https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-272-Heading-to-Kunxu-Second-Layer/13686810/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-274-Bai-Zhenzhen-I-ll-Support-You/13686812/
Chapter 273: Fujie's Upgrade, Passing the Second Layer
Hearing Fujie’s voice echo in his mind, Zhang Yu first startled, then felt a surge of joy. You’re finally awake, he thought silently.
Fujie, seemingly hearing his thoughts directly, replied, “Hmm. I’m awake.”
“Though it seems I’ve slept a bit too long.”
Zhang Yu blinked in mild surprise, then mentally asked, Can you really sense my thoughts?
Fujie chuckled. “Relax. I’m not reading your mind.”
“It’s just that now, I can communicate with my believers on a spiritual level.”
“My voice can reach your mind, and your thoughts—your inner words—can now be sensed by me.”
“No more need to type messages on your phone in public.”
“After all, this time I’ve made big gains. I’ve recovered from a Level 1 Lesser Evil God back to a Level 2 Evil God.”
“Hehe, the Eight Departments even refer to an Evil God at this level as a Wandering Shadow of Evil.”
Zhang Yu tested the connection in his mind. Why did you sleep so long this time?
Fujie sighed. “It was because the last capture was so rushed.”
“I spent ages dragging that colleague into my grasp, then spent a long battle against him before finally defeating him.”
“Then I had to digest the essence and recover—so it took forever to wake up.”
“But now I’m back to Level 2. Hehe… No need to hide and sleep all the time to avoid Zheng Shen anymore. Most of the time, I don’t have to worry about being discovered.”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly, then asked the key question: Can you boost my potential again?
Fujie didn’t speak, but Zhang Yu immediately felt a strange, sinister energy surge from Fujie’s Black Pearl, flowing up his arm, across his shoulder, along his neck… and finally flooding into his consciousness.
In an instant, Zhang Yu felt a sharp sting in his palm.
He opened his hand and saw a translucent symbol forming within.
Just like the first time the Feather Scroll appeared, and the way it evolved and unlocked the Chain Law Diagram—only this one is far more complex, he thought.
But unlike last time, when the Chain Law Diagram had filled rapidly, this symbol didn’t fill quickly. Instead, it began slowly—just like the first appearance of the Feather Scroll—being filled in black, bit by bit.
Zhang Yu estimated: It’ll probably take three or four days to fully complete.
And only then will the next page of the Feather Scroll unlock.
After enhancing Zhang Yu’s potential, Fujie asked, “Where’s Bai Zhenzhen? I’ll boost her too. Oh, and—how did you end up on the Flying Barge? Where are you headed?”
Zhang Yu recounted everything that had happened while Fujie was asleep.
When he mentioned that Bai Zhenzhen had awakened her Divine Spirit Root and been taken to Tianjian University, where she’d become a disciple of the Qingqing God, Fujie’s mind jolted.
Huh? Tianjian University? Could A Zhen be getting turned into a Divine Spirit Root Flying Sword?
Damn. I told Zhang Yu to dig up Zhen Linggen for himself, but now someone else has snatched it—total investment loss.
But maybe not. Her Spirit Root can still evolve. If I were an investor, I’d nurture it all the way to Immortal Spirit Root, then consume both her and the root in one go.
Besides, taking on a Divine Spirit Root disciple would boost reputation. Who knows—maybe other natural Spirit Root people will start showing up too.
Damn it… the more I think about it, the more I regret not acting first.
Though Fujie didn’t know the true nature of the Qingqing God, could a Kunxu Daoist at the Formation-Heaven Stage really be a good person? Trusting a Cultivation God was better than praying to her.
Still, despite her inner lamentations, Fujie dared not voice her suspicions aloud in front of Zhang Yu. After all, if he knew, it would only distract him from cultivation.
Good thing I only told him that breaking the Spirit Root connection after Formation-Heaven would destroy the root—but never mentioned that it could also cook the person alive.
Hehe. Xinghuo Immortal didn’t spill the beans either. Smart move.
Her thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. Then she smiled brightly. “Great news! Huge news!”
“A Zhen’s gotten lucky—caught the eye of a Formation-Heaven elder. Her cultivation will skyrocket from now on.”
“Zhang Yu, you’d better keep up too.”
“Or else you’ll never be in the same circle. Next New Year’s, when everyone sends greeting messages, she won’t even reply.”
Zhang Yu rolled his eyes inwardly. A Zhen isn’t like that at all.
And between us, we don’t need holiday greetings.
If something comes up, we just talk.
Back in the First Layer, security was tight—Tianjian University wouldn’t let anyone near her.
But once we reach the Second Layer, I should be able to contact her.
She even said she’d come find me herself.
At that moment, Xiong Wenwu’s voice boomed ahead. “How long are you going to keep me pinned down? You’re discriminating against beast-bloods!”
The worker pinning him laughed coldly, muscles shifting beneath his skin—revealing a patchwork of leopard patterns.
“Discriminating against beast-bloods? I am a beast-blood. How could I discriminate against my own kind?”
“Tell you what—I do discriminate against all First Layer people.”
He pointed at his own eyes, then swept his gaze across the crowd.
“Remember this: I’ll be watching you all. Don’t even think about smuggling anything through. If you bring in anything you shouldn’t, I’ll catch you.”
Amid the murmurs, Le Mulan, Qian Shen, Song Hailong, and the others stood silently, observing.
Some had ranked in the Top Ten, some were No. 36 Upper School, others were from the 72 Lower Schools, and some were aiming for Junior College—all boarding the Flying Barge for the Ascension Platform.
But now, standing before the guard, they were all reduced to one thing: First Layer people.
Only Zhao Tianxing, a Soul Cultivator Student, was an exception—kept safely sealed in a transport crate with the other Soul Cultivators.
Beside him, Yu Xinghan clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white, his eyes burning with suppressed frustration.
Zhang Yu placed a hand on his shoulder. “Hanzhi, calm down. Didn’t the old man say it’s how the upper layers treat the lower ones? Like they’re beggars.”
“We just need to endure. Work hard up there…”
“Once we can pass as Second Layer locals—blend in so well no one can tell we’re First Layer—we won’t be treated like this anymore.”
Yu Xinghan said quietly, “I know all that.”
“I’m not angry. I’m just afraid…”
He rubbed his stomach. “Should I… take out the synthetic food I’ve hidden in my rectum?”
Zhang Yu instantly leapt back several meters. “Don’t you dare bring me down with you! Didn’t your master warn you about carrying limits?”
Yu Xinghan sighed. “I just wanted to bring extra. So I can save more once we’re up there—buy myself more steps on the immortal path.”
“You didn’t hear? A single cup of water up there is worth days of survival down here.”
“And I’ve already tucked it in… even if they find it, I’ll just say I like eating without unwrapping—just swallowing whole.”
He shook his head, defeated. “Forget it. I’ll just take it out and eat it now.”
After Yu Xinghan left, Le Mulan approached. “Want to eat? Heard the food on the Flying Barge is Second Layer cuisine. Wanna try it?”
Zhang Yu asked, “How expensive? Can we use First Layer currency?”
Le Mulan replied, “I checked. It’s Second Layer style, but the ingredients are all from the First Layer. And yes—they accept First Layer currency.”
Zhang Yu relaxed. He followed her to the dining area, but upon seeing the menu, he froze.
Medicine Capsule Combo… Medicine Triple Strength… Upward Needle…
Even with all the Kunxu delicacies he’d eaten, Zhang Yu was stunned. What the hell kind of food is this? These are all medicine!
Just then, Li Xuelian slid into the seat beside them. “In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th layers, the food industry’s been crushed by the pharmaceutical industry. Most people eat medicine—only the rich can afford real food. Luzhou doesn’t even sell much food here.”
Most people eat just to replenish energy, stamina, martial energy, and nutrients—boost focus and alertness for work and study. The poor just mix in cement to slow down their digestion.
Le Mulan nodded. “Compared to medicine, regular food has no chance. It’s only natural it’s been phased out.”
Li Xuelian smiled faintly. “So you’re applying to Wanfa University’s Pharmacology? You’ve clearly studied the 2nd layer already. Makes sense—your family has predecessors there.”
Fujie surprised, mentally asking, Li Xuelian’s going to the Second Layer too?
Zhang Yu answered within his mind: It seems Li Xuelian already had a job up there. She came down to First Layer voluntarily—to help Xinghuo Immortal train disciples.
Fujie mused: She’s doing well. Can arrange her own movements up and down like that. Or maybe Xinghuo Immortal left some connections behind—she’s inherited them.
Li Xuelian turned to Zhang Yu. “Where’s Yu Xinghan? I haven’t seen him.”
Zhang Yu sighed. “He’s in the restroom.”
At that moment, the Flying Barge’s announcement echoed:
Approaching Ascension Platform. Begin passage registration and currency exchange procedures.
Zhang Yu and Le Mulan quickly finished their meal, then followed Li Xuelian to the designated queue. After disembarking, they stepped onto the Ascension Platform.
The Ascension Platform was a colossal palace floating among the clouds. Stepping onto it meant crossing into the Second Layer.
After completing formalities, the group would board different Flying Barges to travel to various cities across the Second Layer.
(End of Chapter)
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