https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-32-Martial-Energy-and-Physical-Education/13686433/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-34-Results-Announced-the-Scholar-Emerges/13686435/
Chapter 33: Physical Education Exam and Wang Hai's Countermeasure
The male examinees were gathering in the preparation room.
As each student warmed up and stretched, the cramped space filled with a thick, pungent haze—sweat stench, foot odor, greasy fumes—layer upon layer of discomfort.
Zhang Yu, grimacing through the foul air, continued applying Golden Strength Oil to every inch of his body. The expensive lotion, costing over a hundred yuan per bottle, was essential for the exam. He rubbed it on meticulously, determined not to waste a single drop.
"Damn school," he muttered under his breath. "They charge a fortune for exam necessities."
But he couldn’t afford to skip it.
Though the Golden Strength Oil had no actual cultivation benefits, it dramatically enhanced the visibility of muscle definition and body structure—making it easier for the examiners to assess performance. Without it, a careless glance might mean a low score. And Zhang Yu, now well-versed in the ways of the Kunxu Realm, suspected the school’s sale of the oil was directly tied to the examiners. He wouldn’t be surprised if refusing to use it led to deliberate, malicious under-scoring.
"Old Zhao," Zhang Yu called out behind him, "help me with my back."
"Got it!" Zhao Tianxing dipped his fingers into the bottle and began smearing the oil across Zhang Yu’s back.
As he worked, Zhao studied Zhang Yu’s physique with a flicker of surprise. "Zhang Yu’s Physical Strength Level must be pretty high."
Though Zhang Yu followed a balanced path—strength, speed, agility all developed in tandem—unlike Zhao’s pure strength focus, Zhao had seen enough elite cultivators in action to recognize talent when he saw it.
Now, feeling the firm, marble-like texture of Zhang Yu’s muscles, he couldn’t deny it: Zhang Yu’s strength level was exceptional.
"Higher than mine…? But that’s impossible. He hasn’t even had a proper coach in physical education!"
Soon, Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing, along with the other nine students, stood glistening under the oil, each wearing a monitoring patch as they entered the examination arena.
Five PE teachers sat in the stands, their gazes sweeping over the candidates. Wang Hai’s eyes lingered on Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing for a moment before he spoke:
"Begin."
Hah!
Hoo!
Roar!
With a series of guttural shouts, the examinees unleashed their full physical power. Muscles swelled, veins bulged, and raw, primal force erupted from their bodies.
The platform beneath them groaned under the strain, creaking as if it might collapse under the onslaught of so many overpowered athletes.
At the same time, real-time strength data streamed from the patches to the judges’ screens.
Wang Hai’s eyes locked onto Zhang Yu’s numbers:
"Right arm: 443 kilograms. Left arm: 422 kilograms…"
His expression froze. "How much improvement in just weeks? What demonic herb did he take? Is his body structure even stable anymore?"
His gaze snapped back to Zhang Yu on stage.
But the students, still radiating power, soon felt five icy stares pierce through them.
From below, the scene looked like ten towering beasts of war—unstoppable, ferocious.
But from above, the students felt like prey—exposed, vulnerable—being inspected by five monstrous predators in a meat market, each choosing which cut of flesh to devour.
Zhao Tianxing felt like a lamb before slaughter, forcing every fiber of his body to strain, to push beyond limits.
Zhang Yu, however, felt utterly different.
He was suddenly pinned by five burning, intense gazes—so hot they made his skin prickle with gooseflesh.
At that moment, one of the PE teachers let out a genuine admiration:
"Look at that frame! Beast-back, demon-chest, god-arm! I didn’t expect to see such perfect body structure in a freshman!"
Another teacher, eyes gleaming with envy, added:
"Look at his legs—bone joints refined through relentless shaping. That’s a foundation built for greatness. Why don’t I have a student like this?"
A third patted Wang Hai on the shoulder:
"Wang, is this one of your star pupils? The shaping is flawless. You must’ve poured a lot of effort into this. This year’s year-end bonus is guaranteed."
Just moments ago, Wang Hai had been considering a malicious low score—his conscience warring with the temptation.
But now, with a friendly pat on the back, he forced a smile and said nothing.
Yet his eyes, as he glanced at Zhang Yu, betrayed a flicker of undeniable admiration.
"Even though my real business is selling medicine… still…"
As a PE teacher, Wang Hai couldn’t bring himself to punish such a masterpiece of the human form. The body before him was art.
And worse—his colleagues had just sealed the door on any attempt to cheat.
So, with a heavy heart, he gave Zhang Yu a fair, honest score.
Then, beneath the surface, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"So much progress in so little time… especially in body structure."
"This means Zhang Yu is almost certainly a Golden Core Disciple."
"If that’s true… then I’ll have to use my last resort."
…
Dinner time.
The cafeteria.
Due to the recent surge in the intensity of Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, Zhang Yu’s appetite had dwindled. He ate just a few bites and finished his meal quickly.
Then—a massive shadow fell over him.
Wang Hai descended like a mountain, thud!—plunking down directly across from him.
He turned to Bai Zhenzhen beside him with a warm smile:
"Bai Zhenzhen, can I have a moment alone with Zhang Yu?"
Bai Zhenzhen glanced at Zhang Yu. After he nodded, she walked to a seat ten meters away, curiosity dancing in her eyes.
Zhang Yu looked at Wang Hai with clear wariness. Their relationship had never been friendly.
Wang Hai, however, said calmly:
"Let’s add each other’s contact info. We haven’t done that yet."
Now certain Zhang Yu was a Golden Core Disciple, Wang Hai had decided on his final move—gift-giving.
He’d use gifts to rebuild their relationship.
But what to give?
Wang Hai, a master of influence and exchange, had many options.
First, he considered cultivation medicines—a natural choice. As a pharmaceutical salesman, he had access to trial batches, experimental formulas, even banned substances. It was second nature.
But then he paused.
"Zhang Yu said he’s naturally cultivating. Whether true or not, giving him medicine would insult him. No way."
Next, he thought of cultivation manuals.
As a top-tier PE teacher, he earned substantial income from private tutoring—teaching cultivation techniques to students’ children was his go-to method for building connections.
But he shook his head again.
"What good are my authorized manuals to someone like Zhang Yu? A Golden Core Disciple? He wouldn’t even need a high school PE teacher’s techniques."
After careful thought, he finally settled on the solution.
With their contacts now linked, Wang Hai said:
"Zhang Yu, your exam results were excellent. I don’t have anything impressive to offer… so I’ll just send you some money."
"It’s just a small token. Don’t think too poorly of it."
Zhang Yu’s phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen—Wang Hai’s transfer: 66,666.66 yuan.
His heart skipped.
"Sending money to smooth things over? Just toss a few grand and pretend the isolation never happened?"
Zhang Yu, who had despised such transactions in his past life, instinctively prepared to sneer.
But then—he couldn’t.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t form the sneer.
Bai Zhenzhen, watching from afar, blinked. "What’s going on? Why’s Yu’s mouth twitching like that?"
Wang Hai, sincere and earnest, said:
"I’m truly happy to see your progress. I was wrong before—my teaching wasn’t good enough. I’m sorry."
As Wang Hai started to rise, bowing deeply, Zhang Yu quickly stopped him:
"Teacher, you were only doing your job. Why should you apologize to me?"
Inside, Zhang Yu felt disgusted with himself. "Damn it, Zhang Yu. How could you be so cheap? Just because of money?"
But it wasn’t about the money.
Lao Wang was in his seventies—proud, dignified, a legendary teacher. And yet, he was bowing to him. That was real sincerity.
Seeing Zhang Yu’s faint smile, Wang Hai exhaled in relief.
But then, the thought of the 66,666.66 yuan hit him again—a stab of pain.
Though he earned well, his expenses were astronomical. That sum wasn’t pocket change.
But he knew: now wasn’t the time to regret it.
Before him sat a disciple of Xinghuo Immortal—just recently inducted.
Years of experience had taught Wang Hai one rule:
If you’re going to give, give it all at once.
He gripped Zhang Yu’s hands tightly.
"From now on, my PE class is yours. Do whatever you want. You don’t have to come at all. Skip it. I’ll give you full freedom."
What was the ultimate sign of respect from a teacher?
After decades at Songyang High, Wang Hai had his answer:
Letting a student skip class freely—this was the highest honor he could offer to a Golden Core Disciple.
"Wha—?" Zhang Yu blinked, surprised. Then, a smile broke across his face.
For someone as disciplined as him, the freedom to manage his own time was priceless.
Wang Hai watched Zhang Yu’s reaction, his tone deliberate:
"Haha… you don’t really need my guidance anymore, do you?"
After a few more pleasantries, Wang Hai stood.
"Alright, I’ve got things to do. You probably do too. I won’t keep you."
(End of Chapter)
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