Chapter 50
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Chapter 50: Transformation and Escalation
“This Limitless Cloud Hands cultivation art only has six moves and I’m progressing so quickly. Does this mean I can get it to Level 10 tonight?”
But after Zhang Yu rallied his spirits and practiced another five times, he felt his Magic Power growing increasingly thin, making it difficult to sustain his training in Limitless Cloud Hands.
Zhang Yu realized his earlier assumption was wrong.
“It seems I can’t reach Level 10 in Limitless Cloud Hands in a single night.”
Unlike Basic-Grade cultivation arts like Freehand Combat, Limitless Cloud Hands consumed far more magic power.
Even with the passive cultivation of the Cosmic Orbit Energy Gathering Method constantly replenishing his Magic Power, he could not train for hours on end like he had with Freehand Combat.
So Zhang Yu simply sat cross-legged, letting his passive cultivation continue to restore his Magic Power while he practiced the Desolate Bull Soul-Pacifying Mind Art to strengthen his Dao Heart.
After a night of intermittent practice, Zhang Yu had advanced Limitless Cloud Hands to Level 6 (7/60).
The Formless Cloud Gang Qi’s coverage had expanded from his hands to encompass his arms and shoulders, constantly churning like a vast, rolling sea of clouds.
The previous phenomenon where cloud mist shot skyward like a pillar of smoke had vanished. Now, only faint wisps of smoke rose a mere dozen centimeters before dissipating into the air.
This change was due to Zhang Yu’s improved control, which significantly reduced the Gang Qi consumption during his circulation of the Formless Cloud Gang Qi.
***
The next day, at Songyang High School.
In the Student Council office, Zhou Chechen smiled slightly as he read the message on his phone. “Fourth place in the Magic Power Competition? That’s quite unexpected.”
Lan Ling, lifting a dumbbell, replied, “I heard Bailong High School’s competition coach approached him, trying to recruit him.”
Zhou Chechen chuckled. “They lost a competition spot this time, which means one less achievement on their students’ resumes. Of course, they’d try to poach him.”
“If we sign Zhang Yu and train him specifically for the Magic Power Competition, do you think we could steal a few more spots and deny the top three famous schools some awards?”
For the wealthy families of Songyang City, the number of spots in the Top Ten Universities was limited. Every trophy missing from one person’s resume increased the chances of another succeeding.
Lan Ling grumbled, “Maybe in his first year. But starting in his second year, I doubt Zhang Yu can still outperform them.”
Zhou Chechen laughed. “Even so, that would still be a good outcome.”
“Then it’s decided.”
“We can’t let Bailong High School snatch him away.”
“After this month’s Monthly Exam…”
Zhou Chechen slowly clenched his fist, as if tightly grasping everything he desired.
“Zhang Yu must sign.”
Lan Ling understood the implication that after the Monthly Exam, Zhang Yu would have no choice but to sign.
***
Outside the school gates, Zhao Tianxing said into his phone, “Yes, Mom, I know…”
A woman’s voice came from the other end. “You should hang out with Zhang Yu more often. Look how quickly his performance has improved…”
“Yes, yes, I know,” Zhao Tianxing replied dismissively before finally hanging up.
Just as he walked through the school gates, he saw the electronic screen displaying a large, scrolling headline that read, “Warmest Congratulations to Student Zhang Yu of First-Year, Class 1, for achieving 4th place in the Citywide Magic Power Competition (High School Division)!”
“It’s really true…”
Though he had heard rumors circulating in several school group chats yesterday, seeing the official announcement in black and white finally confirmed the news.
Zhao Tianxing could not help but feel a pang of jealousy when he thought about Zhang Yu, who had recently been sitting at the same table with him. Now, Zhang Yu had surpassed a crowd of top students from the three famous school and key high schools to claim fourth place in the Magic Power Competition.
After the pang of jealousy… came a wave of shame.
Zhao Tianxing, Zhao Tianxing, your classmate has achieved such an outstanding result, and you’re consumed by jealousy? How ugly! Where has your moral integrity gone?
“Sigh, I can’t compare myself to Zhang Yu. He’s a Golden Core expert’s disciple now. He’s not even the same species as us anymore.”
“He was only able to secure fourth place in the Magic Power Competition because that True Person Starfire must have put in a great deal of effort.”
“And Mom still wants me to hang out with him more…”
Zhao Tianxing forced a bitter smile. With such a huge gap between us, how could we possibly still be friends?
The rumor of Zhang Yu being a Golden Core expert’s disciple was further solidified among the students by his fourth-place in the competition.
As someone who always considered others’ feelings, Zhao Tianxing felt a surge of inferiority when he thought about the dazzling aura surrounding Zhang Yu now.
After all, he’s a Golden Core expert’s disciple, and the gap between our results is widening. Does he look down on me now? In his eyes, I might already be just another average student.
If I deliberately try to approach him now, to hang out with him… wouldn’t it seem overly flattering to others? Would people think I’m just chasing clout? That I’m just trying to bask in the glory of a Golden Core expert’s disciple and ride on his coattails?
Zhao Tianxing could not be blamed for overthinking. Growing up in the city, he had seen countless similar situations at school.
Friendships often soured when the gap in performance between friends grew too wide.
Ever since your scores went up, you’ve changed.
It’s embarrassing to be seen with someone who scores so low like you.
I’ll help you raise your score by 10 points, but don’t come looking for me again after that…
“Sigh, if Zhang Yu doesn’t ask me to lunch today, I won’t bother seeking him out. No point in getting rejected.”
As the final class of the morning ended, Zhao Tianxing subtly glanced in Zhang Yu’s direction.
Seeing Zhang Yu chatting with Bai Zhenzhen, envy welled up inside him. If only he could achieve Bai Zhenzhen’s level of academic success, he could converse with Zhang Yu so casually.
Then he saw Zhang Yu talking to Zhou Tianyi again. He envied Zhou Tianyi, who, despite scoring lower than him, could chat with Zhang Yu without any awkwardness. Zhao Tianxing had never managed to cultivate such a relaxed attitude.
Just then, Zhao Tianxing noticed Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Zhou Tianyi standing up and walking toward him.
Zhao Tianxing quickly lowered his head, pretending to tidy his desk. He rearranged books back and forth, as if nothing satisfied him, all while pretending not to notice the trio approaching.
But in his mind, he was acutely aware of their movements, and one question dominated his thoughts. Will he ask me to join them for lunch?
Zhang Yu called out, “Old Zhao! Let’s go eat together.”
Zhao Tianxing immediately stood up with a slight smile on his face. “Sure, let’s go.”
As they walked toward the cafeteria, Zhou Tianyi chuckled. “Zhang Yu, have you noticed something different about the atmosphere at school today?”
“Really?” Zhang Yu pondered for a moment. “The teachers are still as gentle as ever, the students are still as friendly, and the air is thick with the scent of learning. Everything seems fine to me.”
Zhou Tianyi continued, “You placed fourth in the competition. Now, most of the school believes you must be a Golden Core expert’s disciple. Haven’t you noticed that people are treating you with more respect?”
Zhang Yu paused, recalling the subtle shift in the students’ attitudes toward him. It seemed there was indeed a subtle, almost imperceptible distance growing between them.
Bai Zhenzhen, who was walking beside them, spoke softly, “I overheard some girls talking about you in the women’s restroom. They were saying you must have been propped up by a Golden Core True Person and that you only got in because of connections and good fortune.”
Zhou Tianyi added, “I heard similar rumors in the men’s restroom. Some guys were saying you must have cracked the ‘rich woman’s code.’ Otherwise, how could ordinary students like them even know where the art exhibition for selecting Golden Core disciples was being held, let alone participate and get chosen…”
[Note: ‘Cracking the rich woman’s code’ is modern Chinese internet slang for figuring out how to be financially supported by a wealthy older woman.]
Zhang Yu sighed. “I never imagined that after winning honor for the school, all I’d receive in return would be alienation and envy.”
Zhou Tianyi chuckled. “Zhang Yu, the higher your score and the better your results, the more people will envy you.”
He continued slowly, “They won’t think about your hard work or your talent. They’ll just assume you have good conditions and attribute all your success to luck.”
Watching Zhou Tianyi’s wistful expression, Zhang Yu mused, “I didn’t realize you, ranked 25th in the grade, knew so much.”
Zhou Tianyi stumbled, then retorted indignantly, “I… there are over 500 First-Year students at our school. Being 25th means I’ve still stepped on a lot of people’s feet.”
Zhao Tianxing, standing nearby, watched Zhang Yu laughing and chatting, and gradually relaxed. “I didn’t expect Zhang Yu to remain so approachable after winning fourth place in the competition.”
But a moment later, Zhao Tianxing changed his mind. Zhang Yu had changed, at least a little.
At the serving window, Zhang Yu said to the cafeteria Aunty, “Aunty, I won fourth place in the citywide Magic Power Competition. Could you give me a little extra meat?”
The serving Aunty replied, “Of course. This biggest pork chop is for our citywide Magic Power Competition fourth-place winner.”
Songyang High School had a strong academic atmosphere, so of course, even the cafeteria staff judged people by their scores first.
***
That night.
In the suburbs of Songyang City.
With a whooshing sound, a black shadow flashed through the night sky at high speed, steadily approaching Zhang Yu’s rented apartment.
Bang!
After a brief pause in front of the apartment building’s main gate, the shadow slipped inside like a wisp of smoke as the door opened. In an instant, it had reached Zhang Yu’s floor and materialized like a ghost before his door.
Knock! knock! knock!
Zhang Yu quickly stood up to answer the door.
He found a middle-aged man with an imposing bearing standing before him. The man’s presence was as dignified as a dragon’s gait and a tiger’s stride, his aura as deep and steady as a mountain.
“Are you Mr. Zhang Yu?”
Zhang Yu nodded. “Express Delivery? You arrived in just over twenty minutes. That’s impressive speed.”
The middle-aged man smiled and retrieved the goods from a large backpack, presenting them to Zhang Yu. “Mr. Zhang, here is your order. Please sign to confirm receipt.”
A moment later, Zhang Yu closed the door again and unpacked his purchases.
The recent Magic Power Competition had revealed the gap between him and the top students from prestigious schools, fueling his urgency to improve himself.
Currently, his Magic Power was constantly replenished through the Cosmic Orbit Energy Gathering Method’s daily breathing technique. Improving his Dao Heart was the primary focus of his daily cultivation, leaving only his Physical Strength stagnant and temporarily stalled in its progress.
The upcoming Martial Arts Competition next month, where he would likely face off against wealthy students from prestigious schools, further intensified Zhang Yu’s need to enhance his Physical Strength.
So after some careful budgeting, he had ordered a few things online.
