Next came a teacher surnamed Huang, who was specially responsible for intensive training in geometry.
The scope of the IMO competition generally includes algebra, geometry, number theory, combinatorics, and probability. For each branch, the national team arranged professional coaches.
The IMO was different from the CMO. Each IMO paper had six questions, worth seven points each, for a total of 42 points. It could not be compared with domestic exams that easily reached 150 points. However, this did not mean the IMO was less valuable—on the contrary, its prestige was extremely high.
The IMO exam was held over two days, with each day lasting 4.5 hours and covering three problems. Usually, it ran from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Typically, the first problem was the easiest, the second was of medium difficulty, and the third was the hardest. The questions were selected from various areas of high school mathematics, usually combinatorics, number theory, geometry, algebra, and inequalities.
Solving these problems generally did not require advanced university-level mathematics—although most contestants had learned such material. Instead, they required imaginative thinking and strong mathematical ability.
The competition awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.
These were further divided into individual and team medals.
Teacher Huang lectured on geometry all morning. At noon, the team members ate in the small cafeteria. Classes resumed at 2:30 p.m. Qin Yuanqing used the lunch break to further consolidate his understanding of geometry. Since these coaches were selected to train the national team, their professional level was beyond doubt.
In the afternoon, another coach taught number theory.
Number theory is a branch of pure mathematics that studies the properties of integers. From a methodological perspective, it can be divided into elementary and advanced number theory.
Elementary number theory focuses on divisibility properties and includes topics such as divisibility theory, congruences, and continued fractions. Advanced number theory involves deeper tools, including algebraic number theory, analytic number theory, and computational number theory.
Classic results in elementary number theory include the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, Euclid's proof of the infinitude of primes, the Chinese Remainder Theorem, Euler's theorem, Gauss's quadratic reciprocity law, the theory of Pythagorean triples, and the continued fraction solution of Pell's equation.
The coach did not care whether the students could keep up or fully understand. If you fell behind, that was your own problem.
As for practice, they were expected to do it privately and seek help on their own if needed.
Under such high-intensity training, two female members collapsed from high fever on the second day and were taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Soon after, the team leader announced that they had lost their qualifications and were eliminated.
"Everyone, besides advanced knowledge, the IMO also requires strong mental and physical endurance," the leader said coldly. "Otherwise, under pressure, your mind and body will collapse first."
The others looked at each other. Yet no one wanted to quit.
The opportunity to bring glory to the country was right in front of them. How could anyone give it up?
Back in his dorm, Qin Yuanqing closed his eyes slightly. He had once thought his physical condition was decent. After all, he wasn't training to be an athlete.
But now, he realized how important physical fitness was.
"This is it—the Olympic Athlete Physical Fitness Card."
Looking at the card in the system shop, he spent 1,000 Learning Coins.
Instantly, he felt as if countless ants were tearing at his body. The pain was unbearable. He stuffed a towel into his mouth and let out a beast-like roar.
The torment lasted a full hour before the transformation finally ended.
"This…"
Qin Yuanqing was stunned.
He felt his body had undergone a complete transformation. His muscles had become extraordinarily developed, and his entire body was filled with explosive power.
He even felt that if he punched someone with full force, he might kill them.
"I've… become a muscle man," he said wryly, squeezing his arm.
Still, the dramatic improvement in his physical condition felt amazing. He even felt he could walk around Beijing in short sleeves.
Soon, he noticed a foul odor. He hurried to the bathroom and took a hot shower, feeling incredibly refreshed afterward.
If anyone dared to call him a weak scholar again, he would let them taste the iron fist of a muscle man.
The training intensity did not decrease afterward.
Qin Yuanqing handled it easily thanks to his improved fitness, but the others were not so lucky. Before the final exam, eight more people were eliminated due to illness and fever.
The rest also looked completely different from normal people, as if they were on the verge of collapse.
"It's finally going to end. If this lasted another half month, I'd die," Shen Yi said weakly, his eyes dull with exhaustion.
In the CMO, Shen Yi had ranked sixth and was also selected for the training camp.
As a student with severe subject imbalance, his mathematical talent was undeniable. Besides attending classes, he spent nights grinding problems, sleeping less than six hours a day. He had become noticeably thinner in just half a month.
"Qin Yuanqing, you're a monster," Shen Yi said, staring at him. "You're the only one who still looks energetic."
Everyone knew that one of the six spots was already secured by Qin Yuanqing. In the first two exams, he had scored full marks both times—the only one to do so.
The rest were fighting over the remaining five spots.
"Shen Yi, this is the price you pay for neglecting exercise," Qin Yuanqing said with a grin. "Back at school, I used to go jogging every morning at six for an hour, and run another hour in the evening. That's why my fitness is better."
In reality, since he always wore thick sweaters in class, no one could see his physical changes. No one knew his body had already been completely transformed.
If Skinny Monkey were here, he would surely spit at Qin Yuanqing. From high school onward, Qin Yuanqing had barely gone jogging.
In fact, Qin Yuanqing had been very strong in elementary school. He used to climb trees, fish, and chop firewood. In sixth grade, he could pull out sugarcane stalks with one hand each.
Later, as he focused on studying, his physical strength declined. By ninth grade, he needed both hands to pull out a stalk. By tenth grade, he couldn't pull out even one.
"Just one more day. Then it's over," Qin Yuanqing said.
The next day would be the final exam of this training camp, determining who would be eliminated and who would enter the national team.
At 9:00 a.m., the exam began. This time, it lasted only three hours and ended at noon. The full score was 150.
After the exam, everyone let out a sigh of relief. In the afternoon, the results and total scores would be announced. The top six would enter the Huaxia Math Team and compete in the IMO against international geniuses.
Winning a gold medal would bring endless honor to the entire family.
"Qin Yuanqing, full marks—450 total! Selected for the Huaxia Math Team!"
"Yang Teng, 110 points, total 360! Selected!"
"Shen Yi, 125 points, total 345! Selected!"
"Luo Wei, 115 points, total 340! Selected!"
"Wu Jie, 110 points, total 340! Selected!"
"Cui Yu, 100 points, total 330! Selected!"
Those who were selected jumped and cheered. They had earned their places and would represent Huaxia on the world stage.
The leader did not read any other names. There was no need.
The rest had been eliminated.
The eliminated students were devastated. The remaining three girls collapsed to the floor, hugging their knees and crying.
Qin Yuanqing felt heavy-hearted. Everyone had worked hard and given their all.
But the Huaxia Math Team represented the nation's strength and image. Only the strongest could be chosen. They were there to win glory, not to travel.
Without enough strength, elimination was inevitable.
It was just like the Olympics. Only the strongest survived. In sports, strength ruled. In mathematics, it was the same.
Qin Yuanqing went forward one by one to comfort them. After half a month together, they had formed strong bonds, and he couldn't bear to see them so helpless.
The leader quietly left the classroom.
He had seen this scene countless times.
Yes, it was cruel.
But for national honor, it had to be.
Everything was decided by strength. Otherwise, how could Huaxia continue winning gold medals at the IMO?
Not only in mathematics, but in society and the world as a whole, the principle was the same:
The strong ruled. Power was the ultimate truth.