Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened as he focused on the new effect of Qi Channel Flow and immediately decided to test it.

He circulated his mana, which transformed into streaks of Formless Cloud Gang, rising from his dantian.

The next moment, the surging Gang Qi manifested as three Formless Warriors behind him.

As these three Formless Warriors practiced various martial arts skills Zhang Yu had mastered, his mana was rapidly depleted.

However, Zhang Yu noticed that under the influence of the new Qi Channel Flow effect, the mana consumption rate was significantly lower than before.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “There’s always additional mana loss during circulation. When Gang Qi operates externally, the loss is even greater.”

“But with the added effect of this Qi Channel Flow layer, the reduced loss means my mana is more sustainable.”

“Combined with the original mana recovery bonus from Qi Channel Flow…”

While contemplating, Zhang Yu’s thought prompted two more Formless Warriors to appear and operate at full capacity.

After several trials, Zhang Yu confirmed that with Qi Channel Flow activated, his mana could sustain five Formless Warriors or two Deep-Chill Warriors operating at full power.

“My work efficiency has almost doubled now.”

Feeling the second layer’s effect of Qi Channel Flow, Zhang Yu marveled. Although it only reduced mana consumption, it acted like a qualitative leap, significantly boosting his efficiency per unit of time.

“I wonder what the final effect of Qi Channel Flow will be.”

Zhang Yu calculated the time and realized he should be able to complete the final layer of Qi Channel Flow in August, meaning he would gain all its effects before the final exams. This made him even more excited.

Besides this, he also looked forward to upgrading Yu Xinghan’s Three-Eyed Divine Ability, achieving Spirit-Body Union for himself, and acquiring a second cultivation method before the term ended.

“This semester, I will definitely defeat Ji Yuanxu and claim first place in the class.”

“If I secure the top spot every year for three years, I’ll get the first three cultivation techniques of the ‘Three Wonders of Civil Engineering.'”

Zhang Yu had long coveted Ma Xuan’s Little Threefold Combination. He sighed inwardly, “It’s good that I only need to maintain first place in the class to get the techniques.”

“It seems this university’s ranking system is quite valuable after all.”

A few days later, just as Zhang Yu was thinking about demonstrating his improved strength at the next competition team training, Ma Xuan, the team captain, sent him a message.

Ma Xuan: Zhang Yu, there are some things I need to tell you about the specific arrangements for next semester’s competition.

Ma Xuan: Your talent is strong, and your progress has always been rapid. I’ve always thought you could be our team’s secret weapon.

Ma Xuan: Cong Na also particularly admires you and enjoys working with you.

Upon reading this, Zhang Yu had a bad feeling. “Starting with so many compliments, it seems like there’s bad news coming.”

Ma Xuan: However, we now have a student with a higher ranking than you joining our team.

Ma Xuan: The team has unanimously decided that you will temporarily take the substitute position.

Hearing Ma Xuan’s words, Zhang Yu was taken aback and inwardly cursed, “This university is too consumed by this unhealthy obsession with scores and rankings.”

“Can a mere ranking truly reflect my full worth?”

Fu Ji said, “You didn’t say that when your ranking surpassed Gongshu Jin last time. You can’t just think rankings are good only when yours is higher than someone else’s.”

Zhang Yu pursed his lips. He understood that at the university, rankings were paramount; whoever ranked higher was considered right and had priority.

As a system for evaluating a university student’s value, Zhang Yu could only abide by it within the Myriad Laws University City.

At least for now, he didn’t possess the power to challenge this system.

In fact, he himself had benefited from this system.

But a substitute position…

Zhang Yu thought that if he didn’t get to play, even if the competition team achieved a good ranking, his overall score wouldn’t increase much.

“Ugh, what a hassle.”

Just as Zhang Yu was fretting, he noticed that the new team member had already been added to the competition team’s group chat by Ma Xuan.

“Ji Yuanxu?”

Seeing that it was Ji Yuanxu, who ranked just one spot above him, joining the team, Zhang Yu frowned and muttered, “The guy who’s only one rank above me.”

“Speaking of which, he’s transferring to the finance department to boost his overall score by participating in competitions, right?”

Ma Xuan: Welcome, Ji Yuanxu!

Cong Na: Welcome, welcome! [fireworks][fireworks][fireworks]

Bu Ziran: Junior Ji, long time no see.

Yang Yan: Haha, Yuanxu, it’s great you’re here! Our competition ranking next semester will definitely improve.

Watching the enthusiastic welcome in the group chat, Zhang Yu thought to himself how different it was from when he first joined.

Seeing how well the others were getting along in the chat, Zhang Yu felt increasingly out of place.

A few days later, the competition team organized another training session, but this time, Zhang Yu wasn’t even informed.

“These guys…” Zhang Yu thought grimly. “It looks like they’ve completely given up on me.”

“I can’t truly fit in with these rich kids after all.”

“Should I switch teams?”

“Or should I stay here and just try to get some general score?”

But the next moment, Zhang Yu’s brows furrowed slightly. “No, if I stay on this team, no matter how much my overall score increases, as a substitute, I definitely won’t get as many points as Ji Yuanxu.”

“Won’t I start next semester already behind him in score?”

“Could this guy be doing this on purpose? Trying to suppress me this way and gain an advantage in rankings?”

Zhang Yu couldn’t be sure, nor could he ask Ji Yuanxu. He just felt even more inclined to switch competition teams.

“Never mind for now. I’ll continue building my strength and prepare for the final exams.”

“Anyway, the registration period is still long. After the final exams, once my ranking goes up, I’ll see if I can switch teams.”

So, in the following days, Zhang Yu practiced even harder, as if holding his breath with determination.

In the blink of an eye, it was late July.

The final exams were in late August, just over a month away.

That day, in the dormitory, everyone finally received the spirit coins from their previous raid on the Dark Species territory.

As they looked at the numbers in their bank accounts, their eyes sparkled, as if illuminated by hope.

Yu Xinghan, his face flushed and beaming, thought, “Now I can get a Dharmic Skeleton.”

“But should I get a hand-massage Dharmic Skeleton to further increase my earning efficiency? Or a cultivation-type Dharmic Skeleton to boost my training efficiency?”

Countless Dharmic Skeleton models immediately appeared in his mind – targets he had meticulously selected, compared, and filtered during the days he couldn’t afford new ones.

On the other side, Le Mulan looked at the numbers in her bank account and thought, “With my own savings, it should be enough to complete the advanced Super Metabolism surgery.”

Guided by her brother, Le Mulan, who had reached the second level, soon discovered that the companies there had long developed advanced Super Metabolism surgeries.

Zhang Yu was also looking at the numbers displayed in his eye-skeleton interface.

Although he had sold some mana as a subsidy over the past two months, Zhang Yu had spent a considerable amount on pills, spirit stones, Daoist arts, magic tools, and other items to ensure continuous progress, causing his savings to gradually decrease.

However, with today’s influx of spirit coins, the balance in his account reached over 42.9 spirit coins.

For a moment, Zhang Yu felt a surge of excitement; it was the first time he had so many spirit coins.

But then came the question… where should he spend them?

“My sister’s Grand Clarity Talisman always requires 50 spirit coins.”

“From 42.9 to 50 spirit coins might not seem like much, but with my current income, even if I scrimp and save and am willing to slow down my cultivation progress… it would still take at least two or three months to save up.”

“The key is this Grand Clarity Talisman… I still don’t know what its effect is.”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “If I invest in Spirit-Body Union instead, I’ll immediately be able to cultivate a second inner method.”

Regarding Spirit-Body Union, Zhang Yu had been attempting it for some time. Although he made slight progress, he saw no hope of immediate success.

This gradually led him to give up on breaking through on his own and consider simply spending money.

On one hand, there was the Grand Clarity Talisman, requiring another two or three months of waiting with an unknown outcome.

On the other hand, there was Spirit-Body Union and a second inner method, which could be achieved relatively quickly with clear functions.

Zhang Yu also considered that the final exams were just over a month away, and his current decision would affect his chances of securing first place in class.

“I’ll go for Spirit-Body Union and strive for a second inner method.”

After some thought, and with the chill of ritualistic power permeating, seemingly urging him not to stop and to seize the moment, Zhang Yu finally put on his spiritual interface mask, immersing his consciousness into the spiritual realm. In a flash, he arrived at the Heart-Forging Abode.

A pure white, empty room.

A line of text appeared before Zhang Yu: “Hello, I am Heart-Forging Abode Server Spirit 3001001. It’s a pleasure to serve you.”

“How may I help you?”

Zhang Yu said, “Spirit-Body Union, the guaranteed success package for 30 spirit coins.”

No sooner had Zhang Yu finished speaking than the pure white room rapidly expanded, instantly transforming into a landscape of pavilions, mountains, and water.

Below the original text, a beautiful woman in palace attire appeared, smiling at Zhang Yu and saying, “Hello, Mr. Zhang Yu, please have some tea.”

Zhang Yu casually took the teacup offered to him. Seeing the formerly simple small room instantly turn into a luxurious garden, he thought, “It changed so quickly; they really do adapt to their customers.”

“But I’m kind of pleased inside… Consumerism truly is insidious.”

Zhang Yu asked, “First, could you explain how you help me achieve Spirit-Body Union?”

The attendant replied, “Heart-Forging Abode has collected a vast amount of breakthrough experiences from cultivators. We can select experiences that match your specific situation and simulate the environment in which others broke through at that time.”

“Once you purchase this service, you will be able to perform one simulated breakthrough daily.”

“According to our company’s current data, the longest time taken for a breakthrough is 29 days.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. He asked, “Are you saying that after purchasing this service, even individuals with the poorest aptitude can successfully reach the Spirit-Body Union realm after 29 simulated breakthroughs?”

The attendant smiled faintly. “You could understand it that way.”

After confirming Zhang Yu wanted to order the guaranteed Spirit-Body Union service, a price list, contract, various discounts, and packages quickly appeared before him.

“No membership, no activities, no extra services. I just want the Spirit-Body Union for 30 spirit coins…”

As soon as Zhang Yu finished speaking, he hesitated upon seeing the installment payment plan offered.

“How many installments can I divide it into?”

“Twelve installments, 3.3 spirit coins per installment? Deductions start next month?”

Zhang Yu secretly calculated, “So, I’d be paying an extra 9.6 spirit coins over a year?”

“Can the temporary extra spirit coins from installments help me earn more than 9.6 spirit coins over a year?”

While Zhang Yu was pondering, the palace-attired beauty in front of him added, “If you choose installments now, you’ll get a free compatibility test for your inner method, which can help calculate the most suitable second inner method for you.”

Zhang Yu decided, “I’ll do it.”

He knew that after achieving Spirit-Body Union, he would definitely need to choose a second inner method.

After signing the contract, Zhang Yu first underwent psychological and will tests.

Based on parameters like his cultivation method, psychological state, and Dao heart level, a simulated breakthrough environment tailored to Zhang Yu’s condition was quickly generated.