Chapter 218: S-rank Becomes A-rank

Passing through the formation, Lin Meng clearly felt several gazes fall on her at once, as if she had been scanned, and then the gazes disappeared.

Other parents seemed to be experiencing the same thing, but ordinary people simply couldn't notice.

"Grade 12 Class 8, line up by student number; when your name is called, come up to the stage; others get ready."

The teacher hosting the event on behalf of the school quickly called number one to the stage.

That was a male student with meticulously combed hair and refined attire, obviously a young master who grew up with a silver spoon.

Lin Meng glanced at him once, then looked away, searching for Ye Xiu in the student line; she saw him standing near the end, his gaze fixed straight and blank on the test platform.

Through Ye Xiu's gaze, Lin Meng saw hatred and resolve, and her heart swayed instantly.

It seemed that the student numbered one on stage was one of those who had bullied Ye Xiu.

The test began, and the venue grew noisy.

Lin Meng stopped her steps toward Ye Xiu and focused her attention on the situation on stage.

Everyone seemed to pay extra attention to student number one, with some even overly fawning and flattering.

Hearing everyone's whispered exchanges, Lin Meng finally understood.

It turned out that student number one was the most powerful junior of a prominent family in Jianan City, and today family elders were present to back him up.

"Young Master Cui Cheng proved a genius with S-rank talent in the last mock test; it seems the Cui family's position in Jianan City will remain secure."

"Young Master Cui's S-rank talent combined with the Cui family's top-tier resources makes him another powerhouse."

"Who do you think will awaken the greater supernatural power, him or Ye Xiu? I recall Ye Xiu also scored S-rank in the mock test, though his energy value was a bit higher than Young Master Cui's."

Finally someone mentioned Ye Xiu, and for a moment everyone glanced at him furtively.

Everyone knows Cui Cheng resents Ye Xiu for always being better than him, even beating him in the mock test.

At school, Cui Cheng often teamed up with other students to target Ye Xiu.

Everyone saw it, but no one dared to speak up for Ye Xiu.

The reason is simple: the Cui family dominates Jianan City; who would dare provoke them?

Cui Cheng's followers, hearing their leader being discussed, immediately turned hostile and shouted.

"Cut the crap! How dare someone like Ye Xiu, a nobody, compare himself to our Young Master Cui?"

"The mock test's accuracy isn't high to begin with; our Young Master Cui's family has strong genes, so S-rank talent is a given—what is Ye Xiu anyway? Just trash fit only to live in a garbage heap."

"Shut your mouths! Disturbing Young Master Cui's awakening—how many lives do you have to pay?"

For a moment, neither students nor parents dared to speak casually.

Although many held back anger, who let them be the Cui family? They truly cannot be provoked.

Lin Meng watched the farce, her brows furrowed tightly.

It seems that wherever you go, there are those who bully others with power, and in such an environment, the survival rule of the strong reigning supreme will only be shown more vividly.

Another world where might makes right.

Ye Xiu wants revenge, so he must keep growing stronger; relying on reason to seek justice for himself is like throwing an egg at a stone.

Perhaps the laws here are whatever the strong say they are.

When Lin Meng looked at Ye Xiu again, he had regained his composure, his face calm and tranquil, no longer showing hostility.

Lin Meng couldn't help but nod; this kid isn't reckless, and he looks like a tough character capable of great deeds.

At that moment, the awakening test ceremony for Young Master Cui finally began.

Lin Meng noticed the black potion in his hand, which must be the testing spirit liquid Ye Xiu mentioned—precious beyond compare, not even major families necessarily possess it.

Cui Cheng confidently drank the testing spirit liquid in one gulp, then placed his hand on the testing device.

On the large holographic screen, the test results were being output.

Looking at Cui Cheng's smug expression, he seemed fully confident.

The group of sycophantic lackeys below cheered in unison, prematurely celebrating Young Master Cui becoming an S-rank genius.

Those seeking to curry favor with the Cui family also began to flatter and applaud.

But the next second, the sound cut off abruptly, and an eerie silence fell over the entire barrier.

Everyone stared at the large screen in disbelief.

Lin Meng's gaze fell on the crystal-clear "A"; at that moment she finally understood what people meant when they said the mock test's accuracy wasn't high.

Cui Cheng actually tested as only A-rank talent, which, compared to the S-rank shown in the mock test, was only a drop of one tier.

But everyone knows that the gap between A-rank and S-rank is not a mere chasm—it's a heavenly gulf.

"Heh, just that." Ye Xiu finally let out a smile, openly mocking Cui Cheng.

At this moment, Cui Cheng finally reacted, whipping around to stare at the screen.

Upon seeing that his talent level was actually only A-rank, his whole body felt as if struck by lightning.

"How could this be?"

The teacher beside him, seeing his dejected state, gave an embarrassed smile: 'Student Cui Cheng, an A-rank talent is still quite good; you can still awaken abilities later, so don't lose heart.'

Cui Cheng couldn't hear a word; out of the corner of his eye he saw his father downstairs with a look of disdain, and his heart skipped.

"No, this must be wrong—I demand a retest!"

The teacher was in a dilemma: 'Student Cui Cheng, the testing spirit liquid is precious; each person only gets one chance in a lifetime, don't mess around.'

"Impossible! I was clearly S-rank in the mock test; it must be that the spirit liquid you gave me is faulty!"

Cui Cheng blamed everything on the teacher, solely wanting to retest to regain his S-rank talent.

This time even the teacher grew angry; his earlier politeness was only because of Cui Cheng's surname, but if he questioned the spirit liquid, it would be practically a death wish.

The testing spirit liquid is a national cornerstone; give him a hundred thousand guts and he still wouldn't dare tamper with it!

"Cui Cheng! If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll cancel your college entrance exam eligibility!"

"You also said it was a mock test; even fools know the mock test's accuracy isn't perfect, and only results obtained using the testing spirit liquid are the most precise."

Cui Cheng's father below the stage only felt embarrassed; he snorted coldly and flicked his sleeves away.

This dramatic scene made many students and parents feel joy from the bottom of their hearts.

Seeing the young master of the first family of Ganan City so embarrassed made their trip worthwhile.

Cui Cheng suffered a heavy blow, feeling lost and dispirited; although his A‑grade talent remained top‑notch worldwide, the gap was too great for him to bear.

In the subsequent ability awakening, Cui Cheng finally showed some backbone and awakened to gain the lightning ability.

At the moment of the ability awakening, the sky was overcast with dark clouds, several bolts of lightning fell, and the scene was magnificent.

Lin Meng felt the lightning aura in the air and couldn't help trembling again.

Here, the supernatural power can actually draw upon the natural forces of heaven and earth.

She had just learned Palm Thunder, exactly when she was sensitive to the lightning attribute.

It is unknown whether her lightning power, transformed from spiritual power, would be stronger or weaker than the lightning ability users here in a clash.

While thinking, the evaluation on Cui Cheng's side ended; he drifted absent‑minded into the crowd, ignoring the teacher's dissuasion, and left the barrier alone ahead of time.

Lin Meng saw this, her eyes flashed, and she quietly followed……