https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-202-The-Perfect-High-Schooler-s-Body/13686695/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-204-Zhang-Yu-s-Strategy-the-Secrets-of-Zheng-Shen/13686702/
Chapter 203: The Second Round of the Foundation Establishment Exam Concludes (Please Support with Your Monthly Vote)
As the simulation depth decreased, a series of Body-Protection Techniques began to layer upon one another within Ye Lingshao’s body—each one activated in seamless succession. Zhang Yu, watching from beside him, felt his brow twitch with growing unease. He recognized the technique: Taijin Lianti Yaojue. He’d seen it before—during the last Foundation Establishment Exam.
Now, Ye Lingshao’s depth had reached -2,581 meters. His entire body shimmered with a golden glow, radiating a metallic luster, resembling a colossal statue standing deep within the ocean’s abyss.
Clearly, this depth was still far from his limit.
Just as everyone stared in stunned silence, awed by Ye Lingshao’s terrifying power and expecting him to continue, Huang Zichou spoke up:
“Alright, No. 23. Your total score is already top-ranked. You may stop here.”
Only then did Ye Lingshao nod, choosing to terminate the exam.
With that, the top two spots in the Physical Fitness Track of the second round of the Foundation Establishment Exam were officially decided—Zhang Yu and Ye Lingshao.
The two would face off again in January of next year during the final round of the exam, vying for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate.
“Absolutely monstrous,” Yu Xinghan muttered under his breath, watching Ye Lingshao step out from the Dinghai Column. “This year’s Foundation Establishment Certificate is definitely going to be his.”
“But if that’s the case… then I’ll have to compete against Zhang Yu again next year.”
Zhang Yu’s current strength was still far behind Ye Lingshao’s, but the sheer speed of his progress filled Yu Xinghan with deep envy—almost jealousy.
“At the last exam, he barely outpaced me.”
“But now he’s completely ahead of me.”
The thought twisted Yu Xinghan’s expression. “How is this kid progressing so fast? It’s utterly unbelievable.”
“And especially… he’s still so poor. That can’t just be ignored.”
Yu Xinghan knew about Zhang Yu’s poverty firsthand—especially from the weekly overtime shifts they’d done together at Hongta. He could still feel that unmistakable aura of poverty clinging to Zhang Yu, just like the one he’d once carried himself.
“If this kid were rich… I’d have no way to compete.”
“But he’s broke—so it’s not like he can afford anything fancy.”
A decision formed in Yu Xinghan’s mind. He’d go straight to his senior, Li Xuelian, once he got back.
He thought to himself: I’ll ask her for money.
Then I’ll add extra training sessions.
I must force Zhang Yu to teach me every secret of his cultivation. I need to find out what makes him so strong.
And next year… I have to make sure we’re assigned different tracks during the exam. Only then do I stand a chance at winning the Certificate.
“Come to think of it…” Yu Xinghan mused. “If both Zhang Yu and I make it to the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate next year, we’ll both be in the Top Ten.”
Recalling Xinghuo Immortal’s words about the Top Ten, Yu Xinghan sighed inwardly. Once you reach the Second Layer, your rivals aren’t just peers—they’re the real elite.
Having someone like Zhang Yu as a familiar face could be a real advantage. We could watch each other’s backs.
He remembered Xinghuo Immortal telling him how, when he first entered Wanfa University’s Top Ten, he’d been punished harshly by the upper-tier cultivators.
Refusing to back down, he challenged them again and again—only to be beaten anew.
Ten years of relentless attempts. Ten years of humiliation.
And only then, after enduring it all, did Xinghuo Immortal finally accept defeat.
Through that story, Xinghuo Immortal had taught Yu Xinghan a harsh truth: some people are born into a world you can never catch up to.
But having friends who can lend you money and share your burdens? That mattered more than anything.
Yu Xinghan agreed completely.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu felt Yu Xinghan’s gaze lingering on him.
What’s with this guy staring at me like that?
Recalling how Yu Xinghan had approached him after the last Physical Fitness Competition, asking to be his sparring partner, Zhang Yu thought: He’s probably planning to come after me for extra training sessions now. Maybe even follow me around, drilling me every day.
That could be a nice little income.
But then he remembered Yu Xinghan’s job—selling seeds to earn a living.
And something about it just felt… off.
What’s so strange about it? Zhang Yu pushed the odd feeling aside. Money from selling seeds is still money, isn’t it?
As the rankings were announced, the candidates began to exit under Zheng Shen’s guidance.
But just before leaving, Zhang Yu paused—his mind flashing to Zhou Chichen and the Zhou family.
He stepped forward, raising his hand.
“Examiner, I have something to report.”
All eyes turned toward him as he remained behind while the others left.
Huang Zichou smiled warmly. “What is it?”
Though Zhang Yu and Ye Lingshao were worlds apart in strength—Zhang Yu clearly wouldn’t be winning the Certificate this year—Huang Zichou sensed something far more valuable in him.
He could trace Ye Lingshao back to the Yeyi Clan.
But Zhang Yu? He couldn’t find a single clue about who—or what—was behind him.
The more he couldn’t uncover, the more unsettling it became.
Now, Zhang Yu had stepped forward voluntarily.
Huang Zichou saw his chance—perhaps to build a connection, to plant a seed of goodwill.
But fate had other plans.
Before Zhang Yu could speak, Deng Bingding appeared beside them, expression calm.
“Zichou, go write today’s report. I’ll handle this.”
Huang Zichou glanced at the impassive Deng Bingding and mentally groaned. Seriously? You’re taking this too? Is Zhang Yu’s backing even more powerful than I thought?
With a sigh, Huang Zichou left, cursing under his breath: Damn it—money just goes straight to the dogs.
Deng Bingding turned to Zhang Yu. “What do you need?”
Zhang Yu explained the incident in Songyang City—how the Zhou family had been following him.
“I’m worried they’re trying to track me because of my participation in the Foundation Establishment Exam. I’m reporting it to you, sir.”
Deng Bingding listened, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on her lips.
Who dares in Songyang City to investigate the Foundation Establishment Exam?
She didn’t believe it.
But she did wonder—was Zhang Yu trying to use her to burn down the Zhou family?
She didn’t call him out. Instead, she pondered: Is this his own idea… or is someone else pulling the strings behind him?
She couldn’t tell.
So she simply said:
“I’ve noted it. I’ll have someone look into the Zhou family—see if they’ve been probing into the exam.”
“Add me as a friend. If anything else comes up, you can reach me anytime.”
Zhang Yu blinked in surprise. “Add you as a friend?”
Deng Bingding remained calm. “Protecting the personal safety of every Foundation Establishment candidate is part of our duty. It’s only natural.”
Zhang Yu, slightly flustered, added her as a friend.
Wait… Zheng Shen can actually be added as a friend? he thought, puzzled. Why wasn’t this feature on my talisman? Is it because my faith level is too low?
Watching Zhang Yu walk away, Deng Bingding’s thoughts drifted.
Did the other side confirm it already?
---
On the martial arts field, Bai Zhenzhen finally stepped onto the arena, choosing to face Yun Jing.
“At least I need to see where I truly stand.”
Of course, another reason was… to claim some medical insurance.
With that thought in mind, she stepped forward. Her head instantly displayed a medical insurance balance of 1 million.
But the number dropped instantly—plunging by over 200,000 before stabilizing.
As the healing finished, Bai Zhenzhen felt her body relax completely. The lingering injuries from her previous arena match had vanished.
Across the arena, Yun Jing asked calmly: “Healed?”
“Wait—let me warm up first.”
Bai Zhenzhen stretched, then suddenly blurred—her body flashing forward in a streak of lightning, trailing crackling arcs of electricity.
Her fingers unleashed a barrage of invisible sword qi—dozens, then hundreds, of sword strikes unfolding in rapid succession, forming a swirling storm of thunderous energy that surged toward Yun Jing.
This was the Wan Jian Wu Zhong Jue, now refined to Level 8.
The technique’s moves were nearly infinite. When combined with her lightning-fast speed and the surge of thunderous martial energy, it became a tempest of crackling storms—like a living storm cloud descending upon Yun Jing.
Bai Zhenzhen didn’t believe she could win.
But she wanted to overwhelm Yun Jing with speed and volume, attacking from every angle, probing his reactions, gathering intelligence for her next Foundation Establishment Exam.
In Yun Jing’s spirit-hardened eyes, every movement was crystal clear.
Not only could he see each strike—
he could also see the numbers floating above each one.
-3200
-500
-4899
Each represented the medical insurance cost if the strike landed.
With those numbers, Yun Jing could predict the weak points in her technique—separating truth from deception.
But he didn’t analyze.
He didn’t calculate.
He simply raised one palm and slammed it forward.
From his twin dantians, a volcanic surge of fire aura erupted—flames like molten lava, bursting forth in a relentless tide.
It rose like a crimson wall across the arena, splitting it in half before surging forward, pressing down on Bai Zhenzhen.
Boom!
The sheer force of the fire wall overwhelmed her.
She slashed at it with sword qi—crackling bolts of lightning—each strike shattering, only to be instantly replaced by more fire.
Back and back she was pushed, until the wall of flame crushed her off the arena.
“Seriously? He just used raw fire power to force me off—no technique, no finesse. Just… pure wealth.”
Bai Zhenzhen stared at Yun Jing on the platform, headache pounding.
“That was… completely unfair.”
(End of Chapter)
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