Chapter 548: Knee-Slide (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 548: Sliding Kneel (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Zhang Pianpian heard Zhang Yu’s words and sensed that he was merely seeking revenge on Feng Yuhan, though she felt such an act held little significance.

But then she heard Zhang Yu say, "Senior, don’t you find this Feng Yuhan suspicious? Fighting off the demon cultists all by himself—is his combat power truly that formidable? Could it be that he has been compromised by the cult?"

"I’m not targeting him; I just feel there might genuinely be something wrong with him, and I fear he poses a threat to Wanfa University."

Zhang Pianpian’s gaze flickered. Although she suspected Zhang Yu was just picking a fight to settle a grudge, she had to admit his points carried some weight.

Just as she hesitated, she heard Zhang Yu sigh, "Alas, if you aren't willing, then forget it."

That evening, after Yu Xinghan returned to the dormitory, he said, "Zhang Yu, I found the coupons you asked me to look out for. See if they work for you."

"Come to think of it, that Remnant Demon Pupil of yours was high-end once, but you’ve been using it since your junior year of high school—it’s been five years. It’s time for an upgrade."

Zhang Yu replied, "Money is tight everywhere. If it weren't lagging now, I’d use it for at least another year."

Hearing this, Zhang Pianpian recalled how Zhang Yu had scrimped and saved to lend her 150 spirit coins on two separate occasions.

Thinking of the bond between them, and the fact that she had suspended her repayments for the past two months due to her own financial crisis, Zhang Pianpian sighed helplessly and sent a message to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Pianpian: Fine, I’ll look into it for you.

...

The next day, a report appeared before Zhang Yu.

Beyond the basic data on Feng Yuhan, it contained various records of his solitary battle against the demon cultists.

Zhang Pianpian analyzed, "At first glance, it looks fine, but it’s just... a bit too clean."

She continued thoughtfully, "Especially the scene of the battle. It’s too pristine, the traces are too simple, and it matches Feng Yuhan’s account perfectly."

"But even for a Nascent Soul True Monarch, after a bitter struggle against a swarm of cultists, could one really remember every detail so clearly, without a single discrepancy?"

"The scene looks as if it were staged exactly according to his description."

Zhang Pianpian concluded, "You’re right; this Feng Yuhan is indeed suspicious."

"But it is only a slight suspicion; it’s hard to prove anything."

...

The Dark Spirit Realm.

The thousand-handed, thousand-footed Xi God emerged from the darkness and stood in the conference room.

He looked at the hybrid of Fu Ji and Zhang Yu before him and said indifferently, "Fu God, what do you want with me?"

Fu Ji replied calmly, "Xi God, as evil gods, what are the three most important things?"

Xi God asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"The first thing is safety," Fu Ji continued. "The second is safety."

"The third is still safety."

Fu Ji stared at Xi God. "But what you are doing now is extremely unsafe."

Xi God twisted his myriad limbs and said coldly, "What do you mean?"

Fu Ji scoffed. "Do you know that your people in the University City have been targeted by the patrol team?"

Xi God was taken aback. "Impossible. We act with great caution; there is no way news could have leaked."

Fu Ji flashed a portion of Zhang Pianpian’s investigation report before Xi God and continued, "This is an internal report from the patrol team. Do you see it clearly now?"

Xi God’s thousand limbs shuddered. A hint of surprise crossed his gaze as he thought, "This fellow... has she planted people even inside the Wanfa University patrol team?"

"Just how deep is this Fu God’s layout within the university city?"

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind. Recalling the report, Xi God said solemnly, "They are targeting... Feng Yuhan? But the previous investigation clearly concluded. Why now?"

Xi God was deeply concerned about why the patrol team had taken interest, as it affected all his future operations in Wanfa University City.

Fu Ji said bluntly, "You should investigate thoroughly. See if Feng Yuhan is unwilling to be controlled by you and is intentionally stirring up trouble."

Xi God replied, "Impossible. He wouldn't act on his own."

Fu Ji asked, "So certain? Has he become your believer?"

Xi God hesitated for a moment, but recalling the internal intelligence Fu Ji had just produced, he admitted, "Indeed, he is a believer, so he would not act on his own."

Fu Ji suggested, "Then check if this Feng Yuhan has offended anyone, or if someone is trying to frame him."

She added, "Xi God, I warn you: I have been laying the groundwork at Wanfa University for a long time. I don't want you coming here and dragging me down, stirring up chaos, and implicating me in the end."

...

"Fool!"

In the lower layers of the Dark Spirit Realm, Xi God’s consciousness collided with Feng Yuhan’s, scolding him, "Do you know you’ve been targeted?"

Feng Yuhan was shocked. "I’ve been targeted?"

Xi God: "The patrol team is investigating you. Do you have any leads?"

Seeing Feng Yuhan frowning in thought, unable to come up with an answer, Xi God snorted. "Get to the bottom of this. Find out where things went wrong. Don't make me remind you again."

Feng Yuhan took this to heart and immediately used his connections to investigate, but he found nothing.

For the next two days, Feng Yuhan found no clues, and Xi God remained in the dark about what had gone wrong.

In the end, Xi God sought out the Fu God, who in his eyes was unfathomable and possessed a web of influence tangled deep within Wanfa University.

Inside the Dark Spirit Realm.

Fu Ji said faintly, "You want me to help you investigate? You know the rules."

Xi God chuckled. "Senior, I understand information trading. As long as you can provide effective intelligence, we can provide what you want to know."

Fu Ji said, "Give me a list of everyone Feng Yuhan has contacted recently. Don't miss a single one—teachers, students, contractors, temp workers, even lower-division or vocational students."

The next day, Xi God returned to the Dark Spirit Realm and received Fu Ji’s reply. "Zhang Yu?" Xi God asked, puzzled. "Because of this student?"

Fu Ji continued, "This Zhang Yu has a roommate, and both are from Songyang City on the first floor."

"The roommate is named Zhang Pianpian."

"Here is her file."

Xi God flipped through it, a chill rising in his thousand eyes. "Just because Feng Yuhan offended this Zhang Yu while carrying out a task? And so this Zhang Yu incited Zhang Pianpian to investigate him?"

Xi God never imagined that after such a massive effort, it would all boil down to two students.

Was it merely because Feng Yuhan had caused this student to double his workload, offending him, that all this had been triggered?

Just as he was considering how to deal with the two students, he heard Fu God add, "Hmph, can't you tell? This Zhang Pianpian is no ordinary student."

Xi God frowned, reviewing the basic data again, and suddenly thought, "The Divine Path?"

He searched through his own information channels and discovered that a vast amount of intelligence regarding Zhang Pianpian had been hidden.

At the same time, he found that in the Ten Great Leagues Zhang Pianpian had participated in, a student from the Talisman Department of Heavenly Demon University had gone missing—a student who was also a practitioner of the Divine Path.

Watching Xi God’s contemplative expression, Fu Ji continued, "Do you understand now? This Zhang Pianpian is far from simple. I fear her background is profound and not to be underestimated."

"Even if you manage to deal with her, you will likely pay a heavy price."

In our line of work, the greatest taboo is to clash head-on with the orthodox deities.

I care not what means you employ, but make Feng Yuhan reconcile with Zhang Yu and ensure Zhang Pianpian ceases her investigation.

What if she unearths something else entirely?

Watching the God of Prosperity prepare to depart, Lady Fortune hurriedly asked, What of our bargain?

The God of Prosperity countered, What is it you wish to know?

Lady Fortune replied, Why have you set your sights upon the remains of the deified?

The God of Prosperity offered no answer, instead transmitting a file directly to Lady Fortune.

Upon opening the document, both Lady Fortune and Zhang Yu were struck by a sudden, chilling realization.

The Lord of Nectar... is secretly siphoning the cultivation of reincarnated souls within the sect?

...

In the lower reaches of the Dark Spirit Realm.

The God of Prosperity spoke coldly, It is because of Zhang Yu that you have drawn such unwanted attention.

Go and reconcile with him; do not let him keep his gaze fixed upon you.

Feng Yuhan was momentarily stunned, stammering, You want me to reconcile with a mere student?

The God of Prosperity let out a cold snort, Remember your place; you are not just a teacher at the University of Myriad Laws, you are a devotee of the Evil God.

If Zhang Yu can invite the scrutiny of the orthodox, then you would do well not to offend him.

Feng Yuhan gritted his teeth, But if I approach him now to make amends, will it not arouse his suspicion?

The God of Prosperity replied, Must I teach you how to handle such a trivial matter?

The deity roared, Resolve this trouble within the day.

...

That very night, seizing the opportunity while Zhang Yu visited the laboratory of the Magnetic Pole Sovereign, Feng Yuhan hurried over.

After pacing before the laboratory door for an age, Feng Yuhan finally steeled himself and stepped inside.

Facing the Magnetic Pole Sovereign and Zhang Yu, Feng Yuhan swallowed his resentment, forcing a smile, I am aware that recent events have hindered the laboratory’s work.

I had no choice in the matter; I would never wish to delay the project unless absolutely necessary.

Especially seeing the breakthroughs you have made in the research of the deified remains, the entire research department is truly heartened.

And as for your impending ascension to deification, Magnetic Pole Sovereign, I have always been your most ardent supporter.

He paused, a wave of bitter indignation surging through his mind, until the warning of the Evil God flickered back to him.

Feng Yuhan knew that to mend the rift, he could not approach Zhang Yu alone, for that would invite too much suspicion.

He had to feign a reconciliation with the Magnetic Pole Sovereign, using it as a pretext to ease tensions with Zhang Yu, even if the price were steep.

Suppressing the stifling ache in his chest, he presented fifty spirit coins to the Magnetic Pole Sovereign and twenty to Zhang Yu.

With an earnest expression, Feng Yuhan said, A small token to express my sincere apologies.

And as for your disciple, Magnetic Pole Sovereign, I shall do my utmost to reduce his workload in other project groups.

The thought of having to negotiate with other teams just to lighten Zhang Yu’s burden made his heart ache with fresh agony.

To be so servile before the Magnetic Pole Sovereign and a mere student like Zhang Yu left Feng Yuhan feeling a sense of humiliation he had never known.

Watching Feng Yuhan’s retreating figure, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign frowned, This fellow... why the sudden change of heart?

Zhang Yu replied, Perhaps he has seen your progress, Master, and realizes that your ascension is near, making him loath to offend you further.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign nodded slightly, finding the explanation plausible enough.

In the days that followed, Zhang Yu finally reclaimed ample time to continue the refinement of his prototype.

A few days later, the complete Level 1 prototype was finally perfected by Zhang Yu.

Watching the puppet open its eyes and drift slowly into the air, a satisfied smile graced Zhang Yu’s face.

Yet, at that very moment, he posed a question to Lady Fortune within his mind.

Lady Fortune, what exactly is the Divine Path? Why do both you and the God of Prosperity fear it so?