It was 3 a.m. in the office of Songyang High School.
Su Haifeng was staring at a list on his computer screen while speaking into the phone.
"Hmm... his Dao Heart score hasn’t changed much."
"His mana has improved rapidly recently. It seems he’s spent most of his time and money on breathing techniques, which pushed him into the top 10."
"His physical strength hasn’t been tested for three weeks due to him being isolated, but it had already dropped to 19th place before that. Now that he’s focusing on mana, it’s a miracle if he can even maintain that position."
"His martial arts and Dao techniques haven’t shown any significant progress either. It’s possible both subjects could drop below 30th place in this month’s exam."
Looking at Zhang Yu’s recent performance records, Su Haifeng shook his head.
"In short, I don’t expect his exam results to improve significantly this time."
"The school will probably still offer him a D-level contract."
"Got it. I’ll do my best to persuade him to sign it."
"Though I don’t know how he managed to gain Li Xuelian’s favor, he’s taken the exams and should be aware of his situation by now."
After hanging up, Su Haifeng closed Zhang Yu’s performance records and moved on to the next file.
To him, Zhang Yu was just one of many minor concerns.
There were far more important matters and students at Songyang High that required his attention.
It was 4 a.m. in an abandoned building.
Today was the day of Songyang High’s monthly exam.
Despite the grueling nine days of training, Zhang Yu’s strength had improved significantly.
However, he was still squeezing in some last-minute practice of the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," hoping to boost his abilities before the exam officially began.
His current stats on the "Feather Book Prologue" were:
Zhang Yu
Dao Heart: Level 1
Mana: 11.7
Physical Strength: Level 1.05
His mana had increased from 10.5 to 11.7, thanks to a mix of passive and occasional active breathing techniques.
His physical strength had also improved from Level 0.85 to 1.05 after intense training.
The most significant progress over the past nine days was in the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," which had reached Level 9 (89/90).
As Zhang Yu threw his final punch, the technique finally reached Level 10, the peak achievable in the Qi Refining stage.
At that moment, a flood of memories rushed through his mind—countless repetitions of the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," deeper insights into his body, and a more profound understanding of his physical form.
His body, honed through relentless practice, underwent a qualitative transformation, adjusting itself in a more rational and efficient manner.
A loud rumble echoed in his mind as his heart pumped waves of energy through his limbs.
Zhang Yu’s entire body seemed to undergo a metamorphosis.
His muscles contracted and expanded, his joints cracked, and his overall frame subtly grew larger.
His muscle distribution became more suited for generating force, his bone structure more robust, and his body more balanced and coordinated.
This optimization of his physical structure, which had been gradually achieved through the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," was now completed in an instant.
Physical Strength: Level 1.05 → Level 1.25
With this adjustment, Zhang Yu’s physical strength surged by 0.2 levels, a 20% increase.
More importantly, he could feel that this optimization wasn’t just a one-time boost.
His more balanced and coordinated body would make his future physical training more efficient and effective.
Zhang Yu smiled, feeling a surge of excitement.
"Reaching Level 10 in the 'Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques' actually optimized my body structure. Does that mean reaching Level 10 in any skill brings such a significant improvement?"
This was something his teachers hadn’t mentioned in class.
But Zhang Yu figured it made sense—Level 10 in any skill, even a basic martial art like the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," was far beyond the reach of most first-year students.
"Next, I’ll try to get the 'Zhou Tian Qi Absorption Technique' to Level 10 and see what happens."
Zhou Tian Qi Absorption Technique: Level 8 (3/160)
Zhang Yu estimated it would take him about a week to reach Level 10 in this breathing technique.
However, he didn’t immediately switch his focus to it because he had other plans for today.
"Please adhere to the ritual agreement, strive to fulfill your wishes, and avoid deliberate laziness or procrastination. 10."
Just as Zhang Yu was feeling uplifted by his progress, the annoying countdown chimed in again.
He cursed under his breath but quickly realized it was pointless—the countdown had no will or intelligence, so his frustration was like punching air.
He sat down cross-legged, meditating and practicing his breathing techniques while giving his exhausted body a much-needed rest.
He needed to recover his strength for the upcoming exam.
At Songyang High, students hurried through the campus with a hint of unease.
The atmosphere was unusually tense.
Zhang Yu looked up and noticed that the banner that once read "Study until you die" had been replaced with "One suicide, the whole family pays," an anti-suicide campaign.
Even the rooftop was now surrounded by barbed wire, making it harder for students to jump.
Bai Zhenzhen remarked, "Looks like the heartless school administrators finally care about the students. They’ve added some safety measures since exams tend to push people over the edge."
However, her mood soured when she saw the notice about increased food prices in the cafeteria.
"Prices are going up again? How many times is that since the semester started?"
"These parasites can’t even manage the cafeteria properly. How are they supposed to run the school?"
Zhang Yu tried to console her.
"Well, being inhumane is their default setting. Let’s not let it affect today’s exam."
But moments later, when the cafeteria lady announced a new rule—limiting the 5-yuan meal deal to one per person per day—Zhang Yu exploded.
"What? Yesterday I could get ten! Why can’t students just eat their fill?"
"Calm down, Yu," Bai Zhenzhen patted his shoulder.
"Don’t make a scene. A teacher’s watching. I’ll buy you an extra 'poor man’s meal.'"
As they sat down with their food, Zhang Yu checked his bank balance.
Despite earning a 500-yuan reward for maintaining a 0% distraction rate, his savings had dwindled to 6,000 yuan due to the high costs of daily physical training, neural supplements, transportation, and other expenses.
With a new month approaching, he’d have to pay rent, utilities, and, of course, his ever-growing food bill.
Since starting intense physical training, his appetite had skyrocketed.
Eating ten pounds of food a day was normal, and his monthly food expenses were now over 10,000 yuan.
Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel that the path of cultivation was becoming increasingly expensive.
"I hope I do well in the exam and get a good contract. Otherwise, I’ll have to find a part-time job again."
Just then, Zhou Tianyi joined them at the table, shaking his head.
"Do you know why the cafeteria prices went up?"
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen looked up, waiting for him to continue.
"The city government raised tariffs on imported food to promote Oasis Corporation’s synthetic food. From now on, food prices in Songyang City will keep rising, except for synthetic food."
"Rumor has it the principal is considering replacing the cafeteria’s pre-made meals with synthetic food."
Before his cultivation journey, Zhang Yu had eaten plenty of synthetic food—it was much cheaper.
Fried insects, plant protein, recycled water, and oil—it was barely edible.
"So we won’t even get pre-made meals anymore?"
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen sighed in despair, cursing both Oasis Corporation and the city government for their inhumanity.
After breakfast, the three of them headed to their respective exam rooms instead of their usual classroom.
The morning session consisted of general education and martial arts theory, both written exams worth 50 and 20 points, respectively.
The afternoon session included a 100-point Dao techniques exam and an 80-point martial arts practical exam, which, combined with the morning’s theory exam, made up the full 100 points for martial arts.
Zhang Yu had long since mastered the written exams, so after finishing, he didn’t bother comparing answers with his classmates.
Instead, he quickly ate lunch and headed to the small garden to continue his training.
Loose Hands: Level 1 (0/10)
Zhang Yu switched his focus to "Loose Hands," a basic combat martial art.
This was why he hadn’t switched to the "Zhou Tian Qi Absorption Technique" earlier.
After reaching Level 10 in the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques" the previous day, further progress in the breathing technique would be minimal.
However, by focusing on "Loose Hands," which was only at Level 1, he could at least push it to Level 2 before the afternoon’s practical exam.
With his physical strength at Level 1.25, Zhang Yu’s movements were swift and powerful.
Each punch and kick carried a faint sound of wind and thunder.
At the same time, he channeled small amounts of mana into different parts of his body, enhancing the power of each strike.
"Loose Hands" was a basic combat martial art with only 15 moves, including punches, kicks, and throws, each with its own mana circulation path.
Zhang Yu practiced these 15 moves repeatedly.
Compared to the "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," "Loose Hands" was less physically demanding.
With his Level 1.25 physical strength, Level 8 "Zhou Tian Qi Absorption Technique," and the body optimization from Level 10 "Thirty-Six Body Strengthening Techniques," Zhang Yu’s progress was rapid.
In just over 50 minutes, he reached Level 2.
Loose Hands: Level 1 (0/10) → Level 2 (0/20)
In an instant, the 15 moves of "Loose Hands" became ingrained in Zhang Yu’s mind.
But he didn’t stop.
Despite feeling fatigued, he decided to push himself further.
"There are still two and a half hours before the afternoon exam. Let’s see if I can reach Level 3."
Zhang Yu continued practicing, drenched in sweat.
His body grew increasingly tired, his limbs sore, and his movements slightly sloppy.
But the thought of his mounting debts and rising expenses kept him going.
Two hours later, a large drop of sweat hit the ground.
Zhang Yu’s body was steaming from the intense three-hour workout, but he smiled.
He had successfully reached Level 3 in "Loose Hands."
(End of Chapter)