Chapter 84: Level 10, A Part-Time Job

Chapter 84: Level 10, A Part-Time Job (Thanks to Patron Dofolangming)

Inside the Tranquil Garden behind the classroom building.

With each powerful, wind-whistling movement, Zhang Yu methodically practiced his Back Dragon Flip Hand technique.

Suddenly, a teacher burst from the bushes, glaring at him. "What class are you in? Name? Why are you here during class time? Skiving off?"

Zhang Yu replied calmly, "I’m Zhang Yu from Class 1, Senior Year 1. I stepped out during math to train my martial arts."

At the mention of Zhang Yu’s name, the teacher’s sternness faltered. Hearing it was math class he’d skipped erased all traces of disapproval from the teacher’s face.

Skipping math?
If you’ve never skipped a General Knowledge course like math for the sake of cultivating Xian Dao, can you even call yourself a top student at Songyang High?

After confirming Class 1, Senior Year 1 was indeed in math, the teacher nodded. "There’s 27 minutes left. Return before the bell rings. Don’t miss the next class."

Once the teacher left, Zhang Yu resumed cultivating Back Dragon Flip Hand.

Back Dragon Flip Hand 9/90

He avoided practicing in the classroom because this martial art advanced too quickly—he didn’t want to draw attention.

As the final move snapped into place, Back Dragon Flip Hand surged to Level 10.

Instantly, a flood of martial knowledge and muscle memory surged through Zhang Yu’s mind, sharpening his mastery of Back Dragon Flip Hand, grappling, and throws to perfection.

Simultaneously, he felt the Level 10 effect:
When executing the technique, he could pinpoint his own center of gravity.

Zhang Yu realized he could also sense an opponent’s balance, disrupting it with a single motion to send them crashing down.

"I get it now—trip anyone, anytime."
"Purely practical combat arts."
"And they actually complement my Infinite Cloud Hands and Indestructible Seal Art… quite well, even?"

As white Vitality Qi erupted from his palms, Zhang Yu’s Level 10 proficiency in both techniques hinted at a revelation: combining them.

"Replace hand-strength bursts with Formless Cloud Qi… and I could grapple or throw from a distance."

A sudden epiphany struck: "Back Dragon Flip Hand relies purely on brute force, but that’s not a flaw—it’s an advantage."
"It means cultivators can channel any powerful force—Vitality Qi, palm strikes, punches—directly into this technique."
"It’s like a framework… ready to absorb countless combat methods."

In this moment, Zhang Yu grasped Song Hailong’s foresight in choosing this martial art—not only was it immediately effective for him, but it laid the groundwork for future growth.
"Was this his own idea… or did his family and private tutors plan it?"

---

Dinner time.

The cafeteria buzzed with students devouring meals—standard at any high school, whether elite or ordinary. Yet a faint aura of resentment hung in the air, a collective grudge against the cafeteria’s food.

Bai Zhenzhen strode through the hall, her icy demeanor keeping admirers at bay despite her beauty. Sitting down, she grumbled, "Half the windows now sell synthetic food. The rest are overpriced pre-made dishes. These bastards!"

The rise of Oasis Group’s synthetic food had quietly infiltrated Songyang High’s cafeteria.

She glared at Zhao Tianxing and Qian Shen. "Absolutely no buying synthetic food. We must boycott them until they bleed money!"
"Is that even fit for humans?"
"Who knows what chemicals they’ve added…"

Before she finished, Zhang Yu plopped down with a tray of mushy paste, drawing their shocked stares.

Bai Zhenzhen gasped, "Yu-zi! You’re eating that? You opposed synthetic food!"

Zhang Yu shrugged, "It’s free today. Trial event."

"I’ll see how bad it tastes", she snapped, storming to the synthetic food window.

A cafeteria auntie chirped, "Meat puree, vegetable puree, rice puree. Choose your flavor—Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, Spirit Seafood Supreme…"

Moments later, Bai Zhenzhen returned, took a bite, and froze. "This is synthetic food?"

Somehow, Xian Dao technology had transformed the sludge into something nearly indistinguishable from real pre-made dishes—textures mimicking fatty meat, leafy greens, and fish flesh.

"This isn’t the synthetic food I remember!"

Zhang Yu mused, "Big companies don’t gamble. They’ve got confidence to compete with pre-made dishes."
"Tastes decent, cheap, and convenient. Pre-made food spots might vanish from Songyang soon."

Zhao Tianxing sighed, "Then pre-made factories will collapse. More unemployment."

As they chatted, Zhang Yu noticed Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing’s unease.

Qian Shen sighed, "We’ve been recruited into the sports competition team—me, Zhao, and three other Senior Year 1 students."

He grimaced, "We scored lower than you, yet got in first… feels unfair."

Zhao Tianxing nodded nervously, fearing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s reaction.

In school hierarchies, competition team spots were status symbols—enough to fracture friendships. Lower scorers stealing spots from top students? That was academic sabotage, often ending in tragic bullying.

Zhang Yu simply smiled. "Don’t worry. We know the Student Union rigged it."

He explained the upcoming month-long trial: "We’ll train separately, then compete on physical scores. Whoever wins gets the spot."

Relief washed over them.
"Of course—scores decide everything in high school."

---

After dinner, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen left for Bailong High School.

Bai Zhenzhen said, "I negotiated with Song Hailong: two days a week, two hours each. He pays 5,000 per session—2,000 for you, 3,000 for me."

Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. "5,000 per session? Twice a week—40,000 monthly? These rich folks are insane!"

"But there’s a condition", she added. "If we lose all matches against Song Hailong in a session, we’re out."

She eyed him. "Yu-zi, can you handle him?"

Though Zhang Yu had beaten Song Hailong in the tournament, that relied on ring-out rules. If his Physical Strength Level fell further behind, victory would be harder.

"Easy", Zhang Yu said. "Song’s just tough and strong. Once my Physical Strength catches up, he’ll never win again."
"But what about you, Zhenzhen?"

Bai Zhenzhen smirked, patting her abdomen. "My godmother lent me money to rent Spirit Roots daily. My progress will shock you."

Zhang Yu leaned in. "What Spirit Root? Let me try it!"

Bai Zhenzhen frowned. "Let you… try it?"

Zhang Yu shrugged. "We’re brothers. Can’t I borrow yours?"

She hesitated. "Not sure… but maybe not impossible."

Zhang Yu groaned, "You’re stingy! I let you play with my 100,000-yuan Talisman Codex!"

Bai Zhenzhen snapped, "You only let me touch it once! Never let me tap it!"

"I feared you’d bankrupt me", he sighed. "But fine—borrow mine today."

They boarded the subway, snagging seats.

Zhang Yu resumed cultivation via Contractual Ritual, boosting his Spiritual Resolve. Bai Zhenzhen leaned against him, exploring the Talisman Codex.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Bailong High, flashed their monthly passes, and entered the training hall.

"Yu-zi, look—why are they all kneeling during class?"
"Who knows? Maybe Bai Long’s tradition."

Song Hailong stood inside, warming up. Spotting Zhang Yu, he grinned.

"Down on the ground", Song barked.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end