Chapter 314: Let the Heavenly Chosen Battle the Heavenly Chosen
The surveillance footage showed Gongshu Jin and Zhang Yu arriving at the 463rd floor of Myriad Laws University City, one after the other.
Entering the Gravity Simulation Chamber, they prepared to begin the Strength Trial.
Similar to the earlier Speed Trial, this trial also assessed the students’ physical capabilities after activating their cultivation arts.
The trial’s premise was simple: to endure increasingly intensified gravity within the simulation chamber.
Though straightforward in concept, Tu Lishan understood that this continuous escalation of gravity would comprehensively test the students’ bodily functions.
“Because they’re passively enduring, this method can push their physical capabilities to their absolute limits.”
“Gongshu Jin currently possesses three Bionics. He should have a significant advantage in this trial.”
Gravity Simulation Chamber.
As the Earthly Fiend Gravity stirred, Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin could both sense the formation within the chamber activating.
A moment later, a faint mountain shadow materialized in the air, and the words “2x Gravity” appeared in the corners of their Bionic Eyes.
Looking at the looming mountain shadow, Zhang Yu felt as if the mountain itself were pressing down on him, a heavy weight bearing down on every inch of his body.
Having long grown accustomed to the gravitational training regimen of the Nine Hells Mountain-Suppressing Belt, Zhang Yu had temporarily deactivated the belt for the exam. This mere 2x gravity barely registered as a challenge.
Every ten seconds thereafter, Zhang Yu sensed the gravity doubling again.
Unless a student voluntarily withdrew or faced life-threatening danger, the formation would continue to intensify the gravity.
After a hundred seconds, the gravity bearing down on Zhang Yu had reached 12x normal.
Though he felt his internal organs constantly sinking and his muscles and bones straining under the crushing pressure, Zhang Yu refrained from immediately activating his cultivation art. Instead, he focused on controlling his breathing, conserving both physical stamina and Magic Power.
Beside him, Gongshu Jin stood equally composed, calmly enduring the twelvefold gravity’s relentless compression on his body. On his way to the Gravity Simulation Chamber, he had already adjusted his Bionic, switching the stored cultivation art to the Level 20 Protective Cultivation Art — Armored Golden Body.
Another 120 seconds passed, and the gravity pressing down on Zhang Yu had reached 24 times normal.
As his Magic Power circulated, his muscles rippled and surged. Zhang Yu activated the Battle Demon Life-Shedding Art, temporarily boosting his physical strength level by 0.5, continuing to resist the ever-increasing gravity.
Thanks to the Civil Engineering Sacred Body’s mitigating effects and his body’s enhanced regenerative abilities, this level of the Battle Demon Life-Shedding Art posed virtually no burden to Zhang Yu.
Simultaneously, wisps of martial dao Gang Qi erupted from his body.
Having reached the Foundation Establishment Stage, as his physical strength improved, both his Magic Power and martial dao Gang Qi had become increasingly integrated with his physical body, enhancing its capabilities. The martial dao Gang Qi Zhang Yu now activated enveloped him like a suit of armor, supporting his body against the crushing pressure.
Meanwhile, Gongshu Jin first activated his Boiling Blood Burning Body Art. As Magic Power flooded his bloodstream, his Qi and Blood surged, dramatically enhancing his physical functions.
He then activated the Level 20 Protective Cultivation Art, Armored Golden Body, stored within his Spinal Bionic.
Magic Power surged through Gongshu Jin’s body, causing faint golden patterns to shimmer across his skin, as if he were clad in golden armor. His physical strength surged dramatically.
He then activated his martial dao Gang Qi…
The Spinal Bionic itself provided Gongshu Jin with formidable structural support.
Feeling his body remain as steady as Mount Tai under the crushing force of 24 times Earth’s gravity, Gongshu Jin glanced at Zhang Yu beside him, whose face was flushed crimson. He thought to himself, “Is he already resorting to the Battle Demon Life-Shedding Art at just 24 times gravity? It looks like he’s nearing his limit.”
As these thoughts flickered through his mind, Gongshu Jin continued to resist the escalating gravitational pressure.
Meanwhile, as the gravity continued to increase in increments of one, Zhang Yu allowed his flesh, internal organs, blood vessels, and nerves to be crushed and stretched by the monstrous force. He let minor injuries accumulate within his body, no longer attempting to heal them with his enhanced vitality.
Simultaneously, the Battle Demon Life-Shedding Art gradually boosted his physical strength from 0.5 to 1.2.
This caused his body to sustain even greater damage, but it also amplified the effects of his Civil Engineering Sacred Body.
Not only did he benefit from the Second Layer’s life-span reduction resistance, but the enhanced resistances from the First Layer allowed him to better withstand the increasingly terrifying gravity.
After reinforcing his body with Level 20 Spirit Law Secret Steel, Zhang Yu immediately felt the benefits of his strengthened bones.
The reinforced bones not only provided greater resistance to impact, but also allowed his body to withstand far greater forces.
His bones acted like internal levers; the stronger and more rigid they became, the more effectively they supported and amplified his strength.
This applied not only to his own explosive power but also to his ability to withstand external pressure.
At this moment, as dozens of times Earth’s gravity bore down on him, Zhang Yu’s skeletal frame grew heavier but remained completely unscathed, like the steel reinforcing bars within a skyscraper, supporting his body and keeping him upright.
Meanwhile, his flesh, reinforced by the Civil Engineering Sacred Body, Battle Demon Life-Shedding Art, and martial dao Gang Qi, acted like layers of concrete, adhering to and further supporting his skeletal frame.
Under the crushing pressure of amplified gravity, Zhang Yu’s injuries worsened, yet he could feel his body’s resistance to compression growing stronger, his limits stretching further.
Throughout this ordeal, Zhang Yu’s outward appearance betrayed the immense strain he was enduring.
His face grew increasingly flushed, every inch of his skin reddening as if about to bleed.
Blood began seeping from the corners of Zhang Yu’s eyes, clear signs of internal hemorrhaging under the crushing gravity.
Capillaries throughout his body ruptured, causing extensive subcutaneous hemorrhaging in irregular patterns across his skin.
Gongshu Jin watched this spectacle from the sidelines, initially feeling a detached admiration for Zhang Yu’s desperate struggle.
“He’s about to collapse, isn’t he?”
“Will the medical fees even cover this?”
By the time Zhang Yu started bleeding from all seven orifices, Gongshu Jin deemed him utterly foolish.
“The Immortal Dao isn’t just about reckless effort.”
“If sheer determination could win, why would we bother amassing fortunes?”
Supported by his Vajra Profound Creation Bionic, amplified by his Level 20 cultivation art, sustained by expensive elixirs, and honed by mountains of Spirit Coins into a formidable physique… Gongshu Jin regarded Zhang Yu’s desperate struggle with condescending amusement, as if watching a clown perform.
But as Zhang Yu endured 30 times, 40 times, and then 50 times Earth’s gravity, blood streaming from every pore… Gongshu Jin’s emotions shifted like a rollercoaster, veering from admiration to mockery to astonishment… until finally settling on a flicker of bewilderment.
“What the hell is going on?”
“How is he still holding on?”
“Is he insane?”
“Why hasn’t he fallen yet?”
It wasn’t until the metallic tang of blood filled Gongshu Jin’s mouth and nostrils, until he felt the internal bleeding churning within his organs, until he heard the sickening creak of his bones groaning under the crushing weight…
Not until he finally collapsed to the ground, his exam concluded, the augmented gravity vanishing from his body.
Not until Gongshu Jin raised his head, gazing up at Zhang Yu, drenched in blood but standing like a towering crimson giant, continuing to withstand the terrifying 55-fold gravity…
The incredulity and incomprehension in Gongshu Jin’s heart had reached their absolute limit.
Clutching his Spirit Coins with unwavering confidence and absolute power, he had come to today’s exam with the sole purpose of surpassing Ji Yuanshu.
Yet, in this final trial, he had been inexplicably… utterly inexplicably… outstripped by a penniless First Layer resident, left far behind.
Sixty times gravity!
Gongshu Jin’s mind screamed, “How is this possible?!”
“Unbelievable.”
Tu Lishan repeatedly reviewed the final exam footage, still in disbelief. “The final score… 64 times gravity.”
“How could Zhang Yu possibly endure that?”
“This isn’t just about sheer willpower. It shows his physical limits far surpass Gongshu Jin’s.”
“Did he achieve this level of body refinement in such a short time because of the three months of wilderness training?”
Tu Lishan sighed. “It seems he was right after all. His constitution is truly extraordinary, with remarkable regenerative capabilities. That’s how he could withstand repeated drug-induced breakdowns, recover, and force out his latent potential.”
Director Gao nodded slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Zhang Yu is a genius — a genius who pushes himself to the absolute limit. He’s worth nurturing.”
“However, ‘tailored cultivation’ is key. His training approach will differ from Gongshu Jin’s.”
“Gongshu Jin has abundant resources and high Immortal Dao potential. We’ll train him for a fee, making more money the more we invest. When he matures, he’ll be capable of independent leadership.”
“Although Zhang Yu is investing money, his success primarily relies on his own relentless effort. Low investment, rapid growth, and high returns.”
On the other side, Tu Lishan nodded slightly, thinking, “Zhang Yu’s only flaw is his shorter lifespan, which will limit his working years in the future.”
Director Gao burst into hearty laughter. “As expected, in times of great upheaval, dragons and snakes rise from the land!”
“A genius driven by relentless effort and a genius who leverages wealth — both are exceptional Heavenly Chosen of our Civil Engineering Department.”
“Let these Heavenly Chosen clash and inspire each other. Their competition will undoubtedly lead to extraordinary achievements in the future.”
With a grand wave of his hand, Director Gao declared, “Have the backend calculate the results quickly! I want to see the latest rankings immediately!”
“Oh, and ask… Never mind, just ask Zhang Yu to provide some of his bodily samples.”
Director Gao planned to consult a professor from the Department of Reproduction at Celestial Monsters University to inquire about the possibility of mass-producing individuals like Zhang Yu.
Outside the Examination Field.
Zhang Yu checked his results using his Bionic, but the scores hadn’t been released yet.
As for the rankings, it was still before the daily midnight update.
“Sigh, I’ll just have to stick with my 28th place for now.”
After wiping off the bloodstains, Zhang Yu was about to leave when Gongshu Jin’s voice suddenly called out from behind.
“Zhang Yu…” Gongshu Jin said, staring at him. “In just three months, you’ve surpassed me?”
“What exactly did you do during those three months?”
“Did you win the lottery?”
“Or strike it big gambling?”
Seeing Gongshu Jin’s bloodshot eyes, Zhang Yu thought for a moment before replying, “I ate my fill every day, consistently took lifespan-shortening medicine, and worked no more than 24 hours of overtime daily.”
“I kept it up for three months, and here we are.”
As Zhang Yu turned to leave, Gongshu Jin shouted, “I’m not finished talking to you! Where do you think you’re going?”
Zhang Yu waved dismissively. “The exam’s over. I’m heading to the construction site for some overtime to earn a bonus and treat myself.”
“Besides, what else would we Civil Engineering majors do if not work overtime at construction sites?”