Chapter 263: Time-Lag Demon Pupil
Having decided to guide Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, True Person Starfire had naturally looked into their backgrounds and histories. He knew their relationship was profound, a bond forged through life-and-death situations, and that they would undoubtedly support each other in the future.
To be honest, True Person Starfire was… somewhat envious of their life-or-death friendship.
He was over 350 years old. Throughout his long life, he had made many friends.
But the vast majority of his early companions had failed to reach the Golden Core realm. By his age, those friends had long since passed away from old age.
As for a bond where one could entrust their very life to another, that was even rarer in the Kunxu of today.
Seeing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen find each other in high school, partners to cultivate with and strive upwards together, True Person Starfire couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sentimentality.
Therefore, when considering Zhang Yu’s cultivation path, he had also factored in the mutual support between Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
True Person Starfire continued his mental transmission. “Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, when you get into Myriad Laws University, one of you can major in Civil Engineering and the other in Security. In the future, one will build the construction sites and the other will protect them. You’ll be able to look out for each other on site.”
“Once you’ve saved up enough cultivation resources, Zhang Yu, you can transfer to the Artifact Refining department and pursue the path of military-grade bionics.”
“Bai Zhenzhen, you excel at combat, so you can study military operations.”
“Then, Zhang Yu, you’ll be able to forge bionics for Bai Zhenzhen, and Bai Zhenzhen, you’ll be able to help him test and promote them…”
Listening to True Person Starfire, Zhang Yu thought to himself, From Civil Engineering to Artifact Refining? That sounds a bit like the advice my sister gave me.
He was genuinely reluctant to give up the body he had trained so painstakingly, and he found himself leaning toward True Person Starfire’s suggestion.
But I should ask Fu Ji about it when I get back.
And the next time I talk to my sister, I’ll have her weigh in too.
Although he agreed with True Person Starfire’s advice, Zhang Yu decided it was best to consult a few more trusted people.
He felt he couldn’t be too careful when it came to choosing his university major and future path. This would determine the course of his Immortal Dao cultivation for decades, even centuries to come; it demanded careful consideration.
At that moment, following True Person Starfire’s recommendation, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen chose the Time-Lag Demon Pupil and the Formless Wind Demon.
But just after they had made their selections, True Person Starfire spoke to Deng Bingding again. “Officer Deng, these two bionic sets were left behind by Wang Yin, so they can be considered his compensation to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.”
“But doesn’t our Divine Ministry have any rewards for those who have rendered meritorious service?”
“Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen in particular risked life and limb multiple times to fight Wang Yin. They get no reward for that? You can’t just bully these two disciples of mine.”
“Besides, Bai Zhenzhen never received any payment from you before.”
“I’m not asking for materials. Just give them a few more Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques.”
Hearing this, Deng Bingding mused that this old rascal Starfire was certainly protective of these two. And he had immediately seized upon the most crucial point—Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques.
She wondered if True Person Starfire was acting on orders from above, or if, like her, he was proactively trying to build goodwill.
On second thought, she figured it was likely a bit of both. After all, Starfire was old. If he didn’t seize this opportunity with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, he would probably live out the rest of his days on the first layer.
While speaking with Deng Bingding, True Person Starfire was also sending a mental message to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.
“With your current magic power, you can each handle about one bionic. Asking for more would be useless.”
“As for first-layer money, drugs, magical treasures, or equipment, all of that is geared toward the Qi Refinement market. They’ll have limited effect on you now that you’re at Foundation Establishment.”
“It’s far more practical to get some Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques that you can start practicing right away.”
True Person Starfire then gave them a solemn reminder. “High school is just the beginning of the Immortal Dao. Your achievements so far are outstanding, but you must not become arrogant.”
“University is when you truly set foot on the path of the Immortal Dao. For the next nine months, you must not slack off. Seize every moment to continue cultivating and prepare for what’s to come.”
“The cultivation technique platforms on the first layer have very few Foundation Establishment techniques. Up there, those techniques are sold for spirit coins, so there isn’t much of a market for them down here.”
“You have a rare opportunity to get them through the righteous gods. Asking them for some Foundation Establishment techniques is a great deal and will be immensely helpful for your cultivation over the next nine months.”
“Besides, approving a copyright is a simple matter for the righteous gods.”
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen both nodded in agreement, feeling that True Person Starfire’s words made perfect sense.
At the same time, however, a seed of worry was planted in their hearts.
They were realizing that old geezer Starfire was being increasingly good to them, acting more and more like a kind elder, a teacher who truly cared for them…
If his previous guidance could be explained as recruitment for Myriad Laws University or part of the effort against the Oasis Group, what was the reason for this?
Looking at True Person Starfire, Zhang Yu was reminded of Zhou Chechen, who had once shown him great care, and of Wang Yin, who had spent a fortune on him.
What the hell… not another one?
Watching Starfire continue to bargain with Deng Bingding on their behalf, Zhang Yu started to panic. Don’t do this, old geezer. You’re scaring me.
After spending so much time in Kunxu, Zhang Yu was no longer used to people speaking up for him or fighting for his interests. He would much rather they just charge him a fee.
Because in his short two years of experience in Kunxu, what was free often turned out to be the most expensive.
Meanwhile, after some negotiation from True Person Starfire, Deng Bingding approved an additional reward of Foundation Establishment cultivation techniques, on top of the two bionics.
Zhang Yu, in addition to the three techniques he had received before, was awarded one more: a breathing art called the Verdant Vortex Qi Art.
Bai Zhenzhen, who hadn’t received any Foundation Establishment techniques previously, was now given two: the Foundation Establishment versions of the Thunderclap True Body and the Cold Soul Ice Heart Art.
After the techniques were awarded, Deng Bingding extended her hand toward Zhang Yu with a small smile. “Little friend, shouldn’t you be returning the Soul-Wounding Brick to me now?”
Zhang Yu handed it over reluctantly.
Deng Bingding continued, “Also, about the removal of the Flood Dragon Spirit Pivot and the implantation of the Time-Lag Demon Pupil, would you like to do that now? I still have your original spine in storage.”
Though reluctant to part with the Flood Dragon Spirit Pivot, Zhang Yu nodded.
“Let’s do it now. Since it has to be replaced eventually, it’s better to get it over with and start getting used to the change.”
Following Deng Bingding’s instructions, they headed to the Oasis Group’s bionic surgery facility.
On the way, True Person Starfire commented, “Bai Zhenzhen, your two techniques—one for tempering the body and one for cultivating the Dao heart—are both of high quality. You just need one more Foundation Establishment technique for cultivating magic power, and you’ll be set for now.”
“Zhang Yu, your Verdant Vortex Qi Art… hehe, Deng Bingding chose well. It’s exactly the Foundation Establishment breathing art you were missing. It will help you increase your magic power.”
“Among professional-grade techniques, the Verdant Vortex Qi Art is considered quite good. It has a particularly wide range for gathering spiritual energy, making it most effective for cultivating on a spirit vein. It’s also a good match for your Sea of Qi Spiritual Root.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu thought to himself, Suited for cultivating on a spirit vein? Isn’t that purely a rich person’s technique? How can I possibly afford that?
Suddenly, Zhang Yu recalled the message from Director Long of the Red Pagoda. His eyes flickered as a thought occurred to him.
It seems… it’s not entirely impossible.
I might not have much money… but I have a lot of seeds.
I never thought I’d have to sell myself to fund my cultivation during Qi Refinement, and now, even after reaching Foundation Establishment, I still have to sell myself to fund my cultivation.
Zhang Yu sighed internally. Kunxu… it really turns people into monsters.
Soon, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were led to the Oasis Group’s operating room to prepare for their bionic transplants.
True Person Starfire accompanied them and made a request to the surgeons. “For Zhang Yu’s eye bionic, don’t use the semi-permanent type. Use a removable one, so he can swap between his own eyeball and the Time-Lag Demon Pupil daily.”
Turning to Zhang Yu, he explained, “Your eyes are part of your physical body, and they are excellent materials for refining bionics in the future.”
“As you continue to cultivate, your body is bound to undergo drastic changes and improvements.”
“If you switch to the Time-Lag Demon Pupil and stop using your original eyes completely, it won’t be long before they can no longer adapt to your body, and it will be difficult for them to be compatible again.”
“So, after the surgery, unless it’s an important occasion, use one of your original eyes and one Time-Lag Demon Pupil, and switch every twelve hours.”
“This will ensure you are always nourishing both of your original eyes with your qi and blood, allowing them to adapt to your body’s changes.”
The Oasis Group’s bionic surgery technology was clearly very advanced. About an hour later, the Flood Dragon Spirit Pivot in Zhang Yu’s body had been replaced with his original spine.
His eyes had also been modified. Although they looked the same as before, he could now detach and replace them with two gentle presses inward.
Zhang Yu checked the flow of magic power in his body. About 100 units were being allocated to the Time-Lag Demon Pupil.
It’s as if my magic power cap has been lowered by 100 units.
My total magic power is still too low. I can’t even install a few more bionics.
Zhang Yu looked at his reflection in a nearby mirror. His eyes appeared unchanged, but with a mental command, wisps of crimson light flickered within his right pupil.
Immediately, the world before him seemed to slow down…
No, the world hasn’t slowed down. Zhang Yu realized, The Time-Lag Demon Pupil has enhanced my ability to perceive and process images, allowing me to take in more visual information per second. Subjectively… it feels like the world has slowed down.
This is the time-lag ability.