No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

The original Zhen Spirit Root, having adapted over the years inside Bai Zhenzhen’s body, had sent out tendrils like an auxiliary nervous system, branching throughout her entire body to provide support and enhancements in all areas.

But at this very moment, Bai Zhenzhen could feel those tendrils retracting, or perhaps disappearing entirely, retreating back into the core of the Spirit Root.

It was as if the Zhen Spirit Root had returned to a seed-like state—yet it had not severed its connection to her body.

On the contrary, Bai Zhenzhen sensed that her connection with it had grown even stronger.

Not only was it now linked to every muscle, nerve, organ, and bone in her body—it had also connected to her brain, forming a strange kind of resonance within her mind.

Control over her body, the flow of strength, the circulation of mana… all of it surged through her consciousness, and Bai Zhenzhen felt her comprehension of various Techniques improving at a breathtaking pace.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, watching her from the side, noticed that Bai Zhenzhen’s lower abdomen had returned to a smooth, toned state.

But the faint green mark that had appeared earlier on her stomach was now growing more pronounced, like a budding green lotus, exuding a distinct aura.

What had once been an icy, aloof exterior was now infused with a sacred radiance that left Zhang Yu quietly stunned.

Moments later, Bai Zhenzhen opened her eyes, a flash of brilliance flickering in her gaze. Zhang Yu immediately asked, “How is it?”

Bai Zhenzhen replied with awe, “My Zhen Spirit Root really has evolved.”

“Now, it enhances my comprehension of martial Techniques. It puts me into a kind of flow state.”

“In that state, my understanding of martial arts deepens even further. I even feel like…”

She hesitated, then added uncertainly, “…I think I can improve on the Techniques I’ve been cultivating, fixing parts that don’t quite suit me?”

Zhang Yu’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean… you can improve Techniques? You can simulate and develop them?”

When Bai Zhenzhen gave a slight nod, Zhang Yu asked again, “So now you can learn Techniques even faster?”

He reminded her quickly, “Just remember—don’t ever let it slip that you’re using any Techniques you haven’t bought the usage rights for!”

Even before Zhang Yu arrived in Kunxu, Bai Zhenzhen had shown exceptional martial talent, thanks to the reinforcement of her Spirit Root.

It usually only took her a short while to master the various basic Techniques taught in school. She’d shown astonishing comprehension when studying the Celestial Martial Diagram and analyzing the mana flow of Limitless Cloud Hands during the Law Tournament.

Over the past six months, as her Spirit Root continued adapting, her martial aptitude had grown day by day.

Zhang Yu had once practiced Back-Dragon Mountain-Flipping Grip and Dragon Elephant Mountain-Crushing Palm right in front of her. Just by watching repeatedly, Bai Zhenzhen had managed to learn both External Techniques to Level 1.

However, since neither Technique aligned with her personal style—and using them would require purchasing their rights—she hadn’t pursued them further.

Zhang Yu silently thought, “Ah-Zhen’s martial aptitude is way too dangerous. She keeps picking up Techniques like it’s nothing—but how are we supposed to afford the usage rights for all of them?”

“The worst part is, this talent is like a passive skill. You can’t just turn it off. She has no choice but to hide it and use it sparingly.”

“But at least it’s better than those so-called martial prodigies born with innate genius…”

After watching her master Back-Dragon Mountain-Flipping Grip live during the martial arts competition, Zhang Yu had scoured the internet for similar cases.

What he found could be summed up in one word—tragic. Utterly tragic.

Martial prodigies like that often displayed talent from a young age—seeing once, learning instantly, mastering even faster.

But to avoid breaking the law forbidding minors and pre-high schoolers from cultivating, their parents would often impose strict restrictions from childhood. No internet, no TV, no news. Some couldn’t even go outside unless it was to mundane, non-cultivator areas.

In extreme cases, some were kept under round-the-clock house arrest…

“Even getting into high school doesn’t solve things—it’s like being born with the Innate Fine Paid Body, just begging to be fined into debt traps.”

Zhang Yu shook his head, feeling thankful that his Feathered Tome wasn’t that uncontrollable. If he didn’t want to learn, he simply wouldn’t learn—no risk of accidentally mastering someone else’s Technique.

But while Zhang Yu was offering her advice, Bai Zhenzhen seemed half-absent, murmuring dreamily, “I know, Yuzi.”

“It used to be so hard.”

“Especially at school, every time I saw classmates performing Techniques I hadn’t learned, I just couldn’t stop myself from picking up their moves…”

“These Techniques were like pre-cooked meals, just sitting there defenseless, waiting for me to taste them…”

“It was so hard to resist each time.”

“But now…” In her mind, Bai Zhenzhen was already simulating a sword Technique. “I’ve found something even more delicious.”

…

The next evening.

Under the bridge.

Beside the stream.

Two streaks of sword light collided over and over like meteors streaking across the night sky, leaving dazzling trails in their wake.

It was Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, practicing the High School Basic Sword Technique.

Each held a straight branch about the length of an arm, and as they infused them with Sword Aura, the branches sliced through the air like deadly blades, each strike carrying lethal precision.

With sophomore year starting in September, Zhang Yu had taken time today to master the High School Basic Sword Technique as required for the end of freshman year—and he’d pushed it all the way to Level 10 in one go.

The Level 10 effect of this Technique was simple: it allowed infusion of Sword Aura.

Thanks to this, even a stick could function as a temporary sword in Zhang Yu’s hands.

But Bai Zhenzhen, using the same basic sword style, suddenly caused streaks of electricity to erupt from her infused branch, increasing her speed by a noticeable margin.

Her rapid strikes overwhelmed Zhang Yu until both their branches could no longer withstand the force of the Sword Aura and exploded into splinters mid-clash.

Zhang Yu asked curiously, “You succeeded in the simulation?”

Bai Zhenzhen nodded, recalling the past day’s process. “Yes, after my simulation, the Level 10 effect of the High School Basic Sword Technique changed.”

“Now, instead of just plain Sword Aura infusion, I can also speed it up…”

She casually picked up a blade of grass, and as she channeled Sword Aura into it, the soft strand straightened sharply—then sliced through the air in a flurry of electric afterimages.

After a day of experimentation, Bai Zhenzhen had grown more familiar with the new function of her evolved Zhen Spirit Root.

“I can only simulate Techniques that I’ve already mastered to Level 10.”

“And the simulation result is a modified Level 10 effect—something that makes the Technique suit me better.”

“For something simple like the High School Basic Sword Technique, I can finish the simulation in one day.”

“But something complex like Thunderquake True Body? That might take three or four days.”

She calculated: if she took turns with Zhang Yu sharing the use of the Zhen Spirit Root, the process might take a week.

“Still, it’s nice—I can cultivate and simulate at the same time. Doesn’t waste too much extra effort.”

She turned to Zhang Yu and said, “Yuzi, the reason the Zhen Spirit Root evolved this fast… is thanks to you.”

“I could feel it adapting to your presence. It used the martial Techniques you’ve mastered at Level 10 as nutrients, speeding up its growth.”

Fu Ji commented at that moment, “See? I told you—Bai Zhenzhen’s evolving Spirit Root got triggered by all the Techniques you’ve mastered. Looks like it’s evolving along the martial path. As you two keep mastering more and more martial arts, the Spirit Root will keep feeding on them and continue evolving.”

Zhang Yu, however, noticed how Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes sparkled as she spoke—brimming with excitement for the future, and an intense fascination with simulating Techniques.

In the next moment, Bai Zhenzhen flashed behind Zhang Yu like a gust of wind and hugged him tightly, brimming with enthusiasm.

“Yuzi, you have to try it too! Simulating Techniques is so much fun!”

Zhang Yu glanced at the time and said, “Next time. I’ve got cram class soon—need to get going.”

As he spoke, he shifted forms—transforming into his disguised identity: the Dark Tutoring Gang cram school teacher, Ma Yunteng.

“Come on, just try it on the way. It’s really fun, really useful…”

As she spoke, Bai Zhenzhen donned a golden wig, applied a tattoo sticker, and put on mature makeup—transforming into the gang-affiliated appearance of her own disguise: the cram teacher Le Mulan from the Dark Tutoring Gang.

Once finished, she crouched in front of Zhang Yu and said, “Worst case, I’ll carry you to class today. Try simulating a Technique on the road, okay?”

To Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen now looked just like a kid with a shiny new toy, desperate to share it with her best friend.

And since opportunities to ride his sworn sister didn’t come often, Zhang Yu certainly didn’t say no. He leaped up and hugged her from behind.

Moments later, Bai Zhenzhen blasted forward in a flash of electric light, carrying Zhang Yu on her back as they sped toward the business park.

Zhang Yu began syncing with the Zhen Spirit Root, attempting to simulate one of his own Level 10 martial arts—but progress was incredibly slow.

He muttered, “At this rate… if I want to simulate an expert-grade Technique while taking turns with Ah-Zhen, it’ll probably take me two or three months…”

“If it takes that long for one, I’d better choose carefully.”

With that in mind, Zhang Yu ran through all the Techniques he’d mastered in his head—and finally settled on Dragon Elephant Mountain-Crushing Palm.

“My body-refining efficiency is already high. But the stronger my body gets, the more critical it becomes to mobilize and unleash that physical power effectively.”

“Besides, Dragon Elephant Mountain-Crushing Palm cost me 200,000—it’s the most expensive Technique I’ve learned so far…”

Decision made, Zhang Yu committed to simulating Dragon Elephant Mountain-Crushing Palm next.