https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-266-The-Assistance-of-Xinghuo-Immortal/13686804/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-268-The-Zhou-Family-s-Evil-God-Final-Sprint-Before-the-College-Entrance-Exam/13686806/
Chapter 267: Zhang Yu's Spirit Vein Passage
Zhang Yu felt the Martial Dao Intention surge toward him like a physical force, threatening to reduce his flesh, organs, bones, soul, and consciousness to ash.
The mere instant of contact sent a deathly chill through him—his body screamed in agony. The gap between them was simply too vast.
At that moment, Xinghuo Immortal’s voice erupted in his ears.
“Activate your cultivation technique. Resist my Martial Dao Intention with your will.”
Zhang Yu unleashed every ounce of effort into the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique. As the image of the white cow roared in his mind, a fierce resolve surged from within him.
Memories flooded his mind—battles fought to the brink of death, endless duels against Wang Yin, every moment of sheer survival etched into his soul.
On the other side, Xinghuo Immortal observed the two, teeth clenched under the crushing pressure of his Martial Dao Intention. Satisfied, he gave a slight nod and withdrew the attack.
“Rest for thirty seconds. Then continue.”
Thirty seconds later, the storm of intent roared back.
But this time, it wasn’t fire. It was a suffocating, overwhelming pressure—like the air had thickened a thousandfold, crushing his bones, forcing him to his knees.
Xinghuo Immortal’s voice cut through the air, cold and unyielding.
“Hold on. Do not kneel.”
No longer the gentle, paternal mentor from before. Now, he radiated authority—like a general on the battlefield. Every command, every warning, carried absolute weight.
For the next stretch, Xinghuo Immortal repeatedly unleashed different forms of Martial Dao Intention, forcing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to resist with their heart techniques.
Each assault was different.
Sometimes it felt like flames consuming him.
Sometimes like the weight of the sky pressing down.
Sometimes like a thousand swords piercing his soul.
Sometimes like his mind froze solid in ice.
Each variation came with brutal precision.
Zhang Yu couldn’t help but mutter in disbelief:
“Just how many cultivation methods does this old geezer know?”
“Can he really switch between them so smoothly? Is he even human?”
Yet through it all, he felt himself transforming—like a blade being honed on an endless grindstone. Each trial sharpened him, tempered him, forging him into something stronger, more refined.
He could feel it: this training was far more effective than solitary practice.
Dao Heart Level 11 (0.3%) → (0.5%)
Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique Level 11 (3/110) → (35/110)
Xinghuo Immortal finally stopped, watching as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen swayed on their feet, pale and drained.
“Enough for today. You’ve reached your limit. Pushing further would harm your spirit.”
“But keep your cultivation technique active. Especially remember that sensation—the pressure, the resistance.”
“Maintain that state of tension. It’ll accelerate your cultivation efficiency in your daily practice.”
As Xinghuo Immortal vanished, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen collapsed onto the ground. Though they hadn’t moved much, their bodies felt utterly spent.
In the days that followed, Xinghuo Immortal summoned them without warning—again and again—for training.
His method was raw, brutal, and astonishingly effective.
If Zhang Yu had to describe it?
It was the ultimate value-for-money training for the poor.
But of course, this value only existed because he was the one providing it.
Zhang Yu thought to himself:
“If this old man charged for his time, I’d be bankrupt. A Zhen and I couldn’t afford a single session.”
He’d never forget the debt he owed to this Golden Core Immortal for taking the time to guide them for free.
Inwardly, he vowed:
“Thanks, old man. When I rise to the top, I’ll make sure your name echoes across Kunxu.”
Under Xinghuo Immortal’s guidance, both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen saw their Dao Heart and Physical Strength Level climb steadily—far surpassing what they could achieve alone.
As for Martial Energy, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had their own plan.
…
That day, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen arrived at the Protected Zone.
They walked up to the gate, flashed their credentials, and passed through effortlessly—like they’d done it a hundred times before.
They made their way to the base of a mountain, familiar terrain now.
This peak was one of the key Spirit Vein nodes in the Protected Zone.
Once, it had been an unattainable dream—something beyond their reach, even a fantasy.
Now, they could walk freely within the zone, even venture into the mountain to cultivate.
But every time, Zhang Yu had to complete a few tasks first—delivering goods as required by the Hongta Dragon Director.
As Zhang Yu disappeared into the restroom beside the path, Bai Zhenzhen waited outside, beginning her Breathing Technique.
Minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty.
Impatient, she finally snapped:
“Are you done yet?”
She frowned.
“You’re taking longer and longer. I’ve been waiting nearly half an hour!”
Zhang Yu’s muffled voice came from inside:
“Almost there… Why are you rushing me?”
“Think about who’s been giving so you can even enter the Spirit Vein,” he shot back.
Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes.
“Can’t you just… finish at home and bring it here?”
Zhang Yu groaned:
“Believe me, I’d love to. But Hongta Corporation insists on fresh supplies!”
Another ten minutes passed.
Bai Zhenzhen sighed inwardly:
“Zhang Yu really is… Foundation Establishment stage, yet still can’t cut the root.”
“After Foundation Establishment, Physical Strength Level soars. But that bad root only grows stronger, feeding on more nutrients, more blood, more Spirit Energy.”
“Every time he indulges, he wastes precious cultivation resources. How much time, how much effort… It’s like a malignant tumor on the immortal path.”
“But… it does have its uses. At least it lets us cut in line to enter the Spirit Vein.”
“Now that we’re poor again, maybe it’ll come in handy as emergency funds in a crisis.”
She pondered for a moment, then smiled.
“What if we make it removable? Like his eyes?”
“Attach it when needed. Lock it away otherwise. That way, it won’t drain his body or slow down his Body Refining.”
“After all, we’re family. If he can’t make the decision himself… maybe I should just help him.”
She believed Zhang Yu would understand.
After all, she’d seen the faint look of regret and guilt on his face after each time. He wanted to fix it—but couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Just as she was mentally drafting her plan, Zhang Yu stepped out of the restroom.
“Done. Let’s go.”
With a flick of his hand, he led Bai Zhenzhen through the Spirit Vein entrance, a hint of pride in his step.
The rush of Spirit Energy hit them like a wave. Their Spirit Roots trembled in response, flooding their bodies with a blissful, intoxicating sensation.
Zhang Yu exhaled deeply.
“This is the only time my Qi Hai Linggen and Bi Wo Qi Gong truly shine. No more suffocation. No more restraint.”
Yes—suffocation.
Ever since reaching Foundation Establishment, he’d felt it: a constant, gnawing tightness. The air felt thin. The world seemed stale.
“Still, the Spirit Vein is the best.”
But then he paused, guilt creeping in.
“…Still, that was a waste of time.”
“But I did my best, right?”
He glanced at Bai Zhenzhen. His face flushed. He quickly looked away.
Bai Zhenzhen, still breathing deeply, raised an eyebrow.
“You’re acting strange. What’s up?”
Zhang Yu stammered:
“I… I just thought of a way to speed things up.”
Bai Zhenzhen tilted her head.
“Really? What way?”
Zhang Yu turned red, fidgeting. After a long breath, he mumbled:
“N-Nothing. Never mind.”
As they walked deeper into the Spirit Vein, Fujie’s thoughts were anything but calm.
“You two… don’t even ask how I feel. Think I’m just here for free?”
“Damn it, I should be charging you for the show.”
“If I asked to follow Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu would suspect something. Think I’m after him?”
“Ugh… I guess I’ll just pretend I’m watching nature documentary.”
Deep in the Spirit Vein, Zhang Yu began practicing his newly learned Bi Wo Qi Gong.
This Foundation Establishment-level Breathing Technique used Martial Energy to form a vortex, expanding the range of Spirit Energy absorption with each breath—until reaching his limit.
Now, enhanced by Qi Hai Linggen, the range had expanded to 100 meters.
Zhang Yu became a massive funnel, drawing in Spirit Energy from all around.
He thought:
“This Bi Wo Qi Gong isn’t like the Great Sun Qi Sea—it can’t run constantly. But every few hours here? It’s like days of effort. Far more efficient.”
“And I haven’t even maxed it out yet. Future refinement of Martial Energy will only get stronger.”
Martial Energy: 200.5
Bi Wo Qi Gong Level 10 (1/100)
“Finally… level 10.”
He felt the vortex of energy swirling around him, devouring Spirit Energy from every direction.
“Level 10 unlocks the external manifestation of the Martial Energy vortex—further expanding the absorption range.”
“Combined with Qi Hai Linggen, my Spirit Root now reaches 150 meters.”
Just as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen stepped deeper into the Spirit Vein…
A sharp whoosh split the air.
A Flying Sword roared past, Combat Spirit Root flaring.
A full squad of Security Force, armored and ready, descended on a Flying Barge, surrounding the restroom Zhang Yu had just used.
Several figures in protective suits entered. Moments later, they emerged carrying a massive Armored Box.
Under the solemn gaze of the guards, they loaded it onto the barge and vanished into the sky.
…
Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen immersed themselves in Foundation Establishment cultivation—honing their foundation, refining Dao Heart, Martial Energy, and Physical Strength—
On the other side, developments at Luzhou Group stirred unrest.
That day, after Xinghuo Immortal’s session, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen received a call from Inspection Team Captain Yun Ni.
She said:
“The mysterious cultivator who attacked Bai Zhenzhen during your fight with Chi He… We’ve confirmed it.”
“The man you killed in the enforcement operation… was Zhou Yang, from the Zhou Family.”
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen exchanged a sharp glance. They both knew—Zhou Family was rumored to be tied to the Evil God.
Yun Ni continued:
“We’re launching a full investigation into the Zhou Family. You two were direct witnesses. I’m calling to ask—would you like to join us?”
Zhang Yu didn’t hesitate.
“Can we come along?”
(End of Chapter)
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