Chapter 826: Yingshu’s Scheme, Punishment List Revealed
At this moment, hearing Bu Yuangui’s words, Bu Yingshu’s heart stirred. “The successful resumption of work in the Former Days Graveyard’s labyrinth this time… will it affect the struggle between the Artifact Spirit Faction and the Soul Cultivator Faction?”
Bu Yuangui nodded and continued, “Moreover, if I’m not mistaken this time, I fear the Soul Cultivator Faction will gain the upper hand.”
Surprise flickered across Bu Yingshu’s face as she immediately asked, “Why? Is it because their own interests are at stake, so the Soul Cultivator Faction will exert more effort to restore production at the Former Days Graveyard?”
Bu Yuangui replied, “That’s part of it, but the key isn’t how much effort the Soul Cultivator Faction invests. It’s about how many people oppose the Artifact Spirit Faction.”
He sighed with emotion before continuing, “Yingshu, don’t be fooled by the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits’ impressive performance over the past two years into thinking they have victory in the bag. In truth, many interest groups have been secretly opposing them all along.”
“Think about it — gambling, Dharma Drugs, memory manipulation, lifespan extension… How do you think these industries view High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits?”
“If the day comes when High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits replace most low- and mid-level cultivators, how will those industries make money? High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits are good, and they’re efficient workers, but Soul Cultivators don’t just work — they consume.”
“The reason they’ve remained silent until now is that they have their own internal conflicts, and the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits hadn’t yet truly encroached upon their interests.”
“This time, with the Soul Cultivator Faction leading the charge for their own benefit, the others naturally won’t mind riding the wave.”
Hearing this, Bu Yingshu nodded slightly, feeling her father’s words made perfect sense. She understood completely and said cheerfully, “In that case, to restore production as quickly as possible, the Soul Cultivator Faction will surely protect Zhang Yu, right? So Zhang Yu will be fine?”
At this thought, Bu Yingshu relaxed, especially relieved that her identity as the Great Sage’s Heir wouldn’t be exposed for now. She let out a sigh of relief.
But the next moment, as if suddenly realizing something, she exclaimed in alarm, “But doesn’t our family support High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits? What will we do if the Former Days Graveyard resumes production?”
Bu Yuangui replied, “We’re not supporting the Artifact Spirit Faction because we’re certain they’ll win. We’re betting on them winning.”
“But we’re not just betting on them alone.”
Bu Yuangui spoke with calm composure, “The Desolate Ox Lineage’s collective consciousness technology can be used to support artifact spirits, but it can also be used to support Soul Cultivators.”
“Yingshu, you must understand that here in Kunxu, no industry profits forever. Sometimes, whether an industry ultimately succeeds is beyond its own control.”
“We invest in those that are profitable and set aside those that aren’t. As long as the ground beneath our feet remains the territory of the Myriad Laws Sect…”
With that, Bu Yuangui smiled at his daughter again and said, “Your move this time was excellent. By sending Zhang Yu to seize Ying Xintian’s Grotto-Heaven, we might even be able to get a piece of the Former Days Graveyard revival project.”
Bu Yingshu lifted her elegant chin and said proudly, “I didn’t think that far ahead.”
As Bu Yingshu’s figure receded, her older brother, Bu Zhenting, emerged and asked, “How did Yingshu know about the labyrinth in advance?”
Bu Yuangui shot him a glance. “Don’t you know how useless your sister can be? Outsiders might think we were behind it, but surely you know whether our own family was involved or not.”
Bu Zhenting laughed awkwardly and thought, “It seems the Zhang Yu affair really wasn’t our family’s doing.”
Bu Yuangui said calmly, “This Zhang Yu seized a legacy, dared to challenge the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan, and even secured a good escape route for himself. There must be a master behind him.”
“But I don’t know how powerful this master is. It’s a good opportunity to let my reckless daughter test the waters.”
Heavenly Sword Sect.
“According to reports, Zhang Yu, a Rank 4 Sect Staff of the Myriad Laws Sect, has publicly accused the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan. A preliminary investigation has found the accusation to be baseless and entirely fabricated. The Supreme Truth Immortal Clan has always been diligent, law-abiding, and widely recognized by all sects in Kunxu. Relevant authorities have clarified the facts and will handle the malicious false report according to the law…”
A barrage of news articles attacking Zhang Yu appeared one after another. Bai Zhenzhen leaped to her feet, her body erupting with sword qi. “Yu Zi is in trouble!” she exclaimed, her face filled with worry.
Just then, the mysterious figure who had been guiding Bai Zhenzhen’s sword techniques spoke, “What’s wrong? Worried he’ll be tormented by the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan? Afraid a Supreme Truth Immortal will snatch him up and refine him in an instant?”
Bai Zhenzhen whipped her head around to face the mysterious figure. “How do I save him? I’ll do anything you ask, as long as it saves him.”
The mysterious figure replied, “What if I asked you to switch to the Bliss Sword Dao?”
Seeing Bai Zhenzhen hesitate for only a moment before nearly agreeing, the mysterious figure sneered, “You wish! Take a good look at yourself. Heaven’s Will has already favored you. I’m here to enjoy the spectacle of your Cuckold’s Sacred Body, not to give you a cheat code.”
“If you practiced the Bliss Sword Dao and started enjoying being cuckolded, where’s the fun in that?”
“When someone who hates working forces themselves to work, that’s self-discipline, that’s breaking out of their comfort zone. When someone who loves working goes to work, that’s just indulging their desires, staying right where they’re comfortable.”
“As for Zhang Yu’s safety, you don’t need to worry. This smear campaign is just the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan’s desperate death throes.”
Bai Zhenzhen looked at him skeptically. “Can Yu Zi really be fine after making an enemy of the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan? I read the reports — they’re a major Immortal Clan spanning the Nine Great Sects.”
The mysterious figure said, “This Zhang Yu… Heh heh, his status, earned through a series of exams, can be seen as a testament to certain people’s reforms. This time, by clashing with the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan and willingly becoming a blade for the higher-ups, he’s positioned himself perfectly, tapping into the pulse of this era’s transformation.”
“He can now be used to carve away at the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan’s power, develop the Former Days Graveyard, and suppress High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits. In the coming years, he’s bound to rise through the ranks.”
The mysterious figure turned to Bai Zhenzhen and laughed again. “How about it, Bai Zhenzhen? Zhang Yu is about to soar to the heavens. Don’t you feel like you, this worthless mud, are becoming less and less worthy of him?”
“Have you ever thought about it? Given the current climate in the Myriad Laws Sect, how many subordinates will Zhang Yu have to ‘dominate’ each day? And how many superiors will ‘dominate’ him? How do you feel now? How does it feel?”
“Do you feel your sword qi growing stronger? Your Sword Intent becoming fiercer?”
“Remember this feeling. This is the very sensation the Extreme Emotion Sword Immortal felt when he created this sword art.”
Inside a room in the Former Days Graveyard.
The Righteous God before Ying Aikun said coldly, “Ying Aikun, don’t even think someone will come to save you. You know the saying: ‘When one person attains the Dao, not even their chickens and dogs are spared.’ You were once part of an Immortal Clan and have dealt with Immortals; you should know how negative assets are handled.”
Hearing this, Ying Aikun’s magic power in his Dantian jolted, and a flicker of struggle crossed his eyes, but he remained silent.
The Righteous God continued, “The contents of your Cosmic Pot involve serious illegal and criminal activities. Do you have any idea how many lifetimes of hard labor it would take to compensate for the losses?”
Ying Aikun hastily replied, “There’s nothing in my Cosmic Pot! Others forced it on me! I was framed!”
The Righteous God said, “So you admit the contents of the Cosmic Pot are evidence of a crime?”
Ying Aikun declared firmly, “I, Ying Aikun, am loyal to the sect and loyal to the Immortals! You can’t falsely accuse me like this!”
Ying Aikun knew that over the past three years, everyone in the sect, from top to bottom, had feasted on Ying Xintian’s assets. As long as everyone benefited, it wasn’t a problem. But if caught in the storm of the sect’s internal struggles, those actions would become a massive vulnerability and a handle for his enemies to grasp.
The Righteous God said, “Oh? Which sect are you loyal to? And which Immortal?”
“List out everything we found in his Cosmic Pot for him to see.”
“Lifespan Flames, Immortal Crystals, and all this…”
Ten minutes later, Ying Aikun was slapping himself while wailing, “I deserve to die! I’m not human! I’m a Lower Beast! I’ve failed Myriad Laws, failed Heavenly Demon, and I’m unworthy of the Immortals’ grace!”
The Righteous God before him remained unmoved. They had seen such scenes countless times.
No matter how many people the Heavenly Court and the major sects arrested and punished, as long as there was a chance for exorbitant profits, a chance to dramatically increase one’s Immortal Dao Potential, a chance to advance further on the path of the Immortal Dao, Kunxu would never lack those willing to risk everything.
The Righteous God said, “Then confess properly. Tell us everything you know about the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan’s criminal activities. Remember, think carefully before you speak. Don’t implicate the innocent or make wild accusations.”
All the Righteous Gods, both inside and outside the room, understood. Although the order was to investigate the past three years and root out all the parasites, the higher-ups had already set the tone: the scope and intensity of the crackdown must be controlled.
Hearing this, Ying Aikun’s magic power in his Dantian trembled again. He knew the blade was now aimed at the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan, but the blood was not allowed to splash onto anyone else.
He seemed to see countless factions in the darkness, sharpening their knives, eager to carve a chunk of flesh from the colossal Supreme Truth Immortal Clan, which spanned across nine Great Sects.
Would the Supreme Truth Immortal protect her descendants?
Ying Aikun had waited for many days, but the Supreme Truth Immortal had not intervened.
In this situation, Ying Aikun’s first thought was self-preservation. He knew that in Kunxu, even death was not the end.
As the Tax Enforcement Army soldiers around him would say, “You’re just dead, not exempt from taxes.”
Even in death, you had to keep working to pay off your debts.
So, whether he chose to resist stubbornly or to atone for his crimes through meritorious service — and whether he ended up repaying his debt over a few lifetimes or dozens — was crucial.
Thinking this, Ying Aikun looked at the Righteous God and said, “I want to apply to become a Soul Cultivator. I want to be completely under the Heavenly Court’s surveillance.”
He knew his physical body was most likely lost. Becoming a Soul Cultivator was a form of self-protection, placing him completely under the Heavenly Court’s surveillance to prevent being assassinated to silence him.
Inside the Detention Point.
Su Lingyou stared coldly at Kuang Tianqing. “The Heavenly Demon Sect sent a mere Rank 3 Sect Staff member like you?”
Though confined here, she could sense the fierce struggle raging outside. The Righteous Gods who came to question her had already been replaced several times.
The Heavenly Demon Sect cultivator before her was also a stranger, a newcomer she didn’t recognize. Clearly, many within the Heavenly Demon Sect viewed this matter as a hot potato.
Compared to Ying Aikun, Su Lingyou appeared much calmer.
After all, as a Rank 7 Tribulation Transcendence Cultivator, she had established Law Edicts and upheld a Dao Lineage, making her an integral part of Kunxu’s governance system.
As long as this era still needed her and her Law Edicts, and as long as she hadn’t undermined the Immortal Emperors’ rule, the worst she faced was exile from the center of power, not financial ruin and reincarnation to repay debts.
According to the Righteous Gods, a cultivator like her… mere laws were no longer sufficient to handle.
Kuang Tianqing looked at her, smiled faintly, and said, “To think that after this venerable one has been away from the sect for a while, so many people no longer recognize me.”
Su Lengyou’s heart skipped a beat. “An old monster who returned to the sect after reincarnation?”
Kuang Tianqing said calmly, “Su Lingyou, are you still loyal to the Heavenly Demon Sect?”
Su Lingyou replied, “I have been a member of the Heavenly Demon Sect since birth. From the day I received my first salary from the sect, I have never done anything to betray it, nor have I ever missed a single tax payment.”
Kuang Tianqing nodded slightly and asked again, “Then what kind of Heavenly Demon are you? Supreme Truth does not represent the Heavenly Demons.”
Su Lingyou’s heart stirred. Combining this with his earlier hint, a sudden guess formed in her mind. “You’re from the Reincarnation Group?”
Recalling the events leading up to her arrival at the Former Days Graveyard, a cold glint flashed in her eyes as she thought inwardly, “Is this a trap set by the Reincarnation Faction?”
“So this is what the Reincarnation Faction is up to… To repair the Former Days Graveyard? To create more Soul Cultivators, suppress the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits, and trap more people in a cycle of death and rebirth? And even to launch a purge against the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan, eradicating their members within the Heavenly Demon Sect and sending them to be reincarnated?”
“Such ruthless methods, such a grand scheme.”
Just then, Kuang Tianqing projected several documents and said, “This is what we found from Ying Aikun. Take a look.”
Staring at the projected content, Su Lengyou abruptly closed her eyes, her mind churning with countless thoughts.
After a moment, she changed her tone and said, “Having spent so much time in the Detention Point, I’ve had ample opportunity to reflect deeply on my own shortcomings.”
Kuang Tianqing’s eyes flashed with a strange light at her sudden change in demeanor. “Then how much do you know about the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan’s embezzlement of Ying Xintian’s assets?”
Su Lingyou replied, “I don’t know the total amount, only the portion related to the Heavenly Demon Sect. I am willing to cooperate with the investigation, but I want to know how far you intend to take this.”
From her words, Kuang Tianqing understood her intentions. Su Lingyou wanted to switch sides, to defect to them.
This didn’t surprise Kuang Tianqing; in fact, it was the very reason he had come.
Cultivators at the Void Refinement Realm and above, capable of establishing Law Edicts and upholding a Dao Lineage, were vital assets to any sect.
Su Lengyou’s Law Edict was related to Spirit Realm information. While it could support the Supreme Truth Dao Lineage, it was far more compatible with the Reincarnation Immortal Emperor’s Dao Lineage.
Kuang Tianqing also sensed the probing nature of her words. Although Su Lingyou wanted to join the Reincarnation Group, she needed to gauge the capabilities of Kuang Tianqing and the power behind him.
Kuang Tianqing projected a document before Su Lingyou. “Peak Master Su, the Heavenly Demon Hall requires your full cooperation in investigating this matter.”
Seeing the seal on the document, Su Lingyou inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. “So it really is… the Reincarnation Immortal Emperor?”
“Ancestor, your prominence and overwhelming strength among the Immortals drew the Immortal Emperor’s attention… Your defeat was not unjust.”
“In the end, the Heavenly Demon Sect is ruled by the Reincarnation Immortal Emperor.”
At that moment, a thrill surged through Su Lengyou. “Why cling to the Supreme Truth Immortal’s thigh when the Reincarnation Immortal Emperor’s is so much more comfortable?”
Simultaneously, Su Lingyou straightened her posture. The Supreme Truth Immortal Clan’s cultivation art she had been using instantly switched to the orthodox Demonic Cultivation Art of the Heavenly Demon Sect. Her previously aloof aura transformed into a dense, demonic presence.
Su Lengyou declared, “I will cooperate fully.”
Kuang Tianqing pressed on, “To your knowledge, how much of Ying Xintian’s assets has the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan secretly embezzled and concealed?”
Su Lingyou replied, “From what I know, it’s approximately 1.2 trillion.”
Kuang Tianqing exclaimed, “How much?!”
Su Lengyou confirmed, “At least a trillion.”
Kuang Tianqing’s Spirit Realm Projection vanished from the room, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
He had known the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan’s treasure chest would yield a fortune, but he never imagined it would be this much.
In that instant, Kuang Tianqing could almost see the impending bloodbath within the Sect Layers — and the resources for his own future advancement.
Kuang Tianqing’s gaze turned to the window, where he could see the construction teams of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Netherworld Palace, and White Bone Cult bustling about.
He knew that many cultivators had recently come to the labyrinth, attempting to repair the site and restore production, but so far, their efforts had been futile.
“Many sect-enterprises have been urging the Special Investigation Team to speed up the process, hoping to get the production lines here back online as soon as possible…”
Kuang Tianqing thought to himself, “Zhang Yu will probably be released soon.”
Deep within the Spirit Realm, inside a Divine Temple.
Beyond layers of red walls and golden tiles, Heavenly Dragons soared and Phoenixes circled.
A Great God, radiating five-colored light, stood majestically in the hall. His hands formed a Dao Seal, and an aura of compassion washed over the space. His slightly closed eyes seemed unwilling to witness the suffering of the world.
This was the First Righteous God of the Ministry of All People, the Great God of Sentient Creation.
At this very moment, countless streams of information flowed back and forth within the Spirit Realm, both inside and outside the Divine Temple.
Vast amounts of data concerning every layer of Kunxu converged before this Great God. Innumerable choices, decisions, and procedures were laid out before him, determining the future of Kunxu’s countless trillions of beings.
But the next moment, the Great God of Sentient Creation’s divine sense rippled with a faint, unusual fluctuation.
A document materialized before him, looking identical to the countless trillions of other documents that appeared before him simultaneously.
However, its contents concerned Ying Xintian’s legacy. It proposed registering and cataloging the Immortal Grotto-Heaven left behind by Ying Xintian, with its temporary user registered as Zhang Yu of the Myriad Laws Sect.
The document also addressed the ownership of Ying Xintian’s bloodline power, which would be temporarily held by Zhang Yu and likewise needed to be registered with the Ministry of All People.
“Zhang Yu?”
A flicker of familiarity arose, and in the next instant, all information about Zhang Yu flooded the Great God of Sentient Creation’s consciousness. He now knew everything about him.
“It’s him again.”
The Great God of Sentient Creation recalled previously awarding Zhang Yu a prize and remembered his connection to Zhang Pianpian.
His divine eyes swept over Zhang Yu’s history and data. He thought to himself, “The reforms in Kunxu are ultimately proving effective.”
“Daring to raise a blade against an Immortal… Ying Xintian can be considered to have a worthy successor.”
A surge of approval welled up in the Great God of Sentient Creation’s heart. As a Righteous God born to govern Kunxu, he seemed genuinely pleased to reward such a cultivator.
“Approved.”
“Magnetic Pole, it’s not that Master doesn’t want to help you, but you’re asking us to intervene in such a major affair? You’re endangering Master!”
In the Spirit Realm, a young man looked at Magnetic Pole as if she were a poor relative from the countryside. He shook his head, his heart filled with disdain. “If you knew it would come to this, why did you make that choice back then?”
“Back in the day, you were a renowned Heavenly Chosen, far more formidable than I was.”
“Who would have thought you’d be so foolish as to choose to stay in the lower realm?”
The young man paused, looking at Magnetic Pole with a sigh of regret. “A single misstep can create a chasm as wide as heaven and earth. My current cultivation, techniques, and perspective… are far beyond what a former Heavenly Chosen like you can comprehend. This is the price of a wrong choice. Talent and effort are worthless in the face of a single decision.”
“Magnetic Pole, you’ve been in the Lower Realm for a long time and aren’t familiar with the sect. This affair is not something people of your status can get involved in. As your former Senior Brother, I’ll give you a piece of advice.”
“Stay put in the Training School and mind your own business.”
Watching the young man disconnect the communication, Magnetic Pole clenched her fists, even though she had anticipated this outcome.
Old Gao sighed beside her. “You know those guys abandoned their old connections the moment they entered the sect. Why bother begging them?”
Magnetic Pole replied, “What else could I do? They’re the highest-ranking people I know in the sect. Now that Zhang Yu is in trouble, who else can I turn to?”
Just then, Divine Monarch Nether Spring sent them a message: “Quick, look at this news! [Spirit Realm Link]”
“Investigation has revealed that Ying Aikun of the Heavenly Demon Sect has lost his Sect Nature and severely violated the laws and edicts of the sect and the Heavenly Court. The nature of his crimes is grave, and their impact is egregious…”
Reading the long list of punishments related to the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan, Magnetic Pole felt a wave of shock. “They’re all from the Supreme Truth Immortal Clan?”
Then, she saw Zhang Yu’s name.