https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-300-Elementary-Civil-and-Wood-Holy-Body-66-/13686851/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-302-Model-Worker-Zhang-Yu-Please-Vote-for-Me-/13686853/
Chapter 301: Auto-Collect Not Disabled — Going All Out on Wild Ingredients
The scorching air seared Li Xiao’s throat, sending sharp stabs of pain through his lungs.
Feeling the oppressive heat surrounding him, he activated his Martial Energy, temporarily transforming it into icy essence to cool his body from within.
He pressed on through the hazardous industrial zone, clearing rubble, transporting supplies, erecting makeshift shelters, sealing toxic leaks, and assisting in the repair of Spirit Energy Conduits and Arrays.
Despite his utmost caution, an unexpected explosion still left him with extensive burns.
Breathing in the lingering toxic fumes further weakened his internal organs, and a creeping numbness began to spread through his limbs.
Yet, even as exhaustion gnawed at him, the thought of five times his usual pay reignited a spark of determination.
“Once I finish this stretch, next time Ying Xin invites me to train—no more excuses.”
“And I won’t have to worry about this month’s loan interest…”
Just as Li Xiao quickened his pace, hauling a batch of spirit-conducting materials, a sudden, unfamiliar aroma tickled his nose.
In an instant, the world spun violently. His legs buckled, and with a heavy thud, he collapsed.
He tried to rise, but his once-powerful limbs felt like lead—weak, trembling, useless. After a futile struggle, he fell back down.
The sweet, intoxicating scent grew stronger with every breath, clouding his mind.
“No… this is toxic leakage…”
Li Xiao bit down hard on his tongue, forcing himself to stay alert—but the poison struck fast and fierce. His strength drained away, his muscles losing all sensation.
“Can’t keep going like this… the poisoning will only get worse…”
Fear flickered in his eyes. He fought to keep them open, battling the crushing weight of drowsiness.
He truly feared that when he blinked again, he’d wake up in the Deep Ling Realm—only to find his body already mortgaged for medical fees, and his soul awaiting assignment to repay the debt.
“Damn legs! Get up!”
A wave of regret washed over him.
“Should’ve been more careful… a little less profit, a little less spending—what’s the harm?”
Just as despair took hold, a pair of large hands clamped around his throat, lifting him like a kitten.
A rush of air, a blur of motion—then, in an instant, Li Xiao’s vision shifted.
When he regained his senses, he found himself and several other workers thrown unceremoniously onto the open ground just outside the factory gate.
Breathing in the clean, normal air, relief surged through him. He looked up at Zhang Yu’s retreating back, his gaze now heavy with mixed emotions.
Beside him, Ying Xin watched silently.
“Risking bankruptcy just to earn more… and still has time to save people?”
She shook her head, already disinterested, and turned to leave.
At that moment, a group of security guards approached.
“Please cooperate. We need to search you—just to make sure none of the hazardous materials were taken out.”
Li Xiao understood—the standard procedure to prevent theft.
Then, one worker’s bag was searched.
A few packets of pharmaceutical raw materials were found.
The guard called out, “Captain, we’ve found the guy who stole two tons of supplies.”
The worker paled. “I only took these two packs! I didn’t steal two tons!”
…
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu had re-entered the swirling smoke and flames.
His body, already forged through countless trials, was far stronger than most at his level.
With the blessing of Tu Mu Holy Body, he now possessed terrifying resistance to the factory’s deadly conditions.
Blazing heat swept over his skin like a warm breeze.
Toxic fumes filled his nostrils, carrying a strangely pleasant, sweet aroma.
Explosions, flying debris, and toxic plumes—none could harm him.
Even when minor injuries occurred, his body rapidly healed through the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique, which boosted cellular regeneration.
He returned to the exact spot where Li Xiao had collapsed.
“Now the scene is clear.”
Zhang Yu located the source of the toxic leak and began collecting discarded alloy fragments—worthless to others, but invaluable to him.
He wiped a droplet of saliva from his lips. Though the urge to swallow the metal was overwhelming, he resisted.
The environment was too dangerous. He still needed the protection of Tu Mu Holy Body.
Without switching to University Holy Body, his digestion would be weak, and the Technique’s effects wouldn’t activate—rendering his consumption inefficient and ineffective.
So he gathered the fragments, stashed them in his coat, then turned his attention to a pile of wild high-molecular materials buried in the ruins of the old pharmaceutical workshop.
For the next few hours, Zhang Yu worked—efficiently, tirelessly—while casually collecting anything others had discarded.
He felt like a country bumpkin visiting a seafood buffet for the first time: overwhelmed by choices, unsure which items were valuable, which were nourishing, so he grabbed a little of everything, planning to taste them all later.
But the real prize? The raw materials from the drug factory.
Still, without University Holy Body active, he refrained from eating. He’d collect first, then savor everything once he switched forms—after work, in a secure location.
…
Outside the gate, Li Xiao slowly recovered. His limbs no longer numb, his head clear, the burn pain now sharp and present.
As he rested, he watched Zhang Yu carry injured workers out again and again, tossing them onto the ground like sacks.
Each time, Li Xiao’s expression grew more conflicted.
Helping others? Wasting time on charity?
To him, it was sheer stupidity.
“Damn… this burn is getting worse.”
He knew if he didn’t treat it soon, his studies and cultivation would suffer.
But luckily, the factory’s outer perimeter still connected to the Ling Network.
With a thought, he activated remote medical service.
Moments later, a doctor’s figure materialized in his Eye Armor, conducting a quick scan.
Five minutes later, a student from the Medicine Department arrived.
A few blasts of Martial Energy, several silver needles, and a final dose of medicine—Li Xiao felt much better.
But then, the medical bill appeared in his Eye Armor.
“0.78 Lingbi?!”
Even with partial insurance coverage, the cost was crushing.
He knew his premiums would skyrocket next year.
Before he could recover, he checked his insurance claim—denied.
“Why not? I followed all the rules!”
Just as he argued with the system, a new payment reminder popped up:
“Loan interest overdue by 3 days.”
Li Xiao hesitated—then reached out to his uncle.
Uncle: Send me your credit info and spending history.
Uncle: 30 Lingbi?! In just five months?
Li Xiao: My classmates invited me to train. I can’t keep falling behind.
Li Xiao: And I need a better Eye Armor—otherwise, my study efficiency suffers.
When his uncle stopped replying, Li Xiao sighed deeply.
Then, Tu Lishan sent a notice:
“Rescue and repair operations at the pharmaceutical plant now offer 8x pay.”
Li Xiao stared at the smoke-choked factory.
“One more shot. If I get this 8x salary, and stay careful… I can make it.”
He thought of the immortal services and products Ying Xin and the others enjoyed.
Of the Eye Armor he’d sold.
Of his current ranking.
He couldn’t bear losing any of it.
He knew one truth in Kunxu:
You can lose anything—except money.
With renewed resolve, he stood and plunged back into the inferno.
And he wasn’t alone.
As wages climbed, injured workers who had quit, left, or been forced out began returning—each one charging into the toxic smoke, desperate for survival.
…
Inside the plant, Zhang Yu frowned at the growing number of workers.
“Too many people. Too many eyes. Makes gathering hard.”
“And these so-called ‘cultivation beginners’—even doubled pay? Why are they pushing so hard?”
He shook his head.
But the toxic smoke was his perfect cover.
As his collection grew, he hid items in deeper ruins—only to discover one stash had been stolen.
“Damn it… knew I wasn’t the only one.”
Before leaving, he retrieved the rest, then moved to a secure spot.
After using a Detection Ritual to confirm no cameras were nearby, Zhang Yu opened the Feather Scroll.
He flipped to the Chain Law Diagram section, dragged the Technique icons, and switched from Tu Mu Holy Body to University Holy Body.
Unlike Technique Specialization, which required a full day cooldown, Chain Law Diagram allowed instant switching—just a few seconds.
He grabbed a handful of metal fragments, opened his mouth, and swallowed.
At the peak of Foundation Establishment-level digestion, amplified by Shi Tu Shen Gong, the alloy shattered in his stomach, fused into his bones.
“Hmm… this alloy’s tough. Could reinforce my skeleton.”
“This high-molecular material—flexible yet strong. Could be used to strengthen skin?”
“What’s this gel-like substance?”
“Damn… not enough knowledge. Gotta research this later.”
Zhang Yu ate while jotting down notes—texture, appearance, taste, effects.
“Wild ingredients really do taste better.”
But not everything could be digested.
At least three materials, clearly extraordinary, resisted even his enhanced digestion and 20 levels of Shi Tu Shen Gong.
He spat them out, frustrated.
Now he was more cautious—especially with the drug factory’s leaked materials.
He didn’t want to eat something he couldn’t survive.
“Gotta ask Sister. Need to figure out what these things actually are.”
The more he ate, the more he realized:
Knowledge and information were everything.
Without them, walking into an all-you-can-eat feast meant being unable to tell the good from the deadly.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report