Chapter 244: Striving to Adapt, Sect Strife
Inside the training room of the luxurious apartment.
Accompanied by the rumbling of qi and blood, the bodies of Zhang Yu and Le Mulan were entwined, the collision of muscle against muscle producing slapping sounds.
“Use your strength here…”
“Keep applying force.”
Slap!
“Lift your leg a little higher.”
Under Zhang Yu’s guidance, Le Mulan continuously adjusted her posture and movements, feeling her martial arts improve yet again after today’s tutoring session.
After all, Zhang Yu’s strength had skyrocketed in just over a year, rocketing from the early stages to the peak of Qi Refinement. Not only did he possess formidable power, but his mind also held the memories of leveling numerous martial arts from 0 to 10.
Coupled with the teaching techniques he had honed in the dark world of tutoring, Zhang Yu’s abilities in this area had reached the pinnacle of perfection.
He was confident that even within the entire high school tutoring circle of the first layer, he was definitely among the very best.
And over the past few months, Le Mulan had been receiving Zhang Yu’s guidance almost weekly and could clearly feel her own progress.
As the workout concluded, Le Mulan’s chest heaved violently with her breathing, its distinct contours revealed beneath her sweat-drenched clothes.
“Thank you so much for these past few months.”
Le Mulan looked at the Zhang Yu before her, knowing that having such a great master personally guide her, meticulously instructing the movement of every muscle in her body, was a huge advantage for her.
If her classmates at Purple Cloud High School knew that Zhang Yu’s fingertips had brushed across so many of her muscles, they would probably be dying to take her place, to train up close with Zhang Yu and watch their grades soar.
Thinking of this, she thanked him again, “With your guidance, I’m improving very quickly.”
“No need to be so polite.” Zhang Yu waved his hand, “You helped us a lot in the past. If it weren’t for your apartment and the tutoring fees, Zhen and I would still be living under a bridge.”
“However, regarding bodily fluids, I’ve signed a contract with Oasis Corporation and cannot provide them to others.”
“But helping you with some tutoring is no problem.”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, I can’t change Kunxu, but I can at least help the people around me.
The two chatted for a few more moments, and when Zhang Yu went to take a shower, Le Mulan walked over to his phone, thinking, Because of his contract, it’s impossible to buy his bodily fluids.
But Zhang Yu…
Through their repeated close-contact training, her own field reconnaissance, and subsequent consultations with others, she had gradually confirmed one thing… Zhang Yu was very hard.
So he hasn’t been sterilized.
According to my brother, unsterilized students are particularly susceptible to being controlled by their hormones.
I can use this tactic to subtly influence him, and maybe I’ll be able to obtain some of Zhang Yu’s ‘materials’ in future training sessions…
Thinking of this, Le Mulan squatted down and repeated to Zhang Yu’s phone, “Black stockings! Beautiful legs! Photoshoot! Curves! Contrast! Long legs! Big thunder!”
“Le Mulan! Le Mulan! Le Mulan!”
After repeating these keywords several times, Le Mulan thought that the big data should have recorded it, and it would definitely influence Zhang Yu’s phone from now on.
That night, as Zhang Yu was scrolling through his phone, he suddenly frowned, looking at the shopping website that had jumped to a page for stockings, “What garbage big data.”
The next morning.
Seeing a large wad of tissue in the wastebasket, Bai Zhenzhen couldn’t help but say, “That Yu-boy, the number of days he held out this time was a bit short.”
“Have his days been too comfortable lately, causing his willpower to decline?”
When school let out that day, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen hurried to the patrol team’s office building.
After several months, they finally had another opportunity to contact Zhang Pianpian.
Although their previous applications had been successful, it seemed that Zhang Pianpian had been busy with something and had never managed to speak with them.
On the way to the office building, Zhang Yu noticed that there seemed to be more homeless people and beggars on the streets than before, especially elderly individuals with white hair and missing limbs, more than he had seen in the entire past year.
Zhang Yu knew that these people had mortgaged their flesh and blood because they couldn’t afford to eat, and because they had mortgaged their flesh and blood, it was even harder to find work, and in the end, they could only give up everything they had, step by step, with no chance of ever turning their lives around.
Watching this scene, Zhang Yu sighed internally, yet he knew this was not something he could influence.
Is my thinking still too backward?
I still haven’t managed to completely adapt to Kunxu… I need to keep trying harder.
Inside the patrol team’s office building.
This time, as Zhang Pianpian’s figure appeared on the screen, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen immediately began to recount what had happened over the past few months.
Although the current Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were getting richer and their lives were getting better, faced with the changing situation on Kunxu’s first layer, both of them felt a certain sense of unease and were eager to get more information from Zhang Pianpian on the second layer.
Listening to their account, Zhang Pianpian pondered for a moment before speaking, “You can accept Mr. Wang’s money.”
“But apart from your work compensation and endorsement fees, do not get involved in the specific business of Oasis Corporation, do not invest in it, and do not participate in its operations…”
Zhang Yu was taken aback and asked why.
Zhang Pianpian chose her words carefully, “The matters on the first layer involve friction among the Ten Greats.”
“To put it simply…”
“Some people up here believe that the first layer is already a lost cause, especially the vast lower class of the poor who have become a useless class.”
“Rather than letting it continue to be a waste, it would be better to recycle the waste and transform the entire first layer into a breeding farm, a pure source of raw materials.”
“Even some Immortals… may think this way.”
Hearing these words, Zhang Yu’s heart sank, and he suddenly felt as if he couldn’t breathe.
The words “useless class” were like a heavy hammer smashing into his chest, threatening to awaken him from the comfortable life he had been living.
Zhang Pianpian continued, “I have a lot on my hands right now.”
“If you encounter trouble you can’t solve, you can contact the righteous god.”
“The one you added as a friend…”
Zhang Pianpian truly seemed to have many matters to attend to, and her call with Zhang Yu ended shortly after.
On the way back, Zhang Yu looked at the disabled people begging on the side of the road and felt as though he could already see the future of Kunxu’s first layer.
It has nothing to do with me.
This is the tide of the world.
What can a high school student like me possibly do?
Thinking of his powerlessness in this matter, Zhang Yu sighed, and a sudden wave of anger rose within him, Damn it, why can’t I adapt?
Zhang Yu, from now on, you are a rich person.
Zhang Yu constantly told himself in his heart, If you want to be wealthy, if you want to take care of the people around you, if you want to live a good life, then you have to damn well adapt to this dog-eat-dog world of Kunxu!
Otherwise, what do you plan to do? What can you, an ant who hasn’t even reached Foundation Establishment, possibly do?
Just as thoughts surged back and forth in Zhang Yu’s mind, Fu Ji suddenly said, “Tell me what Zhang Pianpian told you again.”
To avoid being exposed, Fu Ji had chosen to completely conceal herself before they entered the patrol team’s building.
Only after Zhang Yu came out and woke her did he relay what Zhang Pianpian had said.
Now, hearing Fu Ji’s question, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen once again repeated Zhang Pianpian’s words.
Fu Ji murmured, “Mmm… she was very cautious in her speech, your conversation was probably being monitored.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu was startled, “Monitored? Is someone trying to deal with us?”
“It’s quite normal for cross-layer communications to be monitored, but for Zhang Pianpian to be so careful, it might be related to the information hidden in her words.”
Fu Ji analyzed, “‘Some people up here believe that the first layer is already a lost cause, and even some Immortals think so.’”
“She said ‘some people,’ not ‘everyone.’”
“She told you to only take your work compensation and not get involved in Oasis Corporation’s business.”
“Does this mean…” Fu Ji said thoughtfully, “‘Some people up here think the first layer is a lost cause, but others don’t?”
“If some Immortals support Oasis Corporation’s methods, does that mean there are also Immortals who do not support them?”
“So she thinks Oasis Corporation might get embroiled in the conflict between the two sides, which is why she told you not to get involved in its business.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. Oasis Corporation, Netherworld University, the Netherworld Palace’s methods… are like those of a demonic sect. Could it be that Kunxu also has a righteous path?
Zhang Yu said, “So there might be other righteous sects who can’t stand these demonic practices and will come to stop them?”
Fu Ji said, “What righteous path, what demonic path, if other sects’ forces really do come to stop them, it’s definitely to limit the expansion of the Netherworld Palace’s power.”
“Just like how many areas above prohibit mortal farming and have set standards for resentment emissions, isn’t it because other sects’ Immortal Dao technology in this area is lacking, so they use this to restrict the Netherworld Palace?”
“Even now, if other sects want to stop Oasis Corporation, it must be out of their own self-interest.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu gave a bitter smile. That’s right, this is Kunxu. I still haven’t fully adapted, to have had such a delusion just now.
Bai Zhenzhen asked doubtfully, “But so far, Oasis Corporation hasn’t been stopped, right? Their plans are proceeding very smoothly.”
Fu Ji, while thinking, murmured, “Perhaps… they just haven’t been stopped yet.”
“After all, with Oasis Corporation’s actions, a large number of powerful families are being eliminated, a massive amount of resources are being gathered, and the Foundation Establishment exam is being widely broadcast… What if this is exactly what the other side wants to see, so they are just going with the flow?”
Zhang Yu didn’t know if what Fu Ji said was right or wrong, he only firmly committed Zhang Pianpian’s words to his heart.
In the blink of an eye, it was August, and in one month, Zhang Yu would become a third-year high school student.
The entire city of Songyang had entered the sweltering summer.
The number in Zhang Yu’s bank account had reached a massive 44 million.
But Zhang Yu discovered that as prices on Kunxu’s first layer rose, the price of the Heavenly Spiritual Root he wanted to buy had also skyrocketed, now reaching 58 million.
However, with Zhang Yu’s current income, he could still accept this price increase. He just needed to save for a few more months before he could buy the Heavenly Spiritual Root and establish his foundation.
And on this night, his phone rang.
Zhang Yu saw that it was a call from Zhao Tianxing, and behind Zhao Tianxing’s name was a note Zhang Yu had added: Everyone laughs at you, but you’re the funniest of all.
Seeing this sentence, Zhang Yu was reminded of the clown theory Zhao Tianxing had told him, and a faint smile touched the corners of his mouth.
He answered the phone and asked, “Old Zhao, what’s up?”
But from the other end of the line came the voice of a strange woman, “Excuse me, is this student Zhang Yu?”
Zhang Yu’s brow furrowed slightly, and he then learned that the person on the other end was Zhao Tianxing’s mother.
The reason she was calling was because something had happened to Zhao Tianxing.
“After his dad lost his job, I don’t know when, someone dragged him into gambling, and he secretly mortgaged Tianxing’s body to Oasis Corporation behind our backs…”
“I finally managed to scrape together enough money and wanted to redeem him, but Oasis Corporation said the body has already been shipped out…”
“You’re on good terms with the leaders of Oasis Corporation, could you please help out, help get Tianxing’s body back, we can pay the money…”
On the 1111th floor of Oasis Corporation.
Hearing the purpose of Zhang Yu’s visit, Mr. Wang said casually, “Is he your friend?”
“A trivial matter, I’ll have someone look into it for you right away.”
Zhang Yu, who had originally thought the matter would be very troublesome, now felt a slight sense of relief upon hearing Mr. Wang’s words.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, In Kunxu, one ultimately needs money and power to protect oneself and to take care of the people around them…
But a moment later, Mr. Wang frowned and shook his head at Zhang Yu, “No can do, it has already been bought.”
Zhang Yu was stunned, “Bought?”
Mr. Wang nodded and pointed towards the sky, “A demon-kin client from above bought a large batch of flesh as an ingredient, your friend’s body was one of them, and it has already been shipped to the second layer.”
Zhang Yu quickly said, “Can it be returned?”
Mr. Wang was slightly taken aback and said, “What… did you say?”
Zhang Yu said, “Is it possible to contact the client and ask for the body back…”
Before Zhang Yu could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a change in Mr. Wang’s aura.
The original peaceful, kind, and innocent demeanor gradually vanished, replaced by a boundless chill that rushed towards him, as if a dangerous behemoth was coldly staring at Zhang Yu.
“Zhang Yu, business is business. A shipment that has already been sent out… you want me to ask a client to return it? What are you thinking?”
Feeling the chill emanating from the other party, the image of Zhao Tianxing appeared in Zhang Yu’s mind, and he gritted his teeth and said, “I can compensate for the loss…”
Mr. Wang said flatly, “Is this a matter of a little money for flesh? Ask the client to return it, on what grounds do you want me to do this?”
“In my business, I always honor my word. A shipment that has gone out… unless there is a quality issue, I will never take it back.”
Zhang Yu, pushing against the pressure coming from the other party, continued, “I will go and apologize to the client, he is my good friend, I can’t just watch him be eaten…”
Mr. Wang said flatly, “So what if he gets eaten? This Zhao… Zhao Tianxing, I’ve seen his file, what value does he have? What does it matter if a friend like that gets eaten? You should make fewer friends like that in the future.”
He continued, “Zhang Yu, let me teach you a sentence today.”
“In this world, you have to eat well to become strong.”
“The poor suffer their entire lives, and all they can eat is the bitterness of suffering.”
“If you want to be a person of high standing like me, you must learn to eat people.”
Seeing that Zhang Yu still wanted to speak, Mr. Wang said impatiently, “Get out!”
“Figure out your own status.”
“You’re taking my damn money.”
“When you’re not harming the company’s interests, I can give you face.”
“But if you’re going to interfere with the company’s operations, then get the hell out and don’t ever appear in front of me again.”
Zhang Yu looked at Mr. Wang in astonishment, as if he never expected him to have such a furious side.
Mr. Wang snorted coldly, “What are you still standing there for?”
“Scram!”
The next moment, with a flash of golden light, countless divine power hands had already dragged Zhang Yu out and thrown him directly out of the office.
Outside the office, the general manager, Chi He, was not surprised by this. Although Mr. Wang was good to his subordinates, and even joking with them or asking for red envelopes was usually fine.
But if a subordinate displeased him, especially when it involved the company’s interests, then scolding and humiliation were quite normal.
It was just that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had been too favored before, so such things had not happened.
Chi He walked up, patted Zhang Yu’s shoulder, and said, “When Mr. Wang is angry, nothing you say will work, just take the scolding obediently.”
“Wait a few days, until Mr. Wang’s anger has passed, then you can come and apologize. He still appreciates you very much, he won’t stay angry at you forever.”
But Zhang Yu suddenly asked, “My friend… is there really no way?”
Chi He was stunned for a moment, then smiled helplessly, “Let him become a soul cultivator.”
Walking out of the Oasis Tower, Zhang Yu looked at his vibrating phone; it was a call from Zhao Tianxing’s mother.
But he suddenly didn’t know how to tell her.
I’m sorry, Old Zhao.
Zhang Yu’s fists gradually tightened, It seems… I can’t save you.
At the same time, the Golden Jade Fills the Hall Art in his mind gradually slowed, and the effect of the heart art seemed to regress at this moment.
No matter how he visualized the cash amount in his mind, it seemed unable to bring him the same confidence and courage as before.
And just as Zhang Yu was on his way home, his phone suddenly vibrated.
“Golden Core Grand Cultivator True Person Starfire has entered within a thousand meters of you. He has accidentally killed 14 people in the last month and has paid off all fines and compensation. Please be prudent in your words and actions, and do not offend him.”