Chapter 85: Competing, Advertisement

In the cafeteria.

Zhang Yu looked at Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing with a puzzled expression, curious why they both looked as if they had failed an exam.

"What's wrong with you two?"

Hearing Zhang Yu's curious question, neither Qian Shen nor Zhao Tianxing could answer, as they had both signed non-disclosure agreements prohibiting them from revealing any information about the special training program.

Zhao Tianxing shook his head with a bitter smile and said, "It's nothing, just... the pressure in the competition team is a bit high."

At the same time, a hint of pity flickered in his eyes as he looked at Zhang Yu.

Zhao Tianxing thought to himself, "He Dayou and the others started their transplant surgeries yesterday. Their physical strength will probably skyrocket from now on, right?"

"While Yu-zi and A-Zhen are highly talented, they can't possibly surpass the school's immortal techniques."

"So, on the path of immortality... money truly is the most important, isn't it?"

During that day's physical education class.

He Dayou, Physical Strength Level 1.56Li Xianglu, Physical Strength Level 1.55Wang Wenjie, Physical Strength Level 1.53

Overnight, after their transplant surgeries, He Dayou and the other two had each significantly improved their physical strength.

As they watched the trio effortlessly handle various equipment and saw their physical strength test results, the surrounding students couldn't help but show envy in their eyes.

"Sports competitions truly are Songyang's ace program. He Dayou and the others are improving so fast!"

"They're already this strong after just one day? Teacher Wang Hai really has a knack for this."

However, what He Dayou wanted to see and hear wasn't his classmates' chatter. He turned to look for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, but found that they hadn't even come to PE class. There was no sign of Zhang Yu even in the small room nearby.

"Hmph, it doesn't matter. There will be plenty of opportunities later." He Dayou seemed to already envision his physical strength skyrocketing daily over the next month, eventually trampling both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen underfoot.

"I'll get stronger and stronger, until my physical strength approaches that of a second-year high school student."

"My scores will eventually surpass yours."

Where did Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen go?

Both had applied to Wang Hai for an exemption from PE class.

Zhang Yu thought: *My Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi is going to improve rapidly, so it's better to practice in secret to avoid leaving any clues for others to see.*

Bai Zhenzhen, on the other hand, thought: *My spiritual root has too many functions. Since I already have the reputation of a leased spiritual root, I don't need to worry about attracting attention. So, it's better to practice alone to avoid prying eyes noticing anything unusual.*

So, on the school rooftop.

Zhang Yu looked at Bai Zhenzhen in front of him and smiled, "A-Zhen, what a coincidence, you're not in PE class either?"

Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu and also smiled, "Yu-zi, what a coincidence, you also came to the rooftop to practice?"

Zhang Yu thought to himself: *A-Zhen must have activated a hidden ability. She doesn't want anyone to see it, so she came to the rooftop to practice alone.*

Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself: *Yu-zi probably hasn't held back his power. Is he trying to secretly practice, hide his strength, and then show off big time in a month? Is that why he came to the rooftop?*

Zhang Yu chuckled, "Then let's practice together on the rooftop."

Bai Zhenzhen also smiled, "Yes, let's practice together."

Zhang Yu thought to himself: *A-Zhen is still trustworthy. This time, I'll let her witness my talent and make her completely acknowledge me.*

Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself: *After all, there's no need to hold back around him. I've kept this hidden for over a decade, and finally, I can show off my incredible potential to someone. Hahahaha, I can already picture Yu-zi's envious, jealous, and hateful expression.*

So, the two exchanged smiles, then walked to separate spots and began to cultivate.

On the rooftop, Zhang Yu began to diligently practice the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.

He stood still, and his body gradually emitted a roaring sound with each vibration, like waves repeatedly crashing against rocks.

Bai Zhenzhen turned her head and, seeing Zhang Yu's cheeks and hands gradually redden as his Qi and blood surged, felt a jolt in her heart.

Then, with a face full of envy, she thought: *Is this that Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi? Has Yu-zi already mastered it? Has he started using this technique to refine his body?*

Bai Zhenzhen suddenly felt like her spiritual root wasn't so appealing anymore.

She felt her current mood was like being woken up in the middle of the night by a classmate's breathing exercises.

Or seeing a classmate secretly consume extra portions of a potion in the morning.

Or seeing a classmate with more needle marks on their arm than usual during PE class.

Bai Zhenzhen quickly unleashed the restraints on her spiritual root, preparing to begin body refinement.

*Why show off to him when you can show off against him?*

*Keep surpassing him, surpass him! My physical strength must remain above Yu-zi's next month!*

With that, she unleashed the restraints on the spiritual root within her and began to refine her body.

After practicing for more than ten repetitions, Zhang Yu felt a wave of weakness in his body, so he decided to sit down and rest for a while, taking out the energy drink he had prepared and taking a few sips.

"As expected from the energy drink I got from Bailong High School; free stuff always tastes better."

Just then, sensing an unusual spiritual energy in the air, he turned his head towards Bai Zhenzhen.

He saw that Bai Zhenzhen was also cultivating a body refinement technique. Zhang Yu couldn't identify the technique, but he could vaguely feel strands of spiritual energy surging towards Bai Zhenzhen's body, seemingly nourishing her entire being.

"Is this the effect of her spiritual root? Something like a muscle-enhancing spiritual root that can strengthen the body?"

Zhang Yu thought with a face full of envy: "Having a spiritual root is awesome! I definitely have to ask A-Zhen to lend it to me to 'play around with' later."

Then Zhang Yu noticed another unusual thing.

With his experience of having mastered multiple martial arts to Level 10, he was astute enough to discern subtle differences in others' moves.

As he watched Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu noticed that her body refinement technique underwent clear adjustments with each repetition, making it feel more comfortable and fluid, as if Bai Zhenzhen was naturally and continuously adapting to the technique.

"Could it be that A-Zhen makes adjustments and progress with every single repetition when she practices martial arts?"

It sounded ordinary, but upon closer thought, Zhang Yu realized how remarkable it was.

Zhang Yu's heart skipped a beat: "Isn't this like my Yu Book, where cultivation techniques can also improve rapidly?"

"She wasn't this powerful when she practiced before, was she?"

"She really *has* been secretly using a hidden ability!"

Realizing that the other person had been secretly using a hidden ability and working hard where he couldn't see, Zhang Yu got up after a short rest and continued to push himself to cultivate the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.

For the next few days, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen seized every moment, moving from one deserted corner of the campus to another, leaving behind pools of hard-earned sweat as they relentlessly pushed their bodies to the limit.

During PE class, He Dayou felt excited watching his physical strength increase daily, but he was also subtly disappointed each time he didn't see Zhang Yu or Bai Zhenzhen.

But he endured it.

He constantly reminded himself: "Isn't this the outcome I expected all along?"

"Talented poor people may be impressive at first, but ultimately, they will lose to the wealthy."

"After completing the transplant, as the newly integrated muscles and tendons continue to merge with my body, my physical strength is now rapidly increasing every day."

"The longer it takes for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to witness my strength firsthand, the more despairing the gap they will feel."

With a hint of anticipation, He Dayou continued to practice diligently during PE class.

During the same PE class, not far away, Zhao Tianxing secretly observed He Dayou, his gaze always tinged with envy and hesitation.

"Qian Shen has already withdrawn, stating he won't join the competition team. Lanling has selected another student to join."

"But... should I withdraw too?"

"I don't like this method of boosting scores, but He Dayou and the others' physical strength is really increasing so fast. At this rate... I won't be able to catch up to them at all."

But the thought that his parents were planning to sell their family home just so he could join the competition team and boost his scores made Zhao Tianxing hesitate again.

Later that day, in the small woods before school dismissal.

Zhang Yu sat cross-legged, his entire body continuously emitting white vapor in the cold wind. He was cultivating the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi, which he had already advanced to Level 10.

At this moment, his muscles, tendons, internal organs, and bone marrow were all mobilized, being tempered with each exertion of power.

In addition to this, there were the effects of the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi reaching Level 10.

Zhang Yu's physical structure became more rational and perfected. Every muscle and tendon in his body fit together seamlessly, like exquisitely crafted parts perfectly assembled.

This physical structural adjustment after reaching Level 10 caused his physical strength to instantly skyrocket. Combined with his diligent cultivation over the past few days, his physical strength increased to Level 1.67.

Furthermore, his digestive ability and metabolic rate had both increased.

Zhang Yu felt perpetually hungry now, a hunger that seemed to emanate from every single part of his body.

"My daily food expenses have already exceeded 600 yuan. This body refinement really drains money."

Even so, Zhang Yu could feel that his body was still not satisfied.

"I probably need to take pills now, don't I?"

The Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi can be cultivated in conjunction with pills. The accompanying pill is called the Primordial Unity Pill, and Zhang Yu saw online that it costs 30,000 yuan per pill.

"Damn it... Ziyun Pharmaceutical Company is practically robbing people!"

With the skyrocketing food expenses and the demand for pills, Zhang Yu felt increasingly short on money.

Although he had tutored Song Hailong for another session yesterday and received another 5,000 yuan, Zhang Yu still felt that the balance of less than 16,000 yuan in his account wasn't enough.

Fortunately, another opportunity to earn money came today.

As the dismissal bell rang, Bai Zhenzhen, who was nearby, finished her workout and looked at Zhang Yu, saying, "Let's go, Yu-zi. Time for the commercial shoot."