https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-54-Tianwu-Cultivation-of-the-Heart/13686464/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-56-Spiritual-Assistant-Examination/13686466/
Chapter 55: Zhang Yu's Choice
6 a.m. The sky was still hazy with dawn when Zhao Tianxing was already nearing school. This was far earlier than his usual arrival time—only because today’s monthly exam results would be announced. Ever since last night, Zhao Tianxing hadn’t been able to focus on studying or cultivation. So today, he’d come early, desperate to see his score the moment it was posted.
“This Daoxin Exam was tough. I hope I at least scraped 60 points.”
“Ugh, the Daoxin test was brutal. I used Happiness Powder twenty-three times… not sure how many points I’ll get…”
Unlike Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, who didn’t even bother checking their scores after exams, Zhao Tianxing was the kind of student who’d hunt down others to compare results. If someone else got the same answer, he’d quietly rejoice. If not, he’d keep asking more people. For something like the Daoxin Exam, he’d even ask how many times others pressed the button or injected the powder.
Hearing someone used more doses? He’d smile and say, “Good job,” while secretly celebrating.
Hearing someone used fewer? He’d act indifferent, but inwardly, his heart sank with disappointment.
At about two hundred meters from the school gate, Zhao Tianxing spotted a crowd already gathered—students just like him, all waiting eagerly to see their results. There were those who felt they’d improved and couldn’t wait to check their rankings. Others feared their grades had dropped so much they’d be moved to a lower class. And then there were the pure score slaves—just desperate to know their number before anyone else.
Zhao Tianxing spotted Qian Shen standing at the front, calmly practicing cultivation techniques while waiting. He knew Qian Shen always arrived first for every monthly exam announcement.
Glancing at the still-closed school gate, Zhao Tianxing decided to sit in a quiet corner and opened his book, starting to review again.
After a few minutes, the gate creaked open with a soft creak.
Students rushed forward like sardines in a net, surging into the school grounds.
When Zhao Tianxing reached the classroom door, he saw Qian Shen already standing there, eyes fixed on the posted results. At that moment, Qian Shen exhaled—relieved.
Yes, his total score had dropped due to the practical exam, but at least…
“Phew… at least Zhang Yu’s score matches his actual strength. The evaluation system at Songyang High School still isn’t broken.”
Meanwhile, Zhao Tianxing glanced around. “Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen still haven’t arrived?”
“Hmm… makes sense. With their abilities, they already know the results.”
A pang of envy hit him. When will I ever have the confidence to not care about my scores?
He hurried forward and scanned the list from top to bottom.
1st place: Zhang Yu – 653 points
2nd place: Bai Zhenzhen – 652 points
Zhao Tianxing silently sighed. They must’ve gotten near-perfect scores in every subject except Daoist Arts.
He knew this wasn’t the end—exams only got harder over time, standards kept rising. Many upperclassmen dropped in performance because their growth couldn’t keep pace. But for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen? Their talent made it likely they’d stay at the top.
Again, envy crept in. If only I had their talent…
Then he found his name.
8th place: Zhao Tianxing – 594 points
A moment later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen entered the classroom.
Zhao Tianxing watched as they glanced at the results—just a brief look—and then turned away, as if the list meant nothing to them.
Seeing that, Zhao Tianxing couldn’t help but admire their calm.
They’re so cool…
In contrast, he’d been anxious all night, rushing here first thing this morning.
Ugh… I’m such a loser.
But then, something struck him. Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen seemed… troubled.
How can two top students be worried?
Just then, a dark blur flashed past the window.
Boom!
A massive explosion echoed from the first floor.
Another student had cracked under pressure.
…
That evening, when Zhang Yu returned to the school’s Meditation Chamber to use his weekly free access to a spiritual root, Wei Xin swiped his Student Card and frowned.
“Hmm? It’s not working.”
“Zhang Yu, wait a sec—I’ll go check with someone.”
Zhang Yu took the card back. “No need. I probably just misremembered.”
He didn’t need to ask. He already knew—this was another trick from the Student Union.
Later, on his way home, Zhang Yu stared at a message on his phone. His face twisted into a bitter laugh.
It was a message from Lei Jun, his martial arts instructor.
> “Zhang Yu, the school feels your Physical Strength Level needs more refinement. We’re going to hold you back for a year. You’ll re-enter the martial arts competition next year.”
Zhang Yu exhaled slowly.
Mana Competition. Sports Competition. Martial Arts Competition.
The Student Union was systematically stripping him of every chance to compete—cutting off his path entirely.
And they’d keep chipping away at his privileges—free spiritual root access, scholarships, all of it.
If this continued, he’d be back to working odd jobs after class, just like before.
…I’m still too weak.
At the bus stop, he tried to practice the Tianwu Heart Cultivation Scripture, but his movements felt stiff, unnatural.
Because he no longer had the mindset to fight—to fight everything, all the time.
The cultivation method demanded relentless battle spirit. But Zhang Yu felt like he carried a fire inside, burning but trapped, with no way out.
As he walked down the alley toward his apartment, he thought:
Should I go see Li Xuelian? If she sees my current level in the Tianwu Heart Scripture, would Xinghuo Immortal consider taking me as a disciple?
Could I use Xinghuo Immortal as leverage—create a bargaining chip?
But then he sighed. Xinghuo Immortal’s probably just another one who wants me to sign a life contract.
He looked up at the sky. The entire city of Songyang felt like a giant dining table. And right now, he and Bai Zhenzhen were two dishes—being eyed by wealthy patrons, waiting to be picked.
Run?
Flee to another city, work odd jobs, cultivate in secret for ten or twenty years… then come back?
But what about Zhenzhen? Would she go with me?
And that stupid Ritual? It’s forcing me to go to university. She’d never agree to run away.
He opened the door to his apartment—then froze.
There, seated on his chair, was a tall girl in a Bailong High School uniform.
Her long hair was tied into a ponytail at the back. Her pale, delicate hands gently stroked the hilt of a long sword resting across her lap.
Zhang Yu swallowed hard.
“S-Sister…?”
The girl was Zhang Pianpian—Zhang Yu’s older sister.
But he hadn’t expected her to be a student at Bailong High School. This was completely absent from his memories.
Especially that large number “1” emblazoned on her chest—signifying she was the top student in her grade.
How had she achieved this? And why had the original Zhang Yu never known?
Zhang Pianpian stared at him coldly.
“Go see Zhou Chichen. Sign the contract.”
Zhang Yu frowned instinctively. “You’re here to make me sign?”
Zhang Pianpian said flatly, “I’m doing this for your own good. If you keep resisting, they’ll kill you.”
Zhang Yu thought of the Ritual binding him. He replied just as coldly, “Signing that contract… is signing my death warrant.”
Their gazes locked in silence. Zhang Pianpian saw the unshakable resolve in his eyes—something like accepting death without fear.
She nodded slowly.
“Huh. I didn’t expect you to become this way.”
“I thought you’d be better suited for a quiet, ordinary life.”
“But if you refuse to sign with Songyang High School… then come with me. I’ll take you to Bailong High School.”
Zhang Yu blinked, stunned. So many questions swirled in his mind—but the one that mattered most slipped out:
“Can I make it into the Top Ten?”
Zhang Pianpian smirked. “Of course.”
“Now you’re showing real ambition. That’s why I’ll give you a chance to try.”
Though this was his first time meeting his sister, Zhang Yu stared at her—and felt nothing familiar. She was utterly alien, a stranger in the body of someone he once knew.
Was this really his sister? Had money and grades completely changed her?
But he didn’t have time for questions.
He asked the second most important thing:
“Can you bring someone else with you?”
Zhang Pianpian tilted her head, curious.
“Who?”
Zhang Yu said, “Can you bring Bai Zhenzhen to Bailong High School?”
Zhang Pianpian blinked. “Why?”
“She’s my brother. I want to protect her.”
If I leave, and only she stays behind… the Student Union will go even harder on her.
Zhang Pianpian looked genuinely confused. “Brother? Is Bai Zhenzhen part of our family?”
At first, Zhang Yu thought she was mocking him. But her expression was dead serious.
He clarified: “I mean… we’re really close. I’ve known her since I was at my lowest. When I had nothing, she gave me 500 yuan—and bought me a meal.”
Zhang Pianpian still looked blank. “Can’t you just pay her back?”
“Not with money.”
“Not even 5,000?”
“It’s not about the amount.”
He felt even more unsettled. This wasn’t the sister from his memories.
After a long pause, Zhang Pianpian said, “Bailong High School has limited spots. I can only take one person.”
Zhang Yu’s heart sank.
But then she added:
“But if you pass a test… both of you can be protected.”
“What kind of test?”
“Spiritual Assistant. Or Spiritual Job Outsourcing.” Zhang Pianpian said calmly. “As long as you hold an official position under a divine bureau, no one will dare touch you while I’m still in high school.”
“I’ll recommend you.”
“But understand—if you come with me to Bailong High School, you’ll be safe until graduation.
But if you only get this Spiritual Assistant status, then after I enter university… they won’t hesitate.”
There’s only half a year left until I graduate.
Are you willing to take that risk?”
(End of Chapter)
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