Chapter 95: Zhang Yu's Secret

Chapter 95: Zhang Yu’s Secret

That night, as he swallowed the Primordial Chaos Pill whole, its immense medicinal energy surged through his limbs and organs once more.

Zhang Yu immediately activated his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi, channeling his muscles, organs, and bones to absorb the torrent of energy.

Every time, he could distinctly feel the 30,000 credits he’d spent on the pill not vanishing but integrating into his body, transforming into part of his Flesh Cultivation.

By dawn, Zhang Yu gazed at his Physical Strength Level 2.08 on the Feather Book, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Two weeks had passed since the Martial Arts Competition.

In two weeks, the confirmation for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s eligibility for the top five spots in the sports team would arrive.

Six weeks remained until the sports competition began.

While Zhang Yu focused primarily on Physical Strength Level, his Spiritual Resolve and Spiritual Power had naturally improved thanks to his cultivation method and passive Spiritual Respiration.

The Feather Book displayed: Dao Heart Level 3 (93%), Spiritual Power 25.5.

“Spiritual Resolve and Spiritual Power growth has slowed slightly, but it’s still manageable. No need to seek stronger techniques yet. Focus on Physical Strength Level for now.”

“At my current income, I can keep taking Primordial Chaos Pills. If earnings rise, I might even afford Adept’s Nourishment.”

“With my 10th-level Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi continuously boosting Physical Strength Level, entering the top five in two weeks should be no problem. Reaching 4.0+ before the competition in six weeks seems possible too.”

As he mused, Zhang Yu glanced at his bank balance.

Despite tutoring Song Hailong and extra classes at the campus, his account held only 5,000 credits after deductions: 15,000 for loan interest, 2,000 for rent and utilities, plus the pill, food, and other expenses.

“Sigh, still broke. Hope more classes open up soon.”

Shaking off the thought, he hurried to school.

Outside the school gates, the Monthly Exam results were posted.

The campus buzzed with excitement as students and teachers celebrated the new scores.

Recalling the exam two days prior, Zhang Yu sighed: “Too bad it couldn’t wait a few days. If I’d taken it after my second Primordial Chaos Pill Physique Cultivation, my score would’ve been higher.”

“But no big deal. My sports score will rise next time.”

After a quick scan of the rankings, he headed to class.

For him, Monthly Exams were trivial—a mere glance sufficed. Competitions were what truly mattered.

He remembered Zhang Pianpian’s words clearly:

“To get into the Top Ten, win every remaining competition this year and become the strongest freshman in Songyang City.”

But as Zhang Yu approached the teaching building, a deafening crash echoed. A figure plummeted from the sky.

Instinctively, Zhang Yu sidestepped, extending his hand. White Formless Cloud Qi erupted, cushioning the fall and neutralizing the impact.

As he steadied the figure, Zhang Yu blinked in surprise: “You’re… Shuang Youpeng?”

The former top freshman, now a sophomore, had been humiliated by Student Union Vice President Zhou Chechen in combat class.

“Jumping off the building costs a fine. Good thing I saved you.”

“Besides, from that height, you wouldn’t die. Just severe injuries—and hospital bills.”

But something felt off.

Though Shuang Youpeng’s face was unchanged, his body felt unnaturally light, as if half his Flesh Cultivation had vanished.

Meeting Zhang Yu’s puzzled gaze, Shuang Youpeng said nothing—no thanks, no complaints. He simply stood and walked toward the building.

Zhang Yu opened his mouth, then closed it.

He sensed a numb despair radiating from Shuang Youpeng.

Finally, he asked, “You okay?”

Shuang Youpeng paused. “Fine. Just a moment of weakness. I have debts to repay—I won’t jump again. Don’t tell anyone. The school fines you.”

After a silence, he added, “About the sports competition… give it up. No good will come of it.”

---

Inside Grade 1 Class 1, students clustered around He Dayou, congratulating him.

“Dayou, you’ve improved so much! You topped the year with 662 points!”

“General Knowledge 49, Spiritual Resolve 130, Spiritual Power 143, Sports 150, Taoist Arts 95… That’s Ivy League material!”

He Dayou smirked at the sycophants, their loyalty shifting to whoever scored highest.

In the Martial Arts practical exam, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had been paired, finally letting He Dayou achieve his rightful score.

“Martial Arts? I reclaimed my due. Taoist Arts has always been my strength. Sports? Thanks to the competition team, I’m top-tier now.”

His phone buzzed—a report he’d commissioned on Zhang Yu’s Physical Strength Level.

“Zhang Yu skips sports class daily. Finally, his Monthly Exam Physical Strength Level—2.05?”

“Must’ve been fed plenty as Zhang Pianpian’s pet to reach this.”

“But my 2.3 Level leaves him in the dust. The gap will only widen.”

Seeing Zhang Yu’s score, He Dayou exhaled, satisfied his investment in the team had paid off.

“Zhang Yu, soon you’ll know the agony of chasing someone you can’t catch.”

Across campus, Zhao Tianxing fumed.

“Even Yuzi and Zhenzhen surpassed He Dayou?”

Though envious, he’d quit the team like Qian Shen, watching another student join, then rocket past him in scores.

Zhao Tianxing thought, “Qian Shen refused to buy strength with money—that’s why he left.”

After Zhao quit, Qian Shen had seemed to respect him more.

But Zhao knew he wasn’t like Qian Shen. He’d left out of fear.

Doubting he could justify his parents’ lifelong savings on his education, he’d quit.

“The sponsorship fee alone would force them to sell our home.”

“This early in high school, what if future costs bankrupt them?”

“What if I waste their money and fail?”

He hated himself. “I’m a coward. I told Qian Shen I rejected buying scores like him… but I just wanted it and feared failure.”

---

In the cafeteria, Zhao Tianxing sighed, setting down his tray.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen devoured synthetic food like rivals.

“Sigh, Yuzi and Zhenzhen stay so optimistic. Even overtaken in rankings, they don’t care. If only I could be like them.”

Bai Zhenzhen eyed Zhang Yu’s protein milk: “Has he found money? Or sold something shady?”

Zhang Yu eyed her porridge: “Zhenzhen needs to boost Physical Strength Level. Money must be tight. Does she want to join the Dark Tutoring World?”

The Cloth Doll Deity, hanging from his chest, observed Bai Zhenzhen. After days of scrutiny, it whispered, “Hey, Zhang Yu. Know there’s something in her belly?”

“Cough!” Zhang Yu choked, spitting out his food.

He turned, whispering fiercely, “Pregnant?!”

Bai Zhenzhen glared at the mess in her bowl: “Are you trying to die, Zhang Yu? Using underhanded tricks to steal food? I’ll pee in your bowl!”

The Deity snorted, “I meant a Spirit Root. She’s growing one.”

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes: “Obviously. She rented one.”

“No. This Spirit Root is hers. It hides well. If not for your constant proximity and her using it openly around you, I’d never notice.”

Zhang Yu stared at Bai Zhenzhen, stunned.

Bai Zhenzhen snapped, “What’re you muttering about? Buy me a new meal!”

Still preoccupied, he grabbed his Student ID Crystal and bought her lunch.

As he left, her phone buzzed—a message:

Lian Tianji: Sell me one of your worn clothes.

Bai Zhenzhen silenced the screen, gazing at Zhang Yu’s retreating figure.

“No wonder Yu-zi’s flush with cash lately.”

“Without me noticing, he’s gone this far…”

Yu! For Xian Dao and money… have you truly come this far?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end