With loud glugging sounds, Zhang Yu downed a massive bucket of synthetic food in one go. He gulped and swallowed until the whole thing was emptied into his stomach.

Then, he circulated a bit of Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy (Technique), stimulating his internal organs to accelerate digestion, and took the next bucket from Bai Zhenzhen.

After the last round’s overexertion and brutal physical strain, Zhang Yu felt starved down to the bone. His heart, in particular, seemed to be constantly crying out in hunger.

Bai Zhenzhen hustled back and forth, delivering one bucket of synthetic food after another to him.

Compared to prepackaged meals, synthetic food didn’t taste as good, but it was easier to digest and better suited to Zhang Yu’s current state.

To ensure maximum absorption and avoid wasting even a shred of energy or nutrients, Bai Zhenzhen hadn’t added any flavoring agents at all. It was pure nutrition, poured into Zhang Yu like gasoline into an engine.

It tasted awful—disgusting, even—but for the sake of the upcoming match, Zhang Yu shut his eyes and forced it all down.

Aside from Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, plenty of other students from different schools had come to the cafeteria to eat.

Some were regular high schoolers who’d already been eliminated and just came to score a free meal.

Others, like the massive students from Hongta High, were here to fuel up their monster appetites.

But wealthier students like Yu Xinghan, Song Hailong, and Le Mulan all ate their own private supplies and didn’t mingle with the rest.

Hu Yuntao chomped through his bucket of synthetic food with great gulps.

In front of him, Xiong Wenwu went even harder, inhaling buckets like a whirlwind.

Watching Xiong Wenwu eat, Hu Yuntao couldn’t help but feel a little respect. “Big Bro had his taste buds surgically removed ages ago so food wouldn’t interfere with his cultivation. Who else has that kind of resolve?”

Xiong Wenwu glanced at Hu Yuntao. “The first two rounds weren’t ours to dominate. Falling behind a bit is fine.”

“But the next round’s a strength event. We’re going to show everyone that Hongta is the strongest.”

Hu Yuntao nodded hard. “Got it, Big Bro. Even if I break my hands and feet, I’ll hang in there to the end.”

Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu devoured another mouthful, two figures suddenly appeared in front of him.

It was Zhou Chechen, Vice President of the Student Council at Songyang High, and Lan Ling, the head of the Athletics Department.

Zhang Yu glanced at their badges and thought, These two must’ve pulled some strings with Purple Cloud High to get access to the athletes’ cafeteria.

Zhou Chechen stared coldly at Zhang Yu, mentally replaying his recent exchange with the folks from Purple Cloud.

He thought to himself, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen probably got enhancements from White Dragon High through Zhang Pianpian’s connections.

If White Dragon pulls off this quiet maneuver and then announces afterward that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen received the latest body-refining upgrades from Xianyun Group, and if their team places higher than Purple Cloud or Hongta, they’ll become the biggest winners in this new tech rollout.

Recalling the deal he’d made with Purple Cloud, Zhou Chechen said blandly, “You don’t have to try too hard this round. Just show up.”

Zhang Yu frowned but didn’t reply. He just kept eating.

Zhou Chechen didn’t seem to care whether Zhang Yu answered. He added, “Your collusion with White Dragon High has been exposed to the other companies.”

“If you want to keep showing off, thinking Zhang Pianpian will toss you another bone, maybe consider how those other companies will deal with you. Will your backers protect you?”

“Don’t end up being sold out while you’re busy counting someone else’s money.”

With that, he and Lan Ling turned and left.

On the way out, Lan Ling asked, “That’s it? Shouldn’t we at least threaten him? We’ve got Purple Cloud backing us—don’t have to be scared of Zhang Pianpian anymore, right?”

Zhou Chechen gave him a sidelong glance. This guy’s really let his brain turn to muscle. Guess this is why body refinement shouldn’t be taken to such extremes.

He explained, “This arena is where Red Tower Pasture, Purple Cloud Pharmaceuticals, and Xianyun Group are all clashing behind the scenes.”

“If you go all out… you might just get flattened by the aftershocks from these corporate giants.”

Seeing that Lan Ling was starting to grasp it, Zhou Chechen continued, “All we had to do was give Zhang Yu a little nudge, just make it look like we did something. If we go too hard… we might end up being targeted by Zhang Pianpian—or even Xianyun Group.”

“Our leverage with Purple Cloud comes from our own transplant tech, which they want.”

“We’re not like Zhang Yu, who’s only got one life to bet everything on. He fights shirtless for every scrap.”

“And what if he wins a bit of fame? He’ll never make it into the Ten Great Academies. He’ll spend his whole life as someone else’s dog and get sold off by Zhang Pianpian for a decent price.”

Zhou Chechen thought back to how haggard Zhang Yu had looked. “Besides, you saw how weak he was. He must’ve popped some intense stimulant just to catch up to Yu Xinghan last round—probably burned through potential, maybe even damaged himself…”

“Now that we’ve given him some mental pressure too, he’s bound to slip up.”

“The next round is strength-based, a stage where White Dragon and Hongta dominate. If Zhang Yu’s body gives out and his mind’s shaken, his results will plummet.”

“And that way, we’ll have done exactly what Purple Cloud asked—warned Zhang Yu. When he bombs, we can report back to Le Jingchen with a clear conscience.”

Lan Ling nodded repeatedly, full of admiration. No wonder Zhou Chechen was the Student Council VP—he thought everything through so thoroughly.

Back at the cafeteria, Zhang Yu kept eating while watching Zhou Chechen and Lan Ling walk away.

What the hell were those two going on about?

Still, hearing the word “company” made Zhang Yu instinctively wary.

After thinking it over, he called Zhang Pianpian and explained the current match situation.

Then he asked, “If I beat Yu Xinghan in the next round, am I going to get targeted by some company?”

Zhang Pianpian chuckled, “Can you actually beat him?”

Zhang Yu paused, then nodded with certainty. “I’m confident.”

“Then go win.”

“If you take first place, I’ll handle the negotiations with White Dragon for you.”

“All you need to do is admit you used Xianyun Group’s body-refining tech to boost your performance—and get ready to collect your payment.”

Hearing the word “payment,” both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen instantly perked up.

After hanging up, they went back to devouring food like a storm, stuffing themselves until their stomachs bulged.

Zhang Yu rubbed his belly and exhaled. “Alright, I’m full. Now I need to digest, heal, and push for a breakthrough…”

Then, looking at the scars on Bai Zhenzhen’s body, he remembered how she looked after the sprint earlier.

“Ah-Zhen, once we win this championship, I’ll pay to get those scars removed.”

“You said it! And the hospital’s treating!”

Hospital treating was a social custom in Kunxu reserved for your closest people.

Zhang Yu nodded. “Don’t worry. Since we were kids, when have I ever lied to you?”

“You little—!”

The two made their way to a secluded bathroom.

There, Bai Zhenzhen hugged Zhang Yu from behind and whispered, “Ah-Yu, borrow my Zhen Spirit Root.”

Zhang Yu blinked. “What about you?”

Bai Zhenzhen smiled. “It’s only an hour and a half. I won’t break through during that time. I’ll just digest and rest—I don’t need the Zhen Spirit Root.”

“But you? You’d better win and take me to that hospital.”

As the familiar Spirit Root flowed into him, Zhang Yu took a deep breath, nodded, and stepped into the bathroom.

From his pocket, he took out a small pill case and pulled out a Hunyuan Pill.

“I thought I wouldn’t need this today.”

“Good thing I brought it anyway.”

Given how expensive the Hunyuan Pill was, Zhang Yu usually kept it in his backpack.

He swallowed it in one gulp.

As the medicine took effect, spiritual energy surged within. Zhang Yu activated his Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy (Technique) at full throttle.

His muscles tensed, drawing in the pill’s power and spiritual energy.

His heart, worn from the last sprint, turned into a black hole, sucking in nutrients, medicinal power, and the Spirit Root’s spiritual essence like crazy.

His organs processed the synthetic food like industrial grinders, turning it into warm streams that flowed through his veins and revitalized his limbs.

The Zhen Spirit Root, already accustomed to Zhang Yu’s use of the Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy, synced perfectly. Spiritual essence was channeled into his organs, enhancing the nutrient absorption.

The strongest stream of warmth rushed straight to his heart, accelerating its growth and strengthening every second.

Under this constant supply, Zhang Yu’s pale face regained its color. His breathing and heartbeat grew stronger.

His heartbeat, fueled by Crimson Marrow Primordial Energy, echoed like a drum—thump, thump, thump—resonating through the bathroom.

Outside, Bai Zhenzhen guarded the door, preventing anyone from barging in and witnessing Zhang Yu’s practice.

Liantianji came by, curious. “Zhang Yu’s… cultivating in there?”

Bai Zhenzhen nodded. “It’s quiet in there—good for him to rest and focus.”

Liantianji gave the door a thoughtful glance, chatted briefly, then left.

As the hour and a half ticked by, Bai Zhenzhen listened to Zhang Yu’s deepening heartbeat and felt a wave of confidence.

“When Yuzi wins first place… I’m going to borrow so much money from him.”

In the blink of an eye, time was up. The final event of the athletic competition—worth a whopping 150 points—was about to begin: the Strength Trial.

In the center of the arena, a two-meter-high platform rose.

Then, from the ceiling, a massive pillar descended.

It was black-silver in color, covered in dense runes, and clearly forged from some unknown metal—about five meters in diameter.

The pillar dropped from the ceiling and stopped three meters above the platform.

This was the final challenge: the Sky Pillar.

The Sky Pillar could release a force between 1,000 kilograms and 100,000 kilograms downward, calibrated to test the maximum strength of Qi Refining Realm cultivators.

One by one, the competitors would have to step up and hold the Sky Pillar aloft.