Chapter 222: The Power of the Divine Spirit Root

As Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao activated their respective Divine Root combat suits, Huang Zichou continued, "During these three examinations today, there will be no restrictions on any medications."

"After all, whether the body's tolerance to medication, or its potential and foundation, might be damaged by drug use is precisely within the scope of today's exam."

As he finished speaking, the ground around them vibrated slightly, and rows of medicine cabinets rose, displaying various types of drugs before Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao.

Huang Zichou then said, "You are free to take any medications from here."

"Of course, if you've brought your own medicine, you may use that too."

At this point, Huang Zichou thought to himself, "Good, only two people are left for this round. Including the money collected this time, we should turn a profit today."

Zhang Yu, looking at the rows of medicine cabinets, felt his eyes light up.

Although his magical power and physical strength had already reached their limits, his Dao Heart could still be enhanced with medication.

Recalling how he had economized over the past three months, pouring all his money into cultivation techniques, and how long it had been since he had freely used medication to the point of satiety, Zhang Yu's gaze towards the medicine cabinets grew increasingly eager.

Meanwhile, Huang Zichou continued to introduce the Divine Roots on their bodies: "The Divine Root you are using today is called the Black Armored Spirit Root. It's a Divine Root mass-produced for military combat."

"Replenishing magical power and stamina are merely its most basic functions."

"Next, the Black Armored Spirit Root will officially enter test mode."

"During test mode, the Black Armored Spirit Root will continuously increase its power output as your physical performance improves."

"While the additional features of these battle suits have been removed, the Black Armored Spirit Root itself has been fully preserved. As the power output continuously increases, the Black Armored Spirit Root will reveal more functions, demonstrating them one by one. There might be some unusual phenomena during this process, but you two needn't panic..."

Listening to Huang Zichou, Zhang Yu thought, "This sounds... almost like a demonstration of the Black Armored Spirit Root's functions."

Just as Zhang Yu was listening intently to Huang Zichou's explanation, a sudden loud bang startled him, and an impact wave erupted from Ye Lingxiao, who was standing nearby.

Zhang Yu casually batted away the incoming shockwave and turned his head toward Ye Lingxiao.

He saw Ye Lingxiao enveloped in surging winds, the air around him distorting strangely, and the power reading on his sleeve had conspicuously risen to 10.

Huang Zichou smiled slightly, looking at Ye Lingxiao. "You're quick to grasp it. The Black Armored Spirit Root's test mode is designed to continuously increase the body's operational power."

"The more you exert force, circulate energy, and unleash power, the more you will stimulate the Black Armored Spirit Root's power increase."

Ye Lingxiao understood this so quickly because, as a successor of the Ye clan, he was not entirely ignorant of Divine Roots.

Although as a high school student he didn't have permission to use Divine Roots, many people he knew worked for government departments and possessed such authorization.

He had seen others use Divine Roots since childhood and already knew what to do in their test mode.

Though he appeared to be standing still moments ago, his vital energy and blood were surging, and each muscle in his body was exerting force, which indeed caused the Divine Root's power to increase.

Huang Zichou continued, "When the Black Armored Spirit Root's power reaches 10, it can activate a 'Spirit Energy Force Field,' transmitting physical strength through spirit energy to strike targets from a distance."

Having said this, Huang Zichou gestured with his chin towards Ye Lingxiao and said, "You can demonstrate it."

Ye Lingxiao obediently struck out with his palm.

It was a plain palm strike, devoid of magical energy, yet it seemed to unleash an air cannon.

As the palm force rapidly transmitted through the spirit energy, it instantly formed a shockwave that slowly dissipated only after tens of meters.

Watching this scene, Zhang Yu muttered to himself, "Damn it, this is looking more and more like an advertisement."

Huang Zichou continued, "You two may proceed. Remember, in test mode, only by exerting your full physical strength and operating your bodies to their utmost will the Divine Root increase its operational efficiency."

On the other side, as Ye Lingxiao released the restraint on his muscles, his body suddenly expanded, growing into a small giant. His vital energy and blood surged violently, erupting in waves of heat.

With his actions, the Divine Root's power indeed increased, and the number on his sleeve surged directly to 18.12.

In contrast, Zhang Yu made no move. Instead, he calmly walked to the medicine cabinets and began selecting drugs capable of enhancing his Dao Heart.

Within the communication network of the True Gods, Huang Zichou recalled the gap between Zhang Yu and Ye Lingxiao in the previous round. He commented, "Has this kid given up? Is he just planning to mooch some medicine?"

Another True God remarked, "Judging from their performance in the last round, the one-year difference in their cultivation time is indeed significant. It's normal for him to lack confidence; after all, there's another chance next year."

Meanwhile, a spectator with a "crying-laughing emoji" avatar on the viewing platform said, "Mom, has Ye Lingxiao's opponent given up?"

The "smiling emoji" avatar casually replied, "Ye Lingxiao is, after all, the strongest high school student on the first level. It's quite normal for his opponent to concede."

At the other end of the viewing platform, a spectator with a cat avatar looked at Zhang Yu and snorted, "Retreating without a fight, unwilling to risk even a slight chance of failure? Even with great talent, our Myriad Laws University has no need for such individuals."

Another representative from Myriad Laws University, with a husky avatar, stood beside the cat-headed one. He chuckled, "Your Finance Department takes only the cream of the crop, dismissing others easily. But our Civil Engineering Department welcomes students like him."

"Besides, haven't you seen the data? There's a whole year's difference between them. I'm quite optimistic about Zhang Yu. When he takes the exam for the second time next year, he should be able to get his Foundation Establishment certificate. In the future, he could be an expert at moving mountains, filling seas, constructing heavenly palaces, and even renovating and repairing Kunxu."

The cat-headed avatar pursed its lips and looked at Ye Lingxiao. "This talent is indeed impressive, but unfortunately, his immortal cultivation potential is still a bit lacking. He's just short of what's needed to enter our Finance Department."

The husky-headed avatar tried to persuade him, "Your standards are too high! This is already the successor of the wealthiest family on the first level. If you're complaining about his insufficient immortal cultivation potential, then who on this level has enough?"

The cat-headed avatar proudly stated, "The Finance Department is one of the strongest departments in our university. How can we not be highly selective in our admissions?"

"Besides, our department hasn't admitted a student from the first level in over fifty years. If the school leadership hadn't asked me to observe, do you think I'd even bother watching this level's Foundation Establishment exam?"

The husky-headed avatar chuckled without speaking. He knew that the Finance Department valued immortal cultivation potential above all else, and its students were notoriously arrogant. In their eyes, all other departments, except for a few equally elite ones within Myriad Laws University, were probably viewed as mere security guards, laborers, or service staff.

After all, even within the same university, the gap between departments was like a vast mountain. The Finance Department's restrooms probably smelled better than the Civil Engineering Department's dormitories.

Just then, the cat-headed avatar suddenly said, "Old Dog, want to make a bet? I'll bet on Ye Lingxiao winning."

The husky-headed avatar knew the Finance Department guy's gambling addiction had flared up again. He shook his head grumpily. "I don't gamble with money."

Meanwhile, as more people on the scene focused their attention on Ye Lingxiao, Zhang Yu, standing before the medicine cabinets, was pleasantly surprised by the potions he held.

"Hahahaha, these True Gods didn't cut corners! These are all excellent medicines I usually can't afford to buy."

While there were no top-tier items like the Dao-Unraveling Slow-Release Capsules, Mana Vein Injections, or Phoenix Mimic Functional Elements from last time, these were all high-quality secondary goods, which made Zhang Yu even more excited.

Seeing a handful of Dao Heart potions worth tens of thousands, Zhang Yu immediately guzzled them down. He felt the medicinal power, after being absorbed by his internal organs, rapidly transform into cool currents surging directly to the crown of his head.

Moments later, he felt his brain as if it were being wound up, his thoughts becoming clearer, his mental cultivation technique operating more swiftly, and the incomplete bull he was visualizing in his mind growing increasingly vivid.

Just then, a flash of light emanated from the examination area.

Zhang Yu turned his head and saw Ye Lingxiao enveloped in a layer of spiritual light, like a circular protective shield, covering him from head to toe.

The number on Ye Lingxiao's sleeve, indicating the Divine Root's power output, had also risen to 30.05.

Huang Zichou explained, "If the Black Armored Spirit Root's power can reach 30 or above, it can activate a layer of Black Armored Magic Shield, forming a protective barrier with magical energy that can virtually negate threats below military grade."

Simultaneously, strange patterns continuously emerged within Ye Lingxiao's rippling muscles, transforming into dragon scales. This was the Level 10 Expert Grade cultivation technique: Great Heavenly Dragon Divine Power.

Immediately after, his fascia continuously expanded, and his skin began to turn greenish-black, indicating the activation of another Level 10 Expert Grade body-protection technique: Elephant Demon Tendon Transformation.

As Ye Lingxiao activated one cultivation technique after another on his body, the Divine Root's power continued to rapidly increase, soon breaking the 40 mark.

He looked at Zhang Yu, who was still taking medicine in the distance, and thought, "Isn't he going to start yet? Has he really given up?"

The thought of his opponent giving up so easily brought a sudden sense of boredom to Ye Lingxiao—the dull feeling of having prepared diligently for three months only for his opponent to concede without putting up a fight.

Just then, Zhang Yu felt a faint pain in his head, realizing he had consumed the Dao Heart potions to their limit.

Level 8 (89.5) → Level 8 (89.6)

"Oh? My Dao Heart increased again just now?"

Wiping his mouth, Zhang Yu patted his stomach. He mused, "About 70% full is good enough. I'll stop taking medicine for today here."

He put down the medicine bottle and walked step by step back to the center of the examination area. With each step Zhang Yu took, his muscles rippled.

This was Zhang Yu performing a simple warm-up by moving all his muscles, bones, and internal organs.

As he warmed up, the Black Armored Spirit Root's power output gradually began to increase.