Chapter 58

His change is so great— is he still the Lu Jing I know?

Should I go say hello later? What if he ignores me...

Zhang Hao grew a bit nervous, lowered his head and dared not look again.

It seemed something had quietly slipped from his heart, impossible to catch.

Lu Jing stopped at the classroom door, glanced at the crowded side, a bit embarrassed, and said, "Teachers, I've already reached my class—no need to trouble you to guide me; let me just gather with my classmates alone."

This...

The school leaders beside them were stunned for a moment, then exchanged a glance and nodded, "Okay, we'll head back first."

Thank you.

Lu Jing and the instructor left the crowd and entered the classroom.

Classmates!

Li Jiacheng led the applause, loudly saying, "Welcome back, our class's Lu Jing!"

The Class Two students first fell silent for a few seconds, then all burst into cheers, deafening.

Seeing everyone's eyes on him, Lu Jing felt a bit uneasy.

He just wanted to gather with his classmates one last time, as before, quietly sit by the window, and enjoy the last moments of middle school.

But he didn't expect everyone to be so enthusiastic, leaving him at a loss.

Lu Jing thought for a moment, then raised his hand and gently pressed down.

Instantly, the noisy classroom fell silent.

"Teacher," Lu Jing turned to Li Jiacheng beside him and said, "Please continue; I'll find a seat."

"Mm, okay."

Li Jiacheng blinked slightly, then nodded.

Lu Jing stepped down from the podium, looking for Zhang Hao.

At that moment, Zhang Hao was staring blankly at Lu Jing; Lu Jing smiled and walked to his side.

Wang Siming beside them promptly stood up and gave Lu Jing his seat.

Long time no see, good brother.

Lu Jing patted Zhang Hao's shoulder, smiling as he spoke.

The originally somewhat confused Zhang Hao, hearing Lu Jing's familiar words, instantly had a sparkle in his eyes.

"Yeah, Lu Jing, I thought I wouldn't see you..."

Lu Jing and Zhang Hao openly caught up, while Li Jiacheng on stage not only didn't intervene but wore a smile.

Compared to Wang Siming and Zhang Hao's earlier experiences, it's hardly not double‑standard.

Having a genius like Lu Jing in his class is a major achievement for Li Jiacheng; after this semester, the school will promote and raise his salary.

Although he hadn't really taught Lu Jing before, and hadn't said more than a few words all semester.

"Classmates, after the celebration we need to get down to business; I'll introduce the procedure for this military activity."

Li Jiacheng tapped the blackboard, signaling everyone to listen carefully.

"If you want to join, come sign up with me, then after school go to the school playground where there will be an assessment."

"As long as you pass, it's basically a sure thing."

As soon as Li Jiacheng finished speaking, several students stood up and went up to register.

These students' Blood Qi was mostly at mid‑low levels, with some reaching 13 or higher who went to register.

Joining the military is indeed a good option; in peacetime, they won't carry out especially dangerous missions.

The classroom buzzed again, with nearly a third of the students going up to register.

Zhang Hao, who had been chatting with Lu Jing, also stood up: "Lu Jing, I want to go register too."

Lu Jing watched Zhang Hao walk toward the podium, feeling somewhat surprised.

It seems his own changes also stirred Zhang Hao's fighting spirit.

As he kept growing stronger, his relationships with friends grew more distant.

This wasn't intentional on his part, but resulted from the gap in strength.

For example, a lion and a rabbit are friends from childhood, but when they grow up, even if the lion wants to play, the rabbit will have a psychological shadow.

"I succeeded in registering; although I can't get into the martial university, I'll definitely make a name for myself in the military and not embarrass my brothers!"

Zhang Hao returned to his seat, face full of excitement.

Seeing Zhang Hao full of confidence, Lu Jing felt greatly relieved.

"Lu Jing, would you like to give it a try? If you go, you'll surely pass, and the military will definitely make good use of you—no worse than attending the martial university."

Li Jiacheng walked over and asked quietly.

He asked this out of concern; in his mind, the military is the most authoritative department, and gaining even a minor post there is far better than graduating from the martial university.

You should know that nearly half of martial university graduates enter the military each year, and they still have to start from the grassroots.

This military recruitment drive is not only an opportunity for ordinary people, but also a good option for a genius like Lu Jing.

Li Jiacheng is worldly; although Lu Jing was already a Second‑Realm Martial Artist before the martial exam, in Anwu City he is absolutely a once‑in‑a‑century genius.

But Anwu City is merely a tiny fourth‑ or fifth‑tier city.

Looking at the major martial universities, nearly ninety percent of freshmen become official Martial Artists within half a year of enrollment.

Those with better talent can even break through to the Second Realm before the end of their first year.

Not to mention the prestigious martial universities; Lu Jing would be just an ordinary person there.

So he also didn't want Lu Jing, the genius from his own class, to fade into obscurity.

"No, Teacher Li, I plan to take the martial exam; I won't sign up for this activity."

Lu Jing shook his head and said.

Li Jiacheng furrowed his brows, continuing to persuade: "Lu Jing, you've never left, you don't know how fierce the competition at Martial University is; the teacher says this for your own good!"

"Don't worry, Teacher Li, I'm still quite confident in myself."

Lu Jing said calmly.

To outsiders, his current strength is still that of a Second‑Realm Martial Artist.

Little does he know that he can already defeat a Fourth‑Realm Warrior with a single punch.

But even if he said it, probably no one would believe him.

"All right, Teacher respects your decision; with your talent, getting into a prestigious Martial University is definitely no problem."

Seeing Lu Jing so insistent, Li Jiacheng stopped trying.

He merely pointed out an extra path for Lu Jing; whether to take it is up to Lu Jing himself.

"Mm, Teacher Li, don't worry."

Lu Jing also felt somewhat helpless; he hadn't expected Li Jiacheng to care so much about him.

Their conversation also drew the attention of the nearby classmates.

"I really envy Lu Jing; he can freely choose between Martial University and the military, and once chosen, he'll surely advance..."

"Yeah, unlike me—I can't get into Martial University, and even enlisting is tough."

Whether it's the gifted students or the class's underachievers, they all began to envy Lu Jing, their words laced with sour jealousy.

"Those who signed up, come with me to the school field to take the assessment; those who didn't sign up can go cheer on their classmates!"

Li Jiacheng finished speaking and then walked out of the classroom.

Zhang Hao, looking eager, asked: "Lu Jing, do you want to come watch my assessment?"

"Let's go; after your assessment, the two of us brothers will go eat and sing karaoke—I'll treat!"

Lu Jing said with a smile.

"Good, we haven't gotten together in a long time."