No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

As the final exams came to an end, Zhang Yu once again secured first place in his class, just like in previous years. With his comprehensive score improving, his rank in the Civil Engineering Department also climbed to 23rd.

This meant he could apply for another scholarship loan. Being first in class and 23rd in the department earned him over 20 spirit coins in low-interest scholarship loans.

However, despite his high income, Zhang Yu’s expenses were equally steep.

Things like the cost of crafting and maintaining artifacts, buying and practicing with refinement blueprints, and cultivating Artifact Refinement Techniques—all of these could easily pay for a team of Civil Engineering students.

Now, with an additional 20 spirit coins in loans, his account balance neared 60 spirit coins.

Aside from scholarship loans, high rankings brought other benefits as well. He received weekly meal rations and discounts at various university facilities. While Zhang Yu had grown used to these perks—perhaps even found them a little stingy—other students looked on with deep envy.

Now that his account was flush with spirit coins, Zhang Yu saw only one logical course: spend them to increase his cultivation. After all, advancing his cultivation was the key to earning even more.

“No spending, no power. No power, no money. So what else can I do?”

Driven by a longing for the summit of the Immortal Path, Zhang Yu once again dove into the Artifact Refinement Lab.

His top priority for growth was military-grade strength, but that path required him to transfer into the Artifact Refinement Department first.Still, even without immediate access to new military-level strength, Kunxu had its own way—so long as you had money. Even when one’s basic stats reached the limits of a given realm, power could still be increased… with enough spirit coins.

Especially for someone like Zhang Yu, who intended to pursue the path of artifact refinement. With enough funds, he could not only hone his refinement skills but also create more artifacts to earn more money—feeding a cycle of continuous growth in both wealth and cultivation.

At this very moment, in the 669th floor of University City, Ying Xin’s grandfather was leading Zhao Tianxing, Che Yufei, and other company staff in operating Zhang Yu’s artifacts on the job.

Watching the Groundfiend Bottle produce concrete under his command, Zhao Tianxing felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

“Who would’ve thought? A vocational college grad like me now working daily on projects at Wanfa University.”

Walking around the 669th floor worksite every day—especially when maneuvering artifacts alongside other students—Zhao Tianxing sometimes felt like he was a student of Wanfa University himself.

Thanks to Zhang Yu’s connections in the Civil Engineering Department and the supply of several artifacts, the company could secure small project contracts inside University City even when Zhang Yu wasn’t actively working.

After deducting employee wages, taxes, mana costs, and artifact maintenance fees—not to mention intermediary fees paid to Tu Lishan—Zhang Yu was still netting around 0.1 to 0.2 spirit coins per day.

“It’s not a lot… but I’m not the one doing the work!”

Every time he thought about how his company was making money for him while he was busy in the lab, Zhang Yu found that these earnings tasted even sweeter than those he earned himself.

Fu Ji nodded in agreement. “Food tastes better when you cook it yourself, but money? Money always tastes better when someone else earns it for you. Passive income is far more precious than active labor.”

Zhang Yu nodded vigorously. “Exactly.”

Fu Ji added, “Thanks to my recent efforts, the company’s performance has seen another uptick…”

Zhang Yu said, “Keep it up, Director Fu. Once the company grows, I’ll make sure you’re rewarded. I hope you’ll grow together with the firm.”

Fu Ji cursed inwardly. Damn bastard… so you’re just never going to pay me, huh?

…

While Zhang Yu continued his routine of commuting between the lab and the construction site, a new friend request popped up—Jiutian Liu from the Finance Department.

Jiutian Liu: Zhang Yu, greetings.

She’d added him through Daoist Tianzhang.

Seeing this top-ranked student from the Finance Department, second only to the entire school’s number one, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel a little wary.

The last time he’d encountered someone ranked this high was Yan Qianji, the Artifact Refinement Department’s top student and third in the school.

Zhang Yu: What do you need?

Jiutian Liu: I’d like to rent your body. Just a portion. The exact amount depends on the test results.

Zhang Yu: Excuse me?

Jiutian Liu: I know it’s abrupt, but I’m training for this year’s Ten Sects Tournament, and time is tight. I need a quicker way to advance.

Jiutian Liu: I think the Yin Artifact experiment by Daoist Magneto offers a great opportunity.

Jiutian Liu: I’d like to rent a portion of your body to substitute for you in the experiment.

Zhang Yu replied instantly: Sorry, not interested.

He knew he could never agree. That experiment was his way of laundering his cultivation level. If Jiutian Liu took his place… she might expose his secret at any time.

Jiutian Liu was surprised by the blunt rejection. “So direct?”

Jiutian Liu: Aren’t you going to ask about the price?

Zhang Yu: Really, not interested.

Jiutian Liu: Zhang Yu, I think you should reconsider.

Jiutian Liu: The Yin Artifact experiment is becoming increasingly controversial. Sure, being at the center of it brings benefits, but the risks are just as high.

Jiutian Liu: The last descent of Lord Nectar was only the beginning.

Jiutian Liu: Rather than gambling with your life, why not cash out now?

Before she could continue, Zhang Yu replied again: I said I’m not interested. Please stop.

Sensing the growing irritation in his tone, Jiutian Liu blinked in surprise, then chuckled.

“Heh… greedy bastard.”

“Let’s see how long you can cling to that spot. By the time you decide to quit, it might not be worth as much.”

…

As Zhang Yu’s spirit coins were burned through one batch at a time, his balance finally dropped below 20.

With that, his Taiyi Liquid Gold Pill production scaled up again. Blending it with Concrete Martial Qi significantly enhanced its potency.

His mastery of the Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra also advanced, reaching level 20—making it the second full Technique in his Chain Diagram crafting suite.

When he tested his Martial Qi on the simulation site, golden flames erupted and wrapped around him, forming layer upon layer of armor-like energy.

In an instant, a five-meter-tall golden-armored giant encased his body.

This small giant was reminiscent of the Formless Spirit General he once built with Small Threefold Harmony, but it was stronger and more refined—an upgraded version, which Zhang Yu named the Mountain-Moving Giant.

The Mountain-Moving Giant’s body was formed from Protective Qi Barrier mixed with Taiyi Liquid Gold Pill, shining with a metallic luster like a golden puppet.

Its outer layer consisted of solid armor, underlaid by a fluid layer, and then a gaseous layer infused with Nine Heavens Cloudstride Force. This tri-state armor system offered incredible defense.

On top of that, the golden surface was inscribed with dragon scales—an enhancement added after Zhang Yu reforged it with level-20 Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra, imbuing it with the power of the dragonveins.

Thanks to this, whenever Zhang Yu activated Martial Qi, he could not only redirect some of the damage he took into the earth, but also benefit from increased formation enhancements and accelerated mana recovery while within array zones.

Unlike the old Formless Spirit General, which needed to manipulate soil and debris using Small Threefold Harmony, the Mountain-Moving Giant could move entirely under its own power—using Martial Qi in combination with Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might. It no longer needed external materials to move, and its strength, speed, and explosiveness were on a whole new level.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, Based on the intel, Immortal Soldier University’s Civil Engineering Department has a powerful military-grade giant puppet. Perfect. My Mountain-Moving Giant should be able to stand toe-to-toe with it and prevent it from breaking through our formation.

Just then, Daoist Magneto beside him said, “Your Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra actually reached level 20?”

Zhang Yu quickly replied, “Yes.”

“After that Yin Artifact experiment, I developed a strange familiarity with it. The more I practiced, the easier it felt—like I’d already learned it before.”

Examining the faint dragon scale patterns on the Mountain-Moving Giant, Daoist Magneto nodded. “Let’s run a test.”

Sure enough, the results confirmed Zhang Yu had genuinely reached level 20. Daoist Magneto clicked his tongue in amazement.

“Barely half a month… and you already brought a Technique like that to level 20?”

“Incredible. Simply incredible.”

“No wonder the two Lords from Pleasure and Harmony University advanced so absurdly fast but kept this Technique under wraps.”

“They probably stole more cultivation than anyone ever realized.”

“Hmph. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of that power was acquired illegally.”

…

In addition, Zhang Yu’s Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might also broke through to level 20 during lab tests, leaving Daoist Tianzhang both shocked and delighted.

Daoist Magneto said, “Good. The stronger you are, the better your chances in tomorrow’s match at Immortal Soldier University.”

“Fight well. But be ready to surrender if things go south. Daoist Gao and I will be watching through the Spiritual Realm.”

…

The next day.

Immortal Soldier University was built into a bottomless abyss, with the campus stretching downward into a vast underground city.

At the Civil Engineering Department, Wangou Xuan stood with several teammates before their teacher.

One by one, their teacher handed them Law Husks.

“Zhang Yu has confirmed his attendance. Once the match begins, find your opportunity. Use these Law Husks—follow the method I taught you—and test his physical body thoroughly. Extract every usable material from head to toe.”

Wangou Xuan nodded with confidence. “Don’t worry, Teacher. The Earthshaker Deity is in peak condition. I won’t give Zhang Yu the slightest chance. I’ll utterly wreck him.”

Gripping the Law Husk, Wangou Xuan recalled the humiliation of being smashed by Mo Shangjin last year, and thought darkly, Mo Shangjin, the shame you gave me—I’ll repay it in full through your junior. I’ll carve the disgrace of defeat at Immortal Soldier University into his body.

Still, at the mention of Mo Shangjin, Wangou Xuan voiced his concerns.

His teacher reassured him. “If Mo Shangjin shows up with a revival card, you’ll have support to match him.”

“What you need to focus on is ending this quickly. Don’t give Zhang Yu even the slightest chance to surrender.”