The content behind the equal sign, just the same as in Shen Zhe’s notebook inside his head, was reflected in reality and could only be seen by Shen Zhe. Wang Qing thought that Shen Zhe was reading his answer from the paper. Little did he expect to see utter nonsense.

If he knew the precise answer, why didn’t he write it on the paper?

“Is he trying to keep a low profile, like how he helped Zhao Chen to build up his body?”

Wang Qing was greatly astonished.

Nobody would’ve believed that Shen Zhe could refine body-polishing herb liquid, helping a low-grade student reach stage six overnight, if the patriarch of the Zhao family hadn’t gone there in person.

It seemed that his friend was not as terrible at studies as he thought.

His friend was possibly a super genius who didn’t like unnecessary attention!

There were many such examples in history.

Xiao Jie, the founding father of the Abyssal Ocean Kingdom, had terrible grades and only illuminated four stars by the last semester.

Under normal circumstances, he couldn’t pass the trial and graduate. However, he illuminated three stars after one night and established a prosperous country.

Because of his example, students who illuminated only two or three stars in school were never kicked out.

Was it possible that his friend had such talent, too?

Wang Qing had complicated feelings as he began to see his friend in a different way.

…

“Shen Zhe, let’s head to my office. Ling Xueru, explain the rest of the questions to the class…”

Holding back the mess in her heart, Bai Yu gave instructions and walked to her office.

Shen Zhe could only follow her.

Being summoned to offices for two days in a row… It was truly great pressure for him!

Young but famous, Bai Yu had an independent office in the school. She laid down the crystal recorder after she entered the office and stared at the young man without saying anything.

“Let’s talk! I would like to hear your explanation…”

Shen Zhe saw four hours, forty-four minutes, forty-four seconds and forty-four milliseconds on the recorder!

“This is…”

“I examined your answer the other day, and this is the result. They are too identical… Shen Zhe, the worst student in my class and last place in the last semester… Don’t you think you owe me an explanation? How did you figure out a question that I couldn’t answer?”

Bai Yu simply asked what had been bothering her.

“The answer… has been proved?”

Shen Zhe was stiffened.

He was certain that it was a random answer!

He had checked the map of Mount Thorn, searched the routes and decided that it was impossible for the teacher to return in four hours. So, he had been worrying that he would be punished.

Little did he anticipate that his answer would be proven!

Was it possible that the notebook in his head could change both the guidance book and reality?

That would be fantastic!

It would mean that he could modify laws and rules!

“That’s right. The question in the class was part of my trip. I was hunted by the wolf king and ran to the mountaintop, where I accidentally found a crack leading to the bottom of the mountain. The time for my return is exactly the same as your answer…”

Bai Yu said with glittering eyes, “Don’t tell me that you got the answer correctly but you didn’t know anything about the crack!”

“I…”

Shen Zhe was stunned.

He was truly unaware of it before…

However, Bai Yu apparently wouldn’t believe him if he said so.

“Also, Mr. Zhao Fan claimed that you could refine herb liquid this morning. What’s that about?” Bai Yu asked again.

Shen Zhe didn’t know how to respond.

“Everybody has their secrets. I won’t force you to say anything if you don’t want to!”

Seeing his hesitation, Bai Yu stopped pursuing.

Every cultivator seemed transparent, but they all had their own secrets.

For example, the data of her speed and techniques were universally known for the students to answer questions, but she actually had secret methods that could significantly boost her speed and strength.

She barely resorted to such methods because they would reduce her longevity.

Other people had their trump cards, too, or they would’ve died a long time ago.

This student had been unattractive but was suddenly shining in recent days. He must have his secrets that he would rather not talk about.

“Thank you, madam…”

Greatly relieved, Shen Zhe bowed.

“I won’t pursue your secrets, but I would like to know one thing. Are you really capable of answering such a challenging question, or was it simply luck or coincidence?” Bai Yu asked.

“I…”

Since the pencil was precious, Shen Zhe was about to say that it was because of luck, but Bai Yu beat him to it. “Don’t reply too hastily! I can help you apply for school privileges if the answer wasn’t based on luck!”

“Privileges?”

“For example… you can be granted a long-time leave, be exempted of all my quizzes, and you can even sleep through my classes…” said Bai Yu.

The last semester of the nine-year education was less demanding than previously.

“No need to take quizzes? Sleep through classes?” Shen Zhe’s eyes reddened.

It was what he desired the most!

Getting zeros in every quiz would be too much for him!

He said in a hurry, “I can answer difficult questions correctly as long as there aren’t too many of them…”

It was truly easy. All he needed to do was to write an equal sign with the pencil.

That was on the premise that he had enough pencils.

“Alright!”

Bai Yu chuckled in relief. “In that case, I’ll put your name in the delegation to be sent for the academic contest of Green Abyss.”

“Academic contest?” Shen Zhe was stunned. “Am I really the best choice?”

Him taking part in an academic contest was like a common student in his previous life taking part in the International Mathematical Olympics.

“Are you serious?”

“Three candidates from each class will be screened by our school first. You, Ling Xueru and Cui Xiao will go. Don’t disappoint me! In the meantime, you don’t need to take my quizzes and you can sleep through my classes… However, if you’re screened out, or if your results are terrible, you will retake those quizzes and be punished!”

Bai Yu sneered and asked, “Do you understand?”

“Yes, I do…”

Shen Zhe felt like crying.

Why did he feel that he had been set up?

But it didn’t matter.

The chance to be exempted from quizzes and questions was worth anything.

After that, Bai Yu sent him back to the class. Hardly had he sat down when the bell rang.

School was over again.

Shen Zhe left the classroom in a hurry.

He had survived the crisis of Ms. Bai’s class, but he had to find a way to illuminate his stars and improve himself!

Otherwise, the pressure from other teachers would still be too much.

Wang Xiaofeng and Liu Pengyue were waiting for him outside of the classroom.

They had gone there immediately after class, hoping to get the herb liquid. They envied Zhao Chen’s improvement.

“It’s in my dormitory. Let’s go together!”

Zhao Chen also arrived, tied up like a mummy. Shen Zhe took them to his dorm.

Returning to his room, he handed over the herb liquid to them and said, “Body polishing is insignificant and arduous compared to becoming Mages or Martial Artists. You’d better consider carefully before you take it!”

His kindness was almost misunderstood the previous day. He knew better after that.

“It will take me forever to illuminate the stars! I might as well improve my body first. Xiao Yu wouldn’t have refused me if I were stronger…” Wang Xiaofeng gnashed his teeth.

“Xiao Yu? The most beautiful girl in your class?” Zhao Chen was stunned as he looked at his friend. “You pursued her?”

“Yes!” Wang Xiaofeng nodded his head and declared stubbornly, “She never talked to me again after I wrote her a love letter a month ago. She must’ve thought that I was too weak, right?”

“A love letter? You know how to write a love letter?”

Amused, Liu Pengyue said, “What was in the letter? I’m all ears.”

“Unlike you cowards, I confessed my love directly…”

Recalling his love letter, Wang Xiaofeng said proudly, “I’ve forgotten most of the content, but I remember the most elegant part. I’ll say it aloud so that you can learn after me…”

He cleared his throat and read emotively, “Ah, Xiao Yu, I love you. I want us to study together, to take exams together and to get the same grades…”

“…”

Wang Zhe’s lips twitched. “Is it possible that she refused you because she didn’t want to get the same grades as yours? It’s more like a threat than a love confession!”

“…” Wang Xiaofeng was at a loss for words.

“Liu Pengyue, have you ever met someone that makes your heart throb?” he looked at his good friend and continued, “Someone that you dare not look straight at, and would blush and palpitate when you do?”

Pondering for a moment, Liu Pengyue said, “You’re talking about the inspectors during exams, right?”

“…”