https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-293-Underground-Martial-Energy-Transaction/13686842/
Chapter 294: Helping Mulan, Part 2 – The Construction Site
Because Zhang Yu spent most of his time after class cultivating the techniques required for the Tu Mu Holy Body, he had little opportunity to practice the core techniques taught in class. After all, the Feather Scroll had a one-day cooldown between technique switches. To ensure rapid progress with Tu Mu Holy Body, Zhang Yu never dared to switch the scroll to basic civil engineering techniques like Concrete Qi.
Without spare time and without the Feather Scroll’s enhancement, he had only managed to pick up the fundamentals of Concrete Qi and a few other classroom techniques through scattered practice over the past three months—enough to reach level one.
Just then, a deep rumble echoed from afar. A cascade of concrete surged forward like gray dragons, pouring effortlessly into place under Gong Shuijin’s control. The sight sent a wave of awe through the surrounding students.
“Multiple-line manipulation… and over thirty meters away? He must’ve pushed Concrete Qi to level ten!”
“Is Four-Story Elder really this fast at refining techniques?”
“Come on, he’s loaded. Of course he’s fast.”
Gong Shuijin ignored the praise. To him, private one-on-one tutoring, the spinal spirit armor’s imitation mode, and constant real-time correction via the Ling Realm projection made mastering these skills laughably easy.
He glanced at Zhang Yu’s unimpressive effort and sighed inwardly. He should have plenty of money, right? Yet his martial talent… this friend of mine’s going to be in for a rough few years.
After the Engineering Array Drawing and Interpretation class ended, Tu Lishan contacted Zhang Yu.
“Come to the Construction Site tomorrow after school.”
“I’ll send you the address.”
“666th Floor?” Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. Finally, I can start earning money at the Construction Site.
…
In the dormitory.
Having absorbed high-grade martial energy, Zhang Yu opened his eyes, a faint look of satisfaction lingering. The energy had completely dissipated within him.
Then he noticed Le Mulan nearby, quietly practicing her breathing technique.
My current martial energy quality… could it help her improve hers?
If so… I might get her Dao Seed sooner—the so-called Deep Cold Mana Vein. That Seed should boost my martial energy quality. Could save me a fortune.
With that thought, Zhang Yu approached her.
“Le Mulan, let me try helping you improve your martial energy quality.”
Le Mulan blinked in surprise. “How?”
Zhang Yu said, “I’ll channel my martial energy into you. Try to collide with it, communicate… synchronize.”
As he spoke, Le Mulan’s mind flashed with recent advice from Xuan Ge about cultivation through twin cultivation.
So… twin cultivation starts with energy exchange between two people.
According to Xuan Ge, my innate specialized energy is especially effective in twin cultivation.
Could… Zhang Yu be suggesting twin cultivation?
Her heart skipped a beat.
If it’s true… then as long as I get to keep the product of each session, I suppose it’s not a bad deal.
But… how much should I pay him?
She remembered Xuan Ge’s words: When a lower-level cultivator partners with a higher one, it’s the lower one who pays.
If Zhang Yu charges more than Yu Zhi’s market price… I’d lose money every time I cultivated.
Zhang Yu stared at Le Mulan’s conflicted expression, puzzled. “Is there a problem? If you’re uncomfortable, we can skip it.”
Le Mulan took a deep breath. “I… how much should I pay you?”
Zhang Yu smiled. “No money needed. We’re both from the same hometown, and now we’re roommates. We help each other.”
Le Mulan’s eyes flickered. She hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly. This is embarrassing… I’ve never taken advantage of someone like this before.
Finally, summoning courage, she whispered, “Can… can I keep the last bit that stays inside me?”
Zhang Yu laughed. “Of course. Whatever flows into your body belongs to you.”
Le Mulan froze. She had expected him to haggle, to bargain. But he gave it so easily.
He must’ve noticed my slip-up. But he didn’t hold it against me… He really sees me as a friend.
Her resolve hardened. I still need to pay him. Can’t just take and get nothing in return… that wouldn’t be friendship.
Zhang Yu took her wrist. A stream of martial energy, gentle as a flowing brook, began to flow into her.
After a long moment, Zhang Yu frowned slightly. “The effect… is weak.”
“Ah… it’s still too early. Without Foundation Establishment, your martial energy quality won’t improve much.”
Le Mulan, growing impatient, finally asked, “Is it done?”
Zhang Yu shrugged. “What else could I do? Wait until you’ve established your foundation.”
The words hit her like a bucket of ice water. Her body felt cold, her energy sluggish.
“Foundation Establishment… really necessary?”
Zhang Yu nodded. “When’s the next Foundation Establishment Exam?”
He knew that after university admission, the exam was held annually. For high school students, it was stretched over months to give them time to grow. But university students, already at peak Qi Refinement, completed the exam in just a few days. Top-tier schools like Wanfa University offered even more qualification slots.
Le Mulan sighed. “November this year. About two and a half months away.”
She touched her dantian. “I’ve already bought the Spirit Root. As soon as I get the qualification certificate, I’ll establish my foundation immediately.”
Despite being a top student at Ziyun High School, ranking in the top five of Songyang City, and maintaining a spot in the top three even after excluding Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Yu Xinghan, her numbers were already at peak Qi Refinement.
But the competition was fierce—against countless elites from the top ten schools.
Zhang Yu glanced at her Dao Seed. “Keep pushing. If you need help, just say the word.”
Le Mulan looked at him, then took a breath. “I… I want…”
Zhang Yu tilted his head. “You want what?”
Again? He thought, Seriously?
Le Mulan said, “I can pay. I don’t want to wait until after Foundation Establishment…”
Fujie chimed in, “He already paid! What’s wrong with you? You’re broke, aren’t you? If you can make money, why not?”
“Even if I don’t know why you’re helping her improve her energy quality, the more money you make, the better your cultivation gets. Once she establishes her foundation, she can repay you in kind.”
Zhang Yu frowned. Something felt off.
That night, after sharing his doubts with Bai Zhenzhen, she burst out laughing.
“Why hesitate? Just sell it!”
“Not making money when you can? Are you stupid?”
Zhang Yu sighed. Maybe I really am being too picky.
In Kunxu’s world, when you get a chance like this… you don’t think, you just sell.
…
After ending the call, Bai Zhenzhen pressed her lips together, lost in thought.
A voice whispered in her ear. “My dear disciple, your heart is unsettled.”
Bai Zhenzhen murmured, “Why… do I feel uneasy?”
She couldn’t shake the image of Zhang Yu growing closer to others while she wasn’t around. A small ache settled in her chest.
Qingqing God said softly, “Unhappy?”
Bai Zhenzhen frowned. “No way. Am I the type to be jealous?”
“Don’t I want Zhang Yu to have other friends… even better ones than me?”
“I’m not that petty.”
Qingqing God replied, “The mind is shaped by emotions. And emotions—especially complex ones—are often hard to even recognize in oneself.”
“In the Jiqing Sword Dao, this confusion is a fatal flaw.”
“If you’re unsure, reflect. Clarify your own feelings.”
“Ask yourself: If this is twin cultivation, how would you feel?”
A sudden crackle of lightning flashed across Bai Zhenzhen’s body. She exhaled softly. “It depends… on how much Zhang Yu earned.”
Qingqing God smiled. “The Jiqing Sword Dao demands absolute passion. But to master passion, one must first understand what it truly is.”
…
Xuan Ge arrived early at the 125th Floor dormitory, ready to go to class with Le Mulan.
Desperate to join her close-knit group of four, he’d been making every effort to build a friendship with her.
As Le Mulan opened the door, Xuan Ge was about to greet her—when his expression shifted.
He saw a flash in her hand. A measuring cup, quickly hidden in her chest.
At that instant, his body trembled. A sharp pain shot through his heart.
Damn it… why not me?
We’re both at the same cultivation level. Why her? Why not me?
…
That afternoon.
In the Yuan Ci Channel.
Zhang Yu glanced at his account—0.05 Lingbi had been added. His extra income from yesterday, when he’d secretly helped Le Mulan while Yu Xinghan and his sister were out.
Wonder when the next time will be?
Hope the Second Layer company doesn’t just waste it again.
Yu Xinghan said, “Hurry up. First time at the Construction Site—don’t be late.”
The two shot forward in streaks of light, leaping across the First Layer’s university city floors. They passed bustling markets, dusty civil engineering teaching areas, golden finance department buildings, and temples pulsing with divine energy.
When they reached the 666th Floor, they were stunned.
Before them lay a vast construction site—under a sky they hadn’t seen in ages.
The moon and stars shone brightly above.
Yu Xinghan and Zhang Yu stood frozen, awestruck.
For three months, they’d been trapped in the cramped, hive-like university city, living in a 5-square-meter dorm. The constant pressure had built up.
Now, seeing the endless sky again, their spirits expanded. A long-awaited sense of freedom washed over them.
Suddenly, a voice rang out.
“You’re here too?”
Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan turned. Li Xiao stared at Yu Xinghan.
“You paid too?”
Yu Xinghan nodded. He’d handed over 0.01 Lingbi as referral fee.
Li Xiao thought, So I’m not the only one turning in ten percent of my monthly salary.
(End of Chapter)
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