Chapter 16
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 16: Patrol
Glancing back at Zhao Tianxing, who was still standing rooted to the spot, Zhang Yu urged, “Get to work, Little Zhao. What are you standing and slacking off here?”
Zhao Tianxing quickly caught up but could not resist sneaking another glance at Bai Zhenzhen, who was carrying dishes. He wondered, If I told everyone back at school about this, they would never believe it. Bai Zhenzhen is working part-time? Did something happen to her family?
After another patrol round, Zhao Tianxing followed Zhang Yu into an empty emergency stairwell. He watched as Zhang Yu suddenly sat down cross-legged and said, “Don’t just stand there. Come on and take a break with me.”
“Huh? But the Captain told us to keep patrolling,” Zhao Tianxing protested. “If he finds us…”
“The art exhibition hasn’t even started yet, so what is there to patrol?” Zhang Yu said. “Besides, we are inside the Central Tower. Do you really think anything could go wrong?”
He chuckled and added, “What’s more, weren’t you the one who wanted to chat with me? This is a perfect opportunity for me to teach you about the Way of the Security Guard.”
Hearing this, Zhao Tianxing remembered Wang Hai’s instructions.
Across from him, Zhang Yu made a shocking declaration. “The whole point of being a security guard is to slack off!”
“Huh?” Zhao Tianxing exclaimed.
Zhang Yu continued, “Does your pay change whether you patrol a few more times or a few less?”
Zhao Tianxing hesitated before asking, “I… don’t think so?”
Zhang Yu pressed on, “Would the security level of this venue decrease if we were not here?”
Zhao Tianxing scratched his head. “I suppose… not? But…”
Zhang Yu interrupted, “The time we steal is our own.”
“Alright, I’m going to rest for a bit. We’ll go out again later when the art exhibition officially starts.”
Watching Zhang Yu close his eyes and begin his breathing technique, Zhao Tianxing grew nervous, worried about being caught slacking off on the job.
He glanced again at Zhang Yu, who was now completely immersed in his practice. He was both impressed by his dedication to seizing every moment for cultivation and bewildered by his sheer audacity.
Wait, wasn’t I supposed to ask him about buying medicine? How did I get dragged into a conversation about slacking off…?
Suddenly, Zhao Tianxing’s eyes narrowed as he thoughtfully pondered Zhang Yu’s earlier words.
Zhao Tianxing was not particularly sociable, but he was sensitive and considerate. He was always concerned about what others thought and tended to overthink things easily.
Now, reflecting on what Zhang Yu had said, he realized it all seemed to align with his own situation.
If I ask him a few more questions or a few less, will Teacher Wang Hai really stop guiding me?
If Teacher Wang Hai doesn’t have me to gather information for him, will he really be unable to find anything out?
Has Zhang Yu already figured out what I am up to? Is he deliberately saying all that to hint that I should slack off too?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Zhao Tianxing looked at Zhang Yu again. As the man continued his Breathing Technique, even his breathing seemed profound and enigmatic.
With his Magic Power flowing throughout his body, Zhang Yu completed a full cycle of the Cosmic Orbit Energy Gathering Method, pushing its progress to (13/80). Just then, the art exhibition finally began.
***
“As expected of an art exhibition hosted by Ms. Li. Every guest here is either rich or influential.”
Zhao Tianxing could not help but marvel as he watched the attendees file in. Though he did not recognize any of them, their luxurious attire and accessories spoke volumes about their wealth. Even though his father was a mid-level manager at a company, putting their family in a comfortable financial position, Zhao Tianxing could still recognize many luxury goods that his family could never afford.
Just then, Zhang Yu whispered from the side, “Old Zhao, look at that!”
Zhao Tianxing followed the direction of Zhang Yu’s chin and immediately saw a glittering golden figure enter the exhibition, surrounded by a crowd.
He looked closer and realized the man’s entire body was covered in what looked like a layer of golden light, which reflected a faint, ethereal glow.
Zhang Yu asked curiously, “What is that thing? A robot?”
Zhao Tianxing quickly covered Zhang Yu’s mouth. He anxiously watched the golden figure, and only when he confirmed the man had not looked in their direction did he let out a soft breath of relief.
Releasing his hand, Zhao Tianxing explained, “That’s the Songyang City Director of the Immortal Cloud Group. You must not speak so carelessly.”
“Immortal Cloud Group?” Zhang Yu asked curiously, gazing at the golden figure. “Then why… does he look so shiny?”
Zhao Tianxing explained, “That’s a Bionic. Don’t you know?”
Seeing Zhang Yu’s blank expression, Zhao Tianxing figured his family probably had not been exposed to such things. He patiently elaborated, “A Bionic is, well, something like a prosthetic, but it is far more advanced and superior.”
“In real, of immortal cultivation technology, Bionics have evolved to replace the entire human body.”
“It is as if you could replace any part of the body with a magical artifact, retaining its original function while significantly enhancing its capabilities.”
“However, you need at least 100 points of Magic Power to have a Bionic implanted in your body…”
Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered. He knew that 100-points of Magic Power was the upper limit for the Qi Refining Realm.
He asked, “Does it require 100 points of Magic Power to have a Bionic implanted, or do you need to reach Foundation Establishment first?”
Zhao Tianxing replied, “100-points of Magic Power is enough. But this man is a true Foundation Establishment cultivator from a prestigious family and a graduate of Myriad Laws University.”
Zhang Yu understood now. So a Foundation Establishment old expert had come to the First Layer to stomp on the small fry and flex on a bunch of stubborn Qi Refining Stage cultivators.
As more guests arrived, Zhang Yu spotted two more individuals who seemed to possess Bionics. One had eyes like gemstones, while the other had a halo floating behind their head. Their style was starkly different from the other wealthy attendees.
These two, along with the Immortal Cloud Group’s Director who was covered head to toe in a golden light, formed a trio of focal points. They constantly drew Qi Refinement Trainees attention toward them, who looked like they practically wanted to kneel and kowtow.
Zhao Tianxing seemed to be gradually adjusting to his security guard uniform and no longer appeared so awkward among the bustling guests.
During their patrols, the two inadvertently overheard snippets of conversations.
Some guests marveled at Ms. Li Xuelian’s extravagant wealth.
Others praised the excellent paintings on display and speculated on their immense value.
Naturally, the conversation also turned to the Heavenly Being Martial Arts Portrait, personally painted by a Golden Core stage expert.
“Brother Li? Are you also here to comprehend the Heavenly Being Martial Arts Portrait painted by Senior Starfire?”
“Of course. If any young genius under the age of twenty can master the Martial Arts depicted within, Senior Starfire will take them as a disciple. This news has already spread throughout the Songyang cultivation community. How could I possibly miss this?”
Wait, there’s that kind of intel? Zhang Yu thought to himself. And it’s spread throughout the Songyang cultivation community? How come I didn’t know?
Could it be that he was too small a fry who doesn’t even deserve to know?
But for now, Zhang Yu suppressed his questions and decided to fulfill his duty as a security guard.
He approached the speaker and asked politely, “Sir, are you alright?”
The young man who had been speaking had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, clearly an extraordinary person. He looked at the security guard with confusion. “What could possibly be wrong with me?”
The young man said proudly, “I’m Lian Tianji from Purple Cloud High School. Can’t you see I’m chatting with my friend?”
Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing glanced at the young man, and then at his so-called “friend.”
It was a box placed on a table, its surface covered in a unique wooden grain. It looked about the size of an urn.
Zhang Yu couldn’t help but think, A split personality? Has studying driven him mad?
He was, however, somewhat familiar with Purple Cloud High School. It was a key high school even more prestigious than Songyang High School and one of Songyang City’s three elite schools. It was a place his past self would not have even dared to dream of applying to.
Rumor had it that Purple Cloud High School’s Principals throughout history were notorious for their ruthless methods, oppressive environment, and hellishly strict school regulations.
The various horror stories from Songyang High School were child’s play in comparison. The legendary campus caste system, the rules that failing students had to eat in the toilets and that the weak had to kneel before the strong, were enough to make students from other high schools shudder in fear.
Watching Lian Tianji converse with the ‘urn’ before him, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but reflect on how Purple Cloud High School truly drove people to madness.
But just then, a voice came from the “urn.” “Brother Lian, these two security guards seem to have misunderstood. I am Li Xingyu, a Soul Cultivator from Radiant Mountain High School.”
Radiant Mountain High School? A Soul Cultivator?
Zhang Yu remembered. Wasn’t that the high school he had once tried to apply to?
He knew that while Soul Cultivators had lower score requirements for the National College Entrance Examination and followed a specialized path, they also had to abandon their physical bodies.
Seeing the ‘urn’ on the table, he was still deeply shocked. Radiant Mountain High School really does turn people into ghosts.
Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing quickly apologized and departed. They then saw Lian Tianji and Li Xingyu exchange a few more words before four propeller-like devices extended from the ‘urn’ and it flew away like a drone.
Watching this scene, Zhang Yu silently thanked his past self for not choosing the path of a Soul Cultivator. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to… ahem, carry himself with the classic bearing of an immortal, let alone become an Immortal Cultivator.
[Note: The original text contains a pun. The character starts to say “导…” (dǎo), which can be the first character of a crude term for masturbation. He then corrects himself to “道…” (dào), the first character in “道骨仙风” (dàogǔxiānfēng), which means to have the classic, transcendent bearing of an immortal. The joke is that as a disembodied soul in a box, he wouldn’t be able to perform certain… physical acts.]
Wait, he thought, That’s not right. The Soul Cultivator’s physical body is gone, so how was he planning to practice the martial arts from the Heavenly Being Martial Arts Portrait?
Then he remembered the information the two people had just discussed about the portrait.
If that’s true, then this art exhibition will probably attract many genius youths under twenty, all hoping to master the peerless martial arts within the Heavenly Being Martial Arts Portrait?
As this thought struck him, Zhang Yu found himself growing even more excited about the exhibition.
The pay was 400 an hour. He got money, a show to watch, and even a chance to comprehend peerless martial arts. Who could say this job was no good? It was fantastic.
He turned to Zhao Tianxing beside him and asked, “So, Old Zhao, are you interested in the peerless martial arts from the Heavenly Being Martial Arts Portrait?”
Zhao Tianxing naturally shook his head.
He knew his limits. Such things, which sounded like they could only be mastered by true geniuses or the wealthy, had nothing to do with ordinary people like them.
Not only was he uninterested, but Zhao Tianxing’s only thought was to retreat. Even if the Heavenly Being Martial Arts Portrait were unveiled, he wouldn’t even consider trying it, fearing he would become a laughingstock under the public gaze.
Moments later, Zhao Tianxing, who had just begun to adjust to his role as a security guard, wanted nothing more than to cover his face and walk away, and to immediately shed the uniform he was wearing.
Zhang Yu glanced at Zhao Tianxing, who had quickly turned away, and followed his gaze. He immediately spotted several familiar faces.
“Ehh? Isn’t that Qian Shen? And aren’t those others… from our school too?”
Qian Shen was a top student who had consistently ranked second in the year right behind Bai Zhenzhen in overall scores since the start of the semester.
Zhang Yu patted Zhao Tianxing’s shoulder. “Old Zhao, look, aren’t those our classmates?”
Zhao Tianxing quickly yanked Zhang Yu around, his voice strained with anxiety. “Turn around quickly! Don’t let them see us!”
