Chapter 234: Finally Obtained the Foundation Establishment Certificate (Double Chapter)

A wave of terrifying acid fumes surged forward, searing Zhang Yu’s skin instantly with corrosive heat. The agonizing sting forced him to grimace. He could feel that if left unchecked, the acid would eat through his flesh, possibly even proving fatal.

Acting immediately, Zhang Yu surged every muscle in his body, vibrating his entire frame. With each ripple of tension through his skin, a violent wind erupted from his body, blasting the acid mist away like a stormfront.

But the effort of resisting the fumes cost him dearly—his reserves were drained.

Likewise, Ye Lingshao couldn’t exploit Zhang Yu’s momentary weakness to drag the Binding Dragon Chain. He was too busy vibrating his own body, unleashing gusts of force to fend off the acid.

Yet Zhang Yu sensed something: thanks to the regenerative power of his Martial Dao Holy Embryo, the damage from previous trials—intense heat, crushing pressure, gravity, and now the acid—was already healing. Even as his body burned and strained, recovery was underway.

And more importantly… he still had two cards left unplayed.

With a thunderous roar, Zhang Yu shattered the ‘Zen’ symbol on his chest. In response to the toxin’s stimulation, his latent physical potential exploded.

Veins bulged across his forehead, but in his mind, he screamed: Not done yet.

Then came the Martial Dao Holy Embryo’s Overload.

Roar!

Zhang Yu’s arms swelled again, his body shooting up from 2.8 meters to a towering 3.3 meters.

Both the Chunqiu Wujin Chan toxin surge and the Martial Dao Holy Embryo Overload were methods of pushing the body beyond its limits—wringing out strength far beyond normal capacity.

Now, combined, the forces turned his flesh into a furnace. Rivers of power surged from every fiber, coursing through his muscles, grinding his bones with deafening cracks.

His body bore an unbearable burden.

Muscles tore, bones cracked at microscopic levels, organs compressed and deformed, blood vessels ruptured. Even with the Holy Embryo’s healing, his body continued to self-destruct—bit by bit.

But to Zhang Yu, none of it mattered.

Because ever since stepping into this trial, he’d known one truth:

This was a death match.

If you’re not willing to die, why even come here for the Foundation Establishment Certificate?

In that moment, memories flooded his mind—months of grueling tests, endless exams, brutal competitions. Through it all, one truth had crystallized.

In Kunxu, a world strictly controlled and stratified, climbing the ranks meant one thing: you had to follow the path laid out by the Top Ten Sects, defeating rivals in each trial.

And in that process, every opponent—without exception—would push themselves, their families, and each other to the absolute brink.

Ye Lingshao was no different.

He would leave no stone unturned, no chance unseized. He would fight to the last breath to win.

And Zhang Yu? He had no choice but to burn himself to ash, to give everything he had, for the one prize that could change his life.

“I promised A Zhen… I promised my sister… we’re going to the Top Ten together.”

“I’m getting into the Sect. I’m climbing Kunxu.”

“I’m breaking free from Ritual’s chains. I’m taking my freedom.”

The techniques he’d honed over the past year surged through him—every movement, every breath, every drop of power, all channeled at once.

Frenzied strength. Unbreakable will. All poured through the channels of his techniques, along the iron-like tendons, and finally, through the Binding Dragon Chain—slamming into Ye Lingshao with devastating force.

Boom!

Zhang Yu spun and slammed his foot onto the platform, the impact echoing like thunder. With that, he began dragging the Binding Dragon Chain back toward himself, step by step, inching away from the edge.

As Zhang Yu unleashed his full power, Ye Lingshao felt an overwhelming, unnatural force tearing at the chain from the other end—dragging him relentlessly toward the abyss.

In an instant, the one who had once pinned Zhang Yu to the edge now found himself only two or three steps from the precipice.

Beyond the edge, the void loomed like a bottomless cliff.

Fall, and he’d not only lose the Foundation Establishment Certificate—but also the fortune, the chance, the future.

In a daze, Ye Lingshao thought he heard a voice—faint, yet clear—whispering in his soul.

“Brother… let’s fight him together.”

“Brother?” Ye Lingshao whispered in his heart. “So you’ve been with me… all along… in my heart?”

“Don’t let our sacrifices be in vain.”

“Don’t let every generation of the Ye family… die in vain.”

“Brother… take our strength. Carry the Ye family forward. Break through this layer of mud. Rise to the upper reaches of Kunxu.”

Unknowingly, Ye Lingshao bit down on his second Fenshen Ling.

His brain surged with heat. Dizziness washed over him—but miraculously, his mind remained clear, split into three distinct thoughts, as if three selves were operating in unison, running three times the usual number of techniques.

Blood, organs, bones, tendons—every part of his body was 100% activated. His physical output reached a peak never before seen.

And for a moment, the dragging force on the chain faltered.

But… it wasn’t enough.

Crack!

Zhang Yu’s finger bones split under the strain.

And Ye Lingshao inched closer to the edge.

“Not enough?”

“We still can’t beat him?”

“Then let’s keep fighting.”

“University representatives… you love watching geniuses push themselves to the brink, don’t you?”

“Well… today, you’ll see it all.”

Suddenly, the force on the chain surged again—then surged once more. A terrifying pull began to drag Zhang Yu toward the edge.

“He’s got another trick?”

“No… that voice…”

Zhang Yu whipped his head toward Ye Lingshao.

On the other platform, thick smoke curled up. Acid mist hissed and ate at Ye Lingshao’s flesh.

“He’s abandoned resistance to the acid… giving everything to fight me?”

At that moment, the environment shifted again—waves of toxic fumes rushed toward both combatants.

Zhang Yu vibrated his muscles, sending out gusts to scatter the poison.

But Ye Lingshao didn’t even try to resist. His eyes were locked on Zhang Yu, locked on the chain. In that moment, only one thought remained: Win. Win at all costs. Take the Certificate.

Seeing Ye Lingshao’s absolute resolve, Zhang Yu finally understood the true purpose of this exam.

“The Zheng Shen… they knew this would happen. They planned for us to push to the edge—forced to decide in life-or-death stakes.”

“These so-called spectators… do they really just enjoy watching us bleed?”

Zhang Yu stared at Ye Lingshao—his body torn, skin turning purple and bloody, yet still standing.

“I don’t even know your name…”

“But through the chain, I feel your will. I feel your determination.”

“But I won’t lose.”

“And when it comes to dying for victory… I’m better at it than you.”

Zhang Yu stopped resisting the fumes. He poured every ounce of focus, every drop of strength, into the chain.

Boom!

The clash of their forces erupted along the Binding Dragon Chain—a violent shockwave rippling through the metal.

And the environment changed once more—heat, pressure, acid, toxins.

But neither man flinched.

No matter the burns, the internal agony, the ruptured organs, the spreading poison, the cracking bones—none of it mattered.

They had staked their lives. They had gambled everything.

Now, only one thing remained: the enemy.

Win. Win at all costs. Use every ounce of strength, every shred of will—pull the other down.

Crack!

Ye Lingshao’s right leg shattered under the strain. He dropped to one knee.

Zhang Yu, thanks to his Holy Embryo’s regeneration, remained upright—though battered, still intact.

The broken leg tipped the balance. Ye Lingshao could no longer resist.

“Am I… losing?”

“Is this it?”

The edge loomed closer. The abyss yawned below.

Memories flashed—family burdens, fallen siblings’ last pleas, endless exams, endless titles, endless first places. Once, they had felt like chains, like webs trapping him.

But now he understood: those burdens weren’t shackles. They were his heart, his soul, his reason.

They were the silent force behind him, pushing him forward—until this very moment.

He felt it again—the push.

At that instant, from the opposite platform, Zhang Yu inhaled deep breaths of toxic air. The Chunqiu Wujin Chan flared once more—a second surge.

The first burst had come from stored toxins in his body after taking pills. This one? Triggered by the fresh poison in the air. The ‘Zen’ symbol on his chest pulsed again, gathering more toxins.

Ye Lingshao was down. But Zhang Yu didn’t relax.

From experience—his own, and from Bai Zhenzhen’s teachings—he knew: in such critical moments, the final blow could come from the opponent’s last breath.

With the second surge, Chunqiu Wujin Chan tore through Zhang Yu’s body. Blood mist exploded from every pore. His cells screamed in agony, crying out in final protest.

Yet, in this moment of utter desperation, the Can Niu Shenshen Decree kicked in. The pain dulled. Excitement surged. His Dao Heart grew stronger.

Zhang Yu roared, “I’m taking this Certificate!”

On the other side, Ye Lingshao crushed his final Fenshen Ling between his teeth.

His mind flashed back to the lab supervisor’s warning: “Never exceed three within a day. Even with Perfect Bloodline, your brain can’t take it.”

He had already taken four—counting the first one in the Divine Spirit Root test.

Now, the drug surged through his skull. Pain like a knife twisting through his brain—but clarity followed.

“I can… handle four.”

Suddenly, four distinct minds operated within him—like a team, each handling a different function, competing, optimizing, striving.

The Binding Dragon Chain, in Zhang Yu’s furious pull, writhed like a real dragon.

Ye Lingshao tried to control it, to resist—then felt his arm snap under the strain.

His mind had advanced—but his body was already shattered. No room to fight.

And then, the side effects hit.

A scream of agony tore through his skull—like his brain was being ripped apart and skewered with iron rods.

In that moment, he could no longer resist.

His spirit, once soaring with hope, was dragged down—like a colorful dream crushed by cold reality and gravity.

Boom!

With a final, explosive surge, Zhang Yu flung the chain into the sky.

Ye Lingshao, still gripping it, was launched upward—his body flying like a comet toward the Audience Stand.

The crowd gasped. No one expected this final twist—Zhang Yu had not only won, but flung his opponent through the air.

As Ye Lingshao hurtled toward them, the audience’s faces flickered with surprise, awe, and speculation.

Then, a ripple of Divine Power swept through the air—just in time to catch Ye Lingshao mid-flight, halting him a few meters above the stand.

Zhang Yu looked up at Huang Zichou, his voice raw with exhaustion.

“Did I win?”

“Is the Foundation Establishment Certificate… mine?”

Huang Zichou raised his hand. A series of spells flared—first, healing magic to stabilize Zhang Yu’s wounds, then a clear, resonant voice:

“Third Trial Winner: Zhang Yu!”

“Overall Winner of the Third Round Foundation Establishment Exam: Zhang Yu!”

“I hereby declare: Zhang Yu, the final victor of the Physical Track in this year’s Foundation Establishment Exam, shall be granted the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate by the Heavenly Court—eligible for Cultivation Foundation.”

As the words rang out, Zhang Yu collapsed—his strength utterly drained, falling into a pool of blood.

“Finally…”

Year after year of sleepless nights, endless battles, sacrifices beyond measure—money borrowed, debts piled high, life itself wagered.

And now, he had stepped—just barely—into the door of the Top Ten.

Looking back, he realized how hard it was. Climbing Kunxu… it was so hard.

He let out a long, guttural roar—unleashing every frustration, every pain, every burden he’d carried.

Huang Zichou watched, unimpressed. He’d seen every reaction—heart attacks, brain hemorrhages, madness, breakdowns. Zhang Yu’s collapse was mild by comparison.

Meanwhile, Ye Lingshao, overwhelmed by the drug’s side effects and his wounds, slipped into unconsciousness.

The Crying-Laughing Emoji on the Audience Stand muttered, “Mother, looks like that Ye family isn’t so great after all. Their strongest lost.”

The Smiling Emoji, watching the fallen Ye Lingshao—now a limp, bloodied figure floating in midair—frowned. He saw only a dead dog on the street. Disgusting.

“Smiling Emoji” said coldly, “If you don’t want him, fine. But the Ye family is useful in Layer One. You can’t abandon them.”

“Crying-Laughing Emoji” replied, “He’s actually impressive. Stronger than most high schoolers in Layer Two and Three. Just unlucky—faced someone stronger.”

“I’ll still use him.”

“But compared to him…” He turned his gaze toward Zhang Yu, interest sparking. “I’m far more intrigued by this Zhang Yu.”

“Smiling Emoji” frowned. “You want to sign him as a full-time employee?”

“Crying-Laughing Emoji” shrugged. “Why not? If he pleases me, he’s in. Bai Zhenzhen, Ye Lingshao—any of them, I can make them official.”

“Smiling Emoji” shook his head. “Don’t feed the dog too much. You’ll learn one day.”

The Crying-Laughing Emoji didn’t care. He was already making plans—contacting the Oasis Company in Layer One, ready to send representatives to Songyang City with a mountain of cash.

Meanwhile, other university representatives on the stand were all watching Zhang Yu.

Ye Lingshao had been strong—but under Zhang Yu’s light, he dimmed. And the fact that Zhang Yu was one year younger made it worse.

Many recruiters were already mentally drafting their offers.

At Wanfa University, the Cat Head turned to the Dogs Head. “Looks like your bid won’t be enough.”

The Dogs Head scowled. “We’re Top Ten. We can fight over talent.”

He glanced toward a distant corner, sneered. “I get why No. 36 Upper School and 72 Lower Schools want him. But junior colleges? They think they can steal this kind of talent?”

“If Zhang Yu goes to a junior college, what’s the difference from prison? No chance at Postgraduate Entrance Exam. No chance at Jin Dan.”

The Cat Head reminded him, “If you want him, act fast. He’s poor, hasn’t seen much. If he’s desperate, he might be tricked by some fake ‘university’.”

“The exam results are public after certification. Move quickly.”

The Dogs Head froze. The warning was real—such things had happened.

“I need to act fast—get a Layer One representative to contact him.”

But before leaving, he paused. “Are you sure your Finance Department won’t take any of these students?”

The Cat Head replied calmly. “Their talent is solid. But Security, Civil Engineering—perfect fit. Want them in Finance? Wait until they’ve climbed for generations. Even then… maybe one in a thousand has a chance.”

On the other side of the stand, a junior college teacher was on the phone with his principal.

“Sir! If we get this student, we’ll train him to Jin Dan. Then, who can say junior colleges can’t produce Jin Dan? Our rating will rise!”

As the crowd began to thin, the remaining participants gathered.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were fully healed.

Now, all finalists stood together—ready for the final ceremony.

Zhang Yu rushed to Bai Zhenzhen, eyes wide.

“A Zhen… did you make it?”

Bai Zhenzhen laughed. “I did, Yu. And you?”

“I made it too!” Zhang Yu grinned, then pulled her into a tight hug. “A Zhen! We’re going to university together!”

Bai Zhenzhen’s heart lightened. She’d been terrified he’d fail.

She hugged him back, laughing. “Any idea which Top Ten you’re picking? Should we start planning for the Postgraduate and PhD Entrance Exams?”

Yun Jing watched from the side, her expression darkening further.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end