Chapter 898: One Attainment for Eternity, Bu Yingshu: Watch Closely, Zhang Yu
The Law-Knowing Abode was a minor realm with vast space. It was just that all along, the trainees participating in the Law Establishment training had been restricted to a certain area.
At this moment, as soon as free time began, Tai Yuebai vanished in a flash and left the classroom.
But in the next instant, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Zhang Yu, who had chased after him all the way.
Feeling the changes in Zhang Yu’s aura and seeing the various data detected from the other party surface in his eyes, Tai Yuebai couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, “He just broke through to Void Refinement, yet his basic data, as well as the performance of his cultivation art and Primordial Spirit, are already this strong?
“He clearly joined the sect only a few years ago… The Immortal Legacy left behind by Senior Ying is formidable as expected.”
This time, Tai Yuebai did not avoid Zhang Yu anymore, allowing him to dart in front of him like lightning.
Zhang Yu looked at the halted Tai Yuebai in surprise and probed, “Dao Monarch Tai, have you been hiding something from me these past few days?”
At the same time, Zhang Yu’s gaze briefly swept over the Dao Seed [Tranquil Heavenly Palace] manifesting on Tai Yuebai’s chest, as he thought to himself, “I’m afraid he deliberately avoided me to hide the process of obtaining the Dao Seed, right?”
Facing Zhang Yu’s inquiry, Tai Yuebai said, “Actually, over the past few days, I have been secretly meeting with a student to discuss matters regarding the Law Edicts.”
Zhang Yu asked curiously, “Who?”
Tai Yuebai: “Di Xuan.”
“Di Xuan?” Zhang Yu’s heart jolted. He knew that this Di Xuan was a representative of the Innate Dao Lineage, as well as a cultivator possessing two Dao Seeds.
Meanwhile, as a Sect Staff who had passed the exams from the Lower Realm, Zhang Yu had been a thorn in the side of many Innate Dao Lineage supporters from the very day he joined the sect. Over the past few years… he had clashed with the interest groups under the Innate Dao Lineage on multiple occasions.
Tai Yuebai continued, “You know how the people from the Innate Dao Lineage are. After all, you have the background of a Lower Realm Cultivator…”
Hearing this, the Sect Examination Clone in Zhang Yu’s mind was already fuming: “Why do these people in the sect always have to bring up Lower Realm backgrounds? Does being from the Lower Realm mean you aren’t Sect Staff? The Immortal Emperor and the sect have normalized the Lower Realm Sect Examination — this is a sect policy! Those who come up through the Lower Realm Sect Examination are equally recognized by the sect as Sect Staff!”
Tai Yuebai went on, “Moreover, a few days ago, you were only at the Spirit Transformation realm, which would make Di Xuan look down on you even more. I was worried that a conflict might break out between you two and affect our plans, so I didn’t take you with me to see him.”
Zhang Yu looked at Tai Yuebai and thought to himself, “If it was about meeting Di Xuan, then there really are no flaws in his words. But…”
Glancing at the Dao Seed on Tai Yuebai’s chest, Zhang Yu still felt that the other party’s avoidance of him these past few days must also have something to do with this Dao Seed.
However, since there were no loopholes in the other party’s answer, Zhang Yu didn’t plan to continue delving into this point, and merely asked, “Can the Reformist Faction and the Innate Dao Lineage… actually cooperate?”
Tai Yuebai said confidently, “Naturally we can. After all, the regularization of the Sect Examination in the Lower Realm is now a foregone conclusion. A massive influx of cultivators joining sects in the future is already an unstoppable trend supported by the Immortal Emperors, and it cannot be reversed.”
“Under this general trend, the Innate Dao Lineage naturally needs to undergo reform as well.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu only felt surprised. “The Innate Dao Lineage? Reform?”
Tai Yuebai nodded and continued, “It just so happens that Di Xuan and I have now reached a preliminary level of trust, and you have already broken through to the Void Refinement Realm. This time, by coming with me to meet him, you can further express the sincerity of our Reformist Faction. But you must pay attention from here on out and do exactly as I say…”
In an instant, a massive amount of information was exchanged between Tai Yuebai and Zhang Yu, allowing Zhang Yu to suddenly acquire a great deal of information about Di Xuan.
Meanwhile, Tai Yuebai’s gaze once again swept over Zhang Yu’s entire body, making a judgment in his mind.
After these days of observation, it can be basically confirmed that there is a high probability Zhang Yu… indeed does not have a Dao Seed on him.
Letting him see a bit more shouldn’t make him notice the changes in my body.
Tai Yuebai thought to himself, Time is limited. I must hurry and… transfer the ultra-high-risk Dao Seed to someone who truly needs it and can truly bring out its abilities.
Ten thousand miles high in the sky above the Law-Knowing Abode, Di Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the artificial sun in the sky.
At the same time, Tai Yuebai had already brought Zhang Yu up behind him.
Tai Yuebai laughed heartily and said, “Brother Xuan, what made you think of meeting here?”
Di Xuan’s tall figure slowly turned around. He looked at Zhang Yu beside Tai Yuebai, his gaze seeming to carry a hint of scrutiny.
Tai Yuebai explained, “Zhang Yu is, after all, also a member of our Reformist Faction. Since he has already broken through to Void Refinement, I thought it was time to bring him into our cooperation.”
Looking at the two Dao Seeds on Di Xuan’s body, Tai Yuebai thought to himself, As long as I acquire the Dao Seeds from Di Xuan, I can start plotting for the ultra-high-risk Dao Seed on Lie Jinghong.
Di Xuan said mildly, “I haven’t agreed to cooperate with you yet.”
As he spoke, he turned to stare at Zhang Yu and asked, “Zhang Yu, an Immortal Seat is permanent once attained, and the major Dao lineages all have a fixed quota. Do you approve of this?”
Zhang Yu had naturally already learned of the Innate Dao Lineage’s current propositions from Tai Yuebai.
With the shifting situation, the Innate Dao Lineage intended to alter some of its stances.
The permanence of the Immortal Seat that Di Xuan mentioned meant that the validity period of an Immortal Certificate was infinite.
The so-called fixed quota of the major Dao lineages meant that the number of controllers in the existing Dao lineages would remain unchanged. There would be no more additions or reductions; replacements could only be made after a Dao Master went bankrupt or perished.
As for those below the Immortal level, the Innate Dao Lineage was now willing to gradually abandon the policies aimed at solidifying the various ranks and cultivation realms among cultivators…
Fu Ji commented, “This is meant to reduce the competitive pressure on Immortals, so it will naturally be favored by them, making them supporters of the Innate Dao Lineage. Meanwhile, within the Innate Dao Lineage, those who have not yet become Ascension Realm cultivators but still possess the Immortal Dao Potential to climb higher will inevitably support the upward mobility of cultivation realms.”
“Only those cultivators who have been lingering in the Ascension Realm for a long time will probably voice their opposition.”
Immortal Slayer sighed, “Reducing the intensity of competition and lowering the competitive threat posed by those below them is an idea many Immortals share. Not just the Myriad Laws Sect, but Immortals in all the major sects support the Innate Dao Lineage for this exact reason.”
Fu Ji curled her lips and said, “What reducing competition? The way I see it, the Immortals just want to remain high and mighty forever. So that the cultivation realms are forever solidified, where Immortals remain Immortals and mortals remain mortals forever — that is why they had people come up with this Innate Dao Lineage.”
Just then, Desolate Ox, who had not spoken for a long time, suddenly said, “The claim of reducing competition isn’t exactly wrong. The original intention behind creating the Innate Dao Lineage was precisely to reduce involutionary competition, thereby suppressing the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao.”
Immortal Slayer asked in surprise, “Suppressing the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao?”
Desolate Ox said indifferently, “The Aspiration for the Immortal Dao, this ancient Dao Lineage, ushered in Kunxu’s Great Immortal Dao Era, enticing the common people of the world and countless living beings throughout history to sacrifice everything to the path of the Immortal Dao.”
Desolate Ox sighed with emotion, “Some believe that the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao is the foundation of Kunxu’s prosperity, while others believe that the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao is a poison to the common people and the root of Kunxu’s distortion, thus wanting to suppress this Dao Lineage.”
“Many people tried, and one of them founded the Innate Dao Lineage.”
“Innate Distinction, letting each follow their own nature, returning to the state of an infant — this was the original intention of the Innate Dao Lineage. It was to pursue the natural state of life, rather than being swept up by the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao and gambling everything to reach the Apex of the Immortal Dao.”
“Unfortunately, even though the Innate Dao Lineage was created, it failed to suppress the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao. Instead, before the Innate Dao Lineage could expand across the entire world and become a heavenly principle, under the influence of the Aspiration for the Immortal Dao… the supporters of the Innate Dao Lineage turned it into a tool to exploit the common people, solidify cultivation realms, and continue pursuing the Apex of the Immortal Dao.”
Desolate Ox summarized, “This is the chain risk between Dao Lineages. A single Dao Lineage itself inherently carries the possibility of deviating from its original intention and destroying the world. And if we consider the mutual influence between Dao Lineages, a single chain reaction could alter the original intention of a Dao Lineage beyond recognition, subsequently causing irreversible consequences for the entirety of Kunxu.”
The Sect Examination Clone concluded, “So we still need the Immortal Emperor to act as a gatekeeper!”
While various thoughts raced through Zhang Yu’s mind, facing Di Xuan’s pressing gaze, he had already opened his mouth to say, “Innate Distinction, letting each follow their own nature, returning to the state of an infant — this is the founding intention of the Innate Dao Lineage.”
Di Xuan frowned slightly. He was just about to scold the other party for talking nonsense, but seeing his confident appearance, he couldn’t help but hold back for a moment. Then, he asked through the Spirit Realm: “Celestial Inquiry Star…”
After repeating Zhang Yu’s words to the Special Edition Celestial Inquiry Star, Di Xuan asked, “Is he right?”
Special Edition Celestial Inquiry Star: “Hilarious. Anyone hearing this would probably have only one reaction: how could the Innate Dao Lineage spout such backward and primitive ideals?”
Di Xuan’s gaze focused, and he shouted, “Zhang Yu!”
The Celestial Inquiry Star continued: “But this is indeed the original intention of the Innate Dao Lineage, it’s just completely different from what the Innate Dao Lineage does today…”
Meeting Zhang Yu’s questioning gaze, Di Xuan said indifferently, “I didn’t expect you to know our Innate Dao Lineage so well.”
“Speaking of which, these original ideals are too backward and out of line with Kunxu’s current values. They are entirely different from the current practices of my Innate Dao Lineage, and practically no one mentions them anymore. Even many supporters of the Innate Dao Lineage probably don’t know about them anymore.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu had already temporarily opened up a portion of his body’s control and handed it over to the Sect Examination Clone.
Only to hear the Sect Examination Clone state confidently, “With the backward concepts of the founders of the Innate Dao Lineage, they could actually achieve a Dao Lineage. If it weren’t for the gradual reforms of the latecomers, I’m afraid who knows how many lazy people would have been created, not practicing Immortal Cultivation and not contributing to Kunxu.”
“This is the danger of Dao Lineages!”
“The fact that Kunxu can operate safely today, and the billions of living beings can enjoy the dividends of the great development of Immortal Dao Technology, is because the Dao Lineages are firmly held in the hands of Immortals.”
“Immortals verify eternity, and Dao Lineages are fixed. This is naturally the best way for Kunxu to continue to develop safely!”
Looking at Zhang Yu in front of him, looking so confident and supporting the concepts of the modern Innate Dao Lineage, Di Xuan’s heart was naturally full of suspicion.
But when Di Xuan and Zhang Yu appeared in the conference room together, and Di Xuan encountered Zhang Yu during the matching, hearing the Sect Examination Clone still speaking these words, the gaze he used to look at Zhang Yu had already changed.
“You can’t lie in the conference room. This guy…” Di Xuan thought to himself. “Does he really think so?”
In the conference room, Di Xuan asked seriously, “What do you think about the fact that Sect Staff IDs must list the place of origin, and those Sect Staff who passed the exam from the Lower Realm must indicate their Lower Realm origins…?”
This was precisely another reform direction of the Innate Dao Lineage for cultivators below the Immortal level.
Although Lower Realm Cultivators were allowed to pass the exams to come up, they would be subjected to de facto differential treatment through labeling.
The Sect Examination Clone frowned and said, “What is the difference between a Lower Realm Sect Staff and an Upper Realm Sect Staff? Both are Sect Staff recognized by the Immortal Emperor. By labeling origins like this, you are creating division within the sect!”
Di Xuan spoke up, “What if this is only implemented a few years from now, and all current Sect Staff are uniformly registered as having an Upper Realm origin in the native place column?”
“If that’s the case…” The Sect Examination Clone thought about how he would also possess an Upper Realm origin, then spoke righteously, full of Sect Nature, “Then when the time comes, a Lower Realm origin is a Lower Realm origin. I hate it most when these Lower Realm Natives pretend to be us Upper Realm Natives! Also, I hope that after the native place labeling is completed, the discounts offered to Sect Staff by major Platforms can strictly distinguish between Upper Realm Sect Staff and Lower Realm Sect Staff.”
Zhang Yu felt no surprise at the Sect Examination Clone’s words. A clear hierarchy beneath oneself… this was inherently the nature of the Sect Examination Clone.
Di Xuan’s eyes suddenly lit up, and his view of Zhang Yu quietly changed once again, feeling that the other party’s thinking was quite advanced and open-minded.
He thought to himself, It’s a pity. After all, he comes from the Lower Realm. Even if his profile later states he’s from the Upper Realm, he can only be considered as having Upper Realm equivalency, making him just half an Upper Realm Sect Staff.
Di Xuan asked again, “Then what about when you previously raised the salaries for the Soul Cultivators…”
The Sect Examination Clone hastily waved his hand and said, “Dao Monarch Di! You can’t just say things like that! I raised salaries for the sake of the Immortal Emperor. What does that have to do with the Soul Cultivators?”
“The salary increase was so the Immortal Emperor could expand the Dharma Realm, and so the Immortal Emperor could earn even more money from the Soul Cultivators.”
“I support Tai Yuebai handing out money, but that also means handing out money for the Immortal Emperor, so that the Immortal Emperor can be more competitive among the Ten Great Sects.”
The gaze Di Xuan directed at Zhang Yu grew increasingly appreciative. “You indeed have a strong Sect Nature, quite unlike a member of the Reformist Faction.”
The Sect Examination Clone sneered coldly and said, “Reformist Faction? That is merely my faction in name. I only have one true faction, and that is the Immortal Emperor Faction. It was the Immortal Emperor who promoted me and appreciated me, which is why I, Zhang Yu, am where I am today.”
“What Reformist Faction…” The Sect Examination Clone continued to say with a boastful expression, “Did you know? The Immortal Emperor personally gave me an order…”
The next moment, the Sect Examination Clone was recalled by Zhang Yu.
But the gaze Di Xuan directed at Zhang Yu had changed once again: The Immortal Emperor’s man?
Based on what the Sect Examination Clone had said in the conference room, Di Xuan had begun to think rapidly: The only person Zhang Yu is truly loyal to is the Immortal Emperor? He doesn’t actually care about the Reformist Faction?
To Di Xuan of the Innate Dao Lineage, the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor was also the most worthy person in the sect to pledge allegiance to, as well as one of the spiritual leaders of the entire Innate Dao Lineage.
“If it weren’t for the stain of his Lower Realm background, this Zhang Yu would actually be more suited for our Innate Dao Lineage… What a pity.”
At the same time, Di Xuan also recalled seeing Zhang Yu kneel to Lie Jinghong earlier in the conference room.
“So that’s how it is. Because Zhang Yu is the Immortal Emperor’s man, it’s very possible he has been communicating with the Immortal Emperor via mail all along. And Lie Jinghong, as the representative sent by the Dharma Realm Dao Lineage, is naturally a seed designated for cultivation by the Immortal Emperor, so Zhang Yu had already formed a secret alliance with Lie Jinghong.”
“It makes sense. It all makes sense now.”
“Zhang Yu is indeed someone I can cooperate with. Moreover, he might be able to become a bridge for cooperation between me, Lie Jinghong, and the Dharma Realm Dao Lineage.”
“Zhang Yu is an outstanding talent who can elevate me.”
“Hmm… since Zhang Yu supports Tai Yuebai, that means Tai Yuebai shouldn’t be much of a problem either…”
Tai Yuebai was already fraught with anxiety when he left the conference room, simply because he had seen today’s pairing of Zhang Yu and Di Xuan.
“Will Zhang Yu give himself away?”
Tai Yuebai recalled his chat with Zhang Yu, and sentence after sentence of Zhang Yu’s (Immortal Slayer’s) words surfaced in his mind.
Things like cultivation realm mobility, redistribution, top-to-bottom reforms, Ying Xintian’s proposals…
When he conversed with Zhang Yu previously, Tai Yuebai felt that Zhang Yu spoke very well and was a highly promising talent.
But now, seeing the pairing of Zhang Yu and Di Xuan, he feared that the two would completely fall out, thereby ruining his plans in the process.
“Sigh, what terrible luck. I didn’t expect the two of them to be paired up so soon.”
However, when he saw Zhang Yu and Di Xuan walking out of the conference room shoulder to shoulder and chatting merrily, Tai Yuebai was immediately plunged into astonishment.
Then, Tai Yuebai also saw Lie Jinghong nodding to Zhang Yu from a short distance away, and saw Bu Yingshu staring fixedly at Zhang Yu…
“What exactly is going on? Lie Jinghong, Di Xuan, Bu Yingshu…” Tai Yuebai thought inwardly. “These three parties have conflicting Law Establishment goals. How is Zhang Yu maintaining friendly relations with all three of them at the same time?”
If he hadn’t confirmed that Zhang Yu didn’t have a Dao Seed on him, Tai Yuebai would have even suspected that Zhang Yu had the same goal as he did.
At this moment, Zhang Yu’s importance in Tai Yuebai’s eyes had already greatly increased.
Meanwhile, in Zhang Yu’s eyes, the two Dao Seeds on Di Xuan’s body were flashing continuously.
Lie Jinghong’s three Dao Seeds and Di Xuan’s two Dao Seeds had always been Zhang Yu’s primary observation targets.
At this moment, among the two continuously flashing Dao Seeds on Di Xuan’s chest, one of them slowly revealed its name: [Innate Distinction].
“I’ve seen the name of the first Dao Seed.”
And when Zhang Yu finished his exchange with Di Xuan, he saw lines of messages jumping in front of his eyes.
Bu Yingshu: “😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠”
Rows of angry emojis were continuously being sent from Bu Yingshu.
At the same time, Tai Yuebai also sent an invitation to Zhang Yu, hoping to have a talk with him.
Fu Ji said, “Zhang Yu, it’s no good! I can’t hold her off anymore! If you delay any longer, Bu Yingshu is going to explode.”
Therefore, Zhang Yu hurriedly ran toward Bu Yingshu.
As Tai Yuebai watched Zhang Yu leave to follow Bu Yingshu, he felt for the first time that the other party seemed to be gradually slipping out of his control.
Inside a training room in the Law-Knowing Abode.
Bu Yingshu brought Zhang Yu along to extract cultivation arts together, and the first cultivation art they extracted was the “Immortal Qi Observation Method” they had learned during the training.
Watching the extracted Immortal Dao Technology continuously being exchanged by the [Myriad Laws Immortal Clan] for the reward of “Self-selected Immortal Sect True Inheritance cultivation art level +1”, Zhang Yu casually used it to upgrade the Kunlun-Uprooting Heaven-Overturning Mystic Power.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, Perfect. During the process of extracting cultivation arts with Bu Yingshu, I can push the True Inheritance Technique, which I haven’t had time to cultivate since my breakthrough, from level 50 to level 60.
And after finishing the extraction of the Immortal Qi Observation Method, Zhang Yu also planned to borrow Bu Yingshu’s body… to do another test.
“Dao Monarch Bu, I just broke through to the Void Refinement Realm. Could you give me some pointers on the basic cultivation art of the Void Refinement Realm?”
Bu Yingshu glanced impatiently at the cultivation art Zhang Yu sent over and said, “What’s so good about a basic cultivation art…”
Right when Bu Yingshu was halfway through her sentence, Zhang Yu had already fiercely thrust the [Great Void Dao Body] into… Bu Yingshu’s Technique Aperture.
Bu Yingshu let out a sudden cry of alarm, then tightly covered her mouth.
After a long silence, she took a deep breath and suddenly started laughing out loud.
Then she looked at Zhang Yu with a proud expression and said indifferently, “Little Yu, next I’m going to conduct some tests, and during the testing period… the things that happen to my body might shock you to the core. You’d better mentally prepare yourself…”
Right when Bu Yingshu was halfway through her sentence, Zhang Yu suddenly pulled the [Great Void Dao Body] back out from her Technique Aperture.