Chapter 816: Accidentally Wounding Immortal Family
Just before Zhang Yu’s Clone descended in the Immortal Shuttle, the cultivators of the Heavenly Demon Sect had already blocked the entrance to the labyrinth’s Factory District. They prevented numerous other cultivators from exploring, intending to seal off the entrance completely.
Although some were dissatisfied, they dared not voice their anger or challenge him in any way. They were facing Ying Aikun’s incarnation, a former Immortal Clan member backed by the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan.
“A bunch of lower beasts…” Ying Aikun sneered inwardly. “This is what the old geezer left for us, his descendants. Do you think you’re worthy of even touching it?”
However, the moment the Azure Void Rift Shuttle descended and the Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators caught their first glimpse of it, their once-impenetrable blockade began to crumble.
The Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators present were all Sect Staff responsible for the Former Days Graveyard.
Even if they hadn’t witnessed the Immortal Shuttle shattering Ying Aikun’s physical body firsthand, they had all heard the stories.
If even Ying Aikun had been smashed to pieces — rumored to have splattered everywhere like filth, his Primordial Spirit chased relentlessly like a stray dog — how could they, mere Sect Staff, dare to stand in the path of this Immortal Shuttle?
“Such immense pressure!” someone cried out, stumbling back. “My Bionic is malfunctioning!”
Another shouted, dodging aside, “I’ll draw the Immortal Shuttle’s attention! Everyone, hold the line!”
Someone else quietly hid behind Ying Aikun. “Don’t be afraid, everyone! With Senior Ying here, they wouldn’t dare act recklessly!”
Ying Aikun, now pushed to the front, cursed inwardly. “What the hell do you know? Do you understand the Immortal Clans better than I do? They love acting recklessly!”
“That madwoman, Bu Yingshu, actually chased me all the way into the labyrinth to ram me again!”
This thought didn’t arise from any deep understanding of Bu Yingshu. Instead, Ying Aikun simply put himself in her shoes and realized he would do the exact same thing, chase and ram without hesitation.
The moment the Immortal Shuttle appeared, Ying Aikun’s first instinct was to retreat as far as possible.
Although he was currently using only an incarnation to blockade the entrance, this incarnation was no cheap substitute. It was a meticulously forged magical artifact body, and he had no intention of losing it here. Combined with the physical body he’d lost last time, it would be adding frost to snow.
But Ying Aikun quickly realized, “I can’t escape… This incarnation is nowhere near as fast as the Immortal Shuttle.”
As the Immortal Shuttle arrived in an instant, hurtling toward him, poised to pierce his body and cause a tragic case of acute Immortal Shuttle poisoning, Ying Aikun suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud and shouted, “Grandma!”
“I have something to say!”
With a soft hum, the Immortal Shuttle came to a silent halt directly in front of Ying Aikun.
The Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators watching this scene were all secretly amazed.
“As expected of Senior Ying! He stopped the Immortal Shuttle with just one word: ‘Grandma’!”
“Exactly! If it were us, we could shout ‘Ancestor’ a hundred, even a thousand times, and that shuttle wouldn’t even slow down.”
“He’s a Former Immortal Clan member, after all. His face carries immense weight.”
Meanwhile, Ying Aikun breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, “Hmph, that woman Bu Yingshu… stopped by a single word from me. Just as I always judged: her Dao heart is weak, her emotions are unstable, and her actions are superficial. She’s unfit for great responsibility and easily manipulated by words.”
He crowed silently in his mind, “Bu Yingshu, even though I’m no longer an Immortal Clan member, my wisdom still surpasses yours.”
“Last time, it happened too suddenly, giving me no chance to react.”
“This time, just watch as I bewitch you with a few words and bring you firmly under my control…”
Just as Ying Aikun’s mind raced, frantically recalling every piece of information about Bu Yingshu and devising one method after another to guide, train, and control her…
A male voice echoed from the Azure Void Rift Shuttle.
“Get lost.”
Hearing these words, Ying Aikun froze for a moment, a flicker of confusion in his mind. “Did Bu Yingshu switch to a male body today? Surely she wouldn’t lend her Immortal Shuttle to someone else?”
In Ying Aikun’s view, mundane matters like changing one’s physical body or gender were far more common than lending out an Immortal Shuttle.
But the next moment, Ying Aikun’s brow suddenly twitched. “No, that’s not right.”
“Blindsided by the shuttle’s charge, I was so focused on dealing with Bu Yingshu… I forgot something crucial.”
Ying Aikun recalled the information Su Lengyou had given him earlier.
“According to Grandma, Bu Yingshu only descended here because of that Zhang Yu. She’s been intercepted and can’t interfere with the Former Days Graveyard for now.”
Ying Aikun had absolute faith in the accuracy of Su Lengyou’s intelligence.
A sudden realization struck him. “Could it be… Bu Yingshu isn’t even on this shuttle?”
“And with the Spirit Realm connection severed here, it’s impossible for her to descend remotely, even if she wanted to.”
At this thought, Ying Aikun shot a sharp glance at the Immortal Shuttle and said, “I wonder if Dao Monarch Bu is even on board.”
Meanwhile, as the Azure Void Rift Shuttle continued its journey, tearing through the labyrinth’s sky, it was spotted by cultivators in various distorted spaces.
A large number of exploring cultivators followed the shuttle’s trail of light, converging on the Factory District entrance.
Qin Chuan, Minister of the Myriad Laws Sect’s Ethereal Communications Department, hurried toward the Factory District entrance with Deputy Minister Jiang Xuyi and several other cultivators, chasing the shuttle’s afterglow.
“There it is!”
Minister Qin Chuan’s gaze fell on the shuttle hovering before Ying Aikun, his expression grave. He thought grimly, “Dao Monarch Bu came after all!”
His mind raced. “Just as I suspected. Dao Monarch Bu has been planning this for so long, her target has always been this labyrinth. With the recent anomalies, she’s descended directly in her shuttle!”
“If I can prove useful to Dao Monarch Bu this time and latch onto this powerful figure from the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan…”
An image of Zhang Yu flashed in Qin Chuan’s mind. “If I could even replace Zhang Yu and win Dao Monarch Bu’s favor, wouldn’t my future immortal path be boundless?”
Just as Qin Chuan was lost in his fantasies, the Immortal Shuttle ahead flashed faintly, and a projection descended from it — it was none other than Zhang Yu.
Looking at the numerous Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators before him, Zhang Yu said indifferently, “Whether Dao Monarch Bu is here or not, what does it have to do with you?”
Zhang Yu had no intention of pretending Bu Yingshu was on the shuttle. Such a lie would be easily exposed, only causing him trouble later.
Besides, Bu Yingshu had lent him the shuttle. Whether she was on board or not, he could pilot it just the same.
Previously, Zhang Yu had worried about being discovered piloting the shuttle, fearing it would attract too much attention and hinder his exploration of the labyrinth.
But now, he wanted to be as high-profile as possible. He hoped the shuttle would draw everyone’s attention, buying his main body more time to subdue the Berserk Corpse Components deep within the Factory District and search for the Ancestor’s Corpse.
Zhang Yu told himself, “I can be more arrogant.”
In that instant, countless images of wealthy and powerful figures he had encountered in the past flashed through his mind.
Zhang Yu’s voice turned cold as he spoke, “Get out of the way immediately. Don’t block the path, or don’t blame my shuttle for showing no mercy.”
Upon seeing Zhang Yu’s projection and hearing his words, Ying Aikun’s heart settled. “If Bu Yingshu were on the shuttle, she would never have given that reply.”
“As expected! As expected! Bu Yingshu probably isn’t on the shuttle at all.”
“No wonder the shuttle stopped so quickly. How would Zhang Yu dare to ram me? No matter how much Bu Yingshu favors her subordinates, she would never grant him that kind of authority.”
“This shuttle is probably just Zhang Yu borrowing its power to intimidate people.”
With this realization, Ying Aikun, who had been momentarily panicked, regained his composure completely. He sneered at Zhang Yu, “Zhang Yu! Who do you think you’re talking to?”
“A mere Lower Beast from the Lower Realm, thinking you’re untouchable just because you’ve gained the favor of an Immortal Clan member? Have you forgotten your place?”
“Anyone who didn’t know better might think you were carrying the Immortal Clan’s bloodline.”
With that, Ying Aikun waved his hand and addressed the Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators beside him, “Don’t be afraid of him. Dao Monarch Bu isn’t on the shuttle. Today, Zhang Yu is acting on his own authority, forcing his way into the labyrinth.”
“He has no right to use the shuttle to ram anyone.”
“Stand with me. I’d like to see…”
BOOM
By the time Ying Aikun reacted, all he could see was his incarnation’s vision spinning wildly, the world turning upside down.
Forged through countless refinements, indestructible, crafted from a wealth of precious materials by major sects and renowned brands — his magical artifact body seemed utterly fragile, pathetically weak before the Immortal Shuttle.
With barely a thought of resistance, Ying Aikun’s incarnation shattered like a glass cup slammed against a wall, torn apart by the shuttle’s impact.
His head shot skyward with a thump, giving him the dizzying view of his own body exploding like a firework.
As Ying Aikun’s incarnation’s body disintegrated, the surrounding Heavenly Demon Sect cultivators let out a collective howl and scattered in all directions.
One Heavenly Demon Sect cultivator passed by Ying Aikun’s severed head and snatched it out of the air.
Ying Aikun watched this unfold, his fury mixed with shock.
If this place were connected to the Dharma Realm, he might have first taken a Dharma Drug to stabilize his spirit.
But here and now, all he could do was glare at the Immortal Shuttle, his voice trembling with rage and disbelief, “You worthless beast! Bu Yingshu isn’t even on the shuttle! You, a mere dog… you dare to ram me?!”
“You think just because Bu Yingshu can ram me, you can too? If she finds out, she won’t spare you!”
Just then, the previously hovering Immortal Shuttle stirred, abruptly turning to face Ying Aikun’s direction once more, its prow aimed directly at his incarnation’s severed head.
The Heavenly Demon Sect cultivator who had caught the head trembled at the sight, hastily dropping it and dodging to the side.
With a soft thud, Ying Aikun’s head hit the ground.
At the same time, Zhang Yu’s voice echoed from the Azure Void Rift Shuttle again. He decided to make an even bolder statement.
“Ying Aikun, you’re right. Dao Monarch Bu is indeed not on this shuttle, nor is she controlling it.”
Without giving anyone time to react, Zhang Yu activated the shuttle again.
In that instant, all the cultivators present received a notification broadcast from the shuttle.
“Warning! You may be obstructing the path of Sect Defense Shuttle XXXXXXXX. Please clear the area immediately and do not interfere with sect business.”
A projection descended from the shuttle, displaying its intended route.
The projected route cut straight through the Factory District entrance and overlaid Ying Aikun’s head, as if announcing to everyone that Zhang Yu intended to run right over it.
The shuttle’s path was the correct path. If someone stood in its way, they were in the wrong place. If a building blocked it, the building was built in the wrong direction.
And now, Ying Aikun’s head was clearly in the wrong place.
At the same time, Zhang Yu’s voice echoed again: “Dao Monarch Bu has lent me this Azure Void Rift Shuttle to use as I see fit.”
“Are you… still not going to move?”
Staring at the projected route descending upon him, Ying Aikun’s mind reeled with shock. “Has Bu Yingshu gone mad? She gave Zhang Yu full authority over this shuttle?!”
Meanwhile, Minister Qin Chuan and Deputy Minister Jiang Xuyi of the Ethereal Communications Department watched the scene, their faces etched with disbelief.
If Minister Qin Chuan had been merely suspicious when Zhang Yu claimed Dao Monarch Bu wasn’t present, now, hearing Zhang Yu’s words and seeing the projection descend from the sky, he was utterly speechless.
“Dao Monarch Bu lent the shuttle to Zhang Yu and let him fly it however he wants? Ramming people at will?”
“What exactly is their relationship?”
He couldn’t figure it out. Qin Chuan simply couldn’t comprehend it!
All he knew was that Zhang Yu must be incredibly important to Dao Monarch Bu, far more important than any of his previous estimates.
At the same time, a deep, chilling fear gripped both Qin Chuan and Jiang Xuyi.
“We actually tried to oppose him?”
“We’ve been dealing with someone who could have killed us for free at any moment for this long?”
In that instant, Qin Chuan made a firm decision. “Zhang Yu… no, Senior Zhang… from now on, you are the true leader of the Ethereal Communications Department. I will follow your orders.”
Beside him, Jiang Xuyi rushed forward, seemingly to prevent anyone from trying to save Ying Aikun.
“Senior Zhang,” Jiang Xuyi said, “would you like me to help you straighten this head a bit?”
Meanwhile, Ying Aikun had finally snapped out of his shock. “Whatever madness has possessed Bu Yingshu, and whatever her relationship with Zhang Yu is, now is not the time to fight him.”
Ying Aikun’s incarnation shouted, “Wait, Zhang Yu, listen to me—”
Zhang Yu replied coolly, “Tell it to Dao Monarch Bu.”
“Right now, you just look like a speed bump.”
The next moment, the Immortal Shuttle carved a graceful arc through the air, instantly piercing and obliterating Ying Aikun’s head.
Watching this scene unfold, Jiang Xuyi’s heart trembled, and a profound sense of awe filled his eyes as he gazed at the Immortal Shuttle.
At the same time, Zhang Yu’s voice echoed, “Deputy Minister Jiang Xuyi, did I hit something?”
Before Jiang Xuyi could reply, Minister Qin Chuan rushed over from the other side.
He shot Jiang Xuyi a glare, then quickly said, “Senior Zhang, you were just reversing the Immortal Shuttle to check, and you even issued a warning about your route in advance. Who would have thought Ying Aikun would leave his head lying here, trying to stage an accident?”
Zhang Yu smiled faintly. He hadn’t expected that Qin Chuan, who stood before him, would also have some understanding of the “Insights on Great Fortune” taught by Bu Yingshu.
Since the Immortal Shuttle’s presence was now public knowledge, Zhang Yu decided to take the opportunity to chat with his two colleagues.
On one hand, it would facilitate his future work in the Ethereal Communications Department. On the other, and more importantly, it was a chance to make some arrangements to prevent them from running around causing trouble later.
Zhang Yu asked, “Minister Qin, could you check if the front of my Immortal Shuttle is damaged?”
Having just witnessed Ying Aikun’s head being pulverized, how could Minister Qin Chuan dare to stand in front of the Immortal Shuttle? He frantically waved his hands and said, “No damage, no damage at all! How could such a fine Immortal Shuttle be easily damaged?”
Zhang Yu, however, turned the shuttle’s head and asked, “Then is there any filth stuck to it?”
Qin Chuan hastily dodged aside, shouting to Jiang Xuyi, “Jiang Xuyi, you go check if Senior Zhang’s shuttle head is dirty!”
“Me?” Jiang Xuyi stared at the turning shuttle head and quickly dodged aside as well. He then turned to the other cultivators of the Ethereal Communications Department and said, “Quick, go check the Immortal Shuttle for Senior Zhang.”
Seeing that his display of power had sufficiently intimidated the members of the Ethereal Communications Department, Zhang Yu stopped and said, “For the upcoming labyrinth exploration mission, I will lead the way in the Immortal Shuttle. You are to follow its trail and stay close behind.”
After giving these instructions, the Immortal Shuttle flashed and plunged into the Factory District.
Qin Chuan and the others immediately followed.
In fact, it wasn’t just Qin Chuan’s team; cultivators from other exploration teams also began chasing after the Immortal Shuttle.
In their eyes, such an Immortal Shuttle must have an extraordinary origin, and its pilot surely knew more about the labyrinth’s secrets than they did. Following him would undoubtedly lead to greater rewards.
This was precisely Zhang Yu’s goal: to draw the attention of all cultivators in the labyrinth, focusing everyone’s gaze on the shuttle to provide cover for his other self.
Meanwhile…
In another part of the Factory District, Ying Aikun, having lost contact with his incarnation, suddenly straightened his body. His mind was still filled with the image of the Immortal Shuttle finally pressing in, filling his entire field of vision.
Ling Chiye, who was beside him, asked, “Senior Ying, what happened?”
Ying Aikun’s expression was grave as he said, “That Zhang Yu, piloting Bu Yingshu’s Immortal Shuttle, has barged into the labyrinth…”
After Ying Aikun recounted the events involving the Immortal Shuttle, Ling Chiye, a Rank 5 Sect Staff, exclaimed in surprise, “Such a thing happened? Why would Dao Monarch Bu lend her Immortal Shuttle to Zhang Yu and allow a lower cultivator like him to use it?”
Ling Chiye’s mind raced. He continued, “Could it be that Bu Yingshu has also set her sights on this labyrinth? Didn’t the Myriad Laws Sect claim they weren’t interested and wouldn’t interfere? Have they been planning to make a move here all along?”
Now that he was no longer facing the direct impact of the Immortal Shuttle and the risk of property loss, Ying Aikun’s thoughts grew clearer.
He said coldly, “What ‘won’t interfere’? What ‘won’t meddle in the affairs of the Former Days Graveyard for now’?”
At that moment, fragments of intelligence Ying Aikun had gathered in the past surfaced in his mind.
The Immortal Shuttle had appeared in the Former Days Graveyard before.
The last time he wanted borrowed Soul Cultivators, Bu Yingshu herself had descended and shattered him.
“This time, with the labyrinth’s anomaly, I had already grasped its secrets and was on the verge of breaking through the final barrier. Yet again, it’s Bu Yingshu’s subordinate, piloting her Immortal Shuttle, coming to cause trouble for me.”
“Once might be a coincidence, but twice… that’s deliberate, premeditated.”
Ying Aikun said solemnly, “Bu Yingshu… no, Bu Yingshu is likely just a pawn. It must be the people from Myriad Laws behind her who have realized that I am the key to unlocking the labyrinth. That’s why they keep targeting me.”
Ling Chiye nodded silently, finding Ying Aikun’s reasoning sound.
Ying Aikun suddenly laughed. “That woman, Bu Yingshu, has gotten smarter. She doesn’t want to get involved herself, so she sent a lower cultivator like Zhang Yu, handing over her Immortal Shuttle to him to act as her dirty glove.”
“If anything goes wrong in the future, she can just pin everything on this Zhang Yu. After all, a lower cultivator’s achievements are the upper cultivator’s credit, while an upper cultivator’s mistakes are the lower cultivator’s responsibility.”
Ling Chiye nodded slightly. “But this Zhang Yu, from what you’ve described, seems to be acting rather recklessly.”
Ying Aikun smiled faintly. “It’s normal for a Lower Realm Native who suddenly latches onto a powerful backer to become arrogant. And if he has the chance to be used as a weapon by those above, he might be deliberately acting this way, hoping to seize an opportunity to climb higher.”
“These Lower Realm Natives will do anything to climb higher.”
“Next, he’ll probably pilot that Immortal Shuttle and continue to cause trouble for us.”
At this point, Ying Aikun issued his orders: “Halt all exploration in the surrounding area. For now, ignore the rampaging Berserk Corpse Components.”
“Everyone, gather here to protect me. Don’t give him even the slightest opportunity.”
Ling Chiye smiled confidently. “Senior Ying, rest assured. If we were outside, I’d have no choice but to turn and flee upon encountering this Immortal Shuttle.”
“But here, without a connection to the Spirit Realm and free from all oversight, how much of the shuttle’s power can a mere Spirit Transformation cultivator like Zhang Yu possibly unleash?”
“It wouldn’t be difficult for me to intercept him.”
“Ultimately, if Dao Monarch Bu hadn’t chosen this Zhang Yu and given him such an Immortal Shuttle, what would he amount to on his own?”
Ying Aikun nodded but still said, “I’m just worried that Bu Yingshu and the people behind her have more plans than just Zhang Yu.”
Ling Chiye replied, “With Peak Master Su here, she has likely already isolated the entire Former Days Graveyard, cutting off all news about the labyrinth. Zhang Yu probably doesn’t know that he won’t be getting any reinforcements.”
Thinking of his grandmother, Su Lengyou, whom he had summoned to oversee the situation, Ying Aikun felt much calmer. Still, he added, “It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Have everyone return.”
Next, Ying Aikun focused his attention on the spatial barrier at the laboratory entrance before them.
Not long after, the world trembled violently, and the spatial barrier abruptly dissipated, revealing a path leading into the Laboratory District.
Watching this, Ling Chiye exclaimed in admiration, “Senior Ying, you succeeded!”
Ying Aikun paused for a moment, then nodded. “Let’s go. We’ll see what the old geezer left behind in there.”