Chapter 528: Zhang Yu's Bottom Line (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 528: Zhang Yu’s Bottom Line (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

"True Monarch Magnetic Pole has little understanding of laboratory management, school property security, or our work."

Feng Yuhan said, "But I cannot turn a blind eye to her negligence."

Even as Feng Yuhan spoke, Zhang Yu’s consciousness traversed the layers of the spirit realm, slipping directly into the Taiqing Realm.

Feeling this, Zhang Yu was shocked: "The Taiqing Realm can actually bypass the blockade? Sister’s Dao Seed is truly unfathomable."

Zhang Yu had once thought the Taiqing Talisman was on par with Bai Zhenzhen’s Green Lotus Sword Embryo, but now he felt its potential was even more terrifying.

"Hmm?" Zhang Pianpian, sitting in the great hall, opened her eyes and asked, "You’ve been blocked?"

After Zhang Yu recounted the situation, she smiled slightly and said, "No matter. Don’t contact anyone; just go back."

Zhang Yu asked, "Shouldn't I inform True Monarch Magnetic Pole about this?"

Zhang Pianpian replied, "What kind of person is Magnetic Pole? Feng Yuhan has been eyeing her laboratory; how could she not be prepared for this?"

"The moment your Sun-Moon Heaven-Reaching Bracelet lost connection, she likely discovered it. She may even be observing you and Feng Yuhan right now."

"If you use the Taiqing Realm to send word, you will only reveal your trump card."

"Go back."

...

High in the sky.

Director Gao looked down at Zhang Yu and Feng Yuhan, sighing, "Magnetic Pole, aren't you going to act? How long do you intend to watch?"

True Monarch Magnetic Pole replied, "Isn't this a perfect opportunity to test the mettle of our disciple?"

Director Gao shook his head, "You are too fond of testing human nature; it cannot withstand such trials."

True Monarch Magnetic Pole smiled, "If someone cannot pass through layers of trials, why should I trust them?"

"I know well that everything in this world has a price."

"Only by understanding a person’s psychological threshold can I use them with peace of mind."

On the other side, as Zhang Yu regained his focus, Feng Yuhan’s voice returned to his ears.

"Once you hand over the key organs to my custody, True Monarch Magnetic Pole may apply to me for experiments."

"And I repeat, this is a good thing for you."

With that, 300 spirit coins manifested at Feng Yuhan’s fingertips, stirring up profound celestial phenomena.

"The school can offer 300 spirit coins to purchase the copyright to your organs outright."

Having said this, Feng Yuhan’s face was filled with confidence.

He believed that for a Foundation Establishment student, there was no reason to refuse 300 spirit coins for a few organs.

Gazing at the celestial phenomena triggered by the coins, watching the balance flickering in the air, and hearing the whispers of soul cultivators from the depths of the spirit realm, Zhang Yu hesitated for a fleeting moment.

Especially now, as he prepared to refine the prototype of the Heavenly Sun Radiant God, he was in dire need of funds.

Although he had received support from the Artifact Refining Department, he had exhausted his resources mastering ten different refining techniques, leaving him with only 50 spirit coins in his account.

With 300 spirit coins, his upcoming plans would be significantly bolstered.

Feng Yuhan said calmly, "Don't worry about being unable to participate in experiments after handing them over."

"I will hold them, and you and True Monarch Magnetic Pole can apply to me whenever you wish to conduct an experiment."

"I am merely responsible for the laboratory’s property security. I hope you understand, student Zhang Yu..."

Zhang Yu shook his head firmly, saying, "Unless my teacher agrees, I will not sell."

Feng Yuhan frowned, "You are currently applying for a project loan from the school, aren't you? For the prototype of the Heavenly Sun Radiant God?"

"The application reached my office yesterday."

"But if you are unwilling to cooperate with our work, I don't believe you are qualified for that loan."

Facing the threat, Zhang Yu shook his head again, "It was my teacher who guided me every step of the way to this day. Without her consent, I will not sell any part of my flesh and blood."

High in the sky.

Hearing this, True Monarch Magnetic Pole laughed, looking at Director Gao, "Old Gao, what do you think?"

Director Gao looked conflicted, "It seems he is truly devoted to his master."

True Monarch Magnetic Pole said, "I think there is a hint of performance in the boy. Could he have guessed we were nearby?"

Director Gao sighed, "Magnetic Pole, you are too suspicious. Isn't it time to act?"

The next moment, as Director Gao struck out with his palm, the terrifying Earth-Sha gravity began to boil.

Zhang Yu felt everything before him stretch, twist, and warp; the entire world seemed to be dragged into a massive void.

"This is... the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power?" Zhang Yu was shocked. "Golden Core level? No, this is at least Nascent Soul level!"

Under the weight of the Mountain-Moving Power, which even twisted the sunlight, the world dimmed.

Simultaneously, the chains Feng Yuhan had cast shattered. Feng Yuhan looked up at the descending Director Gao and sneered, "Gao Chongguang, you intend to interfere in the affairs of the Artifact Refining Department? Are you so content being used by Xiao Yurong as her errand boy?"

Xiao Yurong was True Monarch Magnetic Pole’s original name; this was the first time Zhang Yu had heard her addressed as such.

Gao Chongguang replied coldly, "Our affairs are none of your concern."

Seeing the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Tower faintly manifesting in the spirit realm, Feng Yuhan snorted and retreated.

"True Monarch Magnetic Pole, my actions were entirely for the public good."

"With the Ten Great Leagues approaching, the situation is dire. My methods are the safest."

As Feng Yuhan departed, True Monarch Magnetic Pole appeared before Zhang Yu, nodding, "Are you alright?"

But before Zhang Yu could breathe a sigh of relief, she added, "However, Feng Yuhan made a valid point."

"Hehuan University has never stopped causing trouble, and the upcoming Ten Great Leagues will likely see further actions."

"For safety's sake, you had best hand those things over to me for safekeeping."

Zhang Yu froze, a look of distress crossing his face.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole said, "Would I let you suffer a loss? If Feng Yuhan offered 300 spirit coins, I shall give you 300 as well."

Yet, Zhang Yu still did not agree.

He remembered when he first arrived at Kunxu, and the feeling of hearing that sterilization was a prerequisite for enrollment.

Back then, he had been filled with repulsion toward such conditions.

But over the years, under the baptism of Kunxu, he had lowered his bottom line time and again, selling off pieces of himself.

From his time, to his labor, to his sweat, to his seeds... and now, was he to sell his own organs?

After so many years of study, Zhang Yu felt as if he had returned to Songyang High School.

The interviewer’s question echoed in his mind: Have you been sterilized?

But this time, Zhang Yu did not want to agree.

"For the sake of life, for the sake of survival, I can allow Kunxu to assimilate a part of me."

"Yet I refuse to be fully assimilated by Kunxu; I refuse to become a Kunxu native in every sense of the word..."

In that fleeting moment, a sudden epiphany struck Zhang Yu. Perhaps from the very day he entered high school, the choice of whether or not to be sterilized had become an anchor for his soul—a tether distinguishing him from the indigenous people of Kunxu.

Within the depths of his mind, the four-headed white ox roared in resonance, as if affirming Zhang Yu’s resolve.

Thus, Zhang Yu lifted his head and addressed the Magnetic Pole Sovereign: "Master!"

"Why ask for three hundred spirit coins? Anything I possess, should you desire it, is yours to take."

"It is only that I hope, once my body-refining reaches fruition and my cultivation breaks through to the Golden Core or even the Nascent Soul stage, I might offer you something of far greater quality."

Though Zhang Yu had steeled his heart against crossing his final threshold and was determined to guard his inner anchor,

he understood that one must be artful in the ways of the world.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign chuckled. "If you are unwilling, so be it."

"Come, let us return."

As they journeyed back to the University City, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign sent a private message to Director Gao: This lad would forgo three hundred spirit coins just to preserve his roots?

Director Gao stroked his chin, a faint smile playing on his lips: It has been a long time since I have seen a student like this.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign laughed heartily and replied: You were the same in your youth.

Director Gao’s face darkened as he retorted: Why must you drag me into this?

Magnetic Pole Sovereign: I was merely thinking, the disciples we took in centuries ago—they were all like this while they lived, were they not?

Director Gao fell silent for a long moment before replying: Yes.

Upon returning to the Wanfa University City, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign seized Zhang Yu, intent on heading to the laboratory to continue their refining.

Glancing at Director Gao, who stood watching nearby, the Sovereign remarked, "What? Do you wish to observe?"

Director Gao: "It is merely refining; there is nothing worth seeing."

"Then Zhang Yu and I shall take our leave."

With that, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign whisked Zhang Yu away to the laboratory, leaving Director Gao alone to watch their retreating figures in silence.

...

In the blink of an eye, another month passed, and the calendar turned to early September.

Throughout these days, Zhang Yu delved into one blueprint after another. Bolstered by the Taiqing Realm and his innate genius for artifact refining, he made rapid progress, unknowingly mastering nearly half of the prerequisite blueprints required to forge the Heavenly Sun Divine Radiance.

Simultaneously, Zhang Yu watched as the Magnetic Pole Sovereign utilized bionic technology to craft the Yang-artifact skeleton. After countless iterations, the final version was settled upon and pushed to level thirty—just one step shy of the requirement needed to replicate the Dao Seed.

It was amidst these fulfilling days that Zhang Yu began to sense a growing gravity permeating the University City.

The new season of the Top Ten League was about to commence.

From Zhang Yu’s observations, the conflicts between the various universities in this year’s league seemed more intense than ever before.

Amidst this fierce friction, under the gaze of countless eyes, and while the vast majority remained entirely unprepared...

A financial crisis descended.