Study Monster Cultivation System

Chapter 153 - 152 don’t say anything else.

Hearing the legendary name "Shi Yang," the classroom instantly erupted into commotion.

"Pay attention to discipline," Hu Zengwu suppressed the disturbance before turning to Shen Yiyun with a stern face, "Can’t you be more composed?"

"Sorry, sorry..." Shen Yiyun hurriedly approached Hu Zengwu’s ear, cautiously starting to explain.

At the other end, Wu Shu and Ou Xingzhuo also sent a meaningful glance to Li Zheng from a distance. Li Zheng, without time to think further, tidied up his experimental station and left the examination room quickly, almost running in the last few steps.

Once outside the laboratory, he turned around only to see Shi Yang leaning against the wall, his face more sunken than before, pale, with dry and cracked lips, eyes slightly open, breathing evenly.

Next to him, a middle-aged man wearing glasses was holding an IV stand, teeming with anxiety—this must be the legendary Father Shi.

"Holy shit…" Li Zheng cursed under his breath, stepping forward quickly and saying, "It’s been four days, how can you still be so weak?"

"Yo…" Shi Yang tilted his head and chuckled, "Brother... you don’t know, these four days... I’ve been to the toilet as many times as I would in four years…"

The voice was completely hoarse, whether from weakness or a dry throat, it was unclear.

"Enough, don’t talk..." Li Zheng glanced at the IV bag on the stand. A packet of rehydration salts had already been emptied, and now glucose was being administered. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief, "The disease is under control; you’re just recuperating now, right?"

"Right, right, right," Father Shi hurriedly said, "Actually, there was an improvement yesterday, and he tried some liquid food, but then he started feeling weak again… They’ve done all the checkups; there’s no major problem. The hospital suggested to continue observing and try eating again tomorrow."

"How are you feeling now?" Li Zheng pressed on, "Can you manage the experiment?"

"It’s okay, my head’s pretty clear, just my hands don’t have strength, and my legs are wobbly," Shi Yang gestured to his dad, pushing the water bottle to his lips, "Not daring to drink water is the worst; I throw up as soon as I drink..."

Upon hearing this, Father Shi quickly offered the water bottle to Shi Yang.

Shi Yang only took a small sip, probably just to moisten his lips and mouth.

As Father Shi held the water bottle, he was filled with both heartache and urgency while turning to Li Zheng and said, "That... Li Zheng, right? Forgive me for not having time for pleasantries, have you finished the exam?"

"Yes."

"Well then, I’ll try to talk to the teacher in a bit, and you help Shi Yang with passing reagents and such, try not to let him move around too much..." Father Shi, desperate, contorted his face into a knot, practically unloading in a one-sided outburst, "Shi Yang has been eyeing Ji University’s Chemistry College since the sixth grade of elementary school.

His other grades aren’t so outstanding; he’s relying on the contests... I know it’s abrupt to ask this of you... but please, you must help him. I’ll be sure to thank you with all my might afterward."

Li Zheng was taken aback for a moment but quickly nodded, "Mmh..."

Having been with Li Zheng for several days, Shi Yang could see his hesitation.

"Dad, it’s okay, I can do it myself..." Shi Yang patted the water bottle by his mouth, signaling his father to take it away, "It’s all because of my own foolishness... there’s always next year if it comes to it."

Father Shi scolded, "Next year you’ll be in your senior year; you haven’t signed any contracts, are you planning for the college entrance exam at all? If you put all your efforts into contests and fail to secure a spot, then what?"

Shi Yang dryly laughed, "No problem, I’ll just eat noodles every day during the contest period next year."

"Enough, cut the crap and save some fluids," Li Zheng nodded and said, "I’ll do my best."

Meanwhile, back in the classroom, Hu Zengwu was still hesitating.

"Let’s not talk about skipping the training camp," Hu Zengwu muttered, "With so many parents watching, it wouldn’t be right to hold a separate exam for Shi Yang alone."

"How about this," Shen Yiyun anxiously said, "let Shi Yang take this exam, starting the timer now."

After musing for a moment, Hu Zengwu shook his head, "It’s not appropriate."

"Then... then let’s say Shi Yang is two hours late..." Shen Yiyun gritted his teeth, "Shi Yang comes in two hours late, same as the other students, with only one hour left for the experiments."

"Let me think..." Hu Zengwu frowned in contemplation for a moment and then said, "Why don’t you contact Zhou Yi, if he gives the go-ahead, it’s settled."

"Dean Zhou is in a meeting, his phone is off," Shen Yiyun scratched his head vigorously, then suddenly widened his eyes and said, "In that case, let Shi Yang start the experiment as if it’s a regular exam. We’ll follow the official requirements, and once we can contact Dean Zhou, we’ll decide whether to count this exam score as valid."

After weighing the options, Hu Zengwu finally nodded, "Alright, mark him as late, follow the procedure, have Someone from the Chemical Society come over to proctor Shi Yang, record the whole process, and in the end, we’ll abide by the leadership’s decision. If the leadership gives the okay, we’ll count the score; if not, it’s void."

"Okay." Shen Yiyun turned to leave, then spun back to ask, "Teacher Hu... Shi Yang is extremely weak, could his father come in to help with handing over reagents and washing some flasks?"

"Ridiculous, how could we allow parents into the examination room?" Hu Zengwu’s expression darkened, "I’ve already given way again and again, do you know how much responsibility and criticism I have to face?"

"Then... maybe I, or another proctor, could offer some necessary assistance?"

"If the invigilator physically helps a student, wouldn’t that cause even more criticism?" Hu Zengwu looked at Shen Yiyun intently, his expression getting colder, "Shen Yiyun, you’ve said too many things these last couple of days that should not have been said."

"I’m sorry, Teacher... I’ll stop talking..."

Shen Yiyun twisted her body, gritted her teeth, and rushed out of the laboratory. When she reached the group, she was already somewhat short of breath.

"Teacher Hu agreed to let Shi Yang take the exam. Hurry up," Shen Yiyun said, gasping for air and holding her waist. "But he’ll be counted as late. There’s only one hour left. If it doesn’t work out, points will be deducted and extended by one hour. As long as the product is acceptable, it’s still worth it."

"Thank you... thank you so much..." After exchanging a glance, Father Shi gripped his son’s elbow, forcefully pulling out the IV needle.

Li Zheng also unwrapped a new bandage, helping him to press it in place temporarily.

"As for everything else... we can only leave it to fate," Shen Yiyun said between clenched teeth, turning back. "Parents wait here. Do not attempt to communicate with the examiners. I’ll inform you if there’s any news, but I can’t guarantee the outcome. We’ll fight for every second we can get."

"Thank you... senior sister..." Shi Yang’s lips trembled. He was about to say something else but was stopped by Li Zheng.

At the same time, Li Zheng supported Shi Yang’s arm and turned back to Father Shi, saying, "Leave Shi Yang to me; don’t worry."

"Thank you! Thank you!" Father Shi clenched his fists tightly. At this point, he didn’t know what else to say, offering endless thanks. Meanwhile, he pleaded with Shen Yiyun, "Miss, I’m begging you one last time with no regard for my dignity. Please let Li Zheng assist Shi Yang. He really can’t hold up.

If his hand trembles and he breaks a bottle, it’s all over."

"Yes... I know, and time is extremely limited..." Shen Yiyun showed the same hesitation as Li Zheng. "But... Li Zheng... with Teacher Hu..."

"It’s alright, let’s go in," Li Zheng took a deep breath, supporting Shi Yang as they moved forward.

As Shi Yang shuffled forward, he looked back and forth between the two and asked, "Bro... what’s the matter?"

"Shut up."

The three of them then entered the laboratory.

Hu Zengwu saw Li Zheng return and his expression changed subtly, but he quickly returned to normal.

Just as Shen Yiyun was about to speak, she saw Hu Zengwu raise his hand and say, "No."

Li Zheng gritted his teeth, handed Shi Yang over to Shen Yiyun, and approached Hu Zengwu.

"Teacher Hu, I’m sorry." Li Zheng bowed deeply, pronouncing each word, "I lacked self-awareness, was ungrateful, tried to show off to get the favor of a girl, disturbed the class discipline and training arrangements, without feeling ashamed, but rather proud. I sincerely ask for your forgiveness and will write a letter of repentance and apology as soon as possible.

I will hand it to the Chemical Society leaders, the training leaders, and you, Teacher, before the camp ends. If there’s time, I will read the apology in front of everyone at the camp."

Hu Zengwu listened to Li Zheng’s words, visibly moved.

Shen Yiyun’s nose tingled, and she turned her head away, covering her mouth.

How could this be...

He had been so adamant...

And suddenly, it’s come to this...

Hu Zengwu pondered for a long time while Li Zheng kept his head down the entire time.

Shen Yiyun bit her lip, suppressing her emotions, and Shi Yang was still dizzy in his spot.

Hu Zengwu’s right hand rested on the table, his fingers subconsciously tapping against the surface.

It seemed the only sound in the laboratory was this restive noise.

After a good half minute, Hu Zengwu finally turned his head to stare at Li Zheng and slowly said, "What’s this? Are you trying to play the good Samaritan?"

"I wouldn’t dare. I’m just admitting my mistake," Li Zheng still didn’t lift his head.

"Let’s not talk about whether you’re sincere or not." Hu Zengwu spoke forcefully, though his gaze drifted slightly, "Whether or not you admit your mistake has nothing to do with Shi Yang’s exam. I’m just proctoring according to discipline and principles, and won’t make exceptions for anyone."

"Of course, that’s how it should be. So, I admit my mistake," Li Zheng replied with his head lowered, still unmoving.

"..." Hu Zengwu’s tongue seemed to tie up, his lips trembled, and he turned his face away.

Another round of silence ensued.

In the silence, his finger tapping on the table became increasingly frequent.

At this moment, two examiners from the Chemical Society had walked up to the podium. After discussing with Shen Yiyun and observing the pale-lipped Shi Yang, they didn’t say much. They just looked towards Hu Zengwu, waiting for his decision.

A moment later.

```

"Call Zhou Yi again," Hu Zengwu’s voice was also getting agitated.

"I did... his phone is turned off..."

Hu Zengwu pursed his lips, turned to look at the bewildered Shi Yang, rubbed his forehead, and his expression gradually hardened, "Really... your class... If you don’t produce some results, I’ll see how you’re going to end this."

Then, squeezing out a breath, he stood up with the support of the desk, and said to the two examiners from the Chemical Society, "Someone come and supervise Shi Yang’s exam with me."

Finally, turning to Li Zheng, "No unnecessary communication or prompts are allowed. If cheating is suspected, your experimental results will be immediately invalidated."

Li Zheng finally raised his head, full of gratitude, "Thank you, thank you, Teacher Hu!"

"Alright, make good use of your time," Hu Zengwu said gravely, "I’ll be standing behind you the whole time, conduct yourselves well."

Under everyone’s gaze, Li Zheng, supporting Shi Yang, walked to an empty laboratory bench guided by an examiner from the Chemical Society.

The Cobalt God’s reputation, most people had heard of it, but this was their first time seeing it.

Unremarkable in appearance, he looked no different from anyone else.

Except now, in this state, he almost seemed to be floating as he walked.

Is it really worth it?

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, even with his brain still foggy, Shi Yang had a rough idea of what was happening.

Though it wasn’t convenient for him to speak, he still reddened his eyes, glared at Li Zheng, and nodded fiercely.

Li Zheng just kept his head down and continued walking; he didn’t dare to respond, fearing being accused of cheating.

In this heavy silence, Shi Yang finally stood in front of the lab bench.

Looking at the familiar equipment, he took a long breath, then flexed his fingers and looked at the exam paper.

Like Li Zheng, his eyes widened.

Then he revealed a familiar demonic smile and raised his hand, "Two 250 mL conical flasks, acetic acid, hexamethylenetetramine, methyl orange, please."

Li Zheng saw his smile and knew things were steady.

A great weight finally lifted from his heart, and he quickly headed to the shared laboratory bench.

Shi Yang, meanwhile, took a dropper in hand.

His squinted eyes gradually widened.

The performance began.

This time, although his movements were a bit slow, even shaky, he still possessed superhuman accuracy.

Given the seriousness of this experiment, he made no superfluous movements; it was as if he had preplanned every action before starting the experiment, always two steps ahead, signaling Li Zheng to prepare what he needed.

What surprised the examiners even more was his experimental design had surpassed the standard procedure. For the given raw materials and reagents, he made fine adjustments beyond the main process, especially his control over the catalysts, he was like a veteran who had spent a decade in the lab.

More terrifying was that he even prepared exactly the right amount of acidic solution he would later need to adjust the pH value. Every time he needed to adjust the acidity or alkalinity, he just poured this solution directly and it was accurate.

This not only showed a clear overall plan of action but also a brazen implication.

From the start of the experiment, all experimental procedures, every step, the molar amount of each compound, the volume of each solution made, he had already calculated in his mind.

Despite his frail posture, despite having lost the feeling in his hands from lying in a hospital bed for four days.

But this time, he shocked all the examiners with his precise calculations and overarching plan.

Even Li Zheng himself was witnessing such machine-like exquisite experimentation for the first time.

As for leaching, filtering, converting, and drying, these well-honed processes were done by Shi Yang with an impressive ease; he probably couldn’t even imagine how effortless his own techniques were.

Behind Shi Yang and Li Zheng, the examiner from the Chemical Society was already dumbfounded.

He leaned over to Hu Zengwu and whispered, "Is... is this a high school student?"

```

Hu Zengwu glared at him.

He chickened out.

"Anyway, indeed..." Hu Zengwu finally let out a sigh of relief, "deserves all that praise."

"And... he hasn’t eaten for four days..."

"Stop thinking about that," Hu Zengwu reminded, "Focus on Li Zheng. The moment he provides reagents early or does any work beyond transporting and cleaning, immediately put a stop to it."

"That won’t be necessary, Teacher Hu," the Chemical Society examiner shook his head repeatedly, "Disqualifying him would be like throwing away Jijing’s gold medal... Besides, this kid... might even make it to Prague."

"Just focus on proctoring; no more talking."

"Hmm..."

Time ticked by, and more examiners who had completed their tasks gathered around, watching like it was a performance.

As for the other students who had finished their exams, they wanted to watch as well, but discipline did not allow it...

After finishing their exams, they were not in a hurry to leave, but instead, gathered in the corridor, discussing scores and other results.

...

More than an hour later.

Shi Yang leaned against the lab bench, cautiously and slowly filling out the experimental report. His hand went limp, and the pen tilted over on the desk.

Then, he gasped for breath weakly, "Done... it’s finished..."

Li Zheng immediately picked up the report and several bags of finished products, racing against the clock to turn them into the proctor.

Upon turning around, he was surprised to find that seven or eight proctors had already gathered.

The person in the lead was no longer Hu Zengwu.

The man, grinning happily, took the experimental report and surveyed it, saying, "1 hour and 18 minutes, 89% yield, both titration and purity tests are full marks. Not bad, Shi Yang, you didn’t let down the many people who recommended you."

Shi Yang, who was already struggling to keep his eyes open, nearly collapsing from exhaustion, suddenly shook with energy and turned back trembling.

Upon seeing that New Year’s doll-like face, he blurted out.

"Zhou! Zhou! Zhou Chenghuan!"

In an instant, silence fell.

True to form as a tough guy; he was shouting out the Jianghu nickname at their first meeting.

The examiners nearby, seeing that Zhou Yi didn’t get angry, also started to chuckle behind their hands.

It was Hu Zengwu whose face turned green, and he immediately scolded, "What are you talking about!"

"Sorry... sorry..." Shi Yang stumbled forward, flustered, "I finally got to meet you, Teacher Zhou... Dean Zhou..."

Zhou Yi also stepped forward to meet him, taking Shi Yang’s hand and saying, "I’ve also heard a lot about you, Cobalt God."

"That’s nothing..." His face reddened, Shi Yang became shy, "It’s all nonsense they’ve been spouting..."

"Haha." Zhou Yi ruffled Shi Yang’s hair, "Alright, you better head back to the hospital; we’ll notify you about the results."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhou... Thanks to all the teachers..." Shi Yang bowed as much as he could, and then suddenly remembered something, turning to embrace Li Zheng, his eyes sparkling, "Brother!!! No need to say anything!!!"

What’s he up to now? Cheng Huan??

Li Zheng, having the upper hand in strength, wasn’t embraced by him and just led him outside, "Stop your blabbering and go find your dad to continue the IV."

"IV IV IV." Shi Yang whispered, arm over Li Zheng’s shoulder, "Once I’m better, let’s start with an all-you-can-eat hotpot, the most expensive kind, but don’t tell my dad, okay..."

"That’s enough!"