Ways to Earn Bonus Points

The courses in this world differed in many ways from what Lu Yuan had studied in his previous life.

First, the things that had stayed the same. The four subjects of mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology were almost unchanged.

Chinese language and literature had become utterly unfamiliar. Although it still used Chinese characters, the classic works in the textbooks had changed beyond recognition. Most of the classical texts Lu Yuan had studied had disappeared, and some of those that remained were like a donkey's lips pasted onto a horse's mouth.

For example, "Thoughts on a Quiet Night" had "Qu Yuan" brazenly listed as its author.

When Jia Shengnan recited the poem yesterday, Lu Yuan had thought there was something wrong with him. Now he realized it was the world that had something wrong with it.

Some profound calamity must have happened here. Otherwise, Lu Yuan couldn't understand what could have made the Hua People forget those beautiful verses their ancestors had written. Poetry and prose, like food, were part of a people's pride.

The subject that had changed the most was foreign languages.

The so-called foreign language wasn't English at all!

It was a language called the "common language," supposedly the official language of the Heavenly Yu Empire outside.

Although it also used an alphabet, Lu Yuan was certain he couldn't understand a single word.

On a common-language exam worth 150 points, Lu Yuan could score only thirty or forty. As for why he could score any points at all... they were all multiple-choice questions.

There were also history, politics, and geography. Those three humanities subjects had vanished entirely!

In other words, the comprehensive exam referred exclusively to the combined sciences. There was no combined humanities exam here.

Lu Yuan estimated that even if he studied himself half to death over the next month, it would still be very difficult to reach the passing mark of 450 points on the written exam.

There wasn't much point in continuing to read, then. He had to think of other ways to improve his written-exam score.

As it happened, Ji Yin's phone call yesterday had given Lu Yuan an idea. The college entrance exam here also awarded bonus points.

On the last page of the application guide, Lu Yuan found the bonus-point policy.

Unlike in his previous life, there were no bonus points for things like sports, the arts, or ethnicity. The policy had only three provisions.

First: candidates who received formal commendation from the Cultivators' Federation would have 30 points added to their written-exam score. Candidates who received formal commendation from a subordinate agency of the Cultivators' Federation would have 10 points added to their written-exam score.

Lu Yuan thought it over. The Internal Affairs Bureau was a subordinate agency of the Cultivators' Federation. This was probably the provision under which Ji Yin had secured those 10 points for him.

Second: candidates who were children of martyrs would have 50 points added to their written-exam score.

Lu Yuan never wanted to receive those points.

Third: candidates who had earned military merit themselves would have 200 points added to their written-exam score.

Holy turtle!

Lu Yuan was genuinely startled. Rebirth really was great. Where in his previous life had there been a policy that awarded 200 points in one go?

This one suited him!

A score of 450 would be difficult, but there was no way he couldn't manage 250. Lu Yuan hadn't been a poor student in his previous life. Casually brushing up on some of it would be enough to get him 250 points.

After his excitement passed, Lu Yuan calmed down a little. Those 200 points would probably be very hard to get.

This was military merit!

At that thought, Lu Yuan was somewhat disappointed. Right now, he had no idea where there was a battlefield where he could earn military merit within a month.

But on second thought, a soldier ought to know, and he happened to know one.

Early the next morning, Xiao Bing finished breakfast and went to school, taking Lu Yuan's leave note with her.

At this point, it made little difference whether Lu Yuan attended one more day of school or one less. After washing the dishes, he took a bus to the Internal Affairs Bureau.

The guards at the gate recognized him.

"Student, nicely done last time!" one of the guards praised him. Lu Yuan smiled and greeted him.

This time, unlike his first visit, he wasn't questioned at length. Lu Yuan was let in after a simple registration. Soldiers were like that: trust was built by fighting shoulder to shoulder.

In the lobby, he ran into the woman surnamed Zhou again, and Lu Yuan's scalp went numb.

The woman planted both hands on her hips and scolded him:

"Student, you come and go all day as you please. What do you take the Internal Affairs Bureau for?"

Is that the only thing you know how to say? Lu Yuan spoke despite his numb scalp. "I'm looking for Cultivator Ji Yin."

The woman pointed upstairs. "He's upstairs, in the director's office."

In the director's office, Cultivator Ji Yin was watching cartoons.

Seeing Lu Yuan enter, Cultivator Ji Yin calmly clicked the X on the player and muttered to himself in a mournful tone:

"Cartoons these days really do cause no end of harm.

"So many children watch cartoons every day and neglect their studies!

"I don't know what's so good about this stuff. It's not interesting at all!

"Oh, student, what brings you here?"

Lu Yuan badly wanted to expose Ji Yin's clumsy cover-up, but he didn't want to get beaten up, so he had to pretend he hadn't seen anything.

"Lord Ji Yin, I came to ask you about a few things."

"Go ahead."

"May I ask if there's a way to completely cure Twilight Syndrome? I saw someone online say that cultivators had a way to cure it."

This was a question Lu Yuan had wanted to ask all along. So far, Ji Yin was the only cultivator he knew, so he asked it today as well.

Ji Yin knew about Lu Yuan's family situation. Was it hard for the Internal Affairs Bureau to find out? He heaved a long sigh, a sincere one this time.

"Twilight Syndrome... that's difficult."

"If it's difficult, that means it's possible. Please help me!"

"I can't help you. To cure Twilight Syndrome, you can only go to this person."

Ji Yin wrote a name on a piece of paper with a pen. Lu Yuan took it and saw that it read "Yu Zheng."

"Professor Yu Zheng is the dean of the Mystic Law College at New Capital Cultivator University, as well as an authority on treating Twilight Syndrome." There was a hint of admiration in Ji Yin's manner. "The Xikangnuo your mother uses was invented by Professor Yu Zheng."

"One thing in particular: Professor Yu Zheng never collected a single cent in patent fees. Xikangnuo is so expensive entirely because the raw materials are expensive."

Lu Yuan nodded. He sounded like a professor of excellent character.

"Do you have his number?" Lu Yuan asked. "Maybe I could call him and ask for advice."

Ji Yin grinned.

"I have his number, but there's no way you can get through."

"Why?"

"Because Professor Yu Zheng isn't in this world."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

Lu Yuan frowned deeply. What did he mean, Yu Zheng wasn't in this world? Ji Yin didn't leave him waiting long, however, and continued:

"Professor Yu Zheng is extremely busy, and he couldn't possibly have time to answer your questions.

"Your only chance is to get into New Capital Cultivator University. He's the dean of the Mystic Law College, and every year he teaches Introduction to Mystic Law to the new students at New Capital Cultivation University.

"If you ask him a question as a student, he won't leave you unanswered."

Lu Yuan considered it. According to Ji Yin, he would probably have to apply to New Capital Cultivator University. He hadn't really had any particular plans before; as long as he could become a cultivator, that was enough.

Did he have to get into one of the Four Greats after all?

"You seem to know a lot about New Capital Cultivation University?" Lu Yuan asked.

Something like which instructor taught a course would probably be hard for an outsider to find out.

"Yours truly was a student of the class of 313 at the Mystic Law College of New Capital Cultivation University," Ji Yin replied proudly.

Oh, no wonder he had recommended it so strongly. It was his alma mater.

As expected of the man Old Wu Jishan was always talking about, he really was a top student from one of the Four Greats.

"There's one more thing I'd like to ask about."

Lu Yuan turned the application guide to the page on the bonus-point policy and handed it to Ji Yin.

"I'd like to know, what ways are there to earn military merit?"

Ji Yin glanced at it, looking a little puzzled. "Lu Yuan, surely you don't need to go that far? Your usual exam scores are pretty good. Do you need points you'd have to risk your life for?"

"Why do you know my usual scores?"

"Is it hard for the Internal Affairs Bureau to look up your scores?"

"I think you really have too much time on your hands."

"Hahaha." Ji Yin laughed three times. "Better than you thinking about a pot all day long."

Lu Yuan didn't take the bait and trade barbs. After a pause, he said, "In any case, I really need those 200 points."

"That's going to be tricky."

Seeing how determined Lu Yuan was, Ji Yin set aside his playful manner. He straightened up and steepled his hands.

"Lu Yuan, a smart person like you should understand very well that points like these won't be so easy to get."

"I understand that very well."

"Why did you come to me?"

"Because the Internal Affairs Bureau is the only military unit I've had any contact with. There must be opportunities to earn military merit here, right? There's still a month until the college entrance exam. I want to give it a try."

"You came to the right person!" Ji Yin snapped his fingers. "I do have a task suited to you that I can give you."

"But before you accept the task, there are some things I have to make clear."