Chapter 23: The Talk
It was one in the morning.
Zhang Yu, having just finished his security shift, squeezed through packed subway and bus carriages on his way back to his rented apartment in the suburbs.
Why were the buses and subways still jam-packed at this hour?
Because one a.m. in Songyang City marked the peak of the night shift rush — countless workers and students still crammed into public transit, heading home or to their next shift.
After arriving, he took a long shower, then checked his bank balance. A quiet thought crossed his mind: Maybe I should finally buy an air conditioner.
With 8,300 yuan in savings, he suddenly felt a surge of financial ease for the month.
But then his thoughts turned to the future — two weeks away, and the next installment of his 15,000 yuan loan would be due. His brow furrowed.
He recalled Bai Zhenzhen’s words.
"The school’s Contract?" he murmured inwardly.
If signing the Contract meant a steady monthly income, he wouldn’t have to worry about the loan.
Yet Zhang Yu knew that dwelling on it was pointless. Whether it was his performance in the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram trial or the prospect of the Contract, the real foundation still lay in his own talent and strength.
With that resolve, he pulled out the Neural Filler he’d bought from the stationery shop near the school that day, swallowed it without hesitation, then sat cross-legged on his bed and began circulating the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa. He felt the subtle threads of spiritual energy seeping into his body from the world around him.
Though today, in preparation for the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram trial, he’d switched the specialization of his Feather Scroll to the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture, the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa wouldn’t be able to resume rapid cultivation until 24 hours had passed.
But the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture couldn’t be practiced yet — not until his Dao Heart reached Level 3. And right now, his priority was preparing for the upcoming Mana Competition, so he needed to build up his Martial Energy.
Even though the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa couldn’t accelerate his progress tonight, it had already reached Level 4 — enough to steadily enhance his Martial Energy.
And so, the rest of the night passed in quiet, focused breath control.
…
The next morning, Zhang Yu stepped into the classroom and immediately sensed something was different.
Normally, at Songyang High School, most students were absorbed in their own studies and cultivation. They rarely paid attention to their peers — even classmates might go months without exchanging a single word.
Zhang Yu himself had never been noticed when he entered.
Only Zhao Tianxing, with his ever-watchful eyes, ever wondered if others were staring at him.
But today was different.
As soon as Zhang Yu walked in, he felt the occasional sidelong glances.
Then Zhou Tianyi clapped him on the shoulder.
"Your story’s already spreading — Golden Core Immortal wanted to take you as a disciple."
"Apparently, it was Qian Shen and the others who were at the art exhibition, talking about it in their group chat."
Everyone knew: Songyang High School was one of the fastest rumor-spreading places in the world.
As a top-tier school with intense cultivation pressure and a student body full of young men and women striving for transcendence, everyone carried a phone — and with that, news traveled like wildfire.
Not only had text messages spread, but even yesterday’s photo of Zhang Yu in his security uniform had already circulated in the group.
Zhang Yu chuckled.
"Already spreading my legend? Not bad — this is truly the speed of Songyang."
In a life of relentless training and discipline, the quiet thrill of being the subject of gossip from classmates was a rare, fleeting joy.
But then his expression darkened slightly.
Yesterday, Li Xuelian had pulled him aside into a small meeting room and told him she’d rejected him.
That meant most of the class didn’t know the truth — they still believed, as Li Xuelian had claimed in front of everyone, that Zhang Yu was about to be taken under the Golden Core Immortal’s wing.
"If I stand up and clarify now, I’d look ridiculous."
“Forget it. Let them talk. After a while, it’ll fade.”
Zhang Yu closed his eyes and resumed the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, breathing in spiritual energy.
The whispers were just a temporary amusement.
As planned, his main goal remained clear: push his Martial Energy to the limit and prepare for the city-wide Mana Competition.
But before he’d even taken a few breaths, the homeroom teacher, Su Haifeng, called him out.
…
He remembered the last time Su Haifeng had summoned him — the third day since he’d arrived in this world.
Back then, Zhang Yu still didn’t fully grasp the nature of Songyang High School or its teachers.
At first, he’d even mistaken Su Haifeng for a kind-hearted man who cared about poor students.
But now, as he followed the man down the hallway, he could feel the oppressive aura radiating from the Model Class homeroom teacher and grade supervisor.
Where Su Haifeng walked, silence fell instantly.
Students froze, their breaths held.
Qian Shen didn’t dare move, his eyes closed, focused on cultivation.
Zhao Tianxing, who had just stood up to go to the bathroom, sat back down in a flash and opened a book — pretending to read.
Even Bai Zhenzhen sat upright like a nervous student, eyes glued to her textbook.
Every nerve in the room was taut, hoping Su Haifeng’s gaze would not land on them.
This was Su Haifeng, the Grade One Director of Songyang High School — a figure feared by countless students across the city.
Author of the research paper "On the Application Prospects of Electric Shock in High School Education."
A man so intense that even a dog passing by would pause to read a textbook.
Zhang Yu followed him into the office.
Su Haifeng turned, offering a cold smile.
"I hear Xinghuo Immortal wanted to take you as a disciple?"
Zhang Yu had no intention of lying to the school about becoming a disciple of a Golden Core Immortal.
Lies about such matters were easy to uncover — and once exposed, he’d only end up in a worse position.
So he answered honestly:
"No. I think Xinghuo Immortal’s conditions were too low — I declined."
Su Haifeng’s lips twitched.
This kid came from poverty — hadn’t sent a single gift since enrollment three months ago. Now that he’d finally made a splash, he was already playing hard to get.
"Trying to inflate his worth for the Contract?"
Of course, these poor kids always got a little full of themselves when they got a taste of fame.
But now, Su Haifeng realized, negotiating the Contract would be harder.
"Hmm," he mused, then pulled out a document.
"Your performance at the Central Tower art exhibition has been noted by the school."
"Even though your grades have declined recently — criticized by the PE teacher, failing to buy medicine promptly, and even receiving calls from debt collectors — the school still values talent. We’ve decided to offer you some support."
Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes.
Of course — the legendary Songyang spirit. One line, and they’re already doing the emotional manipulation.
He remembered what Bai Zhenzhen had told him about the Contracts.
This was clearly a prelude to bargaining.
And sure enough, Su Haifeng placed the document before him.
"We’ve prepared a Scholarship Contract for you — conditions far better than the previous Poverty Student Aid Program. Take a look — any concerns?"
Zhang Yu glanced at it.
The school would deposit 10,000 yuan monthly into his account — but it was a loan, repayable with interest significantly lower than standard loans.
But the catch?
Regardless of whether he got into university, he had to work for a company under the Wanxing Education Group — the school’s parent organization — for ten years.
And since Songyang High School was part of the Wanxing Education Group, which in turn belonged to the Wanfa Sect — one of the Top Ten Sects — Zhang Yu would be bound to serve within that network for a decade.
Additionally, the school retained the right to decide which university and major he could apply to.
"Ten thousand a month… and I have to sign a lifetime contract?"
Even without seeing other students’ Contracts, Zhang Yu knew this one was insulting.
He set the document down, frowning.
"Teacher, this offer is too low. At Central Tower, I made 800 yuan per hour just working security."
"Temporary jobs don’t last," Su Haifeng countered, then shifted tone.
"I know this Contract isn’t generous — but the leadership has its reasons."
"Consider this: the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram evaluation — what exactly did it test? What were the selection criteria? How did the candidates perform? The school has no firsthand data. And you didn’t even complete the cultivation technique."
"Meanwhile, your grades have dropped noticeably."
"Schools are still about results. The six-subject 700-point system — that’s the real measure. It’s what the board members care about. The Contract process reflects that."
Zhang Yu’s frown deepened.
Su Haifeng wasn’t wrong.
In Songyang High School, grades were everything.
No one else in the school knew the true difficulty of the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture — or that it required a Level 3 Dao Heart.
Zhang Yu had no authority to spread the truth, no one to vouch for him.
Zhang Yu said firmly:
"I won’t accept this Contract."
Su Haifeng smiled faintly — Now, time to raise the price.
"Take your time. I’m your homeroom teacher — I can help you negotiate better terms."
Zhang Yu looked up.
"Can it match what you offered Bai Zhenzhen?"
Su Haifeng didn’t answer directly. Instead, he chuckled — a dry, knowing laugh.
Then he said:
"Bai Zhenzhen’s Contract wasn’t handled by me. But I can tell you this: she’s ranked first in the grade with 650 points. What’s your score?"
Zhang Yu replied, dead serious:
"Does that mean if I become first, I can negotiate anything?"
Su Haifeng smiled, then slowly slid the Contract back into his drawer.
"Your score depends on you.
The Contract is based on performance.
Details may shift slightly, but overall, they’re divided into four tiers: A, B, C, and D."
"The Monthly Exam is in two weeks.
If you’re not satisfied with a D-tier Contract, wait for your next results — we can talk again then."
(End of Chapter)
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