Chapter 100: The Dark Studies Gang and the Trial Lesson

Inside the abandoned building.

Zhang Yu stood silently in the empty hall, mentally replaying the sensation from earlier when he struck with his palm—carefully analyzing the new power gained after leveling his Excavator Palm to Level 10.

"With one palm strike, my control over the Excavator Force is deeper. I can scoop up twice as much material now, right?"

He launched another palm, and the Excavator Force howled through the air, rumbling forward in slow motion.

"Though the Excavator Palm can unleash tremendous force, the startup is way too slow. The motion’s clunky, lacks agility—definitely not suited for combat."

"Unless I work construction, it’s not very useful."

Shaking his head, he sighed. These “Cattle-and-Horse Techniques” were never going to boost his college entrance exam scores.

“Doesn’t matter. Sharpening the axe won’t delay the chopping of wood.”

“If I can earn more money this way, spending time on these techniques is worth it.”

But now that the Excavator Palm had reached Level 10, Zhang Yu had no plans to keep cultivating it.

Since the Feathered Tome was still on cooldown, he switched to training Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy, aiming to boost his physical strength.

…

Another five days passed in the blink of an eye.

During those five days, Zhang Yu not only maxed out his Excavator Palm and Sports Car Leg to Level 10, but also purchased and trained the Crane Arm and Elevator Leap to the same level.

Between meals, travel, and other expenses, his savings kept shrinking—thankfully, he managed to give Song Hailong two more tutoring sessions, keeping his balance just above 15,000.

Now, after securing a Concealment Sigil from Zhang Pianpian and using Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy to alter his physique, Zhang Yu set off for the trial lesson.

Unlike last time, where he arrived on foot, this time Zhang Yu used the Sports Car Leg technique to travel.

Mana roared within him like the rumble of an engine.

With a surge of power to his legs, he blurred into motion, leaving afterimages as he sprinted away.

"Compared to Excavator Palm and Crane Arm, Sports Car Leg and Elevator Leap are much more practical."

Thinking of how Level 10 Excavator Palm could scoop twice as much and how Crane Arm could lift heavier loads with both claws, Zhang Yu could only sigh.

"Just like the Excavator Palm—slow to start, clumsy, and only good for labor. Another typical Cattle-and-Horse Technique."

In contrast, the Sports Car Leg and Elevator Leap were far more cost-effective.

Commonly used by delivery workers, Sports Car Leg channeled mana to the legs for rapid movement—no need for a car or scooter, making it ideal for weaving through urban traffic and hitting tight schedules.

Elevator Leap, meanwhile, compacted muscles with mana, giving the body explosive spring-like power. Delivery workers could leap up buildings without elevators, bounding floor after floor to deliver packages.

“This is my first time training a movement technique—it really does make everyday life a lot easier.”

Zhang Yu smiled, appreciating the utility of the techniques’ Level 10 perks.

At Level 10, Sports Car Leg reinforced shoe soles with mana, reducing wear and extending shoe life.

Elevator Leap, at Level 10, allowed horizontal bursts of movement—perfect for vaulting traffic lights and skipping over traffic jams to make on-time deliveries.

Mana surged from Zhang Yu’s dantian into his legs and core. Muscles tightened—and in the next instant, he launched himself into the air, clearing over twenty meters to soar past a red light.

"With these two techniques, I can probably reach the tutoring center in thirty or forty minutes each time."

“And as my mana deepens and my body grows stronger, my speed and jump range will only improve—it’s all going to get faster…”

Watching from below Zhang Yu’s collar was the Evil God Plushie, still reeling in disbelief.

In its mind, the plushie muttered, “What the hell… All four of these martial techniques hit Level 10 in just a few days?”

“This kid really unlocked all that potential just from my one activation?”

“Damn it, I want to give myself a boost too—how is this even possible?”

Over the five days, apart from training those four new techniques, Zhang Yu had spent most of his time grinding Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy.

Sadly, without the boost of Hunyuan Pills and with his attention divided, his physical strength only climbed to 1.98 in five days.

“I really want some Hunyuan Pills… Training without pills just feels like losing money with every breath.”

…

He arrived once again at the small building inside the industrial zone.

The middle-aged man who had previously welcomed Zhang Yu was already waiting. He greeted him with a smile. “You’ve arrived.”

“By the way, I still don’t know what to call you, sir?”

“Just call me Ma Yunteng,” Zhang Yu replied casually. “And you?”

“You can call me Black Crow. Come with me—the instructors are waiting.”

Zhang Yu followed him through a hidden door into the underground tutoring base, where guards stood every few meters like sentries.

Tattooed across the arms of these guards were slogans like “Daily Classes,” “Study in Secret,” and “Everyone Gets Tutored”—a dead giveaway that they were members of the Dark Studies Gang.

But something struck Zhang Yu as odd… Every one of these thugs had a “0” hovering above their heads. What did that number mean?

Suddenly, a guard ran by with a “-122” over his head—and the number kept ticking down, -123, -124…

Unable to resist his curiosity, Zhang Yu asked, “What’s with the numbers above their heads?”

Black Crow smiled. “That’s the job-tracking system we developed with the Eight Divine Officials. If someone’s away from their post too long, their wages get deducted. If his number’s that low… maybe he had diarrhea?”

Zhang Yu twitched at the mouth. “Isn’t that a bit too strict?”

Black Crow shrugged. “Everyone with ambition is buried in debt these days. A little pay dock is just part of growing up.”

Zhang Yu forced a smile. “Man… This gang really operates like a corporate job, huh?”

Black Crow’s eyes lit up. “Thank you for the compliment! Our boss is working hard to legitimize the Dark Studies Gang. Our dream is to become a company and break into the downtown district.”

He sighed. “After all, who joins a gang because they want to? People end up here when they can’t land a good job. Once you join, your resume’s ruined—no way to ever get into a big firm again.”

Zhang Yu finally understood. So all these gangsters… were just unemployed people? Was this some kind of job-seeker support group?

Black Crow gestured ahead. “Up ahead is the tutoring classroom. Restrooms on either side. Go farther down for training rooms, showers, a cafeteria…”

As he was giving the tour, a commotion broke out near one of the classrooms.

Zhang Yu turned and saw a poster that read: "Enroll in the White Dragon Teaching Program—Experience Life as a White Dragon High Schooler All Night Long! By day, you’re an average student at a regular high school. By night, you’re a White Dragon elite, watching your grades soar!"

Below the poster, a student grumbled, “The teacher’s way too gentle. Not a single kneeling punishment for failing. This is supposed to be White Dragon class? I paid good money to experience elite education! This feels no different from my normal school…”

Zhang Yu was stunned. People were paying to

experience

White Dragon High’s brutal regime?

But then he snorted at himself. “Of course they are. Knowing the crazy students and even crazier parents in Songyang City, if paying money lets them feel like they’re part of White Dragon High—even if it’s just marketing hype—they’ll be lining up to pay.”

…

Meanwhile, in another classroom—

A few instructors were lounging about, puffing on cigarettes and chatting.

One elderly man with snow-white hair and a “Daily Lessons” tattoo on his arm exhaled a cloud of smoke from his Dao Heart Buffer—a highly addictive substance widely used across Kunxu to stabilize the Dao Heart. It came in cigarettes, booze, and soft drinks.

After a few more drags, the old man asked, “So how’s the new guy? I hear he might be from one of the elite high schools.”

A scar-faced middle-aged woman sneered. “Elite schools? Those kids are smart and rich. The teachers there are used to pampered prodigies. You think he can handle teaching garbage-tier students?”

“Most of our kids here would be considered vermin in those schools. He’s gonna be lost.”

Another man—three meters tall, jacked with muscles riddled in injection marks—was practicing martial arts nearby. Clearly a hardcore body-refiner.

He snorted. “Elite high school teachers teaching Excavator Palm and Sports Car Leg?”

“He ever worked a construction site? Ever delivered food? He got what it takes?”

“I’ve been mixing cement for 11 years. Car Girl’s got 8 years of delivery experience. You think that guy knows these techniques better than us?”

But the old man chuckled. “Well, he did max out Limitless Cloud Hands. Let’s just see what he can do.”

A moment later, Black Crow brought Zhang Yu into the room.

“This is today’s trial instructor—Mr. Ma Yunteng.”

He gestured to each person in turn. “This is Old Cai, who’s taught Limitless Cloud Hands.”

“This is Car Girl, Level 10 in Sports Car Leg.”

“And this is Big Shovel, Level 10 in Excavator Palm.”

From their nicknames, Zhang Yu immediately understood they were all using aliases like him. Their appearances were likely fake too.

He nodded. “Thank you all for your time.”

Big Shovel, the three-meter-tall brute, curled his lip. “Time’s valuable. Let’s get this lesson over with.”

Zhang Yu couldn’t agree more. He immediately activated Formless Cloud Qi. In an instant, mist curled around him like an immortal shrouded in clouds.

“Then let me begin with a lesson on Limitless Cloud Hands.”