Zhang Yu dared to offer a trial class because he had absolute confidence in his teaching.
And that confidence didnât just come from having mastered Limitless Cloud Hands, Excavator Palm, and Sports Car Legâall at level 10.
It also stemmed from the exquisite control over mana heâd developed by pushing Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Technique and Limitless Cloud Hands to level 10.
Not to mention his profound understanding of muscle structure and explosive strength after mastering the Body-Refining Thirty-Six Forms and Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy.
Add to that the insights gained from maxing out Indestructible Seal Method, Back-Dragon Mountain-Flipping Strike, Celestial Martial Heart-Forging Technique⊠Each of these techniques had broadened his understanding of martial arts.
Unknowingly, Zhang Yu had already reached a level in mana manipulation, bodily control, and martial technique proficiency that heâd never dared dream of before.
And what was more astonishingâhe had made all these breakthroughs in just over two months.
Which meant that right now, he still vividly remembered what it felt like to take each of those techniques from level 1 to level 10.
He could recall the stumbling blocks, the confusion, the countless hours as a beginner fumbling through the basics.
So now, when he explained the nuances of Limitless Cloud Hands, just a few words from him could hit the key points. Casual remarks could deliver insights that others spent yearsâor decadesâtrying to comprehend.
Even Old Cai, with a âOne Lesson a Dayâ tattoo inked down his arm and Limitless Cloud Hands at level 8, found himself stunned just a few minutes into Zhang Yuâs lecture. His mind cleared. Something inside him clicked. He felt an overwhelming urge to begin practicing immediately.
Especially when Zhang Yu delved into the intricacies of the level 8 Limitless Cloud Handsâit was as if he were describing Old Caiâs very soul.
âExcellent, excellent, that was absolutely brilliant,â Old Cai exclaimed, his face beaming. âIf you ever offer a dedicated class on Limitless Cloud Hands, Iâll be first to sign up.â
Nearby, Big Shovel and Car Girl exchanged a glance, surprise flickering in their eyes. They hadnât expected Old Cai to hold this âMa Yuntengâ in such high regard.
After winning Old Caiâs praise, Zhang Yu turned to Car Girl and said, âNext, Iâll go over Sports Car LegâŠâ
But before he could continue, Black Crow interrupted, âTeacher Ma, your lecture is excellentâbut if you added just one more thing, it would be even more popular around here.â
Zhang Yu tilted his head. âWhat would that be?â
Black Crow replied, âA bit of the elite high school teaching style.â
While Zhang Yu was still trying to decode what that meant, the Evil God Plushie hanging from his neck explained, âJust think about how your teachers treated you back in elite high school. Then treat them the same way. Bring out everything you experienced being âeducatedâ at White Dragon High.â
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then looked at the group and asked, âBack at White Dragon High, I only ever taught neutered students. May I ask whether the three of you are currently neutered, or have you had your restoration surgeries?â
Old Cai scratched his head awkwardly. âWe went to regular high schoolâno sterilization was required back then.â
Zhang Yu gave a thoughtful âOh.â
That one little question made Old Cai, Car Girl, and Big Shovel suddenly feel⊠inferior. As if Zhang Yu, someone already sterilized, was on a higher tier of humanity.
Zhang Yu then casually pulled out more nuggets from his White Dragon High experience: âI noticed thereâs a restroom here. Do both students and teachers still need to use it? Are we supposed to account for bathroom breaks during class?â
The trio looked at one another. Then all nodded together.
Zhang Yuâs curiosity deepened. âOne more thingâI've always wondered, are the Cognitive Enhancers here flavor-selectable? I havenât smelled anything in the air.â
Old Cai looked a little embarrassed. âResources are tight. We havenât infused the ventilation system with any Cognitive Enhancer.â
But Black Crowâs eyes lit up with excitement. He thought, âYes, yes, thatâs exactly the vibeâthe way elite high schools humiliate their students!â
And so, as Zhang Yu continued his lessons on Excavator Palm and Sports Car Leg, he began naturally integrating that âelite high school flavorâ into his style.
He mused, âHmm, itâs not too hard. Just repeat how Songyang teachers usually discriminate against low scorers, and mimic the way White Dragon and Purple Cloud students talk down to the Songyang crowd.â
As Zhang Yuâs lecture continued, Car Girl and Big Shovel began to notice that his comprehension of Excavator Palm and Sports Car Leg rivaledâif not exceededâtheir own. His insights into muscular exertion and mana circulation were downright enlightening.
But what really shocked them was how Zhang Yu could explain the nuances of both techniques from level 1 all the way to level 10 as if heâd just broken through yesterday.
Of course, they knew there was no way someone couldâve just mastered these arts and teach them like this. The only logical explanation was that heâd taught countless students and had immense experience guiding people through each stage of their training.
Car Girl cupped her fists, her once-cold expression now replaced by genuine admiration. âYour teaching is top-tierâyour style is polished and professional. Youâre more than qualified to teach here.â
Big Shovel didnât say anything, but nodded in agreement.
In the underworld of illegal tutoring, quality spoke louder than anything. A good teacher always earned respect.
As for Zhang Yuâs teaching style? It was flawless. The way he casually wove Academic Food Chain attitudes into his wordsâevery phrase reeked of elite high school upbringing.
Black Crow thought, âIf we advertise him as a retired elite high school teacher, weâll get swarmed with students.â
But the one most astonished throughout the whole session wasnât the three tutors or even Black Crow.
It was the Evil God Plushie on Zhang Yuâs chest.
âThis guyâs only been learning Excavator Palm for a few days!â
âYet heâs not just quickâhe genuinely understands. He can even fuse different techniques into one and truly command their power!â
âDamn itâŠâ The plushie cursed internally. âHow did he activate this kind of monstrous potential? Donât tell me⊠without even realizing it, Iâve accidentally discovered a terrifying method for unlocking godlike talent and created this freak of nature?â
âCould this mean Iâm qualified to become the Evil God King?â
âWas that why I got sabotaged?â
Later, Zhang Yu gave brief demonstrations of his teaching skills with Crane Claw and Elevator Leap. Naturally, these were also well received. His breadth of knowledge left everyone in awe.
After sending Old Cai and the others off, Black Crow sat down with Zhang Yu to discuss the formal class arrangements.
First up was the topic of taxes.
Black Crow explained, âYou want to stay anonymous, thatâs fine. You donât have to buy the transmission or teaching rights for the techniques. But taxesâyou canât dodge those. We handle withholding.â
âTaxes are serious business. Some gangs used to leave it to the tutors, and one guy tried to dodge them. The Righteous Deities found out, arrested the whole gang, and wiped them out financially. The fines were so steep theyâll be working overtime in corporate hell for the next two hundred years.â
Black Crow shivered slightly. âSo yeah, taxes are non-negotiable. Weâll handle them for you. All your earnings will be after commission and taxes.â
Aside from Limitless Cloud Hands, the most lucrative classes were Excavator Palm, Crane Claw, Sports Car Leg, and Elevator Leap.
Black Crow asked, âTeacher Ma, when are you available to start?â
Zhang Yu replied, âThe sooner the better.â
Black Crow smiled. âPerfect. Weâve got an Excavator Palm class needing a teacherâ59 students enrolled. Each class is 60 minutes, weâll pay you 6,500 per session. Ten sessions a week for now. Sound good?â
Zhang Yuâs heart skipped a beat. His breath caught.
He thought, âTen classes a week⊠thatâs 65,000? Damn, the dark tutoring market is insanely profitable!â
Black Crow misread his silence, assuming he found the pay too low.
He added, âYouâre new here, but once your teaching reputation grows, weâll add more students and classes. Your earnings will increase.â
Zhang Yu nodded eagerly, trying to contain his excitement. âWhen do I start?â
âTomorrow,â said Black Crow.
âŠ
That evening, after leaving the compound, Zhang Yu finally let out a deep breath.
âSixty-five thousand a week⊠If I do well and get more classes, I can earn even more.â
For the first time in a while, the weight of his financial burden seemed to lift.
âWith this kind of income, I can finally afford Hunyuan Pills regularly. My physical strength will soar, and Iâll be ready for the martial arts tournaments.â
At that moment, the Evil God Plushie piped up, âSee? I told you. Honest work doesnât pay half as well as joining the underworld.â
âAnd I know the ins and outs of Kunxuâs underground world. Stick with me, and your chances of rising up will skyrocket.â
Zhang Yu didnât reply, but inwardly, he had to admit: having this unholy creature feed him intel on the dark world really did help his cultivation path.
On the way home, the plushie tried to assert its value even more. âRemember, Zhang Yuâwhen youâre in illegal tutoring, trust no one.â
âAnd one more thingâdonât you dare feel sorry for the students buying our lessons.â
âMost of them are broke losers. Whether they borrow, sell their homes, or even organs to payânone of thatâs on us. Weâre just selling. They chose to buy. If they go bankrupt or jump off a roof, thatâs their own fault for being too poor to cultivateâŠâ
Over the next few days, Zhang Yu spent his days training at school, and his nights either cultivating in the half-finished building or teaching classes at the gangâs compound. Slowly, he scraped together enough to afford Hunyuan Pills, and finally began a regimen of taking one every few days.