Atlas of Heaven and Man

As evening approached, most of the candidates in the various examination halls had already left. Those remaining could only sit there and wait, their emotions shifting from tension and anticipation to unease and anxiety, and then to bewilderment and exhaustion.

This day had been a test of physical endurance, but that wasn't the main challenge for the candidates present. The real difficulty lay in the mental exhaustion, which was incredibly draining.

Chen Chuan only went out to stretch during breaks. Unlike the others, he had mastered breathing techniques, allowing him to quickly enter a focused state before the official start of the exam.

As examinees were called out one by one, the number of people in the hall visibly dwindled. The female teacher, who had initially been strict, now stood at the entrance, silently gazing outside, lost in thought.

The remaining candidates finally relaxed a bit, and began to converse with each other.

"Sigh, it's so late. My sister is still waiting for me outside. I don't know how long she'll have to wait."

"Brothers, after the exam, whether we pass or not, I'm treating everyone to a meal at a restaurant outside. After all, we've entered the Wuyi Academy, so we should celebrate."

"Right, that Han guy, doesn't your family own a restaurant? You said you'd give us a 50% discount, right?"

The chubby young man smiled and said, "Yes, but it's a bit far. Forget about tonight, but you're all welcome to visit our Han family restaurant during the day. If you pass the second round, it's free; if you don't, it's 50% off, hehe."

"For that meal, I'm going to make sure you pass!"

At this moment, the female teacher saw the assistant proctor signaling to her, indicating that the previous batch of examinees had finished their tests. She took out the list again, turned around, and announced, "Number 401, Number 16, Number 18, go to Examination Hall Number 1; Number 392…"

Immediately, fifteen more candidates stood up, including a few who had been talking. They hurriedly grabbed their belongings and ran towards the examination hall.

About seven or eight minutes later, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed outside, accompanied by exclamations of surprise. Some of the candidates near the exit stood up and crowded around the windows and door, peering outside.

Fang Zhiming put down his materials and said, somewhat bewildered, "What happened?"

The female teacher suddenly went to the door to take a look, then turned back and said sternly, "Everyone, sit back down. The examination is suspended." With that, she instructed the assistant teacher to keep an eye on things, and hurried out herself.

"What's going on?"

"It seems like a candidate from Examination Hall Number 5 is missing…"

"Yeah, yeah, they'll definitely replace him."

"Good, that's great."

When Chen Chuan heard about Examination Hall Number 5, he thought for a moment. According to the numbers called earlier, the person who went there should be…

He looked up at a seat, where several advertising flyers from a restaurant and an empty beef jerky wrapper remained.

Inside Examination Hall Number 3, Jiang Weiban was sitting in a certain examination hall, having just finished watching a confrontation between a candidate and a senior student, and waiting for the examiners' scores. At this moment, his assistant walked over and whispered a few words in his ear.

Jiang Weiban immediately paid attention and asked, "What's the opinion of the chief examiners?"

"The chief examiners' opinion is… to replace him. The student at fault should also be punished and the candidate's family should be given adequate compensation…"

Jiang Weiban frowned and said, "That's not an appropriate way to handle it. Everyone who applies for the exam automatically signs a waiver. The students responsible for the assessment are also under a lot of pressure, and it's common for them to lose control. Why should we replace him?

If we handle it this way, what will the other students responsible for the assessment think? Will they still be able to perform normally? Will they still be able to test the candidates' true abilities?"

The assistant said with difficulty, "But the chief examiners' side…"

Jiang Weiban stood up and said, "I'll go see them immediately." The assistant hurriedly stepped aside, "Commissioner, this way please. The chief examiners are all in the conference room now…"

Ten minutes later, Jiang Weiban appeared in the conference hall of Examination Hall Number 4. As soon as he entered, he said to Gao Shi and the other chief examiners, "I heard that you want to revoke that student's qualification to be an examiner?"

Yue Hong said, "Yes, we are discussing this matter. This student, Zhong, caused the death of a candidate due to excessive force. Even if it was just negligence, we can no longer allow this student to continue serving as an examiner."

Jiang Weiban immediately rejected this, saying, "I don't think it's appropriate. This would be too damaging to the student and a blow to the other examiners."

After a slight pause, he added, "I have learned about this student named Zhong Wu. He is currently working as a security consultant at the General Affairs Bureau, and after graduation, he will be a private consultant for a certain member of parliament. He is very outstanding. If the matter is handled this way, it will be a stain on his resume. We also need to take care of outstanding talents. Moreover, if this matter is made too big, how will the Political Affairs Office view the students from our Wuyi?"

Some of the teachers present were very dissatisfied with his remarks, but they were also clear that this was not just a problem of a single student. Jiang Weiban was not really trying to stand up for this student. The root of the conflict lay in Jiang Weiban, as the client, wanting to compete with them, the managers, for control of the second round of the examination.

Yue Hong spoke up in rebuttal, "We should take care of the examiners, but shouldn't we also take care of the candidates? We should consider the feelings of the examiners, but shouldn't we also consider the feelings of the candidates?"

Jiang Weiban looked at him in surprise, as if he found it strange that he would say such a thing.

Yue Hong wanted to say something more, but Gao Shi stopped him and said, "The examination is still in progress. Since Commissioner Jiang insists, then the handling of student Zhong Wu can be discussed after the examination. His qualification as an examiner will not be revoked for the time being, but all assessments conducted by this student from now on must be carried out under the joint supervision of both of us."

Jiang Weiban knew that the chief examiners could no longer back down at this point. He looked at Gao Shi, softened his tone, and said, "Chief Supervisor Gao's proposal is reasonable. I accept it."

Gao Shi looked at everyone seriously and said, "Those who have work to do should do their work. The rest of you, come with me to Examination Hall Number 5."

Inside Examination Hall Number 4, Chen Chuan walked to the window and silently looked ahead. In Examination Hall Number 5, three paramedics pushed a stretcher bed out. A figure on it was covered from head to toe, with only the hair visible.

The atmosphere seemed very oppressive for a moment. The candidates around him sighed a few times, but more of them were worried about the upcoming exam, hoping that the proctor in that examination hall could be replaced.

After a while, the female teacher walked in from the examination hall. In a slightly lower voice than before, she said, "All candidates, return to your original positions. The examination will continue."

"What, they're not replacing him?"

"Not replacing him? That's impossible, right?"

"Look at the notice board over there."

The candidates glanced at the notice board on the side of the examination hall. There was no change, indicating that the examination hall had not replaced the examiner. Everyone felt uneasy, afraid that they would be assigned to that examination hall.

Chen Chuan walked back and sat in his original seat, his eyes becoming incomparably calm.

The exams continued, but as they progressed, the first examinee chose to give up the retest because the place he was assigned to was Exam Site Number Five.

After all, they had already passed the preliminary exam, and even if they didn't pass the retest, they were still students of Wu Yi; they didn't want to risk their lives as well.

And after the first one, there was a second. After several rounds, the female teacher's voice rang out again: "Number Ninety-six, Number Three Hundred Ninety-eight, Number Four Hundred Twenty-one, go to Exam Site Number Five…"

Fang Zhiming trembled all over because it was his turn this time. "I…" At this moment, he saw Chen Chuan stand up directly and walk towards the exam site. Not far from him, another examinee's voice came, "I'm not taking the exam, I give up."

Then, a boy packed up his things, lowered his head, and walked out the door.

Chen Chuan didn't even turn his head.

Fang Zhiming hesitated for a moment, and seeing Chen Chuan walk over, he gritted his teeth and followed. Since Chen Chuan dared to go, why wouldn't he dare? He wouldn't be content without trying!

The remaining examinees in the exam hall looked at the two of them in astonishment. How could they dare to do this? Did they not want their lives anymore?

As Chen Chuan walked out of the gate, he brushed past the female teacher. The latter suddenly felt goosebumps all over her skin, and all her muscles tightened. Then, she suddenly turned her head and stared at Chen Chuan's back.

Chen Chuan's feet didn't stop, and he walked very steadily, but each step seemed very heavy. When he reached the end of the corridor, he glanced at the bulletin board next to him, then reached out and pushed open the two thick doors.

Revealed in front of him was a wide exam hall. Two rows of long tables were placed on both sides of the open space. Jiang Weiban was currently sitting in the middle of the right side of the venue, with his assistant and a teacher for communication beside him.

Opposite Jiang Weiban, facing him, was Gao Shi. On the left and right sides were Yue Hong and Bian Feng, the lecturer who had once admitted him, as well as several other teachers. Some assistants stood on the side, and not far from the door stood paramedics. Some people were currently looking at him with surprised, pitying, and sympathetic eyes.

In the middle of the venue stood a senior student more than two meters tall, with a bloated and wide body, incomparably strong. The whole person seemed to have grown sideways, giving people the feeling of a large tank filled with water. When he stood there, the floor seemed to be compacted a little.

Because his shoulder and back muscles were too thick, his neck was almost non-existent. His eyes were only a slit, and under his thick arms, his two palms were surprisingly large, as if he could wrap an ordinary person's head with a casual grab.

Fang Zhiming, who followed behind, was immediately startled. Before seeing this person, he couldn't imagine what kind of person this was, but after seeing him with his own eyes, he regretted following. But since he had already come, it was impossible to withdraw. So he gritted his teeth and stood straight again.

An examiner said, "Only two examinees came? Number Three Hundred Ninety-eight, come up and take the exam first."

Yue Hong then reminded, "Examinee, to avoid accidents, we suggest you wear protective gear."

Fang Zhiming immediately expressed that he would listen to the advice. That way, even if he couldn't resist, he could at least exchange a few moves, right? He went to the side, put on all the protective gear, and then came to Zhong Wu's front.

Sixteen-year-old him had only grown to 1.7 meters tall. The contrast between the two sides was very strong due to the height and size difference.

At this time, Fang Zhiming felt how strong the other party's oppressive force was. Feeling the heat transmitted from that huge body, he suddenly felt a little dry in his mouth. Then he heard the other party say in a muffled voice: "Hello, classmate, my name is Zhong Wu."

Fang Zhiming took a deep breath and tried to say his name in a steady voice: "Fang Zhiming."

When the two sides stood together, it meant that the exam had begun, and he decided to take the initiative to attack, otherwise, he might not have a chance. He yelled and punched the other party's abdomen, and then followed up with more than a dozen punches. However, each blow was like hitting a tight rubber ball, and the other party didn't react at all.

At this time, he raised his head, only to see Zhong Wu looking down and saying, "Oh? You started?" So he reached out and grabbed. Fang Zhiming hurriedly dodged, but those hands were too big, and although they looked slow, they were actually very fast. He reached across and grabbed his arm.

"I, I admit defeat…" Fang Zhiming realized something was wrong and immediately shouted, but Zhong Wu seemed not to have heard at all. He lifted him up like a chick with one hand, and he let out a scream of horror.

"Stop!"

Yue Hong stood up and said sternly, "Stop." He stared at Zhong Wu, "He has already admitted defeat."

Zhong Wu narrowed his eyes, loosened his hand, and Fang Zhiming fell to the ground, painfully covering his arm. Zhong Wu touched his head and said in a muffled and seemingly honest voice: "Sorry, examiner, I didn't hear just now, sorry. Classmate, sorry." As he spoke, his huge body bowed to the front.

Fang Zhiming immediately noticed a huge shadow falling from above, covering his entire body. He couldn't help but shrink back, enduring the piercing pain, and said tremblingly: "It's, it's okay…" Then he felt the body slowly straighten up, and the light above his head returned.

Yue Hong shook his head and sat down.

The examiners remained silent, because it was common to see examinees get injured during exams. Since even the examinee said he could accept it, they couldn't accuse Zhong Wu of this.

Bian Feng looked deeply at Zhong Wu. He had just accidentally killed an examinee, and now he was doing this again. Either he was really missing a screw in his brain, or he was fearless because he had something to rely on. But if it was really the former, he wouldn't have been absorbed by the Mutual Aid Society and become one of its members.

The paramedics immediately stepped forward to check. Fortunately, it was just a dislocated arm, and there was nothing else wrong. After a few words of comfort, they immediately took him down.

The examiner looked at Chen Chuan: "Examinee Number Four Hundred Twenty-one, it's your turn."

Chen Chuan walked up to meet everyone's gaze. When Zhong Wu saw him coming, he said hello as usual: "Hello, classmate, my name is Zhong Wu."

Chen Chuan didn't speak, and slowly walked to Zhong Wu's front. He didn't look up, and Zhong Wu couldn't see his expression, but since he stood in front of him, it meant the assessment had begun.

He directly grabbed Chen Chuan with both hands.

Although he looked very honest, he had a unique sensitivity and could judge the opponent's strength based on his feelings. Chen Chuan gave him a faint sense of danger, so he didn't underestimate him at all. Between the grab of his hands, he used the grappling strength that he had never used since the self-assessment.

As long as the opponent was grabbed by him, the strength would penetrate in, and then he would immediately lose all resistance, allowing him to manipulate him. And at the moment of releasing this strength, most of his body would also be covered by the strength, and then the whole person would almost have no flaws.

Chen Chuan seemed not to see his movements, standing there as if he didn't react. The examiners who were paying attention to the exam couldn't help but become nervous, preparing to intervene and stop the exam at any time.

At this moment, Chen Chuan seemed oblivious to everything around him, with only his opponent in sight. As those two large hands reached out towards him, just as their fingertips were about to touch his shoulder, a light ignited in his eyes. The Second Me instantly merged with him, and then he raised his knee, kicking upwards with all his might!

This kick concentrated all his strength, and he used Limit Break Strike without hesitation. Almost all the muscles in his body were strained in an instant, but at the same moment, the Second Me bore all the damage.

Zhong Wu's massive frame meant he possessed greater strength, but his nerve transmission was inevitably slower than Chen Chuan's. Even if their reactions were equal, with the Second Me's exponential boost, his speed was fast enough to leave Zhong Wu with no chance to react. Therefore, this kick landed squarely on the former's chin.

However, because the force of the grappling technique permeated Zhong Wu's entire body at this time, even under the effect of Limit Break Strike, the explosive power only caused a slight dizziness. Yet, even so, the original smooth movement was involuntarily paused. Although his hands had already landed on Chen Chuan's body, the power was unable to be released smoothly. Then, he instinctively began to adjust his breathing, preparing to exert force again. Under thousands of training sessions, this was only an extremely short gap.

But just as his strength was about to be unleashed, Chen Chuan's second kick arrived!

With the Second Me merged, Chen Chuan fully displayed an inhuman speed. Even when Zhong Wu's body was only reacting and his mind had not yet begun to operate, he had already kicked him in the ear!

Under the impact of the Shocking God Fist's power, it felt as if a thunderclap had exploded in Zhong Wu's brain, causing this physically strong giant to lose consciousness on the spot.

Jiang Wei was talking to the person next to him, instructing his assistant about dinner arrangements for the evening, and didn't pay much attention to the fight, because there was nothing to see. But then he heard a loud bang.

"What's that sound?"

Jiang Wei turned his head and saw that Zhong Wu and Chen Chuan were still standing in place, as if they hadn't moved at all since the beginning. From his perspective, Zhong Wu's hands were already on Chen Chuan's shoulders, and a mocking smile appeared on his lips.

At this time, Chen Chuan had actually already won, but he didn't stop. Instead, he kicked upwards again! Then came the fourth kick, the fifth kick, the sixth kick…

Zhong Wu's two-hundred-plus kilogram body, having lost the support of his will, should have fallen down, but was instead held upright by Chen Chuan's powerful kicks!

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Because Chen Chuan's speed was too fast, apart from the chief examiners present, those who were not from a martial arts background, such as Jiang Wei, some paramedics, and even some assistant teachers with poor eyesight, couldn't clearly see his footwork. They only vaguely heard the explosive sound of whip-like leg kicks echoing in the arena!

After a while, even Jiang Wei could see something was wrong from Zhong Wu's rolling eyes and swaying body.

The paramedics also panicked and hurriedly shouted, "Hey, stop! Stop!"

"Did you hear that? Stop now!"

Chen Chuan turned a deaf ear, continuing to kick again and again. Zhong Wu was now like a leaking sandbag, with blood seeping from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.

However, the teachers and instructors from the Martial Valor department all remained seated in their places, without anyone speaking to stop him.

It wasn't until the blood flowed onto the ground, and many bloody foams splattered onto the tables on both sides, that Teacher Gao finally spoke, "Stop."

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone present felt their chests vibrating along with it.

Chen Chuan paused, allowing the massive body to tilt forward and crash heavily onto the floor. He slowly retracted his foot, straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes, touched his collar, lowered his gaze, and said calmly to Zhong Wu, who was lying there, "My name is Chen Chuan."

The examination hall was silent for a moment, with only the sound of hurried and heavy breathing to be heard.

After a good while, Jiang Wei finally reacted. He stood up abruptly and questioned sternly, "This examinee, I told you to stop earlier, didn't you hear me?!"

Chen Chuan turned around, looked at Jiang Wei, and replied calmly, "Sorry, I didn't hear you."

Hearing his words, Jiang Wei narrowed his eyes, stared at his face, and said, "I think you did it on purpose!"

Chen Chuan said slowly, "The examiner didn't stop me, so it's considered a normal continuation of the exam. I remember that's the rule of the exam, and it's also written on the public notice board." He looked at the examiners present, "Am I right?"

Teacher Gao reached out, picked up Chen Chuan's file, looked at it a few times, and said, "Examinee Chen Chuan, defeated the senior student in charge of the confrontation. The process complied with the exam regulations. No need for scoring, can be directly judged as passed."

Yue Hong immediately followed up, "No objection, passed!"

Bian Feng said in a deep voice, "Passed!"

"Passed!"

"Passed!"

"Passed!"

One examiner after another present stated their judgment without hesitation.

Jiang Wei couldn't help but look at everyone present, his eyes gloomy.

Yue Hong looked at Jiang Wei and urged, "Jiang Wei, please sign. Of course, you don't have to sign." He smiled and said, "Because the examinee defeated the senior student in charge of the assessment, it is considered a direct pass. This is the rule of Martial Valor."

Teacher Gao said in a deep voice, "That's right, this is the rule of Martial Valor."

Everyone in the examination hall was looking at Jiang Wei. Under the gaze of one powerful Martial University teacher after another, Jiang Wei was still alright, but his assistant felt his heart was about to jump out of his chest, and his back was covered in cold sweat.

Jiang Wei had a sullen face. He snatched the form from his assistant's trembling hand and took out a pen to sign it. Because he used too much force, the paper seemed to be pierced by the pen tip.

He was a little annoyed at this moment, not because Zhong Wu was defeated, but because he had lost a round in the struggle with the management and was forced to make a decision.

After signing, he threw the pen on the table and sat back with his arms crossed. He looked at Teacher Gao and the others, sneering in his heart. It was just passing an examinee, what use could one person be? The rules of the world will never change because of one person.

Teacher Gao then said, "Take him down." The paramedics then woke up from the tense atmosphere and hurried forward to put Zhong Wu on a stretcher and push him away for treatment. The remaining people hurried up to clean the examination hall and wipe away the surrounding blood stains.

Bian Feng said to Chen Chuan, "Student Chen, there's nothing more for you to do here. Go back and pack your things and wait for the start of the semester."

Chen Chuan turned around, faced everyone, bowed slightly, and said, "Thank you, teachers."

Then he straightened his body, picked up his things, and walked out of the side door on the other side, arriving at the outer corridor. Because the sky had darkened, the lights in the building and the streetlights in the school had already been turned on.

He slowly walked out of the examination hall, came under the boundless night sky, looked up for a while, then reached into his pocket, took out the beef jerky, tore off the wrapping paper, put it in his mouth, and chewed slowly, silently saying in his heart:

"It's delicious."

……

……