Chapter 316: Rankings Teach Mutual Respect
Seeing that Zhang Yu still hadn’t checked his ranking, Li Xiao thought to himself, “Is this what they mean by remaining calm in the face of great events?”
“He didn’t even bother to refresh his ranking immediately after the exam…”
“So steady, unbelievably steady.”
“Knowing his strength had improved dramatically and his score was about to skyrocket…”
“Yet he could completely ignore it, demonstrating such unwavering focus — truly extraordinary.”
Li Xiao imagined himself in Zhang Yu’s place and was certain he couldn’t have done the same. If he knew he’d scored well, he would have been refreshing the leaderboard the moment it was released.
Meanwhile, in the Foundation Establishment Class group chat, class teacher Scorching Thunder was still posting:
True Person Scorching Thunder: “I want to give special praise to Student Zhang Yu.”
True Person Scorching Thunder: “I still remember how Student Zhang Yu gradually slipped to the lower-middle ranks shortly after classes began in June.”
True Person Scorching Thunder: “Yet in just eight months, he climbed step by step to second place in the class, achieving a complete transformation. This should serve as an example for all students to emulate.”
True Person Scorching Thunder: “Of course, the top three students in the class are all outstanding. I’ve already applied for scholarship loans for them this semester.”
At the construction site, Zhang Yu’s hand, which had been mixing Coagulated Earth, unconsciously slowed down.
“University teachers truly have unique insights, their evaluations of students striking to the core.”
After saving screenshots of the class ranking and the teacher’s comments, Zhang Yu finally turned his attention to the other students’ messages.
Having worked alongside Zhang Yu for three months, Che Yufei couldn’t help but be curious about his final exam results.
To Che Yufei, Zhang Yu looked like he was on the verge of collapsing at any moment, yet he stubbornly continued taking his medication, utterly obsessed with his university studies.
“Taking final exams in this state… his scores must be disastrous.”
Driven by curiosity, Che Yufei had been checking Zhang Yu’s ranking every day after the leaderboard updated, alongside refreshing his own.
But today’s glance made his eyes widen in shock. “Second place?!”
“Higher than Gongshu Jin, the Fourth Layer rich kid in his class?!”
“This guy… if he manages to graduate alive, I can’t even imagine how high his starting salary will be.”
At that moment, Che Yufei felt like he was witnessing the rise of a new star in the Civil Engineering Department.
He took a screenshot of the leaderboard and sent it to Shi Yunxiang: “Yunxiang, check out Zhang Yu’s ranking.”
After a moment’s thought, Che Yufei also sent Zhang Yu a message: “Awesome! You climbed to second in the class!”
In the Spirit Realm, Zhao Tianxing, a Soul Cultivator Student at Fengdu Vocational and Technical College, scanned through the endless stream of messages on the platform before him.
“Fucking trash! Garbage review! Paid to whitewash! I hope you go bankrupt tomorrow and rot as a Soul Cultivator forever!”
Zhao Tianxing’s gaze flickered as he deleted the message, citing “insulting and abusive language,” and banned the user for a month.
“Spirit Transformation Divine Monarch’s highly recommended courses! Latest cultivation art resources! Personal training service with Joyous Union cultivators! Click my avatar!”
Zhao Tianxing silently deleted the message, citing “unauthorized marketing,” and permanently banned the user.
As a torrent of platform messages flooded his screen, Zhao Tianxing diligently processed them.
Suddenly, a notification chime sounded.
Zhao Tianxing’s heart stirred slightly, and he immediately turned his attention to it.
Since entering the Second Layer, as his Soul Cultivator skills steadily improved, Zhao Tianxing had gradually integrated them into his daily life.
For example, the notification sounds he was hearing right now were part of his own automated setup.
The specific triggers varied widely: reminders for expiring coupons, renewal notices for Spirit Realm Services, alerts for potential bargain deal opportunities on various platforms, and notifications about changes among his classmates.
For example, there were alerts for changes in his friends’ rankings.
“Zhang Yu is second in the class now?”
“That’s incredible! He’s still so strong even on the Second Layer.”
Zhao Tianxing was about to send a message, but after a moment’s thought, he opened a document and began writing.
After reviewing his draft, he agonized over it again before finally selecting what he thought was the most natural-sounding version and sending it.
Zhao Tianxing: “Impressive!”
Just as Zhao Tianxing was about to send a second message…
…a warning message popped up on his screen:
“Warning: During work hours, non-business-related chat functions are prohibited.”
Upon seeing Zhao Tianxing’s message, Zhang Yu replied: “Just a small achievement, nothing worth mentioning.”
Seeing that Zhao Tianxing didn’t respond further, Zhang Yu didn’t mind, knowing Soul Cultivator Students were always busy.
He then casually opened other messages. Most were either from hometown acquaintances or from classmates who had added him as friends after noticing his change in ranking.
Of course, his good roommates were also among them.
In the dormitory group chat, Yu Xinghan said: “Brother, aren’t you going to send Red Packets?”
Zhang Yu replied: “You’re ranked 9th now, in the top 10, but you haven’t sent any either.”
Zhang Yu still remembered how, on his first day back in the dormitory, Yu Xinghan had insisted on showing off his 7th-place class ranking, eager for Zhang Yu to notice how different he had become.
Yu Xinghan, in turn, recalled his initial reaction upon seeing Zhang Yu with his white hair, relieved he hadn’t been selected for the outdoor project.
“If Zhang Yu has been worn out like this, would I even make it back alive? The Civil Engineering Department bastards treat students like cattle or horses, using them as if they were Soul Cultivator Students!”
But today, seeing Zhang Yu surge to second place in one go, Yu Xinghan had to admit that his three months had indeed been remarkably fruitful.
Yet watching Zhang Yu recover day by day over the past week, Yu Xinghan understood that he could never learn to do the same.
Yu Xinghan thought to himself, “This constitution is too abnormal.”
Meanwhile, Le Mulan popped up in the dormitory group chat: “What’s going on?”
Zhang Yu quickly posted a screenshot of the class rankings and Scorching Thunder’s comment, but Le Mulan didn’t respond.
Zhang Yu: “@Le Mulan?”
Le Mulan forwarded the screenshot to her brother, Le Jingchen, and remarked, “Zhang Yu’s progress is incredible. Can we raise the price of Yu Juice now?”
Seeing Zhang Yu’s ping, Le Mulan immediately replied, “Zhang Yu, you’re amazing! When are you coming back to the dorm?”
Zhang Yu: “Working overtime. Probably in the morning.”
Just then, Zhang Pianpian also appeared, but instead of posting in the dorm group chat, she sent Zhang Yu a private message: “I secretly watched your Examination Field footage. Your performance was excellent! Next time, add more blood.”
Zhang Pianpian: “Playing the underdog was a great cover, and your score control was perfect. Second place is ideal — taking first would have been too conspicuous.”
Reading his elder sister’s message, Zhang Yu thought, “Wait… I was actually pushing myself to the limit!”
Before he knew it, the night had passed. After working through the night, Zhang Yu’s body had mostly recovered.
“This Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art is incredibly useful.”
“I wonder where I can find the complete Chain Method Diagram Set that goes with it.”
As Zhang Yu walked away from the construction site, he noticed the ranking above his head had become even more vibrant and eye-catching.
Along the way, workers would occasionally glance up at the ranking above his head, then look at him with newfound respect.
Qi Refinement Students scrambled out of his way, terrified of accidentally blocking his path.
Even senior Civil Engineering students nodded slightly in acknowledgment when their eyes met Zhang Yu’s.
Zhang Yu mused inwardly, “Fu Ji, this university ranking system really has its merits. It fosters greater respect among people.”
Fu Ji scoffed internally, “You sure didn’t say that before.”
Yet, recalling Zhang Yu’s performance on the recent final exams, Fu Ji was secretly astonished. “This kid Zhang Yu… just when I think his talent has reached world-shattering heights, he reveals yet another unbelievable facet.”
As someone who had been by Zhang Yu’s side around the clock, even witnessing his self-rewarding moments firsthand, Fu Ji knew beyond a doubt… Zhang Yu hadn’t possessed such a constitution that allowed him to casually consume life-shortening pills before.
“It feels like this guy… is secretly getting stronger behind my back, even though I’m with him every minute of every day. What’s going on?”
“Could he be an Immortal reincarnated?”
“Impossible! No Immortal reincarnation would be this poor! And why would they reincarnate into the First Layer?”
As Zhang Yu sighed and left the construction site, Shengjie, standing at the entrance, froze slightly at the sight of him.
Shengjie stared at the ranking floating above Zhang Yu’s head, muttering to himself, “Second in the Foundation Establishment Class? Zhang Yu is actually second in the Foundation Establishment Class?”
“Yesterday… could it be that he just took the exam yesterday? That’s why the rankings updated so late last night?”
Just as Shengjie was reeling from the shock, he felt Zhang Yu’s gaze fall upon him. Instinctively, he nodded in acknowledgment, signaling recognition.
At that moment, a security guard beside him remarked, “Isn’t that your classmate? He…”
The guard’s words trailed off, caught in his throat.
The “2nd in the Foundation Establishment Class” ranking above Zhang Yu’s head seemed to radiate a tangible aura of authority, stifling the guards’ voices.
They understood that anyone who could achieve second place in the Foundation Establishment Class was no ordinary person.
As they respectfully watched Zhang Yu depart, the guards immediately swarmed around Shengjie, their curiosity piqued. “Is he really from your First Layer?”
After returning to his dormitory, Zhang Yu took his morning medicine, changed his clothes, and prepared to head to class as usual.
Although the final exams for the first semester had just concluded, the second semester was already underway.
Starting in March and continuing until the second semester’s final exams in August, the entire freshman year would come to a complete end.
As Zhang Yu entered the classroom today, he immediately felt many pairs of eyes turning to look at him.
At the same time, Li Xiao waved at him and Yu Xinghan, calling out, “Brother Yu! There are seats here!”
Classes, blood draws, cultivation… before he knew it, the day had passed in a flash.
That evening, Zhang Yu opened his usual communication link with Bai Zhenzhen and heard her say, “Not bad, Yu Zi! Second in the class!”
Zhang Yu smiled smugly. “This result barely does justice to my efforts, I suppose.”
Bai Zhenzhen said, “Mom sent you some more meat. Your body’s been depleted, so you need to replenish it properly.”
“Also, when are you going to fix your hair? The white streaks make you look old and poor, and people will look down on you.”
“Alright, alright,” Zhang Yu replied. Glancing at Bai Zhenzhen’s formal gown, he asked curiously, “A-Zhen, are you at an event?”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded. “Yeah, the opening ceremony of the Ten Greats League. This year’s league is being held at Heavenly Sword University, so I thought I’d drop by and check it out.”