.

In the month leading up to the college entrance examination, Luo Feng poured almost all his energy into review.

As the review progressed, and with repeated simulations, Luo Feng's confidence in the Gaokao grew stronger and stronger! "Getting into Jiangnan First Military Academy is virtually guaranteed." That was what Luo Feng thought.

※※※※※※ June 7th, the first day of the Gaokao.

The examination period in Huaxia spans three days: the 7th, 8th, and 9th of June, matching the schedule before the Great Nirvana period.

Yi'an District First High School.

According to the examination seating arrangements, Luo Feng, who was originally a student at No.

3 High School, was taking his exams at this First High School. "Go get 'em, sweetie." "Don't worry, Dad." "Tiantian, don't put too much pressure on yourself!" …… Outside the gates of First High School, a dense crowd of examinees and their parents had gathered.

Stationed directly outside the main entrance was a line of police officers armed with real firearms. "Little Feng, remember to keep your mind relaxed during the exam.

Even if we don't get into the First Military Academy, the Second Military Academy will do.

Take it easy!" Father Luo Hongguo looked at his son and said with a cheerful smile. "Mm." Luo Feng nodded back, smiling. "Beep—beep—" With a loud car horn, a brand-new Mercedes-Benz 600, entirely black and radiating an air of aristocracy, slowly approached the gates of First High School, escorted by several police motorcycles.

The surrounding parents immediately parted way, every eye drawn to the vehicle.

The latest Mercedes-Benz 600 could accelerate to 100 km/h in just 1.6 seconds, with a top speed of 500 km/h.

Of course, its performance wasn't the main point; the history and prestige of the Mercedes-Benz 600, a brand handed down since the Great Nirvana period, were what truly captivated people.

Three figures stepped out of the Mercedes-Benz 600, chatting amicably as they walked toward the school entrance. "The bald man on the left is Director Zhang from our Yi'an District Police Bureau." "The one on the right must be Director Liu from the Education Bureau." "The one in the middle—he must be the martial artist in charge of overall security for the examination site." A murmur ran through the gathered parents and students.

Most gazes were fixed on the central figure, eyes filled with excitement, admiration, and curiosity.

To this day, the conflict between humanity and the fierce monsters was ongoing.

Ordinary citizens were forbidden from leaving the city limits, while Wuzhe (martial artists) were the ones capable of fighting monsters one-on-one.

Human society was profoundly grateful to the Wuzhe for the massive contributions they made to survival.

Naturally, the common people revered them.

Wuzhe were a group occupying an elevated status within the human collective. "That’s a Wuzhe," Father Luo Hongguo murmured, observing the man. "The overall security commander for every Gaokao site is always a Wuzhe." "Wuzhe." Luo Feng looked over.

The martial artist carried an aura that sent a chill down the spine; his eyes were cold, like those of a viper, and he maintained a stern expression throughout the walk.

Towards the Police Bureau Director and Director Liu of the Education Bureau, the Wuzhe merely offered occasional, distant nods, showing no real interest in engaging. "In the near future, I too will earn the title of Wuzhe!" Luo Feng silently vowed to himself. "Kaka~~~" The main gate of First High School slowly swung open. "Entry time," a wave of voices announced. "Little Feng, it’s time to go in.

Hurry up," Father Luo Hongguo urged, while Mother Gong Xinlan added, "Go on, I’ll head back soon to cook for you.

Your dad and your younger brother will wait here for you to finish." "Mm." Luo Feng smiled and nodded. "Brother," his younger brother Luo Hua, seated in his wheelchair, raised a fist toward Luo Feng and smiled faintly. "You have to do great!" "You too," Luo Feng returned the fist gesture.

Luo Feng then turned and merged with the stream of examinees, passing through inspections and entering the school grounds one by one.

※※※※※※ Inside the examination classroom, the admission ticket and ID card were placed on the upper right corner of the desk for the invigilator’s inspection, and the test papers were then distributed. "2056 Jiangnan City Gaokao Science Stream Paper A"—a clear line of text at the very top of the booklet. "The first session is the Science exam!" Looking at the paper before him, Luo Feng’s gaze swept over it, lingering on the final few major questions which seemed vaguely familiar. "This paper shouldn't be too hard.

If the questions aren't challenging, my advantage in Science will be harder to leverage.

I'll just have to work meticulously and carefully, ensuring I don't lose points on anything I know how to solve." Luo Feng immediately lowered his head and began writing.

…… The Gaokao consisted of three sessions: the Science exam, the Humanities exam, and finally, the Mathematics exam.

Each subject session was worth a maximum of 250 points, for a total maximum score of 750.

The Science subjects comprised a synthesis of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

The Humanities subjects comprised a synthesis of Chinese language, History, Politics, and Geography.

The Mathematics session, naturally, was dedicated solely to Mathematics.

Since the Great Nirvana period, especially with the continuous fighting between humanity and the monsters, humanity had poured desperate effort into research in science, technology, and martial arts.

This made everyone acutely aware of the critical importance of 'Mathematics.' Anyone aiming for major achievements in computing, biology, or physics required a rock-solid mathematical foundation.

Therefore— In cultural education, the status of Mathematics had been elevated significantly.

Luo Feng was slightly weaker in the Humanities subjects but held a massive advantage in Mathematics.

※※※※※※ June 7th, Science exam.

June 8th, Humanities exam.

In the blink of an eye, it was June 9th.

…… Inside the examination hall, the Mathematics papers had just been handed out. "Just this last session, Mathematics," Luo Feng took a deep breath. "The Science paper wasn't hard, but I expect I did well.

I performed normally on the Humanities exam too! That means the scores from Science and Humanities should both fall within my normal performance range.

If I don't completely botch the Math exam, I’m definitely getting into Jiangnan First Military Academy." "Focus!" He encouraged himself and began looking down at the problems.

The entire hall was silent; many students were already frowning, indicating the questions were challenging.

High school Gaokao mathematics questions were generally not easy, as they were designed to select future scientific research talent. "It really is quite difficult," Luo Feng admitted, feeling the rigor of the problems. "Harder than in previous years! But...

the harder, the better!" If the questions were simple, students whose math skills were only slightly inferior to his might score 220, and he might only manage 230.

His advantage would be small.

But if the questions were tough.

He might only score 210, while those weaker than him might only manage 150.

In that scenario, his advantage would actually be much larger. "Snap!" A sharp cracking sound echoed.

The invigilator immediately looked over.

A student had just forcefully snapped the ballpoint pen in his hand.

The student frowned, gritting his teeth, staring intently at the paper, clearly overwhelmed by the difficulty of the mathematical problems.

He tossed the broken pen aside, retrieved another, and resumed answering. "Judging by the students' expressions, this year's Math exam is brutal," the invigilator thought to himself.

Indeed, nearly everyone in the room was furrowing their brows in deep thought; many students were so anxious they were close to tears.

Students already weak in fundamental math felt utterly lost...

This problem won't work, that one won't work, and the third one is also impossible...

Seeing such a paper, they were on the verge of collapse.

※※※※※※ One hour into the exam, inside the hall.

The Mathematics exam was scheduled for two and a half hours in total.

Luo Feng had finished the 'Multiple Choice' and 'Fill-in-the-Blank' sections, leaving only the 'Calculation Problems.' These two sections combined accounted for only 90 points.

The Calculation Problems consisted of five major questions, worth 160 points, as these longer problems were better at revealing a student’s true mathematical capabilities. "It's really tough.

I couldn't figure out the answers for two blanks," Luo Feng took a deep breath. "Next are the calculation problems; this is where the points are won or lost.

One extra correct problem means a difference of thirty or forty points!" The five major calculation problems were structured with the first four worth 30 points each, and the final one worth 40 points. "Hmm?" Luo Feng immediately hit a snag on the first calculation problem.

On scratch paper, Luo Feng calculated and thought continuously. "Yes, if I transform this part slightly, and work backward, I can derive the required equation, can't I?" Luo Feng's eyes lit up.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Once the difficult hurdle was overcome, the writing flowed easily.

He finished the first problem completely in one exhilarating rush and meticulously checked it over. "Okay, first question successful." Luo Feng glanced at the watch on his left wrist and his heart skipped a beat. "The first problem took me 20 minutes? I need to speed up." Luo Feng looked down at the second problem.

At first glance, it seemed straightforward, and he immediately began calculating on his scratch paper. "No, that's not right." Luo Feng realized his entire approach was flawed and immediately frowned in concentration.

As time slipped by, he delved deeper into the problem. "Right, it should be this way.

But how do I verify the next step of the proof?" Luo Feng’s mind was racing now. "Quick, quick, quick.

I can't waste too much time on this one.

How do I prove this?" Luo Feng grew anxious.

At this moment— The numbers indicating 'Pulse Rate' on the watch strapped to Luo Feng's left wrist began to climb.

120...

125...

130...

140...

150... "Just a bit more, and I can finalize the proposition for this question.

That's 30 points secured.

What is the final step here?" Luo Feng grew increasingly agitated.

Exams required strict time management, yet each calculation problem carried significant weight.

For any student aiming for top scores, too many errors on the major math problems were fatal.

Completely immersed in the examination question, Luo Feng failed to notice the pulse reading on his watch.

160...

170...

180...

Luo Feng felt his heartbeat accelerating but attributed it to the normal stress and tension of taking the exam, paying it no mind. "Thump! Thump! Thump!" Suddenly, Luo Feng felt as if his heart was being struck; his vision blurred momentarily, startling him fully awake. "What's happening to me? Why does my heart feel so painful?" Luo Feng looked down at the pulse measurement display on his watch— 230! This number caused Luo Feng's expression to change drastically.

Ever since he passed out at the age of twelve and purchased this watch, his heart rate had never once exceeded 180. "This is agonizing." Luo Feng felt his heartbeat threatening to leap out of his chest.

As the massive volume of blood surged with every expansion and contraction driven by the power source that was his heart, waves of imperceptible energy flooded into the deepest recesses of Luo Feng’s brain, triggering a searing pain from within his skull— "Ah, ah." Luo Feng couldn't suppress the sound. "Examinee, what's wrong?" The invigilator rushed over, staring at Luo Feng in shock.

At that moment, Luo Feng's face was flushed scarlet, as if ready to bleed.

The veins on his forehead and arms throbbed visibly, making his entire appearance terrifyingly strained. "No, no—stop, slow down, slow down," Luo Feng sensed danger, roaring internally, his eyes fixed desperately on his watch. "236...

242...

251...!" Thump! Thump! Thump! His heart resonated like a massive drum, emitting deep booming sounds as blood rushed violently through him.

As his vision blurred and he saw the number '268,' the intense agony in his head caused Luo Feng to instantly lose consciousness.

In his final moments before blacking out, he faintly heard a voice— "Examinee, this examinee, wake up, wake up.

Quickly, call an ambulance!" .