No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

The prize for the Civil Engineering Finals—a blueprint for the Biyue Goldcrystal Armor—only made Zhang Yu’s team more eager for the upcoming match.

Over the next few days, Zhang Yu threw himself even deeper into preparation.

That evening, he was in the laboratory cultivating the third (Technique) from the Artifact Refinement Prodigy series: the Divine Fire Mirror.

A wisp of blue flame swirled into his palm. Using the technique’s flow, he channeled his mana into it, gradually refining it into threads of Fire-Taming True Qi.

Just then, a message arrived from Wen Wuya.

Wen Wuya: [image]

Seeing the vague outline in the thumbnail, Zhang Yu sternly warned himself not to click, then promptly began analyzing the image with practiced ease.

By now, he was more than familiar with the process. Moments later, Bai Zhenzhen’s video popped up inside his EyeNet.

Bai Zhenzhen’s voice rang out: “Yuzi, you’re probably about to enter the Civil Engineering Finals, right?”

She smiled. “With your talent, winning the championship should be no problem.”“Just do your best. Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ve been busy preparing for the Ten Grand Leagues. The Seven Sentiments Lord won’t give me too much trouble.”

“But…”

She continued, “If… if the Seven Sentiments Lord comes to you, wanting to teach you swordsmanship or take you in as a son, you must remember—don’t accept under any circumstances.”

“That old hag’s up to no good.”

Bai Zhenzhen chuckled proudly. “You don’t need to worry about me. With my unparalleled genius, I can reach the peak no matter which path I take. Any sword is easy for me.”

“Oh, and about that experiment with Lord Nectar’s Law Husk—if you can pull out, then do it. Several Lords are already watching the conflict between Wanfa and Pleasure and Harmony. That mess runs way too deep…”

One by one, Bai Zhenzhen laid out all the worries she’d been dwelling on, like she was terrified Zhang Yu might take a wrong step and fall into a trap.

There was still more she wanted to say, but pressed for time, she only managed to squeeze in the most important warnings. As for her deeper emotions, she buried them tight within her heart.

…

After recording the video, Bai Zhenzhen exhaled. Her easy smile faded, replaced by a cold stare as she turned to Wen Wuya.

“I’ve said my piece.”

At this moment, Sword Aura surged and churned within Bai Zhenzhen like a suppressed volcano, struggling to hold back an eruption.

Because while recording, there had been something she wanted to say—something she forcibly swallowed.

“Let Yuzi cultivate the Extreme Sentiment Swordsmanship with me?”

“No. The Extreme Sentiment Path is a demonic path. I’ve already stepped onto it and can’t turn back, but Yuzi must not follow me down this road.”

“He has a bright future ahead. How could he walk the Extreme Sentiment Path?”

Her inner conflict caused her Sword Aura to fluctuate wildly.

Suddenly, she looked up at Wen Wuya.

In that instant, several streaks of crimson Sword Aura materialized and slashed toward him.

With a crackling roar, just as the sword light was about to carve into Wen Wuya’s face, he gave a sharp shout and raised his fingers like a blade, scattering each strike at point-blank range.

Wen Wuya let out a breath of relief. “Zhenzhen, you almost scratched my face. I just had it redone yesterday.”

“You’ve been kind of emotionally unstable after each recording lately.”

Bai Zhenzhen pouted but said nothing.

Wen Wuya shook his head and sighed. “I’ve helped you record quite a few videos by now, and I’ve done a deep dive on Extreme Sentiment Swordsmanship.”

“Based on everything I’ve seen… your feelings for Zhang Yu aren’t so pure.”

Bai Zhenzhen glared at him. “What nonsense are you spouting? Zhang Yu’s just cultivation fodder for my Extreme Sentiment Swordsmanship. I’m no different from you—at most, I crave his body, planning to use him to boost my cultivation.”

“Oh, really?” Wen Wuya grinned, dodging the sword lights forming once more around him. “That’s what you call craving his body?”

“You’re a sworn follower of abstinent cultivation.”

“I don’t even want to say it… You’re in love with him. This is true affection, a complete deviation from the path. You’re losing control—you’ll be consumed by the backlash of the Extreme Sentiment Path.”

“Say one more word and I’ll tear your mouth off!” Bai Zhenzhen roared.

Several red sword lights suddenly burst from Wen Wuya’s mouth, slashing from the inside out with metallic clangs.

Smoke billowed from all seven of Wen Wuya’s orifices. His tiny tongue twitched violently in pain.

Bai Zhenzhen scowled. “Wen Wuya, don’t insult the bond between me and Yuzi with that garbage about ‘true love.’ We’re like brothers—mother and son. If you spout that crap again, I’ll do more than slash your face.”

“Now leave. I’ve got training to do for the Ten Grand Leagues.”

“As long as I complete the Grand Slam and earn a full Immortal-Class Technique, my master will have no excuse to keep me locked up.”

She clenched her fists with determination.

Right path, demonic path—whatever. As long as it’s strong enough, it’ll work.

…

Wen Wuya muttered to himself, Is she ashamed and angry? Makes sense. If I were in her shoes, falling to temptation, unable to control my desire and falling for someone… I’d probably hide away in shame too, afraid to face the world.

But if she’s made a mistake, the sooner she confronts it, the sooner she can change.

Hopefully, by calling out this filth in her heart, I’ve helped her make a real decision. With her Divine Spirit Root at its best… maybe she’ll cultivate alongside me again.

But as he recalled Bai Zhenzhen’s bold claim about taking the Grand Slam, Wen Wuya couldn’t help but shake his head.

If not for such rampant emotion, how would she have such delusions?

Achieve the Grand Slam and gain an Immortal-Class Technique?

If that really happens, she’d gain access to Immortal-Class Techniques during university. That would be unprecedented.

No university, no Nascent Soul cultivator would allow that to happen.

Wen Wuya’s thoughts darkened.

If anyone actually wins it, they’d upset the balance among the Ten Great Academies. Everyone’s been making sure no one wins. Whoever does… might just become everyone’s target.

…

“The seed of life in the human body contains a vast amount of bloodline information.”

“Each cell within it stores data equivalent to a full video.”

“Each drop holds billions of cells. Just a few drops can hold a cultivator’s entire century of memories—and all in ultra-high definition.”

“With such massive data volume, a Law Husk can transfer all of it within five seconds of joint cultivation. That’s millions of times faster than your dorm’s download speed.”

Daoist Magneto marveled. “Such a miraculous method of data transfer has existed since the dawn of life. This is the mystery of Heaven’s design.”

“And Lord Nectar’s Law Husk is even more advanced. She transmits cultivation directly through mana exchange.”

“That means her mastery of yin-yang goes far beyond the flesh. She’s touched upon the profound mysteries of duality and divine-human transformation.”

Zhang Yu nodded thoughtfully, then brought up another subject.

“Teacher, have you heard of the prize for the Civil Engineering Finals? The Biyue Goldcrystal Armor?”

Daoist Magneto shook his head. “Never heard of it.”

“Probably a military-grade tech that hasn’t appeared below the eleventh floor. Might be a newly developed sect prototype.”

“But that’s just my guess.”

“If you beat Demon-Beast University and bring it back, I can take a look and tell you what it really is.”

As he left the lab, Zhang Yu thought, The Biyue Goldcrystal Armor… happens to match the Great Sage’s Heir set? Isn’t that a little too convenient? I’ve already collected three techniques from the Oxheart Sage’s inheritance. Now there’s news of a fourth?

He shared these thoughts with Fu Ji.

Of course, he didn’t mention the Chain Diagram or the Great Sage’s Heir. He only said that the armor seemed to call to him, just like the Soul-Stabilizing Oxheart Technique, the Sacrificial Oxheart Technique, and the Limitless Heart: Inner Incarnate Body—it all felt like it came from the Oxheart Sage.

Fu Ji replied, “Oh? Then maybe it’s not just coincidence.”

“You mean someone arranged it?” Zhang Yu asked.

Fu Ji answered, “When a cultivator reaches a high enough level, even after death, their lingering power—or inheritance—can carry its own will.”

“After you acquired part of the Oxheart Sage’s legacy, the rest might have begun seeking you out.”

“Perhaps… it’s you who’s drawing them in.”

…

At last, the day of the Civil Engineering Finals arrived.

As their flying vessel soared across the skies, Zhang Yu and his teammates reached the airspace above Demon-Beast University.

Below lay a sprawling plain where rows of towering, pitch-black skyscrapers rose like coffins.

To Zhang Yu, it looked like someone had shrunk countless versions of Wanfa University and jammed them into the ground, packed side-by-side so tightly not even air could slip through.

Each building was crammed full of Demon-Kin. Zhang Yu could see heads sticking out of windows, with many Demon-Kin crawling on the exterior walls. Makeshift, clearly illegal structures filled every narrow gap between towers.

From above, heaps of filth were constantly tossed into the air. Zhang Yu even saw corpses hurled from the upper floors, triggering screams and curses.

The moment Zhang Yu stepped off the flying vessel, a wave of putrid stench hit him square in the face—a revolting cocktail of urine, blood, rot, and unidentifiable decay. He couldn’t help but wrinkle his nose.

Mo Shangjin warned, “Everyone, rent an artifact that filters air.”

“Demon-Beast University follows Heaven’s law of survival of the fittest. The strong eat the weak.”

“Inside and out, this place runs constant open-animal experimentation. Their tech spreads unchecked among the Demon-Kin.”

“This university has the highest disease and virus risk on the second floor. Any Demon-Kin walking past might carry deadly pathogens, mind-corrupting viruses, or highly contagious spiritual pollutants…”

“Stay alert. If you fall ill, the school won’t cover your medical expenses.”