Chapter 7: Arraying the Troops in the Suburbs

  Chu Yu, who had transformed into a carefree and easygoing person, had already spent three days in school, but the total time he spent in school during these three days was less than two hours. The results of his three-day mock exams were all the same: handing in his papers on time after half an hour, then saying "I'm not feeling well" and leaving immediately.

  Such a brazen student is extremely rare in a key middle school with such a long history, because as long as he is a discerning person, even his classmates can be quite certain that Xiao Yi is not ill.

  It's strange that during these three days off, the head teacher approved everything. Not only did she approve the leave, but she also gave special instructions to Xiao Yi to take good care of himself at home and not to force himself to come to school until he was fully recovered. She promised that the teachers would give him individual make-up classes for the lessons he missed during his illness, so he could put his mind at ease.

  In front of the 46 classmates in Class 1, Grade 3, Xiao Yi simply nodded calmly and took it as a favor, leaving the classroom with ease amidst the envious and admiring gazes of the crowd.

  At that time, Teacher Zhang looked at Xiao Yi's gradually distant back and felt a sense of pride in his heart. "This is the student I brought up, even with illness, he can easily take the first place in the whole grade, and this is a historic first, because all the subjects in the three-day mock exam, Xiao Yi handed over the papers were all full marks, including the almost impossible to reach full mark Chinese language test paper..."

  Out of the school gate, Chu Yu directly hailed a taxi and rushed to Nanhui in the suburbs of Shanghai.

  Three days ago, Chu Yu bought 51 pieces of jade that met the standard of lower-grade immortal stones at Zhenyu Studio. After inquiring about which area in Shanghai was more secluded, he spent money renting a three-story local self-built small building in the northernmost part of Nanhui District.

  Because it was a private house, and Chu Yu paid the money quickly, the local people in the suburbs were also kind-hearted and didn't ask much. Under the premise of "integrity", they reached a rental agreement. The rent is 3,000 yuan per month, and Chu Yu paid for three months at once.

  After renting this three-story building at a price twice the market value, Chu Yu only made a small request that he did not want to be disturbed by anyone during these three months. In fact, this was also the key reason why he chose this building, because the nearest resident around the building was also 500 meters away, and all around were farmland, backed by a small river, very quiet.

  The top floor of the small building was emptied by Chu Yu, and the roof was even broken open by Chu Yu to install a skylight with a diameter of about three meters, equipped with high-transparency tempered glass imported from Germany. Every night, a silver moonlight pours into the house, very magnificent and beautiful.

  Of course, Chu Yu Ke didn't do this for the sake of atmosphere or appearance. During these three days, after each day's exams were over, he utilized the remaining time to finally set up a "Qian Kun Lian Bao Ling Formation" using 749 pieces of low-grade spirit stones.

  Qian Kun Lian Bao Ling Zhen is a type of Ju Ling Zhen, although it's an entry-level array, but for someone who has just started to gather their inner energy and hasn't established their foundation yet, the amount of energy consumed by setting up this array is enormous.

  After completing the last process, Chu Yulü sat down on the ground with a thud after embedding a mid-to-low-grade sacred stone into the array eye. He panted heavily and looked up at the sky, which was just at sunset. It wasn't urgent to enter the array to cultivate the "Yuè Yuè Xīn Fǎ" for the time being.

  "It's okay to take a leave from school, but staying out all night is bound to raise suspicions, what a headache!"

  Chu Yu thought to himself that if he could retreat for a few months, relying on the "Yuè Moon Xu Heart Method" and the "Qian Kun Lian Bao Ling Formation" dual support, he might be able to complete his foundation in a short period of time. However, he then thought about his current youthful identity and couldn't let go of it.

  "Having received kindness from others, one should repay it. Even if cultivation is slow, it's better than letting Xiao Yi's parents worry." In the end, Chu Yu gave up on the tempting idea and packed his bags to head home.

  Another half month has passed, and Chu Yu's inner energy has now solidified to a very deep level under the dual support of the "Eternal Moon Dawn Heart Method" and the "Qiankun Lianbao Ling Array". According to his personal estimate, if he maintains this progress for another twenty days or so, he should be able to take the final step in building his foundation.

  Once the foundation is laid, the internal breath transforms into true yuan. Everything will be different because possessing true yuan means that Chu Yu can re-cultivate the Five Elements True Yuan Fire of the single-transmitted Linbao Pavilion. At that time, Chu Yu can refine a few small items, although they are used as trial materials for Linbao Pavilion disciples when entering the sect, but for him now, they are urgently needed things.

  Within these two weeks, Chu Yu's time spent going to school has slightly increased. After all, he still had to continue playing the role of this student, as it was the only way to fulfill his youthful aspirations.

  Today, Chu Yu didn't leave after finishing all the morning classes and stayed in the classroom until four o'clock, waiting for all the classes to end before packing up his bag and preparing to leave.

  Before Chu Yu could reach the door, a peer with a small yellow cowlick on his forehead appeared in front of the classroom, excitedly waving at Chu Yu and saying: "Xiao Yi, hurry over, we've got good news for you today."

  Zhou Hao, Xiao Yi's childhood friend, a student in the second year of junior high school (6) at CY Middle School. He is one of those who do not pay attention to their studies and spend all day hanging out with small-time hooligans outside. In his own words, "Hanging out is also a kind of state of mind, my old man is the best example, in the future I will surpass him."

  It's precisely because Zhou Hao's life direction chose the word "mix" that last year he was a second-year junior high school student, and this year he is still a second-year junior high school student...

  When it comes to Zhou Hao's father, he is indeed famous in this area. He is a big shot who knows how to make money through both legitimate and illegitimate means. Although he only graduated from elementary school, he seized several opportunities to get rich during the early days of China's reform and opening-up. With his bold and generous personality, he managed to accumulate a fortune of tens of millions within ten years. Two high-end nightclubs and a disco in CY area are all his properties.

  Because at that time, Zhou Hao's father had not yet risen to prominence, the two families lived next door to each other. Xiao Yi and Zhou Hao knew each other since they were wearing open-crotch pants, and coincidentally, the two of them have been together from kindergarten to their current school, CY Middle School. The relationship between the two is not like brothers but even more so than brothers.

  Due to Xiao Yi's slightly weak personality, he has always been the target of bullying in school. Fortunately, there is Zhou Hao, a childhood friend who sticks up for him. If anyone dares to touch Xiao Yi, Zhou Hao will definitely not hesitate to beat them up mercilessly. This kid often pats Xiao Yi on the shoulder and says: "You're too timid, you can't keep up with me, just focus on studying. But if some bastard dares to mess with you, I'll crush his balls."

  After a moment's thought about Zhou Hao and Xiao Yi's relationship and past events, Chu Yu had already taken a liking to him at first glance, this kind of person was quite to her taste.

  "What can I do for you?"

  Zhou Hao habitually smoothed out the yellow hair on his forehead, hooked Xiao Yi's shoulder and said: "Don't go back for dinner tonight, I've already called your mom and told her you're coming to my place for tutoring and dinner. If it's late, just stay over at my place."

  "You don't really want me to go to your home to tutor you, do you......"

  "That's for sure, there's a great event waiting for us tonight, hehe, you don't know, my old man recently acquired a nightclub and it's opening tonight, let's go together to show our support..."

  "We're still minors..." Chu Yu said with a mixture of laughter and tears, trying to find an excuse.

  "You're still underage, don't you know who's running this place? I've already discussed it with my old man and booked a VIP room. I even invited some brothers to come over and have a good time, they're all from the underworld, let me introduce them to you."

  Hei, I know what you're thinking. You and I aren't on the same path, but when we're out and about, it's good to make a few friends. They have some influence in this neighborhood, so having a drink with them will ensure someone has your back when you're out. You little scamp, don't even think about not going! Last time I dragged you out for drinks, you slipped away; if you don't come through for me this time, I'll be furious!

  "Besides, my old man has also spoken up, you won't even give face to my old man?"

  "I'll just go then." Xiao Yi, who had transformed into Chu Yu, looked at Zhou Hao with interest and smiled: "Since it's Uncle Zhou's new store opening, I still need to bring a gift. Give me the address and set a time, I'll head over directly."

  "That's settled, 7 o'clock tonight, Yun Ting Night Market, No. 888 Lanxi Road, I'll be waiting for you at the entrance, don't be late, I still have to rush and inform the other guys, that's it, see you later." Zhou Hao heard Xiao Yi agree, gave him a forceful pat on the shoulder, told him the time and address, then took off in a flash.