"Warming up and then going for the record?"
"Just warming up before?"
As expected, Yang Sheng's words caused a flurry of whispers.
The bar was now set at 1.75 meters, nearly the limit for ordinary students.
He was still warming up?
Students from class 2, Li Shi, from class 11, Xu Yan, and even fellow competitors Tao Nian and Wu Tianyu, all looked on.
"What nonsense!" Ge Hao, from the back of the crowd, spoke disdainfully.
He had bet on jumping blindfolded, then quickly retreated strategically. Now, he had returned, just to witness who would emerge as the final champion.
However, the student he had bet against was passing each round effortlessly, which enraged Ge Hao.
"Damn it, no real talent, just tricks," cursed Ge Hao.
Shen Xu looked at him and shook his head internally; Ge Hao was clearly problematic.
Previously, seeing him make money, Ge Hao wanted pointers. Now, it seemed that such people should be avoided to prevent getting dragged down later.
Yang Sheng, in the spotlight, remained casual and composed, not showing any signs of nervousness.
Jiang Ning was no different—living a low-profile life except for a few fights and good grades; he seldom stood out.
But since he participated in the sports meet, no matter how subtle, it was futile. Being a champion would certainly draw attention.
Moreover, at past meets, he couldn't even make it to the final rounds and always remained in the background, but now he finally had a chance to shine.
Jiang Ning spoke out loud, "Let's warm up a bit more."
He finished speaking and, without giving the crowd time to react, ran towards the bar. His run-up was so effortless, he lightly leapt over the bar.
To everyone, it seemed effortless.
"The tall girl from class 7, Tang Fu, murmured, "So effortless, so effortless."
She felt that Jiang Ning's jump was too effortless, from the start of his run to his landing on the mat.
Amidst the exclamations, Wang Longlong shouted loudly, "Face-over style, Jiang Ning is the only one who passed 1.75 meters with face-over style, who else?"
His excited voice spread all over the high jump area.
"So cool, face-over style competing against back-over style!" Dan Kaiquan exclaimed.
As a competitor himself, Kaiquan knew how difficult the face-over style was; he couldn't even jump 1.60 meters using it.
Some students who somewhat understood remarked, "His core is so strong."
Class 2's Li Shi asked Lin Zida, "Is that score impressive?"
Lin Zida, watching the competition, earnestly replied, "Face-over 175, even in the high schools of An City, is top-level."
Li Shi, "Oh, so Jiang Ning does have some skills."
The second-year athlete Tao Nian finally became serious. Face-over 175 was indeed an impressive score.
But still, only knowing the face-over style in high jump wouldn't get you far. The top high jump athletes all used the back-over style, not the face-over.
Based on Tao Nian's observations, students who weren't on the athletic team hardly mastered the standard back-over.
Take Zhuang Jianhui, for example, who switched from face-over to a pretend back-over without much benefit, all relying on a solid base.
As for that other short kid, well, Tao Nian had to admit he couldn't see through him.
But no matter, his analysis confirmed one fact.
"This kid's potential is exhausted!"
The true competitor left for Tao Nian was only Wu Tianyu from the senior athlete team.
Now, with the bar at 1.75 meters, only 5 competitors remained.
Up next, the bar was set to 1.8 meters.
It was Wu Xiaoqi's turn!
Wang Longlong pulled out a fan and gently waved it. Looking at Wu Xiaoqi's running figure in the distance, he lamented,
"How are we, class 8, so blessed to have two great generals?"
Wu Xiaoqi's appearance was a miracle itself, given his natural height disadvantage; the 1.8-meters bar towered over him significantly.
Wu Xiaoqi jumped with all his might, brushing against the bar, his first attempt failed.
Sighs arose from around: "It's too high!"
He returned and continued to jump, failing three times in a row.
Wu Xiaoqi was eliminated.
The class monitor, Huang Zhongfei, greeted him, handing over a Red Bull:
"Wu Xiaoqi, are you hurt? That last jump looked dangerous."
Wu Xiaoqi, earnestly replied, "I've undergone strict training, I won't get injured."
"That's good, don't be sad. Making it this far is already strong," Huang Zhongfei consoled.
Wu Xiaoqi wasn't visibly disappointed, his confidence still intact: "I'll fight again next year!"
After speaking, he went to get a basketball from Dan Xiao, turned, and left casually.
He walked away so resolutely, as the finals were now, and results were about to be announced, the high jump audience kept growing, everyone eagerly anticipating.
Dan Xiao yelled from afar, "Aren't you staying to see who wins the championship?"
Wu Xiaoqi didn't look back, akin to a swordsman-turned-carefree basketball player:
"When I return, I will be the champion."
Wu Xiaoqi quietly left, taking his basketball with him.
After Wu Xiaoqi, class 1's Zhuang Jianhui was also eliminated.
He retreated to the spectator stand, and Li Shi couldn't help but ask, "Jianhui, you can dunk, shouldn't your jumping ability be particularly good? How did you lose to them?"
Zhuang Jianhui's expression remained unchanged, although he felt a bit struck internally. Just in little Fourth Middle School, there were still three people stronger than him.
Lin Zida stated, "His jumping ability is adequate, but his strengths lie elsewhere. If he's willing to spend half a month practicing the back-over, he could definitely clear 1.8 meters."
The next competitor, Jiang Ning.
When Jiang Ning took the field again, people's looks had changed, especially the freshmen.
Class 11's Xu Yan, who had placed high hopes on his classmate Bai Han, was disappointed as Bai Han faltered before the 1.75-meters bar.