Chapter 642: Semifinals, Daughter of the Seven Emotions

Chapter 642: The Final Four, and the Daughter of the Seven Emotions

At this moment, watching the fierce clash between Tian Shenggong and Yan Xiang, Zhang Yu felt as though he could see the assets of both sides steadily dwindling away.

The two locked in bitter combat before him resembled grandmasters from martial arts tales, palms pressed together in a contest of profound inner energy.

Yet what these two were pitting against each other was not inner energy, but their respective wealth.

"Will Tian Shenggong's half-finished puppets be exhausted first?"

"Or will Yan Xiang's prefabricated corpse-fiends run dry before them?"

The answer soon materialized before Zhang Yu's eyes.

"Though Tian Shenggong's puppets are forged on the spot, their costs are low enough, and the on-site adjustments make them far more cost-effective."

"Yan Xiang's prefabricated corpse-fiends, on the other hand, are limited in number and lack the flexibility of environmental adaptation, rendering them rather rigid."

"Tian Shenggong's tactics mirror the very ethos of the Jihu brand."

"Higher cost-efficiency, lower prices, and then overwhelming the opponent entirely through sheer volume."

Having watched this battle to its end, Zhang Yu turned his gaze to the final match: Bai Zhenzhen versus Zang Shenyu of Vajra University.

The moment he tuned in, Zhang Yu saw Zang Shenyu reciting advertising slogans.

The slogans Zang Shenyu chanted carried a peculiar cadence, striking Zhang Yu as though he were listening to the recitation of sacred sutras.

Though clearly delivering advertisements, it was as if he were endlessly chanting Amitabha, calmly broadcasting introductions to various products and brands.

Thus, while observing the match, Zhang Yu had already deduced that the dharma-relics covering Zang Shenyu's entire body were forged from the flesh of Vajra University's most outstanding body-tempering students.

Only the finest hands, the most superb arms, the swiftest feet, and the most powerful legs of Vajra University could be transformed into military-grade dharma-relics and grafted onto Zang Shenyu.

Moreover, because every student at Vajra University had gradually standardized their bodily dimensions since enrollment, these dharma-relics fit Zang Shenyu's flesh almost perfectly, unleashing their utmost performance.

When Zang Shenyu activated his military-grade techniques, his entire being, in concert with the dharma-relics, entered a state akin to a living magical treasure.

Watching this scene, Zhang Yu mused inwardly, "It seems the Artifact Refining Department of Vajra University is dominated by the Treasure Faction, whose ultimate goal is to refine themselves into a single, supreme artifact."

At this moment, Zang Shenyu had transformed into an astonishingly resilient magical treasure; no matter how Bai Zhenzhen attacked, he remained utterly unharmed, her dark-crimson sword qi failing to leave even the slightest scratch upon his form.

Faced with such a formidable opponent, Bai Zhenzhen had no choice but to push her Sword Dao of Extreme Emotion further, once again unleashing that black sword qi brimming with an aura of absolute destruction.

Yet, seeing how she had painstakingly shattered his dharma-relics only for him to simply swap in a spare and return to his peak, Bai Zhenzhen realized that this alone would not be enough to defeat him.

What she needed was not merely a momentary burst, but the power to sustain maximum output continuously over a prolonged period.

Zang Shenyu smiled faintly and said, "At Vajra University, the most exceptional students would never grow just one pair of feet, nor possess only one pair of hands."

Bai Zhenzhen slowly drew the flying sword bestowed upon her by the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions, murmuring in her heart, "Senior Sister, come forth."

The recent cultivation, the relentless tempering through match after match in the Top Ten League, and the blessing of the Feather Spirit Root had finally allowed Bai Zhenzhen to commune with the military-grade flying sword in her hand.

And thus, she finally learned the true origin of this flying sword.

This flying sword was forged from the very essence of the Divine Lord of Seven Emotions' daughter.

Because the daughter's name was Lian Yuhuan, this blade was known as the Yuhuan Sword.

Only after wielding this sword did Bai Zhenzhen realize that due to the sword spirit's unique origin, extraordinary experiences, and peculiar memories, every practitioner of the Sword Dao of Extreme Emotion who used it would suffer a side effect, forced to witness visions of their closest loved ones being ruthlessly violated.

At this very moment, as Bai Zhenzhen's black sword qi established communion with Yuhuan, her body seemed to merge into one with the blade.

The voice of the Yuhuan Sword echoed endlessly in her ears: "Zhenzhen..."

"Zhang Yu... is so delectable..."

In Bai Zhenzhen's eyes, the figure of Zhang Yu was being slowly devoured by the sword spirit.

Illusory scenes, yet potent enough to provoke genuine reactions and stir authentic emotions.

Meanwhile, within Bai Zhenzhen's pitch-dark eyes, all emotions were gradually extinguishing.

Observing this, Wen Wuya sighed inwardly, "Zhenzhen is straying further and further down the unorthodox path."

"Fake videos and fabricated photos were already unorthodox enough."

"And now she uses the sword spirit to generate synthetic illusions, willingly plunging herself into a phantasmal realm."

"If she ever loses the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood, she will either become completely numb, forever unable to advance her Sword Dao of Extreme Emotion."

"And that would be the better outcome."

Wen Wuya's thoughts continued, "The worse outcome would be for her to descend into utter madness."

As the black sword qi soared into the heavens amidst a flurry of fierce exchanges, Zang Shenyu was ultimately hacked into a human stump, while Bai Zhenzhen, under the intervention of the Orthodox Gods, was forcibly restrained, stripped of the Yuhuan Sword, and only sent back to the waiting area after gradually regaining her senses.

Watching Bai Zhenzhen heavily suppressed and completely sealed by divine light, Zhang Yu was about to step forward, but reconsidering the spirit root within her, he sent a message instead: Zhen? How are you holding up?

Zhang Yu: Are you alright?

After a long while, Bai Zhenzhen finally replied: Yuzi, I'm fine.

Bai Zhenzhen: Just a bit angry, a bit terrified, a little scared, yet somewhat relieved.

Zhang Yu: ?

Bai Zhenzhen: Do you still remember what it feels like to dream? Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback, thinking, Dreaming? That seemed like a term from a distant past.

Bai Zhenzhen continued: It's like dreaming that you've gone bankrupt, only to wake up and find yourself perfectly fine.

Bai Zhenzhen: Even though you're fine, the lingering dread of the dream remains, mixed with the relief that it was only a dream.

Bai Zhenzhen: But no matter what, we've finally made it to the final four [smile].

Zhang Yu nodded, looking at the final roster, and said, "Yes, we've made it to the final four."

Recalling the journey from high school to his freshman year, and now to his fifth year of university, Zhang Yu felt a momentary trance, hardly believing that step by step, he had finally arrived at this moment.

At the same time, the schedule for the matches seven days from now was displayed: Zhang Yu versus Tian Shenggong, and Bai Zhenzhen versus Kuang Tianqing.

Seeing this arrangement, Zhang Yu's expression darkened slightly as he said, "Zhen, you must act according to your limits in the next match."

Bai Zhenzhen: Don't worry, would I ever fight a battle at a loss?

Meanwhile, staring at her name and Kuang Tianqing's in her ocular relic, Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, "Kuang Tianqing, it is truly wonderful to have the chance to face you once more."

...

As this round of matches concluded, the Spirit Realm was once again ablaze with flying rumors, and Zhang Yu's comment section erupted into another fierce war of words.

Especially after he purchased the demon blood of Ying Mingchi to create dragon-beasts, a surprising number of demon-blooded individuals began to support him, clashing fiercely with other demon-blooded users in the comments.

Yet Zhang Yu paid this little mind, devoting himself wholeheartedly to preparing for the next contest.

Sovereign Anzhen spoke, "Your next opponent is Tian Shenggong."

"Behind Tian Shenggong stands not only the backing of the Immortal Armament Group, but also the heavy investment of Jihu."

"Given your current prestige and fame, Jihu will likely be willing to pour a fortune into Tian Shenggong just to ensure your utter defeat."

Zhang Yu understood this all too well; as the thorn in the side and the bane of countless Jihu fans, having repeatedly boosted his own popularity in the Spirit Realm by trampling upon Jihu, he had long since become a prime target for their retaliation.

"If it weren't for my status at Wanfa University, and the fact that we are currently in the midst of the Top Ten League, Jihu would have made a move against me long ago."

"But in my next battle against Tian Shenggong, they will absolutely not allow me to win."

Just thinking casually, Zhang Yu could easily imagine what a devastating blow his victory over Tian Shenggong would be to Jihu.

Yet in this very moment, Zhang Yu did not stand alone in his struggle.

Gazing at True Lord An Zhen before him, he asked, "How much support can the academy offer me now?"

Beholding the young man who had just vanquished Jiu Tianliu, True Lord An Zhen replied, "State your demands."

A flicker of intent passed through Zhang Yu's eyes; throughout the recent barrage of battles, he had been ceaselessly forging his combat framework, fine-tuning the performance of his myriad artifacts and arcane exoskeletons.

In the crucible of this process, he had gradually laid bare his own vulnerabilities, envisioning numerous avenues for transformation.

And of all these, the most critical pivot in his mind was...

"The Seven Absolutes Arcane Exoskeleton," Zhang Yu declared. "I wish to acquire the suit I currently wear, then subject all seven pieces to a comprehensive overhaul, achieving a profound, rebirth-like elevation in power."

True Lord An Zhen frowned faintly. "This suit of the Seven Absolutes belongs to Mo Shangjin of the Earth and Wood lineage, does it not? The academy can purchase it for you without issue."

"But a comprehensive overhaul... we have but a single week remaining, and the design blueprints alone..."

"Leave the blueprints to me," Zhang Yu said.

"Regarding the modification of the Seven Absolutes, I have long been preparing for this very endeavor, guided by the ample wisdom of my master."

His expression resolute, he continued, "After all, the Seven Absolutes is already a pinnacle corporate-grade exoskeleton; with the right modifications, the synergized might of its seven pieces can unleash truly devastating power."

"The reforged Seven Absolutes is precisely what suits me best at this juncture, seamlessly integrating with my combat framework and offering the greatest surge to my odds of victory."

Sensing the unwavering conviction in Zhang Yu's eyes, True Lord An Zhen gave a slight nod. "Even with the blueprints, the schedule is brutally tight. Furthermore, True Lord Ciji is currently in secluded cultivation and has no time to forge artifacts for you."

"Therefore," Zhang Yu said, "I require at least seven Nascent Soul True Lords from the Artifact Refining lineage to intervene in concert, collaborating to complete the overhaul of all seven pieces simultaneously."

True Lord An Zhen could not help but interject, "Seven Nascent Soul True Lords working in unison to reforge these seven pieces?"

Seven Nascent Soul cultivators jointly forging for a mere Foundation Establishment disciple, and doing so strictly according to his designs, his specifications, and his direct commands.

True Lord An Zhen mused that under ordinary circumstances, Zhang Yu would have to pay an astronomical fortune to command such a feat.

Yet here and now, with the Grand Ten Tournament pressing forward and the academy throwing its weight behind Zhang Yu, such a luxury was no longer beyond reach.

"I shall do my utmost to summon them for you," True Lord An Zhen said.

Zhang Yu offered a faint smile, knowing that for a figure of such stature to make such a promise, the matter was as good as settled.

True Lord An Zhen then added, "But your blueprints..."

"I will have them finished with all haste," Zhang Yu replied.

"They must not only be swift, but they must also pass the scrutiny of the Nascent Soul elders," True Lord An Zhen warned, "otherwise I shall have no grounds to persuade them to join this forging." (End of Chapter)