Zhang Yu surveyed the nascent effects of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current, his gaze sharpening slightly, and forthwith embarked upon an experiment.
Behold! Within Zhang Yu’s form, magical power circulated, transforming into billows of formless Cloud Gang that ascended from his dantian.
In the next instant, the surging Gang Qi had already coalesced into three formless Power-bodied Ones, manifesting behind him.
As these three formless Power-bodied Ones punched and kicked, demonstrating the various martial arts Zhang Yu had mastered, the magical power within Zhang Yu’s body began to drain rapidly.
Yet, Zhang Yu sensed even more distinctly that under the influence of this new layer of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current, the rate of magical power consumption was markedly lower than before!
Zhang Yu mused, “In the process of magical power circulation, there are inevitably extra losses! When Gang Qi circulates outside the body, the losses are even greater!”
“But with the boon of this layer of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current, losses are reduced, which means my magical power is more enduring!”
“Add to this the enhanced magical power recovery speed from the original Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current!”
As his thoughts unfolded, with a mere flicker of Zhang Yu’s intent, two more formless Power-bodied Ones materialized and began operating at full capacity!
After numerous attempts, Zhang Yu ascertained that with the augmentation of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current, his magical power was sufficient to sustain the full operation of five formless Power-bodied Ones, or two Deep Freeze Power-bodied Ones operating at their peak!
“This alone has nearly doubled my efficiency in undertaking tasks!”
Feeling the second layer of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current’s effects, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. Though it merely reduced magical power consumption, it felt akin to a qualitative transformation, significantly boosting his efficiency within a given time frame!
“I wonder what the final layer of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current holds in store!”
Zhang Yu calculated the time. He should be able to complete the final layer of the Qi Channel’s Everflowing Current by August, meaning he would obtain its full effects before the final examinations. Thus, his anticipation grew ever stronger!
Besides this, there was the upgrading of the Jade Star Cold Three-Eyed Divine Ability, Zhang Yu’s own Spirit-Flesh Unification, and his second cultivation method. He looked forward to completing all of these before the term’s end!
“This term, I shall surely vanquish Ji Yuanzhu and seize the top spot in the class!”
“As long as I secure the first place in the class every year for three years, I can obtain the first three cultivation methods of the Earth and Wood Triple Absolute!”
Zhang Yu had coveted Ma Xuan’s Minor Three Harmonies for a long time. At this moment, a faint sigh arose in his heart: “Fortunately, I only need to maintain the class’s first place to obtain the cultivation methods!”
“Thus viewed, the ranking system within this university is indeed of considerable value!”
Several days later, just as Zhang Yu contemplated showcasing his improved strength during the next competition team training session, the team captain, Ma Xuan, sent a message.
Ma Xuan: Zhang Yu, there are some matters regarding the specific arrangements for next semester’s competition that I need to discuss with you.
Ma Xuan: Your talent is exceptional, and your strength has progressed rapidly all along. I’ve always believed you could be our team’s secret weapon.
Ma Xuan: Cong Na also admires you greatly and finds collaborating with you very enjoyable.
Upon seeing this, an ominous premonition arose in Zhang Yu’s heart: “Speaking so many pleasantries right at the outset… it seems there’s no good news in store!”
Ma Xuan: However, there is now a student ranked higher than you who is joining our team.
Ma Xuan: The team has unanimously decided that for now, you will serve as a substitute.
Hearing Ma Xuan’s words, Zhang Yu paused slightly, cursing inwardly, “It’s this pervasive ill wind in universities of valuing only results and rankings that is too prevalent!”
“Can a mere ranking encapsulate my entire worth?”
Fu Ji remarked, “That’s not what you said when you surpassed Gongshu Jin in rank last time! You cannot only deem rankings good when your own rank is higher than the other party’s!”
Zhang Yu pouted. He naturally understood that in university, ranking was king; the one with the higher rank had the right of it, and the one with the higher rank had priority!
As a system for evaluating the value of a university student, Zhang Yu, within the Ten Thousand Methods University City, could only abide by it!
At least at this moment, he did not possess the strength sufficient to contend with this system!
Indeed, he himself was a beneficiary of this system!
But the position of substitute…
Zhang Yu thought to himself, if he didn’t participate in the matches, even if the competition team achieved a ranking, his overall score would not increase significantly!
“Alas, what a bother!”
Just as Zhang Yu was feeling troubled, he discovered that the new team member had already been added to the competition team group chat by Ma Xuan!
“Ji Yuanzhu?”
Seeing that the one joining the team was none other than Ji Yuanzhu, who was ranked above him, Zhang Yu frowned, “Just a fellow one rank higher than me!”
“Speaking of which, he’s transferring to the Finance Department. Is he participating in the competition to improve his overall score?”
Ma Xuan: Welcome, fellow student Ji.
Cong Na: Welcome, welcome [fireworks][fireworks][fireworks]
Bu Ziran: Junior Brother Ji, it’s been a while.
Yang Yan: Haha, Yuanzhu, it’s excellent that you’re here. Then our competition ranking next semester will surely improve.
Observing the fervent welcome from the group members, Zhang Yu felt even more that this was too starkly different from how he was welcomed when he first joined the group!
And watching the few of them conversing so jovially in the group chat, Zhang Yu felt increasingly out of place here!
Several days later, the competition team members organized training again, but this time they didn’t even inform Zhang Yu!
“These fellows…” Zhang Yu thought inwardly, “It seems they’ve completely given up on me!”
“Ultimately, I cannot walk the same path as these wealthy young masters!”
“Should I switch teams?”
“Or should I stay here and perhaps gain some overall score?”
But in the next instant, Zhang Yu’s brow furrowed slightly: “No, if I stay on the team, no matter how much overall score is added in the end, as a substitute player, my added score will definitely not be higher than Ji Yuanzhu’s!”
“Then won’t I start next semester with a lower score than him?”
“Could this fellow be doing this intentionally? Deliberately using this method to suppress me and gain an advantage in the rankings?”
Zhang Yu couldn’t be certain, nor could he possibly ask Ji Yuanzhu. However, his thoughts of switching to another competition team grew stronger!
“Never mind, let’s first continue to accumulate strength and prepare for the final examinations!”
“Anyway, the registration period is still long. After the final exams, when my rank goes up, I’ll see if I can switch teams!”
Thus, in the days that followed, Zhang Yu felt as though a weight was pressing down on him, and he cultivated even more diligently!
In the blink of an eye, time arrived in late July!
Only a little over a month remained until the final examinations at the end of August!
On this day, within the dormitory, everyone finally received the spirit coins from the previous robbery of the dark seed realm!
And looking at the numbers in their bank accounts, their eyes flickered, as if a ray of hope had dawned!
Yu Xinghan’s complexion was rosy, and a joyful expression spread across his face as he thought, “Now I can exchange for a Dharma Body!”
“But should I exchange for a Hand Massage Dharma Body to further enhance my earning efficiency, or should I exchange for a cultivation-type Dharma Body to increase cultivation efficiency?”
Countless Dharma Body models immediately appeared in his mind. These were all targets he had meticulously selected, constantly comparing and filtering during the days he couldn’t afford new Dharma Bodies!
On the other side, Le Mulan, looking at the numbers in her bank account, thought to herself, “Adding my own savings, it should be enough to complete the advanced surgery for Super Metabolism!”
Having reached the second layer, Le Mulan, under her elder brother’s guidance, quickly discovered that the companies above had already developed advanced surgery for Super Metabolism!
Zhang Yu was also looking at the numbers displayed in his eye-frame!
Although he had sold some magical power as a subsidy in the past two months, in order to continue progressing, Zhang Yu’s expenses on elixirs, spirit stones, Dao arts, magical treasures, and so on were indeed substantial, and his savings had been gradually diminishing!
However, with this wave of spirit coins today, the number of spirit coins in his account reached a substantial 42.9!
For a moment, Zhang Yu’s heart surged. This was the first time he had possessed so many spirit coins!
And the question arose: where to spend them?
“Sister’s Taiqing Talismans still require 50 spirit coins!”
“Although 42.9 spirit coins to 50 spirit coins doesn’t seem like much, relying solely on my current income, even if I scrimp and save and am willing to slow down the rate of cultivation improvement, it would still take no less than 2 to 3 months to save up!”
“The key is that these Taiqing Talismans… their effect is still unknown!”
Zhang Yu mused inwardly, “On the other hand, if I invest in Spirit-Flesh Unification, I can immediately cultivate a second cultivation method!”
Regarding Spirit-Flesh Unification, Zhang Yu had been making attempts these past few days. Although he had made slight progress, he had yet to see any hope of success in the short term!
This also gradually made him give up the possibility of achieving a breakthrough on his own, preparing to directly invest funds!
On one hand, enduring another 2 to 3 months for the Taiqing Talismans, whose future was uncertain!
On the other hand, achieving success within not too long for the Spirit-Flesh Unification and a second cultivation method, whose functions were clear!
Especially considering that the final examinations were only a little over a month away, Zhang Yu’s current plan was related to his success rate in striving for the top spot in the class!
“It’s still Spirit-Flesh Unification, striving for a second cultivation method!”
After some thought, as the chill of ritual power permeated, seemingly urging him to seize the time and not cease, Zhang Yu ultimately donned the spiritual interface mask, his consciousness delving into the spiritual realm, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at the Hammer Heart Abode!
A pure white room, devoid of anything!
A line of text appeared before Zhang Yu: “Hello, I am Hammer Heart Abode Server Spirit 3001001, and I am delighted to be of service!”
“What do you require?”
Zhang Yu stated, “Spirit-Flesh Unification, the one for 30 spirit coins that guarantees success!”
As Zhang Yu’s words fell, the pure white room before him expanded rapidly, transforming in an instant into a pavilion with mountains and water!
And below the original text appeared a beautiful woman in palace attire, looking at Zhang Yu with a beaming smile, and said, “Hello, Mr. Zhang Yu, please have some tea!”
Zhang Yu casually accepted the teacup offered to him by the other party, observing how the originally simple small room had transformed into a luxurious courtyard in an instant. He mused inwardly, “It changes so quickly, truly catering to the customer!”
“But I feel a bit pleased. Consumerism is indeed deeply harmful!”
Zhang Yu opened his mouth and asked, “First, explain to me how you will help me achieve Spirit-Flesh Unification.”
The other party replied, “Hammer Heart Abode has collected a vast amount of breakthrough experiences from cultivators. Based on your specific situation, it can select matching breakthrough experiences for you and simulate the environment in which others broke through at that time!”
“And as long as you purchase this service, you will be able to undergo one simulated breakthrough daily!”
“According to our company’s current data statistics, the longest time taken for a breakthrough is 29 days!”
Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered, and he said, “Are you saying that after purchasing this service, even the person with the worst aptitude can successfully reach the realm of Spirit-Flesh Unification after 29 simulated breakthroughs?”
The other party smiled slightly and said, “You can understand it that way!”
After confirming that Zhang Yu indeed wished to order the Spirit-Flesh Unification guaranteed success service, the price list, contract, various discounts, and packages quickly appeared before Zhang Yu!
“No membership, no participation in activities, no extra services. I only want the 30 spirit coins to achieve Spirit-Flesh Unification…”
As Zhang Yu finished speaking, upon seeing the installment payment option presented by the other party, he hesitated for a moment!
“How many installments are possible?”
“12 installments, 3.3 spirit coins per installment. The deduction will begin next month.”
Zhang Yu silently calculated, “That means I’ll be paying an extra 9.6 spirit coins over a year or more.”
“Can the spirit coins temporarily freed up by installment payments allow me to earn an extra 9.6 spirit coins in a year or more?”
Just as Zhang Yu was pondering these matters, the beautiful woman in palace attire before him spoke again, “If you choose installment payments now, you will receive a free cultivation method compatibility test, which can help you calculate the second cultivation method that is most suitable for you!”
Zhang Yu made his decision: “I’ll take it!”
He understood in his heart that after achieving Spirit-Flesh Unification, he would definitely need to choose a second cultivation method!
After signing the contract, Zhang Yu first participated in psychological and will tests!
Based on his cultivation method, psychological state, Dao heart level, and other parameters, the simulated breakthrough environment matching Zhang Yu’s condition was quickly generated!
[5 hours ago] Chapter 4: Decisive Battle
[5 hours ago] Chapter 3: Unforgettable Regret
[5 hours ago] Chapter 2: Lord of the Dongzhen Ruins
