No Money To Cultivate Immortality? Chapter 17: Scores and Secrets - Novel Cool

Chapter 17: Scores and Secrets

"I'm starving," Qian Shen rubbed his stomach, utterly uninterested in the paintings scattered across the art exhibition. All he wanted was a good meal. After just finishing his body-refining remedial session and rushing over, his stomach was growling so loudly he felt like he could devour an entire ox.

"I’ll go see if there’s anything edible." He waved to his classmates and began scanning the venue.

The other students weren’t surprised. Daily cultivation practice and relentless physical training meant they burned through calories far beyond ordinary people. Qian Shen, a top-tier student who trained nonstop around the clock, consumed even more. If he only ate five meals a day, his tutor would worry he had lost his appetite.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up—his gaze locked onto the buffet table.

He strode over, grabbed a plate of shrimp, and devoured it in a few bites. But after a moment, he frowned. "This stuff has no nutritional value at all?"

As the second-highest scorer in the first year of Songyang High School, Qian Shen’s success came not just from talent and effort—but from family wealth. To maximize his cultivation efficiency, especially in body refinement, his diet was packed with spiritual elements. To him, taste was irrelevant. What mattered was whether it boosted his training.

Sure, he could afford the seafood here—had eaten far more expensive versions before. But indulging in luxury solely for pleasure? That felt like wasting time and precious energy.

What’s the point of a gourmet meal if it doesn’t raise your grades?

He scanned the other dishes, then called over a waiter. "Do you have any other food supplements available?"

"All the edible items are here. Help yourself," the waiter replied coldly.

Qian Shen frowned—then looked up and froze. There, in the uniform, was a face he knew.

"You’re working here?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Bai Zhenzhen said flatly. "Anything else?"

Qian Shen narrowed his eyes. "Are you that short on money?"

"Then sign up with the Student Council already. Staying in this meaningless job is only dragging down your cultivation path."

"If I surpass you someday, it won’t mean anything."

His tone carried genuine frustration. For years, Bai Zhenzhen—the only girl in his grade who had ever outscored him—had been his rival. He’d always assumed she saw it the same way. Theirs was a three-year battle of brilliance, a fierce yet respectful rivalry. They’d push each other to the limit, ultimately both making it into the top-tier academy.

But Bai Zhenzhen just shrugged. "Are you telling me what to do?"

Before Qian Shen could respond, she added: "You, with a total score of 600-something, teaching me—someone with 650?"

The cold precision of the numbers hit Qian Shen like a blow. The 50-point gap wasn’t just a number—it was a mountain.

Higher score. Righter opinion.

In that moment, Qian Shen saw three glowing digits—650—hovering above Bai Zhenzhen’s head, radiating overwhelming pressure. He couldn’t even form a rebuttal.

Bai Zhenzhen raised an eyebrow. "Wait… why are you staring at my head?"

Qian Shen snorted and turned away. "Just wait, Bai Zhenzhen. You’ll be overtaken soon enough—wasting time like this won’t last."

He took a few steps—then nearly collided with two security guards.

Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing, who’d just arrived to check on the situation.

Seeing the tension between Bai Zhenzhen and Qian Shen, Zhang Yu rushed over immediately.

Qian Shen glanced at them—though they wore security uniforms, he recognized them instantly. "550 and 580?"

Zhang Yu blinked, then realized: 550 was Qian Shen’s score from last month’s Monthly Exam. And 580—was that Zhao Tianxing’s?

Wow. So obsessed with scores he can’t even remember names? Another one completely consumed by studying.

In truth, Qian Shen didn’t just forget names—he forgot anyone below 550 entirely. To him, anyone under that threshold was just background NPCs. Why bother remembering them?

And 550? To Qian Shen, that was already a near-human. Based on his observations, Zhang Yu would likely drop below 550 next month—after which, no need to remember him at all.

Now, seeing their uniforms, Qian Shen shook his head. "You two are working here too?"

But the moment he said it, his confidence surged. "You should be studying, training—why waste time here?"

Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. "You’re here too, aren’t you?"

Qian Shen smirked. "I deliberately skipped my remedial session today. I’m here to study the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram—unlocking legendary techniques."

Zhang Yu nodded. "We’re here for the same reason."

"Plus, we earn 800 per hour."

"Profit and cultivation? That’s a win-win."

Qian Shen paused, surprised. He looked at Zhang Yu with new respect. A 550-point student actually makes sense?

He muttered, "550… I’ll remember you."

"I’m Zhang Yu!" Zhang Yu said again, glancing up. "Why are you staring at my head again?"

But Qian Shen snapped back to himself. "Wait—you two? Trying to study the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram?"

Zhao Tianxing flinched under Qian Shen’s scornful gaze. His face flushed. "N-no! I didn’t come to study it at all!"

Qian Shen ignored him, shaking his head. "The Celestial Martial Arts Diagram was drawn by a Golden Core immortal. The techniques inside are designed to test true geniuses. Even I don’t have full confidence in mastering them. What chance do you have?"

With that, he turned and walked off—dismissed.

Zhao Tianxing’s expression darkened. Not only had Qian Shen seen him working as a security guard, but now he thought Zhao Tianxing had come to study the Diagram too. He could already picture the ridicule from classmates.

This is a disaster.

Zhang Yu, however, didn’t dwell on it. He turned to Bai Zhenzhen. "You okay? You and Qian Shen don’t get along?"

Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. "What’s there to be upset about? Most of the time, he just humiliates himself."

Then she glanced at Zhang Yu, her expression slightly odd. "You’re really trying to study the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram?"

Zhang Yu nodded confidently.

Bai Zhenzhen sighed inwardly. Yuzi’s been pushed so far into madness by debt… even with his level, he’s trying to decipher a Golden Core immortal’s technique?

Zhao Tianxing just wanted to leave. He tugged Zhang Yu’s sleeve. "We should get back to patrol. The team’s asking where we are."

Zhang Yu waved him off. "No worries. Since A-Zhen’s working here, we’re just… borrowing a little company benefit."

He took a bite of shrimp.

Just then, a voice came from behind Zhao Tianxing.

"What are you doing?"

Zhao Tianxing jumped. But when he turned, it was Zhou Tianyi—another classmate. He relaxed.

Over time, Zhao Tianxing had grown used to wearing his security uniform in front of classmates.

Zhang Yu turned. "Old Zhou, you’re here too?"

Zhou Tianyi smiled. "Yeah. Came with Qian Shen and the others."

Zhang Yu frowned. "I didn’t see you earlier."

Zhou Tianyi chuckled. "How’d you even get here?"

They exchanged stories. Zhao Tianxing kept urging Zhang Yu to get back to work.

Then Zhou Tianyi leaned in, eyes twinkling. "Got a secret about the Golden Core Immortal. Interested?"

Zhang Yu’s curiosity sparked. Zhao Tianxing muttered, "The team’s already asking where we are…"

Zhang Yu nodded. "Alright. Duty calls. We’ll hear it later."

But as they turned, Zhou Tianyi spoke again.

"Xinghuo Immortal resigned. Half his cultivation was taken away. That’s why he’s trying to retreat to Kunxu Layer One."

"Wait—what?" Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing spun around.

Bai Zhenzhen, though not looking, had already turned her head slightly, ears perked.

Zhou Tianyi smirked. "Golden Core immortals live up to 400 years. Xinghuo Immortal was 350 last year. Wanfa Sect optimized him out."

"He lost half his power upon departure. Can’t afford the lifestyle anymore. So he’s stepping back to focus on training disciples and raising heirs."

Zhang Yu was stunned. "Wait… resigning means they take half your power?"

Zhou Tianyi nodded. "He was trained by the sect. They gave him the chance to form a dantian, the resources, the mentorship. Isn’t it normal to return half when leaving?"

The crowd near the entrance stirred.

A guest whispered, "Miss Li’s here. The Celestial Martial Arts Diagram is about to be unveiled."

(End of Chapter)

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