Chapter 66: Depleting Savings (Please Support with Monthly Votes)
Under the 10th-level effect of the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture, Zhang Yu could feel his grasp on combat growing increasingly refined. Every subtle shift in his opponent’s technique was instantly visible to him, and he could now channel his strength with pinpoint precision. His combat capability had skyrocketed.
But this heightened state came at a steep cost—mental and physical exhaustion. After maintaining it for just one minute, Zhang Yu began to feel dizzy and lightheaded.
“This focused state should only be used at critical moments in battle. Not something to waste freely.”
The 10th level of the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture gave Zhang Yu greater confidence in the Martial Arts Competition.
Yet… it wasn’t enough.
Thinking of the unfair, corrupt competition at the Mana Competition, and recalling Zhang Pianpian’s words about winning first place in the Martial Arts Competition, Zhang Yu felt the need to tighten his edge even further.
He opened the cultivation marketplace again, scrolling through the techniques he’d saved over the past few days.
He hadn’t stopped thinking about what to cultivate next after reaching the 10th level of the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture.
Now, he stared at a technique called Bumu Yinfa—a master-tier martial art, priced at 30,000 after a 50% discount. He read through the user reviews, the 10th-level effects, and the detailed description.
Bumu Yinfa was a master-tier technique, just like the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture. It specialized in martial energy manipulation—specifically, drawing in and refracting an opponent’s martial energy.
It was notoriously difficult to master, and achieving specialization was nearly impossible without expert guidance. The review section was filled with warnings:
- ★ One-star: Avoid this at all costs! You can’t learn it on your own—spend tens of thousands just to hire a tutor.
- ★★ Two-star: I bought it at full price—60,000. Then found out it was on sale. Foolish move.
- ★ One-star: I’ll give it a good review once I reach level 10.
Zhang Yu guessed the low sales might be why it was discounted—too hard to learn, too few people could succeed.
But that wasn’t a problem for him. Because Bumu Yinfa only had four techniques.
And more importantly, he could already apply its 10th-level effects in the upcoming Martial Arts Competition. Even better—it would complement his Wuji Yunshou perfectly.
Wuji Yunshou could redirect force and use an opponent’s momentum against them, but it had a flaw: it was vulnerable to specialized martial energy that could shatter its gāngqì (spiritual energy armor).
But with Bumu Yinfa combined, he could draw in and even refract an opponent’s specialized martial energy right back at them.
Add in Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa constantly replenishing his martial energy, the Tianwu Cultivation of the Heart Scripture giving him total battlefield awareness, and the precision to spot every tiny detail…
His entire combat system would be complete—better suited for underdog victories, and even better at winning without getting hurt.
In the Martial Arts Competition, facing opponents with higher stats, avoiding injury—or minimizing it—was crucial for someone like Zhang Yu, a poor student with no financial cushion.
So while flashy, aggressive techniques might appeal to others, Zhang Yu preferred defensive counterattacks.
The only downside to Bumu Yinfa? It was expensive. Even at half price, it cost 30,000. And Zhang Yu’s account had exactly 30,000 left.
That meant… if he bought it, he’d be broke.
But then he thought of the strongest first-year student in Songyang, and his dream of entering the Top Ten.
“I have to make it into the Top Ten. I have to win the competition. The first-place prize is 50,000. If I can’t win first, holding onto these 30,000 is pointless.”
With that resolve, Zhang Yu bit his lip—and spent every last cent in his account in one swift transaction.
In an instant, he received the digital scroll of Bumu Yinfa.
After studying it, the technique materialized from his Feather Scroll and was instantly switched to Specialization.
As a technique focused entirely on martial energy control, Bumu Yinfa had only four basic hand movements. The real mastery lay in the precision of energy manipulation.
Less than a minute later, Zhang Yu had mastered it at level 1.
Memories of every repetition flooded his mind.
He felt his control over martial energy grow even more refined—so much so that he could now temporarily absorb an opponent’s incoming martial energy, convert it, and redirect it back at them.
Of course, this process consumed martial energy—but the amount Zhang Yu spent was less than what he gained from the opponent.
He nodded to himself.
“If I keep improving this technique, I’ll be able to use less of my own energy to manipulate more of theirs.”
“According to the website, at level 10, I’ll only need 3 units of my own energy to draw in and reflect 10 units from an opponent—just 30% efficiency.”
With that thought, Zhang Yu resumed his grueling practice.
…
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
It was now the day before the Martial Arts Competition.
On the training field, Lei Jun sparred against both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—one-on-two.
Over the past few days, he’d been increasingly amazed by their rapid progress.
“These two kids… their understanding of martial arts is improving daily. Their实战 experience is skyrocketing.”
Even at a mere 2nd-level Physical Strength output, Lei Jun had to keep pulling out more advanced techniques just to stay ahead of them.
But what shocked him most wasn’t their improvement…
It was how they’d begun to develop their own fighting styles.
Lei Jun struck forward with a punch—only for Zhang Yu’s white gāngqì to absorb the impact, dispersing the force like water.
“Zhang Yu’s using Wuji Yunshou more and more skillfully. It’s like a slippery ball—no matter how hard I hit, he redirects 7 or 8 out of 10 units of force. I have to use specialized energy just to break through his guard. It’s turning into a pure energy drain.”
“And now he’s mastered that Bumu Yinfa technique. His defense is becoming impenetrable.”
“Huh… I don’t have to worry about him getting bankrupt from a single loss anymore.”
He turned, blocking Bai Zhenzhen’s sword-point strike with a palm.
“Bai Zhenzhen… she’s a true martial genius.”
“In just two weeks, she’s already matching my pace, seeing through my openings, and attacking my necessary defenses.”
“But her style… is too risky.”
Boom!
Lei Jun increased his power output, releasing a surge of mana oscillation that sent both students flying.
“Time’s up for today’s training,” he said with a sigh.
“You two have improved a lot. Your progress is nearly complete.”
“Tomorrow’s competition—remember: safety first. Always prioritize your own safety. Don’t push too hard. Don’t force it.”
Bai Zhenzhen, now comfortable with Lei Jun, shot back:
“Got it, Old Lei. Think we can make top ten?”
Lei Jun paused.
“Top ten is possible… but that’s already a win.”
Bai Zhenzhen blinked.
“Only top ten? That’s it?”
Lei Jun sighed.
“The three elite schools have too many off-the-books tricks. Even their standard techniques are beyond what you can afford. Their stats are higher to begin with. Honestly, you’re not even on the same starting line. If you make top ten, consider yourselves lucky.”
“Anyway, go home and prepare. And don’t forget to bring your competition meds.”
“Meet at the entrance of Bailong High School at midnight.”
This year’s Martial Arts Competition would be held at Bailong High School.
Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow.
“Midnight?”
Lei Jun nodded.
“Daytime is for classes. So the match is at midnight.”
Zhang Yu couldn’t help but smirk.
“No surprise there—Bailong High School never fails to be inconsiderate.”
He asked, “How do we get there?”
Lei Jun shrugged.
“Take the subway. You’re the only two competitors—do you expect the school to send a bus?”
Zhang Yu sighed.
“And no surprise here either—Songyang High School is just as ruthless as Bailong.”
Watching them walk away, Lei Jun sighed inwardly.
“If only these two were born into wealthy families… they might’ve had a real shot at the Top Ten.”
…
That night.
After two more hours of intense training, Zhang Yu finally reached level 10 in Bumu Yinfa.
His body trembled violently—his meridians felt forged through a thousand hammer strikes, now far stronger, capable of handling even the most intense specialized martial energy.
At the same time, all his accumulated knowledge of martial energy manipulation—drawing in, reflecting, converting—coalesced in his mind like a sudden enlightenment.
Now, when he activated the Imprint of the Indestructible, he could directly convert an opponent’s incoming martial energy to replenish his own.
In other words—once Bumu Yinfa reached level 10, he could grow stronger the longer the fight lasted, feeding off his opponent’s energy.
Of course, there was a limit.
“In a single battle, I can absorb and convert at most 30 units of martial energy. Beyond that… my meridians simply can’t handle it.”
With that, he checked his Feather Scroll.
After two weeks of relentless training, his stats had improved significantly.
- Zhang Yu Dao Heart: Level 3 (53%)
- Martial Energy: 21.8
- Physical Strength Level: 1.51
“Ah… if only I’d learned Zhou Tian Cai Qi Fa a month earlier. I could’ve pushed my Physical Strength Level even higher.”
After a quick shower, Zhang Yu rushed to catch the bus, heading toward Bailong High School.
…
11:31 PM.
As Zhang Yu stepped out of the subway station, he saw a towering building—over thirty stories high. This was Bailong High School.
But he didn’t have time to admire it.
Because right now, Zhang Yu was starving.
“Where’s Zhenzhen?”
“Quick, borrow some money—need to buy dinner. Can’t fight on an empty stomach.”
Of course, he had no money left.
One Bumu Yinfa had wiped out his entire 30,000 balance.
The rest had vanished on food and medicine over the past few days.
Just as he was scanning the area anxiously, a hand slapped him hard on the shoulder.
Zhang Yu turned—his eyes lit up.
“Zhenzhen? You’re here—hurry, I need—”
“Yu, lend me some money,” Bai Zhenzhen said weakly, clutching her stomach. “No money for dinner… I’m shaking all over.”
Zhang Yu froze.
“You… you spent it too?”
Bai Zhenzhen groaned.
“You too? What kind of spending habits do you even have? How can you blow all your money and still not afford dinner?”
(End of Chapter)
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