No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Late November.

Within the Supreme Purity Realm.

Zhang Yu was attending classes in the Artifact Refinement Department.

He’d only been studying the subject for three months, but with the enhanced learning conditions of the Supreme Purity Realm, he felt he’d already covered most of the freshman-year curriculum.

The only thing lacking was hands-on experience.

While a flood of foundational knowledge about artifact refinement had entered his mind and been fully understood, he had yet to attend lab classes or apply any of that knowledge in practice.

At this thought, Zhang Yu’s mind conjured up a framework of artifact refinement: “The path of refinement starts with crafting materials, followed by constructing the base structure, and finally engraving mana circuits. When circuits fuse with structure, they unleash Immortal Dao power.”

“Seems like just three steps, but depending on how complex the artifact is and the level of technical mastery required, each of those steps can be broken down into dozens, hundreds, even thousands of smaller procedures.”

“And that’s just for traditional, old-school artifacts.”

“These days, most artifacts on the market also require inscription of sigils to connect with the Spiritual Realm Network.”

“Many are even imbued with Artifact Spirits, giving them basic intelligence.”

“Go a step higher, and there are high-intelligence Artifact Spirits capable of self-maintenance, self-learning, and self-enhancement…”

Zhang Yu muttered to himself, “I’ll skip sigils and Artifact Spirits for now.”

“Once I’ve fully internalized the freshman curriculum, it’ll be time to start practical training—refining materials, building base structures, and laying down mana circuits.”

He understood that if theoretical study equaled taking the first step of a hundred-meter journey, then fabricating an actual artifact was the remaining ninety-nine.

That remaining stretch wasn’t just about applying what he’d learned—it required developing hands-on techniques and mastering the cultivation techniques necessary for refinement.

And most importantly… it required money.

“Labs, material fees, design schematics… all of it costs.”

Zhang Yu sighed. “Thank goodness I started with Civil Engineering. If I’d jumped straight into Artifact Refinement, I’d be bankrupt by now.”

“For now, I’ll continue learning Artifact Refinement on the side, while cultivating and working part-time to save up for the practical phase.”

As he left the Supreme Purity Realm, he glanced at the stats on his Feathered Tome.

Not even three months into his sophomore year, his Dao Heart had reached Level 16 (26.6%), and his mana had grown to 848.3 units.

Though the rate of improvement in mana quality had slowed, it still reached 176%.

As for his physical strength—thanks to focusing on construction-based techniques—progress had been slower despite various investments. He’d only just reached Level 16.49.

His Martial Qi conduction rate and maximum range had increased as well, now standing at 62% and 61 meters respectively.

Beyond that, he’d mastered five techniques for the Martial Saint Body.

For his sixth, he’d chosen the Starfall Meridian-Piercing Technique and cultivated it to Level 13.

“Seven more levels, and I’ll unlock the first effect of the Foundation Establishment Martial Saint Body.”

“Wonder how it’ll differ from the Qi Refinement Martial Saint Embryo.”

Just then, a notification flickered across his EyeNet. A message from Bai Zhenzhen.

Bai Zhenzhen: Yuzi, I’m here.

Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. But considering she had just arrived in Wanfa University City, she’d probably need time to settle in and prep for her competitions.

He was about to tell her to handle her own tasks first when another message popped in.

Bai Zhenzhen: Mama missed you.

Bai Zhenzhen: Where should we meet?

Bai Zhenzhen: Pick somewhere hidden.

…

66th Floor of Wanfa University City

In a secluded corner beyond the reach of surveillance and human presence—

Zhang Yu suddenly realized he was nervous.

Fu Ji said, “Kid, your heart’s racing.”

Zhang Yu muttered, “It’s been nearly 17 months since I last saw A-Zhen. We’ve been in constant contact, but it still feels like there’s something between us…”

Fu Ji replied, “So that’s what it is.”

But in her heart, she thought, “I figured it was the aphro-meat acting up—made you excited the moment you thought about seeing Bai Zhenzhen.”

Then her mind turned again. “Even if Zhang Yu doesn’t say it, and Bai Zhenzhen tries her best to hide it, they both must’ve started noticing the gap.”

“A wealth gap this wide doesn’t just make people different—it makes them practically divine in comparison. Especially with a Nascent Soul cultivator backing Bai Zhenzhen financially… the disparity is absolute.”

“Sure, Zhang Yu might close that distance one day. Bai Zhenzhen’s future is full of uncertainty too. But right now, they’re not even in the same world.”

Fu Ji mused, “Especially since she asked to meet in a hidden place where no one would see them…”

“Would Zhang Yu feel like she doesn’t want people to know they’re together? Like he’s not good enough?”

She couldn’t be sure, but with her years of experience in Kunxu, she knew it wasn’t impossible.

“If that’s the case… then even though they still keep in touch, their feelings are already changing.”

“Or maybe—from the way she supervises Zhang Yu—it shows she now sees herself as the superior one.”

“And that’s understandable. With better cultivation conditions, higher perspectives, and broader horizons, she’s bound to see herself as having a deeper understanding of the Immortal Dao than him.”

Fu Ji sighed inwardly. “If that’s true, their relationship is bound to change. Is this part of the Seven Sentiments Lord’s plan too? Could it relate to the secrets of the Extreme Sentiment Swordsmanship?”

“Hmph, if it were me pulling the strings, I’d wring every benefit I could from Bai Zhenzhen now. Milk it while the opportunity’s there. Who cares if you lose contact later? Better than wasting all that time and effort.”

“Too bad Zhang Yu’s just a soft-hearted fool.”

While she pondered, a gust of night wind brushed across Zhang Yu’s back.

The next moment, a lithe, powerful body embraced him from behind.

“Yuzi, it’s me.”

“Time’s short, so I’m getting started right away.”

Before Zhang Yu could turn around, Bai Zhenzhen added, “It’s gotten a bit bigger—brace yourself.”

Zhang Yu instantly understood what she meant.

Because he felt her Zhen Spirit Root gradually squeezing into his Dantian from behind.

Now evolved into a Divine-Grade Spirit Root, its size was far beyond what it once had been.

He thought to himself, “So that’s why A-Zhen wanted a hidden spot—she wanted to lend me her Zhen Spirit Root?”

At the same time, he could feel her aura, her thoughts, her sensations flooding into him—melding through the Zhen Spirit Root.

He remembered: back in Kunxu’s first floor, when he borrowed her Spirit Root, its adaptive nature would adjust his body and transfer her boosts over to him.

Now that the Zhen Spirit Root had evolved into a Divine-Grade Spirit Root—

And since he hadn’t borrowed it in a long time—

The adjustments were far more intense. His muscles trembled, his meridians contracted and expanded, and his Dantian felt forcefully stretched open.

Bai Zhenzhen said, “Our compatibility’s a little off now, so it might get rough. Hang in there!”

Zhang Yu’s original Qi Sea Spirit Root was completely suppressed by the incoming Zhen Spirit Root.

The Divine-Grade Spirit Root fully replaced it, temporarily taking over the Spirit Root slot.

He was stunned. “So the Divine-Grade Zhen Spirit Root can even do that?”

Bai Zhenzhen’s voice chuckled at his ear. “Well? Isn’t it amazing?”

“I’ve been working hard to make it capable of migrating into another Spirit Root user like you.”

Zhang Yu was about to respond when a searing pain tore through his body like he was being ripped apart.

He grit his teeth and swore, “Damn it—why does this hurt so bad?!”

Bai Zhenzhen encouraged from behind, “Hold on, Yuzi! Once you get through it, it won’t hurt anymore.”

“Then my Zhen Spirit Root can start empowering you.”

Fu Ji chimed in eagerly, “You’ve got this, Zhang Yu! This is a Divine-Grade Spirit Root! People would kill for this kind of opportunity!”

“You better not waste it! Hang in there!”

Only after a long time did the pain begin to fade. Though he still felt some discomfort, it was manageable.

Exhaling slowly, Zhang Yu turned around and looked at Bai Zhenzhen—the girl he hadn’t seen in so long, who had just lent him her Divine-Grade Spirit Root without hesitation.

He sighed. “A-Zhen, this is way too dangerous. What if someone finds out?”

She grinned unconcernedly. “That’s why I told you to pick somewhere secret.”

“Relax. My Divine-Grade Spirit Root has excellent concealment. The moment it entered you, it became nearly undetectable.”

Zhang Yu frowned. “Still too risky. If anyone discovers your Spirit Root can migrate and even replace another’s…”

He didn’t finish.

Because Bai Zhenzhen pulled him into a tight embrace that silenced everything else.

“Yuzi… Mama missed you.”

Holding her in his arms, remembering their years of unyielding struggle through high school, Zhang Yu murmured back, “A-Zhen… Daddy missed you too.”

From the side, Fu Ji fumed, “What the hell are you two doing? Try out the Divine-Grade Spirit Root already! Quit wasting time! Are you really university students? Where’s your ambition?”