Chapter 576: New Extreme Passion Sword Dao (Thanks to 'Like Today' Again)

Chapter 576: The New Extreme Emotion Sword Path (Thanks to 'Today So' for the Grandmaster reward again)

Facing Director Gao's inquiry, Zhang Yu immediately recalled the instructions given by the Magnetic Pole True Monarch.

Yet, after a moment of deliberation, he chose not to reply to Director Gao as instructed, but instead consulted the True Monarch once more.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Old Gao is asking you?

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: I understand. Leave him to me; you need not concern yourself.

Inside the laboratory, the avatar of the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, while monitoring equipment and recording experimental data, pulled up the Director's profile to compose a reply.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Old Gao, you needn't interfere in matters between Zhang Yu and me.

At the construction site, Director Gao, who had been conducting an inspection, came to a sudden halt.

Tu Lishan, standing nearby, blinked in surprise, and observing the Director's grave expression, could not help but ask, "Teacher?"

He scanned the surroundings and added, "Is there a problem?"

The surrounding project leads, who had been accompanying the Director, exchanged uneasy glances; seeing the Director's face grow increasingly stern, they began to tremble with apprehension.

Meanwhile, on the Director's communication interface, he replied: He is my apprentice too; how can I not interfere?

Director Gao: Have you truly used him for your experiments, pouring your own experience into him?

Director Gao: He is only a senior; can he withstand such an infusion of experience? Why the rush?

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Rest assured, I understand Zhang Yu's constitution better than you do.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: He is remarkably resilient.

Director Gao: Magnetic Pole, the turmoil you are stirring up is far too great.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Old Gao, this is a choice made by both Zhang Yu and myself.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Do you know? When he is in my laboratory, he is far more resilient, patient, and joyful than when he is at your construction site.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Would you like to see photos of him crafting artifacts?

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: [Photo]

On the site, the safety officers, quality inspectors, construction workers, production managers, and project managers all watched the Director’s darkening expression, feeling the very air around them grow heavy and stifling.

A moment later, Director Gao said coldly, "Why is this place such a mess? Clean it up at once."

"And what is going on with the building materials there? Have they been inspected according to protocol?"

"Where is the project manager? Why is this mana circuit exposed? Have the safety regulations I recite daily fallen on deaf ears?"

...

Inside the laboratory.

Bei Wufeng had also heard the news of Zhang Yu taking first place in the design competition.

This reminded Bei Wufeng of the agreement he had previously made with Zhang Yu.

If he had previously viewed Zhang Yu’s challenge for a spot on the school team as a hopeless endeavor, this news of a first-place victory forced him to regard Zhang Yu with a newfound sense of gravity.

"But to take first in the design competition while still a senior..."

Bei Wufeng mused, "Could it be that the contestants this year were simply lacking in talent?"

"Or is Zhang Yu's gift truly so earth-shattering? A senior standing alone, eclipsing the prodigies of a hundred schools?"

Curiosity and concern stirred within him; he began to leverage his connections to gather information, eager to examine Zhang Yu’s winning design blueprints.

Upon finally obtaining the blueprints, Bei Wufeng studied the "Wind God Semi-Artifact Skeleton Power Boots," feeling increasingly bewildered the longer he looked.

"This is... the handiwork of Director Magnetic Pole, surely?"

"At the very least, it does not look like a design a senior student could produce."

As an artifact-crafting student at Wanfa University, Bei Wufeng had studied many of his professors' designs, with the Magnetic Pole True Monarch being a primary focus of his studies.

Feeling the style of the blueprints, he found it impossible to believe Zhang Yu could have authored them.

It was only when he later heard the news regarding the God-Transformation Artifact Skeleton that he felt his suspicions confirmed.

"So, it was the Magnetic Pole True Monarch who passed his design experience to this Zhang Yu."

A flicker of envy and jealousy crossed Bei Wufeng's mind: "This is the achievement of the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, not Zhang Yu’s own."

"Design experience is, after all, just experience. If he wants to contend with me for a seat on the school team, he still has a long road ahead."

Just then, a message arrived from an assistant.

Liu Xiangqiao: Boss, I would like to request a half-day leave.

Bei Wufeng pondered this; although Liu Xiangqiao's work was not vital, the request still irritated him.

This was a critical time for preparing for the upcoming Top Ten Leagues. As an assistant in his lab, how could she justify taking leave at such a juncture?

Bei Wufeng: I will give you two hours at most.

Bei Wufeng: And since your absence will delay the project, I am docking three days of your wages.

After leaving Bei Wufeng's laboratory, Liu Xiangqiao hurried toward Zhang Yu’s side.

Though she had previously rejected Zhang Yu’s invitation, times had changed; in her eyes, Zhang Yu, now the first-place winner of the design competition, was well worth joining.

After all, she was merely an insignificant assistant in Bei Wufeng’s project, but in Zhang Yu’s, she could become a manager of assistants.

Especially after hearing that Zhang Yu had acquired the design experience of the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, her desire to join his team grew even stronger.

...

Inside Ye Xingli’s laboratory.

Zhang Yu looked at Liu Xiangqiao and said, "You say... you are willing to take a pay cut to join me?"

Seeing the humble posture of the woman who had previously spurned his multiple invitations, Zhang Yu asked, "Are you willing to work 24-hour shifts?"

Liu Xiangqiao asked, "For how long?"

Zhang Yu replied, "From now until the Top Ten Leagues, you may have no time to attend classes at all. Aside from exams, you will remain in the laboratory."

Hearing this, Liu Xiangqiao couldn't help but ask, "Do you truly intend to participate in the Top Ten Leagues?" Zhang Yu smiled slightly, saying nothing.

Had she heard this before, Liu Xiangqiao would never have believed him.

But seeing Zhang Yu’s 19th-place ranking, his first-place finish in the design competition, and the various rumors surrounding the God-Transformation Artifact Skeleton, she found herself believing him a little more.

Seeing she had no objections, Zhang Yu said, "Senior Sister Liu, it is not that I don't trust you, but before you join, I need to test your technical skills."

A moment later, Liu Xiangqiao stood before the workbench, skillfully operating the various experimental devices.

Zhang Yu paid particular attention to her proficiency with the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array.

Zhang Yu asked, "How does it compare here to Bei Wufeng’s lab?"

Liu Xiangqiao: "It is larger than Bei Wufeng's."

She paused, then added, "Mainly because there are fewer people, so everyone has more room to operate."

Zhang Yu asked, "Is it more comfortable than over at Bei Wufeng’s?"

"Do not hesitate to speak; I brought you here to increase the laboratory's efficiency."

"If you have any suggestions, please speak your mind."

Liu Xiangqiao immediately proposed a series of laboratory management improvements, aimed at enhancing the efficiency and quality of the entire project workflow.

Zhang Yu, satisfied with what he heard, asked, "When can you start?"

Liu Xiangqiao pondered for a moment and replied, "I need a few days to settle things with Bei Wufeng. Given your competitive relationship, it is best I do not inform him of my departure, lest he obstruct my exit and cause unnecessary complications."

Zhang Yu nodded again, "You are most thoughtful."

Just then, a message from Bei Wufeng flickered into Liu Xiangqiao’s vision.

Bei Wufeng: Where are you? Why haven't you returned yet?

Liu Xiangqiao: I am on the way.

Liu Xiangqiao: I will be back momentarily.

Bei Wufeng: Turn on your location.

Bei Wufeng: Time is up; I am checking your coordinates.

Bei Wufeng: I said two hours, and I meant two hours. Every second over will result in further pay deductions.

Liu Xiangqiao hurriedly bid Zhang Yu farewell and dashed out of the laboratory.

...

Heavenly Sword University.

Shimmering, iridescent light drifted through the air, carrying the voice of the Seven-Emotions God-Monarch.

"Have you seen the news from Ten-Thousand Dharma University?"

Before Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes, a stream of headlines regarding the Magical Artifact Design Competition scrolled by, detailing the emergence of the Transformation-God Dharma Remains and reports of the Magnetic-Pole God-Monarch transmitting his design expertise through those very relics.

The Seven-Emotions God-Monarch continued, "Zhang Yu is traveling further and further down the path of researching the Qiongjiang God-Monarch’s Dharma Remains."

To the God-Monarch’s surprise, although flashes of sword intent flickered around Bai Zhenzhen, she appeared far more composed than expected.

Bai Zhenzhen remarked, "It is all for the sake of immortal research; this is quite normal."

Simultaneously, within her ocular interface, chat logs with various acquaintances appeared, documenting her inquiries into the matter.

Acacia University’s Lian Tianji: Cultivating with one’s master is perfectly normal.

Lian Tianji: Dual cultivation is a legitimate and standard practice, recognized by the Heavenly Court as a lawful industry.

Lian Tianji: A master guiding a student is a matter of course, entirely justified and proper.

Lian Tianji: If two normal things are combined, how could it be anything but normal? It is simply double the normalcy, double the reason.

Lian Tianji: You speak of feelings? Developing feelings just from cultivation? And with one's own master? That would be contrary to human ethics, wouldn't it? Normally, such things simply do not happen.

Wen Wuya: You speak of your master?

Wen Wuya: Bai Zhenzhen, you are truly a genius.

Wen Wuya: It is the classic case of being unable to see what is right under one's nose.

Wen Wuya: You have given me a tremendous inspiration. [Heart]

Leng Wuya: You have reminded me.

Leng Wuya: I did not lose to Zhang Yu.

Leng Wuya: It was my master who lost to Zhang Yu’s master.

Watching Bai Zhenzhen lost in deep contemplation, the Seven-Emotions God-Monarch asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Bai Zhenzhen replied, "The Extreme-Emotion Sword Path is branded as a heretical path precisely because it defies human ethics, contradicts the righteous path of Kunxu, and offends the public morality held by all living beings."

"To achieve a breakthrough, one must align with the hearts of men and embody the will of Heaven."

"Master, I wish to re-derive the Extreme-Emotion Sword Path."

"I intend to create the New! Extreme-Emotion Sword Path!"

Feeling the divine root within her, Bai Zhenzhen sensed she had the opportunity to achieve this.

After a long silence, the Seven-Emotions God-Monarch asked, "Tell me, what is this New Extreme-Emotion Sword Path?"

A moment later, a thunderous roar echoed through the air.

"You wretched creature!"

—

Those who drew the Ten-Thousand Dharma Sword/Imprisonment Transformation-God Dharma Remains Crystal this month, as well as the Luminous Bitter, register immediately.

(End of chapter)