Leaving Su Haifeng’s office, Zhang Yu walked back to the classroom.

Next week, he needed to break into the top ten in the entire grade for spiritual power to qualify for the Magic Competition representing Songyang High School.

The monthly exam would begin the week after next. Only by performing exceptionally well on this exam could he secure a better contract with the school.

Zhang Yu was confident he could reach the top ten in spiritual power within the next week. After all, his Universal Qi Gathering Technique was already at Level 4, and its level would only continue to rise, leading to even faster spiritual power growth.

However, the monthly exam tested more than just spiritual power; it also included physical education, Dao Heart, martial arts, and Dao techniques. The prospect of rapidly improving all four of these subjects in the next two weeks made Zhang Yu feel immense pressure.

As for the general education exam?

General education only accounted for 50 points, and nearly everyone in the elite class scored close to full marks, making it impossible to create any significant difference.

Therefore, Zhang Yu had no idea how well he would ultimately perform on the monthly exam in two weeks.

“In any case… it’s time to push myself,” he thought.

Zhang Yu felt himself ignite with determination.

Who said grinding wasn’t a cheat?

Yu Shu! Show me your limits over the next two weeks!

So, as soon as he returned to the classroom, Zhang Yu began to absorb spiritual energy, fully engaging his Universal Qi Gathering Technique.

Soon, the first class ended.

“Ah, I’m so tired,” he sighed.

Just as Zhang Yu felt himself relaxing slightly, yearning for a break, the chilling countdown reappeared in his mind, compelling him to keep pushing forward.

“Damn it!”

“This idiotic ritual… I’ll destroy you someday!”

Meanwhile, in another corner of the classroom, Zhao Tianxing checked a message on his phone and breathed a sigh of relief.

Previously, PE teacher Wang Hai had tasked him with finding out Zhang Yu’s supply channels. When Wang Hai inquired about the results today, Zhao Tianxing told him about the art exhibition yesterday.

Wang Hai’s reply was: “Understood. You don’t need to follow Zhang Yu for now; just maintain a good relationship with him. Come to the training ground after school tomorrow, and I’ll give you a body tempering class.”

Not having to pry for information from Zhang Yu anymore greatly relieved Zhao Tianxing.

Furthermore, the reward of an extra training session from Wang Hai secretly delighted Zhao Tianxing.

After all, Wang Hai was an ace teacher, and the quality of his private lessons went without saying. They were not only expensive but also frequently hard to get.

As for continuing to maintain a relationship with Zhang Yu…

Zhao Tianxing looked up towards Zhang Yu’s seat and saw him absorbing spiritual energy.

“After yesterday’s events, I must have become a clown in his eyes,” he thought.

Thinking about how Zhang Yu might already be mocking his clumsy performance from last night, Zhao Tianxing felt his cheeks burn again.

However, remembering Wang Hai’s private lesson reward, he still decided that he would find Zhang Yu to chat for a bit when he was free after class.

But as the morning classes went by, Zhao Tianxing couldn’t find a single opportunity to speak with Zhang Yu.

“Still absorbing spiritual energy?”

“During class, he’s absorbing.”

“During breaks, he’s still absorbing.”

“He hasn’t even used the restroom once… What strong kidneys.”

Zhang Yu’s relentless effort at that moment made Zhao Tianxing feel uneasy.

Finally, it was lunchtime. Just as Zhao Tianxing had gotten his food and was about to sit next to Zhang Yu…

…he saw Zhang Yu gulp down his meal in two bites, like a ghost, before dashing out of the cafeteria.

Bai Zhenzhen watched, muttering to herself, “Even during lunch, he’s going to compete, is he? Is he going to let anyone eat in peace?”

Lunchtime was the only period at Songyang High School free from scores, from supervision by strict taskmasters like Su Haifeng, and from the interference of unusual individuals like Wang Hai.

It was arguably the only precious time in a school day when top students could relax, take a short break, or even chat about gossip.

It was Songyang High School’s own mental SPA time.

Bai Zhenzhen was highly displeased with Zhang Yu’s demonic student-like dedication, even sacrificing lunch to cultivate.

“Bro, if you’re going to compete so intensely, how can we eat in peace?”

“What if you surpass us by competing like this?”

“Are you trying to turn this into a study prep competition?”

When Zhao Tianxing returned to the classroom, he saw Zhang Yu already back to absorbing spiritual energy and inwardly thought, “Just as I expected.”

Throughout the entire afternoon, Zhao Tianxing struggled to find a single chance to speak with him. Every time he looked over, Zhang Yu was either diligently listening in class or absorbing spiritual energy.

Watching him like this only made Zhao Tianxing increasingly anxious.

“He’s already a disciple of a Golden Core master, yet he’s still working this hard. Is he trying to leave us ordinary students with no path forward?”

Finally, at dismissal time, Zhao Tianxing found an opportunity to catch up with him, expecting Zhang Yu to go look for temporary work today as well.

However, he heard Zhang Yu say, “Looking for temporary work?”

“Xiao Zhao, as high school students, we should prioritize our studies. How can we go to work every day?”

“Don’t think earning 800 an hour is a big deal; those are temporary jobs, not something you can find every day.”

Zhang Yu looked at his balance of 8,300 yuan, which gave him the confidence to temporarily stop working and focus on cultivation.

So, he returned home, took the Nerve Filler, and continued to absorb spiritual energy until the next morning.

Aside from bathroom breaks and switching Yu Shu’s specialization back to the Universal Qi Gathering Technique, Zhang Yu dedicated all his time to absorbing spiritual energy.

Thus, four days passed in the blink of an eye.

After four days of intense cultivation, Zhang Yu’s Universal Qi Gathering Technique reached Level 6 (45/120).

And his spiritual power, through several days of diligent practice, soared from 8.3 to 9.4, just two ranks away from the top ten in his grade.

That day, outside the first-year high school corridor.

Su Haifeng ambled to the back door of the classroom and observed the students who were studying on their own.

As the homeroom teacher of the elite class, he purposely came to wander around even though he had no classes, naturally intending to boost the students’ morale with his chilling gaze, ruthless mockery, and the authority of a grade dean.

Su Haifeng then noticed that the students in the classroom were even more competitive than usual today.

Fewer students were going to the restroom.

No one was falling asleep while absorbing spiritual energy anymore; they were doing it diligently.

There were also no students feigning attention by staring at their books while actually daydreaming, just to avoid being caught.

The class’s distraction rate had significantly decreased.

In fact, Su Haifeng had subtly noticed this trend starting two days prior.

Through his observations, he discovered that the source of this trend was the student named Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu’s frenzied spiritual energy absorption, his continuous zero-distraction rate, and the rapid increase in his spiritual power over the past few days… all served to first motivate Bai Zhenzhen, Qian Shen, Zhao Tianxing, and others.

And the competitive spirit that Bai Zhenzhen and the others subsequently displayed further motivated even more students.

Students with 550 points were competing fiercely, those with 600 points were competing, and even those with 650 points were competing. How could anyone still rest?

Su Haifeng reviewed reports and found that even the average dining time for elite class students in the cafeteria had decreased by over 20 percent daily.

Su Haifeng looked at Zhang Yu, who was still absorbing spiritual energy, and mused, “Is this because I provoked his self-esteem earlier?”

“Perhaps I can use this tactic more often in the future.”

Unconsciously, he had already formulated the topic for his next research paper: “An Exploration of Student Insult in High School Teaching.”

After glancing at the diligent study atmosphere in the classroom with satisfaction, Su Haifeng nodded and left.

Soon after Su Haifeng left, the school bell rang, signaling dismissal. Zhang Yu immediately stood up and headed towards the school’s quiet room.

Having been recognized last week as the student with the lowest distraction rate in the entire grade, Zhang Yu had not only received a 500-yuan bonus and public commendation but also earned the right to one hour of free use of a Heavenly Spirit Root.

Today was the day the school was scheduled to fulfill this one-hour Heavenly Spirit Root reward.

Since the school scheduled both Spirit Root rentals and quiet rooms for spiritual energy absorption, missing the appointment would void the reward. Therefore, he rushed to the Spirit Root rental office without a moment’s delay.

Zhao Tianxing seized the opportunity, followed closely behind Zhang Yu, and asked, “Are you going to rent a Heavenly Spirit Root?”

Seeing Zhang Yu nod, Zhao Tianxing continued, “You don’t seem to rent Heavenly Spirit Roots at school very often, do you?”

“Would you like me to tell you about the different Heavenly Spirit Root models available at our school?”

Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered slightly. The original Zhang Yu, due to cost, had always rented Spirit Roots from various educational institutions offering discounts, so he genuinely wasn’t very familiar with the Heavenly Spirit Root models at school.

After all, with the development of the times, especially after the sorting and research by the Ten Great Sects, Spirit Roots were no longer categorized as superficially as they were in ancient times.

Firstly, in terms of grade, Spirit Roots were divided into five levels by the Ten Great Sects.

These included the lowest-grade Human Spirit Roots, the higher-grade Earth Spirit Roots, and the even higher-grade Heavenly Spirit Roots. These three grades of Spirit Roots could be purchased by anyone with sufficient funds.

Above those were the military-grade Divine Spirit Roots, and the Immortal Spirit Roots, exclusive to the Ten Great Sects.

Divine Spirit Roots could only be used by the military and certain special government departments.

As for Immortal Spirit Roots, usage was restricted to those who had joined one of the Ten Great Sects.

In terms of classification, ancient categories like Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Spirit Roots… no longer existed in Kunxu.

Because the design and manufacturing industries for Spirit Roots had become increasingly advanced and prosperous, Spirit Roots were now gradually categorized by their different functions, such as learning-type, combat-type, cultivation-type, and so on.

Zhao Tianxing then explained, “The most popular Spirit Roots at our high school are definitely the learning-type and cultivation-type Spirit Roots.”

“For example, the Parasitic Spirit Root…”

Zhang Yu looked startled. “Chicken Spirit Root?”

Zhao Tianxing clarified, “It’s ‘parasitic,’ as in ‘寄生’ (jìshēng). The Parasitic Spirit Root can temporarily reside within a person, transferring the spiritual power that person refines through the Spirit Root to oneself. It’s a favorite among many wealthy individuals.”

“Also, the Muscle-Boosting Spirit Root is a favorite for many. When absorbing spiritual energy, it can refine the spiritual essence into a growth essence, injecting it directly into muscles to accelerate muscle growth, building muscle 24 hours a day, and significantly improving body tempering results…”