"I'm starving."
Qian Shen rubbed his stomach, utterly uninterested in the paintings displayed at the art exhibition. All he wanted was to find a place to feast.
Having just finished an intensive physical training session before rushing over, his hunger was so intense that he felt he could devour an entire cow.
"I'll go look for something to eat."
After bidding his classmates farewell, Qian Shen began wandering around the exhibition in search of food.
His classmates, who had come with him, were used to this behavior.
Day in and day out, they immersed themselves in the study of the Dao and rigorous physical training. Their nutritional needs and the amount they consumed far exceeded those of ordinary people.
For someone like Qian Shen, a top student who trained relentlessly 24/7, eating five meals a day was considered light. His family tutor would worry if he ate any less, fearing he might have lost his appetite.
Just then, Qian Shen's eyes lit up as they landed on the buffet table.
He quickly strode over, grabbed a plate of shrimp, and devoured it in a few bites. However, after a moment, he frowned. "This food is so lacking in nutrients?"
As the second-ranked student in his grade at Songyang High School, Qian Shen's success was not only due to his talent and hard work but also his family's wealth.
To enhance his cultivation, especially the effects of his physical training, his daily diet was rich in various Daoist elements.
For someone like him, who valued scores above all else, taste was secondary. What mattered most was whether the food could boost his cultivation efficiency.
While he could afford the seafood offered at the exhibition buffet, he had no interest in indulging in such luxuries. To him, it was a waste of time and appetite.
Seafood? Fine dining? If it didn't improve his grades, it was just garbage.
As Qian Shen surveyed the other dishes on the table, he called over a server to inquire if there were any other foods that could serve as nutritional supplements.
"Everything edible is here. Take what you want," came the server's cold reply.
Qian Shen frowned at the tone and looked up to see a familiar face.
He glanced at the server's uniform and asked in surprise, "You work here?"
"Yes," Bai Zhenzhen replied expressionlessly. "Is there anything else?"
Qian Shen furrowed his brows. "Are you that short on money?"
"Then hurry up and sign with the student council. Otherwise, wasting time on meaningless jobs like this will only hinder your Daoist path."
"Even if I surpass you, it won't be satisfying."
Qian Shen's tone was filled with lament. He had always seen Bai Zhenzhen, the only girl in his grade who could outscore him, as his rival.
In his mind, Bai Zhenzhen should feel the same way.
For the next three years of high school, the entire grade—perhaps even the entire school—would be a battlefield where the two geniuses clashed yet respected each other.
They would push each other to their limits through constant competition, eventually gaining admission to top-tier universities together.
But in response to Qian Shen's lament, Bai Zhenzhen simply said, "Are you lecturing me?"
Before Qian Shen could reply, she continued, "You, with a total score of just over 600, are lecturing me, who scored 650?"
Faced with Bai Zhenzhen's blatant score-based discrimination, Qian Shen, a staunch advocate of score supremacy, instantly felt deflated. The 50-point gap loomed over him like a mountain.
If you have the higher score, you have the right to speak.
At that moment, in Qian Shen's eyes, Bai Zhenzhen seemed to have the glowing numbers "650" above her head, exuding an overwhelming pressure that left him speechless.
Bai Zhenzhen frowned. "Why are you staring at the top of my head when you talk to me?"
Qian Shen snorted and turned to leave.
"Just wait, Bai Zhenzhen. If you keep wasting time like this, it won't be long before I surpass you."
But after taking just a few steps, he nearly collided with two security guards.
It was Zhang Yu, who had come to check on the situation, and Zhao Tianxing, whom he had dragged along.
Seeing that Bai Zhenzhen and Qian Shen seemed to be in some sort of conflict, Zhang Yu, as a security guard, had hurried over.
Qian Shen, recognizing his classmates despite their security uniforms, said, "550 and 580?"
Zhang Yu was momentarily stunned before realizing that 550 was his total score from last month's exam, and 580 was likely Zhao Tianxing's score.
This guy only remembers scores, not names? What a study-obsessed freak.
But in truth, Qian Shen didn't just forget names. He didn't even bother remembering the names or scores of students who scored below 550.
To him, anyone below 550 was just an NPC. Why bother remembering them?
Take this "550" for example. In Qian Shen's eyes, he was already a subhuman.
Based on his observations, this guy would likely score below 550 in the next exam, making him even less worthy of memory.
Looking at Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing's security uniforms, Qian Shen shook his head. "Why are you two working here too?"
Facing "550" and "580," Qian Shen's confidence, which had been crushed by "650," quickly returned. He said arrogantly, "Why are you two wasting time here instead of studying and training?"
Zhang Yu retorted, "Aren't you here too?"
Qian Shen chuckled confidently. "I specifically rescheduled my tutoring session to come here and study the peerless martial arts depicted in the Heavenly Martial Diagram."
Zhang Yu replied, "We're here to study the Heavenly Martial Diagram too."
"And we're getting paid 800 an hour."
"Earning money while studying divine techniques—isn't that a better deal?"
Qian Shen was momentarily taken aback. He looked at Zhang Yu with surprise, thinking, "Even a 550 can make a good point?"
He said to Zhang Yu, "550, I'll remember you."
"My name is Zhang Yu!" Zhang Yu couldn't help but glance at the top of his head. "Why do you keep staring at my head?"
But Qian Shen quickly regained his composure. "Wait, you two think you can comprehend the Heavenly Martial Diagram?"
Zhao Tianxing, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, especially Qian Shen's disdain, blushed and quickly waved his hands. "No, no, I wasn't planning to study the Heavenly Martial Diagram."
Qian Shen ignored Zhao Tianxing's explanation and shook his head with a sigh. "The Heavenly Martial Diagram was drawn by a Golden Core expert. The peerless martial arts it contains are meant to select true geniuses. Even I'm not entirely confident I can master it, let alone you two."
With that, Qian Shen lost interest in the "550" and "580" before him and walked away.
Watching Qian Shen's retreating figure, Zhao Tianxing's expression turned even more bitter.
Not only had Qian Shen seen him working as a security guard, but Zhang Yu's careless words had also led Qian Shen to believe he was here to study the Heavenly Martial Diagram.
Zhao Tianxing's heart was filled with bitterness, already imagining the ridicule he would face from his classmates.
"This is so embarrassing," he thought.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, oblivious to Zhao Tianxing's worries, turned to Bai Zhenzhen and asked, "Are you okay? You and Qian Shen don't get along?"
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. "I'm fine. Most of the time, he's just embarrassing himself."
She then gave Zhang Yu a strange look. "Are you planning to study the Heavenly Martial Diagram too?"
Seeing Zhang Yu nod confidently, Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, "Zhang Yu's debt must be driving him crazy. With his level... he actually wants to study martial arts left by a Golden Core expert?"
Zhao Tianxing, eager to leave, tugged at Zhang Yu's sleeve, only to find him exchanging meaningful glances with Bai Zhenzhen.
Soon after, Bai Zhenzhen discreetly handed Zhang Yu a plate of seafood.
Zhang Yu asked, "Lao Zhao, want some?"
Zhao Tianxing hurriedly replied, "The captain said we can't eat from the buffet."
As he spoke, he quickly positioned himself to block Zhang Yu, afraid someone might see.
Zhang Yu said casually, "Well, Bai Zhenzhen is working here too. Might as well take advantage of the company's resources."
Just as Zhang Yu was enjoying the shrimp, a voice came from behind Zhao Tianxing.
"What are you two doing?"
The voice startled Zhao Tianxing, but when he turned around and saw it was their classmate Zhou Tianyi, he relaxed.
Unconsciously, Zhao Tianxing seemed to be getting used to wearing a security uniform in front of his classmates.
Zhang Yu looked at Zhou Tianyi in surprise. "Lao Zhou, you're here too?"
Zhou Tianyi smiled. "Yeah, I came with Qian Shen and the others."
Zhang Yu asked, "Really? I didn't see you earlier."
Zhou Tianyi replied, "Well, how did you end up here?"
As the two chatted about their situations, Zhao Tianxing urged Zhang Yu to continue their patrol.
Zhou Tianyi suddenly said mysteriously, "I have some gossip about a Golden Core expert. Interested?"
Seeing Zhang Yu's curious expression, Zhao Tianxing said, "The captain's already asking in the group chat where we are..."
Zhang Yu nodded. "Forget it, work comes first. We'll hear it next time."
As the two turned to leave, Zhou Tianyi added, "Starfire True Person lost half his cultivation after resigning, which is why he's planning to return to the first layer."
"What?"
Both Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing immediately turned back, waiting for Zhou Tianyi to continue.
Nearby, Bai Zhenzhen, though not looking their way, also pricked up her ears.
Zhou Tianyi smiled and continued, "Golden Core experts can live up to 400 years, but Starfire True Person is already 350. Last year, he was let go by the Ten Thousand Laws Sect."
"When he resigned, half his cultivation was reclaimed. Unable to afford the expenses of the higher layers, he decided to return to the first layer of Kunxu to focus on raising his descendants and training disciples."
Zhang Yu was once again shocked by the absurdity of this world. "Wait... they take half your cultivation when you resign?"
Zhou Tianyi replied matter-of-factly, "The sect trained him, gave him the resources to form his Golden Core. Isn't it normal to return half when you leave?"
As the three listened to Zhou Tianyi's story about Starfire True Person, a commotion broke out in the distance.
A guest whispered, "Madam Li is here. The Heavenly Martial Diagram is about to be unveiled."
(End of chapter...)
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