No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Early November.

As another monthly exam loomed, students at Purple Cloud High School rushed to and fro, and the restrooms echoed with the steady sound of recitations.

Lian Tianji glanced at the empty seat nearby and thought, “Has the sacred number one of the grade gone to find Zhang Yu again?”

He clenched his fists, muttering to himself, “Even giving up a one-hour lunch break?”

…

Inside an apartment near Purple Cloud High, Le Mulan had just finished working out. Her whole body glistened with sweat, like she’d just stepped out of a pool.

She looked at the damp stain on the floor where her sweat had mingled with Zhang Yu’s, a flicker of hesitation crossing her eyes.

“Zhang Yu, you don’t need to take medicine anymore?” she asked.

Zhang Yu was reading his Feathered Tome.

Since his physical strength had broken through to Level 10, reaching the peak of the Qi Refining Realm, his Mana—previously stuck above 97—had finally hit the 100-unit mark, also reaching its maximum.Reflecting on the past year of grueling cultivation, Zhang Yu remarked, “Yeah. Ordinary medicine doesn’t do much for me now.”

He then resumed practicing a new Expert-Grade Martial Technique he’d recently purchased—Whale Tendon Transformation.

As he cultivated, Zhang Yu’s muscles repeatedly expanded and contracted, gradually becoming more elastic with each session.

He thought to himself, “With each level of Whale Tendon Transformation, my muscle elasticity increases. It can bulk up my body, alter my shape, and grants incredible impact resistance.”

He’d already trained this technique to Level 5. When he activated it, his muscles felt like they could turn to rubber, vastly improving his resistance to blunt attacks like fists or clubs.

“If I push this to Level 10, based on what the digital manual says, I should be able to inflate my body height to about 2.8 meters at will.”

“By then, my impact resistance will be insane. It’ll take dozens of consecutive strikes from a peer-level expert just to scratch me.”

“This 1.1 million-credit technique is definitely worth it.”

Thinking about the price of Whale Tendon Transformation, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but marvel at how useful money was in Kunxu.

“In Kunxu, strength follows money.”

“And with money combined with my terrifying potential, my progress skyrockets.”

If it weren’t for the need to earn more, Zhang Yu wouldn’t be taking side gigs training with Le Mulan on top of his Dark Studies Gang commitments.

With his Mana and body both at the peak of Qi Refinement, most medicines no longer helped him cultivate.

Le Mulan, hearing his reply, felt increasingly conflicted.

She recalled what her brother, Le Jingchen, had told her:

“Did you collect that sweat like I asked? The one you mentioned earlier?”

“That kind of clean sweat after taking medication isn’t normal. Might be some new Immortal Dao technology.”

“I heard from Purple Cloud HQ in Xiandu that one of the noble clans discovered a new surgical technique. It gives a high schooler a metabolism far beyond their level. They’re hunting down the company behind it.” ᚱＡɴồβЕṨ

“With Oasis Group taking over Songyang City, things are shifting fast. If we can trace this technology’s origin, it’ll boost our family’s leverage…”

“If you get the chance, collect a sample. Send it to the lab for analysis.”

“And whatever you do, don’t let him know.”

Thinking back on his words, Le Mulan mused, “Who would’ve thought… Zhang Yu used to debate whether to collect my sweat.”

“Now it’s my turn to collect his.”

Watching Zhang Yu head to the restroom, Le Mulan recalled another line from her brother: If you can get urine or any other bodily fluid, even better.

Her face flushed. She quickly shook her head to banish the thought.

Seizing the moment, she fished out a test tube from her bag and began collecting sweat from the floor.

…

Time flew by as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued working and cultivating.

By mid-November, Zhang Yu was at White Dragon High, training with Yu Xinghan.

While Yu Xinghan rested, Zhang Yu practiced the fifth Expert-Grade Martial Technique needed to complete the Martial Saint Embryo—Bloodshift Method.

Sitting cross-legged, his skin shifted between blue and red tones, reacting to his rapidly circulating blood.

“This Bloodshift Method boosts blood metabolism, enhances stamina, purifies the body, and speeds up nutrient delivery. It really raises physical efficiency.”

He could now sustain high-power physical output for longer periods.

“1.03 million credits is steep. If not for my current income, I couldn’t afford this.”

While Zhang Yu practiced Bloodshift Method, Yu Xinghan was on her phone filing a reimbursement request with her senior.

“Shijie, I just finished a session with Zhang Yu. It cost 30,000 credits.”

Yu Xinghan looked at the 15,000 she had spent versus the 30,000 Li Xuelian had wired her, smirking to herself. “Heh. A woman dancing in the palm of my hand.”

“…Tsk, there it is again.”

She picked up a collection bottle and walked out. “Zhang Yu, keep training. I’ve got an urgent side job.”

Elsewhere, in a distant office—

Li Xuelian glanced at the 30,000 she’d sent and messaged Xinghuo Zhenren: “Dad, Yu Xinghan just burned through another 100k.”

“Hurry up and send more. He’s in his second year of high school—peak spending season. Every penny counts.”

…

Time continued to fly as Yu Xinghan and Li Xuelian burned through credits like fireworks.

By late November—

In Songyang High School’s cafeteria, Zhang Yu examined the latest batch of synthetic meat. The shape, texture, and color looked nearly indistinguishable from real meat.

After a bite, he blinked in surprise. “Oasis Group’s synthetic meat is incredible—tastes almost like the real thing.”

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen nodded in agreement, scarfing down bites. “Cheap and tasty. Who’d still buy real meat after this?”

Just then, a student quietly approached and placed a small bowl of synthetic meat on their table like an offering.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Bai Zhenzhen called out, but the student had already fled.

There were already a dozen small dishes stacked on their table.

Zhao Tianxing watched from nearby, full of envy—at their food, but more at their status and respect within Songyang High.

“Ever since Bai Zhenzhen stood up for the freshmen and beat down the senior bullies, students from Year 1 and 2 have been flocking to her and Zhang Yu for protection.”

He also recalled all the rumors about Wanxing Education Group being suppressed, and Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s deep, mysterious backgrounds.

“No wonder they’re called the Emperor and Empress of Songyang High now.”

“No clown dares stand beneath their feet anymore.”

“If I just stick close to them, maybe I can escape my own clown status too…”

After lunch, Zhang Yu went to the rooftop and closed his eyes, circulating the resentful spirit root within him to absorb the school’s ambient resentment.

He was using the force of resentment to temper his Dao Heart.

Dao Heart: Level 7 (75.3%)

While the resentment honed his mind, he didn’t forget to circulate his Mana and practice the sixth Expert-Grade Martial Technique needed for the Martial Saint Embryo—Five Qi Organ-Refining Technique.

His Mana split into five elemental types, running through different meridians to nourish and strengthen each internal organ in turn, creating a synergistic cycle that steadily boosted their power.

As his organs strengthened, so did his digestion and metabolism.

“Thanks to the High School Saint Body, my digestion’s already strong. But once that body’s replaced, this technique’s benefits will become vital.”

“If I reach Level 10, I’ll be able to channel the power of my internal organs into combat techniques during battle.”

“With the same level of physical strength, I’ll hit even harder.”

But then a fresh wave of resentment hit him, stirring negative thoughts. Zhang Yu furrowed his brow, forcing himself to focus and continue training with full concentration.

…

Time flew by during his intense cultivation, and by early December, there was only one month left before the final Foundation Establishment exam.

Zhang Yu emerged slowly from a Dark Studies Gang classroom, followed by awe-struck students.

Black Crow came up to him and reminded, “Mr. Ma, thanks to your presence, a lot of senior Golden Tutoring Gang students have switched over.”

“And with Ms. Le racking up wins on her end, Golden Tutoring Gang is slipping fast. Their faction’s on the brink.”

“But precisely because of that, they’ll fight back harder now. You should be extra careful.”

Zhang Yu replied distractedly, “Just a mutual exchange of benefits. Without it, I wouldn’t be raking in so much cash these past two months.”

His attention was on the Chain Diagram displayed in his Feathered Tome.

After maxing out Five Qi Organ-Refining Technique to Level 10, he finally met the six-technique requirement for activating the Martial Saint Embryo.

Replacing the old High School Saint Body on the Chain Diagram, a new entry appeared:

Beginner – Martial Saint Embryo (6/6): Martial Embryo formed. Impact resistance and external wound regeneration drastically increased.

Zhang Yu thought, “‘Drastically’? Doesn’t say how much exactly. Guess I’ll have to test it out myself.”

As he walked a rural path, Fu Ji’s voice suddenly rang out: “Signal’s getting spotty.”

“Looks like someone’s coming for you.”