Chapter 51: Changes and Upgrades

Chapter 51: Changes and Upgrades

"Mastering these six moves of Infinite Cloud Hands so quickly, I could probably boost it to level 10 by tonight."

But after Zhang Yu mustered his spirits and practiced five more times, he felt his mana growing increasingly thin, making it hard for him to continue cultivating Infinite Cloud Hands.

Zhang Yu realized his initial thoughts were wrong.

"It seems I won't be able to boost Infinite Cloud Hands to level 10 in one night."

Unlike Foundation Grade techniques like Unarmed Combat, Infinite Cloud Hands consumed a lot more mana.

Even with the passive Spiritual Respiration from his Circulating Qi Method continuously restoring his mana, it was impossible for him to practice for hours on end like he did with Unarmed Combat.

So Zhang Yu sat cross-legged, letting the passive Spiritual Respiration continue to restore his mana while he practiced the Wild Ox Soul-Soothing Mantra to enhance his Dao Heart.

With this stop-and-go practice, by the end of the night, Zhang Yu had boosted Infinite Cloud Hands to level 6 (7/60).

The Formless Cloud Qi, which originally covered only his hands, now extended to his arms and shoulders, swirling like a rolling sea of clouds.

The phenomenon of the clouds rising like a pillar of smoke had vanished.

Instead, only thin wisps of smoke slowly ascended a few centimeters before dissipating into the air.

This was because, with improved control, the Vitality Qi consumed during the circulation of Formless Cloud Qi had been greatly reduced.

...

The next day, at Songyang High School.

In the Student Union office.

Zhou Chechen looked at a message on his phone and smiled. "He actually placed fourth in the mana competition? That’s quite surprising."

Lan Ling, lifting a dumbbell, said, "I heard that the competition coach from Bailong High School approached him, trying to poach him."

Zhou Chechen laughed. "With a competition rank snatched away, the students’ resumes will have one less achievement, so of course they want to poach him."

"Do you think if we sign Zhang Yu and train him specifically for the Magic Aptitude Competition, we could snatch a few more ranks from the top three schools and reduce their students' awards?"

For the wealthy in Songyang City, the number of spots at the top universities of the Ten Great Sects was limited. Fewer awards on someone’s resume meant a higher chance of success for others.

Lan Ling grumbled, "Maybe in the first year, but starting from the second year, I don’t think Zhang Yu can outperform them."

Zhou Chechen laughed. "Even so, it would still be a good move."

"It’s decided, then."

"We can’t let Bailong High School poach him."

"After this month’s monthly exam..."

Zhou Chechen clenched his hand as if he was tightly holding onto what he wanted.

"Zhang Yu must sign the contract."

Lan Ling understood what this meant: after the monthly exam, Zhang Yu had no choice but to sign the contract.

...

At the school gate, Zhao Tianxing spoke into his phone. "Got it, Mom, I know..."

A woman’s voice came through the phone. "Spend more time with Zhang Yu; look how quickly his grades are improving..."

"Got it, got it." Zhao Tianxing reluctantly hung up the phone.

As he walked through the school gate, he saw a large scrolling message on the electronic screen: "Congratulations to Zhang Yu from Class 1-1, who has won fourth place in the city-wide mana competition for the first-year group."

"It’s true..."

Although he had heard about it in several school groups yesterday, seeing the message confirmed it for him.

Thinking about how Zhang Yu, who used to sit at the same table as him, had suddenly surpassed a bunch of top students from the three major schools and won fourth place in the mana competition, Zhao Tianxing couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.

Then came a wave of shame.

Zhao Tianxing, Zhao Tianxing, your classmate achieved such great results, and you’re feeling jealous? How ugly! Where has your integrity gone?

"Ah, I can’t compare to Zhang Yu; he’s a Golden Core Disciple, a different species altogether."

"Winning fourth place in the competition must have been due to the hard work of the Starfire Sage."

"Mom even told me to spend more time with him..."

Zhao Tianxing thought bitterly, "With such a big gap, how can we even be friends?"

The rumor that Zhang Yu was a Golden Core Disciple was further solidified by his fourth-place finish in the competition.

As someone who often considered others’ thoughts, Zhao Tianxing felt a sense of inferiority when he thought about Zhang Yu’s newfound glory.

After all, Zhang Yu was a Golden Core Disciple, and his grades were pulling further and further away from his. Would Zhang Yu look down on him? In Zhang Yu’s eyes, he might already be just another average student.

If he were to approach Zhang Yu now, wouldn’t it seem too fawning? Wouldn’t others think he was just trying to bask in Zhang Yu’s glory?

Zhao Tianxing couldn’t be blamed for overthinking. Growing up in the city, he had seen too many similar situations in school.

Friendships often soured when there was a significant gap in grades.

"Ever since your grades improved, you’ve changed." "Your grades are so low, it’s embarrassing to be seen with you." "I’ll help you improve by 10 points, but don’t come to me after that..."

"Ah, if Zhang Yu doesn’t invite me to lunch today, I won’t take the initiative to ask him, to avoid being rejected."

When the last class bell rang, Zhao Tianxing glanced at Zhang Yu, who was talking to Bai Zhenzhen. He felt a twinge of envy, wishing he could have Bai Zhenzhen’s grades and chat with Zhang Yu as easily.

When he saw Zhang Yu talking to Zhou Tianyi, he envied Zhou Tianyi, who, despite having lower grades, could chat with Zhang Yu without any awkwardness. He wished he had such a good mindset.

Just then, Zhao Tianxing noticed Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Zhou Tianyi standing up and walking in his direction.

Zhao Tianxing quickly lowered his head, pretending to tidy his desk, moving books back and forth as if he couldn’t find a satisfactory arrangement, all while keeping an eye on Zhang Yu’s movements.

In his mind, he kept wondering: Will he invite me to lunch?

Zhang Yu: "Old Zhao! Let’s go eat."

Zhao Tianxing stood up quickly, smiling. "Sure, let’s go."

On the way to the cafeteria.

Zhou Tianyi said with a smile, "Zhang Yu, have you noticed that the school atmosphere seems different today?"

"Really?" Zhang Yu thought for a moment. "The teachers are still gentle, the students are still friendly, and the air is filled with the scent of learning. Everything’s good."

Zhou Tianyi: "You placed fourth in the competition, and now most of the school believes you must be a Golden Core Disciple. Haven’t you noticed that people are treating you with more respect?"

Zhang Yu recalled for a moment, and it seemed that the students’ attitudes toward him had indeed changed, with a subtle sense of distance.

Bai Zhenzhen added, "Yes, I heard people talking in the girls’ restroom. They say you must have been promoted by a Golden Core Cultivator, that you have connections and good luck."

Zhou Tianyi: "In the boys’ restroom, I heard people say you must have cracked the code to becoming a Golden Core Disciple. Ordinary people like them don’t even know where the Golden Core Disciple selection exhibition is held, let alone participate and get selected..."

Zhang Yu sighed. "I never thought that winning an honor for the school would result in alienation and jealousy."

Zhou Tianyi laughed. "Zhang Yu, the higher your grades, the better your results, the more people will envy you."

He continued, "They won’t consider your efforts or your talent. They’ll just think you have good conditions and attribute your success to luck."

Looking at Zhou Tianyi’s wistful expression, Zhang Yu mused, "I never thought you, ranked 25th in your grade, would understand so much."

Zhou Tianyi stumbled, annoyed. "I... there are over 500 students in the first-year high school, and being 25th means I’m still ahead of many."

Zhao Tianxing, seeing Zhang Yu chatting and laughing, felt his tension ease. "I didn’t think Zhang Yu would still be so approachable after winning fourth place in the competition."

But a moment later, Zhao Tianxing changed his mind. Zhang Yu had changed a little.

At the serving window, Zhang Yu said to the cafeteria auntie, "Auntie, I placed fourth in the city-wide mana competition. Could you give me a bit more meat?"

The cafeteria auntie replied, "Of course, the biggest pork rib goes to our city’s Magic Aptitude Competition fourth-place winner."

Songyang High School’s academic atmosphere was strong, and even the cafeteria staff judged people by their grades.

...

That night.

In the suburbs of Songyang City.

With a series of swift whistling sounds, a black shadow darted through the night sky, rapidly approaching Zhang Yu’s rental apartment.

Bang!

Pausing briefly at the apartment building’s entrance, the shadow slipped inside like a wisp of smoke as the door opened, swiftly reaching Zhang Yu’s floor and appearing ghost-like at his door.

Knock, knock, knock.

Zhang Yu hurriedly got up to open the door.

There stood a middle-aged man with a dragon-like gait and a dignified aura.

"Are you Mr. Zhang Yu?"

Zhang Yu nodded. "Delivery? You’re here in just over twenty minutes. Your speed is impressive."

The middle-aged man smiled and took out the item from his large backpack, presenting it to Zhang Yu. "Mr. Zhang, here is the item you ordered. Please sign for it."

A moment later, Zhang Yu closed the door and took out what he had bought.

Through the mana competition, Zhang Yu realized the gap between him and the top students from prestigious schools. This made him more eager to improve himself.

Currently, his mana was continuously restored by the Circulating Qi Method’s Spiritual Respiration, and enhancing his Dao Heart was his daily focus. The only thing he had no time to improve was his Physical Strength Level, which had temporarily stalled.

Thinking about the Martial Arts Tournament next month, where he would face off against the wealthy students from prestigious schools, Zhang Yu felt an even greater need to boost his Physical Strength Level.

After careful consideration, he bought something online.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end