Chapter 264: Xinghuo Zhenren's Help

Zhang Yu rapidly waved his palms in front of him.When he looked with his normal left eye, he saw the rapidly moving palms leave behind a blur of afterimages.However, when he used his right eye, the Time-Lapse Demonic Pupil, he could see the quickly moving palms with perfect clarity; every line on them was distinct, as if the palms had slowed down.This sensation of the world slowing down became even more pronounced as Zhang Yu's focus intensified.At the same time, Zhang Yu could feel the Time-Lapse Demonic Pupil further absorbing his mana to maintain its operation.Zhang Yu mentally calculated: "The stronger the slowing effect, the more mana it consumes.""At maximum slowdown, the entire world appears to slow down tenfold in my eyes.""With my current mana, combined with the continuous mana recovery process of my Sea of Qi Spiritual Root, I can probably maintain this for about an hour."Zhang Yu nodded slightly. This time-lapse ability was similar to the full concentration state of the Sky Martial Heart Refining Art, but it offered greater control, clearer vision, a more significant slowing effect, and a far longer duration.With a thought, he withdrew from the time-lapse effect, and the world in his eyes returned to normal speed.

Next, Zhang Yu moved his limbs and felt a sense of weakness throughout his body.This was because with the removal of the Flood Dragon Spirit Core, the temporary one-level increase in physical strength it provided was also gone.After moving his limbs, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "It was only temporary power anyway. It's better that it's gone now so I can get used to it sooner."

Meanwhile, Bai Zhenzhen had also completed her surgery. With a flick of her body, she shot out like lightning with a gust of wind, appearing in various corners of the room as if teleporting, leaving behind streaks of afterimages.Bai Zhenzhen laughed, "Yu Zi! This thing is amazing!"However, the next moment, Bai Zhenzhen stopped with a small cry. "No, no, my mana is about to be drained, and my muscles and bones can't quite handle it either."Zhang Yu said, "Ah Zhen, now that we have enough money, find some time to prepare for Foundation Establishment."Bai Zhenzhen nodded with some anticipation. As long as she purchased a Heavenly Spiritual Root and had its cover, she could use her True Spiritual Root to establish her foundation.

True Master Starfire then instructed them on the precautions for using Dharma Bones, after which they left together.As they exited the main entrance of Oasis Tower, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen thanked True Master Starfire profusely, then together proposed transferring him money to express their gratitude for his help."You want to give me compensation?"True Master Starfire looked at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, and a flash of understanding suddenly crossed his mind. He smiled and said, "You two rascals, are you worried I have ulterior motives, wanting to sign a contract with you or exploit you like Wang Yin... is that why you're trying to test me?"Observing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's changing expressions, True Master Starfire continued, "Haha, a good sense of caution. I hope you maintain it in the future.""But don't worry, I don't have such intentions for now, and even if I did... I don't anymore."True Master Starfire explained, "After all, you two aren't Yu Xinghan. With your potential, you're bound to shine brightly once you enter university.""Even if I were to tie you down with chains and sign exploitative contracts with you, I would only incur the displeasure of the influential figures who want to invest in you in the future.""At that point, I'd become a thorn in their side, an obstacle they would have to deal with before investing in you.""It would be like greedily holding onto too many shares in a highly promising startup company and refusing to let go, ultimately digging my own grave and being dealt with by those powerful figures."True Master Starfire smiled. "Besides, I merely offered some guidance; I didn't actually invest money in you. If you acknowledge me as your master and remember to mention my name once you become famous in the future, I'll be satisfied."Hearing True Master Starfire's explanation, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen exchanged a glance, then bowed in unison and said, "Master!"True Master Starfire nodded with satisfaction. "I snuck away from my busy schedule to come here. Now I have to go back to overtime.""You two should first study the Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques you've acquired. I'll start guiding you in a couple of days."

Glancing at True Master Starfire's departing back, Bai Zhenzhen turned to Zhang Yu and asked, "Yu Zi, what do we do next?"Zhang Yu thought for a moment and replied, "Let's repay the money first. After that, I'll help you with Foundation Establishment."Over the next few days, whenever he had a moment, Zhang Yu meticulously repaid the money at 1.3 times the borrowed amount, following the loan details.As the subsequent 36 million compensation from Oasis Group was deposited into their respective accounts, Zhang Yu felt more confident about his repayments.In addition to this 1.3x repayment, he and Bai Zhenzhen also paid off all their previous platform loans in one go, becoming debt-free.After repaying nearly eighty million in total, Zhang Yu's account was almost empty.However, the money in Bai Zhenzhen's account was still plentiful, enough for her to purchase the Heavenly Spiritual Root she needed.

So, after the Heavenly Spiritual Root arrived and about forty minutes had passed, Bai Zhenzhen's mana surged throughout her body, strange noises emanated from her muscles and bones, and finally, accompanied by the frantic agitation of spiritual energy, she stepped into Foundation Establishment.As Bai Zhenzhen entered Foundation Establishment, a green mark appeared on her lower abdomen, slowly unfolding like a green lotus.At the same time, the spiritual root in her dantian rapidly transformed from a seed into a vibrant, dew-kissed green lotus, fully merging with her.Bai Zhenzhen frowned and said with some discomfort, "I feel like... my True Spiritual Root seems to be evolving again."She added, a little uncertainly, "This evolution might turn it into a Divine Spiritual Root?"Zhang Yu was startled at her words, and Fu Ji hastily exclaimed, "Why so sudden? Can you suppress it?"Bai Zhenzhen took a deep breath, her face turning beet red from holding it, and her aura flickered on and off.After a long while, the green lotus that had bloomed gradually retracted.Only then did Bai Zhenzhen exhale a long breath and say, "I can still suppress it."Fu Ji sighed, "A naturally occurring spiritual root that can still evolve is already under strict surveillance by the Ten Great Sects and the Eight Divisions of Righteous Gods.""If yours were to transform into a Divine Spiritual Root, the consequences would truly be unpredictable."Zhang Yu asked with concern, "Ah Zhen, can you hold on?"Bai Zhenzhen smiled, patting her stomach. "It's just suppressing the spiritual root, isn't it? I've suppressed it before, it's nothing big."

The next day, at a training ground in the city center.True Master Starfire watched the two arrive, and his entire body suddenly erupted in blazing flames, like a sea of fire threatening to engulf them both.As he saw their expressions become incredibly solemn in an instant, and their previously confident and high-spirited aura suppressed, True Master Starfire thought to himself, "Achieving such accomplishments in high school inevitably leads to confidence and pride.""Moreover, if they continue to be flattered by these 'first-layer' individuals for the next nine months, it's not impossible for them to become arrogant and stubborn.""Entering university with such a mindset, getting defeated by the geniuses above, and then being severely trampled upon, they might never recover.""Rather than being struck down once you go up there, it's better if I give you a reality check now, a preemptive shot..."As he spoke, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen felt the air temperature rising steadily. Every breath they took seemed to scorch their lungs.True Master Starfire then said slowly, "Indeed, being at Foundation Establishment on the first layer makes you a remarkable figure, but once you reach the second layer, it's nothing special.""When you enter the University of Ten Thousand Dharmas, you will inevitably be selected for the Foundation Establishment class. Your classmates will be students from various layers who have already completed Foundation Establishment during high school.""Unlike you, who established your foundation on the first layer and lack resources for further advancement, they can still continue to rapidly progress after completing Foundation Establishment in high school, leveraging the resources from above.""So, after entering the Foundation Establishment class at university, you might find yourselves as average or even bottom-tier students. You will inevitably face setbacks, repeated humiliation, and discrimination from those above towards people from the first layer..."Listening to True Master Starfire's words, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen gradually calmed down. The restless aura that had risen in recent days due to their various gains, flattery, and praise seemed to dissipate considerably at that moment.True Master Starfire nodded slightly and continued, "I'm not telling you this to make you resign yourselves to fate, but rather to help you adjust your mindset so you don't get discouraged once you go up there.""Your talent is excellent, and every bit of your effort is worthwhile. Don't let your past hard work be in vain."

After lecturing the two, True Master Starfire began his actual guidance.He said, "Conditions on the first layer are limited, and there isn't much that helps with Foundation Establishment. I've thought about it... for the next nine months, you will continue cultivating your techniques. My main focus will be using the most primitive methods to increase the efficiency of improving your Dao Heart, mana, and physical strength.""After all, it's been a long time since I've been involved in undergraduate education, so I don't know what the current process is for new students up there.""But regardless, as long as you solidify your foundations and continuously boost your basic stats over the next nine months, it will certainly make your university cultivation much easier."Zhang Yu asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by 'primitive methods'?"True Master Starfire revealed a grim smile. "For Dao Heart training, for instance, you will directly face the assault of my martial dao intent to temper your will.""Of course, this is just the beginning.""Once you're sufficiently used to it, I will periodically launch sneak attacks on you..."Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were startled. "Huh? You? Sneak attack us?"True Master Starfire smiled faintly, and his martial dao intent, like raging fire, swept out, assaulting Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen like a storm.Watching Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen sweat profusely, their faces contorting rapidly, True Master Starfire said lightly, "Constantly maintaining vigilance and readiness for a life-or-death battle—in this state... it can accelerate the improvement of your Dao Heart.""Though this method is primitive, the conditions on the first layer are simple, making it perfectly suitable for you."