https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-316-Let-the-Prodigies-Battle-One-Another/13686873/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-318-Rankings-Taught-Everyone-to-Respect-Each-Other/13686875/
Chapter 317: Ranking Update (Thank You, 'Wang Xi' for Your Patronage)
Hearing Zhang Yu’s words, Gong Shuijin’s eyes were filled with disbelief.
If merely eating longevity pills and working overtime could make one this strong, then why would anyone ever need to work at all? In that case, people would be paying to be the ones stuck with the job.
Still, Gong Shuijin understood—no matter how much secret knowledge Zhang Yu might possess, whether it was about study techniques, Daoist cultivation insights, or even hidden Xian Dao Potential—there was no way he’d ever share it so freely.
At the same time, Zhang Yu looked at Gong Shuijin and said, “I’m off to work. But if you’re willing to pay me more Lingbi, I can stay and keep talking.”
Hearing that, Gong Shuijin ultimately didn’t hand over a single coin.
Not because he couldn’t afford it—but because he saw no point.
Once he calmed down, Gong Shuijin quickly realized: Zhang Yu’s relentless work ethic… meant nothing to him.
His life was far more valuable than Zhang Yu’s. Why would he risk it all just to push harder?
“Even if I could afford to buy longevity pills,” Gong Shuijin thought, “the more I take, the less effective they become. The dosage grows heavier, the effect weaker.”
To him, the longer one lived, the higher the cost of each extension. And once the price of prolonging life exceeded a cultivator’s income, that person’s true lifespan had already begun to fade.
“Natural lifespan has never been the true limit for cultivators of any realm.”
“The real ceiling? It’s the maximum lifespan your income can afford.”
“Zhang Yu may extend his life in the future, but every ounce of effort he wastes is still a cost to his lifespan.”
“His limits—on life, income, working years—will all be reduced in the end.”
To Gong Shuijin, that was a terrible trade.
Having sorted this out, he watched Zhang Yu walk away, and as he did, his inner Dao law stirred—Canglong Yuetian Xinjue at Level 15—spurring him upward, urging him to soar, to climb higher into the Kunxu realms.
“I have my own path,” he thought. “I’ll advance steadily, accumulate strength over time. I won’t waste myself chasing fleeting gains or losing sleep over minor setbacks.”
“Spending money—that is the true Dao I walk.”
With that thought, he sent a message to his master:
Master, I lost.
Master: How much?
Seeing the reply, Gong Shuijin felt something unexpected—after today’s defeat, he wasn’t crushed. Instead, a surge of inner fire and Xian Dao Potential flooded through him.
Next time, he would be stronger.
…
Zhang Yu walked toward the 666th Floor Construction Site.
Feeling the lingering injuries within his body, scanning the bloodstains across his skin, he muttered inwardly: The Ultimate Tu Mu Holy Body is powerful, but using it is still too troublesome.
Each time, the buildup is too long. Just making myself weak enough to trigger it takes precious time.
And if I end up covered in blood, I’ll have to wash, change clothes—more hassle.
As he thought this, Zhang Yu slowly activated his Martial Energy, beginning to cultivate a new Breathing Technique.
Tianfu Longevity Cultivation – Level 13
After completing both the Ultimate University Holy Body and the Tu Mu Holy Body, Zhang Yu had resumed cultivation these past few days, aiming to advance the Chain Law Diagram set—Qi Mai Chang Liu.
This current Tianfu Longevity Cultivation was one of the Breathing Techniques required for Qi Mai Chang Liu.
Though the name included the word “longevity,” the technique didn’t actually extend lifespan. Instead, during cultivation, it used Spirit Energy and Martial Energy to nourish every drop of blood and flesh, subtly reinforcing his body’s foundation.
Zhang Yu reflected: These three months of wilderness construction site cultivation have accelerated my progress—but they’ve also drained me nearly dry.
He felt like an empty shell now—powerful, yes, but lacking the inner reserve to grow further.
After all, he knew: Daoist cultivation didn’t come from nothing.
The human body was like a vast treasure vault. And over the past three months, under the brutal exploitation of various pills and techniques, Zhang Yu had indeed gained immense power. But the accumulated reserves—Medicinal Power, nutrients, energy, and more—had all been consumed in the process.
From now on, I need to replenish. I must restore my body’s foundation, or my cultivation progress will slow to a crawl.
Every time he thought this, he felt his Lingbi balance twitching, eager to transform into Daoist essence and flow into his flesh and bones.
Just then, a notification flashed on his Eye Armor—Tu Lishan asking to buy body materials.
Zhang Yu: Just blood enough? Need saliva, sperm, hair too?
Tu Lishan: For now, just blood. If I get results, I’ll come back for more.
Zhang Yu shook his head regretfully. He knew the man wouldn’t get anything meaningful.
After all, my potential lies not in my flesh—but in my willpower and Feather Scroll.
Then, Tu Lishan added: By the way, Director Gao has his eye on you. He wants to train you properly.
He’ll meet you in a few days. Think about what you need.
Moments later, Zhang Yu arrived at the 666th Floor Construction Site.
But just as he was about to step through the gate, a voice called out.
“Zhang Yu?”
Zhang Yu turned.
A security guard with icy blue hair approached.
As Zhang Yu stared, a flicker of recognition sparked.
“You’re… really you?” the guard said, smiling. “Don’t you remember me? Sheng Jie. Xian Du.”
Zhang Yu’s eyes sharpened. The name clicked.
This guy… one of the four students who passed the Foundation Establishment Qualification Exam in my year. Back then, I was in sophomore year, he was senior—had entered university a year before me.
But Zhang Yu clearly remembered: Sheng Jie had been a henchman under Luzhou Group’s Wang Yin. So why hadn’t he enrolled at Youming University? Why Wanfa University?
Seeing Zhang Yu’s confusion, Sheng Jie chuckled.
“You know, I stayed in the First Layer for a while under Wang Zong’s wing.”
“He was decent to his subordinates. But I could tell—I just didn’t fit in with Youming University or Luzhou Group’s atmosphere. So when it came time to apply, I thought it over… and switched to Wanfa University.”
A man who’d clawed his way up from the bottom, Sheng Jie understood the value of being a dog—but also the first rule of doghood: choose the right master.
And after spending time with Wang Zong in the First Layer, he’d realized: he wasn’t the right one.
Hearing this, Zhang Yu thought: Not bad, kid. You’ve got sense.
He glanced at Sheng Jie’s security uniform, then at the Class Rank 16 badge on his head.
“Joining the Security Department?” Zhang Yu asked casually.
“Yeah,” Sheng Jie nodded. “I’ve been rotating through posts this year, handling security duties across the University City.”
“You’re in Civil Engineering Department, right? Maybe we’ll work together sometime.”
As he spoke, Sheng Jie’s gaze swept over Zhang Yu’s 28th-class rank and the fresh wounds on his body.
He sighed inwardly: Zhang Yu’s made it this far? Ranked so high… and with all these injuries? He must be in a tough spot.
Though their relationship back in the First Layer hadn’t been warm, seeing Zhang Yu here in Wanfa University City stirred an instinctive sense of kinship—a fellow First Layer man.
Thinking of his own freshman year, Sheng Jie let out a soft, empathetic breath.
“We First Layer folks get it rough here,” he said. “Wanfa University isn’t exactly easy to survive in.”
A few more casual words passed between them, then Sheng Jie returned to his post.
From nearby, another security guard chimed in: “That guy ranked 28? Is he your hometown guy?”
“He’s way below you, man.”
Sheng Jie laughed awkwardly. “Maybe he’s just not adjusted yet.”
The other guard grinned. “Still, getting into the Second Layer is impressive. Once you graduate, you’ll be the big man back home—top dog in your village!”
Sheng Jie forced another smile, but inside, the truth stung.
Me, Zhang Yu… we’re still miles away from those top-tier students. Making it into the top ranks? Nearly impossible.
…
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu stepped into the construction site and began his usual overtime work—crawling through the endless cycle of labor and cultivation.
Simultaneously, his Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique kept flowing, activating the body’s self-healing mechanisms, quietly mending the wounds across his flesh.
…
Meanwhile, in the Foundation Establishment Class, many students waited for today’s ranking update.
Like Ying Xin, who had refreshed the class leaderboard several times already.
Gong Shuijin said he submitted his exam request today. So the results should be out now…
As she watched the rankings refresh again and again, Ying Xin could almost see a fierce clash between Gong Shuijin and Ji Yuanchi.
No swords, no spells—but she imagined the two of them locked in a silent war, their Daoist potentials colliding in torrents of evaporating Lingbi, each trying to claim the top spot.
Then, her eyes snapped to a new message from the teacher.
Jiao Lei Immortal: First Semester All Student Scores Updated. Please check your rankings and reflect on your progress this term.
Jiao Lei Immortal: @Everyone
Jiao Lei Immortal: I’d like to especially commend one student this semester—his performance has seen a quantum leap.
Ying Xin immediately clicked into the list.
1st Place – Ji Yuanchi – Comprehensive Score: 1228
2nd Place – Zhang Yu – Comprehensive Score: 1201
3rd Place – Gong Shuijin – Comprehensive Score: 1183
Ying Xin stared, stunned. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhang… Zhang Yu?!
How did he jump to second? He beat Gong Shuijin?
And his score is almost neck-and-neck with Ji Yuanchi?
Then, a flicker of understanding crossed her mind.
Right… because of that incident. It makes sense Ji Yuanchi didn’t pull too far ahead.
But even so—Zhang Yu surpassing Gong Shuijin and grabbing second place? That still left her utterly confused.
How much did he earn from that project?
And then it hit her—she’d missed the opportunity.
A sharp pang of regret tore through her chest, like her heart was splitting in two.
…
As Jiao Lei Immortal pinged the entire class, Zhang Yu, deep in the midst of pouring concrete, received the notification.
But he hadn’t had time to check yet—when suddenly, messages started flooding in.
Zhang Yu gave a mental shrug, opened one at random.
Li Xiao: Brother Yu, congratulations! 🎆🎆
Zhang Yu: ??
Li Xiao: You haven’t checked the rankings yet? You’re second in class!
(End of Chapter)
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