Chapter 305: Wilderness Construction Site
Half a month had passed in the blink of an eye, and December had arrived unnoticed.
During this time, Zhang Yu had spent a considerable amount of Spirit Coins.
He now sat cross-legged in his dormitory room, holding a white jade-colored spherical bead in his hand, feeling a warm, serene flow of Magic Power within it.
This was a Profound Creation Relic, rented by Zhang Yu, capable of storing and retrieving Magic Power.
According to the manufacturer, Vajra University Masters could only produce one or two such Relics per cremation, making each one unique, personally created through the masters’ own cremations.
However, when Zhang Yu later inquired with Zhang Pianpian, he learned that these Relics were mass-produced artificial goods, with a single Vajra University materials engineer able to create over a hundred per year.
While not as extraordinary as advertised, they were sufficient for Zhang Yu’s needs.
After all, a Profound Creation Relic could store 10,000 units of Magic Power.
The one in Zhang Yu’s hand, already fully charged upon rental, contained 10,000 units of Magic Power with a Magic Power Quality of 200%.
Though the Magic Power would gradually dissipate over time, Zhang Yu planned to absorb it daily to enhance his own Magic Power Quality, making the supply sufficient for at least a month.
Zhang Yu spent 4.5 Spirit Coins to rent three Profound Creation Relics, intending to absorb high-quality Magic Power daily while working at the remote construction site, thus improving his own Magic Power Quality.
Of course, he would need to return the Magic Power-depleted Profound Creation Relics on time after returning from the construction site, or else the rental fees would increase.
Afraid of forgetting the return date, Zhang Yu mentally reminded Fu Ji: “Fu Ji, please remind me to return these Profound Creation Relics as soon as I get back.”
For extra security, Zhang Yu set multiple return reminders in his Bionic Eye’s alarm system.
He had learned this money-saving trick from Yu Xinghan, who was adept at exploiting deadlines to return rented items precisely on time, cancel trial subscriptions on their last day, and unsubscribe from monthly packages immediately after claiming the discount. Setting alarms at various intervals was crucial to avoid missing deadlines and wasting Spirit Coins.
After verifying that the three Profound Creation Relics were fully charged with high-quality Magic Power, Zhang Yu picked up another newly arrived jade box.
Opening the jade box, he saw a coiled, emerald-green Gu insect nestled within a crystal.
This was the Jade Spirit Gu, which Zhang Yu had rented for three months at a cost of 2.55 Spirit Coins.
Though it appeared to be an insect, it was actually a magical artifact.
According to Yun Jing, it was a biomimetic magical artifact designed to mimic the Gu insects of Celestial Monsters University.
The original research goal had been to create Symbiotic Spirit Roots that would stimulate Spirit Root evolution, such as from Earth Spirit Roots to Heavenly Spirit Roots, or even from Heavenly Spirit Roots to Divine Spirit Roots.
However, the research remained unsuccessful. It was said that achieving a breakthrough would require another century and the investment of tens of thousands of Spirit Coins.
While the Jade Spirit Gu couldn’t yet promote Spirit Root evolution, it could enhance the Spirit Root integration level.
Zhang Yu swallowed the Gu insect, and the crystal encasing it instantly dissolved. The Jade Spirit Gu activated within moments, naturally burrowing into his Dantian and crawling onto his Qi Sea Spirit Root.
As the Qi Sea Spirit Root shared wisps of spiritual energy with the Jade Spirit Gu, the Gu insect reciprocated by feeding back wisps of Primordial Qi, forming a peculiar symbiotic relationship.
Ever since Zhang Yu had raised his Qi Sea Spirit Root’s Integration Level to ninety percent, he had noticed the Spirit Root gradually falling into dormancy. Ordinary methods proved increasingly ineffective.
Zhang Yu understood that the final stages of Spirit Root fusion and growth occurred in the most minute parts of the body, naturally slowing the process.
However, under the influence of the Jade Spirit Gu, he soon felt a tingling itch in various parts of his body, as if flesh and blood were growing anew within them.
Zhang Yu knew this meant the Qi Sea Spirit Root was showing signs of growth again, fusing into those minute areas.
“At this rate,” Zhang Yu mused, “in about two or three months, my Spirit Root integration level should reach 100%. The Qi Sea Spirit Root will be completely integrated with me, no longer separate entities.”
“My Magic Power control and spiritual energy absorption efficiency should also improve by another 10% or so…”
Even without access to daoist arts services in the wilderness, his Spirit Root integration level should continue to increase.
Zhang Yu continued his mental calculations: “This means that after this trip to the construction site, neither my Magic Power Quality nor my Spirit Root integration level will lag behind.”
“For physical strength, the Nine Hells Mountain-Suppressing Belt is already sufficient.”
“As for my dao heart…”
Zhang Yu glanced at the Spirit Realm Mask beside him. “As long as the construction site has a Spirit Realm Network, I’ll be able to use Spirit Realm Services to assist in tempering my dao heart.”
In addition to these supplies, Zhang Yu had also purchased several boxes of standard medications and three crates of Spirit Stones to aid his breathing techniques, spending nearly 1.6 Spirit Coins in total.
Over the past half-month, beyond the items for the construction site, Zhang Yu had also spent a considerable amount of Spirit Coins on various daoist arts services and Spirit Realm Services, causing his cultivation to surge once again.
His dao heart had now reached Level 12 (90.6%), his Magic Power was 425.5, his Magic Power Quality was 136%, and his physical strength had reached Level 12.63.
Through purchasing and practicing new cultivation arts, Zhang Yu had also advanced the Civil Engineering Sacred Body cultivation art to seven stages, just one stage away from unlocking new effects.
Feeling his strength steadily improving, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but marvel, “Spirit Coins are truly useful. Combined with my Peerless Talent, if I continue cultivating like this, I’ll likely reach the peak of Foundation Establishment within a year or two.”
Yet glancing at the remaining 10.3 Spirit Coins in his account, he sighed inwardly, “But these Spirit Coins sure burn through fast.”
Just one day before his departure, Bai Zhenzhen’s flying sword finally arrived.
Early December.
After requesting leave, applying for online courses, packing his luggage, and bidding farewell to Yu Xinghan, Le Mulan, and Zhang Pianpian, Zhang Yu boarded the flying boat with the students and teachers of the Civil Engineering Department, embarking on their three-month journey to the wilderness construction site.
As soon as they boarded, the students were divided into two groups and directed to separate conference rooms on the flying boat for meetings.
Tu Lishan entered the conference room where Zhang Yu’s group was gathered. Looking at the sea of impoverished students before him, he thought, “Director Gao must already be in a meeting with Gongshu Jin and the others by now.”
“Sigh, when will I finally get to oversee a class for wealthy students? When will I stop having to mingle with these downtrodden souls every day?”
Suppressing these stray thoughts, Tu Lishan smiled at the assembled students. “Fellow students,” he said, “Director Gao has meticulously selected each of you as elites from every grade level. I have high expectations for your performance over the next three months.”
“I’ll create a group chat now. All announcements and important updates will be communicated through this channel.”
“Also, please download the documents I’ve sent. They contain your individual project assignments for the coming months, as well as the cultivation plan for the entire duration…”
Zhang Yu’s eyebrows twitched slightly as he reviewed the training plan in the document.
Tu Lishan continued from the podium, “Everyone knows that Civil Engineering is tough and exhausting, but no one can ever say we’re poor. As long as you’re willing to work hard and endure hardship, the department will provide opportunities for you to earn money.”
His expression turned grave as he declared, “Let me be blunt about this project… there are quotas for deaths.”
Tu Lishan gazed at the students before him, his Bionic Eyes already calculating their individual debts and savings. As he scanned these numbers, he seemed to perceive the extraordinary Immortal Dao potential within each of them.
An upperclassman spoke up, “Teacher Tu, spare us the scare tactics. Leaving aside the suicide rate, demonization rate, murder rate, and bankruptcy rate, our Civil Engineering Department still ranks first in sudden death rate. In our line of work… who’s afraid to die?”
“Huh?” Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Is this supposed to be a construction worker?”
He turned to look at the speaker and saw a man with snow-white hair and a face etched with deep wrinkles, looking like he was over a hundred years old.
Apart from his face, most of his body was constructed from Bionics, making it impossible to discern any difference between youth and old age.
Tu Lishan smiled slightly and continued, “Student Che Yufei speaks truly! What’s the point of studying Civil Engineering or cultivating the Immortal Dao if you fear death?
“With enough Spirit Coins, you can be resurrected after death, restore your youth in old age, and even extend your lifespan beyond its natural limit.”
“Spirit Coins are everything! You all know the requirements: to earn Spirit Coins, you must fight tooth and nail.”
“Now, the department is giving you that opportunity.”
“To adapt to the evolving times and remain competitive in the future market, the department has decided that for the next three months, we will use the most efficient, rigorous, Immortal Dao-aligned, and potential-extracting methods to enhance your professional skills and Immortal Dao cultivation, thereby increasing your future income.”
As he spoke, the first meal after boarding the ship was placed before everyone.
Staring at the white medicinal pills, Zhang Yu could faintly see something squirming inside.
Tu Lishan announced, “For the next three months, the department will provide all six daily meals.”
“Today’s first meal is the Three-Insect Tendon-Changing Pill.”
“After consuming this pill, it will rapidly deplete your Magic Power and vital energy. But as long as you can withstand it, it’s like carrying heavy weights. The constant strain will stimulate your latent potential, making your physical bodies stronger…”
Before Tu Lishan could finish speaking, several students had already swallowed the pills.
Watching the surrounding students begin to consume the pills, Zhang Yu also took a Three-Insect Tendon-Changing Pill. The next moment, a searing pain twisted his abdomen, as if something were constantly gnawing at his internal organs.
He sensed his physical strength and Magic Power gradually draining away.
To counteract this loss, he needed to intensify his breathing technique and relentlessly tap into his inner potential.
“Moreover…” Zhang Yu thought, sensing the strange sensations in his internal organs, “won’t this cause illness in the long run?”
Sure enough, Tu Lishan warned, “Prolonged use of the Three-Insect Tendon-Changing Pill can affect the endocrine, cardiovascular, and Spirit Root systems, leading to heart rhythm disturbances and Spirit Root overload. Remember to stop taking the pills immediately if you experience any such issues.”
Zhang Yu focused on controlling his activated physical body, continuously healing the minute damage to his internal organs. He sensed he could handle the pill’s strain.