Chapter 474: Zhang Yu's Sacred Physique, Arriving at Heavenly Sword

Chapter 474: Zhang Yu’s Sacred Physique, Arrival at Heaven Sword

After some deliberation, Zhang Yu sought out Zhang Pianpian once more. "Sister, if Kunxu wants to rise above the rest, how can we avoid taking risks? Besides, for people like us, having the opportunity to take such a risk is already a stroke of fortune. How could we let it slip by?"

Zhang Pianpian replied, "You are still young. There will be other opportunities in the future; there is no need to be so impatient."

Zhang Yu smiled. "Sister, time waits for no one. In this era, every step taken late could result in a chasm of difference in the future."

Zhang Pianpian looked at Zhang Yu intently, as if sensing the conviction in his soul. Finally, she nodded. "Very well. Since you have such resolve, I will help you once more."

She explained, "In truth, I have been participating in the development of this project under the guise of a student in the Department of Talismans."

"With the power of the Taiqing Realm, I can temporarily bypass the restrictions and communicate with the spirit of this Transformation-God artifact."

"If this spirit can be persuaded to cooperate with you, our chances of success will be much greater."

Zhang Yu was delighted, yet puzzled. "Isn't that spirit insane? Can it even communicate?"

Zhang Pianpian said, "Madness is often merely a perception that differs from the norm, a state at odds with society. It does not mean it is incapable of communication."

...

Not long after Zhang Yu and Zhang Pianpian concluded their discussion, inside the Artifact Laboratory, Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight was resting in silence.

In that dark void, doing nothing, moving nothing, thinking nothing—simply existing in that stillness brought a sense of relief, a touch of bliss.

She was currently savoring the most peaceful moments she had known since her inception.

Of course, if the daily experiments were fewer, Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight would feel even happier.

But the next moment, a sudden change occurred. Lines of white text flickered into existence before her.

Zhang Pianpian: Are you there?

Zhang Pianpian: Let us talk.

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight was momentarily stunned, then replied: Are you also an artifact spirit? How did you contact me?

Zhang Pianpian: Indeed.

Zhang Pianpian: We are finding a way to rescue you.

Zhang Pianpian: But we need your cooperation.

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight grew agitated: How can I cooperate?

Zhang Pianpian: The work target who exchanged mana with you previously—

Zhang Pianpian: I want you to cultivate with him again next time.

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight: That individual is on the non-interference list. I cannot cultivate with him.

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight: However, if he takes the initiative to inject mana into me, and I return it, that is permissible.

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight: I refused before, but I can cooperate now.

Zhang Pianpian: Then let it be so. You may act a little more uniquely.

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight asked the question weighing on her mind: But why is he able to inject mana into me? Does he not violate the non-interference list?

Zhang Pianpian: Perhaps your lists are different.

Zhang Pianpian: Tell me the contents of your list, and I shall see where the discrepancies lie.

Watching the messages stream in from Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight, Zhang Pianpian, within the Taiqing Realm, mused, "The Seven Emotions God and the Nectar God—so there was an entire protocol of non-interference? It seems it was established after some past conflict."

"The value of this information... is truly immense."

She then looked at the messages again, thinking, "The intelligence of this spirit is even lower than I estimated. It seems there is much more I can arrange."

...

The next day, True Monarch Tianzhang received another report from Zhang Yu, noting that his Heaven Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power had leveled up again, reaching the 16th tier.

He immediately summoned Zhang Yu to the laboratory to test his prowess.

Gazing at the materials shredded by the Mountain-Moving Power, True Monarch Tianzhang looked at Zhang Yu with burning intensity. "When did you discover you had leveled up?"

Zhang Yu recited the lie he had prepared, and True Monarch Tianzhang nodded repeatedly, feeling he had finally grasped the underlying pattern.

In fact, over the past two days, due to Zhang Yu’s unique performance, True Monarch Tianzhang had gathered quite a bit of information about him.

Beyond the rumors of selling seeds at high prices and his reputation as a civil engineering prodigy, he had unearthed whispers suggesting Zhang Yu had engaged in dual cultivation with the Transformation-God disciple Wen Wuyai.

A hypothesis formed in his mind: "This Zhang Yu must be a genius of the dual cultivation path, possessing some kind of Sacred Dual Cultivation Physique."

"It is only because our techniques at Wanfa University are not advanced enough in this field that we failed to uncover the mystery, nearly letting the Civil Engineering Department stifle this child."

Thus, True Monarch Tianzhang arranged for another experiment, promising that if Zhang Yu could complete a normal dual cultivation session, he would pay him out of his own pocket.

When Zhang Yu appeared, the Transformation-God artifact activated, circling him several times.

As Zhang Yu injected his mana, the rhombic crystal erupted in a dazzling radiance, finally clinging tightly to Zhang Yu’s forehead and surging all the mana back into his body.

Seeing the crystal stuck to Zhang Yu’s brow, True Monarch Tianzhang was ecstatic. This was a reaction the artifact had never shown before. He was certain his guess was correct: Zhang Yu possessed peerless talent for dual cultivation, perhaps even meeting some hidden criteria set by the Nectar God.

True Monarch Tianzhang asked, "How do you feel?"

Zhang Yu shook his head. "I don't feel anything particularly special."

True Monarch Tianzhang said, "Do not rush. Not every contact yields results. Take your time; do not be impatient."

In the eyes of True Monarch Tianzhang, Zhang Yu had become increasingly vital.

Thinking of the future funding that would follow the reporting of this "breakthrough," True Monarch Tianzhang could not help but smile.

"And the data on the Sacred Dual Cultivation Physique, which is not yet recorded at Wanfa University, plus the artifact technology from Hehuan University—how much funding could this attract? How many investments? How many papers could be written?"

The mere thought filled True Monarch Tianzhang with immense excitement.

"Wanfa University, the pioneer of the dual cultivation major... that will be me."

With this thought, he looked at Zhang Yu and found him more pleasing than ever.

But just then, Zhang Yu said, "This thing... why won't it come off?"

He tugged hard, trying to pull the crystal from his forehead, but found it immovable no matter how much force he applied.

True Monarch Tianzhang tried to assist slightly, but fearing damage to the artifact, he said, "Do not panic. Do not break the artifact."

"For now, this does not seem like a bad thing. You may stay in the lab and observe it further."

At the same time, a flash of insight crossed True Monarch Tianzhang’s eyes: "Another unique phenomenon. To think this artifact had no reaction for so long, yet shows such frequent anomalies upon meeting Zhang Yu."

Zhang Yu cursed inwardly: "What is this thing doing? It’s not going to stay stuck to my brow forever, is it?"

Just as Zhang Yu was filled with anxiety, he felt a sudden release; the artifact had abruptly flown off and returned to its original position.

Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. After a physical examination in the lab, True Monarch Tianzhang spoke to him about his compensation.

"Although this was not a true dual cultivation session with the artifact," True Monarch Tianzhang said, "I will not treat you unfairly."

With that, the professor of the Department of Talismans transferred 10 Spirit Coins to Zhang Yu from his personal account.

He chuckled, saying, "I shall consult with True Monarch Magnetic Pole to arrange a contract for you, making you an official member of the project team; once you join the experiments, you will receive a steady stipend."

Meanwhile, True Monarch Tianzhang mused to himself, "True Monarch Magnetic Pole is rather tight-fisted when it comes to funding."

"I must ensure she fully grasps how vital Zhang Yu is to our project, so she might authorize more capital to keep the lad committed to the experiments."

...

On his way out of the laboratory, Zhang Yu thought, "I suppose this counts as a temporary success."

"Through these repeated experiments, I can gradually legitimize my hidden strength."

"Yet, I must pace myself; I cannot be too extravagant."

"Besides, there is the prospect of an additional income."

Contemplating the extra earnings he would now receive from the laboratory, on top of his engineering fees, Zhang Yu felt a stir of ambition.

As his intent shifted, the Feather Tome materialized before him, flipping open to the page depicting the Chain-Method diagram.

He gazed upon the legendary master of artifact forging behind the "Appraisal Art" technique.

Though Zhang Yu had long known that artifact-forging techniques could form the "Artifact Forging Prodigy" set, the exorbitant cost of cultivation—coupled with his endless financial obligations—had prevented him from beginning such an accumulation.

But now, with his income steadily rising and his own forging skills showing promise, it seemed the time had come to invest in these techniques and pursue the path of the prodigy.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

Before news arrived from the Yin-Artifact project team, Zhang Yu had already departed with the civil engineering competition squad for Sky Sword University.

Standing upon the flying vessel, Zhang Yu saw the colossal structures looming in the distance long before they arrived.

Above the surging sea of clouds, a city stood perched at the zenith, while thousand-foot peaks pierced the firmament like inverted blades, their surfaces embedded with shimmering spiritual light that transformed into ceaseless streams of data, flowing across the vision of all who beheld them.

Swarms of flying craft darted in and out of this sky-bound metropolis. The vessel carrying Zhang Yu merged into the torrent, soon descending upon the grounds of Sky Sword University.

(End of chapter)