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Chapter 25: Qi Hai
“Then there’s the Yuan Yang Spirit Root—it’s also highly sought after in the Celestial Spirit Root collection. After all, most of us here at the school are still virgins. The Yuan Yang Spirit Root can refine the vital essence of a virgin’s body into Martial Energy, and the boost it provides is truly remarkable.” Zhao Tianxing said proudly. “Especially this particular Yuan Yang Spirit Root we’ve had in high school for nearly twenty years. Over the generations, countless students have used it, each contributing their own essence. It’s now imbued with the energy of thousands—there’s a certain mystique to it.”
Zhang Yu’s brow twitched slightly. The name alone made him feel… dirty. And more importantly…
“Everyone’s been sterilized, right? How can you still use a ‘virgin spirit root’?”
“It’s the Yuan Yang Spirit Root,” Zhao Tianxing clarified. “Sterilization just removes certain organs temporarily. But the vital essence still flows endlessly from our kidneys—only now it doesn’t trigger emotional or mental responses anymore.”
“Otherwise, how do you explain the students who undergo reattachment surgery later in life and regain their roots?”
Zhang Yu kept walking, still pondering. “In the school’s Celestial Spirit Root collection, is there any that boosts Martial Energy particularly well?”
Zhao Tianxing’s eyes lit up. He recalled Zhang Yu’s recent behavior—how intensely focused he’d been on enhancing his Martial Energy.
Could he be preparing for the Mana Competition?
After a moment, Zhao Tianxing replied, “There are many spirit roots that help boost Martial Energy. But the most effective one we have here? It’s the Qi Hai Linggen. It’s a bit pricey, but since you’re getting it as a free reward, cost isn’t an issue…”
Qi Hai Linggen—nicknamed the “Wall-Crusher”—was renowned for its massive coverage area. It could penetrate walls, buildings, even the earth itself, gathering spiritual energy across vast distances. This dramatically increased the efficiency of Martial Energy refinement.
After hearing Zhao Tianxing’s explanation, Zhang Yu made up his mind. He’d give it a try.
He arrived at the Spirit Root Rental Office beside the Meditation Chamber and didn’t rush to speak. Instead, he picked up the informational brochure on the desk and began scanning through it.
The clerk was a young female teacher with a doll-like face. Seeing Zhang Yu reading, she quickly seized the opening. “Student, are you a member here? Any familiar spirit roots you’re interested in?”
Zhang Yu didn’t look up. “No. Not a member. No favorites.”
She immediately pushed, “We’re running a new member promotion—deposit one thousand, get one hundred free. Want to try?”
Zhang Yu glanced at her. “I’m here for the Distraction Rate 0% reward. I’m only taking the free rental. No interest in anything else. You don’t need to sell me anything.”
The woman sighed, a faint smile forming. She stepped back. “Alright, let me know if you need anything.”
As she did, she silently tagged him in her mind as tightfisted. Her sales pitch died on the spot.
Zhang Yu didn’t care. He flipped through the brochure, confirming what Zhao Tianxing had said. The description matched perfectly.
He turned to the clerk. “I’d like to rent the Qi Hai Linggen.”
“Scan your Student Card.”
Zhang Yu pulled out his card—the official Songyang High School Student Card, a vital credential that authorized his cultivation and access to all spiritual training services.
A few seconds later, the clerk handed him a jade box.
“The Qi Hai Linggen is inside. Head to Meditation Chamber No. 2, open the Jade Box, and consume the spirit root.”
“You’ve rented it for one hour, starting from the moment you enter the chamber. Any overtime—even one minute—counts as a full hour. Be sure to time your exit carefully…”
After reiterating the details, the clerk urged him to go.
Zhao Tianxing, standing nearby, said, “Well, Zhang Yu, you go ahead. I’m leaving.”
Zhang Yu nodded. “Thanks.”
Watching Zhang Yu walk away, Zhao Tianxing studied his expression and tone, musing silently: This time, our relationship might finally be getting closer…
---
Inside Meditation Chamber No. 2, a twenty-square-meter room stood quiet and still. In the center was a rug. The walls were lined with soundproofing material, etched with countless twisted talismans—each said to accelerate spiritual energy convergence and enhance the efficiency of cultivation.
But Zhang Yu didn’t care about the room’s design. He had only one hour. He sat down on the rug, opened the Jade Box.
Inside, no bigger than a palm, floated a translucent crystal pulsing with a faint blue glow. Wisps of glowing vapor swirled around it like smoke.
This was the Qi Hai Linggen—the Celestial Spirit Root he’d rented.
Carefully, Zhang Yu lifted it. As soon as it touched his lips, a sudden chill shot down his throat. The spirit root plunged into his body like a wave of icy water, sinking straight into his lower dantian.
Once inside, it spread like roots, branching out into crystalline tendrils that embedded themselves into the surrounding Martial Energy.
Zhang Yu knew—according to the manual and the clerk’s instructions—the spirit root had successfully taken root.
Now, all he needed to do was begin his cultivation routine. He inhaled deeply and activated the Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa, Level 6.
Boom!
A thunderclap echoed in his mind.
Suddenly, spiritual energy surged toward him from all directions, pouring into the Qi Hai Linggen like a flood.
Twice?
Three times?
Too fast… still rising!
Overwhelmed by the torrent of energy, Zhang Yu stilled his mind and poured every ounce of focus into his cultivation technique.
As his Martial Energy circulated faster through his body, strands of spiritual energy were refined into pure Martial Energy.
His dantian, which had felt stretched and bloated from the influx, gradually settled back to normal.
But the Qi Hai Linggen sensed the efficiency of his refinement. It contracted and expanded—its ability to gather spiritual energy instantly upgraded.
Now, it wasn’t just energy from around Zhang Yu that was drawn in—it was pulling from beyond the room.
The hallway.
The window.
The sky.
Even the ground beneath.
The Qi Hai Linggen expanded its reach, eventually spanning a radius of fifty meters.
Zhang Yu felt it—the river of spiritual energy, endless and powerful, flooding into his body, then flowing through every channel, refining into his own Martial Energy.
For the first time, he experienced the true rush of Martial Energy growth.
So this is the real power of Level 6 Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa?
He finally understood: his previous cultivation had never unlocked the full potential of the technique. Only now, with the Qi Hai Linggen’s aid, had he truly maximized its efficiency.
He didn’t waste a second. He poured himself entirely into the process—inhaling, refining, cultivating.
---
Meanwhile, in the rental office, the clerk stared at her monitor, surprised.
“Huh? The spiritual energy density… it’s dropping?”
The school’s meditation chambers weren’t just soundproof—they were equipped with energy-gathering talismans designed to maintain optimal spiritual concentration. This ensured peak cultivation results.
She checked the live feed. The data showed a massive spike in energy convergence in Chamber No. 2—so intense that it was draining the surrounding rooms.
“Chamber No. 2… was just occupied by that first-year student?”
She blinked. “A first-year… achieving this level of energy absorption?”
She was stunned. In her experience, only second-years could fully utilize the Qi Hai Linggen to this extent.
Zhang Yu…
She recalled the name from the registration form.
She quietly added it to her mental list—erasing the “tightwad” label she’d assigned earlier.
This kid’s a first-year… and already this strong? He must’ve spent a fortune on cultivation. Definitely a Platinum Member in the making.
She activated additional talismans, restoring the spiritual balance in the building. Then, with a quiet smile, she thought: I’ll handle this one myself. If I can get him to join as a Platinum Member, my performance targets for the next few months are guaranteed.
She wouldn’t tell a soul. This was her exclusive client.
---
One hour passed.
Zhang Yu, lost in the ecstasy of the spiritual flood, barely noticed time. His Martial Energy had risen from 9.4 to 9.5—equivalent to half a day of hard training.
Just then, a voice crackled through the chamber’s intercom.
“Zhang Yu, your one-hour session is almost up. Would you like to extend?”
For some reason, the clerk’s tone sounded… warmer.
Zhang Yu, still riding the high of full-powered cultivation, couldn’t help but ask, “How much for an extra hour?”
The clerk hurriedly replied, “The Qi Hai Linggen rental is 5,000 yuan per hour. But today’s a promotion—new users who deposit 100,000 yuan get 10,000 yuan free and an 8.8% discount on future rentals.”
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. He slowly stopped his cultivation.
“I’ve got other things to do today. No extension.”
When returning the spirit root, he noticed the clerk’s demeanor had changed—suddenly respectful and eager.
He hesitated, glancing at the Jade Box as it was sealed shut. Then he asked, “If I wanted to buy this spirit root… how much would it cost?”
The clerk’s eyes flickered. She smiled. “Six million yuan.”
Zhang Yu inhaled sharply. His face remained calm, but inside, he was stunned.
“Six million? That’s… expensive.”
She chuckled. “Exactly. We don’t usually recommend buying. Renting is far more practical. Most people only consider purchasing a spirit root after entering university. It’s too extravagant for early-stage cultivation.”
Zhang Yu nodded. He knew—breaking through into the Foundation Establishment Realm required planting one’s own spirit root. That was typically a university-level concern.
The choice between Celestial Spirit Root, Earth Spirit Root, or Human Spirit Root? That depended entirely on one’s wealth.
As for Divine or Immortal Spirit Roots? Those were only available to those in special departments or disciples of major sects.
Good spirit roots… really are damn expensive.
He stared at the sealed Jade Box one last time.
One day… I’ll buy my own.
Before leaving, the clerk proactively added him on her personal contact list.
Zhang Yu learned her name: Wei Xin.
Wei Xin, meanwhile, quietly updated her contact note:
Zhang Yu (Platinum Member Seed)
(End of Chapter)
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