HUFF...

Ren Suo gazed at the data stream displaying "42% of first turn." Completing his Cultivation brought a pleasant feedback of soreness and relaxation, but beyond that, a surge of level-up ecstasy from the depths of his spirit also filled his mind.

Compared to struggling to increase his Cultivation progress by 1% each day, he could now advance 1.5% daily. The difference in progress was, of course, indescribable.

By now, Ren Suo had cleared three levels in "Mage Under the World Tree." In the game, the Magician defeated three Palace Demons and successfully activated the Goddess Jade Pendant thrice. Consequently, Ren Suo's talent had rapidly boosted three times, albeit temporarily.

He had also played the role of Fahai on the side, destroying the love between the Magician and the foreign girl. Not that I intended it that way. It wasn't because Caroline fell for the black-haired Magician that I made his death so tragic, absolutely not...

Although there are no specific instruments to measure my talent now, I estimate it should at least reach the average level of a civil servant. After pushing through seven levels, reaching above average might not be impossible! I'm soon going to see what the view is like as a Second Stage Cultivator!

Then he chose to watch television.

Well, it wasn't exactly television but a variety show—an interesting one, in truth: "Awakening Challenge"!

This was an international live-action variety show. Unlike other recreational ones, this one was quite hardcore: it attempted various methods for Awakening.

Participants in this show had to sign a legal contract to be allowed to try different challenging "Awakening Techniques" on air. From what Ren Suo saw, these weren't limited to things like "electric shock," "running by a hot oil cauldron," or "dancing a hundred meters high."

Of course, the show wasn't designed to kill people. Various safety measures, such as non-heated oil cauldrons and electric shocks that only produced sparks with voltage below 36V, had been prepared in advance.

However, none of the failed attempts were broadcast. What made it to the screen was either 'failed the challenge without Awakening' or 'succeeded in the challenge and Awakened.' This was to prevent the audience from knowing the challenges were fake, thus preserving the psychological pressure for the contestants.

Ren Suo learned all this sensitive information from an internal network.

Regardless, the show did produce a few Awakeners, though it was uncertain if those were genuine or just part of the show. The program had many participants, and each episode was incredibly popular. Even with its content being blocked, countless people still distributed it.

Ren Suo watched this program for two reasons: curiosity and work.

This was because ten Cultivator's Academies were about to launch a similar initiative. Essentially, based on the theory of the "Stealing Heaven's Technique Awakening Method," it involved exposing students to extremely dangerous conditions to encourage Awakening.

Of course, it couldn't be as high-profile as the foreign shows. It was rather secretive, considering only a select few students for an Awakening ceremony. Before participating, the students would not be aware of the safety measures, leading them to believe they had stumbled into real danger.

But in reality, Healing Cultivators like Ren Suo would be on standby, ready to rescue them at any sign of life-threatening danger.

Yes, it's the typical academy plot from fantasy novels. The protagonist suddenly faces almost certain death. They manage to break through exhaustedly but are still unable to overcome the peril. Then, a bunch of smirking headmasters and teachers show up, announcing it was just an entry ceremony. The participants breathe a sigh of relief, recalling how cool and powerful the protagonist was. And so, the protagonist starts their journey in the academy harem...

The timing for this project was not yet decided, but it probably wouldn't be long. Otherwise, Ren Suo wouldn't have already received a notice from Heavenly Lotus Academy: "You will not leave Heavenly Lotus Academy for the next few months. Be ready to deploy at any time."

If this initiative can't be entirely controlled by high-rank Cultivators, it would be irresponsible regarding the students' safety. I feel the chance of this project being aborted is quite high.

"The whole world has started to transform because of the revival of Spiritual Energy," Ren Suo mused, counting on his fingers. "Battle, the internet, education, medicine, materials… Changes are happening everywhere. The world really is getting more and more interesting."

After watching two episodes of "Awakening Challenge," Ren Suo checked the time. Realizing it was lunchtime, he headed over to Dong Chengling's to mooch a meal.

Gu Yueyan, that girl, of course, came along. This time, however, she obediently ate without mocking Ren Suo, focusing instead on chatting with Dong Chengling. Ren Suo was happy to relax and quickly had a couple more braised prawns.

It was Ren Suo's turn to do the dishes after lunch. Since Dong Chengling took care of the ingredients and cooking, it was only reasonable for Ren Suo and Gu Yueyan not to be shameless; they took turns washing dishes. I had actually considered buying a dishwasher. But then I thought I would be doing nothing and still sponging off others, so I obediently did the dishes.

After washing the dishes, Ren Suo was leaving Dong Chengling's apartment when, to his surprise, he saw Gu Yueyan leaning against the wall at the dormitory entrance. Her head was tilted up, looking at the ceiling, apparently waiting for something.

"Forgot something?" Ren Suo glanced at her. "Cheng Ling is probably going to take a nap soon; you better go back up quickly to get it."

"No, I'm here for you, Ren Scum," Gu Yueyan said. "Tell me, are you just staying at home and coming over to Teacher Dong's to eat meals these days? Haven't you found a girlfriend yet?"

"Let's get one thing straight. Even though I don't have a girlfriend, I don't advocate for teacher-student relationships," Ren Suo stated with dignity. "At school, you meet too few high-quality partners. While you might think I'm exceptional, and you might still think so even when you're out in the world, but—"

"Who would have a student-teacher romance with you! Besides, you're not even a teacher!" Gu Yueyan said disdainfully. "I'm asking for your help."

"Me? Help?" Ren Suo pondered for a moment, then looked at Gu Yueyan's abdomen, calves, and thighs. "My Healing Magic can't cure obesity..."

"Save your concern. I exercise diligently and I'm in great shape. I don't need you to help me lose fat," Gu Yueyan said, suppressing her anger. "But you're right, I do need your Healing Magic."

"Maybe you don't know, but I've already Awakened..."

Ren Suo glanced at Gu Yueyan. Fortunately, I have to face Dong Chengling at least twice a day now. Although the temptation of a 'two-star key' is great, I've managed to train myself to resist that temptation time and again. At least talking to Dong Chengling no longer poses a barrier. As for Gu Yueyan, a 'one-star key'... HMPH, her allure is about the same as street breakfast soy milk and dough sticks.

"HMM, I didn't know."

"But my Awakening isn't complete; I need to do some special training," Gu Yueyan continued.

"Awakening isn't complete?" Ren Suo was somewhat puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Gu Yueyan explained, "Awakening is divided into two parts: 'Force' and 'Knowledge.' Usually, when people Awaken, they gain both, which is how they can simply release awakened spells. But after I Awakened, I didn't get 'Knowledge,' only 'Force.' Although I can cast spells, I don't know their effects or their taboos. This is what it means to be incompletely Awakened, a Semi-Awakened state. This is basic knowledge about Awakening, don't you know?"

"I never attended classes," Ren Suo shrugged. "My previous studies focused mainly on Cultivation, with little to do with Awakening."

After all, when I was at the civil servant training, "If You Are Strong, Climb Ten Thousand Meters" hadn't even appeared yet, and ordinary people's Awakenings were purely a matter of luck.

Three months had passed since that time. With the opening of the Spirit Treasury, Ren Naiser's video uploads, and other events, the country's research on Awakeners had progressed further. Naturally, researchers and students were the first to benefit.

Should I also take time to check out the latest research papers on the intranet? But those papers are a lot more boring than the 'adventure investigation records' in the Mystery Forum...

"So how can I help you?" Ren Suo asked, clenching his fist. "Beat you half to death and force an Awakening crisis?"

"No need for that!" Gu Yueyan's eyes widened. "I'm actually very close. The teacher said that even if I did nothing and just cultivated slowly for a few months, I might naturally gain the Awakening Knowledge."

Ren Suo said, "Then just wait a few months."

"No, I need to master this awakened spell in a short time," Gu Yueyan took a deep breath. "I desperately need this power, and the sooner I master the awakened spells, the better."

"So I'd like to make a deal with you. During this process, I might be in danger due to a second Awakening, and as a Healing Cultivator, you can ensure my safety."

"Just state your price. As long as it's reasonable, I'll agree. Our Gu Family, hmph, is quite wealthy."

Ren Suo was somewhat surprised. "Then why don't you apply for assistance from the academy? You're a top student with excellent grades. Shouldn't they help you in a case like yours?"

"The academy says my situation is very rare but basically harmless, and even safer than usual Awakenings since the Awakening pressure is spread out over many days. Precisely because I'm a top student, the academy is even more unwilling to take risks," Gu Yueyan said, seeming a bit helpless. "Even Teacher Dong thinks I shouldn't be so hasty. Otherwise, why would I turn to you?"

Ren Suo stroked his chin. "Well, if we're talking about a deal, I do have a little favor to ask you... but first, I need to confirm a few things about your situation and ensure that helping you wouldn't actually be harmful."

"You can ask, but don't say that I came to you for help, okay? I don't want people to get the wrong idea that we're close," Gu Yueyan said hastily.

"Easy, no worries."

Watching Ren Suo step aside to make a phone call, Gu Yueyan's lips curled up in an 'all according to plan' smile. She pulled out her phone, composed a WeChat message, and sent it to 'Xiao Qiao':

'Sister Qiao, thank you for your advice.'

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