Chapter 101: Purchasing the Concealment Talisman, Eve of the Competition

Hearing Lan Ling's words, Zhang Yu asked, "What are the selection criteria? Why don't we meet them?"

Lan Ling gave them a cold glance and stated flatly, "A minimum initial investment of three million in funds is required. Do you have that?"

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were instantly speechless. They had no idea where they would get that much money, and even if they did, they certainly wouldn't invest it in a student union-led project.

Seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's silence, Lan Ling thought to herself, "So, they really don't have the money? It seems Zhang Pianpian knows her limits and didn't support their entry into the special training program."

After saying this, Lan Ling turned and left, seemingly indifferent to the remaining affairs of the competition team.

Zhang Yu, however, asked again, "Hey, what about the other benefits for the competition team? Doesn't the school provide us with training or subsidies?"

Without turning his head, Lan Ling replied, "That's not my concern. Go ask Wang Hai."

Wang Hai approached Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen and said, "The sophomore year sports competition is in two weeks. Lan Ling and the others need to intensify their physical training to prepare for it."

"I'll explain the matters concerning the freshman competition team."

Wang Hai smiled at the two. "I originally thought you two wouldn't have a chance to compete, but it seems you found another way and managed to catch up."

"Don't worry, you don't have to explain. I know these things are under contract and can't be freely disclosed."

Clearly, Wang Hai was convinced that the two had used some powerful immortal cultivation technique.

He continued, "The competition team offers quite a few benefits. I'll go over them with you one by one."

"First, all members who join the competition team will receive a free set of the Nine Dragons Acupressure Technique."

At this, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's eyes lit up. Could they really get a cultivation technique for free?

Zhang Yu asked, "This Nine Dragons Acupressure Technique... is it an acupressure technique? A combat martial art? Why would a sports competition team practice a combat martial art?"

Wang Hai smiled faintly. "The Nine Dragons Acupressure Technique is not a combat martial art; it's a standard body-refinement technique."

"It involves using spiritual power to operate needles, injecting different medicinal agents into 36 specific acupoints on the body using various techniques and different types of needles, thereby maximizing the body's potential and enhancing the effects of physical refinement..."

Zhang Yu was stunned. He thought, "Damn, as expected of Songyang High School. The body-refinement style of the competition team and the physical education classes are indeed consistent."

Wang Hai continued, "The second benefit is discounted medicine."

"The Nine Dragons Acupressure Technique requires nine different body-refining elixirs. We happen to sell all nine of these elixirs, all from major manufacturers and reputable brands. They are all sold at a discount to competition team members, ensuring your peace of mind when using them."

Zhang Yu secretly shook his head. He barely had any spare money left for this Nine Dragons Acupressure Technique.

Bai Zhenzhen, however, listened intently, clearly interested in the offer, as she herself was a top student in body refinement who regularly used medicinal supplements.

Wang Hai then said, "The third benefit is that competition team members can apply for a one-time subsidy if they purchase an expert-level body-refinement technique. Regular members receive a 2,000 subsidy, and those who place in competitions get a higher subsidy, up to 20,000."

"The fourth benefit is 24-hour free access to the training equipment here. You can register your information later, and then simply swipe your student ID to enter."

"The last benefit is discounted nutritional food, including various types of demon beast meat, available for purchase here..."

Bai Zhenzhen immediately asked, "Can we get synthetic food at a discount from you?"

"Synthetic food? What kind of low-grade stuff is that? Can our competition team even sell that?" Wang Hai initially wanted to say this, but seeing the expectant gazes of Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu, and recalling their "poor" status, he finally cleared his throat and said, "Hmm, you can get a 10% discount on it."

Bai Zhenzhen immediately smiled.

Wang Hai thought to himself, "It's just a matter of submitting an application anyway. Since these two kids are already on the competition team, them being well-fed can only help me get better results."

Zhang Yu, standing nearby, secretly thought, "It seems the third and last benefits are the most useful for us."

"However, the Crimson Marrow Primal Qi was a free prize for me, so I can't apply for a subsidy for it."

"If I were to buy another expert-level body-refinement technique... then I'd have to think carefully about it."

However, Zhang Yu's goal was definitely the highest subsidy of 20,000, which meant he would have to wait until after the sports competition a month later and secure a place.

At this moment, Zhang Yu couldn't help but ask, "Are subsidies only for body-refinement techniques?"

Wang Hai replied, "Of course. After all, this is a sports competition team. If you're not buying body-refinement techniques, do you expect us to subsidize combat techniques or breathing techniques for you?"

After completing the procedures to join the competition team, and each receiving an electronic manual and usage rights for the Nine Dragons Acupressure Technique from Wang Hai, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen left the stadium.

After all, they had too many secrets now, making it unsuitable for them to continue their body refinement training there.

That night.

Under the bridge, by the riverbank.

Having finished their classes, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen leaned against each other, both staring at the Talisman Scroll in their hands.

During this period, before each tutoring session, they would ask Zhang Pianpian for talismans via the internet.

Now, after finishing their class that night, the two had finally gathered enough money to purchase the usage rights for the Concealment Talisman.

Bai Zhenzhen said, "Yu Zi, I've transferred 20,000 yuan to you. From now on, whenever I want to use a Concealment Talisman, you'll have to draw it for me."

Zhang Yu, patting his chest, said, "We're like brothers for life; I'd never go back on my word to you. Don't worry, whenever you need it, I'll draw a talisman for you immediately."

Zhang Yu opened the Talisman Scroll, clicked into the Spirit Realm Temple of the Department of Ten Thousand People, and selected the option to consult a deity.

A plethora of options instantly popped up. Zhang Yu scrolled through "Deity-to-Human Training," "Deity-Accompanying Mode," and "Divine Child Package," finally finding the "Talisman Granting" option.

Among the numerous talismans from the Department of Ten Thousand People, the Concealment Talisman topped the list, clearly being the most frequently used and purchased spell.

Watching this, Zhang Yu couldn't help but curse inwardly, "These money-grubbing righteous deities, did they push for the school to teach the Heavenly Eye Talisman?"

"If everyone learns the Heavenly Eye Talisman, naturally many people will need to buy Concealment Talismans. If there was no such thing as a Heavenly Eye Talisman, people wouldn't need to buy Concealment Talismans..."

Zhang Yu selected the Concealment Talisman and saw that its basic version cost 40,000 yuan.

At that moment, as a notification for a 40,000 yuan bank deposit sounded, the image on the Talisman Scroll changed. Three righteous deities suddenly appeared, seemingly able to look through the screen at Zhang Yu. They smiled slightly at him, their faces full of admiration for a promising talent.

Simultaneously, three voices exploded in his mind.

"Disciple Zhang Yu, with unwavering devotion to the Dao, sincere heart, and superior aptitude... This talisman is specially granted to you. May you diligently cultivate in the future and widely spread the divine path."

The next moment, the specific details of the Concealment Talisman appeared before him.

The basic version didn't contain much, so Zhang Yu quickly flipped through a few more pages and saw the recommendation to upgrade to the advanced version.

Concealment Talisman Upgrade to Advanced Version, Basic VersionConcealment Component Function: √, √Component Color Change Function: √, XIndividual Component Hiding: √, XPersonalized Disguise Signature: √, XForced Display Function: √, X

Zhang Yu merely glanced at it and looked away. Although the advanced version of the Concealment Talisman had more features, it was far too expensive.

"Upgrading would cost a full 100,000 yuan. I'd rather spend that money on my own cultivation."

The doll, disguised as a prayer bead, had been silently observing the scene. The more it watched, the more envious and jealous it felt, thinking, "Those righteous deities really are making money effortlessly these days."

"We evil gods, on the other hand, live a rough life, enduring wind and dew daily, taking huge risks and exhausting ourselves to meticulously trick someone out of their entire fortune."

"These guys just lie around on the thirty-sixth floor, eating, drinking, and having fun all day, while billions of mortals ceaselessly offer up their life savings to them."

"Damn, that's amazing! Why was I reincarnated as an evil god? I really want to be a righteous deity too."

Meanwhile, after studying the Concealment Talisman for a while, Zhang Yu extended his finger and began to draw shakily on the Talisman Scroll.

A moment later, as the yellow talisman on the Talisman Scroll flashed, the Concealment Talisman was successfully cast on him.

"Is it done?" Bai Zhenzhen excitedly said from the side, "Come on, draw one for me to try."

Zhang Yu quickly drew another one, but as soon as the Concealment Talisman was completed, and with Zhang Yu's free quota for the Talisman Scroll for the day already used up, his phone vibrated.

Department of Ten Thousand People, God of All BeingsDeduction: 500

"This one costs 500?"

"Didn't I buy the usage rights?"

Zhang Yu quickly looked at the talisman-granting page and discovered that the basic version of the Concealment Talisman only allowed for the purchase of a paid usage right.

In other words, with this usage right, Zhang Yu could use the Concealment Talisman for a fee of 500 per use.

Zhang Yu laughed in anger. He wanted to curse out the Eight Departments of Righteous Deities, but he was afraid of being overheard by them, especially since he was still holding the Talisman Scroll. What if they imposed a fine on him then?

He had also heard news of people cursing deities directly and being fined over a hundred thousand yuan.

There was nothing he could do; Zhang Yu couldn't afford to curse the deities right now, so he could only suppress his anger.

At that moment, Zhang Yu suddenly understood why Zhang Pianpian's expression grew increasingly strained each time she granted them talismans online, as their tutoring days increased.

Bai Zhenzhen, who was beside him, also saw the deduction notification on Zhang Yu's phone and sighed, "I wonder how much money Godmother spent drawing talismans for us all these days?"

Zhang Yu didn't know either, but he guessed that drawing talismans remotely must have cost a significant amount. So he nodded and said, "Sister is so good to us. When we get into university, we must repay her kindness and fulfill our filial duty."

In the following days, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued to juggle their time between the secret tutoring gang and Songyang High School, attending school, teaching classes, and cultivating.

As Ma Yunteng and Le Mulan's reputations slowly spread within the underground tutoring world, more students enrolled in their courses, leading to an increase in their income.

In the blink of an eye, two more weeks passed. It was time for the latest monthly exam results to be announced, and only two weeks remained until the freshman year sports competition.

In the classroom, He Dayou looked at the score rankings and sighed softly.

First Place: Zhang Yu, 665Second Place: He Dayou, 661Third Place: Bai Zhenzhen, 660

Although the scores appeared to differ by only a few points, He Dayou knew this was because the 150 points allocated for courses like spiritual power and physical education were no longer sufficient to reflect Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's true strength.

As for him, He Dayou, he hadn't achieved a perfect score in any subject apart from general education courses; he primarily narrowed the gap between himself and Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen through his Daoist magic scores.

Moreover, according to news from other students, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had garnered unanimous praise from several physical education teachers during the exam, repeatedly breaking detection patches. Wang Hai even called them the treasures of Songyang High School's freshman sports community.

"Is it because I'm not as rich as Zhang Pianpian?"

He naturally wouldn't naively believe that he had lost due to talent or effort.

In He Dayou's view, for him, a wealthy person, to lose in a sports competition... it could only be because the other party was even richer.

He Dayou thought to himself, "Perhaps Zhang Pianpian isn't as rich as the He family, but the money the He family spends on me probably can't compare to what Zhang Pianpian spends on Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen."

"Damn it, why do these two paupers have such good luck? To meet a major benefactor like Zhang Pianpian?"

Just as He Dayou was inwardly troubled, he suddenly noticed his phone vibrating incessantly, as if some news was rapidly spreading across various group chats.

He opened it and his expression changed repeatedly.

The sophomore competition team was completely wiped out! The top ten ranks in the sports competition were all taken by Bailong, Ziyun, and Hongta!

Oasis Group collaborated with the companies behind the three major high schools—Bailong, Ziyun, and Hongta—sharing some immortal cultivation techniques for physical cultivation derived from synthetic food.

No wonder Oasis Group was able to enter Songyang City; they teamed up with local companies!

Songyang High School's immortal cultivation technology was completely lagging behind. The three major high schools had achieved a full breakthrough in body-refinement techniques, and the physical strength of their new generation of academic elites had soared. From now on, they could monopolize even the sports competitions, and all future competitions would be irrelevant to other high schools.

Seeing this, He Dayou suddenly let out a bitter laugh.

He felt as if he and the others were a bunch of clowns; while they were still here, locked in competition, those three major high schools had already boarded their flying boats.