Chapter 376: Throw Zhang Yu Over (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 376 Throw Zhang Yu Over (Seeking Monthly Votes)

"After all, the number of soul cultivators grows every year, and in the future, they will surely become cheaper."

"If the university war breaks out, soul cultivators will see explosive growth; wouldn't signing a full-time employee now be a loss?"

"Besides, these soul cultivators work most diligently when they are competing against each other as temps."

Su Yanyang was very wealthy, but he was never a generous man.

He believed that the wealthier one became, the more one should economize.

"Wealth is like cultivation in the Immortal Dao; the higher the cultivation, the more severe the daily consumption. Wealth and power radiate toward the poor as one acts, constantly slipping away."

"Only by reducing the loss of money and cultivation, and preventing it from leaking to the poor, can one walk further on the path of the Immortal Dao."

"Even an immortal who has transcended the three debts and five insurances must strive to be a 'flawless true immortal,' so what right do I have to squander money?"

...

Meanwhile, increasingly violent gales rose outside the arena, swirling at high speed like a tornado.

At the center of the vortex, Ji Yuanshu was enveloped in storms, his entire body spinning and accelerating.

"The gravity field is unpredictable; using force to resist is an unwise strategy."

"The most effective method should be to use speed to counter it."

"No matter how complex the changes in the gravity field are, as long as I can pass through at high speed in a short time, the duration of the force acting upon me will be extremely brief, leaving no time to alter my trajectory."

Bang!

Mach one.

Mach two.

Mach three!

As Ji Yuanshu accelerated violently, his figure became faster and more blurred, each shift in movement triggering thunderous sonic booms.

"That's about it..."

Feeling his body reach its limit, Ji Yuanshu flashed, sprinting headlong into the gravity field.

The Soul-Chasing Eye instantly marked the figures ahead, transmitting data through the neural network to the impermanent wind low-altitude flight components on his legs.

With a slight adjustment of the storm around him, Ji Yuanshu bypassed the many students like a bolt of lightning, reaching the finish line.

And one of the figures he passed was none other than Zhang Yu.

"Zhang Yu?"

Ji Yuanshu felt a slight stir in his heart, but the next moment, he paid it no mind.

"He is not my true opponent."

...

Although Zhang Yu was fast and had overtaken many seniors, there were always those faster than him who overtook him in turn.

He did not mind; after all, many contestants were wealthier and had cultivated longer than him, so it was normal for them to be faster.

Speed had never been his strong suit anyway.

"When I have time later, I'll consider enhancing my speed, but for now, I have no time for that."

Upon reaching the finish line and reuniting with Shi Huaiyu and the others, they looked at the time statistics ranking.

Seeing their team stabilize at 15th place, they all breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Che Yufei said, "We made the top 20, we can enter the next round."

At the same time, everyone understood that this ranking represented their team's average level in terms of speed and resisting the gravity field.

Shi Huaiyu thought to herself, "In terms of comprehensive strength... we are indeed a bit weaker, but judging by our training, we are not weak in construction and combat."

"The chance for the top ten is still quite good."

...

With the end of this elimination round, the top 20 teams remained, while the rest were eliminated and left the battlefield.

Above the arena.

Tu Lishan looked at the data of the 20 teams and thought, "40% pacifists, 30% warmongers, 30% neutral; we are slightly behind in numbers."

"There is no helping it, the Finance Department approved them for many loans."

Tu Lishan knew that where the money was, there the fortune lay. With a big financier like the Finance Department supporting them, he was not surprised by the situation.

"But loans must eventually be repaid, and while our slow-and-steady projects earn less, they are more enduring..."

Tu Lishan thought, "It depends on the change in numbers in the next round of 20 to 10."

"At least in terms of top-tier strength, we should be stronger."

Just then, the geology teacher Wei Huai displayed the results of Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu, smiling, "It seems that risking one's life is still not as good as risking one's money."

Tu Lishan said indifferently, "Ji Yuanshu borrowed so many spirit coins, does he not have to pay them back?"

Wei Huai said, "Who doesn't borrow at the start? As long as the development is fast enough, initial loans are just small change."

Tu Lishan said, "I fear that if the development isn't fast enough, they will end up working for the loan platforms, eventually walking into a dead end."

"On the contrary, Zhang Yu's physique is formidable; risking his life is the path that suits him. As his income rises, he will become stronger the more he fights, and his future is promising."

Watching the two spar, neither Director Gao nor Director Lin said a word, as if they hadn't heard.

But the other teachers knew that Tu Lishan and Wei Huai represented Director Gao and Director Lin; while they spoke of two sophomores, they were actually discussing the different directions of the two factions.

Just then, the old director, True Monarch Lingyue, chuckled and said, "Those with strong potential in the Immortal Dao borrow money, and those with weak potential risk their lives. Under the rule of the Ten Great Sects, everyone has immortal cultivation, and every student walks an immortal path; there are no dead ends, Teacher Tu, you are joking."

Hearing True Monarch Lingyue, Tu Lishan and Wei Huai immediately stopped their argument.

True Monarch Lingyue continued, "Spirit coins and lifespan are both resources for the Immortal Dao; use whichever you have more of." "If lifespan is short, use spirit coins to supplement; if spirit coins are short, use lifespan to earn them. The two complement each other and neither should be neglected. Do you agree, teachers?"

Tu Lishan and Wei Huai bowed in agreement.

Tu Lishan thought, "This old ghost, he sides with whoever gives him more benefits, playing a balance between the two factions. Now he wants both money and life, and wants to keep the position of director... let's see how long you can gorge yourself before you burst."

True Monarch Lingyue continued, "The schedule for the next round of eliminations has been drafted. Does anyone have any objections?"

Tu Lishan looked at the 20-to-10 matchup list and thought, "Both sides of the matchups are almost entirely students from the warmonger and pacifist factions, while the neutral students are mixed in on both sides."

"The next elimination round will be a head-on clash between the students of the two factions."

He subconsciously glanced at Director Gao and Director Lin, thinking that the two sides must have reached some tacit agreement in secret to arrange it this way.

...

On the arena below.

Zhang Yu's ocular implants displayed the information of Yu Xinghan and the others.

He looked up and saw Ying Xin, Yu Xinghan, and Gongshu Jin standing in the spectator stands, waving at him.

Besides them, there were other substitute team members in the stands.

In the first elimination round just now, the substitutes did not have to participate, so they had waited in the stands to watch the end of the match.

With the conclusion of the first round of eliminations, the substitute members converged upon their respective teams.

Yu Xinghan asked with curiosity, "How will the second round be conducted?"

Shi Huaiyu replied, "With twenty teams narrowing down to ten, it should be a random draw, pitting teams against one another to decide the victor."

Hardly had she finished speaking when the tournament schedule manifested before them all.

Scanning the list of matchups, Zhang Yu noted that each team’s combat zone had been assigned to a different level of the simulated battlefield.

A moment later, his gaze sharpened as he saw that his team was slated to face the squad led by Ma Xuan and Ji Yuanshu.

"The second round of eliminations begins in ten minutes; all teams are requested to arrive at their designated arenas on time."

Elsewhere, Su Yanyang looked at Ma Xuan and remarked, "Oh? You’ve drawn Shi Huaiyu’s team?"

Ma Xuan offered a faint smile. "Senior brother, it seems my luck is holding; a spot in the top ten is as good as mine."

Su Yanyang mused, "You can certainly handle Shi Huaiyu."

"As for the remaining five, aside from that Xiao Qingxuan, the other three are washed-up relics, and one is only a sophomore—none are worth worrying about."

Ma Xuan thought to himself, "Actually, that sophomore, Zhang Yu, is still a bit of a nuisance."

However, believing he already understood Zhang Yu well enough to have countermeasures in place, he kept this to himself.

Ma Xuan asked curiously, "I’ve heard rumors about this Xiao Qingxuan. I usually can't be bothered to provoke him, but in a competition, there are no damages to pay, and maintenance or medical fees are covered—what could possibly go wrong?"

Su Yanyang pondered for a moment before saying, "I heard a story, though I don't know if it holds any truth."

"They say the Golden Core cultivator from the ancient era who possessed Xiao Qingxuan wasn't scared off by the debt, but instead chose to masquerade as him."

"As for the real Xiao Qingxuan... he has already been sold off."

"What?" Ma Xuan exclaimed in surprise. "Such a thing happened? But... after a Golden Core cultivator possesses a body, why is he only ranked fortieth in the department as a senior? And how could he deceive the True Lords of the department? Illegal possession should, by rights, lead to soul-imprisonment and the seizure of the physical vessel; that is the standard procedure."

Su Yanyang said indifferently, "I don't know if the story is true or false. But consider this: given the crushing debt Xiao Qingxuan carries, how has he managed to survive in Kunxu? By all logic, every cent he earned should have been garnished instantly; he should have been unable to take a single step."

Seeing Ma Xuan lost in thought, Su Yanyang added, "Just keep your wits about you."

"The key to this match isn't just winning, but winning with style. Don't let Shi Huaiyu and Xiao Qingxuan drain too much of your energy and affect the subsequent rounds."

"Go on, take your team and get moving."

...

Outside the one-square-kilometer simulated battlefield.

The two competing teams, led by Zhang Yu and Ji Yuanshu, stood facing one another.

Yet, compared to the high-spirited team of Shi Huaiyu, Ma Xuan’s side appeared quite composed, though both Cong Na and Ji Yuanshu could not help but cast several glances at Xiao Qingxuan.

Cong Na then looked toward Zhang Yu, thinking to herself, "Sigh, Zhang Yu would have been better off staying on our team; at least he could have scraped together some composite points."

As the competition rules finished displaying before them, the teams entered the arena according to the instructions.

Then, both sides drew lots to determine the order of offense and defense.

Shi Huaiyu took a glance and said, "We will take the initiative to attack."

"Everyone, don't be nervous. Just follow the training, and we'll be fine."

As the battle officially commenced, the six members of Shi Huaiyu’s team charged toward the opposing position.

But the next instant, the earth shuddered, and amidst a thunderous roar, countless tons of sand and soil surged into the sky.

Ma Xuan pushed a palm forward and said calmly, "Let's eliminate four of them first."

In the next moment, the sky-filling sand descended like a tsunami, threatening to swallow Zhang Yu and his companions.

Ma Xuan knew the opposition was inferior, but he would not underestimate them; he would simply leverage that gap to eliminate them without granting them a single chance.

Yet, in the very next heartbeat, a figure burst forth like a cannonball, propelled by immense force, shattering the wall of sand and striking out like a falling star.

"That is... Zhang Yu?"

Ma Xuan froze for a fraction of a second before realizing, his eyes narrowing. "Shi Huaiyu and the others... they teamed up to launch Zhang Yu at us first?"