Chapter 23: Discussion

1:00 AM.

Having finished his security shift, Zhang Yu was squeezing through subways and buses on his way back to his rented room in the suburbs.

As for why the subways and buses were still packed at 1:00 AM, it was naturally because 1:00 AM belonged to the night peak of Songyang City, with countless commuters heading home or starting their shifts.

After returning home and taking a shower, Zhang Yu checked his account balance, wondering if he could finally afford an air conditioner.

After all, his savings of 8,300 made him feel that his life this month would be much more comfortable.

However, the thought that next month was only two weeks away—and that he would have to repay a 15,000 loan—made him frown involuntarily.

Recalling what Bai Zhenzhen had said, he murmured to himself, "A school contract?"

If signing a contract meant receiving a large sum of money every month, he wouldn't have to worry about the loan.

But Zhang Yu knew that overthinking was useless. Whether it was his performance in front of the Celestial Martial Arts Map or the school contract, the root of everything ultimately rested on his own talent and strength.

With this thought, he took out the neural filler he had bought at the stationery store by the school gate today and swallowed it.

Then, he sat cross-legged on his bed and began to circulate the Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method, feeling the wisps of spiritual energy from heaven and earth flowing into his body.

Although he had switched his specialization in the *Yu Shu* to the *Heavenly Martial Heart-Refining Manual* for today's trial of the Celestial Martial Arts Map, and the Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method wouldn't be able to improve rapidly again until he switched it back in 24 hours, it didn't matter.

He couldn't even master the *Heavenly Martial Heart-Refining Manual* until his Dao Heart reached Level 3 anyway, and next, he would need to increase his mana to prepare for the Magic Competition.

Even though the Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method couldn't be leveled up quickly today, the method itself, which had already reached Level 4, could still help him effectively increase his mana.

Thus, the rest of the night passed in Zhang Yu's silent breathing exercises.

...

Early the next morning.

As soon as Zhang Yu entered the classroom, he noticed something different from usual.

Normally, the vast majority of students in Songyang High School focused solely on their own studies and cultivation; they rarely cared about other ordinary students in the class.

Even two classmates might go months without saying a single word to each other.

Just like how no one ever paid attention to Zhang Yu when he entered the classroom every day.

Only someone like Zhao Tianxing would worry every day about whether his classmates were looking at him when he walked in.

But today was different. Zhang Yu could clearly feel that as soon as he entered the room, students were occasionally stealing glances at him.

As soon as Zhang Yu sat down, Zhou Tianyi patted his shoulder and said, "The news about you being taken as a disciple by a Golden Core True Person has spread through the class."

"It seems the people who went to the art exhibition with Qian Shen were the ones talking about it in the group chat."

It was common knowledge that schools were among the fastest places in the world for rumors to spread.

And as a key high school, Songyang High School had high cultivation pressure, many celibate youths, and everyone had a phone, making the spread of gossip even faster.

Never mind text messages; even the photo of Zhang Yu in his security uniform from yesterday had already been circulating in the group chats.

Zhang Yu chuckled upon hearing this.

"So my exploits have started spreading in class? As expected of 'Songyang Speed.' Let them keep talking."

In these days of forced bitter cultivation, feeling the attention and discussion of others regarding his excellent performance was a rare bit of enjoyment for Zhang Yu.

But he immediately curled his lip, thinking of a problem.

Yesterday, Li Xuelian had called him aside privately to tell him that she had rejected him.

This meant that many people present didn't know he had actually been rejected by the Golden Core True Person; they all thought, as Li Xuelian had stated on stage, that he was about to be taken as a disciple.

"If I run up to the podium now to clarify, I'll look like an idiot."

"Forget it, let them spread whatever they want. They'll probably forget about it in a while."

Zhang Yu closed his eyes and continued to circulate the Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method, breathing in spiritual energy.

The classmates' gossip was merely temporary entertainment.

Just as he had planned, his primary goal remained to focus all his efforts on increasing his mana to prepare for the city-wide Magic Competition.

However, after only a few breaths, Zhang Yu was called out by his homeroom teacher, Su Haifeng.

...

He remembered the last time he was called for a talk by Su Haifeng; it was the third day after Zhang Yu arrived in this world.

At that time, he still didn't have a deep understanding of Songyang High School or its teachers.

He had even initially mistaken Su Haifeng for a kind teacher who cared about impoverished students.

But right now, as Zhang Yu followed behind Su Haifeng outside the classroom, he could feel the terrifying pressure of this demonstration class homeroom teacher and grade director.

Wherever Su Haifeng passed, the classroom instantly fell silent, and many students trembled in fear.

Qian Shen didn't dare move an inch, focusing intently on his breathing.

Zhao Tianxing, who had just stood up to go to the restroom, hurriedly sat back down and picked up a book to read.

Even Bai Zhenzhen sat upright like a primary school student, staring fixedly at her textbook.

Everyone's nerves were taut at this moment, hoping Su Haifeng's gaze wouldn't land on them.

This was Su Haifeng, the Grade One Director of Songyang High School and a living legend in the hearts of countless Songyang students, the author of the research paper *On the Prospect of Using Electric Shocks in High School Teaching*.

He was a man so intimidating that even a dog passing by him would have to stop and read a few pages of a book.

Zhang Yu followed Su Haifeng through his "domain of learning" all the way to the office. Looking at this "Demon King," Zhang Yu smiled and said, "I heard True Person Xinghuo wants to take me as a disciple?"

Zhang Yu had no intention of lying to the school about becoming a disciple of a Golden Core master. After all, a lie about discipleship is easily exposed, which would only put him in a disadvantageous position.

So, he spoke truthfully: "No. I felt that True Person Xinghuo's conditions were a bit lacking, so I declined."

Su Haifeng's mouth twitched upon hearing this.

Zhang Yu's family was already poor, and he hadn't even sent a single gift in the three months since school started. Now that he had finally gained some fame, he was actually acting high and mighty.

"Is this to raise your price... regarding the contract?"

As expected, these poor kids were prone to inflation.

However, if that were the case, Su Haifeng felt that signing the contract later might not be so easy.

"Mhm." After a moment of silence, Su Haifeng pulled out a document and said, "The school is already aware of your performance at the art exhibition in the Central Plaza."

"Although your grades have slipped recently, you were criticized by the PE teacher, you haven't been proactive in buying medicine, and a debt collection company even called me, the school still cares about talent and has decided to provide you with some assistance."

Zhang Yu's eyes narrowed.

As expected of the notorious "living legend" of Songyang High School—he started with pure gaslighting right out of the gate.

Thinking of what Bai Zhenzhen had said about contracts, Zhang Yu guessed that this was likely a setup for negotiating the contract terms.

And just as he expected, Su Haifeng placed the document in front of him and continued, "The school has prepared a student assistance contract for you. The terms are much better than the previous poverty subsidy plan. Take a look and see if there are any issues."

Zhang Yu took it and scanned it, discovering that once the contract was signed, the school would transfer 10,000 yuan to him every month. However, this money had to be repaid, though the interest was much lower than a standard loan.

In addition, he was required to work for ten years in an enterprise under the school's educational group, regardless of whether he got into university or not.

Songyang High School belonged to the Wanxing Education Group, which in turn belonged to the Wanfa Sect, one of the ten great sects.

In other words, after signing this contract, Zhang Yu would have to work for the Wanxing Education Group for ten years.

Furthermore, during the university application process, Songyang High School had the right to decide which university and which major a student could apply for.

"Ten thousand a month, and they want me to sign this kind of indentured servitude contract?"

Even if Zhang Yu hadn't seen other students' contracts, he could tell this one was quite insulting.

Zhang Yu put the document down and said with a frown, "Teacher, isn't this treatment a bit too low? When I was a security guard at the Central Plaza, I made 800 yuan an hour."

"Can temporary work last long?" Su Haifeng first offered a negation, then pivoted, "I know the benefits in this contract are indeed a bit low, but the school leadership naturally has its reasons for doing so."

"After all, regarding the assessment of the Celestial Martial Arts Map at the art exhibition—what exactly was being tested? What were the selection criteria? What were the specific qualities of all the candidates? Without first-hand data, the school cannot judge personally. Not to mention, you didn't even successfully master the martial arts within it."

"On the contrary, your grades have declined significantly this month."

"The school is, after all, a place that values grades. The evaluation system of 700 points across six subjects is certainly more 'immortal path' and more reasonable than the Celestial Martial Arts Map, and it is certainly more valued by the board of directors. The contract process cannot escape this reality..."

Zhang Yu's frown deepened, because Su Haifeng's words were not without merit.

At Songyang High School, grades and scores were ultimately paramount.

After all, besides him, no one at the school knew the specific difficulty and power of the *Heavenly Martial Heart-Refining Manual*, nor did they know that the technique required a Level 3 Dao Heart.

And Zhang Yu had no right to disseminate the manual, nor was there anyone to vouch for him to make people believe his claims about it.

Zhang Yu: "I cannot accept this contract."

Su Haifeng smiled slightly, wondering if he was about to ask for a raise.

He said calmly, "Don't be in a hurry. I am your homeroom teacher after all; I can help you fight for more."

Zhang Yu: "Can it be as high as the terms offered to Bai Zhenzhen?"

Su Haifeng didn't answer directly but laughed instead, though the implication of his laughter was clear.

He then said, "I am not responsible for Bai Zhenzhen's contract, but I can give you an answer. Bai Zhenzhen is the top student in the grade with 650 points. What is your score?"

Zhang Yu: "Is it true that as long as I rank first in the grade, everything is negotiable?"

Looking at Zhang Yu's serious face, Su Haifeng smiled and took the contract back. "How much you can score depends on your own ability."

"Contracts are primarily based on grades. While there can be some fluctuation in the details, generally speaking, they are only divided into four levels: Grade A, B, C, and D."

"The monthly exams are in two weeks. If you are unsatisfied with a Grade D contract, we can continue talking once your next monthly exam results are out."