Chapter 51: Changes and Upgrades
"This Wuji Yunshou technique—it only takes six moves, and I've mastered it so quickly. Could I really push it to Level 10 by tonight?" Zhang Yu thought with rising excitement.
But after mustering his spirit and practicing five more rounds, he felt his Martial Energy growing thinner and thinner, until it was no longer enough to sustain his cultivation of Wuji Yunshou.
Zhang Yu realized he’d been wrong.
"It seems I won’t be able to level up Wuji Yunshou to Level 10 in one night after all."
Unlike basic techniques like San Shou, Wuji Yunshou consumed vastly more Martial Energy. Even with the passive breath cultivation from Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa constantly restoring his energy, he couldn’t train for hours straight like he had with San Shou.
So Zhang Yu simply sat cross-legged, letting the passive cultivation continue restoring his energy while switching to Huangniu Zhenhun Xinfa to steadily improve his Dao Heart.
Training in fits and starts, by the time morning broke, Zhang Yu had raised Wuji Yunshou to Level 6 (7/60).
The Wuxiang Yun'gang aura now stretched from his hands all the way up his arms and shoulders, churning like a vast, endless sea of clouds. The earlier spectacle—thick, billowing smoke rising like a war signal—was gone.
Now only faint wisps of vapor rose slowly, barely ten centimeters into the air, before vanishing into thin air.
This was because, with his control improving, the consumption of spiritual energy during the technique’s execution had dropped dramatically.
……
The next day, Songyang High School.
Inside the Student Council office, Zhou Chichen glanced at the message on his phone and smiled faintly. "Fourth place in the Mana Competition? That’s quite surprising."
Lan Ling, lifting dumbbells with one hand, replied, "I heard Bailong High School’s competition coach already approached him—wanted to recruit him."
Zhou Chichen laughed. "They lost a top-ranking student this time. Their roster’s missing another trophy. Of course they’d want to snatch him."
He turned to Lan Ling with a mischievous glint. "If we sign Zhang Yu and focus on training him for the Mana Competition, couldn’t we steal a few more top spots? Make life harder for those three elite schools?"
For the wealthy families of Songyang City, the number of spots at the Top Ten Elite Universities was fixed. Every missing award on a student’s resume gave another a better shot at success.
Lan Ling sighed. "Maybe in Grade 10, but by Grade 11, I doubt Zhang Yu can still outperform them."
Zhou Chichen chuckled. "Even if that’s the case, it’s still worth it."
"Then it’s settled."
"We can’t let Bailong High School steal him."
"After this month’s Monthly Exam..."
Zhou Chichen flexed his palm slightly, as if gripping something precious in his hand.
"Zhang Yu must sign."
Lan Ling understood. That meant once the Monthly Exam ended, Zhang Yu wouldn’t have a choice—he’d have to commit.
……
Outside the school gates, Zhao Tianxing spoke into his phone. "Got it, Mom. I know…"
A woman’s voice came through the line. "You should spend more time with Zhang Yu. Look at how fast his grades are improving."
"Got it, got it." Zhao Tianxing waved off the conversation and hung up.
As he stepped through the school entrance, his eyes were drawn to the large digital screen above the main gate, scrolling endlessly with bold text:
Warm Congratulations to Class 1, Grade 10 student Zhang Yu for Winning Fourth Place in the Citywide Mana Competition for High School Seniors!
"…It’s real?"
Though he’d heard rumors in several school chat groups yesterday, seeing the words in black and white made it undeniable.
The thought of Zhang Yu—just a few days ago sitting at the same table with him—now surpassing dozens of top students from the city’s elite schools, winning fourth place in the Mana Competition, made Zhao Tianxing feel a sharp pang in his chest.
Then came shame.
Zhao Tianxing, Zhao Tianxing—how could you feel this way toward a classmate who just achieved something so incredible? How petty.
"Ah, I can’t compare. He’s a Golden Core Disciple. We’re not even in the same league."
"This fourth place must’ve been thanks to Xinghuo Immortal’s personal effort."
"Mom told me to hang out more with him…"
Zhao Tianxing sighed inwardly. "How could we even be friends now? The gap’s too wide."
The news of Zhang Yu being a Golden Core Disciple had only solidified among students after this achievement.
And as someone who always thought about others’ feelings, Zhao Tianxing couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of inferiority.
He was a Golden Core Disciple—his grades were pulling further and further ahead. Did he now look down on Zhao Tianxing? Was he already just another average student in his eyes?
If Zhao Tianxing went to him now, tried to befriend him… wouldn’t that seem desperate? Like he was trying to latch onto Zhang Yu’s fame, using his connection for personal gain?
He couldn’t be blamed for overthinking. After all, as a boy raised in the city, he’d seen this happen too many times.
When grades diverged, friendships often eroded.
“You changed after your grades went up.”
“You’re so low, I’m embarrassed to be seen with you.”
“I helped you raise ten points—now don’t ask me for help again.”
“Ah, if Zhang Yu doesn’t invite me to eat lunch today, I’ll just stay away. Better not risk being rejected.”
When the final bell rang, Zhao Tianxing subtly glanced toward Zhang Yu’s direction.
He watched as Zhang Yu chatted with Bai Zhenzhen. A pang of envy struck him. If only he had her grades, he could talk to Zhang Yu like a peer.
Then he saw Zhang Yu laughing with Zhou Tianyi. Another wave of envy. Zhou Tianyi had worse grades than him, yet he could talk to Zhang Yu so easily—no awkwardness, no hesitation. Zhao Tianxing had never had that kind of confidence.
Just then, he noticed Zhang Yu and the two others standing up and walking toward him.
Zhao Tianxing quickly ducked his head, pretending to organize his desk—shuffling books back and forth, as if unable to settle on anything. He didn’t look up.
But his heart pounded, and his mind raced with one question: Will he ask me to eat together?
Zhang Yu called out, "Old Zhao! Wanna grab lunch?"
Zhao Tianxing shot up instantly, smiling. "Yeah, sure. Let’s go."
Walking toward the cafeteria, Zhou Tianyi chuckled. "Zhang Yu, didn’t you notice something different about the school atmosphere today?"
"Really?" Zhang Yu frowned. "Teachers are still kind, classmates are still friendly. The air smells like study and focus—everything’s normal."
Zhou Tianyi grinned. "You got fourth place in the Mana Competition. Now almost everyone believes you’re definitely a Golden Core Disciple. Don’t you feel people treating you with more respect?"
Zhang Yu paused, then recalled—yes, there was something… a subtle distance in how people looked at him now.
Bai Zhenzhen spoke flatly from beside him. "I overheard girls in the girls’ restroom talking. They said you must’ve been handpicked by a Golden Core Immortal—just lucky, with connections."
Zhou Tianyi added, "I heard the same in the boys’ bathroom. They said you must’ve cracked the ‘rich girl code’—otherwise, how could someone like them even know where the Golden Core Disciple selection exhibition was held, let alone get picked?"
Zhang Yu let out a quiet sigh. "Who knew that winning honor for the school would only bring me distance and envy."
Zhou Tianyi smirked. "The higher your grades, the more people will resent you."
He spoke slowly. "They won’t think about your effort, your talent. They’ll just assume you’re lucky, or that you’ve got the right connections."
Seeing Zhou Tianyi’s thoughtful expression, Zhang Yu mused, "I didn’t expect someone ranked 25th in the grade to understand so much."
Zhou Tianyi nearly tripped. "Hey—I’m ranked 25th out of over five hundred in Grade 10. I’ve stepped on quite a few people to get here."
Zhao Tianxing, watching Zhang Yu laugh and talk so easily, began to relax. "Guess Zhang Yu hasn’t changed after winning fourth place. Still down-to-earth."
But just moments later, Zhao Tianxing revised his thought—Zhang Yu had changed, just a little.
At the cafeteria counter, Zhang Yu turned to the server. "Hey, I’m the fourth-place winner in the city’s Mana Competition. Could you give me a little extra meat?"
The server grinned. "Sure thing! Here’s the biggest rib for our city’s fourth-place champion!"
Even the cafeteria staff in Songyang High School judged by scores.
……
That night.
In the outskirts of Songyang City.
A sharp whoosh cut through the air as a dark silhouette darted through the night sky, rapidly approaching Zhang Yu’s apartment.
Thud!
The figure paused briefly at the building’s entrance, then slipped through the open door like a wisp of smoke—flickering up the stairs, vanishing into the darkness, and appearing silently outside Zhang Yu’s door.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Zhang Yu sprang to his feet and rushed to open the door.
Standing there was a middle-aged man, broad-shouldered and commanding, with an aura of quiet strength. His presence was like a mountain standing still.
"Mr. Zhang Yu?"
Zhang Yu nodded. "Delivery from Songyou Express? You’re fast—twenty minutes, and you’re already here."
The man smiled, then pulled a package from the large backpack behind him. "Mr. Zhang, your order. Please sign for it."
A few moments later, Zhang Yu closed the door and laid out his purchase.
Thanks to the Mana Competition, Zhang Yu had finally seen how far behind he was compared to the elite students from top schools. The realization made him even more determined to improve.
Right now, his Martial Energy was being constantly replenished by Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, and his Dao Heart was his daily focus. Only his Physical Strength Level remained stagnant—untouched, untrained.
And with the Martial Arts Competition just a month away—where he’d inevitably face off against wealthy students from elite schools—Zhang Yu knew he needed to strengthen his body.
After careful budgeting, he’d bought a few things online.
(End of Chapter)
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