Chapter 203: Second Round of Foundation Establishment Exams Concludes (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 203: End of the Second Round of the Foundation Building Examination (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

As the simulation's depth decreased, Ye Lingxiao layered and activated one protective technique after another, causing Zhang Yu's brow to twitch repeatedly as he watched from the side. He recognized the Titanium Body-Refinement Essentials among them, a technique he had seen during the last Foundation Building examination.

By this point, Ye Lingxiao's depth had reached -2,581 meters. His entire body gleamed with a brilliant gold, radiating a metallic luster like a divine statue standing fast in the deep ocean depths.

Clearly, this depth of -2,581 meters had still not reached Ye Lingxiao's limit.

Just as everyone was reeling from Ye Lingxiao's terrifying strength, assuming he would continue to stand his ground, Huang Zichou spoke up: "Very well, Number 23, your total score already ranks first. There is no need to continue."

Only then did Ye Lingxiao nod and choose to terminate the exam.

With this, the top two spots in the physical track of the second round of the Foundation Building examination were decided, belonging to Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao.

The two of them would also participate in the final round of this year's Foundation Building examination in January of next year to compete for the Foundation Building Qualification Certificate.

"What an absolute monster," Yu Xinghan muttered to himself, watching Ye Lingxiao step out from the Sea-Calming Pillar. "This year's Foundation Building Qualification Certificate is definitely going to that guy."

"But if that's the case, it means I'll have to take the same Foundation Building examination with Zhang Yu again next year."

And while Zhang Yu's current strength seemed far inferior to Ye Lingxiao's, his rate of progress still filled Yu Xinghan with immense envy, perhaps even jealousy.

"During the last round of the Foundation Building examination, he was only slightly ahead of me."

"Yet in this second round, he has completely overtaken me."

The realization soured Yu Xinghan's expression. "Why on earth is this kid Zhang Yu progressing so fast? It's simply absurd."

"Especially since the kid is clearly so broke. This matter cannot simply be brushed aside..."

Yu Xinghan knew a thing or two about Zhang Yu's poverty. Particularly when working overtime together at the Red Tower every week, he could practically smell the scent of poverty on him—it was identical to how he himself used to be.

"If this kid were filthy rich, I might not have any options."

"But since he's so poor anyway..."

Yu Xinghan made up his mind; the moment he returned, he would have a talk with his senior sister, Li Xuelian.

He thought to himself, "I'll ask Senior Sister for money as soon as I get back."

"And then, more classes!"

"I absolutely must book a ton of extra classes with Zhang Yu, preferably training alongside him every single day. I have to find out exactly what secret Dao techniques he possesses."

"Furthermore... next year we must reach a tacit understanding to ensure we end up in different tracks during the Foundation Building examination. That's the only way I'll stand a chance at snatching a Foundation Building Qualification Certificate."

"Come to think of it..." Yu Xinghan mused, "If both Zhang Yu and I manage to pass and get our certificates next year, we could actually enter the Top Ten together."

Recalling everything Daoist Xinghuo had told him about the Top Ten, Yu Xinghan thought, "Once we ascend to the second tier, our rivals will be those lords up there."

"When that time comes, having a close acquaintance like Zhang Yu might mean we can look out for one another."

Yu Xinghan still remembered Daoist Xinghuo telling him that when he had first tested into the University of Myriad Laws—one of the Top Ten universities—he had been thoroughly put in his place by the upper-tier lords.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Daoist Xinghuo had challenged those lords again, only to be put in his place once more.

Repeatedly failing yet repeatedly fighting on, he spent a full ten years of his university life challenging those upper-tier lords until, finally... Daoist Xinghuo accepted reality.

Through this story, Daoist Xinghuo wanted to tell Yu Xinghan that there are some people you cannot catch up to if you weren't born at their level, and you never will in this lifetime.

Another lesson was the vital importance of having friends to borrow money from and share the pressure with.

Yu Xinghan completely agreed with this sentiment.

On the other side, sensing Yu Xinghan's gaze, Zhang Yu wondered to himself, "Why does this guy keep staring at me?"

Remembering how the guy had approached him for sparring after the last physical examination, Zhang Yu thought, "Could he be planning to book more classes with me and train together the moment we get back?"

"If so, I can actually make a tidy sum."

But considering Yu Xinghan's current job—the fact that he sold seeds just to afford sparring sessions with him—Zhang Yu couldn't help but feel a bit bizarre.

"What's so weird about it?" Zhang Yu suppressed the strange feeling. "Isn't money from selling seeds still money?"

Following that, as the examination rankings were announced, the candidates began to file out under the arrangements of the Righteous Deity.

Before leaving, however, Zhang Yu felt a sudden impulse as he recalled Zhou Chechen and the Zhou family.

Thus, he stepped forward and said, "Examiner, I have something I would like to report."

Under the curious stares of the other candidates, Zhang Yu remained behind alone.

Huang Zichou looked at Zhang Yu with a beaming smile, asking warmly, "What is it you need?"

Although there was a significant gap between Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao, meaning Zhang Yu likely wouldn't obtain the Foundation Building Qualification Certificate this year, Huang Zichou saw Zhang Yu as potentially more valuable than Ye Lingxiao. He could easily look up the Ye clan backing Ye Lingxiao, but he couldn't unearth the identity of the powerful figure behind Zhang Yu.

And the more untraceable it was, the more formidable it seemed to Huang Zichou. Since Zhang Yu had taken the initiative to speak with him, Huang Zichou intended to use the opportunity to curry favor and forge a positive connection.

Yet, despite Huang Zichou's intentions, reality denied him the chance.

Before Zhang Yu could speak, Deng Bincheng materialized beside the two of them, saying indifferently, "Zichou, go and write up today's report first. I will handle things here."

Glancing at the expressionless Deng Bincheng, Huang Zichou thought bitterly, "Are you serious... you even have to snatch this? Could the person behind Zhang Yu have an even greater background than I previously estimated?"

With no choice but to depart, Huang Zichou could only curse inwardly, "All that money, given to the dogs."

Deng Bincheng looked at Zhang Yu and said mildly, "What is the matter?"

Zhang Yu then detailed the incident of being followed by the Zhou family in Songyang City, concluding with, "...I am worried they are attempting to investigate my participation in the Foundation Building examination, so I wanted to report this to you, Examiner."

Listening to Zhang Yu's explanation, Deng Bincheng wore a faint, knowing smile.

A family in Songyang City daring to investigate the Foundation Building examination? Deng Bincheng found that hard to believe.

Rather, the likelihood that Zhang Yu was trying to draw her fire to burn down the Zhou family was quite high.

Naturally, Deng Bincheng did not expose him. Instead, she pondered whether this move was Zhang Yu's own idea or the wish of the person backing him.

Uncertain, Deng Bincheng played along and said, "I am aware of this matter now. I will have people look into the Zhou family to see if they have engaged in any behavior investigating the Foundation Building examination."

"Add me as a contact. If anything else arises, you can inform me at any time."

Slightly overwhelmed by the unexpected favor, Zhang Yu asked, "Add you as a contact?"

Deng Bincheng replied calmly, "Protecting the information security of every student in the Foundation Building examination is our duty as examiners; it is only right."

Somewhat surprised, Zhang Yu added Deng Bincheng as a contact, thinking, "Can you actually add a Righteous Deity as a contact? Why haven't I seen this feature on the talismans before? Is it because my faith level is too low?"

Watching Zhang Yu's departing figure, Deng Bincheng's thoughts shifted slightly as she wondered, "Has the result on the other side come out as well?"

...

On the martial arts examination grounds elsewhere.

Bai Zhenzhen ultimately stepped onto the arena stage, choosing to battle Yun Jing.

"At the very least, I must see exactly where the gap lies between us."

Of course, another underlying reason was to make use of her medical insurance.

With this thought in mind, Bai Zhenzhen walked onto the stage, and the one million medical insurance limit materialized above her head once more.

However, the moment the insurance limit appeared, the numbers began to rapidly plummet, only stopping after decreasing by over two hundred thousand.

As the treatment concluded, Bai Zhenzhen felt a wave of comfort wash through her entire body. The lingering injuries from her previous arena match had completely healed.

On the other side of the stage, Yun Jing asked indifferently, "Are you healed?"

"Wait, let me warm up first." Bai Zhenzhen twisted her body, and the next moment, with a flicker, she shot toward Yun Jing trailing a chain of electric light.

Streams of invisible sword qi surged from her fingertips, and as her sword momentum unfolded across the sky, she already closed in to shred Yun Jing.

At this moment, Bai Zhenzhen was executing the Ten Thousand Swords Without End Technique, which she had already cultivated to Level 8.

The sword moves of this technique were nearly inexhaustible. When Bai Zhenzhen unleashed them at high speed, under the enhancement of her thunderous mana, it became like a vast thunderstorm of clouds, sweeping toward Yun Jing.

Of course, Bai Zhenzhen did not think she could defeat Yun Jing with this attack. She only wanted to use her speed and the multitude of moves from the Ten Thousand Swords Without End Technique to attack Yun Jing from as many different angles as possible, probing his reactions and gathering more intelligence to aid her in the upcoming Foundation Establishment exam competition against him.

But in Yun Jing's eyes, which had been refined into dharma remains, he could not only see every single move and stance of Bai Zhenzhen with perfect clarity, but he could even see the numbers that appeared with each move.

-

3200-

500-

4899

Those numbers represented the amount of medical insurance that would be consumed if each move hit him.

Through these numbers, Yun Jing seemed able to find the flaws in Bai Zhenzhen's techniques and distinguish the real from the feigned.

But Yun Jing did not do that.

He simply raised his palm and blasted a strike toward Bai Zhenzhen.

With the violent eruption of his twin dantians, streams of flame-like qi surged out from within him like a volcanic eruption, standing like a crimson wall on the arena, splitting the platform in two, then pressing down toward Bai Zhenzhen.

Boom!

Watching the overwhelming qi bearing down on her, feeling the astonishing heat wave rushing toward her face, Bai Zhenzhen changed her sword techniques, and streaks of lightning-imbued sword qi slashed into Yun Jing's qi.

Amid the crackling explosions, the sword qi shattered, and the qi surged and then quickly filled back in. Bai Zhenzhen was forced back step by step, until finally, she was squeezed off the arena by that wall-like qi.

"Forcing me off the arena with sheer qi—this is just an unreasonable way to fight..."

"Not a shred of technique, all of it is foundation bought with money."

Looking at Yun Jing on the arena, recalling his tactics just now, Bai Zhenzhen felt a headache coming on.

(End of this chapter)