Chapter 26: Signing Up for the Mana Competition and the Arrival of the Monthly Exam
Songyang High School.
Four days had passed since Zhang Yu had rented Qi Hai Linggen’s space.
Today marked the day when first-year students at Songyang High School would be selected to sign up for the citywide Mana Competition.
In the Martial Arts Class.
As the final bell rang, Zhang Yu finally paused his breath cultivation, opening his eyes and glancing toward the large screen.
After these past few days of relentless cultivation, his Martial Energy had surged once more—now climbing from 9.5 to 10.5. The pace of his progress was so rapid that even classmates couldn’t help but cast sideways glances.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu’s Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa had climbed from Level 6 to Level 8 (3/160)—a secret known only to him. If anyone else found out, it wouldn’t just be shock; it would be disbelief.
After all, while Zhang Yu’s Martial Energy growth was impressive, it wasn’t entirely unheard of—wealthy families could buy their way to faster progress with sheer financial power.
But to level up a cultivation technique to Level 8 in such a short time? At Zhang Yu’s current level, he couldn’t think of a single person besides himself who had achieved this.
Now, his eyes scanned the leaderboard that had just appeared on the screen.
Rank 1: Bai Zhenzhen – 12.1
Rank 2: Qian Shen – 11.9
Zhang Yu continued scrolling down—until he found his name, sitting proudly at Rank 8.
Rank 8: Zhang Yu – 10.5
“Rank 8…” Zhang Yu nodded slightly. With that standing, qualifying for the Mana Competition was no longer a question.
But then a chill crept into his heart. Listening to the countdown ticking away, he closed his eyes once more and plunged back into cultivation.
Teacher Yan, sitting at the front, brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced at the rankings with satisfaction.
“Over the past week, everyone’s Distraction Rate has dropped by 8%. The efficiency of Martial Energy cultivation has increased by 12% compared to last month. I’m truly pleased.”
She turned her gaze to Zhang Yu, who was already deep in meditation, and nodded approvingly.
“I’d like to especially commend one student—Zhang Yu.”
“Not only has he maintained a perfect 0% Distraction Rate for two consecutive weeks, but in the past week alone, his Martial Energy has made a quantum leap—from Rank 16 to Rank 8. Truly remarkable. Let’s give him a round of applause.”
A scattered round of clapping followed.
Teacher Yan then announced the list of the top ten students who would be participating in the Mana Competition.
“The Mana Competition starts next month. I’ll send you the exact schedule and rules as soon as I receive them.”
“Alright, class dismissed.”
“Oh, and students who want to buy Spirit-Enhancing Pills—come to my office. There’s a special promotion going on…”
Down in the classroom, Bai Zhenzhen looked thinner than before, her cheeks slightly sunken.
Watching Teacher Yan beam with satisfaction, she thought bitterly: This kind of pressure… it’s all because of…
Her gaze drifted to Zhang Yu’s seat—only to see him already deep in meditation again.
Damn you, Zhang Yu! You bastard! Stop pushing yourself like that! Don’t you dare make me the only one left behind!
She clenched her fists, gritted her teeth—then, unable to bear watching her best friend suffer alone, she shut her eyes and began cultivating too.
Not far from her, Qian Shen had been silently observing both Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu. Seeing them both seize every spare moment—during class breaks, even during teacher lectures—to meditate, a heavy weight settled in his chest.
As a student in Songyang High’s Model Class, Qian Shen had always prided himself on being able to handle pressure.
But after eight days of competing side by side with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, his confidence was crumbling.
Not even going to the bathroom. Not scratching an itch. How the hell do they do this?
Am I… the one who hasn’t evolved enough?
Staring at the two figures still meditating, Qian Shen finally surrendered.
Fine. Let’s just… go all in.
This is war.
…
Physical Education Class.
Students were either injecting Spirit Fluids or undergoing physical training, their grunts echoing through the gym like wild beasts. The air was thick with sweat, the floor slick beneath their feet.
Bai Zhenzhen wiped sweat from her brow and glanced instinctively toward the small corner room—where Zhang Yu had been sequestered ever since Teacher Wang Hai had ostracized him.
But today, Zhang Yu wasn’t cultivating Spirit Energy. Instead, he was practicing the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms.
Crack! Crack!
With each movement, his muscles bulged and tensed, explosive power surging through his limbs as he lifted and lowered the training equipment—again, and again.
At the same time, the Feather Scroll’s Specialization had shifted from Level 8 Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa down to Level 3 Jianti Thirty-Six Forms.
There was a reason for this.
First, due to his lack of compatible Spirit Roots, Zhang Yu could only absorb a limited amount of Spirit Energy. The benefits of further upgrading Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa were diminishing.
Second, he had already secured his spot in the Mana Competition. His next target? The Monthly Exam, just nine days away.
My Martial Energy has already improved significantly. Even at Level 8, Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa provides passive cultivation equal to 65% of active meditation.
So investing more time into cultivation won’t yield much extra gain in the Monthly Exam. The return on investment is too low.
Zhang Yu mused: To boost my score, I need to focus on Dao Heart, Physical Training, Martial Arts, and Dao Arts.
Dao Heart?
Though I haven’t mastered the Tianwu Heart Cultivation Scripture yet, I’ve already grasped its core principles. That should be enough for the exam.
Martial Arts?
Theoretical knowledge is worth 20 points. The remaining 80 come from real combat. But hiring someone to spar with me? That’s slow.
Dao Arts?
Even harder. No way to improve in such a short time.
After weighing all options, Zhang Yu decided: the next nine days should be spent refining the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms and boosting his Physical Strength Level.
And during his practice, he discovered something unexpected—a bonus from Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa.
As he strained his muscles, contracting and expanding with each movement, his Martial Energy continued flowing in intricate, continuous circuits through his body.
More importantly, as the energy passed over worn tendons and torn muscle fibers, it began to repair and nourish them—accelerating recovery and enhancing training results.
Normally, the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms at Level 3 could already trigger this effect.
But now, thanks to the complex, precise circuits of Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, the healing was far more thorough.
Zhang Yu realized: Previously, I could only manage 20–30 repetitions in a day. Now, with this auxiliary effect, I can easily do 50–60.
So from now on—it was time to go all-in on the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, a sudden pang of emotion struck him.
Funny… I’m starting to get used to this kind of grind.
Damn it… this cursed Kunxu world is turning people into monsters.
But after completing fifteen rounds of the form, he realized he was wrong.
Panting, drenched in sweat, he collapsed onto the floor—his body so soaked the floor beneath him left a faint outline of his shape.
Even Teacher Wang Hai, if he’d seen this, would’ve said: “You’ve worked hard enough. Take a break.”
But Zhang Yu wasn’t being watched by a person.
He was being watched by Ritual.
“Observe the Ritual’s covenant. Strive to fulfill your wish. Do not deliberately slack off or delay. 10.”
Zhang Yu groaned. “Idiot! I’ve pushed myself to the limit!”
This is agony.
Training like this is a thousand times worse than meditation.
His lungs burned like bellows. Every muscle screamed in protest.
Maybe I’m still too young to think I’ve adapted to this world.
As the countdown ticked on, Zhang Yu lay there—motionless, like a dead fish—until the final seconds neared.
Then, with a desperate lurch, he sprang to his feet, ignoring the pain, and resumed the Jianti Thirty-Six Forms.
Jianti Thirty-Six Forms – Level 3 (22/30)
After finishing one final round, he collapsed again, gasping, sweat pooling beneath him.
The countdown continued—cold, merciless.
And the Ritual’s power pressed down on him, as if trying to tear his body apart.
Is this world even meant for humans?
Damn it… before I’m forced to jump off a building, I’m going to break this damn Ritual!
…
That noon, Zhang Yu did something unusual.
In front of Bai Zhenzhen and Zhou Tianyi, who stared in surprise, he splurged over a hundred yuan on a massive bucket of food.
If Martial Energy growth required absorbing more Spirit Energy, then physical training required more food—better, richer food.
“I want ten pounds!”
Bai Zhenzhen, seeing the sheer volume of food, immediately understood: Zhang Yu’s training today was brutal.
So he’s done with pushing Martial Energy… now he’s going full throttle on Physical Strength?
When did he start being this intense?
Is it because he hasn’t been sterilized? Is that extra drive?
Watching Zhang Yu devour a whole chicken leg in one bite, then crunch the bones into powder and swallow them, Bai Zhenzhen unconsciously sped up her own eating.
Zhou Tianyi sighed. “Slow down, both of you. No one’s grading your eating speed.”
Nearby, Su Haifeng watched some students dawdle over their meals and thought: The lunch break is too long.
We should install surveillance cameras in the cafeteria. Anyone who takes more than ten minutes gets public reprimand—and a fine.
He immediately drafted a proposal, ready to send it to the principal with his brilliant cafeteria reform plan.
For the next nine days, Zhang Yu trained relentlessly—between classes, during breaks, pushing until he collapsed, then forcing himself to meditate when he couldn’t train.
One day after another, he was pushed to the edge.
Until finally—the day of the Monthly Exam arrived.
(End of Chapter)
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