Chapter 364: Bai Zhenzhen’s Dao Seed
Zhang Yu: “How long will you be staying at Myriad Laws University this time?”
Bai Zhenzhen: “I’ll leave as soon as the competition ends. If I make it to the finals, it’ll be about ten days.”
Zhang Yu: “The Divine Spirit Root, I’ll return it to you before you leave. You’ll need it for the competition.”
Bai Zhenzhen tilted her head, unconcerned. “It’s fine. Just give it back before my matches start.”
“Use the Divine Spirit Root as much as you can while you have it.”
“That’s exactly why I want you to have it, to boost your strength.”
“But let’s keep our relationship under wraps from the university students for now. It’ll make transferring the Divine Spirit Root easier.”
Zhang Yu nodded repeatedly as Bai Zhenzhen spoke, his gaze drifting down to her chest. Inevitably, he noticed her Dao Seed.
Azure Lotus Sword Embryo (Spirit Root) - Level 2
Beyond the Dao Seed visible on her chest, he saw the same inscription appear on his own abdomen.
Azure Lotus Sword Embryo (Spirit Root) - Level 2
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “So… A-Zhen’s Dao Seed is the True Spirit Root?”
“Azure Lotus Sword Embryo? Level 2 already? Is it because it underwent a transformation on the First Layer?”
Zhang Yu sensed it briefly and then dismissed it.
Neither he nor Bai Zhenzhen paid much attention to the Divine Spirit Root. They simply embraced, slowly sharing their recent experiences and basking in each other’s presence.
Three years of high school, marked by repeated life-and-death crises faced together, had forged a bond deeper than family.
Suddenly, Bai Zhenzhen said with a look of disdain, “Has the Yang-Enhancing Meat’s effect not worn off yet?”
Zhang Yu retorted angrily, “Isn’t this your fault? If I hadn’t eaten the Yang-Enhancing Meat you gave me, how could I have been so easily tempted? I’ve been walking on eggshells lately.”
Bai Zhenzhen replied, “I’m certain I didn’t make a mistake back then. This matter… never mind, I’ll confirm it later.”
With a flash like lightning, Bai Zhenzhen darted out of Zhang Yu’s embrace and reappeared several meters away.
She glanced sideways at Zhang Yu and said, “That’s enough for today. I should be going.”
“Now, hurry up and make extensive use of the Divine Spirit Root for your cultivation.”
Zhang Yu asked, “The competition starts tomorrow, right? When should I return it?”
Bai Zhenzhen replied, “The opening ceremony is tomorrow during the first half of the night, and the first matches are in the second half. Just return it to me at midnight.”
As she spoke, Bai Zhenzhen’s figure vanished soundlessly before Zhang Yu, transforming into streaks of light that demonstrated her extraordinary agility.
Watching her disappear, Zhang Yu turned his attention inward to his True Spirit Root — or rather, the Azure Lotus Sword Embryo.
Through focused meditation, information about the Dao Seed gradually surfaced in his mind.
“The Azure Lotus Sword Embryo requires nourishment from cultivation arts,” Zhang Yu murmured to himself. “Specifically, I need to circulate Level 20 cultivation arts for 30 hours each while using my Divine Spirit Root. I’ll have to do this for ten different cultivation arts.”
“However, mental cultivation techniques aren’t included.”
“So, that’s a total of 300 hours? Once I reach that point, I’ll be able to replicate the Dao Seed.”
Zhang Yu recalled how his True Spirit Root had undergone its transformation during high school, nurtured by multiple cultivation arts.
“For now, I can only sense the conditions for replicating the Dao Seed, not for upgrading it.”
This was the first time Zhang Yu had encountered a Level 2 Dao Seed since unlocking the Dao Seed Register in his Feather Book.
Simultaneously, Zhang Yu recalled his experiences using the True Spirit Root when he was on the First Layer.
“Adaptation is the hallmark of the True Spirit Root.”
“I wonder what changes have occurred since it evolved into the Divine Spirit Root?”
Over the next few hours, under Fu Ji’s expectant gaze, Zhang Yu began cultivating using his Divine Spirit Root.
The cultivation process was simple: he had already mastered over ten Level 20 cultivation arts, making it simple to select any ten to cycle through.
“If I want to accomplish this before A-Zhen leaves Myriad Laws University, time is running out.”
“Fortunately, with my multiple mental threads, there’s still a chance.”
With this in mind, Zhang Yu seized every moment to cultivate, nourishing the Azure Lotus Sword Embryo with cultivation arts while experiencing the profound workings of the Divine Spirit Root.
The construction site hummed with activity late the next night.
Yu Xinghan, massaging Ying Xin’s shoulders, remarked, “There seem to be so many more people around today.”
“Are they all from other universities?”
Ying Xin replied, “It’s because of the Flying Sword Tournament. Our university is hosting it this year, so students from universities and even vocational colleges have flocked here. No wonder it’s so crowded.”
Meanwhile, countless messages streamed across Zhang Yu’s Bionic Eye — discussions about the Flying Sword Tournament from various groups.
Glancing through the conversations, Zhang Yu noticed most were just casual chatter. None of his acquaintances seemed to be participating in the tournament.
“True, flying swords have such a high barrier to entry. Most participants in inter-university competitions are upperclassmen anyway.”
“But A-Zhen is only a second-year student, yet she’s already competing. It seems her training under the Divine Monarch Seven Emotions has really accelerated her progress.”
Just then, Zhang Yu spotted screenshots of the opening ceremony circulating in multiple groups.
“Has the opening ceremony started?”
He searched for a live stream of the event and clicked on one at random. Teams of university representatives were marching into the arena, one after another.
There was the Celestial Monsters University team, represented by a single competitor.
There was the Vajra University team, whose members were adorned with Bionics from head to toe, resembling living statues.
And there was the Joyful Union University team, whose formidable presence made Zhang Yu’s gaze turn grave.
As each team entered the arena, the live broadcast commentator occasionally introduced the participants.
However, Zhang Yu didn’t recognize any of the competitors from other universities, and the information went in one ear and out the other, barely registering in his mind.
But the moment the Heavenly Sword University team appeared, Zhang Yu’s attention immediately locked onto Bai Zhenzhen.
Clad in a platinum-gold competition uniform, Bai Zhenzhen radiated heroic spirit and an unprecedented sharpness. Her once-long black hair had transformed into a platinum-gold cascade, shimmering with layers upon layers of sword light.
The commentator announced, “This is Bai Zhenzhen from Heavenly Sword University. Anyone who’s been following the Flying Sword Competition over the past six months will undoubtedly recognize her.”
“As the personal disciple of Divine Monarch Seven Emotions, Bai Zhenzhen’s progress has been astonishingly rapid. She’s considered a frontrunner for the top ten spots in this competition.”
“Look at her hair. The color comes from the constant manifestation of refined metal qi.”
“Legend has it that each strand of her hair was personally refined by Divine Monarch Seven Emotions. When needed, each strand can transform into a refined metal flying sword, ready to be wielded.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu noticed screenshots and discussions about Bai Zhenzhen popping up in several group chats.
In the class group chat, someone posted a screenshot of Bai Zhenzhen, expressing their envy and awe toward the Spirit Transformation Disciple.
Even Ji Yuanshu, gazing at Bai Zhenzhen’s profile, couldn’t help but show a hint of longing in his eyes. “A Spirit Transformation Disciple… just her long hair alone surpasses the net worth of 90% of Myriad Laws University students.”
“With wealth like that, her Qi Luck follows her wherever she goes. Even becoming her friend could boost your own Qi Luck.”
In the Songyang Hometown Group, countless students @-ed Zhang Yu, eager to ask about Bai Zhenzhen’s situation, but Zhang Yu ignored them all.
Qian Shen from Tianhai College: “@Zhang Yu, do you know Bai Zhenzhen’s current Comprehensive Points?”
Seeing that Zhang Yu still hadn’t responded in the group chat, Zhao Tianxing thought to himself, “Has Zhang Yu’s relationship with Bai Zhenzhen soured? It’s definitely not as close as it was back in high school. Just like my relationship with him isn’t as strong as it used to be.”
“Should I reach out to him? Offer some comfort?”
“No, better not. If their relationship has really deteriorated, asking him about it might make him think I’m mocking him. It would only make him feel worse, and our relationship would suffer even more.”
“Ah, University is like this. It creates a divide between University Students as vast as the difference between the living and the dead. Old classmates drift further and further apart.”
Zhao Tianxing remembered how, in the early days, the Hometown Group chat used to flood with over 999+ messages daily. But as time passed, days would go by without a single post. If not for Bai Zhenzhen’s sudden emergence, the group wouldn’t have suddenly come alive again.
In the Civil Engineering Competition Group chat:
Ying Xin: “To be in the top ten as a Second-Year? Even for a Spirit Transformation Disciple, that’s ridiculous.”
Gongshu Jin: “That’s Spirit Transformation level! And the issuer of the Seven Emotions Coin.”
Xiao Qingxuan: “With that level of wealth, they could reshape heaven and earth with a single thought. There’s practically nothing they couldn’t achieve.”
Che Yufei: “Sigh, if I could become a Spirit Transformation Disciple, I’d give up everything I own!”
Shi Yunxiang: “How about we try to become Bai Zhenzhen’s disciples? If we succeeded, we’d become the disciples of a Spirit Transformation’s disciple!”
Shi Huaiyu: “It’s not that easy. Spirit Transformation Disciples are heavily guarded, ordinary people can’t even get close.”
Shi Huaiyu: “Before you could even approach, the teacher leading the escort would kick you out.”
Che Yufei: “How do you know that?”
Shi Huaiyu: “I tried sneaking into their dorms yesterday.”
Yu Xinghan scrolled through the chat history and suddenly noticed a message from Zhang Yu, urging him to keep their connection to Bai Zhenzhen a secret for now.
Though Zhang Yu wasn’t sure how much Li Xiao knew about his relationship with Bai Zhenzhen, he still sent a warning to him, advising him to avoid saying anything unnecessary.
Yu Xinghan replied: “You can trust me to keep my mouth shut.”
Simultaneously, Yu Xinghan sighed inwardly. “Sigh, I was hoping to get some insider access and film an interview with Bai Zhenzhen. It looks like that’s out of the question now.”
“The gap between Bai Zhenzhen and us is just too vast now.”
“Zhang Yu’s request for secrecy probably comes from Bai Zhenzhen herself.”
“After all, she’s a Spirit Transformation Disciple. Every action carries immense weight. If she doesn’t want to reveal her connection to us, we have no choice but to respect her wishes.”
Yu Xinghan understood perfectly: although the two of them had still been considered friends back in high school, they were now as far apart as clouds and mud. Whether or not he could receive any care or favors depended entirely on the other party’s choice; it was not something he could force.
“Hmm?”
Just then, Yu Xinghan noticed Zhang Yu’s figure was missing from the construction site.
“Where did he go?”
“Not working overtime anymore?”
This was the first time Yu Xinghan had ever seen Zhang Yu leave halfway through his overtime shift.
“It seems Bai Zhenzhen’s influence on him is truly significant.”
After the opening ceremony, in a hidden corner on the 66th floor.
Zhang Yu held Bai Zhenzhen close and returned her True Spirit Root.
In that instant, Bai Zhenzhen began to tremble violently. “Yu Zi… you… slow down…”
She exclaimed in surprise, “Why am I… so unaccustomed to this?”
Zhang Yu explained, “It’s been too long since we last switched True Spirit Roots. The differences between them are immense. Not only am I struggling to adjust to the changes you bring, but you must also be finding it difficult to adapt to the changes I’ve brought.”
“This makes the adaptation process extremely intense, causing such a strong reaction.”
“A-Zhen, just bear with it. We can’t delay any longer, you have a competition coming up.”
“Mhm,” Bai Zhenzhen nodded, her brow furrowed slightly. “Continue.”
The next moment, as Bai Zhenzhen gritted her teeth and her entire body shook, she felt the True Spirit Root return to her Dantian.
Simultaneously, a powerful surge of energy erupted from the True Spirit Root, coursing through her entire body and triggering a series of miraculous transformations.