As Zhang Yu voiced his curiosity, Ying Xin readily provided the answer. After all, Ying Xin was a local of the second layer and had watched many competition livestreams even before entering university.

As Ying Xin narrated, the contestants in the upcoming competitions showcased a variety of distinct flying sword techniques. There were the living flying swords from Underworld University, which flew, fought, and locked onto targets like living beings. There were the Dharma Eye flying swords from Vajra University, capable of direct visual targeting and guidance from 80 kilometers away. Additionally, Myriad Laws University utilized flying swords that communicated with the spiritual realm network via the sun and moon in the sky to lock onto targets.

It was then that Zhang Yu learned that the sun and moon in Kunxu’s second layer were, in fact, primarily engineered and created by Myriad Laws University. Both the sun and the moon were colossal magical artifacts, perpetually maintaining a spiritual realm network that covered the entire Kunxu’s second layer. Zhang Yu looked up at the bright moon in the sky and thought to himself, “No wonder I could connect to the internet at the remote construction site. So that’s the reason?”

At the same time, Zhang Yu gradually began to feel something. “In this flying sword competition, while the contestants’ skill is one factor, the flying swords themselves are also incredibly important.” Initially, Zhang Yu had assumed the flying sword competition was similar to javelin or discus, primarily depending on the participant’s skill level. However, now it appeared to him that this flying sword competition was more akin to car racing, where the quality and technique of the flying sword were just as crucial as the contestant’s abilities. “It really is a competition only for the wealthy.”

Just as Ying Xin was about to introduce the next group of contestants, Yu Xinghan’s eyes narrowed, and she suddenly interjected, “I know this group.” Zhang Yu looked at Yu Xinghan with surprise. She was from the first layer, just like him, yet she knew about the competition’s participants? Yu Xinghan explained, “They are Senior Sister Hongxiao, Senior Sister Jiurao, and Senior Brother Liuyun from Acacia University.” Ying Xin asked curiously, “You know them all?” Yu Xinghan stated proudly, “I’ve watched many of their combat videos and am thoroughly familiar with their various astonishing techniques.” Zhang Yu also recalled, thinking to himself, “No wonder Senior Sister Hongxiao has such a heavy workload; it turns out all her money is invested in flying swords.”

As he continued watching, Zhang Yu noticed that each of the ten top universities possessed distinct flying sword techniques. The remaining thirty-six upper-tier and seventy-two lower-tier institutions, while displaying subtle variations, largely inherited their flying sword techniques from these top ten. As for vocational colleges… were there students from vocational colleges in this competition? Zhang Yu hadn’t noticed.

Before he knew it, the latter half of the night had passed, and the rising sun began to illuminate the competition arena. Just then, Bai Zhenzhen and several representatives from Heavenly Sword University’s team made their appearance. Bai Zhenzhen coiled several strands of hair around her fingertips, and with a flash of sword light, these strands shot skyward, transforming into several refined gold flying swords. They shimmered brilliantly in the morning light, cutting through the air at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

Bai Zhenzhen’s Dharma Skeleton flickered, her eyes displaying various data from the refined gold flying swords, as well as information transmitted by the patrolling flying swords. This included visuals from the flying swords’ perspective, target coordinates, wind direction, altitude, and other parameters. The sky and ground rapidly receded in her vision. In less than two minutes, the target object had appeared clearly within her eye-skeleton. The next moment, as Bai Zhenzhen’s sword incantation changed, the refined gold flying sword surged forth with a flash of electricity, piercing directly through the target.

Ying Xin sighed beside her, “Alas, others begin wielding flying swords as freshmen and competing as sophomores, while here we are, still doing basic cultivation drills in our second year.” As Zhang Yu watched Bai Zhenzhen’s effortless movements, his thoughts drifted to the exam she had mentioned. “Zhenzhen mentioned something about hundreds of kilometers last time… could their exam involve controlling flying swords from that distance?” “If so, is Heavenly Sword University intentionally concealing more advanced flying sword techniques?”

Yu Xinghan watched the competition conclude, then suddenly noticed Zhang Yu was gone again. She couldn’t help but message him, “Where are you?” Zhang Yu replied: “I’m busy. Go back first; don’t wait for me.”

Inside the alley, Bai Zhenzhen embraced Zhang Yu, transmitting the True Spirit Root to him. Zhang Yu took a deep breath and said, “Zhenzhen, please try to stay for a bit longer.” Bai Zhenzhen’s voice whispered in Zhang Yu’s ear, “I also wish I could stay for a few more days, to transfer the True Spirit Root to you more often.” “But it also depends on how the competition progresses.”

After acquiring the True Spirit Root once more, Zhang Yu decided to skip classes and instead applied for overtime at the construction site. With his multiple thoughts active, he simultaneously practiced the Level 20 Breathing Technique and executed the Level 20 Heaven-Overturning Seal, cultivating two distinct arts at once to nourish the Divine Spirit Root within his body. “One cultivation art requires 30 hours, so 10 arts would take 300 hours. Cultivating them sequentially would definitely not be fast enough before Zhenzhen leaves.” “But if I activate two simultaneously, that’s 150 hours.” “While time is still somewhat tight, replicating the Dao Seed before Zhenzhen leaves would then become possible.”

As one stream of thought managed the Breathing Technique and another the Heaven-Overturning Seal, Zhang Yu engaged yet another thought to activate the War Demon Life-Sapping Art. However, at this moment, he activated the War Demon Life-Sapping Art to its minimum extent, increasing his physical strength by merely 0.1 levels, and the energy consumption was well within his manageable limits. “With the addition of the War Demon Life-Sapping Art, which can be activated concurrently, that makes three cultivation arts running simultaneously, increasing the success rate even further.”

Zhang Yu’s mind quickly reviewed the various cultivation arts he had practiced. Each art utilized different muscles and meridians, meaning some could be run simultaneously while others could not. He mentally sorted through combinations, arranging the arts that could run concurrently to nourish the Divine Spirit Root with maximum efficiency. Consequently, for the next few days, Zhang Yu put almost everything aside. Aside from his intense daily cultivation, his priority was meeting Bai Zhenzhen to exchange the True Spirit Root—once before the competition and again after.

The flying sword competition grew increasingly intense. Beyond the initial beyond-visual-range strike matches, there were various contests focusing on destructive power, speed, skill, and range. The most perilous event, however, was the sword duel. Both sides engaged in flying sword combat within a 10-kilometer radius arena, with a loss determined by either surrender or the destruction of a flying sword. It was during these duels that Zhang Yu had a rare opportunity to witness military-grade flying swords in combat. He watched as they transformed into streaks of sword light, appearing invincible and capable of cutting through anything, demonstrating astonishing speed and destructive power.

Bai Zhenzhen, moreover, truly distinguished herself in the sword duel competition. Utilizing only seven refined gold flying swords, she swept through the competition effortlessly, instantly defeating opponent after opponent. Upon encountering opponents wielding military-grade flying swords, she would form a sword array using 108 refined gold flying swords. With the aid of her Divine Spirit Root, she would then cloak the sword aura and light, creating an invisible flying sword formation to crush her adversaries. Witnessing her use one finger to command 72 flying swords to block military-grade flying swords, while simultaneously using her other hand to remotely guide 36 others to stealthily approach and directly suppress an opponent’s true body, countless spectators gasped in admiration, making Bai Zhenzhen shine even brighter.

Ye Xingli, a top student from the Artifact Forging Department, was also observing the flying sword competition. She was keenly interested in the flying sword techniques showcased by different universities. Watching Bai Zhenzhen defeat her opponent, Ye Xingli mused to herself, “So, it’s the Divine Spirit Root against military-grade flying swords?” “These invisible flying swords offer too great an advantage in duels. The opponent’s military-grade flying swords haven’t even unleashed their true power before their main body is defeated.” “Still, this tactic is most effective when revealed for the first time. If she uses it again later, her opponents will surely be prepared.”

Subsequently, as more people learned that Bai Zhenzhen was a disciple of the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions, their interest in her grew even stronger. Countless messages began to appear within Bai Zhenzhen’s eye-skeleton. “Miss Bai Zhenzhen, would you be interested in endorsing our company’s products?” “Are you accepting advertisements?” “You have an emergency fund of 100 spirit coins. Reply ‘Yes’ to receive it within five minutes…” “Are you willing to be interviewed?” Messages from those seeking endorsements, offering advertisements, and even wanting to lend her money continuously flooded in. Soon after she left the hotel, she saw many people waiting outside, with various cameras immediately pointed at her. Bai Zhenzhen’s figure flickered, and with a few rapid movements, she vanished from sight.

Inside the alley. Zhang Yu embraced Bai Zhenzhen from behind and softly remarked, “You’ve become increasingly popular lately.” “Hmm…” Bai Zhenzhen hummed softly, feeling the Divine Spirit Root return to her Dantian. “Just some tiresome people,” she said. “It won’t affect what we’re doing.” Zhang Yu warned, “We need to be careful; our secret must not be discovered.”

A moment later, Bai Zhenzhen returned to her hotel and once again saw Wen Wuya waiting for her. Wen Wuya asked, “Zhenzhen, why are you always going out by yourself lately?” Bai Zhenzhen replied, “Just taking a walk. Is there an issue?” Wen Wuya noted, “Zhenzhen, your hair is a little disheveled…” Bai Zhenzhen moved past him in a flash. “I’m going to take a bath; don’t follow me,” she said. Watching her depart, Wen Wuya sighed helplessly, wondering, “What exactly is Bai Zhenzhen doing? Should I investigate a little?”

As the Flying Sword Competition progressed, many contestants garnered public attention, and Bai Zhenzhen was among them. Beyond their fascination with Bai Zhenzhen’s Divine Spirit Root, people were most interested in the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions who stood behind her. Soon, information regarding how the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions meticulously nurtured Bai Zhenzhen was unearthed. Right after the start of her freshman year, Bai Zhenzhen was granted a temporary military permit due to her outstanding talismanship scores in high school. Then, during the first semester of her freshman year, Bai Zhenzhen joined the senior patrol team, apprehending evil gods and dangerous individuals from the dark realm, thus accumulating substantial merit. By the second semester of her freshman year, due to her accumulated merits and her modified design of the Heavenly Patrol Flying Sword, she received an exceptional promotion to a military position at Heavenly Sword University, granting her access to approved military-grade cultivation arts and military-grade spirit roots…

Ying Xin thought admiringly, “That’s absolutely incredible! As expected of a Divine Lord of Spirit Transformation! This path for cultivating disciples is simply beyond our reach.” Gongshu Jin thought enviously, “This is clearly the work of a top-tier magnate, securing a military position as a freshman. Indeed, truly wealthy individuals can navigate the university system to their advantage; the richer they are, the more shortcuts they can take, effortlessly achieving what we cannot.” Che Yufei exclaimed, “Bai Zhenzhen’s progress is so rapid, yet she doesn’t have a single wrinkle on her face… This truly signifies a top-tier master who handles everything for their disciple.” Ji Yuanxu looked at Bai Zhenzhen on the competition grounds, finding her sword-like hair incredibly charming and the sword light, a symbol of wealth, deeply captivating. Considering the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions behind her, he thought with immense admiration, “Indeed, with enough money, one can utterly break through all conventional norms and common sense within the university, trampling everyone less wealthy underfoot.” Ye Xingli from the Artifact Forging Department also exclaimed, “Wealthy… the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions is truly incredibly wealthy, exceptionally wise, and remarkably skilled at cultivating disciples. To forge such a shortcut to immortality for his apprentice with money—what profound master-disciple affection is this? What an intense bond? Even if Bai Zhenzhen were to dedicate everything to her master in the future, it would be entirely fitting.”

Following Bai Zhenzhen, envying her, praising the master-disciple bond, admiring her achievements, revering the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions’ wealth, and marvelling at how wealthy people seem to be inherently clever… As many aspects of Bai Zhenzhen’s development at the university were revealed, the spiritual realm network became inundated with lavish praise for both Bai Zhenzhen and the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions.

For fellow readers, some chapters have in-chapter images or end-of-chapter bonus images, marked with a red icon in the table of contents.