Chapter 588: Young Friend, Save Me!

Chapter 588: Little Friend, Save Me!

Within the laboratory.

Liu Xiangqiao was working alongside three assistants: Zi Yunzhen, Su Yunni, and another.

Although Zhang Yu had already completed the refinement of the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array and was not currently engaged in any new military-grade projects,

The assistants were in no hurry to leave, choosing instead to remain and continue working for him.

Ever since Zhang Yu’s recent rise in prominence, he had taken on numerous small commissions for the maintenance and repair of magical artifacts, all of which were handled by Tianri Huangshen and the assistants.

The reason they were willing to stay was simple: Zhang Yu had painted a grand vision for them.

"In a while, I plan to begin the refinement of the Azure Water Gold Crystal Armor."

Upon hearing this plan, Liu Xiangqiao and the others were first startled, then filled with delight.

As a newly introduced artifact in the Department of Artifact Refinement, the Azure Water Gold Crystal Armor was a military-grade suit of armor previously unknown to the department—a rare type that, to date, no student had yet mastered.

If they could get a head start on learning its refinement, they would inevitably gain a competitive edge in the field.

With such an advantage, they might even have the opportunity to secure their own military-grade certifications through the process.

Zhang Yu himself possessed the strength to drive this endeavor; the achievements he had accumulated over the past year had fully demonstrated his prowess and potential in the art of artifact refinement to his assistants.

With this in mind, Liu Xiangqiao, Zi Yunzhen, and Su Yunni all resolved to stay, solely to participate in Zhang Yu’s next military-grade project.

Seeing the diligent attitude of his assistants, Zhang Yu was quite satisfied, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Fuji was right; being a boss really is all about knowing how to paint a grand vision."

"A well-painted vision is far more effective at attracting subordinates than a raise."

After glancing at the state of his employees, Zhang Yu continued to absorb a strand of tribulation energy, persisting in his cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Ruin Tribulation Formless Heart Weapon.

This military-grade technique relied on various forms of tribulation energy to propel one's cultivation. Fortunately, Zhang Yu now had the wealth to purchase such energy, sparing him from wandering the world in search of it. Coupled with his peerless aptitude, his progress in recent days had been swift, advancing a thousand miles a day.

Once again, he drew in the tribulation energy, circulating it through his meridians until it transformed into strands of restrictions stored within his dantian. Zhang Yu felt countless flashes of light flicker through his mind—scenes of his diligent practice and earnest study of the technique.

Heaven and Earth Ruin Tribulation Formless Heart Weapon Level 5 (0/50)

...

The Dark Spirit Realm.

Before a massive, ancient round table,

The colossal figures of three Evil Gods slowly descended.

Fuji sat casually at the table, looking at the three figures as she asked, "Speak. What is it this time?"

Zhang Yu watched the scene with equal curiosity, waiting for the Evil Gods' reply.

Ever since establishing contact with other Evil Gods in the Dark Spirit Realm, Zhang Yu and Fuji had met here periodically to exchange information, serving as another channel for gathering intelligence.

At this moment, the eyes covering the thousand-handed, thousand-footed Xi Shen blinked in unison as it spoke slowly: "The actions of the Dual Cultivation Sect have severely impacted various fronts."

"We cannot allow them to continue running wild."

Fuji’s gaze shifted slightly, and she smiled. "The Dual Cultivation Sect is indeed a nuisance."

"They have been stirring up trouble lately, provoking a fierce reaction from the inspection teams, which makes it easy for us to be caught in the crossfire."

"But if they truly have the backing of the Finance Department, that involves the internal power struggles of the higher-ups at Wanfa University. Is it wise for us to intervene?"

On the other side, Xiang Shen, composed of swirling colorful light, said: "The Dual Cultivation Sect goes against everyone’s interests; everyone wants them gone."

"Even within the Finance Department, not everyone supports them."

"It is likely just one person at the top, using the sect's power for personal gain."

"We only need to eliminate that one person."

Fuji asked: "Oh? It seems you know who this person is?"

Xi Shen replied: "It is not yet confirmed, but they made a mistake a while ago."

As Xi Shen opened one of its palms, the image of Zhang Yu appeared within it.

Fuji’s expression shifted, but she remained silent, listening quietly as Xi Shen recounted what had happened to Zhang Yu.

Xi Shen concluded: "...Currently, it appears the Finance Department is colluding with the Dual Cultivation Sect to set a trap for this Zhang Yu."

Fuji asked curiously: "Why do they want to target Zhang Yu?"

Xi Shen explained: "This Zhang Yu is a result of Magnet Pole True Monarch’s research into the Divine Transformation Dharma Remains, and shortly before the trap was set, the project saw a new breakthrough."

"They likely intend to control and master Zhang Yu to gain more intelligence on the Divine Transformation Dharma Remains."

"After the incident with the Nectar God Monarch, many Dharma Remains were leaked to various factions; the Finance Department of Wanfa University surely holds one as well."

Zhang Yu felt a jolt of shock, firmly recording this intelligence in his mind.

Fuji asked: "Oh? So it seems their goal is the same as yours?"

Xi Shen nodded: "The same, yet not entirely."

"Our goal is to use the Nectar God Monarch’s Dharma Remains to find the ledger, locate the reincarnated Great Beings, and control them."

"The Finance Department’s goal, as far as we know, may also be to find the reincarnated Great Beings, but not to control them—rather, they likely intend to eliminate them."

Fuji asked curiously: "Eliminate them?"

Xi Shen’s thousand hands pointed upward simultaneously. "There are those above who also wish to find the reincarnated Great Beings, but they do so to block this path of smuggling the Five Taxes of Heaven and Man, to crush the reincarnated ones while they are still below, preventing them from ever entering the sect."

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred: "Doesn't this involve the struggles of the sect itself?"

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but sigh. Kunxu was truly a place of struggle from top to bottom, and from bottom back to top; there wasn't a single place in sight that wasn't defined by competition and conflict.

Xi Shen seemed unwilling to reveal too much about this aspect. After a brief explanation, it continued: "In any case, their plan to target Zhang Yu failed."

"Because of this, they left behind a flaw."

Xi Shen opened another palm, revealing the image of Xuyang Zhenren.

Xi Shen said: "This Golden Core cultivator was used to target Zhang Yu; he must possess clues regarding the Finance Department."

Xiang Shen, standing to the side, said coldly: "Find him, extract the clues he holds, and find a way to expose them to Wanfa University. Then, we can sit back and watch the internal strife of the university unfold."

Watching the Evil Gods deliberate, Fuji suddenly spoke: "If we act, it will be too obvious. We will be easily spotted by the Righteous Gods and even more easily implicated."

Xiang Shen retorted: "Is this the time to worry about such things? If we let the Dual Cultivation Sect and the Finance Department continue this chaos, not only will our lives become difficult, but they might even get to the list of reincarnated Great Beings before we do."

Fuji smiled slightly: "I am not saying we should give up, but that we can change our approach."

"If we make Xuyang Zhenren believe that the Finance Department intends to silence him, wouldn't that cause him to defect and ignite the conflict within Wanfa University? Wouldn't that force the university's higher-ups to deal with the Finance Department?"

"Or perhaps it will provoke the Finance Department to protect him, or to try and silence him even more aggressively? Either way, it makes it easier to expose his connection to the Finance Department."

Hearing Fuji’s words, Xi Shen nodded slightly: "That is indeed a sound strategy."

Zhang Yu, now merged with Fuji within the Dark Spirit Realm, listened to the deliberation between her and the three Evil Gods. He thought to himself: "The struggles above will ripple down to the bottom, to me, and to Xuyang Zhenren."

"But conversely, my struggle with Xuyang Zhenren will also influence those above."

After concluding their exchange with the Evil Gods, Zhang Yu and Fuji did not delve further into the matter, nor did they personally participate in the front lines of the true conflict.

They were like those standing in the shadows, giving a gentle push, then waiting quietly for the results to emerge.

Once Zhang Yu exited the Dark Spirit Realm, he threw himself back into his cultivation, as if everything he had just experienced in the Dark Spirit Realm were nothing more than a dream.

...

To Master Xuyang, the recent passage of time felt like a fever dream, a harrowing nightmare.

Since arriving at the junior college, his income had plummeted repeatedly, forcing him to take on odd jobs everywhere just to settle his mounting debts.

Had it not been for the flickering hope he held for the future, his very devotion to the Dao might have withered away.

In this place, no one reached out to him, and a profound sense of isolation began to fester, as if the entire world had cast him aside.

Soon, he sensed a presence lurking in the shadows, watching his every move.

It was while attempting to track his pursuer that he faced his first brush with an assassin...

...

Late June.

Inside the laboratory.

As Zhang Yu practiced his cultivation, a faint shimmer crossed his eyes, signaling a notification: a friend request from Master Xuyang.

Master Xuyang: I have something I must discuss with you.

After waiting for several hours without a reply, Master Xuyang sent another request.

Master Xuyang: Young friend, this is urgent.

Master Xuyang: It is a matter of life and death.

Master Xuyang: Urgent! Urgent! Urgent! Please accept my request.

Master Xuyang: Accept, and I shall transfer spirit coins to you.

You have added the user as a friend.

Master Xuyang: I wish to seek an audience with the Magnetic Pole Monarch.

Zhang Yu: Hmm?

Master Xuyang: [1 Spirit Coin]

Master Xuyang: I beg you, young friend, to introduce me to the Magnetic Pole Monarch.

Half an hour later.

Master Xuyang: Young friend?

Master Xuyang has sent a communication request.

Zhang Yu: Wait until I have finished what I am doing.

One hour later.

Master Xuyang: [1 Spirit Coin]

Master Xuyang has sent a communication request.

As Master Xuyang’s projection materialized before Zhang Yu, he immediately collapsed to his knees, crying out, "I implore you, young friend, save me!"

Zhang Yu replied hastily, "Alas, Master, why resort to such a grand gesture?"

Master Xuyang rushed to explain, "Young friend, the reason I investigated you before was due to a villain whispering in my ear, deliberately splashing filth upon you, causing us heroes to turn against one another."

Seeing Master Xuyang cut straight to the point, the corners of Zhang Yu’s mouth curled upward: "This is becoming interesting."

Zhang Yu asked, "And who might this person be? To be so wicked?"

(End of chapter)