Chapter 242: The Beginning of a Great Change on the First Layer (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 242: The Beginning of a Great Transformation on the First Layer (Please Vote for Monthly Tickets)

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen quickly signed the contract with Wang Yin.

Before they left, Wang Yin spoke up: "Oh, right, since we're all part of the same company now, there's something I can say to you now."

"The Netherworld University—if you're interested in enrolling there, I can introduce you to some teachers."

"My whole family graduated from the Netherworld University. If you ever sign up for Netherworld in the future, just drop my name if anything comes up."

"If you have any requests, you can tell me, and I'll talk to their admissions office to improve your terms."

"If you join the Netherworld University, you'll be my juniors from then on."

...

On the way home, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen secretly thrilled at the money in their accounts.

Zhang Yu's original account already had over 4.7 million, and with the 5 million from President Wang today, his balance had soared to 9.7 million.

"With an additional 4 million in monthly income from now on, I'll definitely be able to buy the Heavenly Spirit Root and complete Foundation Establishment before I graduate high school!"

"Well, even if I factor in the 1.7 million loan and interest I owe from before, plus the 3.3 million interest-free loan from the Foundation Establishment exam... even with all that, it's definitely enough."

Thinking this, Zhang Yu felt a surge of excitement, and his earlier worries about universities and majors were temporarily set aside.

"Completing Foundation Establishment in high school—then I'll see what conditions the universities are willing to offer."

Bai Zhenzhen said: "President Wang is from the Netherworld University. If he's backing us, doesn't that give us another option?"

Zhang Yu nodded slightly: "Sigh, now I'm even more conflicted."

Fuji, watching the excited Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, reminded them: "You're lucky to have met such a generous patron."

"From now on, work hard. Do whatever he tells you. If you can win his favor and build a good relationship, you might even get part-time opportunities on the Second Layer in the future."

Bai Zhenzhen said: "Aren't people who come down from above usually demoted?"

Fuji said: "The Oasis Group is clearly planning something big this time, targeting the entire market of the First Layer of Kunxu."

"From his demeanor and that semi-automatic talisman, Wang Yin is most likely here to gild his resume."

"Build a good relationship with him, and you'll have an easier time in university."

...

In the days that followed, besides constantly tempering his Dao Heart and pushing toward the 10th level, Zhang Yu spent his time reviewing his studies and learning some free techniques provided by Songyang High School.

Free techniques—why not take them?

Occasionally, he also searched for other sets on the Chain Method Diagram, like the martial arts needed for Dragon Bloodline or Heavenly Martial Battle Heart.

But he only saved them for now. If he had extra money after buying the Heavenly Spirit Root, he would consider practicing them.

Because he was focused on saving up for the Heavenly Spirit Root to complete Foundation Establishment as quickly as possible.

So, despite having a large sum of money, Zhang Yu was reluctant to spend it.

Moreover, aside from his Dao Heart, his mana and physical strength had already reached the limits of Qi Refining, so even his training time had decreased significantly.

For a while, apart from constantly maintaining his mental technique and continuing to refine his Dao Heart, Zhang Yu had no other training pressures.

"I haven't had such an easy time, training only my Dao Heart 24 hours a day, in a long time."

Faced with this sudden ease, Zhang Yu even felt a bit unaccustomed. Watching Bai Zhenzhen diligently practicing new martial arts and deducing new techniques, and his classmates studying hard, he felt a sense of guilt.

"I shouldn't be wasting time."

So he decided to spend more time tutoring in the Dark Tutoring World, hoping to earn enough money to buy the Heavenly Spirit Root quickly.

Time passed swiftly and imperceptibly.

While Zhang Yu was living leisurely.

Li Xuelian's phone suddenly rang. Surprised, she said: "Father?"

Starfire True Lord's tired voice came through: "Contact Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen for me. I want to meet with these two disciples next month."

Li Xuelian hesitated: "But you told me to reject Zhang Yu back then..."

Starfire True Lord said: "If I say they are my disciples, then they are. Anyway, I'll find a time to talk with them."

"Sigh, I was supposed to come this month, but the company had an urgent task, and I have to work overtime until next month."

...

In the blink of an eye, it was February.

Zhang Yu's savings had reached over 15 million.

In the past month or so, despite his leisurely days, Zhang Yu had heard about many changes in Songyang City.

Some corporate competitions had stopped, others had intensified, and more companies had exchanged shares, announcing cooperation with the Oasis Group.

Even without careful calculation, walking on the streets, Zhang Yu could see more and more Oasis Group logos.

That day, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were invited by Wang Yin to the Red Pagoda Protected Area.

But today, the protected area was booked by the Oasis Group. All invited guests could breathe freely and absorb spiritual energy without worrying about charges.

"Such a grand gesture." Bai Zhenzhen took a deep breath, a delighted smile on her face: "I never thought we'd one day breathe freely in a protected area."

Zhang Yu said: "President Wang is certainly generous. Let's hurry. I heard today's event includes all the major families and companies of Songyang City. President Wang probably has another move."

They soon arrived at the center of the venue, where they saw crowds of wealthy family scions and corporate elites in luxurious attire.

The venue was filled with all kinds of food, and even expensive elixirs for free consumption. A strong smell of Dao Heart buffer wafted from afar.

At the center of the crowd, Wang Yin was surrounded like a moon encircled by stars, laughter occasionally erupting.

Bai Zhenzhen said: "Damn, a bunch of sycophants, all licking President Wang's boots!"

"We'd better get up there too, or there won't be any room left!"

As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen approached, they suddenly saw a familiar face.

"Ye Lingxiao?" Zhang Yu was slightly startled, then looked at the people beside Ye Lingxiao: "All from Xiandu, right? Did they follow President Wang all the way here?"

Almost as soon as Zhang Yu saw him, Ye Lingxiao also spotted Zhang Yu, and his heart tightened.

These people from Xiandu had come to Songyang to get close to Wang Yin, assist him, and build a good relationship.

The moment they saw Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, Ye Lingxiao and the other Xiandu people showed a hint of hostility. And when Wang Yin waved Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen over to his side, announcing that they would be the Oasis Group's spokespersons from now on, the hostility on Ye Lingxiao's face deepened.

Sheng Jie, who had won the Mana Track Championship, looked at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen standing on either side of President Wang, his eyes full of jealousy: "Damn it, are these two that good at sucking up?"

Ye Lingxiao thought to himself: "President Wang really likes these two."

At that moment, they all understood that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were their biggest rivals under Wang Yin's command.

But seeing how much Wang Yin appreciated them, Ye Lingxiao and the others naturally wouldn't go against the boss's mood. They just resolved to find ways to flatter President Wang and get closer to him.

Amid the clinking of glasses, whether from Xiandu or the local families of Songyang City, everyone took turns flattering President Wang, currying favor with this scion of the Oasis Group.

During the gathering, Wang Yin announced the upcoming opportunities for the Oasis Company: they would join forces with local magnates from many cities on the First Layer to promote the Oasis Group's synthetic food, new body-tempering technology, and new bloodline technology...

Wang Yin raised his glass: "May from now on, every generation of your families be gifted with talent, pass the Top Ten exams, enter the Sects, and contribute to Kunxu."

Everyone raised their glasses in response and cheered.

Just then, Zhang Yu spotted a familiar face among the service staff: "An'an?"

Little Panda An'an had clearly seen Zhang Yu too, grinning at him and flicking her tail.

As the party progressed, everyone drank and took drugs, the atmosphere growing ever more heated.

It was then that Wang Yin, his gaze already hazy from the drugs, looked at a lame Yaoyi waiter, shook his head, and said, "How pitiful."

"Open wide."

"I'll grant you a stroke of fortune."

With that, Mr. Wang spat into the waiter's mouth. The next moment, the Yaoyi cried out in surprise, and his once-lame leg gradually healed.

Those around him began to flatter and applaud.

Wang Yin laughed heartily. "This is the new technology of our Oasis Group. The human body is like unpolished jade—once developed, every inch becomes a divine treasure."

He then turned to the other eager Yaoyi waiters and boomed, "Come on, all of you. I'm in a good mood today—I'll grant you all the same."

Zhang Yu watched as the Yaoyi waiters opened their mouths wide, scrambling to catch Mr. Wang's spittle, and listened to the laughter of the surrounding guests. He felt a slight pang of unease, something not quite right.

But seeing the Yaoyi's faces after swallowing—full of excitement and gratitude—he felt it seemed normal after all.

"After all, to them, even a mouthful of Mr. Wang's spit is a medicine they could never afford."

Just then, Zhang Yu saw An'an squeezing in with a cup, clearly hoping to catch a bit of Mr. Wang's spittle.

"Using a cup to catch it... for Xiong Wenwu?"

Watching her sniff the cup's fragrance with satisfaction after catching the spit, then retreat as if guarding a treasure, Zhang Yu's emotions tangled. He suddenly didn't know what to say.

That night on the way back, Zhang Yu asked Bai Zhenzhen, "Zhen, the Oasis Group is allying with local clans. Won't that make the company's monopoly even stronger, the local families more terrifying, and the poor even more hopeless?"

Bai Zhenzhen replied casually, "Probably. Why do you ask?"

Fuji warned, "This is the trend of the times. It's not something small fry like us can meddle with. Don't overthink it."

...

A few days later, at the Oasis Group's press conference.

With the strong support of the local clans, the conference was broadcast everywhere—in countless elementary, middle, and high schools, even in company cafeterias and on public transport.

The host spoke of the uniqueness of the high school foundation-building exam, the power of the foundation-building certificate, and the achievements of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

"...As long as you persist in consuming Oasis Group's green food, everyone has a chance in the future—just like Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—to go from an ordinary student to a high school top scholar, even to earn the foundation-building certificate and soar into the Top Ten!"

With that, the host handed the microphone to Zhang Yu, asking him to say a few words.

Zhang Yu looked at the many ordinary high school students in the audience, recalling the scripted lines he had memorized. A flicker of hesitation rose in his heart.

Bai Zhenzhen nudged him.

Fuji urged, "What are you spacing out for? Say your lines."

Zhang Yu swallowed and said, "I... was just an ordinary student. It was Oasis Group's green food that changed me."

"Eat green food, improve your aptitude, strengthen your body. Every one of you has the chance to be like me... like me... to earn the foundation-building certificate."

That evening, Mr. Wang invited Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to another party.

From a vast pool of blood, Mr. Wang slowly emerged, smiling at them. "Zhang Yu, Zhenzhen, our great heroes, you've come just in time."

"This is the Blood God Pool I built using the immortal techniques of the Netherworld Palace. Come, soak in it—it will improve your physique, extend your lifespan, enhance your wisdom, and greatly benefit your future foundation-building."

Zhang Yu hesitated. "This blood pool is..."

Mr. Wang laughed heartily. "Don't worry. I bought all the heart's blood at high prices from some peak Qi-refining experts. Absolutely pure, absolutely essence."

With that, he stepped out of the pool and warmly pulled Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen into it.

Mr. Wang said kindly, "Come, I'll teach you the Blood Qi Sutra right here in this pool."

"This is the basic skill of Netherworld University—tempering the body with the essence of blood. If you learn it early, you'll have an advantage when you enter Netherworld University later."

"Don't worry about copyright. I have teaching rights. Consider this technique my gift to you."

Ye Lingxiao and Sheng Jie stood guard outside the blood pool, their faces full of envy, wishing they could be the ones receiving instruction.

Under the Oasis Group's propaganda, the story of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen—commoners who, in one year, made rapid progress, earned the foundation-building certificate, gained qualification for foundation-building, and could choose any of the Top Ten—spread far and wide, making them idols pursued by countless students and parents.

Meanwhile, the Oasis Group's synthetic food continued its conquest, seizing an even larger market.

...

Li Xuelian glanced at the link jumping on her phone, saw Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen in the video, and thought to herself, "Is it the Oasis Group... or what does the Netherworld Palace want?"

Just then, her phone vibrated, and the voice of Starfire Zhenren came through.

"Daughter, tell Zhang Yu and the others I'm sorry. I've got another mission on short notice..."

Amid crackling explosions, Li Xuelian seemed to catch the word "god."

Then Starfire Zhenren continued, "Help me schedule it for next month."

"Once I finish this overtime, I'll definitely come over and meet them."

Requesting monthly tickets.

(End of chapter)