Chapter 97: Preparation, Dropping Classes

Chapter 97: Preparation, Dropping Classes (Thanks to Patron xX_Acid_Xx)

After Bai Zhenzhen agreed, Zhang Yu said, “I checked with the school. There’s still a shortage of teachers for high school foundation techniques. Lately, I’ve noticed your cultivation level in these techniques—shouldn’t it be pretty high by now?”

Two months ago, Bai Zhenzhen’s proficiency in all high school foundation techniques had already reached levels 4 and 5. But since then, for the first time in her life, she’d gradually loosened the restraints on her Spirit Root, throwing herself into cultivation with reckless abandon.

This had given her an unprecedented experience. With her Spirit Root constantly active, its effects on her body grew stronger day by day, harmonizing with her and amplifying her progress. Now, nearly all her foundation techniques had soared to levels 9 and 10.

Such astonishing advancement would surely draw the attention of countless experts—and even corporations.

So… should she tell Zhang Yu? But recalling how Zhang Yu had confessed his involvement in the deadly Dark Tutoring World, she realized that as partners sworn to enter the Ten Great Sects together, keeping secrets felt disloyal.

“Besides, Zhang Pianpian already knows.”
“And I’ve been letting Yuzi play with it lately. He’ll find out sooner or later anyway.”

With that thought, Bai Zhenzhen leaned close to Zhang Yu, whispering by his ear, “I’ve basically mastered all the first-year high school foundation techniques up to levels 9 and 10.”

Though he’d long suspected Zhenzhen had unlocked her potential, Zhang Yu still felt a flicker of surprise. Then he remembered the Cloth Doll Deity’s mention of the Spirit Root at lunch. Could this be related to the Spirit Root inside Zhenzhen?

The Cloth Doll Deity, hearing Bai Zhenzhen’s words, also felt a jolt: Goodness! Where did this freak come from? Did someone finally awaken her potential?

Seeing Zhang Yu’s stunned expression, Bai Zhenzhen smirked, then leaned in again, whispering with a hint of smugness, “Want to know how I did it?”

Rubbing his slightly itchy ear, Zhang Yu replied, “Tell me when you feel like it. No rush.”

So she’s cheating? Like anyone here’s innocent.

Changing the subject, Zhang Yu continued, “Tonight, I’ll ask around which high school foundation courses are most popular and understaffed. You prepare for the next few days—we’ll go try out for a teaching role soon.”

Bai Zhenzhen stared at him, puzzled. Doesn’t he even care how I advanced so fast?

She’d been ready to share everything, but seeing his indifferent expression, she felt like a child eager to show off a treasure, only to find the adults uninterested.

Hmph! Wait until my Spirit Root can power you too. We’ll see who’s begging whom.

With that thought, she stormed off to train in a huff.

Over the next few days, while helping Bai Zhenzhen prepare for tutoring, Zhang Yu focused on cultivating his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.

One day, as they trained together on the rooftop, his muscles hummed with energy. He refined his sinews, organs, and bones, feeling his physical strength rise steadily under the Primordial Chaos Pill’s effects.

He could sense that this wasn’t just boosting his physical strength—his body’s innate potential and talent were deepening as well, nourished by the pill’s power.

“Even though the Kunxu Realm’s first layer prohibits cultivation before high school, with the Ten Great Sects enforcing strict penalties for illegal training,” Zhang Yu mused, “the rich have always had an edge.”

He now knew that in Songyang City, wealthy families started training their children early—surgical enhancements, medicinal supplements, and various methods to boost potential long before high school. Even Zhao Tianxing, from a modest background, had been force-fed tonics since elementary school.

Most students at Songyang High had undergone such preparations, unlike the original Zhang Yu, who entered high school with a completely natural physique.

Maybe that’s why my body couldn’t handle the drugs before, causing organ damage, he realized.

But now, cultivating the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi and taking the Primordial Chaos Pill, he felt his flesh, organs, and marrow strengthening fundamentally—not through wear and tear, but through the Qi’s purifying flow. His blood vitality surged, digestion improved, metabolism accelerated, and toxins in his organs gradually flushed out.

“If I keep strengthening my body like this, my physical potential will grow, making future strength gains easier.”
“And with my organs feeling so refreshed… I’ll be able to handle more physique-enhancing drugs later, right?”

Just then, his phone rang. It was Song Hailong.

“Zhang Yu,” Song Hailong said, “I’m calling to cancel our future training sessions.”

“Huh? Are you sure?” Zhang Yu asked, surprised.

“Thanks for your help. You improved my ground combat skills a lot,” Song Hailong replied. “But you’ve noticed how fast my physical strength is rising now. You won’t be able to keep up.”

Zhang Yu thought of his steady supply of Primordial Chaos Pills. I’ll catch up eventually. He was about to persuade Song Hailong to continue training when the latter added, “You’re great, but I found someone even better. My time’s limited, so I’ll have to end our partnership.”

“Who is it?” Zhang Yu asked, curious.

Song Hailong growled, “Yu Xinghan.”

Zhang Yu could almost see Song Hailong’s face twisting in rage, veins popping.

“Yu Xinghan topped the first-year high school monthly exam recently,” Song Hailong spat. “He needed sparring partners and decided I was the best fit at Bai Long High. He’s paying me ten thousand per hour to be his combat trainer.”

“I don’t care about the money, but challenging him daily and surpassing him? That’s exactly what I want.”

“Anyway, I’ll let you go. You’d better cultivate hard—don’t disappear from the sports competition entirely.”

Zhang Yu sighed, suppressing his urge to argue. What could he say? His client had become someone else’s employee, outbid by a stronger rival.

He hung up and relayed the news to Bai Zhenzhen.

She groaned, “Ugh, our income just dropped. Guess we’ve got no choice but to take on that Shadow Study Gang tutoring job. I’ll prep harder—we’ll go in a couple days.”

Thinking of their shady tutoring hustle, charging mere thousands per hour, while Song Hailong earned ten thousand an hour fighting and training, she muttered, “Why do the rich always make money so easily?”

Two days later, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen met at the agreed subway station.

Using his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi, Zhang Yu transformed into Master Ma’s appearance again.

When Bai Zhenzhen removed her mask, revealing tattoos across her face, arms, and neck, and her long golden wig, Zhang Yu barely recognized her without checking his phone.

What the hell? When did Zhenzhen become a rune warrior? A punk girl?

Seeing his shock, Bai Zhenzhen scoffed, “You said we needed disguises. Since you can change your form with your Primordial Qi, I used tattoos, a wig, and padding to alter my look. I’ll wash it off when I get home.”

“With a mask, no one’ll recognize me, right?”
“And I don’t look like a high schooler anymore, do I? Otherwise, how would we pass the interview?”

Zhang Yu’s gaze shifted from her tattoos to her chest, hips, and shoes. Ah, padding. That’s why she looks curvier. Combined with the tattoos and wig, she’s definitely not student material anymore.

But he hesitated, “With all those tattoos, won’t the tutoring interview be an issue?”

Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes, “What gang cares about tattoos? The Shadow Study Gang probably loves this style. Check out these tattoos—don’t they scream ‘I’m desperate to be an illegal tutor’?”

Zhang Yu stared at the “Endless Sea of Lessons” and “Everyday Classes” tattoos, along with desks, chairs, and blackboards. Suddenly, it clicked—this was the Shadow Study Gang’s vibe.

The Cloth Doll Deity chimed in, “From my years in the underworld, I’d say these tattoos are a bonus. She looks more like a Shadow Study Gang member than you do—like a teacher drowning in debt, forced to sell lessons.”

“Alright then,” Zhang Yu nodded, leading the masked Bai Zhenzhen toward the Shadow Study Gang district.

Since he was with Bai Zhenzhen, he took the subway first. After exiting, he glanced at the long walk ahead and offered, “It’s still far. Want me to carry you?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end