https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-271-Yuzi-and-I-Are-the-Number-One-Best-Friends-in-the-World/13686809/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-273-Fujie-s-Upgrade-Passing-the-Second-Layer/13686811/
Chapter 272: Heading to Kunxu Second Layer
Several days later.
Inside the hospital.
Zhang Yu suddenly shot upright from the hospital bed, blinking in confusion at the spotless, sterile ward before him.
At his bedside, Xinghuo Immortal’s voice echoed:
“I was just thinking you’d wake up today—turns out, you’re even faster than I expected.”
Zhang Yu whipped his head around, staring at the Immortal beside him. “I….”
Then, he clutched his head, wincing as a sharp pain flared behind his eyes.
“Gah…”
Memories flooded back—fragmented, chaotic.
The explosion… then the building collapsed.
Trying to leap from the window to the neighboring skyscraper… but someone struck me back.
Then the entire sky of construction debris came crashing down.
Zhang Yu recalled clinging to life with Wuxiang Yun'gang and Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin, holding firm until the rubble buried him. After that, he had deliberately entered the false death state of Chunqiu Wujin Chan, focusing all his will on maintaining the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique.
He’d thought of nothing, felt nothing—only the slow, relentless growth of flesh in a world of endless darkness.
Then, realization struck.
“A Zhen? What about A Zhen? Is she alright?”
Xinghuo Immortal studied him with a complex expression. “Don’t worry. She’s safe.”
Zhang Yu exhaled in relief. “Was it Zheng Shen who arrived? Did you catch the attacker?”
His voice turned cold, venomous. “Who the hell attacked me? I’ll make them pay—until they’re bankrupt and begging for death!”
Xinghuo Immortal replied calmly: “Two Foundation Establishment Cultivators nearing the end of their lives. They blocked the network around the apartment building and used forged data to trick Zheng Shen into thinking everything was normal.”
“Did you catch them?” Zhang Yu asked.
Xinghuo Immortal’s tone remained flat. “They killed themselves before capture. Their assets were cleansed entirely before death—clearly, they’d prepared for failure.”
“As for who’s behind them… based on Deng Bingding’s preliminary findings… it might be Wang Yin from Luzhou Group.”
Zhang Yu’s eyes narrowed. “Again, him.”
Xinghuo Immortal added: “But this time, he crossed a line—especially since you’ve already secured your agreement with Wanfa University. Attacking a student during the College Entrance Exam period is outright disgraceful.”
“Over a hundred people involved—bodies and souls were dealt with. Luzhou Group paid a massive fine. Wang Yin won’t dare use such methods again.”
Zhang Yu sneered. “So he’ll just use other ways?”
Xinghuo Immortal shrugged. “Normal academic or business competition? No one’s going to interfere.”
But inside, the Immortal mused: Yet… is it really just Wang Yin? To go to such lengths to eliminate Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen?
Did Wang Yin sense their potential? To eliminate a future threat early?
Or… is it Youming University, even Youming Palace… someone else who’s already seen Zhang Yu’s true worth? So they want to crush this future genius before he even steps into Wanfa University?
He couldn’t be sure. For now, he tucked the thought away.
After all, Zhang Yu would be entering Wanfa University in a month. Once inside, the pressure from Youming University would fade.
And for the next four weeks, Xinghuo Immortal decided to stay by his side—not just to protect, but to push him further, one last time before the final stage.
Just then, Zhang Yu glanced at his phone. “Why can’t I reach A Zhen?”
Xinghuo Immortal hesitated, then said: “During the fight, she awakened her Divine Spirit Root.”
“Which is why Zheng Shen arrived early.”
Zhang Yu’s face darkened. Damn it! A Zhen always held back her Zhen Linggen—she must’ve been forced to release it under pressure.
He turned to the Immortal, voice tight. “What happened to her after that?”
Seeing Zhang Yu’s expression, Xinghuo Immortal guessed: Bai Zhenzhen’s Spirit Root secret—Zhang Yu must already know.
Each time he thought of it, the Immortal felt a mix of awe and wonder. Never thought I’d train two disciples so astonishing. I once believed Zhang Yu’s suspected martial saint body was the rarest gift I’d ever encounter.
But Bai Zhenzhen… she’s even more terrifying. A natural Evolutionary Spirit Root—now evolved into Divine Spirit Root. Her talent surpasses Zhang Yu’s.
Yet now wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
“She was taken by Zheng Shen,” Xinghuo Immortal said. “But don’t worry. According to Deng Bingding, she’s unharmed. In fact, she’s been protected by Qingqing God of Tianjian University—she’ll be formally accepted as his disciple.”
Xinghuo Immortal explained: “Qingqing God is a Cultivation-Transcending Sword Saint, long seeking a successor for the Extreme Emotion Sword Path. Rumor has it he was deeply impressed by Bai Zhenzhen during the Foundation Establishment Exam.”
Zhang Yu paused, stunned. Deng Bingding did mention that during the initial Dao Heart Test, some high-ranking figure was pleased with A Zhen’s performance in the Illusory Realm—enough to grant her an interest-free loan despite not being first place.
Could that have been Qingqing God? Can a Cultivation-Transcending Saint actually observe the Foundation Establishment Exam?
Then he recalled: When the Top Ten set their conditions, Tianjian University offered A Zhen the best deal.
Xinghuo Immortal continued, reassuring: “Even if she has a Divine Spirit Root, once she’s Foundation Establishment, forcibly extracting it would ruin her. Now, under Qingqing God’s guidance, it’s actually a blessing.”
Zhang Yu nodded slowly. Though uneasy, he knew he couldn’t change anything now.
“She’s still in the First Layer, right? Can I go see her?”
Xinghuo Immortal shook his head. “Not yet. She’ll move to the Second Layer after the College Entrance Exam. But her security clearance is extremely high—no one can see her.”
“Still, don’t worry. Once both of you enter the Second Layer and start university, you’ll meet again.”
Seeing Zhang Yu relax slightly, Xinghuo Immortal sighed inwardly. True, extracting a Divine Spirit Root after Foundation Establishment ruins the cultivator. But… there are methods to refine both person and root into a Spirit Armor.
But whether Qingqing God would do that—Xinghuo Immortal didn’t know. And he chose not to speak it, not to burden Zhang Yu with unnecessary worry.
Another thought struck him.
How ironic… I overlooked it. Bai Zhenzhen’s talent far exceeds Zhang Yu’s.
Now with a Divine Spirit Root and a Cultivation-Transcending Saint as her master… if Qingqing God truly nurtures her, her cultivation will outpace Zhang Yu’s in no time. The gap in rank, wealth, status—will only grow wider.
Looking at Zhang Yu, Xinghuo Immortal thought: Even the closest friends from high school… their bond might slowly wither.
He’d seen it too many times. But he knew no words would help now. Zhang Yu would have to live through it, feel it, and eventually come to terms with it on his own.
At that moment, Zhang Yu climbed off the bed, twisting his body through movements of Chunqiu Wujin Chan.
“Master,” he said, eyes blazing with determination. “I feel strong enough. Can we start training now?”
Xinghuo Immortal nodded. “You’re nearly recovered. Let’s go—no point training here, disturbing other patients.”
For the next month, Xinghuo Immortal pushed Zhang Yu relentlessly—day and night. Beyond the Spirit Vein Breathing Technique, he poured every ounce of knowledge into him.
The more he sensed Zhang Yu’s burning hunger for power, for transcendence, the harder he pushed.
Yu Xinghan joined in too, enduring the Immortal’s brutal training sessions without complaint.
…
Meanwhile, deep within a Spirit Vein of the First Layer.
Bai Zhenzhen suddenly opened her eyes, breathing steadily. She turned to Deng Bingding.
“Deng Youshen… can you pass a message to Zhang Yu for me?”
Deng Bingding smiled. “Of course. What should I tell him?”
Looking at Bai Zhenzhen, Deng Bingding thought in awe: An Evolutionary Spirit Root… now evolved into Divine Spirit Root. What will she become? Could she reach Immortal Spirit Root? A true sect heir?
Then… Zhang Yu was just a cover?
She’s the one they truly want to cultivate.
The thought chilled him. Could Youming University have orchestrated this whole thing through Wang Yin—using the attack as a pretext, really aiming to eliminate Bai Zhenzhen?
He couldn’t be sure. But one thing was clear: This girl is becoming more mysterious by the day.
Compared to her, Zhang Yu is just an ordinary student.
Yet their bond still seems strong.
Best to keep both sides happy.
…
In the training hall.
Zhang Yu lay sprawled on the ground, limbs twisted, gritting his teeth as he painfully reset each broken bone.
Suddenly, a message flashed on his phone—sent by Deng Bingding.
A Zhen says:
Yu Zi, I’m fine. Focus on your College Entrance Exam. Once I’m up top, I’ll find a way to meet you.
Zhang Yu stared at the screen, heart calmed.
Xinghuo Immortal’s voice cut in: “You done resting? How much longer are you going to lie there?”
Zhang Yu bit down hard, then stood up. “Again.”
…
One month passed in the blink of an eye.
With the College Entrance Exam behind them, Zhang Yu and the others completed their three years of high school.
That day, aboard the Flying Barge ascending toward the Ascension Platform, Zhang Yu gazed down at the shrinking Songyang City.
The past three years flashed through his mind like a film.
Yu Xinghan clapped him on the shoulder. “Bro, what if we join Tianjian University? With Zhen Sister protecting us, wouldn’t life be easier?”
Zhang Yu considered it—then shook his head. “Nah. The teachings there aren’t our style. We’d just slow each other down.”
He knew his savings were all built for Wanfa University’s path. Going to Tianjian would only slow his progress.
In this world, strength is everything. Without power, what good is it to meet A Zhen?
Without strength, I can’t even protect myself.
Le Mulan approached. “Zhang Yu, you’re picking Wanfa University too? Which department?”
Zhang Yu shrugged. “Civil Engineering.”
Le Mulan blinked. “C-Civil Engineering?”
Before she could say more, a scream rang out.
Zhang Yu spun around—Xiong Wenwu was pinned face-down under a group of people, one of them gripping his rear.
“What’s in your ass, kid? Smuggling contraband?”
“Stop! That’s my hemorrhoids from yesterday!” Xiong Wenwu yelled, face crimson.
And then, a soft moan echoed in Zhang Yu’s mind.
How long have I been asleep?
(End of Chapter)
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