Study Monster Cultivation System
Chapter 232 - 231 Xuelang

While Li Zheng was succumbing to his "Entering Demonization" alone, Lin Yujing and Gu Jianfeng had already put down their weapons.

Gu Jianfeng put away his pen and, holding the Mechanics Book, tilted his head and smiled, "Although I didn’t understand your approach, being able to realize what I don’t understand is already a blessing in itself."

"Um." Lin Yujing nodded vigorously, "My math teacher said my ceiling isn’t high… I’ve always been unwilling to accept it, but after hearing your approach, I realized it’s true, I need to step it up."

"Not at all, not at all… your understanding of physics is truly strong…" Gu Jianfeng scratched his head and chuckled foolishly, "Well, see you at the experimental exam, then."

"Okay."

After parting with Lin Yujing, Gu Jianfeng ran up behind the dazed Li Zheng and patted him on the back.

"Let’s go."

"Ah? Huh?" Li Zheng just snapped out of his trance and turned around, "Stay a bit longer, I still want to ask you about the math competitions."

"Something else came up, next time," Gu Jianfeng said while backing away with a laugh, waving his hand, "Training camps are boring, I’ll tell you about it then."

"Alright then." Li Zheng waved goodbye regretfully, but thinking they would meet again soon, he got excited again, "How about we share a room when the time comes?"

"That… we’ll see when the time comes…" Gu Jianfeng shivered and began to slip away.

Li Zheng looked at the book in his arms and suddenly remembered a question that had been troubling him, "Hey, why are you always holding ’Mechanics’?"

"Studying," Gu Jianfeng said matter-of-factly, "The exam is coming up, I need to prepare."

"…" Li Zheng frowned deeply and asked, word by word, "You mean… before today, you had never prepared for Phys Competitions?"

"Does attending physics classes count as preparing?" Gu Jianfeng asked somewhat sheepishly.

"No…"

"Then, I guess I never prepared…" Gu Jianfeng waved again, "Really gotta go, we’ll chat more next time."

"…"

Long after Gu Jianfeng had gone, Li Zheng still hadn’t moved.

Are mathematicians always this arrogant?

Is the Sword Sect truly the dominant path?

In his daze, the original author of the Jianghu Spectrum, Qi Yingnan, walked up beside Li Zheng and adjusted his glasses, "Now, you see why he’s called Feng Qingyang."

Li Zheng sighed incredulously, "Inner Strength at zero, swordsmanship unbeatable..."

"Exactly, being good at math really does let you do whatever you want," Qi Yingnan’s voice trembled, "If the Wind God takes the championship this time, the Physics Jianghu might just turn into the Sword Sect’s realm, and we in the Dragon Pearl Group will have to admit, physics is literally a vassal of mathematics…"

"But… I, Xu Zhu, am on the path of Inner Strength…" Li Zheng clenched his fists bitterly, "I’ve been practicing so hard for so long, only to be told math is the supreme path?"

Qi Yingnan was moved to tears, "Don’t even mention it, brother, I, Zhang Wujie, am also an expert of Inner Strength. Have you ever seen me wield a sword?"

"There’s still time to train," Li Zheng turned around, grabbing Qi Yingnan’s shoulders, "If you can’t beat them, join them, let’s cram for math together."

"Damn! How can you be so disloyal?"

"You can’t blame me though, look at the tests they make…" Li Zheng pointed at the draft papers on the table and criticized, "The concepts are basically understandable to anyone, the real difficulty lies in the calculation, everyone setting these tests has surrendered to math."

"Now that you mention it… it’s true."

"Um!" Lin Yujing, who had arrived at some point, sparked with determination, "Seriously study math, break through the ceiling."

"Yes!" Li Zheng immediately punched the air, "Let’s go find Teacher Zhu when we get back."

Hearing that name, Lin Yujing still felt a bit averse and hesitantly said, "He… might not like me… What if I go and he doesn’t teach me?"

Li Zheng swept his arm, "That won’t happen, if he doesn’t take you, then I won’t follow him either."

"~~~~"

Qi Yingnan, who had been chatting just fine with Li Zheng, at this moment unconsciously, miserably sank many steps backward.

Xu Zhu.

You haven’t just betrayed physics.

You’ve also betrayed Shaolin.

Being with you is too painful, I must stay far away from you… I must stay far away from you from now on…

And…

You never once asked me what my estimated score was…

You always call me brother Wujie.

But at the end of the day, you utterly disregard my score…

You really don’t treat your brother as a person...

Of course… there’s nothing I can do about it…

With a total score of 285, your brother’s estimated score is… 201.

It’s just not the same level anymore.

Qi Yingnan slumped back to his desk and sat down, "It’s too difficult... this year is too difficult..."

"Come on, there was Wu Shu last year too." Duan Peipei lay sprawled on the desk, "I only got 170..."

"170 is okay, after all, we’re missing 35 points," Qi Yingnan comforted, "With this year’s difficulty, 170 can definitely get you into the lab exam."

"I hope so..." Duan Peipei sighed lightly, "I don’t dare to think that far ahead..."

Speaking of lab exams, this is where the physics competition differs from the chemistry competition.

In the chemistry competition’s provincial preliminaries, there is no lab exam; the experimental assessment is only during the provincial team training to select team members.

It’s not that the chemical societies everywhere don’t want to hold them, but organizing large-scale experimental exams is just too expensive...

But the rules for physics competitions are different. Take Jijing as an example; the top seventy or eighty scorers in theoretical scores will get the chance to take the lab exam.

The score of the last person in the lab exam rankings is known as the "lab cut-off".

After the lab exam, the top fifty or so people ranked by theory + lab scores get "provincial one".

The top thirteen or fourteen become provincial team members.

Therefore, apart from exceptional cases like Li Zheng and Lin Yujing, the goal for most enthusiasts at this stage is to qualify for the lab exam.

However, this goal was now hanging by a thread.

"Fuck... I only got 80..."

"66."

"103!"

"That’s too harsh... is this answer even reliable?"

"Do you know who you’re questioning...?"

"Forget it, forget it... let’s just say the questions were hard this year, so the score line will be low..."

In the midst of the chaotic scene, Shi Yang suddenly stood up, leaping into the air and shouting with a draft paper in hand, "I got 45, anyone lower than me?!"

The room fell silent.

Cobalt God is too dominant.

untouchable.

"Ha!" Shi Yang then crumpled up the draft paper and laughed heartily, "I didn’t prepare at all, 45 isn’t too embarrassing, right?"

"Wind God didn’t prepare either, wasn’t it 275?"

"Math still proves useful after all..."

"Your divinity has crumbled, Cobalt God."

"Chemistry is a dead-end."

"Enough, stop teasing Cobalt God... He’s just here for fun since he’s from the national chem competition team."

"Sigh... we’ve got nothing."

"I did worse than last year..."

"It’s worse every time..."

"The exams are getting harder; they are really not meant for us."

"I couldn’t even score 100; I should just give up on physics..."

"Thanks to the three masters for their answers, letting us face reality ahead of time."

"Let’s call it quits... physics isn’t really meant for us."

Li Zheng was about to sneak away quietly with Lin Yujing, but upon seeing the continuing sighs and laments, he could hardly bear to watch.

This is why he disliked putting on airs; it could really put a damper on others’ enthusiasm for learning.

Watching these classmates, who clearly loved physics, beating their chests and stomping their feet in despair, talking about giving up.

In his sorrow, Li Zheng also felt a touch of drama arise.

Just then, Qi Yingnan came over again and said, "Before I leave, let me say one more thing. As the leader of our Dragon Pearl Group, it’s my responsibility to estimate the cut-off score. Ou Xingzhuo used to handle this during the chem competitions."

While speaking, he showed a sheet of paper to Li Zheng, "Here are the score samples from our people. If you’re too lazy to handle it... then I’ll do it..."

Li Zheng took the sheet and glanced at the mixed bag of scores, then looked up at the distressed and indignant faces of his classmates.

How could he just walk away from this?

"You go ahead," Li Zheng said solemnly to Lin Yujing, "Dragon Pearl Group has always been my guiding light. I was also led onto this path by my seniors, and now that I’m the leader, I must fulfill my responsibilities."

"You go ahead." Lin Yujing nodded understandingly and then headed to the counter. "Suddenly felt hungry, I’ll eat for another 20 minutes before leaving."

"Heh, four pairs of chicken wings down and still eating? You’ll end up like Zhang Xiaoke sooner or later."

"?!?!"

"Just kidding, I’ll try to keep it under 20 minutes," Li Zheng said with a smile, then he shrugged off his school uniform.

He walked to the center seat of McDonald’s, mixed with the sound of the wind, and sat down with his head bowed.

With another flick of his wrist, his pen was already unsheathed.

Watching this scene,

The classmates were fired up.

The manager cried.

Two hours later… wasn’t that enough...

Without a moment’s delay, Li Zheng estimated a rough cut-off score based on the number of experiment participants from the previous year and the local samples.

But he didn’t rush to announce it; instead, he slowly lifted his head, looking at everyone like an old father.

And the crowd, like a wave, lifted their heads layer by layer.

The emotional tension reached his throat, he couldn’t hold it in anymore.

"Those who keep saying that each generation of students is worse than the last,"

"should look at you all, just like I do."

"Looking at you, I’m filled with envy."

"Humanity has accumulated tens of thousands of sets of exercises."

"All the knowledge, skills, question banks, it’s like they were gifts prepared especially for you."

"Starting your preparations early, staying up late solving problems, enrolling in courses during holidays—the charm of studying unfolds layer by layer, and you can enjoy it to the fullest."

"Freely studying for a competition, acquiring a set of exercises, enjoying a textbook, visiting distant camps for further study."

"Many people have been learning freely since childhood."

"Many reached a mature age in childhood."

"Undecided about which subject to focus on, which competition to enter, or which university to apply to."

"The barriers between individuals have been broken down."

"We meet millions of fellow exam candidates just through similar grades."

"We have gained a power that the previous generation of students could only dream of—"

"The power to choose which set of exercises to do."

"The learning we love, that is our life."

"Surge forth, Xuelang!"

"We are on the same..."

Before Li Zheng could finish expressing himself, Shi Yang had already slammed the table and stood up, "Study the waves my ass! Where’s the cut-off score? I’ve been waiting for the cut-off score, damn it."

The others, who weren’t very familiar with Li Zheng and, due to his status as a deity-like figure, couldn’t openly criticize him, could only express their anger and dissatisfaction with their eyes.

Even Qi Yingnan couldn’t hold back anymore, leaned over, and whispered in Li Zheng’s ear, "Enough is enough... even the group admin shouldn’t behave like this..."

"Was it just a spur-of-the-moment thing... My Chinese is pretty good too," Li Zheng said, frowning in thought, "Wasn’t there even a little bit of inspiration? We all belong to Xuelang, it’s such a good analogy."

"Please, just announce the cut-off score now, or else even I might get beaten up..."

Li Zheng could only sigh helplessly.

How come the joys and sorrows of people aren’t universal?

In the end, he could only leave behind a cut-off score of 154, then sadly retreated to a window seat, staring at Lin Yujing who was licking an ice cream cone across the way, his face full of regret.

"Hmm…" Lin Yujing pushed over a chocolate sundae, "Let’s both turn into Zhang Xiaoke."

It was only then that Li Zheng, who had been looking miserable, laughed.

What waves and tides.

In my river, having Master Ye is enough.

Having one true friend in life is enough.

...

After the semi-final exam, Tao Feifei did not ask about Li Zheng and Lin Yujing’s situation, and the pair did not report it, even Liu Xiaodong showed no concern at all.

It was as if talking about it would somehow devalue them, though everyone thought about it, there really was no need to bring it up.

A seemingly unrelated person got dragged into it, however.

School was about to be let out, and the mathematics research group had two unexpected visitors.

Originally, there were three math teachers in the office.

But upon seeing these two fierce figures show up together, only staring at Zhu Hongbo.

The other two teachers, knowing what was appropriate, immediately found some excuse and fled with their bags.

Zhu Hongbo stood alone at his desk, but he was not panicked.

He even smiled.

Everything was in the plan, it was just a bit earlier than expected.

It seemed they had realized the importance of mathematics in the Physics Competitions ahead of schedule.

Although Zhu Hongbo was somewhat pleased, he tried not to show it and kept his expression tense, evaluating the homework in his hand and asked, "What is it?"

"Teacher, we want to learn mathematics." Li Zheng stated his purpose straightaway.

"Aren’t I teaching during the classes?"

"Not that kind of mathematics," Li Zheng walked up to the desk and nodded firmly, "the real mathematics."

Zhu Hongbo’s heart pounded, but he kept his face unreadable, his gaze trembling slightly on the homework as he asked, "What is real mathematics?"

"I don’t know." Li Zheng stood with his hands behind his back and answered clearly, "Only by learning it will you understand."

Hearing this, Zhu Hongbo finally put down his pen, turned his chair, and looked at Li Zheng.

"Li Zheng... I still need to make things clear to you."

"Mathematics is the subject most likely to end in nothingness."

"In fact, it’s the subject that will almost certainly end in nothingness for most people."

"Not only does it consume a great deal of time and effort, but it’s also likely to lead to self-doubt and loss of confidence."

"To excel in it, not only talent and hard work are required, but also perseverance and determination."

"So, I only have one question for you now."

Zhu Hongbo raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Zheng, asking sincerely, "Li Zheng, if you end up achieving nothing in this study of math competitions, what then?"

"!" Li Zheng’s eyes widened, "Then achieve nothing..."

Lin Yujing suddenly stepped forward, "Then we’ll stop learning!"

"No!" Zhu Hongbo stood up angrily, "You were just about to inspire Li Zheng’s determination..."

But Lin Yujing had already hidden behind Li Zheng and whispered, "Don’t fall for his trick."

"Haha," Li Zheng raised his hand and laughed, "How could we achieve nothing? Happiness is the best reward for studying, not to mention increasing computational power and broadening thinking."

"Alright, alright, I get it..." Zhu Hongbo sat down helplessly and turned to Lin Yujing, "I’m not surprised about Li Zheng, but Lin Yujing, you’re interested too?"

"Um..." Lin Yujing then stepped out, "My mathematics is indeed... a bit low-ceilinged, I want to try and break through."

"?!" Zhu Hongbo’s jaw dropped instantly.

Low my ass!

You’re the best I’ve ever seen in my life!

Zhu Hongbo even saw a touch of self-doubt in Lin Yujing’s eyes.

What the fuck!

What exactly happened?

What has happened to our Lake Ying Lin Bao’er?

"Lin... Lin Yujing... has someone been bullying you?" Zhu Hongbo stood up straightening his glasses, "Your mathematics must be outstanding..."

Lin Yujing just shook her head, "There’s still a lot I don’t understand, far from it."

"Not that far... not that far..."

"There is... there is..."

"..." Zhu Hongbo had no choice but to turn to Li Zheng, "What exactly has Lin Yujing been through?"

"It’s a long story," Li Zheng sighed and smiled, "It’s probably like the new waves of the Yangtze River pushing the old waves, the young people nowadays are incredible, those who always say the younger generation is worse than the previous one..."

"Alright, I don’t want to hear it," Zhu Hongbo raised his arm, "I’ve actually discussed it with Teacher Tao. If you are determined to study mathematics, then the first lesson will be specifically about the math techniques to tackle tough problems in the Physics Competitions."

Li Zheng and Lin Yujing exchanged looks and were not too keen on this so-called math technique.

"Teacher Zhu, let’s start from the basics and systematize it instead."

"Don’t be so excited, Teacher Zhu... just give me a list of reference books, that will be enough..."