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Chapter 188: Layers of Restraint
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Inside the Model Class classroom at Songyang High School, Su Haifeng stood at the lectern—head of grade, a man so intensely focused that even stray dogs passing by would pause to read a textbook. His mere presence tightened the atmosphere, sharpening every student’s concentration to razor’s edge.
And what he was saying now sent ripples through their minds—some unsettled, others stunned.
“…Recently, some students have shown a clear decline in discipline, particularly with unexcused absences. This isn’t just harming your own studies—it’s undermining the learning environment of the entire class, even the school as a whole.”
“The school takes this zero tolerance. Strict measures will be enforced. Anyone caught skipping class without cause will face disciplinary action.”
“Don’t underestimate the consequences. One offense leaves a permanent mark on your academic record. Three such offenses? You’ll be expelled immediately.”
“Some of you might think, ‘So what? Just transfer to another school.’ But let me be clear: once expelled, you’ll be placed on the education system’s blacklist.”
“Once on that list, you won’t be able to sit for the College Entrance Exam. No high school, no university will accept you.”
“It means your cultivation path ends here…”
Qian Shen raised his hand. “Does that mean we must attend every single General Knowledge class?”
Su Haifeng answered without hesitation. “Of course. Any absence—regardless of subject—is treated as truancy, including General Knowledge.”
Behind his desk, Zhang Yu felt the weight of Su Haifeng’s gaze sweeping over him again and again, like a searchlight. It was hard not to feel like the words were aimed directly at him.
But Su Haifeng wasn’t thinking about the student. His mind was elsewhere.
Finally, the Inspection Team has shifted focus away from us. Now’s the chance. I must seize it—capture the Evil God behind Zhang Yu, and elevate the Master’s status.
Zhang Yu, despite being a so-called top student, was nothing to Su Haifeng. Even alone, he could suppress the boy easily.
The real threat is the Evil God behind him.
We can’t reveal our intentions. If the Evil God senses danger, it’ll abandon Zhang Yu and flee.
We must let Zhou Chichen apply pressure—step by step, corner him, force him to reach out to his master…
With that thought, Su Haifeng gave Zhang Yu only a passing glance, then turned back to the class, saying nothing more.
As for the impact on student performance? That didn’t matter to Su Haifeng. Nor did it matter to the Zhou family elders behind the scenes.
To them, students from Key High Schools—those so-called prodigies—were just expendable resources. Some were domesticated, some wild. Some would serve through labor, others through their very organs.
And if sacrificing a few meant advancing the Evil God’s power to face the coming tide of the era, then so be it.
---
The math class that followed saw every student seated in silence, perfectly attentive.
The math teacher stepped in, blinking in surprise at the sight of such flawless attendance and stillness.
But after a few minutes, he felt a surge of pride—his spirit lifted, his confidence restored.
Meanwhile, teachers patrolled the hallways, constantly checking on classroom behavior.
Under Su Haifeng’s piercing gaze—eyes like flickering electric blades—students remained rigid, afraid to even breathe too loudly.
This is a pain, Zhang Yu thought bitterly. Just sitting here, wasting time.
At least I can still practice my inner cultivation and breath control.
He glanced at Bai Zhenzhen, who sat nearby, quietly charging her power cell, using every second to replenish her energy.
Maybe the other classes won’t be so strict, Zhang Yu mused. With my good rapport with the teachers, I might have a little more freedom…
---
On the training ground.
Lei Jun, the martial arts instructor, called Zhang Yu aside.
“Teacher,” Zhang Yu asked, “Can I still find a private spot to practice after class?”
Lei Jun sighed, defeated. “No, Zhang Yu. The situation’s too tight right now. If you skip, not only will you get punished—you’ll bring trouble down on me too. I’ll lose performance bonuses, my salary will be docked.”
Zhang Yu’s brow twitched. He didn’t want to practice his techniques in front of classmates or teachers.
But there’s a silver lining, Lei Jun added. “To help top students like you improve, the school has launched a special support program. For example, I’m now authorized to personally teach you foundational techniques—free of charge—to strengthen your base.”
As he said this, Lei Jun felt a pang of guilt.
He knew better than most: mastering too many foundational techniques wasn’t practical. In modern times, such a method—training in dozens of basics at once—was a relic of ancient sects, reserved for long-term cultivation plans spanning decades. It had long been abandoned.
Today’s high school students needed speed. There were faster, smarter ways to solidify their foundation. Training in multiple basics was pure time-wasting.
Zhou Chichen is making Zhang Yu waste his time—his prime years—just to slow him down.
But Lei Jun couldn’t stop it.
Zhou Chichen went straight to the principal and the board of directors. That means he’s using the power of the Zhou family.
Against a force like the Sixteen Noble Clans, I’m just a regular employee. Zhang Yu’s just a student. What chance do they have?
As for transferring schools? Lei Jun sighed inwardly. Even if Songyang High allowed it, the paperwork alone would be a nightmare—academic records, compensation fees…
And once you add up the school’s investment in a student, they can easily demand a massive settlement. Who’d take him?
He remembered when the Bailong High School coach had once invited Zhang Yu. Zhou Chichen had publicly declared he wouldn’t let him go.
And after that, Zhang Yu stopped competing altogether.
No school would pay top dollar for a student like that now.
Lei Jun knew the Zhou family’s power better than most. They weren’t just rich—they were untouchable.
If I defy them… I’ll be the one getting ‘optimized.’
Then I’ll be scrambling for jobs, rejected at every turn because of my age. Eventually, I’ll be stuck delivering packages, running errands—under constant surveillance, my every move monitored: bathroom breaks, meals, steps taken. I’ll wear a fake smile, endure abuse from customers, security guards, shop owners, delivery bosses…
Working 200 hours of overtime a month, barely keeping up with my loans…
If I’m lucky, I’ll keep my cultivation alive by earning enough to maintain it, and die peacefully in my old age.
If I’m unlucky… I’ll get hurt delivering food, or beaten by a guard. Then, with insufficient work hours, I won’t be able to pay my debts. I’ll be forced to sell my flesh, bit by bit.
Watch myself slowly revert to a mortal old man, mocked and trampled by ordinary people—until I rot in a sewer, forgotten.
Just imagining it made Lei Jun shudder.
No… I’ve spent my life cultivating. I can’t end like this.
But if he followed Zhou Chichen’s orders?
Not only will I avoid being fired… he’ll even pay off my college debt.
With a heavy sigh, Lei Jun looked away from Zhang Yu’s eyes.
As a teacher, he admired Zhang Yu’s talent. But as a Kunxu person, he knew one thing: money in hand was worth more than any ideal.
Sorry, Zhang Yu. But you’re not going to make the Top Ten anyway. What difference does it make if you’re a little better or worse? Just help me out, and I’ll make it worth your while.
Still, to preserve some dignity, he offered a small choice.
“Any foundational technique we offer at Songyang High, you can pick one. I’ll teach it to you. And the school will grant you usage rights.”
Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up.
“What foundational techniques do we have?”
Lei Jun recited them effortlessly.
“Besides the ones already taught, there’s High School Basic Sword Technique, High School Basic Footwork, High School Basic Digestion Technique, High School Basic Medication Technique…”
Zhang Yu pulled out his phone, quickly jotting down the list. Then he opened a shopping website, browsing through each technique’s description.
Hmm… this High School Basic Footwork can help complete the Chain Law Diagram’s High School Saint Body.
And this Digestion Technique… Medication Technique…
Not bad. Songyang High really is a Key High School. The range of foundational techniques is comprehensive—enough to assemble a full High School Saint Body.
A spark of excitement flared in Zhang Yu’s eyes.
“I’ll start with the High School Basic Digestion Technique.”
Lei Jun watched the boy’s eager expression, sighed once more, and began teaching.
The High School Basic Digestion Technique involved precise movements and controlled martial energy flow to stimulate intestinal activity, enhancing digestion and nutrient absorption.
After two consecutive martial arts classes, Lei Jun stared at Zhang Yu, who now seemed to be vibrating slightly from within.
A low, rumbling sound—like distant thunder—echoed through his body.
Already mastered? That fast…
Too bad such talent is going to be wasted on grinding through basics…
Zhang Yu, meanwhile, glanced at his Feather Scroll. The technique had already reached Level 3 (5/30).
He didn’t reveal it. Instead, he kept acting like a beginner, repeating the motions with the same clumsy expression. But for him, it was just as effective—each repetition boosted his level.
---
After martial arts class, the Model Class students headed to the gym for physical education.
But this time, Wang Hai wasn’t alone.
Beside him stood a new PE teacher—tall, two-point-five meters, broad as a wall, impossible to tell gender at a glance.
Wang Hai addressed the class.
“Everyone, starting today, your second-year PE classes will be led by Teacher Lin Hui. She’s highly skilled—listen to her, learn from her.”
Teacher Lin Hui smiled faintly. “Good to meet you all. The school places great importance on Model Class’s physical education.”
“To help improve your scores, we’ll now distribute a free Dragon-Elephant Preparation at every PE session.”
The announcement triggered a wave of cheers. Even Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen exchanged surprised glances—This school actually did something good?
Wang Hai watched silently as Lin Hui handed out the preparations. Students eagerly took them, injected them, and grinned.
In his mind, he replayed Zhou Chichen’s earlier instructions.
Should I add addictive substances to Zhang Yu’s Dragon-Elephant Preparation?
Originally, Zhou Chichen had planned to assign the task to Wang Hai—offering a reward so tempting, even Wang Hai felt his pulse quicken.
Zhang Yu had been confirmed not to be a Golden Core Disciple. The Zhang Pianpian he was supposedly bound to had vanished from Kunxu First Layer with no trace. And now Zhou Chichen had already mobilized the family’s full force.
All signs pointed to one thing: Wang Hai should agree.
But in the end, he chose silence—neither approval, nor opposition, nor involvement.
Because he didn’t understand.
He didn’t know why Zhang Yu was progressing so fast.
He didn’t know if Zhang Yu had any backers.
He didn’t know whether Zhou Chichen was acting out of spite… or for some deeper purpose.
For decades, Wang Hai had lived by one rule: If you don’t understand it, don’t touch it—no matter how much money’s involved.
And so he stayed silent.
(End of Chapter)
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