Fantasy: I Become God by playing a game [Dungeons + LitRPG +Xinxia]

**Chapter 32: Mock Exam (17)**

"Although one must be a genius in alchemy, even a genius must adhere to some basic principles."

"My fifty previous failures at refining elixirs were witnessed by others on Danyang Peak. If my alchemy skills were to improve dramatically within just a few days, it would appear abrupt and suspicious, lacking a gradual process."

"Besides, even mastering the basic alchemy technique alone requires 1,000 experience points."

"This shows that alchemy demands not only time and effort but also considerable resources. Many resources are required throughout the process."

"Moreover, if I improve my alchemy skills too quickly, I could justify it as a sudden enlightenment. But what then? What happens in the future?"

"As they say, the higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. I aim to be seen as an alchemy genius, not an alchemy monster."

"So, for now, I shouldn't rush to improve my alchemy skill level. Instead, I should focus on accumulating experience points. Then, I can pick the right moment to enhance my skills."

"And that moment... will be one month later in the game."

"This timing won't seem abrupt, and it will perfectly highlight my potential in alchemy."

"And in real-world time, one month in the game is just three days. I can certainly wait three days."

With his plan clear, Su Chen understood what he needed to do in the short term: focus on training and gaining daily experience points.

Then, after a month in the game, he would master his alchemy skills. Finally, having demonstrated his potential, he would approach the elders of Danyang Peak to request the thousand-year-old spiritual lotus needed to cultivate the Green Lotus Pupil.

This plan seemed both feasible and low-risk, with minimal impact on his life in the Qingyun Sect.

After all, the vast Qingyun Sect lacked everything but geniuses. As long as he didn't act too high-profile, he would likely avoid attention when the sect faced significant changes in the future.

Stability was paramount, and Su Chen had always adhered to this principle, whether in the game or outside it.

After all, a dead genius is no genius at all. Only a living genius has a future!

"There's no point in staying in the Sutra Library now. It's time to head back to the cave and practice properly."

Having determined his course of action, Su Chen quickly controlled his in-game character on his phone and returned to his newly assigned cave.

The new cave was a significant upgrade from his previous one. It increased his daily practice experience points from 50 to 70—a substantial improvement!

---

Second Stage of the Mock Exam, Day Two, Outside the Wuquan Mountain Secret Realm

"What on earth is Su Chen doing? What exactly does he want?"

"During the first stage of the mock exam, he didn't take the exam seriously and kept playing games. I tolerated it because there's no rule forbidding students from playing games during exams to relax."

"During the second stage, he didn't take the exam seriously again—this time chopping trees instead. I let it slide because there's no rule saying students can't chop trees to gather resources during exams."

"But I absolutely cannot stand him playing games while forcing other students to chop trees for him!"

"This is outrageous! It's one thing to waste your own talent, but how dare he drag other students down with him? Points must be deducted! If the school doesn't take action, the studious atmosphere we've cultivated over the past century will be destroyed overnight."

"What do you think, Mr. Chen?"

Chen Fugui, faced with the square-faced, angry teacher's accusations, wiped sweat from his round, kind face.

"Mr. Luo, you're absolutely right," he replied awkwardly. "Su Chen has gone too far. How could he force his classmates to chop trees while he sits idly playing games?"

"Once this exam is over, I'll confiscate his phone and lock him in the school's practice room for a month to correct his frivolous behavior."

Chen Fugui expected his declaration to satisfy Teacher Luo Yang and calm his fury.

However, upon hearing the proposed punishment, Luo Yang, who had been fuming moments before, suddenly softened.

"Mr. Chen, that's going too far. While Su Chen is certainly playful, he's not inherently bad."

"You and I both have enough experience to understand that it's better to guide than to suppress. If you force him to change his behavior, it may backfire. He might resent you and the school, deepening his obsession with games. This could even create a mental block that hinders his future cultivation."

"My suggestion? After the exam, give him a light punishment. As for his gaming, use patience and guidance instead of harsh measures. Don't rush things."

Chen Fugui blinked, startled. When had he realized Luo Yang had such a kind heart beneath his stern exterior?

But regardless, Chen Fugui had no intention of truly punishing Su Chen harshly. Despite Su Chen's antics, the boy had still achieved notable results in the mock exam.

Although these thoughts lingered, Chen Fugui tactfully agreed, saying, "You're absolutely right, Teacher Luo. I'll give Su Chen a mild punishment and encourage him to focus on his cultivation."

Luo Yang nodded. "Good. After all, Su Chen is highly talented. We underestimated him before."

It was hard to blame Luo Yang for his strong reaction to Su Chen's actions—because what Su Chen was doing was indeed audacious!

---

In the Xuantian Mirror, Su Chen sat casually on a tree stump, engrossed in his phone.

Not far away, five classmates, including Bian Shouyi, worked diligently to chop trees, persuaded by Su Chen's "reasoning."

And what reasoning did Su Chen use?

Physics.

Faced with Su Chen's sword at their throats, the choice was simple: help chop trees or be eliminated immediately. Most students made the obvious choice.

As for the few who refused? They soon found themselves in the Elimination Zone.

Su Chen's reasoning was simple:

"You help me cut down trees, and I'll help you get eliminated later."

It was perfectly logical, wasn't it?

After persuading several classmates, Su Chen assigned the task of convincing others to Bian Shouyi.

Su Chen's promise? If Bian Shouyi recruited five more tree-cutting volunteers, he would be allowed to play games with Su Chen after the exam.

The temptation was irresistible. Soon, Bian Shouyi was managing everything, leaving Su Chen to relax as the self-proclaimed "hands-off boss."

As if on cue, a new "volunteer" appeared.

"You... what's going on here?" asked a bewildered student from the Earth Dao class, staring at the group chopping trees.

Seeing the newcomer, Bian Shouyi stopped chopping and walked toward him, expressionless.

The rest of the team glanced at the newcomer with sympathy.

Another lumberjack was about to join the workforce.

Bian Shouyi spoke calmly: "Cut down the tree or be eliminated. Choose one."

"Ah?!"

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(End of Chapter)