No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Zhang Yu first exchanged currencies and was surprised to find that beyond Spirit Coins, there were also Nectar Coins, White Cloud Coins, Heaven’s Law Coins, and Seven Sentiments Coins—an array of bizarre currencies.

“What are all these other coins?”

Luckily, Li Xuelian was nearby—a seasoned guide whom Zhang Yu wasn’t about to waste the chance to ask.

Upon hearing his question, Li Xuelian said, “My father already explained the essence of Spirit Coins to you, didn’t he?”

Zhang Yu nodded. He knew that Spirit Coins were forged by combining mana with spiritual essence and were anchored within the Spiritual Realm Network.

Only cultivators at or above the Nascent Soul Realm, aided by Righteous Gods, could wield the great magic necessary to mint such currency.

Each Spirit Coin corresponded to a fixed quantity of mana and spiritual essence—it was essentially a unit of energy.

All Spirit Coins existed as information strands within the Spiritual Realm Network. Everyday transactions—transfers, remittances—were all conducted through this network.

Zhang Yu mused, “So Spirit Coins are a form of network currency forged by high-level cultivators and Righteous Gods, pegged to Kunxu’s base energy supply…”

“They work a bit like digital currency back on Earth, except they actually have intrinsic value.”

“Ordinary people can’t forge Spirit Coins, but they can lend out their mana via the network and earn returns in Spirit Coins.”

As that thought faded from his mind, Li Xuelian continued, “Spirit Coins are the most widely accepted form of currency.”

“But some cultivators above the Nascent Soul Realm have created their own coins for special transactions—investment, financing, that kind of thing.”

“Take the Seven Sentiments Coin, for instance—created by the Seven Sentiments Lord, who’s Bai Zhenzhen’s teacher. Its value has increased tenfold since its initial release.”

“Meanwhile, the Nectar Coin issued by the Nectar Lord of Pleasure and Harmony University has plummeted to less than 1% of its original value.”

“In short, it’s a deep rabbit hole. Just stick to Spirit Coins for everyday use.”

Zhang Yu exchanged all 50 million lower-floor credits in his account—the maximum limit—for 5 Spirit Coins.

Aside from this prearranged sum, he used up all his remaining cash on the first floor to buy supplies, stuffing them into a suitcase.

As he looked at his now-empty lower-floor account—barely a few thousand credits left—he sighed inwardly.

With the currency exchanged, he began a long series of necessary formalities.

He had to register personal data, open second-floor bank, comms, and network accounts… and many of these steps came with fees. Thankfully, he had just secured 5 Spirit Coins.

Li Xuelian reminded him, “Make sure your data plan is on high and postpaid. Getting cut off from the net on the second floor is a nightmare.”

The comms account was 0.003 Spirit Coins per month. He chose a 0.005 Spirit Coin monthly data package, prepaid 0.001 for transport access, and shelled out 0.05 for annual health insurance.

Though his regeneration was excellent, Xinghuo Zhenren had warned him—it didn’t mean skipping insurance, just lowering the cost.

Before long, his balance had dropped to 4.941 Spirit Coins.

Zhang Yu grumbled, “Converted back to lower-floor currency, that’s, like, tens of thousands gone in a blink?”

Li Xuelian saw his pained expression and advised, “Now that you’re on the second floor, stop doing mental conversions. You earn Spirit Coins, you spend Spirit Coins. Different wages, different prices—conversions are meaningless.”

With all the paperwork done, the group boarded separate flying shuttles from the Ascension Platform.

Qian Shen waved to Zhang Yu. “We’re off. Study hard at Wanfa University.”

Xiong Wenwu added, “Until we meet again.”

After bidding everyone farewell, Zhang Yu boarded the shuttle to Wanfa University alongside Yu Xinghan and the others.

Roughly ten minutes later, the shuttle plunged into a layer of clouds. A voice announced their imminent arrival at the second-floor campus.

Zhang Yu felt like he was passing through a thin membrane. As the mist cleared, the world outside had completely changed.

Kunxu Second Floor.

Mountains, rivers, lush forests stretched as far as the eye could see. Admiring the landscape, Zhang Yu remarked, “Nice ecosystem up here.”

Li Xuelian glanced down at the forests and drew a wide circle in the air. “All of this… is private property. Has nothing to do with us. We can’t even enter.”

“See that building?”

She pointed toward a massive structure nestled among the mountains. “That’s where we’re headed.”

“Wanfa University’s second-floor campus. Each level spans 10 square kilometers, and after over a hundred rounds of urban redesign, there are now 666 floors.”

“Besides staff, students, and service workers, about ten million people live here.”

Fu Ji grinned. “Ten square kilometers per floor, 666 floors total—that’s 6,660 square kilometers. About the size of a large first-floor city.”

“But everything’s crammed vertically into a three-kilometer-wide column. Floors range from a few meters to over a dozen in height. Mostly concrete and steel—no real sunlight or nature. Some locals spend their whole lives without ever seeing the natural world…”

“Heh. It’s all about maximizing space for outside private holdings.”

“But that’s good news for you, Zhang Yu. All this construction—urban redesign year after year—means the Civil Engineering Department is booming. You’ll never be out of work.”

Zhang Yu smirked. “Why else would Xinghuo Zhenren make me enroll in Civil Engineering? It’s tough, sure, but it pays. Before I switch to Artifact Crafting, I’ll just marry myself to the construction site.”

Just then, Li Xuelian added, “By the way, don’t forget to activate your Law Husk Eyes.”

“Once you’re connected to the Spiritual Realm Network, they’re way more convenient than a phone.”

Zhang Yu narrowed his right eye slightly—the Demon-Eye of Residual Time had begun syncing. After logging in with his new credentials…

The world changed.

First came a full-screen deluge of loan ads.

Then, as he moved his head and gaze, the interface jumped to a shopping site: “Recommended for You: Sheer Silk Law Husk…”

An eye-blink brought up the ad-blocker option: 0.001 Spirit Coins per month.

Spirit Coins -0.001

Now with a clean view, Zhang Yu finally sighed in relief. “Damn thing’s worse than useless without that upgrade.”

But he changed his mind the next moment—outside the shuttle, dense warning banners flared into view: “Private Property,” “No Trespassing.”

The seemingly idyllic forests were divided by lines of light and a sea of warnings.

Li Xuelian said, “See that? The second floor’s like this jungle—filled with invisible lines. Step over one, and you’ll be hit by thunderbolts.”

“If you can’t see the lines, you won’t even know what killed you.”

“Luckily, inside the shuttle, we’re fine. But once you disembark—even the poorest students usually pawn an eyeball to get a Law Husk installed.”

Yu Xinghan frowned. “Why are all the warnings in black and white? Is that a design choice?”

Li Xuelian and Zhang Yu gave him odd looks. A moment later, Yu Xinghan cursed, “Are you kidding me? This secondhand Law Husk Eye only shows black and white?”

Li Xuelian patted both their shoulders. “Pack up your stuff—we’re almost there. Once I drop you off at Wanfa University, I can finally get back to my own plans.”

Zhang Yu returned to his seat and began organizing his luggage when a notification flickered across his retina:

Friend request from Bai Zhenzhen—Divine Spirit Root holder at Heavenly Sword University, disciple of the Seven Sentiments Lord, Foundation Establishment Realm.

“So Ah-Zhen can finally contact me from the second floor?”

He smiled and accepted. Immediately, a projection call came through.

Zhang Yu swiped the confirmation icon, and a tall, slender figure materialized before him.

Bai Zhenzhen’s projection smiled. “Yuzi, you finally made it.”

Before he could speak, she added, “They just deposited my living allowance. I’m sending you some—take it. If you need more later, just ask.”

“Sigh, the transfer limit is 5 Spirit Coins, but just take it for now.”

Transfer: 5 Spirit Coins

Zhang Yu blinked. All his emotions condensed into one sentence: “Ah-Zhen, make sure you listen to your master at Heavenly Sword University.”

Transfer Received: 5 Spirit Coins

Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes. “Do I have a choice? She’s basically my mom now!”

“Extreme Sentiment Swordsmanship requires fusing emotions into the blade. Only by reaching emotional extremes can you reach sword extremes.”

“So I’ve decided to devote myself to the Seven Sentiments Lord with filial reverence! I owe her everything!”

She raised a hand solemnly. “If need be, I’d die for her!”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “She’s laying it on so thick—the Seven Sentiments Lord must be watching her.”

Bai Zhenzhen continued, “Yuzi, I have to head to class soon. I’ll be super busy. Just leave me messages if anything comes up.”

“As soon as I earn some more Spirit Coins, I’ll send them to you.”

“Also, let me know your new address. I’ll mail you some good stuff…”

Her words filled Zhang Yu with warmth. “This daughter was worth raising.”

Bai Zhenzhen thumped her chest. “Don’t worry, son. Mama’s living large now. From now on, I’ll provide for you!”

She opened her arms with a grin. “Come here, son—give mama a hug!”

Zhang Yu spread his arms to embrace her projection. “Take care of yourself.”

Bai Zhenzhen nodded. “I’ll be fine. When I get the chance, I’ll visit you at Wanfa University.”

“Use the money freely. I’ve got better ways to earn than you do. I’ll try to send more every month.”

Zhang Yu couldn’t help feeling awkward—was he really just mooching off her?

“Eh, how could a brother’s support be called mooching?”

But just as they hugged, he suddenly felt Bai Zhenzhen’s soft body.

“This Immortal Dao technology is terrifying—her projection has touch?”

A moment later, he realized the truth—he’d accidentally hugged Le Mulan, who’d been standing right under Bai Zhenzhen’s projection.

Le Mulan looked puzzled. “Zhang Yu?”

He sprang back, arms flailing.

Bai Zhenzhen blinked. “Yuzi, what’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing,” he stammered. “Just a little excited to see you.”