Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, twenty days have passed.
During this period, both Chu Chen and Lei Yao's abilities have significantly improved, and Nirvana's condition has also gotten better.
Firstly, Chu Chen's realm has advanced from the sixth rank to the eighth rank at the Soul Pupil Level. Apart from Stone Skin, Light Body, and Giant Power, his Soul Seal now includes a Yellow Rank Upper Grade Barrier, capable of withstanding a full-power strike from an early-stage War General Level Star Beast. His Slaughter Value has accumulated over two thousand points, although ten days ago, he expended a thousand points to upgrade his "Heaven Rewards Diligence" talent to a D-level, boosting his cultivation speed by a full fifty percent. His current cultivation talent rivals that of a Green Rank Middle Grade Beast Master, slightly surpassing Wang Lu.
Secondly, Lei Yao has also reached the eighth rank at the Servant Level, with its life level transitioning from the juvenile stage to the growth stage. Its shoulder height has increased from half a meter to seventy centimeters, and its body length has grown from seventy centimeters to one meter. Standing upright, its height is nearly two meters, its power has more than doubled, its physique has become more robust, and even its fur is shinier.
Regarding skills, Lei Yao hasn't changed much. Lightning Fist remains at the Mastery Realm, while Thunderbolt Fist is at the Skilled Realm, but it's not far from breaking through to Mastery Realm. Thunder Blade, an Elite Level Skill, is still difficult to advance, requiring more time to break through to the Mastery Realm. However, Chu Chen is most pleased that Lei Yao recently self-realized the Elite Level Skill Thunder Armor, which is currently at the Entry Realm. Overall, Lei Yao's strength has increased by more than fifty percent. Even without using Frenzy, it could now defeat Nirvana.
Finally, there's Nirvana. There hasn't been any progress in strength, but after twenty days of living together, it has gradually accepted the three members of the Chu family. Most of the time, it stays in Chu Chen's bedroom, occasionally wandering around different rooms to familiarize itself with the new environment. Its daily meals have begun to normalize, and it occasionally responds to interactions with Chu Chen's family. The colors in its eyes are gradually becoming more vibrant, boosting Chu Chen's confidence in taming it.
Chu Chen arrived at school as usual. When he reached the school gate, he found many parents of seniors gathered there. Some had already sent their children into the school, while others were still giving their last-minute advice. None of these parents seemed ready to leave, and even when guards tried to clear them, they merely stepped back to make room at the entrance.
This situation arose because today was the day for Elite Class selection, and they were all there to cheer for their children, as this concerned their children's future.
The school was quite helpless about this. Every year, this situation would occur during the Elite Class selection, but there seemed to be even more parents this year.
When Chu Chen arrived in the classroom, he found that most of his classmates were already there, but the room was unusually quiet. He scanned the room and realized everyone was buried in their studies.
Chu Chen found this quite novel. He checked his watch and saw that there was still an hour before the exam, showing that his classmates had grasped the spirit of cramming at the last minute.
This time, the class assessment was divided into two parts: written exams and practical exams, with the written exam accounting for forty percent and the practical exam sixty percent.
"Why are you only getting here now? You must be pretty confident in your grades," Wang Lu said with a laugh when he saw Chu Chen.
Chu Chen replied helplessly, "It's not that I'm late; it's that you all got here too early."
Wang Lu scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Don't mention it. My dad woke me up at five this morning to review my lessons."
Chu Chen laughed and said, "Uncle Wang is really proactive. Well, enough chatter from you. You should use the time to study more; you never know if the exam will cover what you reviewed."
Wang Lu nodded and said, "Let's hope so." With that, he returned to studying.
Seeing this, Chu Chen also took out his study materials and began to review.
After an unknown amount of time, the sound of "clack, clack, clack" high heels echoed down the hallway, and the classroom door slowly opened as Chen Qian walked in briskly.
Chen Qian clapped her hands and said, "Alright, put your books aside. The exam starts in half an hour. I want to emphasize one point: do not cheat in this exam. Any student caught cheating will be immediately expelled. Finally, I wish you all success in your exams. Now, proceed to the exam venue."
Hearing this, everyone hurried off to their respective exam halls without delay.
The exam lasted the entire day, ending at four in the afternoon.
When the students returned to the classroom, there was a mix of excitement, melancholy, and frustration.
The classroom was filled with emotions, and naturally, emotions needed to be shared. Soon, the room buzzed with chatter.
"How did you do on the exam?" Wang Lu asked with a smile.
Chu Chen raised an eyebrow playfully at Wang Lu's unusual interest, since he never asked about his results before, often seemed melancholic after exams.
This situation was normal, as Wang Lu's academic standing hovered in the middle or below average, while Chu Chen was top of the class. Wang Lu usually avoided asking Chu Chen about his grades to avoid embarrassment.
Now, with Wang Lu behaving differently, it indicated his exam had probably gone well.
Although Chu Chen guessed the answer, he did not spoil the mood, instead smiling and saying, "I did fine. How about you?"
Wang Lu answered proudly, "I performed exceptionally this time, and my grades should improve greatly."
Chu Chen laughed and said, "Congratulations then, you got lucky this time."
Wang Lu was initially pleased to hear the congratulations but became indignant at the mention of luck.
"Lucky? What's lucky about it? It's all due to my hard work! Do you know how I've been living this past month? I'd sleep only four or five hours a day! Besides training my Guardian Beast and cultivating, I've been studying non-stop. If not for my improved physique, I'd have collapsed long ago. Look at my dark circles!" Wang Lu pointed at his panda-like eyes, venting his frustration.
Chu Chen chuckled and said, "Who's to blame but yourself? You didn't work hard before, so it's only fair you're tired now."
Wang Lu didn't retort, just scratched his head awkwardly.
He knew Chu Chen was right, and he had often tried to advise him. Unfortunately, he hadn't realized the importance of studying at the time, but fortunately, it wasn't too late.
At that moment, Chen Qian returned to the classroom, clapping her hands to signal for silence.
Once everyone was looking at her, she began, "The Elite Class selection's written exam is over. No matter your performance, focus now on tomorrow's practical assessment."
Everyone reacted differently to these words, knowing the practical exam was the crucial part, accounting for sixty percent.
Seeing this, Chen Qian continued, "Gather at the school gate by six tomorrow. Do not bring any elixir pills or assistive combat items. Latecomers will be considered as forfeiting. Class dismissed." With that, she left the room.
Hearing this, the students burst into chatter again.
Chu Chen didn't join in the discussion but got up and left the classroom.
Staying in the classroom served no purpose; it'd be better to seize the time for cultivation or even rest instead of idle chatter.
Seeing this, Wang Lu quickly followed him out.