CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 96: SUBJECTS IN THE CULTIVATION WORLD

This episode, Pei Lu really couldn’t make it and indeed was replaced by Ning Yunchao.

In addition to Xie Qingci and the top-ranking few, Chi Qiao was added, along with three other hardworking but low-profile brothers.

When the mentors and participants greeted each other, Yu Xia directly looked at Song Xi.

Her gaze was straightforward, demeanor natural, and she even smiled at him.

However, she didn’t say anything.

Song Xi was caught off guard by her smile, instinctively tilted his head, and followed her with his gaze.

Men have some hidden sensitivity to the actions and expressions of women they are interested in.

They can discern whether a woman’s smile is polite and ordinary or special and meant just for them.

In the past, Yu Xia also smiled at Song Xi, but it was quite normal, she had that same smile for every trainee.

Today’s smile was noticeably different, almost as if... she started to exude feminine charm towards him.

He followed her gaze, watching Yu Xia and Shu Ran converse, then slightly shifted, only to find himself facing Xie Qingci in front of them.

Song Xi immediately withdrew his gaze, inexplicably tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Yu Xia acted as if nothing had happened, naturally chatting with Yu Kuang and the others.

Shu Ran, who often surfed the internet, asked her about the gossip that had come out this morning.

She looked helpless: "That’s my brother, my own brother."

Shu Ran laughed, covering her mouth, "Nowadays, paparazzi are getting worse, they jump on a headline without even investigating properly."

"After all, things have indeed been quite unsettled recently," she folded her arms and shook her head, implying, "Maybe my tip is somewhat useful?"

Shu Ran immediately understood: "Yeah, it’s quite useful, it can help divert attention."

Talking about this got everyone excited.

But the four of them had been in this circle for years and knew that the more lively an event, the less one should spread rumors.

So they kept things vague, not discussing details, leaving the brothers beside them confused, unsure what was happening.

When the crew brought in the game props, they immediately stopped chatting, stood ready, waiting for the game rules to be announced.

"This episode’s outdoor game: Cultivation World of Learning."

"Suppose the modern world experiences a spiritual energy revival, and everyone can cultivate to become an immortal. Here are twenty cultivation manuals provided, each person temporarily selects one to train with. After selection, the remaining eight will be randomly placed in the venue as surprises for discovery."

"The manuals clearly stipulate each technique’s level. Participants must constantly challenge others after learning a technique; if your technique level surpasses your opponent’s, you advance a level and can challenge higher levels."

"If your technique level is lower, you remain at that level waiting for others to challenge you. Each technique can only be used once."

"Step-by-step challenges, gradual cultivation, when someone reaches level twenty, the game ends; this person is the strongest cultivator and final winner, earning nine points."

Everyone worked hard to digest this lengthy explanation.

Shu Ran, eager to try, raised her hand to express her summary: "It’s like rock-paper-scissors, you earn a point for each win, keep playing if you lose, no points added or deducted, and it’s finished when you reach twenty points."

The staff nodded: "Yes, that’s the idea."

Yu Xia pondered and asked another question: "How do we use techniques to challenge? Do we just talk about it?"

A subject-based challenge... Would it involve showing a test paper on the spot, making the opponent feel inferior and collapse?

The staff smiled mysteriously: "That depends on your creativity; all other information is in the manuals. Now select your manuals."

The twenty manuals displayed only their backs, all the same color, equally thick, making no distinguishing features visible.

Yu Xia chose this and that, finally selecting the twelfth book.

She took it from the shelf and turned it over to look — "Mathematics."

Oh dear.

She turned to look at others’ manuals but everyone hid theirs, not letting her peek.

They probably didn’t have proper quality manuals either.

She hid to the side too, took several deep breaths before seriously opening the first page of the manual.

[To master this skill, first abandon earthly distractions]

"..." Well said, she needs to abandon earthly distractions first to continue reading.

Turning to the second page revealed index contents detailing each stage’s mathematical "techniques" and their corresponding levels.

For instance, the first level is additions and subtractions within ten.

Later levels include quadratic equations, quadratic functions, higher mathematics, calculus, linear algebra.

Just reading those words made her scalp tingle.

Yu Xia sullenly closed the manual and sighed heavily.

Why is she facing mathematics after leaving school? Why?! Hasn’t she shed enough tears for math over the years?!

In these few minutes, everyone had a certain understanding of their manuals, the show group announced the official start of the game.

Yu Xia didn’t choose to charge forward, she immediately hid to watch others duel and gather insights before making a move.

Many shared her thoughts, Wei Yaoyao bounced over to ask her:

"Yu Xia, what’s your manual? Want to exchange information, form an alliance?"

Yu Xia looked at him warily: "This is an individual battle."

"I know, but if we form an alliance and deal with others first, then we can compete fairly, isn’t that okay?"

She decisively refused: "No, anyone proposing alliances now harbors bad intentions, I’m fighting for myself!"

Wei Yaoyao scratched his wooly curls, stepped back: "Alright, can we sign a temporary peace agreement that if I get into a fight with others, you don’t kick me while I’m down, okay?"

"Why do you look at me like that?" Her expression was disappointed, "Am I such a person? I’m very disappointed in you, Wei Yaoyao."

"So Yu Xia, do you agree?"

Reluctantly, she responded: "I don’t agree."

"Agree then... what???

Yu Xia innocently blinked: "Before the results, there are no allies."

Then she took out her manual.

Wei Yaoyao ran off: "If not, then not! Don’t get physical! I’m off!"

She fanned herself with the manual, shouting at his back: "Why run? I’m just taking it out to fan myself!"

Watching him disappear, she naturally swept her gaze over the others.

Oddly enough, only Xie Qingci, Song Xi, and Ning Yunchao remained in the center square.

Ning Yunchao seemed to be more expressive than before, perhaps stimulated by the popularity surge rankings.

Yu Xia glanced at Xie Qingci and Song Xi, thought for a moment, didn’t linger, and wandered off with the manual behind her like a leisurely old man.

She planned to scout around and see if she’s lucky enough to pick up a second manual, boosting her winning chances.