Study Monster Cultivation System-Chapter 356: Go pro at 355!

After the brave student from the two-dimensional space finished their self-introduction, the rest were basically just going through the motions; no one could remember what they said, and this allowed Yang Jun to scrape by. His introduction was like a segment of white noise, as if it had never existed.

Next, since there was only one male and one female candidate for class president, they were automatically elected.

Because the self-introductions were overly long, the original question-and-answer session was moved to the WeChat group as well.

Then, it was time for creating groups and adding friends.

During this process, a few people would scan codes indiscriminately like they were signing classmates’ yearbooks, which was very insincere, and Yang Jun found that embarrassing.

After the meeting was announced to be over, Yang Jun picked up his notebook and pen and got up.

"Brother, I’ll be going now..."

"Huh?" Li Zheng turned and pressed down on his notebook, questioning him, "You’re not joining my research group?"

"Brother, I can hardly understand it..."

"Doesn’t matter, I believe in your ability to learn."

"Thank you, Brother, really..." Yang Jun said with a goofy smile, scratching his buzzed hair, "I know Brother is helping me out, but I still feel like I’m not worthy; my presence would just cause trouble."

"What are you talking about? Isn’t studying together a great idea?"

"Brother, the thing is... I’ve never really liked studying with others..." Yang Jun said, making a pained face as he struggled to find the words. "Back home, there were people who insisted on studying with me, but they actually slowed me down. Now here, studying with Brother, I’d just be dragging you down... I’m nothing special, but I still have some pride. I remember everything else Brother helps me with, and I’ll repay you with gratitude. It’s just that when it comes to academics, I’d rather handle it myself."

"Hmm..." Li Zheng gradually realized that studying was the one altar Yang Jun held sacred, not allowing even the smallest charity. With that thought, he let go of the notebook and sighed, "You can say whatever about other things, but a smartphone is a vital necessity of modern life. You should scrape together some money to buy one, no matter what. If you don’t have the cash, I’ll lend it to you."

"Deal!" Yang Jun picked up his notebook, nodding repeatedly, "Brother, once I feel that I’m good enough, I’ll definitely come to you."

"You have my word," Li Zheng said with a smile.

"You have my word!" Yang Jun was about to leave but felt it wasn’t enough, so he tore off a sheet of paper, "Just saying it isn’t enough, I’ll write you a blood oath."

"Don’t do that; it’s like the scholar faction is forcing you to sign a life-debt contract."

After Yang Jun left and they added a few more friends, it was nearly dinner time.

But there were still many people in the classroom.

The ones who remained had only one goal.

To join the research group!

Throughout, only Li Zheng and Wu Yue had opened their projects for recruitment, and naturally, all the interested students gravitated towards them.

So, about twenty people gathered around Li Zheng.

In truth, not one of them understood what Li Zheng planned to do.

But as Li Zheng finished speaking and the other students introduced themselves, even those who didn’t know him were educated by others.

With such a top-tier talent leading the project, even if nothing came of it, cultivating relationships was a great opportunity.

Especially Chang Keqing.

From the moment Li Zheng proposed his project, she couldn’t stop wearing an infatuated smile.

Silly junior~~ to think you’d use such a complicated method to get close to your senior sister~~

Alright, alright, your senior sister will play along.

It’s just a study group, right? Just follow your senior sister’s lead.

On the other hand, over at the other side of the classroom, at Wu Yue’s place.

Only the female class president Liu Yuwei approached him.

Wu Yue, looking solemn, was staring doubtfully at the desk.

"Yuwei, let’s be honest, do you understand what Li Zheng’s project is about?"

Liu Yuwei merely sighed softly, "Easy."

She was a girl whose outfit and makeup were very "Chinese diaspora" style—it’s hard to elaborate, but it’s that specific look that is unique to overseas Chinese, perfect for the cover of an environmental organization’s brochure.

This way of speaking at such times.

Dealt a new blow to Wu Yue.

"Do you think it’s really simple?" Wu Yue asked with a dejected face.

"I meant for you to relax," Liu Yuwei said as she brushed her hair and leaned to one side, resting her head on her hand with a smile, "Everything Li Zheng talked about was at least master’s thesis level. The others are probably just looking to socialize a bit."

"Socialize with me is not an option?" Wu Yue lamented, spreading his arms, "I specifically chose a very broad and vague topic, just to increase everyone’s participation..."

"Haven’t you read about Li Zheng’s accomplishments?" Liu Yuwei laughed lightly, "You don’t know about the competitions and Yellow 2?"

Wu Yue shook his head blankly, "I... have been within the Ji University system since kindergarten."

"That won’t work, your approach won’t fly at the university level," Liu Yuwei said, nudging her head towards where Li Zheng was, "This place is filled with the scariest people from across the country, and to interact with them, you have to keep up with their thinking."

"Makes sense..." Wu Yue mused, then turned, "Yuwei, you’re better suited to be the head class representative than I am. I’ll leave it to you."

"No, no, no," Liu Yuwei waved her hands in refusal, "I’m just here to pad my resume a bit."

"Planning to study abroad?" Wu Yue asked blankly.

"Why not?" Liu Yuwei laughed as she raised her arm, "2/3 of the people here will go abroad."

Wu Yue swallowed hard and asked, "Is there a solid reason for that?"

"Do you have a solid reason for applying to Ji University?"

"...Okay, I get it." Wu Yue vigorously rubbed his face, "Still, I have to thank you. Even if it’s just you, I will persist in getting the project off the ground."

"You’ve got it wrong; I just came over to console you," Liu Yuwei quickly picked up her stuff, "I’ll leave the class matters to you; let me know if you need help."

"..."

"Hold on, don’t be in such a hurry to leave," Liu Yuwei reminded before leaving, pointing towards Li Zheng’s side, "Those who get eliminated there will come to you."

"That’s a stab right through the heart... Big Sister..."

"This is life."

Just as Liu Yuwei predicted, Li Zheng was now facing an awkward dilemma.

Recruiting was certainly a great thing.

But with his current capabilities, he couldn’t accommodate so many people.

A group of six was the most he could manage.

No help for it, reality was often that cruel.

Li Zheng could only choose to select people based on their academic abilities.

Friends who got eliminated, you’re all impressive, it’s just that back then you didn’t study hard enough.

No, it’s not enough to just study hard, you also need to be sufficiently abnormal, sufficiently monstrous.

Scanning the crowd’s Academic Power, Li Zheng actually could have made a decision instantly.

But, to just bluntly send a group of people away, that would seem like judging them based on their appearance.

No choice, I have to be a bit harsher, my friends.

Li Zheng cleared his throat and addressed the surrounding crowd.

"Thank you all for your trust, but this project really can’t accommodate so many people."

"I dare to propose a few conditions, please self-evaluate, and if you find them unacceptable, you can go to Wu Yue, or wait a bit longer, or you can initiate your own project."

"To put it simply, I hope those who wish to collaborate can consider the following points."

"1: You must be committed to scientific research, this is a pure research project, unrelated to other industries."

"2: You must have the confidence of at least a junior in college in some area."

"3: You have to commit at least 35 hours per week to the research project."

"These conditions are certainly tough for freshmen, but the nature of this project itself is that hardcore, so if you think it’s not quite suitable, you don’t have to rush."

After hearing this, the interested ones inevitably looked at each other uncertainly.

"Excuse me, Li Zheng, does a silver medal in competitions count as junior level?"

"It should be a gold medal," Li Zheng said helplessly.

Another female student asked, "Teacher Li, does the 35 hours include the time spent on lab work or does it include the time for organizing papers as well?"

"It includes both. And don’t call me teacher."

"Over here, over here, Yu Nan got only one point less than perfect in comprehensive science, consider it, yeah!"

"Yu Nan?" Li Zheng nodded, "Very strong, I’ll consider it."

Amidst the messy inquiries, the leader couldn’t sit still any longer.

"Hey, you’re still too gentle." Tu Yikou stood up and clapped his hands, "Friends, you’re still too young. Society isn’t like this, you must see the essence through the phenomena, the intention through the words—Li Zheng’s meaning isn’t about recruiting based on quantitative standards. Come, let me translate these conditions into plain speak—"

"1: I’m doing science here, if you don’t get it, kid, don’t mess around."

"2: I only want the freaks, the monsters, please look in the mirror first."

"3: Like when I play games, either don’t play or go all out, if your liver can’t keep up, don’t seek your own doom."

After speaking, Tu Yikou turned to Li Zheng, "That’s roughly it, right?"

"Roughly... that’s right," Li Zheng swallowed, "Brother Tu, shouldn’t we consider some necessary politeness?"

"We’re all classmates, no need for all this pretense," Tu Yikou waved to the crowd with a laugh, "Alright, alright, everybody’s waiting to eat, those who are just crowding around can disperse now, you’ll definitely find a better project."

Under Tu Yikou’s persuasion, most of the people dispersed just like that.

They really went to cluster around Wu Yue.

Wu Yue, welcomed his second spring.

No! That’s not right!

He realized, what Liu Yuwei said was incorrect.

It’s not that his approach couldn’t keep up with the environment.

It was just that Li Zheng himself was simply abnormally pure.

Come, for those who are not insane, let us begin the counterattack of normal people.

"Fellow students," Wu Yue said with a smile, looking toward the group heading his way, "the project isn’t that simple, our institute actually doesn’t have a foundation for hardcore scientific research, instead, projects in philosophy and liberal arts are easier to get approved."

"That’s right, the dean is in philosophy himself," someone immediately agreed, "Li Zheng is indeed strong, but to start with such an outlandish project, not to mention whether there will be any results, who knows whether the institute will even approve it..."

"If it were the Chemical Institute or the Biology Institute, maybe they’d have a chance... But shouldn’t this kind of project be initiated by a mentor, with students following?" another person said, shaking their head.

"Yeah, Li Zheng’s firm stance actually doesn’t look very promising... He just wants to find something to do, to meet a few like-minded friends, that’s all."

"Sigh, and yet we got screened out by him."

Actually, these students’ discussions.

Were all very accurate.

For a freshman to start a doctoral level research project is indeed far-fetched.

Even if he truly is a prodigy, the only viable path would be to find a mutually trusting mentor to arrange resources and guide the research.

In some sense, this is the origin of the scholar faction.

To this day, both domestically and abroad, this system has been securely in operation for many years, virtually unbreakable, even for close relationships like Shi Yang and Zhou Yi, they too must follow these rules.

So, in normal thinking, if Li Zheng truly is a prodigy with a remarkable idea, what he should do is find a good mentor to discuss in detail, not to form a team on his own and act recklessly.

After forming the team, wouldn’t he still have to find a mentor to arrange resources?

What does that make this?

It turns him into a contractor.

Being a contractor is the business of the mentors, not involving secondary contractors or outsourcing.

Most students naturally wouldn’t think this deeply, nor is there a need for them to do so.

Those still gathered around Li Zheng are undoubtedly the most pure-hearted group, those who just want to study and research together, striving to achieve results and make breakthroughs.

These are certainly the kind of people Li Zheng likes.

Still... Academic Power had to be considered.

The group could only accommodate six people, meaning there were only five spots available besides himself.

Yet there were seven people left.

First, Li Zheng turned his gaze to his left.

The leader was still sitting there, which surprised him.

"An interview?" Tu Yisu asked.

"Yes."

"Wait for me to organize my thoughts..." Tu Yisu began after a moment, "My family owns a factory, and I’ve been playing with machinery since I was young. When I got locked in the factory with no internet, I still played with machinery... Let’s put it this way, at Sanhe during the off-season, I helped two factories modify their production lines, and all those engineers who worked with the equipment offered me cigarettes, and a Taiwanese boss even wanted to hire me..."

Li Zheng’s eyes bulged, "That boss... he wouldn’t happen to have the last name Guo, would he?"

"Small factory, small factory," the leader waved his hand, "That boss didn’t think it through. I came to Sanhe, how could I possibly be a long-term worker."

"Alright, I understand," Li Zheng nodded, "We do indeed need an engineering machinery expert. However, I always feel like you might run off halfway through."

Upon hearing this, the leader’s expression gradually turned serious, and he leaned in nodding, "Then let’s make a bet. Who isn’t betting, after all? I placed my bet without even understanding what you’re up to and even helped you drive away the little ones. Give me some face, will you?"

It was hard for Li Zheng to refuse since it was the leader speaking.

"Well... okay then," Li Zheng leaned in to look at Mo Nian, who had calmed down beside him, "And Brother Mo, why do you want to join us?"

Mo Nian gave a slight smile and lifted his purplish-black index finger, "Ukulahlwa, it’s too painful."

"..."

"I’m serious, it really hurts," Mo Nian said with a pained look, nodding, "I have to admit Ukulahlwa’s flaws. This type of training is too extreme, actually built on the foundation of self-harm."

As he spoke, he gazed at Li Zheng like a child who had found a new toy, innocently and adorably, "The moment I heard about your project, I could feel how boring this thing is. Yes, that’s exactly the kind of training I want!"

"Alright..." Li Zheng was forced to agree, "But when it comes to learning and training, listen to me. Don’t mess around."

"Yes, instructor, may I call you Master Li?"

"No, you may not."

"..."

Afterwards, Li Zheng began to do something cruel.

He first looked at a student with a buzz cut and an academic power just over 200.

"Please."

"I... I am a chemistry medalist."

"Okay, let’s talk briefly about Boltzmann statistics."

"... I... I haven’t learned that..."

"Then tell me about surface Gibbs free energy."

"What is that?"

"The formation of LB films?"

"..."

"My friend..." Li Zheng supported his chin with both palms, gazing somberly, "With that... it’s very difficult for me to do this..."

"I... I’m disturbing you, Brother Li..." the buzz-cut student got up with trembling legs, covered his face, and fled without even approaching Wu Yue.

Li Zheng felt guilty.

Sorry, brother.

I could have just directly asked you to leave.

But then you would definitely think there was something wrong with your appearance.

That kind of blow would be even greater.

Li Zheng sighed and then looked at the female student next to him with academic power just over 200, delivering another round of scrutiny.

"Please."

"I... I..." the girl backed away trembling, "I was just looking around and listening... Excuse me."

The girl ran away as well.

At least, she did so with dignity.

When those two ran away.

The person completely obscured behind them became visible.

"Ah." Lin Moming shuddered and covered herself.

"You’re here too?" Li Zheng rubbed his hands together excitedly as he looked at her academic power.

"I... I..." Lin Moming covered herself even tighter.

In fact, she was also asking herself, why am I here too?

Probably because the most impressive, most mature bunch in class are doing something that only adults are supposed to do.

If I just blend in, then I’ll also become a super mature, super impressive person.

In the future, anyone who discriminates against me because of age, I’ll glare them to death!

Lin Moming’s thoughts were very blissful.

But standing here in reality, facing Li Zheng who seemed to have intentions, the leader with narrowed smiling eyes, and JoJo with her facial muscles all tensed up, Lin Moming instinctively started to back away.

The cost of becoming an adult... Might it be too high?!

"Let her think it over," a voice suddenly came from the back, "Shall I go first?"

Li Zheng’s expression lit up as he turned around.

It was the senior sister!

She hadn’t left yet!

In this classroom, even the whole institute besides himself, the one with the best academic power.

Ah, this is exciting.

"You’re still here, that’s great!" Li Zheng nodded enthusiastically, "No need to say anything, I want you!"

"For fairness’s sake, let’s still say something," Chang Keqing nodded calmly.

In reality.

Wahaha, hahaha!

It’s all for me after all.

Everything is for me!

You don’t know anything!

You don’t know how good I am at studying, you don’t know how many awesome people I know from other institutes, you don’t know how useful I am.

But he still blurted out, "Sister, I want" in an instant!

Such passion, such fervor, junior!

You could’ve whispered those words during a small experiment as well.

"Ahem..." Chang Keqing covered her face to cough, which was actually just to wipe away her drool, "I should say a couple of things to give Lin Moming a reference since she seems quite nervous."

It was merely a casual pretext.

But to Lin Moming, it felt as warm as sunshine.

The adult world isn’t all demons and monsters.

There are still righteous big sisters out there.

And with that, Chang Keqing began her introduction.

"I understand some of the sciences, and I’ve contacted student council leaders and professors from various institutes. When the project really kicks off, it will need resources from all sides. Just the tutors from Yingpei probably won’t be enough, so I’ll help to figure it out together."

"Regarding the questions you just asked."

"Firstly, the L-B film..."

Unconsciously, everyone listened to Chang Keqing as if they were listening to music, absorbed in a 5-minute lecture.

The feeling was like a top teacher who fully grasped and broke down the knowledge points, translating it into the simplest and most accurate language that you could just understand.

After the lecture, the group leader clapped in a daze: "I actually didn’t zone out..."

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

Mo Nian stared at his hands blankly: "I actually just listened to the lecture, ignoring her gender..."

Lin Moming was just purely baffled.

Li Zheng was overjoyed and grabbed Chang Keqing’s hands: "That’s enough, senior, I came here just to meet people like you."

"Erm... erm..." This time, Chang Keqing lost her composure a bit.

Li Zheng withdrew his hands and then realized: "Senior, your hands are so hot, are you feeling alright?"

"Erm... erm..."

"Alright then." Li Zheng finally turned to Lin Moming, "Please."

"..." Lin Moming came back to her senses and began mumbling on the spot.

Crap...

Couldn’t think of any reason to be taken along for the game!

It’s like trying to join a game played by older kids when you’re just a little baby...

Because she looked so pitiable, and because they coveted her Academic Power, Li Zheng couldn’t help but guide her: "Just say your advantages directly..."

"I... I can prepare specimens," Lin Moming said importantly, nodding and then gesturing with wide swings of her arms, "and I have a lot of collected meteorites at home."

"Hmm... Do you have any advantages related to the project?"

"The project... what was it again?"

"..."

"Wait... I can think of it myself..." Lin Moming rubbed her head desperately.

"Anything related to the project would do." Li Zheng patiently hinted, "Like, you might have some innate traits and skills that the rest of us don’t..."

His implication was very clear.

Languages!

It’s languages, foreign student!

Your English is good; there’s a way to help find some papers, translate some papers.

If necessary, you could even write the English version of the papers for publication.

Do I need to spell it out for you?

Lin Moming looked at Li Zheng, seemingly also feeling the sense of a big brother leading her closer to the answer.

"Right, right... my... my unique... different from everyone else’s..." Lin Moming seemed to be struck by inspiration.

"Yes, that’s the one." Li Zheng nodded vigorously, "Say it."

"!" Lin Moming clapped her hands together like a thunderbolt clearing the skies, realization dawning on her as she pumped her fists, "I have money! I’ll bring funding to the group; I have lots and lots of money, in dollars too!"

"..."

A prolonged silence.

"What’s wrong? Doesn’t research need money?" Lin Moming looked around blankly at the others, "I have a lot of living expenses, thousands per month. Just take me along, and I’ll pay everyone a salary."

Upon hearing this, the leader suddenly leaned towards Li Zheng’s ear: "I think it’s okay, we’re all comrades, and we can share the foreign currency."

Li Zheng thought for a moment, then whispered back: "But Brother Tu, we elders taking a child’s money, wouldn’t that be beneath our dignity?"

The leader pondered again and whispered: "This is the internationalist spirit; it’s not demeaning."

Li Zheng thought it over again, finally nodding: "We might also need you to organize some foreign language papers."

"That’s simple, besides English, I can handle German, French, Japanese, Russian," Lin Moming nodded repeatedly, "Can I join just by knowing these languages?"

"Yes, very good." Li Zheng stood up wanting to shake hands but his rationality ultimately made him retract, instead turning to look at each person in turn.

Great, a 5-person team, Yingpei’s top configuration.

If this were an MOBA game, it would probably feel like this—

Top lane: Chang Keqing, a Solo King-level lone scholar strong at roaming across institutes. Strong and steady.

Jungler: Tu Yikou, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, an elusive master, no one knows what he’s up to—not even the enemies or his own teammates. One can only pray that he descends like a deity when trouble arises.

Mid lane: Li Zheng, starting at the level of a postgraduate with comprehensive knowledge, controlling the overall game.

ADC: Mo Nian, a staunch hard man of few words, with astonishing willpower, able to repeat the same experiment a million times with the same stability, until he forces out a significant result.

Support: Lin Moming, fluent in all languages, with limitless information, and money—enough to finance an entire team.

Perfect.

What else to think about?

Go pro!