Chapter 20: Central Tower

The moment the term “Golden Core Cultivator” was mentioned, Zhao Tianxing, who was riding in the car, visibly flinched. Then, he frowned in disbelief. “Why would a Golden Core Cultivator’s daughter come to Songyang?”

Zhang Yu nodded slightly beside him. He knew that above Qi Refinement was Foundation Establishment, and above that, Golden Core.

To reach Golden Core, you had to graduate from a top-tier high school, get accepted into one of the Ten Great Academies, then enter a major sect and cultivate all the way up. Who knew how many floors of Kunxu you'd have to climb just to get there?

A person like that—their daughter would’ve been born on at least the second floor of Kunxu. Why would she come to Songyang City, stuck down here on the first floor?

The driver smiled at their reaction, clearly eager to show off a little. “It’s not just Miss Li Xuelian coming to Songyang,” he said slowly.

“Word is, her father—Xinghuo Zhenren—actually hails from Songyang City. Now that he’s retiring, he plans to return here to enjoy his twilight years…”

Zhang Yu found that a little hard to believe. A Golden Core cultivator retiring to the newbie village?

The driver continued, “This art exhibition isn’t just showcasing Miss Li’s work. Supposedly, it’ll also feature a painting personally done by Xinghuo Zhenren—a Celestial Martial Diagram said to contain a hidden peerless martial technique.”

“So plenty of people attending this exhibition aren’t just here to meet Miss Li. They’re hoping to study that diagram and comprehend the martial art within.”

…

Songyang Central Tower.

Floor 999.

Zhang Yu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, awestruck by the billowing sea of clouds below. This was the first time he’d ever stood so high, looking down on an entire city.

He adjusted the brand-new security uniform he had just changed into, a faint sigh rising in his chest.

Ever since entering Central Tower, Zhang Yu felt as though he’d stepped into a dreamworld.

If the suburbs where he lived still somewhat resembled his previous life, then the infrastructure at Songyang High had already subtly surpassed anything from his past world. And this Central Tower…

Whether it was the sheer height of 999 floors or the Immortal-tech powered by circulating Mana throughout the building, everything looked like a fantasy made real.

Thinking back on how, under the aid of Dao techniques, he’d been pulled up by an array in just a few seconds to the 999th floor without suffering a scratch, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but marvel.

“Still in Songyang, but mortals live in the suburbs, cultivators gather downtown, and this tower… this is where the real money lives.”

“Three zones in the same city—like three entirely different layers of reality…”

Just then, Zhao Tianxing’s voice rang out behind him. “Zhang Yu, the captain wants us patrolling. Time to go.”

Zhang Yu turned to see Zhao Tianxing in the same security uniform.

But unlike Zhang Yu, who wore his uniform with ease, Zhao Tianxing looked like he’d just soiled his pants—shrinking in on himself with visible discomfort.

To him, this uniform made him look like a clown. He imagined every passerby casting him looks of scorn, contempt, or pity.

But he was overthinking it. Now that he wore the security uniform, he was no longer a mere mortal. He had become background noise to the building itself. Most people saw him as only slightly more visible than the potted plants.

Zhang Yu clapped him on the shoulder. “Chin up. We’re Central Tower security now, not food delivery. What’s there to be afraid of?”

Sensing the passersby’s attention shift to them due to Zhang Yu’s volume, Zhao Tianxing quickly said, “I got it, I got it—just talk quieter, don’t disturb anyone.”

The exhibition covered a large space—over a thousand square meters—with drinks and a buffet. To Zhang Yu, it felt less like an art show and more like a networking event.

The legendary Celestial Martial Diagram was still veiled under a curtain, waiting for Miss Li Xuelian to unveil it personally.

Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing were assigned to patrol one corner of the venue.

Since the exhibition hadn’t officially begun, their job was easy—no pressure, no backlash from the Ritual.

After all, Zhang Yu’s Ritual power only activated when working toward completing a wish.

His path to fulfilling that wish was studying, cultivating, getting into college, earning money… all to realize the Evil God's desires.

A temporary job like this was well within that scope. The Ritual wouldn’t force him to do something else.

In fact, compared to the harsh cultivation of the past few days, this idle wandering felt like a vacation.

As they neared the buffet, they saw several servers setting out dishes and arranging table decorations.

Zhang Yu glanced at the food trays, surprised. “Wait… is that seafood?”

Zhao Tianxing looked too. Spotting abalone and lobster, he nodded. “Ocean creatures. I’ve seen that shelled one when I went out with my mom once—goes for thirty or forty thousand per jin.”

“But this is Central Tower. Not that surprising, I guess.”

Seafood wasn’t rare in Zhang Yu’s old life—he’d had plenty.

But here in Kunxu—at least on the First Floor—marine life was exceedingly scarce. The original Zhang Yu had only seen it online. In real life, he’d never even laid eyes on the stuff, much less tasted it.

Because across the 20-million-square-kilometer stretch of Kunxu’s First Floor… there was no ocean.

What seafood there was came either from higher floors of Kunxu or from institutions that created artificial marine environments for farming.

Hearing Zhao Tianxing quote those sky-high prices, Zhang Yu inwardly winced. “That expensive?”

“Does it give you any cultivation benefits? Like boosting Mana?”

Given his worldview, it was a fair assumption. Everyone in the Immortal world pushed themselves to the limit—enhancing their Mana, martial arts, Dao techniques, body, and Dao Heart.

Food, clothing, shelter, transport—everything was about cultivation.

“Benefits?” Zhao Tianxing thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Not that I’ve heard. People eat it… because it tastes good.”

“Just for the taste?” Zhang Yu stared blankly at the lavish spread.

As the two of them kept sneaking peeks at the buffet, a frosty voice rang out behind them.

“You two security guards—why aren’t you patrolling? What are you sneaking around here for?”

Zhao Tianxing jumped and turned to explain. “We weren’t doing anything…”

But when he saw who was behind them, he froze.

Zhang Yu, on the other hand, turned casually and greeted her. “Oh? Ah-Zhen? You’re here too?”

Seeing it was their classmate Bai Zhenzhen, Zhao Tianxing suddenly felt like his uniform was the ugliest thing he’d ever worn. His whole body writhed like he was trying not to crap himself.

What if their classmates found out he was working security? He’d be slapped with all those ugly labels—poor, desperate, part-timer—and his social standing would plummet.

Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu with her usual chilly expression. “Didn’t think you’d get a head start on the working life. Being a security guard already, huh?”

Zhao Tianxing waved his hands quickly. “It’s not like that! Bai Zhenzhen, I’m just accompanying Zhang Yu!”

Zhang Yu smacked him on the shoulder. “Why panic? You’re making 800 an hour. That’s ten days’ worth of food and drink for a mortal, every single hour. You know how many people would kill for that?”

“Huh?” Zhao Tianxing blinked. He’d never thought of 800 like that.

But when he looked at Bai Zhenzhen again, she’d gone quiet, and he could sense a chill radiating from her.

Though they weren’t close, Zhao Tianxing knew she was always cold and aloof—only hanging out with Zhang Yu and Zhou Tianyi.

His own social group had tried inviting her before, but she never responded.

To him, she was a genius girl—arrogant and unapproachable.

Now, seeing her silent expression, he panicked. “Crap. Zhang Yu must’ve pissed her off.”

While Zhao Tianxing twisted awkwardly, trying to think of something to say, Bai Zhenzhen suddenly asked in a cold tone, “You really get 800 an hour?”

“Uh-huh.” Zhao Tianxing nodded dumbly, still unsure what she meant.

Just then, a voice called from across the buffet. A server waved them over. “New girl, stop spacing out. Go bring the next dish!”

Bai Zhenzhen glanced back at Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing. “I have to go carry food. We’ll talk later.”

Inwardly, she cursed. “What the hell? Security pays 800 an hour? I’m only getting 500! I should’ve signed up for that instead!”

Only now did Zhao Tianxing notice she was dressed exactly like the other servers. His eyes widened. “She’s working here too?”

“What’s so strange about that?” Zhang Yu replied casually. “Everyone’s working.”

He’d recognized her server outfit right away. Given her financial situation, it was only natural she had a part-time job.

But what impressed him was that, even while working, she still managed to stay at the top of their grade.

“Ah-Zhen really is something else. Among all the entry-level disciples under Songyang’s name, I’d say she’s only a hair weaker than me.”