Chapter 368: Bai Zhenzhen, the One Everyone Admires (Request for Monthly Votes)
Just as Zhang Yu voiced the curiosity burning in his heart, Ying Xin stepped in to provide an answer.
After all, Ying Xin was a native of the Second Layer, and before entering university, she had watched countless live streams of competitions.
As Ying Xin spoke, the subsequent events of the contest revealed the wildly different Flying Sword techniques employed by each contestant.
There was the living Flying Sword from Youming University—its blade moving like a sentient creature, flying, fighting, locking onto targets with uncanny precision.
Then came the Law-Eye Flying Sword from Jinguang University, capable of targeting objects across 80 kilometers with pinpoint accuracy, its gaze piercing through the distance.
And from Wanfa University came the celestial Flying Sword—its trajectory guided by the sun and moon above, communicating with the Ling Realm Network through celestial alignment.
At this revelation, Zhang Yu finally understood: the sun and moon of Kunxu’s Second Layer were, in fact, crafted and maintained by Wanfa University.
Both celestial bodies were colossal Spiritual Artifacts, continuously sustaining a Ling Realm Network that spanned the entire layer.
Zhang Yu looked up at the full moon hanging in the sky, murmuring inwardly, “No wonder I could connect to the network while working at a remote construction site—it’s all because of this.”
A growing realization settled in his mind.
“This Flying Sword Tournament isn’t just about the skill of the competitors. The Flying Sword itself plays just as crucial a role.”
Initially, Zhang Yu had assumed the competition was like javelin or discus—purely a test of personal ability.
But now, it felt more like a racecar event—where the quality of the vehicle and the driver’s skill were equally vital.
“This is clearly a game for the wealthy.”
Just as Ying Xin was about to introduce the next set of competitors, Yu Xinghan’s gaze sharpened.
“I know these ones,” he suddenly said.
Zhang Yu turned to him in surprise. The man was from the First Layer, just like him—how could he know these competitors?
Yu Xinghan said with quiet confidence, “They’re from Hehuan University—Hong Xiao Senior, Jiu Rao Senior, and Liu Yun Senior.”
Ying Xin raised an eyebrow. “You know them?”
Yu Xinghan smirked. “I’ve watched plenty of their battle recordings. I know every trick they’ve ever pulled.”
Zhang Yu suddenly recalled something. “No wonder Hong Xiao Senior has such a heavy workload—she must’ve poured all her resources into her Flying Sword.”
As the match progressed, Zhang Yu noticed that each of the Top Ten Elite Universities had its own unique Flying Sword style. The remaining 36 Colonels and 72 Lieutenants, while differing subtly, all traced their techniques back to those top-tier schools.
As for the Junior Colleges… were there even any Junior College students in this competition? Zhang Yu hadn’t paid attention.
Time slipped by unnoticed. Night gave way to dawn, and the first golden rays of sunrise began to paint the battlefield.
At that moment, Bai Zhenzhen and several representatives from Tianjian University stepped onto the arena.
With a flick of her fingers, she looped several strands of hair around her fingertips. Then—lightning flashed.
The strands shot upward, transforming mid-air into multiple Jingjin Flying Swords, gleaming brilliantly in the morning light, streaking across the sky at a speed nearly invisible to the naked eye.
Bai Zhenzhen’s Eye Armor flared to life, displaying real-time data from her Jingjin Flying Swords and the Heaven-Scanning Flying Sword. It fed her a stream of information: the target’s position, wind speed, altitude, and even the live video feed from the Sword’s perspective.
The sky and earth blurred past her vision. Within less than two minutes, the target appeared clearly in her Eye Armor.
Then, with a shift in her hand seal, the Jingjin Flying Sword flashed with crackling electricity—and pierced the target clean through.
Ying Xin sighed beside him. “Ugh… she’s been playing with Flying Swords since her first year. By second year, she’s already competing. Meanwhile, we’re still doing drills.”
But Zhang Yu, watching Bai Zhenzhen’s effortless movements, couldn’t help but recall her words from earlier.
“A Zhen mentioned once—over hundreds of kilometers… Could her exams actually involve controlling a Flying Sword from that far?”
“If so… then Tianjian University is deliberately concealing even more advanced Flying Sword techniques.”
After the match ended, Yu Xinghan glanced around and realized Zhang Yu was gone.
He sent a message: Where are you?
Zhang Yu replied: Busy. You go ahead and head back. Don’t wait for me.
---
In a quiet alleyway, Bai Zhenzhen cradled Zhang Yu in her arms, transferring the Zhen Linggen to him.
Zhang Yu took a deep breath. “A Zhen… try to stay a little longer, okay?”
Her voice whispered in his ear. “I’d love to stay a few more days—so we could exchange Zhen Linggen again. But it all depends on how the competition goes.”
---
After receiving the Zhen Linggen once more, Zhang Yu didn’t go to class. Instead, he applied for overtime at the construction site.
With multiple mental layers running in parallel, he activated his 20th-Level Breathing Technique, simultaneously applying his 20th-Level Fanning Yin. Two techniques at once, nurturing his Divine Spirit Root.
“One technique takes 30 hours. Ten would take 300. If I do them one by one, I’ll never make it before A Zhen leaves.”
“But if I run two at once, it’s only 150 hours.”
“It’s still tight… but if I can replicate the Dao Seed before she departs—then it’s possible.”
While one mental layer focused on the Breathing Technique and another on Fanning Yin, Zhang Yu summoned a third layer—activating Zhanmo Yunshou Gong.
But this time, he kept it at the bare minimum—only increasing his Physical Strength Level by 0.1. The effort was negligible, easily within his limits.
“With this technique running alongside the others, I’m now operating three techniques in parallel. My chances of success just went up.”
He mentally reviewed every technique he’d ever learned—each requiring different muscles, different meridians. Some could be combined, others couldn’t.
He began arranging them in optimal combinations, maximizing efficiency in nurturing his Divine Spirit Root.
For the next few days, Zhang Yu abandoned everything. He trained relentlessly, and whenever possible, sought out Bai Zhenzhen to exchange Zhen Linggen—once before the competition, once after.
The Flying Sword Tournament grew fiercer by the day. Beyond long-range strikes, there were events testing power, speed, precision, and endurance.
But the most dangerous was Du Jian—a duel within a 10-kilometer arena, ending only when one side surrendered or their Flying Sword was destroyed.
It was here that Zhang Yu finally witnessed real Military-Grade Flying Sword combat—blades slicing through the air like lightning, unbreakable, unstoppable, demonstrating terrifying speed and destructive power.
And Bai Zhenzhen? She stunned the crowd.
With just seven Jingjin Flying Swords, she swept through opponents like a storm, dispatching each in seconds.
When she faced an opponent wielding a Military-Grade Sword, she unleashed a hundred and eight Jingjin Flying Swords, forming a celestial sword array. Then, with her Divine Spirit Root guiding them, she masked the sword aura and light—creating an invisible network of blades that tore through her enemy’s defenses.
Watching her effortlessly command seventy-two swords to block a Military-Grade attack, while the other thirty-six silently crept behind her opponent to crush their core—crowds erupted in awe.
Bai Zhenzhen’s star rose instantly.
In the Alchemy Department, Ye Xingli watched the tournament unfold. As a top student, she was deeply interested in the Flying Sword techniques across universities.
As she watched Bai Zhenzhen dismantle her opponent, she murmured, “Divine Spirit Root vs. Military-Grade Sword?”
“That invisible sword array in Du Jian is absurdly advantageous. The enemy never even gets to unleash the full power of their weapon—their body is already destroyed.”
“But the first time it’s used? It’s unbeatable. After that, opponents will be ready.”
Then, as more people learned Bai Zhenzhen was a disciple of the Qingqing God, her fame only grew.
Her Eye Armor flooded with messages:
“Miss Bai Zhenzhen, would you be interested in endorsing our product?”
“Are you open to advertising?”
“You have 100 Lingbi in reserve funds. Reply ‘yes’ to receive it within five minutes.”
“Would you like to give an interview?”
Sponsors, advertisers, people asking to lend her money—messages poured in without end.
And when she left the hotel, she found a crowd already waiting outside, cameras flashing, phones raised.
Bai Zhenzhen vanished in a blur of acceleration, gone before anyone could react.
---
Back in the alley.
Zhang Yu wrapped his arms around her from behind, whispering, “You’re becoming more famous every day.”
“Mmm…” Bai Zhenzhen hummed softly, feeling her Divine Spirit Root return to her dantian. “Just a bunch of noisy strangers. Doesn’t matter to us.”
Zhang Yu said, “Be careful. Our secret mustn’t get out.”
Moments later, she returned to the hotel—only to find Wen Wuya waiting.
Wen Wuya asked, “Zhenzhen, why have you been sneaking out so much lately?”
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. “Just taking a walk. What’s the problem?”
Wen Wuya frowned. “You look a little disheveled…”
In a flash, Bai Zhenzhen darted past her. “I’m going to take a shower. Don’t follow me.”
Watching her vanish down the hall, Wen Wuya sighed. “Where does she go? Should I… look into it?”
---
As the Flying Sword Tournament progressed, more and more competitors captured public attention. Bai Zhenzhen was among them.
While people marveled at her Divine Spirit Root, the real fascination centered on her master—Qingqing God.
Soon, details about how the Qingqing God had nurtured Bai Zhenzhen surfaced.
In her first week of university, Bai Zhenzhen was granted a Temporary Military License due to her outstanding spellcasting performance in high school.
By the first semester, she joined the senior-level Inspection Team, hunting down Evil Gods and dark beings in the underworld, accumulating massive honors.
By the second semester, with her honors and her revolutionary modifications to the Heaven-Scanning Flying Sword, she was promoted beyond standard limits—earning a military rank at Tianjian University, granting her access to approved Military-Grade Techniques and Spirit Roots.
Ying Xin stared in awe. “Unbelievable… no wonder she’s a Cultivation God. This kind of disciple cultivation path? We could never dream of it.”
Gong Shuijin envied bitterly. “This is the power of the ultra-rich. Getting a military post in first year? Of course, the truly wealthy can bend university rules to their will—making the impossible look easy.”
Che Yufei sighed. “Bai Zhenzhen’s progress is insane… and yet, she still looks like a teenager. What a master… what a teacher.”
Ji Yuanchi watched her on the battlefield, mesmerized by her flowing hair and the radiant, wealth-embodied sword light.
Thinking of her master, he felt a surge of reverence.
“See? When you have money, you can break every rule. You can crush everyone who’s not as rich as you.”
Ye Xingli from the Alchemy Department murmured, “Money… the Qingqing God is incredibly wealthy, incredibly wise, and incredibly skilled at raising disciples. With money alone, he’s carved out a divine shortcut for her. What kind of bond is this? What kind of loyalty? If Bai Zhenzhen ever gives her life for him… she’d deserve every sacrifice.”
Admiration, envy, praise for the master-disciple bond, worship of Bai Zhenzhen’s achievements, reverence for the Qingqing God’s wealth, and endless admiration for the power of money—everywhere, on the Ling Realm Network, the praise for Bai Zhenzhen and the Qingqing God poured in like a flood.
——
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