Chapter 66: Deskmate, Help Me Cultivate
The day’s classes passed without much incident, but Yang Shen could clearly feel that the fallout from the monthly exam was far from over.
More people were talking about him, and more were trying to strike up conversations.
The moment the bell rang for a break, it was as if Yang Shen had some kind of beacon on him. Students, familiar and unfamiliar, would subconsciously gravitate toward him, trying to pull him into all sorts of conversations.
For example, whether Huo was actually human.
Or whether a 0.9-millimeter syringe would lead to faster absorption than a 0.3-millimeter one if you jabbed it in your kidney.
Or, with all the holes a person already has, why you had to poke a new one just to absorb some drugs.
And then, every now and then, they’d ask him, "So, Yang Shen, what’s your take?"
’My kidneys are all-natural,’ Yang Shen thought. ’What’s there to look at?’
The commotion surrounding Yang Shen only served to highlight Xu Bamboo’s isolation. It was as if every word of praise for him was an indirect jab at "Xu Bamboo’s fall from grace."
So, Yang Shen simply put on a cold, aloof expression, which dissuaded a crowd of people trying to get close to him.
But after doing this for a while, Yang Shen suddenly had a realization.
’Maybe in the past, as the top student in the grade, Xu Bamboo had also used a similar method to protect her pride...’
’When Xu Bamboo was in the spotlight, maybe she had been considerate of his feelings, too.’
As for PE class in the afternoon, Huo Jun, for once, didn’t make things difficult for Yang Shen—no singling him out for extra drills, for example. But the look in the old Madman’s eyes always made Yang Shen feel like he was plotting something.
’He just wasn’t ready yet...’
Just before school let out, the classroom reverted to its usual chaotic state.
Students noisily packed their bags, eager to leave.
Apparently, at Wenhua High School, students who didn’t have the chance to practice martial arts had to suffer through evening self-study sessions until nine.
But for a Martial High School, the lighting at night was poor. Unless you were completely indoors, no amount of floodlights on the training grounds could compare to daylight. It was difficult to supervise and the risk of injury was high, so school let out at six. Anything after that was up to an individual’s own diligence.
Only the most affluent, top-tier high schools had facilities that could support evening practice, like an indoor stadium large enough to host a concert.
"Yang Shen, want to walk together after school? I head north, too."
A few classmates he didn’t know well came over and asked, their eyes full of hope.
Yang Shen just smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but I have something to do."
After turning down three similar offers, the area around Yang Shen finally quieted down. He turned to Xu Bamboo. "Back when you were famous, did this many people try to cozy up to you?"
Xu Bamboo was packing away her cat-patterned pencil case. Many of the pens inside were decorated with stickers.
She was a sentimental girl; instead of throwing out pens she liked, she would just replace the ink refills.
Xu Bamboo said calmly, "Ever since I started Body Forging, the gap between me and everyone else has been huge. They only ever saw me as strong; they were never curious about *why* I was strong, because they knew they could never catch up."
"But you’re different. They’re curious about your training methods, what Supplements you take, your secrets. The thoughts might not be that direct, but subconsciously, they’ll want to get closer to you."
After she spoke, they both fell into a brief silence.
But their eyes remained locked, and smiles played on both their faces.
It felt like the shared excitement of having plotted something big together.
Xu Bamboo asked expectantly, "So... does this mean it’s starting?"
Yang Shen felt a similar thrill. "Yep, it’s starting. I’m in your hands for day one."
Today was the "two-person study group’s" first real session!
Xu Bamboo shouldered her bag and made a welcoming gesture. "Well then, Yang, I’ll leave tonight’s arrangements to you."
Yang Shen chuckled. "Come on, I’ll take you to the place I usually train."
Yang Shen led the way, with Xu Bamboo following behind him.
The hallway after school was like a pigsty that had just been dynamited, swarming with students jostling and shoving their way through.
Yang Shen subconsciously... grabbed the cuff of Xu Bamboo’s uniform. As he felt the slight tug on his fingertips, he suddenly remembered a time when Xu Bamboo had pulled him along in the same way.
Their retreating figures caught the attention of a few students. Tian Zihan, who was taller than a doorframe, stepped out of his classroom and glanced in their direction.
He recognized Yang Shen and Xu Bamboo.
’Losers really do like to hang out with other losers,’ he thought with disdain.
’But what was this envy gnawing away at his insides...?!!’
’Damn it! I want to hold a girl’s hand too! If our heights don’t match, I’d even settle for pulling her hair!’
Tian Zihan’s thoughts churned. ’That guy’s a naturally evil loser, trying to disrupt my focus on the martial path!’
’With my current dosage and the steroids coursing through my veins, I should be chemically castrated by now. I shouldn’t be feeling any romantic urges until I reach the Innate Realm.’
It was a massive gamble. Even a high schooler at the early stage of Marrow Refining couldn’t say with one-hundred-percent certainty that they would ever reach the Innate Realm.
The Tian Family had gone all-in with more than just a house; they were also risking the end of their family line...
...
Meanwhile, Yang Shen led Xu Bamboo in the direction of his home.
Xu Bamboo, who had been curious and excited the whole walk, froze the moment she realized they had entered a residential complex.
Not because the complex was particularly run-down, but because she was nervous!
Her long legs went ramrod straight, knees locked, as if she were a stake nailed to the ground at the complex’s entrance.
"We’re not... going to your house to study, are we...?"
’I’m not ready... and I didn’t even bring a gift...’
Yang Shen shook his head. "My place is too small. We’re going to the Celestial Platform. It’s our first day, so I’m not sure what our study group will do, but at least there’s plenty of space up there."
Xu Bamboo followed him upstairs, still half-doubting. As they passed his front door, Yang Shen called out a quick word to his family but didn’t go in.
As they passed through the top-floor stairwell, a "Pickled Vegetable Jar" in the corner caught Xu Bamboo’s eye. ’Who would be so inconsiderate as to leave this in a public space?’ she wondered.
Yang Shen pushed open the door to the Celestial Platform with practiced ease, and the view instantly opened up before them.
It was dusk, a time when even Yang Shen rarely came up here.
The edge of the sky was a brilliant golden-red, with clouds like layers of peeled orange skin dotting the azure expanse.
There were no tall buildings around the old complex, offering an endless, unobstructed view. The road below was shaded by a canopy of green trees, with cars like little toys moving in and out of sight.
Xu Bamboo was captivated by the beautiful scenery. She stood hesitantly in the doorway as a spring breeze toyed with her hair, occasionally revealing a glimpse of her delicate earlobe.
"It’s beautiful... You come here every day?"
Yang Shen chuckled. "I do. But I usually come at night and stay to watch the sunrise. Oh, and this is where I developed my Fist Intent."
He didn’t feel the need to keep it a secret from Xu Bamboo.
"We can try it out today. If it doesn’t work, we can always find another place. There are plenty of free, secluded spots."
Xu Bamboo quickly shook her head. "No, this place is perfect."
At the thought of being able to come here often in the future, Xu Bamboo’s mood brightened, her large eyes seeming to sparkle like little stars.
Yang Shen dropped his bag in a corner and gestured around. "This has to be at least seven or eight hundred square meters, right? I’ve never measured, but it should be big enough. Just have to be careful not to fall off."
’Even if we did fall, it would be fine,’ he thought. ’Xu Bamboo probably wouldn’t get hurt, and I’d just get minor injuries. It’s only six stories, after all.’
’Of course, that’s assuming we could adjust our posture on the way down. If one of us was unconscious and fell headfirst, that’d be a different story.’
Xu Bamboo put her bag down too, planting her hands on her hips and asking energetically, "So, what’s the plan for today?"
Yang Shen thought for a moment, then smiled. "I’ve heard that our Zhuzi is strong, but I don’t really have a sense of *how* strong."
"How about... we have a little sparring session today?"
A sharp glint flashed in Xu Bamboo’s eyes. She pulled her uniform zipper all the way up, making her figure seem even taller and more slender. "Same here. I’ve been hearing a lot about how much our Shenzi has improved. Let’s see just how much progress you’ve made!"
Yang Shen took off his uniform jacket, revealing the short-sleeved shirt underneath. "I was never qualified to spar with you before. The first time should have a little ceremony, don’t you think?"
On the Celestial Platform, the two stood opposite each other. The crimson sunset turned the young man and woman into silhouettes, and everything in the distance became a canvas for their vibrant youth.
Yang Shen adopted a ready stance. "This humble student, Yang Shen. Major: Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist. Minors: Yang Family Secret Transmission and Buddha Sound Body Refining Technique. I have grasped the Rising Sun Fist Intent. My level is just shy of the late stage of Bone Training."
’Shenzi has actually mastered the Buddha Sound Body Refining Technique?’ Xu Bamboo’s eyes showed her interest.
’And what’s this Yang Family Secret Transmission?’
Xu Bamboo stood tall and graceful, then performed a Martial Artist’s salute.
"This humble girl, Xu Bamboo. Majors: Cyan Yuan Swordsmanship, Cloud Dance Eighteen Falls, and Bright Moon Body Refining Technique - Biological Domain 2.13 Official Version. Minors: Sixth Set of Initial Realm Body Refining Fist, Little Formless Hand, Water Ripples Step Technique, and Cloud Descending Technique. My level is just shy of the Mid-stage of Marrow Refining."
Yang Shen: ...
’How does it feel like we’re not even playing the same game...’
’Is this what a rich person’s Cultivation Technique build looks like?!’
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