Study Monster Cultivation System
Chapter 219: I can’t afford to be hurt anymore

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In a relationship,

happiness is conserved.

Li Zheng had indeed emerged from a sense of defeat.

That also meant

Lin Yujing fell from the paradise of joy to the mortal world.

Staring blankly, the doodle in her hand slipped to the ground.

Unlike the gap of dozens of points in the midterms,

this time, Li Zheng really breached the Realm of Tranquility.

A slip of hand, a moment of carelessness, missing a glance at a biology book, could alter the current outcome.

In the same realm, the difference in strength between each other was no longer that important.

Lin Yujing stared ahead.

She was now keenly aware

that this victory was not a matter of skill.

It was luck.

A victory that came by luck

is not worthy of being called a victory.

"Mm..." Lin Yujing quietly took a deep breath.

For the 671st time, she turned her head 73 degrees to the left.

For the 671st time, she gazed directly at that person.

That person, of course, was also looking at her.

"Mm." Lin Yujing stared at her opponent, no longer any joy or pride in her eyes.

Her usual defiance was hidden away, replaced by a profound respect.

And endless enmity.

In the face of such a gaze, Li Zheng smiled.

I understand, Master Ye.

Everything before was just trifling.

You took me for a joke, never as an opponent.

Starting now,

I finally stepped onto the Summit of The Forbidden.

When experts lock eyes, the moment often stretches long, a slight fluctuation on a face signaling a wealth of information.

But only the experts themselves understand this.

To outsiders, the two seemed to be gazing into each other’s eyes with deep affection.

It’s a cruel form of showing off.

Like two cultivators who have practiced for years, ascending to immortality hand in hand.

And they chose a sunny day for it, flying slowly to let everyone get a good look.

The one hurt the most by this was undoubtedly Zhang Xiaoke, caught right in the middle.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don’t stare each other down like that, I’m in the middle here." Zhang Xiaoke angrily moved forward, using her body to block the intense gaze between them, "Deputy class leader, exercising the right to discipline!"

Only then did Li Zheng and Lin Yujing snap out of it, retracting their gazes.

They also began to ponder separately.

Li Zheng: "Sorry, biology. Next time before the exam, I’ll put in a few more minutes, just give me a chance."

His rationale made sense, as the only subjects Lin Yujing now outscored him in were Chinese and biology, with Chinese being more about accumulation and feeling, while biology was easier to make breakthroughs.

Li Zheng was also clear that his and Lin Yujing’s capabilities had already broken through the 750-point ceiling. Henceforth, luck would play a greater role in each exam than sheer ability.

Thus he turned to the metaphysical ceremony of apologizing to biology, hoping for just one opportunity.

Pity that he still underestimated Lin Yujing.

Before becoming a top player, Lin Yujing was first and foremost a woman.

Women won’t play these games with you.

At this moment, Lin Yujing had only one thought—

"In order to maintain a perfect record... perhaps it’s better to abandon all future exams and secure a spot by recommendation instead."

Meanwhile, Jiang Qinghua silently assumed the role of scorekeeper.

"Zhang Xiaoke guessed me right, gets one point."

"Lin Yujing guessed Zhang Xiaoke right, gets one point."

"Apart from Li Zheng, the other four guessed Lin Yujing’s ranking right, each getting 0.25 points"

"Now let’s see Li Zheng’s ranking..."

"Lin Yujing: 4"

"Zhang Xiaoke: 7"

"Jiang Qinghua: 12"

"Liu Xin: 2"

"Li Zheng: 1"

"Liu Xin got it right."

"So now, the score for the King’s Game is..."

"Lin Yujing: 1.25"

"Zhang Xiaoke: 1.25"

"Liu Xin: 1.25"

"Jiang Qinghua: 0.25"

"Li Zheng: 0"

```

After the tally was complete, Jiang Qinghua leaned in and patted Li Zheng, "You have to be strong..."

This familiar comfort instantly pulled Li Zheng back to the cruel King’s game.

"I’m so annoyed, if I bet again I’m a dog..." Li Zheng irritably scratched his head.

It’s hard to say for the others, but he had already been knocked out of the game.

Despite having used all kinds of mathematical tricks, why was this the result?

Where did he lose? Did he lose because of his confidence in himself?

No, not here. No matter what, he would have guessed Lin Yujing 2, Li Zheng 1.

The crux of the problem wasn’t here, but rather the game had been injected with a chaotic element.

Without a doubt, it was Liu Xin.

Liu Xin was basically guessing blindly, yet he guessed right that Li Zheng was second.

If Liu Xin hadn’t been part of it, Li Zheng could at least have had a point by now and still stand a chance.

On the other hand, Liu Xin’s ranking hadn’t been announced yet.

This ranking itself was the most unpredictable chaotic element.

There was absolutely no logic to it, purely a matter of luck.

Because of Liu Xin’s involvement, all calculations became absurd.

This person was too terrifying...

"The current situation is very delicate," Zhang Xiaoke said as she started to calculate the scores, "If Jiang Qinghua guesses Liu Xin’s score, the four of us would be tied... According to the supplemental rules added later, that would mean..."

"Four kings, one citizen," Jiang Qinghua said in a deep voice. "Four kings exploiting the poor citizen, each one able to command Li Zheng."

"???" Li Zheng glowered, "When were these added??"

"They were sent to the weekend group chat, everyone agreed except you, so it automatically took effect," Zhang Xiaoke giggled and nudged Li Zheng, "Master is so pitiful, huh... Like gambling? I told you to gamble! Gonna gamble now?"

"Forget it... It’s a lesson against gambling, too..." Li Zheng turned anxiously and said to Liu Xin, "It all depends on you, you have to guess right, only if you become king do I have a chance to survive."

At this moment, Tang Zhifei could no longer hold back.

"Class is in session!"

"Oh oh..." Li Zheng quickly turned back and looked down at his phone.

Although it was excessive, the principal had tacitly allowed Li Zheng and Lin Yujing to search for study materials during class, so Tang Zhifei had no choice but to endure it.

Li Zheng fiddled with his phone not for any other reason but to check the initial guesses for Liu Xin’s score.

[Li Zheng: 3500]

[Lin Yujing: 4444]

[Zhang Xiaoke: 3760]

[Jiang Qinghua: 3650]

[Liu Xin: 2333]

What a bunch of bullshit...

All bullshit...

First of all, there aren’t even 4444 candidates in the whole district, does Lin Yujing not want to win at all?

And then, what’s with a 2333, is that number really so amusing?

Why do these bullshit gamblers... all have higher scores than me...

Gambling is indeed the corruption of rationality.

In his struggle, the personal scorecards were completely distributed.

To symbolically protect privacy, the cards were folded such that only the name section was visible.

This amused Liu Xin to no end.

Finally, he could act like the gambling king in movies.

He got his scorecard and pressed it in his palm before looking up at the four eagerly waiting faces and smiled confidently.

"Ha, in the end you still have to depend on me," said Liu Xin, then he bowed deeply and lowered his head until it was level with the table.

He squinted his eyes and slowly started to rub the folded scorecard outward.

Only he could turn a scorecard into a game of poker.

He rubbed very slowly, and with such force that he started to sweat.

Finally, half a number was revealed.

"The first digit is... 4!" announced Liu Xin.

The other four froze simultaneously.

Lin Yujing: "Hmm!"

Jiang Qinghua: "It’s over, you are serious."

Zhang Xiaoke: "Quick, check the betting pool..."

Only Li Zheng slumped sideways in his seat.

It was over, all over.

If it’s a 4000+ ranking.

The only ones with a chance of winning were the ones closest to 4000.

Lin Yujing: 4444

Zhang Xiaoke: 3760

Li Zheng also realized that these two were inseparable.

The crown was already in their bag.

And in this moment of despair.

Zhang Xiaoke looked up subtly and lightly kicked Li Zheng’s foot.

Li Zheng looked over, bewildered.

Zhang Xiaoke’s mouth curved up slightly, and she winked with her left eye.

Instantly, Li Zheng’s scalp tingled.

Xiaoke was on his side?!

I get it, I totally get it now!

What a dumbass, Xiaoke is a dumbass!

Pretending to ally with Lin Yujing just to lower her guard.

In actuality, her body was in the Realm of Tranquility but her heart was with Li Zheng!

This whole Internal Affairs plot even fooled Li Zheng himself.

This Dog Disciple hasn’t been doted on in vain!

Just then, Liu Xin called out again, "Second place... 1!"

41XX.

Li Zheng quickly did the mental math.

The median of 4444 and 3760 is 4102.

It won’t do... still can’t determine the outcome.

"0!" Liu Xin shouted excitedly, "Damn, what a feeling."

Liu Xin is Liu Xin, all 4400 students in the district, scoring in the 4100s, and still so happy.

Even if you’re indulging in your last moments, you could die gloriously.

"9!" Liu Xin suddenly looked up, with an enigmatic stare he exclaimed, "4109! Did I win?"

"Fuck..." Li Zheng dropped his head onto the table.

The Queen ascends the throne.

Winner, Lin Yujing.

Lin Yujing who guessed 4444 and 2333...

This is the worst outcome.

Li Zheng at this moment, was already exhausted.

Too many twists, his heart can’t take it.

He’s tired, he doesn’t care anymore...

Whatever happens happens, whatever.

However, the twists kept coming.

"Ha!" The moment Zhang Xiaoke heard the result, she turned to look at Lin Yujing, her face full of sincerity, "We won!"

"Heh~~~" Lin Yujing squinted her eyes indifferently.

This ambiguous expression made Zhang Xiaoke anxious.

"This... our pact still stands, right..." Zhang Xiaoke swallowed and asked nervously.

"What pact?"

"?!" Zhang Xiaoke cursed in shock, "With that kind of look, don’t tell me you didn’t understand."

"Ah?" Lin Yujing, tapping her chin said, "So what does kicking Li Zheng’s leg mean? I didn’t understand that either, oops."

Zhang Xiaoke went fierce instantly, "...I... I just accidentally touched it."

"Oh, then we also ’accidentally’ glanced a bit~"

"..." Zhang Xiaoke didn’t struggle too much, but laid down on the table just like Li Zheng, "It’s over... all over... Wu Zetian..."

Li Zheng had no more emotional reactions by now, but he still shuddered at the mention of that name.

Although his knowledge of history was limited, he always remembered...

Wu Zetian seemed to have bullied the Old Li’s family quite a bit...

The following Chinese class was practically not about reviewing the test papers. Even the reviewing there was, nobody listened, and it just passed by like water.

The bell rang, signaling the break between classes.

Li Zheng and Zhang Xiaoke, like they were about to be executed, hung their heads listlessly.

Liu Xin still didn’t understand the scores and didn’t know how he lost, still busily scribbling elementary math operations.

Only Jiang Qinghua was the most relaxed.

People in sorrow occasionally receive some indulgence.

That is, nobody has the heart to bully you further.

In such a bizarre atmosphere, Lin Yujing carrying her water bottle, step by step approached the table of four, looking down at her shivering subordinates.

"Wanna bet again?" Lin Yujing challenged.

Li Zheng: "No more..."

Zhang Xiaoke: "Last time, I swear, never again..."

"Humph." Lin Yujing had her fill of their misery before slamming the water bottle onto Zhang Xiaoke’s table, "Then I will announce the command."

Nobody spoke, craving a swift resolution.

With her head held high, Lin Yujing enunciated:

"The command is—"

"All four of you, together with me."

"During winter break, come to the classroom every day to study, one day off per week."

"That’s it. We’re even."

Lin Yujing finished speaking, grabbed her water bottle, and hopped away.

After a long while, Zhang Xiaoke sprang up alertly.

"Huh???" Zhang Xiaoke looked around, Lin Yujing was nowhere in sight, "Are you kidding? Only a freak like Master would make such a demand, right?"

"Ah..." Jiang Qinghua too suddenly remembered, "I’ve got a plan... I’ve got a package... a minor surgery scheduled for winter break."

Liu Xin hadn’t heard any of it, only now slapping his forehead, "True, Lin Yujing won indeed!"

Only Li Zheng, standing there in a daze, heart thumping wildly.

That was exactly the kind of command he would issue as king...

Lin Yujing’s final words still echoed in his ears—

"That’s it, we’re even."

Even for what?

Li Zheng’s mind wandered, and he recalled the incident during the midterms.

He could have taken Lin Yujing’s seat back then but chose to let it go and stayed put.

She still remembers that...

Not only that, but she also guessed his thoughts 100% and issued such a command...

Master Ye!

Truly worthy of being Master Ye!

Both a lifelong archenemy and the only kindred spirit!

At this moment, Li Zheng was reignited with passion.

He slammed the desk and rose to his feet.

"Ah, I didn’t expect Lin Yujing to make such a request, really putting me in a tight spot," Li Zheng said, rubbing his hands and turning to the three nobodies, "My study software’s question bank has upgraded again, and the spots for testing are limited. If you’re too late, there won’t be any left."

Even though Zhang Xiaoke and Jiang Qinghua had already experienced the weight of those questions.

Yet at this moment, they recalled the terror of being dominated by the question bank.

Liu Xin: "What about Lin Yujing? What demand did she make?"

"Transfer schools," Jiang Qinghua said with a quivering voice, "Do it now, while there’s still time."

...

Happiness is conserved.

When Lake Ying celebrates, someone must burst.

All morning, the teachers of No. 4 Middle School’s second-year advanced class were individually summoned and spoken to by the principal.

In Jijing, even though Ren Da Fu had become nationally renowned for its strength, historically, it has been more of a rising star, cultivating batches of excellent students in a more pragmatic way and subsequently attracting even better new students.

But the real traditional powerhouse can only be No. 4 Middle School.

Just like how Li Zheng’s papers were weighed by the kilo, back in the day No. 4 Middle School’s students were handed guaranteed spots at Jinghua Jida like flyers. Departments from all disciplines were vying to be at the school gates, eager to offer spots to any grasped student.

However, as time passed and more and more new powerhouses emerged, No. 4 Middle School no longer held such an absolute advantage. In competition with Ren Da Fu, it even showed signs of decline.

But that didn’t mean No. 4 Middle School had fallen into corruption.

On the contrary, No. 4 Middle School simply disdained from engaging heavily in competitions.

As a traditional elite school, it carried in its DNA an aura of detachment and pride.

Yet on this day, the principal was in a panic.

Even though there were many strong rivals in Jijing City, in the Xishi District, No. 4 Middle School was undoubtedly the absolute overlord. Not to mention first or second place, they wished they could claim the top ten rankings.

However, during this year’s second-year comprehensive exam, a frightening scene unfolded—

First and second places were taken by a school the principal did not recognize; No. 4 Middle School only managed third place.

And it was a third place that lagged by 17 points.

17 points, which in college entrance exam scores could span two whole tiers.

In the Xishi District, a school had two students that outclassed No. 4 Middle School’s advanced class by two tiers.

Even a detached principal had to come to a realization.

Half a day passed, as the advanced class’s homeroom teacher, Chinese, maths, English... each was questioned in turn.

The principal almost received an identical answer—

There is no issue with No. 4 Middle School’s teaching.

The issue lies with those two freaks from Lake Ying.

Among them, the homeroom, Chinese, and English teachers hinted that it was very likely Lake Ying’s principal found a way to leak the papers, to push two top scorers ahead for this year’s exemplary school review.

After all, such comprehensive exams are not that meaningful on their own, and the security level of the test papers is low. It’s not unimaginable for a principal to maneuver and obtain the papers of various subjects in advance.

Indeed, this was an explanation that made sense.

But the physical science and chemistry teachers strongly denied this presumption.

Among them, the chemistry teacher exhibited Li Zheng and Lin Yujing’s Chem Competition scores, indicating that these two were pure freaks. They could have come to No. 4 Middle School, but inexplicably went to Lake Ying instead.

The physics teacher learned from other students that these two really were authentically freakish.

In the end, the principal called these two students in.

That is Qi Yingnan and Duan Peipei.

Upon hearing those two names,

They unconsciously displayed a mix of fear and bitterness.

"Not human..." Qi Yingnan couldn’t bear to recall too much, just muttered with his head low, "They’re not human… in every sense of the word…"

Duan Peipei followed, nodding tremulously, "If it’s those two... I can accept scores like 735 and 732."

"You guys..." the principal’s face showed distress, "One of you is a physics ace, and the other, always among the top, why are you so... so lacking in confidence? You are students of No. 4 Middle School."

"No, no, no... it’s not about the school, principal..." Qi Yingnan, shaking his head, said, "Chem Competitions aren’t challenging enough… Just you wait, after the physics competition, they’re going to become national figures."

"Yingnan, you have the strength to vie for the national training team. Don’t scare yourself, be more stable," the principal said with some dissatisfaction, but without going so far as to scold. Turning to Duan Peipei, he said, "Duan Peipei, I’ve seen your transcript. 68th in the district, 47th in school. That’s a pretty good performance. Do you think it’s possible to achieve a score like 735 in this exam?"

"Principal... I can’t use my own understanding of the difficulty to speculate on theirs," Duan Peipei said somberly, "You should know, they were people Jinghua was ready to offer admission to even before the physics competition."

"Woah... That’s hard to imagine," the principal exclaimed in surprise.

Qi Yingnan nodded in agreement, "And they even rejected it."

"Woah... I... I understand," the principal exerted great effort to not blurt out the word "fuck". After collecting himself for a while, he finally said, "Your opinions are very important, are you sure it’s really like this?"

"Absolutely certain."

"They definitely didn’t cheat; there’s no reason to, nor is there a need to."

Only then did the principal wave them off, "Alright, that’ll be all, you can go back to class."

The two left the principal’s office, their hearts still racing with confusion.

"What does the principal mean by asking this all of a sudden?" Qi Yingnan didn’t understand, "And why does he say our opinions are so important?"

Without much effort, Duan Peipei answered, "I guess it’s because their scores this time are so exaggerated that some teachers suspect cheating. They want to report to the Education Commission. Our word as No. 4 Middle School carries weight. If they do make a report, Lake Ying would lose face, and it might even affect their exemplary school evaluation."

"Fuck me." Qi Yingnan bluntly expressed his thoughts, "How could you think of all that?"

"Ah, no, it’s not like that. I’m not the calculating type~~" Duan Peipei frantically waved her hands, trembling so much her voice shook, "It’s just... I heard other teachers talking about it. It definitely isn’t my own idea~~"

"..."