Martial Ascent to Divinity

"You're just like this because of your injury. I believe you'll definitely get better!" Xue Chengsong said.

"Thanks for your kind words. Are you here to participate in the Copper Man Array?" Zhou Leng asked.

Xue Chengsong asked, "Yes, what about you? You don't seem injured at all, not like someone from the Copper Man Array."

"I'm here to take the Intermediate Divine Text Researcher exam."

"Hmm... hmm?" Xue Chengsong was stunned for a moment, taking several seconds to react.

"You passed the Basic Divine Text exam?" Xue Chengsong asked.

"Yeah."

Xue Chengsong said, "You're usually so quiet, and when you do make a sound, it's a big deal. Several students in our class on the Divine Text path, real top students, collectively took the Basic exam and came back defeated, all complaining about how difficult it is."

"And here you are, quietly passing it. How does the Intermediate exam feel?"

Zhou Leng said, "The Intermediate is quite difficult; I estimate I'll get around 110 points."

Xue Chengsong was stunned for a moment, and with a helpless smile, asked, "How many points did you get on the Basic exam?"

"135."

Xue Chengsong laughed helplessly and said, "Luckily, we're old friends; otherwise, I'd think you were mocking me. Even at West Sea Martial Arts Academy, it's hard for seniors, let alone freshmen, to score above a hundred on the Intermediate exam."

"I might have a talent for Divine Texts," Zhou Leng looked at the team, "I feel they look more like they're from the main school rather than the Martial Arts Hall class."

Xue Chengsong cleared his throat and said, "My family used some methods to transfer from the Martial Arts Hall class to the main school."

Zhou Leng suddenly remembered Chang Luan, who transferred to East China Martial Arts Academy's main school, and nodded lightly, realizing the complexities involved, and that rumors online might not all be false.

Xue Chengsong said, "Recently, I've been occasionally going to my family's resource site to help my dad out and really can't find any free time. Once I'm not so busy, let's get together."

"Sure."

"I'll be off then."

The two waved at each other like students and went their separate ways.

When Xue Chengsong returned, classmates inquired about Zhou Leng's situation, and he mentioned Zhou Leng's Divine Text exam scores.

The classmates on the Divine Text path didn't doubt Zhou Leng's scores; instead, they started to question their life choices.

While waiting for the Copper Man Array, Xue Chengsong messaged his father.

"I saw Zhou Leng. He seems fine physically, and he's about to become an Intermediate Divine Text Researcher. Didn't you say you and a group of bosses were planning to invest in the Divine Text area? I think you should contact Zhou Leng."

"A few days ago, when Zhou Leng was injured, you didn't say anything, and now you're questioning my decisions?"

"Haha, that's not what I meant. I just think Zhou Leng has potential. Despite being injured, today he looks more energetic than ever. Such a person will thrive no matter what they do."

"Let's talk about it later."

"You're the boss, so it's your call." Xue Chengsong shrugged.

Xiong City, Divine Text Bureau.

Zhao Nandi wore a white lab coat and frameless black glasses, reviewing Intermediate exam papers with a group of Divine Text experts.

To prevent cheating, the papers were randomly distributed.

After finishing his review, Zhao Nandi sighed internally, not having encountered Zhou Leng's paper.

Zhao Nandi glanced at the others.

Since less than a thousand people nationwide took the Intermediate Divine Text exam, a dozen or so people could easily finish grading them.

All the Divine Text experts, at least twenty years older than Zhao Nandi, stood up and went to the cafeteria together for a meal.

The group discussed the exam papers as they walked.

"The last major question was indeed too difficult; no one could answer it."

"I thought this question was fit for the Advanced exam. It's too challenging for the Intermediate level."

"It's to give them a challenge, after all. Did anyone score on it?"

"No, those I reviewed all scribbled nonsense."

"Actually, one student in my batch scored 7 points. They had the right approach and a solid understanding but clearly hadn't learned the more advanced Divine Text concepts, so they couldn't answer."

"7 points? Not bad, likely an experienced researcher."

"Also, their total score was quite high, 116 points, definitely someone with potential."

"116 points? Back in our day, none of us would have scored that high."

"Some questions seemed easy but were revised this year. For instance, the first major question; none in my batch answered it correctly, all relying on outdated answers."

"116 points should be the top score for this exam. Once results are published, if impressive, we could recruit them to the Bureau."

"Not bad. Scoring 116 on this paper, with some more effort, they could pass the Advanced exam. In the future, they're definitely expert material."

Zhao Nandi paid attention to this score, suspecting it was from Zhou Leng, but refrained from speaking to avoid favoritism.

The next day, the experts gathered to officially announce the results.

Zhao Nandi looked at the rankings.

Zhou Leng, 116 points.

Zhao Nandi said leisurely, "I supervised Zhou Leng's Basic exam and recommended he take the Intermediate; I've already reported it to my teacher."

All experts turned to look at Zhao Nandi, thoughtful.

Whether due to Zhao Nandi's family background or her teacher, none present could compare.

However, the key was that the usually quiet Zhao Nandi had spoken up this time.

This was her first time wanting to mentor a student.

While everyone knew Zhao Nandi was choosing a student and wouldn't compete with her, they were very curious.

"Nandi, how was this person's Basic exam score?"

"135 points."

"Impressive. Where do they work?"

"Martial Arts Hall freshman."

All the experts were stunned for several seconds, only then realizing, as no one could immediately associate a Martial Arts Hall freshman with an Intermediate Divine Text Researcher.

"Congratulations, you've picked a promising talent."

"In no time, our Divine Text Bureau will have another strong member."

Everyone understood that a new student at the Martial Arts Hall achieving such results would surely surpass everyone present in the future.

There was even a chance to touch the edge of becoming an academician.

Zhao Nandi's teacher was an academician at the Martial Arts Academy, within the Divine Text Domain.

The Martial Arts Academy, the highest academic institution in the Dragon Country for martial arts research.

"I'm going to apply for a Divine Text research stipend for him." Zhao Nandi stood up and left.

The other experts pulled out Zhou Leng's basic and intermediate exam papers for review.

Halfway through the review, an expert adjusted his glasses and said, "That's not right. He answered the last question of the preliminary exam correctly. Why did Zhao Nandi mark it wrong?"

The experts were utterly perplexed.

"Maybe Zhao Nandi was too strict with new disciples, to avoid suspicion?"

"Do you think it might be a timing issue between the exam and Divine Text Correction? It has happened before."

The Divine Text experts hurriedly searched for the relevant Divine Text Correction and then checked the exam footage from that time.

Finally, the truth emerged.

"This young Zhao has quite a lot of schemes in mind."

"Indeed, calling it a 135, when it was clearly a perfect score in the preliminary trial, afraid we'd snatch him."

"Being able to discover the correct meaning before correction, this kid's talent… Honestly, I'm rather tempted."

"Me too…"

"Zhao Nandi started learning Divine Texts from a young age and passed the basic exam at ten, and the intermediate at fifteen, taking five years. This Zhou Leng took only a few months…"

"Is he from the Rucheng Martial Arts Academy? It seems Rucheng Martial Arts is vying with West Sea Martial Arts Academy and East China Martial Arts Academy for becoming Rucheng's first Divine Literature Academy…"

At noon, after classes, Zhou Leng headed to the cafeteria while checking his Demonized Watch, noticing someone added him as a Martial Faith friend.

Upon clicking, he was greeted by an extremely beautiful avatar with a cold and aloof demeanor, resembling a movie star.

"I am Zhao Nandi." Only one line as a friend request message.

Zhou Leng had few friends and did not remember this person, plus she was too pretty, akin to those heavily edited scammers or advertisements.

Yet, Zhou Leng felt he had seen this person somewhere, just as he was about to recall, Xu Qingjin's voice interrupted him.

"Zhou Leng."

Zhou Leng quickly put away the glowing screen of the Demonized Watch.

"Xu Qingjin."

"How did you do in yesterday's test? Intermediate exams are really tough, don't worry, taking them multiple times is okay. The senior sister teaching us Divine Text said she hasn't passed it yet, don't be discouraged." Xu Qingjin comforted him with a smile.

"116 points."

"???" Xu Qingjin was full of question marks.

"Passed." Zhou Leng stated.

"Huh? Doesn't that mean you're better than our senior teaching assistant sister?"

"Maybe it was just luck."

Xu Qingjin suddenly understood, realizing why whenever they studied Divine Text together and she asked Zhou Leng something, he always had an answer.

"Seems I'm the lucky one…" Xu Qingjin said with a smiling gaze.

"My luck is actually better than yours." Zhou Leng slightly smiled.

"Yes, your luck is indeed…" Xu Qingjin began, then paused as she realized the possible underlying meaning, blushing while pretending to look elsewhere, unable to suppress the curl of her lips.

In the cafeteria of the Divine Text Bureau, Zhao Nandi ate while frequently checking Martial Faith messages.

After eating, Zhao Nandi left.

Until evening, Zhou Leng had no response.

For the first time, she thought about changing her avatar.

After work, Zhao Nandi reconsidered and added Zhou Leng again.

"I am your Divine Text examiner, Zhao Nandi."

Zhou Leng received the message again, realizing, had it not been for encountering Xu Qingjin, he would have recalled.

Mainly because during the exam, Zhao Nandi wore glasses, with a blurry screen projection, but her avatar was without glasses.

"Hello Teacher Zhao!" Zhou Leng proactively added her as a friend and greeted.

Zhao Nandi wasn't too phased, assuming Zhou Leng might have been busy.

"Your intermediate exam results are out, they're impressive, I have high hopes for you."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhao." Zhou Leng thought to himself that this beautiful teacher was quite direct.

"Are you interested in joining the Divine Text Bureau as my student?"

Zhou Leng thought for a long time before saying, "I really appreciate Teacher Zhao's high regard. If I were primarily on the Divine Text path, I'd immediately pack my bags and find you tonight. However, I am pursuing Extreme Martial Arts, though I will continue studying Divine Texts."

Zhao Nandi read it twice, still finding it hard to comprehend.

Someone pursuing Extreme Martial Arts with such high proficiency in Divine Texts?

After all, many Grandmasters and Martial Saints find Divine Texts bewildering.

"What is your current realm?" Zhao Nandi asked.

"Middle Period of Blood Transport."

"What is your Martial Arts Index?"

"I didn't test this month, Martial Arts Index remains last month's, 8.32."

Zhao Nandi paused for a moment, immediately opening Martial Arts City, searching the Rucheng Freshman Chart.

Indeed, he was ranked 107th on the chart.

This wasn't even his highest score.

"This person…"

Zhao Nandi had an inkling that she might have stumbled upon a genius excelling in both Martial Arts and Divine Text.

As strong as Yunhua Jinjing, among those not starting Divine Text early, no one's Divine Text talent could compare to Zhou Leng.