Chapter 371: Martial Dao Sacred Body
On the day the Civil Engineering Competition began, Ji Yuanshu stood in the operating room, examining his brand-new arms. A satisfied smile crept across his lips.
The specifications of his newly acquired arms flashed through his mind:
“Thunderfire Roar, a Thunder Magic series Hand Bionics produced by Myriad Paths Artisan Group, a top-tier Bionic company.”
“Each arm can be enhanced with high-temperature and electromagnetic capabilities. Through external meridian extensions, they can reshape Gang Qi into Gang Qi cannons with a range exceeding 500 meters.”
As he mentally reviewed the details, Ji Yuanshu used his Bionic Eyes to photograph the Thunderfire Roar arms. He uploaded the image to his social media platform with the caption: “A new day, striving for greater cultivation.”
Scrolling through his past posts revealed a variety of Immortal Dao products, all acquired with a substantial amount of Spirit Coins after his final exams.
There were the sixth-generation Soul-Chasing Eyes from Myriad Paths Artisan Group, capable of pre-setting targets, locking onto high-speed targets, and coordinating with other Bionics for automated aiming and attacks.
He also possessed the Unpredictable Wind low-altitude flight components for his legs. These used high-speed air jets to generate windstorms, enabling low-altitude flight, instant acceleration, rapid movement, and sharp turns, supporting flight speeds up to three times the speed of sound.
The Celestial Craftsman Group’s Ascension Nexus, in addition to its built-in Level 20 cultivation art, also provided Anti-Gravity enhancement, further strengthening the leg-mounted low-altitude flight components.
The copper coin that had suppressed his Qi Luck had now been replaced with another magical artifact.
This artifact, shaped like a card, currently floated quietly within Ji Yuanshu’s mind, suppressing his Qi Luck.
Named the Platinum Fortune Suppression Card, this Qi Luck artifact differed from the original ancient coin-shaped version. Its design was inspired by credit cards from centuries ago.
The card’s archaic design, with its old-fashioned illustrations and text on both sides, symbolized nobility, creditworthiness, and immense financial power.
Under the Platinum Fortune Suppression Card’s operation, the backlash against his Qi Luck had been mitigated. The original two-month backlash period had been evenly distributed into a twelve-month cycle.
As he acquired more Bionics and flaunted various expensive Immortal Dao products, more people sensed his wealth and believed in his capabilities, allowing him to accumulate even greater Qi Luck.
Especially after…
Ji Yuanshu recalled the Evil God Ritual he had secretly performed after the final exams.
Since that ritual, he had been able to accumulate Qi Luck at an accelerated rate, proportional to the number of Bionics he possessed.
With the Evil God’s assistance, his follower growth had skyrocketed over the past three months, far surpassing previous rates. He had gained hundreds of thousands of new followers, and each display of wealth generated a significant amount of Qi Luck.
This allowed Ji Yuanshu not only to rapidly recover from the aftereffects of the Qi Luck backlash, but also to make remarkable progress in his cultivation.
The Qi Luck beneath the Platinum Fortune Suppression Card was now even more potent than it had been during the final exams, enhancing all aspects of his abilities.
Through the card’s operation, the Qi Luck’s enhancement effects were amplified multiple times over.
However, to achieve all this — to continuously flaunt his wealth and acquire more Bionics — Ji Yuanshu had drained his Spirit Coin reserves, nearly exhausting his savings and accumulating substantial debt.
Even his cherished Wind-Stabilizing Pearl, which he previously used daily, had long been sold.
Without the pearl, he was forced to endure the Kunxu Second Layer’s stale air every day.
“Unconsciously, I’ve grown accustomed to the poverty-stricken atmosphere of University City.”
“This must be the growth that comes from hardship.”
He deeply etched the smell of poverty into his mind, constantly reminding himself that the hardships he endured now were for a brighter future.
“Zhang Yu is just the beginning.”
Feeling the surging Qi Luck within his mind, Ji Yuanshu was convinced his future held boundless potential.
Like many senior Finance Department alumni, as he accumulated followers and consolidated Qi Luck, more and more people would believe in him, follow him, and obey him. Eventually, a single thought or word from him would sway the hearts of billions, guide the flow of countless Spirit Coins, and control the convergence points of Qi Luck…
Ji Yuanshu understood that Zhang Yu was no longer worth his attention. The Civil Engineering Department was merely an insignificant stop on his life’s journey, his true destiny lay in the vast realm of Finance.
Glancing at the time, he realized the competition was about to begin. He stood up, left the operating room, and headed toward the arena.
Ma Xuan and the others had already arrived at the arena. Seeing Ji Yuanshu approach, Ma Xuan’s face lit up with a faint smile.
He had been closely observing Ji Yuanshu’s rapid growth in strength during this period, further solidifying his conviction that keeping him on the team had been the right decision.
Inside a one-square-meter meditation capsule, Che Yufei slowly opened his eyes as a chime rang.
He hadn’t worked for three consecutive days.
During this time, he hadn’t taken any overtime shifts, focusing solely on his regular daytime studies and practicing his breathing technique throughout the night.
This marked the first time since entering university that he had gone over 72 hours without working.
His reason for this break was the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition. He chose to rest and recuperate, conserving his energy and stamina for the competition to avoid being mentally drained or physically exhausted during the event — or worse, collapsing from overwork.
For these three days, he forced himself to abstain from overtime, work, and earning money, watching helplessly as his Spirit Coin balance dwindled daily while he endured the agonizing process of resting.
This ordeal tormented Che Yufei’s spirit.
“This is unbearable…”
“Resting truly tests one’s dao heart.”
“If I can’t find a job after graduation, will I have to endure this torment every day?”
The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
Determined to secure a good job after graduation, Che Yufei resolved to place within the top ten in the Civil Engineering Competition this time.
“After all, I’m already a seventh-year university student. If I graduate without even a competition placement, finding a decent job on the Second Layer will be nearly impossible.”
Che Yufei knew he was poor, which had prevented him from participating in competitions during his lower years. He accepted this reality.
But now that he had finally reached his seventh year, he wasn’t aiming for the top spot. A top-ten finish would be enough to satisfy him.
Glancing at the time, Che Yufei took a deep breath, feeling his body return to peak condition. He emerged from his meditation capsule and headed toward the arena.
On the way, he ran into Shi Yunxiang. Noticing the brand-new Hand Bionic on Shi Yunxiang’s right hand, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. “Xiang, is that Vajra Profound Creation’s Limitless Palm? Weren’t you always using the local model?”
Shi Yunxiang grinned, extending his left hand. “I switched the local model to this hand.”
Che Yufei’s gaze shifted. “Then your original left hand…”
“I sold it,” Shi Yunxiang said. “How else could I afford the Limitless Palm in full?”
He sighed. “After all those years of training, I finally got a good price for it. At least all that effort wasn’t wasted.”
“Once I replace every bit of flesh and blood with Bionic parts, I’ll never have to worry about being coveted again.”
Che Yufei looked at Shi Yunxiang with a hint of envy. Though both were made of flesh and blood, Shi Yunxiang’s body, because it could be sold as food, had additional value multipliers like “deliciousness” and “freshness,” making it far more valuable than his own.
While the risks were higher, the profits were also much greater.
When they arrived at the arena, they found their captain, Shi Huaiyu, already waiting at the entrance, waving them over.
Shi Huaiyu was in an excellent mood today, having finally managed to temporarily suppress the side effects of the Ghost Kidney.
Thinking of this, she secretly thanked Yu Xinghan. It was his reminder that had allowed her to seize the opportunity to profit from the Seven Emotions Coin surge.
“I should get a massage from him next time and support his business.”
“And I need to thank Teacher Tu for lending me the money to trade coins.”
Recalling how her stock market speculation had nearly bankrupted her last year, Shi Huaiyu felt a surge of gratitude that Tu Lishan still trusted her. His words echoed in her mind:
“Investing in stocks and cryptocurrencies is a legitimate pursuit. If I didn’t lend you money for this, I’d be failing as your mentor. Take the money, and just calculate the interest at a consumer loan rate.”
The profits from the Seven Emotions Coin had allowed Shi Huaiyu to purchase a Ghost-Suppressing Seal. Once implanted in her body, it would specifically target her Ghost Kidney, which still retained traces of its original owner’s consciousness.
Just then, a message popped up in her Bionic Eye from the Soul Cultivator within the Ghost-Suppressing Seal:
Soul Cultivator: “Boss, the competition hasn’t started yet. Can I go out for a bit?”
Shi Huaiyu: “No. We agreed on a full day.”
Shi Huaiyu: “I’ve hired plenty of Soul Cultivators before. Don’t think you can pull one over on me by trying to work two jobs at once.”
Knowing these Soul Cultivators were always looking for ways to moonlight, Shi Huaiyu refused to let him leave. After all, this particular Soul Cultivator was the original owner of her Ghost Kidney and an expert in its suppression.
After reprimanding the Soul Cultivator, Shi Huaiyu sent a message to the competition team group chat: “Where are you guys?”
Myriad Laws University City, 88th floor.
Zhang Yu slowly exhaled, finally pushing the sixth martial art of his Martial Dao Sacred Body to Level 20 just before the competition.
Beginner Martial Dao Sacred Body (6/6): After any Foundation Establishment Stage martial dao technique is executed in your hands, its combat prowess will be greatly enhanced.
“Oh?”
Zhang Yu’s gaze flickered slightly. He recalled that a similar effect enhancing combat prowess had been the final layer of the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo during the Qi Refining Stage.
“Does the first layer of the Foundation Establishment Stage Martial Dao Sacred Body immediately enhance martial art combat prowess?”
“Is this the transformation from the Qi Refining Stage to the Foundation Establishment Stage, from the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo to the Martial Dao Sacred Body?”
However, Zhang Yu wasn’t disappointed; he actually found this outcome preferable.
After all, his physical defenses were already exceptionally strong, bordering on excessive. He needed other means to expand his capabilities.
“This first layer of the Martial Dao Sacred Body might prove remarkably effective in the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition.”
Noticing the urgent message from his Bionic Eye, Zhang Yu smiled faintly. With a swift movement, he darted into the Anti-Gravity Passage, soaring upward like a bolt of lightning. In an instant, he arrived at the arena entrance.
Shi Huaiyu, seeing Zhang Yu approach, grabbed his arm and urged, “Let’s go, let’s go! The first elimination round is about to start.”