Chapter 285: The Dao Seed Codex

No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

The Feathered Tome fluttered open without wind, its pages turning naturally to the second chapter—

The Dao Seed Codex

—in perfect sync with Zhang Yu’s thoughts.

On the open page, a silhouette resembling Zhang Yu emerged, but the surroundings were blank—no text, no diagrams, no symbols.

“What’s this supposed to mean?”

Staring at the lone figure on the page, Zhang Yu fell into deep thought.

He flipped back and forth, trying to figure out how this so-called Dao Seed Codex worked, or what effect it had, but made no progress.

Then suddenly, his gaze landed on Yu Xinghan beside him.

Back when Zhang Yu was practicing the Foundation Establishment Body-Refining Seventy-Two Forms, the cramped dorm forced him to train outside the room.

But ever since he advanced the technique to Level 20 and began cultivating the Foundation Heart-Forging Technique, he had remained indoors like the others.

Now, as he glanced at Yu Xinghan, something new caught his eye—something he had never seen before.

“Three-Eyed Divine Sight? What’s that?”

Three-Eyed Divine Sight (Spirit Root)

The words appeared like a label, pasted directly on Yu Xinghan’s chest.

As Zhang Yu focused his attention on the label, he sensed an ineffable, arcane stream of information—something beyond the grasp of language.

“So this… is a Dao Seed?”

Zhang Yu attempted to describe the feeling in his mind: “Among the myriad beings of heaven and earth, each has different talents and potential on the path of cultivation.”

“The so-called Dao Seed is the distilled essence of that potential—it signifies one’s aptitude for immortality. Usually, it lies dormant, yet to be fully awakened.”

“If I help others develop their Dao Seeds, the Codex can replicate and record them. Then I can apply them to myself.”

In short, Zhang Yu thought, a Dao Seed represents someone’s innate potential in cultivation. If I help awaken it, I get to copy it.

Excitement stirred within him. While mulling over the Dao Seed Codex’s capabilities, his eyes flicked toward Le Mulan and Zhang Pianpian.

Le Mulan bore the label: Frostvein Mana Circuit (Mana)

But Zhang Pianpian had nothing—no sign of a Dao Seed at all.

Zhang Yu frowned. “With how strong my sister is, how could she have no Dao Seed?”

“It must mean certain conditions have to be met before someone’s Dao Seed becomes visible.”

“I probably don’t meet the requirements to see hers yet.”

Unable to decipher the rules just yet, Zhang Yu set it aside for now, focusing instead on studying the Dao Seeds on Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan, sensing the mysterious aura they emitted.

As he observed, insights gradually coalesced in his mind.

“There are different types of Dao Seeds. Yu Xinghan’s Three-Eyed Divine Sight is a Spirit Root-type, while Le Mulan’s Frostvein Mana Circuit is a Mana-type.”

“And you can only have one active Dao Seed per type at a time.”

“But that also means… different types of Dao Seeds can function simultaneously.”

Zhang Yu smiled at the revelation and continued examining the two, soaking in the Dao Seed’s profound nature.

“Yu Xinghan’s Three-Eyed Divine Sight requires increasing the integration rate of his Spirit Root. It has to be at least ninety percent before the seed can be awakened.”

“Le Mulan’s Frostvein Mana Circuit, on the other hand, requires synchronized breathing and mana circulation with her. I’ll need to guide higher-quality mana into her body to elevate her mana quality.”

Zhang Yu recalled the instructions from their mana classes. He’d need mana of exceptional purity, and he’d have to channel it into Le Mulan’s body.

“Once her mana quality hits 150% or more, the Frostvein Mana Circuit will awaken.”

But even with this knowledge, Zhang Yu didn’t rush to start cultivating with them. He closed his eyes instead, calming his excitement.

“The Dao Seed Codex gives me a whole new dimension of power—it lets me collect others’ cultivation talents and make them my own.”

Just thinking about it stirred his blood. In his mind’s eye, he could already see his path to immortality growing broader and steeper, his future self climbing higher and higher.

“But… slow down, Zhang Yu.”

Though his heart burned to test it immediately—to activate Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan’s Dao Seeds and imprint them onto himself—he knew cultivation wasn’t something to rush.

“Besides, I don’t yet have the strength to help awaken their Dao Seeds.”

He took a deep breath, reining in his impulses. Calm and reason returned to his mind.

“For now, my top priority is to master the foundational techniques and unlock the University Saint Body. That’ll increase my cultivation efficiency and make all future training more effective.”

He still regretted how late he obtained the High School Saint Body.

So this time, he wouldn’t repeat that mistake. He would first master the University Saint Body, then expand into other areas.

“Sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the chopping of wood…”

With that thought, Zhang Yu pushed aside all distractions and dove fully into the Foundation Heart-Forging Technique once more.

From then on, apart from attending classes, Zhang Yu devoted all his time to cultivating foundational techniques.

As the supply of Synthetic Food dwindled, he switched to second-floor medications.

One day at mealtime, Yu Xinghan asked, “Anyone got discounts today?”

Le Mulan answered, “I got a coupon.”

“Three-month installment plan—no service fees.”

Yu Xinghan’s eye sockets swirled with projections of shops. “Then which one should we order from?”

Zhang Pianpian chimed in, “Let’s go with 'The Pharmacist’s Final Gamble Capsules.' Their meds are all factory-sealed—no reprocessing or hand-mixing. Quality’s guaranteed.”

Moments later, a knock echoed at the door, followed by a shout from the hallway: “PillShare delivery’s here!”

Yu Xinghan rushed to the door, catching sight of the lightning-quick delivery guy dropping off packs of pills outside each dorm.

He didn’t mind. After all, PillShare’s installment pills were dirt cheap.

“College kids,” he muttered, “we’re at the age where we trade our bodies for budget pills.”

Opening the packaging, he pulled out some edible concrete—courtesy of a shop promo—and began handing out meds.

Zhang Yu received a handful of Stamina Capsules, Nutrition Capsules, and Energy Capsules, swallowing them all in one go.

The Stamina Capsules replenished physical energy, the Nutrition Capsules met bodily nutritional needs, and the Energy Capsules went a step beyond Neural Fillers—restoring mental energy and completely eliminating the need for sleep.

Zhang Yu sighed, “Cheap really is cheap.”

“Even if I have to take six doses a day due to high cultivation demand, it only costs 0.02 Spirit Coins per month. That’s just 0.24 a year.”

On the other side, Yu Xinghan felt the medicinal energy begin to warm his limbs. But then his stomach intensified its digestion to monstrous levels—so much so that it threatened to consume itself from within.

He hastily shoved the concrete into his mouth, grimacing as he swallowed. Only then did his gut begin to calm.

He glanced enviously at Zhang Yu. “Lucky bastard doesn’t even need to eat concrete.”

Le Mulan, hearing Zhang Yu marvel at the cost savings, reminded him, “But eating these long-term overloads your organs—leads to liver and kidney damage, immune suppression, heart problems. Worst of all… they increase cancer risk.”

“Whatever money you save ends up paying for medical bills.”

Her warning came from the elders of the Le clan on the second floor—it had nothing to do with Medicinal Toxins or Pill Poisoning. It was simply the long-term toll of medication.

Zhang Pianpian nodded. “Max five years. After that, you switch to Fasting Pills. Past that point, the risk outweighs the reward.”

Fu Ji chuckled, “If you can’t earn enough in your youth to afford Fasting Pills, you’ll start breaking down—spending all your savings on treatment, needing meds just to keep working… Ha! Those second-floor pharma corps are real two-for-one deals. No wonder first-floor folks can’t survive.”

She turned to Zhang Yu. “Once your cultivation’s stable, start saving hard. You’ll want Fasting Pills as soon as possible.”

After eating, Zhang Yu returned immediately to his training.

A few days passed. He advanced the Foundation Heart-Forging Technique to Level 20, the Foundation Breathing Technique to Level 20, and the Martial Force Manual to Level 12.

He mused, “Once I max out the Martial Force Manual, that’ll make four required techniques for the University Saint Body. Still need six more.”

Yu Xinghan, watching Zhang Yu’s intense focus on basic techniques, couldn’t hold back anymore. “We’ve been in class for over a week now, and you’re still grinding basics?”

“Your data barely budged. Your composite score hasn’t moved. You even dropped a rank.”

The composite score was Wanfa University’s holistic evaluation metric. It combined academic credits, test scores, competition results, research projects, and core metrics like Dao Heart, mana levels, and physical strength.

Since the Foundation students were new, those core metrics carried the most weight—for now.

Zhang Yu glanced at his slip to 14th place but didn’t mind. “Relax. I know what I’m doing.”

“If I can’t accept falling behind temporarily for long-term gain, how can I call myself a cultivator? How can I temper my Dao Heart?”

Outside the dorm, he practiced in strange, jerky motions—limbs snapping with ghostly afterimages in grotesque, contorted patterns.

Every move looked off, twisted, like a lazy parody of real martial arts.

“So fast… but this looks way too half-assed.”

Yu Xinghan shook his head, baffled by Zhang Yu’s bizarre training.

He couldn’t understand why Zhang Yu focused so much on basic techniques—and practiced them in such an odd, seemingly careless way.

“Whatever. Your call.”

Zhang Pianpian, watching as well, didn’t interfere.

She thought, “My little brother’s innate gift is no joke. There’s definitely a reason for his methods.”

Instead of questioning him, she grew curious to see what Zhang Yu would achieve with such an approach.

Le Mulan hadn’t even reached Foundation yet, so she had no real opinion on the training regimen of a Foundation patriarch.

That night, Bai Zhenzhen’s package finally arrived.

As Zhang Yu opened it, a rich aroma of meat wafted out, catching the attention of everyone around—Yu Xinghan, Le Mulan, and Zhang Pianpian all turned toward him.

Yu Xinghan exclaimed, “Bai Zhenzhen sent you jerky?!”

Zhang Yu gave a small nod. “Let’s share.”

As they each took a bite, bliss spread across their faces.

Zhang Yu felt it too—a subtle but profound lift in mood.

That night, while chatting with Bai Zhenzhen again, he asked where the jerky came from. She laughed and said, “If you like it, I’ll send more.”

“That’s

Joy Jerky

. It boosts mood, banishes negative feelings, helps you study and cultivate with enthusiasm.”

“It’s good stuff. Just the four of you enjoy it. Don’t let anyone else see.”

In the days that followed, Zhang Yu remained fully immersed in his foundational techniques.

And soon enough, he reached six maxed-out techniques at Level 20—unlocking the requirements for the University Saint Body.

University Saint Body (6/6): Drug tolerance, absorption, and metabolism boosted to the peak of Foundation Establishment.