Chapter 569: The Test!

Nie Yan turned on the tester and began checking each of his physical parameters, including squat strength, leg strength, pulling strength, punch strength, and more.

He approached the sandbag for the leg strength test, assumed a fighting stance, took a deep breath, and let out a fierce shout. He delivered a powerful side kick to the sandbag. With a loud cracking sound, the sandbag was sent flying. Suspended from above, it swung back and forth violently, the steel cable nearly snapping from the force of the kick.

Numbers flickered rapidly on the screen beside the equipment before finally settling on a value: leg strength of 721.35 kilograms.

Nie Yan was stunned by the number. He remembered that the last time he had taken the entrance exam for the First Military Academy, his leg strength had been 563.23 kilograms. To have increased so much in such a short time was simply incredible.

Could it be a malfunction in the equipment? He quickly dismissed the thought. The First Military Academy was no ordinary place; all their testing devices were the latest models, accurate to two decimal places. There was no way such a large error could occur.

Nie Yan stretched his leg slightly. An increase in strength wasn’t a bad thing—it meant his performance in the next exam would improve significantly.

Continuing with the other tests, his squat strength was 915.28 kilograms, pulling strength 622.81 kilograms—clear improvements across the board. Nie Yan felt a surge of power throughout his body.

The final test was punch strength.

Nie Yan stood in front of the punching sandbag, stretched his limbs, stepped forward with his left foot, let out a low shout, and unleashed a powerful punch. With a loud thud, the sandbag nearly flew off its suspension, swinging back and forth violently.

The display screen showed the result: punch strength of 569.12 kilograms, a significant increase from his previous 511 kilograms.

Every person had a physical limit, and the higher the numbers, the harder it was to improve. Normally, a martial artist would be considered exceptional if they could increase their punch strength by 10 kilograms in a month. To gain 50 kilograms in such a short time was almost inhuman.

These results were impressive. Improved physical attributes would make learning combat techniques much more effective.

Nie Yan’s stats were already at a top-tier professional level.

After nearly three hours at the gym, Nie Yan called Xie Yao. He would meet her in fifteen minutes. He packed his things and prepared to leave, but as he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned to look back at the punching sandbag.

A strange thought crossed his mind. After a moment’s hesitation, he walked back and stood in front of the sandbag.

There was something he was eager to test.

Accelerate, punch hard, engage the waist, focus all strength into the right fist. Nie Yan mentally repeated the instructions, refining his form and adjusting his posture continuously.

“Haa!”

Nie Yan threw a punch. As his form completed, he felt an unusual sensation—his entire body’s strength had concentrated into his right arm.

Not quite refined yet; the movement was still stiff.

With a loud thud, Nie Yan struck the sandbag. He could clearly feel that this punch was far stronger than any he had thrown before.

The display beside the sandbag flickered rapidly before settling on a number: 821.28 kilograms.

Nie Yan was shocked. He hadn’t expected his punch to reach such a level. If he could consistently perform like this, he would be at the international elite level.

Could those techniques actually be real?

Filled with questions, Nie Yan recalled hearing that the game helmet and pod could stimulate muscles and alter sleep patterns through electrical impulses. But now, he realized their effects were far more profound than he had imagined. No wonder the Federation had labeled them as a revolutionary invention.

Regardless, one thing was clear—he had become stronger.

And this was with an imperfect form already reaching 821 kilograms. Who knew what heights he could achieve with perfect technique?

Nie Yan threw a few more punches. Finally, he found the rhythm. Standing in an unusual stance, he felt every cell in his body activate. A surge of power flowed through his right arm as he struck the sandbag with a thunderous impact. The numbers on the display skyrocketed before finally settling at 1021 kilograms.

Despite his expectations, Nie Yan couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming surge of joy. Even international professional boxers would be hard-pressed to reach such a level—only the reigning champions might be in this range.

Nie Yan let out a triumphant shout, reveling in his newfound strength.

At the entrance of the First Military Academy, Xie Yao was waiting for Nie Yan. He had sent her a message saying he had something to finish up and would be there in fifteen minutes.

Xie Yao waited by the flowerbed near the school gate. Dressed in a beautiful purple dress and carrying an elegant brown handbag, she stood like a graceful statue. Students passing by couldn’t help but glance in her direction, curious about who she was waiting for.

Several approached to strike up a conversation, but Xie Yao politely kept her distance, leaving them to walk away disappointed.

At that moment, Qin Han approached Xie Yao. Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, it was unclear.

“Hello,” Qin Han greeted her in a gentlemanly manner.

“Hello,” Xie Yao replied, glancing toward the classroom building. Where was Nie Yan?

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Since we’re old classmates, may I invite you for a cup of coffee?” Qin Han smiled, his manners impeccable and charming.

“Sorry, I’m busy,” Xie Yao politely declined. She wasn’t particularly fond of Qin Han. She had met many charming gentlemen before, but most were insincere.

“You’re waiting for someone?” Qin Han noticed her repeated glances toward the classroom building, a shadow crossing his mind.

“Mm,” Xie Yao responded indifferently, instantly creating distance between them. She had no intention of interacting with Qin Han. She knew that Qin Han’s involvement in Faith had already caused Nie Yan significant trouble. People like Qin Han were best kept at arm’s length.

“Then I’ll take my leave,” Qin Han said with a smile. He knew that staying any longer would only annoy her. As he turned, his eyes darkened like a blade.

Qin Han disappeared beyond the school gate.

About five minutes later, Nie Yan came running from a distant path and stopped in front of Xie Yao, panting slightly.

“Sorry for making you wait,” Nie Yan apologized with a smile.

Seeing Nie Yan drenched in sweat, Xie Yao smiled slightly and shook her head. “It’s fine. Let’s go.”

Xie Yao’s smile left the onlookers stunned. It turned out she wasn’t emotionless—her sweet smile made every boy watching envious of Nie Yan.

Nie Yan and Xie Yao walked side by side out of the school gate.

“That guy doesn’t look like much, but he’s got such a beautiful girlfriend,” someone muttered in jealousy.

“That’s Xie Yao, the most beautiful girl in the Economics and Management Department. Damn, who is that guy?”

“He’s from the Command Department, named Nie Yan. Rumor has it he was her high school classmate and entered the First Military Academy together with her. He supposedly ranked first overall when he got into the Command Department.”

Hearing that Nie Yan had ranked first in the Command Department, many fell silent. The Command Department was the elite of the First Military Academy. Graduates typically became officers of at least battalion commander rank, with rapid promotions. Being the top scorer was practically a godlike figure.

In a distant corner, a pair of cold eyes stared at the retreating figures of Nie Yan and Xie Yao—it was Qin Han, who had just left.

In terms of family background, power, and wealth, Qin Han believed he was far superior to Nie Yan. He felt Nie Yan was unworthy of Xie Yao. He had pursued Xie Yao first, yet Nie Yan had won her heart first, leaving him humiliated.

“It’s been so long since I came to the First Military Academy. Why hasn’t Heaven’s King responded yet?” Qin Han frowned.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. He read the content:

“This round, we will only accept one of you—either you or Nie Yan from the Command Department. We don’t need losers. —Heaven’s King”

Qin Han’s expression darkened. Gripping his phone tightly, he let out a cold snort. Again, it was Nie Yan!

Heaven’s King was a dream of his. Once he joined, with the backing of several influential figures within the organization, he could easily suppress the opposition within his family and seize control of the family business.

He was well aware of what Heaven’s King was. Composed of twenty-six members, six were high-ranking federal officials, five were national government officials, and the rest were either heads of major financial conglomerates or regional power brokers.

Since entering the First Military Academy, he had been actively seeking a recommendation into Heaven’s King. He had thought his qualifications were solid—until Nie Yan unexpectedly emerged as a rival.

Nie Yan and Xie Yao returned to the villa, had lunch, and afterward, Nie Yan called his parents.

As they were discussing life at the First Military Academy, his father suddenly said, “If someone from Heaven’s King approaches you and asks you to join, you must be polite and definitely accept.”

His tone was serious.

“What kind of organization is Heaven’s King?” Nie Yan asked curiously. He had heard whispers about Heaven’s King before but hadn’t paid much attention—until now, when his father spoke with such gravity.

“You don’t need to ask. Just understand that every member of Heaven’s King is an unreachable figure to us. You’ll understand once you’re inside. But I doubt we’re qualified. Just go with the flow,” his father said, then explained the origins of Heaven’s King.

From his father’s explanation, Nie Yan gained a rough understanding of Heaven’s King. In fact, every prestigious university had similar organizations—elite groups formed by the most outstanding graduates over the years. They shared resources, helping each other grow stronger. While ordinary alumni associations might not carry much weight, the First Military Academy was different. With hundreds of years of history, it had produced generations of elite graduates. If the First Military Academy sneezed, the entire country would catch a cold. The alumni association formed by its top graduates naturally carried immense influence.