ABRIWMTHM Chapter 12

Shi Xing was actually a bit shocked, surprised by his own astonishment.

He thought that SS rank was already his limit. After all, in his previous life, the second measurement came out as S, with the earlier tests all showing SS, and the last one could be attributed to a talent boost that raised it to SSS. However… when the final evaluation was issued, the light brain kept flickering, switching between SS and SSS repeatedly…

When he saw it, he only thought that it must be the backend data flow of the light brain being too massive, causing such instability in the frontend. Logically, with so many SS ranks, the possibility of an overall SS rating was greater and more reasonable.

But in the end, the light brain gave him the classification of SS+. This was not a standard differentiation for Blue Star humans; no past evaluations from the Star Tree Nest had ever included a “+” sign. This was a rating system used by the Empire.

He…

Unconsciously, Shi Xing turned to look at Chi Yao, instinctively hoping to hear something from this prince.

When he raised his gaze, he happened to find Chi Yao lowering his eyes.

Their eyes met, and Shi Xing realized, only after the fact, that he had been too close to Chi Yao while waiting and staring at the panel.

Close enough that he could feel the subtle airflow caused by the other’s breathing.

Close enough… that he felt a bit uneasy.

Yet these little thoughts quickly disappeared with the curve of Chi Yao’s smile as he looked at him kindly and praised, “Very good.”

The man smiled, backlit by the light, his smile faint yet genuine.

Shi Xing was taken aback for a moment before realizing what the other had said. Although reason urged him to restrain himself, he simply couldn’t hold back, his joy bubbling over into a brilliant smile.

Bathed in the light, his sea-blue eyes sparkled, radiating vibrance.

In this way, Shi Xing was exceptionally lively, as if he could shine.

“SS, or SS+, oh my… really…” Yun Wu’s eyes were glued to the panel, unable to look away.

Hua Li looked at the final evaluation, also shocked but at the same time, some concern crept up in her heart.

It was indeed true that a Blue Star human with an accompanying talent could not be ranked at a low level—this was good, but too good.

SS was already the limit she had hypothesized, but SS, or even SS+… Hua Li couldn’t catch her breath, for Xiang He Ze’s mental power was only SS, but Tan Yan had reached SSS.

She had thought that Xiang He Ze’s SS rank would have more advantages. Who could have predicted that Shi Xing could achieve an SS+ evaluation!

Hua Li felt both happy and worried.

This matching banquet was unlikely to go as smoothly as she had imagined.

One side was elated, the other was anxious. Hua Li fell silent, while Tan Yan and Yun Wu excitedly relayed the situation back to their families.

In the family group.

Tan Yan excitedly proclaimed, “It’s SS+! This year the Star Nest has produced an SS+ Blue Star human. Big brother’s issue will definitely be resolved!”

Tan Wen, Yun Wu’s partner and the second in line in their family, was the first to reply: “Really? Such a high rank? Do you have a picture? Let me see.”

Yun Wu uploaded a short selfie video.

After viewing, Tan Wen replied with two words: “Very good.”

Then, the Marshal of the Seventh Army, Tan Bai Shan, and Lady Campbell logged on one after another. Although their messages were restrained, there were rare typos that revealed their excitement.

The administrator had the light brain double-check the information immediately, receiving a confirmation of “correct.” At the same time, the overall evaluation ranks of the other Blue Star humans present began to show their results.

The officers waiting for their matching were ecstatic, while the Blue Star humans were shocked. Shi Xing, the principal party involved, still felt a bit unbelievable, but the administrator had caught onto this anomaly in the evaluation first.

“Why is it SS+? What does this ‘+’ signify for Blue Star humans?”

At this point, Shi Xing felt confused as well, forcing himself to focus amidst his joy, wanting to hear what everyone had to say.

Tan Yan said, “The light brain intervened in the calculations; apart from the reasons regarding the instrument’s precision, there remain two possibilities.”

“Either the displayed conditions are difficult to determine, or it was due to the accompanying talent.”

“The former generally suggests a re-evaluation in six months; most people either lose the ‘+’ or elevate another rank afterward. The latter, well, there’s not much to say; accompanying talents are indeed rare.”

Xiang He Ze, rarely speaking up, added, “I think it’s due to the accompanying talent that the light brain granted an uncertain ‘+’, which seems more plausible.”

“After all, with the growth of the mental sea and mental power, talents can be strengthened as well.”

The two officers spoke very reasonably, covering almost all possibilities.

Chi Yao had remained silent, listening without refuting. He glanced once more at the rating of “SS+” before finally speaking.

What he said was rather serious.

“There are quite a few people here to watch today; let’s let the matching candidates leave first to avoid chaos.”

“The live broadcast has been cut. The Blue Star humans and we should temporarily stay in the venue. I remember that after the evaluation, the Blue Star humans have a customary physical exam. Once the outside is cleared, we can arrange for the interior exit in order.”

At first glance, it seemed like a trivial matter, but the administrator quickly grasped the deeper implication. Shi Xing’s ranking was too high; His Majesty was worried that the candidates might become too agitated and wanted to prevent everyone from rushing to see Shi Xing all at once… That would indeed create quite a commotion.

The administrator went to handle it.

Seizing the opportunity, Chi Yao introduced Shi Xing to the two military officers, Xiang He Ze and Tan Yan.

After chatting with both for a few moments, in Shi Xing’s eyes, Xiang He Ze had a modest and gentle demeanor, while Tan Yan was more extroverted and flamboyant. Furthermore, Tan Yan had a strong control over his own mental power. He was another person who Shi Xing couldn’t easily gauge the state of his mental power, indicating a not low rank.

During the subsequent physical exams, Shi Xing was separated from the other Blue Star humans as the light brain required data collection for the exams.

Unsure who proposed it, someone wanted to see if the light brain would remove the “+” after analyzing the physical exam data, so Chi Yao’s group followed Shi Xing throughout the entire process of the exam.

Everything about the exam was normal, and the light brain’s rating showed no changes. By the time the examination was completed, it was already late. Chi Yao instructed the administrator to take the personnel from the Fifth and Seventh Armies back for rest. Those accompanying him were also dismissed. Shortly afterward, only Chi Yao, Fu Qing, and Shi Xing remained in the consultation room.

Chi Yao had something to say to Shi Xing.

“I just received news that Fei Chu is about to wake up. When he does, I will let him thank you in person.”

“The costs will be settled according to the healer’s usual practices. If you have any special requests or wants, it’s best to list them out.”

“Ah?” Shi Xing was momentarily stunned. “But you’ve already given me a lot.”

Chi Yao remarked, “Yes, but that was given by me. What does it have to do with Fei Chu?”

Shi Xing understood. The costs that Chi Yao had just mentioned referred to Fei Chu’s own expenses. He felt somewhat puzzled and momentarily didn’t know how to respond. Fu Qing helped Shi Xing out by simply telling him to take it.

Chi Yao did not intend to say much more, asking, “Weren’t you going to say something to me when you were in the venue?”

“Oh right, I wanted to thank you for the beast core. After absorbing it, my mental threads have relaxed quite a bit.”

“Could you fully mobilize it?”

Shi Xing nodded.

Chi Yao smiled lightly, “It’s good to make full use of resources.”

Chi Yao had to leave, and Shi Xing wanted to say something else, but since he had already expressed his gratitude once, repeating it felt somewhat annoying. Gawking, he accompanied Chi Yao and Fu Qing to the elevator. It seemed he was caught wanting to say something but hesitating. Just before entering the elevator, Chi Yao turned back to take a look at Shi Xing, his gaze implying, ‘if you have something to say, just say it.’

The light cast shadows on the deep features of the man. Shi Xing felt his throat tighten and softly said, “Goodbye, Your Highness.”

The tone coupled with his expression gave an inexplicable feeling of reluctance.

Chi Yao’s gaze lingered on Shi Xing for a moment before nodding, “Mm, see you later.”

After seeing the two off, Shi Xing hurried to the other side of the hospital.

His communicator received a message from Shi Ran, saying all the Blue Star humans had not left yet, but the physical exam was on the verge of concluding.

Shi Xing hurriedly replied, “I’m coming over now.”

Shi Ran replied: “Ah? Why are you coming over?”

Thinking of Yu Man, Shi Xing’s expression turned cold, “To collect a debt!”

Yu Man had been too reckless in the high-speed particle flow, barely managing to finish the last section. After seeing Shi Xing’s overall evaluation, he fainted again.

After being moved to a treatment room, when he woke up, besides seeing his friends Yu Cai and Yu Huai, he also saw Shi Xing and Shi Ran.

At this moment, Shi Xing was even more concerned than Yu Cai and Yu Huai, proactively informing him, “Everything has been checked, and the doctor said as soon as you wake up, everyone can leave.”

Yu Man couldn’t help but retort, “What are you doing here, watching me make a fool of myself?”

Shi Xing thought for a moment, “Well, that wouldn’t be out of the question.”

“You…”

“But mainly, I’m here to fulfill our bet, Yu Man. You didn’t forget what you promised me before, did you?”

Yu Man was taken aback.

He remembered at the beginning of tonight’s gathering, but as Shi Xing’s later evaluations reached SS and SSS, shock and disbelief filled his mind, making it hard to recall what bet was made.

Quickly, a thought crossed Yu Man’s mind, “You knew all along, you, you deliberately made a bet with me?!”

Regarding his own physical condition, no one knew better than himself; Shi Xing had been playing him from the start!

Shi Xing did not deny it, “That’s right, but I didn’t force you to agree.”

Shi Xing was smiling, but his eyes were still cold.

The smile made Yu Man’s back feel cold, and Shi Xing’s gentle voice pierced his ears, each word filled with poison.

“Didn’t you always think that you were on par with me?”

“Let me tell you, I’m better than you. We all know each other, but that’s useless; you need to clearly see, hear, and realize it to understand deeply, right?”

“The taste of overloaded high-energy particle flow isn’t pleasant, is it?”

The final light remark was almost enough to shatter Yu Man’s pride.

Yu Man glared at Shi Xing fiercely, while Shi Xing met his gaze calmly.

After a substantial silence, Yu Cai finally spoke out, “Shi Xing, don’t go too far.”

Shi Xing felt it was about enough, looking at Yu Man and tilting his chin, taking a serious tone, “Apologize.”

“I…” Yu Man stood up, his chest rising and falling sharply.

Shi Xing didn’t give him a chance to speak, helping him see reality, “It’s up to you whether you want to leave; everyone is outside waiting. You can either apologize right here or be escorted to the hallway to apologize while everyone watches. I’m not pushing you; it’s your choice.”

Yu Man froze, glancing outside, and sure enough, there were many anxious, hiding figures outside.

They hadn’t left! They were just waiting to watch him make a fool of himself!!

Pushed to his limit, Yu Man gritted his teeth, “What if I don’t?!”

Shi Xing rolled up his sleeves, eerily calm, “If you don’t apologize, then our agreement won’t be fulfilled, and I will drain all of your expendable mental power. What subsequent damage it causes and whether you can fully recover, well, that’s up to fate.”

Yu Huai: “You dare?!”

“You’ve gone mad!” Yu Cai shouted.

Shi Xing’s voice remained steady, yet the words left no room for disbelief, “Then why don’t you give it a try?”

Yu Man fell silent, both frightened and furious, taking a step back.

Yu Huai, Yu Cai, and Shi Ran were all in shock.

After a long moment of silence, Yu Man finally conceded, humiliatedly grinding his teeth, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“Sorry, sorry to you and Shi Ran,” Yu Man emphasized each word, “I shouldn’t have spoken ill of you behind your backs.”

Shi Xing let his sleeves fall, and before Yu Man could breathe a sigh of relief, he pointed out leisurely, “Isn’t your voice a bit too small?”

Intentional; Shi Xing was definitely being deliberate.

As this statement fell, shadows at the window outside began to stir. When had Yu Man ever been this embarrassed? His chest rose and fell dramatically, and his eyes turned red as he glared at Shi Xing.

The standoff continued for several dozen seconds, and Shi Xing took a step forward.

Noticing Shi Xing unleashing his mental power, Yu Cai and Yu Huai’s expressions changed. He was not joking—if Yu Man didn’t satisfy him, he really would act!

Yu Man felt it too, his pupils constricting.

Those who were initially hiding and secretly watching the situation could feel it too. Not knowing the circumstances, they no longer put effort into hiding; many shining eyes appeared outside the window and behind the door, directly staring into the ward.

Yu Man was alert at all times, wishing he could dismiss Shi Xing right then and teach those outside a lesson.

However, Shi Xing wouldn’t give him that chance.

Shi Xing stepped forward again, and Yu Man closed his eyes, ultimately panicking and shouting, “Sorry—!”

“Sorry to you and Shi Ran, I shouldn’t have spoken ill of you behind your backs!!”