“Wuji Cloud Hand is only six moves, and I can practice it so quickly. Won’t I be able to raise it to Level 10 tonight?” Zhang Yu wondered.

But after Zhang Yu rallied his spirit and practiced five more times, he felt his internal mana dwindling, no longer sufficient to sustain his practice of Wuji Cloud Hand. Zhang Yu realized his previous thought was mistaken.

“It seems Wuji Cloud Hand can’t be leveled up to 10 in one night.”

Unlike basic-level martial arts like San Shou, Wuji Cloud Hand consumed significantly more mana. Even with the passive energy absorption of the Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method constantly restoring his mana, it was impossible for him to practice for several hours straight, as he could with San Shou.

So Zhang Yu simply sat cross-legged, allowing the passive energy absorption to continue restoring his mana, while simultaneously practicing the Desolate Ox Soul-Calming Heart Art to improve his Dao heart.

With such intermittent practice, after a night passed, Zhang Yu had leveled up Wuji Cloud Hand to Level 6 (7/60). The coverage of the Formless Cloud Aura had expanded from his hands, now extending all the way to Zhang Yu’s arms and shoulders, constantly surging like a vast sea of clouds. The previous phenomenon of cloud mist surging skyward, like a rising smoke signal, had also vanished. Only faint, subtle wisps of smoke could be seen gently ascending about ten centimeters before dissolving into the air. This was because, with improved control, the consumption of aura during Zhang Yu’s use of the Formless Cloud Aura was significantly reduced.

The next day at Songyang High School, inside the student council office.

Zhou Chechen smiled faintly as he read the message on his phone. “He actually placed fourth in the Mana Competition? That’s quite unexpected.”

Lan Ling, lifting dumbbells, commented, “Apparently, Bailong High School’s competition coach has approached him, trying to recruit him.”

Zhou Chechen chuckled. “They lost a competitive spot this time, which means one less achievement on a student’s resume. Of course they’d want to poach someone. What if we sign Zhang Yu and specifically train him for the mana competitions? Couldn’t we seize a few more top places, leading to fewer awards for students from the three prestigious schools?”

For Songyang City’s affluent families, spots at the top ten universities are limited. Fewer awards on one student’s resume could mean a higher chance of success for others.

Lan Ling grumbled, “Perhaps in freshman year, but once sophomore year begins, I don’t believe Zhang Yu will be able to surpass them.”

Zhou Chechen replied with satisfaction, “Even that would be quite good. So it’s settled. We certainly can’t let Bailong High School poach him. After this month’s monthly exam…” Zhou Chechen watched his hand clench subtly, as if he was tightly grasping everything he desired. “Zhang Yu must sign with us.”

Lan Ling understood the implication: Zhang Yu had to sign after the monthly exam.

Outside the school gates, Zhao Tianxing spoke into his phone, “Got it, Mom, I know…” From the phone, his mother’s voice chirped, “Spend more time with Zhang Yu; look how quickly he’s improving in his studies…”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it,” Zhao Tianxing mumbled dismissively before finally hanging up.

Just as he stepped through the school gate, he saw the large words scrolling across the electronic screen once more: “Heartfelt congratulations to Zhang Yu of Class 1, Freshman Year, for securing 4th place in the city’s Mana Competition, High School Freshman Group!”

“It’s actually true…”

Though he had heard rumors in several school group chats yesterday, it wasn’t until he saw the words himself that Zhao Tianxing truly confirmed its veracity. The thought that Zhang Yu, who had just been eating at the same table with him, had suddenly surpassed a slew of top students from the three prestigious schools and key high schools to clinch fourth place in the Mana Competition, couldn’t help but make Zhao Tianxing feel a twinge of unease. This was followed by a wave of shame.

*Zhao Tianxing, Zhao Tianxing, how could you be so jealous when a classmate achieved such an impressive result? It’s disgraceful! Where’s your sense of ‘score-morality’ now?*

“Sigh, I can’t compare myself to Zhang Yu. He’s a Golden Core disciple; he’s practically a different species from us now.”

“Securing fourth place in this competition must be due to True Person Xinghuo’s significant efforts.”

“And Mom still tells me to hang out with him more…” Zhao Tianxing smiled bitterly to himself. “With such a massive gap, can we truly still hang out?”

The rumor that Zhang Yu was a Golden Core disciple became more solidified among students due to his fourth-place finish in the competition. As someone who often considered others’ perceptions, Zhao Tianxing felt a surge of inferiority whenever he thought of Zhang Yu’s current dazzling aura.

*He’s a Golden Core disciple, after all, and his academic performance is widening the gap with mine. What if he already looks down on me? In his eyes, I might have become just another average student, easily overlooked.*

*If I were to deliberately approach him now, trying to socialize… wouldn’t it seem overly flattering to others? Would they think I’m vain, or that I’m trying to bask in the glow of his Golden Core disciple status?*

It wasn’t fair to blame Zhao Tianxing for overthinking; as a teenager who grew up in the city, he had witnessed too many similar situations at school. When academic scores created a significant gap between friends, their friendships often gradually soured. Phrases like “You’ve changed since your scores improved,” or “Your grades are so low, I’m ashamed to be seen with you,” or “I’ll help you boost your score by 10 points, but don’t bother me again after this…” were all too common.

“Sigh, if Zhang Yu doesn’t invite me to lunch today, I shouldn’t go out of my way to find him. I’d rather avoid being turned down.”

When the bell for the last class of the morning rang, Zhao Tianxing subtly glanced in Zhang Yu’s direction. Seeing Zhang Yu chatting with Bai Zhenzhen, a pang of envy struck him. If only he had grades as good as Bai Zhenzhen’s, he too could converse lightheartedly with Zhang Yu. When he saw Zhang Yu talking to Zhou Tianyi, he envied Zhou Tianyi, too. Despite having lower scores than Zhang Yu, Zhou Tianyi could still chat casually about anything with him, completely at ease. Zhao Tianxing never possessed such a relaxed mindset.

Just then, Zhao Tianxing noticed Zhang Yu and the other two stand up and walk in his direction. Zhao Tianxing quickly lowered his head. Feeling the three drawing nearer, he pretended to organize his desk, shuffling a few books back and forth as if perpetually unsatisfied, completely feigning ignorance of Zhang Yu and his companions. But inwardly, he remained keenly aware of Zhang Yu’s movements, one question lingering in his mind: *Will he ask me to join them for lunch?*

Zhang Yu: “Old Zhao! Coming to lunch with us?”

Zhao Tianxing quickly stood up, a smile spreading across his face. “Yeah, let’s go.”

On the way to the cafeteria, Zhou Tianyi chuckled, “Zhang Yu, don’t you think the atmosphere at school feels a bit different today?”

“Is it?” Zhang Yu considered for a moment. “Teachers are still as gentle as ever, classmates are still kind, and the air still smells of diligent study. Everything seems perfectly fine.”

Zhou Tianyi replied, “You took fourth place in the competition. Now, most of the school is convinced you’re a Golden Core disciple. Haven’t you noticed everyone treats you with more respect?”

Zhang Yu recalled faintly that his classmates’ attitudes toward him had indeed… gained a subtle, almost imperceptible distance.

Bai Zhenzhen, walking beside them, remarked blandly, “Hmm, I overheard some people in the girls’ restroom talking about you. They were all saying you must have been propped up by a True Golden Core expert—that you have connections and good luck.”

Zhou Tianyi added, “In the boys’ restroom, I heard some people claiming you’d figured out the ‘rich madam code.’ Otherwise, they said, ordinary folks like us wouldn’t even know where the Golden Core disciple selection exhibition is held, let alone get chosen after attending…”

Zhang Yu sighed. “Alas, I never thought that bravely winning honor for the school would ultimately lead to alienation and jealousy.”

Zhou Tianyi chuckled, “Zhang Yu, the higher your scores and the better your performance, the more jealousy you’ll naturally attract.” He continued slowly, “They won’t consider your hard work or your talent. They’ll just assume you had better circumstances and attribute all your successes to sheer luck.”

Looking at Zhou Tianyi’s pensive expression, Zhang Yu commented thoughtfully, “For someone ranked 25th in the grade… you seem to know quite a bit.”

Zhou Tianyi stumbled, then retorted with exasperation, “I… our freshman class has over five hundred students, and being 25th means I’ve surpassed plenty of people too!”

Zhao Tianxing, standing nearby, watched Zhang Yu chatting and laughing, and a sense of relief washed over him. *I can’t believe Zhang Yu is still so approachable after taking fourth place in the competition,* he thought.

But moments later, Zhao Tianxing reconsidered; Zhang Yu had indeed changed, if only slightly. At the serving counter, Zhang Yu looked at the cafeteria attendant and said, “Auntie, I placed fourth in the city’s Mana Competition. Could you give me a little extra meat?”

The attendant beamed, “Certainly! This largest pork chop is for our city’s fourth-place winner!”

Songyang High School’s strong academic atmosphere meant that even the cafeteria attendants prioritized students based on their grades.

Later that night, in the suburbs of Songyang City.

Amidst whooshing sounds of rushing wind, a dark silhouette rapidly darted across the night sky, steadily nearing Zhang Yu’s rented apartment. It paused briefly at the main entrance of the apartment building. As the door swung open, the silhouette darted inside like a wisp of smoke, instantly reaching Zhang Yu’s floor, finally materializing eerily outside his door.

A rapid knock sounded on the door. Zhang Yu quickly rose to open it.

Standing at the doorway, regarding him, was a middle-aged man with a powerful, commanding presence, exuding a profound and unshakable aura.

“Mr. Zhang Yu?”

Zhang Yu nodded. “Song Bida? You arrived in just over twenty minutes. That’s quite fast.”

The middle-aged man smiled, pulling the items from a large backpack and presenting them to Zhang Yu. “Mr. Zhang, these are the goods you ordered. Please sign to confirm receipt.”

A moment later, Zhang Yu closed the door and retrieved the items he had purchased. The Mana Competition made Zhang Yu realize the significant gap between himself and the top students from prestigious schools, making him even more eager to improve.

In his current state, his mana was constantly replenished daily through the Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method, and improving his Dao heart remained a primary daily objective. Only his physical strength had stagnated, with no dedicated time for enhancement. Considering he would be participating in the Martial Arts Competition next month, likely facing off against the wealthy students from those prestigious schools, Zhang Yu felt an increasing need to bolster his physical strength. Therefore, after some careful consideration, he purchased a few items online.