Chapter 334: Supreme Clarity Talisman
The underground cemetery served as a massive Magic Power production facility, with countless corpse components constantly flowing in and out daily.
As these corpse components aged and became unusable during the Magic Power production process, their disposal became a critical issue.
Zhang Pianpian explained, “Components with some residual value are either sold as blind box prizes or enter the black market as secondhand organs — that’s one disposal method.”
“Many, however, are completely broken and beyond salvage. These are typically cremated into bone ash and sold as waste material.”
“Bone ash is used in crafting Bionics, performing daoist arts, and constructing formations.”
“Some people even buy it as a calcium supplement — it’s cheaper than medicine…”
Zhang Pianpian picked up a block of flour from the ground. “Perfect. We can transport these flour blocks out as bone ash.”
Moments later, Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan stayed behind to organize and arrange the scene under Zhang Pianpian’s guidance.
Zhang Yu hoisted a large box of flour onto his back, preparing to leave the underground hideout.
Before departing, Zhang Yu glanced at the video feed appearing in his Bionic Eye, showing a man’s image. The muscles across his body rippled as he gradually transformed into the man’s likeness.
This was the disguise Zhang Pianpian had chosen for him: a worker who regularly transported cremated remains in Converging Dragon Garden.
Changing his appearance was no challenge for Zhang Yu.
Back in his first year of high school, he had already mastered the art of altering his facial features by controlling his muscles.
Later, under the specialized training of True Person Starfire, he could instantly transform into his target’s likeness.
Meanwhile, Zhang Pianpian had already cast another Talisman for him.
Concealment Talisman — Activate!
The Concealment Talisman she cast this time was far more potent than the one she had used in the First Layer.
As her palm glided slowly over Zhang Yu’s body, the data displayed in others’ Bionic Eyes — his name, profile, and reputation — all changed to match those of the cremated remains transport worker.
“This Concealment Talisman will last about ten minutes,” Zhang Pianpian said. “Hurry and go.”
With a large box of flour slung over his back, Zhang Yu left the hideout. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of tension, even more nerve-wracking than his recent fight with the gang members.
He took a deep breath and focused his mind on the Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art. With each roar of the White Ox resonating in his mind, his anxiety gradually dissipated.
As Zhang Yu approached the main gate, a security guard stopped him. “What are you carrying on your back?”
Zhang Yu turned his head, his gaze suddenly hardening slightly. The guard was none other than Immortal Capital resident Shengjie.
The last time they’d crossed paths was at the construction site on the top floor.
“Has he been assigned to duty here?” Zhang Yu wondered inwardly.
Despite his surprise, Zhang Yu maintained a calm demeanor. “Cremated remains,” he replied evenly.
As a cemetery guard, Shengjie naturally exuded a faint aura of authority when inspecting workers carrying cremated remains. “What are you taking them out for?” he asked arrogantly.
“To sell as calcium supplements,” Zhang Yu answered coolly.
Shengjie nodded. “Open it up. Let me see.”
Zhang Yu placed the box on the ground, opened it, and pushed it toward Shengjie.
“Are these really cremated remains?” Shengjie frowned. “Or smuggled flour?”
As he spoke, he grabbed a handful of the powdery substance from the box. “I’ll have to taste it to be sure.”
Zhang Yu’s breath hitched slightly as he watched Shengjie swallow a large mouthful.
Shengjie savored the taste, licking his lips. Suddenly, his brow furrowed. “This tastes… like pig monster?”
A moment later, Shengjie grinned. “You certainly know how to source good stuff.”
“Pass through.”
Zhang Yu breathed a slight sigh of relief, recalling Zhang Pianpian’s words before the operation:
“According to my intelligence, the guards at the cemetery entrance are notorious for extorting bribes. They’d even demand a ‘taste’ from passing urns.”
He thought to himself, “Thank goodness Zhang Pianpian prepared the urns with a layer of ash beforehand, just to deal with these guards.”
After leaving Converging Dragon Garden, the rest of the journey proceeded smoothly.
Guided by Zhang Pianpian, Zhang Yu arrived at a room on the 45th floor and set down the flour-filled crate.
Looking around the empty room, he wondered, “Did Elder Sister arrange this place in secret?”
He then returned to the cemetery’s secret passage and successfully reunited with Zhang Pianpian and the others.
By this point, most of their plan had been accomplished. Zhang Pianpian explained, “While the flour has been successfully transported out, it can’t be immediately converted into cash.”
“Once the heat dies down, I’ll find a way to sell it as quickly as possible.”
“But finding buyers and laundering the money will take time. The entire process could take two to three months before you receive your shares.”
Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan naturally understood and eagerly anticipated the day the money would arrive.
Observing their excitement, Zhang Pianpian cautioned, “Remember, absolutely no one else can learn about this.”
“So, you all must keep your emotions in check from now on. Don’t get carried away, and don’t even mention this incident in private.”
“Also, refrain from any large, unplanned purchases for the time being. Keep saving where you can. In short, act exactly as you always have.”
“Just pretend nothing ever happened.”
Following Zhang Pianpian’s initiative, the Patrol Team soon arrived at the scene.
The officer in charge, upon seeing the flour brick piles and the vast field of Earth Qi Wheat in the cultivation room, grinned from ear to ear, showering Zhang Pianpian with lavish praise.
Zhang Yu, Yu Xinghan, and Le Mulan, hailed as public-spirited citizens for their courageous act, were taken back for questioning.
However, thanks to Zhang Pianpian’s intervention and the Patrol Team’s eagerness to close the case and claim credit, the loose ends were quickly tied up. After receiving formal commendations, the trio were swiftly released.
Before their release, the Patrol Team informed them that each would receive a 1 Spirit Coin reward, to be deposited into their accounts within a few days.
Back in their dormitory, the three finally began to relax.
They exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
Yu Xinghan thought to himself, “Ninety Spirit Coins? Holy shit… I’d have to starve and save for years to earn that much!”
“Even split four ways, it’s still a massive windfall.”
“Truly, you can’t get rich without a stroke of luck.”
Le Mulan mused, “With this money, I should be able to secure a decent ranking when I transfer to the Foundation Establishment Class next semester.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was already scrolling through websites displayed on his Bionic Eye, pondering, “What should I spend these Spirit Coins on next?”
Thanks to Wang Yin’s previous funding, Zhang Yu’s savings had already surged once, leaving him with over 26 Spirit Coins.
If he factored in the flour money coming in two or three months, his disposable income would reach 40 Spirit Coins, possibly even exceeding 50.
But as he considered this, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, “Ah, even a death-defying venture can’t compare to the speed of money from scams, let alone the wealth of a rich second-generation heir like Wang Yin.”
After a grueling night of work, Zhang Yu found himself missing President Wang even more, longing for the easy life of livestreaming.
“Even when the poor commit crimes, they still can’t earn as much as the rich do legally,” Zhang Yu lamented.
Fu Ji scoffed, “Of course! How could a low-level job like robbery ever compare to fraud? Even selling flour earns far less than fraud — otherwise, why would gangs bother? Fraud is the express route to the Immortal Dao, the ultimate shortcut. Once you find me some more colleagues and restore more of my power, I’ll teach you the art of fraud. We’ll swindle some wealthy fools, and you’ll finally understand what real money looks like.”
“As for this time, I wouldn’t have suggested you take this job if it hadn’t been so convenient and if Zhang Pianpian hadn’t been providing cover.”
Zhang Yu shook his head, feeling like Fu Ji was already scamming him. He suppressed his doubts and continued pondering how to use the Spirit Coins.
Having suddenly acquired such a massive fortune, Zhang Yu immediately began considering possibilities he’d never dared dream of before.
One example was the Hammerheart Pavilion’s Spirit-Flesh Unity journey, advertised as “30 Spirit Coins for guaranteed success or your money back.”
This was a higher Cultivation Realm, where even in unconsciousness, a sliver of spiritual light remained in the Sea of Consciousness, maintaining the continuous operation of the mental cultivation technique.
Reaching Dao Heart Level 15 was also a prerequisite for practicing the second mental cultivation technique.
“According to Teacher Feng Jiu, achieving Spirit-Flesh Unity requires relentless cultivation, honing it little by little through arduous practice.”
“Alternatively, there’s the Spirit-Flesh Unity journey at Hammerheart Pavilion.”
Zhang Yu’s Dao Heart Level was rapidly approaching 15. He had originally believed that he could only attain Spirit-Flesh Unity through his own relentless efforts, gradually refining it through painstaking practice, before progressing to the second mental cultivation technique.
This process could potentially take an extremely long time. After all, many Foundation Establishment Students failed to reach Spirit-Flesh Unity even by Level 20.
“If I can solve this with Spirit Coins, then using Spirit Coins would definitely be faster.”
However, with a massive expenditure of 30 Spirit Coins or more — and with Zhang Yu’s current savings still below 30 Spirit Coins — he decided to continue attempting to cultivate Spirit-Flesh Unity on his own for now.
“If I still haven’t achieved Spirit-Flesh Unity by the time the Spirit Coins arrive, then I’ll make a trip to Hammerheart Pavilion.”
After their initial excitement, the three roommates in the dormitory quickly suppressed their emotions.
They all kept Zhang Pianpian’s reminder firmly in mind, determined not to let their excitement get the better of them.
For the rest of the night, none of the three went back to work or stayed late. They simply cultivated silently in their dorm room.
By the next day, after a night of cultivation, all three had regained their composure. No trace of their earlier excitement remained on their faces.
When Zhang Pianpian returned to the dorm, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up as he gazed at her chest.
Zhang Pianpian looked at Zhang Yu and sighed, “I’m so grateful for your keen observation at the construction site. With this accomplishment, combined with my previous preparations, I think I’ll be promoted to deputy captain next month.”
“You might not fully understand, but this means the world to me.”
Zhang Yu smiled faintly. “Senior Sister, you’ve helped me so much. I’m genuinely happy I could return the favor.”
As he spoke, Zhang Yu’s attention remained focused on the Dao Seed that had materialized on Zhang Pianpian’s chest.
During their previous interactions, he had occasionally sensed the Dao Seed within her body, but it had always flickered in and out of existence, the sensation fleeting and indistinct.
Zhang Yu could barely discern that Zhang Pianpian’s Dao Seed was called the Supreme Clarity Talisman. However, he remained completely clueless about how to activate it or what its purpose might be.
At this moment, whether due to the current mission, their extended time together, or a growing understanding of his elder sister… whatever the reason, Zhang Yu found himself able to sense Zhang Pianpian’s Dao Seed continuously, just as he could with Yu Xinghan’s and Le Mulan’s.
When Zhang Yu focused his attention on the Dao Seed, he felt an indescribably profound and mysterious sensation — or rather, information.
As he continued to sense it, the information grew, eventually coalescing into something Zhang Yu could comprehend.
“Activating the Supreme Clarity Talisman… requires fifty Spirit Coins?”
Zhang Yu stared blankly at Zhang Pianpian, thinking, “This requirement is both impossibly difficult and trivially easy. For the wealthy, it’s nothing. For the poor, it’s an insurmountable obstacle.”
Sensing Zhang Yu’s fixed gaze, Zhang Pianpian asked, “Is something the matter?”
Zhang Yu asked, “Sis… Senior Sister, are you really short on money?”