Chapter 53: After the Monthly Exam, the Storm Approaches

Chapter 53: After the Monthly Exam, the Storm Approaches

Inside the Half-Constructed Tower.

Zhang Yu, clad in a Weighted Garment, unleashed a powerful punch, his foot slamming into the concrete floor, causing a loud thud to echo through the floor.

Drenched in sweat, Zhang Yu didn't pause, continuing to practice the 36 Body Strengthening Forms, moving through each technique with precision.

His entire body was burning hot, emitting faint wisps of white vapor in the cold night air.

Ever since he managed to maintain the Wild Ox Soul-Soothing Mantra while practicing Infinite Cloud Hands to level 10 a week ago, Zhang Yu had begun to challenge himself with higher difficulty, focusing on the 36 Body Strengthening Forms at level 10.

At first, this was incredibly difficult, a test of both his physical and mental limits.

Fortunately, as long as he could maintain the mantra, the Wild Ox Soul-Soothing Mantra always brought him a sense of joy and satisfaction.

But when he couldn't maintain the mantra?

The Ritual Force would guide Zhang Yu back on track, helping him to maintain it.

For example, at this very moment, as Zhang Yu's focus wavered and the Mind Focus Diagram in his mind began to blur, he knew the Contractual Ritual would start nagging at him.

"Please adhere to the Contractual Ritual agreement, strive to fulfill your wishes, and do not deliberately procrastinate, 10."

Zhang Yu quickly refocused, striving to maintain the Wild Ox Soul-Soothing Mantra, and the Mind Focus Diagram in his mind gradually became clear again.

Damn!

Although the cold had dissipated, Zhang Yu couldn't help but curse under his breath.

Just then, his phone rang in the dark Half-Constructed Tower.

To Zhang Yu, this sound was like a heavenly tune.

Fortunately, the Contractual Ritual had enough sense to let him take a break while answering the call.

Picking up his phone, Zhang Yu saw a message from Zhou Chechen, the vice president of the Student Union.

Zhou Chechen: Zhang Yu, how are you doing with your decision?

Zhang Yu glanced at the time.

Hmm, a message from the Student Union at four in the morning—this is our normal sleep schedule in Songyang City.

Zhang Yu: I want to focus on preparing for the Monthly Exam first. We can discuss the contract after the exam.

Zhou Chechen: Haha, no problem. We'll talk after the Monthly Exam. I've prepared a contract that will definitely satisfy you. I look forward to the day we sign it.

Although Zhang Yu knew Zhou Chechen probably said this to all potential signees, it was impossible not to feel a bit uncomfortable with the constant attention.

"Unfortunately, it's not a pure friendship without any ulterior motives."

The thought of continuing to play along with Zhou Chechen made Zhang Yu feel somewhat uneasy.

"I wonder if he'll change his attitude after I refuse him again after this Monthly Exam."

Zhang Yu looked up and glanced at his Feather Book.

Dao Heart Level 2 (93%)
Spiritual Power 18.7
Physical Strength Level 1.33

After these days of intense training, his strength had significantly improved.

Especially his Dao Heart, which was now very close to level 3, and his Spiritual Power, which was already the top in the first-year class at Songyang High School, even surpassing Bai Zhenzhen.

His Physical Strength Level had dropped to the 7th or 8th position due to a break of over half a month, but Zhang Yu estimated that with his current state, it wouldn't be long before he dominated this category as well in Songyang City's first-year class.

But even so, he was still far from the level required to enter the Ten Great Sects' top schools.

With that in mind, he took a deep breath and resumed his intense training.

...

On the day of the Monthly Exam.

A solemn atmosphere permeated the high school campus.

But for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, the Monthly Exam itself was no longer a significant source of worry.

After smoothly completing the theoretical exam in the morning and having lunch, Zhang Yu, after a midday cultivation session, headed to the computer lab for the Taoist Arts exam, finishing the test with a sweat-drenched forehead.

Next came the final exam of the day—Martial Arts combat.

His opponent this time was Qian Shen.

Qian Shen's gaze was complex as he looked at Zhang Yu.

Because his opponent, who had scored six points lower than him in the previous Monthly Exam, had also scored several points higher in the Spiritual Power competition.

So while Zhang Yu's score might be lower, it was also somewhat unlikely. This made Zhang Yu appear even more unpredictable and complex in Qian Shen's eyes, the first person who had scored lower than him in the Monthly Exam but made him extremely cautious.

Zhang Yu, seeing Qian Shen's cautious expression, smiled slightly and said, "Here I come."

In the next moment, he shot forward with a palm strike, appearing in front of Qian Shen in an instant.

Despite Qian Shen's caution, after a dozen or so exchanges, he gradually fell into a disadvantage.

Finally, with a gust of wind rushing toward him, he looked at the fist stopping in front of his head and said helplessly, "I lose."

But before the second round began, he stared at Zhang Yu and said seriously, "You didn't use your full strength, did you? You didn't even use Infinite Cloud Hands."

Qian Shen had watched Zhang Yu learn Infinite Cloud Hands during the competition and knew that Zhang Yu had gained the right to use this martial art.

Moreover, in the past two weeks of Martial Arts classes, Zhang Yu had always used Infinite Cloud Hands whenever he sparred with Bai Zhenzhen.

Qian Shen said sternly, "Use Infinite Cloud Hands. Fight me with your full strength."

"We are in the Monthly Exam, not in a practice session."

"I want every point I earn to be genuine."

"Use your full strength, and don't insult my score."

Zhang Yu took a deep breath. "I understand."

He thought to himself, "My rare moments of happiness during my intense training are about to end again, aren't they?"

Zhang Yu shot forward again, his palm, enveloped in Formless Cloud Qi, striking Qian Shen with a powerful force.

Having already witnessed the power of Infinite Cloud Hands in practical combat, Qian Shen naturally chose not to engage in a direct confrontation.

As he dodged, he kicked out fiercely at Zhang Yu's lower body.

However, Zhang Yu's other palm, enveloped in layers of cloud qi, blocked the kick.

Qian Shen's leg struck the cloud qi, feeling as if he had kicked a light, insubstantial mist. But in the next moment, a powerful force rebounded, sending him flying out of bounds.

The second match ended.

The third match began.

After that battle, Qian Shen regretted his earlier words.

While shouting confidently had looked cool, getting a low score in the practical exam was truly frustrating.

Not far away, Lei Jun's gaze shifted from Zhang Yu and Qian Shen to Bai Zhenzhen and He Dayou on the other side.

Seeing He Dayou being easily defeated by Bai Zhenzhen, Lei Jun thought to himself, "The skill gap is too large. For the next Monthly Exam, I might as well skip the draw and just pair Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen for the practical exam."

...

The next morning was the Dao Heart and Spiritual Power exams.

Re-entering the Spirit Realm, Zhang Yu found himself bound to a hospital bed, with an injection on his left and a button on his right.

A female voice came over the intercom: "The best elixirs, choose Ziyun. Ziyun Medicine, dedicated to all ages, one dose and all ailments disappear. Thank you to Ziyun Corporation for co-sponsoring this Monthly Exam..."

Listening to the rules being explained, Zhang Yu finally understood that the content of this Dao Heart exam was—happiness.

Each time the button was pressed, the injection would administer a potion called Euphoria Powder.

Once the exam started, a dose of Euphoria Powder would be automatically injected into the candidate.

The requirement was to press the button as little as possible, minimizing the number of injections. The fewer injections, the higher the rank and score.

This new drug, developed by Ziyun Corporation, was said to relax the mind, stimulate the brain, and bring supreme happiness.

According to Ziyun Corporation's own claims, the drug had no side effects, no addictive properties, and had passed clinical trials...

Zhang Yu, of course, did not believe this.

"Damn scammers."

"Using this kind of ad during the Monthly Exam, huh?"

"The person who set this Dao Heart exam is really going too far. One day, I'll crush them..."

Although he was in the virtual world of the Spirit Realm, and the Euphoria Powder would only provide a virtual sensation, Zhang Yu couldn't help but curse loudly. In the end, he reluctantly felt the Euphoria Powder being injected into his body.

Intense pleasure continuously assaulted Zhang Yu's brain. Even with his willpower and cultivation, he couldn't resist pressing the button twice before the exam ended, showing just how potent the Euphoria Powder was.

...

Compared to the intense Dao Heart exam, the Spiritual Power exam and physical tests seemed rather mundane.

But after the physical tests, when Wang Hai once again requested that Zhang Yu join the competition team, he was again refused.

The reason given was that Zhang Yu's physical performance had declined and he needed more time to improve.

However, in private, Wang Hai was told that this was related to the Student Union.

After some thought, Wang Hai sent a message to Zhang Yu the next day.

"Do you have any conflicts with the Student Union? They seem to be against you joining the school's athletic team."

...

Inside the Half-Constructed Tower.

Wearing a Weighted Garment, Zhang Yu stood quietly, feeling the changes in his Sea of Consciousness.

He had finally reached Dao Heart Level 3.

His control over his physical body had become more refined, the Spiritual Power in his Dantian more lively and controllable. Even every piece of Flesh Cultivation and every strand of strength in his body felt more coordinated and comfortable.

Even the mental fatigue he had been feeling for days seemed to vanish, leaving him feeling incredibly refreshed.

Dao Heart Level 3 (0%)

This was how Zhang Yu felt after reaching Dao Heart Level 3—his control over his body and his power had become much stronger.

"Finally, Dao Heart Level 3."

"Can I start cultivating the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra now?"

Zhang Yu had long been eager to cultivate this Expert Grade technique passed down by a Golden Core Cultivator.

Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra! Let me see your limits!

Almost immediately after reaching Dao Heart Level 3, he eagerly switched his Feather Book Specialization to this technique.

The Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra includes nine sets of martial arts: fist, palm, leg, finger, claw, sword, knife, spear, and staff.

These nine sets of martial arts include fighting techniques and body cultivation methods, but the key is not in the techniques themselves.

The true essence of the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra lies in understanding the intentions contained within the nine sets of martial arts, using them to refine one's Martial Dao Will Concept.

Zhang Yu began practicing these nine sets of martial arts from start to finish, just like he had at the art exhibition.

With each move, the air around him trembled, and the cement floor shook under his feet.

After raising his Foundation Grade Unarmed Combat to Level 5, his Foundation Grade 36 Body Strengthening Forms to Level 10, and his Advanced Grade Infinite Cloud Hands to Level 10, and after engaging in hundreds of practical combats with Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu's perspective had completely changed.

The more he cultivated, the more he felt that these techniques not only included fighting methods but also body cultivation methods, covering a wide range of areas. Once mastered, they could be used to strengthen the body and to fight enemies.

"...It just takes a bit of time."

Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra Level 1 (0/10)

Wearing the Weighted Garment, Zhang Yu spent nearly 14 minutes practicing all nine sets of martial arts.

Noticing this, Zhang Yu felt a twinge of pain in his liver.

He knew this technique would be a long and arduous journey.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end