https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-116-Fermenting-Thank-you-Alliance-Lord-Bai-Li-Tongyun-/13686555/
Chapter 115: Breakthrough Before the Match, Sky Column
Gulping down the synthetic food in big, hungry swallows, Zhang Yu emptied an entire barrel into his stomach in one go, the sound of liquid sloshing echoing through the air. He then subtly activated his Chisui Hunyuanqi, letting the energy flow through his body, accelerating digestion as his internal organs churned and processed the nutrients. Without pause, he reached for the next barrel Bai Zhenzhen handed him.
After the brutal sprint and physical strain of the previous match, Zhang Yu felt an insatiable hunger coursing through every fiber of his being—his chest, especially his heart, felt like it was screaming for more.
Bai Zhenzhen moved tirelessly, continuously delivering barrel after barrel of synthetic food to his side.
Compared to pre-made meals, synthetic food wasn’t particularly tasty—but it digested far more efficiently, perfectly suited to Zhang Yu’s current state. To maximize absorption and prevent even the slightest waste of energy, the food Bai Zhenzhen brought was stripped of any flavoring. It was pure, concentrated nutrition—poured into Zhang Yu’s body like fuel into a tank.
Though the taste was repulsive, even nauseating, Zhang Yu clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, and forced the food down, driven by the need to prepare for the upcoming match.
Around them, other students from various schools had gathered at the self-service area. Some were ordinary high schoolers who’d already been eliminated, just here for a meal. Others, like the massive, ravenous athletes from Hongta High School, devoured their food with terrifying efficiency.
But students like Yu Xinghan, Song Hailong, and Le Mulan—those with wealth and privilege—were eating their own private meals, refusing to mingle with the crowd.
Hu Yuntao gobbled down his synthetic food in huge bites. Across from him, Xiong Wenwu was a whirlwind of consumption, swallowing barrel after barrel in a flash.
Watching Xiong Wenwu’s relentless pace, Hu Yuntao couldn’t help but admire him. “Brother Xiong sacrificed his sense of taste early on to avoid distractions during cultivation. That kind of resolve… who else could even come close?”
Xiong Wenwu glanced at him. “The first two rounds weren’t our strong suits. Falling behind isn’t a problem.”
“But the next strength challenge? We’ll make sure everyone knows Hongta is the strongest.”
Hu Yuntao nodded fiercely. “Brother, I get it. Even if I lose my arms and legs, I’ll push through to the end.”
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Zhang Yu was still devouring food when two figures suddenly appeared before him.
It was Zhou Chichen, Vice President of Songyang High School’s Student Council, and Lan Ling, the school’s Sports Department Head.
Zhang Yu glanced at the ID badges on their chests and silently wondered what connection they had with Ziyun High School to be allowed in the athletes’ dining area.
Zhou Chichen stared coldly at Zhang Yu, recalling his recent conversation with Ziyun officials.
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen almost certainly got their upgrades through Zhang Pianpian’s connections—Bailong High School’s technical enhancements.
If Bailong quietly reveals after the competition that both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were also enhanced by Xianyun Group’s newest Physique Enhancement Technology, then the number of top-ranked competitors from Ziyun or Hongta would be surpassed. That would make Xianyun Group the biggest beneficiary of this promotion.
Recalling the deal he’d struck with Ziyun, Zhou Chichen said calmly: “No need to be too eager this round. Just participate casually.”
Zhang Yu frowned but said nothing, continuing to eat.
Zhou Chichen didn’t seem to care about his silence. “Your alliance with Bailong High School has already been exposed by other companies.”
“If you still want to keep drawing attention—thinking Zhang Pianpian will keep feeding you scraps—consider what other companies might do to you. Will your backers really protect you?”
“Don’t end up sold out… while still counting the money.”
With that, Zhou Chichen turned and walked away with Lan Ling.
As they left, Lan Ling frowned. “Is that really enough? Shouldn’t we have threatened him harder? Now that Ziyun’s backing us, we don’t need to fear Zhang Pianpian anymore.”
Zhou Chichen sighed, shooting Lan Ling a look of exasperation. This guy’s brains are as dense as his muscles. That’s the danger of pushing cultivation too far—body over mind.
After a pause, he explained: “This arena is now a battlefield between Hongta Pasture, Ziyun Pharmaceutical, and Xianyun Group—three giants throwing their weight around behind the scenes.”
“You’re so eager to crush him… don’t you fear being crushed by their collision?”
Seeing Lan Ling’s thoughtful expression, Zhou Chichen added: “Just a light warning was enough. Don’t push too hard. If we provoke Zhang Yu too much, we might draw the attention of Zhang Pianpian—or even Xianyun Group itself.”
“We can strike a deal with Ziyun because we have real value to offer. Their interest lies in Songyang’s transplantation technology.”
“So we don’t have to risk everything like Zhang Yu does—no need to go all-in with nothing to lose.”
“Even if he makes a flashy show now, he’ll still fail to enter the Top Ten. He’ll spend his life serving others, and in the end, the company will sell him off for a profit.”
Zhou Chichen glanced back at Zhang Yu’s hunched form, still eating. “And look at him—pale, weak. He must’ve taken some powerful stimulant to catch up with Yu Xinghan. Likely damaged his potential, even harmed his body.”
“Now we’ve added pressure. His body’s compromised, his mind shaken. In the strength challenge—the next round, where Bailong and Hongta dominate—he’ll be finished.”
“Then we can tell Le Jingchen we warned him. And when Zhang Yu performs poorly, it’ll be a clean victory in our eyes.”
Lan Ling nodded in awe. “You’re right, Zhou. No wonder you’re the Vice President. You think way ahead.”
Back at the table, Zhang Yu finished his meal, watching Zhou Chichen and Lan Ling leave.
What was that about? he wondered. But the mention of “companies” made him cautious.
After a moment, he called Zhang Pianpian, reporting the current situation.
“Will I get targeted by any company if I beat Yu Xinghan next?” he asked.
Zhang Pianpian chuckled. “Can you really beat him?”
Zhang Yu paused, then nodded firmly. “I have a chance.”
Zhang Pianpian said, “Then go win.”
“If you take first place, I’ll negotiate with Bailong on your behalf. Just admit you used Xianyun Group’s technology to boost your cultivation. Then all you have to do is wait for the payment.”
Hearing the word payment—especially at the end—Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen both lit up with excitement.
After hanging up, they devoured the rest of their food like a storm sweeping through a field, stuffing themselves until their stomachs were visibly swollen.
Zhang Yu let out a long breath, patting his belly. “Full. Now it’s time to digest… and let my body grow, recover, and break through completely.”
At that moment, his gaze fell on Bai Zhenzhen’s scars.
He remembered the strange state she’d been in after the sprint.
Suddenly, Zhang Yu said, “A Zhen… once we win the championship, I’ll pay to have these scars removed.”
Bai Zhenzhen grinned. “You said it! I’ll be the one to pick the hospital.”
In Kunxu, “hospital guest” was a privilege reserved only for the closest of friends or family.
Zhang Yu nodded. “Don’t worry. Dad’s never lied to you since day one.”
Bai Zhenzhen smirked. “You damn—”
They moved to a secluded restroom.
Then Bai Zhenzhen wrapped her arms around Zhang Yu from behind, pressing close.
“Yu, lend me your Zhen Linggen.”
Zhang Yu blinked. “What about you?”
She smiled. “I won’t break through in an hour and a half. I just need to digest, recover. I don’t need Zhen Linggen.”
“But you, remember—win, and take me to the hospital. That’s a promise.”
With that familiar surge of Spirit Root flooding back into his body, Zhang Yu took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped into the restroom.
From his inner pocket, he pulled out a Hunyuan Pill—previously prepared, always kept close.
Thought I wouldn’t need this today… glad I brought it.
Hunyuan Pills were far too expensive to carry around casually. Zhang Yu kept one in his backpack at all times.
He swallowed it whole.
Instantly, a wave of medicinal energy surged through him, and Spirit Energy flooded in like a storm.
Zhang Yu unleashed his full Chisui Hunyuanqi, muscles tensing like steel cables, absorbing every drop of energy and power.
His heart—damaged from the earlier sprint—now acted like a black hole, devouring nutrients, the pill’s essence, and the Spirit Energy from the Spirit Root.
His internal organs worked like a grinding machine, pulverizing the synthetic food into warm, nourishing streams that flowed into his blood, spreading to every limb and joint.
Over time, his Zhen Linggen had grown accustomed to his cultivation. Now, it fed Spirit Energy directly into his organs, merging with the warm currents and accelerating absorption.
The strongest current surged straight to his heart.
Minute by minute, the organ grew stronger, more powerful.
As the continuous flow of energy poured in, Zhang Yu’s pale face flushed with color. His breath deepened, his heartbeat grew stronger.
With every beat of his Chisui Hunyuanqi, his heart thudded like a war drum—thump… thump… thump…—echoing through the small restroom.
Outside, Bai Zhenzhen stood guard at the door, blocking anyone from entering—no one should disturb Zhang Yu, or witness the strange signs of his cultivation.
Lian Tianji approached, curious. “Zhang Yu… is he training in there?”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded. “The restroom’s quiet. Best place for him to focus and rest.”
Lian Tianji looked toward the door, mused for a moment, exchanged a few casual words, then left.
As the hour and a half passed, Bai Zhenzhen listened intently. She felt Zhang Yu’s heartbeat growing stronger, more powerful.
A quiet confidence rose within her.
Once Yu wins first place… I’m definitely borrowing money from him.
In an instant, the time was up.
The final event of the Sports Competition—the 150-point strength challenge—began.
In the center of the arena, a two-meter-high platform rose from the ground.
Then, from the ceiling, a colossal column descended.
Silver-black in color, etched with countless intricate runes, the column was roughly five meters in diameter—crafted from some unknown, unbreakable metal. It descended from the ceiling all the way down, stopping three meters above the platform.
This was the final challenge: the Sky Column.
Capable of releasing a force between 1,000 kilograms and 100,000 kilograms, the Sky Column could precisely test the limits of a Qi Cultivation cultivator.
Now, the competitors would step onto the platform one by one and attempt to lift the Sky Column.
(End of Chapter)
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