Bang!

Zhou Chechen slammed his palm down on the desk, his eyes filled with a murderous intent so palpable it seemed to materialize in the air.

He spoke through gritted teeth, "Zhang Pianpian, that woman dares to treat Songyang High as if it's nothing!"

Today, after being humiliated by Zhang Pianpian, Zhou Chechen felt as though he could already see the schadenfreude in the eyes of his juniors and classmates.

His reputation had taken a severe blow.

Zhou Chechen suddenly turned to the student council president, Chu Chengxuan, and asked, "President, are you just going to stand by and let that woman run wild in Songyang?"

Chu Chengxuan, who was busy reviewing his textbooks, replied nonchalantly, "Zhang Pianpian... her background is mysterious, her wealth is unknown, and she's a bit of a lunatic. Why bother provoking her?"

"In a little over half a year, she'll be heading to university. By then, the upperclassmen will deal with her."

Seeing that Chu Chengxuan was still engrossed in his studies, Zhou Chechen realized that the president was entirely focused on his upcoming college entrance exams and interviews, with no intention of getting involved in a conflict between him and the crazy Zhang Pianpian.

However, upon hearing Chu Chengxuan's words, a cold glint flashed in Zhou Chechen's eyes.

"Half a year, huh?"

"Then I'll wait half a year before I deal with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen."

But at this moment, both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were nothing more than dried-up bones under Zhang Pianpian's protection in Zhou Chechen's eyes.

Once the half-year mark passed, he would unleash his wrath.

Right now, Zhou Chechen's true target was Zhang Pianpian.

With boundless hatred and humiliation in his heart, he thought to himself, "University lasts ten years. By then, the gap between us won't be as big as it is in high school."

"Zhang Pianpian, I truly, truly hope... you'll still be around by the time I catch up to you in university."

...

Outside Songyang High.

In a private room of a tea house.

Zhang Pianpian glanced around and said, "It's safe here for now. I have some things to discuss with you."

"Sis!" Zhang Yu excitedly grabbed Zhang Pianpian's hand.

"You're really my sister! Having a sister is the best!"

At that moment, a loud thud was heard.

Zhang Pianpian turned to see Bai Zhenzhen kneeling on the ground.

Bai Zhenzhen solemnly said, "Today, I owe you a great debt. If you don't mind, I would like to acknowledge you as my godmother. From now on, I will follow your every command."

Zhang Yu interjected, "Wait... she's my sister."

Bai Zhenzhen replied, "It's fine, Yu. I don't mind. From now on, I'll call her godmother, and you can call me mom."

As Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu bickered, Zhang Pianpian calmly said, "The bank balance data is fake."

What?!

As the two turned to her in shock, Zhang Pianpian flicked her fingers, casting another spell.

This time, the bank balance displayed above her head was only 250,000.

She explained, "The intimidation spell I used earlier was one I modified myself. It can display a fake bank balance."

Zhang Yu was stunned.

"You can modify spells like that? And display fake bank balances? I've never heard of such a thing in our Taoism classes. Aren't spells supposed to be used exactly as they were passed down by the Eight Great Deities?"

From thinking his sister was a wealthy heiress to realizing she was pretending to be one, Zhang Yu felt a wave of disappointment.

Seeing their dumbfounded expressions, Zhang Pianpian continued, "You need to remember, if you want to deal with the wealthy, you have to understand their characteristics."

"The wealthy rely on money, so they understand its power best. They are easily driven by money and intimidated by it. This is what we call using money to control money."

"The foundation of these tactics is information. To obtain, modify, or intercept information... you need to rely on advanced spells."

"Spells are the most powerful tool you can learn in high school. Remember, spells are the most useful and powerful! No Taoist arts or martial skills can compare to spells..."

As Zhang Pianpian passionately extolled the virtues of spells, Zhang Yu could almost see the words "spell enthusiast" floating above her head.

Even though the 2.5 billion inheritance had turned into 250,000, Bai Zhenzhen still enthusiastically hugged Zhang Pianpian and sweetly asked, "Mom, what should we do next?"

Zhang Yu, watching Bai Zhenzhen's sweet demeanor, felt a chill run down his spine, as if he were witnessing the awakening of a thousand-year-old zombie.

Zhang Pianpian calmly said, "In half a year, the college entrance exams will be over, and I'll be heading to the second layer of Kunxu for university."

"That means I can only protect you for the next six months."

"After that, without my protection, the student council of Songyang High will surely come after you."

"And there's one more thing."

"You need to understand that the reason I can protect you now is because they think I'm as wealthy as they are."

"They think you've been signed by me and that you won't be aiming for the top ten universities."

"Once they find out you're aiming for the top ten, they won't care about my protection anymore, and the methods they use will be a hundred times more ruthless."

"So..."

Zhang Pianpian looked directly into Bai Zhenzhen's eyes, as if trying to pierce through her thoughts.

"What are your plans?"

"Are you going to wait for death? Or prepare to flee Songyang City? Or are you willing to risk everything to aim for the top ten universities?"

Bai Zhenzhen met Zhang Pianpian's gaze without flinching, her expression serious.

"I want to get into one of the top ten universities."

Zhang Pianpian then turned to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu said, "Sis, stop beating around the bush. Both Zhenzhen and I are determined to get into the top ten universities."

"Just tell us what we need to do."

Zhang Pianpian nodded slightly and said, "Your current strength is too weak."

Seeing their indignant expressions, Zhang Pianpian continued, "If you want to get into the top ten universities as poor students, your current abilities are far from enough. You don't even have a way to break through the wealthy students' blockade."

"First, become the strongest first-year students in Songyang."

"Once you two have taken the top two spots in all the upcoming first-year competitions and become the strongest first-years in Songyang, I'll tell you what to do next."

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were both shocked.

All the remaining first-year competitions?

That meant they had to surpass all the first-year students from the three top schools in terms of Taoist heart, physical strength, martial arts, and Taoist arts?

Especially the Taoist arts competition... that thing was practically designed to crush the poor.

Fortunately, the Taoist arts competition was at the end of the first year.

The next competition was the martial arts one, where both of them had some advantage.

After that, Zhang Pianpian had Bai Zhenzhen sign an internship contract with the Songyang City Patrol Team, officially confirming her status as a patrol team member.

Then, she sent the two of them on their way.

Bai Zhenzhen, however, lingered behind, nervously rubbing her hands together, looking embarrassed.

"Um... about that..."

Zhang Pianpian asked, "What is it?"

Bai Zhenzhen pointed at Zhang Yu, who was fiddling with a talisman book, and sweetly smiled.

"That talisman book... do interns get one too?"

Zhang Pianpian shook her head.

"The Patrol Department isn't extravagant enough to give talisman books to interns."

"Oh, and one more thing. Don't tell anyone about my relationship with Zhang Yu."

"Also, I've already arranged for our parents to move to a safe village. You don't need to worry about them."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu paused for a moment, then nodded.

Finally, Zhang Pianpian urged Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu to hurry back and focus on their studies and training.

As she watched their retreating figures, she made a phone call.

A woman's voice came from the other end.

"Hello? Pianpian? What's up?"

Zhang Pianpian said, "Can you lend me some money?"

The woman asked curiously, "Aren't you saving up to buy a Heavenly Spirit Root? Are you close to your goal?"

Zhang Pianpian explained, "Something came up today, and I had to spend some money on a divine communication. I won't be able to pay this month's loan interest."

The woman grew even more curious.

"Oh? What happened that required a divine communication?"

Zhang Pianpian said calmly, "I helped that guy out. At first, I just thought he had a good temperament and could live a life beyond the ordinary. I didn't expect things to go this far."

"But..."

Zhang Pianpian's gaze fell on Zhang Yu's head.

Songyang City Patrol Team Outsourced Employee (Expand Details)

When Zhang Pianpian focused on the ???, she received only one response: Unknown Potential, Undefined.

Zhang Pianpian then turned her attention to Bai Zhenzhen.

Songyang City Patrol Team Intern (Expand Details)

As Zhang Pianpian's fingers flicked through the air, two more spells were cast.

Above Bai Zhenzhen's head, a new term appeared before "Songyang City Patrol Team Intern."

Unknown New Spirit Root: Hidden Evolutionary Type, No Relevant Data Available.

As Zhang Pianpian's fingers moved, the talisman book floating beside her emitted faint glimmers of light.

When the spells were complete, both the ??? above Zhang Yu's head and the "Unknown New Spirit Root" above Bai Zhenzhen's had vanished, completely hidden.

At the same time, Zhang Pianpian continued on the phone, "They're more talented than I expected."

"Perhaps... they can keep up with me."

On the other end of the line, the woman exclaimed in surprise, "Oh? I've never heard you speak so highly of anyone before. I'm looking forward to meeting them."

Since some readers are eager for updates, I've borrowed a chapter today.

The three chapters combined are nearly 10,000 words.

However, tomorrow's two updates will be shorter.

Please forgive me, as I'm not a fast writer.

I'm afraid that writing too much too quickly might ruin the story.

My main goal is to maintain quality and keep the plot steady.

My apologies.

Lastly, I'd like to ask for your monthly votes at the beginning of the month.

(End of Chapter)