In the morning, the loud chime of the wall clock echoed through the small dormitory.
Chu Fei immediately jumped up to wash up.
The heavy scent of bleach from the tap water gave a sense of reassurance — the smell of civilization.
Wake-up call at 5:00 a.m., assembly at 5:15, roll call.
At 5:17, three students who woke up late were hung up and whipped. The remaining 24, under Cao Liwen's lead, went for a run.
They ran from the top of the mountain to the bottom, and back up again — three times.
The mountain path was steep and rugged, a true test of physical strength.
The fast ones finished in 25 minutes, the slower ones in 30.
But one frail girl still didn't reach the finish line in 30 minutes.
Four elders stepped forward and, ignoring her pleas, pinned her to a bench and gave her three lashes.
The second and third last also received two lashes each.
Punishment for the bottom three was the rule.
But that wasn't the end.
Cao Liwen looked coldly at Chu Fei. "Yesterday you were third from last, correct?"
Chu Fei was stunned and nodded.
"Today, still third from last."
Right, but is that a problem?
"But I see you still have energy left! Slacking off and lacking drive — one lash!"
Chu Fei was completely dumbfounded.
Until the whip landed — his mind went blank.
The unimaginable pain radiated through his entire body, making every muscle seize up.
His mouth gaped open, his neck craned backward, chest muscles contracted, forcing air out of his lungs in gasping sounds.
Only after a few seconds did he finally let out a miserable scream.
After quite a while, Chu Fei struggled to get up, his back spasming, the pain burrowing deep into his bones.
Then more were whipped — one lash for those slacking, at least one for the poor performers.
The last three, having already been punished, were whipped again. Their backs were a mess of blood and flesh.
The frail girl had already rolled her eyes back, barely breathing.
Then, Chu Fei and the others were taken to the medical room, which had equipment.
Lying down, a dreamy light swept over their backs, and in just two minutes, the injuries were healed.
Chu Fei felt reborn — though the wound itched intensely.
The doctor said blandly, "Itching means it's healing. It'll be fine in half a day."
By the time everyone finished treatment, it was already breakfast time.
After breakfast, they all returned to the medical room for a potential evaluation.
Cao Liwen said, "The results of this test will be your base reference values going forward.
Big data cultivation — everything is guided by data.
Li Honggang, you start."
Under the medic's guidance, Li Honggang lay inside a device similar to an MRI machine.
A virtual screen popped up with changing numbers, graphs, and various parameters.
About two minutes later, the machine stopped, and Li Honggang exited.
The doctor reported: "Potential Index: 7.6240. Bone age: 13 years 6 months. Slight nutritional imbalance, minor toxin accumulation. Health: 89%. Next."
Jiang Shaohu stepped up: 7.5823, bone age 13 years 7 months, health 87%.
Next was Chu Fei: 7.5587, bone age 14 years 2 months, health 90%, mild weakness, needs regulation.
Zhang Xuan: 7.5911, bone age 13 years 1 month, health 72%, mild weakness, needs regulation.
Lu Hong: 7.6125, bone age 13 years 9 months, health 93%.
One by one, the students were tested.
Chu Fei quietly observed. The students' potential varied. His potential was average.
The average innate potential for humans is 7.5, but with study and training, growth is possible.
Most students' health was below 90% — suboptimal.
After the tests, they were given nutritional fluids, IVs, and medicine to stabilize their condition. By then, it was nearly noon.
Everyone gathered in the square in formation.
Cao Liwen held a name roster filled with data, slowly scanning over the students before resting his gaze on Li Honggang and Lu Hong. He nodded slightly. "Not bad. Both of you exceeded 7.6 in potential. Promising future."
The two smiled brightly.
Chu Fei glanced over — these two hadn't been "motivated" with whips yet.
Just as he thought that, Cao Liwen looked at Chu Fei and sighed slightly, "Chu Fei, your potential is a bit low, and your age is getting up there too.
By the end of the year, you must raise your potential to at least 7.75 to enter the second grade.
Those over 15 who haven't reached 7.75 will be reassigned."
Chu Fei couldn't help but ask, "Sir, isn't big data cultivation about learning ability? Is age a factor?
Even if there is, the peak learning ability in youth is from 15 to 20 years old, right?"
Cao Liwen replied, "In theory, yes. But the golden window for big data cultivation is also from 15 to 20.
At 14, secondary sex characteristics develop, and mental maturity begins; At 20, brain cells begin to die, and activity declines.
Given that much auxiliary technology has been lost, knowledge transmission is no longer perfect, and resources are scarce, six years is very tight.
Based on past experience, those who don't reach 7.75 by 15 rarely reach 8.0 by 20.
Though individual physiological ages may vary, the academy uses standard benchmarks."
He paused for a moment, then said seriously, "In other words, you have only 10 months left."
Chu Fei took a deep breath and asked, "What happens to those who exceed the age but still don't meet the requirement?"
Cao Liwen calmly replied, "Those with good academics and potential above 7.70 can become technical personnel — still a decent path."
Then he addressed everyone, "This is the apocalypse. Those under 7.70 don't even qualify as cannon fodder.
Only learning can change your fate — work hard.
By the time you're 15, even if you can't step into the path of cultivation, at least become a competent technician.
Today is a rest day. Take care of yourselves and tidy up.
See you at 5:15 tomorrow morning. Class officially begins.
Dismissed."
Everyone returned to their dorms to begin self-study.
From this moment on, everyone was in hardcore study mode.
Last night's warning, this morning's "motivation," and Cao Liwen's explanation — no one dared slack off.
Chu Fei tidied up a bit, had lunch, then picked up a thick "Mathematical Dictionary" and began studying.
Time flew by, and soon it was dinner time.
Chu Fei looked at the time, closed his eyes, and in a hazy state once again "saw" a crystalline seed of the Tree of Wisdom, with a translucent, shimmering dewdrop resting on it.
Wisdom Dewdrop — 100%!
Gazing at it, Chu Fei's heart surged with excitement.
Learning makes me happy!
Should I try the effect of the Wisdom Dewdrop?
After a few deep breaths, he resisted the urge.
Eat first.
After dinner, Chu Fei hurried back to his dorm, sat at his desk, opened the thick "Elementary Math Compendium," took a deep breath, focused on the Wisdom Dewdrop — and began.
After some brief exploration, he figured out how to use it.
Focusing his thoughts on the dewdrop, he mentally activated it.
The Wisdom Dewdrop dissolved into mist, releasing a spark of cognitive clarity. His mind instantly cleared, consciousness sharpened.
(End of Chapter)