Chapter 66: Draining His Savings
Chapter 66: Draining His Savings (Requesting Monthly Votes)
Under the level 10 effect of the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra, Zhang Yu could feel his grasp of combat becoming sharper. Every subtle shift in his opponent’s techniques now fell under his scrutiny, and he could precisely channel every ounce of his strength into battle. His practical combat abilities had skyrocketed.
However, maintaining this state drained immense mental energy. After just one minute, Zhang Yu began feeling dizzy and lightheaded.
“This focused state should be reserved for critical moments in battle. It can’t be used recklessly.”
The level 10 Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra had already given Zhang Yu confidence in the Martial Arts Competition.
“But it’s still not enough…”
Thinking of the unfair tactics in the Magic Aptitude Competition and Zhang Pianpian’s words about claiming first place, Zhang Yu wanted to maximize his odds.
He reopened the shopping platform, browsing through martial arts techniques he’d saved. He’d already considered what to cultivate next after reaching level 10 in the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra.
His eyes settled on the Expert Grade martial art Indestructible Seal Art, priced at 30,000 after a 50% discount, along with its user reviews and level 10 effect description.
The Indestructible Seal Art was another Expert Grade technique, focusing on spiritual power manipulation—specifically, redirecting and reflecting an opponent’s spiritual energy.
It was notoriously difficult to master. Users flooded the review section with complaints about its complexity, warning that buyers would inevitably spend thousands hiring tutors to grasp it.
One-star review: “Avoid at all costs! Self-study is impossible. I spent thousands on a tutor.”
Two-star review: “Bought it at full price (60k), then saw it was discounted. Rip-off.”
One-star review: “I’ll leave a good review once I reach level 10.”
Zhang Yu guessed the discount stemmed from its low sales due to difficulty. But for him, this wasn’t an issue—the Indestructible Seal Art only had four moves. More importantly, its level 10 effect would synergize perfectly with his Infinite Cloud Hands in the upcoming competition.
“While Infinite Cloud Hands can redirect force and counterattack using an opponent’s strength, the Formless Cloud Qi has a weakness—it’s vulnerable to an opponent’s specialized mana targeting vitality qi.”
“But if I combine Indestructible Seal Art with Infinite Cloud Hands, I could redirect or even reflect that specialized mana.”
“Plus, with the Circulating Qi Method constantly replenishing my spiritual power and the Heavenly Martial Cultivation Heart Sutra monitoring the battlefield for details…”
“My combat system will become more refined—better at overcoming stronger opponents and minimizing injuries.”
In the Martial Arts Competition, avoiding injury against numerically superior foes was crucial for a broke student like Zhang Yu. Compared to aggressive, high-risk techniques, he preferred defensive counterattacks.
The only downside? Cost. Even at 30,000 after the discount, Zhang Yu’s account held barely over 30,000. Buying it would leave him penniless.
But thoughts of becoming Songyang City’s top student and entering the Ten Great Sects steeled his resolve.
“I will enter the Ten Great Sects and claim the championship. The first-place prize is 50,000. If I can’t win, clinging to 30,000 is pointless.”
With that, Zhang Yu spent his last 30,000 in one click.
Moments later, the Indestructible Seal Art’s electronic manual appeared on his Feather Book, which he immediately switched to Specialization mode.
As a spiritual power-focused technique, Indestructible Seal Art prioritized control over four simple external moves. Within a minute, Zhang Yu reached level 1.
Suddenly, memories of practicing the art flooded his mind. He felt his spiritual power control sharpening—he could now temporarily convert an opponent’s incoming spiritual energy into his own and redirect it.
Of course, this process still consumed his spiritual power, albeit less than the force he received.
Nodding, Zhang Yu mused, “The more I improve Indestructible Seal Art, the more efficiently I can redirect opponents’ spiritual power with less of my own.”
“According to the manual, at level 10, redirecting 10 units of spiritual power would only cost me 3 units—just 30%.”
With renewed determination, he resumed training.
---
Two days later, the day before the Martial Arts Competition.
On the training ground, Lei Jun sparred with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, effortlessly holding his own against both.
Watching their rapid progress, Lei Jun marveled inwardly.
“These two brats’ martial arts comprehension grows daily. Their combat experience is skyrocketing.”
Maintaining level 2 physical strength, Lei Jun had to keep innovating techniques to suppress them. But what astounded him most was…
“They’ve developed their own fighting styles through daily training and sparring with me.”
Lei Jun threw a punch, but Zhang Yu deflected it with a swirl of white vitality qi, dispersing most of the force.
“This kid’s Infinite Cloud Hands grows more slippery by the day—like a greased ball. Ten units of force thrown at him, he dissipates seven or eight. I have to use specialized mana to break his vitality qi first, turning it into a spiritual power drain.”
“And now he’s mastered Indestructible Seal Art? His defense is becoming airtight.”
“Hmph… No need to worry about him getting bankrupted in this competition.”
He turned, blocking Bai Zhenzhen’s sword finger with a palm strike. “Bai Zhenzhen… a true martial arts prodigy.”
“In just two weeks, she’s begun predicting my moves, spotting weaknesses, and exploiting them.”
“But her style… is reckless.”
Boom!
Lei Jun increased his output, sending a shockwave that hurled both youths backward.
“That’s enough for today.”
Smiling, he said, “Your progress has been impressive. You’ve improved enough.”
“Tomorrow’s match—remember, safety first. Prioritize your survival. Don’t push yourself recklessly.”
Bai Zhenzhen, now comfortable with Lei Jun, retorted, “Got it, Old Lei. What rank do you think we’ll make?”
Lei Jun mused, “Top ten is achievable.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “Only top ten? Any higher?”
Lei Jun chuckled. “The three elite schools have too many unfair advantages. Their standard techniques are beyond your budget, and their stats outclass yours. You’re not even on the same starting line. Be grateful if you make top ten.”
“Enough talk. Go prepare. And don’t forget your competition meds.”
“We’ll meet at Bailong High School’s gate at midnight.”
The competition would be held at Bailong High School.
Zhang Yu blinked. “Midnight?”
Lei Jun shrugged. “They have classes during the day. Nighttime’s the only option.”
Zhang Yu sighed. Of course—typical Bailong High School, never failing to disappoint.
He asked, “How do we get there?”
Lei Jun: “Subway, obviously.”
“You two are the only participants. You expect the school to charter a bus?”
Zhang Yu groaned. Typical Songyang High School—just as disappointing as Bailong.
Watching them leave, Lei Jun sighed. “If they were born into wealthy families, they might’ve had a shot at the Ten Great Sects…”
---
That night.
After two more hours of grueling training, Zhang Yu finally maxed Indestructible Seal Art to level 10.
His body jolted as his meridians, refined through relentless cultivation, grew sturdier—better equipped to channel specialized mana.
Simultaneously, his spiritual power redirection and reflection techniques coalesced into a profound realization.
Now, activating the Indestructible Seal Art, he could directly convert an opponent’s spiritual energy into his own, replenishing his reserves.
In other words, at level 10, he could grow stronger mid-battle by absorbing his opponent’s spiritual power.
Of course, there were limits.
“In a single match, I can replenish up to 30 units of spiritual power. Beyond that… my meridians can’t handle it yet.”
He glanced at his Feather Book. Two weeks of training had significantly boosted his stats:
Zhang Yu
Spiritual Resolve: Level 3 (53%)
Spiritual Power: 21.8
Physical Strength: Level 1.51
Sigh… If only I’d learned the Circulating Qi Method a month earlier, or had more time to raise my Physical Strength…
After a quick shower, he rushed out, catching a bus toward Bailong High School.
---
23:31 PM.
Stepping out of the subway station, Zhang Yu spotted a towering building over thirty stories high—Bailong High School.
But he had no time to admire it. Right now, he was starving.
“Where’s Zhenzhen? Need to borrow money for dinner. Can’t fight on an empty stomach.”
As for his own funds? Long gone.
The Indestructible Seal Art alone had drained his 30,000. The remaining scraps had vanished on food, medicine, and daily expenses.
As he scanned anxiously, a hand slammed onto his shoulder.
Zhang Yu turned, startled. “Zhenzhen? Hurry—”
“Yuzi, lend me some cash,” Bai Zhenzhen groaned, clutching her stomach. “No money for dinner. I’m starving.”
Zhang Yu gaped. “You’re broke too?!”
Bai Zhenzhen, seeing his expression, groaned, “You’re broke too? What’s your spending logic? How did you burn through money so fast you can’t even eat?!”
(End of Chapter)
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