Chapter 27: Pre-Exam Push

Chapter 27: Pre-Exam Push

Chapter 27: Pre-Exam Push

3:00 AM.

In the office of Songyang High School.

Su Haifeng, looking at the list on his computer screen, spoke into the phone, "Hmm... Zhang Yu's Dao Heart score hasn't changed."

"Spirit Power has been improving rapidly lately. It seems he's been spending most of his time and money on Meditative Respiration, which is why he's managed to break into the top 10."

"Physical Strength Level has been stagnant for three weeks due to his isolation. It had already dropped to 19th place, and now that he's focusing on Spirit Power, he's lucky to maintain that rank."

"Martial Arts and Dao Techniques haven't shown any significant progress. It's possible he'll drop below 30th place in this Monthly Exam."

As he reviewed Zhang Yu's recent records, Su Haifeng shook his head, "In short, I don't expect much improvement in his Monthly Exam scores this time."

"The school will likely offer him a D-level contract."

"I understand. I'll try my best to convince him to sign it."

"Although I don't know how he caught Li Xuelian's attention, he should have a clear understanding of his situation after the exam."

After hanging up, Su Haifeng closed Zhang Yu's record and moved on to the next file. To him, Zhang Yu was just a small part of the many things he had to deal with. There were more important matters and students at Songyang High School that required his attention.

...

4:00 AM.

Inside the Half-Constructed Tower.

Today was the day of the Monthly Exam at Songyang High School.

Despite the nine days of intense training, Zhang Yu was still pushing himself to practice the 36-Form Bodyfortify to further improve his strength before the exam officially began.

His status in the Feather Codex's prologue now read:

Zhang Yu

Dao Heart: Level 1

Spirit Power: 11.7

Physical Strength Level: 1.05

Thanks to his passive Meditative Respiration and occasional active sessions, his Spirit Power had increased from 10.5 to 11.7.

His Physical Strength Level had also improved from 0.85 to 1.05 through intense training.

The most significant improvement, however, was in the 36-Form Bodyfortify, which had reached Level 9 (89/90).

With his final punch, the 36-Form Bodyfortify finally reached Level 10, the maximum level achievable at the Qi Refinement Stage.

At that moment, countless memories flooded his mind—images of him practicing the 36-Form Bodyfortify over and over, his deeper understanding and more profound insights into his physical body.

After countless meticulous refinements, his body underwent a qualitative change, adjusting in a more optimal manner.

A loud rumble echoed in his mind!

As his heart pumped waves of qi and blood to his limbs and organs, Zhang Yu's entire body seemed to undergo a transformation.

His flesh contracted and expanded, and his bones and joints crackled. His body's outline subtly grew larger.

His muscles became better suited for exertion, his bones more stable and robust, and his entire body more balanced and coordinated.

This was the gradual optimization of his physical structure that had been taking place as he advanced the 36-Form Bodyfortify to Level 10, now completed in an instant.

Physical Strength Level: 1.05 → 1.25

With the optimization of his body structure, Zhang Yu's Physical Strength Level increased by 0.2, a 20% boost.

Zhang Yu could feel that this optimization not only increased his Physical Strength Level but also had a more long-term effect. The more balanced and coordinated physical structure would make his future cultivation path smoother and faster.

Zhang Yu smiled, feeling excited, "Reaching Level 10 in 36-Form Bodyfortify has allowed my body to optimize itself."

"Does reaching Level 10 in any skill have such a significant impact?"

This was information his teacher had never mentioned in class.

But Zhang Yu understood that reaching Level 10 in any skill, even a basic martial art like the 36-Form Bodyfortify, was too far off for most first-year students. It was normal for the teacher not to cover it.

"Next, I'll focus on reaching Level 10 in the Circulating Qi Gathering Technique and see what happens."

Circulating Qi Gathering Technique: Level 8 (3/160)

Zhang Yu estimated that with about a week of effort, he could bring this Contemplative Breathing Art to Level 10.

However, he didn't immediately switch his Feather Codex specialization to the Circulating Qi Gathering Technique because he had other plans for today.

"Please adhere to the Contractual Ritual, strive to achieve your goal, and do not deliberately slack off or delay, 10."

Just as Zhang Yu was excited about his improvements, the damn Countdown rang again.

Zhang Yu cursed a few times, but knowing that the Countdown had no will or intelligence, his curses felt empty and futile.

So, he sat down to meditate, using the opportunity to rest his exhausted body and regain some energy.

Preparing to face the Monthly Exam.

...

Songyang High School.

Students hurried through the campus, their faces tinged with anxiety.

The school seemed to have taken on a somber atmosphere.

Zhang Yu looked up and saw that the banner reading "Live to Learn, Learn to Live" had been replaced with an anti-suicide slogan, "One Person's Recklessness, the Whole Family's Loss."

The rooftop was also surrounded by a layer of barbed wire, making it harder for students to act recklessly.

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen commented, "It seems those heartless school administrators finally care about the students. They know the Monthly Exam can cause emotional breakdowns and have taken some preventive measures."

However, when they reached the cafeteria and saw a notice about increased prices, Bai Zhenzhen couldn't help but explode in anger.

"Another price hike? How many times since the start of the semester?"

"A bunch of pests can't even run a cafeteria properly, how can they run a school?"

Zhang Yu tried to console her, "Sigh, mistreating people is their normal behavior. Stay calm and don't let it affect your Monthly Exam."

But a moment later, when they heard the cafeteria auntie announce the new rule, Zhang Yu also became furious, "Why can we only get one 5-yuan meal per day now? I could get ten yesterday! Why can't students just eat their fill?"

"Alright, alright, Yu." Bai Zhenzhen patted Zhang Yu's shoulder, "Don't get worked up. I'll get you an extra poor man's meal."

Sitting down with their meals, Zhang Yu checked his balance.

Despite receiving a 500-yuan reward for a 0% Distraction Rate, his savings had decreased to 6,000 due to the high costs of cultivation, the continuous use and purchase of Neural Replenisher, and other miscellaneous expenses like transportation.

With a new month approaching, he would soon have to pay off his loan, rent, utilities, and other bills.

And with the start of high-intensity cultivation, Zhang Yu found his appetite growing. Eating ten pounds a day was normal, costing him several hundred yuan a day, which would add up to over ten thousand a month.

Zhang Yu realized that cultivation was indeed an increasingly expensive endeavor.

"I hope I can get a good score on the Monthly Exam and secure a good contract."

"Otherwise, I'll have to work again."

At that moment, Zhou Tianyi joined them, shaking his head in frustration, "Do you know why the cafeteria prices are going up?"

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen looked up at him, waiting for his explanation.

"The city government has increased tariffs on imported ingredients to promote Oasis Company's synthetic foods. In the future, food prices in Songyang City will likely rise, except for synthetic foods."

"Apparently, the principal is considering replacing the cafeteria's pre-prepared meals with synthetic foods."

Before cultivation, Zhang Yu had eaten synthetic foods, which were much cheaper.

Fried insects, plant protein, and recycled water and oil—tasteless, even pigs wouldn't eat it.

"Can't we even have pre-prepared meals anymore?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen sighed and cursed the Oasis Company and the city government.

After breakfast, the three of them didn't return to their classrooms as usual but went to their respective exam rooms.

The morning session included a 50-point General Education test and a 20-point Martial Arts Theory test, both in written form.

The afternoon session was a 100-point Dao Techniques test and an 80-point Martial Arts Practical test, which, combined with the 20 points from the morning's Martial Arts Theory, made up the 100-point Martial Arts course.

For the morning's written exams, the original Zhang Yu was well-prepared.

After finishing the exams, Zhang Yu didn't join other students in checking their answers but hurriedly had lunch and then rushed to the Tranquil Garden to train.

Freehand Combat: Level 1 (0/10)

Zhang Yu switched his Feather Codex specialization to Freehand Combat, which was why he hadn't switched to the Circulating Qi Gathering Technique earlier.

After reaching Level 10 in the 36-Form Bodyfortify yesterday, he knew that no matter how much he practiced the Circulating Qi Gathering Technique, he wouldn't see significant improvements.

However, if he used his break to train the Level 1 Freehand Combat, he estimated he could at least bring it to Level 2, which would be a significant boost for the afternoon's practical exam.

Thinking about this, Zhang Yu trained even more diligently.

With his 1.25 Physical Strength Level, his entire body resonated with each punch and strike, producing sounds of wind and thunder.

Meanwhile, threads of Spirit Power circulated through different parts of his body with each move, enhancing the power of his techniques.

Freehand Combat was a basic practical martial art with only 15 techniques, but it covered various combat scenarios, from punches and palm strikes to kicks and throws. Each technique had a corresponding Spirit Power circulation path.

Zhang Yu repeatedly practiced these 15 techniques.

As a practical martial art, Freehand Combat was less intense than the 36-Form Bodyfortify.

Combined with his 1.25 Physical Strength Level, 8th Level Circulating Qi Gathering Technique, and the body optimization from the 36-Form Bodyfortify, Zhang Yu's training speed was rapid. In just over an hour, he had brought Freehand Combat to Level 2.

Freehand Combat: Level 1 (0/10) → Level 2 (0/20)

At that moment, the 15 techniques of Freehand Combat flashed in Zhang Yu's mind, and he became thoroughly familiar with them.

But Zhang Yu didn't stop. Despite feeling fatigued, he decided to continue training.

"Only two and a half hours until the afternoon exam."

"Let's see if I can reach Level 3 before the exam starts."

Zhang Yu repeatedly practiced the 15 techniques, sweating profusely.

His body grew increasingly fatigued, and his limbs began to ache, causing his movements to become slightly distorted.

But every time he thought of his debts and the growing expenses, he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Two hours later, a large sweat drop fell to the ground.

Zhang Yu's body was radiating heat, and his muscles were burning from the intense three-hour workout.

But a smile appeared on his face. He had successfully brought Freehand Combat to Level 3.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end