"Yeah, there are a few particularly outstanding ones that you might want to pay more attention to. Class Seven’s Zhan Hao, Class Twenty-nine’s Yan Han, Class Thirty-seven’s Lu Jian, Class Three’s Yu Na, all have excellent scores across the board. Class Five’s Ji Sisi is a descendant of Yong Chun Fist and she is also an excellent student. Class Three’s Luo Ye and Yan Xingnong have the best gun skills. Class Nine’s Liu Tao, Class Thirteen’s Jing Feng..."
Principal Han listed them one by one, while the leaders present jotted down each student’s name in the notebooks before them, preparing for focused observation later on.
"The 400-meter obstacle selection begins!" With the command from Li Qingqi, the selection officially started.
Jian Xingnong’s face was filled with worry as she continuously watched her own performance; Luo Ye pinched her little hand comfortingly, knowing that the girl was surely worried about whether she could still be selected based on the remaining two events after losing her rank in the five-kilometer cross-country race.
Luo Ye had no regrets about her action that day. Even if she had to do it over again, she would make the same choice. If that led to her selection falling through, then so be it—she’d just aim for next year’s trials, which would mean putting in more effort to catch up with this batch.
"1 minute 22 seconds!"
Yu Na’s lips curled up; her selection time was 2 seconds faster than her best training record, which made her very satisfied. The instructor in charge of the selection, Team Six’s Wang Ping, couldn’t help but praise her: "Not bad."
Then came the next few.
Miaomiao, 1 minute 37 seconds.
Yao Juanjuan, 1 minute 43 seconds.
Li Qing, 1 minute 36 seconds.
Xingnong, 1 minute 28 seconds.
Finally, it was Luo Ye’s turn. Star Manipulating Moonlight both tensed up; as long as the two of them ranked within the top 30, they could basically breathe a sigh of relief. However, Luo Ye had to be particularly outstanding. They had a good knowledge of Luo Ye’s abilities, but as good friends, they couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Yu Na also clenched her fists; she hoped that Luo Ye would make the selection because only then could there be a fair competition. However, she did not want Luo Ye’s score to surpass her own.
All the selection events have undergone one round of intensive training, so Luo Ye’s real capability in the 400-meter obstacles was unknown to them. Being nervous was normal.
Luo Ye flashed a reassuring smile to Star Manipulating Moonlight and quickly started running, climbing poles, leaping ditches, jumping over walls... Her agile figure was like a swift swooping swallow until her return, which was when everyone exhaled the breath they had been holding.
"1 minute 18 seconds! Fantastic!" Wang Ping’s voice, while calling out the time, carried a hint of excitement. Such a score, even amongst themselves, was outstanding!
"Luoluo!" Xingnong and Yaoguang excitedly embraced Luo Ye.
"Yaoguang, it’s up to you now." Luo Ye patted Yaoguang’s back hard. Her own performance had been exceptional; usually, in their private practice, her best time was only 1 minute 20 seconds. Performing so well this time, she really had to thank her master, Big Yellow, and Big White—wondering if Seventh Uncle Ye and Big Yellow and Big White have sneezed.
Yu Na felt relieved about Luo Ye’s score but was also somewhat uncomfortable.
Up in the stands, Wen Song and Jiang Zheng who had been watching Luo Ye shared a glance, eyes brimming with pride!
"1 minute 27 seconds!" Yaoguang’s score was also announced. The three embraced tightly once again. Having practiced for so long, they knew very well that this score should not be a problem to make it into the top 30.
Xingnong and Yaoguang ranked 11th and 12th respectively in the five-kilometer cross-country. As long as their shooting was normal, their selection was almost certain.
The last candidate for Class Three, Bai Qingchu’s score came out: 1 minute 32 seconds.
"It is my honor to be the selection instructor for Class Three. I look forward to your outstanding performance in the next event!" Having said that, Wang Ping saluted everyone and went to the stands with the results.
The ranking would be compiled by the principal, the headmaster, and two chief instructors. The students only needed to wait until the 400-meter obstacle course was finished before moving to the shooting range for the next competition.
At 9:50 a.m., the shooting selection began.
For Class Three, there was almost no suspense. Luo Ye, Yu Na, and Xingnong all scored perfect rounds, Yaoguang scored 97 rings, and the rest ranged from 80 to 87 rings.