"So hungry."
Qian Shen rubbed his stomach, uninterested in the paintings at the exhibition, his mind set on finding a place to eat heartily.
After all, he had just rushed over after finishing his Body Refinement make-up class and felt like he could eat a whole cow.
"I'll go see if there's something good to eat."
After greeting the classmates who came with him, Qian Shen began to look around the exhibition.
The students who came to the exhibition with him were not surprised by this behavior.
With their daily diligence in learning the Immortal Path and the hard work on their bodies, the nutrition they required and the amount of food they consumed naturally far exceeded that of ordinary people.
For a study enthusiast like Qian Shen, who cultivated day and night, eating only five meals a day would make his home tutor worry about his appetite.
Just then, Qian Shen's eyes brightened, his gaze locking onto the buffet table.
He quickly walked over, grabbed a plate of prawns, and swallowed them in a few bites, but after a while, he frowned: "Why is this food so lacking in nutrition?"
Being a top student in the first year at Songyang High School, consistently ranking second, Qian Shen's achievements were not only due to his talent and effort but importantly also because of his family's wealth.
To enhance his cultivation effect, especially the benefits of Body Refinement, the food he usually consumed was rich with various elements of the Immortal Path.
For someone like him who only cares about scores, taste is secondary; what matters most is maximizing his cultivation efficiency.
While he could afford the seafood offered at the exhibition buffet, he viewed spending money purely for indulgence as a waste of his time and stomach.
Seafood, lavish meals... If they don't improve scores, aren't they just trash?
Thus, as Qian Shen examined the other dishes on the table, he called over a server, asking if there were any other foods that could be used for nutritional supplementation.
"Everything you can eat is here; take whatever you want."
Hearing the server's cold tone, Qian Shen couldn't help but frown, only to look up and see a familiar face.
Qian Shen looked at the server outfit the other was wearing and asked in surprise, "Are you working here?"
"Yes." Bai Zhenzhen said expressionlessly, "Anything else?"
Qian Shen frowned and said, "Are you really short on money?"
"Then quickly sign up with the student council, otherwise continuing to waste time on such meaningless work will only drag down your Immortal Path."
"If I surpass you by that time, it wouldn't mean much."
Qian Shen's tone was full of emotion because he always saw Bai Zhenzhen, the only girl in the same grade who could surpass him in total score, as his rival.
In his mind, Bai Zhenzhen should think the same way.
In the upcoming three years of high school, the entire grade, even the whole school, would be the battleground for these two top prodigies, pitting against each other yet admiring each other.
They should continuously break through their limits in one competition after another, ultimately both gaining admission to a top university three years later.
However, in response to Qian Shen's musings, Bai Zhenzhen replied indifferently, "Are you teaching me what to do?"
Before Qian Shen could answer, Bai Zhenzhen continued, "You, with just over a total score of 600, want to teach me what to do?"
Confronted by Bai Zhenzhen's blatant disdain based on scores, Qian Shen, a staunch score-only believer, suddenly felt dwarfed, as if the 50-point gap was a mountain crashing down on him.
You have a higher score; what you say makes sense.
At that moment, in Qian Shen's eyes, Bai Zhenzhen's head seemed to have the glowing number 650, exuding a formidable pressure, leaving him unable to utter a retort.
Bai Zhenzhen frowned, "No, when talking to me, why are you looking above my head?"
Qian Shen snorted, turned around, and left.
"Just wait, Bai Zhenzhen, at this rate of wasting time, I'll surely surpass you soon enough."
Yet, as soon as he turned a few steps, he almost bumped into two security guards.
It was Zhang Yu, who had come to check out the situation, pulling along Zhao Tianxing.
Having seen the seemingly conflict between Bai Zhenzhen and Qian Shen, Zhang Yu, as security, hurried over.
Qian Shen recognized them at a glance despite their security uniforms because they were classmates: "550 and 580?"
Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback by the address, realizing that 550 was indeed his total score from last month's mock exam, and 580 seemed to be Zhao Tianxing's total score?
Good heavens, only seeing scores, can't even remember classmates' names, huh? This is another study-crazed fellow.
But actually, it wasn't just names Qian Shen couldn't remember; for students scoring below 550, he couldn't recall either their names or scores.
After all, to him... Below 550? Aren't they just NPCs? Is there a need to remember them?
To him, the 550 standing before him was practically subhuman.
Based on his recent observations, he speculated that by the next mock exam, his opponent would likely score below 550, making it unnecessary to remember them starting next month.
Looking at the security uniforms on Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing, Qian Shen shook his head, "Why are you guys working here too?"
Facing 550 and 580, the pressure from 650 just a moment ago instantly diminished, and Qian Shen, now exuding arrogance, said, "You two should be using this time to study and cultivate more, what a waste to be working here?"
Zhang Yu: "Aren't you here too?"
Qian Shen chuckled confidently, "I specifically rescheduled my make-up class today to come and comprehend the unparalleled martial arts in the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man."
Zhang Yu: "We are also here to comprehend the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man."
"And we can earn an 800 hourly wage while doing it."
"Isn't earning money while comprehending Divine Skills much more worthwhile?"
"Hmm?" Qian Shen was taken aback, somewhat surprised by Zhang Yu's words, and thought, "A 550-scorer actually makes some sense?"
He looked at Zhang Yu and said, "550, I'll remember you."
"I'm Zhang Yu!" Zhang Yu couldn't help but glance towards his head, "Why do you keep staring at my head?"
However, Qian Shen quickly reacted, "No way, can you two really hope to comprehend the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man?"
Zhao Tianxing felt more and more eyes on them, and Qian Shen's disdainful gaze made his cheeks flush; he quickly waved his hand, "No, no, no, I didn't intend to comprehend the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man."
Qian Shen was too lazy to pay attention to Zhao Tianxing's explanation, merely shaking his head and lamenting, "The Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man was hand-drawn by a Golden Core master. The unmatched martial arts within are intended to select true geniuses. Even I have no absolute confidence in mastering it. Do you think you two can?"
With that, Qian Shen lost interest in the 550 and 580 before him and turned to leave.
Watching Qian Shen's departing back, Zhao Tianxing's face turned even more bitter.
Not only was he spotted doing security work, but thanks to Zhang Yu's complete nonsense, now the opponent mistakenly thought he was here to comprehend the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man.
Zhao Tianxing felt a bitter pain, already imagining being the subject of classmates' ridicule.
He thought to himself, "This is really embarrassing."
Beside him, Zhang Yu did not have as many thoughts as Zhao Tianxing, looked at Bai Zhenzhen, and asked, "Are you okay? Not getting along well with Qian Shen?"
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged casually, "What's there to mind? In most cases, he brings the disgrace on himself."
Then her gaze turned a bit quirky as she looked at Zhang Yu, "Are you also intending to comprehend the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man?"
Seeing Zhang Yu nod confidently, Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, "Yu Zi seems increasingly possessed by debt. At his level... he dared to think of comprehending martial arts left by a Golden Core True Man?"
Zhao Tianxing, eager to leave, tugged at Zhang Yu's clothes, trying to head out but noticed his companion wink-and-nudge exchanging with Bai Zhenzhen.
Next thing he knew, Bai Zhenzhen secretly handed Zhang Yu a seafood dish.
Zhang Yu: "Lao Zhao, want to try some?"
Zhao Tianxing hastily replied, "The captain said we couldn't eat food from the buffet."
As he spoke, he quickly used his body to shield Zhang Yu, afraid of being seen.
Zhang Yu reassured, "Isn't it perfect that Azhen works here too? We might as well slip some of the company's wool while we're at it."
While Zhang Yu was savoring the prawns on his plate, a voice sounded from behind Zhao Tianxing.
"What are you doing?"
The voice startled Zhao Tianxing, but turning around to find it was their classmate Zhou Tianyi speaking, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Unconsciously, Zhao Tianxing seemed to have gradually gotten used to wearing a security uniform in front of classmates.
Zhang Yu looked at Zhou Tianyi in surprise, "Old Zhou, you're here too?"
Zhou Tianyi laughed, "Yes, I came with Qian Shen and the others."
Zhang Yu: "Really? How come I didn't see you earlier."
Zhou Tianyi said, "Haha, what brings you here?"
The two chatted briefly about their situations, while Zhao Tianxing urged Zhang Yu to continue patrolling.
Zhou Tianyi suddenly said mysteriously, "I have a piece of gossip about a Golden Core True Man; are you interested?"
Seeing the curiosity on Zhang Yu's face, Zhao Tianxing said, "The captain already messaged the group asking where we are..."
Zhang Yu nodded, "Forget it, work comes first, let's hear it next time."
Just as the two turned to leave, they heard Zhou Tianyi speak up, "Master Xinghuo had to step down by one level because half of his cultivation was taken post-resignation."
"Hmm?"
Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing immediately turned back, waiting for Zhou Tianyi to continue.
Even Bai Zhenzhen on the side perked up her ears despite not looking over.
Zhou Tianyi chuckled, then said, "A Golden Core True Man can live for up to 400 years. Master Xinghuo, being 350 last year, was optimized by the Wanfa Sect."
"Upon resigning, they reclaimed half his cultivation, leaving him unable to sustain the higher-level expenditure. That's why he plans to return to Kunxu's first tier, focusing on nurturing offspring and training disciples."
Zhang Yu was shocked again at this dog-eat-dog world: "Wait... resigning means losing half your cultivation?"
Zhou Tianyi answered matter-of-factly, "The sect cultivated him, provided him with opportunities and resources for Core Formation. Giving back half his cultivation when leaving seems normal, does it not?"
As the three listened to Zhou Tianyi's news about Master Xinghuo, a commotion arose from the distant crowd.
A guest whispered, "Ms. Li has arrived; the Martial Arts Diagram of Heaven and Man is about to be unveiled."