Top Universities

"Are you really done gambling? You're not lying to me, are you?"

Seeing the suspicion in Gao Teng's eyes, Fan Haiwei immediately swore, "Big brother, I really, truly haven't lied to you. If I ever gamble again, may I die a horrible death!"

Gao Teng said nothing, silently watching Fan Haiwei for a few seconds.

He saw sincerity on Fan Haiwei's face. The man really did want to turn over a new leaf.

Gao Teng was deeply moved. In just a few short hours, he had completely changed a person with a rotten moral character. He was truly amazing!

"I'll believe you this once."

Gao Teng raised a hand and patted Fan Haiwei on the shoulder. "Remember, don't make the same mistake again."

Fan Haiwei was overjoyed and said repeatedly, "I won't, I won't. I'll absolutely behave myself from now on."

"You can go."

"Right!"

As if granted a reprieve, Fan Haiwei hurried away.

Watching him disappear into the distance, Gao Teng felt an overwhelming sense of emotion.

He had saved a fallen soul, making the world a little more beautiful.

He couldn't help sighing, "As expected, only after surviving a calamity do you understand how precious life is and learn to cherish the people around you."

Zhang Meizhu's expression was rather strange. "How did he end up in that calamity?"

Gao Teng waved a hand. "Don't worry about that."

Zhang Meizhu smiled. "It's getting late. We have school tomorrow. Let's meet again tomorrow night."

"Sure."

Gao Teng replied and headed toward the Regent Hotel.

He had taken only a few steps when Zhang Meizhu followed. Her car was locked up near the hotel, too.

They walked toward the hotel together. After a moment of silence, Zhang Meizhu said earnestly, "Gao Teng, if you ever need money urgently, make sure you tell me. I'll definitely help you."

"Thanks."

Gao Teng rarely showed his true feelings. He smiled and said, "You're my first friend."

Zhang Meizhu froze for a moment. Gao Teng's life clearly seemed to be filled with misery.

He was eighteen years old, and only now had he finally made his first friend.

She carefully gathered her thoughts and said earnestly, "There are only two months left until the college entrance exams. Don't take medicine like it's candy just to improve your strength. Your body won't be able to take it.

"It's all right if you don't get into a junior college. Martial arts isn't the only path in life. Don't push yourself too hard."

Gao Teng rubbed the back of his head, instinctively wanting to make a cheeky remark.

But when he met Zhang Meizhu's worried gaze, he swallowed the words that had been on the tip of his tongue.

"Don't be so discouraged."

Zhang Meizhu raised a hand and gave Gao Teng's shoulder a firm pat. Smiling, she said, "Once I've made something of myself, I'll have you manage one of my businesses, maybe a hotel or something. I'll make sure you benefit, too."

"Sure."

As they chatted, they reached the place where they had parked.

They were both riding bicycles. After saying goodbye, they rode off in different directions.

On the way, Gao Teng brought up his status panel again and looked only at [Merit Points], as before.

"3002."

Although he hadn't encountered any monsters in the sewer, he had still been attacked by a mutated creature.

After his "fierce" battle, he finally had three chances to steal.

"A beautiful future is waiting for me!"

Gao Teng felt a surge of excitement and started pedaling hard.

Back in the urban village, he once again ignored the middle-aged woman who tried to strike up a conversation, carried his bicycle upstairs, and went into his rented room.

He washed up and went to sleep. When he woke, it was already morning.

He carried his bicycle downstairs, bought breakfast at the roadside, and ate as he rode all the way to school.

After locking up his bicycle, Gao Teng hurried toward the teaching building, deliberately passing Class Eight, Grade Three, on the third floor.

Looking into the classroom through the window, he saw that Zhou Xing had arrived early and was sitting cross-legged on his chair, immersed in diligent cultivation.

Wisps of white vapor rose from the crown of his head, and faint waves of energy swirled around him. He was clearly at a critical point in his practice.

[You gained 56 points of cultivation]

[You gained 0.11 points of mental strength]

[You gained 7% proficiency in Basic Body Forging Technique]

[You gained 0.17 points of physical strength]

[You gained...]

Amid a series of pleasant notification chimes, a powerful energy instantly filled Gao Teng's entire body.

True energy surged through his meridians, pouring into his dantian like rivers flowing into the sea and making his vortex a little more solid.

As the energy coursed through them, his flesh, muscles, bones, and sinews grew firmer and tougher. It was as if he were soaking in a pool of spiritual medicine; every inch of his body felt indescribably comfortable.

His mind was clearer than ever. The cultivation techniques and martial skills he practiced regularly surfaced one after another, and many points that had once stumped him suddenly became clear!

Gao Teng suppressed the urge to shout aloud and quickened his pace as he walked past Class Eight, Grade Three.

Just as he reached the corridor, Zhou Xing's hysterical roar came from the classroom.

"Why is this happening? What on earth is going on? Ah!!!"

Hearing that broken voice, Gao Teng couldn't help smiling.

Zhou Xing deserved this punishment. His cultivation should be taken from him bit by bit, leaving him to watch himself grow weaker, powerless to do anything!

That's what you get for your sins.

Gao Teng thought as he brought up his status panel.

[Name: Gao Teng]

[Realm: Level Two (Mid Qi Condensation) (21/800 cultivation)]

[Physical Strength: 2.48]

[Mental Strength: 2.03]

[Internal Art: Basic Breathing Technique (Level 2, 48%)]

[External Art: Basic Body Forging Technique (Level 6, 42%)]

[Meditation: Basic Meditation (Level 7, 21%)]

[Martial Skill: Basic Eighteen Fist Forms (Level 5, 53%)]

[Merit Points: 2]

After thirteen consecutive steals, he had gained 219 points of cultivation, 0.32 points of physical strength, 0.11 points of mental strength, 7% proficiency in Basic Body Forging Technique, 42% in Basic Breathing Technique, 10% in Basic Meditation, and 8% in Basic Eighteen Fist Forms.

He had improved in every area.

"Excellent."

Gao Teng clenched his fist. As long as Zhou Xing kept working hard, he would soon be able to get into a key university.

The only problem was that there wasn't enough time. If he had another two or three months, getting into a top university would be no problem at all.

Taiyi University, Kunlun University, Tianshan University, Qingcheng University, and Baihua University.

The faculty, networks, cultivation resources, and martial arts traditions at these five top universities were all first-rate.

Getting into one of them was like ascending to heaven in a single step. From then on, you'd leave the masses far behind and enter a completely different world.

It's not like I don't have a chance. If I kill more monsters, getting into one of the Big Five isn't just a pipe dream.

Gao Teng rubbed his chin. He knew what it took to get into a top university.

He had to become a Level Four martial artist, reach Level Four in physical and mental strength, and raise his basic internal, external, meditation, and martial arts skills to Level 10.

Now that he had the divine power to steal cultivation, how could he limit himself? Why be satisfied with getting into a key university?

Gao Teng decided to change his goal. He had to get into one of the Big Five!