Chapter 195: Three Great Divine Medicines (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 195: Three Divine Medicines (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"The sheer variety of these twenty medications is staggering."

Zhang Yu reflected silently: "Replenishing vitality, physical strength, mana, qi, and blood, alongside muscle enhancement, bone strengthening, and neural stimulation..."

Simultaneously, a separate screen of light coalesced, displaying the catalog of authorized pharmaceuticals for this examination.

Cross-referencing the display, Zhang Yu checked the point values allocated to each of the twenty substances reviewed by the influencer.

The scores fluctuated wildly; the most rudimentary supplements, such as basic stimulants and focus enhancers, commanded a mere ten points.

Slightly more potent offerings, like the muscle-building and bone-hardening series, hovered around twenty-five points.

The more formidable concoctions were categorized into tiers of fifty, eighty, and one hundred points.

"Yet that video only accounted for twenty types, didn't it? The examiner explicitly stated there were twenty-three options available for this trial."

Zhang Yu fixated on the trio of pharmaceuticals perched at the apex of the point standings, which exacted the most grueling toll upon the human form—each valued at a staggering fifteen hundred points.

"Three were omitted? Why, then, did they use this influencer's footage for the briefing?"

Across from him, Ye Lingxiao remained unfazed by the discrepancy, his thoughts charting a familiar path: "That video went viral precisely because the corporations orchestrated its reach to market these twenty flagship products."

"It seems the choice of drug consumption as the medium for this exam... is inextricably bound to corporate machinations behind the scenes."

"In all likelihood, they integrated these twenty flagship products into the curriculum simply to drive corporate sales, utilizing the video as a convenient byproduct."

As the scion of the prestigious Ye clan of the Immortal Capital, Ye Lingxiao was intimately well-acquainted with the labyrinthine nexus between the corporations and the Orthodox Deities.

Between the conglomerates under the ten grand sects and the Orthodox Deities, there existed rivalries, alliances, disputes, and, above all, commerce... a web so profound and tangled that Ye Lingxiao deemed it utterly inscrutable.

The Red Envelope Talismans and Favorability Talismans he had previously scrutinized with such fervor harbored profound secrets; he suspected they were cogs in a money-laundering apparatus operating between the corporations and the deities.

"That woman I encountered before who could transfer funds via Favorability Talismans... she was almost certainly involved in money laundering."

"Alas, engaging in the business of laundering wealth brings only a fleeting taste of divine favor; in the end, it rarely barks a fortuitous conclusion."

Though the lucre was monumental, it was the creeping realization of the terrifying perils involved that ultimately compelled Ye Lingxiao to abandon his investigations into the matter.

At that moment, as the video flickered to its conclusion, Deng Bingding spoke up: "There are three medications omitted from the broadcast which I shall now elucidate."

"Their absence stems from the fact that they remain cutting-edge products confined to laboratory settings, yet to be introduced to the mass market."

"This restriction persists because, while the efficacy of these three pharmaceuticals is peerless, each bears its own distinct flaw."

"One could argue that among the twenty-three options, these three boast the most formidable power, yet they impose the absolute highest burden on the constitution. Each represents a severe ordeal for your physical endurance."

"First, we have the Dao-Dissolution Sustained-Release Capsule..."

Listening to the explanation, Zhang Yu mentally summarized the properties of the drug.

Dao-Dissolution Sustained-Release Capsule.

Efficacy: Formulated with sedatives and negative emotion blockers, it temporarily bolsters the resilience of the Dao-heart, absorbing psychological turbulence; requires prolonged administration.

Adverse Reactions: Currently undetermined.

Zhang Yu offered a silent critique: "I'll pass on this one. If the company itself labels the risks as undetermined, there's likely a massive disaster waiting to explode inside."

Deng Bingding then introduced the Mana-Meridian Injection, which similarly commanded fifteen hundred points.

Zhang Yu cataloged its characteristics within his mind.

Mana-Meridian Injection.

Efficacy: Mimics the psychotropic catalysts generated within the bodies of natural spiritual-root possessors, effectively suppressing fatigue in the dantian and meridians while stimulating spiritual-root activity, thereby vastly accelerating the efficiency of mana recovery and growth.

Adverse Reactions: Anxiety, tachypnea, convulsions, coma.

Note: Prolonged usage may induce malignant cellular mutation of the meridians.

Upon initially hearing the description of the Mana-Meridian Injection, Zhang Yu found it quite appealing, imagining he might take a few doses to elevate his mana right here in the exam hall.

However, the moment the phrase malignant cellular mutation of the meridians left the examiner's lips, Zhang Yu's brow furrowed sharply.

"What kind of absurdity is this? They actually permit such a drug in an academic examination? This test truly demands that students forfeit their lives, doesn't it?"

Then, Deng Bingding commenced his introduction of the final substance.

Pseudo-Phoenix Nutrient.

Efficacy: Contains nano-engineered, replicated phoenix cells capable of stimulating muscle and bone proliferation while supplying phoenix hormones to repair somatic trauma, substantially enhancing the efficiency of physical cultivation.

Adverse Reactions: Diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, somnolence, insomnia, neuritis, pyrexia, fatigue, hyperpyrexia, anaphylactic shock.

To conclude, Deng Bingding added: "While the adverse reactions of the Pseudo-Phoenix Nutrient are numerous, they are generally mild and transient, rarely impeding one's cultivation."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu found himself caught between skepticism and belief.

"Nevertheless, this Pseudo-Phoenix Nutrient appears to be the most viable among the three divine medicines."

Zhang Yu pondered inwardly: "I wonder if my High School Sacred Physique combined with the Spring and Autumn Endless Chan... can withstand its toll."

"But a single dose yields fifteen hundred points, a score that dwarfs all other options."

"The moment someone elects to consume it, I shall have no choice but to stake everything."

With the briefing concluded, crate after crate of pharmaceuticals was promptly wheeled into the examination hall and arrayed before the five candidates. Deng Bingding delivered a final caveat: "Sensor patches will now be affixed to your persons to monitor your physiological vitals continuously."

"Should anyone exceed their physical threshold or experience a life-threatening crisis, disqualification will be automatically enforced."

"I trust you will act within your capabilities and refrain from ingesting substances that outstrip your physical endurance..."

Despite the admonition, the instant the examination officially commenced, Zhang Yu witnessed Yu Xinghan surge forward, sweeping boxes of vials into his embrace, transforming the administration of drugs and injections into something akin to an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Yu Xinghan first retrieved a row of Dragon-Elephant Formulations, rejoicing silently: "Ordinarily, these would cost an exorbitant sum; today, I can indulge to my heart's content."

"Ah, if only I could take some to go."

As over a dozen consecutive injections of the Dragon-Elephant Formulation forced their way into his veins, Yu Xinghan's frame expanded visibly to the naked eye, and his once-hollow cheeks regained a robust fullness.

Consequently, Yu Xinghan's score instantly surged past the one-hundred-point mark.

Thereafter, a succession of various tonics was plunged into his flesh in turns. Yu Xinghan felt the vital energy and blood tempestuously roaring through his system, as though attempting to restore all the deficits accrued from his recent overtime labor.

An internal cry of exhilaration escaped him as he thought: "I initially presumed this second round was a mere formality, yet I am permitted to intoxicate myself with pharmaceuticals so thoroughly."

"When I return tomorrow, I shall be fit to work overtime at the Red Tower once more."

At this realization, an involuntary smile tugged at the corners of Yu Xinghan's mouth.

Simultaneously, he ran a hand over his torso, sensing a profound stagnation creeping through his internal organs, alongside the frantic, erratic pounding of his heart.

"Five hundred and twenty points."

"Phew... I have neared my absolute limit. I could push further, but it would inflict permanent harm upon my foundation."

"In any case, I am not vying for the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate; there is no need to be so reckless."

Just as these thoughts crossed Yu Xinghan's mind, a colossal shadow loomed over him, and a palm larger than Yu Xinghan's entire head swept past his flank, grasping a row of syringes.

The one intervening now was candidate number eighteen, Meng Tao—a native of the Immortal Capital endowed with the Gluttonous Spiritual Root. During the previous trial of consumption, though he had eaten rapidly, his performance had suffered due to sluggish digestion.

Yet it was precisely that failure which had brought a crucial realization home to Meng Tao.

"In terms of physical caliber, I am vastly inferior to a favored son of heaven like Ye Lingxiao."

"If I wish to bridge that chasm, I must rely solely upon sheer volume."

It was as if even the strongest five-year-old could be pinned with one arm by a fifteen-year-old youth—this was the suppression of size and weight.

For this reason, over the past two months, Meng Tao had undergone eight modification surgeries, combined with his own Gluttony Spirit Root, causing his height to surge to three meters and two, and his weight to exceed one thousand kilograms.

If quality won’t do, then quantity must make up for it.

He would use his extraordinary physique to unleash extraordinary physical power.

He would use his massive size and weight to exert strength greater than his opponents’.

In the current drug-injection exam, Meng Tao knew that his present size and weight gave him a tremendous advantage, allowing him to bear far more drugs.

And as for how to inject more drugs, as a top student of the Immortal Capital, he had long had experience.

With a disdainful glance at Yu Xinghan, Meng Tao thought to himself, “An ignorant outsider, thinking he can just jab wherever he wants.”

“That’s not how you take drugs.”

“If you want to inject a lot, you should first take some nutrient fluids to whet the appetite.”

“Then eat some capsule-type drugs to line the stomach and start digestion.”

“Only after that should you use injectable types—never take any stimulants or sedatives, because the brain’s metabolism is the slowest…”

Beside him, Yu Xinghan watched as Meng Tao swiftly tore open one package after another of medical supplies, his points surging wildly, reaching over 1,200 in the blink of an eye.

Yu Xinghan thought to himself, “What a terrifying guy.”

“Just how many drugs have these Immortal Capital people taken and how many surgeries have they had?”

“This No. 18 has more than doubled in weight since I last saw him, hasn’t he? Are they raising a pig?”

“Come to think of it, these Immortal Capital students are also high schoolers, naturally in a period of rapid progress—while I’m improving, they’re advancing at breakneck speed too…”

But since he hadn’t expected to earn his Foundation Establishment qualification in the first year, he wasn’t nervous now; he simply turned his gaze to Ye Lingxiao.

“No. 23 (Ye Lingxiao), I remember he’s the strongest Immortal Capital student.”

“Huh?”

“He’s actually going for the 1,500-point Mana Meridian Injection?”

Under Yu Xinghan’s astonished gaze, Ye Lingxiao, whose points were still at zero and who had taken no drugs yet, walked straight up to the Mana Meridian Injection and plunged the syringe into his own body, injecting the divine drug.

The next moment, Ye Lingxiao’s veins bulged all over, like little snakes slithering beneath his skin.

Then Ye Lingxiao opened his mouth wide, gasping violently, while his entire body began to tremble wildly.

Please vote for monthly tickets.

(End of this chapter)