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https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-203-The-Second-Round-of-the-Foundation-Establishment-Exam-Concludes-Please-Support-with-Your-Monthly-Vote-/13686696/
Chapter 202: The Perfect High Schooler's Body
(Thank you to 'Hu You Kuang Tu Ye Mo Dao S' for the Patronage of the Grand Master)
Layer upon layer of Xuanming Heavy Water pressed down upon Zhang Yu, each wave of pressure threatening to crush his very flesh. Under such immense force, he had to not only summon every ounce of muscular strength to resist the water’s crushing grip and preserve his body’s integrity, but also use his muscles to actively push air through the internal cavities—maintaining a delicate balance of internal and external pressure to prevent damage to fragile areas like his eardrums, sinuses, and eyes.
Especially as the simulated depth continued to plunge deeper, the pressure intensified relentlessly. Zhang Yu had to constantly unleash ever-greater bursts of raw physical power just to stay intact.
Then, at a depth of -1300 meters, something unexpected happened. The diaphragm responsible for pushing air through his chest suddenly slackened—just slightly—causing his breath to falter by half a beat.
"Hmm?"
A flicker of alarm flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind. This was the first time since he’d achieved full mastery over his own body that such a lapse had occurred.
And the simulation kept descending.
-1305 meters.
The muscles in Zhang Yu’s throat shifted slightly under strain, and a sharp pain flared at his forehead—the result of pressure imbalance between inside and outside his skull. He immediately tensed his muscles, accelerating the flow of air within his body.
But as his focus shifted to his neck, pain flared in his knees—his surrounding muscles failing to protect the joints under the water’s relentless assault. With a sudden surge of effort, Zhang Yu snapped his muscles back into control, securing his knees.
-1312 meters.
As the depth continued to drop, more and more subtle aches spread across his body. He knew what it meant: countless vulnerable spots were being damaged under Xuanming Heavy Water’s crushing weight.
Each time, he had to force his body to respond—again and again—fighting to preserve his flesh.
But as the pressure grew ever more brutal, the number of vulnerable points increased. He began to feel like a submarine sinking into the abyss, its hull slowly buckling under the ocean’s weight.
Though he kept pushing back with sheer physical force, more and more parts of his body began to fail under the strain. The rhythm of his movements faltered. Muscles weakened. Blood vessels twitched. Reactions slowed.
For the first time in his life, Zhang Yu felt true helplessness.
Despite possessing immense strength, he couldn’t channel it fully—couldn’t coordinate his entire body to resist the multidirectional pressure of Xuanming Heavy Water with perfect precision.
It wasn’t a lack of skill. It was a failure of willpower.
"This is..." A spark of understanding flashed in Zhang Yu’s mind. He remembered the words of his Dao Heart Class instructor.
"The Dao Heart is the core through which a cultivator commands all their power—using thought to guide Martial Energy and the flesh, and using spirit to withstand all forms of corruption."
"When power exceeds the Dao Heart’s capacity, the result can be cultivation collapse, or at the very least, total loss of control."
He glanced at the data floating on his Feather Scroll:
Dao Heart Level 7 (18.5%)
Zhang Yu grimaced inwardly. "Over these past months, my physical strength has skyrocketed. But my Dao Heart has barely kept pace."
"Especially today—my Physical Strength Level surged violently. My Dao Heart couldn’t keep up."
"Before, the depth wasn’t deep enough. I could handle the pressure with just a fraction of my strength."
"But now, as the depth increases, I must push to my absolute limit. And that’s when the Dao Heart’s weakness becomes painfully obvious."
-1321 meters.
When Zhang Yu could no longer protect every part of his body with perfect muscle control, it meant his flesh was beginning to show visible wear. The pain, once barely noticeable, now burned through his nerves.
At that moment, another examinee gave up. The arena now held only Zhang Yu, Meng Tao, and Ye Lingshao.
Zhang Yu gritted his teeth. "I just need to hold on until second place. That’ll guarantee me a top-two finish—secure my spot in the next round, and the chance to earn the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate."
With that thought, he detonated the toxins stored within his Chunqiu Wujin Chan.
The seal symbol on his chest vanished in an instant. His body surged with violent stimulation, forcing out every last spark of life energy. His muscles exploded with power beyond his normal limits—pushing back against the crushing weight of Xuanming Heavy Water.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Dinghai Column, Ye Lingshao underwent a series of miraculous transformations as the depth continued to drop—activating one Body-Protection Technique after another.
His body began to contract with each descent, his density increasing with every shift. His bones hardened, his flesh toughened—evolving into the legendary 10th-level Expert-grade Body-Protection Technique: Ruyi Linglong Bone.
Moments later, his muscles rippled beneath his skin, revealing intricate patterns that formed like scales—black, gleaming, and impossibly strong. The new structure allowed him to resist Xuanming Heavy Water with superior biomechanical efficiency—the 10th-level Expert-grade Cultivation Technique: Datianlong Shenli.
Then, at -1400 meters, his skin began to darken—turning a deep, bruised blue-black as his fascia expanded. His body gained incredible resilience and elasticity, able to absorb and deflect pressure with ease. This was the 10th-level Expert-grade Body-Protection Technique: Xiangmo Chanjin Bian.
Combined with Datianlong Shenli, the two techniques fused seamlessly—cloaking Ye Lingshao in a full suit of obsidian-like dragon scales.
Having activated three 10th-level Expert-grade Body-Protection Techniques in succession, Ye Lingshao crossed his arms, standing firm and calm within the Dinghai Column, his expression serene.
As a Perfect Bloodline inheritor, his control over his body was innate, flawless. He grasped any technique instantly—mastering it with ease. With a 10th-level Dao Heart, he could command his 10th-level Physical Strength and all his Qi Cultivation Techniques with absolute precision.
Having trained since his freshman year, he now possessed a staggering array of techniques—so many that even the Luzhou Group had labeled his body as "the most perfect physique among Kunxu First Layer High Schools."
The current depth was far from his limit. He could afford to remain calm, even thoughtful.
"That Daojie Sustained-Release Capsule... It wasn’t just a way to lower intelligence. It split my mind into two."
"It’s as if I now have another person living inside my head."
"If I could learn to control both minds simultaneously..."
Ye Lingshao mused: "Hmph. The company that developed this capsule might’ve accidentally stumbled upon something extraordinary."
As a descendant of the Xian Du Ye family, he knew that in pharmaceutical development, unexpected breakthroughs often emerged—not from the intended goal, but from the side effects.
To him, the capsule’s true value lay not in its original purpose, but in its unintended enhancement of the Dao Heart.
"I should suggest the family invest in this."
With that decision made, he lifted his gaze and observed the other candidates.
His focus, naturally, fell on Zhang Yu.
Watching Zhang Yu struggle to adjust his posture, fighting the water with strained effort, Ye Lingshao felt a flicker of disbelief.
"Hmm? This guy... has already reached his limit?"
To be honest, Ye Lingshao had been genuinely stunned when he saw Zhang Yu’s performance in the first half. From that moment, he had taken Zhang Yu seriously—regarding him as his greatest rival in the race for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate.
After all, Ye Lingshao’s own ability to absorb, tolerate, and metabolize drugs was among the best in the Xian Du high school circuit. The very breath he exhaled could kill an ordinary man. His annual waste products sold for top-tier prices—so valuable that Oasis Company had declared them worthy of extensive research.
To surpass Ye Lingshao in drug tolerance was to be an enigma—a cultivator of terrifying depth.
And Zhang Yu’s performance in the previous round—mastering an eight-star difficulty technique in just half an hour—had only deepened that impression.
But now, after such a terrifying display of metabolic power, the second half was… ordinary.
Did he hide his strength?
-1422 meters.
Not long after Ye Lingshao activated his three techniques, Meng Tao could no longer endure. He dropped out.
Now, only Ye Lingshao and Zhang Yu remained.
Through continuous observation, Ye Lingshao gradually reached a conclusion.
"This No. 55 (Zhang Yu) isn’t hiding anything. His body is simply far weaker than mine."
Xuanming Heavy Water tested every aspect of the body. Ye Lingshao wasn’t just observing—his scrutiny had revealed Zhang Yu’s true limits.
"He hasn’t mastered enough Body-Protection Techniques. His control over his own flesh is incomplete. Is it because his Dao Heart lags behind his Physical Strength Level?"
"But if that’s the case… how did he manage such extreme drug tolerance in the first half?"
A person whose performance doesn’t match their apparent strength—what could explain it?
To Ye Lingshao, the answer was crystal clear in the world of Kunxu.
"Some new Immortal Dao Technology? Was his body modified?"
The thought made his brows tighten.
From a personal standpoint, Zhang Yu was clearly no match—completely outclassed in every aspect. He had no chance of winning the Foundation Establishment Certificate.
But from a corporate and familial perspective—what if Zhang Yu’s body contained technology worth billions?
Ye Lingshao mentally noted: "Get someone to investigate. Check if any other regions have similar techniques."
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu stared at Ye Lingshao—still standing perfectly still, his power seemingly untouched.
Zhang Yu tasted blood in his mouth. His body, exhausted from the explosive burst of energy, was beginning to weaken.
"Even with the High School Saint Body, I have greater drug absorption and metabolism than he does. But in overall strength… I still fall far behind this top-tier Xian Du elder."
"That body of his—just one technique is worth a fortune. Damn rich bastard."
"It’s not just the number of techniques. My Physical Strength Level hasn’t even hit the 10th tier. My Dao Heart is still weak."
But he was glad he’d made it to second place. Combined with his performance in the first half, he was confident he’d secured a top-two overall score.
With that, he too chose to surrender.
Now, only Ye Lingshao remained.
Zhang Yu watched him—calm, composed, unshaken—standing in the crushing depth, his body evolving with each meter.
Ye Lingshao knew what came next: simply stand. Wait. Push onward until his score surpassed every other candidate and claimed the top spot in today’s Foundation Establishment Exam.
He clenched his fist softly.
"I will remain at the peak—forever—until I reach the ultimate peak of the Immortal Dao."
(End of Chapter)
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