https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-372-Farewell-the-Civil-Engineering-Competition-Begins/13686958/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-374-The-Seven-Supreme-Transformations-Intense-Competition/13686960/
Chapter 373: Martial Dao Holy Body
(Thank you, 'Galaxy Warrior,' for your support as Patron!)
The day of the Civil Engineering Competition had finally arrived.
Inside the operating room, Ji Yuanchi glanced at his brand-new arms, a satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
His mind instantly flooded with the specs of his new limbs.
"Leihuo Shuanghou — a pair of spirit armor arms produced by Wandao Jiangzong, one of the top-tier Spirit Armor companies, part of their Lightning Law series."
"Each arm can undergo high-temperature and electromagnetic reinforcement, extending outward through external meridians to reshape external Gang Qi, creating a Gang Qi cannon with a range exceeding 500 meters."
As he recalled these details, Ji Yuanchi snapped a photo with his Eye Armor, uploaded it to the social platform, and added a caption: "New day, keep cultivating."
Scrolling back through his previous posts, one could see a gallery of high-end Daoist tech — all acquired after the final exams, at great cost in Lingbi.
There was the Sixth-Generation Zuihun Eye from Wandao Jiangzong, capable of pre-setting targets, locking onto high-speed threats, and synchronizing reactions across other spirit armor components for automatic aiming and attack.
His legs were fitted with the Wuchang Feng Low-Altitude Flight Module, using high-speed jet streams to generate storms, enabling low-altitude flight, instant acceleration, and high-speed maneuvers — capable of reaching up to three times the speed of sound.
And then there was the Yuhua Central from Tiangong Group — not only equipped with an internal 20th-Level Technique, but also providing self-generated anti-gravity support, further enhancing the low-altitude flight module’s performance.
The ancient copper coin that once suppressed his Qi Yun had now been replaced by a new Spirit Artifact.
It was a card-like spirit item, floating quietly within Ji Yuanchi’s mind, now responsible for containing his Qi Yun.
The artifact was called the White Gold Zhenyun Card, its design inspired by the credit cards of a century past — a sleek, modern form, contrasting sharply with the old-style coin it replaced. The card’s surface bore aged engravings on both sides, symbolizing prestige, trust, and immense economic power.
Under the card’s operation, the backlash from his Qi Yun had been drastically tempered. The original two-month recovery period was now evenly distributed over twelve months — a massive improvement.
As he continued upgrading his spirit armor, flaunting each new acquisition, more and more people began to sense his wealth, believe in his strength, and thus, Qi Yun naturally flowed toward him.
Especially since...
Ji Yuanchi recalled the Evil God Ritual he’d secretly performed after the final exams.
Ever since that ritual, the more spirit armor he wore, the faster he could gather Qi Yun.
And with the Evil God’s assistance, his follower count had skyrocketed — far surpassing previous growth rates. In just three months, he’d gained hundreds of thousands of followers. Every display of wealth now drew in fresh Qi Yun.
This allowed Ji Yuanchi to not only recover from the aftereffects of Qi Yun backlash far quicker, but also to advance at an astonishing pace.
Now, under the White Gold Zhenyun Card, the density of Qi Yun surrounding him was even greater than during the final exams — amplifying every aspect of his abilities.
And thanks to the card’s operation, the enhancement effect of Qi Yun was layered, multiplied, and intensified.
But to achieve all this — to keep flaunting and upgrading spirit armor — Ji Yuanchi had drained his Lingbi reserves almost completely. He’d even taken out loans.
Even his trusted Dingfeng Pearl had been sold long ago.
Without the Dingfeng Pearl, he could only breathe the air of Kunxu’s Second Layer every day.
"I’ve grown used to the stench of poverty here in University City."
"This is what growth feels like after hardship."
He inhaled the scent deeply, etching it into his memory.
He kept reminding himself: This suffering now is for a brighter future.
"Zhang Yu was just the beginning."
Feeling the Qi Yun surging in his mind, Ji Yuanchi knew his future was limitless.
Like so many predecessors in the Finance Department, he would grow stronger with each passing day — accumulating followers, gathering Qi Yun, gaining trust, drawing people in, making them listen, obey. Eventually, one thought, one word from him could shift the hearts of millions, steer the flow of Lingbi, and control where Qi Yun gathered...
Ji Yuanchi realized: Zhang Yu no longer mattered. The Civil Engineering Department was merely a small stop on his journey.
His true destiny lay in the vast, boundless world of Finance.
He glanced at the time — the competition was about to begin.
He stood up, stepped out of the operating room, and headed toward the venue.
Ma Xuan and the others had already arrived. Seeing Ji Yuanchi approach, a faint smile appeared on Ma Xuan’s face.
He had closely watched Ji Yuanchi’s recent rise in strength, and it only solidified his belief that he’d made the right choice when he kept him.
...
Inside a one-square-meter Meditation Capsule, a bell chimed softly.
Chen Yufei slowly opened his eyes.
For three days straight, he hadn’t worked.
No overtime. Just normal daytime study, followed by a full night of Breathing Technique. It was the first time since entering university that he’d gone over 72 hours without working.
He’d done this on purpose — to prepare for the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition. He’d chosen to rest, to conserve his energy and physical strength, so he wouldn’t be weak or collapse during the event.
So for three days, he’d forced himself to stop working, stop earning — watching helplessly as his Lingbi balance dwindled, day by day.
The mental toll was unbearable.
"This is hell…"
"Resting really is the hardest test for one’s Dao Heart."
"If I can’t find a job after graduation, I’ll have to live like this every day…"
The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
To secure a good job after graduation, Chen Yufei made a firm decision: he had to place in the top ten of the Civil Engineering Competition.
"I’m already in my seventh year. If I graduate without a single competition ranking, it’ll be nearly impossible to land a good job in the Second Layer."
He knew he was poor. He accepted that he couldn’t afford competitions in earlier years.
But now, finally, in his seventh year — he wasn’t aiming for glory. Just a top-ten finish would be enough.
He checked the time, took a deep breath, and felt his body restored to peak condition.
He stepped out of the Meditation Capsule and headed toward the venue.
On the way, he met Shi Yunxiang.
Seeing the new Hand Spirit Armor on his right hand, Chen Yufei couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.
"Xiang… that’s the Jin Gang Xuan Zao Wuji Palm, right? You weren’t using that local model before?"
Shi Yunxiang smiled, raising his left hand.
"The local one’s been upgraded. This is the new version."
Chen Yufei’s eyes widened.
"So what happened to your old left hand?"
Shi Yunxiang chuckled.
"Sold it. Otherwise, how could I afford this Wuji Palm outright?"
He sighed, a mix of pride and relief.
"It’s been my flesh for years — selling it for a good price was worth it. At last, I’m not just a meat vessel anymore."
"Once I’ve replaced every bit of my Blood Flesh with spirit armor, no one will ever look at me with hunger in their eyes again."
Chen Yufei stared, a quiet envy in his heart.
Same blood, same flesh — yet Shi Yunxiang’s body, because it could be traded as food, commanded a higher market value, thanks to its freshness, taste, and premium quality.
Of course, the risk was higher — but so was the profit.
They arrived at the venue and found their team captain, Shi Huaixu, already waiting at the entrance, waving them over.
Shi Huaixu was in high spirits today — she’d finally managed to suppress the side effects of her Ghost Kidney.
She silently thanked Yu Xinghan, whose timely advice had helped her catch a surge in Qingqing Coin prices.
"Next time, I’ll get a massage from him — give him a little business boost."
"And thanks to Tu Teacher — for lending me the money to invest in coins."
Recalling how last year’s stock trading nearly ruined her, she felt deep gratitude that Tu Lishan still trusted her.
She remembered his words clearly:
"Trading stocks and coins is serious business. If I won’t lend you money, what kind of teacher am I? Take it — interest at consumer loan rates."
Thanks to her profits from Qingqing Coin, Shi Huaixu had bought a Zhen Gui Yin, implanted it into her body — a specialized artifact to suppress her Ghost Kidney, which still carried the remnants of a consciousness.
Suddenly, a message popped up in her Eye Armor — from the soul within the Zhen Gui Yin.
Soul: Boss, the match hasn’t even started yet — can I step out for a bit?
Shi Huaixu: No. You’re booked for a full day.
Shi Huaixu: I’ve hired plenty of souls before. Don’t think I’m stupid — trying to work two jobs at once?
She knew these souls always tried to sneak off for extra gigs. But this one was different — it was the original owner of her Ghost Kidney, the expert who could suppress it.
After a firm reminder, she sent a message to the competition team group:
"Where are you all? Why aren’t you here yet?"
...
In Wanfa University City, Layer 88.
Zhang Yu exhaled slowly, finally completing the sixth gate of his Martial Dao Holy Body, pushing it to the 20th Level.
初级 - Martial Dao Holy Body (6/6):
Any Foundation Establishment Stage martial art you wield will see a significant increase in combat effectiveness.
"Hmm?" Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered.
He remembered a similar effect — increasing combat power — from the First Layer of the Martial Dao Holy Embryo in the Qi Cultivation Stage.
"So, for Foundation Establishment Stage practitioners, the first layer of the Martial Dao Holy Body enhances martial arts’ real-world effectiveness?"
"Is this the evolution from Qi Cultivation Stage to Foundation Establishment Stage — from Holy Embryo to Holy Body?"
But Zhang Yu wasn’t disappointed.
In fact, he was relieved.
His body was already absurdly tough — so tough he sometimes felt it was bordering on the ridiculous. What he needed now was new ways to expand his power.
"This first layer of the Martial Dao Holy Body might just be the key to victory in this Civil Engineering Competition."
Seeing the reminder pop up on his Eye Armor, Zhang Yu smiled faintly.
With a flicker of motion, he shot into the Anti-Gravity Channel, streaking upward like lightning — in an instant, he reached the arena entrance.
Shi Huaixu glanced at Zhang Yu, grabbing his arm.
"Come on, come on — the first round elimination match is about to start!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
