No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Oasis Group’s latest move didn’t just set off a storm at Songyang High—it sent shockwaves rippling through all of Songyang City as the news spread and circulated outward.

Back at the company, Chi He—representing Oasis Group—immediately used the internal secure line to bypass the inter-floor network firewall and connect directly with the Oasis Group on the second floor.

Soon, the voice of Director Wang came through the line.

Chi He respectfully reported, “Director Wang, I’ve carried out your orders. But Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen haven’t returned yet. I only made the announcement—the money hasn’t actually reached them.”

Director Wang replied nonchalantly, “No problem. It’s the same when they get back.”

Chi He asked cautiously, “But… what if they end up refusing to work with us?”

He still felt it was risky to throw money and hype around before even negotiating with the other party.

Director Wang just laughed. “I’m giving them money. I’m giving them opportunity. I’m giving them a future. Why wouldn’t they cooperate?”

“I believe there’s no one in this world who can’t be bought—it’s only a matter of price.”

“And if we’re just talking about first-floor money, I can afford to splurge.”“Oh, and I’m heading down in a few days. Xiandu’s second-and-a-half floor is dull. Songyang’s three protected zones seem much more interesting. I plan to drop by for a look.”

To Director Wang, whether it was Xiandu or Songyang, they were all the same: first-floor cities. No distinction. What truly caught his eye were the rare natural landscapes and resources of the protected zones.

Chi He quickly responded, “I’ll make arrangements right away.”

…

Meanwhile, news about Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued to sweep across Songyang City.

At Red Tower Tower—

Chairman Long was staring at a batch of test reports with open disgust. “Trash. All of it is trash.”

“Stop accepting Zhang Yu’s seeds from now on. Get rid of the stockpile, too. What a complete waste of time, manpower, and lab equipment.”

He thought back on the past few months, when that kid would show up from time to time to beg samples off them, and all he ever contributed was a pile of useless protein waste. The memory soured his mood.

But moments later, after reading a new headline on his phone, Chairman Long shot to his feet.

“Where are Zhang Yu’s seeds?”

“Thrown out? Who told you to throw them out?!”

“Recover them! Immediately! Every last one of them! I don’t care if you have to lick the floors clean, you get them back!”

…

At White Dragon High School—

When Yu Xinghan heard the news that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had earned their Foundation Licenses, he looked utterly dazed.

Damn it… this stung even more than failing the Foundation Establishment exam himself.

Then he heard Oasis Group was planning to donate ten million to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—and that’s when the heartache really hit.

“What the hell…”

“Zhang Yu, Zhang Yu… It’s not that I don’t want my bro to succeed. I just didn’t want to see you lose yourself to some damn Foundation License and become a corporate dog.”

“The you I remember—working side gigs, blowing off steam with pellet guns at Red Tower—that’s the real you. When did you secretly ace the exam and land that much funding?”

But what hurt Yu Xinghan the most was thinking about how Li Xuelian and Xinghuo Zhenren would react to the news.

“Damn it… how am I ever supposed to face my senior sister again?”

“Forget senior sister—I feel like I can’t even look a training dummy in the eye right now.”

Elsewhere, Li Xuelian had already caught wind of what had happened at Songyang High.

She sighed, and her mind drifted back to that moment a year ago in the Central Tower, when she’d turned Zhang Yu down.

“Sigh… one step too late.”

She could already imagine how her hot-tempered father would react—panicked, unable to focus on work, getting docked pay, or worse, fined.

“Better not tell Dad yet. It might mess with his transfers and delay the money.”

…

While all of Songyang was buzzing over Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—

In a quiet, unnamed town…

Inside a temporarily rented Training Hall…

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were digesting the gains from their Foundation Establishment exam.

Bai Zhenzhen hadn’t rushed to train with her new Technique. Instead, she kept replaying that sword strike in her mind.

That one sword—accelerated through multiple stages, shattering the sound barrier—had been the peak of her life’s martial path. If not for the unlimited coverage of Wanquan Health Insurance, she never would’ve dared to unleash it.

And after that clash, she felt she’d reached a new understanding of her martial journey.

On the other side, Zhang Yu was already busy cultivating, hoping to complete the final effect of the Martial Saint Embryo.

From the Techniques offered as rewards for passing the Foundation Establishment exam, he had chosen one called Earthshaker Reconstitution Technique. As long as he kept his feet on the ground, he could draw the earth’s magnetic force through the soles of his feet to rapidly restore stamina.

He had already cultivated it to level 10.

Now, even without actively circulating it, he could feel the constant stream of magnetic force refueling his strength. He felt like he had endless energy and could keep training for another day and night without breaking a sweat.

“At least within the Qi Refining Realm, this Technique makes my stamina nearly superhuman.”

His next Technique—the one that would complete the tenth piece of his Martial Saint Embryo—was the Grand Might Battleplate, which he had just purchased for 1.33 million.

“Once I master this Technique, my body will generate its own shock-rebound force. The harder an enemy hits me, the more damage they’ll take in return.”

Looking back over the Techniques he’d trained, Zhang Yu mused: “Magic resistance, fire resistance, ice resistance, physical resistance, regeneration, healing, medicine-enhanced recovery, detoxification… now I’ve added stamina regeneration and damage reflection.”

“The more I train, the tankier I get. I’m basically turning into a walking fortress.”

“Is that the point of the Martial Saint Embryo? To create someone who can take an insane amount of punishment?”

Aside from these two Techniques, Zhang Yu also examined his digital Foundation License and discovered several bonus features.

Font settings, display colors, text size—everything could be customized for a fee.

There was even something called the Foundation Domain.

Once activated, everyone within 100 meters would receive a text alert: “Foundation License holder Zhang Yu has entered your vicinity. Please mind your manners and avoid physical contact.”

Zhang Yu scoffed. “Who the hell would activate that? It screams ‘target me’ and begs for a beatdown.”

He glanced down at the red cloth wrapped around his arm. Underneath it was his Foundation License.

As long as he yanked off the cloth, the license would be revealed.

Zhang Yu grinned. “This is way cheaper, low-key, and more badass.”

He could already picture the scene—pulling off the red cloth, flashing his Foundation License, and sending heroes across the realm trembling in awe.

…

“Gold Core cultivator Xinghuo Zhenren has entered your one-kilometer vicinity. In the past month, he has accidentally killed four people. All fines and compensation have been paid. Please act with caution and do not provoke him.”

In a corporate office, phones buzzed as that notification spread like a plague. Workers turned pale and scurried back to their desks, terrified of crossing paths with Xinghuo Zhenren.

Moments later, he floated past them like a glowing specter—his body half composed of Law Husk parts, his head wreathed in flame, his eyes blazing like twin suns.

This was the company’s newly hired expert, Xinghuo Zhenren.

Feeling the fear and awe in the air, he nodded to himself. This Gold Core Domain, bundled with the Gold Core License, really was effective.

Ever since he’d paid to activate the domain, no one had dared get on his nerves—no one he needed to kill.

He sighed. “If only this had worked that well when I was on the upper floors… I wouldn’t have ended up down here.”

Just then, his eyes flickered with scrolling data before locking onto one report: Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had passed the Foundation Establishment exam.

“Zhang Yu?”

“That’s my disciple.”

As for Yu Xinghan? Please. Anyone who spent millions and still failed the Foundation exam? Xinghuo Zhenren barely even remembered the guy.

“Haven’t seen the boy in a while. Or Bai Zhenzhen either… never even met her.”

He wanted to visit them right away. But with this week’s overtime? No chance. Even as a Gold Core cultivator, he didn’t believe in taking leave.

“I’ll have to wait until this week’s crunch is over.”

…

Back in the small town—

While Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were busy training—

A knock came at the door.

“Excuse me, sorry to intrude. Are you Mr. Zhang Yu and Ms. Bai Zhenzhen?”

Both of them went on high alert. This place was over a thousand kilometers from Songyang City—how did someone recognize them?

They cautiously opened the door to find a travel-worn, plainly dressed middle-aged man.

He introduced himself: “I’m Tao Lin from Shengshi Entertainment. I apologize for the abrupt visit, but there’s something important I need to discuss.”

“You haven’t chosen a university yet, have you?”

“Well, I know a school with real potential. They’re confident they can cultivate you into Gold Core cultivators. I hope you’ll consider it.”

Tao Lin’s company, Shengshi Entertainment, was affiliated with one of the Ten Major Sects—specifically the Pleasure and Harmony Sect.

The school he mentioned was called Qinghe Arts and Vocational Academy.

To recruit Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen before anyone else, they not only sent agents to Songyang City but also used the company’s internal channels to tap into divine data leaks from the Righteous Gods—pinpointing the duo’s exact location.

Of course, leaking personal data—especially geolocation—was blatantly illegal.

Normally, no university would stoop so low just for recruitment. It would hurt their prestige and give competitors ammo to attack them.

But under Qinghe Arts and Vocational Academy’s aggressive demands, Shengshi Entertainment had little choice.

And honestly? Tao Lin figured that compared to what he was about to do, a little data breach was nothing.

After all, trying to trick two top-tier high schoolers who’d just earned Foundation Licenses into attending a vocational college? Not illegal—but definitely dirtier.

That’s right. Trick.

They called it recruitment, but Tao Lin knew damn well what it was.

Because really—what self-respecting high schooler would turn down the Ten Major Sects to attend someplace like Qinghe Arts and Vocational Academy?