Chapter 55: Zhang Yu's Decision

Chapter 55: Zhang Yu's Decision

Chapter 55: Zhang Yu's Decision

6:00 AM.

When the sky was still dim, Zhao Tianxing was almost at school.

This was much earlier than his usual time, all because the Monthly Exam results were to be announced that morning.

Since last night, Zhao Tianxing had been unable to focus on studying or practicing. Today, he decided to come to school early to be the first to see his scores.

"This Taoist Arts exam was quite difficult. I wonder if I can get at least 60 points."

"Ah, the Dao Heart Exam was also very tough. I used Euphoria Powder twenty-three times. I wonder how many points I'll get..."

Unlike Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, who were indifferent to their scores after the exam, Zhao Tianxing was the type of student who would seek out others to compare answers.

If someone's answers matched his, he would secretly feel satisfied. If they were different, he would often ask a few more people for confirmation.

For the Dao Heart Exam, he would ask others how many times they pressed the button or used Euphoria Powder.

When he heard that others used it more than him, he would console them, but secretly feel relieved. If he heard that they used it less, he would pretend to be indifferent, but inwardly feel disappointed and sad.

At this moment, about two hundred meters from the school gate, he saw a group of students already gathered there, clearly all eager to see the results as early as possible.

Some felt they had improved and were eager to know their rankings. Others felt their scores were slipping and were worried about being moved to a different class.

Of course, there were also those who were simply score slaves, eager to know their exact scores.

Zhao Tianxing noticed Qian Shen standing at the front, practicing while waiting. He knew that Qian Shen always arrived first whenever the Monthly Exam results were announced.

Glancing at the closed school gate, Zhao Tianxing found a corner to sit down and started reviewing his book.

A few minutes later, with a creak, the school gate of Songyang High School opened.

The students waiting at the gate immediately swarmed in like sardines in a net, rushing toward the school.

When Zhao Tianxing reached the classroom door, he saw Qian Shen already standing there.

Qian Shen was staring at the posted results, and a weight seemed to lift from his heart.

Although his total score had dropped due to the practical exam, at least...

"Phew... At least Zhang Yu's score matches his abilities. The Monthly Exam evaluation system at Songyang High School is temporarily free of bugs."

On the other side, Zhao Tianxing glanced around at the other students and thought, "Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen haven't arrived yet?"

"Ah, it makes sense. With their abilities, they probably already know their scores."

Zhao Tianxing felt a wave of envy. He wished he could have the confidence and composure to not rush to see his scores.

He quickly walked up and began searching for his name from top to bottom.

1st place, Zhang Yu, 653 points

2nd place, Bai Zhenzhen, 652 points

Seeing these two names, Zhao Tianxing sighed inwardly, "They must have scored close to full marks in all subjects except Taoist Arts."

Of course, Zhao Tianxing knew this didn't mean they could relax. As time passed, the difficulty and standards of the Monthly Exam would increase, requiring students to continuously improve to maintain their scores.

Many students in the upper grades saw their scores drop because their growth couldn't keep up with the rising standards.

But Zhao Tianxing believed that with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's talents, maintaining their scores shouldn't be a problem.

Thinking of this, he felt even more envious. "If only I had their talent."

Continuing his search, he finally found his name and felt a surge of joy.

8th place, Zhao Tianxing, 594 points

Soon after, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen entered the classroom.

Zhao Tianxing noticed that they only glanced briefly at the rankings, seemingly unconcerned.

Seeing this, Zhao Tianxing thought that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen looked really cool.

In contrast, he had been anxious all night and rushed to school early to see his scores.

"Ah, I'm such a wimp."

But in the following moments, Zhao Tianxing sensed that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen seemed to have something on their minds.

He couldn't imagine what they, the top two students, could possibly be worried about.

At that moment, a black shadow flashed by the window.

A loud bang came from the first floor.

Another student had collapsed.

...

After school that day.

When Zhang Yu arrived at the school's Cultivation Chamber to use his free Spirit Root rental for the week, he saw Wei Xin scan his Student ID Crystal and then look puzzled.

"Huh? It's not working?"

"Zhang Yu, please wait a moment, I'll check..."

Zhang Yu took back his Student ID Crystal. "No need, I must have made a mistake."

Zhang Yu knew without asking that this was another trick by the Student Council.

On his way home, as he read the message on his phone, he felt a mix of anger and amusement.

The message was from Lei Jun, his Martial Arts teacher and combat mentor.

"Zhang Yu, the school thinks your Physical Strength Level needs more training. They plan to have you take a year off and participate in the Martial Arts competition next year."

Zhang Yu exhaled slowly.

Spiritual Power competition, sports competition, Martial Arts competition... Clearly, the Student Council was trying to eliminate all his chances to participate, cutting off his path.

They would also gradually reduce his benefits, like the free Spirit Root rental.

If this continued, Zhang Yu might have to go back to working part-time after school.

"I'm still too weak..."

At the bus stop, he took the opportunity to practice the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra, but the more he practiced, the more awkward it felt.

He deeply felt that his mindset was not in line with the requirements of this cultivation method.

Zhang Yu felt a burning frustration inside him, with no outlet for release.

Walking through the alley to his apartment, Zhang Yu thought, "Should I seek out Li Xuelian? If the Starfire Cultivator sees my current level of the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra, might they want to take me as a disciple?"

"Could I use the Starfire Cultivator to gain more negotiation room?"

But thinking that the Starfire Cultivator might just be another person who wanted him to sign an Indentured Contract, Zhang Yu sighed again.

Looking up at the sky, he felt that the entire Songyang City was like a giant dining table, and he and Bai Zhenzhen were like dishes being picked over by wealthy customers.

"Should I run away?"

"Run to another city, work part-time, and cultivate, developing for a few more years before coming out again?"

"But what about Zhenzhen? Would she be willing to run away?"

"Ah, this stupid Contractual Ritual is forcing me to go to college, and they probably wouldn't agree..."

Opening the door to his apartment, Zhang Yu was momentarily stunned.

A tall girl in Bailong High School's uniform was sitting in his chair, her long hair tied back in a ponytail, and her delicate hands gently stroking the sheath of a long sword on her lap.

Zhang Yu spoke with some difficulty. "Sis... Sis?"

The girl in Bailong High School's uniform was none other than Zhang Pianpian, the sister of Zhang Yu's original self.

But he was surprised to learn that she was a student at Bailong High School, something completely absent from his original memories.

Especially the large number 1 on her chest, indicating that Zhang Pianpian was the top student in her grade at Bailong High School.

Could Zhang Yu's sister really have achieved this? How did she do it? Why did the original Zhang Yu know nothing about it?

Zhang Pianpian looked at him coldly and said, "Go see Zhou Chechen and sign the contract."

Zhang Yu instinctively frowned. "You're here to make me sign the contract?"

Zhang Pianpian replied coolly, "I'm doing this for your own good. If you keep resisting, they'll force you to the brink."

Zhang Yu thought of the Contractual Ritual on his body and said equally coolly, "Making me sign the contract is the same as making me die."

Their gazes clashed in the air. Seeing Zhang Yu's unwavering determination, Zhang Pianpian nodded slightly.

"I didn't expect you to become like this."

"I thought you were better suited to a peaceful, ordinary life."

"Since you're unwilling to sign with Songyang High School, come with me. I'll take you to Bailong High School."

Zhang Yu was taken aback, his mind filled with questions, but he asked what he considered the most critical one. "Can I still take the exams for the Ten Great Sects?"

Zhang Pianpian smiled. "Of course."

"Your current determination to pursue the Xian Dao is finally showing. Since that's the case, I'm willing to give you a chance to take the exams for the Ten Great Sects."

Although it was the first time meeting his original sister, Zhang Yu felt that this Zhang Pianpian was vastly different from the one in his original memories, almost a stranger.

Was it money and scores that had completely changed Zhang Yu's sister?

But Zhang Yu knew this wasn't the time to dwell on it, so he asked what he considered the second most important question.

Zhang Yu: "Can I bring someone else with me?"

Seeing Zhang Pianpian tilt her head curiously, Zhang Yu continued, "Can Bai Zhenzhen come with us to Bailong High School?"

Zhang Pianpian looked puzzled. "Why?"

Zhang Yu: "She's my close friend. I want to help her."

He thought, "If I leave and leave Zhenzhen to face the Student Council alone, they'll probably be even more ruthless."

Zhang Pianpian looked confused. "Close friend? Is Bai Zhenzhen related to us?"

Zhang Yu initially thought Zhang Pianpian was mocking him, but seeing her serious expression, he explained, "I mean, we're very close friends."

"When I was at my lowest point, she gave me 500 and took me out to eat."

Zhang Pianpian still looked puzzled. "Can't you just transfer her 500 now?"

Zhang Yu: "No, it's not about the money."

He found Zhang Pianpian even more strange. This wasn't the sister from his original memories.

Seeing Zhang Yu's insistence, Zhang Pianpian pondered for a moment and said, "Bailong High School has limited spots. I can only bring one person."

Zhang Yu's heart sank.

But Zhang Pianpian continued, "However, if you can pass a test..."

"Both of you can be protected."

Zhang Yu quickly asked, "What test?"

"Divine Assistant, or Divine Ministry outsourcing", Zhang Pianpian said coolly. "If you have an identity under the Divine Ministry, no one will dare to mess with you, at least until I graduate from high school and go to college."

"I can recommend you for the test."

"But you should understand, if you come with me to Bailong High School, you'll be protected until you graduate."

"But if you rely solely on the Divine Assistant identity, they'll have fewer scruples once I go to college."

"And I only have half a year left until I graduate from high school."

"Are you willing to take that risk?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end