Chapter 24: Spirit Root

Chapter 24: Spirit Root

Leaving Su Haifeng's office, Zhang Yu walked back to his classroom.

Next week, he needed to break into the top ten in Spirit Power for the entire grade to secure a spot representing Songyang High School in the Magic Competition.

The following week, the Monthly Exam would begin. Only by performing exceptionally well in the exam could he secure a better contract from the school.

Zhang Yu was confident he could make it into the top ten in Spirit Power within the next week. After all, his Circulating Qi Gathering Technique was already at level 4, and the higher the level, the faster his Spirit Power would increase.

However, the Monthly Exam covered more than just Spirit Power; it also included Physical Education, Dao Heart, Martial Arts, and Dao Techniques. The prospect of drastically improving in these four subjects within the next two weeks made Zhang Yu feel the pressure.

As for the General Education exam?

It only counted for 50 points, and in the Demonstration Class, nearly everyone scored close to full marks, so it wouldn't make much of a difference.

Zhang Yu was unsure how far he could go in the Monthly Exam two weeks from now.

"Whatever... I'll just grind it out."

Zhang Yu felt a fire ignite within him.

Who says manual transmission isn't a real gear?

Feather Codex! Show me your limits over the next two weeks!

Once back in the classroom, Zhang Yu immediately began his Meditative Respiration, fully activating his Circulating Qi Gathering Technique.

Before he knew it, the first class was over.

"Ugh, so tired."

Just as Zhang Yu was about to relax and take a break, the chilling sense of urgency returned, urging him to keep pushing.

"Damn!"

"Stupid Contractual Ritual... I'll get you one day!"

In another corner of the classroom, Zhao Tianxing checked a message on his phone and sighed with relief.

Earlier, Physical Education teacher Wang Hai had tasked him with finding out Zhang Yu's supply channels. Today, when Wang Hai inquired about the results, Zhao Tianxing told him about the art exhibition from yesterday.

Wang Hai's reply was: "Got it. You don't need to keep following Zhang Yu for now. Just maintain a good relationship with him. Come to the Training Ground after school tomorrow, and I'll give you a Physique Cultivation class."

Not having to continue investigating Zhang Yu was a huge relief for Zhao Tianxing.

The extra Physique Cultivation class from Wang Hai was even more exciting.

Wang Hai, being a top teacher, offered private classes of exceptional quality. They were not only expensive but also highly sought after.

As for maintaining a good relationship with Zhang Yu...

Zhao Tianxing looked over at Zhang Yu's seat, where he saw him meditating.

"After what happened yesterday, I must look like a fool to him."

Thinking about how Zhang Yu might be mocking his poor performance from last night, Zhao Tianxing felt his face burn.

But the prospect of Wang Hai's private class made him decide to talk to Zhang Yu after class.

However, as the morning classes went on, Zhao Tianxing found it impossible to get a word in with Zhang Yu.

"Still meditating?"

"Meditating during class."

"Meditating during breaks."

"Even skipping the bathroom... What a strong constitution."

Zhang Yu's intense focus made Zhao Tianxing feel a bit uneasy.

Finally, at lunchtime, Zhao Tianxing got his meal and was about to sit next to Zhang Yu.

But he saw Zhang Yu wolf down his food in two bites and dart out of the cafeteria like a ghost.

Bai Zhenzhen inwardly cursed, "Even during lunch, you're grinding? Are you trying to ruin our meal?"

Lunchtime was the only period at Songyang High School free from the pressure of grades, the watchful eye of Su Haifeng, and the perverse influence of Wang Hai, making it a rare time for students to relax, chat, and gossip.

Zhang Yu's relentless dedication to cultivation during lunch irked Bai Zhenzhen.

"You're grinding so hard, how can we enjoy our meal?"

"What if you outperform us? Are you preparing for a study competition?"

When Zhao Tianxing returned to the classroom, he saw Zhang Yu meditating again, just as he expected.

For the entire afternoon, Zhao Tianxing couldn't find a moment to talk to Zhang Yu. Whenever he turned to look, Zhang Yu was either focused on class or meditating.

Watching this, Zhao Tianxing grew increasingly anxious.

"After joining the Golden Elixir sect, you're still this hardworking? You're leaving no room for us ordinary students."

Finally, after school, Zhao Tianxing found an opportunity to follow Zhang Yu, thinking he would look for temporary work.

But Zhang Yu said, "Temporary work?"

"Zhao, as high school students, we should prioritize our studies. How can we keep running off to work?"

"Don't think you're impressive just because you earn 800 per hour. That's temporary work, and it's not always available."

Zhang Yu checked his balance of 8,300 and decided to focus on cultivation for now.

So, he returned home, took a Neural Replenisher, and continued meditating until the next morning.

During this time, he only took breaks to use the bathroom and switch the Feather Codex's specialization back to the Circulating Qi Gathering Technique.

Four days passed.

After four days of intense cultivation, Zhang Yu's Circulating Qi Gathering Technique reached level 6 (45/120).

His Spirit Power, which had been at 8.3, soared to 9.4, just two spots away from the top ten in the grade.

...

One day, in the hallway outside the first-year classroom.

Su Haifeng sauntered to the back door of the classroom and observed the students.

As the homeroom teacher of the Demonstration Class, he had come despite having no classes to use his icy gaze, harsh sarcasm, and the authority of the grade director to boost the students' spirits.

He noticed that today's students were more intense than usual.

Fewer students were taking bathroom breaks.

More students were meditating, and fewer were dozing off during meditation.

Students who were daydreaming but pretending to study to avoid detection were nowhere to be seen.

The classroom's Distraction Rate had significantly decreased.

In fact, Su Haifeng had noticed this trend over the past two days.

His observations led him to Zhang Yu, the student who had been meditating obsessively, maintaining a 0% Distraction Rate, and seeing a rapid increase in Spirit Power. This had first stimulated Bai Zhenzhen, Qian Shen, and Zhao Tianxing.

Their intense efforts, in turn, inspired more students.

Students scoring 550, 600, and 650 were all grinding, leaving no room for rest.

Even the average lunchtime in the Demonstration Class had decreased by over 20%, according to the reports.

Su Haifeng looked at Zhang Yu, who was still meditating, and thought, "Is it because his pride was hurt by me?"

"Maybe I should use this tactic more often."

Unconsciously, he had already decided on the topic for his next educational research paper: "An Exploration of Insulting Students in High School Teaching."

Satisfied with the classroom atmosphere, Su Haifeng nodded and left.

Shortly after Su Haifeng's departure, the dismissal bell rang, and Zhang Yu immediately stood up and headed to the school's Meditation Chamber.

Last week, he had become the student with the lowest Distraction Rate in the grade, earning a 500-yuan bonus, a commendation, and one hour of free Heavenly Spirit Root usage.

Today was the day to claim that hour of Heavenly Spirit Root.

Since the Spirit Root rental and Meditation Chamber usage were scheduled by the school, missing the opportunity would mean forfeiting the reward. Zhang Yu rushed to the Spirit Root rental office without delay.

Zhao Tianxing seized the opportunity and followed Zhang Yu, saying, "Are you going to rent the Heavenly Spirit Root?"

Zhang Yu nodded, and Zhao Tianxing continued, "You don't often rent the Heavenly Spirit Root at school, right?"

"Want me to introduce you to the different models we have here?"

Zhang Yu's eyes flickered. The original Zhang Yu, due to cost, had always rented Spirit Roots from various institutions with discounts. He was not very familiar with the school's models.

With the development of the Ten Great Sects, Spirit Roots had become more sophisticated and were no longer as crudely categorized as in ancient times.

First, Spirit Roots were divided into five grades by the Ten Great Sects.

The lowest grade was Human Spirit Root, followed by Earth Spirit Root, then Heavenly Spirit Root. These three grades could be purchased if one had the money.

Above these were the military-grade Divine Spirit Root and the Ten Great Sects-exclusive Celestial Spirit Root.

Divine Spirit Roots were used by the military and special government departments.

Celestial Spirit Roots were only accessible to those who had joined the Ten Great Sects.

In terms of classification, ancient categories like Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Spirit Roots no longer existed.

With advancements in design and manufacturing, Spirit Roots were now categorized by function, such as Learning, Combat, and Cultivation.

Zhao Tianxing said, "The most popular Spirit Roots at our high school are the Learning and Cultivation types."

"For example, the Deposit Spirit Root..."

Zhang Yu was startled, "Chicken Spirit Root?"

Zhao Tianxing clarified, "It's 'deposit' as in storing. The Deposit Spirit Root can temporarily store a person's Spirit Power, which can then be transferred to another individual. It's a favorite among the wealthy."

"Another favorite is the Muscle Growth Spirit Root. During meditation, it converts the extracted Spirit Power into a growth mechanism, directly injecting it into the muscles to accelerate muscle growth and enhance Physique Cultivation results."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end