No Money to Cultivate Immortality?
Chapter 22: Scores and Secrets

"I'm starving."

Qian Shen clutched his stomach, showing zero interest in the artwork before him. All he could think about was finding a place to wolf down a proper meal.

After all, he'd just rushed over straight from a Body-Refining cram session. His stomach was growling so loud it might as well have been a spirit beast. He felt like he could eat an entire ox.

"I'm gonna look for something to eat."

He gave a casual nod to the classmates he’d come with, then wandered off through the gallery in search of sustenance.

No one batted an eye. In their world of ceaseless Immortal Path studies and grueling body cultivation, their nutritional intake had long surpassed that of ordinary people. For a study freak like Qian Shen—who basically cultivated 24/7—even five meals a day might worry his home tutor into thinking something was wrong.

Just then, Qian Shen’s eyes lit up. His gaze locked on the buffet table like a hawk spotting prey.

He made a beeline for it, snatched up a plate of shrimp, and started devouring it. But after a few bites, he frowned. "This food has zero nutritional value?"

As Songyang High’s year-one prodigy and long-time runner-up in the rankings, Qian Shen’s performance wasn’t just about talent or diligence. His family's wealth played a big part too.

To maximize his cultivation results—especially in body refinement—his usual meals were loaded with Immortal Path nutrients.

For someone who lived and breathed Score Supremacy, taste came dead last. If it didn't boost his cultivation efficiency, it wasn’t worth chewing.

The seafood at the gallery buffet? Sure, he could afford it, but he had no interest in wasting time and stomach space on food that did nothing for his stats.

Seafood? Gourmet cuisine? If it doesn't raise your grades—garbage.

As he scanned the table for anything more useful, he waved over a server to ask if they had any proper Nutritional Cultivation options.

"Everything edible is already out. Take what you want."

The server’s curt reply made Qian Shen frown. When he looked up, he was surprised to see a familiar face.

He blinked at the uniform, then asked, "You work here?"

"Yeah," Bai Zhenzhen said flatly. "Anything else?"

Qian Shen frowned. "Are you that strapped for cash?"

"Then hurry up and sign with the Student Council. Wasting your time on these meaningless jobs is only going to slow down your cultivation.

If I end up surpassing you, it won't even feel like a win."

His voice was full of frustration. After all, Bai Zhenzhen was the only one in their year who’d ever scored higher than him—his one true rival.

In his mind, Bai Zhenzhen must’ve felt the same.

Their next three years of high school would be an epic battleground where two geniuses clashed and pushed each other to new heights, eventually both landing in the Ten Great Academies.

But Bai Zhenzhen only responded with a dry, "Are you trying to tell me how to live?"

Before Qian Shen could answer, she added, "You, with your barely-over-600 score, want to lecture someone with a 650?"

Her blunt score shaming hit Qian Shen like a meteor. As a staunch believer in Score Supremacy, his confidence crumbled instantly. That 50-point gap felt like a mountain crashing down on his head.

You scored higher. You’re right.

At that moment, Qian Shen could practically see the glowing number 650 hovering above Bai Zhenzhen’s head, radiating a suffocating aura that crushed any retort he might’ve had.

Bai Zhenzhen frowned. "Why are you staring at my forehead while talking to me?"

Qian Shen snorted, turned on his heel, and left.

"Just wait, Bai Zhenzhen. You keep wasting time like this, and it won’t be long before I surpass you."

No sooner had he turned away than he nearly collided with two security guards.

It was Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing, coming over to check out the commotion.

Seeing Qian Shen and Bai Zhenzhen arguing, Zhang Yu had rushed over in his security uniform, dragging Zhao Tianxing along.

Qian Shen glanced at them and, despite the uniforms, recognized his classmates instantly. "550 and 580?"

Zhang Yu blinked, then realized—550 was his total score last month, and 580 was probably Zhao Tianxing’s.

Damn. This guy only sees numbers. Doesn’t even remember names? Freak-level obsession.

And it wasn’t just forgetfulness—Qian Shen didn’t even bother remembering the names or scores of anyone under 550.

Sub-550? Basically NPCs. Why memorize them?

To him, Zhang Yu—the "550"—was already borderline subhuman. He’d even observed recently that Zhang Yu would probably dip below 550 next month, meaning he wouldn’t be worth remembering at all.

When Qian Shen noticed their uniforms, he scoffed. "You guys are working here too?"

Now that he was facing 550 and 580 instead of 650, his confidence surged back.

"You two should be studying, cultivating. Why waste time here?"

Zhang Yu replied, "Aren’t you here too?"

Qian Shen chuckled, proud. "I rescheduled my tutoring session just to come study the Celestial Martial Diagram’s ultimate techniques."

Zhang Yu said, "Same here. We're here to study it too."

"And earn 800 an hour while we’re at it."

"Make money and train—pretty efficient, right?"

"Huh?" Qian Shen blinked. "A 550 actually made some sense?"

He looked at Zhang Yu seriously. "550, I’ll remember you."

"My name’s Zhang Yu!" Zhang Yu protested, then glanced up. "Why do you keep staring at my forehead?"

But Qian Shen quickly regained his smugness. "Wait, you guys think you can comprehend the Celestial Martial Diagram?"

Zhao Tianxing squirmed under the growing stares from nearby guests. Qian Shen’s condescending look only made it worse. His cheeks flushed as he waved his hands.

"No, no, I wasn’t trying to comprehend it!"

Qian Shen didn’t even acknowledge the denial, shaking his head with a sigh. "That diagram was painted by a Gold Core Cultivator. The techniques it holds are designed to select true geniuses. Even I don't have full confidence in mastering them—let alone you two."

With that, Qian Shen lost interest in the 550 and 580 pair and walked off.

Zhao Tianxing looked miserable.

Not only had he been caught working security, but now, thanks to Zhang Yu’s big mouth, people thought he was aiming to comprehend the Celestial Martial Diagram.

He could already imagine the ridicule from classmates.

“This is so humiliating,” he groaned inwardly.

Zhang Yu, on the other hand, didn’t seem the least bit concerned. He looked at Bai Zhenzhen and asked, "You okay? Not getting along with Qian Shen?"

Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. "What could happen? He usually embarrasses himself."

Then she gave Zhang Yu a strange look. "You’re trying to comprehend the Celestial Martial Diagram too?"

Zhang Yu nodded confidently.

Bai Zhenzhen frowned inwardly. "Debt’s really driving Yuzi mad. He’s actually trying to learn martial arts left behind by a Gold Core Cultivator?"

Zhao Tianxing tugged Zhang Yu’s sleeve, eager to escape, but stopped when he saw Zhang Yu winking at Bai Zhenzhen.

A moment later, she stealthily passed a plate of seafood into Zhang Yu’s hands.

"Old Zhao, want some?" Zhang Yu offered.

"No! Captain said we’re not allowed to touch the buffet!" Zhao Tianxing whispered, stepping in front of Zhang Yu to shield him.

Zhang Yu shrugged. "Hey, Bai Zhenzhen’s working here too. Might as well milk the company while we can."

Just as he was enjoying a shrimp, a voice came from behind Zhao Tianxing.

"What are you guys doing?"

Startled, Zhao Tianxing spun around—only to find it was their classmate Zhou Tianyi. He sighed in relief.

Oddly enough, he was starting to get used to wearing a security uniform in front of his classmates.

Zhang Yu looked up. "Old Zhou, you’re here too?"

Zhou Tianyi smiled. "Yeah, came with Qian Shen and the others."

"Really? Didn’t see you earlier."

Zhou chuckled. "So, what brings you here?"

The two exchanged updates while Zhao Tianxing tried to hurry Zhang Yu along for their patrol.

But then Zhou Tianyi leaned in mysteriously. "Want to hear a juicy rumor about a Gold Core Cultivator?"

Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up with curiosity, but Zhao Tianxing warned, "Captain’s already asking where we are in the group chat..."

Zhang Yu nodded. "Alright, work comes first. Maybe later."

They were about to leave when Zhou Tianyi said, "Xinghuo Zhenren’s planning to downgrade to Kunxu’s first floor—because leaving his job cost him half his cultivation."

"What?"

Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing spun back around, riveted.

Bai Zhenzhen didn’t turn, but her ears clearly perked up.

Zhou Tianyi smiled. "Gold Core Cultivators can live up to 400 years. Xinghuo Zhenren’s already 350. He got ‘optimized’ by the Wanfa Sect last year."

"When he quit, they reclaimed half his cultivation. Without it, he can’t afford his lifestyle anymore. That’s why he wants to move back to Kunxu’s first floor—to raise disciples and focus on mentoring."

Zhang Yu stared, stunned. "You’re telling me… quitting your job means they take back your cultivation?"

Zhou Tianyi nodded matter-of-factly. "The sect gave him the opportunity and resources to form a core. Isn’t it only fair he return half of it when he leaves?"

As they absorbed this bizarre tidbit about Xinghuo Zhenren, the crowd in the distance began to stir.

A few guests murmured, "Ms. Li is here. The Celestial Martial Diagram is about to be unveiled."