Chapter 213: Hidden Crisis, Dark Tutoring

Chapter 213: Hidden Crisis, Dark Tutoring

Here, Zhang Yu had just been satisfied, when Bai Zhenzhen spoke again: "I recall the school has many cultivation tools, even magical artifacts, doesn’t it? Could we borrow some to use?"

Hearing this, Zhou Chechen felt another wave of helplessness, a pained expression spreading across his face as he asked, "What do you want?"

Bai Zhenzhen said, "The Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set."

"Heh heh, this cultivation artifact imported from the second layer—could I borrow it to play with?"

Bai Zhenzhen had long coveted this school’s cultivation artifact, but in the past, she simply couldn’t afford to rent it.

Zhou Chechen sighed helplessly at this, saying, "Although this Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set is an old artifact discarded from the second layer, it’s still an extremely rare thing here in Songyang City."

"Even if I propose that the school lend it to you for free, I’ll have to pay a considerable price."

With a pained look, he added, "If it weren’t for how much I owe you two this time, I would never do such a thing."

"Renting it to you for 80 hours a month—that’s the limit of what I can do."

This Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set consisted of 999 intelligent silver needles, capable of releasing the electricity stored within them to stimulate flesh, blood, and nerves, achieving a body-tempering effect that reached the body’s most minute parts.

For Bai Zhenzhen, who now possessed Thunderous Dharma Power and a True Spirit Root, this set would not only allow her to temper her body with electricity at all times but also replenish her Thunderous Dharma Power, accelerating the efficiency of her cultivation technique.

Moreover, this artifact was equipped with a basic artifact spirit, capable of automatically applying different needle techniques to achieve varying levels of body-tempering effects.

Fu Ji commented, "This Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set has been phased out up above, but here in the first layer of Kunxu, it’s still a decent cultivation artifact. Once you borrow it, Zhang Yu, you can use it too, to enhance your neural reflex speed and explosive power."

"Unfortunately, this basic artifact spirit is connected to the network. Without paying, you can’t use the company’s advanced body-tempering needle techniques."

"If there were a skilled artifact refiner, they could disconnect it from the network, erase the artifact spirit, and crack the advanced services."

"But don’t even think about that, especially since you’re just borrowing it."

"Oh, and the Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set consumes a lot of electricity—remember to charge it at school."

So Bai Zhenzhen added, "Then I’ll leave the Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set at school to charge from now on."

Zhou Chechen nodded slightly. Having already paid such a price, he didn’t mind a little electricity bill.

But a question arose in Zhang Yu’s mind, and he typed on his phone: "Speaking of which, this kind of artifact needs charging—can’t it be charged with lightning?"

Fu Ji looked at the words appearing on the phone screen and laughed, "Lightning charging?"

"How many times have you seen it rain or thunder in Songyang City?"

"All natural weather is pre-planned by the Eight Great True Gods. Changing the climate requires a huge amount of funds."

"Besides, lightning contains a massive amount of immortal elements and energy. You think it’ll strike you for free? Where do you get such good fortune?"

Zhang Yu was speechless, only then recalling that in his own and his original body’s memories, it indeed seemed rare to see thunder and rain. But in the past, he was too weak and too poor, with too much information disparity about Kunxu, knowing nothing of the inside story behind such weather.

By this point, Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Zhou Chechen had all sensed that the price had essentially been pushed to the other party’s limit. No matter how much more they negotiated… Zhou Chechen couldn’t offer any more resources.

Still, both of them felt very satisfied with this haul.

More flexible class schedules, practical sparring with martial arts teachers, access to all cultivation techniques at Songyang High School.

Plus a Spirit Realm slot to temper their Dao hearts, a Resentment Spirit Root to match the Resentment Demon Art, and the Profound Lightning Electro-Acupuncture Needle Set cultivation artifact.

On top of that, 1.5 million in cash each.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "With this support from Zhou Chechen, my chances of passing the Foundation Establishment Qualification Exam next time have greatly increased."

Zhou Chechen said, looking exhausted, "If there’s no problem, you two… shall we sign the contract?"

Fu Ji reminded him again, "Wait a moment. Ask Deng Bingding again, report to her whether this is acceptable."

"Remember, this is a technique for dealing with True Gods—when it comes to money matters, always report more."

"Also, remember to say that you and Bai Zhenzhen received this 3 million and want to give it to her."

Zhang Yu’s fingers, which were typing, froze, and his heart suddenly filled with reluctance.

Fu Ji laughed, "Heh heh, no need to be reluctant. Deng Bingding won’t take it."

Half-doubtful, Zhang Yu sent a message to Deng Bingding, recounting the compensation agreement on his end.

Deng Bingding replied: I understand.

Then Zhang Yu expressed his intention to transfer the 3 million to Deng Bingding.

Deng Bingding replied: What nonsense are you talking? Don’t harm me. Keep that money for yourself. We True Gods uphold Kunxu and govern the world for the billions of beings above and below. Don’t say such things in front of me again.

Fu Ji said, "Heh heh, these True Gods—ordinary transfers are all monitored. So aside from Favor Talismans, they don’t accept ordinary transfers."

"She knows you don’t have a Favor Talisman. Just expressing your intention is enough—it still increases favor."

Zhang Yu typed on the screen, "Did the Zhou family give a Favor Talisman this time too?"

Fu Ji denied it, "A Favor Talisman is probably just a small part—a little gift to the True God."

"The fine that can be handed over to the Divine Ministry—that’s probably the main part. This kind of cash recovery performance is likely more important to Deng Bingding."

After signing the contract in the mediation room, Zhou Chechen finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly sent a message to inform his father of the situation.

Then he said to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, "You two, I’ve already had the money transferred. I’ll send someone to take you back to school soon to fulfill the contract."

Watching Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen leave, Zhou Chechen slumped back into his chair. He clenched his phone, a look of bitterness and frustration spreading across his face.

Then he saw Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu still kneeling to the side, and said coldly, "What are you still doing here?"

"The company has advanced so much money for you this time. Aren’t you going to work immediately to pay it back?"

After driving away Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu, a call came from Lan Ling. He heard him angrily say, "President, why was my Spirit Realm slot canceled? I’m in a critical moment in my senior year…"

"Have you heard about the Wanxing Group incident?" Zhou Chechen snorted coldly, saying, "A Sixth-Class True God locked down the entire group and even investigated the Zhou family mansion."

"Do you know why?"

Lan Ling was momentarily stunned. He had indeed heard this news, which was why he had the audacity to question Zhou Chechen.

Zhou Chechen continued, "Because of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen."

"Backing them is this Sixth-Class True God—a True God who can lock down the entire Wanxing Group without giving any reason."

At this moment, Zhou Chechen naturally didn’t know that Deng Bingding had been able to do this by using the banner of the Foundation Establishment Exam.

Of course, since those in the know couldn’t leak relevant information, to outsiders like Zhou Chechen and Lan Ling, it seemed that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had astonishing backing.

Zhou Chechen said, "Lan Ling, you don’t want Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to target you, do you?"

"I remember you once said something about having them crippled in an accident…"

Lan Ling quickly said, "President! I’ve thought it over—I don’t want the Spirit Realm slot anymore."

Zhou Chechen added, "I just compensated Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen with five million…"

Lan Ling said, "I understand. I’ll chip in 800,000, okay?"

"That’s all the cash I have on hand."

After hanging up, Zhou Chechen sighed again to himself, "Lan Ling, if everyone in Songyang City were like you, how wonderful this world would be." "Sigh, I wonder how much the family lost this time."

…

"A heavy loss."

Inside the hospital room on the 333rd floor of the Central Tower.

Zhou Yang gazed at the empty wardrobe, thinking of his lower body, half of which had been sold off, and sighed inwardly: “The Foundation Establishment Exam—what a fine banner it truly is.”

“Once that pole comes down, no one can stop it, no one dares to block it.”

“That Deng Bingding has forcibly bitten off a huge chunk of my flesh.”

As the chief person responsible for this incident, Zhou Yang bore the brunt of the losses alone, bleeding a great deal, but in the end, he weathered this calamity.

After all, he had long since grasped the intelligence that the other party would participate in the Foundation Establishment Exam; had he not possessed this information edge and yielded from the start, he would likely have paid an even heavier price.

Of course, his status as a Purple Gold Merit Master and the mediation of a familiar Righteous God also played no small part.

Though the losses were immense, Zhou Yang felt this affair was not without its gains.

Through inquiries made by his familiar Righteous God, Zhou Yang was fairly certain that this Deng Bingding was primarily using the Foundation Establishment Exam to rake in money, and was not some backer for Zhang Yu or Bai Zhenzhen.

“In the end, this Foundation Establishment Exam business has turned out ten times more troublesome than I anticipated—truly something I cannot even touch.”

“But… hmph, if this Righteous God Deng knew that the Zhang Yu she’s helping is a follower of a Heretic God, what would become of her then?”

Zhou Yang thought to himself: “Let’s wait until the Foundation Establishment Exam is over.”

“If Zhang Yu can pass the exam and get his certificate, even better—that fish will be fatter, fresher, and more valuable.”

A glint of venomous cold light flickered in Zhou Yang’s eyes: “Heh, as long as I still hold this leverage over Zhang Yu being a Heretic God follower.”

“Once the Foundation Establishment Exam is no longer a shield in the future, I can not only use this handle to control him.”

“That Righteous God Deng will absolutely have to pay a price.”

“As for now…”

Staring at his phone, at the various accusations and complaints flooding in from his family and company, Zhou Yang understood that for the next three months, until Zhang Yu finished taking the Foundation Establishment Exam, he could only lie low and bide his time.

…

After a night of busy work, the sky was now faintly bright.

Songyang High School.

Zhang Yu had received the Resentful Spirit Root, which allowed him 100 hours of free rental each month, and was now sensing the towering resentment within the campus, trying to absorb it with the spirit root.

Bai Zhenzhen, meanwhile, toyed with her newly acquired set of Mystic Lightning Acupuncture Needles, also rentable for 80 free hours monthly, and smiled faintly at the sparks flickering between her fingertips.

Just then, both their phones vibrated—all the electronic versions of Songyang High School’s techniques had been sent over in one go.

At the same time, under the school’s authorization, they gained access to these techniques.

Next came the manual for using the school’s spirit realm.

And then the contact information for all the martial arts teachers, who had already been notified to give private tutoring to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

Of course, the specific class times would need to be arranged after Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen contacted them.

Besides that, 1.5 million had been deposited into each of their accounts.

Taking stock of their gains, Bai Zhenzhen said with satisfaction: “Awesome.”

“Damn, this is awesome.”

“Isn’t this way better than our old days of hard labor for scraps?”

“Yu, do you think we could pull this scam on all the Songyang clans?”

But before Zhang Yu could answer, Bai Zhenzhen shook her head: “Ah, probably impossible, right? If Deng Bingding really did that, the Divine Ministry wouldn’t allow it.”

Just then, Fu Ji reminded them: “The Zhou family gave you a lot, but this matter isn’t over.”

“From what we discussed earlier, the other side likely has a Heretic God backing them, and from what that Zhou Tianyi who attacked Zhang Yu said, they might even know about my existence.”

Zhang Yu asked in confusion: “Speaking of which, how did they know that?”

Fu Ji sighed: “Heh, probably information leaked by the one who sold me out.”

“Thinking back, the Zhou family’s harassment and oppression of you might have been to force out my trail.”

“But that’s not important now.”

“What matters is that the Heretic God behind the Zhou family might be holding the leverage of you being Heretic God followers.”

“He’s bowing his head now only because of the Foundation Establishment Exam.”

“Once the exam is over, he will definitely strike back.”

“So I say this isn’t over—you need to be prepared.”

“Because of your identity as Heretic God followers, to completely eliminate this threat in the future, you can’t rely on the Righteous Gods; you’ll have to solve it with your own strength.”

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen nodded, but all this could wait until after the Foundation Establishment Exam.

Their most important goal now was to defeat Ye Lingxiao and Yun Jing in the exam three months later.

Zhang Yu played with the newly acquired Resentful Spirit Root and first bought the Resentful Demon Art, which could work in tandem with it.

—500,000.

Seeing a third of his 1.5 million vanish in an instant, Zhang Yu once again marveled at how fast money was spent in the path of immortality.

Then, from Songyang High School’s techniques, he selected an expert-level one called the Thunderbolt Marrow Cleansing Sutra.

“The Resentful Demon Art, the Thunderbolt Marrow Cleansing Sutra, and the Spring-Autumn Infinite Zen—that’s already three techniques needed for the Martial Dao Sacred Fetus.”

“As long as I gather three more and push them all to level 10, these six level-10 techniques will unlock the initial effect of the Martial Dao Sacred Fetus.”

Thinking this, Zhang Yu felt he was one step closer to the Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate.

“But from now on, I’ll have to earn money on my own.”

Zhang Yu asked: “Fu Ji, according to what you said last time, our current strength should be enough to make some real money in the dark tutoring world, right?”

Fu Ji: “Indeed, it is.”

Zhang Yu asked: “So what exactly do we do?”

Fu Ji said: “First, go to the park and scout around—ask which course is hottest in Songyang’s dark tutoring world right now, which tutor has the most students…”

So, no longer bound by school discipline, Zhang Yu began cultivating the Resentful Demon Art, while Bai Zhenzhen practiced and tried tempering her body with the Mystic Lightning Acupuncture Needles.

They planned to train until nightfall, then make a trip to the Dark Study Gang Park, which they hadn’t visited in a long time.

(End of this chapter)