42 The Huge Difference
Time flew by before anybody noticed it.
Lin Shen was immersed in his cultivation, and before he knew it, it was half a month later.
Under the diligent cultivation of him and his two clones, Shadows finally reached Proficient.
[Name: Lin Shen]
[Talent: God’s Jealousy]
[Stage: Qi Transformation Level 8, 78%]
[Technique: Original Breathing Technique (Perfection), Blazing Sun Palm (Mastery 75%), Mortal Restrain (Beginner 53%), Shadows (Proficient 25%)]
[Number of clones: 4 (40%)]
“God’s Jealousy and Superior Martial Arts are indeed useful.”
Looking at the data on the interface, Lin Shen smiled from the bottom of his heart.
In half a month, not only had Shadows reached Proficient, but it had also exceeded 25% of his expected progress.
At this speed, it would not be a problem for him to reach Mastery before the examination.
“I’m still 25% away from reaching Perfection in the Blazing Sun Palm. I’ll need seven to eight days at most. By then, Clone 3 will be free to cultivate Shadows.”
As long as he could break through to the ninth level of Qi Transformation, together with Perfection in the Blazing Sun Palm and Mastery in Shadows, Lin Shen was confident he could fight a Long Breath Stage cultivator alone!
Looking up at the clock, Lin Shen packed up and prepared to leave.
He still had to work part-time at the martial arts school.
He had already spent most of the spirit coins he obtained from Tian Dian. There were only fewer than 70,000 spirit coins left.
This was all thanks to the compensation of 45,000 coins. Otherwise, he would have even less.
“My rent and the spirit beast meat cost quite a lot. With the income from my part-time job in the martial arts school, I can only last for ten days at most.
“But that’s alright. The exam is in ten days. As long as I can get into the Nine Yang Academy, the monthly allowance will be enough to cover my expenses. Moreover, I heard the academy also gave out generous scholarships.”
…
When he arrived at the martial arts school, Yang Zhongyi was already waiting in the combat room.
Su Nian was there as well.
Seeing Lin Shen arrive, Yang Zhongyi immediately waved excitedly.
“Here! I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. I’ve just finished warming up. Let’s begin now!”
Ever since the competition, Lin Shen no longer needed to wear protective gear when fighting Yang Zhongyi.
With his cultivation at the sixth level of Qi Transformation and Mastery in the Blazing Sun Palm, he could already fight Yang Zhongyi as an equal.
However, Lin Shen planned to make another “small” breakthrough today.
Hence, after fighting for a moment, Yang Zhongyi shouted anxiously,
“Stop!”
He pulled away and looked at Lin Shen in astonishment.
“Y-you broke through to the seventh level of Qi Transformation?!”
Su Nian was also extremely shocked.
“It only happened yesterday.” Lin Shen nodded calmly.
He prepared to “gradually” improve his cultivation level in front of others so that he wouldn’t reveal too much at once during the exam and cause a huge commotion.
It had already been 20 days since the competition, so it was a good time to break through “again”.
Even so, Yang Zhongyi and Su Nian were still dumbfounded. They stared at Lin Shen with their eyes wide open, unable to recover for a long time.
That should be happening!
It had only been less than a month, and he had made another breakthrough!
He was on a rocket ride!
“…You’re a monster!”
Yang Zhongyi sighed, feeling a little tired.
With his previous cultivation level, he could still suppress Lin Shen, but now, they were at the same level.
Lin Shen’s Blazing Sun Palm was a level higher than his.
Under such circumstances, Yang Zhongyi was no match for Lin Shen.
Not long ago, he could beat Lin Shen up. How did it turn around in the blink of an eye?
When he thought of this, Yang Zhongyi couldn’t help but sigh.
Yang Zhongyi often considered himself a genius, but he didn’t hold a candle to Lin Shen in comparison!
Su Nian also looked adrift.
After losing Lin Shen in the competition, he secretly made up his mind to surpass Lin Shen in the exam. For this, he spent more time on cultivation than before.
He hadn’t achieved anything yet, but in just half a month, Lin Shen had already broken through to the seventh level of Qi Transformation!
Was the difference between people really that great?
“With your current strength, you’re even one of the best among the disciples of influential families!” Yang Zhongyi sighed.
Lin Shen instantly became interested and asked Yang Zhongyi about the strength of the disciples of influential families.
...
Seeing that Lin Shen was interested, Yang Zhongyi didn’t hide anything. He simply sat cross-legged on the floor and explained everything to Lin Shen.
“In the outside world, people often complain that the disciples of influential families take up too many spots in the examinations. Most of the people who enter the academies are also from those families, so the outsiders suspect that there’s a conspiracy. However, that’s not the case.
“In the cultivation world, the strong prey on the weak. The strong are respected, and everything is based on one’s strength. The three major sects’ academies are no exception. If you’re not strong enough, you can’t join the academies, even if you’re one of the disciples of the influential families or the direct descent of the three major clans!
“However, the resources that the disciples of influential families can enjoy far exceed that of ordinary people, so they are generally stronger. Naturally, they can occupy more spots. Although this is very cruel, it’s an indisputable fact.
“As for someone with my strength…”
Yang Zhongyi pointed at himself.
“Among the disciples of influential families, I’m only considered above average. People like Yan Xing and Zhao Xueying are the true prodigies!”
Lin Shen nodded slightly.
Almost everyone in Willow Academy knew about Yan Xing and Zhao Xueying. Every time these two people were mentioned, they were referred to as “peerless genius” and “elite”.
Over the past three years, Lin Shen’s ears had almost gotten calluses from hearing those names.
“Yan Xing has already reached the eighth level of Qi Transformation. Like you, the Blazing Sun Palm is also at Mastery. Other than that, it’s said he’s also cultivated other martial techniques. I’m not too sure what they are.
...
“Zhao Xueying is said to be even more outstanding than Yan Xing. She was already at the eighth level three months ago. Even if she hasn’t broken through to the ninth level yet, she’s probably very close!”
“What about her martial arts skills?” Lin Shen asked curiously.
“She’s at Mastery in the Blazing Sun Palm. I’m not sure about other things.”
Yang Zhongyi spread his hands.
“Zhao Xueying is very low-key. She’s not like Yan Xing, who assumes an air wherever he goes. From what I know, she’s even more hard-working than Su Nian. She’s a martial arts fanatic who’s obsessed with cultivation.”
Su Nian was silent. Apparently, he agreed with Yang Zhongyi.
Lin Shen couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
The disciples of influential families didn’t lack resources or guidance from famous teachers. As long as they had a little talent, their achievements would far exceed ordinary people’s.
As for those who were more talented, their achievements would far exceed their peers. Ordinary people could never catch up.
If not for his clones, Lin Shen would never have been able to catch up to this group of people.
“Lin, I have high hopes for you!”
Yang Zhongyi chuckled and patted Lin Shen’s shoulder.
“Although you can’t compare to the top few people like Yan Xing and Zhao Xueying, your strength has already exceeded 80% of the disciples of influential families!
“In this exam, you will definitely surprise everyone and achieve an unexpectedly good result!”