Chapter 266: Assistance from Perfected Spark

Chapter 266: The Assistance of Master Xinghuo

Zhang Yu swiftly waved his palm several times in front of himself.

When he observed with his original left eye, he saw a trail of afterimages left by the rapidly moving palm.

But when he looked with the Time-Lagging Demon Pupil of his right eye, he found the high-speed motion of his palm clearly visible, every line and crease distinct, as if the hand had slowed down.

Especially as Zhang Yu focused his attention, this sensation of the world decelerating grew increasingly pronounced.

At the same time, Zhang Yu could also feel the Time-Lagging Demon Pupil further absorbing the magical energy within his body to sustain its operation.

Zhang Yu silently estimated, "The stronger the slowing effect, the more magical energy it consumes."

"Under maximum deceleration, the entire world appears to slow down tenfold in my eyes."

"With my current magical energy, combined with the continuous recovery process of my Dantian spiritual root, I can likely maintain this for about an hour."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly. This time-lagging ability was quite similar to the full concentration of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refinement Art, but it offered greater controllability, clearer vision, a more significant slowing effect, and a far longer duration.

With a thought, he withdrew from the time-lagging effect, and the world before his eyes returned to normal speed.

Next, Zhang Yu waved his arms and legs, feeling a sense of "weakness" throughout his body.

This was because, with the removal of the Flood Dragon Spiritual Pivot, the temporary one-level enhancement to physical strength it provided was also gone.

After moving his limbs, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "It was only temporary power anyway. The sooner it's gone, the sooner I can adapt."

On the other side, Bai Zhenzhen had also completed her surgery. With a swift movement, she shot out like a gust of wind, appearing in various corners of the room as if teleporting, leaving behind trails of afterimages.

Bai Zhenzhen laughed, "Yu! This thing is amazing!"

But the next moment, she groaned and stopped, "No, no, my magical energy is about to be drained, and my muscles and bones can't take it either."

Zhang Yu said, "Zhen, now that we have enough money, find a time to prepare for Foundation Establishment."

Bai Zhenzhen nodded with anticipation. Once she purchased the Heavenly Spiritual Root, using it as cover, she could proceed with Foundation Establishment using her True Spiritual Root.

Master Xinghuo, standing nearby, offered the two some additional advice on using the magical remains before they all departed together.

As they stepped out of the Oasis Building's entrance, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen thanked Master Xinghuo profusely and then broached the idea of transferring money to express their gratitude for his help.

"You want to give me compensation?"

Master Xinghuo looked at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, a sudden realization flashing in his mind. He smiled and said, "You two little rascals, worried that I might have ulterior motives, wanting to sign contracts with you or exploit you like Wang Yin... so you're testing me?"

Observing the change in their expressions, Master Xinghuo continued, "Heh, good vigilance. I hope you keep it up in the future."

"But don't worry, I don't have such intentions for now. Even if I originally did... I don't anymore."

Master Xinghuo explained, "After all, you two aren't Yu Xinghan. With your potential, you're bound to shine brightly once you enter university."

"Even if I tried to chain you down with exploitative contracts, it would only displease the influential figures who might want to invest in you in the future."

"Then I'd become a thorn in their side, an obstacle they'd need to remove before investing in you."

"It's like greedily holding onto too many shares in a highly promising startup, only to end up trapped and eliminated by the big players."

Master Xinghuo chuckled, "Besides, I only gave you some guidance. I didn't invest money in you. If you acknowledge me as your master and mention my name when you become famous in the future, I'll be satisfied."

Hearing Master Xinghuo's explanation, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen exchanged a glance and bowed in unison, "Master!"

Master Xinghuo nodded with satisfaction, "I squeezed out some time to come here, but now I have to go back to work overtime."

"Study the Foundation Establishment techniques you've obtained on your own for now. I'll start guiding you in a couple of days."

Watching Master Xinghuo's retreating figure, Bai Zhenzhen turned to Zhang Yu and asked, "Yu, what do we do next?"

Zhang Yu thought for a moment and said, "First, repay the debts. After that, we'll help you with Foundation Establishment."

Over the next few days, Zhang Yu took time to repay each loan according to the records, returning the money at 1.3 times the original amount.

With the subsequent payment of 36 million from the Oasis Group deposited into their accounts, Zhang Yu felt even more confident in repaying the debts.

Apart from the 1.3 times repayment for these loans, he and Bai Zhenzhen also cleared all their previous platform loans in one go, leaving no outstanding debts.

After repaying nearly 80 million in total, Zhang Yu's account was almost empty.

However, Bai Zhenzhen's account still had ample funds, enough to purchase the Heavenly Spiritual Root she needed.

Once the Heavenly Spiritual Root arrived and after more than forty minutes, Bai Zhenzhen's magical energy surged violently. Strange sounds emanated from her muscles, and with the frantic agitation of spiritual energy, she finally stepped into Foundation Establishment.

As Bai Zhenzhen achieved Foundation Establishment, a cyan mark appeared on her lower abdomen, slowly blooming like a green lotus. Simultaneously, the spiritual root in her Dantian rapidly transformed from a seed into a delicate, vibrant green lotus, merging completely with her.

Bai Zhenzhen frowned, feeling uncomfortable, and said, "I feel... my True Spiritual Root is about to evolve again."

She added uncertainly, "This evolution might turn it into a Divine Spiritual Root?"

Zhang Yu was startled by her words, and Fuji hurriedly asked, "Why so sudden? Can you suppress it?"

Bai Zhenzhen took a deep breath, her face flushing red, her aura flickering intermittently.

After a long while, the already blooming green lotus gradually closed up.

Bai Zhenzhen finally exhaled deeply and said, "I can still suppress it."

Fuji sighed, "A natural spiritual root that can evolve is already a target of strict surveillance by the Ten Great Sects and the Eight Divisions of True Gods."

"If yours were to become a Divine Spiritual Root, the consequences would be truly unpredictable."

Zhang Yu asked with concern, "Zhen, can you hold on?"

Bai Zhenzhen smiled, patting her stomach, "It's just suppressing the spiritual root, right? I've done it before. No big deal."

...

The next day, in a training hall in the city center.

Master Xinghuo looked at the two who had arrived, and suddenly, flames erupted from his body, like a sea of fire threatening to engulf them.

Seeing their expressions turn grave in an instant, their previously confident and proud demeanors subdued, Master Xinghuo thought to himself, "Achieving such results in high school, confidence and pride are inevitable."

"Even over the next nine months, if they keep being praised by these first-tier folks, it's possible they could become arrogant and self-willed."

"With that mindset entering university, being defeated and trampled by top-tier geniuses could lead to a complete collapse."

"Rather than being crushed up there, let me give them a taste of it now, a preventive lesson..."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen felt the air growing hotter, each breath seeming to scorch their lungs.

Master Xinghuo then said quietly, "Achieving Foundation Establishment in the first tier is indeed remarkable, but once you go to the second tier, it's nothing special."

"When you enter Wanfa University, you'll surely be placed in the Foundation Establishment class. There, your classmates will include students from various tiers who have already completed Foundation Establishment in high school."

"Unlike you, who lack resources to progress further after Foundation Establishment in the first tier, they can continue advancing rapidly with the resources available in the upper tiers."

"So, when you join the Foundation Establishment class in university, you might find yourselves in the middle or even the bottom of the class. You'll inevitably face setbacks, repeated humiliation, and discrimination from upper-tier students against first-tier folks..."

Listening to Master Xinghuo's words, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen gradually calmed down. The restless energy that had risen over the past few days due to various gains, praises, and accolades seemed to dissipate in that moment.

Master Xinghuo nodded slightly and continued, "I'm telling you this not to make you resign yourselves to fate, but to adjust your mindset. Don't be discouraged when you go up."

"Your talents are excellent, and every bit of your effort is meaningful. Don't let down the hard work you've put in so far."

After admonishing them, Master Xinghuo began his real guidance.

He said, "The conditions in the first tier are limited, with few things to aid Foundation Establishment. I've thought about it... Over the next nine months, continue cultivating your techniques. My main focus will be using the most primitive methods to enhance the efficiency of improving your Dao heart, magical energy, and physical strength."

"After all, it's been a long time since I've been involved in undergraduate education, and I'm not sure what the process is for freshmen up there now."

"But no matter what, as long as you solidify your foundations over the next nine months and continuously improve your basic data, it will undoubtedly make your university cultivation much easier."

Zhang Yu asked in confusion, "What do you mean by primitive methods?"

Master Xinghuo revealed a sinister smile and said, "For example, in Dao-heart training, you will face the impact of my martial intent head-on to temper your will."

"Of course, this is just the beginning."

"Once you’ve grown accustomed enough, I will start ambushing you from time to time..."

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were startled: "Huh? You? Ambushing us?"

Master Xinghuo smiled faintly, and his martial intent, blazing like wildfire, surged forth, crashing toward Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen like a violent storm.

Watching as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen broke into a cold sweat, their faces drastically changing, Master Xinghuo said calmly, "Remain vigilant and cautious at all times, always prepared for life-and-death battles. In this state... you can accelerate the improvement of your Dao-heart."

"Although this method is quite primitive, given the limited conditions of the first level, it suits you perfectly."

(End of Chapter)