Chapter 199: First Priority is Medicine, Xuanming Heavy Water (Please Vote for the Month)
Hearing Huang Zichou’s strict request for secrecy, Yu Xinghan mustered the courage to ask, “Does this contract come with any compensation?”
Huang Zichou said nothing. He simply turned his cold gaze toward Yu Xinghan, instantly extinguishing all of the latter’s bravado.
What the hell— Huang Zichou thought bitterly, I don’t even get a cent, and you’re asking for a share?
As everyone else signed the confidentiality agreement one by one, Ye Lingshao spoke up from the side: “I wouldn’t casually reveal anything about the Foundation Establishment Exam. But this contract—I need to consult my family before I sign.”
Deng Bingding tugged at the corner of his mouth, glared at him, and snapped, “Just sign it already.”
Two minutes later, all had signed. The exam resumed.
However, due to the severe side effects of the Daojie Sustained-Release Capsule, each candidate was limited to just one pill.
Zhang Yu, however, simply abandoned the capsule altogether.
Who knows how long my IQ will drop? What if this crap permanently ruins my brain?
Instead, he grabbed several other Dao Heart-enhancing supplements from the side—medications with clearly defined side effects—and began downing them one after another.
As he swallowed pills and practiced cultivation simultaneously, Zhang Yu felt his Dao Heart, Martial Energy, and Physical Strength Level surge dramatically.
The gap between him and Ye Lingshao, which had been widening earlier, began to close rapidly as Zhang Yu kept consuming medicine at an alarming rate.
On the other side, Ye Lingshao watched with growing unease as Zhang Yu closed the distance. Within minutes, he took two more Fangfeng Functional Essence pills.
His face flushed crimson. Veins bulged across his skin, pulsing as if about to burst. His internal organs ached as if they were dissolving from within.
Yet the only comfort he found was that Zhang Yu finally stopped.
Has he hit his limit?
Just as he thought it, Zhang Yu raised his hand and asked the examiner, “Excuse me, can I go to the restroom? I’m feeling too full to keep going.”
Yu Xinghan blinked in surprise. Full?
In stunned silence, the entire examination room watched as Zhang Yu returned from the restroom, then took another Fangfeng Functional Essence pill, injected himself with a Martial Energy Meridian Injector, and began drinking bottle after bottle of Dao Heart-boosting medicine.
Ye Lingshao tried to take another miracle drug to maintain his lead, but the unbearable strain on his body forced him to abandon the idea. He gritted his teeth, helplessly watching Zhang Yu’s score surpass his own.
When the one-hour medication window ended, the first half of the second round of the Foundation Establishment Exam—on the physical course—came to a close.
Ye Lingshao glanced at the current standings: Zhang Yu in first, himself in second. A wave of fierce resentment washed over him.
It’s okay… there’s still the second half. With my strength, I can catch up. But what if I can’t?
Suddenly, a thunderous boom echoed through the arena as five circular cylindrical tanks rose from the center of the examination room.
Deng Bingding announced, “These are Dinghai Columns. Though only five meters tall, the Xuanming Heavy Water inside can simulate pressures equivalent to depths ranging from one meter all the way to ten thousand meters.”
“Now, it’s time to test you. While enduring the side effects of your medication, how much pressure can your body withstand?”
“Only those with greater resistance, stronger physical power, and superior physical technique will be able to endure deeper depths in the Dinghai Column.”
“The second half of the exam will assess your all-around physical prowess.”
“And today’s final ranking will be determined by combining your scores from both halves.”
“All right. Enter the water.”
Zhang Yu strapped on his oxygen mask and leapt into the Dinghai Column, submerging himself completely into the Xuanming Heavy Water, landing directly at the bottom.
Even though he was submerged, he felt no pressure—like the water was as light as air.
So this is Xuanming Heavy Water? It’s lighter than air?
But the moment the exam officially began, a number appeared at the top of the column: -1 meter.
Instantly, Zhang Yu felt his body compress. The once weightless Xuanming Heavy Water now pressed down on him like ordinary water, wrapping around his entire frame.
Only the oxygen mask remained unaffected, still supplying him with breathable air.
As the number on the column continued to drop—from -1 meter to -10, then -100, and beyond—Zhang Yu gradually felt the crushing pressure intensifying, pressing in from all directions.
He glanced at his Feather Scroll and thought, My Physical Strength Level is now 9.91?
That No. 23 guy—Ye Lingshao—is a top-tier Xian Du Elder. He’s probably at 10-level Physical Strength, and his Technique cultivation likely surpasses mine. His control over his body must be far better than mine… this is definitely a disadvantage.
Hope his IQ drops so low he makes a major mistake.
Wait—based on my score from the first half, even if I lose this round, I’ll still rank in the top two overall. That’s enough to advance to the next stage of the Foundation Establishment Exam and compete for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate.
Since I’m guaranteed to pass this round anyway, why not use this chance to grow stronger?
Compared to winning a single round, Zhang Yu cared far more about long-term strength.
With that in mind, he slowly twisted his body within the Xuanming Heavy Water.
He intended to take advantage of the still-potent medicinal effects coursing through his system and continue cultivating Chunqiu Wujin Chan—pushing his Physical Strength Level even further.
As Zhang Yu began his cultivation, the entire examination room fell silent. All candidates remained submerged in the Xuanming Heavy Water, conserving energy and enduring the increasing pressure.
At that moment, Deng Bingding, Huang Zichou, and the other Zheng Shen examiners exchanged subtle glances.
They had all noticed something happening on another battlefield.
...
On the Martial Arts Arena.
Before the massive arena, Dai Xingzhi slowly warmed up, stretching his limbs and scanning the far end where Bai Zhenzhen stood.
Above their heads floated a set of numbers.
Dai Xingzhi: 1 Million
Bai Zhenzhen: 1 Million
These represented their Medical Insurance Amounts—provided by Deng Bingding and the other Zheng Shen for the five martial arts candidates.
Today’s Martial Arts Exam granted every candidate a reset 1 Million Medical Insurance Amount before each Arena battle.
During combat, any injury sustained was instantly healed by the Divine Array embedded in the arena, but at the cost of the insurance funds.
As long as a fighter’s insurance remained above zero, they stayed at peak physical condition.
Once a contestant’s Medical Insurance Amount dropped to zero, they lost.
Even if knocked unconscious or downed, they’d be instantly healed—but being thrown out of the arena or losing consciousness both counted as defeat.
Each Arena match lasted exactly ten minutes. If no winner was decided within that time, the one with higher remaining insurance funds won.
At that moment, Dai Xingzhi stared at Bai Zhenzhen, a spark of battle-lust flickering in his eyes.
As a Xian Du 1.5-layer genius within the Sixth Ring, Dai Xingzhi had always looked down on outsiders.
But Bai Zhenzhen was different.
First, her performance in the previous Foundation Establishment Exam had been impressive.
Second, she had just defeated two opponents in consecutive matches.
Dai Xingzhi thought to himself: She’s already beaten everyone except me and Yun Jing.
Considering Yun Jing will almost certainly take first place… the winner between me and her will decide who takes second.
Though he knew he wouldn’t be able to defeat Yun Jing in the next round, Dai Xingzhi was certain that finishing second would bring far better rewards.
From the last battle, I saw she relies on speed—her fighting style is all about rapid sword techniques.
Speed was Dai Xingzhi’s strength. And the reason? Practicality.
Despite being a Xian Du Elder, money was always tight for him.
So instead of pursuing high-cost cultivation paths like brute strength or body-hardening styles, Dai Xingzhi chose Speed—specializing in evasion.
This wasn’t just his personal choice—it was the legacy of the Dai family.
Avoid first. If you can’t avoid, run. If you can’t run, wear them down. Avoid injury over victory. Lose? Come back. Broke? Keep fighting.
That was the Dai clan’s creed.
To avoid injury, Dai Xingzhi had mastered the first martial art: footwork.
To sharpen his reflexes and improve his evasion, he trained daily with private sparring partners—masters of speed-based styles.
Dodging projectiles, countering ambushes, surviving group attacks—these were all part of his routine.
As a result, in the past three Arena matches, his Medical Insurance Amount had been used the least.
Even against Yun Jing, he’d used zero—he’d simply conceded.
Because he realized: If a wound can’t be healed with a million insurance points, then you’ll carry it into the next match.
Facing Yun Jing? I’d lose anyway. Better to quit now and save my resources for later.
Now, if I beat this woman, I’ll be second.
As the Zheng Shen called their names, Dai Xingzhi and Bai Zhenzhen stepped onto the Arena.
With each step, phantom after phantom appeared around Dai Xingzhi, his form blurring into a haze of motion—like multiple copies moving as one.
But to his surprise, Bai Zhenzhen simply sat down upon stepping onto the Arena, as if she had no intention of fighting at all.
What’s this woman doing?
Dai Xingzhi darted around her in a blur, but she didn’t even glance his way.
Then, Bai Zhenzhen spoke: “You Xian Du folks are just lucky to be born into the Xian Du. You can coast through school with barely any effort. Try living where I come from—I doubt you’d even pass high school.”
(End of Chapter)
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