Chapter 1: Senior Class, Summer Job

Dongxia, Hengzhou New Star, Taian Metropolitan Area.

Squeezing through the main doors of Yinma Gym, located in the center of the commercial street, a brownish-yellow plush bear wobbled to the spot beneath the central air conditioning vent, critiquing the muscular men in the equipment area:

"That's how beginners are—exhausted after just a few sets of training."

"Brother Kun just finished his fist power test, with a final score of 275kg."

"I dare ask, young hero, can your frame withstand a few punches?"

Qin Shi, standing at the front desk, smiled and handed over a bottle of mineral water.

Wearing a heavy plush bear costume to hand out flyers on a scorching summer day was truly hard work.

"So what? If we really fight, one punch at most, and he'll kneel on the ground begging me not to kill him!"

The boy who took off the head mask had slightly dark skin, sweat pouring down his head, greedily enjoying the air conditioning:

"Old Qin, come clean—did you bribe Lao Xu? We all came out for summer jobs, why are you here enjoying the air conditioning while I'm standing in over thirty-degree heat on the street soliciting customers!"

The boy was named Zhou Ning, Qin Shi's classmate, neighbor, and childhood friend.

Both were high school seniors at Xin Yi High School, working and studying during the summer break.

"Lao Xu is money-grubbing, and I'm penniless—how could I afford to bribe him?"

Qin Shi said in a flat tone:

"He only said I possess the professional ability for front desk work, and quite outstanding at that."

Zhou Ning was very puzzled:

"What's the difference between sitting at the front desk signing people up for cards and me going out to hand out flyers? Who can't do it……"

He hadn't finished speaking when his eyes, like radar activating, suddenly became sharp!

With a reaction speed of a fraction of a second, he precisely locked onto a beautiful older sister wearing a pink sports tank top and tight yoga pants at the doorway.

The latter entered with a graceful figure, completely ignoring the eye-catching plush bear Zhou Ning, and smiled at Qin Shi:

"Little Qin, is Coach Luo here today?"

Qin Shi quickly revealed a shy smile:

"Coach Luo usually comes after three o'clock, Miss Lin. As a distinguished VIP member of our shop, you can rest in the VIP room first. If you need coffee, light meals, or snacks, just let us know."

The beautiful older sister leaned forward slightly, both hands pressing on the counter:

"No one in the VIP room, how boring. Little Qin, can you chat with me?"

Qin Shi remained shy:

"Store regulations—employees must not leave their posts without permission during work hours."

The beautiful older sister's eyes curved into crescent moons as she deliberately asked:

"Meaning after work, you can be my chat companion?"

Qin Shi lowered his head awkwardly, as if at a loss.

Such pretense, combined with that delicate and handsome young face, made the beautiful older sister find him increasingly pleasing to the eye:

"Okay, okay, I won't tease you anymore. Sister's in a good mood—I'll have you renew my membership card's annual fee later."

This little interlude came suddenly and went quickly.

Seeing off the beautiful older sister with a graceful figure as she entered the VIP room, Qin Shi quietly put away his business smile.

Zhou Ning, serving as an invisible background board on the side, was green with envy, gnashing his teeth:

"Old Qin! For a front desk summer job, you sold your looks? No integrity!"

Qin Shi helplessly shrugged:

"Gotta make a living. Manager Wang promised me a commission for every quality customer I renew.

You just have to wear a hot and heavy mascot costume to hand out flyers, but as a front desk worker I have to consider many things, such as workplace harassment."

Zhou Ning both envied and despised him:

"Then let's swap!"

Qin Shi shook his head:

"This job is too deep, I'm afraid you can't handle it, classmate Little Zhou."

The two joked around and goofed off, finally making it to noon mealtime.

"Synthetic food again, I'm sick of eating it at school."

After receiving his work meal, Zhou Ning opened it and immediately put on a bitter face.

"There's nothing wrong with synthetic food—cheap, large portions, filling, and provides the nutrients the human body needs. Be content."

"No matter what, it's better than the Old Era's pre-made dishes and gutter oil."

Qin Shi buried his head in eating, experiencing the monotonous texture of synthetic beef by chewing slowly.

To be honest, the nutritional value of synthetic food isn't bad, just the flavor is rather monotonous.

Like eating instant noodles in his previous life—one pack isn't enough, two packs are too much.

The only side effect of long-term consumption is that every time he smells this flavor, he wants to vomit.

"No matter how healthy, you can't eat it every day! I really miss the fly-infested eateries on Old Factory Street……"

Zhou Ning muttered softly.

【The 17,535th Energy Supplement】

【Growth Degree +1】

"Besides reminding me of meal counts and step counts, it's useless."

"With such rudimentary functions, it's not as good as a nine-yuan-nine smart band with free shipping from Pinduoduo……"

Facing the neat, glowing characters that suddenly appeared in his field of vision, Qin Shi habitually chose to turn a blind eye.

This kind of thing, and it dares to call itself transmigration?

At least give me some bonus points to get stronger, one-click auto-play!

"By the way, Qin Shi, are you still going to the Youth Palace later?"

Zhou Ning complained with his mouth, yet didn't waste anything, eating it clean.

"Go. Working here for a month earns twelve hundred; the Youth Palace side, going once a week, paid three hundred daily—not bad."

Qin Shi devoured his lunch like wind sweeping away clouds, stood up, and threw the fast-food box with not a grain left into the trash can.

"What's the use? Just tell me about your part-time job at the Youth Palace—their Martial Arts Class, how much for ten sessions?"

Zhou Ning hung his head, saying dejected words.

"Two hours per session, five hundred, I think."

Qin Shi thought seriously.

"Look, we work our butts off at summer jobs and still can't even earn the Martial Arts Class registration fee."

Zhou Ning had long since taken off his hot and stuffy mascot costume, carefully looking at the finely printed flyer in his hand:

"Besides, the martial arts classes at the Youth Palace only teach basic moves, not developing Qi Life Force at all."

"Not as good as the gym we work at, at least the Gold Medal Coaches here are not low-level."

"I heard others say Coach Luo's Qi Life Force Development has reached nineteen points, close to the twenty barrier."

Qin Shi glanced at him:

"The gym's fees are also expensive. Coach Luo charges you three thousand for a two-hour session."

Zhou Ning bared his teeth, as if feeling the pain:

"Expensive always has its reasons!"

Qin Shi sensed his dead party's eagerness to try:

"You planning to buy classes? Did you mention it to your dad?"

Yinma Gym is top-notch in the Taian Metropolitan Area, Gold Medal Coaches gathered, each with Qi Life Force Development above fifteen points.

Moreover, being able to secure a prime location on Commercial Street is itself a display of strength.

At least no need to worry about the boss embezzling funds and running away.

Surveying the bright and spacious first-floor lobby, Zhou Ning scratched his head:

"I do have this idea. Last time I met Coach Luo, he said my physique was decent, if I seize the time to exercise, maybe I can increase one to two points of Qi Life Force, then push harder upward, maybe I can pass the Ranking Examination!"

Qin Shi blinked his eyelids once.

According to the Dongxia Martial Association's regulations, Qi Life Force from low to high is divided into nine stages in total.

Among them are divided into two levels: 【Amateur】 and 【Professional】.

Every advancement in stage represents a corresponding improvement in Qi Life Force Development level.

Then, after passing the Martial Association assessment, receive the certificate.

If ranked at Professional Ninth Stage, one can be granted the "Martial Artist" Honorary Title.

Becoming a Martial Association member counts as half an establishment.

"Coach Luo said that to you? I remember the school teacher said, ordinary normal people's basic Qi Life Force is between 3-7 points, Amateur Ninth Stage's passing line is 9-12 points."

"Earlier during the physical test, I was 8 points, you were 7.5 points, trying to raise it in a month and a half isn't easy."

For high school seniors like Qin Shi and Zhou Ning, the Qi Life Force Development Ranking Examination is of utmost importance.

The College Entrance Exam under the Great Universe Era places great emphasis on Qi Life Force measuring physical potential.

Any professional position needs to consider this aspect.

Especially top universities like the Four Great National Universities, shining like brilliant pearls, have long listed this as a basic admission condition.

Individuals unable to improve Qi Life Force are equivalent to being eliminated by society in advance.

"Let's give it a try—only first-rate universities might offer Qi Life Force Development courses; the exercise methods taught in our senior year progress too slowly."

Zhou Ning knew the difficulty well enough, his face full of helplessness:

"Those top students from the Elite Class like Xu Mo and Zhao Yunzhu have good family conditions, can afford private coaches, and go to high-end places like Cultivation Halls on weekends to receive Professional-level guidance."

"We, special hardship students of the Hongzhi Class, should think of a solution; after the College Entrance Exam, just go straight to the plant to be cow and horse."

Qin Shi nodded; Zhou Ning said not without reason.

Reality is often cruel; that seemingly existing yet non-existent dividing line between different classes does not gradually appear only after entering society.

But accompanies one from birth.

For example, the Hongzhi Class that Qin Shi and Zhou Ning attend is Dongxia's financial aid program.

The Education Committee stipulates every school must recruit a batch of students with above-average grades and impoverished families, reducing tuition so they can complete compulsory education.

They were born in the Old City District outside the Urban Circle, and from childhood attended Zidi Xuexiao.

Strong schools like Xin Yi High School that can rank top three in the Taian Metropolitan Area have no financial aid programs like the Hongzhi Class; three years of tuition is enough to drain a family dry.

"Can your family agree?"

Qin Shi was a bit surprised; he didn't expect Zhou Ning, usually carefree, would also think about his future path.

"Last exam I didn't do well, my dad talked to me; with my grades, getting into Heng University or Ke University is hopeless."

"These first-rate universities' score lines are all seven or eight hundred and up; my usual base score isn't high, and exams are even worse; the cumulative total definitely can't break five hundred."

"Unless I rush to Amateur Seventh Stage in one breath, there's a chance to rely on bonus points to pass the admission line."

Zhou Ning sighed:

"I gain ranking scores in games like drinking water; performing normally on exams is already thanking heaven and earth."

"As a fallback, my dad figured out a way out, letting me attend a better technical institute and choose a major that's easy to find work in."

Qin Shi immediately understood:

"You plan to take the Martial Arts Subject? Rank at Amateur Ninth Stage, plus the base score from cultural courses, and the score for the technical institute's Martial Arts Subject would be enough..."

He didn't say the latter half of his sentence.

The teaching staff at technical schools were far inferior to first-rate academies like Heng University and Ke University.

Even if extremely diligent, it was very difficult to break through the Amateur Fifth Rank threshold in four years of university.

The range of job choices during the subsequent internship period was not broad.

Mostly residential security, plastering work, auxiliary police, urban management, and similar paths.

"Don't worry, my dad is bureau-level, my mom is department-level; by then, relying on their connections, getting a section-level cadre position at Old Nie's plant will be more than enough..."

Zhou Ning's mindset was optimistic.

His dad ran a pool hall in the Old Factory Street area of Dangyang District.

His mom managed a small shop.

As for the so-called "section-level," he estimated it was just the Security Department.

"Fine, remember to leave a gatehouse vacancy for me."

Qin Shi smiled.

"Of course, of course, Old Qin, the gatehouse position will definitely be saved for you.

But no matter what you're thinking, no matter how heavy the family burden, none of us can drop out of school!

Even if you become a space cow and horse doing infrastructure, they still have requirements for Life Force Development!"

Zhou Ning cast him a concerned gaze.

Compared to himself, his bosom friend Qin Shi's grades were slightly better; his base score and regular exams were not bad, at a medium level in the class.

If he tried hard, the chance of breaking through the six-hundred barrier was very high.

As long as he completed the Ranking Examination and got into a second- or third-rate university, it was as good as done.

The only thing to worry about might be that Qin Shi's family condition was too poor, and they might not be able to afford it.

The cost of living in the Taian Metropolitan Area was simply outrageous for children of the Old City District.

"Haven't thought that much for now; when the car reaches the mountain, there will be a path; at worst, sign up for the army and devote myself to the Great Reclamation Movement that has continued for six thousand years."

Qin Shi's gaze drifted, lingering on a black frame that others could not see.

It was like a translucent wall, stubbornly appearing before his eyes, occasionally floating up some seemingly meaningless text information.

【Anchor Point: Qin Shi】

【Growth Stage: To Be Unlocked】

【Progress: 99%】

【Monument Count: None】

This black frame that only Qin Shi could see seemed to be branded on his retina.

No matter how he shifted his sight, it always existed.

On the other side of the panel was a pixel-art gray egg-shaped object.

Inside surged a fresh red breath, like a kettle about to overflow.

Misty like fog, as if gestating some kind of life.

This thing accompanied Qin Shi through his second rebirth.

And he only knew that its name was 【Monument】.

"Not sure, what changes when progress is maxed..."

As Qin Shi pondered, Zhou Ning continued chattering:

"Joining the army isn't that easy. Your Life Force doesn't meet the standard, you can't get into the officer school!..."

Although Dongxia had maintained the Great Reclamation Movement for a full six thousand years, aimed at expanding territory and establishing more human homelands, it was about to draw a perfect conclusion.

But that did not mean a peaceful era of storing weapons and releasing horses to the southern mountains would arrive as quickly as turning a page in a book.

Qin Shi could see this from browsing the news daily.

Going to remote administrative stars to be a tiny, fragile screw often meant personal safety had no guarantee.

"My sister drives a big truck and earns hard-earned money; even second- or third-rate universities or technical colleges have high tuition.

She supports me and my younger sister alone; it's too exhausting."

It had been a long time since he crossed over through sheer luck, and Qin Shi had long grown accustomed to this new life of being reborn.

But whenever he thought of this starting point, he inevitably felt indignant.

"A gambling dad, a deceased mom, a dropout sister, a young sister, and a broken me... it's just slightly better than hell difficulty of being born in a school toilet with parents who are yellow-haired delinquents and mental little sisters."

Qin Shi couldn't help but laugh, yet he was not discouraged.

Compared to the miserable days of being tricked by distant relatives into the park in his previous life, almost having his kidney removed, and finally being forced to go to the borderlands to make a living.

This life actually wasn't that bad.

He looked up at the television turned on in the gym lobby, with hot news playing one after another.

"Warmly congratulating 'God of War Legend: Qilin' box office breaking ten billion on the first day, refreshing the record of the previous part 'Greedy Wolf'! Watch how an insignificant youth roars proudly across the Star River!"

"The Five-School Joint Exam is in full swing! Citizens aged eighteen or older who have received Dongxia compulsory education can all participate in the preliminary exam!"

"The eighty-third Star Cup champion, the youngest professional ninth-stage Martial Artist in history, Yu Li, will attend the Tai'an Cultural Tourism Opening Ceremony as a special guest on September 3rd!"

"A man with ambition goes to the battlefield, youth without regret devotes itself to the military camp! Welcome students from all schools to apply to the Yinghuo Ancient Star Officer School; enrollment consultation is as follows..."

Zhou Ning rested his chin on both hands, his tone full of envy:

"Old Qin, look, a Martial Artist under twenty who has already ranked and turned professional was directly specially recruited by one of the Four Great National Universities, 'North China Imperial Capital.'

You say we're both people, why is the gap so huge!"

Qin Shi smiled:

"Reincarnation is a technical job, student Little Zhou.

Leaving aside anything else, between Old Factory Street and the Imperial Capital as birthplaces, there's a distance of one hundred thousand eight thousand light years.

Zhou Ning sighed mournfully:

"If my old man had gone out to make his way back then, taken part in Xinxing Development, and gotten Urban Circle Residency Rights, why would I have to work so hard!"

The Hengzhou they were in was the thirty-fourth administrative region carved out by Dongxia.

Full name Hengzhou New Star.

Taian Metropolitan Area, as the first major port city of Hengzhou New Star, developed rapidly thanks to its geographical advantage.

Especially in recent years, the momentum of free trade was swift, and countless new rich sprang up like bamboo shoots after spring rain.

The pity was that Taian Metropolitan Area, like a nouveau riche looking down on its poor former relatives, couldn't be bothered to associate.

"Still remember the Perfect Answer in the textbook, that the region's locational advantage lies in abundant and cheap labor resources — that's talking about us."

Qin Shi patted Zhou Ning's shoulder and slowly stood up:

"Who told children of employees to be born at the wrong time, Old Factory Street's Glory is already past; wanting to take root in Taian Metropolitan Area, one can only rely on oneself to climb slowly."

"It's my time, Little Zhou classmate; the heavy responsibility of guarding the Front Desk is handed over to you."

(Chapter End)