Chapter 900: Great Examination Era? Zhang Yu is the Cornerstone?
Listening to what Bu Yingshu explained, countless thoughts surged wildly in Zhang Yu’s mind for a moment.
He could imagine that once various certificates needed to be re-examined within 20 years, the intensity of competition throughout the entirety of Kunxu would inevitably skyrocket.
Fu Ji sighed, “If they do it like this, how many cultivators who worked so hard to get their certificates will have to go back and retake the exams? Doesn’t this mean they’ll be in a constant state of competition? It truly is a perpetual state of instability.”
Immortal Slayer commented, “Just how great the specific impact will be ultimately depends on the scope of this re-certification policy. It’s impossible for all certificates to require such a re-examination.”
“Even at the very beginning of the Law Establishment, it might just be for Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, gradually spreading upwards step by step to Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, and Void Refinement…”
Zhang Yu looked at Bu Yingshu and asked the question in his heart, “Then what about Immortals?”
Bu Yingshu said, “How can that be the same? Of course, Immortals don’t need to be re-certified!”
Zhang Yu asked again, “Then does the Immortal Clan also not need to take the exams?”
“So what?” Bu Yingshu said with a look of arrogance. “Our ancestors fought to establish this sect and shared the qualifications to cultivate with the common people of the world. Otherwise, how would you have the opportunity to step onto the path of immortality? You would just be mortals generation after generation.”
She thought to herself, Our ancestors already finished all the competing required from Foundation Establishment to Ascension Realm long ago. How could we possibly go back to fiercely struggling and competing to the death with all of you?
Zhang Yu, however, began to think rapidly to himself. “Temporary certification on the surface encourages competition, but if Immortals and Immortal Clans are not included in it, then it actually just protects the interests of the Immortals and Immortal Clans.”
He then thought of the permanent certification Di Xuan had once told him about, thinking, “According to Di Xuan, the Innate Dao Lineage is now planning to change its stance. Permanent certification does not include ordinary cultivators like Bu Yingshu just said; it is merely permanent certification for the Immortals.”
“If Di Xuan didn’t lie to me, then in reality, the Primordial Chaos Dao Lineage’s temporary certification governs the cultivators below, while the Innate Dao Lineage’s permanent certification supports the Immortals and Immortal Clans above. These two systems can run in parallel, and both sides can cooperate.”
“Permanent certification and temporary certification… are not contradictory, unlike what Bu Yingshu said?”
Fu Ji laughed, “It’s all ‘one certification, forever certified’. The higher-ups are certified once and for all, while those at the bottom, after passing once, will have to continue taking certification exams forever.”
The Auspicious God pondered, “These two concepts will run in parallel at the top and bottom during the initial stages without any contradictions. Conflict will only erupt when they try to continue moving upward or expanding downward.”
Just then, Immortal Slayer analyzed, “No, it probably won’t even reach the point of conflict. If ‘one certification, forever certified’ and ‘one certificate, temporarily certified’ are rolled out, they will definitely merge and become a new tool of rule for the Immortals.”
“Whether it’s encouraging competition and promoting social vitality, or guaranteeing social order, these are merely the facades of these two law establishment goals, banners used for propaganda.”
“The true purpose behind these two law establishment goals… is probably just one thing, and that is to usher in the Great Examination Era.”
Immortal Slayer said solemnly, “With the emergence of massive amounts of re-evaluations, exams, and competition, a huge consumer demand will be born, which will in turn provide a vast number of jobs.”
“This is a massive market capable of penetrating all of Kunxu. It will become a new growth point for the Myriad Laws Sect and drive the economic engine of the entire sect.”
“The only side effect is that the pressure on the cultivators will become even greater.”
Immortal Slayer sighed, “But the Immortals and Immortal Clans are unaffected. Instead, they can use this system to sit back and watch the cultivators at the bottom grind themselves to death, spending massive amounts of time, energy, and assets just to cope with one examination after another…”
“This is a way to prioritize securing the profits of the Immortals in exchange for their widespread support.”
“And with the backing of the Immortals and Immortal Clans, it won’t matter how much the cultivators at the bottom object.”
Listening to Immortal Slayer’s analysis, Zhang Yu grew thoughtful. He seemed to already foresee the advent of the Great Examination Era, picturing countless cultivators spending their wealth to prepare for re-evaluations.
“Damn it… If that’s really how it is, this broken Kunxu is truly getting worse and worse.”
Just then, Herald God spoke up, “Actually, if that is truly the case, both the Innate Dao Lineage and the Primordial Chaos Dao Lineage could serve as cooperation partners for the Reformist Faction and us. First of all, Tai Yuebai’s idea of ‘handing out money’ fits perfectly.”
“Hand out money to the people at the bottom, and then have them spend that money on the exams.”
“And Dao Monarch Zhang, if you are willing to push for a salary increase, you can also cooperate with them.”
“When the time comes, it will not only stimulate the economic cycle but also promote the flow of talent across all levels. It can be said to be killing multiple birds with one stone…”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s heart jolted: “If I really push for a salary increase, combined with Tai Yuebai handing out money, Bu Yingshu’s temporary certification, and Di Xuan’s permanent certification… they can indeed coordinate together, even creating a mutually enhancing and supporting effect.”
Zhang Yu did not believe there could be such a coincidence in the world; instead, a trace of chill surfaced in his heart: “Did someone higher up arrange this? Is there an Immortal-grade higher-up who wants to push this forward? Who wants to initiate the Great Examination Era?”
“Could it be… the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor?”
Just as thoughts flashed rapidly through Zhang Yu’s mind, interweaving at lightning speed, Bu Yingshu looked at him and asked, “Zhang Yu, do you understand? My purpose for this trip… is to initiate a self-purification within the Myriad Laws Sect through the survival of the fittest, continuously enhancing the sect’s competitiveness! I want to eliminate those old-era remnants who only know how to rest on their laurels all day and should have been kicked down long ago.”
“There will be countless cultivators who make themselves my enemies, but I will ultimately succeed and usher in a brand new era.”
After stating her grand ambition, Bu Yingshu threw out a reward: “If you are willing to support me, after the Law Establishment is successful, I will marry you, elevate your status, and make you a member of my Myriad Laws Immortal Clan.”
In Bu Yingshu’s eyes, upon hearing such an immense benefit, Zhang Yu would surely be thrilled to the extreme, wishing he could offer up his everything for her.
And through this, she could further control him during the law establishment period, firmly tying this good treasure — who could both support her and help elevate her potential — to her ship.
Right after Bu Yingshu finished speaking, Fu Ji hurriedly urged: “Zhang Yu! Say your lines, Zhang Yu! Just agree with her first! Since this might be the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor’s arrangement, even if you don’t want to agree, you absolutely must not oppose her.”
Immortal Slayer also said: “If the Great Examination Era is truly going to be initiated, there will be both pros and cons, and the situation will be extremely complex. You might as well feign compliance for now, buying time so we can discuss this at length later.”
Zhang Yu took a deep breath and said, “Dao Monarch Bu, to have the privilege of accomplishing this earth-shattering endeavor alongside you is my fortune.”
Bu Yingshu looked at Zhang Yu with an increasingly satisfied gaze. She gave a charming laugh and said, “Then let’s leave it at that for today. It’s about time, so go to class first.”
On the way back, Zhang Yu sighed emotionally in his heart, “So they say the strong never complain about their environment, because they are the ones who ruined it. Just looking at the legislative goals of these people… there is hardly a single good thing. They are all just stirring up Kunxu from top to bottom, making it more and more of a complete mess.”
“Who cares how they stir things up!” Fu Ji said excitedly. “Zhang Yu, our current situation is absolutely excellent.”
Fu Ji listed them off one by one, “Cang Juehuan of the Artifact Spirit Faction, Tai Yuebai of the Reformist Faction, Lie Jinghong of the Dharma Realm Dao Lineage, Di Xuan of the Innate Dao Lineage, and Bu Yingshu of the Primordial Chaos Dao Lineage. Every single one of them needs us to prop them up.”
“Being stepped on by one person makes you a stepping stone, but being stepped on by everyone makes you the cornerstone.”
In Fu Ji’s view, the current situation wasn’t just normally good, but incredibly good, super good, crazily good! The only problem was the crooked and evil tendencies inside Zhang Yu’s head.
Especially Zhang Yu’s two major evil personalities, Immortal Slayer and Desolate Ox. In Fu Ji’s eyes, they were simply ticking time bombs.
“We absolutely cannot let these two wicked beasts ruin our grand plan.”
Thinking of this, Fu Ji made up her mind to fight to the bitter end against Immortal Slayer and Desolate Ox, these two great evil personalities. She absolutely could not allow Zhang Yu to take a wrong step and ruin their excellent situation.
To this end, she even had a private chat with the Auspicious God and Herald God, making a pact to form an offensive and defensive alliance during the upcoming law establishment.
Facing Fu Ji’s request, Auspicious God immediately expressed his determination, “Rest assured, Boss Fu Ji. As long as I’m not dead, I will definitely fight them to the very end.”
Herald God: “The universe is vast, and righteousness endures forever. Let’s fight them with everything we have!”
At this very moment, Fu Ji seized the time to persuade Zhang Yu, “If there is only one person we have to support, then we are just lackeys.”
“But if we can support a whole batch of students, then we can become the big bosses! We’ll successfully create the most important Law Edict in this Law Establishment.”
In Fu Ji’s view, forming an interest group with Bu Yingshu, Lie Jinghong, Di Xuan, and Tai Yuebai to continue climbing upwards was the only righteous path.
However, Zhang Yu never gave a definite response to any of Fu Ji’s persuasions, which made her feel a wave of unease in her heart.
Time flowed on, and the second day arrived.
At this moment in the classroom, the numerous students had already faintly divided into multiple factions. Evidently, through their interactions over the past few days, they had all gradually confirmed their collaborative partners.
Tai Yuebai watched this scene and sighed inwardly, “Birds of a feather flock together, and people naturally divide into groups; this is a heavenly principle. No matter the environment or the number of people, they will ultimately and inevitably form their own cliques…”
When Zhang Yu appeared in the classroom, streams of gazes and several strands of will immediately focused on him.
At the same time, a new Law Edict potential assessment surfaced above Zhang Yu’s head.
At this moment, Zhang Yu had already pushed the second Immortal Sect Technique granted during the training to level 60, and his Chain Formation Diagram [Myriad Phenomena] had also reached 2/10.
With his further mastery of the immortal aura interference technique, his Law Edict potential assessment smoothly rose from rank 108 to rank 99.
On the other side, Lie Jinghong from the Dharma Realm Dao Lineage, whose potential assessment had already reached rank 21… looked at Zhang Yu and smiled faintly.
Lie Jinghong was quite appreciative of Zhang Yu (Sect Examination Clone), seeing him as one of his own — a loyal subject arranged by the Immortal Emperor to support him. Especially after the other party broke through to Void Refinement and quickly mastered the immortal aura interference technique, he tacitly considered him as part of his future core team.
Lie Jinghong waved his hand at Zhang Yu, seemingly signaling him to come over and sit together.
But at almost the exact same time, Tai Yuebai of the Reformist Faction also waved at Zhang Yu, wanting to pull him over.
Noticing Lie Jinghong’s actions, Tai Yuebai’s heart stirred: When did Zhang Yu get on such good terms with Lie Jinghong?
The scene of Zhang Yu kneeling to Lie Jinghong in the meeting room flashed through his mind, and he thought to himself: Did they reach some kind of agreement between them?
Tai Yuebai looked at Zhang Yu, seemingly wanting to see what choice he would make next.
But in the very next moment, a tender white little hand fiercely grabbed Zhang Yu’s palm and dragged him to a corner of the classroom.
Looking at this petite woman, who was only 1.8 meters tall, dragging Zhang Yu away, Tai Yuebai thought to himself: Bu Yingshu, an existence with high divine authority from the Myriad Laws Immortal Clan… the representative of the Primordial Chaos Dao Lineage.
Bu Yingshu, with a potential assessment of 32, currently had a face as cold as frost. She coldly glared at Tai Yuebai and Lie Jinghong, seemingly warning them of something, and then pulled Zhang Yu to sit down next to her.
Tai Yuebai frowned slightly and thought to himself: “Has Zhang Yu reached some agreement with the Primordial Chaos Dao Lineage now too?”
A moment later, Di Xuan of the Innate Dao Lineage, whose potential assessment had already risen to 22, also stepped into the classroom.
Tai Yuebai’s eyes lit up immediately. According to his plan, Di Xuan was the last Dao Seed he needed to obtain before seizing the ultra-high-risk Dao Seed.
Therefore, over the past few days, Tai Yuebai had sought out Di Xuan to converse whenever he had the chance, discussing matters of cooperation regarding Law Edicts and constantly drawing their relationship closer.
Soon. As long as I’m given a little more of an opportunity, I’ll be able to get your Dao Seed.
Thus, the moment Tai Yuebai saw Di Xuan step into the classroom, he immediately waved his hand, signaling for the other party to come sit next to him.
But in the next moment, Di Xuan’s gaze merely swept lightly past Tai Yuebai and ultimately locked onto Zhang Yu. With a single stride, he went straight over and sat down by Zhang Yu’s side.
Watching this scene, a feeling surged ever stronger in Tai Yuebai’s heart… things seemed to be deviating further and further from his plan.
And this move by Di Xuan immediately attracted the attention of numerous students.
Cang Juehuan of the Artifact Spirit Faction thought to himself, First it was Lie Jinghong, then Di Xuan, and also Bu Yingshu and Tai Yuebai. Just what is this guy Zhang Yu… trying to do?
Thinking of his previous invitation to Zhang Yu, Cang Juehuan secretly wondered, What kind of Law Edict is he trying to establish? Does he want to span across the Dharma Realm, Innate, Primordial Chaos, and even the Reformist Faction?
He sent a message to Zhang Yu to remind him, “Zhang Yu, Soul Cultivators and artifact spirits are the fields you should be focusing on. The waters between Lie Jinghong, Di Xuan, and the others are very deep; you won’t be able to handle it.”
Kuang Zhiqian of the Destiny Dao Lineage looked at Tai Yuebai beside him. In his view, both Tai Yuebai and Zhang Yu were people of the Reformist Faction, and their actions were all part of the Reformist Faction’s plan.
Thus, Kuang Zhiqian asked, “Your Reformist Faction is collaborating with quite a few people this time. With so many Dao Lineages involved, how exactly do you plan to cooperate?”
Tai Yuebai did not speak, but cursed inwardly, How the hell should I know?
He sent a message to Zhang Yu, asking, “Zhang Yu, what did you discuss with Bu Yingshu? Our plan this time did not include cooperating with the Primordial Chaos Dao Lineage!”
At the same time, Bu Yingshu looked at Di Xuan, who had sat down next to Zhang Yu, and also sent a message to Zhang Yu: “Zhang Yu, what does Di Xuan coming over mean? Didn’t I tell you to cut ties with him and focus exclusively on supporting me from now on?”
Di Xuan looked at Bu Yingshu on the other side of Zhang Yu and privately messaged, “Zhang Yu, what is Bu Yingshu trying to do?” Zhang Yu replied, “She is here to join us.”