No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Xinghuo Zhenren had agreed to mentor Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, so he had naturally reviewed their backgrounds. He knew the two shared a profound bond forged through life-and-death trials—a friendship that would no doubt be mutually beneficial in the years ahead.

Truth be told, Xinghuo Zhenren felt a twinge of envy at their closeness.

He was over 350 years old. Over his long cultivation journey, he too had made many friends. But most of those he’d known in his youth had never broken into the Foundation Establishment Realm. At his current age, many had already succumbed to the erosion of time.

As for those rare, soul-deep friendships—those had become nearly mythical in Kunxu.

Watching Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen meet and begin their cultivation journey together while still in high school, supporting and climbing alongside each other, stirred a sigh in Xinghuo Zhenren’s heart.

So when considering Zhang Yu’s cultivation path, he naturally factored in how the two could complement and support each other.

He transmitted a message to both of them: “Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, once you’re enrolled at Wanfa Sect University, one of you can major in Civil Construction, the other in Security Operations. One builds the site, the other protects it—perfect teamwork.”

“When you’ve saved up enough for further cultivation, Zhang Yu, you can transfer into the Artifact Forging Department and specialize in military-grade Law Husks.”

“Bai Zhenzhen, your strength lies in combat—you could go into Military Strategy.”

“Then Zhang Yu can forge Law Husks for Bai Zhenzhen, and she can field-test and promote them in return…”

Hearing this, Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Civil Construction leading into Artifact Forging… that’s not far off from what my sister once suggested.”

He’d spent considerable effort strengthening his body and didn’t want to abandon that foundation. Xinghuo Zhenren’s advice felt solid—he was starting to agree with it.

“Still, I’ll ask Fu Ji when I get back. And I’ll get my sister’s input during our next call.”

Though he respected Xinghuo Zhenren’s opinion, Zhang Yu wanted guidance from people he deeply trusted.

After all, choosing a university major—and more so, a future cultivation path—wasn’t something to take lightly. It would determine the next few decades, perhaps centuries, of his journey down the Immortal Path.

Under Xinghuo Zhenren’s guidance, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen chose their respective Law Husks: Chronoshade Demon Eyes and Formless Wind Fiend.

But after the selection, Xinghuo Zhenren turned to Deng Bingding and said, “Deng Youshen, those Law Husks were originally left behind by Wang Yin—they’re compensation for what Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen went through.”

“But doesn’t our Divine Department also reward meritorious contributors?”

“Especially since Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen risked their lives multiple times fighting Wang Yin—they deserve more than just those.”

“White Zhenzhen didn’t even receive any payment earlier.”

“I’m not asking for resources. Just grant them a few Foundation Establishment Techniques.”

Deng Bingding mused quietly. Xinghuo really was protective of these two—and sharp, too. He’d immediately gone for the true prize: Foundation Establishment Techniques.

She wondered if this initiative came from higher up or if Xinghuo Zhenren was, like her, simply trying to win favor.

Probably both. Xinghuo was aging. If he didn’t secure this connection with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen now, he’d likely never climb past the First Floor of Kunxu.

As he negotiated with Deng Bingding, Xinghuo Zhenren also explained via sound transmission, “Given your current Mana, one Law Husk each is enough. More would just go to waste.”

“Credits, pills, magic artifacts—those things on the First Floor cater to the Qi Refinement market. They won’t do much for you two, now that you’ve reached Foundation Establishment.”

“Foundation Establishment Techniques, though—those you can start practicing right away. They’re far more valuable.”

He added gravely, “High school is merely the beginning of the Immortal Path. You’ve both done exceptionally well, but don’t get complacent.”

“University is where the true journey begins. Make the most of the next nine months—train diligently, prepare for what lies ahead.”

“The platform on the First Floor hardly stocks any Foundation Establishment Techniques—they’re priced in Spirit Coins, and there’s no real market down here.”

“But through the Righteous Gods, you have an in. Use it. Ask for techniques. It’ll do wonders for your next stage.”

“Getting copyright approvals won’t be hard for them either.”

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen nodded earnestly. Xinghuo Zhenren’s words made perfect sense.

At the same time, both felt a growing sense of unease.

Because they realized something: Xinghuo was getting… nicer. Too nice. Like a well-meaning elder, a concerned mentor.

If his earlier help could be chalked up to university recruitment or opposing the Oasis Group—then what about now?

Zhang Yu looked at him and thought of Zhou Chechen, who had once shown him such generous care. He thought of Wang Yin, who’d thrown money at him like it was nothing.

“Damn it… is it happening again?”

Watching Xinghuo Zhenren still haggling with Deng Bingding for their benefit, Zhang Yu broke into a cold sweat.

“Don’t do this, old man. You’re scaring me.”

He’d been in Kunxu long enough to learn one truth: no one speaks for you unless they want something.

He’d rather someone name their price outright—at least that was honest.

Because in Kunxu, “free” usually cost more.

Still, thanks to Xinghuo Zhenren’s persistence, they ended up receiving Foundation Establishment Techniques in addition to their Law Husks.

Zhang Yu, who’d already been compensated with three Foundation Establishment Techniques, received another: a breathing technique called Whirlpool Breathing Technique.

Bai Zhenzhen, who’d received nothing previously, was awarded two techniques: Thunderquake True Body and the Foundation Establishment version of Frost Soul Iceheart Technique.

After distributing the rewards, Deng Bingding turned to Zhang Yu and smiled as she extended a hand. “Little friend, may I have the Soul-Crushing Brick back?”

Reluctantly, Zhang Yu returned it.

Then Deng Bingding asked, “And about the removal of the Flood Dragon Spinal Core and the implant of the Chronoshade Demon Eyes—shall we proceed now? Your original spine is still in my storage.”

Zhang Yu hesitated—he was a bit reluctant to part with the Flood Dragon Spinal Core. But he nodded. “Let’s do it now. Sooner I adapt, the better.”

So they headed to the Oasis Group’s Law Husk surgery chamber, under Deng Bingding’s guidance.

On the way, Xinghuo Zhenren commented, “Bai Zhenzhen, your two techniques cover both body and Dao Heart—solid choices. Just add one for Mana cultivation and you’ll be good for now.”

“Zhang Yu, your Whirlpool Breathing Technique—heh, Deng Bingding made a smart pick. That’s exactly what you lacked: a Foundation Establishment breathing technique to increase your Mana.”

“It’s high-quality too, especially when practiced over a Spirit Vein. Pairs well with your Qi Sea Spirit Root.”

Zhang Yu heard all this but couldn’t help thinking, “Over a Spirit Vein? That’s a rich kid’s technique. How am I supposed to afford that?”

Then he remembered the message from Chairman Long of Red Tower Breeding Company. His eyes lit up.

“Maybe… there’s a chance.”

“I might not have money… but I have seeds.”

“I just didn’t expect—during Qi Refinement, I had to sell myself to afford cultivation. Now that I’ve hit Foundation Establishment, I still have to sell myself to get by.”

Zhang Yu let out a bitter sigh. Kunxu really did turn people into ghosts.

Soon, he and Bai Zhenzhen arrived at the surgery room for their Law Husk implants.

Xinghuo Zhenren followed them in and addressed the surgical staff: “For Zhang Yu’s ocular Law Husk, use a detachable type—not semi-permanent. Let him swap out the Chronoshade Demon Eyes daily.”

Then he turned to Zhang Yu. “Your eyes are part of your body—potential materials for future Law Husk crafting.”

“As your physical body evolves with cultivation, it’ll change drastically.”

“If you abandon your original eyes after implanting the Chronoshade Demon Eyes, they’ll soon become incompatible with your body.”

“So after the procedure, unless it’s a major occasion, wear one natural eye and one Chronoshade Demon Eyes. Switch every 12 hours.”

“That way, you keep both eyes nourished by Qi and blood. They’ll adapt as your body grows.”

Oasis Group’s surgical technology was clearly advanced. In about an hour, Zhang Yu’s Flood Dragon Spinal Core was removed, and his original spine restored.

His eyes had also been modified. Though they looked unchanged, he could now detach and swap them by gently pressing inward.

He tested his Mana flow and found around 100 units now powered the Chronoshade Demon Eyes.

“Feels like I just lost 100 units of max Mana.”

“My Mana pool is still too small. Can’t equip more Law Husks even if I wanted to.”

He looked into a nearby mirror. His eyes seemed normal—but with a thought, blood-red glints emerged in his right iris.

Then the world slowed.

“No… not the world.”

He realized, “The Chronoshade Demon Eyes has enhanced my visual processing speed. I’m absorbing more image data per second.”

“It feels like time is slowing down…”

“That’s the Time-Worn’s ability.”