You dare to cultivate without money?!-Chapter 34 - 23 Discussion

1 a.m.

Having completed his security duties, Zhang Yu squeezed onto the subway and bus, heading back to his rented apartment in the suburbs.

The reason why the buses and subways are still crowded at 1 a.m. is naturally because 1 a.m. is the late-night rush hour in Songyang City's night shift, with many people on the move.

Upon returning home, Zhang Yu took a shower and checked his account balance, wondering if he could finally buy an air conditioner.

After all, with a savings of 8,300, he suddenly felt that this month's life had become much more comfortable.

But thinking about the 15,000 loan due in two weeks, he couldn't help but frown.

He recalled what Bai Zhenzhen had said.

He murmured to himself, "The school's contract, huh?"

If signing the contract could bring him a large sum of money every month, then he wouldn't have to worry about the loan.

However, Zhang Yu knew that overthinking was pointless. Whether it was his performance in front of the Heavenly Martial Diagram or the school's contract, everything fundamentally depended on his own talent and strength.

Thinking of this, he took out the nerve filler he bought from the stationery store at the school gate today and consumed it.

Then he sat cross-legged on the bed, beginning to operate the Circulation Qi Gathering Method, feeling the threads of spirit machine flowing into his body.

Despite switching Yu Shu's specialization to the Heavenly Martial Refining Heart Technique for today's Heavenly Martial Diagram test, he would have to wait 24 hours to switch back the Circulation Qi Gathering Method for rapid improvement.

But anyway, since his Dao Heart of the Heavenly Martial Refining Heart Technique has not reached level 3, he can't practice it. Now, he needs to prepare for the magic competition to enhance his mana.

Although the Circulation Qi Gathering Method cannot be quickly improved today, having reached level 4, it inherently helps him significantly enhance his mana.

Thus, the rest of that night quietly passed with Zhang Yu's meditation and breathing exercise.

...

Early the next morning.

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

Normally, most students at Songyang High School focus solely on their studies and cultivation, rarely paying attention to other ordinary students in the class.

Even two classmates might not speak to each other for months.

Just like how no one pays attention to Zhang Yu when he walks into the classroom every day.

Only someone like Zhao Tianxing would wonder if classmates are watching him every day when he enters the classroom.

But today was different. Zhang Yu could feel that once he entered the classroom, there were classmates secretly glancing at him from time to time.

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

"It seems that some people who went to the art exhibition with Qian Shen said it in the group chat."

It is well known that a school is one of the fastest places for rumors to spread in the world.

And as a key high school, Songyang High School is under a great deal of cultivation pressure, with many students living solitary lives and everyone owning a cell phone, which allows the rumors to spread even faster.

Not only were there text messages, but even the photo of Zhang Yu wearing a security uniform yesterday had already circulated in the group chat.

Zhang Yu chuckled when he heard that.

"Has my story started circulating in the class? That's Songyang speed for you; let it keep spreading."

In these days of forced cultivation, feeling the attention and gossip behind his back about his excellent performance was one of Zhang Yu's rare pleasures.

But then he pouted, thinking of a trouble.

Yesterday, Li Xuelian secretly called him to a small meeting to talk about his rejection.

This led to many people present not knowing that he had actually been rejected by the Golden Core True Man and still thought as Li Xuelian said on stage that he was to become a disciple of the Golden Core True Man.

"If I go up to the podium to clarify, it would seem pretty silly."

"Forget it, let them talk about it as they please. They should forget about it after a while."

Zhang Yu closed his eyes and resumed operating the Circulation Qi Gathering Method, breathing in the spirit machine.

The classmates' gossip was merely a temporary amusement.

As planned before, his main goal remained to enhance his mana with full force, preparing to participate in the city's magic competition.

But this time, Zhang Yu hadn't meditated long before he was called out by the homeroom teacher, Su Haifeng.

...

The last time Zhang Yu was called for a talk by Su Haifeng was on the third day after he arrived in this world.

At that time, he still didn't fully understand Songyang High School and its teachers.

He even initially mistook Su Haifeng for a teacher who cared about impoverished students.

Now, following behind Su Haifeng outside the classroom, Zhang Yu could feel the terrifying pressure of this homeroom teacher of the experimental class and grade director.

Wherever Su Haifeng passed, the classroom fell silent instantly, with many students trembling in fear.

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Qian Shen remained motionless and concentrated on meditating.

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

Even Bai Zhenzhen sat upright like an elementary school student, intently staring at the textbook in front of her.

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

This is Su Haifeng, the head of the first grade at Songyang High School. In the minds of countless Songyang students, he authored the educational research paper "On the Application Prospects of Electric Shocks in High School Education."

Even a dog passing by him has to read a few pages.

Zhang Yu followed Su Haifeng all the way into the office, watched as the Demon King smiled at him, and said, "I heard that Master Xinghuo wants to accept you as a disciple?"

Zhang Yu had no intention of deceiving the school into thinking he'd become a disciple under the Golden Core Sect, as such lies about apprenticeship could easily be exposed, putting him at a disadvantage.

So he straightforwardly said, "No, I thought Master Xinghuo's terms weren't that appealing, so I declined."

Su Haifeng's mouth twitched upon hearing this.

Zhang Yu's family was already poor, and he hadn't given any gifts to him over the past three months. Now that he finally made a name for himself, he even started showing off.

"Is it to boost your position for the contract negotiation...?"

Indeed, these poor souls are prone to swelling with pride.

But with this in mind, Su Haifeng thought the contract negotiation later might not go as smoothly.

"Hmm." After pondering, he took out a document and said, "The school has become aware of your performance in the art exhibition at Central Building."

"Even though you've had setbacks in your grades lately, were criticized by the P.E. teacher, aren't proactive in buying medicine, and had debt collectors call me, the school still cares about talent and decided to offer some help."

Zhang Yu squinted his eyes at these words.

This is indeed the Songyang High School's infamous manipulation tactics.

Zhang Yu recalled what Bai Zhenzhen had said about the contract, suspecting it was a preparation for the upcoming contract negotiation.

And indeed, as he anticipated, Su Haifeng placed the document in front of him and said, "The school has prepared a scholarship contract for you, which is much better than the last poverty student aid plan. See if there's any problem."

Zhang Yu skimmed through it and found that if he signed the contract, the school would transfer 10,000 each month, but it needed to be repaid, albeit with much lower interest than a loan.

Moreover, it required that whether or not he got into college, he must work for ten years in an enterprise under the school's affiliated educational group.

Songyang High School is part of the Wanxing Education Group, which belongs to the Wanfa Sect under the Ten Major Sects.

In other words, signing this contract meant Zhang Yu would work at Wanxing Education Group for ten years in the future.

Additionally, in the process of applying for college, Songyang High School had the right to decide which university and major a student applies to.

"Ten thousand per month, and I have to sign such a slave contract?"

Even though Zhang Yu hadn't seen other students' contracts, he could see that this contract was somewhat condescending.

Zhang Yu put down the document, frowning, "Teacher, isn't this offer too low? I make 800 an hour working security at the Central Building."

"Do temporary jobs last?" Su Haifeng first dismissed it, then said, "I know this contract's offer is indeed a bit low, but school leaders have their reasons."

"After all, regarding the Heavenly Martial Diagram assessment at the exhibition, what exactly was being assessed? What criteria were used for selection? What are the specific qualities of all candidates? The school doesn't have first-hand information, so it's impossible to judge by itself, let alone you didn't master the martial arts in it."

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

"A school is ultimately a place that values grades, and the evaluation system of six subjects out of 700 points will certainly seem more aligned with the Immortal Path, more reasonable, and of greater interest to the school board, and the contract process can't escape this point..."

Zhang Yu frowned even more deeply since Su Haifeng's words were not without reason.

At Songyang High School, grades ultimately come first.

Besides himself, no one at the school knew the specific difficulty and power of the Heavenly Martial Refining Heart Technique, nor did they know this martial art required a level 3 Dao Heart.

Moreover, Zhang Yu didn't have the right to propagate the Heavenly Martial Refining Heart Technique, and no one vouched for his statements on the technique.

Zhang Yu: "I can't possibly accept this contract."

Su Haifeng smiled slightly, thinking, is he raising the price?

He calmly said, "Don't rush; as your homeroom teacher, I can help you fight for more benefits."

Zhang Yu: "Then can it be as good as the terms you offered Bai Zhenzhen?"

Su Haifeng didn't answer directly but first smiled, the undertone in his smile self-evident.

Then he said, "I wasn't responsible for Bai Zhenzhen's contract, but I can give you a response. Bai Zhenzhen was the first in her grade with 650 points; how many points did you get?"

Zhang Yu: "So, if I reach the first in the grade, we can talk about anything?"

Looking at Zhang Yu's serious face, Su Haifeng smiled and retracted the contract: "Your results will determine what you can negotiate."

"The contract primarily considers grades. Although some details can vary a bit, there are generally only four levels: A, B, C, and D."

"The monthly exam is in two weeks. If you're dissatisfied with the D-level contract, we can continue negotiating after your next monthly exam results."