Chapter 16: Patrol

Chapter 16: Patrol

Glancing back at Zhao Tianxing, who was still standing in place, Zhang Yu urged, "Come on, Xiao Zhao, are you just going to stand there and slack off?"

Zhao Tianxing hurriedly followed, but couldn't help turning back to steal another glance at Bai Zhenzhen, who was serving dishes. He thought to himself, "If I tell the others back at school, they won't believe it. Bai Zhenzhen actually works here? What must have happened to her family?"

After patrolling the area once more, Zhao Tianxing followed Zhang Yu to a deserted safety corridor. Zhang Yu suddenly sat down cross-legged and said, "You don't have to stand. Take a break with me."

Zhao Tianxing: "Ah? But the captain told us to keep patrolling. What if he finds out..."

Zhang Yu: "The art exhibition hasn't even started yet. What's there to patrol? And in Central Tower, do you really think anything could go wrong?"

With a grin, Zhang Yu continued, "Besides, didn't you want to chat with me? This is a good opportunity to talk about the art of security."

Zhao Tianxing recalled Wang Hai's instructions.

Zhang Yu then made a bold statement: "Being a security guard is all about slacking off!"

Zhao Tianxing: "Ah?"

Zhang Yu went on, "Does your pay change whether you patrol more or less?"

Zhao Tianxing hesitated, "I guess... not?"

Zhang Yu asked, "Does the security level of this venue drop if we're here or not?"

Zhao Tianxing scratched his head, "I guess... not? But..."

Zhang Yu: "But the time we save is ours to keep."

"Alright, I'll rest for a bit. We'll go out when the exhibition officially starts."

Seeing Zhang Yu close his eyes and begin meditative breathing, Zhao Tianxing felt anxious, fearing they would be caught slacking off.

He glanced at Zhang Yu, who was now fully immersed in his meditative state, admiring how he could seize every moment to practice, yet also feeling that Zhang Yu was too carefree...

"Wait, wasn't I supposed to talk to him about buying medicine? How did we end up talking about slacking off..."

Suddenly, Zhao Tianxing's eyes lit up as he recalled Zhang Yu's words, pondering them deeply.

Zhao Tianxing was the kind of person who wasn't very good at socializing but was sensitive and thoughtful, always caring about others' opinions and overthinking things.

Reflecting on Zhang Yu's words, he realized they seemed to align with his own situation.

"Would Teacher Wang stop guiding me if I ask him a few more or fewer questions?"

"Would Teacher Wang be unable to gather information if I wasn't there to help?"

"Has Zhang Yu already figured out what I'm trying to do and is hinting at me to slack off too?"

With this thought, Zhao Tianxing looked at Zhang Yu, who was meditating, and felt that his breathing seemed mysteriously profound.

As Zhang Yu's spiritual power flowed through his body, completing one cycle of the Grand Circulation Qi Inhale Art, bringing it to (13/80), the art exhibition finally began.

...

"Truly befitting an exhibition hosted by Ms. Li. The guests are all wealthy and influential."

Looking at the attendees of the exhibition, Zhao Tianxing sincerely marveled.

Although he didn't recognize most of them, their expensive attire and jewelry clearly indicated their wealth.

Even though Zhao Tianxing's father was a mid-level manager at a company and their financial situation was decent, he could see that many of the luxury items these people wore were far beyond their reach.

At that moment, Zhang Yu whispered, "Old Zhao, look at that!"

Following Zhang Yu's gaze, Zhao Tianxing saw a golden figure being escorted in by a crowd.

He squinted and realized the person's skin was like a layer of gold foil, reflecting a faint golden glow.

Zhang Yu, curious, asked, "What is that? A robot?"

Zhao Tianxing quickly covered Zhang Yu's mouth, nervously checking that the golden figure hadn't noticed them before letting out a sigh of relief.

He then explained, "That's the Songyang City director of Xianyun Corporation. Don't say anything reckless."

"Xianyun Corporation?" Zhang Yu, still looking at the golden figure, asked, "Why does it look so radiant?"

Zhao Tianxing explained, "That's a Magic Prosthetic. You didn't know?"

Seeing Zhang Yu's blank expression, Zhao Tianxing thought his family probably didn't have much exposure to such things and patiently explained, "Magic Prosthetics... how to put it, they're like artificial limbs but far superior."

"Moreover, Magic Prosthetics have advanced to the point where they can replace any part of the human body in the Xian Dao realm."

"It's like using magical artifacts to replace any part of the body while retaining its original function and significantly enhancing its capabilities."

"However, only those with 100 or more points of spiritual power can implant Magic Prosthetics..."

Zhang Yu's eyes lit up. He knew that 100 points of spiritual power was the upper limit for the Qi Refinement stage.

He asked, "Is it 100 points of spiritual power, or do you need to reach the Foundation Building stage first?"

Zhao Tianxing: "100 points of spiritual power is enough, but this person is a true Core Formation stage cultivator from a prestigious family, a graduate of the Ten Thousand Methods University."

Zhang Yu understood. A Foundation Building stage cultivator, a university graduate, coming to the first floor to show off and humiliate them, Qi Refinement stage cultivators.

As more guests arrived, Zhang Yu also spotted two other figures who seemed to have Magic Prosthetics. One had eyes like gemstones, and the other had a halo behind their head, making them stand out among the other wealthy attendees.

These three figures, including the golden Xianyun Corporation director, seemed to be the center of attention, drawing in young Qi Refinement stage cultivators who were eager to bow down to them.

Zhao Tianxing seemed to be gradually getting used to his security uniform, no longer feeling as awkward as he watched the guests come and go.

While patrolling, they overheard some conversations.

Some guests marveled at Ms. Li's wealth and influence.

Others praised the quality of the paintings, estimating their value.

Naturally, some talked about the Golden Core Cultivator's personally drawn Celestial Martial Arts Chart.

"Brother Li? Could it be that you're also here to study the Celestial Martial Arts Chart drawn by Senior Xinghuo?"

"Of course. If a young talent under 20 can master the martial arts on the chart, Senior Xinghuo will take them as a disciple. This news has spread throughout the Songyang Xian Dao realm. How could I not come?"

"Really? Is that true?" Zhang Yu thought. "And it's spread throughout the Songyang Xian Dao realm? How come I didn't know?"

Was it because he was a small fry in the Xian Dao realm and didn't deserve to know?

But at that moment, Zhang Yu suppressed his curiosity and decided to focus on his security duties.

He approached the speaker and politely asked, "Sir, are you alright?"

The speaker, a young man with sharp features, looked exceptional. He looked at the security guard in confusion, "What could be wrong with me?"

The young man proudly declared, "I'm Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School. Didn't you see I was talking to a friend?"

Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing looked at him and then at his 'friend.'

It was a box on a table, with a special wooden texture and the size of an urn.

Zhang Yu couldn't help but think, "Schizophrenia? Studying too hard?"

However, he was familiar with Ziyun High School, which was even more prestigious than Songyang High School, one of the city's top three schools, where the old Zhang Yu didn't even have the qualifications to apply, let alone dream of attending.

Ziyun High School was known for its cruel and oppressive methods, hellish rules, and caste system, where underperforming students ate in the toilets and the weak had to kneel to the strong. Compared to these, the rules at Songyang High School were like a walk in the park.

Seeing Lian Tianji talking to the 'urn,' Zhang Yu couldn't help but marvel at how Ziyun High School had driven people to the brink of madness.

But then, the 'urn' spoke, "Brother Lian, these two security guards must have misunderstood."

"I'm Li Xingyu, a soul cultivator from Mangshan High School."

Mangshan High School? Soul cultivator?

Zhang Yu recalled that it was a school he had once tried to apply to.

He knew that soul cultivators had lower Gaokao score requirements and specialized in unique skills but had to give up their physical bodies.

Seeing the 'urn' on the table, he was deeply shocked. "Mangshan High School really turns people into ghosts."

Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing quickly apologized and left. They then saw Lian Tianji and Li Xingyu continue their conversation, and the 'urn' sprouted four propellers, flying away like a drone.

Watching this, Zhang Yu secretly thanked his lucky stars that his past self hadn't chosen the path of a soul cultivator. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to achieve the grace and elegance of a cultivator.

"Wait, without a physical body, how does a soul cultivator practice the martial arts on the Celestial Martial Arts Chart?"

He then remembered the information about the Celestial Martial Arts Chart.

"If that's true, there will likely be many young geniuses under 20 coming to this exhibition, hoping to master the martial arts on the chart."

Thinking about this, Zhang Yu became increasingly excited about the exhibition.

A wage of 400 yuan per hour, not only earning money but also getting to see the show and having the chance to master a supreme martial art. Who says this job isn't great? It's perfect.

He turned to Zhao Tianxing and asked, "How about it, Old Zhao? Are you interested in the supreme martial arts on the Celestial Martial Arts Chart?"

Zhao Tianxing naturally shook his head.

He was well aware that such things, which only true geniuses or the wealthy could master, had nothing to do with ordinary people like them.

Not only was he uninterested, but he also felt a strong urge to retreat. Even if the Celestial Martial Arts Chart was revealed, he wouldn't even try, fearing he would become a laughingstock in front of everyone.

A moment later, Zhao Tianxing, who had just started to get used to his security role, wished he could cover his face and take off his uniform.

Zhang Yu glanced at Zhao Tianxing, who quickly turned away, and followed his gaze to see some familiar faces.

"Hey? Isn't that Qian Shen? And the others look like they're from our school too."

Qian Shen was a top student, always ranking second in the grade, just behind Bai Zhenzhen.

Zhang Yu patted Zhao Tianxing's shoulder and said, "Old Zhao, look, isn't that a classmate of ours?"

Zhao Tianxing quickly pulled Zhang Yu away, nervously saying, "Turn around quickly. Don't let them see us."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end