Chapter 12: Valiant Progress
(Thank you, 'Shui Lan', for your generous pledge!)
Moments later, Zhang Yu stepped out of the Xianyun Group headquarters, his face pale and his posture hunched, appearing weak and drained.
But just a few kilometers away, once he boarded the subway, his complexion gradually returned to normal.
As he activated the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, a surge of spiritual energy flowed through his body like countless streams rushing forward. In an instant, it coursed through every vein and muscle, reconnecting the scattered, chaotic energy that had been spiraling out of control.
The once-unruly spiritual force now settled back into the intricate internal circuitry of his body, flowing seamlessly and endlessly—automatically, without effort.
Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa – Level 1 (0/20)
Gazing at the newly revealed technique on the Feather Scroll, a faint smile tugged at Zhang Yu’s lips.
“Confirmed. It really works.”
“If I hadn’t mastered this technique, that wild energy overflow would’ve taken a week or more to dissipate.”
His courage to accept the trial job came entirely from the Feather Scroll.
Yet, back at Xianyun Group, he had concealed his ability to master the technique.
“This cultivation method may be just a beginner’s breathing exercise, but once perfected, it runs nonstop—24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“Even without conscious effort, it maintains 30% of the efficiency of active cultivation. After mastery… even if I do nothing all day, I’d gain the equivalent of over seven hours of cultivation for an ordinary person.”
“And this is only at Level 1.”
“If this technique is fully developed, it’d instantly become one of the most popular breathing methods on the market.”
Zhang Yu knew that beyond the school’s curriculum, most advanced cultivation techniques from major corporations and powerful sects were proprietary—protected by copyright and sold for a steep price. The profits involved were immense.
And this Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa was far too powerful. In Zhang Yu’s eyes, it was undoubtedly one of Xianyun Group’s top-secret projects. That’s exactly why he refused to reveal his mastery—too much risk of unwanted attention.
Especially given how difficult it was to learn. To Zhang Yu, even a high school student without guided equipment would struggle to complete a single full cycle, let alone master it.
So much the more reason to keep silent.
To reach this point, he’d already switched the Feather Scroll’s Specialization from Jianti Thirty-Six Forms to this very breathing method.
Yes, Jianti Thirty-Six Forms would stall for now—but Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa was now accelerating down the fast track.
“Level 3 Jianti Thirty-Six Forms is more than enough for now.”
“From here on, I’ll focus entirely on refining this technique.”
The trial job had brought more than just cultivation gains. The biggest reward? The payment from Xianyun Group.
One thousand yuan for the initial fee, plus an additional three thousand—totaling 13,000 yuan.
Zhang Yu’s savings surged to 13,700 yuan.
But then, he used 10,000 yuan to clear debts across multiple platforms. His balance plummeted back to just 3,700.
Still, the relief was real—collections slowed dramatically. For now, the harassment had stopped.
Then, the countdown in his mind abruptly cut off his thoughts, forcing him back into focus as he resumed the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
……
A full night passed.
At the entrance of Songyang High School, Zhang Yu walked with one hand on the Feather Scroll, eyes scanning the display.
Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa – Level 1 (0/20) → Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa – Level 1 (11/20)
His spiritual energy had risen—7.7 → 7.8.
“Exactly as expected. It’s running passively.”
“I’d only completed five cycles before bed last night—counted as five rounds.”
“By morning, it had reached eight. Then, during my walk here, I added a few more—now at eleven.”
Zhang Yu smiled inwardly. Compared to the 13,000 yuan, this was the real prize.
He was determined to push the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa to the next level.
And he’d keep the Feather Scroll’s Specialization firmly on this technique.
Too bad this morning brought two back-to-back PE classes.
Walking toward the training ground, Zhang Yu sighed.
“Ugh… I have to go back to Jianti Thirty-Six Forms again.”
“I’m specializing in Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa—this is the perfect time to train it!”
As he entered the training hall, he saw towering figures—muscles like carved marble—being pierced one needle at a time.
Then came the crackling pops, wild animal roars, and the clang of iron—Model Class students were already locked in full-force training.
Suddenly, a student stared in shock at Wang Hai:
“No… no way! This was my cousin’s—”
Wang Hai shook his head, crushing the syringe in his hand until it turned to powder, then tossed it into the trash.
“Check your weight gain over the past two weeks. No increase in muscle or organ strength. Physical Strength Level only rose 0.03 in two weeks—classic signs of fake supplements. You’ve been sold counterfeit drugs.”
He didn’t glance at the devastated student. Instead, he raised his voice:
“I’ve told you all this before—always buy from official channels. The safest source? The school’s teachers.”
“Don’t be cheap. If you end up with fake or expired pills, you’re not just wasting money—you’re wasting your own time.”
After the lecture, Wang Hai’s gaze swept to the corner where Zhang Yu was training.
His mind flickered with the data from this morning’s Physical Strength Level test: 0.85 level?
0.02 increase in just three days?
“Not even when he was injecting daily did he progress this fast…”
Wang Hai, a veteran teacher, knew better. This kind of rapid gain couldn’t be natural. Zhang Yu must’ve secretly injected something before class.
“And not just any drug—something strong, probably damaging his body.”
He didn’t consider the possibility that Zhang Yu had trained Jianti Thirty-Six Forms to Level 3 and pushed through extreme, self-imposed drills. That thought never crossed his mind.
But one thing was clear—Zhang Yu was now challenging his authority.
And that raised a bigger question: Where did Zhang Yu get the drugs?
Would other students see his results and follow suit?
That could ruin Wang Hai’s sales performance.
The thought of the brutal competition in the body-forging supplement market sent a jolt of alarm through him.
High school juniors? Seniors?
An outside tutor?
Is someone trying to steal my market?
To Wang Hai, Zhang Yu was just a pawn. What mattered was uncovering who was behind him.
But first, he had to erase the influence in the classroom.
A moment later, Wang Hai whispered a few words to Zhao Tianxing.
Zhao Tianxing approached Zhang Yu.
“Zhang Yu, Wang Teacher asked me to check—Are you sure you won’t buy any more supplements from now on?”
Zhang Yu nodded.
Zhao Tianxing scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
“Well… then, the teacher said… to avoid distracting others, you should train alone in the small room over there. Is that okay?”
Having been instructed, Zhao Tianxing understood exactly what was expected—further isolation of Zhang Yu.
He looked at Zhang Yu with a hint of pity, but his actions were swift and decisive.
As one of Wang Hai’s favorite students—obedient, disciplined—Zhao Tianxing had followed every recommendation, bought all the drugs Wang Hai endorsed, and combined it with his own effort to break through to Physical Strength Level 1.00, landing him among the top ten in class.
So he obeyed without question.
Still, worried about Zhang Yu’s reaction, he added gently:
“Or… maybe you should still buy some? Wang Teacher’s supplements are top quality. Natural cultivation just won’t cut it…”
But to Zhao Tianxing’s surprise, Zhang Yu didn’t hesitate. He simply nodded and walked away.
Watching his back, Zhao Tianxing scratched his head.
“Ugh… Zhang Yu, you’re stubborn. Just apologize, admit your mistake—why ruin your future like this?”
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu entered the small room, chuckled softly, and sat down—immediately beginning the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
A stream of spiritual essence flowed into his dantian, slowly refined into spiritual energy.
Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa – Level 1 (11/20) → Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa – Level 1 (16/20)
Five full cycles passed in no time. The two PE classes were over.
But even during Chinese and math classes, Zhang Yu continued cultivating in silence.
Long-term spiritual absorption and energy refinement were monotonous.
Back and shoulders ached. Skin itched. Mind grew numb.
Even Zhang Yu, in his past, would’ve stopped after two hours—standing up, walking, scratching.
But now, driven by the ritual’s pressure and the ever-advancing numbers on the Feather Scroll, he pushed through—until he completed the full twentieth cycle.
Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa – Level 2 (0/40)
A flood of accumulated experience surged through his mind. He felt the internal energy circuitry grow more complex, more refined, and more powerful.
Even after stopping, the technique kept running—but faster now.
“Level 1: Passive cultivation runs at 30% of active speed.”
“Level 2: Passive speed increases to 35% of active.”
“And active cultivation? Efficiency has improved dramatically—far surpassing my old Basic Qi Circulation Method.”
Zhang Yu nodded, satisfied. This was relentless, continuous growth—day and night.
After lunch, he pushed forward again, dedicating every spare moment to refining the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
High school cultivation was grueling, boring, exhausting.
And with the ritual’s unyielding pressure, there was no relief.
Only the slow, steady rise of numbers on the Feather Scroll—and the long-term promise of passive cultivation—offered any mental comfort.
When you can’t resist, you might as well enjoy it.
So he trained during PE.
During Chinese class.
During lunch.
Even on the evening square—while waiting for work, though he hadn’t found any in three days.
And at home, even in sleep—Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa continued its silent work.
In just three days, the technique had advanced to Level 4 (5/80).
Spiritual energy climbed from 7.8 to 8.3.
Now, the passive cultivation speed had reached 45% of active efficiency.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
