https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-322-Watch-Me-Surpass-You-This-Semester/13686879/
Chapter 323: Zhang Yu's Appetite
Over the past month, Zhang Yu’s cultivation progress had slowed due to his depleted physical foundation. He had redirected more resources toward Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence, prioritizing the recovery of his bodily constitution.
Now, a month later—though the gains were modest—his cultivation had reached Dao Heart Level 13 (98.5%), Martial Energy 573.4, Physical Strength Level 14.65, and Martial Energy Quality 159%.
Having completed the fourth Breathing Technique required for Qi Mai Chang Liu, following his mastery of Bi Wo Qi Gong, Hunyuan Taixi Jing, and Tianfu Longevity Cultivation, Zhang Yu was now cultivating the fifth and final technique necessary for the path.
Right now, he sat cross-legged in his dorm, absorbed in meditation. A stream of milky-white Martial Dao Gāngqì poured from his mouth, swirling around his body like the first layer of misty clouds, forming an external circulation.
This technique, known as the Gangqi Outer Circulation Breathing Technique, utilized the external flow of Martial Dao Gāngqì to aid in the gathering of spiritual energy. Simultaneously, it trained his control over Gāngqì—a skill he knew would become crucial once his Physical Strength Level reached 15, when the transmission of Gāngqì through the flesh would significantly boost efficiency.
Zhang Yu mentally calculated: “In another month, my physical depletion should be mostly repaired. My Physical Strength Level should finally break through to 15.”
Just as he was deep in cultivation, a notification flashed in his Eye Armor. It was an invitation from Gong Shuijin.
> Gong Shuijin: A senior from the Alchemy Department just completed a Spirit Artifact. He’s hosting a treasure appraisal banquet and has invited Mo Ejin. He says we should come see it too.
Since his last meeting with Director Gao, Zhang Yu had realized he’d been quietly aligned with the faction led by Director Gao and Tu Lishan. Mo Ejin, who had mastered the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power, was also part of this group. Even Gong Shuijin, who ranked just below Zhang Yu in class, had joined earlier.
Over the past weeks, the two had occasionally exchanged greetings and shared fragments of inside information from the Civil Engineering Department.
Now, seeing the invitation, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. “Treasure appraisal banquet?”
He asked, “Is there food?”
> Gong Shuijin: A senior from the Alchemy Department is hosting. Of course there’s food—buffet style.
Zhang Yu’s heart skipped a beat, then surged with joy.
In Wanfa University City, food was a luxury. The poor survived on medicine alone; only the wealthy could afford to eat. The richer one was, the more they could consume.
And a buffet? That was the ultimate indulgence—reserved for the elite among the elite.
Beside him, Yu Xinghan let out a stunned gasp. “A buffet?! A free buffet?! Who even does this?!”
“Damn it… this is pure, unfiltered bragging,” Zhang Yu muttered, already swallowing hard. “The Alchemy Department really is loaded. I hope they keep succeeding in crafting Spirit Artifacts—then we can have these feasts every day.”
Yu Xinghan turned to him, eyes wide. “Bro, can I tag along?”
Zhang Yu shook his head with a sigh. “If I could bring people, I’d drag the whole dorm. But even I’m only here because someone else invited me.”
Yu Xinghan sighed deeply. “Li Xiao was right. The rich up top, just a little finger twitch, and they can feed us for weeks.”
“But you can’t win their favor by groveling.”
“Only by earning your way in—like Zhang Yu.”
With that, he watched in awe as Zhang Yu returned to his cultivation, finally reaching the day of the banquet.
…
Wanfa University City, 568th Floor
Zhang Yu followed Gong Shuijin into a restaurant.
This was Zhang Yu’s first time entering a dining establishment in Wanfa University City. The space was roughly the size of a classroom, but elegantly furnished. The air was thick with the intoxicating aroma of food, making Zhang Yu’s mouth water uncontrollably.
Inside, over a dozen people had already gathered. At the center stood three individuals, each bearing a glowing Ranking above their heads.
One was Mo Ejin, from the Civil Engineering Department—Zhang Yu had met him before.
The second was a woman whose skin shimmered like a starry sky, her white hair glowing like gemstones. Around her, countless Spirit Armor brands and models floated in the air, visible only to those with high cultivation. Most students would’ve panicked, backing away in fear—afraid of accidentally bumping into her and being bankrupted on the spot.
Zhang Yu recognized her from her Alchemy Department Rank 15. This was Ye Xingli, the host of the buffet.
Beside her, Gong Shuijin stared, heart racing.
“All that gear… custom, limited edition… My whole set looks like trash next to hers.”
“She’s so beautiful… If I could do Mutual Cultivation with her once… I’d be rich for life.”
Gong Shuijin, a top-tier scholar who had studied relentlessly since childhood, had never cared about Mutual Cultivation—he wasn’t some art student from Hehuan University.
But seeing Ye Xingli, the sheer aura of wealth radiating from her was irresistible. It pulled at him like a magnet.
Zhang Yu turned his gaze to the third man—Cang Lanyu, Rank 9 in the Spellcraft Department.
As Zhang Yu looked, he saw light flickering across every inch of Cang Lanyu’s body—on his clothes, face, hands, even each strand of hair.
These weren’t mere reflections. They were Deep Ling Realm projections, converging and intertwining in Zhang Yu’s Eye Armor, forming flowing lines of mysterious symbols and text:
> Tianyan Spirit Armor – See the world more clearly!
> The preferred choice for locals and Kunxu Second Layer residents. Not wearing it? You’re not one of us.
> Watch live streams on Tai Xu Illusory Realm—experience the fusion of spirit and flesh…
Zhang Yu quickly looked away, cursing inwardly. “Damn it… did I just accidentally pay him money with my stare?”
Gong Shuijin, beside him, sighed in envy. Cang Lanyu wore a Zheng Shen-granted advertising talisman—permanently linked to the Deep Ling Realm. Every moment he was visible, he earned. The longer you stared, the more personalized and irresistible the ads became.
“Just looking at him makes him richer. Just staring at him makes him stronger.”
“This is a man you’d never dare face head-on in a fight.”
As Zhang Yu and Gong Shuijin studied the scene, the others noticed them.
Ye Xingli, her skin like a living galaxy, smiled faintly. “You’re late. Penalty: one bowl of rice each.”
A bowl was placed before them.
Zhang Yu inhaled—the scent alone was overwhelming. Just the aroma made his mouth water, and for a moment, he felt a surge of strength in his body.
Gong Shuijin, however, paled slightly. “Penalty rice?”
He knew this wasn’t ordinary food.
“This is Tianjing Rice—each grain is a compressed core of dense food essence. One grain could sustain a Qi-Cultivation cultivator for three days.”
“Eat too much, and you’ll get indigestion. Excess digestive gas, bloating, dizziness… Even a slight intake can make a Foundation Establishment cultivator dizzy, eyes spinning, legs wobbly—what we call ‘dizzy rice.’”
He knew the crowd was already amused, waiting to see Zhang Yu collapse from overeating—especially since most students in the Second Layer couldn’t afford real food, let alone train their digestion.
In this world, your appetite reflected your wealth. The bigger your meal, the more respect you earned. The smaller your bite, the more you were mocked.
“Penalty rice” was common. “Respectful rice” was normal.
Just as Gong Shuijin prepared to take a careful, measured bite, he saw Zhang Yu grab the bowl with both hands—and take a huge mouthful in one go.
“Stop!” Gong Shuijin lunged, horrified. “Zhang Yu! Don’t you know what Tianjing Rice is?!”
Zhang Yu chewed—but the rice was incredibly tough. After fifteen chews, his teeth barely made a dent.
A senior nearby chuckled. “Take it slow. This rice isn’t easy to digest. Eat little by little. Not like that.”
Others laughed, already picturing Zhang Yu staggering, dizzy, face red.
But then—without chewing—Zhang Yu swallowed the rice whole, then finished the rest in one gulp.
His digestive system, enhanced by the University Holy Body, was already terrifyingly efficient.
And after the recent construction site mission, he had absorbed the Shiyuan Gel Membrane and No. 15 Lingfa Secret Steel into his gut—transforming his intestines into a First Layer weaponized fortress, capable of digesting even No. 20 Secret Steel.
Now, with just a slight ripple of movement, his internal organs ground the rice into dust, releasing a torrent of food essence.
Instantly, waves of heat surged from his stomach, spreading through his limbs and joints. His body, parched for months, drank in the nourishment like a desert soaked by rain.
One bowl of rice—and Zhang Yu felt as if he’d soaked in a medicinal bath. His foundation had grown stronger, his body buzzing with vitality.
“Delicious! Absolutely delicious! So good!”
“Don’t you want some?” Zhang Yu turned to the stunned Gong Shuijin, snatched his bowl, and said, “Then I’ll eat it for you.”
Watching Zhang Yu finish two bowls of Tianjing Rice with no sign of slowing down, Ye Xingli’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Impressive appetite.”
She clapped once. “Bring another bowl.”
Zhang Yu grinned, eyeing the new plate. “But… no meat? This is boring.”
“Easy,” Ye Xingli laughed. “I’ll get you a plate of Dragon Liver and Phoenix Gall.”
She looked at Zhang Yu. “You sure you can handle it?”
Zhang Yu slammed the table. “Give me three more bowls of rice—and three plates of Dragon Liver and Phoenix Gall!”
(End of Chapter)
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