Chapter 79 The Victor's Reward, The First Perfect Stage of Mathematics! (Part Two)

Finding a spot where the air was fresh, Shi Tiexin, after a long time, once again summoned his attribute panel. Compared to the bleak scene of barely qualifying a few skills last time, this time he was leagues ahead.

[Basic Mathematics, First Layer: Perfect. Activated Attribute: Insight +1]
[Basic Rhetoric, First Layer: Profound 95]
[Basic Physics, First Layer: Profound 14]
[Basic Chemistry, First Layer: Profound 12]
[Basic Biology, First Layer: Profound 38]
[Basic Natural History, First Layer: Excellent 96]

These were his mental arts. Apart from Natural History, all were at the Profound stage. Though most hadn't progressed far in the Profound realm, Rhetoric was nearing its limit, and Biology had seen a remarkable advancement of thirty-eight marks.

—As for why Biology advanced so quickly, Shi Tiexin would never confess how earnest and focused he was when reading biology books.

[Basic Boxing, Excellent 59]
[Basic Vital Energy Cultivation, Excellent 52]

For physical arts, there were only these two, both at Excellent, and both more than halfway progressed. Not bad, considering he hadn't practiced much physical arts lately; he was quite content with this.

Such attributes were worlds apart from what he had more than a week ago.

Shi Tiexin gazed at them, delighted for a long while, then turned his attention to some special cases he had never encountered before. Today, he wanted to dwell on these peculiarities.

First, he examined the [Insight +1] attribute.

He had heard from elders visiting the Orphanage of Returning that cultivating Basic Mathematics could increase one's insight. It was precisely for this reason that Basic Mathematics was regarded as the most fundamental of the six core mental arts, holding the same prestige as Rhetoric, which enhances perception.

But it was said this feature only appeared after mastering all four layers of Basic Mathematics, and no one had ever heard of insight being increased just by completing the first layer.

With no one to guide him, Shi Tiexin could only feel his way forward alone, pondering blindly.

He surmised that since this attribute never appeared before achieving perfection, and only emerged afterward, perhaps only achieving perfection could awaken such extra attributes. Without perfection, one would have to complete all four layers to unlock it. Whether there was any difference between four layers at qualification versus four layers at profound, he could not yet say.

But logically, there must be a difference. Advancing all the way through profound, or even to the limit, must be stronger than merely qualifying.

As for perfection, it was a qualitative leap.

Whether in the quality and quantity of the mental energy he could summon, or these bonus attributes, Shi Tiexin came to a clear conclusion—no matter what, he must achieve perfection! He had to do everything possible, by any means, to reach perfection!

And to achieve perfection, the Divine Golden Radiance was indispensable.

Shi Tiexin glanced at the certificate icon.

[Divine Golden Radiance Refining Fluid]
[Reserves: 35]

His reserves had decreased by ten!

To push Basic Mathematics’ first layer past the final mark required a full ten units of Divine Golden Radiance. Seeing the noticeably depleted pale gold fluid, Shi Tiexin calculated that this consumption was not insignificant.

He didn’t know if the consumption was the same for different subjects, but assuming it was, the remaining thirty-five units were only enough for three subjects to break through. If he wanted all six core mental arts to reach perfection, he was at least fifteen units short.

Moreover, Divine Golden Radiance wasn’t limited to improving mental arts. The panel described it as: [Directly enhances the cultivation progress of any non-perfect technique of the recipient], meaning Basic Vital Energy Cultivation and Basic Boxing could also be upgraded with Divine Golden Radiance. And not just up to perfection—if one was willing to spend, perhaps it could boost a skill from unqualified straight to the top.

This would make the shortfall even greater.

Looking closely at the description: [The Origin Sage etched a rule upon the Universal Way; any pan-human who wins first place in a reputable competition may obtain Divine Golden Radiance.] That is, only by winning official competitions can one acquire Divine Golden Radiance.

And, it wasn’t limited to him alone.

Since any pan-human could receive it, that meant in his original world, all champions would gain Divine Golden Radiance.

So that’s why those public competitions seemed so fiercely contested and desperate. He’d never been involved before, nor had anyone mentioned it, so he never knew. Now he understood—it was all for Divine Golden Radiance, for perfect foundations!

Shi Tiexin had never cared much for competitions or exams. He thought—better to keep training than go stirring up trouble. Best to be the kind who retreats for ten years in solitude, and emerges invincible—a true recluse, so steady!

But now he saw—competing was necessary. Without it, he’d fall behind. One step behind, and every step thereafter would be harder to catch up.

Heaven rewards diligence, but only the victor rules. The Origin Sage established this rule to ensure all would relish battle, dare to fight and seize. One who shuts himself away will never reach the forefront.

From now on, I’ll enter every competition!

Whether I win or not, it’s always better to try!

Uh... wait a moment—he suddenly thought of something: reputable competition? The recent school-wide arithmetic contest at Phoenix Call High was a reputable competition—so does the school’s final exam count? More crucially, the upcoming County Exam—does that count?

It must count!

The County Exam, so close now. During the County Exam, all eligible youths in a district compete. Organized and supervised by the Academic League itself—it can’t lack credibility. Shi Tiexin glanced at his long list of attributes, instantly feeling fired up.

County Exam!

I will win the County Exam!

One step ahead, step by step to the top—starting with first place in this arithmetic contest, I’ll ascend each rung!

Uh... right, one last question—how are ties for first place handled? For example, this time—do all four people get the full reward, or do they split it?

No one knew, but he guessed it must be split. Otherwise, everyone could just cooperate for first place and get the Golden Radiance, no need for ferocious competition.

Having sorted out everything worth pondering, and letting go of all the useless worries, Shi Tiexin renewed his spirits and focused on training. All morning, Physics and Chemistry advanced slightly, and Rhetoric improved another mark through practice. By noon, he stored energy—his vital energy reached ninety-five threads, just five short of completion.

In the afternoon, Shi Tiexin continued practicing his calligraphy, advancing to ninety-seven marks. Without the Scholar’s Stone to boost his score, this was entirely his own achievement.

As Shi Tiexin planned to continue working hard that evening to quickly complete Rhetoric, Zhou Nan arrived with unexpected news.

"Brother Shi, my elder brother wants to invite you to dinner. Are you free tonight?"