Chapter 376: Throw Zhang Yu In

"After all, the number of Soul Cultivation Students keeps increasing every year. In the future, they’re bound to get cheaper."

"If a university war breaks out, the growth of Soul Cultivation Students will explode. Signing a full-time contract now? Total loss."

"Besides, those Soul Cultivation Students only work their hardest when they're still fighting for temp gigs."

Su Yanyang was rich, but never generous.

Because he believed the wealthier a person became, the more frugal they ought to be.

"Wealth is like Immortal cultivation. The higher your realm, the greater your daily consumption. Wealth and power radiate out with every action… and trickle away to the poor."

"Only by reducing financial outflow and cultivation loss—by keeping it all from leaking to the impoverished—can one walk further down the Immortal Path."

"Even True Immortals who've transcended the Three Loans and no longer pay the Five Insurances still seek to become 'leakless.' Who am I to squander money?"

…

At that moment, a violent whirlwind erupted outside the arena, twisting like a tornado.

At its center stood Ji Yuanshu, wrapped in a raging gale. His body spun faster and faster.

"Gravity fields are unpredictable. Brute force isn’t the smart play."

"The best strategy is to fight with speed."

"No matter how the gravity fluctuates, if I pass through fast enough, the force won’t have time to act on me, let alone alter my momentum."

Bang!

Mach 1.

Mach 2.

Mach 3!

With each burst of speed, Ji Yuanshu became faster and blurrier, every movement triggering thunderous booms.

"This should be enough..."

Feeling he’d reached his limit, Ji Yuanshu flashed forward and charged headlong into the gravity field.

The Soul-Hunting Eye instantly tagged targets ahead, sending the data to his legs’ installed

Impermanence Wind Module

.

As the surrounding wind currents subtly adjusted, Ji Yuanshu shot past the crowd like a bolt of lightning—right past the finish line.

One of the students he passed… was Zhang Yu.

"Zhang Yu, huh?"

Ji Yuanshu paused in thought, then dismissed it.

"He’s not the opponent I’m aiming for."

…

Zhang Yu was fast, overtaking many upperclassmen. But there were always faster ones who passed him in turn.

He didn’t mind. Many of these participants were wealthier, had trained longer—it was no surprise they were faster.

Speed had never been his forte.

"I’ll worry about that later. Got no time for speed training right now."

After reaching the finish line and regrouping with Shi Huaiyu and the others, they all looked to the rankings.

Seeing their team land securely at 15th place, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Che Yufei said, "Top twenty. That means we advance."

They also understood this ranking reflected their average performance in terms of speed and handling gravity—roughly 15th.

Shi Huaiyu thought, "Overall strength-wise… we’re a little behind. But based on our training, we’re not weak in construction and combat."

"We still have a shot at top ten."

…

With this elimination round concluded, the top 20 teams remained. The rest were all dismissed and began exiting the arena.

Above the field, Tu Lishan examined the data of the remaining teams.

"Forty percent Peace Faction, thirty percent War Faction, thirty percent Neutral. Slightly outnumbered."

"Can’t be helped. The Finance Department approved them a bunch of loans."

Tu Lishan knew: where money goes, fortune follows. With the Finance Department backing them, the outcome was no surprise.

"But loans still have to be repaid. We take it slow with our projects—less money, but more sustainable in the long run."

He thought, "Let’s see how the numbers shift after the next round of cuts."

"In terms of raw power, we should be stronger."

Just then, the geology instructor Wei Huai revealed the stats for Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu, chuckling, "Looks like hard work still can’t beat cold hard cash."

Tu Lishan said coolly, "Ji Yuanshu borrowed a mountain of spirit coins. Doesn’t he have to repay them?"

Wei Huai replied, "Who

doesn’t

borrow to get started? As long as your growth’s fast enough, those loans are nothing."

Tu Lishan retorted, "Unless it’s

not

fast enough. Then you end up working for the loan platforms—straight to a dead end."

"But Zhang Yu’s physique is naturally strong. Fighting is his path. With income rising, he’ll just get stronger. There’s real promise there."

Though the others—Director Gao, Director Lin—stayed silent, everyone understood Tu Lishan and Wei Huai represented them.

Their exchange wasn’t just about Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu. It reflected two factional philosophies.

Then the elderly instructor

True Lord Lingyue

chuckled.

"Those with strong Immortal Path potential borrow. The weak fight. Under the Ten Major Sects, everyone’s got a shot at cultivation. Every student’s on the Immortal Path—what dead ends?"

Tu Lishan and Wei Huai immediately fell quiet.

True Lord Lingyue continued, "Spirit coins or lifespan—they’re both Immortal Path resources. Use what you’ve got."

"Short on lifespan? Supplement it with spirit coins. Out of coins? Earn 'em with your lifespan. They go hand in hand—neither should be neglected. Wouldn't you say, gentlemen?"

"Yes, sir," they both answered.

Tu Lishan thought, "Old fox… sides with whoever gives him more benefits. Playing both ends. Wants the money, wants the manpower, wants the Director seat too... Let’s see how long you last."

Lingyue added, "The second elimination round is set. If anyone has feedback on the match schedule, speak now."

Tu Lishan reviewed the upcoming 20-to-10 matchups.

"War and Peace factions are matched up on opposite ends. Neutrals scattered between."

"This round… it’s a head-on faction war."

He glanced at Directors Gao and Lin—clearly, the two had reached some private consensus for these pairings.

…

On the field below, Zhang Yu’s EyeNet scanned for

Yu Xinghan

and the others.

Looking up, he spotted Ying Xin, Yu Xinghan, and Gongshu Jin in the stands, waving at him.

These and other teams'

substitute members

had stayed in the audience, since subs didn’t participate in the first round.

Now that round one was over, they returned to their teams.

Yu Xinghan asked curiously, "How’s the second round structured?"

Shi Huaiyu replied, "20 into 10? Probably a random draw—teams duel one-on-one."

Just as she spoke, the match schedule appeared.

Zhang Yu saw every team was assigned a different

Simulated Battleground Layer

.

Then his eyes narrowed.

His team… was up against

Ma Xuan and Ji Yuanshu’s

team.

"The second elimination round begins in 10 minutes. All teams must reach their assigned arenas."

On the other side, Su Yanyang turned to Ma Xuan. "Oh? You're up against Shi Huaiyu’s crew?"

Ma Xuan smiled faintly. "Looks like I got lucky, Senior Brother. Top ten’s in the bag."

Su Yanyang mused, "You can crush Shi Huaiyu easily."

"As for the other five? Aside from that Xiao Qingxuan, the rest are either old washouts or just second-years. Nothing to fear."

Ma Xuan thought, "Zhang Yu… might be a bit troublesome."

Still, he believed he understood Zhang Yu well enough to handle him. So he said nothing.

Then he asked, "I’ve heard rumors about Xiao Qingxuan. Normally I’d avoid stirring him up. But this is a competition. No fines, no medical bills—we’re covered. So what’s the problem?"

Su Yanyang said, "I heard a story. Don’t know if it’s true."

"They say the Gold Core Cultivator who took over Xiao Qingxuan didn’t run from the debts. He pretended to be him."

"As for the real Xiao Qingxuan… sold off."

"What?" Ma Xuan was stunned. "Is that real? But… he’s only ranked 40th in the department, even now. And how could he fool all the True Lords? Illegal possession should’ve landed him in prison with his body confiscated."

Su Yanyang shrugged. "I don’t know if it's true. But think about it—how’s Xiao Qingxuan surviving in Kunxu under all that debt?"

"Every cent he gets should be garnished. He shouldn’t even be able to walk."

Seeing Ma Xuan deep in thought, Su Yanyang added, "As long as you’re prepared."

"This match isn’t just about winning. It’s about winning

clean

. Don’t let Shi Huaiyu and Xiao Qingxuan drain too much of your strength."

"Now go lead the team."

…

Outside the one-square-kilometer Simulated Battleground.

Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu’s teams stood face-to-face.

Compared to Shi Huaiyu’s team, fired up and ready, Ma Xuan’s team looked calm. But both Cong Na and Ji Yuanshu kept sneaking glances at Xiao Qingxuan.

Then Cong Na looked at Zhang Yu.

"Sigh… If only Zhang Yu had stayed with us. He could’ve at least gotten some composite points."

The rules appeared midair, and both teams entered the arena per instructions.

A random draw determined attack and defense.

Shi Huaiyu looked and said, "We’re on offense."

"Everyone, stay calm. Just like in practice. We’ve got this."

As the match began, all six of them charged the enemy stronghold.

But in the next instant, the ground rumbled. With a thunderous boom, sand and earth erupted into the sky.

Ma Xuan extended a palm and said flatly, "Let’s take out four first."

A sandstorm like a tsunami surged toward Zhang Yu and the others.

Ma Xuan knew their strength couldn’t compare—but that didn’t mean he’d go easy. He intended to use their weakness to eliminate them quickly and give them no chance.

But in the very next moment, a figure shot out like a cannonball.

Smashing through the oncoming storm, it blazed across the battlefield like a meteor.

"That’s… Zhang Yu?"

Ma Xuan blinked. Then narrowed his eyes.

"Shi Huaiyu and the others… they threw Zhang Yu

first

?"