Chapter 836: Encirclement
A flicker of caution flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind as his consciousness traversed the Spirit Realm, arriving directly in the conference room.
Upon his arrival, he saw that the other three Vice Presidents had already arrived.
Zhang Yu could vaguely perceive a massive volume of information being rapidly exchanged between the three Vice Presidents’ consciousnesses. They seemed to be discussing something.
When Zhang Yu arrived, the three Vice Presidents treated him as if he were invisible, not even sparing him a glance.
Just then, a wave of pressure emanated from the depths of the Spirit Realm. The next moment, a vast consciousness descended upon the conference room.
The newcomer was Xiao Yunhe, the President of the Management Committee — a Rank 7 Sect Staff and a Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivator.
As the highest-ranking individual in the Management Committee in terms of position, rank, and cultivation realm, all four Vice Presidents, including Zhang Yu, lowered their heads slightly to show their respect.
Simultaneously, Xiao Yunhe activated Spirit Realm Acceleration, officially commencing the meeting of the Management Committee’s five top leaders.
Xiao Yunhe spoke calmly, “This meeting will primarily address some issues that have been discovered during the reconstruction of the Development Zone.”
He looked towards the other Vice President, Xie Lanyin, and said, “Vice President Xie Lanyin, please elaborate on the specifics.”
Zhang Yu’s gaze shifted towards her, and information about the female cultivator surfaced in his mind.
Xie Lanyin, a Void Refinement Cultivator from the White Bone Cult. As a Vice President of the Management Committee, she was a Rank 6 Sect Staff, responsible for matters such as investment promotion, industrial planning, project management, and external cooperation within the Management Committee.
Zhang Yu had heard many rumors about Xie Lanyin. It was said that her true form had transformed into a mountain range of white bone, which produced vast quantities of high-quality materials each year.
A judgment flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind: This is a high-tier cultivator who literally has a mine at home — or rather, has turned herself into a mine, her assets constantly expanding through her own power.
Zhang Yu also remembered… during their first meeting, she had been the first to express doubt and hostility towards him.
Xie Lanyin spoke, “Recently, many enterprises wishing to establish themselves in the Development Zone have complained to me. They feel there are management issues, with high-tier cultivators who are not Development Zone staff frequently entering the area, causing chaos and slowing down work progress.”
“Several enterprises have questioned the Development Zone’s security because of these incidents, and some have even suspended their investment projects.”
“They’re worried that if their staff come here, they might be run over or beaten to death, which would disrupt their work progress. What then?”
“Moreover, this area is slated to become a major production hub for Soul Cultivators and corpse components. If random deaths occur, it could severely impact the quality control of our production lines…”
Zhang Yu’s gaze flickered. He immediately understood that she was almost certainly referring to Bu Yingshu’s reckless piloting of the Immortal Shuttle.
Zhang Yu lowered his eyes slightly, thinking, Is this aimed at me?
As soon as Xie Lanyin finished speaking, another Vice President chimed in, “Vice President Zhang, the cultivator who’s been recklessly causing chaos in the Development Zone recently — isn’t she from your Myriad Laws Sect?”
Zhang Yu’s gaze shifted to the speaker.
He had encountered this person before during his exploration of the labyrinth. He was a Void Refinement Cultivator from the Netherworld Palace, stationed in the Former Days Graveyard.
Back then, after Zhang Yu had obtained an ancestor’s corpse in the labyrinth, he had nearly been cornered by this cultivator and his allies. He had only escaped thanks to the combination of his Immortal Grotto-Heaven and the Grotto-Heaven Bridge.
However, the other party hadn’t seen his true face at the time, so they didn’t know they had already crossed paths.
Like Xie Lanyin, this man also had the surname Xie. His name was Xie Xue, though there was no blood relation between them.
He was also a Rank 6 Sect Staff and Void Refinement Cultivator. Combined with the Netherworld Palace’s formidable influence in the Former Days Graveyard, Xie Xue was an entrenched local power.
As a Vice President on the Management Committee, he oversaw matters of Magic Enforcement, Security, and Environmental Protection. The Safety Supervision Bureau, where Bai Zhenzhen worked, was one of the units under his command.
Zhang Yu also knew that Xie Xue’s Law Edict was related to “Intentional Injury,” a perfect complement to his official duties.
Hearing Xie Xue’s accusation, Zhang Yu replied, “Dao Monarch Bu was piloting an Immortal License Plate Shuttle under a valid license. With the Immortal Authority’s Special Permit, not only is her normal piloting legal, but even if she accidentally killed someone, it would still be lawful and compliant. What’s the problem?”
Xie Xue retorted, “Even if she is a member of the Immortal Clan, her actions have disrupted the Development Zone’s normal operations and undermined its security and order.”
“President,” he continued, turning to the head of the committee, “to ensure the security of the Development Zone’s reconstruction, I propose… that starting today, non-staff personnel be barred from entering the Development Zone without permission.”
After the four Vice Presidents had finished their discussion, President Xiao Yunhe spoke calmly, “Vice President Xie Lanyin and Vice President Xie Xue have indeed made very valid points.”
“The Development Zone is currently undergoing reconstruction. If outsiders are allowed to enter freely, it will easily disrupt order, cause administrative chaos, and slow down the reconstruction progress.”
“Everyone, the leaders of all factions are paying close attention to this reconstruction. I don’t want any oversights to delay the process.”
Zhang Yu remained silent, thinking to himself, Is preventing Dao Monarch Bu from entering the Development Zone a way to stop her from helping me?
As Zhang Yu pondered, Xie Lanyin raised a second question. “Vice President Zhang, how much longer will it take for the Development Zone to recover? Many businesses have already expressed their dissatisfaction to me. The recovery is proceeding too slowly.”
“Specifically, after the spatial structure of the Office District was restored, there has been no further progress. Has the spatial structure restoration work been halted?”
Zhang Yu replied calmly, “The spatial structure restoration has not stopped, of course. It is proceeding at a slow, deliberate, and orderly pace, according to a plan.”
He looked at the others and said with solemn seriousness, “Everyone, the stability of the spatial structure is of paramount importance. I must be responsible for the future safety and productivity of the Development Zone. In the work of restoring the spatial structure, quality and safety are the top priorities.”
Xie Lanyin said calmly, “But I’ve heard that the main reason for the delay is the time wasted on clearing out the Berserk Corpse Components.”
“The reconstruction of the Development Zone began nearly a month ago, yet even now, the Berserk Corpse Components in the Office District haven’t been completely cleared…”
At this point, Xie Lanyin snorted coldly. “If it weren’t for the fact that you, Zhang Yu, are only at the Spirit Transformation Realm, I would call this a severe dereliction of duty.”
“Any Void Refinement Cultivator could have completely cleared the entire Office District of Berserk Corpse Components within a few days.”
She continued with dissatisfaction, “If you, Zhang Yu, had Void Refinement cultivation, the corpse components in the Office District would have been cleared long ago. Who knows how many office buildings would have been rebuilt by now? We wouldn’t have so many businesses complaining to us.”
Just as Xie Lanyin from the White Bone Cult finished speaking, Xie Xue from the Netherworld Palace chimed in, “Indeed. It seems Vice President Zhang’s cultivation realm is simply too low. His insufficient cultivation has slowed down the progress of clearing the corpse components.”
“If the Berserk Corpse Components in the Factory District and Laboratory District are cleared at this same pace, how much time will that take? Months?”
“If the cleanup alone is going to drag on for months, how long will the entire reconstruction project be delayed?”
As she spoke, Xie Lanyin projected a large block of text, a long list of complaints from businesses dissatisfied with the reconstruction progress in the Development Zone.
Finally, Xie Lanyin revealed her true intentions. “Since Vice President Zhang lacks the cultivation and ability for this task, let us help you. Consider it guidance for a junior.”
“From now on, we will take full charge of clearing the Berserk Corpse Components in the Factory District.”
Zhang Yu’s brow furrowed slightly. He knew Xie Lanyin’s words were honeyed, but her real aim was to interfere and seize his authority.
Although all captured Berserk Corpse Components currently had to be handed over to Zhang Yu for Suppression using his Grotto-Heaven force, making her move seem harmless on the surface, he understood the true threat.
Once she intervened in his work, it would scatter the subordinates he had just gathered, severely undermining his authority.
Moreover, Zhang Yu knew this was just the beginning. If she succeeded in this step, it wouldn’t be the end. She would continue to erode his power step by step until he was completely sidelined.
Zhang Yu replied calmly, “That won’t be necessary. The restoration of the spatial structure is closely linked to clearing the corpse components. I feel most at ease handling it myself.”
Xie Lanyin said coldly, “Zhang Yu, this isn’t about what you want. It’s about how many businesses are waiting for the Development Zone to recover. Do you have any idea how much money is lost for every single day the production lines remain shut down?”
As her voice faded, rows upon rows of numbers materialized behind her. These were the calculated losses from one business after another, and even more, they represented the silent protest of the various Sect Enterprises.
An overwhelming pressure washed over Zhang Yu. He understood this wasn’t just a simple protest; it was a warning from the High-tier Cultivators backing these businesses.
In that moment, it was as if urgent voices echoed in his mind. “Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Don’t delay our profits!”
Zhang Yu’s heart sank as a sudden realization struck him. “If I continue to resist and refuse to speed up, I’ll be costing those powerful cultivators behind the businesses money. I’ll be blocking their path to wealth…”
The thought flashed through his mind. Zhang Yu understood… just as he had once harnessed the immense power of Kunxu Cultivators by guiding them with the promise of profit, he now faced an equally immense risk by obstructing their earnings.
Moreover, the figures behind these businesses came from various sects, and many of them surpassed him in both rank and cultivation realm.
But Zhang Yu was still unwilling to let Xie Lanyin interfere. He exhaled and changed his approach. “I will accelerate the cleanup work and speed up the restoration of the spatial structure as quickly as possible.”
Xie Lanyin pressed her advantage. “How fast is ‘accelerate’? Zhang Yu, it’s not that we don’t trust you, but you’re only at the Spirit Transformation Realm—and a newly ascended one at that.”
“Honestly, just keeping up with our thought speed during the conference must already be pushing you to your absolute limit, right?”
As she finished speaking, Xie Lanyin further increased the acceleration of the Spirit Realm playback.
In Zhang Yu’s perception, the entire world seemed to be spinning at a dizzying pace. The information pouring from Xie Lanyin’s lips became streaks of light flashing past. He strained to follow, but could only catch fragments.
“Zhang Yu, I believe you’re already giving your all to oversee the cleanup.”
A faint smile touched Xie Lanyin’s lips. “But insufficient cultivation is insufficient cultivation. Lacking ability is lacking ability. If you can’t do it, you can’t do it. This is a limitation of your realm. Surely you can’t advance to the Void Refinement Realm in such a short time, can you?”
“Can… you hear what I’m saying?”
On the other side, Xie Xue chuckled. “Minister Lanyin, you’ve accelerated too much. I’m afraid our Deputy Minister Zhang Yu can’t keep up.”
Xie Lanyin gave a helpless smile and turned to Zhang Yu. “Do you understand now, Zhang Yu? This is the gap between us.”
As if coaxing a child, she reached out to pat his head. “Stop being stubborn. Hand over your work to us, so you don’t drag everyone down.”
But just then, Zhang Yu spoke. “One month. At most one month. I will complete the remaining cleanup work and restore the spatial structure.”
In reality, a stick of Spirit Awakening Incense had been lit, boosting Zhang Yu’s thought speed and allowing him to barely keep pace with the Void Refinement Dao Monarchs’ conversation once more.
“One month?” Xie Lanyin scoffed inwardly. She knew perfectly well that the Factory and Laboratory Districts ahead contained not only numerous Spirit Transformation Corpse Components but also Void Refinement Corpse Components.
“How could Zhang Yu possibly subdue those Void Refinement Corpse Components with his strength? Especially with unauthorized personnel barred from entry, cutting him off from any outside help?”
Xie Lanyin had heard that Bu Yingshu of the Myriad Laws Sect held Zhang Yu in high regard. That was precisely why she had preemptively banned outsiders from the Development Zone — to prevent Bu Yingshu from providing him with support.
Still, Xie Lanyin didn’t relent. Instead, she pressed her advantage, determined to heap more pressure on him. “One month is too long. That answer won’t satisfy the Sect Enterprises.”
Zhang Yu stared back at her, unyielding. “Any faster, and the spatial structure could destabilize, leading to a safety incident. Will you take responsibility for that?”
“That’s your problem to solve,” Xie Lanyin retorted. “One month… I can’t justify that to the Sect Enterprises.”
As their confrontation intensified, President Xiao Yunhe spoke calmly. “Zhang Yu, I’ll give you twenty days. Can you do it?”
Zhang Yu’s brow furrowed slightly. “Twenty days…”
Xiao Yunhe raised a hand, cutting him off. “I’ve just spoken with the heads of the Sect Enterprises, especially those involved in the Soul Cultivator industry. They’re all currently under pressure from the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits.”
“Every day of delay puts them further behind in their struggle against these spirits.”
“Twenty days. That’s the absolute maximum I can give you. If you can’t solve this within twenty days, I’ll have the other Vice Presidents step in to assist you.”
“Do you understand?”
Fu Ji added, “The Soul Cultivator Industry is a vital sector in the Former Days Graveyard and a key counter to the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits. Both the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits and the Innate Dao Lineages behind them are clearly at odds with the Reformist Faction within Kunxu.”
Zhang Yu nodded inwardly. This was something they had long analyzed and confirmed.
The giant corpse’s words echoed in his mind once more.
“The Immortal Network introduced by Ying Xintian represents the Reformist Faction in Kunxu.”
“They supported your coming here, wanting you to rebuild the Development Zone and foster its industries… with Soul Cultivators being the most crucial.”
“The High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits and their backing Innate Dao Lineages will only worsen the dire situation in Kunxu.”
“So, once you’ve established yourself in the Development Zone, you must vigorously promote the development of Soul Cultivators.”
“Soul Cultivators are the cornerstone of Kunxu. Should another upheaval occur, it’s the one industry that will absolutely influence the entire grand scheme…”
Zhang Yu understood inwardly Promoting the development of the Soul Cultivator Industry and helping it counter the High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits, this is the agenda the Immortal Networks above want me to advance.
If I continue to delay for my own power, I’ll not only offend the various enterprises but also slow the momentum of the Soul Cultivator Industry’s recovery.
And this isn’t just my task; it’s also the task of the other Vice Presidents present. In this regard… we are essentially a community of shared interests.
Xiao Yunhe is using this common interest to forge a consensus among us.
Zhang Yu was very familiar with this tactic; he had recently used a similar approach to leverage circumstances and rally his subordinates and the numerous cleanup teams.
So, Zhang Yu nodded and said, “Within twenty days, I will complete the cleanup and restore the spatial structure of the entire Development Zone.”
Xie Lanyin and the other two Vice Presidents beside him raised no objections.
“Twenty days?” Xie Lanyin thought to herself. “Even a month would be nearly impossible, let alone twenty days.”
Xie Lanyin didn’t voice any objection because, in her view, Zhang Yu couldn’t possibly achieve this. After twenty days, she would inevitably take over part of his work, begin to erode his authority, and step by step, render him powerless.
Exiting the Spirit Realm Conference Room, Zhang Yu took a deep breath, his mind already rapidly planning his work schedule for the next twenty days.
“First… I still need to enhance my own strength.”
“After all, my power is once again at a tipping point…”
Although the internal and external struggles within the Management Committee were complex, Zhang Yu understood that in Kunxu… personal strength was ultimately everything. This strength encompassed cultivation, authority, and wealth.
If his strength was insufficient, he wouldn’t even be able to complete basic tasks, rendering any clever strategies useless.
But with formidable strength, overwhelming authority, or immense wealth, many problems would simply solve themselves.
With absolute productivity, as long as one could expand the pie and create profit, most conflicts could be resolved.
At this very moment, Zhang Yu’s strength, after continuous accumulation, was on the verge of another explosive surge.
On one hand, after gaining the authority of Vice President, the number of Spirit Transformation Corpse Components he collected and controlled continued to increase.
On the other hand, after transferring Yu Xinghan, Ye Xingli, and Teacher Magnetic Pole to his side, not only was the Corpse Component Production Line about to start, but their Dao Seeds were also nearing upgrades.
In particular, with the acquisition of Immortal Crystals, Yu Xinghan’s magic power was rapidly breaking through with Zhang Yu’s help, and his Third Eye Mystic Power was about to be upgraded.
As for Bai Zhenzhen, her Immortal Spirit Root, nourished by repeated exchanges, was likely just days away from upgrading as well.
This was the source of Zhang Yu’s confidence in accepting the twenty-day deadline. With his strength poised for explosive growth, he was certain he could quickly clear the corpse components from the Factory and Laboratory Districts.
Zhang Yu understood that only by subduing all the Void Refinement Corpse Components in the Secret Realm and harnessing the Grotto-Heaven force would he have the ability to confront Void Refinement Cultivators head-on, further solidifying his position in the Management Committee and completing the test given to him by the Immortal Network.