December 2, 2024
When Zhao Tianxing heard the words "Golden Core Master," he was slightly startled.
He then said in disbelief, "How could the daughter of a Golden Core Master come to Songyang?"
Zhang Yu also nodded slightly beside him.
He knew that above the Qi Refining stage was the Foundation Establishment stage, and above that was the Golden Core stage.
To achieve the Golden Core stage, one must graduate from a top high school, get admitted to one of the ten prestigious universities, and join a major sect to advance further.
Who knows how many layers of Kunxu one would have to climb to reach that level?
The daughter of such a person would have been born at least on the second layer of Kunxu or higher.
How could she come to Songyang City, which is only on the first layer?
The driver, hearing this, smiled slightly, as if he wanted to show off a bit, and said slowly, "Not only is Lady Li Xuelian coming to our Songyang City, but it’s also said that her father, Master Spark, originally came from Songyang City. Now that he’s retiring, he plans to return to Songyang to live out his golden years..."
Zhang Yu found this a bit strange.
A Golden Core powerhouse retiring to a beginner’s village?
The driver continued, "This art exhibition isn’t just about Lady Li’s paintings. It’s said there’s also a martial arts diagram personally drawn by Master Spark, which supposedly contains a set of peerless martial techniques. Many people attending this exhibition are not only here to connect with Lady Li but also to try to comprehend that martial arts diagram and learn the techniques hidden within it."
...
Songyang Central Tower.
999th floor.
Zhang Yu stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, somewhat awestruck as he looked down at the rolling sea of clouds beneath him.
This was the first time he had ever stood at such a height and gazed down at the entire city.
Adjusting his newly donned security uniform, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder.
Ever since entering the Central Tower, Zhang Yu felt as if he had stepped into another dreamlike world.
If the suburban area where he lived still somewhat resembled his previous life, then the infrastructure of Songyang High School had already subtly surpassed the world of his past in many ways.
And now, the Central Tower before him...
Whether it was the terrifying height of the 999th floor or the various immortal techniques filled with spiritual energy flowing within the tower, it was all a scene straight out of a dream.
Recalling how he had been pulled up to the 999th floor in just a few seconds by a formation under the influence of Taoist arts, yet emerged completely unharmed, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel amazed.
"Even though it’s all part of Songyang City, ordinary people live in the suburbs, cultivators gather in the city center, and this Central Tower is truly the domain of the wealthy."
Three places, all within the same city, yet they feel like three different layered worlds...
"Just then, Zhao Tianxing’s voice sounded from behind Zhang Yu,"Zhang Yu, the captain told us to start patrolling.
Shouldn’t we get going?
"Zhang Yu turned around and looked at Zhao Tianxing, who was also wearing a security uniform. However, unlike Zhang Yu, who wore the uniform with ease, Zhao Tianxing seemed extremely uncomfortable, fidgeting and shrinking back... as if he had just soiled his pants.
He felt like wearing this security uniform made him look like a clown, and that everyone around him was looking at him with a mix of disdain, contempt, and scorn. But in reality, Zhao Tianxing was overthinking it. Once he put on this security uniform, he was no longer an ordinary person.
He had become part of the background of the tower, and in the eyes of most people, his presence was only slightly more noticeable than the potted plants. Zhang Yu patted him on the shoulder and said,"Stand tall and straight.
We’re security guards for the Central Tower, not delivery boys.
What are you afraid of?
"Feeling that the people around them seemed to be drawn by Zhang Yu’s voice, Zhao Tianxing quickly said,"I get it, Zhang Yu.
Keep your voice down.
Don’t disturb others.
"The scale of this art exhibition was quite large, occupying over a thousand square meters of space, with wine and a buffet provided. To Zhang Yu, it seemed less like an art exhibition and more like a social gathering.
The legendary martial arts diagram was currently covered by a curtain, and it was said that Lady Li Xuelian herself would unveil it later. Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing were assigned to patrol a relatively remote area of the exhibition space.
At the moment, the exhibition hadn’t officially started yet, so the patrolling was quite relaxed, and there was no backlash from the ritual. After all, the ritual power within Zhang Yu was tied to fulfilling his wishes.
And the way he planned to fulfill his wishes was through studying, cultivating, working hard to get into university, earning money... and ultimately fulfilling the evil god’s wish. Temporary jobs like this were also part of earning money and studying, so the ritual power didn’t force him to do anything else.
In fact, the current state of aimlessly wandering around was much more relaxing for Zhang Yu compared to the intense cultivation he had been doing over the past few days. Just then, as the two approached the dining area, they saw a group of waiters arranging plates and decorating the tables.
Zhang Yu glanced over and was surprised by the dishes being laid out."
Is that... seafood?
"Zhao Tianxing also looked over and saw the abalone and lobster on the plates. He nodded slightly,"Yes, marine creatures.
I’ve seen that shelled one when I went out with my mom.
I think it costs thirty or forty thousand per pound.
""But this is the Central Tower, so it’s not surprising to see these here.
"Seafood wasn’t something Zhang Yu was unfamiliar with in his previous life, and he had eaten plenty of it. But in Kunxu, at least on the first layer, marine creatures were extremely rare. The original Zhang Yu had only seen them online and had never seen them in real life, let alone eaten them.
The reason was simple: within the 20 million square kilometers of the first layer of Kunxu... there was no ocean. It was said that the marine creatures in the market were either imported from higher layers of Kunxu or cultivated by organizations that created artificial marine environments.
Hearing Zhao Tianxing mention the price of tens of thousands per pound, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but inwardly gasp,"That expensive?
"What’s so good about eating this? Does it increase spiritual power?"
It was no wonder Zhang Yu thought this way.
Whether it was the original Zhang Yu or the current one, in the world of cultivation he had experienced, everyone was doing everything they could to advance, striving to improve their spiritual power, martial arts, Taoist techniques, physical body, and Taoist heart...
Clothing, food, shelter, transportation... everything in life was connected to improving one’s cultivation.
"Benefits?" Zhao Tianxing thought for a moment and then shook his head, "I’ve never heard of any benefits from eating this. It’s just supposed to be delicious."
"Just for the taste?" Zhang Yu was slightly stunned as he looked at the plates of delicacies on the table.
Just as Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing were secretly eyeing the dining table, a cold voice suddenly sounded behind them.
"You two security guards, why aren’t you patrolling properly? What are you sneaking around for?"
Hearing this voice, Zhao Tianxing was startled and quickly turned around to explain, "We weren’t doing anything..."
But when he saw the person behind him, Zhao Tianxing froze on the spot.
Zhang Yu, however, turned around leisurely and said, "Oh? It’s Zhenzhen. What a coincidence, you’re here for the exhibition too?"
Zhao Tianxing, realizing that the person was a classmate, felt even more embarrassed in his security uniform.
He squirmed uncomfortably, as if he were about to have an accident on the spot.
Especially when he thought about how his job as a security guard might spread to the class, and how labels like "poor," "working part-time," and "needing money" would be slapped on him, his status and reputation in the class would plummet.
Zhao Tianxing squirmed even more.
Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu expressionlessly and said, "I didn’t expect you two to skip decades of detours and come here to work as security guards at such a young age."
Zhao Tianxing quickly waved his hands and explained, "No, no, Bai Zhenzhen, I’m just here with Zhang Yu."
Zhang Yu suddenly slapped Zhao Tianxing on the shoulder, "Why are you panicking? You’re a temporary security guard earning 800 an hour. With that kind of purchasing power, you can cover ten days of food and drink for an ordinary person. If word gets out, who wouldn’t envy you?"
"Huh?" Zhao Tianxing was slightly stunned, having never thought that earning 800 an hour was anything special.
But as he looked at Bai Zhenzhen, who had suddenly fallen silent, he felt a chill emanating from her.
Zhao Tianxing had never been very familiar with this top-ranked genius girl in their grade.
He only knew that she was always cold and aloof, keeping to herself and only eating with Zhang Yu and Zhou Tianyi.
In fact, Zhao Tianxing’s circle had tried to invite her before, but they had never received a response.
In his mind, Bai Zhenzhen was a prodigy with extraordinary talent, but she was also very proud and difficult to approach.
Now, seeing her expressionless and silent, Zhao Tianxing felt as if she was angry.
"It must be because Zhang Yu said something wrong and made her angry."
Just as he was squirming and racking his brain for something to say to lighten the mood, Bai Zhenzhen coldly asked, "You earn 800 an hour?"
"Yeah," Zhao Tianxing nodded dumbly, not understanding what she was getting at.
Just then, a voice called out from the other side of the dining table.
A waiter who was setting up the table shouted, "New guy, come and help with the dishes! What are you standing around for?"
Bai Zhenzhen said to Zhang Yu and Zhao Tianxing, "I’ll go help with the dishes. We’ll talk later."
At the same time, she thought to herself, "Damn! Security guards earn 800 an hour? I only get 500. I should’ve signed up for security instead."
Zhao Tianxing then noticed that Bai Zhenzhen was dressed exactly like the waiters and said in shock, "Bai Zhenzhen is working here too?"
"What’s so strange about that? Isn’t everyone working these days?" Zhang Yu had recognized Bai Zhenzhen’s outfit at first glance.
In his opinion, given Bai Zhenzhen’s financial situation, working part-time was completely normal.
However, when he thought about how she managed to maintain her top rank in the grade while working part-time, he couldn’t help but feel impressed.
"Zhenzhen’s talent is truly extraordinary. Among all the disciples of Songyang Sect, she’s probably only second to me."
(End of Chapter)