Chapter 270: Fleeting Moments of Bliss

No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Listening to what Zhang Pianpian was saying, Bai Zhenzhen nodded and replied, “I get it now. It’s like how the worst students at Songyang High get treated—once you're in college, everything depends on rankings, right? The higher-ranked can totally humiliate the lower-ranked. The lower you are, the more of a societal stain you are.”

Her eyes lit up. “College is a world where rankings are everything!”

Zhang Pianpian smiled slightly. “You’ve caught on quickly. Once you’re in college, you’ll need to boost your rankings fast.”

She then pointed to the halo behind her head and explained, “As for this halo, it’s the mark of a Student Council officer. It’s a type of unique spiritual realm fluctuation exclusive to the Student Council.”

“You can think of it as a kind of visual effect. Right now, you can see it through the screen, but once you’re up there, only people with Law Husk Eyes can see it.”

“Oh right, do you have Law Husk Eyes yet?”

Zhang Yu answered, “I’ve got mine. Ah-Zhen’s planning to get a basic model as a backup and bring it up with her...”

Then Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen told Zhang Pianpian about everything they had gained lately, along with the guidance they’d received from Xinghuo Zhenren.

After listening, Zhang Pianpian nodded slightly. “Xinghuo Zhenren’s guidance is solid. The major you’ve chosen makes sense too. I think this path suits you both.”

The conversation continued, with Zhang Pianpian offering advice on how to prepare before entering college and explaining some of the rules they’d need to follow once there.

…

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, there were only three months left before the college entrance exams.

That day, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had just arrived at the downtown Training Hall when a wave of killing intent slammed into them like a physical force, crashing into their Sea of Consciousness.

The next moment, darkness swallowed their vision—they were blown away by an explosion.

Only then did Xinghuo Zhenren’s voice reach their ears.

“Starting today, I’ll ambush you anytime, anywhere.”

“Especially you, Zhang Yu.” Xinghuo Zhenren glanced at him, already back on his feet and full of energy, and said flatly, “You can really take a beating. If I don’t go hard on you, it’d be a waste of that talent.”

Zhang Yu’s face darkened. For a moment, he couldn’t decide whether to cry or be grateful that a Gold Core Cultivator was working this hard to train him.

Just then, Zhang Yu’s phone buzzed with a notification: “Foundation Establishment cultivator Yu Xinghan has entered within 100 meters of your location. Follow Yu Xinghan on all major platforms for nightly cultivation livestreams at 10 p.m.”

Zhang Yu looked up and saw Yu Xinghan approaching. After taking the Foundation Establishment exam for the second time, he had earned his Foundation License and completed Foundation Establishment a month ago. With him was Li Xuelian, Xinghuo Zhenren’s daughter.

Xinghuo Zhenren said, “Xinghan, you’ll spar with Zhang Yu today.”

“Xuelian, you’ll guide Bai Zhenzhen.”

“I’ll be lurking nearby, ready to ambush any of you at any time.”

Looking at the group, Xinghuo Zhenren thought to himself, “Let them train together for a while. Maybe they’ll build some camaraderie too.”

Yu Xinghan stood in front of Zhang Yu, his gaze complex.

He thought, “I was first. I was the one Master took in as a disciple first. Now I’m being dragged here to be Zhang Yu’s sparring partner.”

To say he felt no jealousy or envy would’ve been a lie.

But he also understood—those who perform better deserve better treatment. If he were Xinghuo Zhenren, he’d prioritize Zhang Yu too.

“All I can do is work harder to catch up.”

“Maybe he makes ten times more than I do with every move he makes.”

“Then I’ll do twenty moves! Thirty! I’ll close the gap through effort!”

The next moment, under Xinghuo Zhenren’s guidance, Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan clashed. They disrupted each other’s muscular force flow, refining their own bodies more effectively in the process.

Seeing this, Xinghuo Zhenren nodded slightly.

He thought, “Zhang Yu and Xinghan will both be entering Wanfa Sect University soon. They’re both Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Civil Engineering Department—odds are they’ll be training and working together for years.”

“Better get them used to body-refining together now. When they reach the second floor, they’ll still be able to practice together, saving money and improving efficiency.”

“That way... even if I’m not around, they can still support each other and grow stronger together.”

Then, he frowned. “Yu Xinghan, why do you keep glancing at Xuelian?”

“Zhang Yu, focus!”

With a loud crack, a surge of Martial Intent swept across the two, pressing down on their minds and forcing them to channel their Heart Techniques to resist.

Xinghuo Zhenren glanced at Li Xuelian and Bai Zhenzhen, closely paired in their training, and muttered to himself, “Those two are still unloading products to Red Tower, and their drive is still this strong?”

…

One month before the college entrance exam.

Inside the Protected-Zone Breeding Facility.

Above the Spirit Vein, winds roared and clouds churned. A massive vortex of spiritual essence condensed visibly, forming a giant tornado that stretched from sky to earth, funneling directly into the heart of the Spirit Vein.

At its center sat Zhang Yu, cross-legged at the point of convergence. A massive vortex of mana swirled around him, drawing the spiritual essence into his body where it was refined and added to his inner reserves.

Whirlpool Breathing Technique: Level 20

Mana: 261.9

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “I haven’t had that many sessions, but every time I’ve cultivated inside the Spirit Vein, the growth’s been incredible. Finally, Whirlpool Breathing Technique reached Level 20.”

“Now, the Sacrificial Oxheart Technique, Endless Spring and Autumn Meditation, and Whirlpool Breathing Technique have all hit the Foundation Establishment cap.”

“If I keep training steadily, I should be able to bring my Dao Heart, mana, and physical strength all up to their Foundation limits without much issue.”

But Zhang Yu knew slow, steady progress wasn’t his style.

Especially once he reached the second floor—he’d likely have to deal with Wang Yin’s hostility. To compete with the geniuses up there, he’d need to become stronger, faster.

“Too bad there’s nothing really useful for Foundation Establishment on the first floor. I’ll have to wait till I’m in university to find something better.”

Thinking about the exam a month away, and the life awaiting him on the second floor, Zhang Yu felt a mix of anticipation, tension, and unease.

“And what’s with Fu Ji? How’s she still not awake? It’s been over half a year. Just how long is she planning to sleep?”

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Zhang Yu focused on sensing the effects of his Level 20 Whirlpool Breathing Technique.

At Level 20, it accelerated the vortex’s rotation during breathing exercises, increasing the efficiency of spiritual essence absorption and mana refinement.

By Zhang Yu’s estimate, the effect maxed out after an hour of continuous breathing, boosting intake efficiency by around thirty percent.

“Not bad.”

Zhang Yu nodded quietly. That should give him a bit more of a power boost before entering university.

“Maybe next time I come here, I’ll rent the Spirit Vein for a longer stretch.”

Just then, Bai Zhenzhen’s voice called out, “Yuzi, time’s up. Let’s go.”

Their figures shot through the air, Foundation-level bodies kicking up a fierce wind. In moments, they arrived at the checkpoint of the Protected Zone.

An’an greeted them cheerfully. “All done training?”

Thanks to Zhang Yu’s help, An’an had become the checkpoint’s unofficial mascot. Her pay had gone up, and her work hours were down. Her fluffy tail looked thicker, and her head a little rounder.

Zhang Yu waved. “Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

He and Bai Zhenzhen soared down the highway, heading home under the setting sun.

From Zhang Yu’s phone came Zhao Tianxing’s voice: “[laugh-cry emoji] I’ve been alright lately. Since I’m a Soul Cultivation Student now, I don’t need food money. But the internet bill and electricity...”

The call abruptly dropped.

Seeing the “user suspended” message, Zhang Yu sighed and topped him up with a hundred credits.

Then he teased, “Old Zhao, what kind of internet plan are you using? This bill’s out of control.”

Zhao Tianxing replied helplessly: “Soul Cultivation Students use commercial-tier networks. The rates scale up, so yeah... it burns fast. But I can start working now. I’ll pay you back when I make some money.”

After a few more casual messages, Zhang Yu pocketed his phone—just in time to feel something land on his back.

Bai Zhenzhen had jumped onto him and was now clinging to his neck.

“Yuzi, it’s been a while since I rode you. Let me do it today, okay?”

Zhang Yu could tell she felt different today.

Resting her cheek against his back, she listened to the powerful sounds of his flexing muscles and smiled.

“Yuzi, three years ago, I never imagined I’d make it into the Top Ten.”

Zhang Yu nodded. “Yeah. Who would’ve thought?”

The past half-year had been the most fulfilling and peaceful time since they entered high school.

No rich kids breathing down their necks. No enemies pressuring them. Just steady progress, step by step, with help from many people, drawing closer to their dreams.

Zhang Yu felt that—even in Kunxu—he might’ve found a bit of happiness.

Gazing at the golden-tinted Songyang City under the setting sun, he said with feeling, “Everyone’s getting better.”

“We’ll get better too.”

“Not just into the Top Ten.”

“We’ll go on to earn master’s degrees, doctorates. Break through to Gold Core. Reach Nascent Soul. Enter Wanfa Sect together.”

Bai Zhenzhen’s lips curled into a smile. She seemed to already see their bright future, climbing the heights of Kunxu together, a warm glow rising in her chest.

Back at the apartment, the two had dinner together. Bai Zhenzhen suddenly got a notification—her Law Husk Eyes had arrived.

Heading to the delivery kiosk across the street, she got a call from Zhang Yu.

“Yeah, I’m picking it up now.”

“Yours arrived too?”

“Okay, okay, I’ll bring it up for you.”

“Hello?”

“Where’d you go?”

Bai Zhenzhen stared at her phone, puzzled. The signal was showing full bars—why couldn’t she hear him anymore?