Chapter 355: The Bond Between Siblings

Chapter 355: The Bond Between Siblings

Faced with Zhang Pianpian's inquiry, Zhang Yu looked at the Dao Seed on her chest, then glanced at Yu Xinghan, who was chatting animatedly with Li Xiao, and replied privately: It's fine, senior. I don’t have any use for this money right now, so you can take it.

Zhang Pianpian felt a wave of emotion. When she had helped this younger brother back then, it was merely because she saw some talent in him—a spur-of-the-moment attempt. Who could have predicted that he would rise so swiftly? Now, not only was he studying alongside her at the Ten Thousand Arts University, but he could also lend her such a substantial amount of spirit coins.

Especially his reply just now.

What do you mean, you don’t need it? Just take it and use it… That was hardly something a normal person would say. Was this the kind of thing a sane individual would utter?

But for some reason, hearing these wild words, Zhang Pianpian felt an unfamiliar sensation welling up inside her.

Zhang Pianpian nodded slightly, looking earnestly at Zhang Yu as she sent a message: Alright then, lend me 25 spirit coins. I’ll repay you as soon as possible—within six months at the earliest, or a year at the latest.

Zhang Yu: Is 25 spirit coins enough? Maybe I should lend you 50 instead.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Over the past few months, through several probes and casual conversations, the Dao Seed’s requirement for 50 spirit coins has remained unchanged. It seems it truly demands exactly 50 spirit coins to proceed."

He had always been deeply aware of his sister’s strength. Especially after arriving at Ten Thousand Arts University—first witnessing her alter the spirit energy consumption data in the dormitory, then seeing her shut down networks, hijack surveillance, and manipulate others’ skeletal remains in the underground cemetery. Coupled with the 50-spirit-coin cost of the Taiqing Talisman, Zhang Yu believed that Zhang Pianpian’s Dao Seed must be extraordinarily powerful.

"Very well… Taiqing Talisman! Activate!"

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhang Pianpian was slightly taken aback by Zhang Yu’s message, a flicker of hesitation crossing her mind. For her, 50 spirit coins were naturally better than 25, but he only had 56 in total. Lending out such a large sum all at once…

While she was still pondering, she noticed that Zhang Yu had already transferred 50 spirit coins.

Zhang Pianpian: Are you insane?

Zhang Pianpian: Who lends that much money directly like this?

The way Zhang Pianpian looked at Zhang Yu was as if she were gazing at a fool. After all, in Kunxu, such behavior was nothing short of foolishness.

Money was far too important here. With money came potential, strength, a future, and life itself. Lending money—especially 50 spirit coins in one go—was akin to lending one’s life, handing over one’s potential to another.

Since Zhang Yu had decided to lend Zhang Pianpian the 50 spirit coins to activate her Dao Seed, he saw no point in dragging things out. "Since I’m going to lend it anyway, I might as well be straightforward about it."

So he replied: Senior, please accept it.

Zhang Yu: I know you’re short on funds.

Zhang Yu: Besides, if you become stronger, it’ll benefit me too. You’ll be better able to look out for me.

Looking at Zhang Yu before her, thinking about how her younger brother was lending her the 50 spirit coins he had painstakingly saved, Zhang Pianpian felt an unprecedented surge of emotion in her chest. She had witnessed tens of thousands of spirit coins before, but at this moment, she felt that no amount of wealth could compare to the preciousness of these 50 spirit coins from Zhang Yu.

"Is this the bond of family?"

Quietly accepting the 50 spirit coins transferred by Zhang Yu, Zhang Pianpian felt as if a warm current was flowing from his body into hers. It was his potential in the immortal path, his life, his future. And now… he was infusing these precious things into her.

"Little brother, I have felt your potential. I understand your heart."

"I will make good use of all this…"

Just as Zhang Yu saw her accept the 50 spirit coins, he received an electronic contract from her. Reading its contents, he was slightly surprised. "A repayment contract? Starting next month, repaying 5 spirit coins each month for a total of 12 installments?"

Zhang Pianpian: I’ve accepted the money. The more funds I have for what I need to do now, the better.

Zhang Pianpian: Please sign this contract.

Zhang Pianpian: You lend me money, and I’ll repay you with interest. That’s the only way to honor our bond.

Zhang Pianpian thought to herself, "You’re willing to lend me money, and I’m willing to repay you with interest. That’s what true family is. This repayment contract is the bond between us siblings."

Of course, Zhang Yu had no idea about the bond Zhang Pianpian had in mind, but since she insisted, he signed the contract.

With the contract completed, Zhang Pianpian felt the sibling bond between her and Zhang Yu grow even deeper.

Zhang Yu, meanwhile, watched Zhang Pianpian curiously, eager to see how the Dao Seed called the Taiqing Talisman would be activated. But all he saw was Zhang Pianpian closing her eyes, her consciousness seemingly journeying deep into the spirit realm.

A moment later, when Zhang Pianpian opened her eyes again, the Dao Seed had been silently and completely ignited.

Taiqing Talisman (Spell) Level 1

Zhang Yu thought, "It’s done?"

Just then, Yu Xinghan tugged at Zhang Yu and said, "Let’s go. What are you standing around for? It’s time for class."

"The first class of sophomore year—we can’t be late."

Without time to carefully experience the effects of Taiqing Talisman (Spell) Level 1, Zhang Yu had no choice but to head to the classroom with Yu Xinghan and Li Xiao.

…

Inside the classroom.

As Zhang Yu entered, he noticed that the central seat in the front row had been left empty. Ying Xin waved to him and said, "Senior Brother, over here!"

Seeing Ying Xin’s enthusiastic demeanor, Zhang Yu thought, "As expected of a sixth-generation civil engineer. She’s adapting quickly—truly a family tradition."

Zhang Yu sat down with Yu Xinghan on his left. Just as Li Xiao was about to take the seat on Zhang Yu’s right, Ying Xin pushed him aside.

Ying Xin glanced at Li Xiao and said, "I have something to discuss with Senior Brother. You can sit somewhere else for now."

Sitting on Zhang Yu’s right, Ying Xin took out a small box of energy potion and handed it to him. "Senior Brother, I went to your dorm last night, but you didn’t seem to be there."

"So I thought I’d give this to you in the classroom."

Zhang Yu took the box. Seeing it was an energy potion, he didn’t think much of it at first. But when he opened the bottle cap and saw the white powder inside, he was startled.

"Wheat flour?!"

"You brought this stuff to the classroom?"

But the next moment, he realized, "Wait, could this be the ancestral ashes Ying Xin mentioned? Why are they so white?"

Fu Ji remarked, "This indicates the ashes are of high quality, meticulously processed, possibly containing certain metallic substances. The person cremated must have been at least at the Foundation Establishment stage."

Relieved to find that the bottle contained ashes rather than wheat flour, Zhang Yu let out a slight sigh.

Fu Ji commented, "Ying Xin must have deliberately put it in a medicine bottle to avoid drawing attention. She really has a talent for civil engineering."

Seeing Zhang Yu open the bottle cap, Ying Xin added, "These are my great-grandfather’s ashes. Just sprinkle a little into concrete using a blood sacrifice method, and it will significantly enhance the structure’s strength."

"Senior Brother, you're definitely going to participate in this year's Civil Engineering Competition, right? You can use this when the time comes."

Zhang Yu looked at Ying Xin, weighed the medicine bottle in his hand, gauging its contents, and smiled faintly. "Little Ying, I appreciate your thoughtfulness."

Ying Xin smiled slightly, thinking to herself that since Zhang Yu had become a nominal disciple of Director Gao, as long as she could connect with Zhang Yu, she would also be connected to Director Gao.

She silently mused, "Ancestor, now that you're in Zhang Yu's hands, please watch over me well. Help me stand out under Director Gao's guidance in the future and become someone of importance on the construction site."

Just then, the teacher for the class entered the classroom.

Stepping onto the podium, the teacher got straight to the point: "My name is Wei Huai, and I am your instructor for this Engineering Geology class."

"Starting from sophomore year, civil engineering students are required to learn techniques for large-scale construction."

"To successfully execute such techniques and maximize their effectiveness, it is essential to understand the terrain and topography, and to have insight into the geological conditions on-site..."

Sitting in the classroom, Zhang Yu attempted to use the Wuliang Xin Nei Fashen technique to multitask. While listening to the teacher's lecture, he opened the Dao Seed Compendium in the Yu Shu and began carefully sensing the effects of the Taiqing Talisman Dao Seed.

"To upgrade to the second level, I actually need to give my sister 100 spirit coins?!"

"My sister's talent really is quite costly."

As Zhang Yu focused his senses, more information flowed from the Dao Seed.

"The specific effect of the Taiqing Talisman is just one... it can open a spiritual realm abode through the spirit world?"

Feeling this, Zhang Yu's curiosity was piqued. He longed to delve into the spirit world right then and see what this spiritual realm abode was like and what effects it had.

However, he recalled his sister's warning: when entering the spirit world, it was best not to use the Wuliang Xin Nei Fashen technique, a forbidden method.

Without employing this forbidden technique, he couldn't multitask—listening to the lecture while testing the Dao Seed's effects.

"I can't skip the class."

"I'll try it out when I have some free time later."

As he listened to the lecture, Zhang Yu gradually gained a general understanding of the relationship between various large-scale construction methods and different types of terrain and landforms.

For the rest of the day, Zhang Yu focused intently on his classes. It wasn't until he returned to his dormitory that he stopped using the Wuliang Xin Nei Fashen technique and put on the spirit world interface mask.

In the next moment, as he activated the power of the Taiqing Talisman, he felt his consciousness swiftly traversing the spirit world. Countless shimmering, colorful objects flashed before his eyes.

When Zhang Yu regained his senses, he found himself in front of a Taoist temple shrouded in mist and surrounded by mountains.

Looking at the three large characters above the temple gate, Zhang Yu murmured, "Taiqing Realm?"

He entered the temple and found it wasn't large—only a single main hall. Inside, Zhang Pianpian was sitting cross-legged, facing an incredibly tall but faceless statue.

The moment Zhang Yu stepped forward, Zhang Pianpian suddenly turned her head, looking at Zhang Yu outside the hall in surprise.

But in the next instant, a trace of hostility flickered in her eyes. She thought to herself, "Zhang Yu couldn't possibly be here."

"Daring to impersonate my brother and infiltrate the Taiqing Realm?"

With one hand forming a seal, the heavens and earth trembled.

Zhang Yu felt a tremendous force strike his body, and in the next moment, it felt as though he were about to be torn apart.

Under Zhang Yu's astonished gaze, his identity account, browsing history, bank accounts, transaction records, and other information flowed out of his body like pieces of trash, floating in the surrounding air.

Seeing this information, Zhang Pianpian was also slightly shocked. "Zhang Yu? Is it really you?"

"How did you come to the Taiqing Realm?"

(End of Chapter)