Chapter 113: Pre-Match Breakthrough, Sky Pillar

With gurgling sounds, Zhang Yu poured a large bucket of synthetic food into his mouth, swallowing it all down in one go.

He then circulated a bit of his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi, and as his internal organs churned, it accelerated the digestion of the food. He then took another bucket of synthetic food that Bai Zhenzhen brought him.

After the previous round's overloaded sprint and physical exertion, Zhang Yu felt a ravenous hunger throughout his entire body, especially his heart, which seemed to be constantly crying out for more.

Bai Zhenzhen, meanwhile, bustled about, continuously bringing buckets of synthetic food to him.

Compared to pre-made meals, synthetic food, while not as tasty, was easier to digest and better suited Zhang Yu's current condition.

To ensure better and faster digestion, wasting not an ounce of energy or nutrients, the synthetic food Bai Zhenzhen brought contained no flavorings whatsoever. It was just pure nutrition, bucket after bucket, added to Zhang Yu's body like fuel.

Although it tasted horrible and nauseating, Zhang Yu closed his eyes and forced himself to consume it all for the sake of the upcoming competition.

Besides Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, many other students from various schools also came to the buffet area to eat.

There were ordinary high school students who had already been eliminated and were just getting a meal.

There were also students like those from Red Tower High School, with their massive physiques and astonishing appetites.

However, wealthy students like Yu Xinghan, Song Hailong, and Le Mulan were eating their own packed food and did not join the others.

Hu Yuntao devoured the synthetic food in front of him.

Xiong Wenwu, who was opposite him, was practically vacuuming down buckets of the synthetic food.

Witnessing Xiong Wenwu's eating style, Hu Yuntao couldn't help but feel admiration. "To prevent food from affecting his cultivation, Brother has undergone taste bud removal surgery a long time ago. How many people possess such determination?"

Xiong Wenwu glanced at Hu Yuntao and said, "The first two rounds weren't our strong suit, so falling behind a bit is fine."

"But in the upcoming strength challenge, we must make sure everyone knows that Red Tower is the strongest."

Hu Yuntao nodded vigorously. "I understand, Brother. In the next round, even if my arms and legs break, I will hold on until the very end."

Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu frantically ate, two figures suddenly appeared before him.

They were Zhou Chechen, Vice President of Songyang High School's student council, and Lan Ling, head of its sports department.

Zhang Yu glanced at their ID badges, wondering what connections these two had with Purple Cloud High School to gain access to the athletes' buffet area.

Zhou Chechen coldly stared at Zhang Yu, recalling his recent conversation with Purple Cloud.

He mused, "Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen most likely underwent technical modifications from White Dragon High School, probably through Zhang Pianpian's connections."

"White Dragon is secretly making moves. If, after the competition, they announce that Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu also underwent the latest body refinement technology from Immortal Rhyme Group, then the number of ranked athletes under their name will surpass Purple Cloud or Red Tower, making them the biggest winner in promoting the new body refinement technology this time."

Recalling the deal between Purple Cloud and his own side, Zhou Chechen calmly said, "You don't need to be so aggressive in this round; just participate casually."

Zhang Yu frowned but didn't reply, simply continuing to eat.

Zhou Chechen didn't seem to mind Zhang Yu's lack of response and calmly stated, "Your collusion with White Dragon High School has already been exposed by other companies."

"If you want to keep showing off and think Zhang Pianpian will give you extra benefits, you should consider how other companies will deal with you. Will the people behind you protect you?"

"Don't end up being sold out and still counting money for them."

After saying this, Zhou Chechen left with Lan Ling.

On the way out, Lan Ling asked, puzzled, "Is that enough? Don't we need to threaten him? With Purple Cloud backing us now, we don't need to worry about Zhang Pianpian anymore, right?"

Zhou Chechen cast a helpless glance at Lan Ling, thinking, *This guy has really trained his brain into muscle. As expected, one shouldn't pursue extreme results in body refinement.*

After a moment's thought, Zhou Chechen explained, "This arena is currently a battleground for Red Tower Ranch, Purple Cloud Pharmaceuticals, and Immortal Rhyme Group. These three major companies are exerting their influence behind the scenes."

"If you push yourself so hard... aren't you afraid of being crushed by the ripple effects of these three giants clashing?"

Seeing Lan Ling's thoughtful expression, Zhou Chechen further explained, "Just mentioning it to Zhang Yu, that brief interaction is enough. Don't push too hard... otherwise, you might end up being targeted by Zhang Pianpian, or even Immortal Rhyme Group."

"Our ability to strike a deal with Purple Cloud ultimately relies on our own family's substantial capital, and Songyang High School's transplantation technology is also something Purple Cloud desires."

"So, we don't have to fight with nothing to lose, like Zhang Yu, baring our chests to contend for everything."

"What if he achieves momentary glory by fighting so desperately? He'll never get into the Top Ten, he'll be someone's dog for life, and ultimately, he'll be targeted by companies and sold off by Zhang Pianpian for a good price."

Zhou Chechen recalled Zhang Yu's appearance just now and continued, "And look at how weak he seems. Clearly, he must have taken some potent drug in the last round to catch up with Yu Xinghan. He might have depleted his potential or even harmed his body..."

"Combined with the pressure we just put on him, it must also have an impact."

"The next round, the strength challenge, is also a strong point for White Dragon and Red Tower. With Zhang Yu's physical problems and mental state affected, his final performance is bound to be unfavorable."

"This way, we've warned Zhang Yu as per Purple Cloud's request, and if he doesn't perform well, that's enough to explain to Le Jingchen..."

Lan Ling nodded repeatedly, feeling that Zhou Chechen truly lived up to his title as Vice President of the student council, always thinking more thoroughly than him, the head of the sports department.

On the other side, Zhang Yu, while eating, watched Zhou Chechen and Lan Ling leave, thinking, "What were those two talking about just now?"

However, hearing the word "companies" made Zhang Yu feel a surge of caution.

After some thought, he called Zhang Pianpian and briefly explained the current competition situation.

He then asked, "If I beat Yu Xinghan in the next round, no company will come after me, will they?"

Zhang Pianpian smiled and asked, "Can you win?"

Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. "I'm confident."

Zhang Pianpian replied, "Then go win."

"If you can take first place, I'll help you negotiate with White Dragon."

"All you have to do then is admit that you used Immortal Rhyme Group's technology to improve your body refinement, and then just wait to collect your money."

Hearing Zhang Pianpian's reply, especially the mention of money, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen instantly became excited.

After hanging up, the two resumed eating voraciously, gulping down huge amounts until their bellies were distended.

Rubbing his stomach, Zhang Yu let out a breath. "I'm full. Now it's time to digest, promote body growth and recovery, and complete the breakthrough..."

Just then, Zhang Yu looked at the scars on Bai Zhenzhen's body, recalling the unusual state she was in after the sprint.

Zhang Yu suddenly said, "A'Zhen, when we win the championship this time, I'll pay to have those scars removed for you."

Bai Zhenzhen replied, "You promised! You'll treat me at the hospital then!"

Treating someone at the hospital was a social activity reserved for closest friends and family in Kunxu.

Zhang Yu nodded. "Don't worry, since we were kids, when has your 'dad' ever lied to you?"

Bai Zhenzhen retorted, "You son of a..."

The next moment, the two arrived at a relatively secluded restroom.

Then Bai Zhenzhen hugged Zhang Yu from behind, leaning against him as she said, "A'Yu, take my True Spiritual Root."

Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback. "A'Zhen, what about you?"

Bai Zhenzhen smiled. "I won't be able to break through in this hour and a half anyway. I just need to digest some food and recover my strength; I don't need the True Spiritual Root."

"But you, kid, remember to treat me at the hospital once you win."

As the familiar Spiritual Root once again entered his body, Zhang Yu took a deep breath, nodded, and then walked into the restroom.

He then pulled out a prepared Primordial Pellet from the medicine box in his pocket.

"I originally thought I wouldn't need it today since I wouldn't be training."

"But it's a good thing I brought it."

After all, Primordial Pellets were expensive, so Zhang Yu usually kept them in his personal backpack.

The next moment, Zhang Yu swallowed the Primordial Pellet in one gulp.

As the medicinal power surged violently, spiritual energy also rushed in, and Zhang Yu fully activated his Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.

His muscles tautened, continuously absorbing the surging medicinal power and spiritual energy within his body.

At the same time, his heart, which had been depleted during the previous sprint, acted like a black hole, frantically drawing in the nutrients Zhang Yu had consumed, the medicinal power of the Primordial Pellet, and the spiritual energy provided by the Spiritual Root.

His internal organs, like a rock crusher, continuously and thoroughly broke down the recently swallowed synthetic food, transforming it into warm currents that surged into Zhang Yu's blood vessels, replenishing his entire body.

Through long-term adaptation, the True Spiritual Root within his body had long grown accustomed to Zhang Yu cultivating Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.

At this moment, surges of spiritual energy were even being channeled into his internal organs, filling those warm currents and accelerating Zhang Yu's digestion and absorption.

The largest of these warm currents naturally flowed towards Zhang Yu's heart, accelerating its growth and strengthening with every passing second.

With this continuous supply, Zhang Yu's previously pale face gradually became rosy, and his breathing and heartbeat grew increasingly powerful.

Especially as the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi circulated, Zhang Yu's heartbeat began to pound like a large drum, producing thunderous thumping sounds that echoed throughout the restroom.

Outside the restroom, Bai Zhenzhen stood guard at the door, preventing others from entering, lest anyone disturb Zhang Yu or notice the sounds of his cultivation.

Lian Tianji, who had come to talk to Zhang Yu, arrived at the spot and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Is Zhang Yu... cultivating in there?"

Bai Zhenzhen nodded and said, "It's quieter in the restroom, which makes it easier for him to focus on cultivation and rest."

Lian Tianji thoughtfully glanced towards the restroom, chatted casually with Bai Zhenzhen for a few moments, and then left.

As an hour and a half gradually passed, Bai Zhenzhen listened to the sounds coming from inside the restroom and felt Zhang Yu's increasingly powerful heartbeat, a sense of confidence steadily growing within her.

"Once Yu gets first place, *after* he gets first place, I'll definitely borrow a lot of money from him."

In the blink of an eye, the hour and a half finally passed, and the last stage of the athletic competition, the strength challenge worth a full 150 points, officially began.

In the center of the arena, a two-meter-high platform rose. Immediately after, a massive pillar descended from the ceiling of the stadium.

The pillar was silver-black all over, covered with layers of intricate runes. Its metal composition was unknown, and it was approximately five meters in diameter.

The colossal pillar descended, extending from the ceiling, and finally stopped three meters above the platform.

This was the Sky Pillar, the final challenge.

The Sky Pillar's shaft could exert a downward force ranging from a minimum of one thousand kilograms to a maximum of one hundred thousand kilograms, precisely testing the strength limits of Qi Refinement stage powerhouses.

In this round, the numerous contestants would take turns ascending the platform to support the Sky Pillar.