No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

In a luxury apartment in downtown Songyang City—

Zhang Yu sat cross-legged in the meditation chamber on the second floor, running through a newly learned Heart Technique.

As the air circulation system whirred softly, a cocktail of over a dozen medicinal vapors cycled into his lungs. They nourished his body and kept his mind and emotions balanced.

After being given a little pep talk by Director Wang, a few days had passed—and then, just like that, the apartment that cost hundreds of thousands a month to rent... was given to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen for free.

Though Director Wang had called it “a rundown place,” the amenities here were among the best that Songyang had to offer.

At the very least, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had found nothing to complain about during their stay.

On the very first day they moved in, Bai Zhenzhen had sighed with heartfelt joy, “Money feels so damn good, Yuzi!”

“We’re gonna keep climbing, make more and more cash, eat better, live better, cultivate stronger! Right?”

Seeing Bai Zhenzhen’s joyful smile, Zhang Yu nodded slightly. He had to admit—money really did make life sweet in Kunxu. Without it? You were basically a dead man walking. Couldn’t even throw a punch.

At this very moment, the Heart Technique Zhang Yu was cultivating was called the Golden Abundance Technique.The more money you had in your account, the steadier your will became. No fear of failure, no crumbling under pressure—just unshakable resolve.

The Sacrificial Oxheart Technique had stopped being effective, so Zhang Yu switched to one that better suited his new life.

Each time he ran the technique, all he had to do was visualize the balance in his account. That single number filled him with calm. Deep within his mind bloomed a courage that let him face any challenge.

It was as if—so long as that number kept rising—so would his confidence.

Whenever he practiced this technique, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: “As long as my account balance grows every month, this Heart Technique will only get more effective, right?”

“Rich people’s Heart Techniques really do hit different.”

“Way better than that self-abusing Sacrificial Oxheart crap.”

Fu Ji praised his growing ease with his new identity: “That’s more like it. You’re not a poor kid anymore, Zhang Yu. Best get used to being rich as soon as possible.”

“You used to let your environment mess with your mood. I worried your cultivation and money-making efficiency would suffer.”

“Don’t forget your first lesson in Heart Techniques.”

“In this world, you’ve got to be adaptable. Flow with the changes. That’s the only way you’ll walk the Immortal Path and rise through Kunxu.”

“Let go of those poor-man habits and beliefs. They’ll only drag down your power growth.”

Two hours of focused cultivation later, the smart assistant’s alert chimed.

Zhang Yu walked out of the meditation chamber, and the lights lining the staircase and living room flared to life, illuminating his path.

Downstairs, Bai Zhenzhen was sprawled on the sofa, eyes locked on the holoscreen.

Hearing him come down, she called out, “Yuzi, come quick! The Foundation Establishment exam sign-up trials are starting!”

Originally scheduled for June, the sign-ups had been pushed to July due to the overwhelming number of applicants.

In the meantime, they’d added livestreams and TV coverage, turning the exam into a massive, first-layer-wide event.

Here in their luxury apartment, with several hundred square meters to stretch out in, millions in the bank, the Heavenly Spirit Root, Foundation Establishment, and even the Ten Major Sects all within reach—Zhang Yu no longer had to claw and scramble every day.

He just ran his Heart Technique, dabbled in free high school martial arts, and watched his bank account grow each month, steadily carrying him toward the Heavenly Spirit Root…

He couldn’t change Kunxu’s brutal first layer, but at least he could treat Zhao Tianxing and Qian Shen to meals, loan money to friends in need, and look after those close to him.

“This,” he thought, “must be the happiness of the wealthy.”

“I’ve suffered enough in Kunxu. I’ve finally made it to the top.”

…

Meanwhile, on the livestream, the reporter was grabbing random contestants for pre-match interviews.

One guy suddenly caught both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s attention.

“Wait… that’s Yu Xinghan, right?” Bai Zhenzhen said in surprise.

A mic was shoved in front of Yu Xinghan’s face as he stepped out of the bathroom. The reporter asked, “Hi! What do you usually do before a match?”

He blinked. “Uh… relax, I guess.”

“You mean, like warm-ups?”

“Y-Yeah. Kinda.”

The reporter pointed at the milky white drink in his hand. “Is that a beverage?”

Yu Xinghan quickly tucked the bottle away. “Um… yeah… it’s a functional beverage.”

Watching this unfold, Bai Zhenzhen sighed, “That guy—still hustling even before a match.”

“Looks like what White Dragon told us was true. Ever since we both got our Foundation Licenses, this guy’s been going all-in.”

And in the trials that followed, Yu Xinghan absolutely dominated, becoming a top contender.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “His stats are nearly maxed out for Qi Refinement…”

“He’s got a strong chance of winning this year’s exam.”

“And when that happens… he’ll probably join Oasis Group’s project and be a co-sponsor with me?”

…

After watching the matches, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen dressed up and headed to Oasis Tower for the evening’s event.

The building’s security system had already registered them. Wherever they walked, doors opened automatically—unimpeded, as if the building itself bowed to them.

Not long after arriving at the party, a student from Xiandu High got into a shouting match with a transfer student.

“A damn out-of-towner like you thinks you can drink with me?”

“You think being from Xiandu makes you hot shit?”

The two ended up in the ring. The Xiandu student flattened the outsider in a few moves, leaving him coughing blood.

Then he transferred him some medical funds and said with a smug grin, “Now scram and get patched up.”

Director Wang chuckled at the display and tipped the kid a cool 100,000 yuan.

Seeing this, more people jumped in to challenge the Xiandu student, only to be flattened in three strikes or less. The atmosphere turned electric.

Bai Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes. “Battle-Grade Spirit Root. Combat-optimized Law Husk. At least a few expert-grade martial techniques…”

“This guy’s kitted out to the teeth. He’s no weaker than Yun Jing from a year ago.”

Suddenly, she remembered him from the Foundation livestreams. Another hotshot contender—his name was Ye Mantian.

“Probably from the same family as Ye Lingxiao?”

Now that the college entrance exams were over, Ye Lingxiao, Sheng Jie, Yun Jing, and the others had already moved up to Kunxu’s second floor.

The new crop of Xiandu elites had stepped up to take their place.

Bai Zhenzhen sighed inwardly.

“Back when I first took the Foundation exam, Ye Lingxiao and Yun Jing felt so far out of reach…”

“But now they’ve graduated, and another wave of prodigies has filled the gap.”

“This world really does have endless geniuses…”

Just then, Ye Mantian let out a roar and pointed straight at Zhang Yu.

“Zhang Yu! Dare to face me in battle?”

Director Wang smiled knowingly. He could tell Ye Mantian was showing off for him.

But Wang Yin made no move to stop him.

After all, who didn’t love watching their little dogs and cats fight over their favor?

Ye Mantian’s logic was simple. As long as Zhang Yu hadn’t reached Foundation yet, they were technically on equal footing. Without a Law Husk or a rented Battle-Grade Spirit Root, Zhang Yu might actually lose.

What Ye Mantian feared most… was Zhang Yu declining.

But thankfully, Zhang Yu stepped up to the ring.

Truth be told, ever since he fully unlocked the Martial Saint Embryo, Zhang Yu had little interest in fighting Qi Refinement-tier opponents.

Martial Saint Embryo (10/10): Any martial technique used during the Qi Refinement stage will have greatly enhanced combat power in your hands.

Over the past six months, Zhang Yu had sparred with Bai Zhenzhen, Yu Xinghan, Le Mulan, and others.

Every technique, even those already at peak Qi Refinement levels, exploded with power in his hands.

He didn’t just push past their limits—he transformed even basic moves into something brilliant.

These days, just running a defensive technique and using basic martial arts was enough for him to beat any high schooler.

He often mused, “This Martial Saint Embryo in its complete form… is practically invincible.”

On the ring, Zhang Yu waved Ye Mantian over.

“You and Ye Lingxiao are from the same clan, right? Is he your brother?”

“Half a year ago, I fought him. He was the toughest opponent I’ve met on the Immortal Path. Pushed me forward a lot.”

“So out of respect for your brother, I’ll let you take three free shots. Wouldn’t want you missing your chance to shine.”

Ye Mantian stood frozen. Zhang Yu flicked his fingers.

“Well? What’re you waiting for?”

Ye Mantian snorted. His muscles and mana twisted into a steel-like spear, launching an explosive charge straight at Zhang Yu.

“Don’t blame me for stepping on your neck to get ahead. You brought this on yourself.”

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Three thunderous hits, each one full power.

But Zhang Yu didn’t budge.

Just faint tremors through his frame, and shockwaves rippling through the air.

Ye Mantian, meanwhile, stumbled back, blood rushing to his face—until he crashed off the platform entirely.

He looked up, stunned.

His attacks had all been deflected, then absorbed, and finally thrown back with such force that he’d been launched off the ring.

“Is he really still in Qi Refinement?”

“How is his martial power this insane?”

Zhang Yu stared down and shook his head. “I didn’t even make a move. You knocked yourself off.”

“You’re nowhere near Ye Lingxiao’s level.”

“At least he could take one hit.”

Red-faced, Ye Mantian had nothing to say. He turned and left the party in shame.

Zhang Yu returned to Director Wang’s table.

Wang Yin clapped. “Zhang Yu, I had no idea your combat instincts were this sharp.”

“Expert-grade martial arts in your hands? They’ve got the flavor of military-grade stuff.”

“Not bad at all.”

His admiration deepened. He immediately tipped Zhang Yu another 500,000 yuan.

Everyone else at the party—rich kids, company reps, aristocrats—grew warier by the second.

Not just because Zhang Yu had gained Director Wang’s favor, but because his power and potential were undeniably terrifying.

Zhang Yu glanced at the half-million just added to his account.

The Golden Abundance Technique flowed smoother than ever.

…

While Zhang Yu casually stole the spotlight—

Elsewhere in Songyang—

Li Xuelian picked up a call, cutting in before the other end could speak. “Yeah, I know. More overtime. Pushed back another month, huh?”

“But Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen are super booked. Kinda hard to lock down.”

“I mean, unless there’s money.”

“Relax. Just transfer the funds to me—I’ll handle it.”

…

In another corner of Kunxu’s first layer—

Xinghuo Zhenren ended his call and sighed. “Good thing I’ve got Xuelian handling logistics. All I need to do is wire the cash.”

He waved a hand—and the kneeling figure before him exploded into flames, reduced to ash amid pained screams.

“Damn it. Lost control again.”

“Xinghuo, you can’t keep killing people. You’ve been paying too much in damages.”

He scolded himself, then turned to the nearby teen.

“Alright, you can go. Don’t come back to scavenge company battlefields. That stuff’s corporate property.”

“Next time you get caught by a corpse-harvesting team, your family won’t even get compensation.”

The boy bowed and sprinted off.

Deng Bingding appeared nearby and said, “Still the same hothead. You’ve racked up ten accidental kills this month, haven’t you?”

Xinghuo Zhenren: “If I weren’t still a hothead, none of you would’ve hired me.”

“Where’s the next job?”

A wave of searing fire flared up around him. “But I’m telling you now—this much overtime means you’re upping the pay.”

“You and your backers aren’t short on funds, are you?”