Chapter 86
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Chapter 86: The Shoot, Teaching He Dayou a Lesson
Several days after the Martial Arts Competition ended, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen finally received an offer for an advertisement, a group shoot featuring several competition contestants.
As they walked, Zhang Yu could not help but ask, “Did you hear what Song Hailong said yesterday? How did he get a solo ad for placing third while we only got a group shoot?”
Bai Zhenzhen curled her lips and said, “I asked around. The main reason is… it’s been half a year since school started. And in another half a year, we will be Second-Year students.”
“They’re afraid our careers will collapse, so no one wants to hire us for solo ads.”
Hearing Bai Zhenzhen’s answer, Zhang Yu was completely baffled. “Collapse? How could our careers possibly collapse? Are they worried we will mess around with fans?”
Bai Zhenzhen shot him a sideways glance and said matter-of-factly, “What nonsense are you spouting? Messing with fans is nothing. They’re worried our grades will plummet when we become Second-Year students. After all, we’re The Poor.”
Zhang Yu instantly understood. For a Kunxu top student, a career collapse simply meant a drop in grades. That made sense.
But then he grew frustrated. “Does being one of The Poor mean we’re doomed to fail in our second year?”
“We’re already poor enough, yet it’s harder for us to make money than for rich guys like Song Hailong. He gets solo ads, but we cannot.”
“Right, so why did they hire us for the group ad then? Aren’t they worried we will fail?”
Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu as if he was an idiot. “Are you stupid? If our careers collapse in a group ad, they can just edit us out.”
A little over half an hour later, the pair arrived at a studio and saw several familiar faces from the top three famous schools already present.
However, everyone was subtly glancing at a young man who was surrounded by over a dozen staff members.
Bai Zhenzhen wondered aloud, “Who is that? He certainly has a grand entourage.”
Zhang Yu was equally curious. “I thought this was a group ad with the top eight from the Martial Arts Competition. He doesn’t seem to be one of them.”
Lian Tianji popped up from behind them and said, “That’s Yu Xinghan, the last disciple True Person Starfire which he personally selected in another city. He’s supposed to transfer to Bailong High School soon.”
Bai Zhenzhen’s gaze flickered as she observed the young man, who was surrounded by a retinue of assistants, makeup artists, directors, and others, like the moon encircled by stars. “True Person Starfire?” she asked. “You mean the Golden Core cultivator who was ‘optimized’ out?”
Lian Tianji nodded. “According to True Person Starfire, Yu Xinghan is his last disciple and is destined to inherit all his teachings and wealth. He is also expected to become the top scorer in Songyang City’s National College Entrance Examination.”
“Because of his status as a Golden Core expert’s disciple and such high praise, the Immortal Cloud Group recruited him to shoot this ad with us.”
“Look at Song Hailong,” Lian Tianji chuckled. “His eyes are practically shooting sparks. Yu Xinghan is transferring to Bailong High School, and they will inevitably compete for the top spot in their grade.”
Zhang Yu glanced at Song Hailong, who resembled an agitated tabby cat, back arched and fur bristled, glaring intently at Yu Xinghan.
A flicker of understanding crossed Zhang Yu’s eyes as he suddenly said, “Does that mean Yu Xinghan will be participating in the upcoming competitions too?”
Lian Tianji nodded. “Of course. He will likely be a strong contender for the championship in the next PE competition.” As he looked at Yu Xinghan, a glint of competitive spirit sparked in his own eyes.
As Lian Tianji conversed with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
A gaze was silently fixed upon their position.
The gaze belonged to Le Mulan of Purple Cloud High School.
Originally, Le Mulan had no interest in this commercial shoot. But first, the Golden Core’s disciple, Yu Xinghan, would be participating, and she was curious about him.
And secondly, there were Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, the only two contestants from the poor.
Watching the pair, Le Mulan thought to herself, I’ve been looking at the photos he posts on his feed every day, and I don’t find him as disgusting as before. This is a good chance to take the next step.
But the moment she considered approaching Zhang Yu, an image of him sitting on her involuntarily surfaced in her mind. His filthy, hot, and reeking blood splashing all over her, caused goosebumps to rise on her skin.
Never mind. I will start with the simplest step.
After all, I will have to get close to them during the actual shoot anyway.
So Le Mulan silently observed the pair, her gaze repeatedly drifting in their direction.
***
The next part of the shoot featured the numerous competition contestants collectively endorsing the Immortal Cloud Group’s tutoring services.
Throughout the filming, people constantly found opportunities to approach Yu Xinghan, trying to get closer to him and add him as a friend. This gave Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen a firsthand taste of just how sought-after a true Golden Core expert’s disciple was.
As for the central focus of the advertisement, Yu Xinghan completely dominated it. He was surrounded by the other contestants, who were like green leaves framing a central flower.
However, there was a clear hierarchy. Zhang Yu, Le Mulan, and Song Hailong, who ranked in the top three of the Martial Arts Competition, were like the leaves right beside the flower. Bai Zhenzhen, who placed fourth, was like the stem beneath the leaves. Those ranked even lower, like Lian Tianji, were simply the mud beneath the flower.
According to the director, the words “Golden Core True Person’s Last Disciple” would later fill the entire screen, making Yu Xinghan the absolute protagonist.
During the shoot, Zhang Yu felt that Le Mulan, who kept drifting near him, was acting a bit strange. She would take deep breaths one moment and tremble slightly the next, which finally prompted him to ask, “What are you doing?”
Seeing Zhang Yu turn to face her, Le Mulan instinctively took a step back. “You… I’m fine. You don’t need to concern yourself with me.”
Zhang Yu mentally cursed her for being a lunatic and ignored her.
Le Mulan, however, was covering her nose and thinking to herself, The stench from him is unbearable. Is this what Mom meant by the “subway smell” of the poor?
This was definitely the right decision to come here. I’m slowly getting used to it.
After four hours of filming were finally over, Zhang Yu received 30,000 yuan and Bai Zhenzhen received 8,000 yuan before they each headed home.
But not long after arriving, Zhang Yu’s newly acquired 30,000 yuan was converted into a Hunyuan Pill, which he swallowed in a single gulp.
As violent waves of medicinal power surged through his body, Zhang Yu immediately seized the opportunity to begin cultivating the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.
As the Hunyuan Pill’s medicinal power spread throughout his limbs and bones, Zhang Yu felt every muscle, organ, and bone in his body begin to frantically absorb the potent energy as he cultivated the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi, like parched earth finally receiving a long-awaited rain.
A full half-hour passed before the medicinal power gradually dissipated within his body.
However, Zhang Yu knew the power had not truly vanished. It had merely been temporarily absorbed into his muscles, organs, and bones.
Although he had not yet felt any actual increase in his physical strength, he felt incredibly vigorous and energetic, as if his body contained an inexhaustible supply of energy.
He understood that over the next few days, the absorbed medicinal power would continuously take effect. It would enhance the results of his training as he cultivated the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi and further strengthened his physical body.
Without delay, he eagerly resumed his cultivation of the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi.
Throughout the entire night, Zhang Yu frantically cultivated, pushing himself to the point of exhaustion before collapsing. Whenever the ritual signaled that he could train again, he would rise and continue. Under this extreme regimen, his physical strength surged from Level 1.67 to Level 1.70 in one go.
Truly a good pill! Truly remarkable! It was well worth the high price.
***
Over the next few days, Zhang Yu seized every second to cultivate the Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi, striving to enhance his physical strength as much as possible before the medicinal power truly ran out.
Sometimes, Zhang Yu could not help but marvel inwardly. Kunxu… you’ve really turned people into demons. To think that even I have gotten myself caught up in this frenzy of grinding. I haven’t even heard the Ritual’s clamor for three days straight.
During this intense training, Zhang Yu could distinctly feel his physique growing stronger with each passing moment.
After all, fully unleashing the power of a Level 10 Crimson Marrow Primordial Qi should, by all rights, be something only a top third-year student could achieve.
But now it’s being used to enhance my Physical Strength of 1.7. It’s like a max-level player returning to the newbie village to grind for levels. I’m truly advancing by leaps and bounds.
In just three short days, as the medicinal power was depleted, his physical strength grew continuously, increasing from Level 1.70 to Level 1.87.
Standing in the classroom, Zhang Yu felt the medicinal power completely depleted. He sighed inwardly as his craving for money grew stronger.
In Kunxu… you really can’t get by without money.
Just as he was thinking this, the voice of Lei Jun, the practical combat teacher, interrupted his wandering thoughts.
“Zhang Yu, He Dayou, you two will pair up and spar.”
Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback. He was usually grouped with Bai Zhenzhen during practical combat classes, so why was he paired with He Dayou this time?
A King fighting a Stubborn Bronze? What was Old Lei up to?
[Note: “King” (王者) and “Stubborn Bronze” (倔强青铜) are high and low ranks, respectively, in popular Chinese online games like Honor of Kings. The comparison highlights a massive, almost unfair, skill gap.]
Lei Jun’s intentions were simple. He wanted Zhang Yu to teach He Dayou a lesson because He Dayou had been overly arrogant in recent practical combat classes.
Relying solely on his skyrocketing physical strength, he charges recklessly and completely disregards the combat techniques I’ve taught.
So, Lei Jun dispatched his ace, Zhang Yu, intending to make the other boy understand the importance of fighting skills and martial arts.
He Dayou approached Zhang Yu with a grim expression, thinking to himself, After all this time of implantation and adaptation training, my physical strength should far surpass Zhang Yu’s. But this kid’s combat ability is too formidable…
Just as He Dayou was calculating his options, he saw Zhang Yu attack with a palm strike.
He Dayou instinctively raised his arm to block, only to find Zhang Yu grabbing his hand and locking him into a contest of strength.
What? He Dayou’s shock quickly turned into delight. You dare to compete in raw strength with me now?
He Dayou’s other hand shot out to grab Zhang Yu. Their hands locked together, and as their magic power collided, they each unleashed their physical strength.
With a roar, He Dayou tried to lift Zhang Yu and hurl him out of the designated area.
But in the next instant, He Dayou felt that Zhang Yu’s hands were as firm as a rock. Under his full exertion, they did not move in the slightest.
