No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

The competition venue at Golden River University was a simulated mountainous terrain.

As he took in the undulating hills and the lush vegetation—dense grasses and thick forests—Zhang Yu remarked, “I don’t know about the rest, but this place sure has a lot of space.”

Standing nearby, Mo Shangjin responded, “If you just compare the total area—multiplying floor space by the number of levels—Wanfa University City is actually even bigger.”

“But Golden River University barely has any spirit veins. Land value here isn’t worth much. Without the cost pressure, and with no height restrictions, they could afford to spread things out more.”

“It’s just how it is. The more expensive the land, the more tightly packed the buildings. The cheaper the land, the emptier the construction looks.”

As they spoke, Zhang Yu and his group had arrived at the competition entrance.

There were no spectators. No cheerleaders. Not even a referee was present—aside from their opponents.

After all, it was recruitment season. Most Golden River University students didn’t have the spare time to physically show up for a match.

Even those who wanted to watch could simply log on through the Spiritual Realm Network and project themselves in from afar.

Zhang Yu turned his gaze toward their opponents—the civil engineering team from Golden River University—and noticed that they were already watching his team as well. But the moment they caught his eyes, they hurriedly looked away in panic.So nervous you can see it with the naked eye, Zhang Yu mused.

Just then, Mo Shangjin said, “Get ready. We’ll follow the plan we laid out earlier…”

…

As both teams began warming up for the match…

A projection descended silently onto the audience seats above the arena.

The figure was that of a young man covered head-to-toe in a gold-colored sheen, arms crossed, cold eyes watching the teams below.

His name was Chan Rong, a top scholar from Vajra University—one of the Ten Great Academies.

His Spiritual Realm projection was nearly indistinguishable from his real-life appearance. On his bare flesh, where no Law Husk had been installed, dotted lines outlined his muscular anatomy, with various parts tagged with price labels.

Many students from Vajra University loved this practice—appraising the value of their own flesh and marking the expensive parts on their bodies as a way to flaunt both strength and wealth. It also served as a kind of advertisement.

And if one managed to sell a high-priced part of their body, they could afford to upgrade to a more powerful Law Husk.

Moments later, another projection appeared beside the golden figure. The new arrival laughed and said, “Chan Rong, I knew you’d come to watch Wanfa University’s match. After all, your team is up against them next, right?”

He glanced at Chan Rong’s projection, noting the price tags marked on several parts of his body.

“Whoa, your body’s value has gone up quite a bit. Looks like you’ve made huge strides this past year.”

Chan Rong turned to him, eyes narrowing. “Wangou Xuan?”

He knew this was Wangou Xuan, the top-ranked civil engineering student at Immortal Soldier University. Last year, their team had finished third in the intercollegiate tournament, right behind Demon-Beast University and Wanfa University.

Chan Rong stared at him and said, “Curious how much your body would fetch?”

Wangou Xuan raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

Chan Rong continued, “If you want to know your flesh’s market value, just head to the secondhand body platform, Shedding Hall. I sold my right hand there and earned an extra thirty spirit coins…”

Wangou Xuan frowned. “I didn’t ask.”

Chan Rong pressed on, “Old Law Husks and body parts you don’t use anymore can be sold there. In-person appraisals, immediate payment, guaranteed sale…”

Wangou Xuan interrupted, “Are you done?”

Chan Rong said, “It’s a school assignment this semester. We’re supposed to promote Shedding Hall to at least one outsider per day. Thanks for your cooperation.”

Wangou Xuan scoffed. “Vajra University really has no shame, making students advertise like this.”

Then he asked, “So, you came to see Wanfa’s match?”

The barrel-shaped projection of Wangou Xuan nodded. “I lost to Mo Shangjin last year. No way I’d miss their first match this year—especially after what happened to Mo Shangjin. You’ve heard about his injury, right?”

Chan Rong turned his golden gaze back down at the arena and said, “Pity… Mo Shangjin didn’t show up. Either his injury hasn’t healed, or he doesn’t think this match is worth his effort. Aside from that Li Zhen guy, the other five are all new faces.”

He analyzed aloud, “Looks like the team’s strength has taken a serious hit—between the shortage of Nectar Coins and Mo Shangjin’s condition.”

Wangou Xuan nodded. “I was hoping to see how Mo Shangjin’s doing, but I guess not today.”

“Hope he recovers soon.”

“I’ve been training all year just to defeat him.”

“If he doesn’t compete, this year’s rankings will mean a lot less.”

As they spoke, the match officially began.

Shi Huaiyu and Su Yanyang worked in tandem, raising a storm of dirt and sand that surged like a tidal wave toward Golden River University’s team.

With a deafening roar, the massive sandstorm engulfed the opponent’s entire construction site.

…

Wangou Xuan commented, “Those two are solid. Part of Wanfa’s Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes. In addition to Small Threefold Harmony, they’re using other complementary Techniques, blending them into their offensive rhythm.”

“They’re also equipped with high-quality Law Husks.”

“They’re strong—but still far from Mo Shangjin’s level.”

Chan Rong watched the match intently, recording everything.

He replied, “Golden River’s team retreated as soon as the fight started. They know they can’t match up head-on and are going for guerrilla tactics.”

“They’re probably trying to build elsewhere in secret and bring it back before the match ends.”

“Wanfa’s team is fumbling around like headless flies. Seems like they’re lacking someone skilled in detection.”

At that moment, the Golden River team burst up from underground in a surprise attack aimed at Shi Huaiyu and Su Yanyang.

After a quick clash, they withdrew again—injured but swift.

“Fast,” Chan Rong observed.

Wangou Xuan added, “Golden River students like to boost their speed. High speed means higher work efficiency, better evasion, lower injury costs. It’s the most cost-effective style for poor teams.”

Over the next stretch, Golden River’s team kept repeating the same hit-and-run attacks from underground.

Each time, they took hits and were injured—but somehow, they always came back mostly healed.

Wangou Xuan muttered, “Someone on their team must know Yin-Yang emergency medicine.”

“As a school known for civil engineering and dual cultivation, they’re probably applying emergency healing techniques mid-match.”

“Fighting, building, and treating injuries all at once… that’s their strategy.”

As Xiao Yunji effortlessly swatted away a sneak attacker, Wangou Xuan noted, “That guy’s not bad either. But his Law Husk synergy is a bit off. Synchronization rate must be low. Easy to exploit.”

His eyes shifted to Xiao Qingxuan.

“Wearing an all Fierce Tiger brand Law Husk… how’d someone like that make the team? Wait—tens of thousands in spirit coin debt?”

He frowned and tagged Xiao Qingxuan for future investigation.

Then his gaze landed on Zhang Yu, who was steadily working at the construction site.

“This Zhang Yu seems to be the team’s dedicated builder.”

“Impressive work efficiency… but he’s using his bare body? No Law Husk at all? That kind of adaptability won’t hold up under intense competition.”

“Probably a substitute. If Mo Shangjin returns, they’ll likely swap him out.”

After analyzing every team member, Wangou Xuan finally focused on Li Zhen.

“Yup, compared to the newcomers, the real threat is still this veteran.”

Li Zhen opened his mouth and spewed a wave of dark green Earthfiend Qi.

The polluted energy clung to his targets and chased them relentlessly—leading him straight to Golden River’s hidden emergency treatment zone.

…

As more and more Earthfiend Qi poured forth, Golden River’s players saw warning after warning flash across their EyeNet HUDs.

“This Earthfiend Qi is way too toxic!”

“I’m done. One more hit and I’ll get cancer.”

“For this pitiful prize money? No thanks.”

“I’m out.”

One by one, they surrendered as the poisonous wave engulfed them.

…

Watching this unfold, Wangou Xuan concluded, “Besides Mo Shangjin, Li Zhen’s the one to watch. Then there’s Xiao Qingxuan—his background is still unclear.”

He turned to Chan Rong. “So, what do you think? You’re up against them next. Confident?”

Chan Rong replied coolly, “Wanfa’s rookies are decent, and Li Zhen has mastered the use of Earthfiend Qi.”

“A year ago, I wouldn’t have been sure I could beat them.”

“But now… if Mo Shangjin doesn’t show, they’re going to lose.”

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu stared blankly at the match’s end notification and glanced at the structure he’d built. Bored, he thought to himself, The gap between the Top Ten and the regular schools is too big. Even without participating, we still won easily.

As they left the arena, Shi Huaiyu asked Mo Shangjin, “Why keep Zhang Yu on construction duty? With such weak opponents, he could’ve joined in and ended the match even faster.”