Chapter 43: The Alliance and the Mystic Arts Competition First Round

Chapter 43: The Alliance and the Mystic Arts Competition First Round

After exchanging greetings, Wu Qingqing picked up her phone and aimed the screen at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen. A faint light flickered on the screen, and a cartoonish young boy appeared. She introduced him, "This is Mo Tianyi from Mangshan High School."

Zhang Yu was taken aback. What the heck, a 2D avatar?

The boy nodded at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, introducing himself, "Hello, I'm Mo Tianyi."

"I've already checked the surroundings. We can talk freely here."

Zhang Yu looked curiously at the phone screen and asked, "Where are you now?"

Mo Tianyi smiled slightly and replied, "I'm currently in the Spirit Realm, but the Spirit Realm is connected to the internet, so I can reach you."

Then, his expression turned serious as he asked, "Zhang Yu, I need to ask you something. Have you been taken on as a disciple by Starfire Sage?"

Before Zhang Yu could speak, Bai Zhenzhen stepped forward, blocking him and said, "He hasn't."

"I told him about the pitfalls of being a Golden Core Disciple and advised him to reject Starfire Sage."

Zhang Yu looked at Bai Zhenzhen in surprise, unsure why she said that, but he trusted her and remained silent, listening to the conversation.

Hearing Bai Zhenzhen's words, both Wu Qingqing and Mo Tianyi on the phone screen showed a hint of disappointment.

Wu Qingqing couldn't help but say, "How could you make Zhang Yu reject such an opportunity? To be admitted to the Ten Great Sects, Starfire Sage would be a strong ally."

Bai Zhenzhen scoffed, "A washed-up old man kicked out by a major sect, his cultivation already halved. If he gets divorced and his daughter takes the rest, he might end up under a bridge, looking for disciples. What's left for us to exploit? Being his disciple and working like a dog might not be better than me doing odd jobs every day."

Mo Tianyi sighed, thinking that if he had known this, he wouldn't have encouraged Bai Zhenzhen to try the art exhibition. Otherwise, Zhang Yu might have become a Golden Core Disciple, and the chances of a poor student entering the Ten Great Sects would have been much higher.

Bai Zhenzhen continued, "I'm here to introduce you to Zhang Yu."

"Though he's a bit less talented than me, he's still a rare genius and has caught the attention of the Student Union."

Mo Tianyi's screen refreshed, and he recomposed himself, smiling. "I've heard of Zhang Yu's talents."

"This Mystic Arts Competition will be a good opportunity to see them firsthand."

"That's it?" Bai Zhenzhen asked, annoyed. "How about some real investment?"

Mo Tianyi sighed, "We're all poor, and resources are limited. You know our focus is always on the leader. We don't have much to offer."

"This is a small token of my appreciation. Please don't think it's too little..."

With that, he transferred 2000 yuan to Bai Zhenzhen.

Zhang Yu watched this and thought, so this is why Bai Zhenzhen brought him here to ask for money. But it seems this 'Anti-Aristocracy Alliance' is pretty broke and can't offer much.

Seeing the transfer on her phone, Bai Zhenzhen frowned. "Only 2000?"

She knew who the leader was—the best-performing, most talented, and most promising poor student, the one everyone believed could break through the barriers and enter the Ten Great Sects. This leader had gained the trust of the poor students, who saved and pooled their resources to support him. They all hoped that once he entered a top university and a major sect, he could help them rise as well, breaking through the web of restrictions over Songyang City.

Even the art exhibition she was invited to last time might have been a ploy to get her to become a Golden Core Disciple and use her status to help the leader.

Bai Zhenzhen said, "Didn't we agree on United Vigilance and Cohesive Brotherhood? You're just talking the talk and not walking the walk. Are my membership fees wasted?"

Mo Tianyi smiled bitterly and shook his head. Compared to the 2000 yuan Bai Zhenzhen paid in membership fees, he had already taken quite a bit more, often tens of thousands of yuan. If not for her exceptional talent and the belief that she could divert a lot of attention from the leader, they wouldn't have invested so much in her.

Feeling the atmosphere becoming awkward, Wu Qingqing smiled and said, "Zhenzhen, don't worry. The leader is at a crucial moment, and we don't have much money to spare. Mo Tianyi needs the approval of the senior members to use the funds."

"I think it would be better if Zhang Yu performs well in this Mystic Arts Competition. Mo Tianyi can then talk to the seniors, and it will be more justifiable to help you financially."

After some back and forth, Bai Zhenzhen finally left the stand with Zhang Yu.

Watching them go, Wu Qingqing sighed, "Zhenzhen always comes to us for money, treating us like an Atm."

Mo Tianyi said, "When it comes to entering the Ten Great Sects, her resolve is the strongest among us. That's why she pushes so hard for money."

Mo Tianyi could clearly sense that Bai Zhenzhen didn't rely on the leader to get into the Ten Great Sects. She wanted to do it herself.

Mo Tianyi added, "I didn't expect her to bring Zhang Yu along this time."

Speaking of Zhang Yu, Wu Qingqing praised, "Improving by 70 points in a month, Zhang Yu is indeed impressive, worth our investment."

Mo Tianyi shook his head, "If he were rich, this performance would be enough to compete for a spot in the Ten Great Sects."

"But unfortunately, he's poor."

He sighed, "For a poor person to break through the barriers, good Monthly Exam scores are far from enough... far from enough..."

Behind Wu Qingqing, Ye Xianyun had been quietly reading a book, seemingly oblivious to everything around her.

...

On the other side, Bai Zhenzhen walked alongside Zhang Yu, saying, "Yu, you have to do your best in the Mystic Arts Competition today."

"At least aim for the top ten. That will give me more leverage when I ask for money."

Zhang Yu thought for a moment and asked, "What other ways are there for the poor to get into the Ten Great Sects besides United Vigilance and pooling money?"

To him, relying on a few poor students, even if they were Xian Dao geniuses from various schools, to break through the rich's blockade and get into the Ten Great Sects seemed unrealistic.

Bai Zhenzhen explained, "That's what I want to find out from them."

"From what I know, their leader is likely a second-year student from one of the three prestigious high schools."

"I don't know what methods he uses, but he hasn't signed with any school or the Student Union, hasn't been targeted, and still has the qualifications for the Imperial Entrance Exam."

"I want to know how he does it."

"The only way, for now, is to gain more influence within their group, find the leader, and get him to share his methods."

Zhang Yu asked, "How do we increase our influence?"

Bai Zhenzhen matter-of-factly replied, "As students, the way to increase influence is through exams, competitions, and results."

"Whether for the poor or the rich, the same rule applies: the better your results, the more they invest in you."

"Unfortunately, I'm not good at this Magic Power competition, so it's up to you to see how far you can go."

As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen returned to the rest area of Songyang High School, Zhang Yu suddenly noticed someone on the stand.

"Liang Qin?"

Seeing Liang Qin wave at him encouragingly, Zhang Yu nodded in greeting.

"What the heck? Coming all the way to Hongta High School to watch me compete?"

Bro, are you okay? I'll never turn my back on you again if you keep this up.

Liang Qin, watching Zhang Yu in the rest area, smiled slightly and took out his phone, opening a betting platform. Gambling was a popular pastime in Songyang City, and the platform Liang Qin often used was endorsed by the deputy mayor, offering a wide range of bets.

Checking the platform, he found various high school competition options. He had taken leave to follow Zhang Yu and collect his reward, but seeing the Magic Power competition, he couldn't resist the urge to place a bet.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu also saw a platform promotional flyer.

"Participate in the competition, or bet on it. New users get a 100 yuan bonus..."

Zhang Yu felt speechless. Gambling ads were being openly promoted at the competition? Everyone gambles, but he wouldn't, right?

Seeing this, Bai Zhenzhen immediately snatched the flyer and sternly warned, "Yu, don't touch that."

Zhang Yu said, "I think I have a good chance of making the top ten. If I bet..."

Bai Zhenzhen asked seriously, "How much do you plan to bet? What if you lose?"

Zhang Yu replied, "The odds are high..."

Bai Zhenzhen continued, "If you win, that's an even bigger problem. Your attitude towards money will change. Once you win, you'll always want to win again."

As a native of Songyang City, Bai Zhenzhen had seen many people fall because of gambling. She had even read about immortals losing everything.

She added, "I'm afraid you'll get used to it and end up losing everything."

"Yu, you really can't touch it."

With a light tap, Bai Zhenzhen crushed the flyer.

Zhang Yu took a deep breath, performed the Wild Ox Soul Stabilizing Rite, and suppressed his fleeting greed. "You're right, Zhenzhen. I was being greedy. I shouldn't touch it."

Zhang Yu understood the risks, but the economic pressure had momentarily tempted him.

A moment later, as music played, the Mystic Arts Competition officially began. Drones controlled by soul cultivators flew out, bringing the necessary props for the competition.

As the items were placed on the field, exclamations of surprise rang out.

"It's a Flying Sword!"

"Are we supposed to fly it? Is the first round this difficult? Previous competitions never had Flying Swords!"

"I'm doomed. I've never used a Flying Sword!"

The host walked to a floating Flying Sword and announced, "Nine Heavens Sword, cold and bright, one strike shakes Kunxu. Thank you to the Nine Heavens Flying Sword for co-sponsoring this Mystic Arts Competition."

Zhang Yu inwardly cursed. A flying sword manufacturer sponsors the competition, and you test flying swords in the Magic Power round? That's just faceless. If a sect known for dual cultivation sponsors, would you test that too? Go ahead, I dare you!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end