Chapter 930 Ten-Billion Strike
Seeing that Zhang Yu was actually granted the honorary title of “Myriad Laws Divine Sword,” Bu Yuangui felt shocked once again at this moment.
“Myriad Laws Divine Sword, an honorary title specially bestowed by the Immortal Emperor. This is the ultimate honor, and it represents the supreme favor and support of the Immortal Emperor.”
Bu Yuangui could already imagine that, possessing this title, whenever Zhang Yu conducted practical reviews or froze Law Edicts in the future, merely revealing this title would naturally yield twice the result with half the effort, allowing him to roam freely across the 16th Layer.
And the Ten-Billion Flying Sword bestowed alongside the Myriad Laws Divine Sword made even Bu Yuangui’s heart skip a beat.
The so-called Ten-Billion Flying Sword was a flying sword containing the Immortal Emperor’s imprint. Once this sword was slashed out… it could forcibly sever ten billion in assets!
“The person struck by the sword will first have their savings transferred, and then their various assets will be confiscated one by one. If deducting all their assets is not enough, they will fall into massive debt. If they can’t pay it off in this life, they will in the next, and if not the next, then the one after that… until the full ten billion Immortal Coins are collected.”
Bu Yuangui knew that this Ten-Billion Flying Sword was just that domineering. The might of ten billion Immortal Coins was enough to slash many people from this life all the way into ten or even a hundred lifetimes later.
Especially with the blessing of the Immortal Emperor’s imprint, let alone cultivators undergoing Tribulation Transcendence or Ascension, even Immortals would be no exception under this sword.
“Although an Immortal can afford to pay this ten billion, absolutely no Immortal would want to easily take a slash from this Ten-Billion Flying Sword.”
“With Zhang Yu wielding this sword, he is the incarnation of the Immortal Emperor.”
Of course, Bu Yuangui knew that this Ten-Billion Flying Sword was absolutely not without its costs and flaws.
“One strike. This Ten-Billion Flying Sword can only unleash one slash at most before the Immortal Emperor’s imprint on it disappears.”
Bu Yuangui thought to himself, “Therefore, with Zhang Yu holding this sword, he can strike down one person at most.”
“Secondly… although he is executing punishment on behalf of the Emperor and has the privilege to execute first and report later, if he truly acts recklessly or even cuts down the wrong person, he will inevitably be held accountable by the Immortal Emperor.”
Thinking of this, Bu Yuangui inwardly shook his head. “But these costs and flaws are not crucial, because this flying sword… is probably not actually meant for Zhang Yu to take out and use.”
“This flying sword is at its most powerful only when it remains unused, enough to deter all directions, but once it is used, it will lose this deterrent effect.”
“Only as long as it hasn’t been swung can this flying sword remain like a thorn in everyone’s back, making them too afraid to act rashly against Zhang Yu.”
Bu Yuangui’s various thoughts were completed in a flash. Just then, Bu Zhenting beside him asked in shock, “This time, not only was Zhang Yu given key positions and exceptional treatment, but he was actually given the title of Myriad Laws Divine Sword, as well as a Ten-Billion Flying Sword?”
“Isn’t this a bit much? Can Zhang Yu really handle this?”
Bu Yingshu, who had originally come over to listen to Bu Yuangui’s analysis, immediately pulled a long face upon hearing her brother’s words. She said, “What? Are you saying that the Vice President of the Former Days Graveyard Development Zone Management Committee, the Minister of Netherworld Assets, the Soul Cultivator Company General Manager, the Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department, the possessor of the Limitless Salary Increase Authority, the Kunxu Hero, the Former Days Salary King, the creator of the Special Grade Law Edict… can’t handle it? Are you saying you can?”
“Based on what? Just because you’re my brother?”
Bu Zhenting frowned and said, “I’m talking about Zhang Yu. Why are you getting so worked up?”
Bu Yingshu’s magic power suddenly accelerated its circulation. Her face flushed red as she enunciated, “I! Am! Not! Worked! Up!”
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing, Bu Yuangui waved his hand to stop them and continued, “Since the Immortal Emperor chose Zhang Yu, the Immortal Emperor naturally has his reasons. It is not our place to question it.”
Bu Yuangui turned to look at Bu Yingshu and said, “Yingshu, weren’t you on good terms with this Zhang Yu before? Now that he is heavily valued by the Immortal Emperor, he will hold great power in the future. He has at least 50 years of great fortune ahead of him, and his future breakthrough to the Ascension Realm is an absolute certainty.”
“In the future, because of the Law Edict Expiration Date, it’s inevitable that we will have to deal with him. You should send him some gifts, congratulate him, and bring our relationship closer…”
Hearing Bu Yuangui’s words, Bu Yingshu secretly laughed in her heart, Dad, oh Dad, you are a bit late in saying this. Long before today, I had already cleared up my misunderstandings with Zhang Yu, buried the hatchet, and our relationship is now even better than before.
You could probably rack your brains and still never guess why Zhang Yu established the Law Edict Expiration Date.
You also have absolutely no idea that he knows my identity as the Great Sage’s Heir, much less that we have already decided to break the shackles of the Immortal Clan together…
Thinking of this, a trace of smugness flashed through Bu Yingshu’s heart, Without realizing it, I have already grown into an unfathomable existence that you, Father, can no longer see through.
As these thoughts flashed rapidly through her mind, Bu Yingshu replied, “Dad, what about the money to buy the gifts? Transfer 1,000,000 Immortal Coins to me.”
Watching Bu Yuangui obediently transfer the money over, Bu Yingshu secretly felt proud of her own cleverness: “Father, right now… you might think this one million is just being taken by your daughter to buy gifts, but you have no idea that this money will ultimately be invested in the great project of liberating the Immortal Clan.”
Bu Zhenting, who was beside her, looked at Bu Yingshu’s expression and thought to himself, This girl… what is she giggling like an idiot for now?
Bu Yuangui then continued, “Yingshu, remember, I told you to get closer to him, but not too close. You still need to keep a certain distance from him.”
“Ah?” Bu Yingshu frowned. “Why?”
Bu Yuangui sighed. “This person established the Law Edict Expiration Date. Although he will be heavily favored by the Immortal Emperor in the short term, any Immortal Emperor… will absolutely never allow this Law Edict to be elevated to a Dao Lineage in the future. It can be said that Zhang Yu’s path to ascend and become an Immortal is already severed.”
“Don’t be fooled by the Immortal Emperor’s heavy reliance on him now. Once he finishes clearing the Law Edicts in the sect for the Immortal Emperor and establishes a new Law Edict order, I’m afraid he will be sidelined, or even purged, leaving only the Law Edict Expiration Date to be used as a tool…”
Hearing Bu Yuangui’s words, Bu Yingshu was slightly taken aback, and then thought to herself, Zhang Yu’s immortal path… is already broken?
At this moment, a thought couldn’t help but well up in Bu Yingshu’s mind, If he successfully unties my restraints in the future and helps me achieve immortality, wouldn’t he be trading his own chance to achieve immortality for mine?
Thinking of this, an indescribably unfamiliar feeling surged in Bu Yingshu’s heart.
Sacrificing one’s own immortal path to fulfill someone else’s immortal path… She had never seen or heard of such a thing. It was simply unheard of and utterly shocking.
Just as Bu Yingshu’s heart was shaken, Bu Yuangui continued on the other end, “That’s why I told you to get closer to him and try not to have any conflicts with him for at least the next 50 years. But don’t get too close either, lest he implicate us when something happens to him…”
Bu Yingshu replied somewhat absently and perfunctorily, “Mhm…”
In the unknown upper echelons of Kunxu.
Browsing the latest news before them, especially regarding the committee and the latest appointment of Zhang Yu…
Reviewing the entire sequence of events, Immortal Roujia sighed, “The Immortal Emperor really placed a heavy bet this time. Now he is even more determined to use Zhang Yu to clean up the sect’s Law Edicts.”
Immortal Yi Xuan, who was beside her, said, “Fortunately, we were not impulsive. We were not used as a weapon by the Immortal Emperor, nor did we get involved in the subsequent struggles. We didn’t clash with the other major factions, maintaining our consistently good reputation.”
Immortal Roujia nodded: “The Immortal Emperor came prepared. I’m afraid he chose Zhang Yu long ago and wanted to use our Reformist Faction as a cover, which is why he arranged for Zhang Yu to enter our Reformist Faction. If we had continued to support Zhang Yu, we would have fallen into his trap.”
Obviously, in the eyes of the two Immortals, Zhang Yu was merely a chess piece of the Immortal Emperor — a pawn planted in the Reformist Faction, rather than a true Reformist Faction cultivator.
Below them, Fa Liuyuan recalled how Zhang Yu had taken the initiative to stand out this time. He thought to himself, If we had also stepped forward like Zhang Yu, perhaps we could have also secured a position in the committee, and even united with Zhang Yu to take charge of the upcoming legal reform, raising the banner of the Reformist Faction once again…
Seemingly perceiving what Fa Liuyuan was thinking, Immortal Roujia above said, “Liuyuan, don’t think that Zhang Yu’s situation this time is an opportunity. So what if he clears the Law Edicts for the Immortal Emperor? With the path to achieving immortality severed, he is bound to be abandoned by the Immortal Emperor in the future.”
“The path of the Immortal Dao is ultimately about the long term, not about fighting for the short-term gains of 20 or 50 years.”
“Otherwise, even a temporary success is meaningless. Only by retaining useful assets and preserving the strength of the Reformist Faction can we have more opportunities to promote the sect’s reform in the future.”
“Liuyuan, remember this: the sect’s reform must never be too radical. It must be a gradual reform, a slow reform, executed with rhythm and a plan. You must not act too hastily, or else you will end up being used by outsiders…”
Fa Liuyuan nodded repeatedly, showing that he had taken her teachings to heart, but he still felt a trace of pity in his mind: “Zhang Yu, if only he were truly a cultivator of our Reformist Faction, rather than a pawn of the Immortal Emperor…”
Immortal Roujia continued, “However, Zhang Yu does hold great power right now, and he can be considered to have some history with us. The immortal inheritance he possesses also originated from our faction, and we have indeed supported him in the past. Find an opportunity to rope him in, and see if we can use him to exert our influence within the committee.”
Fa Liuyuan sighed in his heart. Without realizing it, Zhang Yu had already become an existence whose thoughts even Immortals had to take into account when making their plans.
Not long after Fa Liuyuan agreed and his consciousness left the two Immortals’ Immortal Abode, he received another message from Tai Yuebai.
Tai Yuebai: “Heavenly Monarch, how do the two Immortals plan to respond?”
Fa Liuyuan replied: “Befriend Zhang Yu for now.”
Tai Yuebai: “Are we just going to watch the Immortal Emperor purge the sect’s Law Edicts?”
Fa Liuyuan: “[Facepalm]”
Looking at Fa Liuyuan’s reply, the magic power in Tai Yuebai’s body fell into a period of silence. He sighed inwardly, “Wouldn’t such indulgence be equivalent to helplessly watching the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor step by step toward his final doomsday?”
Just then, Fa Liuyuan sent another message: “The two Immortals said that the Immortal Emperors will never allow the Law Edict moderators of the various sects to achieve immortality and elevate the Law Edicts to a Dao Lineage.”
“Not allowing the emergence of a Dao Lineage that moderates Dao Lineages is the bottom line for all Immortals.”
“The Immortal Emperor clearing out Law Edicts is at most a redistribution of some sect interests; its impact on the Dao Lineages is limited…”
Looking at the message sent by Fa Liuyuan, Tai Yuebai’s face was full of bitterness. He replied, “So what if it is the bottom line of the Immortals? Would the Immortal Emperors not dare to trample it? Out of the ten Immortal Emperors, as long as one dares to take this step, the countdown to doomsday will begin!”
Ever since he learned the news about the Vajra Sect and knew that the Buddha Emperor was also going to step in to clean up the Law Edicts, Tai Yuebai had an even worse premonition in his heart.
He thought to himself, It is not just the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor; there are other Immortal Emperors pushing for the moderation of the Law Edicts. Even if they haven’t secretly joined forces, they probably have a tacit understanding.
Fa Liuyuan replied, “The Immortals have said that if any Immortal Emperor dares to do this and dares to moderate the Dao Lineages, the Immortals of all sects will rise up and attack them together. The other Immortal Emperors will not miss the opportunity either and will definitely take the chance to join the siege. Whoever dares to do this is seeking their own doom.”
“Seeking their own doom?” Tai Yuebai smiled bitterly. “You underestimate the Immortal Emperors too much. No… you value your own interests too much.”
“When Zhang Yu wanted to moderate the Law Edicts, you didn’t dare to be the first to step forward.”
“When the Immortal Emperor wanted legal reform, you didn’t dare to be the first to stand up either.”
“Do you really think you’ll dare to be the first to stand up when it comes to moderating the Dao Lineages? Bottom lines are surrendered step by step!”
Fa Liuyuan argued, “This is different. Law Edicts are Law Edicts, and Dao Lineages are Dao Lineages…”
Tai Yuebai shook his head, his eyes already filled with disappointment, and did not reply to Fa Liuyuan again.
Although Tai Yuebai wanted to cry out loudly, to urge the Reformist Faction and even the major factions to stop the Immortal Emperor together…
He knew… it was completely useless, because this was not something that could be solved by reasoning.
Whether it was the Sect Staff of the lower layers, the Sect Staff of the upper layers, or every single Immortal — as long as they had not truly stepped into the final doomsday, as long as they had not reached the very last step, they would forever continue to compromise, forever focusing their attention on the pursuit of their own interests.
It is not that you cannot think of the things I am thinking of, but rather that you are unwilling to think about them, unwilling to fight.
In the end, you are simply afraid of suffering losses yourselves. You cannot bear to part with your immense wealth, you cannot bear to part with your vast mystic powers, and you cannot bear to part with your immortality…
Within Kunxu, how many people truly care about the safety of the world nowadays?
The figure of Zhang Yu appeared in Tai Yuebai’s mind. He thought to himself, Zhang Yu might be one, but it’s a pity that he has now become a blade in the hands of the Immortal Emperor, accelerating the arrival of the apocalypse instead.
At this moment, Tai Yuebai felt as if he could see the entire world, maliciously pushed forward by the Immortal Emperors, accelerating its fall toward an apocalyptic end.
Yet everyone in Kunxu lived in a drunken stupor, addicted to the pursuit of their own self-interests. No matter how much he shouted, absolutely no one would stand up and take a look.
The only thing that made Tai Yuebai feel glad was that the comprehensive implementation of the Law Edict Expiration Date had been delayed until 50 years later.
Just then, Fa Liuyuan sent another message: “Many people in the sect are very dissatisfied with your Dual Rest Law Edict. The two Immortals still haven’t calmed down yet, so be careful.”
Tai Yuebai thought to himself, I must hurry.
There is simply no reasoning with these Immortals who have long since fallen into the Demonic Path.
I must ascend and become an Immortal. Only by becoming an Immortal can I use my own power to change this world.
And Tai Yuebai knew that his opportunity for ascension lay 21 years in the future.
Because the Ascension Selection 21 years from now would be the very next Ascension Selection, making it his closest opportunity for ascension in terms of time.
Originally, according to the Reformist Faction’s plan, Fa Liuyuan was supposed to act as the Ascension Seed and participate in the selection 21 years from now, while Tai Yuebai would participate in the one after that.
But now, Tai Yuebai was no longer willing to wait. Even if it meant competing head-on against Fa Liuyuan, he would not hesitate.
In 21 years, Zhang Yu should still be clearing out the Law Edicts of the Tribulation Crossing Stage, and the Immortal Emperors will not have launched any further plans yet.
I must seize this opportunity.
But Tai Yuebai knew that he could not achieve this relying solely on himself.
This was true even though he had seized the time right after Law Establishment to break through to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm.
To break through from Tribulation Transcendence to the Ascension Realm and step into its peak within the remaining 21 years… and then compete with the Ascension Seeds of the various factions, it would be incredibly difficult to achieve even with his profound foundation.
“Time is too tight.”
A contact method appeared before Tai Yuebai’s eyes. He thought to himself, “Sorry, Senior Ying, there’s been a change of plans… I must contact you ahead of time.”
When Ban Jinchen and Si Shian saw the series of news regarding the establishment of the committee and Zhang Yu’s appointment, they were first startled, which was then followed by a lingering fear.
“Thank goodness… thank goodness we didn’t clash head-on with Zhang Yu.”
At this moment, whether it was Ban Jinchen or Si Shian, both were incredibly grateful for their own decisiveness.
Ban Jinchen thought to himself, “Decisively surrendering to Zhang Yu is perhaps the most correct decision I’ve made under the current trend of the times.”
Si Shian thought to himself, “Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department, Myriad Laws Divine Sword, Reviewing on Behalf of Heaven, Moderate Myriad Laws… Zhang Yu might be the biggest backer I can latch onto in the future era of legal reform.”
“If I can secure his backing, perhaps even after my Law Edict is frozen, I won’t be without a chance to make a comeback in the new era.”
Magnetic Pole was not the first to see the news about the Myriad Laws Divine Sword.
She had been developing a new magical artifact when she was reminded by a message from her Senior Brother, which was when she finally saw the news of Zhang Yu’s appointment.
Xuanji: “Junior Sister! Junior Nephew Zhang has truly soared into the heavens this time! His future is boundless, and what’s even more rare is that he still always thinks of you [10000 Immortal Coins]”
Xuanji: “Do you have time to introduce us? Several martial uncles, as well as Master, all want to meet him.”
Magnetic Pole ignored him and instead repeatedly read the news reports about Zhang Yu. A phrase suddenly surfaced in her mind: “Commanding the wind and clouds.”
On the other side, Old Gao, hovering above the construction site, looked at the news forwarded by Magnetic Pole with a faint smile on his lips.
The Soul Cultivator that the Old Director had transformed into sighed, “Old Gao, your eye for people is indeed much, much better than mine.”
Yu Xinghan rushed up to Zhang Yu in the Immortal Grotto-Heaven and said, “Congratulations! Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department! Myriad Laws Divine Sword! From now on, won’t you be able to both moderate Law Edicts and review them?”
Zhang Yu first nodded, then shook his head, saying, “It doesn’t quite count as reviewing Law Edicts.”
“After all, the Effectiveness Review Department only reviews the actual operational status of the Law Edicts and then submits them to the committee for judgment. The final result still depends on the draft vote and the Immortal Emperor’s decision.”
“However, it is indeed an important position.”
Zhang Yu looked at Yu Xinghan and said, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to concurrently hold the positions of Development Zone Vice President, Minister of Netherworld Assets, and Soul Cultivator Company General Manager for much longer.”
“If I step down, I will recommend to the higher-ups that you take over the positions of Minister of Netherworld Assets and Soul Cultivator Company General Manager.”
Hearing this, Yu Xinghan’s expression became serious, his eyes filled with both agitation and excitement.
He knew that following Zhang Yu and trusting him was the right choice, just like his past experiences had proven time and time again.
Thinking of the rank of the Minister of Netherworld Assets, Yu Xinghan then asked, “Then I will be promoted to Rank 5? Will I get a Void Refinement Certificate? What Law Edict should I establish?”
Yu Xinghan added, “I climbed up together with you. Whatever you want me to establish, I’ll establish.”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly and said, “Think about it slowly. There’s no rush for now.”
Looking at the other party’s Dao Seed and Technique Apertures, Zhang Yu said, “Put your work aside for now and focus your energy on your cultivation. Improve your strength more, so you don’t lack the foundation when you advance to Void Refinement later.”
Yu Xinghan nodded vigorously. With the support of the Third Eye mystic power and the Spirit Transformation Dao Body, his cultivation had been advancing by leaps and bounds these days, giving him full confidence in improving his cultivation.
On the way back, Yu Xinghan suddenly received a message from Li Xuelian: “Junior Brother, do you have time soon?”
Yu Xinghan: “Minister Zhang thinks highly of me and wants to give me more responsibilities. I can’t spare the time for now.”
Li Xuelian: “Then I’ll come to the Former Days Graveyard to see you. It wouldn’t be inconvenient, would it?”
If it were the former Yu Xinghan, he probably would have agreed immediately.
But now, knowing that he would be promoted to Minister in the future and achieve Void Refinement… Yu Xinghan suddenly felt that Li Xuelian was just alright.
Yu Xinghan: “Let me check my schedule.”
Shortly after Yu Xinghan left, a series of notifications appeared before Zhang Yu’s eyes.
Zhang Yu immediately walked out of the Immortal Grotto-Heaven and arrived in the sky above the Former Days Graveyard.
He saw streams of divine light flickering, already completely surrounding his body.
Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department… As the characters appeared above Zhang Yu’s head one by one, a brand-new position had been imprinted into his body, completing its synchronization with the information databases of the Spirit Realm and the Dharma Realm.
Immediately after, other benefits, mixed with streams of divine light, were similarly granted before Zhang Yu.
There was access permission to a 16th layer Grotto-Heaven, an Immortal License Plate Shuttle, 10 Void Refinement Soul Cultivator certificates, and a flying sword emitting dazzling Immortal Light, which was exactly that Ten-Billion Flying Sword.
Although this investiture was far less grand than the previous awarding of the Extraordinary Merit, Zhang Yu could feel that his gains this time were much greater. He could also sense countless wills crossing an unknown distance, looking toward his location.
The next moment, as the magic power within Zhang Yu’s body was injected into the flying sword and completed a cycle within it to finish the registration, the flying sword truly acknowledged him as its master.
At the same time, another honorable title appeared above Zhang Yu’s head: Myriad Laws Divine Sword.
In this instant, Zhang Yu felt that with a single thought, he could command the flying sword to slash at any opponent.
Because a densely packed list of names was now floating in front of him.
It was a list of all the cultivators who could be slain within the flying sword’s strike range.
A trace of realization instantly flashed through Zhang Yu’s mind: “The Ten-Billion Flying Sword’s strike range is not based on my perception range, but on the flying sword’s own perception range.”
How large was the perception range of this Ten-Billion Flying Sword?
Zhang Yu didn’t know. He only felt that a list of all the cultivators in the entire Former Days Graveyard seemed to appear in his eyes at this moment.
For example, Zhang Yu saw the name of Xiao Yunhe, the President of the Development Zone Management Committee.
With a shift of his thoughts, Zhang Yu focused his attention on Xiao Yunhe’s name.
Xiao Yunhe, who was in the middle of working, suddenly shuddered, feeling as if something in the unseen world had locked onto him. At the same time, a series of notifications frantically popped up in his Bionic Eye.
“You have been targeted by the Myriad Laws Divine Sword, a 10 billion Immortal Coins strike is ready!”
Looking at this repeatedly refreshing notification, Xiao Yunhe felt his scalp go numb. He hurriedly soared into the sky and sent a message to Zhang Yu: “Minister Zhang! If there’s any misunderstanding, we can talk it out properly, there’s no need to take it this far!”
Zhang Yu then swept his gaze over the other names. He realized that it wasn’t just in the Former Days Graveyard; he could even see a considerable portion of the names belonging to the consciousnesses that were currently gazing at him from afar through the Spirit Realm, crossing an unknown distance.
Then, Zhang Yu focused his attention on one of those names.
Kunxu 16th layer.
Di Xuan felt as if a streak of sword qi had crossed the Spirit Realm and directly locked onto his account. “What the f*ck… How am I worthy of you mobilizing a 10 billion strike?”
Although he knew Zhang Yu probably wouldn’t swing this sword at him, Di Xuan still couldn’t help but cry out in alarm. He hastily sent a message to Zhang Yu: “Congratulations Dao Monarch Zhang, congratulations Minister Zhang on assuming the position of Minister of the Review Department! The Myriad Laws Divine Sword truly lives up to its name! With Minister Zhang here, there is hope for the legal system construction within the sect!”