Chapter 368: I, Wen Wuya, Am Not a Petty Person
Upon seeing the photo sent by Divine Monarch Seven Emotions, Wen Wuya abruptly turned his head to look at Zhang Yu, who was feasting heartily at the banquet.
“Are he and Bai Zhenzhen close?”
Wen Wuya’s first reaction was disbelief, as he sensed the two barely knew each other.
But as he continued to observe, he gradually noticed something peculiar.
“Though they haven’t spoken or interacted directly, and have been eating separately…”
“Bai Zhenzhen keeps glancing at Zhang Yu, and Zhang Yu keeps glancing back.”
“They seem to be communicating through eye contact.”
Yet Wen Wuya remained skeptical.
“How could a Civil Engineering student be close to Bai Zhenzhen?”
Wen Wuya harbored no contempt for Civil Engineering students, nor did he discriminate against them or believe they deserved unfair treatment.
However, from scientific, Immortal Dao, social, and rational perspectives, he had long believed Heavenly Sword University should discontinue its Civil Engineering program and transfer it to the affiliated Thirty-Six Upper Colleges.
Then he recalled his previous encounter with Zhang Yu… Could they have been meeting outside?
Just as Wen Wuya had exchanged a few words with a friend who approached him, he suddenly realized Zhang Yu was gone.
Bai Zhenzhen had also disappeared.
“They… vanished together?”
Wen Wuya sent Bai Zhenzhen a message: “Zhenzhen, where did you go?”
No reply.
He initiated a video call, but she didn’t answer.
Zhang Yu: “Someone contacted you?”
Bai Zhenzhen: “It’s that guy who came looking for me last time. Just ignore him.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “I’m leaving tomorrow. Let’s hurry and have you use the Divine Spirit Root more.”
Much later, when Wen Wuya saw Bai Zhenzhen reappear at the banquet, he noticed Zhang Yu, slightly sweaty, arrive shortly after.
A sudden thought struck him: “Those two… could they have just been together?”
“Could the Divine Monarch be right? Is Zhenzhen truly involved with Zhang Yu?”
Seeing Zhang Yu about to leave the banquet, Wen Wuya followed him out.
He stopped Zhang Yu in a deserted alleyway and asked, “Do you know Bai Zhenzhen?”
Zhang Yu froze, his heart sinking as he faced Wen Wuya.
He quickly messaged Bai Zhenzhen: “What should I do? How do I answer?”
Bai Zhenzhen: “How did this guy find you? Did he sense something?”
Bai Zhenzhen: “Why don’t I just say I ‘force-cultivated’ with you? Then we can make him pay you some hush money. That way, we earn some spirit coins and explain away our relationship at the same time.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “No, that won’t work. In his eyes, you probably have no cultivation value, which would only make him more suspicious. Then… what if I say I ran into you? But you don’t have any injuries on you…
Just then, Fu Ji cautioned, “Zhang Yu, your connection with Bai Zhenzhen won’t withstand scrutiny.”
“The mere fact that you both come from the First Layer, Songyang City, and Songyang High School will reveal that you already knew each other.”
“Your concealment has only worked because most people subconsciously assume you have no connection and won’t actively investigate you.”
“But once someone becomes suspicious, even a cursory investigation will confirm that you must know each other.”
“Therefore, you can’t resort to reckless lies now. If your lies are exposed, it will only deepen their suspicion and curiosity.”
“Now more than ever, you must remain calm, composed, and appear completely transparent.”
Fu Ji concluded, “Just say you and Bai Zhenzhen were high school classmates. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
After Fu Ji’s explanation, Zhang Yu gradually relaxed.
“That’s right. Even if he knows A-Zhen and I are acquainted, it won’t matter as long as he doesn’t discover our Divine Spirit Root swap.”
Zhang Yu nodded and said, “Bai Zhenzhen and I were high school classmates.”
Hearing this, Wen Wuya thought to himself, “So that’s how it is. They were both poor people from the First Layer, so they became friends using primitive, outdated methods.”
Recalling the Divine Monarch Seven Emotions’ words, Wen Wuya’s gaze sharpened as he turned to Zhang Yu. “As high school classmates, were you and Bai Zhenzhen close?”
Zhang Yu gave an awkward smile. “We were okay, I guess.”
“Zhang Yu, right?” Wen Wuya said coolly. “I can offer you some money…”
Zhang Yu’s heart skipped a beat. “Is he trying to get me, a poor guy, to stay away from Bai Zhenzhen? Does he think I’m trying to mooch off her now that she’s successful, just because we were classmates?”
Wen Wuya continued, his tone even. “…teach me how to develop a relationship with Bai Zhenzhen.”
“Huh?” Zhang Yu blurted out.
Wen Wuya pressed on. “Speaking of which, have you ever engaged in dual cultivation with Bai Zhenzhen?”
“Ah?” Zhang Yu waved his hands frantically. “No, no, never…”
Wen Wuya sighed. “That’s a pity. Otherwise, I could have offered you even more money to share your experience.”
“You’ve probably noticed by now that I, Wen Wuya, am not a stingy man. If money can buy it, I’m willing to pay.”
Fu Ji’s voice echoed in Zhang Yu’s mind. “An opportunity, Zhang Yu! A golden chance to make money!”
“You and Bai Zhenzhen could team up and milk this guy dry. We’ll squeeze every last coin out of him!”
“Don’t be scared, don’t be nervous! I’ll coach you on what to say!”
Zhang Yu sent Bai Zhenzhen the situation and asked for her opinion.
Bai Zhenzhen: “Is that even a question? This is definitely a money-making opportunity!”
Bai Zhenzhen: “But wait, first ask him why he wants to learn from you.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “Logically, someone like him should just throw money at me to cultivate a relationship, right?”
Zhang Yu turned to Wen Wuya and asked, “If you want to cultivate a relationship, why not just give Bai Zhenzhen money directly?”
After a moment of silence, Wen Wuya replied, “I have my reasons. I need to cultivate a relationship with Bai Zhenzhen without spending any money. Can you help me with that?”
Bai Zhenzhen’s heart sank as she read Zhang Yu’s relayed answer. “These conditions… Could this be master’s doing?”
“Is he trying to use Wen Wuya to help me cultivate the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao?”
Bai Zhenzhen couldn’t be certain, but she was certain of one thing: she absolutely hated this possibility.
“Wen Wuya, you should focus on helping Yu Zi advance on the Immortal Dao first.”
Meanwhile, Wen Wuya looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Name your price. How many Spirit Coins do you want to share your experiences with Bai Zhenzhen?”
Zhang Yu replied, “We’ve known each other for so long… Where do I even begin?”
Wen Wuya said, “Then sell me all your chat logs.”
Zhang Yu countered, “Times change, environments differ. What good are chat logs alone?”
“Why not let me guide you on how to chat with Bai Zhenzhen?”
Wen Wuya’s gaze flickered. “Guide me?”
Zhang Yu explained, “For example, right now, you could send Bai Zhenzhen a message asking if she knows the standard coagulated earth ratio used in Myriad Laws University City.”
Wen Wuya frowned. “What’s the point of that?”
Zhang Yu replied, “Don’t you even know Bai Zhenzhen is interested in Civil Engineering? To cultivate a connection, you need to start with her interests.”
Wen Wuya remained skeptical. “Zhenzhen interested in Civil Engineering? That’s impossible!”
Zhang Yu smiled faintly. “How do you think I’ve maintained contact with Bai Zhenzhen for so long even though I’m a Civil Engineering student?”
“A-Zhen dreamed of working on construction sites back in high school, aspiring to become a glorious Civil Engineering student.”
Wen Wuya’s heart jolted. Though still doubtful, he decided to try it out and sent the message to Bai Zhenzhen.
Zhang Yu logged into Bai Zhenzhen’s account, saw Wen Wuya’s message, and replied: “[Smiling Face] Funny you would ask! I just learned that Myriad Laws University uses the classic ratio…”
Wen Wuya stared at Bai Zhenzhen’s lengthy reply, instantly stunned.
This was the first time he had ever received an emoji from Bai Zhenzhen, and also the first time she had ever sent him such a long message.
Wen Wuya looked up at Zhang Yu and asked, “How much?”
Zhang Yu: “Huh?”
Wen Wuya: “I mean, how much do you charge for your guidance?”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “50 Spirit Coins? Or 100 Spirit Coins? What do you think, Fu Ji?”
Fu Ji replied, “Don’t rush. This is a long-term meal ticket. If you set the price too high right away, you’ll make him suspicious.”
“Let me think…”
Fu Ji observed Wen Wuya for a moment before saying, “Ask for 10 Spirit Coins per month for now.”
Zhang Yu said, “10 Spirit Coins per month.”
Hearing such a low price, Wen Wuya’s last reservations vanished instantly. He immediately added Zhang Yu as a friend and transferred 10 Spirit Coins to him.
Watching the 10 Spirit Coins arrive, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but sigh again, “Damn… after all those nerve-wracking days of trading Spirit Coins, I barely made 3 Spirit Coins.”
“Just a few words… and he’s giving me 10 Spirit Coins, every month.”
Fu Ji said matter-of-factly, “Of course. Trading Spirit Coins requires capital, doesn’t it? With your meager funds, how much could you possibly earn?”
“How many times have I told you? Scams are the best way out for Kunxu’s poor!”
Zhang Yu tried to transfer 5 Spirit Coins to Bai Zhenzhen, but she refused.
Bai Zhenzhen: “It’s better if we don’t exchange money.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “Besides, I’m not short on funds.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “I’ll log back into my account and directly transfer Wen Wuya’s friend management to you. You can handle the conversations from now on.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “Remember, don’t chat about too much nonsense.”
Zhang Yu understood that this ‘friend management transfer’ meant he would be communicating with Wen Wuya on Bai Zhenzhen’s behalf.
Wen Wuya would think he was talking to Bai Zhenzhen, but it would actually be Zhang Yu chatting in her place.
Just then, Wen Wuya asked, “What should I say next?”
Zhang Yu replied, “Give her the silent treatment for 12 hours.”
Wen Wuya couldn’t help but protest, “Twelve hours? Isn’t that too long?”
Zhang Yu insisted, “Trust me, it’ll work.”
“She’ll definitely message you. Just ignore her completely.”
After temporarily placating Wen Wuya, Zhang Yu found a deserted corner on the 88th floor of Myriad Laws University.
With Gang Qi surging and Magic Power circulating, he began another round of cultivation.
“The final night,” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “I must completely replicate the Azure Lotus Sword Embryo!”