Chapter 57: Did He Knock Out Even the Test Machine with a Single Punch?

Since his attempt to use backdoor connections had been caught in the act, how could Lu Yu possibly let Xiang Nan get away with it?

Right in front of everyone, he loudly exposed, “Who would have thought that the illustrious Longyuan Army would stoop to favoritism! This student’s name is Xiang Nan, a newly admitted freshman, a first-tier Ancestral Regressor—on what grounds is he allowed to join the volunteer army? I object!”

He deliberately infused his voice with inner energy, making it resound powerfully across the field. All the thousands of students and teachers present could hear him loud and clear.

“No way, a first-tier freshman can sneak in? Isn’t this just making up the numbers?”
“This isn’t fair. With cultivation like his, what monsters could he possibly kill? He’ll just go on a sightseeing tour at the border and come back to all kinds of rewards!”
“We object too! What good is a weakling like him? If he gets to go, then so can all of us!”

Many recognized Xiang Nan and were filled with doubt.

“Isn’t that the genius among this year’s freshmen, the one who regressed to the benevolent martial sage Huang Feihong? If he’s a genius, maybe he really does have some skill!”

“So what if it’s Huang Feihong? If he’s truly capable, let him prove it on the testing device!”

“Yes, exactly! If his combat power hits S, we’ll accept it!”

“S? Bro, you’re really pushing it. Even among third-tiers, hardly anyone reaches S!”

Yet this sentiment was widely supported. Everyone knew there was no way his combat power could reach S, so no one agreed with letting an unqualified candidate be admitted directly.

Up on the high platform.

Li Mu’s expression was extremely sour.

Xiang Nan was a real talent; in actual battle, he could even rival high-level third-tier martial artists. Although Lone Wolf hadn’t said it outright, one day Xiang Nan was destined to join the official ranks of the Longyuan Army. This volunteer service was meant as an opportunity for him to gain experience.

But his cultivation level was what it was, and everyone was fixated on the rules.

“We in the Longyuan Army have our standards for selecting volunteers. Since I have specially approved Xiang Nan’s admission, it’s because I recognize his overall combat ability!” Li Mu replied loudly, his tone simmering with anger.

“If you say his combat ability is so strong, then let him take the test!” Lu Ming retorted just as loudly.

“Yes, let him test! Let him test! Let him test!”
The crowd’s clamor grew.

Xiang Nan, seeing the difficult look on Li Mu’s face, simply patted him on the shoulder in reassurance, “It’s nothing, just a test of combat power, right? Come on, let’s go!”

Seeing Xiang Nan jump into the pit himself, Lu Ming’s lips curled in a smug smile.

Making a fool of yourself in public—consider it a little lesson for you.

The recruiting officer at the side looked at Xiang Nan with disdain, already certain that this man would be sent packing.

Only Xiang Nan remained calm and composed, as if nothing could faze him.

A test of combat power—what was there to fear?

Xiang Nan strode toward the testing device. It was time to show his real skills!

He circulated his inner energy, mobilizing the flow of purple blood within him, a faint violet flickering in his eyes.

The spiritual energy at the center of his brow was also drawn out, coursing in a minor celestial circuit through his body.

All the power completed one full cycle, finally converging in his right fist.

He aimed at the titanium-alloyed, super-stable, absolutely sturdy testing plate, and smashed his fist down with all his strength.

Boom!

The testing machine, fixed in place by several steel support rods, was sent flying a dozen meters, its supposedly unbreakable screen smashed to pieces.

As for the readout: #%&*! Unable to display results.

A severed electrical wire sparked under the gaze of a thousand onlookers.

The very next second—crackle, bang!

The testing device completely collapsed, exploding into countless fragments.

Even Xiang Nan himself was startled; he hadn’t expected the combined force of the three powers to be so monstrous!

This was, in fact, an unexpected bonus.

In the vast arena, silence fell so profound one could hear the sound of swallowing.

Everyone was stunned.

In all the school’s decades of history, nothing so bizarre had ever happened.

“This is just insane! He flattened the testing machine with a single punch?”

“If S is the highest rating, does this make him S to the power of N?”

“Didn’t they say he was a first-tier Ancestral Regressor? A newly enrolled freshman? Who are they trying to fool?”

“Maybe the machine malfunctioned. I demand he be tested again!”

“Yes, test him again! Test him again!”

Standing on the high platform, so close to Xiang Nan, Lu Ming’s face had turned ashen.

The punch Xiang Nan threw had carried a force that even tore through the air—those far down below might not have sensed it, but how could Lu Ming not feel it, standing so near?

Even if he tested ten thousand times, the result would be the same.

Sure enough.

Without another word, Xiang Nan walked straight to another testing device.

He didn’t bother with any preparations—just threw another punch!

True energy from Zhang Sanfeng’s martial arts, the explosive power of his purple blood, and the spiritual energy at his brow working in concert—he was only getting more adept.

Boom!

Another thunderous crash echoed across the training ground. The second machine was thoroughly destroyed.

Then the third, the fourth...

Xiang Nan was having a great time, and the students were left dumbfounded.

The director of the school’s asset management office was on the verge of a heart attack.

What was this? Testing one person had already resulted in four machines being scrapped. Did they think these machines grew on trees? They were expensive!

Watching Xiang Nan eye the fifth machine with that “criminal look,” the director could barely hold back tears. He threw caution to the wind, rushing up to the platform.

“That’s enough! Four machines—surely that proves the point? Xiang Nan’s combat power far exceeds S-class!”

Down below, some remained unconvinced.

“But this Xiang Nan is clearly only a first-tier cultivator—how is this possible?”

“Test his cultivation! With such terrifying combat strength, he should at least be third-tier!”

Xiang Nan smiled lightly, “Who told you I’m still first-tier? Just because I was first-tier at the college entrance exam doesn’t mean I stayed that way.”

With that, he walked straight to the fifth testing machine.

The asset management director didn’t try to stop him this time.

This test was only for cultivation level, so there was no worry about another smashed device.

Xiang Nan placed his palm on the sensor.

Instantly, a blue beam shot from the machine, forming a phantom behind Xiang Nan.

The phantom stood tall and straight, with white hair and beard, bearing the bones and aura of an immortal—an unmistakable celestial presence.

Everyone was dumbstruck.

“That’s... that’s not Huang Feihong at all!”

“He’s way beyond Huang Feihong! Is that an immortal?”

Sure enough, a line of text appeared on the screen:

Cultivation Level: Second Tier, Three Stars
Ancestral Forebear: Zhang Sanfeng!

“No way! He actually regressed to the Land Immortal Zhang Sanfeng?”

“But didn’t he just finish the college entrance exam? How has he already reached Second Tier, Three Stars?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s already undergone his second ancestral regression!”

“First regression, Huang Feihong; second regression, Zhang Sanfeng. What kind of divine bloodline does this Xiang Nan have?”

“My god! Now I know what true jealousy tastes like—it’s so, so bitter!”