Chapter 931: Future Goal, Profound Cold Meridian Upgrade
No matter how he calculated it, Di Xuan felt that Zhang Yu probably wouldn’t slash this sword at him. But when this Ten-Billion Immortal Sword truly locked onto his account, he still felt a wave of terror from the bottom of his heart.
That was a great terror of potentially falling into a massive debt of Ten-Billion Immortal Coins at any time and any place.
Even though Di Xuan had continuously consumed Dharma Drugs, it was still difficult to completely suppress this fear.
He was truly afraid that Zhang Yu would suddenly say: “Watch closely, this sword strike will be very expensive.”
Therefore, Di Xuan immediately sent a congratulatory message at the first opportunity to express his goodwill and avoid any misunderstandings.
The next moment, when the lock-on notification of the Ten-Billion Flying Sword disappeared and the sensation of his account being locked by the sword qi dissipated, Di Xuan finally let out a heavy sigh of relief.
It was also at this moment that he realized with a start that in those few short seconds, he had actually been so scared that his breathing technique had stopped running, causing him to earn a little less money.
“It truly is…”
Di Xuan smiled bitterly. At this moment, it could be said that he had truly experienced the deterrent power of this Ten-Billion Flying Sword.
Inside the Former Days Graveyard.
Zhang Yu naturally didn’t know, nor did he understand the details of how Di Xuan’s emotions had drastically fluctuated in just a few short seconds.
He only felt that wherever his gaze swept, everyone’s attitude became very friendly, and their speech became very polite.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “This Ten-Billion Flying Sword is actually quite useful. It should have a pretty good effect if I bring it to meetings in the future.”
“The legacy of a gentleman ends after five generations,” Immortal Slayer sighed. “But the debt of the Immortal Emperor persists for a hundred generations.”
Hearing Immortal Slayer’s words, the Auspicious God thought to himself, How does this Immortal Slayer come up with all these witty remarks every time? Dammit, why can’t I think of things like that?
However, the next moment, Immortal Slayer changed the subject and said, “But this Ten-Billion Flying Sword is most effective when used as a deterrent at critical moments. If you use it every day, all the time, others will just become numb to it, and it will lose its deterrent power.”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly and thought to himself, “This Ten-Billion Flying Sword is a bit like nuclear deterrence on Earth; its deterrent power is strongest when it’s not being used.”
Putting the Ten-Billion Flying Sword away, Zhang Yu then looked at his newly acquired Immortal License Plate Shuttle.
He glanced at the shuttle’s license plate and configuration, finding it to be about the same as the one Bu Yingshu had lent him.
“But unlike Bu Yingshu’s model, I can only use this Immortal License Plate Shuttle myself; I can’t lend it out to others.”
Aside from the Immortal License Plate Shuttle in front of him, Zhang Yu had also been rewarded with a Void-Rending Shuttle the last time he registered the Special Grade Law Edict.
In other words, he currently had on hand one Immortal License Plate Shuttle lent to him by Bu Yingshu, one Immortal License Plate Shuttle allocated to him by the Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department, and one Void-Rending Shuttle matching the Special Grade Law Edict.
“The value of the Immortal License Plate Shuttle lies in the Immortal License Plate itself. It is precisely because of this plate that one can legally ram into people. And as long as I hide inside, there aren’t many people in Kunxu who would dare to crash into me.”
As for the Void-Rending Shuttle, its key value lay in its exquisite spatial technology, which could rapidly cross layers and minor realms.
“Tianxing,” Zhang Yu spoke up. “I already have two Immortal License Plate Shuttles for my regular use, so I’ll temporarily leave this Void-Rending Shuttle for you to pilot.”
Hearing this, Zhao Tianxing’s spirit jolted, and streams of messages crossed the Spirit Realm to surface before Zhang Yu: “Dao Monarch, I… am I even allowed to fly such a high-level shuttle? I couldn’t possibly…”
Zhang Yu waved his hand, cutting off the other party’s words: “If I tell you to use it, then use it. Otherwise, it will just gather dust in my hands, pointlessly wasting its Immortal Dao Potential.”
“For now, just treat this Void-Rending Shuttle as your body in the physical world.”
Then, Zhang Yu swept a glance over the cultivation realms of Zhao Tianxing and the other Soul Cultivators.
Currently, with Zhang Yu’s support, Zhao Tianxing had advanced by leaps and bounds, having already reached the Nascent Soul Realm.
Compared to the cultivation of normal cultivators, although the performance of Soul Cultivators was much worse, breaking through was also much easier for them.
But in Zhang Yu’s eyes, Zhao Tianxing was still too slow.
“The Void Refinement quotas have already been delivered into my hands.”
Zhang Yu extended an index finger, and 12 rays of brilliance could be seen circling and flashing at his fingertip; these were exactly 12 Void Refinement quotas for Soul Cultivators.
Among them, one belonged to what he possessed after being promoted to the 5th Rank.
Another one was awarded after he established a Special Grade Law Edict.
The remaining 10 were awarded to him upon becoming the Minister of the Effectiveness Review Department this time.
Seeing the 12 Void Refinement quotas Zhang Yu displayed, not only Zhao Tianxing, but also Mo Tianyi, Che Yufei, and Hu Yuntao, who had followed Zhang Yu all the way up… all felt their minds surge with slight excitement at this moment.
Right then, a thought simultaneously welled up in their minds: “12 Void Refinement quotas… could there be a share for me? Could I… also step into the Void Refinement Realm?”
Zhang Yu simply said indifferently, “For these 12 Void Refinement quotas, I plan to select candidates from among our own people.”
Whether it was the Soul Cultivators, or Immortal Slayer, Desolate Ox, Auspicious God, and Herald God in Zhang Yu’s mind, none of them felt there was anything wrong with Zhang Yu’s words.
After all, in this Kunxu, nepotism was the right way to do things.
The next moment, six Void Refinement quotas scattered out, crossing the Spirit Realm in an instant, and poured into Zhao Tianxing, Mo Tianyi, Che Yufei, Hu Yuntao, as well as Ying Xin’s grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather.
In an instant, the six Soul Cultivators felt that their once thorn-filled immortal path had abruptly turned into a smooth journey, transforming into a bright and open road leading straight to Void Refinement.
Of course, if Zhang Yu were to take back the quotas, the six Soul Cultivators would instantly lose their corresponding Realm Certificates.
“Dao Monarch!” Zhao Tianxing said excitedly. “From now on, this life of mine will belong to you for all my lifetimes.”
Having graduated from the same vocational college as Zhao Tianxing and having climbed up from the First Layer just like him, Mo Tianyi only felt his dao heart trembling violently at this moment. He followed up and said, “Dao Monarch, being able to meet you in the First Layer that day was the greatest honor of my life.”
On the other side, Che Yufei — who also came from the Civil Engineering Department of Myriad Laws University and had died because of the Jade Nectar Coin Thunderstorm — had now sent out a string of teary-eyed emojis: “✊ Dao Monarch Blazing Light 🔥”
There was also Hu Yuntao, who came from the First Layer’s Red Pagoda High School and had died while studying at Celestial Monsters University.
At this moment, he seemed to recall his days participating in competitions during high-school, running to escape the fate of working in a factory, and remembering the fate of being swallowed by the abyss despite giving it his absolute all.
And now, the ticket to Void Refinement was already in his hands.
Hu Yuntao had achieved a result that no monsterfolk had ever reached since the establishment of Red Pagoda High School and the Red Pagoda Protected Area Breeding Base.
Hu Yuntao: “✊ Dao Monarch Blazing Light 🔥”
On the other side, the three Ancestors of the Ying Family also sent a message saying: “✊ Dao Monarch Blazing Light 🔥 Loyalty!”
At this moment, they secretly thought in their hearts, “After striving with the residual glory of six generations and scattering our ashes, we have finally found a truly good superior, a good leader, and a good boss!”
Watching them continue to send messages non-stop, Zhang Yu said, “Alright, you are all old-timers who have climbed up alongside me. I won’t say any unnecessary words. Work earnestly and cultivate well in the coming years.”
The Soul Cultivators one after another began to express their determination.
Watching this scene, the Herald God thought to himself, “This Zhang Yu is well-practiced in buying people’s hearts. These Soul Cultivators from the lower realm are indeed easier to buy off and better to control than the Soul Cultivators from the upper realm.”
If it were in ancient times, the Herald God would have judged that Zhang Yu was secretly raising death warriors.
“But it’s not ancient times anymore. Subordinates are not meant for fighting and being cannon fodder… Subordinates are used to make money.”
In the eyes of the Herald God, in today’s Kunxu, the greatest use of all the upper-tier cultivators’ subordinates was to make money for their leaders and bosses, allowing their bosses’ Immortal Dao Potential to continuously increase. This in turn allowed them to master stronger technology and higher productivity, then hire even more subordinates to squeeze out even more profit…
At the same time, Zhang Yu looked at the remaining six Void Refinement quotas and thought to himself, “Who should I give the rest to?”
The Herald God, who was deep in thought, hurriedly said, “Since the soul cultivators of the upper and lower realms are gradually circulating now, why don’t we select some trustworthy geniuses from the lower realm Soul Cultivators to bring up?”
Seeing the Herald God acting so proactively, the Auspicious God thought to himself, Is this guy trying to show off while the Fortune God is slumbering?
The Auspicious God quickly said, “Why don’t we just hold a selection process…”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly and said casually, “Each of you, write up a proposal.”
As he spoke, Zhang Yu sensed Fu Ji’s condition and thought, “Is it not over yet? It seems this upgrade is a bit different from the past.”
Recalling the series of gains he made this time by establishing the Expiration Date Law Edict and taking over the Effectiveness Review Department, what Zhang Yu looked forward to the most at this moment was the upgrade of the Feather Book.
“However, although the gains this time are many, with the upgrade of the Feather Book, a 10,000,000 bonus, a series of treatment upgrades, and being given the Ten-Billion Immortal Sword for an important position… the price is also not small.”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “First is the debt.”
Immortal Slayer said, “Correct, your primary short-term goal next is to resolve the thousand year calculation power debt. The longer you delay, the greater the loss. Your reputation is at its peak right now, which is a great opportunity to clear the debt.”
“After clearing the debt, you must actively prepare for next year’s Law Edict operation.”
“You must clean up the Law Edicts as soon as possible. This is not only to show your ability to the Immortal Emperor but also to prepare for Tribulation Transcendence.”
Immortal Slayer analyzed, “As soon as you finish cleaning up the first batch of Void Refinement Law Edicts, the Immortal Emperor can justifiably promote your rank and award you the Tribulation Certificate.”
“Breaking through to Tribulation Transcendence, you will be able to obtain further Law Edict knowledge and Law Edict technology to continue upgrading the Law Edicts.”
“In this way, you will have more time and resources… to prepare for cleaning up the Law Edicts of Tribulation Transcendence Cultivators in 20 years.”
“And in 20 years, as long as you can finish cleaning up the Tribulation Transcendence Law Edicts as early as possible, you can let the Immortal Emperor promote your rank again and obtain the Ascension Certificate.”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, The Ascension Realm?
In the past, Immortal Slayer would not have mentioned these things, as they were still too far away for Zhang Yu. But at this moment, with Zhang Yu climbing up step by step and about to step onto a fast track for promotion, Immortal Slayer felt that some plans should be arranged early.
Immortal Slayer said, “If you want to change Kunxu, you must ascend and become an Immortal. To ascend and become an Immortal, you must pass the Ascension Selection.”
“And to participate in the Ascension Selection, the first requirement is naturally to break through to the Ascension Realm.”
“Besides that, the Ascension Selection has other requirements. Your Law Edict must, under the uplifting of numerous Law Edicts… advance into a Law Decree, just one step away from establishing a Dao Lineage.”
Zhang Yu listened carefully as Immortal Slayer continued to state the other requirements for the Ascension Selection.
“You must also master at least one Heaven-Opening cultivation art.”
“Possess the recommendation of an Immortal.”
“Finally, naturally, obtain the approval of the Immortal Emperor.”
Zhang Yu muttered, “Ascension, Law Decree, Heaven-Opening, Immortal, Immortal Emperor… it’s not easy.”
“Naturally, it is not easy,” Immortal Slayer said. “For these five hurdles, completing any single one of them is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Every Ascension Realm cultivator qualified to participate in the Ascension Selection has prepared for many years.”
Zhang Yu did a quick mental search and thought, “Then the next Ascension Selection is in… 21 years?”
Immortal Slayer said, “21 years… rank and cultivation realm are one thing, but a Heaven-Opening cultivation art worth one hundred billion, as well as developing other cultivators to establish Law Edicts to uplift your Law Edict, and promoting the Law Edict to a Law Decree — all of these require a massive amount of time.”
“Of course, the two most difficult points might be an Immortal’s recommendation and the Immortal Emperor’s approval.”
“After all, letting you ascend and become an Immortal in 21 years is obviously out of step with the Immortal Emperor’s plan to clear out the Law Edicts in 50 years.”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly. To make the Immortal Emperor change his plan… and agree to let him ascend and become an Immortal in 21 years? And promote his Law Edict to a Dao Lineage?
To be honest, Zhang Yu currently had no idea how to accomplish this.
Zhang Yu said in his heart, “This Ascension Selection… I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it in time.”
Immortal Slayer continued, “But even if the Immortal Emperor actually agrees… it might not necessarily be a good thing. If he allows you to achieve immortality, he will definitely use heavy-handed methods to control you. Wanting to fight against the Immortal Emperor within 21 years is still far too fantastical.”
“Anyway, we will deal with whatever comes our way, so don’t overthink it for now.”
“The current priority is still debt resolution, as well as next year’s freezing of Law Edicts…”
Zhang Yu also brought his thoughts back to the present, and just then… Bai Zhenzhen’s message floated before his eyes.
Bai Zhenzhen: “Yu Zi! You are famous across the world this time!”
The two quickly met up in the Immortal Grotto-Heaven. Bai Zhenzhen looked at the Myriad Laws Divine Sword above Zhang Yu’s head and said excitedly, “The Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor thinks highly of you, doesn’t he?”
Just as the two were catching up, Zhang Yu’s gaze tightened slightly, and he said, “A-Zhen, Bu Yingshu is coming. Do you want to hide for a bit? She has now broken through to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm and is hard to control…”
Bai Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment and said, “Yu Zi… can I… can I…”
Seeing Bai Zhenzhen’s unwilling expression, Zhang Yu said, “Forget it, I’ll just send her away, and we can continue talking…”
Bai Zhenzhen hurriedly stopped Zhang Yu, saying in exasperation, “How can you send her away?! She’s such a useful financial backer, you need to coax her well! What I meant is… can I stay and watch?”
Looking at the silent Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen waved her hands repeatedly and said, “Don’t worry, I absolutely won’t make a sound to disturb you two. I just want to see what you look like when you work…”
A moment later, when Bu Yingshu walked into the Grotto-Heaven, what she saw was Zhang Yu all by himself.
Bai Zhenzhen, on the other hand, was hiding not far away, having entered a state of stealth.
Relying on her own powerful stealth abilities, Zhang Yu’s deliberate cover, and Bu Yingshu’s own lack of attention, she completely failed to notice Bai Zhenzhen.
As soon as she saw Zhang Yu, a hint of a smile appeared on the corner of Bu Yingshu’s mouth: “Impressive, Little Yu. I heard you now have the Ten-Billion Flying Sword in hand, and with just one person and one sword, you intimidated and forced back many observing upper-tier cultivators.”
Zhang Yu said, “It’s all relying on the Immortal Emperor’s might.”
Bu Yingshu said, “And the flying sword? Quick, let me see it. I haven’t even played with this Ten-Billion Flying Sword yet…”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, Is this Ten-Billion Flying Sword something for you to play with? This woman really is…
At this moment, Zhang Yu really wanted to draw his sword and stab Bu Yingshu a few times, then ask her if she still wanted to play with it.
Although no change could be seen on Zhang Yu’s face, Bai Zhenzhen, not far away, could sense the dissatisfaction in his heart.
Thinking of how Fu Ji was still asleep and unable to chat on his behalf, Bai Zhenzhen hurriedly used the Evil God Power to send a voice transmission: “Endure it, Yu Zi! We can squeeze a lot of benefits out of this Bu Yingshu, just coax her a little.”
Zhang Yu thought to himself, This girl A-Zhen has become increasingly fond of stirring up trouble ever since she practiced the Blissful Sword. Has she been influenced by the Blissful Sword?
Meanwhile, looking at the Ten-Billion Flying Sword that Zhang Yu handed over, Bu Yingshu grabbed it, though she was naturally unable to use it.
However, as she gently stroked the blade’s edge, she felt a surge of smugness in her heart. “Hmph, although Little Yu’s wings are fully grown now, he still listens to me.”
Then, she thought of another issue. She turned her gaze to Zhang Yu and asked, “Little Yu, do you know… I’m afraid you might never become an Immortal in this life.”
With that, Bu Yingshu relayed everything Bu Yuangui had said to Zhang Yu one by one, finally asking, “Do you understand?”
Zhang Yu had already gained some understanding of such viewpoints from the various public opinions circulating in the Spirit Realm and the Dharma Realm these past few days.
Immortal Slayer said, “But this is the mindset of the weak.”
The figure of Tai Yuebai also surfaced in Zhang Yu’s mind, along with his concerns about the final apocalypse.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, “If it were Big Brother Tai, he would probably have already concluded that the Myriad Laws Immortal Emperor, in order to take another step forward, will ultimately want me to achieve immortality and use me to take control over Dao Lineages, right?”
Meanwhile, Bai Zhenzhen transmitted her voice, “Yu Zi, is what she said true?”
Zhang Yu replied to Bai Zhenzhen, “I can only say there is a certain possibility, but the likelihood isn’t high.”
At the same time, Bu Yingshu looked at Zhang Yu and asked, “Little Yu, would you rather give up the opportunity to achieve immortality just to provide uplifting for me? To help me complete the great cause of liberating the Immortal Clan?”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu felt waves of awkwardness in his heart: Who wants to liberate the Immortal Clan… If I were in power, the first thing I’d do is disband your Immortal Clan.
At this moment, Zhang Yu somewhat regretted deceiving Bu Yingshu in this regard last time under Fu Ji’s bewitchment. He truly did not want to get dragged into any great cause of liberating the Immortal Clan.
But looking at Bu Yingshu’s expectant gaze, Zhang Yu knew that if he told the truth, the other party might just directly attack him.
Naturally, at this moment, Zhang Yu was unwilling to make an enemy of Bu Yingshu, who had just advanced to the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, possessed a massive pile of Innate Certificates, and would fine him if he so much as touched her.
On the other side, Bai Zhenzhen watched Zhang Yu hesitate to answer and thought to herself, “Could it be that because Fu Ji is asleep, Zhang Yu doesn’t know how to coax her?”
She recalled Fu Ji’s stories. In those stories, it was naturally Fu Ji who controlled the overall situation, helping Zhang Yu discipline Bu Yingshu.
Bai Zhenzhen hurriedly sent a voice transmission, “Yu Zi, don’t just stand there. Say your lines, agree with her…”
Seeing that Zhang Yu still hadn’t spoken, the words Fu Ji had once said surfaced in Bai Zhenzhen’s mind again.
Fu Ji had said, “Zhang Yu is good at everything, but ever since he gained power and influence, under the brainwashing of that Immortal Slayer and Desolate Ox, he’s developed this… bad habit of wanting to make money while standing up.”
“Sure, he can make money standing up now, but couldn’t he make more if he kneeled? He could even get paid extra for smiling!”
Thinking of this, Bai Zhenzhen urged him, “Yu Zi, think about how we climbed up from the First Layer. Just endure it and it will pass. This is all so we can climb even higher…”
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, knowing that Bai Zhenzhen was right: “Right now, I don’t have the right to hesitate.”
Immortal Slayer said, “Endure, Zhang Yu… The closer it gets to the final moment, the closer you are to the peak, the more you must endure. Even the Immortal Emperor is like this, let alone us?”
Zhang Yu nodded toward Bu Yingshu and said, “Yes.”
Hearing Zhang Yu admit it himself, Bu Yingshu’s thoughts surged violently, and an unprecedented feeling welled up within her.
“Hmph!”
Bu Yingshu stared at Zhang Yu and said, “I don’t believe it! How could anyone be so stupid as to willingly give up their own chance to ascend and become an Immortal for someone else?!”
“I bet you simply don’t know that doing this will sever your immortal path, right?”
Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback in his heart: “This woman… actually didn’t believe it?”
But then Bu Yingshu changed her tone and said, “But it doesn’t matter. As long as you have the merit of uplifting me in the future, once I achieve immortality, I’ll figure out a way to help you.”
Saying that, Bu Yingshu transferred 2 million Immortal Coins while patting Zhang Yu’s head, saying, “Don’t worry, Little Yu.”
“Follow me… I won’t treat you unfairly.”
Zhang Yu looked at the brilliant smile on Bu Yingshu’s face and thought to himself, “What exactly does she mean? Did she believe it or not?”
Bu Yingshu said, “Come, let’s practice this cultivation art together today. I will guide you…”
Next, their magic powers merged across the space between them… Under Bu Yingshu’s lead, Zhang Yu was already comprehending the cultivation art together with her.
Watching this scene, Bai Zhenzhen took the initiative to take over Fu Ji’s duties, occasionally sending voice transmissions, “It’s fine, Yu Zi, just let her touch you a couple of times. She’s rich anyway…”
“It’s fine, you won’t lose a piece of flesh from a little touch.”
“Endure it, Yu Zi…”
At the same time, Bai Zhenzhen felt the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao within her body suddenly begin to circulate, her internal Sword Intent violently fluctuating with Zhang Yu and Bu Yingshu’s every movement.
As her mind was tugged by the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao, a wave of sorrow welled up in her heart, which in turn stimulated the Sorrowful Sword Dao within Bai Zhenzhen’s body.
And as the sorrow rose, it also triggered the Bliss Sword Dao.
The layered interactions of the Triple Sword Dao ultimately triggered Bai Zhenzhen’s shock, which in turn engaged the Shock Sword Dao.
At the same time, the abnormality in Bai Zhenzhen’s body caught Bu Yingshu’s attention.
But upon realizing it was Bai Zhenzhen, Bu Yingshu did not take any action, as she was in a very good mood today.
Hmph, on account of you being Little Yu’s companion, I’ll allow you to watch from the sidelines today.
Bu Yingshu thought to herself, Bai Zhenzhen, watch closely. This is how Little Yu is used.
Feeling that her innate talent seemed to have improved once again, Bu Yingshu chuckled inwardly, What a pity, you won’t understand it even if you do watch.
Meanwhile, as Bai Zhenzhen watched Zhang Yu and Bu Yingshu in their continuous movements, she felt her gaze seemingly meet Bu Yingshu’s.
She… noticed me?
She’s intentionally letting me watch?
At this moment, Bai Zhenzhen sensed the Extreme Emotion within her body driving Sorrow, Sorrow driving Supreme Bliss, Supreme Bliss driving shock, and shock in turn driving Extreme Emotion…
The four streams of Sword Intent circulated endlessly, seemingly merging into a cohesive whole within her body.
A flash of enlightenment crossed Bai Zhenzhen’s mind. “I… have broken through. These four sword techniques… I have fused them all into a single furnace.”
Right at this moment, Zhang Yu’s heart suddenly sank. It was simply because, at this very second, the Dao Seed named Profound Cold Meridian on his Feather Book had upgraded once again.
Inside the laboratory.
Yue Qinglan said with a hint of excitement, “Another qualitative change has occurred!”
“Such data! Such effects! It’s incredible…”
But in the next moment, a trace of worry flashed across her face, and Zhang Yu’s figure surfaced in her mind.
At the same time, however, a hand pressed onto Yue Qinglan’s shoulder, and a voice spoke in a calm tone, “Relax. Since I’ve bought in, with me here, no one can even think about taking away our results.”
“I am definitely claiming this Le Mulan.”
“No one is snatching her away.”