Chapter 281: University Courses

No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Zhang Yu looked at Bai Zhenzhen and said, “Don’t worry, Ah-Zhen. If anyone dares to mess with me, I’ll just call you.”

“Mhm.” Bai Zhenzhen smiled and nodded, but then suddenly pouted. “It’s a shame I can’t transfer you any Spirit Coins today.”

“After Mom—Seven Sentiments Lord—found out about the last transfer, she gave me a scolding and told me not to give you any more Spirit Coins.”

“Ugh, so stingy. It was only 5 Spirit Coins! Let me figure something out and find a chance to get the money to you.”

Zhang Yu quickly said, “Ah-Zhen, don’t rush it. You’re at Heavenly Sword Sect University now, you should be more mindful of what the Lord thinks. Whatever you do, don’t anger her.”

Fu Ji chimed in, “Exactly. Don’t end up on a Nascent Soul cultivator’s blacklist just because Bai Zhenzhen keeps throwing money at you.”

Zhang Yu nodded. “Ah-Zhen, next time you transfer money, you can avoid using my name. Send it to Yu Xinghan instead—no, wait…”

After a moment of thought, he said, “You can send it to my sister or Le Mulan. I’ll just spend it secretly through them.”

Bai Zhenzhen puffed out her chest and said confidently, “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. If anything comes up, I’ll talk to you first.”

The two chatted warmly for a while longer. After a few turns, Bai Zhenzhen seemed to be urged by someone offscreen. With a trace of reluctance in her expression, she said, “Yuzi, I need to go do some breathing practice.”

Zhang Yu nodded understandingly. “Go on then. I’ll hang up now.”

But Bai Zhenzhen suddenly turned back, as if listening to someone, then smiled and said, “No need. Let’s just keep the call on.”

“Mom says we can keep the connection open while cultivating separately. It helps build bonds with friends and prepares us for the Extreme Sentiment Swordsmanship.”

So, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen left their projection call running and began cultivating on their own.

Though they didn’t speak again, as Zhang Yu practiced the Body-Refining Seventy-Two Forms for Foundation Establishment, he occasionally glanced at Bai Zhenzhen meditating in the projection. It felt like being back on the First Floor again, with her quietly by his side, cultivating with him.

Although Bai Zhenzhen kept her eyes closed in meditation and couldn’t see Zhang Yu, thanks to the advanced technology of the Spiritual Realm Network, she could still hear the sounds of his training and breathing as if he were right next to her.

It felt just like the old days, and a faint smile curled her lips.

Several hours passed in the blink of an eye. Bai Zhenzhen opened her eyes and exhaled deeply. “Yuzi, I have to go to class.”

Body-Refining Seventy-Two Forms Level 8 → Level 9

Zhang Yu also stopped his movements and nodded. “I should head to class too.”

“See you tomorrow night.”

After they said their goodbyes, with a flash of light, Bai Zhenzhen vanished like a phantom from Zhang Yu’s sight.

Zhang Yu then mentally checked his current data usage and winced. “It’s great having Ah-Zhen around during training…”

“But if I burn through this much data every day, I’ll be out of monthly data in just a few days.”

“Even maintaining friendships with your bros costs a fortune on the Second Floor…”

As Zhang Yu was grumbling, the dorm door opened and Yu Xinghan called out, “Zhang Yu, eaten yet? You’d better hurry up—class is starting soon, and we can’t be late for the first lecture!”

Seeing Zhang Yu’s expression, Yu Xinghan asked, “Why do you look like someone just broke up with you? Did you and Bai Zhenzhen drift apart during the call? She’s a Nascent Soul disciple now, after all—you should start mentally preparing yourself.”

Zhang Yu said calmly, “Don’t talk nonsense. You wouldn’t understand the bond between me and Ah-Zhen.”

Yu Xinghan said, “Tch, what bond doesn’t fade? You think that old fossil never had close brothers or comrades?”

“Look at him now, stuck on the First Floor. How many of them reached out to help?”

“Feelings fade. Money’s the only real thing—the only thing that becomes your cultivation, your strength, always by your side.”

“While you can still talk to Bai Zhenzhen, you should be squeezing her for as much money as possible. Even if you’re not friends later, at least you profited.”

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes. So your idea of preparing in advance is just asking her for more money?

He stepped into the dorm, pulled out some Synthetic Food he’d brought up from the First Floor, and started eating while opening the class schedule on his EyeNet.

The schedule had been shared in the Foundation Establishment group chat yesterday. It listed the next three months of courses.

“These next three months are standardized Foundation Establishment courses.”

“Then in September, the official school year starts. Everyone will take the courses they personally registered for.”

“And by the end of the academic year, once the rankings are finalized, each student’s rank and rewards will be determined…”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “That gives me a full year to train. I wonder how high I can climb in the rankings.”

He looked down at his palm. The black sigil was already more than halfway filled—his Feathered Tome would soon unlock a new chapter.

Besides the class schedule, Zhang Yu had also received a friend request from a Righteous God yesterday.

“Is this the Righteous God assigned to find me a teacher?”

After passing the Foundation Establishment exam, Zhang Yu had earned the right to pick his own teacher.

After confirming the god’s intent, Zhang Yu had opted not to pick anyone for now—he didn’t know many professors at Wanfa Sect University yet.

The god understood and didn’t push. He told Zhang Yu to take his time and make a decision anytime before the end of his freshman year.

There was also the good news that a 2.5 Spirit Coin scholarship had arrived, pushing his balance past 12.

Just then, Yu Xinghan, still eating, asked, “When do people around here stop eating real food?”

Zhang Pianpian explained with ease, “Kunxu’s Second Floor… used to be the medicinal herb garden for the Ten Major Sects. For a long time, it was used to grow herbs for the sects.”

“Eventually, to expand production and improve efficiency, they started hiring mortals to help manage the herbs and taught them some Immortal Dao technology.”

“As more and more people came, they gradually set up schools, and now the place has developed into universities. Many locals became sect reserves.”

“To sell more medicine to the upper levels and increase profits, companies and universities expanded herb farms, cutting into the space used to grow food.”

“As local food became more expensive, people began using herb by-products to make pills that restore energy and nutrients.”

“With food expensive and pills cheap, people started surviving on pills. Later they found cement had the best digestion-dampening effect for the price, so some folks began swallowing cement.”

Zhang Yu asked curiously, “But what about mortals? If they’re not cultivators, wouldn’t the pills and cement be too much for them?”

Zhang Pianpian smiled. “Below the 100th floor of University City, it’s mostly mortals—places cultivators almost never visit.”

“Their situation… is hard to describe. Let’s just say, they’re very happy.”

“If you’re curious, go see for yourself when you have time.”

“Anyway, the current setup is a balance between universities, companies, and sects. It’s just humanity adapting to the environment.”

“If it’s cheaper to eat pills here, then eat pills. If food becomes cheaper somewhere else, switch to food.”

Yu Xinghan looked at the White Dragon senior and recalled the teachings of Xinghuo Zhenren. He nodded slightly. “You’re right. We should adapt to our environment.”

Then he stretched out his hand. “Share some of that cement with me.”

In his other hand, Yu Xinghan held the Synthetic Food, thinking to himself, “Forget eating this… Food’s expensive here, right? I’ll sell it and see if I can make a few Spirit Coins.”

Le Mulan also reached out. “Mind sharing some? I want to adjust to the environment here as soon as possible too.”

Yu Xinghan glanced at Zhang Yu. “You don’t want any?”

Zhang Yu said casually, “I can already control my digestive system and suppress it with sheer will. No need for external aids.”

Yu Xinghan cursed under his breath. Show-off.

He’d trained with Zhang Yu on the First Floor and knew all too well how terrifying the guy’s talent was.

Zhang Pianpian looked at Zhang Yu in surprise and said admiringly, “Little Yu, looks like you’ve really made progress over the past two years.”

After breakfast, everyone headed to class guided by the EyeNet.

Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan darted through the magnetic pathways surrounded by arcs of lightning.

Yu Xinghan urged, “Hurry up—there’s a fine if we’re late!”

Zhang Yu remained calm. “The class is on the 200th floor. The dorms are only one kilometer away on the 125th floor. We’re almost there.”

When they entered the classroom, most of the students had arrived, but the teacher was still nowhere to be seen.

…

Seconds before class began, a flash appeared in every student’s EyeNet.

A projection materialized—a blazing Phoenix wreathed in intense flames.

The Phoenix swept a cold gaze over the students, and a woman’s voice followed: “I’m your instructor for this class. You can call me Feng Jiu. Over the next three months, I’ll be teaching you the most fundamental Dao Heart course in Foundation Establishment.”

“I usually work deep in the Spiritual Realm. My physical body remains in long-term slumber. What you’re seeing now is my Spiritual Realm projection…”

Zhang Yu was stunned. “Is this… a virtual class?”

Fu Ji asked curiously, “What? The teacher’s here? I didn’t see anything!”

Zhang Yu was about to explain when Yu Xinghan said, “Look, Zhang Yu—a Phoenix!”

Zhang Yu sighed. “You’re lagging again?”

Yu Xinghan finally realized his new EyeNet worked fine in quiet areas, but in crowds, it had a slight delay.

“It’s fine,” he said. “This Jihu-brand EyeNet was dirt cheap. Performance is a bit lacking, but it works for class. Once I make some money, I’ll upgrade.”