Chapter 320: Watch Me Crush You This Semester
Thinking about guiding people’s hearts and harnessing Qi Luck, Ji Yuanshu’s mind flashed with the various tactics commonly employed by Finance Department students: flaunting achievements, exerting pressure, creating hype, and more.
He entered the class group chat and sent a message:
Ji Yuanshu: “@Zhang Yu @Gongshu Jin, my apologies to you both. Last semester, I was overwhelmed with other matters and couldn’t dedicate enough attention to my Civil Engineering studies, making my ranking as class leader somewhat undeserved.”
Ji Yuanshu: “But this semester, I will achieve perfect scores in all my major courses. I hope you’ll both give it your all too, so that this class leader title truly reflects our abilities.”
Ji Yuanshu believed that after seeing his message, his classmates would only grow more certain that he would surpass Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin to claim the top spot in the class.
And the collective will of the people was itself a form of Qi Luck.
After sending the message, Ji Yuanshu formed a Dao Seal with his hands, as if silently sensing something.
In the next moment, he felt wisps of Qi Luck flowing from various directions within Myriad Laws University City, converging into his Sea of Consciousness.
These were the collective confidence of his classmates in his victory over Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin.
At that moment, he was the unanimous choice of the class — the rightful and acknowledged number one in everyone’s hearts.
Simultaneously, a copper coin magical artifact within his Sea of Consciousness gently vibrated, suppressing all the gathered strands of Qi Luck within his Sea of Consciousness.
Fueled by this wisp of Qi Luck, Ji Yuanshu felt his Magic Power flow more smoothly, his dao heart grow more flawless, and even his vital energy surge with renewed vitality.
With the Qi Luck boost, his cultivation advanced even faster, while his mental acuity and memory sharpened to unprecedented levels.
As he grew stronger, his classmates’ confidence in him only deepened, solidifying his position as the class’s undisputed leader. This, in turn, intensified his Qi Luck, further amplifying its blessings upon him.
“The Dao of Qi Luck demands aligning oneself with the prevailing momentum,” Ji Yuanshu mused. “Use cultivation to fuel the momentum, and let the momentum nourish cultivation in return. This cyclical exchange fosters mutual growth.”
He understood that this was the true strength of the Finance Department: their ability to harness Qi Luck and manipulate the tides of fortune. As their cultivation soared, so too did their capacity to command wealth and resources, each success amplifying their power exponentially.
“Only if Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin ultimately surpass me will I suffer a Qi Luck backlash…”
But this thought flickered briefly through Ji Yuanshu’s mind before he casually dismissed it.
Even relying solely on his innate talent and vast resources, he had absolute confidence in defeating the two of them, let alone with the added boost of Qi Luck.
His goal was to outscore the second-place finisher by a full 100 points.
Zhang Yu stared at Ji Yuanshu’s message in the class group chat, momentarily stunned. “Is this guy… showing off?”
“Did he just step all over me?”
As Zhang Yu remained in his daze, Gongshu Jin replied in the group chat: “I’ll accompany you to the end.”
Fu Ji cautioned, “This isn’t just a simple provocation. It’s likely a Qi Luck Dao Technique from the Finance Department.”
Zhang Yu, completely unfamiliar with Qi Luck Dao Techniques, asked in confusion, “What does that mean?”
Fu Ji explained, “Qi Luck Dao Techniques involve harnessing Qi Luck, channeling its blessings to enhance one’s cultivation and achieve various goals.”
“Qi Luck is an incredibly complex force, influenced by countless factors.”
“The human heart is a crucial element. Just like in the stock market: regardless of a company’s actual performance, if everyone believes its stock will plummet, it will. That’s the power of collective sentiment, where Qi Luck flows.”
“The Finance Department students use various methods to manipulate public opinion, thereby controlling Qi Luck.”
“By channeling this Qi Luck through their daoist arts, they can enhance their cultivation, strengthen their dao heart, and even unleash powerful Qi Luck Dao Techniques.”
At this point, Fu Ji urged, “Hurry up and reply! If you don’t, everyone will think you’re afraid, further eroding your influence and empowering Ji Yuanshu with Qi Luck.”
“Qi Luck?” Zhang Yu frowned slightly, feeling as though his opponent, who had mastered Qi Luck Dao Techniques, possessed an additional multiplicative factor in the game’s damage calculation.
Zhang Yu asked, “So, just by acting cool, he can advance his cultivation?”
Fu Ji replied, “Acting cool is just a means to an end. The essence is that Ji Yuanshu has far more resources than you. After all, simply learning and practicing daoist arts requires a mountain of Spirit Coins.”
“That’s how the Finance Department works. As long as you control enough resources, even a casual remark can gather Qi Luck. And once they start throwing money around, it’s truly terrifying. You should see their internal conflicts — the way they toss money around to compete for Qi Luck… tsk, tsk, tsk.”
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Yu replied in the group chat: “I look forward to settling this with you.”
He didn’t bother reading further messages. He understood that any response he gave would only be marginally better than silence. His classmates wouldn’t believe he could surpass Ji Yuanshu.
After all, this was Kunxu, where wealth determined true genius and Heavenly Chosen status.
But Zhang Yu wasn’t discouraged. On the contrary, under Ji Yuanshu’s pressure, the Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art began circulating with even greater ferocity.
In his mind, the White Ox stamped its hooves and roared, and boundless fighting spirit blazed in Zhang Yu’s eyes.
“You have Qi Luck, but I have the Feather Book. Watch me utterly surpass you this semester.”
In the days that followed, Zhang Yu immersed himself even more deeply in his studies and cultivation. Thanks to his new dormitory, the Anti-Gravity Passage, and newly established channels for acquiring medicinal ingredients, he could feel his cultivation progressing with remarkable smoothness.
In his dormitory on the 318th floor of Myriad Laws University City, Zhang Yu read the descriptions of the vials he was about to inject:
“Fifth-Tier Primordial Essence Cultivation Elixir: Enhances Primordial Qi, repairs internal injuries…”
“Yellow Sprout Injection: Solidifies cultivation, nourishes flesh and blood…”
“Creation Vitality Essence: Replenishes body heat, contains abundant nutrients…”
As he read, Zhang Yu systematically injected vial after vial into his veins, forcefully and brutally flooding his body with nutrients.
Since discovering this new source for discounted medicine, Zhang Yu had not only been able to buy drugs for himself at reduced prices but had also been able to help his roommates — Yu Xinghan, Le Mulan, and Zhang Pianpian — purchase them.
However, while buying small quantities for his roommates was manageable, he refused to take on larger orders as a reseller. Getting caught doing so would bring serious trouble.
With this daily regimen of medication, Zhang Yu felt his blood thicken to the consistency of crude oil, and his muscles expanded rapidly as if force-fed, restoring some of the mass he had lost.
His entire body ravenously absorbed the influx of medicinal power, yet even so, Zhang Yu still felt the progress was too slow.
Le Mulan explained from the side, “Your physical foundation was built up over years of accumulation. Even with daily high doses of medication now, it’s impossible to replenish it in just a few days.”
Zhang Yu rubbed his empty stomach and asked, “If I could take the medicine while also eating some food every day, would that speed things up?”
Zhang Yu understood that only by quickly replenishing his body’s deficiencies could he return to the construction sites, freeload, and further unlock his Immortal Dao Potential. Otherwise, going back in his current state would mean even if he worked himself to the bone every day, he wouldn’t be able to tap into much potential.
Le Mulan sighed helplessly. “If you want to buy medicine, you can find all sorts of supplements, health products, neurotransmitters, and chemical compounds at any supermarket.”
“But when it comes to buying food, it’s either outrageously expensive or outright illegal. Better not even think about it.”
“Or you could try medicinal baths?”
Zhang Yu took note of the medicinal baths, but first, he ordered another large quantity of supplements, instantly spending another 0.5 Spirit Coins on medication.
After factoring in internet fees, belt rental charges, Spirit Realm Services, Spirit Stone purchases, and various miscellaneous expenses, Zhang Yu’s remaining Spirit Coin balance had dwindled to 18.03.
Inside the massive vat, Zhang Yu was completely submerged in a deep purple medicinal liquid. He could feel every inch of his skin frantically absorbing the liquid’s myriad components.
This was the Hundred Herbs Restoration Bath, refined from the Hundred Herbs Essence and specifically formulated for Foundation Establishment Stage experts.
Such a potent medicinal bath would be lethal to a Qi Refining Cultivator, causing their body to explode in an instant. But for Zhang Yu, it was just right.
He felt every inch of his flesh and blood, like parched earth long deprived of water, greedily absorbing the medicinal liquid as if it were life-giving rain. As he exerted his full absorption, the surrounding liquid gradually faded from deep purple to light purple, and eventually became colorless.
Le Mulan stood beside the vat, turning to the woman next to her and saying, “Senior Sister, can’t you give him a discount? He’ll be coming here regularly.”
The woman pursed her lips. “The Civil Engineering Department already negotiated an 80% discount. Any lower, and I’d be losing money.”
“Especially with your classmate here. His body is so depleted, he drains the entire bath dry every time. I can’t even salvage a drop.”
While Zhang Yu found the bath’s effects remarkably beneficial, its cost was undeniably steep, consuming 0.37 Spirit Coins per session. To maximize its effectiveness by soaking daily would incur a staggering expense.
Yet, to replenish his body’s losses and maintain rapid progress on the Immortal Path, Zhang Yu gritted his teeth, persevering with both daily medication and the medicinal bath.
Spirit Coin Balance: 10.26
During body refinement class, Lang Yougong pinched Zhang Yu’s muscles and nodded in satisfaction. “Not bad, not bad. Your physical strength is improving rapidly.”
“In another month or so, you should be able to push your physical strength to Level 15.”
Lang Yougong instructed, “At the Foundation Establishment Stage, achieving Level 15 physical strength allows for better fusion between your Magic Power and physical body. This enables more effective transmission of martial dao Gang Qi to amplify your physical power.”
“From that point onward, Gang Qi Conduction Rate becomes crucial. Remember to cultivate it diligently.”
Watching Zhang Yu receive Lang Yougong’s guidance, Yu Xinghan and Li Xiao couldn’t help but feel envious.
Zhang Yu said, “Teacher, could you also help them with their questions?”
Lang Yougong glanced at Yu Xinghan and Li Xiao beside him, smiling at the two who collectively shared a single Bionic Eye. “You two have been making good progress lately as well.”
“Li Xiao’s body deterioration has slowed.”
“Yu Xinghan’s techniques are improving rapidly.”
“As your teacher, I’m very pleased.”
“Come, I’ll give you some personalized guidance today.”
In the blink of an eye, another month had passed, bringing the calendar to early April.
On this particular day, Zhang Yu suddenly received an invitation through his Bionic Eye.