CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 18: THIRTY THOUSAND

Second Year, Class 9, Martial Arts Classroom.

Displayed on the electronic blackboard at the back of the classroom are the scores and rankings for this semester’s final assessment, Martial Arts.

[First Place: Li Zhichao 355 points]

[Second Place: Jiang Ye 330 points]

[Third Place: Xu Sisi 315 points]

[...]

"Brother Jiang, congratulations!"

Tao Xiaogang, Xia Qing, and others came to congratulate him: "Secured second place in the class."

Jiang Ye looked at them and smiled: "Congratulations to you too, you all made it into the top thirty this time."

The class has a total of one hundred students.

The top thirty means reaching above average performance.

Tao Xiaogang scratched his head and smiled: "I really have to thank Brother Jiang. If not for the guidance in the fourth assessment, I wouldn’t have scored so high."

In usual virtual assessments, he would only score 20 or 30 points at most.

This time, he managed to get 50 points.

Xia Qing and others also earned over forty points.

Don’t underestimate a mere twenty-point difference; it could move you up by over a dozen ranks.

In an equivalent college entrance exam, twenty points could surpass tens of thousands of people.

"You all need to work harder then," Jiang Ye smiled and said, "Don’t let your ranking drop next semester."

"Haha, for sure."

While they chatted, Chen Zilu, wearing a white dress and lace socks, walked into the classroom.

"You’ve all seen the results of the final assessment..."

Chen Zilu, with a cold demeanor, briefly commented on and summarized the assessment results from the podium.

Ten minutes passed quickly.

Chen Zilu didn’t waste many words and after a brief conclusion said, "Jiang Ye, Li Zhichao, come to my office for a moment."

With that, she carried her long legs out of the classroom.

Everyone knew that the semester had ended, so they started packing up to go home.

"Ye, why did the teacher ask you to go over?" Wen Yuehui asked Jiang Ye, puzzled.

"Probably something about the grades," Jiang Ye also felt puzzled but had another guess in mind.

...

Moments later, in Chen Zilu’s office.

"There’s something to notify you about."

Chen Zilu looked at the two boys in front of her and smiled: "In a month, there will be a trial at school. Do you two want to participate?"

"In a month, during the summer?" Jiang Ye was a bit surprised.

He guessed it was about the trial.

But didn’t expect it to be so soon.

Li Zhichao frowned: "Doesn’t the ordinary class only have one slot for the trial? Can both of us participate?"

Chen Zilu said calmly: "Rules are dead, people are alive. As long as you are outstanding enough, the school can make exceptions."

Hearing this, Jiang Ye couldn’t help but feel moved.

He guessed that this was probably a spot Chen Zilu specifically applied for him.

Chen Zilu continued: "This trial is the lowest level trial, and as long as you have the Great Success in the Star Martial Cultivation Technique, you can participate, and it’s held right at the school."

"But if you are only at the Great Success level, the probability of passing is very low."

"Failing the trial does carry some risk; although there’s no life hazard, it might affect your future cultivation."

This statement left Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao silent.

The trial, there could be danger!

However, they weren’t surprised.

Any trial comes with risks, otherwise, how would it be called a trial?

Chen Zilu said: "There’s only this one chance. If you’ve decided to participate, let me know now."

Just as she finished speaking.

Jiang Ye and Li Zhichao spoke in unison: "I’ll participate."

Chen Zilu nodded, not surprised.

"Li Zhichao, you can leave now. Jiang Ye, stay for a while."

"Yes."

Li Zhichao glanced at Jiang Ye and turned to leave.

Jiang Ye looked at Chen Zilu and asked, "Teacher, is there anything else?"

Chen Zilu tossed a disk-like object towards the wall.

With a "buzz," the object attached to the wall.

This is a soundproof device.

After arranging it, she then looked at Jiang Ye with a smile: "Not bad, improved from rank 25 to 2 in one semester."

"It’s all thanks to your teaching, teacher," Jiang Ye replied honestly.

"You, always so humble."

Chen Zilu said, her eyes filled with appreciation.

This time, Jiang Ye’s result also exceeded her expectations.

Earlier, she introduced Jiang Ye to Zhang Jianwu, thinking that if Jiang Ye could make it to the top ten, it would sufficiently prove his excellence.

Unexpectedly, he made it straight to the top two.

This also brought her some pride.

Chen Zilu took out an envelope from the drawer: "Take this and use it for nourishment when you go home."

Jiang Ye accepted the envelope and opened it to find thirty thousand yuan inside.

"Teacher, you..."

He looked at Chen Zilu in astonishment.

The additional scholarship for second place for low-income families was only ten thousand yuan, and it wasn’t granted until the third year.

Thirty thousand? He wasn’t even in first place; why would he qualify for so much?

"I made a bet with Director Zhang."

Chen Zilu chuckled softly: "I bet you would pass this trial, so don’t let me down."

Jiang Ye showed a look of surprise.

So, the thirty thousand yuan was a ’sponsorship’ from the teacher?

"Teacher, isn’t thirty thousand too much? You need resources for your cultivation too," Jiang Ye wouldn’t accept help from others without reason.

Especially when it involves money, it needs careful consideration.

"I’m a teacher; I don’t lack this money."

Chen Zilu looked at him: "But you are different."

"In this month, you need to do your utmost to improve to have a chance in the trial a month later."

"During this period, you must consume Martial Arts Ingredients daily to increase the probability of passing the trial." Her voice was clear.

Inwardly, Jiang Ye was slightly shocked.

From her words, it seemed that the trial’s difficulty might be much higher than he’d imagined.

Chen Zilu crossed her right leg, the hem of her dress revealing a long, fair leg beneath.

She spoke in a calm tone:

"There are many types of Martial Arts nourishment. To improve quickly, you need to select premium-quality ingredients like Tiger’s Gall, Whale’s Eye, etc."

"This expenditure is huge; the thirty thousand is for your nourishment."

"Finally, consider this money borrowed. You’ll have to return it to me later."

With a slight smile, Chen Zilu lightly swung her dainty foot, adding a playful touch.

Jiang Ye said: "I’ll return it after I receive the scholarship in the third year or earn money from the trial."

"Let’s talk about it after you graduate high school. It’s only thirty thousand. Right now, I’m not worried about that amount."

Chen Zilu waved her hand, again emphasizing she wasn’t short of money.

Jiang Ye felt a bit helpless.

How wealthy was she? Treating thirty thousand like nothing?

Could her family have a mine?

After a brief silence, he bowed solemnly: "Thank you, teacher."

Jiang Ye was well aware.

Whether it was the ’bet’ she mentioned or the emphasis on repaying, in reality, it was out of consideration for his dignity.

Some help is charity.

But some help is truly giving someone an umbrella.

Having lived two lives, Jiang Ye was clear-headed about these things, making him even more grateful.

Chen Zilu smiled lightly.

"Oh, by the way, An City might not be very safe recently. Try not to go out much during the holiday." she suddenly said.

Not very safe?

Jiang Ye felt a stir in his heart; could it be because of the ’Shadow Disaster’?

Chen Zilu continued: "If you need anything, message me on WeChat. My WeChat ID is czl23060901."

Jiang Ye hesitated for a moment and said: "Teacher, do you have a phone number? I’ll get a communication device to contact you, phones are too expensive..."

Chen Zilu glanced at him and took out a wristwatch from the drawer: "You can use my communication watch, it can also contact me."

"Alright."

At this point, Jiang Ye complied and accepted the watch.

"Teacher, I’ll head back now."

"Mm, go on back."

Chen Zilu waved her hand.

Jiang Ye nodded, turning to leave the office.

But before leaving the office, he remembered something and turned back to glance at Chen Zilu.

The display panel appeared.

When Jiang Ye saw the two lines of text above Chen Zilu’s head, he was instantly startled.