Chapter 242: The Beginning of the First Layer's Great Transformation (Please Support with Your Monthly Vote)
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen quickly signed the contract with Wang Yin.
Before they left, Wang Yin spoke up:
“By the way, since we’re now all part of the same company, I might as well say this openly.
If you’re interested in attending Youming University, I can personally introduce you to teachers there.
My entire family graduated from Youming University. If you ever apply to join the Underworld later, just mention my name—it’ll open doors.
If you have any requests, feel free to tell me. I’ll speak to the admissions office and help improve your benefits.
If you end up joining Youming University, you’ll officially be my juniors and seniors.”
On their way home, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen stared at their bank accounts in quiet excitement.
Zhang Yu’s original balance had already been over 4.7 million. With the 5 million Wang Zong gave him today, the total now reached a staggering 9.7 million.
“With another 4 million in monthly income, I’ll definitely be able to buy the Celestial Spirit Root before I graduate high school—and complete foundation establishment!”
“Yeah, even if I include the 1.7 million loan and interest I still owe, plus the 3.3 million interest-free loan from the Foundation Establishment Exam… it’s still more than enough.”
At that thought, Zhang Yu felt a surge of exhilaration. His earlier anxiety over university choices and majors vanished.
“Completing foundation establishment during high school? Then I’ll see what kind of offers those universities will throw at me.”
Bai Zhenzhen said, “Wang Zong’s from Youming University. If he’s watching over us, that gives us another viable option, right?”
Zhang Yu nodded slowly. “Hmm… now I’m even more torn.”
Fujie, watching their excitement, warned, “You’re lucky to have stumbled upon such a generous patron.
Now you’d better work hard. Do whatever he says. If you can win his favor and build a good relationship with him, you might even get part-time opportunities in the Second Layer down the line.”
Bai Zhenzhen said, “People like him usually get demoted from above, don’t they?”
Fujie replied, “Luzhou Group is clearly planning something big—targeting the entire Kunxu First Layer market.
Wang Yin’s demeanor, plus that half-automatic spell technique of his? He’s almost certainly here for a temporary stint—‘gilding the lily,’ so to speak.
If you build a good rapport with him now, your future at university will be much smoother.”
…
In the days that followed, Zhang Yu spent his time not just training his Dao Heart and pushing relentlessly toward Level 10, but also reviewing schoolwork and studying the free techniques offered by Songyang High School.
Free techniques? Why not learn them?
Occasionally, he’d browse through the Chain Law Diagram, searching for other sets—like the Various Dragon Bloodline or Tianwu Battle Heart martial arts.
But he only saved them temporarily. He’d only consider training them once he bought the Celestial Spirit Root and had extra funds.
For now, his sole focus was saving money—fast. He wanted to complete foundation establishment as soon as possible.
So even though he now had a massive fortune, he wasn’t spending much.
Plus, with his Martial Energy and Physical Strength Level already at Peak Qi Refinement, there wasn’t much time left for cultivation either.
For the first time in a long while, Zhang Yu had nothing to worry about—except maintaining his cultivation routine and constantly refining his Dao Heart.
“This kind of life—24 hours a day, just training the Dao Heart… I haven’t had this kind of ease in ages.”
The sudden relaxation made him slightly uneasy. Watching Bai Zhenzhen diligently study new martial arts and work through techniques, and seeing his classmates still pushing hard, Zhang Yu felt a pang of guilt.
“I shouldn’t be wasting time like this.”
So he spent extra hours in the Dark Tutoring Realm, determined to earn enough to buy the Celestial Spirit Root as quickly as possible.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
And just as Zhang Yu was enjoying his relaxed pace…
Li Xuelian’s phone suddenly rang. She blinked, surprised.
“Dad?”
Xinghuo Immortal’s voice, weary and distant, came through:
“Call Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen for me. I’ll meet with them next month.”
Li Xuelian hesitated. “But you told me to reject Zhang Yu back then…”
Xinghuo Immortal said, “I say they’re my disciples, and they are. I’ll find a time to talk to them myself.
I should’ve come this month, but the company suddenly assigned me a new task—I’ll be working overtime until next month.”
…
By February, Zhang Yu’s savings had reached over 15 million.
Though his days were peaceful, he’d heard about many changes sweeping through Songyang City.
Some corporate rivalries had ended. Others had intensified. More companies were swapping shares and announcing partnerships with Luzhou Group.
Even without calculating the numbers, Zhang Yu could feel it walking down the streets—the number of Luzhou Group logos growing steadily.
And on this day, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen arrived at Hongta’s Protected Zone, invited by Wang Yin.
But today, the entire Protected Zone had been taken over by Luzhou Group. All guests were free to breathe deeply and freely inhale Spirit Energy—no charges, no restrictions.
“Talk about a grand gesture,” Bai Zhenzhen breathed in deeply, her face glowing with delight. “Never thought I’d live to see the day we could breathe freely here.”
Zhang Yu said, “Of course Wang Zong’s generous. Let’s go. I heard he’s invited elite families and corporate leaders from across Songyang City. He’s definitely planning something big.”
They reached the center of the venue quickly and were greeted by a sea of opulently dressed aristocrats and corporate elites.
Tables overflowed with exotic delicacies, and rare medicinal potions were freely available—fragrant with Daoxin Buffer, wafting through the air.
At the heart of it all, Wang Yin stood like the sun, surrounded by a radiant circle of admirers, laughter echoing around him.
Bai Zhenzhen muttered, “Ugh, look at those sycophants—licking Wang Zong’s boots like dogs.”
“Come on, let’s get in there before the good spots vanish!”
They’d just stepped forward when Zhang Yu froze—eyes widening.
“Ye Lingshao?!”
He glanced at the people beside him—clearly Xian Du.
“Are they chasing Wang Zong all the way here?”
At the same moment, Ye Lingshao spotted Zhang Yu. His heart skipped.
The Xian Du group had come to Songyang specifically to get close to Wang Yin, to serve him, to build a bond.
Now, seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen standing beside him, a wave of hostility flashed across their faces.
Then Wang Yin waved them over, brought them to his side, and announced:
“These two are now official representatives of Luzhou Group.”
Ye Lingshao and the others’ expressions darkened further.
Sheng Jie, the one who’d won the Mana Competition title, stared at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen standing at Wang Yin’s side, jealousy burning in his eyes.
“Damn it… how good are they at sucking up?”
Ye Lingshao thought bitterly, Wang Zong really favors these two.
In that moment, they all realized: Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were now their biggest rivals in Wang Yin’s eyes.
But they weren’t foolish enough to provoke Wang Zong directly. Instead, they vowed silently to find every possible way to curry favor, to get closer to him.
Clinking glasses, laughter, and endless flattery filled the air.
Xian Du elites and Songyang aristocrats alike took turns praising Wang Zong, fawning over the Luzhou Group heir.
Wang Yin raised his glass and declared:
“From now on, may every generation of your families be blessed with extraordinary talent—may they all enter the Top Ten, join the sects, and contribute to Kunxu’s future.”
The crowd cheered, raising their glasses in unison.
Then, Zhang Yu spotted a familiar face among the waitstaff.
“An An?”
The little panda looked up, grinned, and wagged its tail.
As the party raged on, guests drank, took pills, and grew increasingly animated.
Then, Wang Yin—already slightly dazed from the potions—saw a limping demonic servant and shook his head.
“Poor thing.”
“Open your mouth.”
“Let me grant you a transformation.”
With that, Wang Zong spat into the servant’s mouth.
Instantly, the servant shrieked—his formerly crooked leg straightened, healing before everyone’s eyes.
The crowd erupted in praise.
Wang Yin laughed heartily. “This is our new technology at Luzhou Group. The human body is like raw jade—once refined, every inch becomes sacred.”
He turned to the eager demonic waiters, grinning.
“Come on! Today’s my lucky day—I’ll give you all a share!”
Zhang Yu watched as servants scrambled, mouths open, desperately trying to catch Wang Zong’s spit.
The guests laughed, enchanted by the spectacle.
A strange unease stirred in Zhang Yu’s chest.
But seeing the servants’ ecstatic, grateful faces after swallowing the spit… he felt it was normal.
After all, for them, Wang Zong’s spit is better than any medicine they could afford.
Then he saw An An step forward with a cup, pushing through the crowd, clearly hoping to catch a few drops.
“Is he doing this for Xiong Wenwu?”
Watching An An sniff the cup, his eyes glowing with satisfaction, then retreat like he’d guarded a treasure—Zhang Yu felt a wave of complex emotions. He didn’t know what to say.
On the way home, Zhang Yu asked Bai Zhenzhen:
“A Zhen… if Luzhou Group unites with local clans, won’t that only increase their monopoly? Won’t the families grow even more powerful, and the poor even less likely to rise?”
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. “Probably. Why bring this up?”
Fujie cut in: “This is the tide of history. Not something small people like us can change. Just let it go.”
…
A few days later, at a Luzhou Group press event.
With full support from the noble families, the event was broadcast live across schools—elementary, middle, and high schools—company cafeterias, public transit… everywhere.
The host spoke of the High School Foundation Establishment Exam’s uniqueness, the power of the Foundation Establishment Certificate, and the incredible achievements of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
“…If you keep taking Luzhou Group’s green food, anyone can become like Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—ordinary students who rose to become top high school scholars, even earning Foundation Establishment Certificates and soaring into the Top Ten!”
The host handed the microphone to Zhang Yu, asking him to speak.
Zhang Yu stared at the sea of ordinary high school students, recalled his rehearsed lines… and hesitated.
Bai Zhenzhen nudged him.
Fujie urged, “What are you waiting for? Just say the lines!”
Zhang Yu swallowed hard.
“I… was just an ordinary student. It was Luzhou Group’s green food that changed me.
Eating it improved my talent, strengthened my body. Anyone can do it… just like me… just like me… pass the Foundation Establishment Exam.”
That night, Wang Zong invited Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen back for another gathering.
Before them stood a vast pool of blood.
Wang Yin stepped out slowly, smiling.
“Zhang Yu, Zhenzhen—our great contributors. You’ve come just in time.”
“This is the Blood God Pool, built using Youming Palace’s Immortal Dao Technology. Come, dive in. It will refine your body, extend your lifespan, enhance your wisdom—essential for future foundation establishment.”
Zhang Yu hesitated. “This pool… is it…?”
Wang Yin laughed. “Don’t worry. It’s all high-grade heart blood I purchased from Peak Qi Refinement masters. Pure. Concentrated. Absolutely safe.”
He stepped out of the pool, took their hands, and pulled them in.
“Come on. I’ll teach you the Qi and Blood Classic today.
It’s the basic foundation at Youming University—using blood essence to refine the flesh.
The sooner you learn it, the more advantage you’ll have when you enter the university.”
He waved a hand. “Don’t worry about copyright. I’ve got the teaching license. I’m giving it to you as a gift.”
Ye Lingshao and Sheng Jie watched from outside the pool, their eyes burning with envy—wishing it were them being taught.
Under Luzhou Group’s massive promotion, the story of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—commoners who skyrocketed in one year, passed the Foundation Establishment Exam, earned the right to foundation establishment, and could choose any Top Ten school—spread like wildfire.
They became idols for students and parents alike.
And Luzhou Group’s Synthetic Food continued its relentless expansion, capturing ever-larger market share.
…
Li Xuelian glanced at her phone, watching a video of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
Who’s really behind this? Luzhou Group… or Youming Palace?
Then her phone buzzed.
Xinghuo Immortal’s voice came through, strained.
“Daughter… tell Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen I’m sorry. I’ve been assigned another urgent task.”
A crackle of distant thunder echoed—she thought she heard the word “God” in the background.
Then he continued:
“Arrange a meeting for next month.
Once my overtime ends, I’ll come personally to meet them.”
(End of Chapter)
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