https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-34-Results-Announced-the-Scholar-Emerges/13686435/
Chapter 35: Choices and Cultivation Techniques
Bailong High School.
As one of the three elite schools in Songyang City—alongside Ziyun High School—Bailong boasted a long-standing legacy and immense financial power. Year after year, it dominated the city in every metric: the number of competition awards, the count of students admitted to top-tier universities, and even the number of students who “crumbled” under pressure. For many students at Bailong, there was no such thing as “three top schools”—there was only one true elite institution in Songyang City: Bailong High School.
And right now, in the school cafeteria,
Zhang Pianpian was eating lunch while flipping through her Lushu, studying her newly purchased talisman textbook.
Just then, a petite girl slid into the seat across from her, whispering mysteriously:
“Pianbao, heard a juicy rumor. Wanna know? I’ll only tell you if you treat me to a meal.”
Zhang Pianpian didn’t even look up.
“No interest.”
The girl chuckled.
“Your brother made quite a splash at Central Tower last time. Too bad he didn’t get picked up by Jin Dan Immortal. Want to know his latest update?”
Zhang Pianpian’s brow twitched slightly.
“Maximum offer: one 9-yuan Poor Guy Set Meal. Anything more, I’m out.”
“Fine, fine,” the girl laughed. “Rare chance to get Pianbao to treat me. If I told anyone, they wouldn’t believe it.”
Seeing Zhang Pianpian’s clearly annoyed expression, she added:
“The info came from a friend at Songyang High.”
“Your brother scored third in the Monthly Exam this time—total of 620 points.”
Zhang Pianpian blinked in surprise.
“620? Are you sure that’s accurate?”
“100% real,” the girl said. “That score would’ve landed him in the top fifteen even among our first-years. Not bad at all.”
“Didn’t you say he lacked talent for cultivation?” Zhang Pianpian’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Now he’s doing better than expected. Something must’ve happened to him recently.”
The girl asked, “Now that Songyang’s student council knows about him, they’ll probably come knocking. Won’t you help him out?”
Zhang Pianpian lowered her gaze, her voice cool.
“Let him decide for himself.”
“If he signs with the student council, at least his high school years will be easier.”
“Are you testing him?” the girl scoffed. “Isn’t that too harsh? How many students can actually withstand the pressure?”
Zhang Pianpian’s voice remained cold.
“If he can’t endure it, then he’ll walk his own path. Helping him would only be a disservice.”
“Ultimately, he’ll be judged not by what I do for him—but by the choices he makes.”
…
Songyang High School.
Zhang Yu could feel the atmosphere shift.
During break, unfamiliar classmates started greeting him.
“Zhang Yu, your Physical Strength Level is rising fast. Is that really natural body cultivation?”
“Hey Zhang Yu, can I borrow your martial theory exam paper?”
In the hallway, students from other classes pointed at him, whispering.
“Look, that’s the Zhang Yu Lei Jun mentioned.”
“Ugh, the Model Class monsters really don’t leave any room for the rest of us.”
In martial arts class, Lei Jun repeatedly played the video of Zhang Yu defeating He Dayou.
He even asked Zhang Yu to explain his battle strategy.
He Dayou’s blood surged, his heart pounding harder—feeling younger, stronger, more alive.
In the cafeteria, students deliberately veered around him, eyeing what he was eating.
Others who barely knew him tried to sit at his table.
At dinner, Zhang Yu finally pulled Zhao Tianxing over and invited him to eat with Bai Zhenzhen.
Zhao Tianxing alone took up two seats, so the three of them perfectly filled the whole table.
As for Zhou Tianyi—today, he vanished after class, never showing up to eat with them.
Zhao Tianxing had eaten with them a few times already, and had grown comfortable with both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
Zhang Yu even noticed that Bai Zhenzhen seemed more relaxed around Zhao Tianxing than she was around Zhou Tianyi.
Now, Zhao Tianxing grumbled:
“The cafeteria’s electronic screen’s still showing Monthly Exam results. Makes picking dishes by price impossible.”
Zhang Yu took a bite, sighing.
“Xiaozhao, you’re thinking too small. The school shows scores to motivate us to study. I don’t mind if they keep it up for a few more days.”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded slightly.
“Exams are our core duty. The importance of scores far outweighs the price of a meal.”
Zhao Tianxing stared blankly at the two, especially Zhang Yu.
Then it hit him: Zhang Yu was no longer just another student near his rank.
They were in different strata now.
The very behaviors that once mocked, pressured, and stirred fierce internal rivalry among students—now, to Zhang Yu, were nothing more than open, unashamed displays of superiority.
“Just days ago, he was complaining about the school’s inhumane policies with me.”
“Now he’s the one who’s changed.”
He thought bitterly:
“Does success really change a person this fast?”
Bai Zhenzhen smiled at Zhang Yu.
“You seem in a good mood, Yu.”
Good mood?
Zhang Yu was thrilled.
The school grounds looked more beautiful than ever.
Teachers and classmates seemed kinder, warmer.
After years of relentless daily cultivation, this—this moment of peace, of recognition—felt like paradise.
A rare reward from heaven for his discipline and hard work.
Zhang Yu waved it off humbly.
“Tch, all just empty fame.”
“I don’t know why everyone keeps coming to me.”
“Zhenzhen, you’ve been top of the class for ages—why didn’t anyone ever flock to you like this?”
Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes, scoffing.
“Because my top rank showed them there’s no hope. They feel the absolute gap of talent.”
“But your sudden rise? It gives them hope. They believe they can copy your path.”
“So they all want to be your friend. They want to steal your secrets.”
She swallowed a chicken leg in one bite, bluntly exposing the truth:
“High school is all about scores.”
“A single premium problem set, a paid talisman technique, or a tutoring class’s real-world combat tips—enough to drive hundreds mad.”
“And your 70-point jump in a month? Even the top ten students would be tempted.”
“The ones coming to you aren’t your friends. They just want your secret to boost their scores.”
“Best case? They steal your 70 points and plant them in their own records.”
Zhao Tianxing shifted uncomfortably on his chair, the two seats creaking under his weight.
This time I’m tenth, he thought. I was never pretending—I really did come close to Zhang Yu for a reason.
Is Bai Zhenzhen… actually talking about me?
Sure, I do want to learn from them—both their study habits and Zhang Yu’s secret to rapid improvement…
He twisted more, the tension at the table thickening.
The thought of asking Zhang Yu for advice now felt too heavy to voice.
Even after parting ways—watching Zhang Yu take the bus, Bai Zhenzhen the subway—Zhao Tianxing still couldn’t shake the question.
Was she really talking about me?
…
On the bus.
As Zhang Yu was jostled by the crowd, his phone buzzed.
He pulled it out—Bai Zhenzhen had sent a message.
“Next few days, the student council might contact you about a Contract.”
“No matter what they offer—don’t accept yet.”
“Wait for me to talk to them first. We’ll decide together.”
Zhang Yu stared at the screen.
So the high-tier Contract is actually a negotiation with the student council?
He’d never really understood what the student council at Songyang High actually did.
In his mind, high school student councils—what could they possibly do?
But now, seeing Bai Zhenzhen’s words, it was clear: the student council wasn’t just a club.
They had real power—enough to negotiate Contracts with students.
What kind of terms will they offer me?
Is she trying to team up with me—bargain together, raise the price?
He thought for a few seconds, but the inner countdown in his mind began to ring again.
With no clear answer, Zhang Yu set aside the speculation and opened his phone’s textbook files.
But after a few minutes, something felt off.
Was it the exam results? Or the looming Contract?
Whatever it was, he couldn’t focus.
The bus ride felt restless.
He closed the phone and began thinking about his cultivation path.
Ritual Power hadn’t pressured him.
After all, planning one’s future, choosing a cultivation route—these aligned perfectly with his dream:
study hard, train hard, get into a top university, work hard, earn money, and buy every ancient relic in his shopping cart.
Next, raise Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa to level 10.
Then aim for Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture—but that requires level 3 Dao Heart.
So first, train the Basic Mind-Cultivation Method—get it to level 10, and raise Dao Heart to 3.
Then finally, start the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture.
After that… what’s left? Only Basic Qi Circulation, San Shou, and the High School Basic Sword Technique.
Having mapped out his plan, Zhang Yu thought again about his current savings—over 70,000 yuan—and the potential income from signing a Contract.
A thought crept in.
Should I buy a stronger, more effective cultivation technique?
Earlier, Zhang Yu had no money and never considered it.
But now, after receiving 66,000 yuan from Wang Hai, he couldn’t stop thinking about how to spend it.
Now, the idea of spirit roots, talismans, real combat experience—things he’d once only dreamed of—were no longer out of reach.
He just needed to wait until the Contract talks were done, see how much money he’d have, then decide.
And now, thinking about future cultivation techniques, the idea of buying one resurfaced.
Even if I don’t buy it yet, I can at least check them out—get a sense of what’s available.
His phone screen flickered.
He opened the shopping website, entered his real-name account.
After facial recognition, he accessed the Xian Dao Cultivation Techniques marketplace.
At his current level, only Qi-Refining Stage techniques were visible.
And right away, a banner appeared:
Your friend is browsing:
Chanyu Great Method (Unisex)
Damei Heart Scripture (Practice While Sleeping)
Jiutian Rapid Mastery of Eight Sects of Talismans
…
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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