Chapter 120: I'm Sorry, Ah Zhen

In just two months, would he be following Zhang Pianpian to the second level?

As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen stood in astonishment, Zhang Pianpian continued, "In less than two months, the college entrance exam will begin. After that, I'll go to the second level of Kunxu for an interview. Normally, if a student passes the interview, they will stay at the university. Time is tight, as all university students must begin classes before official enrollment. So, in two months, I won't be able to look after you in Songyang City anymore."

Zhang Pianpian turned to Zhang Yu and said, "However, as I mentioned before, I've prepared a path for you: the Prodigy Class at Myriad Dharma University."

Zhang Yu knew of Myriad Dharma University; it was one of the top ten universities, directly affiliated with the Myriad Dharma Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects. Companies like Immortal Rhyme Group, Deep Sea Education Group, and Myriad Star Group—even Songyang High School and White Dragon High School—if traced back, ultimately fell under the Myriad Dharma Sect. The competition between these companies and schools was seen as internal by the higher-ups in the Myriad Dharma Sect.

But…the Prodigy Class? What was that? Zhang Yu racked his brain, but couldn't recall anything about it.

"Sis, what exactly is this Prodigy Class? Can I enroll as a freshman in high school? Can I get into university then?"

Zhang Pianpian explained, "The Prodigy Class is where Myriad Dharma University exceptionally admits first-year high school students, gathering a group of immortal cultivation geniuses for early training. That's why you can become a university student as early as your first year of high school. The main applicants for the Prodigy Class are typically first-year high school students from the second level, so very few people on the first level know about it."

Zhang Yu understood; this was a special path for those from the second level.

Zhang Pianpian continued, "Your recent competition results have been excellent. If you secure a top-three spot in the upcoming Dao Heart Competition, and then use your prize money and endorsement fees to significantly boost your Dao arts, you should meet the admission requirements for Myriad Dharma University's Prodigy Class. If you pass the Prodigy Class exam then, you can enter Myriad Dharma University with me."

Zhang Yu's heart swelled with joy upon hearing this, especially realizing that this way he could avoid the elaborate trap the wealthy of Songyang City had set for 'poor students aiming for the Top Ten,' and no longer worry about the dangers after Zhang Pianpian left. But the next moment, he turned to Bai Zhenzhen beside him and asked Zhang Pianpian, "Sis, what about Zhenzhen? Are her grades good enough for the Prodigy Class?"

Zhang Yu had previously been concerned about Bai Zhenzhen's competition results. Although Zhenzhen's progress was astonishing, with top-four in martial arts and top-five in physical contests, which were definitely excellent achievements, still...

Zhang Pianpian shook her head, "I'm afraid she won't meet the standards for the Prodigy Class."

Zhang Yu's heart sank upon hearing this, and he turned to look at Bai Zhenzhen again. Bai Zhenzhen, however, chuckled and said, "It's fine, Yu. You two go to the second level of Kunxu first and set up a forward base for me. I'll be up in a couple of years."

Zhang Yu didn't reply but looked at Zhang Pianpian and asked, "Sis, isn't there any room for flexibility? Can't we pull some strings to get an examination qualification for the Prodigy Class?"

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen's breathing quickened slightly, and she nervously looked at Zhang Pianpian, her hands unconsciously clenched tight.

Facing their gazes, Zhang Pianpian said calmly, "It's impossible. You must understand that when it comes to crossing social strata, Kunxu has many rules that cannot be defied. To climb up layer by layer, there's no other way besides achievements and exams. Only by passing one assessment after another, achieving sufficiently excellent results, and obtaining the required certifications within the rules can one ascend in Kunxu. This is Kunxu's ironclad rule. Anyone who tries to violate it will only face devastating repercussions..."

Bai Zhenzhen's heart trembled upon hearing these words.

In the ensuing silence, Bai Zhenzhen suddenly laughed, "I told you it's fine, Yu. You go up first and compete with the big shots on the second level. I'll stay in Songyang and suppress all the rich folks here before I come up."

Although she said this, Bai Zhenzhen knew she wasn't speaking the truth. She really... really didn't want to be left alone in Songyang City. "But there's no other way. I can't possibly ask Yu to give up his chance to go to university and stay here with me, can I? If I said something like that, Yu and I wouldn't even be friends anymore, would we?"

Just then, Zhang Yu spoke again, "Sis, is there really no way for Zhenzhen to come with us?"

A chill rose in Zhang Yu's heart, because before he could utter his next words, the countdown of the ritual echoed in his mind. It was as if it was urging him to quickly seize the opportunity and get into university. But under the pressure of this chill, Zhang Yu paused, and finally spoke what was on his mind—words the ritual wouldn't allow him to say. He knew that if he didn't ask this question, he would never be at peace.

Zhang Yu then said, "Or... if I stay, do you think Zhenzhen and I could take the normal route and get into one of the Top Ten universities? Like you did, Sis?"

Zhang Pianpian, however, shook her head, "My path is only suitable for me; you two cannot take it."

"Fool!" the evil god disguised as a rosary bead cursed, "Are you stupid? It's perfect if Bai Zhenzhen can't come along. Kill her and snatch her spiritual root. With the resources of Myriad Dharma University, your talent, and her spiritual root, reaching the Nascent Soul realm within one or two hundred years will be no problem at all! Future financial and cultivation freedom will be just around the corner!"

The evil god felt an immense surge of fury at that moment. He felt he had never encountered such an idiot, ten times dumber than the poorest, vilest, and most foolish mortals he had ever deceived. "Damn pauper! You deserve to eat dirt on Kunxu's first level your entire life!"

Bai Zhenzhen, hearing Zhang Yu's words, also spoke up, "What are you talking about, Yu? If you have a chance to get into a Top Ten university, why hesitate...?"

Watching Bai Zhenzhen's forced composure, Zhang Yu suddenly said, "You'll be played to death, Zhenzhen. Zhenzhen, if we both leave and you stay here alone, those people will play you to death."

Bai Zhenzhen fell silent instantly upon hearing this. Especially during this period, as she increasingly understood the methods of the student council, high schools, and corporations, and after diligently cultivating with Zhang Yu and studying under Zhang Pianpian's guidance. Bai Zhenzhen realized she could no longer calmly accept the idea of moving forward alone, as she once had. And with Zhang Yu's words, the very things she had deliberately tried not to think or ponder about were laid bare before her.

At this moment, Bai Zhenzhen felt as if her entire being had suddenly plummeted into an icy lake, surrounded by boundless darkness and cold. She could only sink deeper and deeper, unable to discern the direction of her future.

So scared... I'm really so scared...

Bai Zhenzhen wanted to say something, wanted to force a smile and tell Zhang Yu to be rational and go to the second level first. But the fear of the future, the terror of the encroaching darkness around her, made it impossible for her to speak those words calmly again.

"I'm sorry, Yu..." Bai Zhenzhen lowered her head, her fists clenching tighter and tighter. Bitterly, she thought, "I'm too useless. I really... really can't bring myself to just tell you to go."

Zhang Yu, on the other side, looked at Zhang Pianpian, seemingly awaiting her answer. But with Zhang Pianpian's silence, the chill from the depths of Zhang Yu's heart grew deeper. Clearly, the power of the ritual, which had always driven Zhang Yu to study hard, cultivate diligently, and aim for one of the top ten universities, was at play. At this moment, it could not allow Zhang Yu to give up such an opportunity to enter Myriad Dharma University.

"Please abide by the ritual's covenant, strive to fulfill your wish, do not deliberately slack off or delay. 5."

"Please abide by the ritual's covenant, strive to fulfill your wish, do not deliberately slack off or delay. 4."

As the countdown in his ear neared its limit, Zhang Yu knew he had little time left. He could no longer hold out. At this moment, he thought, "I'm sorry, Zhenzhen. But if I insist on staying... I'll just be killed by this ritual."

Not daring to look at Bai Zhenzhen beside him, Zhang Yu knew he had to accept Zhang Pianpian's plan before the countdown completely ended. The blood in his body surged and churned. A surge of fury rose in his mind: "This broken world, this trash of a Kunxu world..."

Just as Zhang Yu was about to speak in the final moments, a sigh escaped Zhang Pianpian's lips. Zhang Pianpian sighed, "Ah, I knew it. You two really... must you go together?"

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen suddenly lifted their heads, their eyes wide as they looked at Zhang Pianpian. Sensing the expectation in their eyes, Zhang Pianpian said helplessly, "If you don't join the Prodigy Class, it means that after I leave, you'll have to stay on Kunxu's first level, dutifully finish three years of high school, take the college entrance exam, and get into university. Without my protection, wanting to avoid the wealthy's encirclement and get into a Top Ten university in the next two-plus years... I can only think of one remaining method. But this method is very, very difficult. Even I, during my three years of high school, didn't manage to achieve it."

Zhang Pianpian's mention of 'another method' halted the countdown in Zhang Yu's mind, making him eagerly ask, "What method?"

"The method is..." Zhang Pianpian slowly began, "After I leave, you'll study for and obtain the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate while still attending high school, before you graduate."

What?! That's the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate! Zhang Yu thought to himself, *Your tone makes it sound as simple as 'passing the English Level 4 exam before graduating high school'? That's the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate, not some English test.* The Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate that many university students couldn't even pass—and you want high school students to take it? And can high school students even take the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate exam? And how would they obtain the Foundation Establishment Certificate before graduating high school?

Zhang Yu exclaimed in shock, "The Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate? Isn't that something... only university students can take?"

Bai Zhenzhen, also wide-eyed with shock, added, "Can high school students really take the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate exam?"