https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-245-Wealthy-Living-Martial-Dao-Holy-Embryo/13686773/
Chapter 244: Zhang Yu, the Mentally Stagnant (Please Support with Monthly Tickets)
Luzhou Tower, 1111th floor.
As the newest landmark of Songyang City, this pinnacle now stood as the highest point in the entire metropolis.
At this moment, Zhang Yu stood at the very summit—his gaze sweeping across the vast hall below, filled with employees from the Luzhou Group.
A thunderous explosion split the sky.
A dazzling fireworks display erupted, composed of divine lightning bolts that intertwined and danced through the night. Electric arcs twisted and fused, forming the characters “Ten Billion” in the heavens.
In the hall, the host shouted with excitement:
“Celebrating Food Loan surpassing ten billion! Today, all food and potions are free! Everyone’s bonuses for this month are doubled!”
“Let’s give thanks to Wang Zong!”
The crowd erupted in cheers. Wang Zong smiled, waving casually.
“Keep pushing forward. Let’s aim for a hundred billion next! A trillion! The future—this very hall could birth a hundred billionaires!”
With the audience screaming in delight, the atmosphere surged into a fever pitch.
Someone shouted, “Wang Zong! Give us red envelopes!”
Wang Yin laughed heartily. With just a thought, countless invisible Red Envelope Charms materialized midair, raining down like a storm of fortune. The crowd roared again, the excitement reaching its peak.
Bai Zhenzhen cheered, then dashed forward to snatch one.
Wang Yin stepped beside Zhang Yu, curious.
“Why not go grab some yourself?”
Zhang Yu forced a smile.
“I’ll leave the petty fun to the regular employees.”
Wang Yin chuckled.
“Exactly right. You’ll grow richer and richer. Once you’re wealthy, you must learn not to compete with those below you for small change.”
Then Wang Yin glanced at Zhang Yu’s skin.
“Come with me. I’ll show you something special.”
Without waiting, he pulled Zhang Yu into another room.
Inside stood a young man of similar build. Upon seeing them, he immediately bowed.
Zhang Yu frowned, wondering what this was about—when Wang Yin said,
“Strip off your skin. Let Zhang Yu wear it.”
In shock, Zhang Yu watched as the young man peeled off his own flesh like removing a coat, revealing a glistening, raw, blood-soaked body beneath.
Wang Yin patted Zhang Yu’s shoulder, grinning.
“I told you before to upgrade to real skin. You kept refusing, so I took the liberty and bought you this Training Skin.”
Seeing Zhang Yu’s stunned expression, Wang Yin continued, as if reciting a well-rehearsed pitch:
“Premium Training Skin is always sourced from human bodies. To preserve its vitality, it must be nourished daily with refined blood, refined through secret alchemical techniques. It’s worn on a living mannequin—someone who trains and cultivates daily, maintaining the skin’s perfection.”
“Such craftsmanship isn’t something you can get from mass-produced, factory-grade skins.”
“This particular skin was hand-selected. From a true master of Body-Defense Art. Once worn, it’ll enhance your Body-Protection Technique, pushing your limits beyond what you thought possible.”
“You might not know, but at Youming University, there’s a legendary technique called Xue Shen Zi, renowned for its mastery in peeling and crafting skin. While I may not be skilled in the craft, my eye for quality is impeccable…”
“Come on, hurry up—put it on. Throw away that fake skin. Never wear it again. It embarrasses me.”
Zhang Yu stared at the young man—now called the “living mannequin”—and couldn’t help but ask,
“Don’t you feel pain?”
The man blinked, his mangled face cracking into a faint smile.
“We had our pain nerves blocked before we entered the trade.”
“Sir, don’t worry. I’ve been doing this for over twenty years. I’m an expert in handling real skins. There won’t be a single flaw.”
As the man held up the skin, preparing to drape it over Zhang Yu, a cold rage boiled inside him.
Madness. Kunxu is truly insane.
Wang Yin noticed Zhang Yu’s resistance and frowned.
“Don’t like it?”
The young man, terrified the deal might fall through, quickly added,
“Sir, if you don’t like this one, we have other types. Shall I bring more samples in?”
Wang Yin took the skin, flipping it over, testing it on the mannequin, puzzled.
“Quality’s flawless. Nothing wrong with it.”
But as Zhang Yu watched Wang Yin handle the mannequin, the skin, and the young man like they were mere garments—flicking them, adjusting them, treating them with casual indifference—he suddenly felt a chill.
He realized, with dawning horror, why Wang Yin’s eyes held no hostility—only warmth, like a man gazing at a pet, a cherished possession.
Not a human being. Not a person. Just property. A pet. A small animal.
Just then, the door opened.
Sheng Jie and Tan Shishan entered—two classmates who had also passed the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate.
But their presence now was utterly different. Each breath sent ripples through the surrounding Spiritual Energy. A palpable, oppressive aura radiated from them.
Wang Yin glanced at them.
“Oh? You’ve both reached the Foundation Stage?”
Sheng Jie bowed.
“My family pooled some funds so we could cultivate early and get used to it. It’ll give us an edge in university.”
Zhang Yu, despite his skyrocketing income, still needed another six months to gather enough for a Celestial Spirit Root.
But for Sheng Jie and Tan Shishan—already at Peak Qi Refinement—passing the qualification was all it took. With family backing, they could instantly begin cultivation.
Watching this, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly.
The wealth gap is crushing. I’m stronger than them at the Qi Refinement stage, yet I’m falling behind in the Foundation Stage.
To reach Foundation before high school graduation… he’d need Wang Zong’s support.
Wang Zong ignored the newly established cultivators and turned back to Zhang Yu, smiling.
“I’ve checked. It’s perfect. Hurry up and put it on. Let me see.”
Under the eager eyes of the mannequin, the envious stares of Sheng Jie and Tan Shishan, Zhang Yu silently slipped into the Training Skin.
Wang Yin laughed, clapping.
“Perfect choice. This skin fits you like a glove.”
“From now on, wear this at meetings. Got it?”
At that moment, the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique—the meditation form he’d long practiced—froze completely in Zhang Yu’s mind.
The half-ruined image of the cow, once a steady presence, now lay utterly still.
Zhang Yu thought bitterly:
What a useless technique.
Must I suffer endlessly, chase danger, push myself to the brink, just to make you work?
No. I need to buy a Celestial Spirit Root. I need to cultivate.
I won’t spend my life poor in Kunxu. I won’t lose to the rich just because I have no money.
And this Training Skin? It’s just a piece of equipment. Nothing special.
…
One month passed.
It was now May.
At Songyang High School, Zhang Yu stared at his bank account—29 million.
Almost there. Soon I’ll have enough to buy the root and reach Foundation.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out.
Zhang Yu turned—Zhou Chichen was being surrounded by over ten classmates.
“You think you’re still Student Union President? Your Zhou Family’s done. No one listens in the Board of Directors anymore.”
“You’re not even rich like us.”
“Hand over your homework!”
“Hehe, I want to taste what it’s like to use the President’s medicine!”
Zhang Yu had no intention of getting involved—until the insults grew too absurd.
He finally snapped, voice low and sharp:
“Get lost. Don’t mess around near me.”
The words cut through the air.
The students froze, then scattered like startled birds.
Zhou Chichen slowly rose, looked toward Zhang Yu, and gave a quiet nod.
“Thank you.”
Then he walked away.
But Zhang Yu knew—without the support of Luzhou Group, the Zhou family had no chance. They were fading. Zhou Chichen’s days at school would only grow harder.
But… what does it matter to me?
He headed to the cafeteria for lunch—only to find synthetic food prices had risen again. Even Qian Shen’s portion seemed smaller than before.
That night, another meeting at Luzhou Tower.
As the team discussed the next service to launch, Zhang Yu clenched his teeth.
Mortgaging flesh and blood?
With Food Loan’s success, Luzhou Group planned to roll out the Blood and Flesh Mortgage Service—allowing users to repay debts by offering their own flesh and blood.
Zhang Yu knew this practice existed in Kunxu—but seeing the employees calmly debate how to collect, assess, process, store, and monetize human flesh… it felt like watching people being skinned alive, their bodies turned into meat on a plate.
…
June arrived.
Another College Entrance Exam ended.
Only three months remained before Zhang Yu would enter his final year of high school.
His account now held over 33 million.
Yet he still went to the Dark Tutoring Realm—his old teaching spot—hoping to earn a little more.
At least here, the atmosphere felt lighter.
But with Luzhou Group now forming alliances across industries, even companies like Xianyun Group and Shenhai Group had intensified crackdowns on piracy. Some even considered abandoning their old gangs—like discarding a used chamber pot.
Meanwhile, as employee salaries and benefits kept dropping, tutoring class enrollment plummeted.
Many elderly students, their incomes dwindling, simply died—exhausting their lifespans.
Every time Zhang Yu entered the classroom, he saw another familiar face missing. His income from tutoring dropped sharply.
…
July.
Songyang City grew hotter.
And just as the heat climbed, so did Zhang Yu’s savings—reaching 38 million.
It was then that scandals about Luzhou Group surfaced online.
That evening, during a company gathering, Zhang Yu finally asked Wang Zong:
“Wang Zong… about that thing—using mortgaged flesh to make food…”
Wang Yin waved it off casually.
“Oh, that? Just tabloid nonsense.”
He looked at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, smiling.
“Why would we ever put human flesh in synthetic food? The company would go bankrupt!”
Zhang Yu exhaled in relief.
Thank god. Kunxu might be mad, but it’s not that insane yet…
Wang Yin continued:
“Synthetic food is cheap. Adding human meat would destroy profits. We only use mortgaged flesh when selling to the upper layers.”
Zhang Yu blinked.
“To… the upper layers?”
Wang Yin smiled knowingly.
“You think we do all this just to earn First Layer money? What good is First Layer currency? It’s useless up there.”
He leaned in, teaching them like students:
“Once you enter Youming University, you’ll understand. The upper layers trade Immortal Dao Technology—granting licenses to export Daoist products—in exchange for resources from below.”
“Human bodies are a goldmine. Blood, flesh, skin, bones, marrow, brains, even resentment and souls—all have value.”
“And if someone’s undergone Body Modification Surgery and trained hard enough? Their worth increases exponentially.”
Zhang Yu’s face darkened.
“So… they pay to改造 themselves, take medicine, train themselves—just to become more valuable? More marketable?”
Wang Yin nodded.
“They gain better grades, higher chances of getting into top universities. Even if they fail and have to sell their flesh or soul, they’ll get a higher price. It’s a win-win.”
“Besides, Youming University, Tianyao University, Tianmo University, Baigu University—all have massive demand for such materials.”
“How can we compete with the Top Ten if we lack supply?”
“Up there, labor costs are astronomical. Many places ban ordinary people from raising bodies. There are strict laws on human protection and resentment emission management…”
Wang Yin sighed.
“In that sense, the upper layers aren’t even cost-effective. We’re forced to do this down here.”
Zhang Yu gritted his teeth.
“So… we’re selling First Layer people’s flesh and blood to the upper layers?”
Bai Zhenzhen stood silent, stunned—she hadn’t expected this secret.
Wang Yin studied their expressions, sensing their discomfort.
“You two come from ordinary First Layer families. Your thinking is still backward. I understand.”
“But remember—every drop of blood, every bit of flesh… is sold willingly by First Layer people.”
“They want to sell. We pay fair price. It’s a mutual agreement. A voluntary transaction.”
“If not me, they’d sell to someone else.”
“It’s normal in the Daoist path.”
He pressed on, earnestly:
“Next year, you’ll enter Second Layer. After that, First Layer won’t matter to you. Stop thinking about it. Focus on cultivation.”
“You’re talented. Maybe you’ll reach Fifth Layer. Even Sixth Layer. Don’t waste your chance.”
Zhang Yu remained silent. Bai Zhenzhen looked lost.
Wang Yin frowned, displeased—like a master seeing his pets act foolishly.
He shook his head, sighing.
“Who’s giving you money—me, or someone else?”
“Who gives you money… you should listen to them.”
“If you can’t grasp this, take a few days off. Think it through.”
“You’re both smart. I know you’ll figure it out.”
Zhang Yu opened his mouth—wanted to speak.
But then he thought of his and Bai Zhenzhen’s tens of millions.
Of the Celestial Spirit Root they planned to buy.
Of Foundation.
Of the Top Ten.
And suddenly, his once unbreakable body—forged through endless trials—felt utterly powerless.
(End of Chapter)
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