Chapter 350: Zhang Yu Number One

Chapter 350: Zhang Yu the First

"Li Xiao..." Tu Lishan gestured for Li Xiao to strike the outer wall of the bunker before them.

With a single thrust of Li Xiao’s palm, a howling gale of vital energy roared forth like artillery fire, slamming violently against the surface.

Yet not only did the outer wall remain utterly unmoved, but a fierce rebounding force surged back into Li Xiao, sending him stumbling back several paces before he stared at the wall in utter astonishment.

Li Xiao gasped, "After enduring so much punishment, it’s still this resilient? What kind of material is this?"

"This is Zhang Yu’s digestate," Tu Lishan said, pointing to the entire bunker structure as a deep sigh escaped him. "The vast majority of the building materials for this entire fortress are composed of his digestate."

Saying this, he pointed toward a small patch of uneven, textured patterns on the inner side of the wall and continued, "Look here. These are Zhang Yu’s gastric ripples, markings left behind by the violent squeezing of his stomach during the material processing. They are the prints of his digestion."

"Beyond the manipulation of vital energy during construction, Zhang Yu’s actual body served as a furnace, repeatedly tempering the building materials through the high-temperature and high-pressure environment within his womb of flesh."

"He stripped away the impurities from the raw materials, leaving behind the most indigestible, concentrated essence to forge a high-strength substance, all to construct this house."

"And throughout this entire process, he sustained that digestion for a full three hours."

Gongshu Jin was filled with immense wonder upon hearing this, his mind flashing back to the staggering appetite Zhang Yu had displayed during their previous gathering, thinking to himself, "This fellow Zhang Yu's digestive capabilities are even more terrifying than I previously estimated. To think he could achieve something of this magnitude..."

On the other side, a tremor shook Li Xiao’s heart as the realization dawned on him, followed by an expression of sheer horror. "The materials used for this bunker... were defecated by Zhang Yu? He was constructing and defecating simultaneously for three whole hours?!"

...

Elsewhere, Director Lin stared at the construction logs, watching the records of Zhang Yu consuming vast quantities of building materials, continuously expelling the impurities, and finally discharging the sturdiest, most refined, and most indigestible essence. His expression grew exceedingly complex.

The structure before them did not merely rely on formidable engineering prowess for its comprehensive reinforcement; it had already surpassed all other examinees purely on the level of its architectural components.

At the same time, standing beside Director Lin, Director Gao of the War Faction gazed at the pillars before them and remarked impassively, "In civil engineering, the absolute core will always remain material and technique."

"Without materials of sufficient strength, without truly ingenious techniques, how could we have ever birthed the current prosperous era of Kunxu?"

"Take the university city beneath our very feet—even a millennium ago, no matter how much wealth you possessed, no matter if you could gather all the resources under heaven, could you have ever built it?"

...

It was not just Li Xiao who stood shocked; the other students present, watching Zhang Yu within the video feed, had all fallen into a state of profound awe.

Ying Xin went so far as to correct Li Xiao's misconception. "It wasn't just three hours of expelling."

"Zhang Yu was eating and expelling simultaneously, all while engaging in high-intensity construction. For three full hours, he elevated the quality of this bunker into an entirely different dimension."

Tu Lishan offered a reminder, "Do not use the word 'expel.' What Student Zhang Yu performed is still a matter of transport—transporting the building materials from the storage site into his own belly, and then transporting them from his belly to the construction site."

"In short, Student Zhang Yu's performance today represents a triumph across all fronts: digestive capacity, engineering prowess, physical foundation, and professional expertise."

Li Xiao knew Tu Lishan spoke the truth. Given these various facets of ability, it would be impossible for him to master even one, yet Zhang Yu had executed every single one to a degree that eclipsed every student on the grounds.

Feeling the collective gaze of the crowd—filled with shock, reverence, admiration, and envy—Zhang Yu silently activated the recording function of his ocular remains, capturing the scene.

Particularly noting the unsightly distortion on Ji Yuanshu’s face, he could not resist snapping a few extra frames.

...

On the other hand, listening to Director Gao's words, Director Lin of the Peace Faction let out a cold snort and countered, "Materials and engineering may indeed be paramount on this construction site."

"But even if you do not do it, and I do not do it, could we ever truly lack for menial labor to fulfill it?"

"Yes, what you say is correct; a thousand years ago, this university city could not have been built."

"Yet of those who could command astronomical wealth and marshal the world's resources a thousand years ago, which of them has failed to survive unto this day? Techniques or materials, all fruits will ultimately belong to them."

Hearing this response, the Daoist robes within Director Gao's projection billowed with sudden turbulence as he said in irritation, "Utterly obstinate. Do you not see that in today's battle, Zhang Yu triumphed over Ji Yuanshu squarely through the sheer force of unyielding, authentic strength?"

"Heh? You consider that authentic strength on Zhang Yu's part?" Director Lin smiled faintly. "Old Gao, you are not that advanced in years, but your heart is truly too ancient."

"Listen to what those students are saying."

...

A student from the Foundation Establishment class could be heard saying, "Though Zhang Yu bested Ji Yuanshu this time, he hardly spent any money. It always feels lacking in true foundation, unsustainable, not a reflection of real, enduring power."

Another student remarked, "In terms of heritage, Zhang Yu is indeed somewhat lacking, but victory belongs to him today regardless. The top spot in the class this year will likely be his as well."

...

Director Lin spoke, "Do you hear that? Money is the absolute king, the only true strength. That doctrine of yours has long been obsolete; if you continue to cling to it, you will be weeded out sooner or later."

Director Gao replied with utter disdain, "Heh, regardless, no matter how much you twist your words, Zhang Yu is the victor of this round..."

At this point, both men paused slightly, for the final exam grades and the comprehensive score calculations had just been released.

With the authority held by these two directors, they naturally possessed the clearance to view the specific scores and rankings on the backend immediately.

In an instant, Director Lin's expression stiffened slightly, while the smile upon Director Gao's face deepened. "Had Ji Yuanshu focused strictly on his core major, he might not have lost."

"But now he has lost, and he did so after minoring in finance and gambling his very destiny upon it. Thus, his defeat is all the more disastrous."

"Just like what you are doing now—have you ever considered the consequences once you lose?"

Looking at the final rankings of the term, Director Lin let out a cold snort, and without uttering another syllable, his spiritual realm projection dissolved directly into nothingness. Director Gao stared in the direction where the man had vanished, the coldness in his eyes deepening, only to slowly mask it a moment later.

Then, turning his gaze toward where Zhang Yu stood, he smiled faintly and murmured, "To think that everyone looked down upon you, yet you turned out to be the one who brought the greatest pride."

Regarding the rivalry between Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu, Director Gao originally harbored little confidence, never expecting the boy to deliver such a magnificent surprise at the end of the term.

"The investment in Zhang Yu can be further increased."

"It happens to align perfectly with our prior agreement to take him as an indoor disciple."

"And then there is the Mountain-Moving Divine Might of Heaven's Kunlun..."

As this thought surfaced, the figure of Gongshu Jin flashed through Director Gao's mind.

Originally, the next successor the War Faction intended to groom for the Mountain-Moving Divine Might of Heaven's Kunlun was Gongshu Jin.

But at this very moment, Zhang Yu’s display had clearly eclipsed Gongshu Jin entirely.

"Then let us replace Gongshu Jin with him."

"We shall give him one more push to see if this lad can seize the military permit."

...

Outside the examination grounds, as the exam concluded entirely and the perimeter lockdown was lifted, the medical teams stationed on the fringes immediately rushed inside.

With practiced efficiency, they located the corpses, established cordons, and began administering on-site emergency treatment while simultaneously projecting advertisements into the air.

"Still worrying about deviating into madness?"

"Still worrying about accidentally dying suddenly during overtime and neglecting your duties?"

"Do you wish to gamble your life, exert your utmost effort, and leave no regrets in a critical examination?"

"Benevolent Heart Medical—allowing you to die whenever you wish, fully realizing the freedom of mortality."

As they watched the medical team begin excavating the bunker to retrieve Ji Yuanshu’s corpse for resuscitation, many students displayed expressions of astonishment.

Some looked into the matter through the advertisements and clicked their tongues inwardly. "What an exorbitantly expensive service."

Another thought to himself, "Ji Yuanshu actually summoned the 'Have You Perished' medical squad? He is incredibly wealthy!"

Some looked upon Ji Yuanshu's corpse and could only feel, "As expected of a wealthy man, the manner of his resurrection is so magnificent! Truly a majestic and dashing figure."

Meanwhile, Ji Yuanshu, transformed into a spiritual realm projection, was likewise watching this spectacle.

According to his original design, after valiantly seizing the top spot of the entire grounds, the medical team would enter, and under the watchful eyes of the multitude, they would unearth his corpse—rising from the dead.

At that moment, hearts turned toward him. Not only did he become the undisputed first place, but his fortune also surged with increasing intensity.

Yet at this very moment, everything was completely different from what he had imagined.

Ji Yuanshu felt as though his exhumed corpse was like a stepping stone, brutally trampled under Zhang Yu's feet.

All because many students were gradually realizing the cause of Ji Yuanshu's death.

Ying Xin stared at Ji Yuanshu's exhumed body, her heart trembling with shock. "Ji Yuanshu... did he actually use human sacrifice? Did he stake his own life? Did Zhang Yu surpass Ji Yuanshu's very life?"

Ying Xin quickly calculated in her mind: "Before this exam, Ji Yuanshu's overall score was higher than Zhang Yu's. But judging by the gap in this exam... it seems Zhang Yu might have a chance to surpass Ji Yuanshu."

On the other side, Gongshu Jin was equally astonished as he looked at Zhang Yu. "Ji Yuanshu sacrificed his life, yet he still couldn't defeat Zhang Yu? I wonder if Zhang Yu's ranking will surpass Ji Yuanshu's once the overall scores for this exam are calculated."

If Tu Lishan's earlier analysis had made everyone aware of Zhang Yu's strength, then now, with Ji Yuanshu's corpse unearthed, the students felt Zhang Yu's power even more profoundly.

At the same time, a flash of electricity surged through Ji Yuanshu's body. Gradually, his heartbeat and blood flow resumed.

Then his brain began to function again.

And finally, his soul from the spirit realm was guided back into his corpse.

Watching Ji Yuanshu open his eyes, the leading doctor smiled and said, "Mr. Ji, welcome back."

"We need to test your consciousness recovery now..."

Ignoring the doctor, the moment Ji Yuanshu regained consciousness, he felt the accumulated fortune in his mind churning violently, like boiling magma ready to erupt from within him.

With great effort, he used the copper coin artifact in his mind to temporarily suppress the fortune, but his expression grew even more grim.

He understood all too well... once the overall scores and rankings were updated tonight, if he fell behind Zhang Yu in the rankings, he would face an overwhelmingly violent backlash of fortune.

On the other side, Zhang Yu looked at Yu Xinghan beside him and patted his shoulder. "Xinghan, what's wrong?"

Yu Xinghan said, "Zhang Yu, I... I... I'm so damn happy for you."

(End of Chapter)