Chapter 322: Watch Me Surpass You This Semester
Thinking about manipulating hearts, harnessing fate, Ji Yuanchi’s mind instantly flashed with the various tactics commonly used by students in the Finance Department—boasting, psychological pressure, hype, and strategic self-promotion.
He entered the class group chat and sent out a message.
Ji Yuanchi: @Zhang Yu @Gong Shuijin — Sorry, you two. Last semester, I was bogged down by countless affairs and couldn’t focus much on my studies in the Civil Engineering Department. The title of class top student felt a bit undeserved.
Ji Yuanchi: But this semester, I’ll be aiming for perfect scores in every major course. I hope you’ll both give it your all too—let’s make sure the class’s top spot is truly earned, with no room for doubt.
Ji Yuanchi was confident that once his classmates read his message, they’d only grow more convinced he’d defeat Zhang Yu and Gong Shuijin, securing the class’s number one position once and for all.
And that collective belief? That was a form of fate.
After posting, Ji Yuanchi silently traced an ancient incantation, as if attuning himself to something unseen.
In an instant, he sensed faint threads of fate weaving through Wanfa University City from all directions—drawn toward him, absorbed into his mind-sea.
Each thread was a classmate’s unwavering belief in his victory over Zhang Yu and Gong Shuijin.
At this moment, he was not just a student—he was the people’s chosen leader, the one whose title was both deserved and inevitable.
Within his mind-sea, a copper coin Spirit Artifact gently trembled, effortlessly sealing each thread of fate into its depths.
Bathed in this accumulated fate, Ji Yuanchi felt his Martial Energy flow smoother than ever, his Dao Heart purer, and his Blood vitality surging with renewed energy.
His cultivation advanced faster under this celestial blessing—his mind sharpened, his memory improved, his focus intensified.
And the stronger he became, the more his classmates believed in him, reinforcing the cycle: more faith, more fate, greater power.
“The Dao of Fate,” Ji Yuanchi realized, “is about riding the tide of momentum. Use your cultivation to strengthen the tide, and let the tide in turn empower your cultivation. A self-sustaining loop—growing stronger together.”
This was the true might of the Finance Department—mastering fate, shaping public will, and turning every small success into a cascade of growing influence. Their cultivation rose with the tide, and their Wealth and Resources expanded with each victory.
The only way I’d suffer fate’s backlash, he thought, is if Zhang Yu and Gong Shuijin ultimately surpass me…
But the thought vanished almost instantly. Even without fate’s aid, his innate talent and resources were more than enough to crush them. With fate’s favor? He was unstoppable.
His goal? Surpass the second-place student by a full 100 points.
…
Zhang Yu stared at the group chat, reading Ji Yuanchi’s message.
He blinked. “Wait… is this guy showing off?”
“He’s mocking me?”
Before he could process it, Gong Shuijin replied: “I’ll meet you on the battlefield.”
Fujie chimed in: “This isn’t just arrogance—it’s the Finance Department’s Fate Dao Art.”
Zhang Yu frowned. “What’s that?”
Fujie explained: “Fate Dao Art is about mastering fate, using the collective belief of others to amplify your own cultivation and achieve your goals.”
“Fate is complex—affected by countless factors. But one of the most powerful is people’s hearts.”
“For example, when it comes to stocks, a company’s performance doesn’t matter if everyone believes it’s going to crash. The moment belief turns, the fate shifts.”
“The Finance Department masters this. They manipulate emotions, steer opinions, and shape public will—controlling fate itself.”
“Then, using Dao Arts, they gather that fate and channel it into themselves—boosting their cultivation, refining their Dao Heart, even unleashing powerful Fate Arts.”
Fujie added urgently: “Now, reply! Don’t just sit there.”
“If you don’t respond, everyone will think you’re afraid. That’ll weaken your faith, strengthen Ji Yuanchi’s, and feed his fate even more.”
“Fate?” Zhang Yu frowned. To him, it felt like his opponent had an extra multiplier in the game’s damage calculation—something he couldn’t see or fight.
“So… just by bragging, he gets stronger?” Zhang Yu asked.
Fujie snorted. “Bragging is just the surface. The real power? He has more Resources. Studying, cultivating Dao Arts—those things cost Lingbi.”
“The Finance Department thrives on this. The more Resources they control, the more influence a single word can carry. Once they start spending, it’s unstoppable.”
“Have you seen a Finance Department civil war? The amount of money they throw around just to grab fate… it’s insane.”
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then typed: “Looking forward to our showdown.”
He didn’t read further. He knew no matter what he said, it wouldn’t change the class’s perception—no one believed he could beat Ji Yuanchi.
After all, in Kunxu, money wasn’t just power—it was talent, it was destiny.
But Zhang Yu wasn’t discouraged. On the contrary, the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique surged with even greater ferocity under Ji Yuanchi’s pressure.
In his mind, the white ox stomped, its roar echoing through his soul. His eyes blazed with unyielding resolve.
“You’ve got fate. I’ve got the Feather Scroll. Watch me hugely surpass you this semester.”
From then on, Zhang Yu threw himself into his studies and cultivation. Thanks to his new dorm, the Anti-Gravity Channel, and his newly secured medicine supply chain, his progress felt smoother than ever.
…
Wanfa University City, 318th floor.
“Five-Transcendence Vitality Enhancer—boosts primordial energy, heals internal injuries…”
"Huangya Injection—consolidates cultivation, nourishes flesh and blood..."
“Origination Vitality Serum—replenishes body heat, packed with nutrients…”
Zhang Yu read through the labels as he injected each vial directly into his Blood vessels, flooding his body with concentrated medicinal power in the most direct, brutal way possible.
Since securing his new medicine source, he not only got discounted drugs for himself, but also helped Yu Xinghan, Le Mulan, and Zhang Pianpian get the same deals.
But he refused to take on large-scale orders for others. Too risky. If caught, it’d be trouble.
Still, daily injections weren’t enough.
He felt his Blood thickening like oil, his muscles swelling like they were being fed too much—his once-slim frame regaining some fullness.
His entire body devoured the medicinal energy, yet it still felt too slow.
Le Mulan observed from beside him. “Your Physical Foundation was built over years. Even with massive doses, you can’t rebuild it in days.”
Zhang Yu rubbed his hollow stomach. “If I could eat food while taking medicine… wouldn’t that speed things up?”
He knew: only by filling the void in his body could he return to the Construction Sites, feast, and unlock more Xian Dao Potential.
Otherwise, even with endless effort, he’d barely awaken any latent power.
Le Mulan sighed. “You can buy supplements, health tonics, neurotransmitters, compounds—anywhere, any store. But real food? Either it’s priced like a fortune, or it’s a death sentence to obtain.”
“Or… you could try a medicinal bath?”
Zhang Yu filed the idea away. For now, he ordered more tonics—another 0.5 Lingbi spent in an instant.
Add in Network Fees, belt rental, Ling Realm services, Spirit Stone purchases… the list went on.
His Lingbi balance now sat at 18.03.
…
Inside a massive tank, Zhang Yu floated in deep purple medicinal liquid.
Every inch of his skin greedily absorbed the potent brew.
This was the Hundred-Grass Restoration Bath, a brew of legendary herbal essences, specially crafted for Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators.
To ordinary Qi-Refining cultivators, it would be lethal—like poison. One breath, and their bodies would explode.
But for Zhang Yu? It was perfect.
His body, like cracked earth, drank in the liquid like rain, each cell absorbing its essence.
As he absorbed more, the liquid around him faded from deep purple to pale lavender, then finally clear.
Le Mulan stood beside the tank, turning to the woman beside her. “Can’t you lower the price? He’s coming back every day.”
The woman smirked. “The Civil Engineering Department already gave us an 80% discount. If I go lower, I’ll be losing money.”
“Especially with him—he’s severely depleted. He drains every drop. I get nothing back.”
Though the bath worked wonders for Zhang Yu, the cost was brutal: 0.37 Lingbi per session.
To achieve optimal results, one would need to bathe daily—astronomical expenses.
But for Zhang Yu, there was no choice. To heal his body, to keep advancing on the Xian path, he had to endure.
So every day, he continued his medicine intake—then plunged into the bath.
Lingbi balance: 10.26.
…
Body Refining Class.
Lang Yougong pressed his fingers into Zhang Yu’s muscles, nodding in approval. “Good, good. Your Physical Strength Level is rising fast.”
“Within a month, you should hit Level 15.”
He continued: “At Level 15, the Physical Strength Level perfectly fuses with Martial Energy. The Dao Gāngqì transmits physical power far more efficiently.”
“Once that happens, the transmission efficiency of Gāngqì becomes critical. Make sure you cultivate diligently.”
Watching Zhang Yu, who’d been under Lang Yougong’s guidance for months, Yu Xinghan and Li Xiao exchanged envious glances.
Zhang Yu said, “Teacher, you should help them too.”
Lang Yougong glanced at the two—Yu Xinghan, who wore a pair of Eye Armor, and Li Xiao, who was clearly still recovering.
He smiled. “You two have improved too.”
“Li Xiao’s body wear has decreased.”
“Yu Xinghan’s techniques have advanced.”
“I’m proud.”
“Come, let me guide you properly today.”
…
A month passed.
It was early April.
And suddenly, a notification flashed in Zhang Yu’s Eye Armor.
(End of Chapter)
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