Chapter 24: Spiritual Root
Leaving Su Haifeng’s office, Zhang Yu walked back toward the classroom.
Next week, he had to break into the top ten of Martial Energy across the entire grade—only then could he earn the qualification to represent Songyang High School in the Mana Competition.
The week after that would be the Monthly Exam. Only with outstanding results could he secure a better Contract from the school.
Rising into the top ten in Martial Energy within the next week? Zhang Yu had full confidence. After all, his Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa had already reached Level 4, and its power would only keep growing—Martial Energy would surge ever faster from here on out.
But the Monthly Exam wasn’t just about Martial Energy. It also tested physical fitness, Dao Heart, martial arts, and Dao Arts. To drastically improve all four subjects within the next two weeks? Zhang Yu instantly felt the pressure mounting.
As for the general education exam? Well, it only counted for 50 points, and in Model Class, nearly everyone scored near-perfect marks—so it barely created any meaningful gap between students.
In short, Zhang Yu had no clear idea how high he could climb in the Monthly Exam.
"Anyway… just grind it out."
Zhang Yu could already feel the fire burning inside him.
Who said manual transmission wasn’t a gear shift? Feather Scroll—show me your limits over the next two weeks!
Back in the classroom, Zhang Yu immediately began inhaling spiritual energy, fully activating his Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
By the time first period ended, he sighed inwardly, finally allowing himself a moment of relief.
But then—like a cold wind from beyond the grave—the countdown returned, icy and relentless. He had no choice but to push forward.
"Damn it!"
"Idiotic Ritual… one day, I’ll kill you!"
Meanwhile, in a corner of the classroom, Zhao Tianxing glanced at his phone. A message had arrived.
Earlier, Physical Education teacher Wang Hai had sent him to find out where Zhang Yu was getting his supplies. Now that Zhang Yu had inquired about the results, Zhao Tianxing had relayed the details about yesterday’s art exhibition.
Wang Hai’s reply came back instantly:
Got it. No need to keep probing Zhang Yu. Just maintain a good relationship with him. Come to the cultivation arena after school tomorrow—I’ll give you a private training session.
No longer needing to spy on Zhang Yu? Zhao Tianxing exhaled in relief.
And that private training session with Wang Hai—the school’s ace instructor? Even better.
Wang Hai’s private lessons were legendary—expensive, highly sought after, and nearly impossible to book.
As for keeping up a good relationship with Zhang Yu?
Zhao Tianxing looked up toward Zhang Yu’s desk—only to see him deeply immersed in meditation, breathing in spiritual energy.
After what happened yesterday, I must’ve looked like a complete fool in his eyes.
Just imagining Zhang Yu laughing at his clumsy performance the night before made Zhao Tianxing’s cheeks burn again.
But then he remembered the private lesson.
Alright… when class ends, I’ll go talk to him.
Yet as the morning dragged on, Zhao Tianxing couldn’t find a single opening to speak.
Still meditating?
Still meditating during class?
Still meditating after class?
And hasn’t even gone to the restroom… what kind of kidney does he have?
Zhang Yu’s relentless effort made Zhao Tianxing feel physically pained.
Finally, lunchtime arrived. Zhao Tianxing grabbed his tray, eager to sit beside Zhang Yu.
But then—like a ghost—Zhang Yu devoured his meal in two bites, then bolted out of the cafeteria like a rocket.
Bai Zhenzhen watched, silently fuming:
You really want to compete even during lunch? Do you even let people eat in peace?
Lunchtime was the one time at Songyang High School when there were no scores, no Su Haifeng hovering like a birth supervisor, no Wang Hai demanding perfection.
It was the rare window for top students to relax, rest, or gossip—true mental spa time for the school.
And now, Zhang Yu was turning it into another grind session.
Brother, you’re this obsessed—how are we supposed to eat in peace?
What if you actually outpace us?
Are you serious about competing in academic contests now?
When Zhao Tianxing returned to the classroom, he saw Zhang Yu already back in meditation.
Of course.
Of course he’s still at it.
The entire afternoon passed without a single chance to talk. Every time Zhao Tianxing glanced over, Zhang Yu was either focused on class or deep in spiritual absorption.
The longer he watched, the more anxious Zhao Tianxing became.
Even with a Cultivation Blessing Pill, he’s still pushing this hard? He’s leaving no room for ordinary students at all.
Only when school ended did Zhao Tianxing finally catch up.
He expected Zhang Yu to head straight to a part-time job again.
But Zhang Yu looked up, shook his head, and said:
"Part-time work?
Xiao Zhao, we’re high school students—study should come first. Why waste time working every day?"
He glanced at his bank balance—8,300 yuan—and smiled.
With that, he had the luxury of not working for now. Time to focus on cultivation.
Back home, he swallowed a Neural Filler, then resumed meditation—nonstop until the next morning.
Aside from bathroom breaks and switching the Feather Scroll’s specialization back to Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, every second was devoted to spiritual absorption.
Four days passed in a flash.
After this grueling four-day cultivation sprint, Zhang Yu’s Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa had reached Level 6 (45/120).
And his Martial Energy had surged from 8.3 to 9.4—just two spots away from the top ten in the grade.
…
That afternoon, in the corridor outside the first-year classroom, Su Haifeng strolled casually toward the back door, scanning the students quietly studying.
As the homeroom teacher of Model Class, he had no classes scheduled—but he’d come anyway, simply to unleash his cold gaze, his merciless mockery, and the authority of the Grade Director to crush the students’ spirits.
But today, something was different.
Fewer students were going to the restroom.
More were meditating intensely—fewer dozed off mid-session.
No one was pretending to read while actually zoning out, trying to hide from him.
The classroom’s Distraction Rate had dropped dramatically.
In fact, Su Haifeng had sensed this shift for days.
And now, he’d traced the source: Zhang Yu.
As Zhang Yu’s relentless, uninterrupted meditation continued—zero distractions, zero breaks—his Martial Energy skyrocketed.
Bai Zhenzhen, Qian Shen, Zhao Tianxing—these students were the first to react.
Then, their sheer intensity sparked a chain reaction across the class.
Those scoring 550 were grinding.
Those at 600 were grinding.
Even those with 650 were grinding.
How could anyone afford to rest?
Even the average lunchtime at Model Class had dropped by over 20%, according to Su Haifeng’s reports.
He looked at Zhang Yu, still meditating in silence.
Was it because I humiliated him earlier and triggered his pride?
Maybe I should use this tactic more often in the future.
Without realizing it, Su Haifeng had already drafted the title for his next academic paper:
On the Exploration of Humiliating Students in High School Education.
Satisfied with the classroom atmosphere, he nodded and left.
Just seconds after Su Haifeng disappeared, the final bell rang.
Zhang Yu shot up instantly, heading straight for the school’s Meditation Chamber.
Last week, he’d earned the title of lowest Distraction Rate in the entire grade.
As a reward, he received 500 yuan, a public commendation, and one hour of free rental for a Celestial Spirit Root.
Today was the day to claim it.
Since Spirit Root rentals and meditation chamber access were strictly scheduled by the school, missing the window meant losing the reward. So Zhang Yu didn’t waste a second—he rushed straight to the rental office.
Zhao Tianxing seized the chance and followed close behind.
"Are you renting a Celestial Spirit Root?" he asked.
Zhang Yu nodded.
Zhao Tianxing continued: "You don’t usually rent Spirit Roots from school, do you?"
"Want me to give you a quick rundown on the different types available?"
Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered slightly.
The original Zhang Yu, due to cost, had always rented from third-party teaching institutions with discounts. He wasn’t familiar with the school’s Spirit Root models.
After all, with the advancement of technology—and especially after the Top Ten Sects refined and systematized spiritual science—Spirit Roots were no longer categorized by ancient elements like metal, wood, water, fire, or earth.
Instead, modern Spirit Roots were classified by function: academic, combat, cultivation, and so on.
Zhao Tianxing explained:
"The most popular types at our school are Academic-Type Spirit Roots and Cultivation-Type Spirit Roots."
"For example, the Stored Spirit Root—"
Zhang Yu blurted out in shock:
"Chicken Spirit Root?!"
Zhao Tianxing chuckled:
"No, no—'Stored' as in 'to store.' The Stored Spirit Root can temporarily reside in a person’s body. It absorbs the Martial Energy you generate during meditation and transfers it directly to the user. A favorite among the wealthy."
"And then there’s the Muscle Growth Spirit Root—many people love it. During meditation, it converts spiritual energy into growth essence, directly injecting it into muscles. 24-hour muscle gain—dramatically boosts cultivation efficiency."
(End of Chapter)
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