Chapter 937: Olympiad Math
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Extraordinary powers… is such a perfect fit with science! Professor Lin Zhengyang from the East started the concept of ‘Scientific Cultivation’. The Eastern Mystic has always been guided by science to rationalize cultivation and mass-produce magical weapons. This would spell the beginning of Eastern prosperity!
“The West is one step further. The Alban Royal Academy has put forward the concept of ‘Olympiad Math and the Arcane’. The transformation of power and knowledge has never been faster. As long as someone’s brain development is up to standard, and they’ve passed the adult Olympiad math test, they can condense rational thinking and arcane spell models to become a respected Arcanist. Moreover, an Arcanist’s theses and research results will have a direct impact on their inner spiritual world and increase the level of their arcane spells… There was a Grand Arcanist who wrote mind-blowing dissertations every month. He was a legend before the age of thirty…”
Therefore, it was unwise to look down on the scientists and researchers of this world.
To put it bluntly, they were all walking bombs who could continuously increase their power!
“Pity… That this has nothing to do with me!”
Fang Yuan stopped reminiscing and sighed regrettably.
There were also differences between the Eastern and Western parts of the Human Alliance. However, cooperation was the mainstay at this time, and mixed-bloods were the most plentiful.
Even in Flying Rainbow City, mixed-bloods and Westerners with huge builds were everywhere.
Lin Meng was not a surprising sight. He had yellow skin, black hair, and black eyes. According to some gossip magazines, these were the characteristics of pure-blooded Easterners. He might be invisibly favored when taking the exam with some cultivation universities due to that, but these were, of course, just rumors.
“Unfortunately, Planet Blue Ray belongs to the Eastern camp. Only the cultivation universities are recruiting students!”
In Fang Yuan’s opinion, the so-called ‘Human Alliance’ was a United Nations. The member states might be cooperating, but they were also in competition.
It was the same as his previous life. It was not impossible for a normal high school student to aim for a famous overseas university, but it was definitely difficult.
“According to Eastern customs, all students undergo normal studies before entering university. This was also the foundation of traditional cultivation—using a hundred days to build the foundation. Only after being admitted to university would they be able to come into contact with the Scientific Cultivation Method and absorb spiritual energy. The West is more enlightened in comparison. Materials for Olympiad math are found anywhere, and anyone can self-study… However, it’s a pity that not many talents emerged this way. You still have to go to school if you want to cultivate rational thinking…”
Fang Yuan rubbed his chin, and his eyes lit up suddenly. “Even if I can’t make it into a cultivation university, I can study Olympiad math first! I’ll condense my rational thinking directly and become an Arcanist!”
He would be extraordinary once he became an Arcanist.
There might not be many opportunities on Planet Blue Ray, but there would be chances to go out and see the world.
Moreover, as long as Fang Yuan could cross the threshold, his path would be smooth sailing before he met any high-level bottleneck.
“Comparatively, the West’s Arcane might be widespread, but it’s extremely difficult to cross the threshold. The college entrance exam for Eastern cultivation universities might be difficult, but they select students from the beginning. Every one of them who enters is a genius. Both approaches have their advantages…”
Fang Yuan turned the matter in his head. “There’s only one week left until the college entrance exam. I can’t miss it. As for Olympiad math, I’ll prepare it as backup!”
He got up, grabbed a crystal card, and went to a bookstore.
“Boss!”
He stepped forward and greeted a middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses.
“Oh, it’s Lin Meng!”
The boss was over forty and sloppily dressed. He was the image of a bad man cheating little girls with lollipops.
Seeing Fang Yuan, he was now all smiles.
Because Lin Meng often came to his place to obtain second-hand textbooks, he was a regular customer.
The boss started promoting his item. “I heard you were in the hospital. Are you all right? You’re here to get prep books for the sprint to the college entrance exam, right? I have a compilation of college entrance exams from over the years, edited by Venerable Tian Feng, the vice-principal of Nine Mystic University… I usually sell it at thirty star dollars, but I’ll sell it to you for twenty star dollars, just for you! I guarantee your score will increase by ten if you finish it!”
“No need…” Fang Yuan lowered his voice. “I want something more advanced… above higher math!”
There was also mathematics in Eastern high schools, simplified from Western math, commonly known as ‘higher math’. It was also known as math from hell, killing many over the years. Anyone who could pass it would absolutely obtain top grades.
“Oh!” The boss exclaimed and mirrored his voice with a wry smile. “Why? Are you interested in the Arcane too?”
“I just want to prepare another route!” Fang Yuan shrugged.
“Great!”
The previous transactions must have made the boss relax. After all, he knew Lin Meng’s background, which was why he happily brought him to a small compartment behind the bookstore and pulled out a huge book. “As the title says, ‘Elementary Olympiad Math’ covers most elementary Olympiad math. As long as you read it, and your brain development is sufficient, you can become an Arcanist…”
“The 98th edition? Just one year ago? Not bad…” Fang Yuan was astonished at this bookstore owner’s ability. “How much?”
“One thousand star dollars. Knowledge is power, and power is priceless!” the boss said with a straight face. “This is also considered a banned item. I’m bearing some risk as well.”
“Deal!”
Fang Yuan swiped his card happily. The boss removed the cover of a dictionary and put it on the Olympiad math book per Fang Yuan’s request.
“… Why didn’t I think of this earlier?” The boss expressed obvious regret.
“The punishment for it isn’t that severe, which is probably why you weren’t so strict about it… ” Recalling that small bookshelf, Fang Yuan was a little dumbfounded. This book of power had been placed with some books not suitable for children. “I feel like things have gone too smoothly.”
“That’s because you’re taking things too lightly…” The boss lit a cigarette. “There aren’t many on this planet who can meet the requirements for both brain development and elementary Olympiad math. Most of them enter a cultivation university directly! Arcanists are not easy to become after all!”
“Not easy?!” Fang Yuan gazed at the boss with questioning eyes.
“I’ve already sold it, and I don’t accept returns!”
The boss spit out a ring of smoke from the cigarette leisurely. “Don’t you find it weird seeing so many books on becoming an Arcanist everywhere? This was done intentionally by the Westerners.”
“Meaning… spreading their nets to catch more fish?” Fang Yuan frowned.
“You described it very well!” The boss nodded. “But, other than this Elementary Olympiad Math, there isn’t a single arcane spell model on the market, neither are there any subsequent research papers… The West protects the property rights of this knowledge to the greatest extent. Even black market merchants dare not violate this taboo!
“You have to follow up with research to progress after becoming an Arcanist, and you’ll need at least an arcane spell model or two even if you don’t want to progress. Otherwise, how different would you be from an ordinary human? However, only the West has the power to these things. Moreover, you need jurisdiction and to exchange credits. Even money won’t get you anywhere!”
“This means… once an Easterner became an Arcanist, they would need to join the Western camp unless they want to do their own research?” Fang Yuan concluded.
“That’s right. Why not become a cultivator if it’s so troublesome!” The boss puffed his chest out in pride. “Our Scientific Cultivation Method isn’t any worse than the West’s Arcane!”
“So… you cheated me after our years of friendship?” Fang Yuan glared.
“Ahem ahem…” The boss’s expression did not change. “Relationships and business are two separate matters!”
“…”
Fang Yuan had nothing to say to that. He hugged the Elementary Olympiad Math and left the bookstore.
The dormitory he lived in was a welfare house in Flying Rainbow City. The rent was unusually cheap, but the living conditions were quite bad.
“Lin Meng, wait!”
Fang Yuan was about to insert his key when he saw a few people from the corner of his eye.
They were high school students clothed in Flying Rainbow High’s uniform, appearing to be his schoolmates.
“Brat… you have some nerve. How dare you court Ling Fei’er. Don’t you know she is our boss’s woman?”
A blond walked haughtily toward him.
*No way! *Fang Yuan’s eyes twitched. How could such a stupid plot happen to him? He was speechless. The more beautiful a woman, the greater the trouble. Even more so if she has other value. This principle is the same in any world…
He shook his head calmly with a silent sigh in his heart. “Ling Fei’er rejected me. I have seen through everything, and I’m preparing to apply to Meditation University. I’ll become a monk and stop thinking about all matters of love!”
“Mmm?!”
They blanked for a moment. This answer seemed to be outside of their expectations.
“Are you for real?” the blond asked suspiciously.
“Of course!” Fang Yuan lied through his teeth. He was just dragging for time and avoiding risks anyway.
He was currently at his weakest and had no thoughts to fight with the school bullies.
He could only remember it and settle this score when he became stronger in the future. Of course, he also had to give the original owner an answer about Ling Fei’er.
“What are you doing?”
Obviously, Fang Yuan’s delay tactic showed some effect.
The majestic voice caused the blond and his gang to run off immediately.
Fang Yuan turned around with a smile. “Teacher Xiao Hongyue, you’re finally here!”