You dare to cultivate without money?!-Chapter 693 - 626: Brother Dao’s Dao Seed

After entering the university, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen attempted to exchange spirit roots for the first time during the Flying Sword Competition held at Wanfa University. During that exchange, Bai Zhenzhen injected her spirit root into Zhang Yu’s body.

The second exchange of spirit roots happened below the earth arena at Sky Sword University, where Zhang Yu infused Bai Zhenzhen with a replicated Green Lotus Sword Embryo, so Bai Zhenzhen’s dantian suddenly possessed two spirit roots.

It wasn’t until this third attempt that they truly embedded their spirit roots into each other’s dantian, signifying a genuine exchange of spirit roots.

Zhang Yu’s Yu Linggen began adapting to Bai Zhenzhen’s adaptation.

Bai Zhenzhen’s True Spirit Root started to adapt to Zhang Yu’s adaptation.

The two spirit roots began adapting to each other’s roots and bodies, creating new adaptations as the other’s spirit root underwent changes.

Intense transformations spread from the spirit roots, forcing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to grit their teeth in endurance.

But then Zhang Yu suddenly exclaimed, "Azhen, your sword qi..."

Bai Zhenzhen was also shocked to discover her crimson Sword Qi was attracted like a magnet by her spirit root, pouring straight into Zhang Yu’s body.

Her spirit root’s existence made the Sword Qi recognize Zhang Yu as a part of her body; the Sword Qi surging forward didn’t cause any harm.

Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, "Could it be... after this, my sword qi won’t harm you anymore?"

Zhang Yu replied, "I’m not sure, let’s try again."

After some attempts, they quickly realized that there were limits to adapting to the Sword Qi; too much of it could still harm Zhang Yu’s body.

But Zhang Yu felt that it was merely because they hadn’t exchanged spirit roots long enough; if they had more time, he would undoubtedly adapt better to Bai Zhenzhen’s Sword Qi. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Perhaps even the ominous, extinction-filled black Sword Qi from the full power of Extreme Emotion Sword Dao... could eventually be adapted.

Suddenly, a thought flashed in Zhang Yu’s mind: to maintain this state of spirit root exchange.

Once he expressed this idea, Bai Zhenzhen agreed, feeling Zhang Yu’s spirit root constantly strengthening her physical body’s adaptability. The longer the time, the stronger the enhancement.

"Hmm..." Feeling the stimulation from the spirit root, Bai Zhenzhen gritted her teeth and softly hummed, "Then hurry up and leave, Yu Zi, don’t let anyone notice."

Zhang Yu retreated and said to the small opening, "I’ll leave now. Azhen, be careful not to be discovered."

With Zhang Yu’s departure, Bai Zhenzhen could feel the transformation of the spirit root hadn’t stopped; it grew more intense until reaching a peak, then slowly calmed down.

Just then, Wen Wuya arrived on Bai Zhenzhen’s flying boat and curiously asked, "Zhenzhen? Are you there?"

"I was just looking for you; why weren’t you online?"

Wen Wuya looked at Bai Zhenzhen in the room and said, "You look kind of strange."

Feeling the spirit root stirring up again, Bai Zhenzhen endured the increasing reaction in her body and gritted, "What do you want?"

Wen Wuya said, "I wanted to discuss the finals with you."

...

Inside Zhang Yu’s flying boat laboratory.

Ye Xingli was using the lab to maintain her magic remains.

Seeing Zhang Yu return, Ye Xingli curiously asked, "Junior Brother, you look a bit worn?"

She reminded, "The final matches are only a few days away; no matter how much you cultivate, you can’t improve much more. Better to maintain your state well."

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "I just want to make more preparations to achieve a better ranking at the end."

Ye Xingli sighed, "Apart from first place, how much difference is there between second and the other rankings?"

"It seems we are all just supporting roles for Kuang Tianqing and Tao Qiankun this time."

Zhang Yu looked somewhat surprised at Ye Xingli, sensing an unfamiliar emotion emanating from her.

Ye Xingli appeared to notice her own anomaly, smiled, and said, "But I’m not really in a position to say much."

"Even though I know I’m just a supporting role, I’ve been tirelessly preparing these days."

"The determination to strive hard is somehow woven into our bones; even knowing it’s hopeless, we can’t help but push ourselves to fight. Maybe this is the allure of the Immortal Path, always driving countless people forward, risking their lives..."

Zhang Yu thought briefly and said, "It’s inevitable, Kunxu is like that, and so are we."

"Without such forward-thinking nature and choices, we wouldn’t have reached this step of the Immortal Path."

"At this moment, which participant on this arena isn’t like that?"

...

Inside Yan Qianji’s laboratory, he remotely controlled the factory’s production line, creating a batch of puppets resembling Zhang Yu, Kuang Tianqing, and Tao Qiankun.

In Jiutian Liu’s room, countless data from the Spirit Realm incessantly gathered, forming luck models for his reference, helping him post videos from time to time to boost luck.

In front of the Heavenly Saint Worker at Immortal Soldier University, the details of all participants’ magic treasures and magic remains were all projected in his lynx eyes for reference and learning.

In the sky’s cloud layer, a dragon shadow flickered, swallowing and spitting the cloud sea—it was the Sky Demon University’s Ying Mingchi. His dragon eyes gazed at the Floating Continent below, filled with intense fighting spirit.

In the boiling blood pool at Nether University, Yan Xiang watched the scene and asked Kuang Tianqing, "Isn’t it enough yet?"

Kuang Tianqing laughed heartily, addressing the students all around, "Come, lend me all your strength! The first place in the Ten League Competition is mine to seize!"

...

On Tao Qiankun’s flying boat.

The night before the finals.

Before Zhang Yu entered the flying boat, he vaguely saw what seemed to be the Divine Monarch’s divine light scanning the sky, sparking his curiosity.

Upon seeing Tao Qiankun standing at the bow with hands behind his back, Zhang Yu directly asked, "Brother Dao, was the Divinity Transformation Divine Monarch just looking for you?"

"Hmm." Tao Qiankun said blandly, "Discussing matters of Immortal Sect Techniques with me."

Zhang Yu asked, "Brother Tao... have you not decided which Immortal Sect Technique to choose after winning the championship?"

Tao Qiankun replied blandly, "I have decided, it’s just that there’s a bit of a difference between my idea and that of the Divinity Transformation beings."

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred, thinking to himself, "Brother Tao and the Divinity Transformation beings couldn’t reach a common understanding?"

"No, should I say Brother Tao disagrees with the Divinity Transformation beings’ choice?"

Looking at the lonely silhouette of Tao Qiankun gazing up at the moon, Zhang Yu seemed to feel a deep sense of loneliness emanating from the man, a sense of not fitting in with the rest of the world.

At the same time, he could also imagine how much pressure Tao Qiankun must be under to persist in his own choices that differ from those of the Divinity Transformation beings.

At least if it were Zhang Yu, he wouldn’t dare to defy the Divinity Transformation beings.

"As long as I can support myself in winning the championship, joining an Immortal Sect would suffice." Zhang Yu thought to himself, "If it were me, I’d probably think like this, right?"

Tao Qiankun suddenly said, "Zhang Yu, do you know why I disagree with the Divinity Transformation beings’ idea?"

Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback, responding, "Brother Tao, you’ve said you want to change the world before, the direction you want to change differs from what the Divinity Transformation beings want, right?"

Tao Qiankun looked at Zhang Yu with some surprise, speaking softly, "I’ve told many people about wanting to change the world."

"But you’re the only one who truly remembers it at heart."

In a flash of light, Tao Qiankun appeared in front of Zhang Yu, looking at him and saying, "Zhang Yu, I can sense... you’re different from others."

"You also harbor discontentment with this world at your core."

"Although it’s just a faint spark, it could ignite into a raging fire at any time, with an impulse to burn this world to ashes."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s body slightly trembled, feeling Tao Qiankun’s sincere gaze, he couldn’t help but look away, saying, "Brother Tao, you’re joking, why would I have such thoughts."

Tao Qiankun responded blandly, "Zhang Yu, don’t be afraid, and certainly don’t feel ashamed of your thoughts."

"The thought of changing the world isn’t exclusive to Immortals, or even Divinity Transformation beings. Even those at Foundation Establishment, or Qi Refinement, or even mortals can have this thought."

Tao Qiankun gently patted Zhang Yu’s shoulder, smiling slightly, "This world, nowadays, considers weakness as shame."

"But everyone starts growing as a weakling."

"No one is born into this world as a peerless powerhouse capable of world-changing feats."

"Even Immortals have received support from predecessors, guidance from the strong, they’ve become Immortals step by step."

"Did they develop their world-changing ideas only after becoming Immortals?"

"No, their thoughts have already taken root as ideas when they were weak."

"Compared to today’s Immortals, I respect more the first person to enter the Qi Refining Realm in this world..."

Feeling Tao Qiankun’s calm yet sincere gaze, Zhang Yu had a sense that what the other person was saying wasn’t false.

Zhang Yu opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but thinking of Kunxu’s situation and those high Heavenly Immortals, ultimately said nothing.

However, Tao Qiankun seemed unconcerned, patting Zhang Yu’s shoulder before moving behind him, continuing to say, "Don’t worry about it, Zhang Yu."

"This world is very dangerous, even I can’t guarantee my absolute safety."

"The upcoming Ten Greatest Tournaments will get increasingly dangerous."

"If you encounter danger you cannot resolve, then flee."

"Preserve your useful self, do not easily sacrifice your life."

"You can also run behind me, I will do my utmost to protect you."

"That’s what I wanted to tell you by calling you here today."

Zhang Yu lifted his head, looking at Tao Qiankun before him, and saw four words appear on his chest: Immortal Descendant

Ever since the Ten Greatest Tournaments began, he had been occasionally mooching off Tao Qiankun’s Dao Seed, but this was the clearest he’s seen it manifest.

Yet the next moment, the Dao Seed flickered and vanished, preventing Zhang Yu from gleaning further information.

Zhang Yu: "Brother Tao..."

Tao Qiankun smiled slightly, "Go and rest well, participate well tomorrow."

As he left the Flying Vessel, Zhang Yu, deep in thought, suddenly looked up and saw a Flying Vessel docked next to Tao Qiankun’s Flying Vessel.

"Is that... Kuang Tianqing’s Flying Vessel?" Zhang Yu thought to himself, "What’s he doing looking for Brother Tao the day before the competition?"

With a slight suspicion in his mind, Zhang Yu returned to the Flying Vessel, continuing his cultivation and preparing for the final.

...

In the blink of an eye, the night passed.

Early in the morning, Li Shiwu hurried to Tao Qiankun’s Flying Vessel, planning to go to the arena together.

But upon boarding, Li Shiwu felt a strange calmness envelop her heart.

"Why is there not a single person here?"

With that odd feeling in her heart, Li Shiwu reached Tao Qiankun’s room, finding the door completely unlocked and pushing it open.

In her shocked gaze, there sat Tao Qiankun cross-legged, smiling with no breath remaining on his body.

First in Wanfa University, the strongest student in the Taoist Skill department, the popular championship contender in the Ten Greatest Tournaments, Tao Qiankun—deceased.