No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Zhang Yu had just been placated on one side when Bai Zhenzhen spoke up again. “I remember the school has all kinds of cultivation equipment. Some of them are even artifacts, right? Think we can borrow any?”

Zhou Chechen sighed helplessly, his face twisting with reluctant pain. “What do you want?”

Bai Zhenzhen said, “The Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set.”

“Hehe, that cultivation artifact from the second floor imports—mind letting me try it out?”

She’d been eyeing this particular cultivation artifact at school for a while now. She’d just never been able to afford the rental fee before.

Zhou Chechen sighed again. “That Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set might be a hand-me-down from the second floor, but even so, it’s extremely rare here in Songyang City.”

“Even for me to propose lending it to you for free would cost me dearly.”

He looked thoroughly heartbroken. “If I didn’t owe you two this much, I’d never consider it.”

“I can give you an 80-hour monthly rental—that’s the best I can do.”

The Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set was made up of 999 intelligent silver needles. It could release stored electricity to stimulate flesh and nerves, refining the body down to its tiniest structures.For Bai Zhenzhen, who now possessed Thunder Mana and a Zhen Spirit Root, this artifact not only enabled her to refine her body with electricity at all times, it could also replenish Thunder Mana and greatly improve her cultivation efficiency.

Even better, the artifact came with a basic Artifact Spirit that could automatically deploy various acupuncture methods to deliver different levels of body refinement.

Fu Ji commented, “This set may be obsolete on the second floor, but here on Kunxu’s first floor, it’s a solid piece of cultivation gear. Once it arrives, Zhang Yu, you can use it too—to boost your reflexes and explosive power.”

“Too bad the basic Artifact Spirit is internet-connected. Without paying, you can’t use any of the advanced body-refining methods the company developed.”

“If you had a top-tier artifact refiner, they could cut the network access, erase the Artifact Spirit, and crack the premium features.”

“But don’t get your hopes up—especially since this thing is borrowed.”

“Oh, and by the way, this Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set eats up a lot of power. Make sure you charge it at school.”

Bai Zhenzhen added, “Then I’ll just leave it at school to charge.”

Zhou Chechen nodded faintly. After all he’d already given up, he didn’t mind footing the electricity bill.

Zhang Yu, however, suddenly had a question. He typed on his phone: “If it needs electricity, why not just charge it with lightning?”

Fu Ji saw the message and chuckled. “Lightning charging?”

“How many times have you seen lightning or rain in Songyang City?”

“All natural weather is pre-programmed by the Eight Divine Officials. Changing it costs a fortune.”

“Plus, lightning is packed with celestial energy and Immortal Dao elements. You think it’s just gonna zap you for free? Nothing’s that easy.”

Zhang Yu felt a wave of speechlessness. Thinking back on his and his original body’s memories, he realized he really hadn’t seen much rain or thunder. Back then, he’d been too weak and too broke to know just how little he knew about Kunxu’s hidden truths. 𝐑ÃɴộꞖЁS

By this point, Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Zhou Chechen had pushed their negotiations about as far as they could go. Any further, and Zhou Chechen simply had nothing more to offer.

But both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were deeply satisfied with the results.

Flexible class schedules. Combat practice with the martial arts teacher. Full access to Songyang High School’s entire library of techniques.

A slot for Dao Heart Tempering in the Spiritual Realm. A Resentful Spirit Root that synced perfectly with the Resentment Technique. The Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set for cultivation.

And on top of all that, 1.5 million in cash each.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “With this much support from Zhou Chechen, my chances of passing the Foundation License exam have shot way up.”

Zhou Chechen, looking thoroughly exhausted, said, “If there’s nothing else… shall we sign the contract?”

Fu Ji nudged him again. “Hold on. Ask Deng Bingding for approval, just in case.”

“Remember, this is how you deal with Righteous Gods. Always ask before touching money.”

“Oh, and make sure you say you’re giving her the 3 million.”

Zhang Yu’s fingers froze mid-typing. His heart clenched with reluctance.

Fu Ji laughed. “Heh, don’t be sad. Deng Bingding won’t take it.”

Still uncertain, Zhang Yu messaged Deng Bingding and explained the compensation package they’d negotiated.

She replied: I understand.

Then he added that he wanted to transfer the 3 million to her.

She replied: What nonsense? Don’t drag me into this. Keep the money yourself. We Righteous Gods shoulder Kunxu’s burdens and manage the world for all sentient beings. Don’t bring this up again.

Fu Ji said, “Hehe, Righteous Gods are monitored for all regular transfers. That’s why they don’t take normal payments—just Favor Charms.”

“She knows you don’t have any, so the gesture alone earns favor.”

Zhang Yu typed: “So the Zhou family also gave her Favor Charms this time?”

Fu Ji shook her head. “That was just a small part—more like a little offering.”

“The real value was in the fine. That cash recovery is a major win for Deng Bingding’s performance metrics.”

After they signed the contract in the mediation room, Zhou Chechen finally let out a long breath. He quickly messaged his father with an update.

Then he turned to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen. “The money’s already been transferred. I’ll have someone escort you back to school shortly, to carry out the contract terms.”

Watching the two walk away, Zhou Chechen slumped into a chair. He gripped his phone tightly, face clouded with frustration and resentment.

He turned to Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu, who were still kneeling nearby. “Why are you still here?”

“Our company fronted a fortune for you two. Get back to work and start paying it off!”

After kicking them out, a call came in from Lan Ling.

“You canceled my Spiritual Realm slot? I’m a senior—it’s a critical year—”

“You’ve heard about Wanxing Group, haven’t you?” Zhou Chechen snorted. “A sixth-class Righteous God locked down the entire corporation—right down to the Zhou family estate.”

“Do you know why?”

Lan Ling was momentarily stunned. He’d heard the rumors, and it gave him the nerve to complain.

Zhou Chechen continued, “Because of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.”

“They’re backed by a sixth-class Righteous God—one who can shut down a corporation with no explanation.”

Of course, Zhou Chechen didn’t know the real reason Deng Bingding had that power was because it was tied to the Foundation License exam.

But since insiders couldn’t share the details, all outsiders like Zhou Chechen and Lan Ling saw was: Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had terrifying support.

“You don’t want them targeting you too, do you?” Zhou Chechen said. “Didn’t you say something about crippling them?”

Lan Ling stammered, “President! I’ve thought it over—I don’t need the Spiritual Realm slot anymore!”

Zhou Chechen added, “I just gave them five million.”

Lan Ling replied, “Got it. I can chip in 800,000, okay?”

“That’s all the cash I’ve got.”

After hanging up, Zhou Chechen sighed again. “Lan Ling… if only all of Songyang City were filled with kids like you.”

“Sigh… who knows how much the family lost this time…”

…

“A massive loss.”

At the hospital on the 333rd floor of the Central Tower—

Zhou Yang looked at the empty wardrobe, then down at his half-sold body. He sighed to himself, “The Foundation License exam—what a useful banner.”

“It swept everything aside. No one dared stop it.”

“Deng Bingding took a huge bite out of me.”

As the lead responsible for this disaster, Zhou Yang had absorbed most of the damage. He’d been bled dry. But he’d survived.

He’d long ago secured insider info about their exam plans. Without that leverage, if he’d surrendered from the start, he might have paid even more.

His identity as a Purple-Gold Merit Lord and his friendly ties with some Righteous Gods had also helped.

Though the loss was huge, Zhou Yang didn’t see it as without gain.

Through those connections, he’d likely confirmed that Deng Bingding was just using the Foundation License exam as an excuse to make money—not truly backing Zhang Yu or Bai Zhenzhen.

“So the exam is even more dangerous than I thought. I can’t go near it.”

“But… hmph. If Deng Bingding finds out Zhang Yu’s actually an Evil God believer, what then?”

Zhou Yang thought darkly, “I’ll wait until the exam ends.”

“If Zhang Yu passes and gets licensed, he’ll be an even juicier, fatter target.”

A cold glint flickered in his eyes. “As long as I have proof he’s a cultist of an Evil God…”

“Once the exam shield drops, I’ll use it to blackmail him.”

“And that Righteous God will pay the price too.”

“But for now…”

Looking at his phone, reading complaint after complaint from his family and business network, Zhou Yang knew—

Until Zhang Yu’s exam ended in three months, he’d have to lie low and play nice.

…

After a long night, dawn had arrived.

At Songyang High School—

Zhang Yu was experimenting with the Resentful Spirit Root he now had 100 free hours of access to each month, drawing in the seething resentment that permeated the campus.

Bai Zhenzhen was playing with her newly acquired Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set—also with 80 free hours of monthly use—smiling as sparks danced between her fingers.

Their phones buzzed at the same time.

Every single technique from Songyang High School had just been delivered in digital format.

They were now authorized to use them all.

Up next came the Spiritual Realm usage manual.

Then contact info for all the martial arts teachers—each of whom had been told to provide one-on-one tutoring to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

Scheduling was up to the students.

Finally, 1.5 million hit each of their accounts.

Reviewing everything they’d gained, Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, “This feels amazing.”

“So damn good.”

“Way better than those miserable part-time jobs we used to take.”

“Yuzi, think we could shake down every rich family in Songyang like this?”

Before Zhang Yu could answer, Bai Zhenzhen shook her head. “Nah, not likely. If Deng Bingding pulled that again, the Divine Department would shut it down.”

At that moment, Fu Ji warned, “Don’t get too comfy. This isn’t over.”

“From everything we discussed, there might be an Evil God behind the Zhou family.”

“And judging by what Zhou Tianyi said when he attacked Zhang Yu… they may even know about me.”

Zhang Yu asked, “How could they know that?”

Fu Ji sighed. “Heh. Probably from whoever betrayed me.”

“Maybe the Zhou family pushed you two so hard just to force me out of hiding.”

“But none of that matters now.”

“What matters is the Evil God behind them—he may be using your identity as Evil God cultists as leverage.”

“He’s bowing now because of the Foundation License exam.”

“But once that’s over, he’ll definitely strike back.”

“So no, this isn’t over. You two need to be ready.”

“Because of your cultist status, you can’t rely on any Righteous God for help. You’ll have to settle it yourselves.”

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen both nodded.

But that was all after the exam.

Right now, their most urgent goal was beating Ye Lingxiao and Yun Jing three months from now.

Zhang Yu fiddled with his new Resentful Spirit Root, then bought the compatible Resentment Technique.

—50,000 gone.

One-third of his 1.5 million disappeared in a flash. He marveled again at how fast money burned in Immortal cultivation.

Then he browsed Songyang High School’s catalog and selected an expert-grade technique called Thunderburst Bone-Cleansing Sutra.

“Resentment Technique. Thunderburst Bone-Cleansing Sutra. Plus the Endless Spring and Autumn Meditation. That’s three down.”

“Just need three more techniques to hit level 10, and I’ll be able to form the initial Martial Saint Embryo.”

He could feel it—he was one step closer to passing the Foundation License exam.

“But from here on out, I’ve got to earn my own money.”

Zhang Yu asked, “Fu Ji, based on what you said last time, our current strength should be enough to make bank in the dark tutoring scene, right?”

Fu Ji replied, “You’re strong enough now.”

Zhang Yu asked, “So what’s the plan?”

Fu Ji said, “Go scope out the tutoring district. Ask around about what courses are hot right now—who’s the most popular teacher, which classes are packed…”

With that, free from school rules, Zhang Yu started cultivating the Resentment Technique, while Bai Zhenzhen used the Thunder Acupuncture Needle Set for body refinement.

The two of them trained until nightfall—then set out for the long-avoided Dark Studies Gang’s district.