Xu Zhou followed the group out of the classroom, and under the guidance of the homeroom teacher, headed towards a cubic building in the school.
Upon entering, it was an extremely spacious hall.
Most of the students from the entire first-year grade were gathered here at this moment, creating quite a lively scene.
Seeing this, Xu Zhou couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Is the awakening test about to start?"
As expected.
In the next second, homeroom teacher Cao Yong said to the class, "Most of you should already be familiar with the awakening test, right?"
Everyone, including Xu Zhou, nodded.
Having been in the first year for half a year, they were already aware of this common knowledge in cultivation.
Cao Yong continued, "The awakening test actually tests your cultivation talents. If successful, it means you're suited for cultivation."
"On the contrary, if you can't awaken your talent, although you can still cultivate, the future in martial arts would be bleak."
"Therefore, those who fail to awaken, please return to liberal arts later; I won't repeat this."
As his words landed, many quietly clenched their fists.
Some students even showed a competitive expression.
Since they chose this path, who would want to return to the liberal arts?
Xu Zhou also secretly clenched his palm.
Although he had an avatar as his trump card, it would be perfect if he could also awaken a talent.
"Talent..." Xu Zhou pondered in his heart and suddenly thought, does the talent of the chick avatar count as a talent?
But that seemed to belong to the avatar and had nothing to do with his main body.
"Xu Zhou," Wen Yuehui suddenly said beside him, "I remember your sister is also from our school, right?"
"I heard she awakened an A+ level talent, and it even startled the vice-principal at the time!"
Hearing this, Xu Zhou was slightly taken aback, not expecting the other to know about this.
But Wen Yuehui was right, Li Ruoxi's talent was indeed quite formidable.
Awakening talents come in many kinds; some greatly benefit cultivation, while others enhance combat abilities.
These various talents are divided into five levels: A, B, C, D, and E.
It is said that above the A-level, there are even rarer S-level talents, but in a small city like Linjiang City, they're almost unheard of.
An A-level talent was sufficient to warrant attention from the entire Linjiang First High School.
And Li Ruoxi's talent was even more formidable than the average A-level, which is why it was rated A+!
It is said that during her awakening test, she even startled the vice-principal.
Thinking about this, Xu Zhou couldn't help but sigh.
"I wonder if I will awaken a talent?" he muttered softly.
Li Ruoxi awakened such a powerful talent, if he couldn't even awaken a talent, it would be too embarrassing.
Beside him, Wen Yuehui seemed to hear his words and comforted him, "Your sister is so amazing, you definitely will awaken too."
Xu Zhou smiled but didn't respond.
Although Li Ruoxi was his sister, she was the daughter of his stepmother, so they had no blood relation at all.
He was sickly since childhood, always catching colds or fevers.
Whereas Li Ruoxi had displayed excellent cultivation talent since childhood, was naturally beautiful, and outstanding in every aspect.
The disparity in all aspects, coupled with the lack of blood relation, made Li Ruoxi rather aloof towards Xu Zhou.
This made the predecessor determined from a young age, setting a goal to surpass Li Ruoxi.
To make his sister lower her proud head!
Xu Zhou was lost in thought, and beside him, Wen Yuehui seeing Xu Zhou's silence, thought he was worried about the awakening test.
He knew Xu Zhou had a frail constitution, making it highly unlikely for him to be successful in awakening.
"Xu Zhou, don't worry." Wen Yuehui smiled, "Even if you don't awaken, I've got your back!"
Xu Zhou glanced at him, a slight smile appearing on his face, "Thank you then."
Despite his words, a sense of determination stirred within him.
The awakening test hadn't even started yet.
Who could say for sure whether he would succeed in awakening?
...
Time passed, and the awakening test officially began.
"Students whose names are called, please enter the virtual cabins in order!"
A teacher shouted.
At this moment, Xu Zhou also saw, placed in the center of the hall, ten imposing cabin-shaped machines.
These were the instruments used for the awakening test, called virtual cabins.
It's said that entering them feels like stepping into another world.
Starting the virtual cabin requires a hefty cost, which is why enrolling in martial arts requires an additional fee.
The ten called students entered one by one.
After a while, these ten students emerged from the virtual cabins.
Atop the ten cabin-shaped machines, displays showed each test result.
One B-level, two C-level, two D-level, four E-level, one "Not Passed."
Among these ten students, one failed to awaken!
The teachers ignored the failure and focused on the student who awakened a B-level talent.
"B-level talent, not bad."
"This one's from the first class, right? A huge asset!"
At the center of the hall, teachers from each class praised with envy in their voices.
A B-level talent was already considered top-notch among awakeners!
This scene made the students present all hopeful.
Many caught a whiff of the harsh reality.
Everyone's focus was on that B-level talent.
If they failed to awaken... there was no second chance, and no one would console them, they'd just have to return to liberal arts on their own!
...
As time passed, several more students awakened B-level talents.
There was even one who awakened an A-level talent, leaving the teachers in awe.
But in Xu Zhou's class, the eighth class, none had even a B-level talent, and there were few even with C-level talents.
"Teacher Cao, it seems your class doesn't have any standout students?"
"Indeed, not even one B-level talent, what bad luck."
Many teachers teased Cao Yong.
Cao Yong's expression was somewhat unpleasant; at this rate, the eighth class might end up at the bottom of the grade ranks.
A teacher from the first class laughed, "Old Cao, if it really doesn't work, should I lend you a B-level talent student?"
His class already had three B-level talent students, and that one A-level talent was also in the first class!
Far superior to the eighth class.
Upon hearing this, Cao Yong snorted, "What are you proud of? Those who don't know might think someone awakened an S-level talent!"
The crowd immediately fell silent.
How rare is an S-level talent?
Even in the provincial capital, Jiang City, there aren't more than a handful!
In their school, it's basically impossible for anyone to awaken an S-level talent.
...
As time passed, most students had completed their awakening tests.
Those left, who hadn't started the test, grew increasingly nervous.
"Xu Zhou, cabin number 5!"
Finally, a teacher called out Xu Zhou's name.
In the eighth class lineup, Xu Zhou's spirit lifted.
"Is it finally my turn?"
"Xu Zhou, go on." Cao Yong nodded slightly at him.
Cao Yong was an old acquaintance of Xu Zhou's father, Xu Tianhai, and was quite concerned with Xu Zhou's awakening.
Xu Zhou took a deep breath, then got up and walked towards the center of the hall.
As he approached the virtual cabin, he realized it was far more exquisite than he had imagined.
The cabin's exterior featured a streamlined design, covered with dark blue metallic patterns, the light flowing, making the cabin seem to exist between reality and illusion.
"Whether I can succeed in awakening depends on what happens next."
Xu Zhou stood at the entrance of the virtual cabin, pausing slightly, then adjusted his breathing and stepped inside.
Inside the virtual cabin, there was a futuristic-looking helmet, covered with hundreds of cables connecting to the cabin.
Xu Zhou didn't hesitate, picked up the helmet, and placed it on his head.
The next moment, his consciousness abruptly sank.
This signified the beginning of the awakening test!