Chapter 65: Exhaust Savings

Under the level 10 effect of the Heavenly Martial Heart Technique, Zhang Yu felt his grasp of combat become much more refined. No subtle change in his opponent's moves escaped his observation, and he could deploy every ounce of his strength with greater precision. His practical combat ability soared.

However, this state also consumed a significant amount of energy. After maintaining it for about a minute, Zhang Yu began to feel dizzy.

"This full concentration state should be reserved for critical moments in a fight; it shouldn't be used indiscriminately."

The level 10 Heavenly Martial Heart Technique gave Zhang Yu greater confidence for the martial arts competition.

"But it's still not enough..."

Thinking of the unfair competition in the martial arts tournament and Zhang Pianpian's words about winning first place, Zhang Yu wanted to further solidify his chances.

So he reopened the shopping platform and looked at the cultivation techniques he had collected recently.

Zhang Yu had already considered what to cultivate after reaching level 10 with the Heavenly Martial Heart Technique.

He now looked at an expert-level martial art called the "Indestructible Seal Technique," noting its discounted price of 30,000, user reviews, and level 10 effect description.

The Indestructible Seal Technique, like the Heavenly Martial Heart Technique, was an expert-level cultivation method.

It was a technique designed to manipulate an opponent's magical energy, allowing for energy redirection and reflection.

It was not only extremely difficult to master but even harder to specialize in. The user review section was filled with comments about its difficulty, often mentioning the need to hire a tutor for supplementary lessons after purchase.

One-star review: "Warning! Do not buy this. Self-study is impossible. Hiring a tutor cost tens of thousands."

Two-star review: "Bought it for 60,000 at full price, then saw it was on sale."

One-star review: "I'll leave a good review once I master it to level 10."

Zhang Yu guessed that its difficulty and poor sales were likely why the technique was discounted.

But this wasn't an issue for Zhang Yu, as he noticed the Indestructible Seal Technique only had four moves.

Furthermore, he could fully utilize the technique's level 10 effects in the upcoming martial arts competition, and it would complement his Limitless Cloud Hands.

"While the Limitless Cloud Hands can redirect force and use an opponent's strength against them, the Formless Cloud Aura has a weakness: it fears specialized magical energy used to destroy the aura."

"However, if I combine the Indestructible Seal Technique with the Limitless Cloud Hands, I can redirect or even reflect the opponent's specialized magical energy."

"Coupled with the constantly replenishing magical energy from the Great Cycle Qi Gathering Method, and the Heavenly Martial Heart Technique allowing me to monitor the entire field and grasp every detail..."

"My combat system will become more complete, making me better at overcoming stronger opponents and, more importantly, avoiding injury even when victorious."

In a martial arts competition, avoiding or minimizing injury against opponents with higher stats was crucial for a poor student like Zhang Yu.

Therefore, compared to more aggressive and dominating offensive techniques, Zhang Yu preferred defensive counter-attack methods.

The only drawback of the Indestructible Seal Technique was its price; even after a 50% discount, it still cost 30,000, and Zhang Yu had just over 30,000 in his account.

In other words, buying this technique would leave him with no money.

But thinking of being the strongest high school freshman in Songyang and his goal of entering one of the top ten universities...

"I must get into one of the top ten universities and win the competition. Anyway, the first-place prize for this martial arts competition is 50,000. If I can't win first, holding onto this 30,000 is useless."

With that thought, Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and spent all 30,000 in his account at once.

In an instant, he received the digital manual for the Indestructible Seal Technique.

After reviewing it, the technique appeared on his Feather Book, and he switched it to "specialized."

As a technique specializing in energy redirection and reflection, the Indestructible Seal Technique's core lay in energy control, with only four very simple external moves.

Thus, in less than a minute, Zhang Yu mastered the technique to level 1.

Instantly, memories of practicing the Indestructible Seal Technique, over and over, flooded his mind.

Zhang Yu felt his control over magical energy become increasingly pure. He could even temporarily convert an opponent's incoming energy into his own and then use it.

Of course, this process still consumed his own magical energy, but the amount Zhang Yu expended was less than the energy he received from the opponent.

Zhang Yu nodded to himself: "As long as I continue to improve the Indestructible Seal Technique, I'll be able to manipulate more of an opponent's energy with less of my own."

"According to the website's description, once the Indestructible Seal Technique reaches level 10, redirecting 10 units of an opponent's energy will only cost me 3 units of my own, a 30% ratio."

Thinking this, Zhang Yu nodded secretly and continued to diligently practice the Indestructible Seal Technique.

Two days passed in a flash, and it was now the day before the martial arts competition.

In the training hall, figures blurred as Lei Jun, fighting two-on-one, guided Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

During this period, observing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's rapid progress, Lei Jun grew increasingly surprised.

"These two kids' understanding of various martial arts is growing daily, and their combat experience is improving incredibly fast."

In recent days, while maintaining a level 2 physical output, Lei Jun had to repeatedly employ more practical combat techniques just to keep Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen suppressed.

But what surprised him most wasn't that, but rather...

"Through daily rigorous training and our sparring sessions, these two have gradually developed their own unique combat styles."

Lei Jun threw a punch, which was blocked by a mass of white aura controlled by Zhang Yu. He felt most of his punch's force dissipate, deflected by his opponent.

"That kid Zhang Yu's Limitless Cloud Hands are getting more sophisticated. He's like a slippery ball; out of ten parts of force I put in, he can deflect seven or eight. Every time, I have to use specialized magical energy to break his aura first, turning our fights into battles of magical energy attrition."

"And now he's mastered that technique called the Indestructible Seal, making his defense even more impenetrable."

"Hmm... I don't have to worry about him getting beaten bankrupt in this martial arts competition."

Lei Jun then turned and blocked Bai Zhenzhen's sword finger with his palm, thinking to himself, "Bai Zhenzhen... she's a true martial arts genius."

"In just two weeks, she's gradually able to keep up with my changing moves, see through the flaws in my attacks, and strike where I'm forced to defend."

"But her fighting style... it's too dangerous."

As Lei Jun increased his output again, a wave of magical energy reverberated, sending both of them flying.

"Today's supplementary training is over."

He smiled ruefully: "You two have made great progress recently, and you've improved just about as much as you can for now."

"For tomorrow's competition, remember to prioritize safety. Always put your safety first, don't overexert yourselves, and don't push yourselves too hard."

Bai Zhenzhen, having grown familiar with Lei Jun over this period, replied directly, "Got it, Old Lei. So, where do you think we'll rank?"

Lei Jun thought for a moment and said, "There's a chance you could make it into the top ten."

Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, "Only top ten? And 'a chance'?"

Lei Jun smiled helplessly: "The top three prestigious schools have too many advanced techniques beyond the curriculum, and even their standard methods are beyond your means. The top students' stats are also higher than yours. You could say you're not even starting on the same line. If you have a chance to make it into the top ten, you should be thrilled."

"Anyway, that's enough talk. Go back and prepare. And don't forget to bring your performance-enhancing medicine tomorrow."

"We'll gather at the entrance of White Dragon High School at midnight."

The martial arts competition was being held at White Dragon High School.

Zhang Yu paused, surprised: "Midnight?"

Lei Jun stated matter-of-factly, "White Dragon High School has classes during the day, so the competition is scheduled for midnight."

Zhang Yu could only think that White Dragon High School truly lived up to its reputation; it never disappointed him when it came to being unreasonable.

Zhang Yu then asked, "How do we get there?"

Lei Jun replied, "Take the subway yourselves."

"Only two of you are participating in the martial arts competition. Did you expect the school to arrange a car?"

Zhang Yu could only conclude that Songyang High School, like White Dragon High School, never failed to disappoint him.

Lei Jun watched them leave, sighing inwardly, "If these two had been born into wealthy families, they might have had a chance to get into one of the top ten universities."

That very night.

After another two hours of intensive training, Zhang Yu finally advanced the Indestructible Seal Technique to level 10.

His body trembled, and he felt his internal meridians, as if tempered by extensive practice, suddenly become much more resilient and capable of accommodating the flow of various specialized magical energies.

At the same time, his accumulated experience with energy redirection and reflection coalesced in his mind, as if undergoing a sublimation that led to a new understanding.

When he performed the Indestructible Seal again at that moment, Zhang Yu was confident he could directly convert an opponent's magical energy to replenish his own losses.

In other words, after advancing the Indestructible Seal Technique to level 10, he could grow stronger as the battle progressed, using an opponent's incoming energy to replenish his own.

Of course, this absorption and replenishment had its limits.

"Within a single battle, I can replenish a maximum of 30 units of magical energy this way. Any more, and my current meridians won't be able to handle it."

Thinking this, Zhang Yu looked at his Feather Book again. After two weeks of intense training, his basic stats had also significantly improved.

Dao Heart Level 3 (53)Magical Energy 21.8Physical Strength Level 1.51

"Sigh, it's a pity I couldn't have learned the Great Cycle Qi Gathering Method a month or two earlier. It would have been great if I'd had more time to improve my physical strength..."

After returning home and quickly showering, Zhang Yu hurried to catch a bus, setting off for White Dragon High School.

11:31 PM.

As Zhang Yu exited the subway station, he saw a building approximately thirty stories high, which he knew was White Dragon High School.

But he had no time to admire it, because at that moment, Zhang Yu was very, very, very hungry.

"Where's Ah Zhen?"

"I need to quickly find her and borrow some money for dinner. How can I compete if I'm this hungry?"

As for Zhang Yu's own money, it was, of course, long gone.

Just the Indestructible Seal Technique alone had wiped out the 30,000 in his account.

The remaining small change had been spent on food, drinks, and medicine over the past few days.

Just as Zhang Yu was anxiously looking around, a hand suddenly clapped him on the shoulder.

Zhang Yu turned around, pleasantly surprised, "Ah Zhen? Hurry..."

"Yuzi, lend me some money." Bai Zhenzhen said weakly, clutching her stomach, "I don't have money for dinner, and I feel weak all over."

Zhang Yu exclaimed, "You damn well spent all your money too?"

Bai Zhenzhen, seeing Zhang Yu's reaction, said miserably, "You spent it all too? What kind of spending habits do you have to be so broke you can't even afford dinner?"