just like the face of the Crown Elite Academy's mentor, filled with shock and confusion. Even the usually stern and solemn face of Dean Shi showed a rare hint of surprise.

Lin Feng had refused the Crown Elite Academy's offer.

Was the offer not good enough?

"No." A hint of surprise flashed in Yin Roshuang's beautiful eyes. She was very clear about the recruitment process of the two high-level academies. Lin Feng must have received the "Special Benefits," which, except for the exclusive benefits for early recruits, was the highest offer the Crown Elite Academy could make.

Yin Roshuang looked at Lin Feng and suddenly smiled faintly, with a hint of helplessness.

Pride! Dignity!!

Putting aside other factors, for the sake of dignity alone, Lin Feng would not join the Crown Elite Academy again. Being humiliated and kicked out like that, and now being offered a little sweetness to make him come back? The Crown Elite Academy was being too naive.

Indeed, the Crown Elite Academy was renowned, having cultivated countless outstanding genetic warriors.

But the high-level genetic academy in Sunset City was not just the Crown Elite Academy. Even the Sunset City Genetic Academy was not much worse than the Crown Elite Academy.

"Sorry." Lin Feng bowed apologetically, his voice neither humble nor arrogant.

The proper manners and politeness should still be maintained, just as Tao Jing had done before.

"Humph!" The mentor from the Crown Elite Academy's face turned iron gray. He was used to choosing students, and had never been refused by a student before, which was very embarrassing. If it were any other occasion, he would have stormed off, but here, he couldn't act out of respect for Dean Shi, so he had to endure it.

The mentor from the Sunset City Genetic Academy couldn't help but smile.

"Lin Feng, brain domain width 9.90%, first-class, mentor evaluation: A8." The instructor's voice rang out, causing another wave of commotion. Not only did it confirm Lin Feng's brain domain width and strength, but the "mentor evaluation" was as high as A8! Even in the history of the Jiaoyang District's primary genetic academy, the number of A-level evaluations could be counted on one hand.

Shock, jealousy, envy, and various emotions intertwined, but only Yang Li had a look of "I knew it."

Tenth-class genius?

Brain domain degenerated into an idiot?

The students who had been mocking Lin Feng earlier were now red-faced and ashamed. If Lin Feng was a tenth-class genius, what were they?

Twentieth-class, thirtieth-class, or fiftieth-class?

...

"Damn, Feng, that's not very nice, not telling me your brain domain had recovered!" Yang Li punched Lin Feng in the chest. "You scared me half to death just now."

Lin Feng smiled helplessly, not knowing how to respond to Yang Li.

Because even he wasn't sure what had happened. Lin Feng shrugged and said, "If I say... this is the result of practicing ancient martial arts for three months, would you believe me?"

"Three months, from 5.00% to 9.90% brain domain width?" Yang Li's eyes widened. "Are you trying to fool me like a three-year-old? Even a genetic warrior would need three years, and you just three months? If I believe you, I'm a turtle's son."

"Right?" Lin Feng laughed. "I don't believe it either."

"Look at you gloating!" Yang Li laughed heartily, raising an eyebrow. "See, those people were all gossiping and mocking you just now, and now they're all scared stiff. It's really satisfying. And that A8 mentor evaluation, see, I told you. This Yin mentor likes you, to say you two don't have a thing... hey, who are you fooling?"

"Go to hell!" Lin Feng laughed and scolded, "You can't say that."

As he spoke, Lin Feng glanced at the stage, meeting Yin Roshuang's gaze. Lin Feng nodded respectfully in thanks, and Yin Roshuang smiled faintly. Lin Feng turned his head and, coincidentally, met Yang Li's gaze, who was pretending not to see and looking around.

Lin Feng sighed helplessly but didn't bother to explain to Yang Li.

Misguided friend.

...

Lin Feng's number was already near the end, and soon, with the remaining students completing their brain domain width tests, the graduation assessment came to an end. Dean Shi and mentor Yin Roshuang gave their closing remarks, and the students, led by Lin Feng and Xiao Shiyuan, officially graduated.

"Bro Feng!" "Senior!" ... As soon as the graduation ceremony ended, Lin Feng was surrounded.

Regardless of whether they could become friends with Lin Feng, the students at least wanted to get familiar with him. Unfortunately, Lin Feng had a "bodyguard" beside him, swinging his sandbag-sized fists, Yang Li looking like a fierce demon, his large eyes glaring. The students had no choice but to retreat, turning their attention to Xiao Shiyuan and Xiang Yang.

"Finally got rid of those annoying flies." Yang Li rolled up his sleeves and huffed.

Lin Feng smiled calmly and walked out of the testing center with Yang Li, the students behind them looking on with regret, now deeply regretting not befriending Lin Feng when he was down and out. Now, even if they had a thousand hearts, Lin Feng wouldn't give them a second glance.

"By the way, Feng, there's something I wanted to ask you." Yang Li said.

"About refusing the Crown Elite Academy?" Lin Feng stepped onto the floating staircase, descending calmly.

Yang Li nodded and said seriously, "That's the Crown Elite Academy, where so many people dream of getting in! Although... their actions at the time were indeed a bit unfair, but from their perspective, it's not entirely wrong. Feng, you didn't really refuse the Crown Elite Academy just out of spite, did you?"

"What do you think?" Lin Feng smiled calmly.

Yang Li looked straight at Lin Feng, shook his head after a long moment, and said dejectedly, "I don't know."

Lin Feng's eyes flashed with a hint of light and said slowly, "My brother taught me from a young age that a man should stand tall and straight, with his back straight and his spine strong, and not bow or kowtow."

The image of being kicked out of the Crown Elite Academy a year ago flashed in his mind, and Lin Feng shook his head. "Even horses don't eat the same grass twice, let alone humans?"

Stepping off the floating staircase, Lin Feng said softly, "Besides... hmm?"

As he spoke, Lin Feng stopped, his eyes fixed on a figure not far away. A man in silver genetic armor, with a warm and gentle smile, leaned against a towering tree, smiling at him. It was the mentor from the Sunset City Genetic Academy.

Was he waiting for me?

Lin Feng thought to himself.

...

(Very grateful to maooo001 for the support~)

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