Chapter 841: Shock and Compensation
Although the labyrinth’s Spirit Realm was disconnected, the entire Former Days Graveyard outside — including the temporary offices of numerous Management Committees and their subordinate units — could still connect to the Spirit Realm normally.
Not long after returning to her office at the Safety Supervision Bureau, Bai Zhenzhen noticed news gradually spreading through the Spirit Realm about a Spirit Transformation Cultivator defeating a Void Refinement Cultivator.
Her gaze flickered. After scanning the profiles of those spreading the news, she immediately understood that Zhang Yu was fanning the flames from behind the scenes.
“Yu Zi… is he trying to hype this up?”
Though she didn’t know Zhang Yu’s full plan, Bai Zhenzhen sensed his intention to amplify the incident’s heat and decided to lend him a hand.
She began to ponder how best to help.
Bai Zhenzhen scrolled through her contacts and her eyes lit up when she saw Wen Wuya’s profile picture.
“Right now, this news is mostly confined to the Former Days Graveyard.”
“To spread it further… of course, we’ll need the Heavenly Sword Sect, the undisputed leader in communication among the Ten Sects.”
“And within the Heavenly Sword Sect, who are the best at disseminating information? Naturally, it’s the cultivators of the Shock Sword Dao, those who constantly seek to be shocked and yearn to shock others.”
As she mused, Bai Zhenzhen sent a message to Wen Wuya.
Bai Zhenzhen: “I have something huge to tell you.”
Wen Wuya: “🤔”
Moments later, Wen Wuya, feeling as if she’d stumbled upon a priceless treasure, felt her Shock Sword Qi surge within her. It felt like a force forcibly suppressed in her chest, ready to burst out at any moment.
“I can’t hold this in. I have to go shock someone else.”
Wen Wuya hastily opened her contact list, eager to spread the news of a Spirit Transformation Cultivator defeating a Void Refinement Cultivator.
After all, cultivating the Shock Sword Dao required not only being shocked but also shocking others.
Wen Wuya first contacted her former leader from the Heavenly Sword Sect, the leader she had before coming to the Development Zone — a Rank 4 Sect Staff member at the Spirit Transformation Realm.
Her leader was also a practitioner of the Shock Sword Dao and would surely appreciate the news she brought.
This was something she had learned while studying the Shock Sword Dao in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Practitioners of the Shock Sword Dao shared a vast, complex network of information channels.
Almost every practitioner of the Shock Sword Dao used this network daily to gather or spread shocking news. They circulated information through this social web, shocking each other to enhance their cultivation.
In Wen Wuya’s view, this network was the primary channel for all sorts of rumors, unsubstantiated claims, and fake news within the sect. At the same time, it was also the fastest way to transmit secret intelligence and verified information.
When combined with the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Instant Sword Network — said to transmit information faster than light — their messages could spread across the lands at a speed unmatched by any other sect.
The leader Wen Wuya intended to contact was named Zhentian. Rumor had it that his nickname in the Spirit Realm used to be “Heavenly Sword Immortal Emperor,” a name chosen solely to shock people upon hearing it. He was later forced to revert to his original name.
Wen Wuya suspected that if it weren’t against the rules, many in the Heavenly Sword Sect would simply call themselves “Heavenly Sword Immortal Emperor.”
Wen Wuya: “Old Leader, I have some news for you.”
Zhentian: “Sigh, you Lower Realm junior cultivators have been in the sect for such a short time. Everything shocks you.”
Zhentian: “After you’ve stayed here for another ten or twenty years, you’ll find everything commonplace, and it’ll become harder and harder to be shocked.”
Wen Wuya: “A Spirit Transformation person defeated a Void Refiner.”
Zhentian: “Holy shit! Something like that still happens? Which Void Refinement cultivator was that useless? What happened? Do you have a video?”
Wen Wuya immediately sent the video.
After understanding the full story, Zhentian felt his sword qi surge within him, a look of pure satisfaction spreading across his face.
He then immediately forwarded the news to others: “Let me tell you something incredible! A Spirit Transformation cultivator defeated a Void Refinement cultivator, a battle that shook the Spirit Realm! I heard the Spirit Realm connection at the Former Days Graveyard was even severed.”
As the news spread, more and more practitioners of the Shock Sword Dao learned of it and began secondary dissemination. Like ripples spreading across water, the information bounced back and forth through the Heavenly Sword Sect’s Spirit Realm, reaching an ever-wider audience and pushing the event’s popularity higher and higher.
During this process, some embellished the story, while others investigated the incident, gathering more chaotic rumors from the Former Days Graveyard…
“Unbelievable! I heard that Zhang Yu went to the Former Days Graveyard to nurture an Immortal Clan fetus. The battle caused a miscarriage!”
“Damn, I heard the Immortal Clan was furious! They took an Immortal Shuttle and went on a killing spree. After the two fought, they completely shattered the Former Days Graveyard’s Spirit Realm, and it’s still disconnected!”
“Huh? Didn’t they say the Void Refinement’s attack was what severed the Spirit Realm connection?”
“Well, she’s definitely involved one way or another.”
As they tracked the incident, many Shock Sword cultivators also uncovered Zhang Yu’s past.
“Wait, isn’t he that cultivator who ascended from the Lower Realm through the exams?”
“Holy crap! A Lower Realm cultivator who passed the exams, a Kunxu Hero, holder of an Immortal Legacy, defeated a Void Refinement, and got a miscarriage from the fight?”
“Excellent! If Kunxu has had this kind of major news every day, our Heavenly Sword Sect would have been the top of the Ten Sects long ago.”
“This Zhang Yu is interesting. He’s excellent fodder for our cultivation. I’m following him now.”
“Same here, following.”
When Wen Wuya, still at the Safety Supervision Bureau, saw the news about Zhang Yu’s miscarriage, she felt a jolt through both her mind and body. She subconsciously glanced toward Bai Zhenzhen’s office.
“Good! This is great news! Won’t Zhenzhen’s cultivation in the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao and Sorrowful Sword Dao soar after this?”
Fueled by the Shock Sword Dao, the news exploded in popularity, its heat rising steadily as it spread across various regions through the Instant Sword Network.
This was also a major reason why Xie Lanyin couldn’t suppress the incident’s escalating heat.
But Xie Lanyin no longer had time to worry about such things. She looked at Xiao Yunhe, the Management Committee President, who had just arrived at the scene and stopped her from engaging in a fierce battle with Bu Yingshu.
Xiao Yunhe sent her a private message: “You injured Zhang Yu too severely this time. His Spirit Root even leaked out. They say it’s completely destroyed and beyond saving.”
Xie Lanyin: “I didn’t injure him!”
President: “You didn’t? So you’re saying you were defeated by a Spirit Transformation cultivator?”
Xie Lanyin: “How could I possibly lose to a Spirit Transformation cultivator?”
President: “So you admit you injured him?”
Xie Lanyin: “I…”
Xiao Yunhe gave Xie Lanyin no chance to argue, continuing his private message: “Go apologize to Zhang Yu and compensate him.”
“Compensation is the greatest show of sincerity and the fastest way to resolve this incident.”
Xie Lanyin stared at Xiao Yunhe resentfully, her expression screaming, Me? A Rank 6 Sect Staff, a Void Refinement Cultivator, apologize to Zhang Yu, a mere Rank 4 Sect Staff and Spirit Transformation Cultivator from the Lower Realm? Apologize, fine, but I have to pay him too?
Xiao Yunhe continued his private message, his tone indifferent: “Vice President Xie, you should understand that the Management Committee’s most important duty is to maintain balance. If everyone could just kill and fight whenever they pleased without facing any consequences, what would be the point of sect laws? What would be the point of me being President?”
“When I was young, I was just like you, relying on my power and cultivation to injure others at the slightest provocation. Back then, I thought, These guys are weaker than me in cultivation, strength, power, and wealth. If I want to beat them, I’ll beat them. Why should I hold back? Why should I compensate them?”
“Later, I understood. This is what’s called rules. This is what’s called balance. By upholding the rules and maintaining balance, we can make those below us obey our commands, willingly contribute to the sect’s development, and serve Kunxu.”
“Often, refraining from violence is more profitable than resorting to it.”
As Xiao Yunhe spoke, his gaze flickered. A long list of messages had already appeared on his Spirit Realm Interface.
He forwarded the contents to Xie Lanyin. It was a series of urgent requests from various Sect Enterprises, urging the Development Zone to repair the Spirit Realm as soon as possible.
Xie Lanyin immediately retorted, “This has nothing to do with me! Zhang Yu holds an Immortal Legacy; he must be behind this…”
Xiao Yunhe said, “Xie Lanyin, you’ve reached this position. Do you really think… it matters who did it?”
“I’ve already consulted the Righteous Gods about the labyrinth’s Spirit Realm situation. They can’t fix it.”
“Right now, Zhang Yu is probably the only one who can repair it quickly. But unfortunately, he’s severely injured.”
“You made this mess, so you clean it up. Compensate for his treatment and get him to restore the Spirit Realm as soon as possible.”
Although their private chat was lightning-fast, exchanging vast amounts of data in an instant, from Bu Yingshu’s perspective, they were still making her wait far too long.
“Xiao Yunhe! Are you going to protect her?!”
Feeling Bu Yingshu’s predatory gaze and the silent pressure from Xiao Yunhe, Xie Lanyin’s mind raced, desperately searching for a solution.
Just then, another message appeared before her.
Xie Lanyin’s heart jolted when she saw the sender’s name and message. It was from Bai Gusheng’s subordinate, a Soul Cultivator boy named Kurong Child [1].
Although Kurong Child wasn’t an official Sect Staff member, he often represented Bai Gusheng’s will. His Ascension Realm Soul Cultivator realm was enough to command respect and influence in the Spirit Realm, making him someone no one dared to underestimate.
Xie Lanyin quickly replied, “Sir, what brings you here? How do you have time to seek me out?”
Kurong Child’s projection materialized before Xie Lanyin, speaking in a way only she could see and hear: “I had no choice but to find you. You’re the key figure now. The complaints against you have already reached the Heavenly Monarch’s desk.”
“The Myriad Laws Immortal Clan even sent a formal protest, but thankfully, the Heavenly Monarch suppressed it.”
At this point, Kurong Child paused, then shouted harshly, “Xie Lanyin, the Heavenly Monarch sent you to revitalize the Development Zone and promote industrial development! That’s the top priority! Who told you to shut down the Spirit Realm?”
Xie Lanyin quickly explained, “I didn’t destroy the Spirit Realm.”
Kurong Child retorted coldly, “Is telling me that supposed to help? Xie Lanyin, did you use all your brainpower on managing assets and leave none for the Development Zone?”
“The Heavenly Monarch wanted you to stop the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan from interfering, not to kill Zhang Yu!”
“Whether Zhang Yu is injured or dead, it only complicates things — either because the Immortal Legacy has affected the labyrinth’s state, or because it will provoke the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan into sending someone even more powerful. Don’t you understand something so simple?”
Xie Lanyin had never felt so wronged in her life.
She could only explain, “I learned that Zhang Yu could control corpse components. I wanted to stop him from acquiring the Void Refinement Corpse Components to prevent him from eroding my authority in the future and gradually sideline him, thereby stopping the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan from interfering in the Development Zone’s industries…”
“Enough.” Kurong Child waved his hand. “Stop with the useless excuses. Whether you apologize and admit fault or go to their door and offer compensation, get Zhang Yu to repair the Spirit Realm immediately.”
“If you don’t have the money, I can help you.”
Seeing the loan link sent by the other party, Xie Lanyin felt a surge of resentment.
Meanwhile, the Kurong Child continued, “Everything that happened today was your own unauthorized decision. It has nothing to do with the Heavenly Monarch. Clean up your own mess, or you’ll have to face the consequences.”
Hearing the Kurong Child’s words, Xie Lanyin sighed inwardly, knowing the situation was irreversible.
After all, in Kunxu, leaders could always make subordinates take responsibility for their mistakes, while leaders could seize credit for their subordinates’ achievements.
Moreover, no one would ever take the blame for the losses and errors she had caused today.
At that moment, Xie Lanyin finally understood the danger she had sensed earlier.
“Without realizing it, I’ve become an obstacle in everyone’s path to making money.”
“Few people care about the truth. The sect enterprises just want to resume production as quickly as possible, and the higher-ups just want to eliminate the negative impact…”
“And the fastest, lowest-cost solution is for me… to bow my head, offer compensation, and pay out of my own pocket to treat Zhang Yu.”
“I’m the one they’ve all decided is the most suitable person to take the fall.”
In that instant, Xie Lanyin understood. When everyone reached a consensus, even a Void Refinement Cultivator like her, with cultivation powerful enough to shake heaven and earth, was no longer in control of her own fate.
Xie Lanyin gave a bitter smile inwardly and looked again at Bu Yingshu and Xiao Yunhe.
Although she had exchanged a great deal of information with the Kurong Child, everything had happened swiftly under the Spirit Realm’s acceleration.
Now, as she faced the two again, her attitude had completely changed.
Xie Lanyin bowed deeply and said, “Dao Monarch Bu, I am willing to go to Zhang Yu’s door to apologize and offer compensation…”
Beside them, Xiao Yunhe nodded in satisfaction and began to mediate. “Dao Monarch Bu, although Vice President Xie was at fault, she knows her mistake and is willing to correct it. I believe the most important thing now is to treat Vice President Zhang…”
After all, Zhang Yu hadn’t actually been killed. Hearing that Xie Lanyin was willing to pay, the expression on Bu Yingshu’s face softened slightly.
Persuaded by Xiao Yunhe, the consciousnesses of Bu Yingshu and Xie Lanyin crossed the Spirit Realm together, arriving at the medical hall in the Development Zone.
There, surrounded by layers of Daoist arts, lay Zhang Yu on a sickbed, his life force extremely faint.
The doctor in charge of treating Zhang Yu was pondering a difficult problem: the patient’s body was so resilient that even ordinary healing magical artifacts couldn’t penetrate it. How was he supposed to treat him?
Sensing the arrival of Xiao Yunhe and the other two, the Head of the Medical Hall immediately approached them with the attending physician.
Xiao Yunhe asked with a concerned expression, “How is Vice President Zhang’s condition?”
The attending physician sighed. “We just finished the examination. The situation is dire. The patient has multiple fatal injuries all over his body. Even his Immortal Spirit Root was so badly damaged that it has ruptured and is leaking, completely destroyed…
“Conventional healing magical artifacts are also ineffective on him.”
“We will do our best,” the physician continued, “but… the treatment fees will likely be very high.” He said this to warn them in advance about the exorbitant cost.
After all, with Kunxu’s medical arts, most patients could be cured. The biggest difference lay in the cost of treatment.
For some cultivators, medical fees so high might be worse than death.
Thus, in such situations, most cultivators were more concerned about the cost than the high probability of a cure.
To them, if the medical fees exceeded their ability to pay, even a successful treatment was tantamount to failure.
Upon hearing this, Bu Yingshu shot a fierce glare at Xie Lanyin.
When Xie Lanyin heard the medical fees would be very high, she sighed inwardly.
Just then, someone suddenly shouted, “Doctor, something’s wrong! The patient’s awake!”
On the sickbed, Zhang Yu opened his eyes and looked at Bu Yingshu and Xiao Yunhe. “Dao Monarch Bu, President, you’re here?”
Xie Lanyin, standing to the side, greeted him, “Vice President Zhang.”
Seeing Zhang Yu remain silent, Xie Lanyin had no choice but to continue, “I’m here to pay compensation.”
Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up, and he turned his head to look at her.
The doctor beside them was startled. “Oh no! Why did the patient’s vital signs suddenly spike?”
“Could it be the stimulus of Immortal Coins? Did it bolster his dao heart and ignite his life potential?”
After all, his patients were cultivators, and the doctor knew that for them, changes in mental state and dao heart could effectively stimulate their life potential.
Thinking this, the doctor could only look at Zhang Yu with a worried expression.
Zhang Yu, however, stared at Xie Lanyin and asked, “How much?”
Xie Lanyin replied, “One million…”
Bu Yingshu scoffed. “One million? Are you trying to dismiss a Lower Realm… Are you trying to dismiss a beggar?”
The light in Zhang Yu’s eyes faded again, and his entire aura wilted.
The doctor beside them looked startled for a moment, then breathed a sigh of relief. “His vital signs have dropped back down.”
Zhang Yu rubbed his stomach and said sorrowfully, “I’d only had my Immortal Spirit Root for a little over a year. I had just barely gotten used to it, and it had finally finished growing completely inside me…”
Facing Bu Yingshu’s piercing glare, Xie Lanyin sighed inwardly and continued, “Vice President Zhang, this was indeed my mistake. I’m willing to pay five million as compensation. This is the utmost sincerity I can offer.”
Bu Yingshu retorted directly, “Not enough. At least ten million Immortal Coins, and you’ll cover all the medical expenses.”
Xie Lanyin’s gaze sharpened. “I don’t have that much cash.”
Bu Yingshu scoffed in disbelief, challenging her, “Show me your account balance. If you don’t have it, sell your assets.”
Xiao Yunhe interjected, “Ten million is a bit much. While Vice President Xie has considerable assets, she probably can’t produce that much liquid capital on such short notice.”
With Xiao Yunhe playing the mediator, Zhang Yu, Bu Yingshu, and Xie Lanyin gradually negotiated the compensation amount and payment method.
[1] Kurong Child is written Kurong Tongzi 枯荣童子, Kurong referring to the cycle of Withering-Flourishing that perennial plants go through. Tongzi means boy/child/youth.