Chapter 118: Spokesperson

Soon after Zhang Yu finished communicating with Zhang Pianpian, several electronic contracts were sent over.

These contracts outlined the requirements for their upcoming promotion of the 'Demon Imitation Muscles,' as well as stipulations for filming advertisements and acting as spokespersons.

The specific compensation was...

"An annual endorsement fee of 600,000, to be paid in three installments..."

Zhang Yu felt a surge of excitement looking at the compensation. It was the first time he had ever been so wealthy since arriving in Kunxu. However, when he considered that he should have been earning much more, he felt a renewed surge of anger. He blamed Le Jingchen for tagging him as an "unrivaled genius" with Ziyun, which had severely reduced his commercial value.

Beside him, Bai Zhenzhen was equally flushed with excitement, seeing her total endorsement fee of 400,000.

"Haha, even though my ranking isn't as high as Zhang Yu's this time, I don't have that 'unrivaled genius' label. I didn't attract all that 'dirty traffic' from people fixated on geniuses, unlike Yu-zi."

Naturally, the contracts also contained numerous restrictions for them.

For instance, they were forbidden from denying their use of the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' or preventing others from using them. The contracts also explained the absence of visible physical alterations: it was partly due to their strong self-control, and partly due to Xianyun Group's advanced technology, which allowed for extremely rapid adaptation, preventing any noticeable external changes.

Furthermore, both he and Bai Zhenzhen had to state that the primary reason for their excellent performance in sports competitions was the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' technology.

Other clauses included prohibitions against criticizing the 'Demon Imitation Muscles,' or using new body-refinement techniques from Ziyun or Hongta, among many others.

After seeing the generous compensation, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen considered these restrictions minor issues.

Shortly after Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen signed the contracts, numerous staff members and a body-refinement influencer arrived at Songyang High School's lounge area, stating they wanted to interview Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu, having been pre-briefed by Zhang Pianpian, was well-prepared. He quickly pulled Bai Zhenzhen with him to appear before the cameras.

"That's right. All our achievements today are thanks to the technological transformation we underwent with Xianyun Group's 'Demon Imitation Muscles'..."

"Before, I was a 'slacker student' who couldn't even make it into the top ten in my grade. But ever since I got the 'Demon Imitation Muscles,' everything tastes good, injections don't hurt, I'm more focused in class, and I gain muscle faster..."

"If you're afraid of low scores, you need the 'Demon Imitation Muscles.' I believe that in the future, students who don't use the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' will lack competitiveness and gradually be eliminated by the tides of high school life..."

As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's interview continued, a large crowd of students and teachers from both regular and key high schools quickly gathered around them.

Zhang Yu then noticed that many of these individuals, and even some audience members, were heading to the adjacent Xianyun Company booth to make inquiries.

Especially shortly after the interview, Zhang Yu saw students from regular and key high schools running towards the exhibition booth with expressions of yearning and longing. It was as if he was watching leeks willingly offer themselves up, leaving him with a sense of melancholy.

At the same time, the Evil God, disguised as a prayer bead on Zhang Yu's chest, remarked, "Why are you sighing? You're not pitying those poor souls, are you?"

"If they don't spend their money here, they'll spend it somewhere else. Who cares who drains them dry? Might as well let us earn a bit on the side."

Zhang Yu stepped to a corner and quietly said, in a voice only he could hear, "I don't pity them. After all, the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' technology is indeed useful."

"Hehe, is it *really* useful?" The Evil God chuckled softly. "The Qi Refining stage has its limits: Dao Heart tops out at Level 10, magic power at 100, and physical strength at Level 10. Do you think these students you're competing against, even without the 'Demon Imitation Muscles,' could reach these limits if given more time to train slowly?"

Zhang Yu paused, slightly startled, but already had his answer.

Every student present had been an academic achiever since childhood. If given enough time, pushing their cultivation to the limits of the Qi Refining stage shouldn't be an issue.

The Evil God mused, "A long time ago, if you scored above 650 on the college entrance exam and secured one or two competition placements during your three years of high school, you were guaranteed entry into the top ten universities."

"Gradually, the college entrance exam score requirements became higher and higher. Students had to boost their stats as much as possible within just three years, compressing cultivation that originally took five, or even ten, years in the Qi Refining stage into three years."

"Later, the requirements for competition awards also grew stricter."

"Competition shifted from starting in the final year of high school to the second year, and then eventually, students had to compete and scramble from the very beginning of their first year."

"Now, they even have to use these 'Demon Imitation Muscles,' aiming to reach a second-year high school level in their first year."

"These 'Demon Imitation Muscles'... they just prematurely extract power that these students could have cultivated naturally over an extra year or two, or even three."

"But just like when body-refinement drugs were first promoted, once most people start taking drugs and using 'Demon Imitation Muscles,' the 'Immortal Way' rejects will still remain 'Immortal Way' rejects."

"Those who couldn't get into the top ten universities still won't, and those who couldn't obtain a Foundation Establishment qualification certificate still won't. The ultimate limit in life remains the Qi Refining stage's limit."

"What's the difference compared to when they didn't take drugs or engage in new body-refinement techniques?"

"Oh, wait, there is a difference: these 'Immortal Way' rejects have accumulated more debt for these 'Demon Imitation Muscles.'"

"Do you understand now? The sole purpose of these body-refinement techniques is to help them compete with other students in high school."

"But no matter how hard they try, no matter how desperately they strive, the number of spots in the top ten universities won't increase, nor will the number of people who obtain a Foundation Establishment qualification certificate. The limit of Qi Refining cultivation cannot possibly change."

The Evil God chuckled again: "From beginning to end, this is just the Ten Great Sects and the companies playing them for fools."

"But they play it well, making them willingly pay up. They're much better at it than us Evil Gods."

As the Evil God chuckled, Zhao Tianxing cautiously approached, asking Zhang Yu about the 'Demon Imitation Muscles.'

Previously, Zhao Tianxing had opted out of Songyang High School's special cultivation program, both because he found the plan too brutal and because he feared wasting his family's money only to gain nothing.

However, seeing Zhang Yu's current achievements sparked immense interest in the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' for Zhao Tianxing.

He had, in fact, watched Zhang Yu's rapid progress day by day.

Initially, Zhao Tianxing had been too embarrassed to ask Zhang Yu about the reason for his swift advancement. But now, seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen actively promoting and giving interviews, he wanted to inquire himself.

Looking at Zhang Yu, he asked, "Ah Yu, are the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' really that powerful? Can they close the gap between us and the three major high schools?"

Zhang Yu nodded and replied, "Yes, they're very powerful. Without them, I wouldn't have gotten first place."

Zhao Tianxing then asked expectantly, "Do you think it's necessary for me to use the 'Demon Imitation Muscles'?"

Remembering the contractual obligations, Zhang Yu could only nod again: "Yes, they're quite good."

Zhao Tianxing smiled. "So you also think I should undergo the transformation?"

Seeing Zhao Tianxing's excited face, seemingly having already made up his mind, Zhang Yu jokingly said, "Actually, the reason I'm so powerful is also partly due to natural body refinement. That's how I can control the increased physical strength so perfectly."

Zhao Tianxing simply thought Zhang Yu was joking and laughed along.

The Evil God, disguised as a prayer bead, sneered, "You want to hint that he shouldn't spend the money? Save your breath. Everyone's starting to use new technologies. How can he keep up if he doesn't spend the money? He'll just be eliminated early. Besides, these 'Immortal Way' good-for-nothings won't listen to you. If you keep trying to persuade them, hehe... they'll just think you're tricking them, afraid of their progress. Don't go violating your contract and losing your friends in the process. This is Kunxu; the tide is turning. How can you change it alone?"

On the other side, He Dayou had been straining his ears, listening to Zhao Tianxing and Zhang Yu's conversation. Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but think, "Natural body refinement? I don't see a single natural part on your entire body." Then his gaze shifted, and he wondered, "Is he saying this because he's afraid that if we all undergo the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' transformation, we'll catch up to him in the future?" At this thought, a hint of worry resurfaced in He Dayou's mind: "I wonder if there will be any issues if I get the 'Demon Imitation Muscles' after already having had a transplant surgery?"

Zhang Yu looked at the students around him, sensing their eagerness.

A hint of helplessness flashed through Zhang Yu's mind. He seemed to foresee a future where, one by one, his classmates would transform into something neither fully human nor fully beast. Songyang High School might as well be renamed Songyang Monster Park.

"No, wait, if this continues for a few more years, the entire city of Songyang might just turn into Zootopia."

The Evil God, still disguised as a prayer bead, said, "Kid, do you really have time to worry about others right now?"

Zhang Yu walked to a side and whispered, "You haven't said so much in a long time."

"Just resting, saving a bit of energy," the Evil God chuckled. "Besides, there are a lot of eyes here, so saying less also prevents leaving traces that could implicate both of us, right? Kid, everyone in this competition venue, from top to bottom, is blind. They've only seen the tip of the iceberg of your talent; otherwise, they'd tear you apart to study you thoroughly. Even so, many people are already hostile towards you. And your sister is leaving Songyang City in two months for a university on Kunxu's second layer, isn't she? In two months, I'm afraid many people will come after you..."

Zhang Yu said indifferently, "What are you trying to say?"

The Evil God tempted him, "Don't you want your potential to be further unleashed? Don't you want to become stronger and richer, capable of protecting yourself safely after your sister leaves, looking after Bai Zhenzhen, and even eventually ascending to Kunxu's second layer...?"

It was clear that, although the Evil God hadn't spoken much recently, silent observation had made it increasingly aware of Zhang Yu's circumstances.

Zhang Yu didn't reply, but thought to himself, "Of course I want to further unleash my potential." Looking at the Feather Scroll that appeared before him, Zhang Yu wished it would just ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, instantly boosting him by a hundred thousand levels, so he could punch Kunxu into oblivion.

"But at what cost?" Zhang Yu said blandly. "Are you trying to trick me into fighting your colleagues again?"

The Evil God smiled faintly. "How can you call that a trick? I'm merely reminding you that you always have a fallback. As long as you hunt another Evil God for me, your potential will surge again! Skyrocket! Explode!"

Although Zhang Yu hadn't responded, the Evil God knew in its heart that its suggestion had surely taken root in Zhang Yu's mind. All that remained was to wait for him to embark on that path.