NOVEL NEXT Ch. 66
Chapter 66: When Shall I Test the Azure Edge, The Sword in Its Sheath Rings Nightly
Jiang He was the last to take the stage.
At this moment, his mental power and stamina had already returned to their peak.
He fixed his gaze on the Metal Knight in the distance, his spirits soaring, his battle intent blazing—
In the past, he had been introverted, withdrawn, timid… Even when mocked by classmates, he never talked back, only left in silence.
After all, no matter how weak the talents awakened by others were, they were still genuine Transcendents, truly superhuman.
Among them, he had been like a sheep straying into a pack of tigers, far too frail.
That mindset had improved somewhat with the arrival of White Crane, but it had never fully disappeared.
First, because the time had been too short. Second, because the gap was too obvious.
Yes, whether it was White Crane or Old Jiang, they were both far too strong, far too incredible.
Before them, even when Jiang He had awakened the talent of 【Ferryman of Time】, he had never felt himself to be anything special.
Adding to that, Du Lingwei, equally outstanding, was right at his side. Jiang He had never felt anything close to being a “genius.”
It was like a student who had been improving steadily in grades, but because he kept being transferred into higher classes—from ordinary class, to excellent class, and then into the top class…
Surrounded by capable people, it was naturally difficult to ever think, “I’m actually strong.”
Until now.
Jiang He stood among the geniuses of many cities, watching their performance, and felt… nothing more than this.
Even Yunyang, that so-called S-rank talent, had performed quite poorly in reality.
Seeing their performances, Jiang He could not help but feel a thought arise.
Is that it?
I could do that too!
So what if it’s an S-rank talent?
Right now, he still just had an eraser-like talent with some extra strength added on!
With such thoughts swelling in him, Jiang He’s battle intent had already reached its critical point. He could not wait to unleash his strength—
Who here wasn’t also a high school student?
He hadn’t even graduated yet!
If Teacher Wei Sheng were present and saw Jiang He at this moment, he would have realized Jiang He was a completely different person from before.
It wasn’t strength, nor talent, nor intensity…
The Jiang He of the past had never had this kind of “light” in his eyes.
The Metal Knight’s gaze swept across, and above the platform an energy level number appeared.
Initial Energy Level: 300 (E-rank).
On the other side, Jiang He raised his hand to grip the hilt of the Phoenix-Resting Wooden Blade, his upper body bending slightly. Flames extended from his palm to the blade’s edge, transforming it into a blazing sword.
When shall I test the azure edge, the sword in its sheath rings nightly…
Now, this was the time to test the sword!
He spoke.
「Instant」
Dust scattered across the ground. The flame blade cut through the air, crossing a long distance in a flash, striking fiercely against the Metal Knight.
「Candle Dragon」
With the roar of a fiery dragon, the Metal Knight was sent flying with one strike, its body engulfed by blazing flames!
The data above the platform began to soar.
1000, 3000, 4500…
In but an instant, the combat power ratio had shot up to 15!
On the central high pillar, gasps of astonishment rang out.
All the students, Yunyang included, stared in shock at the number.
A combat power ratio of 15 was nothing special, in previous tests it wouldn’t even rank.
But they had to remember…
This was an E-rank combat ratio!
An E-rank Transcendent merely qualified to transfer into a B-rank Profession. Their Profession and skills were far from formed, their power itself weak.
Previously, an E-rank Transcendent managing a 7.0 ratio was already considered outstanding among B-rank talents.
But one strike producing a ratio of 15—this was the mark of an A-rank talent… or even S-rank?!
Yunyang looked down and noticed Jiang He reciting a word before every move.
Other Transcendents never did such a thing.
If this wasn’t just for show…
In Yunyang’s mind, a talent name surfaced.
The S-rank universal talent—【Word-Spirit】.
Was he a Word-Spirit talent user?!
On the platform, Jiang He had no attention to spare for the data.
His entire focus was locked on the Metal Knight.
He now fully understood what others had felt when fighting the Metal Knight before…
This was a terrifying iron puppet with no limit. Even when struck by the Candle Dragon, not a trace remained on its body.
It had only flown back one or two meters. With its energy increased, it instantly halted midair, then charged forward even faster, its strength wildly surging!
Fortunately, Jiang He had been well-prepared. He was not caught off guard, but instead activated Flame Body immediately.
With the various buffs, control, and output provided by Word-Spirits, his own power surged just as madly, clashing fiercely against the Metal Knight.
With almost every exchange, the Metal Knight’s power increased.
Step by step, it pushed toward his limit—
Combat ratio: 15, 20, 25, 30…
As the numbers rose continuously, the students on the central pillar finally came to a conclusion.
This was definitely another S-rank talent!
No mere A-rank talent could reach this level!
The gap was far too great!
Though only 30 in ratio, an E-rank combat ratio carried far more weight than C-rank!
Yunyang’s 99.9 ratio, if converted to E-rank standards, would barely be over 20.
In other words…
The ability Jiang He was displaying had already surpassed Yunyang and Du Lingwei!
He was the undeniable number one!
“Is he also from Central State City?”
“A-rank this strong, and S-rank also this strong?”
“No wonder they brought us to Central State City for joint training…”
The students buzzed with discussion, while Yunyang ground his teeth nearly to pieces.
One was bad enough, but now two had appeared in a row, both performing better than him?!
Wasn’t he supposed to be the S-rank talent?
Wasn’t he supposed to be Jiang City’s strongest genius?
Wasn’t he supposed to stand at the peak in the future, become an S-rank powerhouse, and step into the Council?
Yunyang could not hold back. “I want to try again!”
Zhong Honglian gave him a glance. “No.”
Yunyang grew agitated. “Why?!”
“When doomsday arrives, how many chances do you get to try again?” Zhong Honglian said calmly. “Besides, even if you were given another chance, are you certain you could surpass him?”
Surpass him?
Yunyang looked toward the platform, his pupils shrinking.
Jiang He’s combat ratio had already risen to 40!
An E-rank Transcendent, wielding B-rank Profession skills, producing a ratio of 40—that was nearly seven times higher than the same rank’s average of 6!
And him? A C-rank Transcendent, with A-rank Profession skills—how high would he need to go to look better?
If he tried a second time and failed to surpass him, that would truly be disgraceful.
Yunyang actually hesitated.
Meanwhile, on the other platform, Jiang He was already nearing his limit.
A ratio of 40 meant the Metal Knight’s strength had risen to 12,000 points!
This was true C-rank level!
Although Jiang He could, by stacking buffs, unleash C-rank level attacks before…
That had only been single bursts of extreme output.
Now the Metal Knight represented a stable 12,000 combat power!
In truth, if Jiang He had not acquired the 【Flame Body】 specialty, and with the World Destroyer skill’s additional boost pushing his strength even higher, he would have long been unable to endure.
At this moment, he was merely holding on by sheer willpower, forcing the Metal Knight’s strength higher and higher.
Just then.
Old Jiang’s voice rang in Jiang He’s mind.
“Do you want me to help you?”