No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

“Just holding each other is enough?”

Hearing Bai Zhenzhen’s words, Zhang Yu felt a flicker of surprise in his heart. “What does Ah-Zhen mean by this?”

He still remembered that when they met at Wanfa University last year, she had rushed to embrace him the moment they saw each other, eagerly transferring the Divine Spirit Root without hesitation.

So why now?

Zhang Yu wondered, “Is someone still monitoring us?”

At that moment, Fu Ji spoke up, “Ah-Zhen told me to tell you that the Spiritual Realm surveillance at Heavenly Sword Sect University is very advanced. Transferring the Divine Spirit Root can’t be done recklessly.”

“Right now, it’s entirely possible that the Seven Sentiments Lord is still watching you.”

“And Wen Wuya, who just left, may still be tracking us.”

Zhang Yu understood. As fellow believers of Fu Ji, both he and Bai Zhenzhen could communicate directly through spiritual intent within a certain range.

Clearly, Bai Zhenzhen was using this method to pass on messages to him.Hearing Fu Ji’s words and the possibility that even the Seven Sentiments Lord might be observing them, Zhang Yu jumped in fright. The Divine Spirit Root, which had been stirring restlessly, instantly retreated back into his dantian.

Zhang Yu knew all too well that the transfer of a Divine Spirit Root—and the fact that he possessed one himself—was a secret that could not be revealed to anyone.

Bai Zhenzhen gave him a nod and said, “You don’t come to Heavenly Sword Sect University often. Let me show you around.”

Zhang Yu allowed Bai Zhenzhen to hold his hand and lead him out.

The two of them walked through the tunnel, exited the mountain, and arrived at the flying sword parking platform atop the peak. Standing back-to-back, they looked down at Heavenly Sword Sect University…

Outside the warehouse of the underground factory, Zhang Yu picked Bai Zhenzhen up in a tight embrace…

In a shadowy alley beside the secondhand flying sword market, the two clung to each other closely…

As they continued to change locations and try various positions to lean against each other, Bai Zhenzhen repeatedly stopped Zhang Yu from making any further moves.

Bai Zhenzhen frowned slightly, a trace of helplessness in her eyes.

Fu Ji said, “She says it’s still no good. The Seven Sentiments Lord might still be watching.”

“And Wen Wuya might not have given up tracking you. Surveillance around Heavenly Sword Sect University is just too tight. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to slip through.”

“She even suspects that besides the Seven Sentiments Lord and Wen Wuya, many others at Heavenly Sword Sect University are paying attention to you and her.”

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly upon hearing this. He touched the area around his dantian and thought to himself, “Still not possible?”

“Heavenly Sword Sect University… it might look more ethereal than Wanfa University, but its surveillance is even more stringent.”

“And the attention on Bai Zhenzhen and me is even more intense.”

At that moment, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen felt like two tiny insects on a chessboard, caught in the spotlight, unable to stir up the slightest ripple no matter how they tried.

The Divine Spirit Root, once free to travel between them, now seemed shackled by countless chains, with no chance of transfer.

Bai Zhenzhen smiled faintly and looked at Zhang Yu. “Yuzi, isn’t it almost time for your match?”

“There’s not much time this round. Next time, when I go to Wanfa, let’s have a proper stroll and some fun together.”

Looking into her eyes, Zhang Yu could already sense her intentions. He nodded firmly. “Alright.”

At the same time, he felt the Divine Spirit Root in his dantian tremble slightly once more.

In truth, throughout his time with Bai Zhenzhen just now, Zhang Yu had already sensed the increasing restlessness of his Greenlotus Sword Embryo—a powerful urge to surge into Bai Zhenzhen’s body.

And at that very moment, Bai Zhenzhen too felt the restless tremor of her own Divine Spirit Root.

The constantly quivering Divine Spirit Root seemed just a thought away from emerging and lunging toward Zhang Yu.

Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, “You little thing… why are you so eager to run off to Zhang Yu’s body?”

They could only suppress the restlessness within.

Suddenly, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up, and he said, “Ah-Zhen, come watch my match later, alright?”

Bai Zhenzhen nodded. “Of course I will.”

Fu Ji relayed Zhang Yu’s message to her: “He says, find him immediately after the match. He might have a solution.”

…

Outside the Civil Engineering Competition arena.

Shi Huaiyu sent another message to urge Zhang Yu.

She worried aloud, “Did something happen to Zhang Yu? The competition’s about to start, and he still isn’t here!”

Su Yanyang waved his hand. “He knows what he’s doing. He’ll be fine.”

He thought to himself, “With Wen Wuya in Heavenly Sword Sect University, what could go wrong?”

At that moment, Xiao Yunji’s gaze sharpened. “He’s here.”

With a thunderous boom—

White shockwaves burst across the distant sky.

Under the force of the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might, Zhang Yu suddenly appeared overhead and gently descended.

Across from Wanfa University’s team, Yue Guanqiong, also waiting for the match to begin, looked up at Zhang Yu’s landing and thought, “His Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might has clearly deepened since last time.”

“Looks like Wen Wuya wasn’t lying. This guy did gain in cultivation from experimenting with the Yin Artifact.”

“But… aside from the Eye Law Husk, his Law Husks are still all purely physical.”

Sword aura swirled within Yue Guanqiong’s body, but no tension showed on his face.

After all, while Zhang Yu’s cultivation had improved, he still hadn’t pushed the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might to level 20. More importantly, his Law Husk setup was inferior—like a gamer missing several equipment slots from the start.

By contrast, Yue Guanqiong had prepared thoroughly and even had the support of a military-grade flying sword from Wen Wuya.

“Zhang Yu alone poses no threat to my victory.”

“The real danger in this match is whether Mo Shangjin will show up.”

Thinking of this, Yue Guanqiong glanced at Wanfa University’s team and asked, “Where’s Mo Shangjin? Is he not participating?”

Zhang Yu turned his head, smiled, and asked, “Classmate, are you close with Senior Brother Mo?”

Yue Guanqiong snorted coldly. Memories of last year’s humiliating defeat and his shattered flying sword resurfaced. His tone dripped with resentment.

“Close? I’m all too familiar with Mo Shangjin.”

Gritting his teeth, he added, “I’ve been waiting for a rematch. He’s really not coming?”

Facing this provocation, Zhang Yu didn’t give a direct answer. “Who knows? None of us really knows what condition Senior Brother Mo is in. Maybe he’s recovered and could jump in any time.”

Yue Guanqiong snorted internally. “Trying to bluff me with the possibility of Mo Shangjin subbing in.”

“Thinking I’ll hold back in case he shows up?”

“But even if I don’t use full power, I’ll crush every last one of you.”

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu messaged in the competition group chat: Senior Brother Mo, this guy seems to have a real grudge against you?

Mo Shangjin replied: Everyone knows students at Heavenly Sword Sect University are super protective of their flying swords.

Mo Shangjin: And Yue Guanqiong is extra petty.

Mo Shangjin: Last year, I accidentally scratched his flying sword.

Mo Shangjin: I apologized! But he wouldn’t let it go and kept sending me angry DMs.

Nearby, Li Zhen, Mo Shangjin’s teammate for years, silently thought: You didn’t scratch it accidentally.

The competition officially began as both teams entered their respective sites.

3!

2!

1!

With the countdown’s end, mana surged, martial qi soared, and everyone activated their techniques.

Clouds of dust flew as Shi Huaiyu, Su Yanyang, and others coordinated. The ground heaved and shifted, rapidly forming a spell array.

Meanwhile, from Heavenly Sword Sect University’s side, sword aura shot skyward, lifting massive stone blocks that floated up like miniature flying islands.

Seeing this, Zhang Yu’s gaze hardened. He understood this was the Civil Engineering Department’s specialty.

Unlike many universities, Heavenly Sword Sect University’s Civil Engineering Department had originally been established to support the university itself.

The entire campus, perched atop the clouds, bore their mark.

Creating floating islands and suspended structures was their greatest strength.

As the others launched into action, Zhang Yu charged forward.

With the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might driving him, he became a streak of light, sonic booms trailing behind as he accelerated toward the enemy’s worksite.

In a single breath, he could enter their range and turn the place upside down with his strength.

But then, streaks of lightning flashed across the sky.

Suddenly, Zhang Yu felt faint shadows brushing past him, shooting toward his back.

“What the—!”

As loose strands of his hair drifted down, Zhang Yu’s Eye Law Husk recorded the attack.

His Ghost-Suppressing Seal had just activated—his recently refined artifact designed to counter flying swords.

It had deflected the incoming weapons with a blast of thunder.

At the same time, Ying Xin’s grandfather, aiding with the artifact’s control, messaged:

Just nails. Too small and too fast to be seen clearly.

Ying Xin’s grandfather: It’s Heavenly Sword Sect University’s Great Freedom Instant-Prison Sword Aura.

Ying Xin’s grandfather: Careful, more incoming!

Meanwhile, Yue Guanqiong sensed Zhang Yu charging at high speed. With a sweep of martial qi, he shattered a line of steel rods into glittering metal fragments.

Calmly, he thought, “As Wen Wuya instructed, apply pressure bit by bit. Force him to show his full strength.”

“That way, I’ll crush him in one final strike. Even if Mo Shangjin tries to sub in, it’ll be too late.”

Sword aura flared once more, and the broken steel fragments formed a storm of metal, like a rain of meteors crashing down toward Zhang Yu.