Chapter 249: Wealthy Zhang Yu

In the blink of an eye, it was already March.

Inside the quiet room, Zhang Yu slowly opened his eyes, and two sharp glints seemed to flash across them before disappearing.

He glanced at the feather scroll beside him, where the displayed data read: Dao Heart Level 10, Mana 100, Body Strength Level 10.

After these days of cultivation, Zhang Yu’s Dao Heart level had finally reached the 10th level, the limit of Qi Refining.

With his Dao Heart reaching level 10, he now felt every muscle, tendon, and strand of mana as if they were extensions of his will, perfectly smooth and unobstructed—no longer the sense of power not being fully utilized.

But on the other hand… in Zhang Yu’s sea of consciousness, the crippled ox he visualized was moving sluggishly, its demeanor lazy, as if even the broken horn on its head had lost its former sharpness, turning dull and thick.

Zhang Yu also checked his current bank card balance, which had reached 19 million, taking him another big step closer to the Heavenly Spirit Root.

Ever since the numbers on his bank card kept rising, his daily cultivation became increasingly easier, and he had more and more social engagements and activities with Boss Wang, Zhang Yu could sense that his Crippled Ox Sacrifice Body Mind Art was growing less effective at mobilizing potential, strengthening his body, and invigorating his flesh and blood.

“Is it because my life has been too comfortable lately, with not enough pressure? After all, this technique works better the greater the pressure.”

Zhang Yu wasn’t sure, but he thought to himself: “My life will only get better from now on.”

“My grades keep improving, and I have more and more money. Should I consider switching to a mind art that suits me better?”

“After all, the Crippled Ox Sacrifice Body Mind Art is a technique meant for the bottom rung.”

He thought of Le Mulan, Song Hailong, as well as Yu Xinghan, Ye Lingxiao, and even Boss Wang.

Zhang Yu mused that perhaps he should ask these rich people to recommend a mind art for him.

“Before I knew it, I’ve also become a wealthy man.”

“So should I adapt to the cultivation methods of the rich and find some rich-people techniques to practice?”

And whether it was his imagination or not, the moment this thought surfaced in his mind, the crippled ox visualized in his sea of consciousness seemed to grow even more lazy, losing all drive and vitality.

Just then, Zhang Yu’s phone vibrated—it was a call from Mo Tianyi.

Mo Tianyi was a member of the Poor People’s Alliance.

Ever since Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen declared their allegiance to Zhang Pianpian last year, Mo Tianyi had cut off contact with them.

And after the leader of the Poor People’s Alliance, the Evil God believer Song Xu, died, the alliance had become increasingly ineffective. Zhang Yu hadn’t heard any news about them for a long time.

Seeing Mo Tianyi’s call now, Zhang Yu was a bit surprised but still answered.

Mo Tianyi’s voice came through, somewhat restrained: “Zhang… Zhang Yu, hello.”

By now, Zhang Yu’s status had skyrocketed, his strength had long reached the peak of Qi Refining, and under the publicity of Oasis Group and the halo of the Foundation Establishment Certificate, he had become a well-known figure and a wealthy man in Kunxu Layer 1.

In Mo Tianyi’s eyes, Zhang Yu had already become a big shot far beyond their high school student circle, someone from a different world.

Zhang Yu asked casually, “Is there something you need?”

Mo Tianyi said softly, “I wanted to ask if I could borrow some money from you.”

“Ever since something happened to the boss, our situation has been pretty bad.”

“Recently, the company cut salaries, and a member of the alliance hit someone while delivering food…”

Zhang Yu recalled the twenty thousand yuan the other party had once invested in him and Bai Zhenzhen.

Although twenty thousand yuan wasn’t much, it had been exactly what Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen needed at that time—a timely help.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu said, “I understand. I’ll transfer 100,000 yuan to you in a bit. If you need anything else, feel free to contact me anytime.”

“Th… thank you.”

“We will definitely pay you back!”

Mo Tianyi hadn’t expected Zhang Yu to be so straightforward; in his eyes, no matter how rich all wealthy people were, they wouldn’t easily part with money without benefit.

Feeling the kindness in Zhang Yu’s words, Mo Tianyi couldn’t help adding, “Zhang Yu, you are now a role model for all us poor students. Among all the poor people in Kunxu Layer 1, no high schooler has ever achieved what you have.”

“You don’t know how thrilled everyone was when they heard about your results, knowing you could get into the Top Ten. You gave those rich people a real slap in the face.”

“Right now, every high school student is holding their breath. Inspired by you, everyone is working harder and pushing themselves more than ever…”

Listening to Mo’s words, Zhang Yu was at a loss for how to respond.

After a long moment, he hung up amid Mo Tianyi’s repeated thanks, then suddenly pulled out his phone to look up information on the salary cuts.

It turned out that ever since the major clans and corporations began merging one after another, the first thing they did was collectively cut salaries.

Zhang Yu read some analyses online, all saying that the number of high school graduates and college students returning to Zone One increased every year, and the job market had been deteriorating year by year.

And as corporations slashed wages and benefits together, employees, in order to keep their jobs, could only silently accept it.

Fuji reminded him, "What’s so interesting about this kind of news? It has nothing to do with us."

"Even if it weren’t you and Bai Zhenzhen, if the Oasis Group used Ye Lingxiao for promotion, the result would be the same. This is the way of the world."

Zhang Yu curled his lip and said, "Do I need you to remind me? I’m just curious, just browsing the news."

"With a big shot like President Wang as our support, Ah Zhen and I are definitely going to hold on tight and never let go."

Hearing Zhang Yu’s relaxed reply, Fuji thought to herself, "This guy Zhang Yu, obviously from a poor background, why does he always care about things that aren’t his business?"

Fuji reminded him, "As long as you keep climbing, you’ll only get richer. You need to learn to blend into the rich people’s circle and stay away from the poor people’s circle, you understand?"

"You should just block scum like the Poor People’s Alliance. Why bother with them?" "They did help me, after all," Zhang Yu said casually. "As for the rich people’s circle... I know what you mean. Rich people, because their living environment is different from ours, inevitably have habits and perspectives that differ from those of us from poor backgrounds."

"I need to get used to the way rich people talk and live, make more rich friends, so I can climb higher in Kunxu and become stronger..."

Zhang Yu understood. Of course he understood all of it.

Staying away from the poor and getting close to the rich was a key trick to climbing up in Kunxu.

But for some reason, he still felt uneasy inside.

At lunch in the cafeteria, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen still sat at the same table as Qian Shen and Zhao Tianxing.

Only recently, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s trays were piled high with rich synthetic meat, while Zhao Tianxing had started eating the bland original synthetic food.

Zhang Yu initially thought his family had run into financial trouble, or maybe it was related to the price hike of synthetic food.

Yes, synthetic food had gone up in price.

!

The synthetic food that had initially pushed premade meals out of the market with low prices was now starting to increase in price as Oasis Group’s market share kept rising.

And the green food Zhang Yu endorsed was also climbing in price, fueled by the boom in Foundation Establishment exams and promotions from various corporations.

Now even ordinary students in ordinary high schools knew they should eat green food and sign up for the Foundation Establishment exam, gambling on a chance to rise overnight.

According to Oasis Group’s estimates, under their promotion, hundreds of thousands of high school students in Kunxu’s Zone One might sign up for next year’s Foundation Establishment exam, and the market value involved was truly tempting.

Now, looking at the original synthetic food on Zhao Tianxing’s tray, Zhang Yu thought that his parents might have also suffered a sharp drop in income due to company pay cuts.

"Sigh, this chicken breast tastes awful." Zhang Yu pushed a plate of chicken breast over: "Old Zhao, you help me eat it. I really can’t stomach it."

Zhao Tianxing paused for a moment, looking at the synthetic chicken breast pushed over, swallowing slightly.

As a sensitive person, Zhao Tianxing could guess that Zhang Yu was deliberately giving him food.

This made him feel both ashamed and grateful. Finally, he quietly whispered a thank you and took the chicken breast.

Time passed as Zhang Yu lived a comfortable life, and soon it was April.

Now Zhang Yu, even without doing anything every day, had a large sum of money deposited into his account each month.

His account balance had already broken through 24 million.

That day, he and Bai Zhenzhen went to the completed Oasis Tower and attended the group’s promotional planning meeting.

"Over this period, many citizens’ incomes have been steadily dropping, while food prices keep rising."

"The group has noticed this situation and decided to make a change..."

Hearing what the product manager said, Zhang Yu’s heart stirred, and he couldn’t help glancing over at President Wang, thinking, "Is it because of President Wang? Is Oasis Group going to give back to society, to let more people eat their fill?"

Thinking about the recent situation in the school cafeteria, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of anticipation.

Then the product manager said loudly, "To ensure everyone can eat their fill, we have decided to launch a food loan service!"

"By offering installment payments, we lower the threshold for citizens to buy synthetic and green food, so that everyone can have food to eat."

"Our first phase promotion target is students. We need to enter campuses, striving to ensure that every student in every school has a backup food fund when they have no money to eat..."

Zhang Yu listened to the speaker, watching the series of content related to food, finance, interest, and mortgages in the slides, hearing about promotional methods like interest-free for new users and discounts for monthly subscribers.

Zhang Yu suddenly remembered how he looked when he couldn't get enough to eat before.

If that Zhang Yu who couldn't even eat his fill encountered this situation, he would probably choose to eat in installments, and end up owing more and more food loans.

Just then, President Wang beside him patted Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen on the shoulder and said, "The promotion of this financial service is very important. Our ultimate goal is that in the future, as many people eat on the first level, that many will borrow money."

"It concerns the layout of the group on the first level."

"Don't worry, I never treat my own people badly."

"Work hard for the next year."

"When you go study at Netherworld University next year, I'll also be about to return."

"Then I'll help you get internship positions at the financial companies on the second level. Once you have work experience, I'll recommend you to transfer to the finance department..."

As Wang Yin spoke, he raised his hand to straighten Zhang Yu's clothes, shaking his head in dissatisfaction. "You and A-Zhen should also change into some good clothes. I've given you so much money, you should spend it."

"And this practice skin of yours, it's obviously artificial human skin. Hurry up and replace it with a real one, otherwise you'll embarrass me at future gatherings."

"Did you hear me? If you don't have enough money, I'll give it to you."

Bai Zhenzhen quickly said, "Understood, President Wang. We'll change clothes when we get back."

Seeing Zhang Yu standing there stunned, Bai Zhenzhen poked him. Only then did Zhang Yu seem to snap out of it and said, "Mm... I understand."

But Zhang Yu's mind was still swirling with what Wang Yin had just said.

"To make as many people on the first level borrow money as there are people eating."