Chapter 13: Mana Competition
On this day, the students of Model Class sat cross-legged in the Meditation Chamber, quietly practicing their breath cultivation techniques. Surveillance cameras mounted at the front monitored every movement—eyes opening, scratching, fidgeting, shifting positions—recording even the slightest distraction. All of these micro-behaviors were aggregated into a single metric: Distraction Rate.
The class with the highest weekly Distraction Rate would be publicly reprimanded across the entire school. The Model Class students, however, took it all in stride. No matter how they were assessed, their class was guaranteed to be first.
Meanwhile, the student with the lowest weekly Distraction Rate wasn’t just praised—it came with a reward: 500 yuan and one hour of free Celestial Spirit Root rental.
That was enough to make every student in Model Class sharpen their focus.
Zhang Yu, for the first time in his mind, learned about the concept of Distraction Rate. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: If this existed in my previous life, students would’ve cursed the school to hell.
But in this world, it was different. The Model Class students were all as intense as bulls in heat, fixated on the weekly Distraction Rate rankings. The air in the room crackled with competitive energy.
Then came the bell.
The silent practitioners paused their cultivation. All eyes turned to the large screen at the front, eagerly awaiting the results.
1st: Zhang Yu — Distraction Rate: 0% | Mana Power: 8.3
2nd: Bai Zhenzhen — Distraction Rate: 0.03% | Mana Power: 11.2
3rd: Qian Shen — Distraction Rate: 0.12% | Mana Power: 11.1
...
Though no one spoke, the subtle shifts in expression and gaze revealed growing surprise spreading through the room.
At the front stood Teacher Yan, a woman with her hair neatly coiled and black-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. She glanced at the screen and said, “Students whose Distraction Rate exceeds 0.3%—I won’t name names today.”
“Three months into the semester, how many times have I told you to calm your mind and unify your breath?”
“How can your cultivation efficiency compete if your focus is so fractured?”
“We all train for 24 hours a day. You don’t have more time than others. But if your efficiency is lower, even a tiny daily gap compounds over three years—could mean a difference of 10, 20, even 30 points in Mana Power.”
“And how many times have I said—those who can’t lower their Distraction Rate can come to my office and buy a Calm Mind Elixir? Yesterday, I sat in my office for three hours. Not a single student came. So you all think you’re flawless?”
After the sharp lecture, Teacher Yan softened her tone and smiled at the top performers.
“Of course, there are also students who’ve done exceptionally well.”
She pointed to the screen. “I’ll publicly commend the three with the lowest Distraction Rates—especially Zhang Yu. He’s maintained a perfect 0% for four consecutive days. That’s a massive leap from his earlier performance.”
“His Mana Power has also increased by 0.5 points over the past three days. Clearly, he’s putting in serious effort outside class—either renting a Spirit Root or upgrading to a High-Grade Spirit Machine training room, right, Zhang Yu?”
All eyes snapped to Zhang Yu.
He remained motionless, eyes closed, still silently practicing Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
Teacher Yan nodded approvingly. “This is what true excellence looks like. Even after class, he doesn’t stop. He’s seizing every second to grow stronger.”
Zhao Tianxing, watching Zhang Yu’s calm presence, felt a growing unease. How can someone so dedicated still slack off during physical training?
Bai Zhenzhen, still staring at Zhang Yu’s closed eyes, thought: For the past few days, the only times he’s not cultivating are when he’s eating or using the restroom. He’s practically breathing in cultivation techniques while walking. Is this what 700,000 yuan in debt calls for?
Teacher Yan continued, “Of course, as the saying goes—you get what you pay for. There’s no free path in the immortal realm. No investment, no progress. Recently, there are openings for Celestial Spirit Root rentals. Anyone interested can come see me.”
But it was her final words before leaving that caught Zhang Yu’s attention.
“By the way, the city-wide Mana Competition starts next month. The first-year division will feature every high school in Shangyang City. The first prize? 100,000 yuan.”
“Since registration opens next Friday, the school will select the top ten students in Mana Level from the first-year class to represent us.”
...
That evening, in the cafeteria.
Zhou Tianyi had already left early for his tutoring session. Only Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen remained.
Bai Zhenzhen kept glancing at Zhang Yu, making him increasingly uncomfortable.
Finally, Zhang Yu sighed. “A-zhen, I know I’m a rare beauty in this school full of bookworms. But seriously, you don’t need to stare like I’m a rare specimen.”
Bai Zhenzhen tilted her head. “So… you’re thinking about joining the Mana Competition?”
Zhang Yu shook his head. “Too bad, A-zhen. If you weren’t my friend, you’d probably challenge me right now, then get thoroughly humiliated on stage—your eyes wide with shock, your soul trembling.”
Bai Zhenzhen waved a hand dismissively. “You’re talking about the citywide Mana Competition, Yu. It’s not some local event. Every high school sends their strongest, richest, most powerful students. It’s a battlefield of the elite.”
She sighed dramatically, her eyes clouded with imagined tragedy. “You, a regular student—what kind of outcome do you expect? You’ll be trampled by the rich and powerful, used as a stepping stone. Songyang High’s reputation will crash into the ground.”
She shuddered. “I can already see you being crushed under the feet of other schools’ prodigies, your spirit broken, lying like a dead dog.”
Zhang Yu rolled his eyes. “Don’t be so dramatic. It’s not a death match. Losing doesn’t mean shame.”
“And the prize? 100,000 yuan for first. Even top ten gets 10,000 yuan.”
Bai Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes, watching Zhang Yu’s greed-stricken expression. Yeah… this is what desperation looks like. He’s been pushed to the edge by debt collectors.
Zhang Yu was struggling financially. Yes, he’d earned 13,000 yuan from Xianyun Company recently—but he’d already used 10,000 to pay off debt and 1,500 on rent. He was left with just over 2,000 yuan.
“You want to compete?” Bai Zhenzhen said. “Then first, figure out how to get your Mana Level into the top ten. Right now, you’re ranked 16th. How much do you need to borrow?”
Zhang Yu calculated in his head.
His current Mana Power: 8.3 — ranked 16th.
The 10th-ranked student: 9.5.
To beat them, he needed to reach 9.5 by next Friday.
But he paused.
Wait—everyone else will improve too.
So to be safe… he’d need to hit 10.0.
Eight days. From 8.3 to 10.0. A 1.7-point increase.
That meant over 0.2 points per day.
Is that possible?
Absolutely. Easily.
To everyone else, Zhang Yu’s rapid rise must’ve been due to massive investment—renting top-tier Spirit Roots, elite training rooms.
But Zhang Yu knew the truth: it was his incredible potential and unrelenting discipline.
His Level 4 Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa had already boosted his Mana Power by 0.5 in just three days. He was confident that as the technique continued to level up, his progress would accelerate even further.
After all, the maximum level for any cultivation technique in the Qi Refinement Stage is 10.
A Level 4 breath method is nearly impossible for most first-year students to achieve within one semester.
But I’m not most students. With continued practice, I’ll push Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa all the way to Level 8, 9—even 10. That kind of progress? Even many seniors won’t reach it after three years of high school.
Fueled by determination, Zhang Yu was about to refocus when—clink—a chopstick shot toward his bowl.
“Dare to steal?” Zhang Yu snapped, blocking with his own chopstick.
Clang, clang, clang—the clash rang out as Bai Zhenzhen effortlessly deflected his defense.
He recognized the motion instantly. “Wait… you’ve learned the Basic High School Sword Technique? And you’ve already incorporated it into your chopsticks?”
She swiftly scooped a few pieces of meat from his bowl, grinning. “Hard? Not really. Anyone with hands can do it.”
Zhang Yu mentally groaned: Damn. She caught me again.
She stuffed the meat into her mouth, then took a few more bites of rice. “Huh… the 5-Yuan Set Meal’s ribs aren’t bad. I’ll get one next time.”
She patted her slightly rounded belly and let out a contented burp. “Ah… eating too much will ruin my tutoring session.”
Then she slid the tray toward Zhang Yu. “Extra meal for you, Yu.”
Zhang Yu stared at the neatly arranged half-eaten leftovers—clearly left for him on purpose.
He understood. She knew about his financial struggles. Lately, she’d been feeding him dinner almost every night.
Zhang Yu grabbed the tray and began eating. “A-zhen, you don’t need to worry about my pride or dignity. We’re friends. You can just send me money if you want.”
Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes. “I’m off to tutoring. Enjoy your meal.”
...
Outside the cafeteria.
A tall figure stood in a distant hallway, eyes locked onto the cafeteria door.
A moment later, when Zhang Yu stepped out, the figure stiffened—then silently followed.
He trailed Zhang Yu past the school gates, then paused when Zhang Yu entered the stationery shop across the street.
Zhao Tianxing’s gaze sharpened. Could this be where Zhang Yu gets his supplies?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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