Chapter 877 It couldn’t possibly be Zhang Yu, right?
Inside the Immortal Ascension Hall, looking at the reply belonging to the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor before them, everyone present was startled.
Ling Chenji, who had the appearance of a plump young woman, was shocked in her heart: “Cang Juechen actually didn’t pass? How could he not have passed?”
In Ling Chenji’s view, Cang Juechen was an Immortal genius secretly invested in and cultivated by the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor through the hands of the Artifact Spirit Faction and the Innate Dao Lineage.
It was precisely because of this that Cang Juechen was able to silently grow in the dark, driving forward the control technology for High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits and becoming a key figure in the Artifact Spirit Faction.
The technology promoted by Cang Juechen not only improved the controllability of High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits but also greatly reduced control costs, significantly expanding the scope of use for artifact spirits. It was both the key to the development of High-Intelligence Artifact Spirits and a crucial element for the next upgrade of the Dharma Realm.
“What Cang Juechen has done is equivalent to putting a handy collar around the neck of the Artifact Spirit Faction, and then handing the other end of the collar to the Immortal Emperor.”
“This… not only allowed the Artifact Spirit Faction to see the hope of rising again after being suppressed, but it also gave the Immortal Emperor a reason to not continue suppressing them.”
“With a more controllable and safer High-Intelligence Artifact Spirit, the future upgrade of the Dharma Realm will have a technical foundation.”
“Such an important person, such important technology… the Law Edict that Cang Juechen establishes next will absolutely be no small matter. I am afraid it will be a key item for managing artifact spirits and upholding the Dao Lineage in the future.”
And at this time, the Extraordinary Merit appeared particularly important.
After all, in Ling Chenji’s view, aside from the Extraordinary Merit being a necessity for an Ascension Realm cultivator, its most important point… was that it provided immense assistance in the process of establishing a Law Edict.
At the same time… this just so happened to be the era where the development of the third-generation Law Edicts had officially been completed.
Once the approval process was finished, starting next year at the latest, the Heavenly Chosen who had long been secretly invested in and nurtured by the many factions within the sect would begin establishing third-generation Law Edicts, preparing to further uphold the Dao Lineage in the new era and even create a new Dao Lineage in the future.
People like Cang Juechen and Yue Qinglan were among them.
“At a time like this, shouldn’t the Extraordinary Merit be awarded to Cang Juechen, allowing him to properly establish his third-generation Law Edict next year?”
To Ling Chenji, this was a crucial moment of historical change, and no matter how one judged it… Cang Juechen, as a key figure in it, should have been the highest priority among the candidates present, but now he had been denied.
“Could there be someone with a higher priority than Cang Juechen?”
Ling Chenji’s gaze shifted slightly, looking toward the elderly Ascension Realm cultivator on the other side.
At the same time, a name silently surfaced in Ling Chenji’s mind: “Yue Qinglan.”
She thought to herself, “Behind Yue Qinglan is the Pharmaceutical Company within the sect, as well as the medical-related Dao Lineage. Could it be…”
On the other side, a trace of joy flashed through the old man’s heart as he thought, “Is the Immortal Emperor dissatisfied with this Cang Juechen? Does he want to choose another talent from the Artifact Spirit Faction?”
The old man shook his head in his heart. “No, it shouldn’t be that he’s dissatisfied with Cang Juechen, but rather he feels that… Yue Qinglan’s side is more urgent.”
Countless thoughts surged in his mind, and in an instant, he had already completed a massive amount of contemplation.
“Does the Immortal Emperor intend to target the pharmaceutical companies? Does he plan to use longevity extension as a breakthrough point to fill the Dharma Realm’s void in this area? Has he made up his mind to use longevity extension as a catalyst to expand the Dharma Realm?”
“That must be it. Bestowing the Extraordinary Merit upon Yue Qinglan to have her quickly complete the third-generation Law Edicts next year is a way to prepare early… for a future Dao Lineage Struggle with the Pill Cauldron Sect?”
The more the old man thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. Otherwise, there was simply no way to explain why Cang Juechen had been rejected.
This also brought him great joy, as he seemed to envision the medical industry within the Myriad Laws Sect flourishing and profits soaring.
Thus, he spoke up, “Although Cang Juechen’s technological breakthrough is important, high-intelligence artifact spirits are constantly undergoing rapid development. Technology during a rapid development phase is updated and replaced very quickly. Just how long Cang Juechen’s technology will remain effective still requires long-term verification, so it indeed is not suitable to bestow the Extraordinary Merit too early.”
“On the other hand, Yue Qinglan’s low-cost longevity technology has not only received clinical verification but has also gained the recognition of the Celestial Evolution Award, which is why she received the nomination for it.”
Although there was still a world of difference between being nominated and actually being awarded the Celestial Evolution Award, it at least verified that Yue Qinglan’s technology was completely viable. Hearing the old man’s words, the people present also nodded in succession.
The old man continued, “Moreover, if the new longevity technology is integrated into the Dharma Realm, it will inevitably become an important reliance for the expansion of the Dharma Realm in the future. But it will also arouse the competition of other sects, especially the Pill Cauldron Sect, which will in turn trigger a Dao Lineage Struggle.”
“In order to cope with the Dao Lineage Struggle, for the benefit of the sect, and even more so for the benefit of the Immortal Emperor, I once again propose to award the Extraordinary Merit to Yue Qinglan to help her complete the third-generation Law Edicts as soon as possible.”
Everyone expressed their agreement, all feeling that the old man was right.
After all, from the perspective of the Ascension Realm cultivators present, since Cang Juechen had been rejected, the only remaining candidate was naturally Yue Qinglan.
As for Zhang Yu? Even just looking at it from the perspective of Dharma Realm expansion, how could a mere Soul Cultivator field compare to the medical industry? It was simply the difference between clouds and mud, the gap between the lowest of the low and a Heavenly Chosen.
Whether it was Ling Chenji or the old man, none of them had considered Zhang Yu as an option. Fa Liuyuan silently watched this scene, already too lazy to speak.
In any case, the way he saw it, it was now a contest between Cang Juechen and Yue Qinglan, and the final result had nothing to do with Zhang Yu.
Therefore, the voting in the Immortal Ascension Hall quickly started and ended once again, only this time the result became Yue Qinglan.
The entire voting process and result were recorded one by one, and an archive was also kept in the Heavenly Court.
Finally, everyone uploaded the results, waiting for the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s reply.
The old man thought to himself, There shouldn’t be any problems this time, right?
At the same time, deep in the Spirit Realm on the other side, Zhang Pianpian was sitting in the Supreme Clarity Realm, her will crossing through multiple Spirit Realms to observe some of the log data uploaded by the Myriad Laws Sect to the Heavenly Court.
Among them were the two drafted vote results from the Immortal Ascension Hall.
The first one, Cang Juechen, was rejected?
Zhang Pianpian’s heart sank. If the second one, Yue Qinglan, is also rejected…
At this moment, Zhang Pianpian already had a very bad premonition in her heart.
She focused all her attention on checking the news flowing out of the Myriad Laws Sect, wanting to confirm the result as soon as possible.
The approval for the second time…
Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor: “Absurd, vote again.”
As the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s reply came down, the Immortal Ascension Hall instantly erupted in an uproar.
Although the many Ascension Realm cultivators did not speak, a storm seemed to rise in their minds all at once.
In this instant, the thoughts these Ascension Realm cultivators pushed in their minds, and the data and intelligence they mobilized from the Dharma Realm, were enough to burn the Soul Cultivators of several Minor Realms to ash.
“How is this possible? Rejected again?”
“Cang Juechen won’t do, and Yue Qinglan won’t do either? Who are they going to choose?”
“It couldn’t possibly be….”
Right at this moment, a brilliant light surged in Fa Liuyuan’s eyes as he suddenly stepped forward.
“Low-cost longevity extension? I see it as malicious longevity extension.”
Fa Liuyuan spoke with assurance, “The ultimate goal of medicine is longevity extension, but low-cost longevity extension will not do…. That might ruin the foundation of the entire industry.”
“If it is exploited by forces outside the sect, who knows how many of our sect’s pharmaceutical companies’ businesses will be affected. The consequences would be unimaginable.”
“Under such circumstances, if we still award Yue Qinglan an Extraordinary Merit, wouldn’t that be adding fuel to the fire? Telling all the sects that we are going to smash the market?”
Watching Fa Liuyuan’s confident appearance, Ling Chenji, who was standing to the side, understood in her heart that it was the Immortal Emperor’s two rejections that had completely given the other party confidence.
“Cang Juechen won’t do, and Yue Qinglan won’t do either. Could it really be that the favor rests on Zhang Yu?”
Ling Chenji silently shook her head. She knew that the bestowal of this Extraordinary Merit definitely did not just depend on the individual, but more on their background and the Dao Lineage they supported.
“The Reformist Faction…” Ling Chenji thought to herself. “Is the Immortal Emperor going to support the Reformist Faction?”
Thinking of this, she frowned inwardly. In Ling Chenji’s view… the current situation within the Myriad Laws Sect was flourishing and developing vigorously, full of vitality. Where was there any need for reform?
On the other side, the old man stared intently at the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s written instructions, constantly pondering in his heart: “Was I wrong? Does the Immortal Emperor not want to bet on the longevity technology? Or… does he want to suppress it a bit, delay it, and temporarily avoid a Dao Lineage Struggle with the Pill Cauldron Sect? To avoid fighting on multiple fronts?”
A trace of realization gradually flashed through the old man’s heart: “Is it because Cang Juechen and Yue Qinglan… are both unsuitable to be bestowed the Extraordinary Merit right now and need to be held back a bit, that it fell onto Zhang Yu of the Reformist Faction, letting him pick up a huge bargain?”
Watching Fa Liuyuan still incessantly recommending Zhang Yu, the old man could not help but say, “Fa Liuyuan, if you haven’t taken any money, then talk a little less.”
Fa Liuyuan: “Who says I haven’t taken any money?”
After the two consecutive rejections Fa Liuyuan’s confidence greatly increased. He calmly said, “I am not the kind of person who goes around spouting nonsense without taking money.”
Fa Liuyuan understood in his heart that in the eyes of many Upper Cultivators nowadays, those who hadn’t taken money had no conflict of interest, so didn’t they just say whatever came to mind? What basis did their words have? Who knew if it was true or false?
Fa Liuyuan continued, “Zhang Yu holds an Immortal Legacy, and later received the Limitless Salary Increase Authority granted by the Immortal Emperor. He has increased the salary for countless Soul Cultivators, changing the industry landscape and firmly securing a 20% market share, yet he hasn’t arbitrarily increased his own salary by a single cent. Shouldn’t such an Immortal talent be awarded an Extraordinary Merit?”
Seeing that no one in the entire Immortal Ascension Hall refuted him, Fa Liuyuan suddenly felt a sense of vindication in his heart. How long had it been since he had spoken so loudly in the Immortal Ascension Hall without being refuted?
“I propose awarding the Minister of the Netherworld Assets Department, Zhang Yu, an Extraordinary Merit!”
The third round of voting began, and the many Ascension Realm cultivators in the Immortal Ascension Hall started voting in silence.
However, the voting process this time was dead silent, lacking the slightest hint of the widespread support seen in the previous two rounds.
Ling Chenji gritted her teeth and cast a vote for Zhang Yu. Thinking of the money she had received, her interest ties with the Artifact Spirit Faction, and her role as a supporter of the Innate Dao Lineage, she could not help but sigh inwardly, Immortal Emperor, do you really want to elevate a Lower Beast of the Reformist Faction this high?
Immortal Emperor, oh Immortal Emperor, take a good look at this prosperous age today. What need is there for reform? You cannot just change things blindly.
On the other side, an old man could not help but feel a trace of disgust in his heart as he voted for Zhang Yu, This Zhang Yu does not have a background as strong as Cang Juechen or Yue Qinglan, his assets are not as high as theirs, and his transmission of benefits with the upper echelons of the sect is far inferior to those two.
He is just relying on his merits and his identity in the Reformist Faction… to be chosen by the Immortal Emperor? If that is really the case, it is simply turning back the wheel of history and ruining the atmosphere of Kunxu!
Finally, the result of the third vote was listed: Zhang Yu.
And looking at this result, the faces of most of the other cultivators were a picture of cold indifference.
Ling Chenji and the old man on the other side were quietly waiting for the Immortal Emperor’s ruling, hoping that the Immortal Emperor would directly reject this result as well, and simply not award this Extraordinary Merit to anyone.
But the next moment…
Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor: “Approved.”
Looking at this result, the entire Immortal Ascension Hall, apart from Fa Liuyuan who started laughing, whether it was Ling Chenji, the old man, or the vast majority of the other Ascension Realm cultivators, were all expressionless and did not say a word.
Ling Chenji looked composed, but her heart was greatly shaken. He really favors Zhang Yu? The Immortal Emperor… has he approved of this banner put forward by the Reformist Faction?
If Zhang Yu, with the help of the Extraordinary Merit, is allowed to establish a third-generation Law Edicts… could it be that they want to promote reform within the sect?
Thinking of this, a great sense of wariness rose in her heart, and as she looked at Zhang Yu’s name, a trace of hostility also emerged in her gaze.
At the same time, a massive amount of information had already been transmitted out from Ling Chenji’s mind, sending this result and her deductions to the Immortals of the Dao Lineage behind her.
The old man on the other side also looked at this result with an extremely serious gaze.
As the representative of the Pharmaceutical Company’s interests in the Immortal Ascension Hall, a bad premonition arose in his heart.
The best result is that the Immortal Emperor, in order to avoid further Dao Lineage Struggle and fighting on multiple fronts, chooses not to select Cang Juechen and Yue Qinglan, temporarily suppressing these two, thus allowing Zhang Yu and the Reformist Faction behind him to reap the benefits.
The worst result is that the Immortal Emperor really wants to promote the Reformist Faction.
While thinking, the old man also passed all the information and intelligence before him to the Immortals of the Dao Lineage behind him.
Fa Liuyuan seemed to sense the shift in the air. Looking around the hall at the crowd of expressionless cultivators — their minds clearly wandering through the higher realms — he realized that this Ascension Hall vote was far more than a simple decision on who should receive the Extraordinary Merit.
In truth, it was a direct revelation of Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s vision for the sect’s future strategic direction. Obviously, the Emperor’s support for the Reformist Faction did not sit well with the many other factions in the sect.
But all of this was also within Fa Liuyuan’s expectations. He thought to himself, “Changing the existing system, altering the long-maintained structure, and redistributing benefits will naturally face opposition from countless Upper Cultivators who hold vested interests.”
“The Reformist Faction… has also hit walls everywhere in the sect because of this.”
Fa Liuyuan looked at Zhang Yu’s name and thought to himself, “Zhang Yu is now sitting right at the center of the conflict. I am afraid that if he wants to establish the third-generation Law Edict next, besides competitors like Cang Juechen and Yue Qinglan, there will also be various hidden obstructions from the major factions.”
At the same time, Zhang Pianpian, who was observing the results in the Supreme Clarity Realm on the other side, felt her heart sink.
“Is it really Zhang Yu?”
Zhang Pianpian sighed. One figure after another emerged in her eyes, along with the relevant information about these figures.
She thought to herself, Oh, little brother, on the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s list of candidates, you are at least in the top five.
Within the Former Days Graveyard, Zhang Yu had also received the message from Fa Liuyuan.
“Have I been chosen?”
Knowing the result, Zhang Yu did not fall into ecstasy. Instead, he looked at his blank Law Scroll again and fell into deep thought.
A candidate for the 11th Immortal Emperor?
Zhang Yu understood in his heart that what the Immortal Emperors invested in and assisted… was a completely controlled 11th Immortal Emperor.
What the Immortal Emperors suppressed and guarded against… was an uncontrolled, wildly growing new Immortal Emperor.
But whether it was becoming the 11th Immortal Emperor or becoming a new Immortal Emperor beyond their control, the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s investment in him was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even if this opportunity was poison, he could only swallow it in one gulp.