Scholar's Advanced Technological System - Chapter 3

Scholar’s Advanced Technological System
Scholar’s Advanced Technological System
Author: Morning Star LL
© Webnovel

Chapter 1: Shocked! A Six-figure Job is Actually…
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

2014, City of Jin Ling, China
The blazing hot sun in June was heating up the ground as if it were trying to evaporate every last bit of water from the asphalt roads.
Lu Zhou listened to the sound of cars honking and looked at the busy people rushing along the streets. He stood in front of the Telecom Business Hall as he stared straight at the roads. Although cooled air occasionally blew across his back, his thick costume prevented him from experiencing the luxury of air conditioning.
Someone might ask, why was he here?
Of course, it was for survival…
Okay, let’s clarify.
Telecom Business Hall partnered with Vivo phones to do a promotion over the summer holidays. Workers were paid 60 yuan an hour to stand outside the door in a puppet costume. The pay was almost double the pay of him handing out flyers and not to mention, he did not have to suffer from people rolling their eyes at him. Additionally, because the temperature outside was over 30 degrees, he would receive a 10 yuan per hour bonus. This added up to a total of 70 yuan per hour.
After Lu Zhou heard about the salary, he did not even hesitate before accepting the job.
Analyzing it logically, if on average he worked five hours a day, that amounted to 350 yuan a day. If he worked thirty days a month, that would add up to 10,500 yuan.
Who would have thought that a six-figure job was actually located at the entrance of the Telecom Business Hall?
Of course, Lu Zhou knew that even the rich and powerful Huawei could not afford to do promotions every day, much less a company like Vivo.
However, even if he only worked for a week, he would still earn 2600 yuan.
Just as Lu Zhou got so bored that he started to count the number of leaves on a parasol tree, a fat and dark-skinned man who was wiping the sweat off his face walked toward him.
The fat man’s name was Wu Dahai, and like Lu Zhou, he also majored in mathematics at the University of Jin Ling. However, Wu Dahai was two years older. He was in his third year and would be going into his fourth year in a couple of months. He was the manager of these part-time working students. It was him that introduced Lu Zhou to this puppet costume wearing job.
“Lu Zhou, are you okay? How about we find someone to replace you? You can go rest in the Telecom Business Hall for a bit,” said Wu Dahai. His physique was not made for this kind of horrible heat. His whole body was drenched as if someone just lifted him out of the water.
Even though he really wanted to rest, Lu Zhou shook his head and said, “I’m okay, I can still maintain for a bit.”
“I said, are you really okay or not? You’ve been standing here for a whole afternoon,” said Wu Dahai with a worried expression on his face.
He was actually scared that the guy was going to get a heat stroke.
“I’m fine, honestly. You don’t need to worry about me,” said Lu Zhou. As he firmly shook his head, he added, “I’ll finish in an hour. I’ve already been here for so long, I can do an hour more. Don’t you agree?”
Wu Dahai looked at Lu Zhou and hesitantly said, “Okay… I won’t worry about you then.”
“Yeah, go and do your own stuff.”
Wu Dahai saw how firm Lu Zhou was, so he did not persist.
Actually, Wu Dahai felt lucky.
After all, it was difficult to find someone who would be willing to work in this hot weather. There were quite a lot of part-time workers, but most were not as hardworking as Lu Zhou. Otherwise, it could have resulted in Wu Dahai having to wear the “puppet costume” himself.
After the fat guy walked away, Lu Zhou turned back and continued to stare at the parasol tree outside of the Telecom Business Hall.
Suddenly, Lu Zhou felt the view in front of him was looking kind of weird.
Why are the people on the street… flying toward the sky?
His legs felt weak and his entire body fell onto the ground.
With what remaining consciousness that he had, he heard the sound of footsteps hurrying toward him and shouting coming from the Telecom Business Hall.
“The mascot at the front door is having a heatstroke!”
“Quick, take off his helmet and bring him some water!”
“F*ck me, Lu Zhou, please tell me you are okay!”
“No response, not good. Quick, send him to the hospital!”
“Use my car!”
“…”
The last ray of light vanished from his sight bringing forth endless darkness…
…
Lu Zhou was a first-year student that majored in mathematics at Jin Ling University and he would be going into his second year in a few months. In the beginning, he applied for software engineering, but he was a few marks short from the requirements. In the end, he had to compromise and went to the unpopular mathematics department.
Sometimes Lu Zhou could not help but asked himself, what was the point of studying this horrible major for four years?
It seemed like there was no answer.
There were two standard paths for math majors, either going into further academic studies (overseas or graduate studies), or switching into another major.
Actually one could also work at the University, but as a bachelor student, one would have to be very close with the teachers. However, even if one stayed to work, one would only be doing miscellaneous work. It would be better to stay and do a Master’s degree instead.
However, it was not realistic for Lu Zhou to do a Master’s degree.
Lu Zhou’s family was located in Jiang Ling. Even though the name sounded similar to Jin Ling, they were thousands of miles apart. His middle-class father was working at a metal factory in Jiang Ling. His sick mother was retired at home and spent quite a lot of money on healthcare.
His entire family relied on his dad’s income. He also had a little sister in high school and it was going to be expensive when she went to university.
His father’s intentions were to not let Lu Zhou worry about money. Instead, he wanted Lu Zhou to continue his studies and get a doctor’s degree.
However, Lu Zhou clearly knew that this was not possible.
Given that he had already set half a foot into the society, he had to consider other more realistic issues.
To be more specific, he had to consider his money problems.
He did not want to be a burden for his family or an encumbrance to his little sister’s future. Therefore, ever since he entered the university, he wanted to become financially independent. While others were out celebrating their youth singing at clubs or studying hard at the library, he was handing out flyers, installing routers, and delivering food.
Sometimes he could not help but ask himself what was the point of university life. The jobs that he was doing did not require any skills that even a high school student could do it. A high school student might even do it better. At least, they would not get a heat stroke merely from standing for a few hours outside an air-conditioned room.
Yet, like the question of a “mathematics major’s career”, there was no answer to this question.
At that moment, he fell down…
When his consciousness finally returned, Lu Zhou was stunned as he looked around at the white surroundings.
What… is this place?
No one answered.
With his memory being in some kind of foggy state, he recalled that he had a heat stroke at the Telecom Business Hall and that some kind individuals carried him into a car before sending him to the hospital. However, the place did not look like a hospital at all. It did not even look like real life.
Just as Lu Zhou was feeling anxious about this situation, a semi-transparent screen suddenly emerged in front of him. He was so scared that he jumped backward.
High tech… system? What the hell?!
Lu Zhou was shocked as he looked at the black texts that gradually emerged on the semi-transparent screen. He immediately felt excited.
Could it be… I was selected by the legendary system?
He had read novels online that was about this.
With a gulp, Lu Zhou asked, “System… what can you do?”
Although there was no mysterious voice answering his question, words started to appear on the transparent holographic screen.
[
High tech system:
This system is dedicated to improving the level of the user’s education level. As for the system’s secrets, please explore them yourself. As for the system’s functions, detailed instructions will be given to the user.
The main interface of the system is as follows:
※Core science: The trunk of the technology tree focuses on theory. There is a level 10 limit. Experience points can be only earned from missions and cannot be redeemed from general points. A completed technology tree will unlock futuristic options and giant engineering missions.
A. Mathematics: The basis of all subjects. It will determine the level limit for other science subjects.
B. Physics: Can help you understand the universe.
C. Biology: Can help you understand yourself.
D. Engineering: Transform tools, the environment, and the world.
E. Materials Science: Materials and engineering cannot be separated.
F. Energy Science: From fossil fuels to Helium-3, from lithium batteries to antimatter batteries, from the wireless transmission to ultra-long distance laser transmission, all life feeds on using entropy. The development of energy is at the distant stars of the sea.
G. Information Science: Genetics is God’s code, whereas the ultimate goal of the code is to create a god.
———–
※Technology branch: These are the branches of the technology tree. After unlocking a specific technology branch, experience points are needed to level up. 1 experience point can be exchanged by 1 general point.
For example: Genetics level 1 requires biology level 1, but you can also unlock genetics level 1 by consuming 100 general points. (0/1000)
Genetics level 2 requires biology level 2, engineering level 1, and 1000 experience points. Only then you are able to go from level 1 genetics to level 2 genetics. (0/?)
———–
Technical Blueprint: As what the name implies. Easy to understand technical blueprints. They contain small projects such as a nanochip, to giant projects such as a Dyson sphere.
If you meet the manufacturing requirements, they can be produced by following the instructions of the blueprints.
———–
General points: Can be used to activate the mission rewards, or consume 200 points to generate a new random mission. Can be consumed to solve technical problems. (Price of solving the problem depends on the subject level, technical difficulty, and the difficulty in solving the problem)
Missions: Three random missions are generated every time. You can choose to execute one of the missions. Upon completion, the rewards from the respective mission are given. After the completion of the mission, the mission panel would be reset immediately.
]
Lu Zhou did not even know what facial expression to use. He thought that mathematics was useless but the system conveyed that mathematics was the father of all other subjects. The feeling of redemption had rendered him speechless.
Lu Zhou was about to encounter something that was going to surprise him even more.
After the instructions disappeared, his characteristic panel immediately appeared.
[
High tech system:
User: Lu Zhou
Core science:
A. Mathematics: Level 0 (0/1000)
B. Physics: Level 0 (0/1000)
C. Biology: Level 0 (0/1000)
D. Engineering: Level 0 (0/1000)
E. Materials science: Level 0 (0/1000)
F. Energy science: Level 0 (0/1000)
G. Information science: Level 0 (0/1000)
Technology branch: None
Technical blueprints: None
General points: 0
Mission: None
]
“Even though I wasn’t a straight A student, but I was still in one of the best universities. Isn’t this row of zeros a bit insulting?”
Lu Zhou did not know if he should laugh or cry as he looked at the row of zeros.
This system must have made a mistake!
Just as Lu Zhou was thinking about it, his shoulders started to shake violently and his consciousness was immediately pulled out from the pure white dimension.
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Chapter 2: A Genius Student’s Lifestyle Does Not Need An Explanation
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Lu Zhou, wake up!”
With his shoulders violently being shaken again, Lu Zhou slowly opened his eyes and saw Wu Dahai’s fat face.
“F*ck! You’re finally awake,” said Wu Dahai before letting out a long sigh as he let go of Lu Zhou’s shoulders. He laughed apologetically, “Hope you don’t mind. I didn’t mean to disturb your rest. I saw that you were snoring and guessed that you were okay.”
Lu Zhou looked at the surrounding white walls and the bedsheet covering the hospital bed before asking, “Where am I?”
“Don’t you remember? You had a heat stroke at the Telecom Business Hall!” said Wu Dahai as he sat back down onto the chair. He sighed and patted his stout thighs before saying, “Ah, I told you not to be stubborn and you didn’t listen. We’re only doing this part-time. We’re not professionals. What’s the point of working so hard? Look at you now. You’ve sacrificed your health. Is it worth it?”
Reluctantly, Lu Zhou smiled as he asked, “What did the doctor say about my health?”
“Not much, just a bit of dehydration,” said Wu Dahai. He pointed at the nightstand with his chin as he added, “I put a cup of water there. Don’t forget to drink it.”
Lu Zhou cleared his throat and sincerely said “Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me. You’re considered a junior student. As a senior student, it’s my duty to take care of you,” said Wu Dahai. As he waved his hand, he added, “You should rest well and go back to school when you’re fine. I’ve already paid your wages so check if you’ve received it. Also, don’t worry about the hospital bill. It wasn’t a lot and I’ve already paid for it.”
“How can I accept this…”
“It’s fine. Don’t be sentimental. I arranged this job for you. It’s my responsibility when something happens to you,” said Wu Dahai. He stood up from the chair and said, “We’ll leave this situation at that. You should go and rest for a couple of days. Don’t go start working again.”
Lu Zhou wanted to say something but he was unable to find the words. Instead, he nodded his head and said thank you.
Wu Dahai waved his hand as a sign of “no thanks needed” and left.
Lu Zhou laid on the hospital bed and sighed toward the ceiling.
“Looks like I have to find a new part-time job…”
After all the trouble, Wu Dahai probably would not want him back. Not to mention, Lu Zhou was disappointed in himself. He had caused so much trouble for them. He could not ask for any more help.
He rolled over and thought about that motley dream. He closed his eyes and quietly whispered, “System.”
No response.
“High tech system.”
No response as well.
Lu Zhou’s cheeks were slightly reddened.
F*cks sake!
Guess it was a dream after all…
However, when he opened his eyes, he was shocked by what he saw.
His entire surroundings were covered in pure white. There was the semi-transparent holographic display with the characteristic panel that was full of zeros. Everything felt like it was a reality.
Lu Zhou was surprised for a short moment before squeezing his fists in immense happiness.
Haha!
This is real! This isn’t a dream!
A line of reminder text suddenly appeared on the semi-transparent characteristic panel.
[User, please select mission]
Lu Zhou tried to contain his excitement as he walked toward the screen and touched the [mission] icon.
Immediately after, a semi-transparent chat box appeared in front of him.
[
Mission 1: Physical Fitness
Description: First of all, you need to have a healthy body if you want to excel in scientific research. You have to outrun journalists, fight against zombies, and perform continuously for 72 hours. Training your body is no easy feat. User, please begin now.
Requirements: A five-kilometer jog in one hour. Think of the mission to begin the timer. (Able to repeat the challenge upon failure)
Reward: 20 experience points for any science subject. One lucky draw ticket. (100% garbage) ]
[
Mission 2: Develop relationships
Description: If you want to be in the academic field and do not wish to buy people dinner, you have to learn to manage relationships.
Requirements: Develop a good relationship with Professor Lu Fangping, the Head of Mathematics of the University of Jin Ling. (Minimum relationship score of 30. The mission relationship score target will be displayed after the mission starts)
Reward: 100 mathematics experience points. 400 general points. One lucky draw ticket. (97% garbage, 3% high tech sample)
]
[
Mission 3: A genius student’s lifestyle does not need an explanation
Requirements: Study at the library for 24 hours. Think of the mission to begin.
Reward: The number of experience points for each subject is determined by the type of books read and the books’ value score. 100 general points. One lucky draw ticket. (90% garbage, 9% sample, 1% blueprints)
]
This system is pretty honest. It even gave the percentages.
But what the hell is this running mission? 100% of getting garbage?! F*cking scam!
Also, what the hell is this developing relationships with a professor? Buying him dinner? Giving him gifts? Either way, it will cost me a lot of money.
Only the last mission seems a bit normal. Even though it didn’t say how much experience points it would give, the probability of getting garbage is the lowest! From a game theory perspective, this mission should be the best path, right?
Not to mention, studying at a library for 24 hours seems pretty easy to accomplish.
After considering everything, Lu Zhou did not hesitate and picked the third mission.
A genius student’s life does not need any explanations!
[You cannot change the mission after selecting. There is no time limit. If you give up on the mission, a penalty of 200 general points would be imposed. User currently has 0 general points. Do you confirm your selection? (First reminder)]
Lu Zhou did not hesitate and said, “Confirm!”
[Selection completed. Best of luck]
White light rays flashed. The characteristic panel’s [mission] section went from “None” to “Mission three”.
Lu Zhou closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He whispered to exit the system. When he reopened his eyes, he saw that he was back in the hospital room.
He laid on the bed for a while and took a couple of minutes to process the new information.
He did not know why, but he somehow became a user of this high tech system.
He thought back to when Wu Dahai shook him awake. The system’s space should be deeply embedded in his consciousness as it was something out of this reality. Furthermore, the time in the system space and outside should flow concurrently.
To be honest Lu Zhou did not even feel like the system really existed.
However, all of this did not matter.
It could be an alien’s scheme, an April fool’s joke, or something was just plain wrong with his brain. He had already accepted the mission so he might as well complete it to find out.
Lu Zhou grabbed the water cup from the nightstand and drank it all. He then got out of the bed.
He got his body temperature measured by the nurse and it confirmed that he was fine. He then left the hospital and walked to the nearest bus stop to take the bus back to school.
When he got back to his dorm, only Liu Rui was in the room. His other two roommates must have gone to the internet cafe.
Liu Rui noticed Lu Zhou coming back and put down his textbook. He adjusted his glasses as he asked, “Lu Zhou, I heard that you had a heat stroke?”
“Yeah… but it wasn’t a big deal,” said Lu Zhou as he forced a smile. He walked toward his bed.
For this type of four-person dorm, the upper bunk was a bed while the lower bunk had a desk and a cabinet. Lu Zhou stored all his cards in the cabinet drawer.
After a bit of searching in the drawer, Lu Zhou was relieved that he finally found his library card. He then left the dorm with a backpack.
The chilly night winds blew across the parasol trees causing it to make rustling sounds.
The streets were brightly lit by lights. There were students and teachers walking around with textbooks in their hands. On the field, some people were holding hands as they walked while others were running with a partner. It was almost like this school would always be lively and full of energy.
It was already eight o’clock. Lu Zhou looked at the brightly lit library and felt a feeling of unfamiliarity and nostalgia.
How long has it been since I came here?
He took a deep breath. With a feeling of unease, he walked into the library.
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Chapter 3: A True Genius Would Never Waste His Time
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“Mission begin!”
Lu Zhou closed his eyes and whispered the words. He did it two more times just in case it was not enough.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a line of semi-transparent words floating in front of him.
[Mission three begins. Current time: 0 hour. Timer stops when exiting the library.]
Lu Zhou was startled by the words that appeared suddenly. He looked around the area and when he saw a student walked right through the semi-transparent words, he started to relax.
It turned out that no one else could see the system’s words.
Anyways, spend 24 hours reading a couple of books in the library and the mission should be completed, right?
Lu Zhou walked toward the mathematics section as it was better than nothing. He was about to browse through the books when he suddenly noticed that the books had number labels. In addition, there was a pattern in the color of these number labels. As the numbers went from large to small, the colors went from red to gray.
[Di Donne’s Foundation of Modern Analysis, 10]
[Linear-Algebra (Greub), 0]
[New Mathematical Analysis Lectures, 100]
[…]
What the hell?!
Lu Zhou suddenly recalled mission three’s rewards. The mission’s experience points were awarded based on the value score of the books.
In other words, if all he did was to stay in the library, he would only get the lucky draw ticket.
A true genius would never waste his time at the library!
Lu Zhou gulped as he thought about it.
However, there was one thing he did not understand. Why did the advanced mathematical textbooks had such low value scores while the beginner mathematical textbooks had such high value scores?
Especially given that “Di Donne’s Foundation of Modern Analysis” was heavily endorsed and recommended by his teacher as a “must read”. It was very difficult for students to fully comprehend this textbook. One would need to be at least familiar with real and general functions in order to understand it.
He suddenly remembered that in his characteristic panel, his mathematical level was 0. He was mildly stunned by it.
No wonder!
Maybe the so-called value scores are based on his current knowledge level?
The so-called value scores had two sides. Take Riemann’s conjecture as an example. It added significant value to the academic world with thousands of mathematical theories built on the foundations of Riemann’s conjecture. Its value was therefore extremely high. However, with regards to Lu Zhou, it would be very difficult for him to understand Riemann’s conjecture and it would not help him in his studies. Therefore, the value score was zero.
Lu Zhou understood the value scores and did not hesitate before picking up “New Mathematical Analysis Lectures”.
Coincidentally, the exams for his Mathematical Analysis 2 were in two weeks. He did not fully understand some of the harder topics so this would count as his revision.
When he found a seat, he sat down and began to read the mathematical analysis book.
To be honest, he did not really like to dive deep into mathematics, but surprisingly, he was able to tolerate reading the book.
He did not know if it was due to the effect of the system, but he felt himself gradually entering into a state of full concentration. It was almost as if he forgot about everything around him. There were only himself and his book. Nothing else existed.
As time slowly passed by, there were fewer and fewer people in the library. Lu Zhou was unaffected by it. He was still deeply immersed in the book’s ocean of knowledge.
Someone tapped his shoulder and knocked him out of the state of “immersion”.
“Student, it’s 10 o’clock, the library is about to close,” said the librarian.
Lu Zhou quickly stood up before inserting a bookmark into the textbook. He said, “Oh, sorry. I forgot about the time. I’ll clean up right now.”
“Don’t sweat it. I’ve been working here for many years and this is the first time I’ve seen a student this focused on a mathematics book,” said the librarian.
“Can I still borrow books? I want to borrow this book,” said Lu Zhou. He was still fascinated by the concentration he had earlier and he felt a sense of incompleteness.
He had never been this addicted to solving a math problem before.
It was almost as if he was reading a novel and not a textbook. A novel that contained the life of mathematics.
The librarian saw how polite he was and so, she swiftly said, “It’s okay. Go and borrow it if you want to. The computer is still on and I’ll help you to process it. Did you bring your library card?”
Lu Zhou sincerely said, “I brought it… Thank you!”
“No worries!”
Lu Zhou stuffed the textbook into his bag and quickly left the library.
He passed through the holographic panel and the mission timer paused.
However, Lu Zhou’s attention was elsewhere. He did not want to waste even a second. He only wanted to return back to that magical reading experience.
He went back to his dorm. His other two roommates were back and they were playing League of Legends.
Huang Guangming heard the door being opened. He was fighting intensely with his teammates and did not even turned his head to say, “Buddy Zhou, league?”
He exaggeratedly pronounced the word “league” as it was their phrase to invite someone to fight on the summoner’s rift.
“Not today. I still have some stuff to do. You guys can play, right?”
Shi Shangteng pushed the opponents back and had a moment to spare. He looked back and saw Lu Zhou sitting down and reading a textbook that he pulled from his backpack. He suddenly shouted, “What the f*ck! Lu Zhou, when did you love studying so much?”
Liu Rui heard Lu Zhou was reading so he forced himself to look over at Lu Zhou’s table.
Lu Zhou laughed. It was too difficult to explain so he made up an excuse, “Isn’t it exam period soon? I still don’t understand a lot of the topics. If I don’t revise now, it’ll be too late. I’ll league with you guys after the exams.”
“F*ck trying! Just pass the exam!” said Huang Guangming as he fiercely clicked the mouse to attack the enemy’s nexus towers.
If Lu Zhou recalled correctly, Huang Guangming said the same thing last semester. Although Huang Guangming’s “Mathematics 1” exam score was 89, it was only 1 mark lower than the genius, Liu Rui’s.
Everybody was secretly working hard.
Lu Zhou laughed and did not say much. He flipped to the bookmarked page and focused on the textbook.
10 seconds passed.
10 seconds passed.
5 minutes passed.
He heard the sound of victory coming from behind him. Lu Zhou did not even finish reading two pages before going back to where he started. The words were not entering his head.
“Haha! Silver 4! I ranked up!” said Huang Guangming arrogantly while he leaned back on his chair.
“I carried you, you trash,” said Shi Shang while leaning back on his chair and stretching his back.
“You didn’t carry me. I killed the marksman instantly with my amazing Leblanc.”
“Amazing, my ass. Stop talking sh*t when you just got lucky. I carried you from elo hell1. I had to smurf to bring your ass up to silver. You even forgot to get the first win of the day yesterday!”
There was no way for Lu Zhou to concentrate.
It was not because his roommates were talking. He just could not focus his attention on the textbook. His state of mind now was akin to his usual state of studying. The slightest distraction would disrupt his thought process.
Back at the library, there were people talking and moving, but he could still fully immerse himself in the world of the textbook.
Lu Zhou took a deep breath and put down the “New Mathematical Analysis Lectures” book.
Maybe, it was the power of the system?