Chapter 84: Transplant

"So, can I also spend some money to have this poor person touched... perhaps just a light touch?"

Yet, the mere thought of touching him brought back vivid scenes from the arena, causing Le Mulan an intense feeling of revulsion. Her cultivation technique, which she had paused, instinctively threatened to restart, as if to shield her from the torment.

While Le Mulan had always felt a degree of aversion, she could still engage in normal conversation with Zhang Yu. However, since the events in the arena, she had developed a strong physical revulsion to the very idea of physical contact with him.

"No, I must change my mindset and overcome this weakness."

"How can the wealthy be afraid of the poor?"

With this thought, Le Mulan hardened her resolve, again stopping her cultivation technique.

"But I can't start too aggressively; I need a milder approach."

"Perhaps I could observe their training? No, that's too close... it's still a bit nauseating. I need something even less direct."

"Or maybe I should avoid direct contact for now and try buying a few of Zhang Yu's clothes first?"

The thought of clothes tainted with his skin flakes, grease, odor, and sweat felt utterly defiling to Le Mulan.

"No, still too disgusting. It needs to be even milder."

After considerable thought, Le Mulan decided to download photos from Zhang Yu's social media feed, beginning with merely looking at pictures of the "poor person" daily.

"Once I can look at his photos without feeling disgusted, perhaps I can escalate and try touching his clothes."

On his way back, seeing the 5,000 yuan deposited into his account, Zhang Yu first bought a new set of weighted training gear, as his old one had been damaged during the martial arts competition.

His savings decreased by 2,000, leaving him with just under 13,000 yuan.

Upon arriving home and receiving the weighted gear, Zhang Yu quickly put it on, then headed back to the abandoned building to resume his training.

Late that night, as the 24-hour cooldown period concluded, he finally switched the specialization of his Feather Scroll to the Crimson Marrow Primal Qi.

This Crimson Marrow Primal Qi technique involves only a single move, yet it demands extreme precision. Every muscle and major tendon throughout the body must simultaneously stretch or contract, requiring an exceptionally high level of physical control from the practitioner.

But for Zhang Yu...

"Difficult?"

"The harder, the better. Otherwise, how will I demonstrate the gap in talent between me and others?"

Zhang Yu stood still, feet shoulder-width apart and arms hanging naturally. Following the instructions in the digital manual, he began to activate the muscles and tendons throughout his body.

However, in his initial attempt, he found it impossible. His body felt chaotic; he'd either miss activating a leg muscle or overlook a major tendon in his hand.

Had it been the original Zhang Yu attempting to self-learn the Crimson Marrow Primal Qi, he would likely have spent months individually training and mastering each muscle and tendon before finally integrating them into a cohesive whole.

Yet, after only a single, rough practice session, the current Zhang Yu felt an electric current surge through his entire body. A flood of memories and experiences, all related to controlling every muscle and tendon, rushed into his mind.

The Crimson Marrow Primal Qi was mastered!

In that instant, he felt an unprecedented level of control over every muscle and tendon in his body.

Inside the unfinished building.

As Zhang Yu exerted himself again, a loud 'thwumph' reverberated from within his body—the sound of all his muscles and major tendons simultaneously straining and expanding.

In that same instant, Zhang Yu visibly grew several inches taller, subtly expanding as if an inflated ball. This expansion was the direct result of the force generated by his entire muscular and tendinous system.

"Too easy. Again."

A thrill surged through Zhang Yu as he once again exerted himself. With each pulsation of his muscles and tendons, his internal vital energy and blood grew hotter, causing a faint white mist to emanate from his body in the cold night.

He understood this was the effect of the Crimson Marrow Primal Qi: it used the entire muscular and tendinous system to propel vital energy and blood, which in turn stimulated the bone marrow. This process ultimately strengthened his muscles and bones, enhancing both his physical resilience and explosive power.

In a flash, after 10 consecutive exertions, his Crimson Marrow Primal Qi reached Level 2.

However, Zhang Yu also felt completely drained, as if he had just finished another grueling battle with Song Hailong.

"Body tempering techniques are indeed more demanding to practice than combat-oriented ones."

"Each practice session of this body-tempering Crimson Marrow Primal Qi is like my entire body's flesh and blood exerting maximum effort, which is incredibly draining."

Zhang Yu had no choice but to sit down. He focused on cultivating his mental technique to strengthen his Dao Heart, while simultaneously trying to recover his physical strength.

After more than half an hour, feeling his strength return, he stood up and resumed practicing the Crimson Marrow Primal Qi.

In a flash, the night passed. Despite needing to rest after every dozen or so practice sessions, Zhang Yu intermittently advanced his Crimson Marrow Primal Qi to Level 6 (43/60).

At this point, Zhang Yu's body vibrated, and his vital energy and blood surged within him, creating a sound like crashing waves.

Zhang Yu exhaled slowly, feeling a wave of profound weakness wash over his entire body.

"So tired."

"And starving!"

Songyang High School.

Cafeteria.

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were heartily devouring their synthetic meals.

Their previous disdain for the food had vanished; they now genuinely found it delicious.

After all, modern synthetic food was no longer as unappetizing as it once was. It was affordable, convenient, and nutritious, making it ideal for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, who were now fully dedicated to body tempering.

However, in stark contrast to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's enthusiastic eating, Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing, seated across from them, looked grim and had completely lost their appetite.

This grim mood stemmed from attending a sports team briefing after school the previous day. After signing various confidentiality agreements, they had finally learned the truth about the "Special Cultivation Program."

Even now, merely recalling yesterday's revelation made Zhao Tianxing feel suffocated.

The so-called Special Cultivation Program involved senior students donating muscle and tendon fibers. These were then transplanted into junior students using Songyang High School's advanced immortal cultivation techniques, fusing with their existing muscle fibers.

This immortal cultivation technology not only allowed for an immediate increase in physical strength upon fusion, but the integrated muscles could also continue to be trained, leading to ongoing improvements in physical prowess.

In essence, muscle and tendon fibers from second-year students would be transplanted into students like Zhao Tianxing, fusing with their original muscle fibers. This process would gradually grant them a portion of the enhanced physique that their second-year seniors had cultivated for an extra year.

To put it another way, first-year students could buy the muscle tissue of "poor" second-year students, and second-year students could buy that of "poor" third-year students.

This was the "Special Cultivation Program," a scheme that Zhao Tianxing found incredibly cruel and brutal.

He was particularly horrified when he saw the price list yesterday.

Names of second-year students were listed alongside specific values and prices for various muscle groups—trapezius, deltoid, supraspinatus, biceps, and more—arranged in rows, eerily similar to a restaurant menu.

Zhao Tianxing was particularly stunned to see Shuang Youpeng, a former top student in their grade, listed there.

The entire revelation made Zhao Tianxing feel his worldview collapsing.

He recalled his conversation with Qian Shen and Lan Ling at the time.

Lan Ling, the top athlete in the second year, was also a member of the sports competition team and one of the administrators of the Special Cultivation Program.

In contrast, Wang Hai was merely responsible for the daily training of the competition team. He had no real authority within the Special Cultivation Program, his title as "ace sports teacher" merely benefiting from the team's successes.

Zhao Tianxing asked, "If we buy their muscle tissue, what happens to them?"

Lan Ling replied calmly, "Don't worry, they'll leave enough for it to regrow. They can eat and train, and it will grow back."

Zhao Tianxing's breathing quickened. "Just grow, cut, grow, cut... isn't that treating them like livestock?"

Lan Ling chuckled. "Humans are still far more valuable than cattle or sheep. At these prices, they stand to gain quite a bit."

"This isn't about the price," Qian Shen interjected impatiently. "Isn't directly buying muscle tissue like this just paying for physical strength? Does it mean we're buying sports scores with money?"

Lan Ling, however, stated matter-of-factly, "Yes, it can certainly be described as buying scores with money."

Qian Shen challenged, "How can money buy scores?"

Lan Ling replied indifferently, "Money can absolutely buy scores."

"Otherwise, where do you think your cultivation came from? The medicine you've taken, the techniques you've practiced, the knowledge you've acquired... where did it all originate?"

"Bought with money."

"And why do you think you're standing here, instead of Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, who have better grades than you?"

"Simply because you are wealthier than them, because your parents could afford the sponsorship fees."

"Spending money directly leads to better results; it allows you to buy scores."

"Sponsorship fees?" Zhao Tianxing paused, a sudden realization dawning on him as he recalled his parents' recent decision to sell their house.

Qian Shen, however, still wore an expression of complete disbelief.

He Dayou, standing nearby, interjected, "Alright, Qian Shen, this is simply how the world works. Money is paramount. If you're worried about others knowing you 'bought muscle,' rest assured, everyone involved has signed a confidentiality agreement witnessed by the righteous gods. No one will speak of it."

As the son of a school board member, He Dayou, who had long been aware of this practice, smiled at Lan Ling. "Senior, I've made my selections. After the signing, can the transplant procedure begin today?"

To formally commence the Special Cultivation Program and begin muscle transplantation, a contract first needed to be signed. This agreement naturally included a clause granting the school and student council the right to dictate the signatory's future university applications and chosen majors.

He Dayou, of course, had no concerns about this particular clause.

As the son of a school board member, he faced no restrictions regarding university applications or major choices.

However...

He instinctively glanced at Zhao Tianxing. He knew that if Zhao Tianxing wished to join the competition team and participate in the Special Cultivation Program, his university options would definitely be limited.

This was simply because Zhao Tianxing's family wasn't wealthy enough, having only barely managed to pay the sponsorship fees.

*A modest family,* He Dayou thought to himself. *Still a long way from the truly affluent circles of Songyang City.*

Lan Ling, listening to He Dayou's question, nodded and replied, "A small portion of the transplant will be performed daily from now on. You will feel your physical strength rapidly increasing moment by moment."