Chapter 30 - Just Bragging, Right? Simple... Holy Smokes, It's Tough

"Sure, that's me." Su Mu nodded.

There was no need to lie or hide anything since the Education Bureau would send the examinees' results to the schools immediately.

"It really is you!" The class teacher was ecstatic.

To think that his class had produced the city's top scholar, and with a spiritual qi value of 1042.5, Su Mu was among the top contenders not just in the province but also nationwide in the examination for cultivation! Now, it seemed like a double harvest of bonus and reputation was within reach, and there might even be a chance to earn a senior professional title.

How could he not be thrilled?

The class teacher, overcome with excitement, clapped Su Mu on the shoulder and laughed heartily, "Well done, lad. You've given me a huge surprise!"

As he said this, he paused and realized that Su Mu had given him even more surprises than he had anticipated.

There were two other students in his class who had passed the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment, and upon reflection, it was all thanks to the special effect qi refining pills that Su Mu had sold them.

Thinking of the special effect qi refining pills, the class teacher couldn't help but recall the mysterious grand alchemist behind Su Mu.

That grand alchemist must have a deep connection with Su Mu, perhaps even a relative. Beyond the pills, they probably gave Su Mu some extra help, for his spiritual qi value to soar and climb so high so quickly.

The students surrounding Su Mu, offering their thanks, had their suspicions, but they were still shocked when Su Mu confirmed their guesses.

Looking at Su Mu, they felt as if they were staring up at a towering mountain.

To them, a spiritual qi value of 1042.5 was indeed an insurmountable peak!

For a moment, they even forgot to congratulate Su Mu.

After praising Su Mu a few times, the class teacher remembered something, "With your spiritual qi value exceeding a thousand in the cultivation exam, you're definitely going to be on the school's wall of honor. Remember to send me a photo later... Actually, let's take one now, with the examination hall as a backdrop, it's more meaningful."

He pulled out his phone and snapped a few passable photos of Su Mu, then reminded him, "When you get back, remember to come up with a motto for me."

"Any kind of motto will do? I don't need to think about that, I've got one ready: 'Pay-to-win to immortality, commit with your liver.'"

The class teacher's face immediately dropped, "What are you talking about? Can't you be serious? It should be something related to your studies and achievements!"

Su Mu thought to himself: This is related to my studies and achievements though. Should I change it to 'Spending money brings me joy, makes me strong, and leads me to the pinnacle of life'? Hey, that's not bad actually.

Luckily, the class teacher had no idea what he was thinking; otherwise, he might have been angered sick.

A well-informed female reporter with a cameraman fought their way over, microphone outstretched, nearly poking Su Mu in the face.

"Su Mu, hello! We're from the city TV station. First of all, congratulations on your outstanding performance in the cultivation examination. Do you have any study tips you could share with the younger students watching on TV?"

Before Su Mu could respond, the class teacher squeezed into the camera's view and asked, "Is this interview going to be broadcast on the TV news?"

The female reporter replied, "We're doing a live special program on the cultivation examination. Of course, it will also be covered in the news."

Hearing that this was a live broadcast, the class teacher straightened up, invigorated, and struck a serious pose: "Let me introduce myself. I'm Su Mu's class teacher and I'm very familiar with his situation.

Su Mu has always been a model of diligence and positivity among the students at No.7 High School. In addition to that, he's always been willing to help others, aiding many classmates in improving together, and is deeply beloved by them.

This year, ten students from No.7 High School passed the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment, which accounts for a quarter of the entire city's passes. Besides the excellent teaching at No.7 High School, Su Mu's assistance has played a significant role..."

All of the students from No.7 High School who passed the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment had purchased Su Mu's special effect qi refining pills.

In this regard, Su Mu really did contribute to their success in passing the spiritual qi value threshold.

However, after hearing the class teacher's words, Su Mu couldn't help but roll his eyes secretly.

Wasn't that praise a little too fake and awkward?

I'm not being modest, I really am hardworking and proactive, but how did I become the model student of No.7 High School? I'm not even a top student.

And they say I'm deeply beloved by my classmates? Don't think I don't know they all call me a profiteer behind my back. Is that really love?

Several students also crowded into the camera's view.

"Teacher Liu is right, Su Mu has been a great help to us!"

"We managed to pass the Spiritual Qi Value Assessment this year all thanks to Su Mu!"

"If it weren't for Su Mu's help, with this year's high spiritual qi value passing threshold, we wouldn't have made it!"

Everyone lifts a palanquin together, and with Su Mu's spiritual qi value score, his chances of getting into a cultivation university are very high. Nobody would say anything unkind at this moment.

The female reporter, seeing their sincere and earnest testimonials, couldn't help but raise her opinion of Su Mu even higher.

An image of a towering figure—a student genius with excellent talent, who studies hard and selflessly helps others—started to take shape in her mind.

Setting aside the talent for a moment, the notion of selflessly helping classmates was far from the truth.

Su Mu did help his classmates, but that was for a fee, and it wasn't cheap...

The female reporter was full of admiration: "It's truly unexpected that this year's top student in the Yongfang City cultivation examination is such a well-rounded and treasured young man!"

She then held the microphone back to Su Mu's face.

"Su Mu, although your teacher and classmates have said a lot, we still want to hear more from you, especially about your study experiences. I believe many people are curious and want to know."

What kind of experience can I share? Surely I can't tell them that I have a cheat, and as long as I pay-to-win, I can become stronger, right?

Su Mu pondered over what to say when the class teacher discreetly tugged on his sleeve and whispered, "This is live, make sure you speak well, don't blabber nonsense."

He was genuinely afraid that Su Mu might blurt out something like "spend money to become immortal, commit to grinding it out" in front of the camera.

Su Mu thought to himself, I'm not stupid, why would I say that? He gave him a knowing look.

Is it not just about boasting and dispensing motivational advice? Who hasn't seen a few interviews with blowhards1? Things like regretting founding Alibaba2, or something mediocre3... Even if I can't copy them entirely, mimicking the moguls' routines to boast awkwardly is a small task. Leave it to me.

He cleared his throat and said, "Has anyone here seen Yongfang City at four in the morning?"

The female reporter said, "I've seen it. I often work overtime until four in the morning."

The class teacher chimed in as well, "I've seen it too. I usually get up at that time."

Damn it.

Su Mu was shocked.

Are journalists and teachers all working so hard?

With you guys doing this, how am I supposed to continue bragging... I mean, how am I supposed to continue dispensing motivational advice, sharing learning experiences?

Footnotes:

Blowhards(逼王): this refers to individuals who often boast about their achievements or abilities in an excessive or arrogant manner. The term "blowhard" is a colloquial way to describe someone who is full of bluster and tends to brag or inflate their own importance. 

Regretting founding Alibaba(悔创阿里): This is a reference to Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group, who once expressed a sentiment that he regretted starting the company due to the tremendous pressure and responsibilities that came with its success. This phrase has become emblematic of the complex feelings one might have about their own achievements and the unforeseen consequences of success. 

Something of a medium significance(中等意思): The term “中等意思” here is based on a statement made by Wang Jianlin, a Chinese billionaire and chairman of the Dalian Wanda Group. When discussing the resolution of capital issues, he casually mentioned dealing with a few billion in capital is "not a small matter" for him, but also said that calling it "a small matter" would be an overstatement, so he settled on "something of a medium significance". This phrase highlights the casual attitude towards large sums of money, which may seem extraordinary to the average person.