C22 Lu Chong Did Not Want to Get Involved with Them.
With external assistance, the Golden Cicada Robe was fully nourished, and Lu Chong's confidence soared as his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. "3%, 10%, 50%."
Two hours later, Lu Chong received another update.
"The Golden Cicada Robe has reached the Beginner stage; cultivation speed has normalized."
Upon reopening his eyes, Lu Chong discovered that his Golden Cicada Robe had successfully advanced to the Beginner level.
The color had drained from the medicinal liquid in the bathtub, and the burning sensation on his body was subsiding.
He also noticed that he had shed a layer of skin, revealing new skin with a slight metallic sheen.
"That's it?"
Lu Chong was astounded. He hadn't anticipated that the medicinal concoction, which cost five thousand, would be completely depleted in just two hours.
Thankfully, his investment wasn't in vain as he had managed to cultivate the Golden Cicada Robe to the Beginner stage.
The old principal had told him that even with the aid of the medicinal bath, it would take at least two months to reach the Beginner stage of the Golden Cicada Robe.
The principal never expected Lu Chong to achieve Great Completion of this High-Grade Body Refining Martial Art before the College Entrance Examination.
"Looking back, exchanging money for efficiency was worth it, and I've saved a significant amount of time," Lu Chong thought, feeling satisfied.
He decided against purchasing more medicinal liquid, planning to resume his cultivation the following night, as the expense was too great to bear.
"What's the impact of the Golden Cicada Robe at the Beginner stage?" Lu Chong wondered aloud.
He felt his metallic-lustered skin, noting its toughness, akin to cowhide.
"The Golden Cicada Robe is only at the Beginner level now. What wonders will it perform if I cultivate it to Small or Great Completion?" Lu Chong's anticipation grew.
The High-Grade Body Refining Martial Arts certainly hadn't let him down.
With a mere thought, the metallic glow of his skin vanished, leaving behind skin that looked even healthier than before.
Before bed, Lu Chong was determined to diligently cultivate the Qi Accepting Spell.
As his Class Teacher had advised, he knew he couldn't let his cultivation lag while honing his martial skills.
Taking a bite of the Nutrient Stick he had picked up from his Class Teacher, Lu Chong settled into a cross-legged position to practice the Qi Accepting Spell.
In a short time, the cultivation speed of the Qi Accepting Spell soared to 8% per hour.
After three hours straight, his progress with the spell had increased by 24%.
"I'll sleep on it, and by tomorrow, I should break through to Stage 6," Lu Chong mused.
For a Martial Disciple like Lu Chong, quality sleep was essential. He didn't push for an immediate breakthrough; after all, the Qi Accepting Spell and his martial arts would continue to cultivate even as he slept.
It was March 9th, 2136, a clear Friday.
Woken at 6:30 AM by a cozy warmth, Lu Chong then heard an alert by his ear:
Name: Lu Chong
Level: Martial Disciple Stage 6 (1%)
"Just as I thought, I've made the breakthrough. A night's sleep, and both my cultivation and martial arts have advanced. It's a great feeling," Lu Chong reflected.
Unsurprised, Lu Chong got up, freshened up, jogged to school, and felt more than twice as strong as he did the day before.
After four morning classes, Lu Chong was heading to the cafeteria when he spotted several students from Class 1 at the classroom door, led by the icy-faced Zhao Loongfei.
"Lu Chong, step outside," called out one of Zhao Loongfei's classmates, as Zhao himself remained silent.
"Mr. Chong, don't go," Chen Yufei warned, standing up quickly as he sensed their hostility.
He then faced the five students from Class 1 and challenged them loudly, "Can't you take a loss? Are you planning to settle scores with us privately?"
The students from Class 5 rose to their feet, fixing their gaze on the group. They might not match the individual strength of Class 1, but that didn't mean they would be pushed around.
Zhao Loongfei locked eyes with Lu Chong, silent but his stare brimming with menace.
"It's nothing serious. He just needed to consult with me on a matter," Lu Chong explained.
Lu Chong was aware of Zhao Loongfei's reasons for seeking him out. After reassuring his classmates with a smile, he stepped out of the classroom by himself.
Chen Yufei, concerned, resolutely decided to accompany Lu Chong.
A group of students gathered on the rooftop of the academic building. Zhao Loongfei turned to face Lu Chong and demanded icily, "I gave you time to think it over. Why didn't you come to see me today?"
Lu Chong replied with composure, "As I said yesterday, I'm not interested in your proposal."
Zhao Loongfei scoffed, "Are you even aware of the offer we're making?"
"If you agree to train with Hsiang Yueya in martial arts, you'll get a base wage of a thousand yuan per hour, plus an additional thousand yuan bonus."
"It's an honor, and it's your chance to better your living situation," Zhao Loongfei added, as if he was bestowing charity on the needy.
Chen Yufei, standing nearby, was taken aback. To him, it seemed like a great deal—Lu Chong would have the chance to be close to a beautiful woman and make a substantial amount of money. Surely, Lu Chong would accept.
But Lu Chong just laughed. He was already a sparring partner for Lou Qingqing, and the compensation he received far exceeded what Zhao Loongfei was offering.
More importantly, Lou Qingqing treated him with respect.
In contrast, Zhao Loongfei's attitude was far from respectful.
Lu Chong also considered Hsiang Yueya, the orchestrator of this arrangement. If she was delegating such tasks, she was likely not easy to deal with either.
Her beauty alone wasn't enough to earn Lu Chong's praise.
"I'll repeat myself—I'm not interested," Lu Chong stated firmly. He then attempted to leave with Chen Yufei.
Students from Class 1 quickly stepped in to block their way.
"My patience has its limits, Lu Chong. Do you understand the consequences of refusing me?" Zhao Loongfei threatened, stepping up to Lu Chong with a menacing tone.
Lu Chong scoffed in response, "Are you suggesting we settle this with a fight at school? Go ahead and try."
The school strictly prohibited students from engaging in unauthorized combat on campus, with immediate expulsion as the consequence. Zhao Loongfei's influential background wouldn't exempt him from this rule. In severe cases, he could even lose his eligibility for the College Entrance Examination.
With a steely expression, Zhao Loongfei declared, "I won't stoop to brawling with you here, but the mock exam is fast approaching. We'll see if your confidence holds up then."
Lu Chong didn't bother to hear Zhao Loongfei out, already escorting a bewildered Chen Yufei downstairs. Further conversation with Zhao Loongfei seemed pointless to him.
As for the mock exam, Lu Chong relished the thought of a legitimate showdown with Zhao Loongfei. He'd been itching to put Zhao in his place for a while.
While heading to the cafeteria, Chen Yufei let out a sigh and said, "Mr. Chong, you really don't need to spare my feelings. Sure, I like Hsiang Yueya, but Lou Qingqing too, and plenty of other girls. If you get the chance to date Hsiang Yueya, I won't hold any grudges. I'd just congratulate you."
Lu Chong was at a loss for words. He quickened his pace, hoping to avoid any judgment from onlookers.
Atop the teaching building's rooftop, one of Zhao Loongfei's followers inquired, "Brother Fei, what's our move? Should we rough him up a bit?"
Zhao Loongfei's gaze bore into the figures below before he coolly withdrew it and responded, "There's no need. We can't give Hsiang Yueya any reason to look down on us. Moreover, Lu Chong is the prized pupil of the Class 5 teacher. We can't stoop to underhanded tactics."
He paused briefly, then added with a cold laugh, "To deal with someone so full of self-pity, envy, and pretense, we simply need to outshine him in the arena he prides himself on. During the mock exam, I'll show him just how formidable I am."
