https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-66-Depleting-Savings-Please-Support-with-Monthly-Votes-/13686482/
Chapter 67: The Competition Begins
Just as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen stood in awkward silence, silently contemplating borrowing some money from Lei Jun, a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu, you’re already here?"
They turned sharply, and seeing Zhao Tianxing stepping out of the subway station, they felt like two zombies spotting salvation. Without hesitation, they lunged forward and practically tackled him in a desperate embrace.
Zhao Tianxing had come specifically to watch their match.
Zhang Yu: "Old Zhao, lend me some cash—we need dinner."
Zhao Tianxing fumbled in his pocket for a moment before transferring ten yuan onto Zhang Yu’s phone, his expression one of helpless resignation. "My mom’s scared I’ll waste money. That’s all she let me bring."
Pathetic momma’s boy. I’m ashamed to be associated with you.
Still, ten yuan was better than nothing. Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen dragged their hollow stomachs into a nearby convenience store and bought a few buns. But with their current cultivation levels and physical stamina, a few buns barely scratched the surface of their hunger.
Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes gleamed green as she stared at the store. "Yu-zi," she said, "let’s rob this place."
Zhang Yu nodded. "Deal. You handle the robbery. I’ll take care of the digestion."
Bai Zhenzhen frowned. "Do you think Bailong High School provides free meals?"
Zhang Yu snorted. "Free? If they don’t charge us double, that’s already generous."
Just then, both of their eyes lit up.
There, standing before the grand entrance of Bailong High School, was a familiar figure—head bowed reverently, gazing at the school’s sign like it was a holy relic, phone raised to capture the moment.
"Old Qian!" Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen sprinted over, grabbing Qian Shen’s arms. "Please treat us to dinner—we’re starving and can’t even compete!"
Qian Shen looked at them, puzzled, then opened his phone. "Is 300 enough?"
What the hell?! Zhang Yu was stunned.
He suddenly began questioning his own life choices. What have I been doing for the past two months? Hanging out with a Card Slave like Bai Zhenzhen? And befriending a momma’s boy like Zhao Tianxing?
Old Qian—you’re the real one. You’re my true friend!
Under Qian Shen’s generous hospitality, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen devoured twelve 10-yuan combo meals, racking up a total of 120 yuan.
Pats on their slightly bloated stomachs, Bai Zhenzhen sighed contentedly. "That’s enough. We’ve got to keep our energy for the competition—just enough to stay sharp."
Zhang Yu nodded in agreement, then turned to Qian Shen. "Don’t worry, old Qian. Once we win the prize money, we’ll pay you back."
Qian Shen waved it off, then scratched his head. "Hey… is Zhang Pianpian, the one with 699 points, coming to watch your match today?"
Zhang Yu gave him a pitying look. Poor Tom—infatuated with a high-achiever like that.
He wanted to tell him, You’re 620 points. She’s 699. You two are on different planets. You’ll never be friends.
But after swallowing the last bite of his meal, Zhang Yu sighed. "She probably won’t come. She’s busy—probably prepping for college interviews and the Gaokao."
Qian Shen nodded slowly. "Yeah… she’s in senior year. Must be hectic."
Zhao Tianxing, meanwhile, kept glancing at his phone. "You’re meeting Teacher Lei at midnight, right? Time’s almost up. Should we head over?"
With that, the four of them returned to the front gate of Bailong High School. As they approached, the air seemed to shift. Just as they came within one meter of the school’s entrance, an invisible barrier activated.
A loud warning echoed from a nearby digital screen:
Non-Bailong High School personnel are prohibited from entering.
The screen flashed:
To visit the campus, please scan and purchase a Visitor Ticket.
- Single 12-hour pass: Explore up to 3 floors. Price: 500 yuan
- High School Monthly Exam or Gaokao score of 660 or above: Free entry
- Below 550 points or no high school diploma: Entry denied
Oh, come on. So it’s “Struggling Students and Dogs Not Allowed”?
Fine, 550 points and below can’t enter—but why the hell does it take 660 to get free access?
Zhang Yu stared at the screen, then at his group. In that moment, every one of them felt utterly humiliated by Bailong High School’s cold, elitist hierarchy.
And buying a ticket? His bank account barely had 500 yuan in it.
Was the competition even starting before they were already eliminated—by a 500-yuan gate fee?
Zhang Yu turned sheepishly to Qian Shen, only to find Bai Zhenzhen looking at him with the same desperate expression.
Qian Shen, however, stared at the school gate with awe. "Just as I heard—White Dragon’s gate isn’t for just anyone."
He reached for his phone, about to scan the code.
Just as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen opened their mouths to ask for a loan, Lei Jun finally arrived—late, as always.
"You two don’t need tickets," Lei Jun said, waving them off. "We’re competitors. Bailong High School issued passes."
With the electronic ticket in hand, the group finally stepped inside. Only Zhao Tianxing remained stranded outside, his face burning with embarrassment.
In front of them, Zhao Tianxing scratched his head frantically. "You go ahead. I’ll call my mom for money—once I buy a ticket, I’ll come find you."
Lei Jun nodded. "The competition venue is on Basement Level One. You can join us later."
As Zhang Yu and the others stepped into the grand building, a strange, sweet scent filled the air.
Qian Shen inhaled deeply. "Can you smell that? This aroma—like cognitive enhancement agent, blended with fruit and flowers?"
Zhang Yu groaned inwardly. Of course. The air here is literally perfumed with brain-boosting chemicals. No wonder this school is so elite.
They continued down the corridor, where the floor was split into two lanes—white in the center, red on the sides.
The white path read: Dedicated Path for Students Scoring 660+
The red path: Dedicated Path for Students Scoring Below 660
Zhang Yu blinked. Then he burst out laughing. So it’s “660 and below, stay on the side” now?
Qian Shen explained, "Every area in the school has score-based access. Students must stay within their designated zones based on their scores."
Zhang Yu stared at him, deadpan. Wait—what? You’re from Songyang. Why do you know so much about Bailong High School? Planning to defect?
They reached the elevator. But above it, a sign read: 660 and below: Prohibited from using elevator.
Zhang Yu sighed. So 660 and below aren’t even people here. They’re just ghosts—trapped, invisible, and powerless.
But luckily, they were visitors, not students. So they bypassed the rules and rode the elevator down to Basement Level One.
Before them, a massive arena—ten meters tall, spanning over ten thousand square meters—unfolded like a dream.
Hundreds of high school students wandered the field—clearly, competitors from various schools had already arrived.
But Zhang Yu scanned the crowd and saw only one thing: almost all the participants were from the three top-tier schools. Other schools? Nearly invisible.
Compared to the Mana Competition, this Martial Arts Competition is practically an internal league for the Big Three.
Around the stadium, three distinct rows of audience stands stood out. Most were scattered with students from various schools. But three sections were perfectly aligned—uniform rows of students, sitting upright, shoulders squared, like military formations.
Zhang Yu stared. "Are those the three top schools?"
He was stunned. How can students from elite schools afford to waste time watching a competition instead of studying?
Especially when he saw Bailong High School students—eyes wide, chests puffed out, glowing with unnatural energy. They looked like they’d all been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism.
Then a calm male voice came from beside them.
"All of them are first-years from the three top schools. Observing their peers’ battles helps refine their martial skills. It sharpens their self-awareness, and strengthens their resolve to pursue the Dao."
They turned to see Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School approaching, a faint smile on his face.
"I knew you’d enter the Martial Arts Competition. Good to see you."
He glanced at the group, then raised an eyebrow. "Only a few from Songyang? That’s surprising."
Then he nodded slowly. "Still… understandable. It’s Songyang, after all."
Zhang Yu felt another invisible jab to his pride—his hometown’s name, once again, used as a punchline.
But he wasn’t a Songyang loyalist. He was, in fact, an outsourced employee of the Songyang City Inspection Department.
Curious, Zhang Yu asked, "How many people from each of the three schools are here?"
Lian Tianji pointed toward a corner. "Look there—Ziyun, Bailong, Hongta. Each sent ten. We’ve already held internal trials. Only the top ten from each school earned a spot."
After parting ways with Lian Tianji, Lei Jun said, "Come on. Let’s report to the Competitor Rest Area. Qian Shen, you find your own seat in the audience."
They entered the designated rest zone. Zhang Yu surveyed the three sections:
- The VIP Lounge for the Big Three: plush sofas, recliners, drinks, fruits, snacks.
- The Shade Pavilion Area for other key schools: rows of chairs and a single box of water.
- The Mat Area for ordinary schools: just a line of wooden benches.
White Dragon’s really scared the underdogs will sneak in and eat free, huh?
"This is outright discrimination!" Zhang Yu muttered.
Meanwhile, Qian Shen watched them go, then walked toward the audience stands.
As he searched for a seat, he froze.
A familiar back turned toward him—hood up, sunglasses, mask covering the lower face. The figure turned instantly at the sight of Qian Shen.
Qian Shen stepped closer. "You… you’re He Dayou from Class 611, right?"
He Dayou had earned the right to sit with him.
But he didn’t want to be recognized—especially not by schoolmates. He was here secretly, avoiding suspicion, especially the idea that he’d come to watch Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
Now, face-to-face with Qian Shen, he sighed and turned. "Yeah… you’re here too, Qian Shen."
Qian Shen grinned. "You’re here to watch Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s match?"
He Dayou shrugged, smirking. "Their skill? Barely above average. Not worth watching."
He paused. "Actually, it’s a friend from middle school who’s competing. He invited me."
Qian Shen sat beside him. "Which school? What’s his score?"
He Dayou turned away, arms crossed. "Not interested in talking."
---
On the battlefield.
The competitors gathered.
The host stepped forward.
"To prevent strong players from being eliminated too early, this competition will begin with an Evaluation Match."
"Based on your scores, all participants will be divided into eight groups. Within each group, you’ll draw lots for a one-on-one match. Then, the eight group winners will face off in a knockout tournament."
As the crowd murmured, wondering how the evaluation would work…
A deep thud-thud-thud echoed through the arena.
From the entrance, a golden figure—over two meters tall—slowly walked in.
The announcer spoke:
"The Evaluation Match consists of each contestant fighting the Huangjin Warrior in turn."
"The average Physical Strength Level among competitors is 1.98. So the Huangjin Warrior will maintain a 1.98-level output, facing each of you for one minute."
"Judges will score you based on your performance during that minute."
"Here are the specific scoring criteria…"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
