Chapter 244: Strive to Adapt, Sect Discord

In the training room of the luxurious apartment, the sounds of surging qi and blood filled the air. Zhang Yu and Le Mulan’s bodies intertwined, their muscles colliding with sharp slapping noises.

"Push harder here…""Keep pushing.""Lift your leg higher."

Under Zhang Yu's guidance, Le Mulan continuously adjusted her posture and movements, feeling her martial arts significantly improve after today's tutoring session. After all, Zhang Yu’s strength had skyrocketed in just over a year, advancing from the early Qi Refining stage to the peak. Not only did he possess immense power, but his mind also held memories of numerous martial arts techniques from level 0 to 10. Coupled with teaching techniques honed in the "dark tutoring world," Zhang Yu’s abilities in this area had reached their peak. He was confident that even within the entire high school tutoring scene on the first layer, he was definitely among the best.

Over the past few months, Le Mulan had received Zhang Yu's guidance almost every week and could clearly feel her progress. As the training session concluded, Le Mulan’s chest rose and fell dramatically with her breathing, her contours clearly visible beneath her sweat-drenched clothes.

"Thank you for these past few months."

Le Mulan looked at Zhang Yu, realizing she had gained a huge advantage by having such a grand master personally instruct her, meticulously guiding the movement of every muscle in her body. If her classmates at Ziyun High knew that Zhang Yu’s fingertips had brushed so many of her muscles, they would probably wish they could switch places with her, train closely with him, and see their grades soar. Thinking this, she thanked him again: "With your guidance, I've improved very quickly."

"No need to be so polite," Zhang Yu waved his hand. "You've helped us a lot before. If it weren't for your apartment and the tutoring fees, Ah Zhen and I would still be living under a bridge."

"However, regarding bodily fluids, I've signed a contract with Oasis Group, so I can't provide them to others."

"But tutoring you is no problem."

Zhang Yu thought to himself: "I can't change Kunxu, but at least I can help the people around me."

The two chatted for a few more minutes. While Zhang Yu went to take a shower, Le Mulan walked over to his phone, thinking: "Because of his contract, it's impossible to buy Zhang Yu's bodily fluids now."

"But Zhang Yu…"

Through repeated close-contact training, Le Mulan, after personal observation and later consulting others, gradually confirmed one thing… Zhang Yu was very much intact. "So, he hasn't been neutered."

"According to my brother, unneutered students are particularly susceptible to being controlled by their hormones."

"This tactic could be used to subtly influence him, perhaps allowing me to obtain some of Zhang Yu's 'materials' during future training sessions…"

Thinking this, Le Mulan crouched down and repeatedly spoke into Zhang Yu’s phone: "Black stockings! Beautiful legs! Photo shoots! Curves! Contrast! Long legs! Big thunder!"

"Le Mulan! Le Mulan! Le Mulan!"

After repeating these keywords several times, Le Mulan thought that the big data algorithm should have recorded them, and it would definitely influence Zhang Yu’s phone content next.

That night, as Zhang Yu was scrolling on his phone, he suddenly frowned, looking at a shopping website that had redirected him to a page of stockings: "What garbage big data."

The next morning.

Bai Zhenzhen looked at the large wad of toilet paper in the wastebasket and couldn't help but remark, "Zhang Yu, this time he didn't hold out for very long."

"Have his days been too comfortable lately? Has his willpower declined?"

That day after school, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen hurried to the Patrol Team's office building. After several months, they finally had another chance to contact Zhang Pianpian. Although their previous applications had been approved, Zhang Pianpian seemed to be busy with something and had never managed to speak with them.

On the way to the office building, Zhang Yu noticed that there seemed to be more homeless people and beggars on the streets than before, especially elderly individuals with white hair, missing limbs, whose numbers exceeded what he had seen in the past year combined. Zhang Yu knew that these people, unable to afford food, had mortgaged their flesh and blood, and having done so, found it even harder to find work. Ultimately, they would inevitably be forced to give up everything, step by step, with no chance of recovery. Zhang Yu sighed inwardly at the sight, but knew this was beyond his influence.

"Are my thoughts still too backward?""I still haven't fully adapted to Kunxu… I need to keep trying."

They arrived at the Patrol Team's office building. This time, as Zhang Pianpian's figure appeared on the screen, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen immediately recounted everything that had happened over the past few months. Although Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were now wealthier and their lives were improving, they felt somewhat unsettled by the changing situation on Kunxu's first layer and wanted to learn more through Zhang Pianpian on the second layer.

After listening to their account, Zhang Pianpian pondered for a moment before speaking: "You can accept Manager Wang's money."

"However, apart from your work compensation and endorsement fees, do not get involved in Oasis Group's specific business dealings. Don't invest in them, and don't participate in their operations…"

Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback and asked why.

Zhang Pianpian carefully chose her words, saying: "The matters on the first layer involve disagreements between the Ten Greats."

"Simply put…"

"Some at the top believe that the first layer is already useless, especially the vast impoverished class here has become a 'useless class'."

"Rather than letting it continue to be useless, it would be better to repurpose the 'waste,' transforming the entire first layer into a breeding ground, a pure raw material supply base."

"Even some Immortals… might hold this view."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu's heart sank, and he suddenly felt a suffocating sensation. The four words "useless class" struck him like a heavy hammer to the chest, intending to shake him awake from his recent complacent life.

Zhang Pianpian continued, "I have a lot on my hands right now."

"If you encounter any insurmountable trouble, you can contact the Righteous God."

"The Righteous God you've added as a friend…"

Zhang Pianpian genuinely seemed to have a lot to do, and her call with Zhang Yu ended shortly after.

On the way back, Zhang Yu looked at the disabled beggars by the roadside, as if he could already envision the future of Kunxu's first layer.

"It has nothing to do with me.""This is the general trend of the world.""What can I, a high school student, do?"

Thinking of his helplessness in the face of this, Zhang Yu sighed, suddenly becoming annoyed: "Why the hell can't I adapt to this?"

"Zhang Yu, from now on, you will be a rich man."

Zhang Yu kept telling himself: "If you want to be rich, if you want to take care of those around you, if you want to live a good life, then you damn well have to adapt to this messed-up world of Kunxu!"

"Otherwise, what do you want to do? What can an ant like you, without even a Foundation Establishment, accomplish?"

Just as Zhang Yu’s thoughts surged back and forth, Fuki suddenly said, "Tell me again what Zhang Pianpian told you." To avoid exposure, Fuki had chosen to completely conceal herself before entering the Patrol Team building. Only after Zhang Yu came out and roused her did he recount what Zhang Pianpian had said. Now, hearing Fuki’s question, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen repeated Zhang Pianpian's words once more.

Fuki murmured, "Hmm… she spoke very cautiously. It’s likely someone was monitoring your conversation."

Zhang Yu's heart jumped upon hearing this: "Monitoring? Is someone trying to target us?"

Fuki replied, "It's not unusual for inter-layer calls to be monitored. However, Zhang Pianpian's extreme caution might be related to the hidden information in her words."

Fuki then analyzed: "Someone at the top believes the first layer is useless, and even some Immortals think so too."

"She said 'someone,' not 'everyone'."

"She told you to only take work compensation and not get involved in Oasis Group's business."

"Does this mean…" Fuki mused thoughtfully, "that while some at the top believe the first layer is useless, others don't?"

"If some Immortals support Oasis Group's actions, does that mean other Immortals don't?"

"So, she believes Oasis Group might be embroiled in a conflict between two factions, which is why she warned you not to get involved in their business."

Zhang Yu's eyes lit up, thinking: "Oasis Group, Netherworld University, Netherworld Palace's methods… they are like demonic sects. Does Kunxu also have a righteous path?"

Zhang Yu asked, "So, other righteous sects might not tolerate these demonic acts and come to stop them?"

Fuki responded, "What's 'righteous' or 'demonic'? If other sects truly have the power to stop them, it would certainly be to curb Netherworld Palace's growing power."

"Just like how many areas above prohibit mortal breeding and have established grievance energy emission standards—isn't that because other sects lack the immortal techniques in this area, so they use these rules to restrict Netherworld Palace?"

"Even if other sects were to stop Oasis Group now, it would undoubtedly be out of self-interest."

Zhang Yu gave a wry smile, thinking, "That's right, this is Kunxu. I still haven't fully adapted; I actually had such a delusion just now."

Bai Zhenzhen asked, confused, "But so far, Oasis Group hasn't been stopped, has it? Their plan seems to be proceeding very smoothly."

Fuki murmured, deep in thought, "Perhaps… it's just that they haven't been stopped yet."

"After all, with Oasis Group's actions, numerous powerful clans have been eliminated, vast resources accumulated, and the Foundation Establishment exam widely spread… What if this is exactly what another faction wants to see, so they're just letting it run its course?"

Zhang Yu didn't know whether Fuki was right or wrong, but he firmly kept Zhang Pianpian's words in mind.

Time quickly advanced to August, and in just one month, Zhang Yu would become a senior high school student. The entire city of Songyang had entered the sweltering heat of summer. The balance in Zhang Yu's bank account had also swelled to a massive 44 million. However, Zhang Yu found that as prices on Kunxu's first layer increased, the Heavenly Spirit Root he wished to buy had also skyrocketed in price, now costing 58 million. Despite this, given Zhang Yu's current income, he could still accept this price increase. He would be able to afford the Heavenly Spirit Root for Foundation Establishment after saving for just a few more months.

That evening, his phone rang. Zhang Yu saw it was a call from Zhao Tianxing. Next to Zhao Tianxing's name was Zhang Yu's note: "Everyone laughs at you, but you're the funniest." Seeing this note, Zhang Yu recalled Zhao Tianxing's "clown theory" and a smile involuntarily touched his lips.

He answered the call and asked, "Old Zhao, what's up?"

A stranger's female voice replied from the other end of the line: "Excuse me, is this student Zhang Yu?" Zhang Yu frowned slightly, only then realizing the caller was Zhao Tianxing's mother. The reason for her call was that something had happened to Zhao Tianxing.

"After his father lost his job, he was somehow drawn into gambling, and secretly, without our knowledge, mortgaged Tianxing’s body to Oasis Group…"

"I finally managed to gather enough money to redeem him, but Oasis Company said the body had already been shipped…"

"You're acquainted with the leaders at Oasis Group. Could you please help us get Tianxing's body back? We can pay for it…"

On the 1111th floor of Oasis Group.

Manager Wang listened to Zhang Yu's request and casually said, "Is he your friend?"

"A small matter. I'll have someone look into it for you right away."

Zhang Yu, who had expected the matter to be troublesome, felt a slight sense of relief hearing Manager Wang's words. Zhang Yu thought to himself: "In Kunxu, ultimately, you need wealth and power to protect yourself and care for those around you…"

But a moment later, Manager Wang frowned and shook his head at Zhang Yu: "No, it's already been purchased."

Zhang Yu was slightly stunned: "Purchased?"

Manager Wang nodded, pointing towards the sky, and said, "A large batch of flesh and blood has been bought by demon-descendant clients up above for ingredients. Your friend's body was one of them, and it has already been transported to the second layer."

Zhang Yu quickly asked, "Can it be returned?"

Manager Wang was slightly taken aback and said, "You… what did you say?"

Zhang Yu said, "Can you contact the client and get the body back…"

Zhang Yu hadn't finished speaking when he suddenly felt Manager Wang's demeanor change. The previous calm, kind, and innocent aura gradually vanished, replaced by an overwhelming coldness that washed over him, like a dangerous behemoth staring coldly at Zhang Yu.

"Zhang Yu, business is business. Goods that have been shipped… you want me to ask the client to return them? What are you thinking?"

Feeling the chill emanating from the other party, Zhao Tianxing's image flashed in Zhang Yu's mind. He gritted his teeth and said, "I can pay compensation…"

Manager Wang said indifferently, "Is this just about a bit of meat money? Asking a client to return goods, what reason would you have me give for doing such a thing?"

"In business, I always keep my word. Goods that have left… unless there's a quality issue, I will absolutely not take them back."

Zhang Yu, enduring the pressure emanating from Manager Wang, continued, "I'll go apologize to the client. He's my good friend; I can't just watch him be eaten…"

Manager Wang said coolly, "So what if he's eaten? This Zhao… I've looked at Zhao Tianxing's profile. Does he have any value? What's the big deal if a friend like that gets eaten? You should make fewer friends like him in the future."

He continued, "Zhang Yu, I'll teach you something today."

"In this world, only by eating well can you become strong."

"Poor people suffer their whole lives, only enduring the bitterest of hardships."

"If you want to be superior like me, you must learn to 'eat' people."

Seeing Zhang Yu about to speak again, Manager Wang impatiently said, "Get out!"

"Know your place."

"You're taking my damn money."

"When it doesn't harm the company's interests, I can show you respect."

"But if you interfere with the company's operations, then get out and never appear before me again."

Zhang Yu stared at Manager Wang in surprise, seemingly not expecting such a furious outburst from him. Manager Wang snorted coldly: "What are you still standing there for?"

"Get out!"

The next moment, a flash of golden light appeared, and countless large, divine hands dragged Zhang Yu out, directly flinging him from the office. Outside the office, General Manager Chi He was not surprised by this. Although Manager Wang was generally good to his subordinates, even joking with him and giving him red envelopes occasionally, it was all fine. However, if a subordinate displeased him, especially when company interests were involved, verbal abuse, scolding, and humiliation were quite common. It was just that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen had been too favored before, so such incidents hadn't occurred with them yet.

Chi He walked up, patted Zhang Yu's shoulder, and said, "When Manager Wang is angry, nothing you say matters. Just take the scolding obediently."

"Wait a few days, let Manager Wang cool down, then come back to apologize. He still values you and won't stay angry forever."

Zhang Yu suddenly asked, "My friend… is there really nothing that can be done?"

Chi He paused, then gave a helpless smile: "Tell him to become a soul cultivator student."

Walking out of the Oasis Building, Zhang Yu looked at his vibrating phone, seeing a call from Zhao Tianxing's mother. But suddenly, he didn't know what to say to her.

"I'm sorry, Old Zhao."

Zhang Yu slowly clenched his fists: "It seems… I can't save you."

At the same time, the *Golden Jade Full Hall Art* in his mind gradually slowed, and the effects of the cultivation method seemed to regress at that moment. No matter how he visualized the cash figures in his mind, it seemed unable to give him the confidence and courage he once had.

Just as Zhang Yu was on his way home, his phone suddenly vibrated.

"Golden Core grand cultivator, True Person Spark, has entered within one thousand meters of your location. He has accidentally killed 14 people in the past month and has paid all fines and compensation. Please be cautious with your words and actions, and avoid offending him."