"We're aware that you have a payment due next month. Conveniently, we're running an installment plan promotion with reduced service fees..."
Bai Zhenzhen hung up the call. Thinking about the twenty-thousand-plus interest due next month and her bank account holding less than ten thousand, she realized she couldn't afford to lie down and rest anymore.
"Sigh... Even though passing the first round of the Foundation Establishment exam is great..."
"But the money’s all gone."
The pressure of repayment, the intensity of the exam, the uncertainty of the future... All of it quickly washed away the joy Bai Zhenzhen had felt from clearing the first round of the Foundation Establishment exam and receiving the Infinite Sword Meditation for free.
Thanks to her tutoring income, she could barely manage both her debt payments and the most basic cultivation expenses.
But the moment she thought of her opponents in the Foundation Establishment exam, Bai Zhenzhen felt a deep sense that the basics alone... were far from enough.
"If I want to keep progressing at high speed, then I’ve got to spend! Spend! And spend some more!"
"So how do I make big money when I get back?"
Then a steely glint flickered across Bai Zhenzhen’s face. "Yuzi, how about we officially join the Dark Studies Gang and start earning through gang skirmishes?"
At this point, Bai Zhenzhen’s strength had reached the level of a senior high student, solidly in the late Qi Refining Realm. With her Zhen Spirit Root, several Level-10 Techniques derived through simulation, and her mastery of the Infinite Sword Meditation, her words carried a chilling edge.
Zhang Yu furrowed his brow. "Joining gang skirmishes... you mean going full gang member?"
He hesitated. "Would we have to kill people?"
Bai Zhenzhen nodded, also worried. "Killing is definitely a concern..."
"Sigh." She sighed. "Even if the Dark Studies Gang offers guarantees, what if we end up losing more than we make?"
That’s what you’re worried about?
Zhang Yu looked at Bai Zhenzhen helplessly. Even after living in Kunxu for nearly a year, he still couldn’t keep up with how the locals thought.
Bai Zhenzhen continued, "Then should I sign up for Technique modifications? Or maybe sell what we just learned?"
"A haul like that should fetch a solid price, right?"
Her eyes were already shining with excitement.
Zhang Yu got the hint—Bai Zhenzhen was thinking about pirating the Infinite Sword Meditation?
Zhang Yu said helplessly, "Why do your ideas just keep getting more criminal? That Technique’s priceless—if you get caught, you’re finished."
Bai Zhenzhen said matter-of-factly, "People like us—poor folks—how else can we make big money without doing dangerous work? Safe and lucrative jobs don’t come to us."
"If we hadn’t learned something valuable this time, we wouldn’t even qualify to take that kind of risk!"
Zhang Yu sighed again. "Let me think it over."
He had assumed that with stronger cultivation, he could earn more through tutoring and other legal means.
But after witnessing the strength of those Xiandu students, Zhang Yu realized money still wasn’t enough.
So he decided to consult a certain someone about what to do next.
A moment later, while Bai Zhenzhen was in the bathroom, Zhang Yu summoned Fu Ji.
"Phew..." After a moan, Fu Ji lazily said, "So? You passed the first round of the Foundation Establishment exam, right?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥
Zhang Yu nodded and gave a rough account of what had happened.
Fu Ji was delighted. As an experienced scam artist of an Evil God, she immediately sensed Zhang Yu’s anxiety over the next phase of the Foundation Establishment exam.
She thought to herself, "This kid won’t last long before he comes crawling to hunt down my colleague and squeeze out more of his potential."
She completely understood. Just from Zhang Yu’s descriptions, she could tell how formidable those Xiandu students were.
Especially Number 23 and Number 11—they were on a whole other level.
When she heard Zhang Yu’s ideas about making money, Fu Ji said directly, "Digging deep into the black market tutoring scene isn’t a bad route."
"But Technique modification and simulation—that stuff’s way too deep. You guys don’t have the strength to handle it yet."
Zhang Yu asked, "Then what about becoming a Gold-Star Teacher for the Dark Studies Gang? With our current level... how much can we make?"
Fu Ji replied, "To become a Gold-Star Teacher, you’d still have to deal with gang conflicts."
"Like rival teachers coming to challenge you, local gangs targeting you, or the company security teams coming after you..."
"The more you earn and the more famous you get as a Gold-Star Teacher, the stronger the attacks you’ll face, and the greater the strength you’ll need to survive."
Still not strong enough? Zhang Yu realized that no matter what path he considered, he kept looping back to square one.
Then Fu Ji said, "Actually, with your terrifying potential, if we gave it another boost, even if you don’t make a fortune, you could definitely pass the Foundation Establishment exam."
"Rather than diving into gang wars while underpowered..."
"Why not boost your potential instead?"
Zhang Yu knew she was talking about hunting another Evil God to awaken his potential.
But this time, he didn’t object. He only asked one question: "To hunt your colleague, we’ll need intel. What’s your plan?"
Fu Ji lit up and eagerly revealed her plan. "The Shadow Parasite they planted last time—I’ve fully absorbed it."
"The command pre-set in that parasite is to relay a signal when you log in to the Dao-Seeking Hall."
"If we log into the Spiritual Realm’s Dao-Seeking Hall again, like we did with Yu Xinghan, I can send out fake intel."
"Using that, we can bait them, figure out their identity and strength, and then look for a chance to turn the tables..."
Zhang Yu said, "Then we’re back to the same problem."
"Even with Yu Xinghan’s route, logging in costs a hundred thousand."
"I don’t have that kind of money."
"So I still have to find some work first..."
But Fu Ji had already thought ahead. "You’ve got cultivation and side gigs—you’ll never save up in time. The next round of the exam’s only two months away."
"I’ve got a plan to help you make some quick pocket money."
Zhang Yu was curious. "What plan?"
Fu Ji gave a mysterious smile. "You’ve got something special on you—something that could fetch a good price."
Zhang Yu paused, thinking for a moment. His face stiffened, and he lowered his voice. "Are you seriously... planning to neuter me and sell that?"
In that moment, his first reaction was: How much could that sell for?
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. "Oh, Zhang Yu, what have you become?! Selling your own flesh and blood for a few coins?! Where’s your shame? Your proud Earthling soul?"
"Sigh, how many Earthlings come here and stay sane? I’m just making short-term compromises to climb the Immortal Path..."
Just as Zhang Yu was steeping in guilt, Fu Ji said flatly, "Are you nuts? Why the hell would I ask you to sell that?"
Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. But hearing that even this Evil God had more integrity than him only deepened his shame.
Fu Ji said, "That’s your production tool! That’s the goose that lays golden eggs! Who the hell would chop it off and sell it?"
Zhang Yu realized he had overestimated her integrity. He frowned. "You... you want me to... sell myself?"
"Can that really beat tutoring money?"
Fu Ji rolled her eyes harder. "That kind of unskilled labor? No way it pays more than tutoring."
She scolded him, "I’m talking about selling your essence. Get some protein and sell that."
"Huh?" Zhang Yu was stunned. "You can sell that?"
Fu Ji said, "Depends on whose protein and who’s buying."
"With how fast you’re progressing, people will be interested in your bloodline and genetics."
"And don’t you have connections at Red Tower High? Ask them to hook you up."
Fu Ji chuckled. "Of course, Red Tower Pasture won’t get anything out of your protein. Your strength comes from the potential I awakened, not from your genetics."
Inside the incubation chamber of a breeding facility.
Xiong Wenwu, in the middle of cultivation, felt his phone buzz. He opened it to see a message from Zhang Yu.
Zhang Yu: I want to sell my **
Zhang Yu looked at Xiong Wenwu’s reply.
Xiong Wenwu: You didn’t get neutered?
Zhang Yu: I had the reversal surgery.
Xiong Wenwu: I’m not buying.
Zhang Yu turned angrily to Fu Ji. "See? They don’t even want it!"
Fu Ji said, "Calm down. That sort of thing’s a gray market at Red Tower. Just follow my lead when you talk to him."
So Zhang Yu sent more messages.
Zhang Yu: I mean, can you help me get in touch and see if Red Tower Pasture is interested?
Zhang Yu: I’ll send over my physical metrics from the last citywide exam.
Zhang Yu: Prime male high schooler stats. See if your company’s interested.
After a while, Xiong Wenwu replied.
Xiong Wenwu: Tomorrow at 8 a.m., Red Tower Tower, 32nd floor downtown. Look for Manager Xiong Haohan. He’ll talk to you.
Zhang Yu: Thanks!! If I can sell more and make some money, I’ll be sure to repay the favor.
Returning to her seat, Bai Zhenzhen noticed Zhang Yu beaming and asked, "Yuzi, did you win the lottery?"
Zhang Yu chuckled. "Ah-Zhen, do you know what makes me different from you?"
Bai Zhenzhen blinked. "Huh?"
Zhang Yu smirked. "I have a production tool, and you don’t."
After he explained, Bai Zhenzhen stared at him with jealous eyes. "Your lousy root’s actually useful, huh?"
The next morning, Zhang Yu arrived at the 32nd floor of the Red Tower Tower. After stating his purpose at reception, he was led to a small meeting room to wait.