https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-153-A-Zhen-Why-Is-Your-Belly-Getting-Bigger-Please-Vote-for-Me-/13686621/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-155-Ling-Realm-Cultivation-the-Emergence-of-the-Poor-Alliance/13686624/
Chapter 154: Zhen Linggen's First Evolution
Originally, Zhen Linggen—having spent years adapting within Bai Zhenzhen’s womb—had extended its tendrils like a secondary nervous system, weaving through every corner of her body, enhancing and assisting her in countless ways.
But now, Bai Zhenzhen sensed something strange: all those tendrils had vanished, retracted deep into the core of her Spirit Root.
Zhen Linggen had reverted back to a seed-like state—but it hadn’t severed its connection with her.
On the contrary, she now felt a deeper, more intimate bond than ever before.
Not only was it linked to her muscles, nerves, organs, and bones, but it had now reached into her very mind, forging a mysterious resonance with her thoughts.
The control of her body, the flow of her Martial Energy, the mechanics of her techniques—everything surged through her consciousness like waves in a storm. Her understanding of martial arts was skyrocketing, as if her very soul were awakening to new truths.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu watched Bai Zhenzhen, noticing her abdomen had once again flattened into its sleek, defined shape.
But the pale blue mark that had briefly appeared on her stomach was now clearly visible—like a tightly closed lotus bud, glowing with an ethereal aura.
Even more striking was the change in her demeanor. The once cold and distant Bai Zhenzhen now radiated a serene, almost holy presence. Zhang Yu couldn’t help but stare, amazed.
After a moment, Bai Zhenzhen opened her eyes. Two flashes of sharp light flickered in her pupils.
Zhang Yu rushed forward. “How are you?”
Bai Zhenzhen exhaled, awed. “My Zhen Linggen… it really did evolve.”
“It’s enhancing my comprehension of martial arts. I can enter a state of total absorption—where I forget myself completely.”
“In that state, I feel my understanding of martial principles deepens even further… almost as if…” She paused, searching for words. “…I can identify flaws in my own cultivation techniques. And… I think I might be able to fix them?”
Zhang Yu’s eyes widened. “You mean… you can refine martial arts? Actually rewrite them?”
Seeing her slight nod, he pressed on. “So you can learn new techniques even faster now?”
He reminded her, “But remember—every time you use a technique without purchasing its rights, you must be careful not to get caught.”
Before Zhang Yu arrived in Kunxu, Bai Zhenzhen had already possessed extraordinary martial talent, amplified by her Spirit Root.
She’d mastered all the basic techniques taught at school in record time. Her performance during the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram studies and the Wuji Yunshou energy circulation drills in the Mana Competition had been nothing short of astonishing.
And over the past half-year, as her Spirit Root continued adapting, her talent had only grown stronger.
Just by watching Zhang Yu practice the Beilong Fanyue Hand and the Dragon-Elephant Crushing Mountain Palm, she’d learned both external techniques to Level 1—despite them not matching her style, and thus requiring paid access before she could deepen her cultivation.
Zhang Yu thought to himself: A Zhen’s martial talent is dangerously powerful. Every time she sees a new technique, she picks it up instantly. Where’s she supposed to get money for all the licenses?
And worse—it’s a passive ability. Can’t be turned off. All I can do is hide it, train less, use fewer techniques.
Still… better than being born a martial prodigy. At least I don’t have to live in fear.
He’d spent time researching cases online of people with innate martial genius.
After reading through them, he was left with one overwhelming thought: It’s tragic. So tragic.
These prodigies, gifted with instant mastery, were often tightly controlled from childhood. Parents locked them away, forbidding access to internet, TV, news—even public spaces. They were only allowed to go out in areas with no cultivators.
Some were even confined 24/7.
And even after entering high school? It was worse.
They were like walking debt traps—easy prey for schemes, scams, and contracts they didn’t understand.
Zhang Yu sighed, relieved that his Feather Scroll didn’t work that way. It didn’t teach him by accident. He could choose not to learn—no risk of accidentally stealing someone else’s technique.
But Bai Zhenzhen, lost in thought, murmured softly, “I know, Yu… I’ve always struggled with it.”
“Back then, it was unbearable. Every time I saw classmates perform martial arts I hadn’t learned, I’d instinctively pick up their external forms.”
“Those techniques… they were like pre-made meals, just sitting there, waiting to be taken.”
“I had to suppress myself every time.”
“But now…”
A new blade formed in her mind—she was already mentally refining a new sword art.
“I’ve found something better.”
…
The next evening.
Beneath a bridge. By a quiet stream.
Two streaks of light clashed again and again—like two shooting stars carving fiery trails across the night sky.
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, practicing the High School Basic Sword Technique.
Each held a roughly forearm-length branch. With concentrated sword qi, the wood hardened into sharp, deadly blades, slicing through the air with lethal precision.
Since the start of term was approaching in September, Zhang Yu had spent the day mastering the High School Basic Sword Technique, pushing it all the way to Level 10.
The Level 10 effect was simple: Sword Qi Infusion.
With it, even a stick became a weapon—capable of cutting through the air like a real sword.
But Bai Zhenzhen, facing him with the same technique, was different.
As her sword strikes landed, electric sparks crackled from her branch—her speed increased by a third.
Her movements became a blur, forcing Zhang Yu onto the defensive.
Eventually, the strain of the sword qi overload proved too much—their branches shattered, scattering into a shower of splinters.
Zhang Yu blinked. “You succeeded in refining it?”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded, recalling the past day. “Yes. After my refinement, the Level 10 effect changed.”
“It’s not just sword qi infusion anymore. Now, it also grants speed enhancement.”
She picked up a blade of grass, infused it with sword qi.
The limp stalk instantly stiffened—then, in a flash of lightning, it streaked through the air, leaving behind a trail of afterimages.
Through a full day of trial and error, she had begun to understand the new capabilities of her evolved Zhen Linggen.
“My ability to refine techniques is limited to martial arts I’ve already reached Level 10 in.”
“The result is a transformation of the Level 10 effect—making it more suited to my own style.”
“The Basic Sword Technique was simple. I finished it in one day.”
“But something like Leiji True Body—an expert-level body-refining method? That would take three or four days.”
She paused, calculating. “If I share the use of Zhen Linggen with you, alternating Spirit Root access, it might take a week.”
“Still, I can refine while training. No extra time wasted.”
She looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Yu… thank you. This evolution… it’s thanks to you.”
“I can feel it. During its adaptation to you, Zhen Linggen absorbed each of your Level 10 techniques like nutrients—accelerating its growth.”
Fujie chimed in, nodding. “I told you—Bai Zhenzhen’s Evolutionary Spirit Root was definitely stimulated by your martial arts. Looks like its evolution path is purely martial. As you two master more techniques, and Zhen Linggen absorbs them, it’ll keep evolving.”
Zhang Yu noticed the spark in Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes—full of wonder, excitement, and hunger for more.
Then, in a flash, she vanished from sight—reappearing behind him in an instant, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“Yu, you have to try it! It’s incredible—so much fun, so useful!”
Zhang Yu glanced at his watch. “Not now. It’s almost time for tutoring. Gotta get to class.”
He shifted his form, transforming into Ma Yunteng—the guise of the Dark Realm’s tutoring instructor.
“Just try it on the way,” Bai Zhenzhen insisted, already pulling out a golden wig, applying a tattoo sticker, and applying mature makeup—morphing into Le Mulan, the Dark Realm’s other tutor.
Then, she dropped to her knees in front of him. “Fine. I’ll carry you. You can try refining a technique while I run.”
Zhang Yu couldn’t help but smile.
She was like a child showing off her favorite new toy—determined to make him play with it too.
And since he’d never had the chance to ride his best friend before, Zhang Yu didn’t hesitate.
He leapt up, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
Moments later, a streak of lightning erupted from the ground—Bai Zhenzhen shot forward, carrying Zhang Yu through the campus at breakneck speed, trailing electric sparks.
Zhang Yu focused on Zhen Linggen, attempting to use it to refine one of his own Level 10 techniques—but progress was painfully slow.
He muttered, “At this rate… even a single Expert-Level Cultivation Technique, with A Zhen and I taking turns… it’ll take me two or three months.”
“That’s too long. I’ll have to be very selective.”
He mentally reviewed all the techniques he’d learned—then settled on one.
Dragon-Elephant Crushing Mountain Palm.
“My physical cultivation speed is already fast. But as my Physical Strength Level rises, the real challenge is learning how to gather and unleash power from my body efficiently.”
“And it’s the most expensive technique I’ve ever learned—200,000 credits.”
With that, he made his decision.
He would refine Dragon-Elephant Crushing Mountain Palm.
(End of Chapter)
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