Chapter 117: Peerless Genius

In the audience.

Lan Ling took a deep breath and slowly said, "He actually pulled it off? Given the current weight of 12,531 kg and the difference from Yu Xinghan, it's quite possible for Zhang Yu to take first place overall." As a second-year high school student specializing in body cultivation and a participant in sports competitions, Lan Ling deeply understood the difficulty of Zhang Yu's current performance. "For his physical strength to achieve this, both his ability to unleash physical power and his skill in applying that power far exceed the level of a first-year high school student."

Zhou Chechen, standing beside him, frowned, seemingly completely surprised that things had come to this. He murmured, "Does that mean he didn't rely on some potent drug to win the speed competition against Yu Xinghan in the previous round? And this kind of physical control... no wonder he was able to control his surface features like Yu Xinghan after undergoing White Dragon's new body cultivation technology modification." Zhou Chechen looked at Zhang Yu as he descended from the platform, regretting even more that he hadn't managed to sign such a genius. Now, not only had Zhang Pianpian snatched him away, but it also affected the dealings between their two families and Ziyun.

As a body cultivation specialist, Lan Ling deeply admired the talent Zhang Yu had displayed. But the more he admired, the more he wanted to suppress the other party. Lan Ling's voice turned cold as he said, "This Zhang Yu must be suppressed. Otherwise, if he keeps promoting White Dragon's imitation demon muscle technology, it will only hinder our upcoming cooperation with Ziyun. This is no longer just a private conflict between us and him."

Zhou Chechen shook his head and said, "Look at you, always so impetuous. Zhang Yu is currently at the center of attention, but behind him stand White Dragon High School and Xianyun Group. To promote their new body cultivation technology, they will certainly protect him. Why should we rush in and be the villains? If anyone should be anxious right now, it's Ziyun and Hongta." Zhou Chechen sighed, "Besides, in about two months, Zhang Pianpian will be leaving. By then, the promotional effect of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen will have largely faded. At that time, dealing with two paupers won't be difficult, will it? There are plenty of ways to make them obediently earn money for us."

In the live broadcast room.

Gang Shan watched Zhang Yu descend from the stage and commented, "This time, the first-year high school sports competition in Songyang City was truly worth watching. To successfully challenge 12,531 kg, not through sheer brute force, but through a peak combination of strength and skill, is incredible. High school students nowadays are becoming more and more competitive, more and more formidable."

Luo Jingchen, who was nearby, glanced at his phone, where someone had sent him the list of potions Zhang Yu had just ordered for delivery. A quick scan told Luo Jingchen that they were all the most common, widely available potions. Confirming this, Luo Jingchen's gaze sharpened, and he thought to himself, "A physical strength level of 4.95 makes it impossible to support a 12,531 kg Sky Pillar with brute force alone. And his use of potions was also nothing out of the ordinary. This means that Zhang Yu achieved this by... an extreme excavation and mastery of his own physique, pushing the recruitment and activation of muscle power to its limit."

At this thought, Luo Jingchen breathed a slight sigh of relief. "Good... good thing it's just a peerless genius." Genius is not terrifying, because even the most peerless and powerful genius represents only one strong individual. Perhaps many students, teachers, and audience members would highly value certain geniuses. But from Luo Jingchen's perspective, geniuses are merely small, investable projects. What's truly terrifying is unknown new technology. What Luo Jingchen had truly been worried about... was whether Xianyun Group's technology could mass-produce individuals like Zhang Yu, capable of challenging the 12,531 kg Sky Pillar. Fortunately, it appears for now that this student named Zhang Yu simply possesses peerless talent.

However, the thought that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, two representatives of White Dragon's technology, would be among the top ten, and that Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan would take first and second place overall, made Luo Jingchen feel quite displeased. This meant that Ziyun Pharmaceutical's publicity efforts would be diminished, and their family's investment returns for this event would be affected. So, after hearing Gang Shan's exclamation, Luo Jingchen echoed, "Indeed, Zhang Yu's talent is truly terrifying." Praise? Who can't do that? Luo Jingchen decided to praise Zhang Yu extensively, focusing on his peerless talent. After all, good performance is due to talent. This way, if Xianyun Group wanted to use this person to promote new technology later, the effect would be significantly discounted.

Luo Jingchen continued, "I wonder if you noticed, Gang Shan, when he supported the Sky Pillar, he was covered in blood, with injuries all over his body. Yet, he can move normally now, which means although he was injured all over, there wasn't a single critical injury. This is truly formidable. It shows that he relied on his skill to cleverly distribute the force across various parts of his body, with no single part exceeding its tolerable limit. It can be said that he truly utilized his strength to the absolute limit. His skill in force control has probably reached the peak level of Qi refinement; even you and I can't compare."

Gang Shan looked at Luo Jingchen with some surprise. "Brother... are you really praising him so much? Does your Ziyun also have an investment in this Zhang Yu?" However, Gang Shan was, after all, a seasoned streamer who had promoted loans secured by his own mother's collateral. What kind of situation hadn't he seen? With a little thought, he guessed Luo Jingchen's intentions. So, he cooperatively said, "Indeed, Zhang Yu's physical technique appears to have reached its pinnacle. One unit of force in his hands can produce the effect of ten. Simple physical strength, body structure, or even potions and technology... can no longer accurately describe his true power." "Quite the praise!"

In the resting area of Songyang High School.

Listening to the conversation between Luo Jingchen and Gang Shan in the live broadcast room, Zhang Yu nodded in agreement and asked, "Which streamer is that? His insight is sharp, and his analysis is thorough. Tell me his name; I want to follow him later."

He Dayou, who was watching the stream, helplessly replied, "Gang Shan."

Wang Hai, standing nearby, complained, "He Dayou, Zhang Yu is curious about this streamer, can't you bring your phone over and share it with your classmate?"

He Dayou was speechless again. Why hadn't he realized before that students with good grades could be so annoying? At least when his grades were better than others, he was never this arrogant.

Fortunately, Zhang Yu waved his hand and said, "No need, Teacher Wang. Don't disturb the lives of ordinary students for my slight curiosity." Zhang Yu sighed, "I'm just an ordinary student who took fourth place in the legal competition, first place in the martial arts competition, and might take first place in the sports competition. I just want to blend in with everyone, not be like White Dragon or Ziyun, with such clear distinctions between superiors and inferiors."

Wang Hai said to the students nearby, "Look, look, look! See? Student Zhang Yu has always been this modest; that's how he achieved what he has today. If this were White Dragon High School, you'd all have to kneel to listen to him speak!" Then Wang Hai casually pointed to a student and said, "Zhao Tianxing, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and get Student Zhang Yu a few energy drinks! Can't you see he needs to replenish his strength after the competition?" Zhao Tianxing understood that although Wang Hai seemed to point randomly, to precisely point at him, the student with the worst grades present, meant it was absolutely not random. He could only lament that his "weak, poor, clown" theory had once again been proven, and then he ran off to get Zhang Yu energy drinks.

Just then, the Sky Pillar on the stage lit up, indicating that the final scores and rankings for the sports competition were about to be announced. Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, Wang Hai... every person present looked towards the Sky Pillar, watching as names appeared one by one.

First Place: Songyang High School, Zhang Yu, 341 pointsSecond Place: White Dragon High School, Yu Xinghan, 338 pointsThird Place: Ziyun High School, Luo Mulan, 324 pointsFourth Place: White Dragon High School, Song Hailong, 322 pointsFifth Place: Songyang High School, Bai Zhenzhen, 320 pointsSixth Place: Hongta High School, Xiong Wenwu...

Bai Zhenzhen, who was in sixth place, didn't bother to look further. After all, she felt only the top five in this competition were truly valuable; the rest were insignificant, not worth her attention. Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu was still gazing at the first-place name on the Sky Pillar, his phone rang. It was Zhang Pianpian.

Zhang Yu answered the phone and said, "I took first place."

Zhang Pianpian said, "Yes, I've already discussed it with White Dragon. As long as you're willing to admit you accepted their imitation demon muscle modification, they'll offer you advertisements and endorsements and help you bear the pressure from other companies."

Zhang Yu's eyes lit up with joy. He asked, "How much money?"

Zhang Pianpian sighed, "It should have been more, but ever since Luo Jingchen started praising your talent with Gang Shan, Ziyun has been fully promoting you as a peerless genius. If this continues, the advertising and endorsement fees might decrease significantly."

Zhang Yu was furious. The praise that had just sounded pleasant now, upon reflection, felt so grating. For the first time, Zhang Yu discovered that he truly detested flattery.

Zhang Yu then asked, "What about Ah Zhen? She's in fifth place. Can you try to get some advertisements for her too?"

Zhang Pianpian said, "Understood. Wait for my news. Also, no matter how much money you receive today, remember not to spend it all, especially not to use it all to repay loans. In less than two months, I'll be going to university. Let's meet tonight. I also have some things I want to discuss with you."

From Zhang Pianpian's words, Zhang Yu felt a sense of urgency wash over him. Unbeknownst to him, there were now less than two months left until Zhang Pianpian would leave Kunxu Layer One. By then, he and Bai Zhenzhen would lose Zhang Pianpian's current protection and would have to face pressure from the high school, the student council, and companies on their own. At this thought, much of the joy Zhang Yu felt from winning the sports competition dissipated, replaced instead by a wave of urgency in his heart.