Chapter 20: Dragon Elephant
"Old Xia, why don't you ask me why I declined the offer?"
"Can't be bothered asking, Ah Chu. You probably have your reasons."
After lunch, everyone had dispersed after Chen Chu's refusal of the offer. He was heading to the logistics department for cultivation resources, and Xia Youhui had volunteered to lead the way. Chen Chu was somewhat surprised that Xia Youhui didn't ask why he refused to join.
"By the way, Ah Chu, since you've completed Foundation Building within a month, you can earn three contribution points per month, according to the rules. But don't be reckless with them. If anyone asks you to give them your points, punch them in the face and make them scram," Xia Youhui explained.
"There aren't enough contribution points to go around for everyone, so people try to buy points from others. Normally, the conversion of points at school is one to one thousand yuan, and on the black market it's one to three thousand yuan.
"Both points and yuan are valuable, but especially for us new students, the points are more important. You can exchange them for resources not available on the market at the logistics department, and every new student's first purchase of a cultivation resource gets a ninety percent off discount.
"For example, you're about to get the Tyrant Elephant Essence. A portion of that costs 50000 yuan, and it's not available on the market. But here, you can get it for 20 points.
"As for weapons, a normal first-grade alloy sword costs 35000 yuan, but it's also 20 points here at school. On top of that, you'll need points if you want to cultivate another art.
"So everyone wants more points, and some people will try to buy them from the new students, who don't get their importance yet. They'll be tempted to sell those points for 3000 yuan a point, or even 5000 yuan a point. This happens every year, and the ones who sell their points always regret it in the near future."
"Why would the school not remind them of this?" Chen Chu couldn't help but wonder.
Xia Youhui shrugged. "The school isn't your nanny. They've given you the resources. If you can't resist the temptation, who's to blame?"
"That's true." Chen Chu nodded.
In this world, the ordinary still made up the majority. For high school students from ordinary families, trading one point for a few thousand yuan would be very tempting.
"And the discount for new students can only be used for the cultivation resources. There are also a lot of restrictions on point exchanges. No loopholes for people to exploit."
As the two were talking, they arrived at Building D, where the logistics department was. As soon as they entered the lobby hall, some senior students looked over. One student with dyed blond hair was especially enthusiastic.
"Dear juniors, have you thought about selling your contribution points? For just one single point, you can get 5000 yuan."
Before Chen Chu could speak up, Xia Youhui bluntly said, "Get lost, you junior-leeching trash."
The blond student narrowed his eyes, emanating a faintly dangerous aura, and said, "I'm just asking nicely if you want to trade. There's no need to speak so harshly, is there? I advise you to be more polite. I'm no freshman."
"What? Bite me." Xia Youhui wasn't afraid at all. He stood tall and said disdainfully, "Come on, hit me if you dare. You think I'm afraid of you just 'cause you started cultivation a year earlier than me? Come on, hit me."
Seeing Xia Youhui arrogantly pushing his face forward, asking to be punched, the senior student looked at him in disapproval, but it didn't seem like he would dare to hit Xia Youhui.
"I really can't do anything to you at school, but don't get arrogant." The blond student then left.
" Tch ! Such empty threats. Did you think I'd chicken out? Xia Youhui sneered. "Don't think you're something just because you cultivated a little longer than me. My older brother is already an advanced cultivator. Try bullying me outside of school if you dare."
Hearing the phrase 'advanced cultivator', the blond student's face changed drastically, and he left much faster than before.
Watching the senior leave, Chen Chu couldn't help but see Xia Youhui in a new light. Clicking his tongue, he said, "Impressive, Old Xia. I didn't expect you to have such an arrogant side."
"Hey, Ah Chu, that's such a poor choice of words. I'm dispelling them in the name of justice. How is that arrogant? But yeah, there's no need to give a crap about these senior students. They won't lift a finger on school grounds; they can only try to intimidate you with hollow threats. And outside of school, they won't retaliate over something so small, either. They just can't afford the consequences if they get reported."
As they were talking, the two arrived at the service counter.
"I'd like to buy a bottle of Tyrant Elephant Essence."
"Enter your student ID."
"Identity verification completed..."
"One bottle of Tyrant Elephant Essence costs 20 contribution points. But since you're a new student, you have a ninety percent discount for your first purchase. Do you confirm your purchase?"
"Confirmed."
Without much ado, after deducting 2 contribution points from Chen Chu's account, the teacher turned around to operate the cabinet on the back wall. Immediately, the door of the cabinet opened, and a grid similar to a small elevator descended, revealing a black bottle about the size of a palm.
With that done, Xia Youhui left with a grin. He still had to practice for the afternoon.
As for Chen Chu, he went back to the third floor alone and applied for a private cultivation room. In the twenty-square-meter room, he took off his top. The strong smell of blood greeted him when he took the essence out; he carefully poured out the essence, which was as thick as jelly, and could feel a scorching sensation on his hand where the essence touched it.
Following the instructions, Chen Chu started to apply the essence to his body—front, back, arms, legs. Soon, his body was covered in crimson blood. He then closed his eyes, and the passages of the Dragon Elephant Art's instructions appeared in his mind.
"Human power has its limits. By the human body alone, it is impossible to contend with those giant creatures. Therefore, I have created this art, which enhances the practitioner by borrowing external powers.
"To cultivate this art, the practitioner must smear their entire body with the essence of a mutated beast; the Tyrant Elephant Essence is the most effective for beginners. After applying the essence..."
Recalling the steps of the cultivation, Chen Chu began to circulate his vitality along the route of the Dragon Elephant Art. His spiritual power radiated, attracting the surrounding transcendent energy.
Bang!
Chen Chu's vitality ignited once again, and the essence on his body became scalding hot. Transcendent energy laced with threads of heat surged into his body, being refined by his circulating vitality.
He vaguely heard the deep and majestic roars of an elephant, and it almost felt like they were physically shaking him.
Chen Chu ignored these spiritual influences, instead focusing on circulating his vitality to refine the transcendent and essence's power. One cycle, two cycles...
Phew!
As he continued the cultivation, Chen Chu's body absorbed the Tyrant Elephant Essence and began to change drastically. His muscles and skin both became stronger and tougher. Even his organs were affected to some extent, and he breathed heavily, like an elephant roaring. Gradually, but faintly, his entire body emitted an oppressive aura.
It was as if he wasn't a young man, but a gigantic elephant, commanding respect.