Customized weapons were, by their very nature, tailor-made for each individual.
Consequently, the process proved far more intricate than Huang Xiu had initially imagined.
To ensure each weapon was perfectly suited, various fundamental physical data had to be meticulously measured. This included height, arm length, and strength, among other metrics.
Only after these precise measurements were taken and the weapon style was chosen could production commence. As a result, each custom-made weapon invariably differed in length, size, and weight.
They were not mass-produced items, but rather absolute masterpieces.
Naturally, such craftsmanship came at a steep price.
Huang Xiu inquired about the market value, discovering that a single custom weapon would cost at least tens of thousands of yuan.
To go to such great lengths and incur such significant expenses merely to equip a batch of freshmen with custom weapons was a testament to Tiandu University’s unparalleled extravagance.
****
However, to ensure the weapons were ready for military training in three weeks, production had to begin immediately.
Thus, Huang Xiu and her classmates had no choice but to sacrifice their lunch break, rushing to Yanghai Hall right after eating.
In front of the five-story, mountain-shaped building, the young woman, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts, came to a halt.
She had shoulder-length hair, and the sliver of arm visible from her sleeve, along with her childlike legs, were as smooth and delicate as rendered fat.
Squinting against the fierce midday sun, Huang Xiu gazed up at Yanghai Hall.
Thanks to the previous aptitude test, she held no favorable impressions of the place. Coupled with the fact that it housed the campus hospital, it evoked a distinct sense of physiological discomfort.
Had it not been for the necessity of measuring her body data today, she likely would never have set foot in this accursed place.
Huang Xiu sighed softly to herself, reluctantly lifting her leg to step through the main entrance of Yanghai Hall and into the body data measurement room.
The body data measurement room, located on the basement floor, was vast, filled with an orderly array of measuring instruments.
Among them were spherical Void Energy detectors, similar to those Huang Xiu had seen beneath the Ying City Jurisdiction Bureau, as well as many other devices she didn’t recognize.
At that moment, the entire room teemed with freshmen, dispersed among the various instruments for testing.
Beside each measuring device stood a Research Department student in a white coat, offering assistance.
Huang Xiu scanned the room, noticing only a few unoccupied instruments.
“We’re late, it seems…” She felt a pang of annoyance. She had hoped to finish early and catch up on some sleep, but that now appeared impossible.
“Xiu Xiu-jie, there’s one over there! Let’s go!” Ying Zhiyu pointed to a large spherical device in the corner.
Huang Xiu glanced over, recognizing the instrument, and felt an even greater sense of exasperation.
“That’s a Void Energy detector, used to measure one’s internal Void Energy level and rank. We’re here to measure basic physical data.”
“What does it matter? Let’s just try it; I’ve never been measured before!” Ying Zhiyu said nonchalantly.
She figured since they had to wait anyway, they might as well get some measurements done first.
“This one requires drawing a large tube of blood. Do you still want to do it?” Huang Xiu tried to deter Ying Zhiyu, knowing full well her clumsy friend was terrified of pain.
Indeed,
Upon hearing about the blood draw, Ying Zhiyu swallowed hard and immediately changed her mind.
“Haha, then let’s just forget it, haha.” A sheepish grin spread across her face.
“Come on, let’s go queue up first.”
Huang Xiu, unwilling to prolong the wait, gently pulled Ying Zhiyu toward an instrument that resembled a large cross.
This device was designed to measure various basic data, including height, arm length, and weight.
Its operation was remarkably simple: one merely had to swipe their campus card, stand on the platform, and spread their arms.
Essentially, it took about a minute to measure one person.
Huang Xiu and Ying Zhiyu stood at the very end of the line, waiting for nearly half an hour before it was their turn.
[Height: 1.68m, Weight: 59kg, Arm Length: 0.7m]
Watching the data slowly refresh on the display, Huang Xiu let out a soft sigh.
“Tsk, I’ve gained weight.”
During the summer holidays, she had only been fifty-four kilograms. In just a month at school, she had put on over five kilograms.
‘It’s all the school’s excellent food… Wait, if I keep gaining weight at this rate, will I turn into a muscular tank?’
Huang Xiu grew worried, even starting to consider whether she needed to go on a diet.
While she wasn’t like other girls with such high demands for her figure, who wouldn’t prefer to be slim and graceful over plump?
A Research Department student nearby, unable to watch any longer, pointed at the other data on the screen and explained, “You haven’t gained fat; you’ve gained muscle. The weight you’ve put on isn’t flab, but muscle.”
“Look, the muscle composition displayed here is significantly higher than that of other girls your age.”
“So it’s muscle, then? Excellent, excellent.” Huang Xiu was now thoroughly pleased.
Muscle meant strength, and as someone who had once been male, she certainly wouldn’t object to gaining more muscle.
She struck a strongman pose, bending her arms upwards.
Yet, her upper arms didn’t bulge as much as she expected, showing only a slight curve.
“Xiu Xiu-jie, your muscles are so soft and springy!” she said with a laugh, releasing her arms.
…A large hashtag symbol appeared on Huang Xiu’s forehead.
A mechanical claw snatched the fleeing Ying Zhiyu, giving her two sharp flicks on the forehead.
Ignoring the teary-eyed Ying Zhiyu, Huang Xiu inwardly comforted herself. ‘Forget it, no curve is fine. As long as the strength is there.’
She then tested her strength value, which was three times greater than that of a normal girl her age, though still incomparable to a strongman, let alone the beasts with physical enhancement abilities around her.
Take Liu Lu, for instance.
Despite her petite frame and young age of seventeen, her baseline strength had already surpassed human limits.
When she activated her ability, that value multiplied several times over.
Spotting Huang Xiu in the crowd, Liu Lu, having just finished her own test, bypassed everyone else and walked straight over.
“Xiu Xiu-jie, didn’t I do well?”
She panted, her black hair damp with sweat, and a joyous flush spread across her face from the surge of blood.
Huang Xiu smiled, praising her.
“You did wonderfully.”
“Hehe, I’ve made significant progress recently, Xiu Xiu-jie. If you slack off, you might just find yourself surpassed by me!”
Liu Lu revealed her canine teeth.
In recent times, under their mutual competitive drive and supervision, her study group with Yang Qu had achieved remarkable results.
Whether it was the practice of forging techniques and weapon combat styles, or the study of Void Art structures, both had become top performers in their respective classes.
“Alright, alright. There’s no time like the present. How about we head to the school’s sparring arena for a match today?” Huang Xiu said, eyes narrowed in a smile. “If I lose, I’ll grant you one wish.”
Using abilities in public within the school was strictly prohibited, and students were even more forbidden from engaging in private ability-based combat.
Violators faced severe consequences, potentially leading to expulsion, leaving no student daring to defy the rules.
The only legitimate combat within the school was currently the sparring arena located on the basement floor of Tiandu Hall.
…
Hearing the words “sparring match” and seeing Huang Xiu’s smiling face, Liu Lu couldn’t help but recall Project Three from the retest.
That painful memory, less than three months old, was still vivid and fresh in her mind.
Her face instantly contorted.
“Forget it, haha, next time, definitely next time!” With that, she turned and quickly walked away, without a backward glance.
It was as if she feared Huang Xiu would forcibly drag her into the sparring arena.
“Tsk, running away so fast…” Huang Xiu’s face was filled with regret.
Her last actual combat had been five weeks ago, during the mission in Ying City with Senior Male Student Yun.
After six weeks of study and training, she was considerably stronger than when she first entered the school.
Now, her hands and heart itched for a fight, eager to test her progress against someone else.
This was to measure just how much stronger she had become.
Liu Lu had, inadvertently, walked right into a trap.
This super-strong loli, who had once fought her, was the perfect tool to gauge the success of her training.
It was just a pity that the other party hadn’t fallen for it.
“I wonder when Senior Male Student Yun will take me out on another mission…” Huang Xiu sighed.
Amidst her busy academic schedule, going out on a mission actually felt like a form of relaxation to her.
****
The mission Huang Xiu longed for did not materialize.
Instead, her already demanding academic workload became even more intense as the military training drew closer.
It seemed all the teachers wished to cram more knowledge and skills into their minds and imprint them onto their Chakras during this final period before the summer training concluded.
Everyone, except Yuan Fei, that is… he had become even more of a slacker.
There was even a ridiculous incident where he overslept one day and arrived halfway through class.
However, Huang Xiu and her classmates had grown accustomed to Yuan Fei’s eccentricities, as well as the teaching model where Teaching Assistant Yun Ning and Yue Zhengyang took over.
The hands of the clock endlessly cycled clockwise, and days turned into weeks. In the blink of an eye, another two weeks had passed.
It was Tuesday, July 9th, the eighth week of summer training, with thirteen days remaining until military training began.
Huang Xiu and her classmates finally received their customized weapons.
She had chosen a red-tasseled spear, specifically a *hua qiang* style.
Within the broad category of long spears, it was considered a medium-length weapon.
This choice was made considering that the materials Awakened individuals used for their weapons were often dense alloys.
If the spear were too long, its weight would be excessive, and with Huang Xiu’s current strength, she might not be able to wield it effectively.
****
Inside Training Room One on the first floor of Tiandu Hall.
Under the glare of the fluorescent lights, the short-haired young woman examined the costly custom-made spear in her hands.
The spear was two and a half meters long in total, with both the shaft and head forged as a single piece from an unknown alloy.
It was coated in a matte black finish, giving it a rich texture.
The grip section of the shaft featured anti-slip patterns, while the spearhead was rhomboid, equipped with four blood grooves to prevent it from getting stuck.
Due to being cast from an alloy,
This long spear felt substantial, heavy in her hands, far more so than the wooden training spears.
Huang Xiu tried a few swings.
Despite the increased weight, it felt surprisingly balanced and easy to handle.
She executed all the basic and advanced spear techniques.
There was no awkwardness due to the weight.
This long spear, customized to her body data, fell perfectly within the optimal weight range for her.
She was utterly delighted.
“Senior Female Student, care for another spar?” Huang Xiu, with her right hand resting the spear on the ground, challenged Wen Erya.
“Not today,” Wen Erya replied, shaking her head as her gaze fell upon Huang Xiu’s long spear.
“If you were to fight me with that spear, I wouldn’t be able to hold back my strength. Either you or I would end up injured.”
“Alright!” Huang Xiu gave a helpless smile.
Perhaps due to the lesson from last time, and her choice to slack off campus-wide, staying secluded, no one dared to challenge her.
Over the past few weeks, her relationship with Wen Erya had grown significantly closer.
Setting aside her custom spear, Huang Xiu picked up a wooden one and began sparring with Wen Erya.
After nearly six weeks of practice,
She had become increasingly familiar with spear techniques and forms, and her combat skills had improved remarkably. She could now rely on her long spear to constantly pressure Wen Erya, temporarily holding her own.
However, as time wore on, her stamina, which was naturally inferior to Wen Erya’s, would eventually cause her to fall behind.
After a period of training, Huang Xiu was drenched in sweat.
She returned the wooden spear to the weapon rack, pulling a towel from her bag to wipe the sweat from her face.
“Everyone, gather up.” Teacher Yuan clapped his hands.
It was nearly the end of class. Most students, having finished sparring, were resting. Hearing Teacher Yuan’s voice, they quickly gathered.
“Now that everyone has received their customized weapons, you’re all looking quite impressive,” Teacher Yuan said, scanning the group. “However, none of you have actual combat experience with weapons. Martial arts truly flourish when forged in battle.”
“This Thursday afternoon at three, in Training Room One, no one is allowed to take leave. I’ll be taking you through a real, no-holds-barred combat session!”
Teacher Yuan grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, a sight that sent shivers down their spines. “Be careful, everyone. There will be injuries!” Having said that, he waved his hand, dismissed the class, and turned to leave.
The students immediately began discussing amongst themselves.
“‘Real, no-holds-barred combat’… Does that mean we’ll only use weapons and no abilities?” a short student wondered. Her physical conditioning was average, and she had chosen a long saber, which she wielded at an ordinary level. If she couldn’t use her abilities, she’d genuinely be nervous.
“It should be… but it’s not a certainty. These teachers are all so unique; no one can really predict what they’ll do,” Zhong Guangfu, a member of the Student Disciplinary Committee, pushed up his glasses. He actually no longer needed corrective lenses after his physical reconstruction; the plain glasses were purely a habit.
“Senior Female Student Huang Xiu, you said we’re Awakened individuals, so how can we have real combat in the Present World?” Fang Miaoging asked, her face etched with a bitter expression. She was genuinely terrible at combat; despite her diligent training, she lagged behind everyone else.
“I don’t know, it should be in a Void Realm, right? Otherwise, there’s no way for them to let so many of us engage in real combat…” Huang Xiu mused.
Even without using abilities, their collective strength, relying solely on basic spear techniques, would be enough to utterly overwhelm any ordinary person.
However, if they were to fight against other Awakened individuals,
They would inevitably have to use their abilities, which would clearly defeat the purpose of the combat training.
Therefore, only Void Realm creatures within a Void Realm could serve as suitable opponents for this group of ‘beasts’.
Their strength would be sufficient to pressure the students without causing excessive casualties to the core group.