Chapter 781: Great Sage Researcher?
“Celestial Inquiry Star, how should I handle an encounter with the Myriad Laws Sect’s Immortal Clan?”
Celestial Inquiry Star (Edict Pavilion Internal Dharma Realm Edition): “Apologies, the Dharma Realm’s Calculation Pool is currently busy. Please try asking a different question.”
“If I encounter an Immortal Descendant, what can I do to avoid being killed?”
Celestial Inquiry Star: “Confronting an Immortal Descendant is considered an extension of maliciously confronting an Immortal, a violation that infringes upon the property rights of Immortals as stipulated in the Myriad Laws Sect Immortal Rights Protection Statutes. Therefore, I cannot provide you with any methods. Please abide by the Myriad Laws Sect Statutes and respect the lawful rights of Immortals.”
Reading this response, Yu Qingrang’s mind went blank for a moment before she remembered: “From the moment they’re conceived, members of the Immortal Clan are born with an Innate Homicide Permit. And me, without a permit… resisting them would naturally be illegal.”
The thought made Yu Qingrang’s heart sink, and her mental defenses shot to their highest alert.
In truth, her guard had already skyrocketed the moment she saw Bu Yingshu, the Immortal Master of the Myriad Laws Sect.
And when Bu Shuying proposed pushing the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation through the cultivation art review, Yu Qingrang’s heart had instantly grown heavy as lead.
“It’s over!”
“I heard the Pavilion’s upper echelons have already reached a consensus not to approve this Immortal Sect Technique.”
“If I follow this Immortal Clan member’s wishes, won’t I be making an enemy of the entire Edict Pavilion?”
“Once this is over, she’ll just dust herself off and leave. But I have to stay here in the Edict Pavilion…”
As this realization struck her, Yu Qingrang’s thoughts raced frantically, desperately searching for a solution.
“But if I defy this Dao Monarch… given the Immortal Clan’s arrogance, she might just cast me down to the Lower Realm…”
As a well-informed and experienced Sect Staff member, Yu Qingrang knew all too well the grim fate that awaited lower-level staff like her who defied the Immortal Clan.
In that moment, Yu Qingrang felt she was facing the greatest crisis of her Immortal Dao journey.
As her mind spun wildly, a sudden inspiration struck. She remembered the high-intelligence artifact spirit assistant for the Celestial Inquiry Star that Lu Hengzhang had provided them.
But after a series of inquiries, Yu Qingrang wanted to curse. It seemed that as soon as her questions involved the Immortal Clan, the high-intelligence artifact spirit couldn’t answer a single one.
Fortunately, when facing Bu Yingshu’s test, Yu Qingrang had another flash of insight. She overloaded her Cerebral Bionic, managing to get herself ejected from the simulation.
“Finally… I’ve escaped disaster.”
“Good thing I was quick enough to escape. As for Zhang Yu and the others who are left, I’m afraid they won’t come to a good end.”
After regaining consciousness, Yu Qingrang felt a wave of relief, believing she had successfully escaped with her life.
She returned to Lu Hengzhang’s side, thinking, “Although Lu Hengzhang has his own ill intentions toward me… it’s still far better than staying with that Immortal Clan member.”
“As long as I can get through this, adding the experience of reviewing an Immortal Sect Technique to my resume will be a huge boost for finding part-time work and increasing my income.”
Meanwhile, Lu Hengzhang glanced silently at Yu Qingrang, thinking, “You’re clever enough to have escaped disaster.”
“But Zhang Yu… was he kept behind by Bu Yingshu?”
“Hmph… being an Immortal Clan’s test subject might have its benefits, but the risks are far greater. It’s not a role to be taken lightly.”
“Especially with this Bu Yingshu.”
“Zhang Yu, if you think you’ve found a powerful backer to cling to, you’re gravely mistaken.”
Just then, a faint smile touched the corners of Lu Hengzhang’s lips.
“You’d best stay right where you are. It’ll save me the trouble of dealing with you myself.”
Zhang Yu stared at the information on the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation, his mind racing with possibilities.
“Great Sage’s Heir? This cultivation art actually belongs to the Great Sage’s Heir Chain Formation Diagram?”
The first thought that crossed Zhang Yu’s mind upon realizing this was whether the technique would be classified as a black art.
“Could the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation fail the Dao Repository’s review because it’s considered a black art?”
Zhang Yu couldn’t help but look up at Bu Yingshu, wondering, “Does this Immortal Clan member know about this? Is she aware that this cultivation art might be connected to a Monster Saint?”
As Zhang Yu pondered, a female cultivator beside him knelt on the ground, her face filled with fervent admiration as she addressed Bu Yingshu. “What a magnificent cultivation art! Truly magnificent!”
“If this technique passes the review, it will have a massive impact on multiple industries within the Sect. Dao Monarch Bu, your insight is truly unparalleled to have recognized its potential at a glance.”
Zhang Yu’s gaze shifted slightly as he recalled the female cultivator’s profile: “Zheng Meng from the Body Refinement Group, a veteran Level 2 Sect Staff member. She passed Bu Yingshu’s test along with me.”
“Do you even need to state the obvious?” Bu Yingshu said coolly. “How many truly powerful cultivation arts have you seen? I used to casually browse through Sect-Guarding-Tier techniques like this back when I was still in the Qi Refining stage.”
“Damn it… Fucking Immortal Clan!” Zhang Yu cursed inwardly.
He thought about how he had fought tooth and nail, clawing his way through countless elites just to obtain a single Strategic-Tier Immortal Sect Technique.
Yet, this woman had been casually browsing through even higher-level Sect-Guarding Techniques since she was young.
Beside him, Zheng Meng sighed with admiration. “We lowly cultivators can’t possibly compare to a Dao Monarch like you, an Immortal Scion with noble Immortal blood.”
“Honestly, if not for the Immortals sacrificing themselves to defend the Dao, braving fire and water to slay monsters and sweep away the Demonic Path, how could we have this prosperous Kunxu today? People like us probably wouldn’t even have the right to cultivate, long since reduced to vengeful spirits in the hands of the Demonic Path.”
Hearing Zheng Meng’s words, Bu Yingshu’s perpetually expressionless face flickered with a faint smile.
Zheng Meng’s praise had struck a chord deep within her.
In Bu Yingshu’s eyes, it was precisely because of the efforts of her clan’s ancestors, the might of the Immortals, that Kunxu and the Myriad Laws Sect existed today.
Without the Immortals holding the line, mortals and lower cultivators were nothing more than weeds. When had they ever influenced the grand course of the world?
“When you got down to it, this sky, this earth, these Spirit Veins… in Bu Yingshu’s eyes, her family had a claim to it all.”
“It was they who had led the world into an era where everyone could cultivate, giving all people a chance to step onto the Immortal Dao.”
“Yet, some people are utterly ungrateful for the grace of having the Dao passed down to them. Not only do they arrogantly believe their achievements on the Immortal Dao are solely due to their own talent, aptitude, and Qi Luck, but they also delude themselves into thinking they can surpass the Immortal Clan. Bu Yingshu despises such people the most.”
“To her, the Zheng Meng before her at least seemed to have the right attitude, at least in her words.”
Meanwhile, sensing the shift in Bu Yingshu’s demeanor, Zheng Meng breathed a silent sigh of relief. “Did I… say the right thing?”
In truth, when she saw Yu Qingrang get swept away, Zheng Meng’s heart had sunk.
“That woman had the same idea as me! I wanted to overload the Bionic too!”
After passing the test, Zheng Meng didn’t dare defy Bu Yingshu, but she still worried about her future.
Just then, she noticed the “Gamble” button on her loan bill had turned gray.
“Damn. It’s been 2 hours and 12 minutes since I joined the team, and I haven’t been able to gamble once.”
On the surface, Zheng Meng was a supporter of the Law Adjudication Dao Lineage, but deep down, she was far more drawn to the Heavenly Fortune Immortal Venerable’s Gambling Dao Lineage.
Ever since loan gambling was introduced, Zheng Meng had become a loyal user after her first win wiped out an entire loan.
As they say, “Gambling doesn’t guarantee a loss, but not gambling guarantees you’ll never win. And not winning is the same as losing.”
“Not gambling is losing, that’s my cultivation philosophy.”
Gambling gradually became a part of her life.
In her view, for a Lower Cultivator like her, gambling was the only real chance. Not gambling might seem like an option, but it was actually a dead end.
The moment Bu Yingshu accepted her, Zheng Meng saw another opportunity to gamble.
“I’ll go all in! If I can latch onto the Immortal Clan’s thigh, who cares if I can’t stay in the Edict Pavilion?”
But Zheng Meng had never interacted with the Immortal Clan before. She had no idea how to speak to them properly.
So, just like Yu Qingrang, Zheng Meng thought of the Celestial Inquiry Star.
However, no matter how she phrased her questions, the Celestial Inquiry Star refused to answer anything related.
Until, in a flash of inspiration, Zheng Meng asked: “What makes the Immortal Clan great?”
“What are the strengths of the new generation of the Immortal Clan?”
After absorbing the essence of the Celestial Inquiry Star’s answers, Zheng Meng subtly sensed a shift in Bu Yingshu’s attitude and thought to herself, “I must have said the right thing.”
So, Zheng Meng spoke again: “Dao Monarch, a great figure like you handles grand matters concerning the entire sect’s development. I am honored to be able to assist you, Dao Monarch, and will certainly do my utmost…”
“Assist?” Bu Yingshu said dismissively. “What qualifications do you have to assist me?”
“Remember, you are nothing more than an experiment. You will do whatever I tell you to do. I don’t need you to have your own thoughts.”
Zheng Meng thought, “This Immortal Clan member flips her attitude faster than flipping a page.” The awkwardness on her face vanished in an instant as she quickly replied, “I understand. How could I possibly compare to you, Dao Monarch Bu?”
“Being your experiment, handling a few minor tasks for you, and making a small contribution to the Myriad Laws Sect’s development, that’s all I could ask for.”
Nearby, Zhang Yu cursed inwardly, “What a bootlicker! She’ll stop at nothing to suck up to the Immortal Clan!”
Fu Ji advised, “Zhang Yu, when you’re under someone else’s roof, you have to bow your head. We should kneel quickly too. Others would beg for the chance to kneel before the Immortal Clan.”
Just then, Bu Yingshu flicked her fingertip, and a file was sent to Zheng Meng.
Zheng Meng glanced at it and exclaimed in shock, “This… This is the complete version of the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation? This… this…”
Zheng Meng said, flustered, “According to the Special Task Force’s regulations, individual members are not allowed to view the complete version without approval…”
As far as she knew, only a few leaders in the Special Task Force were authorized to read the full texts of Immortal Sect Techniques. Other members could only review portions.”
Bu Yingshu, however, said casually, “I’ve approved it. Any other problems? If you can master it, I’ll give you the cultivation art’s copyright directly.”
Meeting Bu Yingshu’s gaze, Zhang Yu immediately declared, “I am willing to serve the Dao Monarch with all my heart and strength.”
Bu Yingshu tapped her fingertip again, sending Zhang Yu a copy of the complete cultivation art as well.
Fu Ji said joyfully, “This Immortal Clan member is quite easy to talk to! Zhang Yu, you should learn from Zheng Meng and say more nice things to Manager Bu in the future!”
Immortal Slayer commented, “With our current strength, we can only endure and compromise when facing the Immortal Clan. If we can exchange some emotional validation for tangible benefits, it’s not a bad trade.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, his heart pounding with excitement, began flipping through the complete text of the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation.
Beside him, Bu Yingshu continued, “Just read through it and familiarize yourself with the basics. Don’t even think about simulating it, let alone mastering it.”
“Sect-Guarding-Tier Immortal Sect Techniques each have unique requirements, making them far more difficult to cultivate than Strategic-Tier or True Inheritance-Tier arts.’”
“This Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation is even more demanding.”
She added coolly, “Never mind that you haven’t even fully mastered the Formless Martial Art, simulating an Immortal Sect Technique would be exceptionally difficult for you.”
“Even among everyone in the Edict Pavilion, from top to bottom, I doubt a single person could master this Immortal Sect Technique.”
“Even I would likely struggle to master it.”
“Therefore, to review this cultivation art, direct simulation is out of the question. You’ll need to extract and deconstruct its Immortal Dao Technology…”
As Zhang Yu quickly scanned the main text, he finally understood why Bu Yingshu had said all this.
Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation (0/1, 13/18 Dao Foundations)
Ever since awakening his Feather Book Talent in his first year of high school and using it to cultivate various Immortal Dao Techniques, Zhang Yu had encountered all sorts of cultivation requirements.
When practicing martial arts, he had been temporarily blocked by requirements for Dao Heart or physical strength. When learning Artifact Refinement Techniques, he had been held back by prerequisite skills.
But in Zhang Yu’s view, these requirements were always reasonable. He could easily meet most of them, and over time, he had almost stopped paying attention to this aspect of cultivation.
Until this very moment…
“An 18-Layer Dao Foundation?!”
The Dao Foundation, also known as the Physical Expression Factor, begins developing at the Golden Core Stage and transforms into a Physical Mystic Power at the Nascent Soul Stage.
Zhang Yu’s Dao Foundation, enhanced by his Purple Mansion Golden Core and Golden Core Sacred Body, had reached 13 layers, far surpassing ordinary cultivators.
Yet, faced with the requirement of an 18-Layer Dao Foundation, he felt utterly inadequate.
Zhang Yu was stunned. “Can a human even achieve such a high Dao Foundation? Could it be that only monsterfolk can manage it?”
Immortal Slayer said, “Even among monsterfolk, there are probably only a handful who can reach an 18-Layer Dao Foundation. Bu Shuying was right. Throughout the entire Edict Pavilion, I doubt anyone can even simulate this Immortal Sect Technique, let alone master it.”
At this moment, Zhang Yu deeply felt the resistance to approving this Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation.
From the specific content of the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation, Zhang Yu understood why some people would oppose the approval of this Sect-Guarding Technique.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “This Immortal Sect Technique refines the physical body into a Magic Body. Upon reaching Great Completion, it becomes capable of Myriad Transformations, able to become wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, or transform into mountains, rivers, and lakes, becoming an Incarnation of various natural forces.”
“At that stage, ordinary martial arts and daoist arts would no longer pose a threat to the cultivator. In fact, the cultivator themselves would become a small world.”
“With such transformative abilities, even if their body is shattered, as long as a single breath remains and their Magic Power is not depleted, they can reform their Magic Body and reconstruct their physical form.”
“Simply put… as long as their Magic Power lasts, their physical body is indestructible.”
Zhang Yu summarized it more simply in his mind: “Body elementalization, granting immense destructive power while also providing immunity to conventional physical attacks. Plus, you can trade Magic Power for health.”
Fu Ji said, “With such powerful healing techniques, the Medical Conglomerate would never want this cultivation art to pass approval. If its Immortal Dao Technology were widely applied, it would be their death knell.”
Immortal Slayer added, “The Medical Conglomerate has likely already pressured the Edict Pavilion.”
“And besides the Medical Conglomerate, the Innate Dao Lineage probably doesn’t want to see this cultivation art approved either.”
“The Innate Dao Lineage?” Zhang Yu asked curiously. “Why?”
Immortal Slayer explained, “The Innate Dao Lineage suppresses Lower Cultivation, and Lower Cultivation naturally includes monsterfolk.”
“To them, while Lower Cultivators are detestable, monsterfolk are even more hateful, beings that should be expelled from the Sect Layer entirely.”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “This Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation originated from a Monster Saint, so its Immortal Dao Technology is likely more suitable for monsterfolk… Is that why the Innate Dao Lineage opposes related technologies?’”
“Indeed,” Immortal Slayer agreed. “And I fear the upper echelons of the Innate Dao Lineage already know this cultivation art’s origin. They would never allow a Monster Saint’s Immortal Dao Technology to spread.”
“Whether it’s monsterfolk growing stronger because of it, or humans actively integrating monsterfolk power, both are outcomes they cannot tolerate…”
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. It was only his first day on the Special Task Force, yet he already felt immense resistance. For now, he could only take it one step at a time.
At the same time, he looked at the words “Great Sage’s Heir” and recalled his earlier suspicions.
Was it a coincidence? Or, like his suspicion when he obtained the Immeasurable Heart Inner Dharma Body, was it the mutual attraction of Monster Saint powers? Or did it conceal an even deeper secret?
But the next moment, a thought struck Zhang Yu. He turned to Bu Yingshu and said, “Dao Monarch Bu, do you know why all the seniors have failed to cultivate this art?”
Bu Yingshu snorted coldly. “If I knew the reason, do you think I’d still be unable to cultivate it?”
Zhang Yu’s heart settled upon hearing her words. “Just as I thought… I only understood this cultivation art’s requirements through the Feather Book’s discernment. The others on the Review Team lack my talent, so naturally, they couldn’t see the problem at a glance.”
As Zhang Yu pondered, Bu Yingshu began outlining their next steps.
“I plan to deconstruct this Immortal Sect Technique and reassemble it into a combined-attack art. This will allow us to validate the Immortal Dao Technology within it.”
“However, our current preparations are insufficient to dismantle the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation…”
Bu Yingshu quickly listed the necessary preparations, including study and research, followed by the specific steps for deconstruction, reassembly, and experimentation.
“To dismantle this cultivation art, we must first understand it.”
“Fortunately, when this art was submitted for review, it came with a large number of derivative cultivation arts. Although these derivative arts are low-grade and lack potency, they are the best materials for understanding the Blood Tide Essence Qi Sacred Contemplation.”
With a flick of her fingertip, Bu Yingshu sent copies of the derivative cultivation arts to Zhang Yu and Zheng Meng.
“I’ve already applied for the copyrights for you.”
“As test subjects, you two must also familiarize yourselves with these derivative cultivation arts as quickly as possible. Starting today, you will cultivate these martial arts at top speed, mastering each one to at least level 10.”
Looking at the dozens of martial arts, Zheng Meng nodded slightly, feeling a hint of pressure.
Zhang Yu, however, examined the arts and thought, “Many of these are cultivation arts I’ve reviewed before. Although I haven’t practiced them, I’ve simulated them.”
Just then, Zhang Yu’s gaze flickered. On a cultivation art he hadn’t reviewed, he saw information about a Chain Formation Diagram.
“Great Sage Researcher? What kind of Chain Formation Diagram is this?”
He marked all the cultivation arts labeled with this Chain Formation Diagram and found a total of eight Expert-Grade Martial Arts, none of which he had reviewed.
“Interesting.”
After a moment’s thought, he pinned these eight cultivation arts to the top of his list, planning to master them first.
Over the next few days, with the aid of the Feather Book, Zhang Yu began pushing one cultivation art to level 40 each day.
In his remaining time, he accessed the Local Dharma Realm’s database and started poring over various materials.
He was particularly interested in materials related to the Dao Foundation, wanting to know if the sect’s methods could truly expand a Dao Foundation to 18 layers.
Although the Special Task Force was isolated from the outside world, the supply of Immortal Dao resources never ceased. In Zhang Yu’s view, the internal database was even richer than the one he could access in his office.
As for paid Immortal Dao services or items that required connecting to the external Dharma Realm, they could be purchased and used after submitting a prior application.
Meanwhile, Zheng Meng devoted all her time to studying the cultivation arts.
As a sect disciple, she clearly possessed formidable Immortal Dao aptitude.
By cultivating relentlessly and without rest, she managed to master two or three cultivation arts to level 10 each day.
Five days later, when Bu Yingshu glanced at the number of cultivation arts Zhang Yu and Zheng Meng had mastered, she saw that Zhang Yu had mastered five, while Zheng Meng had reached thirteen.
To Bu Yingshu, Zhang Yu’s origin as a Lower Realm Native was insignificant and didn’t warrant any special treatment.
After all, in her eyes, whether they came from the Lower Realm or the Sect Layer, they were all just dogs of the Myriad Laws Sect, the only difference being whether they were strays or house pets.
Zheng Meng’s performance of mastering thirteen cultivation arts in five days was also unremarkable to Bu Yingshu, not worthy of special attention.
However, in contrast to Zheng Meng’s thirteen, Zhang Yu’s mastery of only five cultivation arts seemed exceptionally poor, so much so that it caught Bu Yingshu’s attention.
Bu Yingshu didn’t believe a sect disciple’s aptitude could be that bad.
“Is he doing this on purpose?”
But when Bu Yingshu saw the detailed data Zhang Yu had submitted for his cultivation arts, her gaze flickered slightly.
“Five Expert-Grade Martial Arts, all at level 40?”