Baiyu in the auditorium was unaware of the bet happening in the lounge.
He only received a text message.
A text from Grandma Qiong.
"During the Magic Energy class tomorrow, act a bit weak. Don't scare the students and teachers from other schools. I'm going fishing!"
"Benefits as usual, split fifty-fifty."
Baiyu noted the message, silently deleted it, and mourned for the teachers from other schools.
Throughout the three years of high school, Grandma Qiong had played the game of hiding strength more than once, fooling many of the teachers at their own school. Baiyu just had to play his part and collect his share.
Why were they so successful every time?
Of course, because Baiyu was a true academic genius, combined with Grandma Qiong's exceptionally high martial prowess, they were never afraid!
Qiong Jiu was one of the few who knew the truth.
He knew Baiyu was completely an out-and-out freak.
His Spiritual Contamination Level remained below five points, and most of the time, it was zero.
By the beginning of the second year of high school, he had basically completed all the high school curriculum.
Apart from review time, he spent all his time reading extracurricular books on Mysticism, reaching an unbelievable level of resistance to the unknown.
For this, Qiong Jiu had a few talks with Baiyu to ensure he was fine.
Of course.
Baiyu was the most talented, spirited, and in the best state among the tens of batches of students Qiong Jiu had taught.
He was truly like someone born for learning.
Such a person could not be described with titles like study geek, study god, study sage, or study demon.
We generally call such people... study freaks!
And now.
All the students in Linjiang City were up against a study freak with a cheat code enabled.
Like Thanos with all the Infinity Stones.
"What's going on?"
Ning Qian tiptoed over curiously.
Baiyu put away his phone: "Nothing, it's just that the class advisor wants me to keep it low tomorrow. Seems like there's some task evaluation in the Magic Energy class, and she doesn't want me to scare anyone."
"Oh, so she's asking you to hide your strength?
That makes sense.
After all, the students from other schools don't really understand your grades, Brother Bai.
The gap is too big, it really might cause despair in others. Brother Bai and Teacher Qiong are really good people."
Ning Qian smiled happily.
Nearby, Qin Shou and Yue Zian felt like spitting blood.
The little beauty's words were probably right.
But listening to them, why do they sting so much, making things even more hopeless?
With Ning Qian looking love-struck, it was like getting a cold dish of dog food slapped on their faces.
The two emitted the anguished howls of academic slackers in their minds.
"The class advisor wants you to hide your strength? That's ridiculous, is Linjiang First Middle School's top student a character like you?"
At this moment.
A disagreeable voice rang out.
The four turned their heads.
A girl exuding frostiness stood nearby, her eyes coldly staring at Baiyu, her face full of disdain and dislike.
She was tall, about 1.7 meters, wearing a simple school uniform, with a clean face, looking innocent.
She matched every description of a pure schoolgirl.
Behind her were a few boys with glasses, all looking thin and weak, showing hatred, but lacking momentum.
"From Pinghong Middle School? Brother Yu, did you open a side mine outside, and now they've tracked you down?"
Qin Shou maliciously speculated on the unfolding drama.
The two beauties tearing at each other.
The scene was exciting just thinking about it.
Yue Zian, having been hit hard earlier, took out his notes again, starting to rewrite the basic Magic Elixir formula, immersing himself in the sea of knowledge.
Ning Qian remained a bit baffled.
Of course.
Baiyu, also at the center of the incident, was equally in the dark.
He carefully observed the few in front of him, racking his brain to remember, confirming he had no contact with anyone from Pinghong Middle School.
"Uh... Do you have anything against me?" Baiyu asked uncertainly.
The girl squinted, her voice as cold as a knife:
"I'm Lan Ziyue, the student council president of Pinghong Middle School this year.
We bear no grudges.
But all of us students from Pinghong Middle School despise your behavior!"
As she finished speaking, the boys behind her nodded in agreement.
"Miss, what terrible thing have I done?" Baiyu asked, feeling exasperated.
It was so baffling.
Sitting at home, a pot fell from the sky.
One second, he was chatting with students from other schools, and the next, he'd become a sinner of Pinghong Middle School?
"Haha, of course, you wouldn't understand.
You've been pampered since childhood.
From an early age, you've received the best education, had the best teachers, the most abundant learning resources, and the most excellent learning environment. How could you possibly understand us students from cluster schools?
The top student in the school leading people to skip classes.
What I despise most is someone like you who wastes all the Human Race's cultivation resources, squandering your talent in an environment we at Pinghong dream of having!"
With her cheeks flushed, the girl put all her strength into her speech: "So, from now on, whether it's this exchange class or the college entrance examination, I will defeat you, and get rid of pests like you!
You may find it laughable or childish.
But I came here to tell you to use this time wisely and work hard.
I want to win beautifully, leaving Linjiang's upper management speechless and make you hand over all the wasted educational resources and funding from these years, reallocating them to more useful places!"
The surroundings gradually fell silent.
Baiyu quietly watched the girl, whose neck had turned red from yelling.
"Actually, very few people skip classes at our school, Brother Bai is an exception due to his unique...,"
Ning Qian tried to explain but was stopped by Baiyu.
He looked at the determined young girl, "If that's the case, then you might need to work hard.
I admire your perseverance.
Though your hatred is pointless and likely the result of some short-sighted master's deliberate guidance.
But
I accept your challenge."
Contrary to expectations, the scene of the other party losing temper did not occur.
Lan Ziyue bit her lip, "After this year, Linjiang First Middle School will be completely taken down. This is the culmination of Pinghong's many years of effort, and I will take the last step on behalf of the seniors who graduated."
With that,
she led the group of students behind her, turning to leave.
Once they were completely gone, Ning Qian curiously asked, "Brother Bai, why didn't you explain? They have no idea about the real situation. You skipping class is sanctioned by the teachers."
"Explain what, their belief is just to become the top scorer in the college entrance exam, to overshadow Linjiang First Middle School, and improve the current distribution of educational resources.
Such belief helps to better resist spiritual contamination. She is different from us, her Spiritual Contamination Level... is very high.
Also.
Only speaking with strength will someone like her listen.
Explain?
She wouldn't believe you anyway.
Baiyu paused and continued, "So, let her work hard. Without effort, she won't know what true despair is."