Chapter 43: The Alliance and the First Stage of the Mana Competition
After exchanging greetings, Wu Qingqing picked up her phone again, aiming the screen at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen. A soft glimmer flashed across the display, and a cartoonish teenage boy appeared on screen. She introduced him: “This is Mo Tianyi from Mangshan High School.”
Zhang Yu’s heart jolted. What the hell? A two-dimensional avatar?
The boy nodded politely at both of them. “Hello. I’m Mo Tianyi.”
“The surroundings have already been checked. We can speak freely here.”
Zhang Yu stared at the screen, curious. “Where exactly are you right now?”
Mo Tianyi smiled faintly. “I’m currently in the Ling Realm. But since the Ling Realm is connected to the network, I can reach you.”
His expression turned serious. “Zhang Yu, I need to ask you something—have you been taken as a disciple by Xinghuo Immortal?”
Before Zhang Yu could respond, Bai Zhenzhen stepped forward, blocking him. “He hasn’t.”
“I told him about the pitfalls of being a Golden Core Disciple. I advised him to reject Xinghuo Immortal.”
Zhang Yu glanced at Bai Zhenzhen, surprised. He had no idea why she’d say that, but trusting her instinctively, he stayed silent and listened.
The moment she spoke, both Wu Qingqing and the figure on the screen—Mo Tianyi—exchanged fleeting looks of disappointment.
Wu Qingqing couldn’t help but sigh. “How could you let Zhang Yu turn down such an opportunity? To get into the Top Ten, Xinghuo Immortal is an absolute asset.”
Bai Zhenzhen sneered. “A washed-up old relic kicked out by a major sect, his cultivation already split in half. If he divorces, and his daughter blows a golden coin, he might end up begging for discipleship under a bridge. What’s left for us to exploit? Serving under him as a servant might not even be worth the effort compared to my daily odd jobs.”
“Y-you…” Mo Tianyi exhaled, regret flashing in his eyes. If I’d known this would happen, I shouldn’t have pushed her to try that art exhibition. Zhang Yu might’ve actually become a Golden Core Disciple. The chance for one poor student to break into the Top Ten would’ve been that much higher.
Bai Zhenzhen continued, “I came here today to introduce Zhang Yu to our people.”
“He may be just a little behind me, but he’s still a once-in-a-generation talent. And right now, he’s also being targeted by the Student Union.”
The screen flickered, and Mo Tianyi had already composed himself, smiling again. “I’ve heard of Zhang Yu’s reputation long before this.”
“Perfect. This Mana Competition will be the perfect chance to see him in action.”
“Is that it?” Bai Zhenzhen frowned. “No real investment? Just empty words?”
Mo Tianyi sighed. “We’re all poor. Resources are limited. You know our focus has always been on the leader. What we can spare isn’t much.”
“This is my personal contribution—don’t think less of it…” He sent Bai Zhenzhen a 2,000 yuan transfer.
Zhang Yu watched silently, mentally muttering: Damn, so this is why she dragged me here—to beg for money.
But clearly, this so-called Anti-Wealth Alliance was seriously strapped. That was all they could offer?
Seeing the transfer notification, Bai Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes. “Only 2,000?”
She knew who the “leader” was—the top-performing, most gifted, most promising of the poor prodigies, the one everyone believed had the best shot at breaking through the barriers and entering the Top Ten.
This poor genius had earned the trust of fellow underprivileged students, who had sacrificed their meals and saved every coin to funnel resources toward him. They all hoped that once he made it into a top-tier academy, he’d lift them all up—eventually breaking through the Heavenly Web and Earthly Net that loomed over Songyang City.
Even the invitation to the art exhibition, in her eyes, had likely been a bid to turn her into a Golden Core Disciple so she could use that status to help the leader.
“Didn’t we promise mutual support? Stick together? You talk a big game, but your hands don’t follow through. Am I supposed to just hand over my money for nothing?” she snapped.
Mo Tianyi shook his head, smiling bitterly. Compared to the 2,000 yuan membership fee Bai Zhenzhen paid, the amount she’d skimmed from each event—through favors, bribes, and backdoor deals—was already in the tens of thousands.
If she weren’t genuinely talented, and if they didn’t believe she could eventually draw massive attention away from the leader, they’d never have invested so heavily in her.
The atmosphere grew awkward. Wu Qingqing stepped in with a warm smile. “Don’t be upset, Zhenzhen. The leader’s at a critical stage. Everyone’s scraping together what they can. Mo Tianyi manages the funds, but he needs approval from the senior members before any money can be released.”
“How about this,” she continued, “Zhang Yu’s clearly talented. If he performs well in this Mana Competition, Mo Tianyi can go to the seniors and make a solid case for support. That way, we can get funding for you—legitimately.”
After some back-and-forth, Bai Zhenzhen finally grabbed Zhang Yu’s arm and pulled him away from the bleachers.
Watching them leave, Wu Qingqing sighed. “Every time she comes to us, it’s for money. We’re just her ATM.”
Mo Tianyi nodded. “When it comes to getting into the Top Ten, her conviction is the strongest among us. That’s why she fights so hard for funds.”
He could sense it clearly—Bai Zhenzhen wasn’t hoping the leader would make it into the Top Ten and then protect the rest of them. She wanted to make it herself.
“I just didn’t expect her to drag Zhang Yu into this.”
Speaking of Zhang Yu, Wu Qingqing marveled. “He raised his score by 70 points in a month. He’s seriously impressive. Definitely worth investing in.”
Mo Tianyi shook his head. “If he were wealthy, that performance would already be enough to seriously challenge for a Top Ten spot.”
“But unfortunately… he’s poor.”
He sighed deeply. “For someone from the bottom, breaking through the sky above your head—just being good at monthly exams isn’t nearly enough. Not nearly enough…”
Behind Wu Qingqing, Ye Xianyun had remained silent the entire time, her eyes fixed on the book in her hands, as if the world around her didn’t exist.
…
Meanwhile, Bai Zhenzhen walked alongside Zhang Yu, muttering under her breath. “Yu-zi, once the Mana Competition starts, you better make Mama proud!”
“At least get into the top ten. Then I can demand money with real authority.”
Right… you were just demanding money like a boss a second ago.
Zhang Yu paused, then asked the question burning in his mind. “Besides mutual aid and pooling money, what other ways are there for the poor to break into the Top Ten?”
To him, it seemed impossible—no matter how talented these poor students were, relying solely on their frugal sacrifices to break through the rich’s iron grip… it just didn’t add up.
Bai Zhenzhen explained. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out.”
“From what I know, our leader is likely a second-year student at one of the three top schools.”
“I don’t know how he’s done it, but he’s never signed with any school or student union. He hasn’t been crushed by the collective pressure. And he still holds onto his college entrance exam eligibility.”
“I want to know how he managed that.”
“The only way forward, as of now, is to keep building influence within the group, find that leader, and then get him to reveal his method.”
“How do you build influence?” Zhang Yu asked.
Bai Zhenzhen replied matter-of-factly. “We’re students. The only way to gain influence is through results—exams, competitions, achievements!”
“Whether rich or poor, they all follow the same rule. The better your grades, the more they’ll invest in you.”
“The Mana Competition? I’m not good at it. So it’s all on you—how far can you push?”
Just as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen returned to the rest area at Songyang High School, Zhang Yu suddenly caught sight of someone in the stands.
“Liang Qin?”
Seeing Liang Qin wave at him, giving a thumbs-up, Zhang Yu nodded back in greeting.
What the hell? You actually followed me all the way to Hongta High School just to watch me compete?
Bro, are you okay? If you keep doing this, I’ll never be able to turn my back on you again.
Liang Qin, watching Zhang Yu from the rest area, couldn’t help but smile. He pulled out his phone, opened a betting platform, and prepared to place a wager.
Gambling was a staple of entertainment in Songyang City. This particular platform—backed by a vice-mayor—was one of the most popular, covering every imaginable form of betting.
Liang Qin scrolled through, and sure enough, he found a list of high school competitions.
He’d taken leave from school specifically to track Zhang Yu for payment. But now, seeing the Mana Competition, he couldn’t resist the urge to bet.
At the same time, Zhang Yu spotted a flyer drifting down beside him.
Enter competitions, or bet on competitions. New users get a 100-yuan red packet…
Zhang Yu stared blankly. What the hell? Gambling ads right here in the arena? Everyone’s betting, but I’m not getting sucked in.
Bai Zhenzhen snatched the flyer from his hand, glared at him. “Yu-zi, don’t even think about touching that.”
Zhang Yu shrugged. “I think I’ve got a solid shot at top ten. If I bet… just a little…”
Bai Zhenzhen turned serious. “How much are you betting? What if you lose?”
Zhang Yu said, “The odds are heavily in my favor.”
Bai Zhenzhen cut in. “Even if you win, the real danger is worse. Once you’ve won, your mindset changes. You’ll keep chasing that high, always wanting to win again.”
Having grown up in Songyang City, she’d seen too many fall into ruin because of gambling—some even high-level cultivators had lost everything, including their souls.
She warned him. “I’m afraid you’ll get hooked. Eventually, you’ll lose everything—yourself included.”
“Yu-zi, don’t touch it.”
With a gentle pulse of force, she shattered the flyer into dust.
Zhang Yu took a deep breath, activated the Huangniu Zhenhun Xinfa, and calmed his restless thoughts.
“You’re right, Zhenzhen. I was greedy. This stuff really shouldn’t be touched.”
He knew the truth. It was just the crushing weight of poverty that had made him waver for a moment.
Moments later, music swelled through the air—the Mana Competition had officially begun.
Dozens of spirit-riding drones soared into the arena, delivering the competition’s required equipment.
As the items were laid out on the field, gasps echoed through the crowd.
“Is that a flying sword?!”
“Are we supposed to ride it? The first stage already requires this? Previous competitions never tested flying swords!”
“Oh no… I’ve never used a flying sword before!”
The host stepped in front of a hovering flying sword, announcing, “Nine Heavens’ Blade Light, cold and sharp. One strike shakes Kunxu. Sponsored by Super Good Kill Jiutian Flying Sword.”
No way! Zhang Yu seethed internally. Flying sword manufacturer sponsors the competition, and now they’re testing flying swords? You people have no shame!
If the Harmonious Sect sponsored it, would you test twin cultivation next? Go ahead—try it!
(End of Chapter)
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