Disdain to Associate with Them

"With the Golden Cicada Robe receiving external support, complete nutrition, and a surge in confidence, cultivation progress has skyrocketed."

3%...10%...50%...

Two hours later—

"Golden Cicada Robe has entered the beginner stage. Cultivation speed restored."

When Lu Chong opened his eyes again, he found that his Golden Cicada Robe had successfully reached the beginner stage.

The medicinal liquid in the bathtub had lost its color, and the burning sensation on his skin gradually faded.

At the same time, he noticed a layer of old skin peeling off his entire body, revealing new skin with a faint metallic sheen, tough and resilient.

"That's it already?"

Lu Chong was stunned. In just two hours, the medicinal liquid worth five thousand yuan had been completely consumed.

Fortunately, the Golden Cicada Robe had entered the beginner stage, so his money hadn't gone to waste.

According to the Old Principal, even with the aid of a Medicinal Bath, it would take at least two months to master the beginner stage of this technique.

The Old Principal hadn't expected Lu Chong to reach the Great Completion stage of this High-Grade Body-Refining Martial Art before the College Entrance Exam.

"Compared to that, trading money for efficiency is still a bargain for me, and it saves a huge amount of time."

Lu Chong thought contentedly. He didn't buy more medicinal liquid, planning to continue tomorrow night instead—he simply couldn't afford to burn through it like this.

"How effective is the beginner stage of the Golden Cicada Robe?"

Lu Chong touched his metallic-shimmering skin, feeling it as tough and sturdy as cowhide.

"This is just the beginner stage. What about the Minor Completion or Great Completion stages?" Lu Chong felt even more anticipation.

The High-Grade Body-Refining Martial Art had indeed not let him down.

With a slight mental command, the metallic sheen on his skin faded away again, leaving only healthier-looking skin than before.

Clearing his mind, he decided to seize the time before bed to practice the Qi Absorbing Art.

Just as the Head Teacher had said, while training Martial Skills, one must not neglect cultivation level.

Taking a bite of the Nutrition Bar he'd gotten from the Head Teacher today, Lu Chong sat cross-legged and began cultivating the Qi Absorbing Art.

Instantly, the cultivation speed of the Qi Absorbing Art doubled on top of its already accelerated rate, reaching 8% per hour.

Over three consecutive hours, the progress of the Qi Absorbing Art increased by 24%.

"Sleep now, and I'll break through to the sixth rank when I wake up tomorrow."

Sleep was still essential at the Martial Disciple stage. Lu Chong didn't force a breakthrough—after all, while he slept, the Qi Absorbing Art and his Martial Skills would continue to train automatically.

March 9, 2136, Friday, clear skies.

Just past 6:30 a.m., Lu Chong was jolted awake by a warm, pleasant sensation.

Name: Lu Chong

Rank: Martial Disciple, Sixth Rank (1%)

"I really did break through. Sleeping and still making progress in both cultivation and skills—this feeling is pretty great."

Lu Chong wasn't surprised. He got up, washed up, and jogged to school, feeling that his physical condition had more than doubled compared to yesterday.

After four morning classes, Lu Chong was about to head to the cafeteria when he saw several students from Class 1 appear at the classroom door, led by a cold-faced Zhao Longfei.

"Lu Chong, come out here."

It wasn't Zhao Longfei who spoke, but a classmate behind him who shouted loudly.

"Brother Chong, don't go." Chen Yufei saw the hostile intent and quickly stood up to stop him.

Then he turned to glare at the five Class 1 students and shouted, "What's this? Class 1 can't take a loss and wants to settle things privately?"

The Class 5 students also stood up, staring fiercely at the five intruders. Individually, they might not match Class 1, but that didn't mean they'd let outsiders bully them.

Zhao Longfei stared silently at Lu Chong, his eyes full of threat.

"It's fine. He just wants to discuss something with me."

Lu Chong knew why they'd come. Smiling, he reassured his classmates and walked out of the classroom alone.

Chen Yufei, still uneasy, stubbornly followed.

The group of students gathered on the school building's rooftop. Zhao Longfei turned to face Lu Chong and said coldly, "I told you I'd give you time to think. Why didn't you come find me today?"

Lu Chong replied calmly, "I told you yesterday—I'm not interested in what you're offering."

Zhao Longfei snorted. "Do you even know the terms we're offering?"

"One thousand per hour to train Martial Skills with Xiang Yueya, and I'll throw in an extra thousand as a subsidy."

"This is your honor, and your chance to improve your living conditions." Zhao Longfei still wore that condescending, charity-giving attitude.

Even Chen Yufei was stunned. A deal like that?

Being close to the school beauty goddess and making quick cash at the same time—why not?

But Lu Chong just smiled. His current gig as a sparring partner for Lou Qingqing paid far better than this.

The key point was that Lou Qingqing at least treated him with respect.

Not like this Zhao Longfei, who didn't know how to speak like a normal person.

And then there was that Xiang Yueya pulling strings behind the scenes, getting others to do her dirty work—she probably wasn't easy to deal with either.

She just had a pretty face; that wasn't enough to make Lu Chong go crawling to her.

"I'll say it again: not interested."

Lu Chong remained calm, then turned to leave with Chen Yufei.

The students from Class 1 immediately blocked their way.

"My patience has limits, Lu Chong. Do you know the consequences of refusing me?" Zhao Longfei stepped up to him, voice cold and aggressive.

Lu Chong let out a couple of dry laughs. "You want to fight me here at school? Feel free to try."

The school forbade private fights, with expulsion as the penalty. Even Zhao Longfei, with his decent background, wouldn't be spared—he'd even lose his eligibility for the College Entrance Exam.

"Fine, fine." Zhao Longfei's face darkened. "I won't touch you here, but the mock exam is coming soon. Let's see if you're still this cocky then."

Lu Chong didn't even wait for Zhao Longfei to finish before heading downstairs with a bewildered Chen Yufei.

He had no interest in associating with someone like that.

As for the mock exam, if he happened to run into Zhao Longfei, that would be perfect—he'd been wanting to punch that kid for a while.

On the way to the cafeteria, Chen Yufei walked along sighing. "Ah, Brother Chong, you really don't have to worry about how I feel."

"I mean, sure, I like Xiang Yueya, but I also like Lou Qingqing, and Chai Yufen from Class 2, and Miao Yuanyuan from Class 4."

"If you get a chance to go after Xiang Yueya, I won't hold a grudge. As your brother, I'd only be happy for you."

Lu Chong was speechless. He silently quickened his pace to avoid being judged by association.

On the school building rooftop, a student behind Zhao Longfei asked, "Brother Fei, what now? Want me to find someone to take care of him?"

Zhao Longfei glared at the two figures disappearing downstairs, then looked away and said coldly, "No need."

"Don't let Xiang Yueya think less of us. Besides, Lu Chong is the pet teacher of Class 5 right now. We can't play dirty."

"For someone like him—insecure, resentful of the rich, and full of himself—all we need to do is beat him fair and square in the area he's proud of, and he'll be humbled."

"In the mock exam, I'll show him what's what."