Chapter 288: Le Mulan’s Mission
When Zhang Yu first saw the description of the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art, he strongly doubted whether this was truly a cultivation art that Civil Engineering students were supposed to learn.
Then he checked the user feedback.
“As long as you’re young, lifespan is cheap. Spend two days’ worth for one day’s work, and you still come out ahead. Sacrifice a bit of lifespan now to earn more money, so you can afford Longevity Extension pills later.”
“Times have changed. With the advancements in Immortal Dao medicine, the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art isn’t as terrifying as it used to be. Just take your pills properly, and you can minimize the side effects and use it long-term without worry.”
“I’m a Second-Year Civil Engineering student. Seeing all the Senior Brothers complaining about this art, I thought, ‘If sacrificing lifespan means earning more money, isn’t that just like accelerating your work hours? You work shorter shifts and get paid more? If you can’t handle this, you’ll never make it in any other job.’”
“Everyone should be grateful. Centuries ago, our profession was called corvée labor. After working, we not only received no pay but might even be buried alive with the deceased. Losing lifespan is a light burden compared to that. Kunxu has truly progressed.”
After reading these user reviews, Zhang Yu confirmed that the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art was indeed a common cultivation art for Civil Engineering students. He also confirmed something else.
“Are all these user reviews just shills? Hmm… or maybe they’re being sarcastic.”
“Damn it… do Civil Engineering jobs really require this much effort?”
What Zhang Yu found even more perplexing was that the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art, which he had previously used for combat in short bursts, now required prolonged use while taking medication to handle overtime work.
Fu Ji, overhearing Zhang Yu’s lament, chuckled. “Heh heh, did you think those Golden Core True Persons would do all the work themselves and keep all the money? Why else would they hire Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators like us?”
“It’s because many Civil Engineering tasks take up their cultivation time and wear down their physical bodies and Bionics. That’s why they outsource the work to us.”
“In this world, easy money earned while lounging around is never within our reach.”
“In Kunxu, anyone who climbs up from the bottom and wants to make big money has to endure grueling labor and risk their lives.”
“But don’t worry too much about the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art.”
“After all, with your physique, your physical endurance and self-healing abilities are extraordinary. The Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art, which would shorten the lifespan of other cultivators, won’t have such a drastic effect on you.”
“As long as you keep the physical strain from this cultivation art within your tolerance range, you’ll be fine.”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly, recalling the physical revitalization brought by the Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art and the self-healing power granted by the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo diagram.
“If I use the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art again, I’ll need to remember to switch the Chain Method Diagram Set to the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo.”
“But the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo is ultimately a Qi Refining Stage set. Now that I’m in the Foundation Establishment Stage, its effectiveness has diminished significantly. In the future, during the Foundation Establishment Stage… I’ll probably need to collect the Foundation Establishment Stage Martial Dao Sacred Body as well.”
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Zhang Yu resumed practicing the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art.
Magic power circulated through his body, unlocking his physical potential and preparing him for that brief burst of power.
After observing for some time, Fu Ji confirmed that the area below the 100th floor was relatively safe. She reminded him, “If you get the chance, find a spot below the 100th floor and help me perform the ritual.”
“I haven’t even used one of these Level 2 Evil God rituals yet.”
Outside the dormitory, Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan exchanged blows, Zhang Yu continuously guiding Yu Xinghan’s body refinement practice using techniques from Lang Yougong, enhancing their Spirit Root integration level.
Earlier, on the First Layer of Kunxu, True Person Starfire had instructed them on how to refine their bodies together and assist each other’s cultivation.
Now, with the added guidance of Lang Yougong, their progress accelerated rapidly.
Under these circumstances, Zhang Yu’s use of Spring and Autumn Endless Zen in conjunction with Yu Xinghan’s body refinement proved to be the fastest method for enhancing his own physical strength.
“After all, Yu Xinghan doesn’t know I’m cultivating the Earth Devouring Divine Art and the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art,” Zhang Yu thought to himself as he watched the Dao Seed on Yu Xinghan’s body grow increasingly distinct. “Each art has its own merits, one strengthens the physical body, while the other unlocks potential and provides explosive power when needed. But for pure numerical improvement in physical strength, Spring and Autumn Endless Zen remains superior.”
“To replicate the Third Eye Mystic Power, I need to raise Yu Xinghan’s Spirit Root integration level to at least ninety percent.”
“He’s currently around seventy percent, roughly the same as mine. According to Teacher Lang’s estimates, this could take as little as three months or as long as half a year or more.”
“I wonder what exactly this Third Eye Mystic Power can do.”
Le Mulan stood nearby, watching Yu Xinghan with envy, wishing she could take his place and benefit from such efficient body refinement.
But alas… she was only at the Qi Refining Realm. How could she spar with Zhang Yu, who had reached the Foundation Establishment Stage?
After exchanging a brief greeting, Le Mulan left the dormitory and headed toward the pharmacology teaching area.
Le Mulan had just settled into her seat in the classroom when a young man walked up and sat down in the seat in front of her.
She glanced at him and recognized Xuan Ge, her classmate and currently ranked fourth in the class.
Xuan Ge looked at Le Mulan with admiration and asked, “Le Mulan, your constitution is unique. Your magic power is Ice Magic Power, naturally imbued with a chilling aura, isn’t it?”
Le Mulan nodded. “Xuan Ge, is there something you need?”
Xuan Ge smiled slightly. “You know I’m from the Third Layer, right? I should pass the Foundation Establishment Examination next year, and I’ve already been accepted as a disciple by a Golden Core True Person specializing in pharmacology.”
Le Mulan paused, then said, “Then… congratulations.”
Xuan Ge continued, “You might be wondering why someone as talented and promising as me would approach a student like you, who’s just average in the class.”
He smiled again. “While your grades may be ordinary and you’re from the First Layer, the innate advantage of your Ice Magic Power is something no other student can match.”
“I want to be your friend.”
What Xuan Ge truly wanted to say was, “I want to practice dual cultivation with you.”
Of course, Xuan Ge’s intentions weren’t driven by lust.
Though Le Mulan possessed jade-like skin and bones, and her violet Bionic Eyes radiated a unique allure, Xuan Ge’s primary focus remained his studies.
His desire for dual cultivation stemmed from the synergistic effect of combining her Ice Magic Power with his own Blazing Magic Power, creating a potent combination for cultivation.
Dual cultivation… Xuan Ge knew that most high schools discouraged students from practicing it, fearing they would lose control and neglect their studies.
But things changed at the university level, especially after entering the Ten Greats.
The very process of gaining admission to the Ten Greats proved their willpower and ability to maintain balance.
Moreover, if both partners possessed innate special magic powers, dual cultivation was actively encouraged.
Xuan Ge had heard that Joyful Union University even grouped students with innate special magic powers together for dual cultivation, triple cultivation… even group cultivation involving dozens of participants, greatly accelerating their cultivation progress.
However, Xuan Ge understood that proposing dual cultivation outright would seem too hasty, potentially leading her to demand payment.
He thought to himself, “First, I’ll become her friend. That way, dual cultivation might not cost anything. Even if it does, I’ll get a discount.”
This was advice his senior brother had shared, and Xuan Ge wholeheartedly agreed. On the Immortal Dao, every Spirit Coin saved now meant greater progress in the future.
As Xuan Ge watched Le Mulan, a message from Le Jingchen popped up in her Bionic Eye:
Le Jingchen: “I sent you 0.5 Spirit Coins. Did you get it?”
Le Mulan: “Yeah, got it. Thanks, Brother.”
Le Jingchen: “The Le Family on the Second Layer is still a step above us. They’ll always prioritize their own resources. We First Layer relatives only get real recognition and investment if we prove ourselves.”
Le Jingchen: “You mentioned living with Zhang Yu last time?”
Le Jingchen: “Can you get me some Yu Juice?”
In the classroom, Xuan Ge noticed Le Mulan’s dazed expression and thought, “A Third Layer cultivator like me wanting to be her friend must have really surprised her.”
Xuan Ge said, “Le Mulan?”
Le Mulan responded with a distracted “Hmm?”
Le Jingchen: “The company here is interested in Yu Juice. If you can get more, we’ll have a better chance of making a name for ourselves on the Second Layer.”
Le Mulan: “We’re sharing a room with four people now, which isn’t very convenient… What if the others want it too once they know I have it? You said we can’t let anyone find out about this.”
Le Jingchen: “So what if there are two others? Can’t you find a chance to sneak it?”
Le Mulan: “After what happened last time, he’s become wary of me. It’s not easy to get close now.”
In the classroom, Xuan Ge said, “Le Mulan, where do you usually cultivate after class? Let’s do it together?”
Le Jingchen: “Did you understand? Just do what I taught you — take the initiative, seize the opportunity, and grab the chestnut from the fire.”
Le Mulan: “Doing it this way… doesn’t feel right.”
Le Jingchen: “Mulan, you’re not in high school anymore. You’re a university student now, and you’ve even reached the Second Layer.”
Le Jingchen: “You need to understand that many things forbidden in high school are not only allowed in university, but even encouraged. Don’t carry those old habits with you.”
Xuan Ge noticed Le Mulan’s breathing quicken and her tense demeanor, leaving him utterly puzzled.
“This woman… is acting rather strange.”
Xuan Ge: “Le Mulan?”
Le Mulan snapped out of her thoughts, looked at him, and said, “Xuan Ge, I need some time alone to think. Let’s talk about this another time.”
93rd floor.
With a series of shouts and another round of practicing the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art, Zhang Yu had cultivated this technique to Level 10.
As images of his training flashed through his mind, Zhang Yu thought, “After Level 10, the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art can unlock a second-tier burst, costing years of lifespan…”
“The first-tier burst, combined with the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo and body activation, plus some medicinal supplements, should allow me to use it without side effects for a limited time.”
“But this second-tier burst…”
After considering it, Zhang Yu decided against attempting it.
“Less than two weeks remain until the three-month foundational course ends. If I push myself before the examination, I should be able to raise the Battle Demon Life-Shattering Art to Level 20.”
Just then, Fu Ji said, “Zhang Yu, it’s time for the ritual.”