No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Wen Wuya was deeply intrigued by whether Wanfa University had truly made breakthroughs in Dual Cultivation and Yin Artifact technologies.

On one hand, she sensed this matter could spark a chain reaction.

On the other…

Wen Wuya turned to glance at Bai Zhenzhen, who was currently practicing swordsmanship, and thought to herself, “Given Zhang Yu and Zhenzhen’s relationship, he must’ve already told her about participating in the experiment, and about the upgrade to his cultivation technique, right?”

On the training field, Bai Zhenzhen was surrounded by flickering sword shadows, engaged in a one-versus-five battle against five flying swords.

Wen Wuya studied her expression—serious and full of fighting spirit.

Judging from her face alone, there was no sign of emotion beyond the heat of combat.

“If Zhang Yu participated in the Yin Artifact experiment, could he have applied some of that technology to Zhenzhen?”

Wen Wuya was no traditionalist ignorant of Dual Cultivation techniques.

After confirming Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s close relationship—and recalling how they had vanished together after meeting at Wanfa University—she had begun to form her own suspicions.“Those two… might be cultivating hard in secret.”

Wen Wuya wasn’t the jealous type. She didn’t mind the possibility of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen engaging in Dual Cultivation.

What she was wondering was, now that Zhang Yu had come to Heavenly Sword Sect University and might meet Bai Zhenzhen again, would they seize the opportunity to cultivate together—and even apply some of the new technology?

“If I could closely observe their progress…”

With this in mind, Wen Wuya resolved to keep a close eye on the two, not missing a single detail.

But beyond that, she had another consideration.

“Zhang Yu might not have actually learned any new techniques in that experiment. Even if he did, the confidentiality agreement could prevent him from using them.”

“The best approach is to assess his true strength on the competition stage—to see whether he really upgraded his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might to level 16, as Wanfa University claimed.”

With that thought, Wen Wuya’s consciousness slipped into the Spiritual Realm, racing through the torrent of information.

“Let’s see… where’s our university’s Civil Engineering Department again?”

Wenya Wuya honestly didn’t know where the Civil Engineering Department of Heavenly Sword Sect University was located, or who its members were.

After some effort and multiple contacts, she finally projected herself into the Spiritual Realm in front of the Civil Engineering Department’s top student—Yue Guanqiong.

Yue Guanqiong was startled upon seeing the projection of Wen Wuya before him, especially after glancing at the credentials above her head: “You’re that Wen Wuya from Flying Sword Communications Engineering?”

What’s the most important aspect of flying sword techniques?

Some believed it was the sword’s material—sharp, durable, able to withstand high-speed harsh environments.

Others argued it was the swordsmanship—maximizing or even exceeding the sword’s potential, wielding even leaves and pebbles with the power to cleave the heavens.

Still others thought it was the refinement technique—the ability to forge numerous and specialized swords.

But if you asked Yue Guanqiong, he’d say:

“Flying Sword Communications Engineering being one of Heavenly Sword Sect University’s flagship programs proves just how important communication is to the entire flying sword system.”

“If you can remotely control your flying sword across thousands of miles, and lock onto a target from afar, it doesn’t matter whether it’s a sword, a dagger, or a needle—they’re all deadly.”

Wen Wuya, according to Yue Guanqiong’s knowledge, was the ace of the Flying Sword Communications program—a star student preparing for the Ten-School Tournament, a true elite among elites.

Looking at her now, Yue Guanqiong asked, “Wuya, is there something I can help you with?”

Wen Wuya briefly explained the situation with Zhang Yu, then asked, “You’ve observed him before. What’s your assessment of his strength?”

Yue Guanqiong thought for a moment and replied seriously, “I watched his match against Vajra University last month. His Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might was only at level 10.”

“If it’s level 16 now… unless he was hiding his strength before, that would be hard to believe given his cultivation history.”

Wen Wuya nodded. “In your upcoming match, I want you to push Zhang Yu to his limit. I want to see just how far his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might has progressed.”

Hearing this, Yue Guanqiong straightened his back and smiled confidently. “Rest assured. Even if it really is level 16, I have full confidence I can defeat him.”

He was full of self-assurance, but Wen Wuya wasn’t entirely convinced.

After all, could a Civil Engineering student’s words be trusted? Was his eye for strength reliable? Could he actually guarantee a win?

So Wen Wuya tapped her fingers lightly, projecting ten flying swords into the air before him.

“Pick one of these ten flying swords.”

“Consider it a temporary loan for this match.”

Yue Guanqiong’s eyes sparkled as he studied the sword projections. For each one he looked at, a flood of data appeared.

He was stunned to find they were all former military-grade flying swords.

He thought to himself, “Just a bit of leftovers from these Nascent Soul cultivators can completely shift the results of competitions we’ve worked so hard for.”

But Wen Wuya didn’t actually care about the outcome of the Civil Engineering competition. Whether Zhang Yu won or lost meant little to her.

It was, after all, just a Civil Engineering competition.

She simply wanted to use this opportunity to satisfy her curiosity—to see exactly how far Zhang Yu’s Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might had progressed.

After withdrawing her projection, Wen Wuya turned toward Bai Zhenzhen and noticed she had already sheathed her sword and stopped fighting—seemingly about to leave the training ground.

Wen Wuya’s eyes narrowed. “Leaving this early?”

“Could it be that Zhang Yu is coming?”

With that thought, she sent Zhang Yu a message: “Where are you?”

…

Above Heavenly Sword Sect University.

Zhang Yu stood midair, overlooking the University City below.

Floating beside him, cloaked in sword aura, were Su Yanyang, Shi Huaiyu, and the others.

Each of them had a flying sword hovering nearby, pouring out sword aura that enveloped them, allowing them to glide through the skies over the campus.

It wasn’t until he arrived at this mountaintop city that Zhang Yu learned: in a university built atop the clouds, flight was essential.

The peaks and towers rising from the sea of clouds had no connecting roads. Only flying sword travel allowed movement through the University City.

Fortunately, temporary flying sword rental stations were everywhere. After disembarking their flying vessel, Su Yanyang and the others each rented a sword for flight.

These swords were low-grade, not very fast, but easy to control—basic transportation in Heavenly Sword Sect University.

As Zhang Yu glided between mountain peaks and cloud-piercing towers, he noticed very few people out and about.

Not only were people scarce, even advertisements and Spiritual Realm projections were rare compared to Wanfa University.

Zhang Yu thought, “This place really does have more of an immortal vibe than Wanfa.”

Aside from the sparse projections, he also noticed flying swords flashing across the sky, leaving behind thunderclaps and shockwaves.

Mo Shangjin explained in the competition group chat: Due to Heavenly Sword Sect University’s advanced Immortal Dao communications, Spiritual Realm bandwidth costs are extremely low, making this tech widely used.

Mo Shangjin: Students and teachers here are used to online classes, Spiritual Realm cultivation, and days spent in their dorms diligently cultivating.

Mo Shangjin: Even when they practice flying sword techniques, they often stay indoors and control their swords remotely.

Mo Shangjin: Of course, the wealthy still get in-person tutoring from famous instructors.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu was reminded of his Green-Silk Flying Sword, and the 84,000 Sky-Piercing Flying Swords roaming the second level of Kunxu.

Just then, a message from Wen Wuya popped up: “Where are you?”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Yu didn’t reply. Instead, he told Su Yanyang and the others, “You go ahead to the competition venue. I have a high school classmate who got into Heavenly Sword Sect University. I’m going to visit her.”

Watching Zhang Yu’s departing figure, Shi Huaiyu said, “A high school classmate? Seems like they’re pretty close.”

Su Yanyang, however, chuckled inwardly: “High school classmate? I bet he’s going to see Wen Wuya.”

He remembered that party where Wen Wuya’s projection appeared beside Zhang Yu—and all the rumors about the Nascent Soul cultivator and Zhang Yu since then.

Su Yanyang thought, “So he’s sneaking in a meeting between matches?”

…

Elsewhere.

Zhang Yu flew past mountain after mountain, scanning the dense buildings scattered across them.

Eventually, he activated his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might and descended toward a cluster of old buildings.

He passed through deserted alleys, a scrapyard filled with broken flying swords, and a half-finished tunnel, eventually reaching a quiet underground space deep within the mountain.

There, he spotted a beautiful and familiar figure in the distance.

In a flash, Zhang Yu surged forward in a burst of wind, wrapping her in a sudden embrace.

“Ah Zhen!”

But a moment later, something felt off—the body in his arms didn’t feel right.

Though it looked similar from afar and wore the same clothes, the size, texture, and scent were all wrong.

And the only reason it felt familiar… was because Zhang Yu had helped design this particular form himself.

“Wen Wuya!” Zhang Yu jumped back, retreating several steps.

“What are you doing here? Why are you wearing Ah Zhen’s clothes? And why are you hiding your Spiritual Realm projection?”

Wen Wuya smiled gently. “So Zhenzhen really is coming to see you?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not here to get in the way.”

While tracking Bai Zhenzhen, a sudden idea had occurred to her: Is observation my only option?

Looking at Zhang Yu, she smiled warmly. “I want to join you two.”

“Could I come along for the meetup later?”

“I can pay you.”