Being forced to grow like a pig? But I'm immune to the consequences!

"This subsidy is nominally a form of support established by noble gentlemen to help students from impoverished families. It includes two extra potential-enhancing potions per month and five points. However—there are limited spots available."

Zhang Lin was even more puzzled: "Shouldn't this subsidy be for us outer city residents? Why weren't the specifics explained to us clearly? Instead, they're assuming that those in the inner city already know? Is it because the two-month training period is too short, and this subsidy isn't much, so they're too lazy to explain in detail?"

Upon hearing this, Tu Nan couldn't help but laugh and patted Zhang Lin on the shoulder: "Zhang Lin, you're still as honest as ever."

Zhao Dele interjected, "The subsidy itself isn't much. But there's another crucial rule—" He lowered his voice, with a hint of mystery, "If a student who receives the subsidy ranks in the top 32 in the weekly punching power test... then he'll receive an extra portion of exotic beast meat every two days! Of course, this overlaps with the reward for ranking in the top eight."

Upon hearing this, the group all showed expressions of surprise. One serving of exotic beast meat every two days! This reward was truly generous!

"How many spots are there?" Zhang Lin asked hurriedly.

"Twenty." Zhao Dele held up two fingers.

"Twenty? That corresponds to the group of people who came from the outer city!" Zhang Lin's face lit up with joy.

"It's not that simple, Dele," Soguli said calmly, noticing that Zhao Dele's expression wasn't just one of pure joy.

Zhang Lin also stopped smiling and looked at Zhao Dele.

"It's not that simple," Zhao Dele sighed, his tone becoming somewhat helpless. "Because... those students in the inner city also have the eligibility to apply for this subsidy."

"What?" Zhang Lin exclaimed in astonishment. "Isn't 'not well-off' exactly what they mean by 'wealthy families'? What right do people from the inner city have to apply? Doesn't the Martial Academy have any vetting process?"

Zhao Dele shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his smile: "Why? Because they set the rules, and they control the resources. How could those families who have operated in the inner city for generations not try to squeeze more benefits out of their own people? Do you expect them to have some noble character? Haven't you seen enough of what kind of people Xu Fei and his gang are?"

Zhang Lin fell silent, his fists clenching unconsciously.

Wu Sheng, who had been dozing on the bed, opened his eyes slightly. He was not surprised by the shady dealings with the subsidy, but by how quickly Zhao Dele had managed to find out these inside stories.

"Then... do we still have a chance to get it?" Zhang Lin's voice lowered.

At this moment, Wu Sheng's cold voice rang out: "There is a way. Campaign for votes. There are over a hundred people and twenty spots. Theoretically, as long as you ensure that five people consistently vote for the same person, you can secure one spot, and possibly even fewer. If you all concentrate your votes on one person, you can at least guarantee one spot."

He paused, then continued, "It's best not to take chances and think you can win with just a few scattered votes. Those people in the inner city will never let such an opportunity pass by. The training period is only two months, and you only have one chance. Concentrating your resources to secure a spot is the wise thing to do."

Zhao Dele nodded in agreement: "Brother Wu sees things very clearly."

"And who gets this spot is even more important," Zhao Dele added. "If it's just the basic subsidy—four potions and ten points over two months—it's a drop in the ocean when divided among a few people. Ideally, the person who gets the spot should be able to break into the top thirty-two in the test and earn the extra reward of one serving of beast meat every two days. That way, everyone can get more benefits." (Click here to read Chapter 52, "Subsidy")

Tu Nan, Zhang Lin, and Suo Guli all understood. The meaning was clear: pool the votes and push one person up, but the extra resources they receive must be distributed fairly.

However, there is also a problem: what if the person who was pushed to the top later reneges on the agreement and pockets the benefits?

"We have three days to apply for the subsidy, so we still have time to discuss it," Zhao Dele concluded. "However, it's best not to announce the specific rules regarding the subsidy to anyone else."

They all nodded solemnly.

By this time, Wu Sheng had rested enough, and the time he had agreed upon with Cheng Mingyuan was almost up. He got up to leave the dormitory.

"Brother Wu, where are we going?" Zhao Dele asked casually.

"I've arranged to spar with someone at the training ground," Wu Sheng replied.

"That's really going all out! I'll go practice for a bit more too." Zhao Dele also stood up.

Upon seeing this, Tu Nan, Zhang Lin, and Suo Guli also expressed their intention to go together.

The group left the dormitory and headed towards the training grounds. However, upon reaching the main entrance, Wu Sheng suddenly turned and walked towards the private passageway leading to the advanced training area. That area was reserved for descendants of martial artists and collateral relatives of nobles, and was guarded by designated personnel.

"Brother Wu, what's going on...?" Zhao Dele asked in surprise.

"There are acquaintances inside," Wu replied briefly.

At the entrance to the advanced training area, Cheng Mingyuan was already waiting. When he saw Wu Sheng, he waved to him, greeted the guards, and then led Wu Sheng straight inside.

"Our brother Wu Sheng... is no ordinary person."

……

The advanced training grounds are far more luxurious than I had imagined.

"This is the agreed-upon reward." Cheng Mingyuan handed Wu Sheng a potential-enhancing drug.

Wu Sheng immediately accepted it.

"Today's sparring session will proceed as agreed beforehand. It will consist of me attacking and you simply dodging or blocking, as well as you sparring with me," Cheng Mingyuan said. This was a good method he had come up with to improve his fighting skills.

Immediately, the two sides began sparring.

With Wu Sheng's sparring partner, Cheng Mingyuan felt that his skill level had improved.

During this process, Wu Sheng's fighting skills improved rapidly thanks to his amazing talent.

After about an hour of fighting, Wu Sheng said goodbye to Cheng Mingyuan and returned to his dormitory.

Back in the dormitory, everyone had returned, including Yan Liang.

Yan Liang wasn't going to let the task points assigned by the Martial Arts Academy slip by, and wanted to mention it to his roommates. He originally planned to wait for Tu Nan and the others to bring it up with him first, so he could take the initiative, like the client.

But after waiting for a long time, he still didn't get any attention from Tu Nan and the others.

Having no other choice, he had to bring up the matter himself.

As for the task of cleaning the dormitory, Tu Nan and the others couldn't take it for themselves, so they naturally explained their arrangements to Yan Liang. Each of the five of them would take one day.

"Where's Wu Sheng? Isn't Wu Sheng involved?" Yan Liang asked, puzzled, upon hearing that there were five of them.

"Wu Sheng will not participate, nor will he receive any points," Zhao Dele said.

You have received a new chapter update: Chapter 52, Subsidy. Read the chapter here.