https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-317-Ranking-Update-Thank-You-Wang-Xi-for-Your-Patronage-/13686874/
Chapter 318: Rankings Taught Everyone to Respect Each Other
Watching Zhang Yu still unaware of his ranking, Li Xiao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: "Is this what they mean by 'calm in the face of major events'?"
"He didn’t even check the rankings the very night after the exam… not even a glance."
"So composed. Absolutely steady."
"After knowing his strength had skyrocketed, that his grades were about to soar… yet he didn’t even look. This kind of mental fortitude, completely untouched by external noise… truly incredible."
Li Xiao imagined himself in Zhang Yu’s shoes—and he knew, without a doubt, he wouldn’t have been able to resist refreshing the leaderboard the moment it went live.
Meanwhile, in the Foundation Establishment Class group chat, Jiao Lei Immortal was still posting:
Jiao Lei Immortal: I’d like to especially commend Zhang Yu.
Jiao Lei Immortal: I still remember, right after classes started in June, Zhang Yu had fallen all the way down to the lower-middle ranks.
Jiao Lei Immortal: But in just eight short months, he’s climbed all the way to second place in the class—transforming himself completely. This kind of growth is something every student should take inspiration from.
Jiao Lei Immortal: Of course, the top three are all outstanding. I’ve already applied for scholarship loans for them this semester.
Inside the construction site, Zhang Yu’s hand, laying concrete, slowed unconsciously.
"University professors really do have a unique insight. Their assessment of students cuts right to the bone."
After saving a screenshot of the class ranking and the teacher’s remarks, Zhang Yu finally turned to read the others’ comments.
…
Che Yufei, having worked alongside Zhang Yu for three months, had been quietly curious about his final exam results.
After all, in Che Yufei’s eyes, Zhang Yu had looked like he was on the verge of dying—yet he still kept taking medicine, utterly obsessed with university life.
"How could someone in that state possibly perform well on the final exam?"
Driven by curiosity, he’d made it a habit to check the leaderboard every time it updated—always first checking his own rank, then glancing at Zhang Yu’s.
And today? His eyes widened.
"Second place?!"
"Higher than Gong Shuijin—the fourth-layer rich kid from the same class?!"
"If this guy survives graduation, I can’t even imagine what his salary will be."
At that moment, Che Yufei felt like he was witnessing the rise of a new star in the Civil Engineering Department.
He snapped a screenshot and sent it to Shi Yunxiang:
"Xiang, look at Zhang Yu’s ranking."
Then, after a pause, he messaged Zhang Yu directly:
"Nice job. Made it to second place."
…
In the Ling Realm, Zhao Tianxing, a Soul Cultivator Student at Fengdu Information Vocational Technical College, scanned through the flood of platform comments.
"Damn trash reviews! Paid to praise—may you go bankrupt tomorrow and spend your life as a soul cultivator!"
Zhao Tianxing’s eyes flickered. He deleted the comment—reason: insult and harassment—and banned the user for a month.
"Recommended by Hua Shen God-Emperor! Latest technique resources! Personal sparring partners for cultivation enthusiasts! Click my profile."
He silently deleted that one too—reason: illegal promotion—and permanently banned the user.
As the endless stream of comments scrolled past, Zhao Tianxing kept filtering them.
Then—a notification sound.
Zhao Tianxing’s heart gave a slight twitch. He looked up instantly.
Since entering the Second Layer, his Soul Cultivator Student abilities had gradually integrated into daily life.
For instance, this alert was one of his self-set automated triggers:
- Coupon expiration warnings
- Ling Realm service renewal reminders
- Platform “freebie” alerts
- And—most importantly—notifications about friends’ rank changes
"Zhang Yu is now second in his class?"
"Impressive. Even in the Second Layer, he’s still this strong."
Zhao Tianxing was about to send a message—then paused. He opened a document instead.
After reviewing his draft, he hesitated again. Finally, he selected the version he thought sounded most natural and sent it:
Zhao Tianxing: Great job.
Just as he was about to type a second line—
A warning flashed in front of him.
Warning: Work hours—no non-work-related chat functions allowed.
Zhang Yu, seeing Zhao Tianxing’s message, replied: "Just a small achievement. Not worth mentioning."
Seeing no reply, Zhang Yu didn’t mind. After all, Zhao Tianxing was always busy.
He casually opened other messages—mostly classmates, some fellow townspeople who’d added him after noticing his ranking change.
And of course, his roommates.
In the dorm group chat, Yu Xinghan said: "Bro, aren’t you gonna send a red packet?"
Zhang Yu replied: "You’re 9th—made it into the top 10. You didn’t send one either."
Zhang Yu still remembered the first day he returned to the dorm. Yu Xinghan had dragged him over, insisting he show off how different he was—then proudly displaying his old 7th-place class ranking.
And Yu Xinghan remembered clearly: the first time he saw Zhang Yu with white hair, he was relieved he hadn’t been picked for that Field Project.
"Zhang Yu’s turned into this mess… if I’d gone, I’d never have come back. These Civil Engineering Department elites don’t treat students like people—they treat them like Soul Cultivator Students!"
But now, seeing Zhang Yu shoot all the way to second place? Yu Xinghan had to admit—he’d made huge progress over these three months.
Yet, watching Zhang Yu slowly recover day by day, Yu Xinghan realized: he just couldn’t do it.
"This Constitution is just… too broken."
Meanwhile, Le Mulan popped in: "What’s going on?"
Zhang Yu quickly shared the class ranking and Jiao Lei’s post—but saw no reply.
Zhang Yu: @Le Mulan?
Le Mulan forwarded the screenshot to her brother, Le Jingchen: "Zhang Yu’s made huge progress. Should we raise Yu Zhi’s price?"
Seeing Zhang Yu tag her, she quickly replied: "Zhang Yu, you’re amazing! When are you coming back to the dorm?"
Zhang Yu: "Working late. Early tomorrow."
At that moment, Zhang Pianpian appeared—but not in the group chat. Instead, she messaged him privately:
"I secretly watched your exam footage. You played it perfectly. Next time, you could’ve shown more Blood."
"Going all out was a great cover. Your score control was solid too. Second place is ideal—first would’ve been too flashy."
Zhang Yu stared at his sister’s message, thinking: "Wait… I wasn’t faking it. I was actually pushing myself that hard."
A night passed. After working through the entire evening, Zhang Yu’s body had recovered almost completely.
"This Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique is truly amazing."
"I wonder… where can I find the same Chain Law Diagram Set?"
As he walked out of the construction site, he felt his headband’s ranking glow even brighter—more vivid, more radiant than before.
All along the way, workers kept glancing up at the glowing number above his head, then looked at him with clear respect.
Cultivation beginners instinctively stepped back, afraid to block his path.
Even senior Civil Engineering students, upon meeting his gaze, gave a respectful nod.
Zhang Yu sighed, feeling a quiet sense of pride.
"Fujie, this university ranking system… it really has its merits. It makes people treat each other with more respect."
Fujie, inside his mind, sneered: "You weren’t saying that before."
But then, as he reflected on Zhang Yu’s performance in the final exam, Fujie felt a flicker of genuine shock.
"Every time I think his talent is already world-shattering… he goes and proves me wrong again."
As the constant companion who’d witnessed every moment—including Zhang Yu’s reward process—Fujie knew one thing for sure:
Zhang Yu hadn’t possessed this kind of constitution back then.
"It’s like… he’s gotten stronger in ways I don’t even know about. But I’ve been with him every second. How is this possible?"
"Could he be a reincarnated immortal?"
"No way. Immortals don’t end up this poor. And definitely not stuck in the First Layer."
Just as Zhang Yu was leaving the construction site, Sheng Jie, standing at the entrance, froze for a moment.
Staring at the glowing number above Zhang Yu’s head, he murmured:
"Second in Foundation Establishment Class? Zhang Yu… is second in Foundation Establishment Class?"
"Did he just take the exam yesterday… and the ranking only updated last night?"
As Sheng Jie stood there, stunned, he felt Zhang Yu’s gaze turn toward him. Without thinking, he gave a subtle nod—mutual recognition.
Then, a security guard nearby said, “That’s your classmate, right? He…”
The sentence died in his throat.
The glowing “Second in Foundation Establishment Class” above Zhang Yu’s head seemed to radiate an invisible pressure—like a wall of force—blocking the guard’s words.
They knew.
Someone who ranked second in that class wasn’t just ordinary.
With solemn respect, they watched Zhang Yu walk away—then immediately swarmed around Sheng Jie, whispering in hushed tones:
"Is he really from the First Layer?"
…
Back in the dorm, after taking his morning medicine and changing clothes, Zhang Yu prepared to head to class as usual.
Though the first semester’s finals had just ended, the second semester was already beginning.
From March onward—until the end-of-semester exam in August—the entire first year would come to a close.
When Zhang Yu walked into the classroom that day, he immediately felt eyes turn toward him.
Li Xiao waved at him and Yu Xinghan: "Brother Yu! There’s a seat here!"
Class, blood draw, cultivation… time passed in a blur.
That night, Zhang Yu opened his usual communication link with Bai Zhenzhen.
"Not bad, Yu-zi. Second in class?"
Zhang Yu grinned. "This score is at least a fair reward for all the effort."
Bai Zhenzhen said: "Mom sent you some meat. You’re still weak—need to replenish more."
"And when are you finally going to fix your hair? White hair makes you look old and poor. People judge you too easily."
"Got it, got it."
Zhang Yu glanced at her elegant evening dress and asked curiously: "A Zhen, are you at an event?"
Bai Zhenzhen nodded. "Yeah. The opening of the Top Ten League. This year’s event is at Tianjian University. I’m just here to look around."
(End of Chapter)
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