In an apartment near Ziyun High School, Zhang Yu was scrolling through news on his phone. The content made him frown slightly. “Songyang City is becoming more and more chaotic,” he murmured.

Although Zhang Yu spent his days quietly teaching and cultivating, he wasn’t oblivious to the events unfolding outside. Information occasionally brought back by Bai Zhenzhen, combined with the changing news and public sentiment online, gradually led him to confirm a significant trend. Beyond the escalating conflicts in the illicit tutoring sector, which had even drawn in corporations, similar struggles were erupting in other underground industries. Gangs involved in the dark shopping world (smuggling), the dark medicine world (selling counterfeit drugs), and the dark catering world (selling fake pre-made meals) were all clashing fiercely, each employing unique tactics to gain market share. The corporations backing them were also engaged in relentless competition.

Zhang Yu noticed these competitive behaviors firsthand. On shopping and food delivery platforms, he found more discounts and received more coupons—a clear sign of price wars among companies. He also observed that many items he had considered, and even frequently used websites, were reported and taken down, indicating a “reporting war” between corporations. Furthermore, a flood of negative reviews targeted various products and cultivation methods, causing their ratings to fluctuate wildly. Independent media outlets would one day expose Ziyun Group for pollutant leaks and the next accuse Hongta Group of cutting corners in their meat products, claiming they didn’t use additives or drugs. Zhang Yu understood that these were all tactics by companies deploying “internet trolls” to manipulate public opinion.

While the intensifying corporate competition didn’t significantly affect Zhang Yu’s daily life, some of the promotional offers allowed him to take considerable advantage. For instance, several discount events on the cultivation method platform saved him over a hundred thousand in expenses when purchasing new methods.

Observing the changes in Songyang City, Zhang Yu had a persistent feeling that the competition among gangs and corporations had only escalated after Oasis Group began marketing its synthetic meat.

Hearing Zhang Yu’s speculation, Fu Ji interjected, “Don’t overthink this. It’s too big, and it doesn’t concern us. Just focus on your cultivation and prepare for the final Foundation Establishment exam.” Zhang Yu knew Fu Ji was right. He sighed, acknowledging that such matters were indeed beyond a high school student’s concern.

Exiting the news page, Zhang Yu’s gaze returned to his newly purchased, discounted cultivation method: the Pacifying Law Prime Body. Thanks to the sale, he had acquired the method ahead of schedule, though his diligent saving had once again sent his account balance plummeting, leaving him with just over twenty thousand yuan.

Whenever he considered this, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but sigh: “I’ve earned a lot over the past two months, but I’ve spent just as much. Most of that money has been transformed into cultivation methods, integrated into my body.”

The Pacifying Law Prime Body, the seventh cultivation method to form the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo, was a body-tempering technique designed to enhance physical resistance to external magical power. “The human epidermis consists of five layers. This method involves using one’s own magical power to temper each epidermal layer, enabling it to resist a portion of any invading external magical power…” “Once the Pacifying Law Prime Body reaches Level 10, all five epidermal layers throughout the body will be fully tempered, granting the physical body powerful resistance to magical energy.” He noted, “If external magical power needs to enter the body, it’s simple: I just need to use my own magical power to envelop the opponent’s magical power.”

Zhang Yu understood that when he employed the Indestructible Seal Method to absorb an opponent’s magical power, he would indeed need to draw that power into his own body.

Zhang Yu also recalled his last assassination attempt. He mused that if he had mastered the Pacifying Law Prime Body back then, the fight would likely have been much easier.

Just as Zhang Yu advanced the Pacifying Law Prime Body to Level 3, the sounds of a door opening and closing signaled Bai Zhenzhen’s slow, weary entrance into the apartment.

Zhang Yu turned to look at Bai Zhenzhen and immediately felt a tangible wave of murderous intent wash over him. It made his hairs stand on end, giving him the unnerving sensation of a sword blade pressed against his throat. “This Zhenzhen,” he thought, “she’s felt more and more dangerous ever since she started participating in gang wars.”

As Bai Zhenzhen moved further into the apartment, however, the murderous intent around her gradually dissipated, and she reverted to her usual demeanor as a high school academic.

Zhang Yu checked the time and asked, a little surprised, “You’re back so early today? It’s only two o’clock.”

Bai Zhenzhen casually shed her combat jacket, tossing it onto the floor. It was covered with various phrases like “Divine Skill” and “Great Law.” Zhang Yu knew that the depicted cultivation methods were fake and wearing them wouldn’t incur fines. However, they served to intimidate many in battle, making opponents hesitant to look directly—much like ancient generals donning helmets designed to resemble gods or demons, serving to frighten enemies on the battlefield.

Her long pants and underwear were also casually discarded. Under Zhang Yu’s accustomed gaze, Bai Zhenzhen walked naked toward the bathroom. Zhang Yu noticed a few shallow scratches on her arms, and even some faint characters. These were from the stamp weapons used by certain masters of the Golden Class Gang. A single stamp could imprint a cultivation method onto an opponent, which, while not immediately fatal, could later lead to financial ruin. However, the fact that Bai Zhenzhen was only grazed by a few characters indicated she had skillfully dodged the move at a crucial moment.

Hearing Zhang Yu’s question, Bai Zhenzhen turned, looking a little bewildered. “I had just finished tying their students up for our gang,” she said, “when the Dark Learning Gang and the Golden Class Gang announced a ceasefire.”

Zhang Yu quickly turned his head away, scolding, “I’ve told you countless times, don’t walk around naked at home! What if I suffer another ‘loss of vital essence’ because of you? That’s all money down the drain!”

Bai Zhenzhen tilted her head, clearly annoyed. “We’re so familiar with each other, isn’t it tiring to hide and sneak around just to change? It wastes time. Do we have a lot of time?” She then sneered, looking at Zhang Yu with utter disdain. “Tsk… and even if I weren’t naked, don’t you have that same ‘problem’?” She continued, “When I came back last night, you had already left, so I didn’t see you, did I? Yet, I found wads of paper all over the trash can…”

Zhang Yu slapped the floor in exasperation. “I told you not to rummage through the trash can!” he snapped. “And those papers were for wiping my nose, not what you’re imagining.”

Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes, turned her back to Zhang Yu, and impatiently pulled off her last pair of shorts. “It’s all the same, isn’t it?” she retorted. “Yu Zi, you haven’t even bothered to check how low Hongta’s price for your ‘merchandise’ has dropped. Your stuff is barely worth more than plain water now; it’s practically worthless.”

“You… you really…” Zhang Yu stared at Bai Zhenzhen’s expression, sighing inwardly. “Ah Zhen, Ah Zhen, have you forgotten how I, your ‘old man,’ used to earn money to support you just a few months ago? And now that it doesn’t sell for a good price, you utter such disheartening things.”
Bai Zhenzhen continued, “That ‘thing’ of yours is always a hassle. Once the Foundation Establishment exam is over, we won’t need to scrimp on money anymore. I’ll pay for you to get sterilized at the hospital; a complete, one-stop service.” With that, Bai Zhenzhen walked into the bathroom, and the sound of running water soon followed.

Recalling Bai Zhenzhen’s words, Fu Ji murmured with surprise, “A ceasefire? Already?” She then told Zhang Yu, “Check the news…” Zhang Yu picked up his phone and, following Fu Ji’s instruction, quickly found news of Xianyuan Group and Shenhai Group announcing a partnership and exchanging shares.

Seeing Zhang Yu’s surprised expression, Fu Ji smiled. “What’s so surprising about this?” she asked. “Exchanging shares, tying themselves together, and then further monopolizing an entire industry—these are all standard practices in Kunxu, only intensifying ceaselessly over the years.” She continued, “Furthermore, while Xianyuan Group and Shenhai Group might seem like competitors, both companies ultimately fall under the Myriad Laws Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects. As long as someone within the sect mediates, it’s not impossible for these two companies to merge, let alone simply cooperate.”

Fu Ji continued, “However, this cooperation does seem a bit abrupt. Check their other news.” Zhang Yu quickly found it. “After cooperating, the two companies announced they’re entering the food industry? And they’re partnering with Oasis Group?” He mused, “Oasis Group… why does it feel like everything is connected to them?”

Fu Ji thought to herself, “Oasis Group… isn’t the Nether Palace behind them? It seems like ‘that’ situation again. I just hope Zhang Yu doesn’t stick his nose where it doesn’t belong.” Aloud, Fu Ji said casually, “Alright, no matter what, it doesn’t concern you. Get back to your cultivation. Your most important task right now is the Foundation Establishment exam; don’t bother with anything else.”

With the ceasefire between the Dark Learning Gang and the Golden Class Gang, Bai Zhenzhen suddenly found herself with a lot of free time, no longer required on the front lines. So, beyond her own cultivation, she began inviting the martial arts teachers from Songyang High School to join her in daily combat training, using these battles to refine her techniques and hone her physical body and magical power.

Days passed, and soon it was January 1st.

Two days later was the final round of the Foundation Establishment exam. Inside the apartment, Zhang Yu sat cross-legged. Half of his body was covered in frost, while the other half was steaming hot, emitting plumes of vapor. He was cultivating the eighth method of the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo—the Kanbing Lihuo Body Forging Great Method. This technique used Kanbing (Water/Ice) and Lihuo (Fire) magical power to temper his body, granting his physique powerful adaptability to both high and low temperatures, while also further enhancing its resilience.

At that moment, Zhang Yu was at a critical juncture, pushing the Kanbing Lihuo Body Forging Great Method to Level 10. With a sudden burst, his body ceased being half-cold and half-hot. Instead, hot and cold sensations alternated rapidly throughout his entire being, until finally, ice and fire merged, settling into a new equilibrium. Zhang Yu felt the changes in his flesh and blood and slowly exhaled. “Finally,” he murmured, “the eighth cultivation method of the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo is complete.”

After advancing the Kanbing Lihuo Body Forging Great Method to Level 10, Zhang Yu felt his physical body had not only gained greater adaptability to temperature fluctuations but could also, when activating the method, engage in combat in either a high-temperature or low-temperature state, both offering distinct advantages.

After glancing at the second-layer effect of the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo, Zhang Yu chuckled. “Although I haven’t managed to cultivate the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo to its ultimate effect,” he said, “this should certainly be enough to pass the Foundation Establishment exam.”

He checked his phone and saw that his leave request had been approved. “All is ready,” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “Time to go.”