In front of a towering skyscraper in the city center, Zhang Yu looked up at the building that seemed to pierce the heavens.
At the top, he could faintly see what appeared to be a celestial palace.
This was the office building of the Xianyun Group in Songyang City.
Not far away, he noticed an even taller building that seemed to stretch to the very edge of the sky.
He knew it was the city’s tallest structure, the Central Tower, with 999 floors, a landmark he often passed on his way to school.
Turning his attention back to the Xianyun Group’s building, Zhang Yu muttered, “Xianyun Group?”
On his way here, he had searched online for information about the company.
It was a massive enterprise under the Wanfa Sect, involved in developing and selling cultivation techniques, immortal education, and cultural products.
The Wanfa Sect was one of the Ten Great Sects, and in the Kunxu world, every aspect of life—from birth to death—was intertwined with these sects.
Cultivation was no exception.
Zhang Yu wasn’t surprised that such a giant corporation belonged to the Wanfa Sect.
After entering the building, he went through registration, signed a contract, and underwent a brief medical checkup before being led to a room that resembled a classroom.
Inside, a few other students were already seated.
After waiting for a while, the number of students reached fifteen, and a middle-aged man in a suit walked in to explain the day’s trial.
“Hello everyone, I’m your instructor for today,” he began. “You’ve all signed the contract, but I must remind you that everything discussed here is confidential. If anyone leaks this information, no matter where you go, we will find you.”
The students felt a chill, knowing the Xianyun Group and the Wanfa Sect had the power to make good on that threat.
“Today, you’ll be trying out a cultivation technique we call Experimental Technique 113. First, please watch this instructional video…”
The video explained that this technique was a Qi-gathering method for the Qi Refining stage, but it was far more complex than the basic techniques.
It required establishing a cycle of spiritual energy throughout the body.
After watching the video, most students were still confused.
It wasn’t until the instructor’s detailed explanation that they began to grasp the concept, but it only made them more nervous.
“Are we really supposed to practice this? Are we even capable of it?” one student whispered.
The technique’s energy pathways were incredibly intricate, like trying to paint a masterpiece on a tiny piece of paper.
Zhang Yu thought it was as difficult as carving a flower on a piece of dung.
Most students couldn’t even remember the pathways, let alone practice them.
They had no confidence in completing the trial.
Sensing their unease, the instructor reassured them, “Don’t worry. This trial doesn’t require you to master the technique. In fact, it’s impossible for beginners to do so on their own. What we’re testing here is the auxiliary equipment designed to assist with Technique 113.”
The students were then taken to a testing room, where sensors were attached to their hands, feet, chest, and back.
Thin silver needles connected to wires were positioned near them.
The instructor explained, “Once you start practicing, the sensors will monitor your energy flow. The needles will stimulate specific points along the pathways to help guide and correct your energy circulation.”
Zhang Yu quickly understood—it was like an automated navigation system for cultivation.
The technique’s pathways were so complex that even the slightest mistake could cause energy to go haywire, leading to discomfort, pain, or even internal injuries.
The instructor continued, “As per your contract, your payment will depend on how much of the pathway you complete. Only those who complete 100% will receive the full 10,000 yuan. If you only complete half, you’ll get 5,000 yuan. If there are no questions, let’s begin.”
Zhang Yu glanced at the information displayed on his Jade Slip: “Heavenly Cycle Qi Gathering Technique, Level 0 (0/1).” He thought, “So I just need to practice it once?”
Closing his eyes, he began to circulate his energy, starting from his dantian and moving it along his spine.
He felt a slight prickling sensation as the needles guided him.
Slowly, he followed the needles’ prompts, moving his energy step by step.
Meanwhile, outside the testing room, a group of researchers monitored the students’ progress.
“It’s started,” said the lead researcher, a man with messy hair, as he stared intently at the data on the screen.
The screen displayed the energy flow of each student attempting Technique 113.
An assistant watched nervously as red errors began to appear on the students’ energy pathways. “The precision of the needles needs improvement. It’s too difficult for beginners to practice 113 without more accurate guidance.”
The lead researcher frowned. “Both 113 and the needles were designed for beginners. I won’t change that direction. Besides, advanced cultivators have better techniques to learn. 113’s passive Qi-gathering effect is more suited for beginners.”
Suddenly, one student coughed up blood.
The researcher coldly ordered, “Get him out of here. Don’t let him disturb the others.”
As more students began to show signs of distress—some turning pale, others fainting from pain—the researcher’s expression darkened. “The quality of these students is too low. Can’t we recruit better ones?”
The assistant whispered, “After the last trial, many schools refused to cooperate due to the high injury rate.”
The researcher snorted. “They’re just poor students. If we can improve 113 and the needles, the beginner market is enormous. What does it matter if a few hundred die?”
Inside the testing room, only three students remained.
Two were managing with minimal errors, but the third, despite numerous mistakes, was still persisting.
The researcher raised an eyebrow. “This kid’s made a lot of errors. He must be in immense pain, yet he’s still going.”
The assistant asked, “Should we stop him?”
The researcher shook his head. “If he’s willing to endure for the money, let him. Besides, more data on errors during the full pathway will be useful for our research.”
As Zhang Yu struggled through the technique, he felt the energy going awry, causing discomfort and pain throughout his body.
But he pressed on, driven by the cold, mechanical voice in his head counting down.
“Stupid thing! Always nagging. Why don’t you try it?” he thought.
Finally, after completing the entire pathway, he glanced at his Jade Slip: “Heavenly Cycle Qi Gathering Technique, Level 1 (0/20).” He sighed in relief.
He had gambled and won.
Memories of practicing the technique hundreds of times flooded his mind, making it feel as though he had been training for months.
He felt confident that he could now control the errant energy and establish a complex energy cycle.
But instead of doing so immediately, he stood up, trembling and pale.
The instructor approached, surprised. “Are you okay? I’ve never seen anyone with so many errors still complete the technique.”
Zhang Yu clutched his stomach. “I feel like my insides are burning, itchy, and painful. My upper body feels like it’s on fire, and my lower body feels frozen… It’s unbearable.”
The instructor offered to take him to the medical room, but Zhang Yu waved him off. “What I mean is… I want more money.”
After some negotiation, Xianyun Group agreed to pay him an additional 3,000 yuan, on the condition that any further injuries would be his own responsibility.
(End of Chapter)