The strength is the sum of the whole class, and he is promoted to the Grandmaster level at the beginning.

19: Yu Xiu as if walking on flat ground“The assessment begins now. You have two hours. You may rest during this time, but you are not allowed to remove your backpack, or you will be deemed to have failed.”

At this point, the black-faced man pointed to the drone above his head, “Don’t try to cut corners. Your every move will be under our observation.”

Yu Xiu, too, put on the 100,000-kilogram backpack and, after a moment, found it wasn’t as heavy as he imagined.

To be precise, 100,000 kilograms was still too light for him.

Just as Yu Xiu was considering whether he should change his backpack, Yang Duling walked over with a 3,000-kilogram backpack.

“Let’s go!”

“Mm, let’s go!” Yu Xiu thought for a moment and decided not to change it after all.

As the students began to descend the mountain, the woman named Nightingale suddenly asked, “Do you think Yu Xiu can pass the assessment?”

Her question was not whispered at all and attracted the attention of the Pre-selection class students, as well as Chairman Liu and the other teachers.

“I don’t comment on unknown matters,” the black-faced man replied sternly.

“I think it’s unlikely!” Another slightly shorter man named Cang Lang said, “Although Yu Xiu is a Great Grandmaster, he hasn’t undergone high-intensity special training. His stamina is not as good as ours. Compared to us, Yu Xiu has no advantage whatsoever.”

Nightingale nodded and said, “As fellow Great Grandmasters, stamina is also a very important factor.”

“But there’s no need to worry. Even if Yu Xiu fails the assessment, with his strength, he’ll quickly return to the Pre-selection class. It’s just a loss of some points, that’s all.”

“But in the Genius Training Camp, if you have strength, you don’t have to worry about points.”

Cang Lang agreed, then sneered, “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but when Yu Xiu chose the 100,000-kilogram backpack, many students from Jiangtan City were gloating. It’s truly pathetic.”

“They don’t even realize how fortunate it is to have a leader with the strength of a Great Grandmaster in the Genius Training Camp.”

“Whether it’s team competitions or facing bullying from other cities, Yu Xiu’s presence is a terrifying deterrent.”

“Originally, Jiangtan City’s strength wasn’t too strong compared to several other cities. Now they’ve offended Yu Xiu. Once they lose Yu Xiu’s protection, I’m afraid they’ll have a tough time.”

Nightingale seemed to recall something, displaying a look of empathy.

“Indeed, if I had such a strong protector as Yu Xiu when I participated in the Genius Training Camp back then, I wouldn’t have…”

Nightingale didn’t continue, instead changing the subject, “However, that girl next to Yu Xiu just now was very smart.”

Cang Lang nodded and said, “I also suffered greatly when I participated in the Genius Training Camp, but fortunately, back then, no deaths were allowed to occur. Otherwise, I might have become a member of the prematurely deceased army before turning eighteen.”

As the two discussed amongst themselves, Chairman Liu and the other teachers were flushed with embarrassment.

They had actually noticed the students’ petty thoughts earlier.

It was just that having it exposed publicly now was indeed a bit humiliating.

“Sigh, originally that old fellow was thinking that with Yu Xiu around, the students participating in the Genius Training Camp this time would be able to secure more resources.”

“But before it even started, this situation occurred. Given Yu Xiu’s vengeful nature, it’s already lucky if he doesn’t retaliate against them, let alone protect them.”

While Chairman Liu was sighing, in the Pre-selection class crowd, Xiao Wan was deep in thought, seemingly pondering something.

“If it’s truly as those two said, if I seek Yu Xiu’s help, can I quickly improve my strength and become an official Genius Training Camp student sooner?”

“But I offended Yu Xiu so badly last time; he probably won’t help me.”

“Should I ask Dad to talk to Uncle Yu, and have Uncle Yu put in a good word? Yu Xiu is famously filial, so he’ll definitely listen.”

“That’s what I’ll do. Before entering the Camp, I’ll find a way to contact Dad.”

While Xiao Wan was pondering, Nightingale also took out a tablet-like device, which displayed the drone’s feedback.

“The students from Jiangtan City are indeed a bit weaker. Their overall strength is clearly not as good as the students from the previous two cities.”

“Why are you looking at those rookies? Quickly switch the screen and see how Yu Xiu is doing?” Cang Lang urged.

“His steps are light and steady. Good heavens, if I didn’t know he was carrying 100,000 kilograms, I’d think he was just taking a stroll.”

Nightingale nodded and said, “It seems we underestimated Yu Xiu’s stamina. It’s clear he’s deliberately controlling his speed. If it weren’t for taking care of the girl beside him, his speed would probably be even faster.”

The black-faced man suddenly interjected, “It’s just the beginning now. Yu Xiu should be grateful to have that girl beside him, as she can indirectly help him control his stamina. If he were to follow the other fools and just blindly accelerate and compete, he would probably find it increasingly difficult later on.”

Cang Lang chuckled, “That’s true, but those fools are really interesting. The assessment doesn’t require ranking; they just need to complete it within the allotted time to get points corresponding to the backpack’s weight.”

At this moment, Nightingale suddenly let out a soft “Oh?” and chuckled, “That truly is interesting.”

Cang Lang’s gaze shifted over. A strange phenomenon appeared on the screen.

Many students were lined up neatly, closely following behind Yu Xiu and Yang Duling, their pace neither fast nor slow, with a very rhythmic stride.

“This Yu Xiu is a smart person. If I’m not mistaken, the students following him are from his middle school.”

Nightingale nodded and said, “They’re probably Yu Xiu’s classmates from his own school. Otherwise, Yu Xiu wouldn’t bother meddling.”

“Right now, they’re descending the mountain, which won’t consume too much stamina. I’m really looking forward to seeing the expressions of those fools who didn’t conserve their stamina when they start ascending.”

Cang Lang laughed loudly, “They’ll probably be like dead dogs, dragging their exhausted bodies forward inch by inch, crying out for their mothers in their hearts.”

Nightingale suddenly asked, “How many people from Jiangtan City do you think will pass this assessment?”

“If these fools don’t wake up and continue to rush at this speed, more than half of them probably won’t pass.”

Cang Lang seemed to have thought of something amusing again, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

“Jiangtan City is already weaker than other cities. Now, with so few people passing the assessment, once they lose Yu Xiu’s protection, I’m afraid they will completely become slaves to students from other cities after entering the Camp.”

“There are no rules restricting this. The law of the jungle will be even more vividly demonstrated, and the lives of slaves will only be more miserable.”

Chairman Liu was already overcome with shame.

Although he hadn’t witnessed the fools’ behavior firsthand, based on Nightingale’s description, images had already formed in his mind.

More than half of the people failing the assessment meant that after entering the Camp, the Jiangtan City students would be exploited beyond recognition.

To put it more seriously, who knew how many would die, how many would be left behind here.

“No, I must contact that old fellow and have him speak well to Yu Xiu. Yes, it’s best to offer some benefits to bribe him, otherwise, Jiangtan City will be finished.”

“Once the martial arts exam fails, it’s impossible to gain any benefits from the ruins either. What awaits Jiangtan City will be a merger, sigh—”