Chapter 87: Rivalry, Advertisements

Chapter 87: Rivalry, Advertisements (Thanks to Patron 20171123095745156)

Inside the cafeteria.

Zhang Yu looked curiously at Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing, puzzled by their gloomy expressions that seemed to scream "failed exam."

"What's wrong with you two?"

When Zhang Yu's question hung in the air, neither Qian Shen nor Zhao Tianxing could respond. They'd both signed confidentiality agreements—no information about the Special Training Program could be disclosed.

Zhao Tianxing shook his head with a bitter smile. "Nothing. Just... the competition team's pressure is getting to us."

At the same time, his gaze toward Zhang Yu flickered with regret.

Zhao Tianxing thought, He Dayou and the others started their transplant surgeries yesterday. Their physical strength levels will skyrocket from now on.
"Though Yu and Zhen have great talent, they can't beat the school's Xian Dao technology."
"So the Xian Dao path... is ultimately about money after all?"

...

During that afternoon's physical education class.

He Dayou, Physical Strength Level 1.56
Li Xianglu, Physical Strength Level 1.55
Wang Wenjie, Physical Strength Level 1.53

After their transplant surgeries, the three had all seen significant improvements overnight.

As students watched them effortlessly manipulate various training equipment and saw the physical strength level readings, envy filled their eyes.

"Sports competitions are truly Songyang City's ace program. He Dayou's progress is incredible!"
"They were gone just one day and already this strong? Teacher Wang Hai really knows his stuff."

But He Dayou wasn't listening to his classmates' chatter. He scanned the area for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, only to find they hadn't attended PE class at all. Even the small side room held no sign of Zhang Yu.

"Hmph, doesn't matter. There'll be plenty of opportunities later", He Dayou thought, already envisioning his physical strength level skyrocketing daily for the next month until he'd crush both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen beneath his feet.
"I'll keep rising faster and faster until my physical strength level nears senior year levels."
"My scores will ultimately surpass yours."

...

Where had Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen gone?

Both had requested Wang Hai's permission to skip PE class.

Zhang Yu's reasoning: My Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi cultivation will accelerate soon. Better to hide and train alone to avoid suspicion.

Bai Zhenzhen thought: My Spirit Root has too many functions. Since I've already established the "Spirit Root rental" reputation, I don't need to worry about attention. Better to train alone and avoid prying eyes.

So now, on the school rooftop.

Zhang Yu grinned at Bai Zhenzhen. "Ah Zhen, skipping class too?"
Bai Zhenzhen smiled back. "Yu, training on the rooftop as well?"

Zhang Yu mused, Zhen must've opened her Spirit Root. She's hiding her progress, training alone here.
Bai Zhenzhen thought, Yu hasn't hidden his cultivation yet. He's sneaking training to conceal his strength, planning to show off big in a month.

Zhang Yu chuckled. "Let's train together on the rooftop."
Bai Zhenzhen nodded. "Yes, together. Together."

Zhang Yu thought, Zhen's still trustworthy. I'll let her witness my talent today and make her completely submit.
Bai Zhenzhen smirked inwardly, After hiding my potential for years, finally someone to show off my shocking potential to. Hahaha, I can already see Yu's envious face.

The two exchanged smiles, each taking positions to begin cultivation.

On the rooftop, Zhang Yu started his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi training.

Standing firm, his body trembled with each movement, producing thunderous roars like waves crashing against cliffs.

Bai Zhenzhen glanced over, seeing Zhang Yu's face and hands flush red from surging energy. She felt a jolt of shock.

"This... is this the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi? Has Yu already mastered it and started physique cultivation with this technique?"
Suddenly, her Spirit Root felt less satisfying.
She felt like someone whose sleep had been disturbed by a classmate's spiritual respiration at midnight.
Like seeing leftover potion wrappers after someone sneaked extra doses.
Or spotting new needle marks on a classmate's arm during PE.

Bai Zhenzhen immediately released her Spirit Root's constraints and began her own physique cultivation.
"If others show off, how can I not outdo them?"
"Keep pushing! My physical strength level next month must stay above Yu's!"

As she unleashed her Spirit Root's power, Zhang Yu paused mid-cultivation after a dozen repetitions, feeling drained. He sat to rest and took a swig from his energy drink.
"No wonder they're called premium drinks from Bailong High. Free ones just taste better."

Suddenly sensing spiritual essence fluctuations, he turned toward Bai Zhenzhen.

He saw her cultivating a physique technique he couldn't identify. Though unfamiliar, he sensed spiritual essence threads nourishing her body, enhancing her flesh cultivation.
"Must be her Spirit Root's effect. Something like a Muscle-Building Spiritual Root, strengthening her physical form?"
Jealousy filled Zhang Yu's face. "Having a Spirit Root sure is convenient. I'll definitely borrow hers later."

Then he noticed something new.
With his experience mastering multiple martial arts to level 10, he could detect subtle technique variations.

Watching Bai Zhenzhen, he realized her physique technique subtly adjusted with each repetition, becoming more comfortable and fluid—as if she naturally adapted to the method itself.
"Does Zhen adjust and improve her techniques with every practice?"
Seemingly ordinary, but upon reflection, Zhang Yu recognized its power.
"Wait... this is like my Feather Book! Her techniques can evolve rapidly too?"
"She wasn't this strong before, right?"
"She's definitely been cheating all along!"

Realizing she'd secretly trained hard beyond his sight, Zhang Yu quickly resumed his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi training after resting.

For the next while, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen pushed themselves, each determined to outpace the other.

When the class bell rang, Zhang Yu had advanced his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi to level 7 (15/70). His muscles tugged, organs vibrating in sync with his cultivation, producing strange internal organ sounds with each movement.

Bai Zhenzhen radiated heat, sweat dripping from her flushed face as her muscles grew stronger under her Spirit Root's catalysis.

As the bell rang, they exchanged smiles.
Zhang Yu said, "Impressive, Zhen."
Bai Zhenzhen replied, "You're not bad either, Yu."

Zhang Yu thought, No bath tonight—straight to training! I'll push Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi to level 10.
Bai Zhenzhen vowed, No bathroom breaks tonight! Keep cultivating until dawn!

Over the following days, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen seized every moment, training in hidden campus corners, drenched in sweat as they mercilessly pushed their flesh cultivation.

Meanwhile in PE class, He Dayou thrilled at his daily rising physical strength level, though disappointment flickered each time he didn't see Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

But he endured.
"This was my expected outcome, right?"
"Talented but poor people only shine early before rich ones surpass them."
"After the transplant, my new muscles keep integrating with my body. My physical strength level grows daily."
"The longer Yu and Zhen wait to witness my power, the more hopeless the gap will feel."

With anticipation, He Dayou resumed his training.

Nearby, Zhao Tianxing secretly watched He Dayou, eyes filled with envy and hesitation.
"Qian Shen quit, refusing competition team. Lan Ling replaced him with another student."
"But... should I quit too?"
"I dislike this method, but He Dayou's physical strength level rises so fast. I'll never catch up like this."
Yet remembering his parents' plan to sell their home to fund his training, Zhao Tianxing hesitated again.

...

That evening, in a secluded grove before dismissal.

Zhang Yu sat cross-legged, steam rising from his body despite the cold wind as he cultivated his newly advanced level 10 Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.

His muscles, organs, and bone marrow all trembled with each movement, undergoing refinement.

At level 10, his body transformed—muscles perfectly aligned like precision-engineered components.

This structural optimization instantly boosted his physical strength level. Combined with recent training, he reached level 1.67.

Additionally, his digestion and metabolism had improved.
Zhang Yu felt constantly hungry, as if every muscle screamed for nourishment.
"Daily food costs already over 600 credits. Physique cultivation really burns money."

Yet his body still craved more.
"Time for pills, I guess?"
Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi could combine with pills like the Primordial Chaos Pill, but each cost 30,000 credits online.
"Damn you, Ziyun Pharmaceutical! Robbing people!"

With rising food costs and pill needs, Zhang Yu felt increasingly cash-strapped.
Though he'd earned 5,000 credits tutoring Song Hailong yesterday, his account balance under 16,000 still felt insufficient.

Good thing—today brought a new money-making opportunity.

As dismissal bells rang, Bai Zhenzhen finished training and said, "Let's go, Yu. Time to shoot the ad."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end