Chapter 246: Unable to Bear It Anymore

Wang Yin thought to himself, "If a person doesn't even dare to fight for their own interests, how can they dare to fight and seize opportunities for the company?

"If Zhang Yu is also so timid and indecisive, so afraid of trouble, and doesn't even have the courage to ask me when something happens to someone close to him, then his achievements in this life will be limited."

Wang Yin knew with absolute clarity that in Kunxu, one must be bold and assertive to have a chance to rise.

If the subordinates were all timid and submissive, how could they be sent out to bite?

However, biting indiscriminately and being reckless was also unacceptable.

"One cannot have their spirit ground down until they have no courage."

"But they also cannot be ignorant of the rules, biting wildly without my command."

"This time, it's a good opportunity to temper Zhang Yu's character and let him know that company interests are a red line that cannot be crossed."

Wang Yin planned to rein him in for a bit, and then later offer him some benefits, carefully molding this promising talent so that he could be useful in the future.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was already September.

As Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen officially became seniors, Sungyang High School also welcomed a new batch of freshmen.

Zhang Yu looked at the many incoming freshmen, feeling as if he was seeing his past self — just as poor, just as weak, and just as anxious.

He lowered his head and checked the number in his bank account: 43 million.

His savings had not only failed to grow this month but had actually decreased due to his expenses and debt repayments over the past month.

This was because this month's payment from President Wang had not yet arrived.

Zhang Yu understood that President Wang was clearly waiting for him to apologize.

If he wanted to continue receiving money from President Wang, he would likely have to follow his rules and dutifully act as his pawn.

What if he were to seek out True Master Xinghuo and choose Ten Thousand Laws University instead?

That would mean giving up the four million he would receive from President Wang each month, totaling tens of millions in wealth.

At this moment, neither the Jade Hall Full of Gold cultivation method nor the Crippled Ox's Self-Sacrifice mantra were effective in Zhang Yu's mind.

It was as if two different paths lay before him, but he wanted to choose neither.

Zhang Yu remembered dreaming countless times of escaping poverty and becoming a wealthy person free from worrying about loan interest, ever since he first arrived in Kunxu.

But now, with 43 million in hand, he found that the difficulties he faced were still the same as before.

Either suffer endlessly, or suffer a little less and become a wealthy person's pawn.

Zhang Yu could only keep reminding himself.

"You must endure, Zhang Yu."

"Just like you endured Zhou Chechen and Lan Ling before."

"With my talent, as long as I endure, there will surely be a day when I am strong enough."

Just then, his phone vibrated. Zhang Yu saw it was a message from Chi He, the general manager of Oasis Group, inviting him and Bai Zhenzhen to a party that evening.

At the party, as soon as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen arrived, President Wang welcomed them, keeping them by his side, plying them with drinks and other substances.

He then led them to a massive Vitality Pool, its outer walls adorned with lifelike reliefs of people. He introduced it, saying, "This is a Vitality Pool built upon the foundations of eighteen peak Qi Refining realm experts."

"The vital energy in the pool is integrated with their bodies, constantly circulated by these eighteen individuals through their cultivation."

"Anyone who submerges themselves in it will naturally be stimulated by the vital energy, as if these eighteen people are circulating it for you. Simply soaking in it is equivalent to arduous cultivation day and night."

"If you complete your Foundation Establishment within this pool in the future, your physical strength can immediately increase to level 12 or above upon entering Foundation Establishment, saving you at least a year of hard work."

Gazing at the humanoid figures on the outer wall, their chests still rising and falling, their hearts still beating, Zhang Yu didn't feel as uncomfortable as he had when he first saw the living coat racks.

After all, having spent some time with President Wang, he had a clearer understanding of the artistic and immortal cultivation styles of the Nether Sect lineage.

Essentially, they pushed the boundaries of "creation" to the extreme; there was nothing they couldn't do, only things one couldn't imagine.

Although Zhang Yu still didn't particularly like this style, at least he wouldn't show it on his face anymore.

What surprised Zhang Yu even more now was: "These look incredibly valuable."

"Wang Yin is giving away something so expensive..."

Besides the artistic and immortal cultivation styles of the Nether Sect, Zhang Yu was also gradually understanding Wang Yin's way of doing things.

The fact that the other party would give him such a valuable item without him even apologizing... immediately filled Zhang Yu with a bad premonition.

After introducing the Vitality Pool, President Wang patted Bai Zhenzhen's shoulder and said with an indulgent expression, "Ah Zhen, there's something I need to tell you."

He stroked Bai Zhenzhen's hair, saying with a hint of regret, "A distinguished guest from above is very interested in your physical body and has offered a high price to acquire it."

"Although this offer came very suddenly, the price will absolutely not disappoint you, so I've taken the liberty of accepting it on your behalf."

"Ah Zhen, it's time to change your body."

Hearing President Wang's words, both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen looked astonished, as if lightning bolts had exploded in their minds.

President Wang slowly stroked Bai Zhenzhen's head, as if looking at a beloved pet, and said, "Don't worry, I won't mistreat you after you change your body."

"With this Vitality Pool and a powerful new body that I'll choose for you, you'll quickly recover your physical cultivation."

"You'll endure a little hardship this time, but in the future, I will greatly cultivate you and ensure you are never wronged."

President Wang consoled them, "Once you enter Nether University, you'll understand that changing bodies is a common occurrence and not a big deal at all."

Looking at President Wang's seemingly benign gaze and feeling the matter-of-fact tone in his words, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen could sense the sincerity behind his statements.

The other party truly intended to sell Bai Zhenzhen, genuinely believed he was acting for her benefit, felt he hadn't mistreated her, thought he had offered a sufficient price, and considered changing bodies to be insignificant.

Just as Bai Zhenzhen's body began to tremble nervously, Zhang Yu firmly grasped her hand.

Zhang Yu smiled at President Wang and said, "No problem at all, President Wang. I've accepted on Ah Zhen's behalf."

"However, could you give us a few days to prepare?"

Seeing their calm demeanor, Wang Yin nodded slightly. "Then you may go."

Leaving Oasis Building and walking back to their apartment, they held hands but remained silent the entire way.

Only upon entering the apartment did Bai Zhenzhen break the silence.

She clutched Zhang Yu's hand, pulled him around to face her, and said, "Yuzi, don't do anything reckless."

"I'll give you my True Spirit Root; it's fine to just change bodies."

"As long as the spirit root is still there, changing bodies isn't a big deal. Like President Wang said, I'll quickly cultivate it back..."

Zhang Yu said quietly, "What if you can't cultivate it back? What if you can't recover during these two semesters of senior year? What if the new body isn't suitable? What if your spirit doesn't adapt to it?"

Zhang Yu shook his head. "Ah Zhen, I've figured it out..."

Bai Zhenzhen said helplessly, "Then what do you plan to do? Fight President Wang? Not to mention how much money and how many people Oasis Group has, we can't even defeat President Wang's semi-automatic talisman book! How can we fight?"

Bai Zhenzhen possessed extensive combat experience and observational abilities granted by her True Spirit Root.

For this very reason, she had simulated fighting Wang Yin countless times, with the result always being zero.

Zero chance of winning.

This was a conclusion she had drawn from countless desperate struggles and life-and-death combat experiences in the past.

Zhang Yu slowly said, "Ah Zhen, I wanted to endure it too."

"He caused trouble in Sungyang City, and I endured."

"He tormented a floor, and I endured."

"Old Zhao was sold, and I still endured."

"I just kept thinking that as long as I endured, as long as I had money and my strength improved, I wouldn't have to endure anymore."

"But he should never, ever... now he even plans to sell you!"

Layers of cold light appeared in Zhang Yu's eyes, and intense fighting spirit began to gather in his mind.

"Ah Zhen, I truly wanted to endure, but this damned Kunxu, this damned world, this damned company, these damned rich people... they've been pushing us, pushing us so hard that we can't endure it anymore."

"So I've understood."

In Zhang Yu's mental visualization, the Crippled Ox, which had been silent for a long time, seemed to slowly open its eyes.

"To President Wang, as long as someone offers a high enough price, he will definitely sell us."

"This is Oasis Group, this is the Nether Sect, this is what Kunxu truly is."

"To them, we aren't even pets; we're just a part of their assets."

"Informing us before selling, offering some compensation, and naming a high price – for them, that's already a great act of mercy."

At this moment, Zhang Yu's face appeared incredibly cold and calm; the sharp edge that had gradually faded with his comfortable life seemed to have returned to him.

"But it works the other way too."

"Someone offers him a high enough price, and he'll sell us."

"Someone offers us a high enough price, and we can sell him just the same."

Zhang Yu said coldly, "This is what Kunxu truly is."

Upon hearing this, Fu Ji suddenly burst into laughter. "Alright, kid, your understanding of Kunxu has deepened another level."

She knew Zhang Yu wouldn't abandon Bai Zhenzhen, and trying to persuade him as before would only annoy him. So, she decided not to try to convince him but rather to help him plan.

Bai Zhenzhen, standing by, heard Zhang Yu's words and her gaze subtly shifted.

If she could avoid having her body sold, why would Bai Zhenzhen ever be willing to replace it?

Now, seeing Zhang Yu's serious expression, she sensed his determination and will.

"Yuzi, I understand what you mean."

"I... don't want to sell my own body either."

She exhaled slowly, and the sword intent in her eyes gradually solidified. "Then I won't endure it anymore."

"At worst, we fight with our lives."

"Anyway, for us poor people to carve out a path in this world, fighting with our lives is always inevitable."

"Indeed, for the past half year or so, we've lived too comfortably."

"Tell me, what do you plan to do?"

Fu Ji reminded him, "From your last conversation with True Master Xinghuo and Deng Bingding, it seems the sects above are using the Righteous Gods and this Golden Core True Master to deal with Oasis Group."

"You need to leverage their influence."

Zhang Yu opened his phone's contact list and found Deng Bingding.

He directly contacted Deng Bingding and immediately asked, "How do you plan to deal with him?"

Deng Bingding's heart stirred slightly. "It seems... the time has come?"