Chapter 564: Pre-Match Arrangements

Chapter 564: Pre-Competition Preparations

"Legend has it that the Divine Lord Lingxi of Hehuan University struggled for years in his youth to take even the first step, suffering setback after setback in his Daoist heart."

"Yet, it was through these very regressions that he gradually carved out a new path, ultimately realizing that one must attain passion to be truly passionate, and only through deep passion can one eventually transcend it."

"To love anyone, to embrace everyone, and to hold an equal, profound love for all living beings—this is the ultimate transcendence, the Dao of Supreme Passion."

"With this single refinement, the output of this cultivation method immediately surged several times over."

"Similar improvements have continued unabated over the years; it is this spirit of endless, relentless progress that laid the cornerstone for the Hehuan Sect's modern rise."

Listening to Zhang Yu discourse on the history of dual-cultivation techniques, Fu Ji remarked, "It seems you took your classes in the illusion quite seriously."

Zhang Yu replied, "Naturally. My original goal was to gather authentic intelligence on vocational students. Even within an illusion, I must study diligently, leaving no detail behind."

"This vocational simulation illusion actually has its merits; it has taught me a great deal of extracurricular knowledge."

"Hmm... though there are some oddities, I think it is worth further exploration."

Having already paid the spirit coins alongside Ye Xingli, Zhang Yu proceeded to select several different scenarios to test.

Once finished, Zhang Yu received a message from Ye Xingli.

Ye Xingli: How was it, Junior? Did you gain anything?

Zhang Yu: A great deal.

Zhang Yu: I feel my "vocational quotient" is now so high it almost scares me.

Ye Xingli: Indeed, these scenarios capture some of the essence of vocational life.

Ye Xingli: But I always feel they lack authenticity—too sensationalized, too focused on turning vocational life into mere entertainment.

Ye Xingli: There isn't a single work that truly records the reality of vocational life.

Ye Xingli: The data within is likely unreliable for reference.

Zhang Yu nodded slightly: "True vocational life... I fear no one cares for it."

"Or rather, among the users who can afford such spirit-realm simulation services, very few would ever concern themselves with the reality of vocational students."

"They treat vocational students merely as a novelty, a form of entertainment, or a way to temper their Daoist hearts."

Zhang Yu replied: You are right, Senior Sister. These scenarios help us grasp the temperament of vocational students.

Zhang Yu: But to use them as a basis for designing artifact-refining products, they are far from sufficient.

Ye Xingli: It seems we must collect intelligence from real vocational students.

Recalling the scenes he had just witnessed in the illusion, Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered. "Let's simply buy it from them."

"Select a batch of students from across the land, distributed in different regions of the second layer, belonging to various vocational colleges under the Top Ten."

"Have these students use their ocular artifacts to record their daily lives, then sell the footage to us."

"This way, we can accelerate through the recordings and gather a massive amount of first-hand intelligence in a short time."

Ye Xingli: Good plan. Let's do it.

Ye Xingli: I can reach out to a group through my fans.

Zhang Yu: I know quite a few vocational students as well.

Ye Xingli: Then we shall collect separately and consolidate in a month.

Zhang Yu: Agreed.

Zhang Yu was in no rush to conclude his information gathering. After all, with the "Heavenly Craft" at his disposal, modifying blueprints took him little time.

Information gathering was the priority; only with sufficient, accurate data fed into the Heavenly Craft could Zhang Yu obtain the precise blueprints he desired.

Thus, Zhang Yu posted a new task in the Songyang Hometown Group, offering to purchase daily life footage recorded by ocular artifacts from vocational students.

The response was immediate and enthusiastic.

"Do you want footage from soul-cultivators?"

"My ocular artifact capacity is low; can I sell just a few hours at a time?"

"Are there requirements for image quality?"

Facing the barrage of inquiries, Zhang Yu answered a few before finding it too time-consuming, delegating the task to Fu Ji.

Zhang Yu: "Fu Ji, you know what I require. In short, collect the data as authentically and efficiently as possible."

Fu Ji: "What about the budget?"

Zhang Yu: "How much could a vocational student's daily life possibly cost?"

"The surplus rice welfare I get as an outstanding student at school is enough to feed them for a year."

Fu Ji: "Save where you can! You’ve barely earned a few spirit coins and you're already acting like a spendthrift?"

Zhang Yu said: "They are all fellow countrymen, after all. Don't squeeze them too hard."

Meanwhile, many university students in the group grew restless at the news.

Hehuan University Lian Tianji: Are daily videos from university students not acceptable?

Shanhe University Lan Ling: Do you accept videos from military academy students?

Zhang Yu: No need, only vocational students.

Having handed the acquisition details to Fu Ji, Zhang Yu retreated into the Taiqing Realm to begin his daily simulated artifact-refining practice.

With his full-hearted efforts in the Taiqing Realm, Zhang Yu made rapid progress. He calculated silently, "By the end of March, I should be prepared to begin refining the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array."

... Just as Zhang Yu and Ye Xingli were collecting information, in the laboratory of the Magnetic Pole Divine Lord.

Looking at the brand-new Dharma artifact, the Magnetic Pole Divine Lord frowned repeatedly. "Why does this design feel so... vocational?"

"Has my aesthetic sense declined?"

She decided to spend some time reading the latest papers on artifact design to properly maintain her professional standards.

At that moment, the laboratory's primary intelligent spirit sent her a notification.

"Oh? Zhang Yu has signed up for the design competition?"

"Well, it is about time I helped him make some introductions."

...

In Ye Xingli's laboratory.

Zhang Yu sent a new contract to his three assistants, including Zi Yunzhen.

"The new contract hasn't changed much, mainly adding some confidentiality clauses. If you find no issues, please sign."

The upcoming Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array project would no longer require review, meaning it wouldn't need constant public disclosure or documentation.

Considering his artifact-refining skills were becoming increasingly proficient with every attempt, and the efficiency bonuses from his "Artifact Refining Prodigy" trait were growing...

Zhang Yu decided to sign confidentiality agreements with his assistants to prevent them from leaking too many laboratory details and inviting unnecessary trouble.

Zi Yunzhen and her two companions glanced over the non-disclosure agreement, their expressions betraying a seasoned indifference.

After all, Zhang Yu was hardly the first laboratory they had served, and such confidentiality clauses were, in their view, as mundane as the air they breathed; they scanned the documents briefly before signing their names under the solemn witness of the True Gods.

Watching this, Zhang Yu offered a satisfied smile. "Good. Now, let us waste no time—begin your studies."

"I anticipate the formal forging of the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array will commence by the end of this month."

Zi Yunzhen felt a jolt at these words, while Su Yunni beside her gasped, "The end of March? Isn't that too soon? Can the preliminary technical preparations even be completed by then?"

Zhang Yu replied coolly, "Leave that to me. Your only concern is to master the knowledge required of an assistant before the month is out; do not let your incompetence drag the project down."

"Once the Sword Array is forged, I shall see that you are all rewarded with a bonus."

Seeing his three assistants caught between anticipation and crushing pressure, Zhang Yu remained unmoved.

Having spent over a year in the Department of Artifact Forging and observing the laboratories of several True Lords and his senior sister, Ye Xingli, he understood that high pressure was the natural state of any serious research facility.

Assistants were like sponges; they had to be squeezed and pressed to force out their hidden potential, ensuring the project’s momentum never faltered.

Across the room, the three women took a deep breath, harboring not a single thought of dissent; for students of the craft, balancing relentless study with grueling experimentation under the thumb of a taskmaster was a fundamental skill.

While it was true that ninety-nine percent of an assistant’s labor could be performed by any competent undergraduate, the remaining one percent—and the discernment required to distinguish that critical fraction from the mundane—demanded a profound reservoir of immortal technical knowledge.

Before the forging of the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array could begin, an exhaustive period of study was an absolute necessity.

Driven by the promise of a bonus and the allure of a military-grade project on their resumes, the three assistants threw themselves into their work with renewed vigor.

Shortly after Zhang Yu had finished dangling his carrot, a message arrived from True Lord Magnetic Pole.

Magnetic Pole: Do you have a moment?

Rarely did his master initiate contact, so Zhang Yu immediately set aside his tasks and replied: I do.

Magnetic Pole: I wish to discuss the Design Competition with you.

Magnetic Pole: The judges this year include one from our Wanfa, one from Vajra University, and three others from Netherworld, Celestial Demon, and White Bone Universities.

Magnetic Pole: The judge from Wanfa is True Lord String-Sound; I have already put in a good word for you.

Magnetic Pole: As for the other four, you must prepare gifts.

Zhang Yu: Gifts are required?

Magnetic Pole: Don't be absurd. Is there a design competition in existence that doesn't involve gifts?

Zhang Yu: What should I send?

Magnetic Pole: What else would you send but spirit coins?

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "How remarkably direct..."

Magnetic Pole: I am sending you the price list for these four; inform me once you have the spirit coins ready.

Zhang Yu stared at the list, his heart tightening. "Four Nascent Soul True Lords, and they want over a hundred spirit coins in total? Ah, it is a pittance for a True Lord... but for a university student, it is a fortune."

Just when he thought his finances were finally secure, Zhang Yu had never imagined he would be forced to bleed so much capital.

Zhang Yu: Is there any room for negotiation?

Magnetic Pole: This is the floor price.

Magnetic Pole: If you were not a student of Wanfa and my own disciple, you would not even be granted the privilege of offering them coins.

Magnetic Pole: Remember, do not offer less than the figures I have provided, or they will surely sabotage you.

Magnetic Pole: And do not offer too much, lest you disrupt the market.

Zhang Yu asked: If I pay the coins, is the military certification guaranteed?

Magnetic Pole: The payment merely grants you the opportunity to compete for the ranking... on equal footing with everyone else who paid.