Chapter 63
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Chapter 62: Annihilation, Friend
In the abandoned building, Zhou Tianyi had been waiting for over two hours, convinced he finally had a chance to ambush Zhang Yu.
But in a lightning-fast strike, he was caught off guard by the Gang Qi erupting from Zhang Yu’s back.
Zhou Tianyi’s kick had left him standing on one leg.
The sudden rebound of his leg strength from the Formless Cloud Gang Qi threw him off balance, sending him flying backward.
What?!
Zhang Yu had only been practicing the Limitless Cloud Hands for less than a month! Why could he already emit Gang Qi from his back?
As Zhou Tianyi felt the overwhelming force surging from the Gang Qi, shock involuntarily flooded his mind.
But one crisis followed another. Just as he rolled to the ground and snapped his head up, a figure radiating murderous aura had already caught up, appearing directly before him.
Watching Zhang Yu practice from afar, Zhou Tianyi had only perceived an imposing aura. Now, face to face, he truly understood what that aura was.
It was a torrent of murderous intent and an endless surge of fighting spirit. Gazing at Zhang Yu, who was now like a demonic pursuer under the influence of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique, Zhou Tianyi felt an overwhelming urge to turn and flee.
But just as Zhou Tianyi instinctively took a step back, Zhang Yu launched his full-force attack.
Watching the masked figure who tried to ambush him, Zhang Yu had fully entered a combat state under the influence of the Heavenly Martial Intent.
Fight! Fight! Fight! Crush all enemies into dust!
He unleashed the full power of his Level 10 Limitless Cloud Hands.
Zhang Yu struck out with his palm. Magic Power surged violently from his dantian and underwent seven rapid oscillation in an instant before transforming into torrents of Formless Cloud Gang Qi that poured forth.
Facing the overwhelming Formless Cloud Gang Qi, Zhou Tianyi knew this was a matter of life and death. He planted his feet, roared, and mustered all his strength to deliver a fierce kick.
Boom!
The moment the two forces collided, Zhou Tianyi felt his magic power crumble layer by layer. The Formless Cloud Gang Qi slammed into him like a massive truck, sending him flying through the air. He crashed heavily against a nearby concrete wall.
The wall shattered with a loud bang, leaving a gaping hole.
Zhou Tianyi landed on the ground amidst a pile of broken concrete and bricks.
He tried to struggle to his feet, but a surge of pain shot through his entire body. Who knew how many bones and muscles were broken. He collapsed back onto the ground, utterly defeated.
Zhang Yu slowly walked over to his opponent. Still under the influence of his Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique, radiating a ferocious and malevolent aura. He stared coldly at the masked Zhou Tianyi and said, “Who are you? Why did you attack me?”
Zhou Tianyi did not answer. Instead, he assessed his injuries, his heart sinking into despair.
His wounds were so severe that he did not know how much it would cost to recover. This would be a devastating setback to his path to immortality, possibly even destroying his cultivation journey entirely.
As he was reeling in shock, Zhang Yu grabbed his mask and ripped it off.
When he saw Zhou Tianyi’s face beneath the mask, a flicker of astonishment crossed his own. “Zhou Tianyi?”
Zhou Tianyi’s mind raced. He looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Zhang Yu, do you know why you were able to get into Songyang High School?”
Seeing Zhang Yu make a gesture of listening, Zhou Tianyi continued, “It is because your physical body has a high compatibility with certain wealthy individuals. They chose you to be cultivated at the high school.”
“Just like many other poor students at Songyang High School, physical suitability has always been a hidden criterion alongside academic performance.”
Zhang Yu frowned. He certainly did not trust Zhou Tianyi completely right away. “Then why recruit them into Songyang High School? Could they not be trained elsewhere?”
Zhou Tianyi sneered. “What do you think Songyang High School is? It has a complex and dark side far beyond what you can imagine.”
“The Poor at Songyang High School… they can be their dogs or they can be a spare parts repository. Of course, they need to be trained uniformly and undergo the same cultivation as them.”
Zhang Yu suddenly thought of the Heavenly Demon Parasitic Art. Could it be that a student at Songyang High School was truly practicing that cultivation art?
He stared at Zhou Tianyi. “So you were sent by the Student Council?”
“I told you, Songyang is complicated…” Zhou Tianyi shook his head, then suddenly could not stop himself from spitting out a large mouthful of blood.
Under the influence of the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique, Zhang Yu had shown almost no mercy to the masked man who attacked him, having aimed for a fatal blow.
Zhou Tianyi could feel the severity of his injuries. He knew that if he did not get treatment immediately, not only would immortal path be severely impacted, his very life would be in danger.
A flicker of urgency flashed in his eyes. Zhou Tianyi spoke faster, his voice strained. “Zhang Yu! Your potential was awakened by an Evil God, which is how you gained some kind of ability, right?”
Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened, but he remained silent. Of course, he could not reveal his involvement with the Evil God Ritual to anyone.
Zhou Tianyi said, “There’s no need to deny it so quickly. You…”
A sickly flush rose on his face, and the pain from his internal injuries momentarily choked off his words.
“Zhang Yu… we’re… on the same side…” He gasped “Take… take me to a nearby clinic.”
Seeing Zhang Yu still motionless and feeling his life force draining away, Zhou Tianyi’s eyes grew increasingly desperate. Finally, he blurted out, “I… I also have an Evil God behind me. That being… is very interested in you…”
Just then, his body temperature began to soar uncontrollably, and tiny sparks of flame flickered across his cheeks.
A flicker of terror flashed in Zhou Tianyi’s eyes as he roared, “I didn’t mean to say it! I didn’t really say it! Wait, I was just using him…” As the flames continued to spread relentlessly, Zhou Tianyi finally lost control and cursed, “You Idiot!”
“This idiot!” he shrieked.
The next moment, waves of crimson flames erupted violently from his body.
Watching Zhou Tianyi turn to ash in an instant, Zhang Yu’s brow furrowed deeply.
Zhou Tianyi was actually a subordinate of an Evil God?
But then he considered how the Eight Ministries of Principal Deities demanded money while the Evil Gods demanded lives. Zhang Yu suddenly realized that the Evil Gods might not be entirely without their advantages.
After all, Kunxu was full of poor people who had nothing but their lives to offer.
“Thinking about it this way… perhaps the Evil Gods have quite a few believers in Kunxu.”
Looking at the ashes slowly dissipating on the ground, he thought to himself, Was this a backlash from some kind of ritual power?
It does has a similar vibe to that idiotic ritual.
Recalling the day’s events, Zhang Yu wondered, Have I caused too much commotion recently and drawn an Evil God’s attention? No… Zhou Tianyi has known me for a long time. Could I have been targeted long ago?
His heart sank, yet he knew he could not confide in anyone about this.
The top three famous schools, the Student Council, the Evil Gods… Reflecting on the opponents he would face in the future, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. In the end, I still need to grow stronger.
Especially after recalling his recent victory over Zhou Tianyi, he realized that if his strength had not been sufficient, he would likely have fallen into the other’s hands.
He replayed the day’s events in his mind. He had fought or retreated in the Illusionary Realm Assessment, received Zhang Pianpian’s protection, and defeated Zhou Tianyi with his own martial prowess. At that moment, Zhang Yu suddenly paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. Then, he began to laugh.
Earlier, when switching between the Desolate Bull Soul-Pacifying Mind Art and the Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique, he had felt a mental conflict.
Now, a sudden realization struck him. Fight when you must and retreat when you should. Adapt your mindset to different circumstances. It’s such a simple principle… why was I so conflicted before…
In that instant, Zhang Yu felt the Martial Intent of the Heavenly Martial Path flow more harmoniously. The transitions between the two cultivation arts became seamless, without the slightest sluggishness.
Time to keep practicing, Zhang Yu told himself.
Whether facing enemies in the darkness or rivals from Songyang High School and the top three famous schools, he needed to further hone his skills.
Before he knew it, night had passed. Zhang Yu’s Heavenly Martial Heart Refining Technique had advanced to level 6, with a progress of 41/60.
***
Meanwhile, in an office at Songyang High School, Su Haifeng listened to the voice on the other end of the phone, his surprise evident. “He died from a backlash? He betrayed us?”
Nodding repeatedly as he listened, Su Haifeng replied, “I will cooperate with your side to complete Zhou Tianyi’s withdrawal from the school. Rest assured, no one here should suspect anything amiss.”
“But what about Zhang Yu? How should we handle him next?”
“To be honest, with the School Board, the Student Council, and the Patrol Team all watching him, I think he’s already attracting too much attention. Since our hidden agent, Zhou, has failed, it’s not suitable for the rest of us to risk exposure by making a move. Perhaps we should leave Zhang Yu alone for now and consider the other candidates. After all, that Zhang Pianpian can only protect him for six months at most…”
***
Songyang High School.
The school remained tranquil, filled with the atmosphere of diligent study.
Zhang Yu felt this peace as he watched students engrossed in their textbooks and Cultivation practices. It was as if the intense conflict that had erupted on the training grounds yesterday had never happened.
Even Zhou Tianyi’s disappearance today barely registered with their classmates. They heard someone had arranged his withdrawal, much like Liang Qin’s departure. It caused hardly a ripple, as withdrawals were commonplace at Songyang High School.
Unlike a suicide attempt, which might spark a brief conversation during lunch.
Yet Zhang Yu sensed subtle differences.
For instance, no students approached him anymore.
The classmates who used to greet him, ask questions, or seek advice on cultivation had vanished.
It was as if an invisible barrier had formed around him, repelling everyone.
He knew exactly why.
Are they all afraid of being implicated by the Student Council, so they won’t even speak to me?
Thud!
Bai Zhenzhen casually set down her tray and sat across from Zhang Yu.
Looking at A-Zhen, Zhang Yu was grateful for his true Brother.
Bai Zhenzhen wolfed down her food while looking at Zhang Yu. “Yu Zi, can I borrow your Talisman Register for a few days?”
Zhang Yu retracted his earlier thought. I don’t have a Brother who would casually ask to borrow a 100,000 yuan item like that.
Clang!
Qian Shen also set his tray onto the table and sat down beside Zhang Yu.
Zhang Yu smiled. Although Old Qian scored a bit lower than him, he was rather prejudiced, and discriminated against lower-scoring students… he still seemed like a reliable friend.
Qian Shen hastily ate a few mouthfuls of food before suddenly asking, “Um, are you and Zhang Pianpian, the girl who scored 699 yesterday, very close?”
“Could you introduce us? I’d like to add her as a friend.”
Zhang Yu glared at Qian Shen.
He retracted his earlier thought.
You little punk!
I treat you like a Brother, and you’re trying to hit on my Sister?
Don’t you see there’s no room left on this thigh for you?
But then Zhang Yu thought again. He realized Qian Shen was also a rootless person, and he saw the adoration shining in the other’s eyes.
Zhang Yu understood. This was a hardcore fan wanting a friend slot, wasn’t it?
“Adding her as a friend shouldn’t be a problem,” Zhang Yu said. “But a friend slot costs 3,000 yuan. Just transfer the money to me.”
