https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-222-Foundation-Establishment-Exam-with-a-Full-Audience-/13686739/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-224-The-Power-of-the-Divine-Spirit-Root/13686741/
Chapter 223: Divine Spirit Root
(Thanks to 'Yu Xian Qitian' for gifting Bai Zhenzhen 10 pairs of External Spiritual Root Socks)
The Foundation Establishment Exam had never before drawn an audience. To Zhang Yu, this was clearly meant to protect students’ privacy—ensuring their exam performance remained unknown to the outside world.
“But what’s going on now?”
“Are they announcing the results to the public?”
Zhang Yu frowned, glancing at the surrounding Audience Stand. What he saw made his eyebrows twitch. The spectators were bizarre—cartoon figures, game avatars, even people shaped like meme emojis. Only a few were actual human beings.
Zhang Yu thought to himself: Are they watching remotely through the network?
Not long after Zhang Yu arrived at the exam hall, Ye Lingshao showed up. He, too, paused in surprise upon seeing the crowd.
At that moment, Zheng Shen Huang Zichou’s voice echoed directly into their ears.
“Do not be nervous. These spectators all come from universities across Kunxu Second Layer—none are from the First Layer.”
“They will observe your performance and report back to their respective schools and departments. When you apply to universities in the future, you’ll be offered better treatment.”
“This is a special privilege granted by the Spirit Department—giving you the chance to stand out in this final exam, and paving the way for greater opportunities when you ascend to Second Layer.”
As for whether the presence of so many onlookers would affect the candidates’ performance? That was never part of Huang Zichou’s concern.
Who among the strong has not been watched?
Being observed, appearing on live streams, filming commercials, giving speeches, even enduring online harassment—enduring all these under countless gazes, and still maintaining mental stability while unleashing one’s full strength—these were all essential qualities of a true immortal cultivator.
If a candidate panicked under scrutiny, or failed to perform due to nerves, and ultimately missed the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate, then it only proved their talent and cultivation were insufficient.
Upon hearing Huang Zichou’s words, Zhang Yu and Ye Lingshao both stiffened with sudden excitement.
Zhang Yu suddenly understood: This is the admissions office staff descending from above to scout top talent, right?
If I secure the Qualification Certificate today, could several of the Top Ten universities in the future come racing after me? Offering me better conditions?
The thought sent a surge of energy through him. His body temperature rose, his blood surged. He felt even more eager for the upcoming exam.
Huang Zichou observed their renewed vigor and inwardly smirked: This is truly a gift for you two.
But it’s also a side benefit—collecting entry fees, running a betting pool, giving us some return on investment.
Those two nearly devoured the entire exam budget last round.
He continued: “Beyond this benefit, the winner of today’s exam will receive a 3 million credit interest-free loan, one Expert-Level Cultivation Technique of their choice, and the ability to choose their mentor upon entering university.”
“The loser also gets 3 million credits interest-free, one Expert-Level Cultivation Technique, and bonus points for future Foundation Establishment Exams.”
Zhang Yu processed the words, his mind racing: Choosing a mentor?
He’d heard Fujie mention it before—selecting the right master after university was crucial. In Kunxu Second Layer and above, for most people, one’s sect was far more important than family background.
Zhang Yu glanced at Ye Lingshao beside him, noting the other’s visible excitement. It was clear this reward was no small thing—otherwise, even someone as wealthy as Ye Lingshao wouldn’t react this way.
Then Huang Zichou outlined the final round’s rules.
“The last round of the Foundation Establishment Exam consists of three stages.”
“It doesn’t just test your current strength—it evaluates your potential after cultivation foundation is established. The goal is to determine which of you is more likely to achieve foundation establishment first…”
---
As Huang Zichou spoke, two emoji figures on the Audience Stand exchanged words.
A Smiling Emoji said: “See that one? That’s Ye Lingshao. When you’re transferred down to the first layer next month to oversee Luzhou Group operations, he’ll be assisting you.”
Beside it, a Crying-Laughing Emoji replied: “Oh? So this Ye Lingshao is going to claim the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate today, huh?”
The Smiling Emoji nodded. “First-layer students may not be particularly bright or capable, but they’re not entirely without talent. This Ye Lingshao is decent.”
“Plus, his family, the Ye Clan, holds some influence down there—not some back-alley beggar family. He knows how to behave.”
“When he comes to serve you, remember—”
The Smiling Emoji paused, then was interrupted.
“Mom, I know! Don’t worry—I’ll treat them with respect. I won’t bully them.”
The Smiling Emoji sighed. “I’m not afraid you’ll bully them. I’m afraid you’ll get tricked.”
“Son, you’re too soft-hearted. You’re too kind to your subordinates.”
“Remember this: people beneath you are like the dogs you once raised. Feed them too well, let them eat until they’re full, and they’ll start thinking they’re equal to you. They’ll start scheming, plotting, even trying to bite you back.”
“You must keep them hungry. Feed them yourself. Teach them fear. Make them know who’s in charge.”
“Remember—your job isn’t to befriend them. It’s to control them.”
The Crying-Laughing Emoji just stared, torn between laughter and despair. “How did I get sucked into this?”
The Smiling Emoji said: “Last time you used your legal killing permit, you didn’t kill a single person. You even paid the bystanders a fortune.”
The Crying-Laughing Emoji groaned: “I never kill people, okay? I’ve never killed anyone since I got my permit.”
“That time, I was short on spell materials. I needed a few limbs from passersby for a ritual. To avoid suspicion from Zheng Shen, I used the permit. As for the payment? That was just buying local flesh and blood.”
The Smiling Emoji sighed: “You paid way too much. A few limbs, and you paid full death price.”
“If your father were here, he wouldn’t have wasted money like that. You’re too soft.”
“Son, you have a legal killing permit. You’re not committing illegal murder. You’re legally authorized to kill. When you pay compensation, you can get discounts. And since you’re killing people without household registration—those lives are worth even less.”
“If you keep spending like this, never using discounts or promotions, our family fortune won’t last a year.”
---
Back at the exam hall, Huang Zichou finished explaining the first stage.
To test their physical potential, both candidates would temporarily be granted access to the Divine Spirit Root.
The Divine Spirit Root—beyond Human Spirit Root, Earth Spirit Root, and Celestial Spirit Root—was classified as military-grade power. It had been restricted to military forces and elite government agencies for years.
Upon hearing he’d be allowed to use it during the exam, Zhang Yu felt a thrill ripple through him.
So this exam really is top-tier.
They’re letting us use the Divine Spirit Root right here on the battlefield…
The test itself would compare how much power each candidate could draw from the Divine Spirit Root.
Zhang Yu thought: According to the examiners, to break through into the Foundation Establishment Realm, one must implant the Spirit Root into the dantian. At the moment of breakthrough, the Spirit Root transforms into a new organ, driving the body and spirit’s transcendence, allowing one to step into the Foundation Establishment Realm…
He’d long known that besides a 10th-level Dao Heart and 60 points of Martial Energy, the most crucial element for breakthrough was the Spirit Root.
And as Huang Zichou had explained, the stronger the body, the fewer hidden injuries, damages, defects, impurities, or toxins it contained—then the better it could harness the Spirit Root’s power, leading to greater strength after foundation establishment.
Huang Zichou mused: High school students in the Qi Cultivation Stage often resort to any means to boost their cultivation—using dangerous methods to force their potential. This leaves deep internal damage and toxins, undermining their foundation.
Two candidates may appear equally strong on the surface, but due to such hidden damage, their future breakthroughs can differ wildly.
This stage tests exactly that—your body’s ability to withstand and utilize the Divine Spirit Root.
That was why they used the Divine Spirit Root instead of the Celestial Spirit Root. The latter’s ceiling was too low in Zheng Shen’s eyes—they wanted to see real differences.
At that moment, two black long boxes were brought forward and placed before Zhang Yu and Ye Lingshao.
Zhang Yu opened his box. Inside lay a set of black combat gear.
Huang Zichou explained: “This is the military-grade External Spiritual Root—Divine Spirit Root Combat Suit. But we’ve stripped away all extra functions. Only the core Divine Spirit Root remains.”
“Once worn, the Divine Spirit Root will enter your body, continuously supplying Martial Energy, stamina…”
Zhang Yu slipped into the suit—black jacket and pants enveloping his entire frame.
The moment he did, he felt the fabric come alive. Countless tiny tendrils seemed to press into his skin, clinging to him like a second layer of flesh.
Huang Zichou added: “Channel your Martial Energy through this suit to activate the Divine Spirit Root.”
As Zhang Yu poured his Martial Energy into the suit, it instantly tightened, conforming even more tightly to his body.
Then, the air itself seemed to roar. A thunderous wave of Spirit Energy surged toward him like a tsunami.
Endless Spirit Energy flooded the suit. In an instant, it transformed into pure Martial Energy—merging seamlessly with the energy Zhang Yu had injected. It became an external Martial Energy circulation system, replenishing him endlessly.
At the same time, vast amounts of Spirit Energy were converted into vital essence, flowing into Zhang Yu’s body, restoring his stamina.
In just one breath, Zhang Yu felt his Martial Energy and stamina restored to peak condition.
On the sleeve of the combat suit, a number flashed: 0.03%.
It indicated he was currently utilizing only 0.03% of the Divine Spirit Root’s power.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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