Chapter 591: Cooperation with Bei Wufeng

Chapter 591: Cooperation with Bei Wufeng

Watching Bei Wufeng’s twelve Taihao Sacred Law flying swords crushed layer by layer beneath the mountain, True Monarch An Zhen knew the outcome of this duel was decided.

Simultaneously, he found himself constantly weighing the differences between Zhang Yu and Bei Wufeng.

“In terms of raw, comprehensive strength, Bei Wufeng is undoubtedly a cut above.”

“Yet, Zhang Yu’s reliance on civil engineering skills to facilitate sword communication allows him to better serve as a support, securing advantages for the entire team.”

“Especially if there is sufficient time and space to lay out grand formations and construct defensive works, it becomes increasingly beneficial for the whole squad.”

True Monarch An Zhen mused to himself: “In this year’s Top Ten League, there is only one ranking that truly matters: first place, the position of the strongest among the ten.”

Thinking that the first-place winner could select a cultivation technique of the Immortal Sect level from the Dao Treasury catalog, even this deputy director of the Daoist Arts Department could not help but feel a flicker of excitement, his heart stirred by boundless longing.

“A self-selected Immortal Sect-level technique is enough to alter the future of a university, or even shift the balance of power among the top ten institutions.”

“And among the school team, the only ones with the strength to compete for that top spot are Dao Qiankun, Jiutian Liu, and Yan Qianji.”

Of these, True Monarch An Zhen considered Dao Qiankun the most likely candidate to seize the crown.

“The greatest utility of the other team members should be to assist the likes of Dao Qiankun in securing that victory.”

Reflecting on his strategy for guiding the school team, the gaze An Zhen cast upon Zhang Yu carried a hint of affirmation.

“From this perspective, Zhang Yu is more capable of providing a team advantage, preserving the strength of Dao Qiankun and the others during the team stages, laying the groundwork for victory, and increasing the success rate of Dao Qiankun taking first place…”

Though these thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, it did not hinder True Monarch An Zhen from reacting swiftly in the physical world.

“Students, you may cease.”

As his voice permeated the Spirit Realm and reached the ears of Zhang Yu and Bei Wufeng, both parties, who had just been locked in fierce combat, withdrew their spiritual energy.

With a thunderous roar, the twelve flying swords, now freed from their constraints, shattered the layers of rock and earth and soared into the clouds.

True Monarch An Zhen continued: “The outcome of this match is clear. Do either of you have any objections?”

Zhang Yu naturally had none.

On the other side, Bei Wufeng opened his mouth, but ultimately let out a long sigh. He looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Junior, congratulations.”

Seeing the twelve Taihao Sacred Law flying swords return to his side, Bei Wufeng extended his fingers to gently brush the blades, lamenting, “Each generation produces its own talents… I truly never imagined I would lose a duel to you, Junior.”

“Very well. Twelve plus twelve—twenty-four Taihao Sacred Law flying swords forming a formation will naturally reach a higher level of power.”

“I only hope these twelve swords of mine can assist you in the Top Ten League and help the school achieve greater glory.”

Zhang Yu replied courteously, “Senior, perhaps I should pay a rental fee when the time comes…”

A sharp ring of a sword interrupted him. Bei Wufeng barked, “Junior, what kind of person do you take me for?”

“Though I did not exhaust my full strength in this battle, a loss is a loss. A contract is a contract; once signed, it must be honored.”

“Do you think I, Bei Wufeng, am a man who disregards his word?”

Bei Wufeng spoke with an air of arrogance: “Besides, it is all for the sake of the school’s results. As long as you can contribute your utmost in the Top Ten League and help my Wanfa Academy take first place, what does it matter if I lend you my swords?”

With that, Bei Wufeng tapped his finger, and a streak of sword light shot through the Spirit Realm.

“This is the method for controlling my twelve Taihao Sacred Law flying swords. Memorize it carefully so you aren’t caught off guard when the time comes.”

Accepting the operational manual sent by Bei Wufeng, Zhang Yu nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Senior. I will study it diligently.”

As their exchange concluded, True Monarch An Zhen nodded slightly, thinking that Bei Wufeng’s magnanimity saved him a great deal of trouble.

True Monarch An Zhen spoke: “Good. Since that is settled, Zhang Yu, you shall take Bei Wufeng’s place in this year’s Top Ten League.”

With that, a friend request was sent to Zhang Yu.

“I will arrange for your entry into the school team shortly.”

“In the remaining two months, the school will schedule specialized training for you. I will discuss the specific plan with you in a couple of days.”

“For now, you may spend these two days considering what you need most.”

Hearing these words from True Monarch An Zhen, a heavy weight seemed to lift from Zhang Yu’s heart.

“Finally, I have reached this step.”

“For these four years, I have climbed step by step to get here… and finally, I have joined the school team.”

“Looking back, who would have believed I could transfer to the Artifact Refining Department and still join the school team in my senior year to compete in the Top Ten League?” The myriad emotions and memories in his heart solidified into resolve. Zhang Yu looked at True Monarch An Zhen and said, “I will give my all to secure a great result for the school in this Top Ten League.”

True Monarch An Zhen nodded slightly. He did not say much else—Zhang Yu’s primary task was support and assistance—and after a brief word of encouragement, he departed to attend to other matters.

As both the deputy director of the Daoist Arts Department and the coach of the school team, he was perpetually busy. Even while witnessing this duel, his consciousness had been wandering the Spirit Realm, with multiple avatars busy with various tasks across the second to sixth layers of the Kunxu.

As True Monarch An Zhen left, ripples of spiritual energy surged through the atmosphere. Zhang Yu could feel the various consciousnesses that had been observing the duel through the Spirit Realm vanishing one by one.

But the moment Zhang Yu moved to leave, he saw Bei Wufeng standing before him.

Looking at the expressionless senior and feeling the gloomy aura emanating from him, Zhang Yu’s heart stirred. “Could it be… that this senior wasn’t as indifferent as he appeared? Was he just spouting polite platitudes because the leadership was watching?”

Thinking this, Zhang Yu immediately grew wary, his focus sharpening to a razor’s edge.

But in the next instant, Bei Wufeng abruptly knelt before Zhang Yu and said, “Junior, there were too many teachers and leaders watching earlier. Now that there are no outsiders, I am kneeling to you.”

Zhang Yu immediately stepped aside to avoid the gesture, saying repeatedly, “Senior, we already agreed on the sword loan.”

Bei Wufeng replied, “Junior, rest assured, I am not going back on the loan. I want to discuss something else.”

The moment he lost the duel, Bei Wufeng had begun to calculate the consequences.

“The vast majority of outsiders will never look into the details of this fight.”

Bei Wufeng thought to himself: “They won’t care if I held back or if I gave it my all. To them… I simply lost to a junior from the Civil Engineering Department with less seniority than me.”

If this news spread, his reputation in artifact refining would plummet, even if his actual skill remained unchanged.

Bei Wufeng could already see his business crashing, his lab assistants jumping ship, his advertising revenue drying up, his loans being frozen, his products being questioned, and perhaps even the stock prices of the companies he was signed to taking a hit…

“I cannot let this scandal spread.”

But Bei Wufeng knew that pestering Zhang Yu was pointless. Not only was there a contract, but with so many leaders and teachers watching, he couldn’t afford to act like a rogue.

“There is only one way.”

Bei Wufeng looked at Zhang Yu and said, “Junior, I cannot let outsiders know I lost a duel to you.”

“Therefore, I will announce that you paid a high price to buy my spot on the school team.”

Bei Wufeng understood that if he simply lost a duel to a civil engineering kid, people would call him a failure and doubt his skill; he would become a stepping stone for others to feel superior.

In the worst case, even junior college students would dare to critique him: “Bei Wufeng? He’s no good at refining; his swords aren’t even that sharp. Remember that duel? He lost to a transfer student from Civil Engineering.”

But if the narrative changed to him selling his spot for a massive profit, it would be seen as a standard business transaction. He might even be praised for not being blinded by school honor and for keeping his eyes on the spirit coins.

Zhang Yu frowned slightly. “You want me to play along?”

Bei Wufeng shook his head. “I don’t need you to play along. You just need to stay silent and not debunk it.”

“It’s just a PR strategy. There won’t be any specific figures involved. I will control the narrative so it doesn’t cause you any real harm.”

“The tax authorities have your account data; they won’t add a tax burden based on mere rumors.”

“As for the teachers and leaders, don’t worry. They have no reason to clarify, and they can’t be sure if I actually took your money or not.”

“Besides, it won’t be you or me saying these things; it will just be rumors circulating through the grapevine.”

"Should you consent, Junior Brother, I shall also lend you my twelve sword attendants, along with all the supplementary services pertaining to the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Formation."

Hearing this from Bei Wufeng, Zhang Yu had to admit he was tempted.

During their recent duel, Zhang Yu had deeply envied the various sword-wielding techniques Bei Wufeng possessed.

In particular, the twelve sword attendants and the manifold enhancements from his Spirit Realm grotto could vastly amplify the performance of the Taihao Sacred Law Sword Formation, allowing it to adapt to a far wider array of contingencies.

Yet, these were not included with the Taihao Sacred Law flying swords; they were the fruits of Bei Wufeng’s own accumulation in the Spirit Realm—assets he was under no obligation to share.

Zhang Yu mused to himself, "If I combine my own civil engineering techniques with Bei Wufeng’s Spirit Realm enhancements, the great formation I deploy with twenty-four Taihao Sacred Law swords at the Top Ten League could be several times more formidable than it is now."

Seeming to discern the shift in Zhang Yu’s resolve, Bei Wufeng pressed his advantage: "Besides, compared to defeating me in a duel, wouldn't securing a spot on the varsity team with a shower of spirit coins better demonstrate your potential in the Immortal Dao? Your peerless talent? It would only burnish your reputation, with no downside whatsoever."

"For both of us, it is a mutually beneficial arrangement—a true win-win scenario."

Zhang Yu nodded, signaling his acceptance of the proposal.

"Senior, let us draw up a contract, then."

(End of chapter)