Era of Mist

These teleprompter cards appeared one after another, never stopping for a moment, like a horde of memelord netizens spamming bullet comments and jokes. Meanwhile, the stars continued to fly up from the bottom of his vision like a reverse waterfall, CRACKLING as they smashed into the progress bar. It was dizzying, truly dizzying. Shi Tiexin could hardly keep count of all the stars.

He watched, wide-eyed, as the progress bar extended, and extended further, until finally, it relentlessly crashed into the word "Good" on the far right.

Instantly, the entire progress bar erupted in brilliant light, flashing brightly. Within the light, the word "Good" on the right suddenly expanded, occupying most of his field of view.

[Basic Mathematics, First Level: Progress upgraded to Good]

A line of text announced the improvement in Shi Tiexin’s mental cultivation. Then, the enormous word "Good" fell to the left side of his vision. As if something heavy had suddenly slammed into the ground, the word "Good" landed on the left with a heavy THUD, replacing the previous "Qualified."

Then, a new, phantom progress bar appeared. At its right end was the word "Excellent."

The word "Excellent" beckoned invitingly from the far end, and the progress bar in the middle continued to extend under the impact of the clusters of stars. However, there weren’t many stars left this time. After the final nine stars hit, the progress bar rose by nine ticks and stopped.

"A THOUSAND MILES IN A DAY!!"

A teleprompter card popped out with a resonant DUANG! The text was written in a huge, roaring font. It shook fiercely for a long while before reluctantly, slowly sinking like the setting sun.

Surging Red Flames now blazed on the progress bar, and crackling bolts of lightning wrapped around it, as if it had suddenly transformed into a Super Saiyan progress bar.

’Th-th-this... I already... I got Basic Mathematics, First Level, to Good?!’

’Good already? This fast?’

’It’s only been one class period!’

"Brother Shi? Brother Shi?" Zhou Nan’s voice snapped Shi Tiexin back to his senses. Shi Tiexin shook himself out of his daze and looked around. There were only three people left in the entire classroom. Besides the two of them, there was also Zhao Qingmiao, who was waiting by the light switch at the front of the room, looking over at them apologetically.

Shi Tiexin looked at Zhao Qingmiao, then at the book in his hands. He glanced at Zhou Nan, then back at the progress bar in his vision.

The Super Saiyan progress bar was still crackling with wild energy, looking as if it could fire off a Primordial Qi Bomb at any moment to blast through all obstacles.

’At a time like this...’

’At a time like THIS—’

’How could I possibly stop now!!’

’I must cultivate. I must continue to cultivate! I must study! I must study without stopping! I will pull an all-nighter! I’ll burn the midnight oil! I... I... I’m going to fucking study until I explode today!’

A terrifyingly immense aura suddenly erupted from Shi Tiexin. It was even stronger and fiercer than the god-slaying aura he’d had back when he was desperate to pee. He was like an ancient, desolate god suddenly reawakened.

Shi Tiexin’s gaze swept over him, making Zhou Nan shudder. Looking into Shi Tiexin’s eyes, Zhou Nan felt as if he were seeing a chunk of stone on the verge of exploding, a piece of steel striking sparks. He could feel that unstoppable, ferocious resolve.

Shi Tiexin spoke. "Where can I find a classroom with the lights on?"

"Huh?" Zhou Nan didn’t immediately understand.

"Where can I find a classroom with the lights on!" Shi Tiexin repeated, his voice louder, his heart racing with impatience. ’I have to strike while the iron is hot,’ he thought. ’If I don’t seize this power-up while the progress bar is transformed, am I supposed to just wait for it to cool down?’

’It’s hard to build up a combo meter!’

This time, Zhou Nan understood. But understanding didn’t help, because he was just as stunned.

’Boss, you’re really asking *me* of all people?’ he thought. ’I’m just a delinquent who hustles contraband. How the hell would I know where to find a classroom with the lights on all night?’

Just then, Zhao Qingmiao, who had been waiting to turn off the lights, timidly walked over. He looked at Shi Tiexin with a mixture of fear and admiration, and said tentatively, "B-Big Brother, I... I know a place..."

Hm? Shi Tiexin looked at Zhao Qingmiao. His imposing expression made the boy take a step back in fear.

Shi Tiexin took a step forward and raised his hand. To Zhao Qingmiao, it looked like a sky-propping pillar was about to come crashing down on him. Zhao Qingmiao squeezed his eyes shut. ’This is it, I’m done for,’ he thought. ’It’s all my fault. Why did I have to open my big mouth? Now I’m going to get beaten!’

But with a soft THWAP, Zhao Qingmiao only felt a weight on his shoulder. Shi Tiexin’s large hand hadn’t smashed into his head; it had clapped him on the shoulder instead.

"Good!"

Zhao Qingmiao opened his eyes and saw Shi Tiexin’s appreciative gaze. As usual, his words were concise. "Lead the way!"

Zhao Qingmiao felt an infinite strength surge through his body. Since becoming the monitor of the "trash class," this was the first time he had ever heard someone say the word "good" to him. And it wasn’t perfunctory, it wasn’t fake, and it wasn’t said casually. Zhao Qingmiao looked at Shi Tiexin, at that straight, unwavering gaze, and felt as if he had just come into contact with a noble soul—upright, unyielding, and utterly without deceit.

’This guy is a man of few words and always gets straight to the point. If he says something is good, it must really be good!’

’I... I was actually praised by the big boss?’

"R-Right away!" Zhao Qingmiao snapped to attention, then excitedly led Shi Tiexin out. "This way, please, sir! The school has dedicated study rooms that are open until midnight!"

Shi Tiexin followed Zhao Qingmiao out the door with great strides. Without looking back, he pointed at Zhou Nan, then at the workbooks on the desk, not saying a single word. Zhou Nan immediately understood the big boss’s meaning. With a pained look on his face, he darted over to the desk, quickly gathered everything, then ran after Shi Tiexin, shouldering the bundle like a dockworker hauling heavy sacks.

Racing against time and striding like a man on a mission, Shi Tiexin followed Zhao Qingmiao out of the "trash class" building and headed straight for the main academic area.

Along the way, Zhao Qingmiao explained that Fengming First Middle School did indeed have some study rooms that were open until midnight, managed directly by the security department. He said that although Shi Tiexin had been dealing with a lot of delinquents lately, which might give the false impression that they were everywhere, the overwhelming majority of students at Fengming First Middle School were actually serious about their studies.

Many diligent students headed straight for the study rooms right after evening self-study, and since the number of rooms was limited and the seating was tight, you likely wouldn’t get a spot if you were late. But Shi Tiexin had been so completely absorbed in his studies that he’d lost all track of time. A look at his watch showed it was already 9:40 PM. The chances of finding a spot now were probably slim.

Sure enough, Zhao Qingmiao led Shi Tiexin on a tour of several study rooms, only to find they were all packed solid, without a single empty spot. It wasn’t that there were no unoccupied seats, but they were either piled high with mountains of books or covered in snacks, leaving no room for anyone to sit.