No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Listening to Zhang Pianpian rattle off various intel about university majors, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

”Choosing a college major is basically a second reincarnation.”

”Even within the same university, a good draw makes you a noble. A bad one, you’re a peasant.”

Then Zhang Yu asked about the topic of teachers, mentioning how after passing the Foundation Establishment exam, he’d be able to select one instructor.

Zhang Pianpian offered to look into it for him and said she’d update him next time—but at most, she only had details about Wanfa Sect University.

After soaking up so much insider info about Wanfa Sect University from Zhang Pianpian, Zhang Yu found himself leaning more and more toward applying there.

“With my sister’s help, I’d obviously have a leg up if I joined Wanfa Sect University.”

After the call ended, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were walking home when he shared this thought.

Bai Zhenzhen nodded in agreement. “If we can go to the same university as my mom, then of course that’s a great thing. I’m all for it.”

Just then, Fu Ji spoke up. “Wanfa Sect University is affiliated with the Wanfa Sect. Among the Ten Major Sects, it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Netherworld Palace and the Heavenly Demon Sect. It’s one of the top three sects among the ten.”“Wanfa Sect University, Netherworld University, and Heavenly Demon University are naturally the three strongest among the Ten Great Academies.”

Zhang Yu understood that while the Ten Great Academies were already at the pinnacle, even among them, some were higher than others.

Knowing that Wanfa Sect University was one of the top three made Zhang Yu even more tempted.

Especially when he considered the names of the other two schools—Netherworld University? Heavenly Demon University?

What sort of place would those be…? Zhang Yu didn’t even want to imagine.

But after praising Wanfa Sect University, Fu Ji suddenly changed tone and warned, “While Zhang Pianpian’s help would definitely be a huge boost for you two in getting into Wanfa Sect University…”

“She’s still under the attention of the Righteous Gods, and she’s a Sigil Studies student. The closer you get to her, the more likely you are to attract divine scrutiny—and the greater the risk of them detecting my existence.”

Hearing this, both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen started to feel conflicted again.

As they returned to school, more and more corporate reps—representing various universities—began reaching out to them.

Now that Oasis Group had already broken the ice, these reps no longer held back. One after another, they approached Zhang Yu directly with their respective offers.

Days passed. After all the meetings wrapped up and contact info was exchanged, the campus of Songyang High School slowly returned to a semblance of calm.

Zhang Yu looked at the digital document on his phone. It was a compiled list of all the offers he’d received from the universities.

Due to the ritual’s requirements, all non-Top Ten schools were instantly eliminated.

The document now listed only ten universities and their relevant programs.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Wanfa Sect University has programs that suit both me and Ah-Zhen. The terms aren’t the best, but they’re decent—and my sister’s support is a big plus.”

“But…”

He glanced over at Vajra Sect University. This school, directly under the Vajra Sect, valued his body-refining potential highly. Not only did they promise direct access to a PhD program, they also offered to sponsor a Heavenly Spirit Root and set him up with a military part-time gig, along with access to military-grade techniques.

“Vajra Sect is offering me the best deal.”

“But the terms they’re offering Ah-Zhen… aren’t as good.”

Zhang Yu then looked at Heavenly Sword University. This one, run by the Heavenly Sword Sect, had been deeply impressed by Bai Zhenzhen’s performance during the Foundation Establishment exam. They offered her the most generous terms by far.

“In terms of pure benefits, I should go to Vajra Sect, and Ah-Zhen should go to Heavenly Sword Sect.”

“But if we both go to Wanfa Sect University, the terms aren’t the best, but we’d have my sister’s help—and that gives us a big edge when it comes to majors and instructors…”

“Plus, there’s the issue of Fu Ji…”

“Sigh…”

No matter how long Zhang Yu thought about it, he couldn’t reach a decision. The more he weighed it all, the more tangled it felt.

Both he and Bai Zhenzhen viewed choosing their university and major—this second reincarnation of a decision—as incredibly serious. But the more carefully they thought, the harder it became to choose.

Fu Ji said calmly, “No rush. You just have to make a decision before you submit your college entrance exam preferences.”

“If you two manage to scrounge up the money to buy Spirit Roots and complete your Foundation Establishment before the exam, the offers on the table could change. You might not feel so torn by then.”

Zhang Yu nodded, deciding to give it more time.

Then one evening, after finishing their meetings with all the reps, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen received another invitation—from none other than Director Wang of Oasis Group.

They went to the 999th floor of Central Tower as instructed.

Zhang Yu remembered that the last time they came here, it had been for the art exhibit hosted by Xinghuo Zhenren’s daughter, Li Xuelian.

But now the space had been completely remodeled. What was once a gallery now resembled a lavish apartment and executive suite.

A red-robed, red-haired young man stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing at the lights of Songyang City.

When Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen arrived, the man turned and smiled. “Oasis Tower’s still under construction. I’ve been crashing here in the meantime.”

“I was going to drop by your school to find you, but figured you’d be busy meeting all those university reps, so I didn’t want to intrude.”

The moment Zhang Yu laid eyes on the red-haired youth, his first impression was one of friendliness.

In the man’s crystal-clear eyes, there wasn’t a hint of hostility—only sincerity, kindness, and goodwill.

It was an expression Zhang Yu hadn’t seen in Kunxu… for a very, very long time. For a moment, he was stunned.

The young man stepped forward and introduced himself. “I’m Wang Yin. You can call me Director Wang.”

“Actually, we’ve met before. I watched your match during the final round of the Foundation Establishment exam. Right then and there, I told myself: I want those two.”

Both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen instantly realized something.

“This guy’s from the upper floors!”

But Wang Yin just smiled and continued, “I’m the kind of person who does things directly.”

“If I like someone, I throw money at them.”

As he spoke, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s phones buzzed. Wang Yin gestured. “Go ahead, take a look. Should be the transfer notification.”

The two of them stared at the notification: 5 million credits each.

Their breathing hitched. Their emotions surged.

“That’s the 10 million donation he mentioned?”

Zhang Yu had assumed that even if it was called a “donation,” there’d be strings attached—but the guy transferred the money the moment they met?

Right then, Zhang Yu had to admit—Director Wang was, without a doubt, the kindest, most generous, most impressive, and most father-worthy person he had ever met.

If he kept this up a few more times, wouldn’t they be able to afford Heavenly Spirit Roots outright?

While Zhang Yu was thinking that, Bai Zhenzhen was already bending her knees, ready to kneel and call him “Dad.”

But in a flash of golden light, glowing runes formed midair, stopping her in her tracks.

Zhang Yu blinked. “Divine power? He used a Sigil?”

He glanced at Wang Yin’s hands—no talisman scroll, no drawing gesture.

Fu Ji’s tone grew solemn. “It’s semi-automated chantless spellcasting. His faith level is at least Tier 8. He’s constantly connected to the Divine Power Network. His will is enough to cast.”

“This man is definitely under the highest-level surveillance by the Righteous Gods. I’ll have to fully conceal myself from now on…”

As her voice faded, Wang Yin waved his hand and said casually, “I don’t like people kneeling. I don’t do formalities.”

“Just study hard, cultivate well, and if you join the company later, work hard for Kunxu. Be a diligent person. Then the donation won’t be wasted.”

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were stunned all over again—not by the money, but by how cool and charismatic this man was.

Wang Yin continued, “I gave you this 10 million because I appreciate you. You don’t need to feel burdened. Talented people deserve to earn more—that’s how Kunxu works.”

“What I’m about to propose, just respond however you see fit. Ask for whatever you want—don’t hold back.”

As he finished, a golden light flared beside him. Divine power manifested a projected slideshow in midair.

“Oasis Group has a few new products we want to roll out to the First Floor market.”

“Our original plan was to ride the hype from the Foundation Establishment exam—have Ye Lingxiao as the main face, and back him up with the other winners.”

“But now Ye Lingxiao lost.”

“Fortunately, you two are even better.”

“So I’d like you both to become our brand ambassadors. What do you say?”

Zhang Yu immediately responded, “No problem at all.”

He didn’t think of himself as mercenary. His quick answer had nothing to do with the money just wired to him. He truly felt that Wang Yin was unlike anyone else he’d met in Kunxu.

He thought, “Director Wang… might be the one to change the First Floor completely.”

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen hesitated. “Umm… about the pay…”

Zhang Yu shot her a sideways glance. “Ah-Zhen still thinks too much about money. With someone like Director Wang, you think there won’t be enough to go around?”

Wang Yin chuckled. “My bad. I almost forgot.”

“Three million.”

Hearing the number, Zhang Yu had to admit—he was getting spoiled. He actually felt a little disappointed.

Especially compared to the 5 million they’d just gotten—this 3 million seemed a bit stingy.

Zhang Yu hesitated. “Uh… isn’t that… kinda low?”

“Low?”

Wang Yin’s eyes flashed—clearly annoyed.

If there’s one thing he couldn’t stand, it was someone saying his money wasn’t enough.

“Then I’ll bump it up to 4 million. Each of you gets 4 million a month.”

“Contract starts next month, runs through next year’s June—ends after your college entrance exams. Total payout: 68 million each.”

Wait—so it was originally 3 million per month per person?

Now it’s 4 million per month?

Total of 68 million each?

Zhang Yu admitted he had been shallow just now.

He stood up straight and said solemnly, “Director Wang, it’s an honor to participate in your company’s campaign.”

“Money aside, we just really admire Oasis Group’s corporate culture.”