Chapter 16: patrol
Zhang Yu glanced back at Zhao Tianxing, who was still standing in place, and urged, "Get to work, Xiao Zhao! What are you doing, slacking off?"
Zhao Tianxing quickly caught up but couldn't help stealing a few more glances at Bai Zhenzhen, who was busy serving dishes. He thought to himself, *"No one at school would believe this—Bai Zhenzhen is actually working part-time? Did something happen at home?"*
After completing another round of patrols, Zhao Tianxing followed Zhang Yu into an empty stairwell. Zhang Yu suddenly sat down cross-legged and said, "Don't just stand there. Take a break with me."
Zhao Tianxing hesitated. "But the captain told us to keep patrolling. What if he finds out?"
Zhang Yu chuckled. "The exhibition hasn't even started yet. What's there to patrol? Besides, in a place like Central Tower, what could possibly go wrong?" He then added with a smile, "Didn't you want to talk to me? This is a good chance for me to share some wisdom about being a security guard."
At this, Zhao Tianxing recalled Wang Hai's instructions.
Zhang Yu, however, dropped a bombshell: "The whole point of being a security guard is to slack off!"
Zhao Tianxing was stunned. "What?"
Zhang Yu continued, "Does your pay change whether you patrol more or less?"
Zhao Tianxing thought for a moment. "Well… no."
Zhang Yu pressed on, "Does the security level of this venue drop with or without us?"
Zhao Tianxing scratched his head. "I guess… not really. But still…"
Zhang Yu cut him off. "But the time we save is ours to keep. Anyway, I'm going to rest for a bit. We'll head out when the exhibition officially starts."
As Zhang Yu closed his eyes and began meditating, Zhao Tianxing grew nervous, worried about being caught slacking on the job. He glanced at Zhang Yu, who was now fully immersed in his breathing exercises, and couldn't help but admire his ability to seize every moment to cultivate. At the same time, he thought Zhang Yu was being far too carefree.
*"Wait, wasn't I supposed to ask him about the medicine he bought? How did we end up talking about slacking off?"*
Suddenly, Zhao Tianxing's eyes lit up as he pondered Zhang Yu's earlier words.
Zhao Tianxing was the type who wasn't great at socializing but was sensitive and often overthought things. As he reflected on Zhang Yu's words, he realized they seemed to align perfectly with his own situation.
*"If I ask Wang Hai more or fewer questions, will he stop guiding me?"*
*"If I weren't here to gather information for Wang Hai, would he really be unable to find out anything?"*
*"Did Zhang Yu already figure out what I'm up to? Was he subtly hinting that I should slack off too?"*
With these thoughts, Zhao Tianxing looked at Zhang Yu, who was still meditating, and felt that even his breathing seemed profound and mysterious.
As Zhang Yu circulated his spiritual energy, completing a full cycle of his cultivation technique (13/80), the exhibition finally began.
---
"As expected of an exhibition hosted by Madam Li. All the guests are either wealthy or influential."
Zhao Tianxing couldn't help but marvel as he observed the attendees. Though he didn't recognize most of them, their luxurious attire and accessories made it clear they were people of considerable means. Even though his father was a mid-level manager at a company and their family was relatively well-off, Zhao Tianxing could tell that many of the items these guests wore were far beyond his family's reach.
Just then, Zhang Yu whispered, "Old Zhao, look over there!"
Following Zhang Yu's gaze, Zhao Tianxing spotted a figure gleaming with a golden hue, surrounded by a crowd. Upon closer inspection, he realized the person's skin seemed to be coated in a layer of gold foil, reflecting a faint golden light.
Zhang Yu asked curiously, "What is that? A robot?"
Zhao Tianxing quickly covered Zhang Yu's mouth, nervously checking if the golden figure had noticed them. Once he was sure they hadn't been spotted, he let out a sigh of relief and explained, "That's the director of Xianyun Group's Songyang branch. Be careful what you say."
"Xianyun Group?" Zhang Yu stared at the golden figure and asked, "But why does he look so… shiny?"
Zhao Tianxing explained, "That's a 'Fa Hai.' Haven't you heard of it?"
Seeing Zhang Yu's blank expression, Zhao Tianxing realized his family background probably didn't expose him to such things. He patiently elaborated, "A Fa Hai… well, it's kind of like a prosthetic, but far more advanced. It's a product of immortal cultivation technology that can replace any part of the human body. Not only does it retain the original functions, but it also significantly enhances various abilities. However, only those with a cultivation level of 100 or higher can have a Fa Hai implanted."
Zhang Yu's eyes flickered. He knew that 100 points of spiritual energy was the upper limit for the Qi Refining stage. He asked, "So, can you get a Fa Hai at 100 points, or do you need to reach the Foundation Establishment stage first?"
Zhao Tianxing replied, "100 points is enough, but this person is a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator. He comes from a prestigious family and graduated from Wanfa University."
Zhang Yu understood. *"So, a Foundation Establishment expert, fresh out of a top university, is here to show off in front of us lowly Qi Refining cultivators, huh?"*
As more guests arrived, Zhang Yu spotted two other individuals who seemed to have Fa Hai. One had gem-like eyes, while the other had a halo floating behind his head. Their appearances stood out starkly against the backdrop of wealthy attendees.
These three figures—the golden Xianyun Group director and the two others—became the center of attention, drawing in Qi Refining cultivators who seemed eager to kneel and pay their respects.
Meanwhile, Zhao Tianxing was gradually getting used to his security uniform and no longer felt as awkward around the guests. As they continued their patrol, the two overheard snippets of conversations.
Some guests marveled at Madam Li's wealth and influence, while others praised the quality and value of the paintings on display. Naturally, some also discussed the *Heavenly Martial Arts Diagram*, a painting personally created by a Golden Core cultivator.
"Brother Li, are you here to study the *Heavenly Martial Arts Diagram* painted by Senior Xinghuo?"
"Of course! It's been widely known in the Songyang cultivation world that if any genius under 20 can master the martial arts depicted in the painting, Senior Xinghuo will take them as a disciple. How could I miss this opportunity?"
*"What? There's such information?"* Zhang Yu thought to himself. *"And it's spread throughout the Songyang cultivation world? How come I didn't know about it?"*
*"Am I just too insignificant in the cultivation world to be informed?"*
For now, Zhang Yu suppressed his questions and decided to focus on his duties as a security guard.
He approached the person who had just spoken and politely asked, "Sir, are you alright?"
The young man, who had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, looked at the guard in confusion. "What do you mean? I'm fine."
He proudly declared, "I'm Lian Tianji from Ziyun High. Can't you see I'm chatting with a friend?"
Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing exchanged glances, then looked at the so-called "friend." It was a box placed on a table, covered in intricate wooden patterns, about the size of an urn.
Zhang Yu couldn't help but think, *"Is this guy schizophrenic? Did studying drive him mad?"*
He did, however, recognize Ziyun High. It was one of Songyang's top three prestigious schools, far more elite than Songyang High. It was the kind of school Zhang Yu had never even dared to apply to.
Ziyun High was infamous for its brutal discipline, oppressive environment, and draconian rules. Compared to Ziyun, Songyang High's strictness was nothing. Rumors of a caste system, weak students eating in restrooms, and the expectation for the weak to kneel before the strong were enough to terrify students from other schools.
Looking at Lian Tianji, who was conversing with what appeared to be an urn, Zhang Yu couldn't help but think, *"Ziyun High really drives people insane."*
But then, the "urn" spoke. "Brother Lian, these security guards must have misunderstood. I'm Li Xingyu, a soul cultivator from Mangshan High."
*"Mangshan High? A soul cultivator?"*
Zhang Yu remembered that he had once considered applying to Mangshan High. He knew that soul cultivators had lower academic requirements for college entrance exams, as they followed a specialized path. However, they also had to give up their physical bodies. Seeing the "urn" on the table, Zhang Yu was shocked. *"Mangshan High really turns people into ghosts."*
Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing quickly apologized and left. As they walked away, they saw Lian Tianji and Li Xingyu continue their conversation. The "urn" then extended four propeller-like devices and flew away like a drone.
Watching this, Zhang Yu felt relieved that his past self hadn't chosen the path of a soul cultivator. *"Otherwise, I wouldn't even have a body to cultivate with. What kind of immortal cultivator would I be?"*
*"Wait, if that soul cultivator doesn't have a physical body, how is he planning to practice the martial arts from the *Heavenly Martial Arts Diagram*?"*
He then recalled the information the two had shared about the painting.
*"If that's the case, then this exhibition is likely to attract many geniuses under 20, all hoping to master the martial arts depicted in the *Heavenly Martial Arts Diagram*."*
With this thought, Zhang Yu grew even more excited about the exhibition. *"Not only am I getting paid 400 an hour, but I also get to watch the show and maybe even learn some peerless martial arts. Who says this job isn't great? It's fantastic!"*
He turned to Zhao Tianxing and asked, "So, Old Zhao, are you interested in the matchless kung fu from the *Heavenly Martial Arts Diagram*?"
Zhao Tianxing shook his head naturally. He knew his limits. Such things were clearly reserved for true geniuses or the wealthy. What did they have to do with ordinary people like him?
Not only was he uninterested, but he also felt a sense of dread. Even if the *Heavenly Martial Arts Diagram* were unveiled later, he wouldn't dare to try it, fearing he'd make a fool of himself in front of everyone.
A moment later, Zhao Tianxing, who had just started to get comfortable in his security uniform, suddenly wished he could disappear and take off the uniform immediately.
Zhang Yu noticed Zhao Tianxing quickly turning his back and followed his gaze, spotting a few familiar faces.
"Huh? Isn't that Qian Shen? And a few others from our school?"
Qian Shen was the academic rival who had consistently ranked second in their grade, right behind Bai Zhenzhen.
Zhang Yu patted Zhao Tianxing's shoulder and said, "Old Zhao, look, aren't those our classmates?"
Zhao Tianxing quickly pulled Zhang Yu aside, whispering nervously, "Turn around! Don't let them see us."
(End of chapter...)
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