Chapter 658: At Worst, Drive Layers Two to Six Completely Into Bankruptcy

Chapter 658: If Push Comes to Shove, I'll Bankrupt Floors Two Through Six

Tian Shenggong let out a long breath, thinking to himself, "Losing to one of the top ten strongest undergraduates is no disgrace."

He decided he would watch the recording of his match against Zhang Yu in his livestream room in a couple of days, analyzing it as he watched, which would surely bring another wave of popularity.

Then, looking at the message sent by the Jihu Corporation, Tian Shenggong thought, "Can't get a hold of Zhang Yu?"

He forwarded the message to Zhang Yu, saying: Zhang Yu, are you interested in becoming the spokesperson for Jihu?

Tian Shenggong: No matter how many spirit coins Wandao offers, we at Jihu will add a thousand more.

Tian Shenggong mused inwardly, "The strongest undergraduate as Jihu's spokesperson—what a perfect match."

Meanwhile, at the Heavenly Demon University, Ying Mingchi was directing soul cultivators to screenshot every scene involving the dragon beast from the final battle, especially those where his name appeared on the beast.

"Hmph, if Zhang Yu hadn't awakened his demonic potential, how could he have unleashed such ever-growing hidden strength?"

"And without the aid of my dragon blood, how could he have possibly defeated Kuang Tianqing?"

Ying Mingchi thought to himself, "By now, he must more or less understand the power of the demonic lineage, the power deep within his own bloodline, right?"

Ying Mingchi sent a message to Zhang Yu: Among the immortal sect techniques, there is one called the Heavenly Demon Reincarnation Scripture...

At the same time, Zhang Yu's former classmates were sending him all sorts of messages.

Gongshu Jin: Boss Zhang, congratulations! After watching your match, my whole family told me to study civil engineering properly so I can work at your company in the future.

Mo Shangjin: Zhang Yu, your journey has moved me. Thanks to you, the Seven Extremes Dharma Skeleton sold to the school for a great price. I've decided to use the funds as seed money to apply for the graduate program in the Artifact Refining Department.

Feng Tingting: Senior! When are you holding the press conference? Do you plan to announce in advance which immortal sect technique you'll choose?

Bei Wufeng: A beautiful victory. No rush to return the flying sword; keep it as long as you need.

Shi Huaiyu: Zhang Yu, you don't need to tell me which immortal sect technique you're picking. Just tell me, do you think our Wanfa stock and coin prices will rise or fall next?

Yu Xinghan: What's going on? The school says they're using the Spirit Realm to invite the old geezers to your award ceremony. Did you know?

Ying Xin: Boss, the recruitment inbox is blowing up! Too many people are submitting resumes; we can't even keep up with reading them.

...

Inside the temporary infirmary.

All manner of precious medicines and high-end equipment had been transported here one by one, prepared for use on Zhang Yu.

Several Nascent Soul True Lords from the Wanfa University Medical School were kindly explaining the upcoming treatment procedures to Zhang Yu.

Though they explained things in simple terms, the prolonged, life-and-death struggle had left him feeling utterly exhausted, and he had no desire to listen any longer.

So Zhang Yu asked directly, "Will this cost money?"

The other party smiled and replied, "The school will fully cover the medical expenses this time."

Zhang Yu said, "Then go ahead and treat me."

The Nascent Soul True Lords of the Medical School possessed such formidable skills that throughout the entire treatment, Zhang Yu felt not the slightest pain; instead, his body felt as if submerged in warm, soothing water, bringing him immense comfort.

Amidst this comforting sensation, Zhang Yu, weary for far too long, gradually relaxed his mind and unknowingly fell into a deep sleep.

Even the ritual failed to trigger, as if it too believed he had reached his absolute limit and needed rest.

When Zhang Yu awoke, his mind was momentarily dazed: "I fell asleep?"

"How long has it been since I last slept?"

Zhang Yu had thought he would never sleep again, that every day and night would be spent working and studying. Waking up so suddenly now, a wave of shame actually surged within him.

"Classmate Zhang Yu, you're awake."

Zhang Yu looked toward the speaker and saw a top student from the Medical School, ranked thirty-fifth in the entire university.

Zhang Yu asked, "How did I fall asleep? Why didn't you wake me?"

The other person smiled faintly and said, "You were too tired; it's fine to rest a bit."

"For others, sleep is a sin."

"But for you, it is justified, a luxury belonging to someone of your strength."

Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback and didn't reply. Instead, he first checked the time with his ocular skeleton, finding he had slept for a little over two hours.

Then he sensed his physical condition, discovering that the injuries all over his body had been completely healed, leaving him in the best possible state.

However, he had been switched back to his original flesh body, and not a single piece of the Seven Extremes Dharma Skeleton remained on him.

The student beside him said, "The Seven Extremes Dharma Skeleton has been sent in for maintenance."

"Actually, your ocular skeleton was also somewhat damaged, but out of privacy concerns, we didn't remove it. Does it need to be sent for repairs?"

Zhang Yu shook his head: "I'll repair the ocular skeleton myself."

After all, the ocular skeleton was located in a vital area of the head and was something Zhang Yu had heavily protected during the fiercest battles. Though slightly damaged, it still maintained its basic functions.

Now, looking at the stream of messages appearing in his ocular skeleton, Zhang Yu felt as though he were being swallowed by the words of countless people.

There were far too many messages for Zhang Yu to even begin reading.

So Zhang Yu simply stopped looking and turned to the medical student beside him, asking, "How is Bai Zhenzhen? Do you know?"

The other replied, "She has already been taken away by the Seven Emotions Divine Lord. We don't know the specific details."

Zhang Yu then sent a message to Bai Zhenzhen, but received no response.

Zhang Yu simply began browsing various news in the Spirit Realm while picking out and reading the messages he deemed important.

A moment later, a projection descended in the air—it was the Heavenly Deduction Divine Lord of Wanfa University.

Looking at Zhang Yu before him, the Divine Lord, who had the appearance of a young man, smiled faintly and said, "Zhang Yu, you're awake? How do you feel? If you need anything, just tell me. Focus on recovering and preparing for tomorrow's award ceremony."

"As for all the messy rumors on the Spirit Realm lately, don't bother reading them or paying them any mind."

Zhang Yu gave a bitter smile and said helplessly, "Now the whole world probably hopes I'll choose an immortal sect technique that suits their fancy, right?"

The Heavenly Deduction Divine Lord said indifferently, "A bunch of failures. Why bother caring about their thoughts?"

"Zhang Yu, from now on, you will be a key cultivation target of Wanfa University. We will push you to the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and even the Deity Transformation stage."

"And all you need to do is, after selecting the Dharma Realm Divine Creation Chapter, focus on studying this technique, extract its technologies, and prepare for the construction of the Dharma Realm."

Zhang Yu looked at the Heavenly Deduction Divine Lord and asked, "After choosing this technique, can I enter the sect?"

The Heavenly Deduction Divine Lord said, "Yes."

"I will recommend you to the upper sect. With your achievements, it will be easy for them to take you in."

Listening to the other's words, Zhang Yu nodded slightly to show he understood. But he also knew in his heart that even if he could join the sect, it would certainly only be after he had made a name for himself by researching the Dharma Realm Divine Creation Chapter.

"If the construction of the Dharma Realm hasn't begun, and one just enters the sect right after picking a technique... wouldn't that technique be chosen in vain for many people?"

However, Zhang Yu had somewhat anticipated this. For him... as long as entry into the sect was guaranteed, spending a bit more time was normal and reasonable. Zhang Yu had never dreamed of ascending to the heavens in a single step; he had always climbed upward step by steady step, because he knew that was the only way to be truly secure.

Immediately after, Zhang Yu asked another question: "Divine Lord, how does the school plan to build the Dharma Realm?"

The Heavenly Deduction Divine Lord said lightly, "As for the specifics, we will arrange them after you have extracted the technologies. Everything must proceed from reality; we can't just engage in empty talk."

But Zhang Yu would not let the other brush him off so easily.

Because he knew that right now, in the single day before the award ceremony, was the moment his voice carried the most weight, and he needed to seize this time... to prepare for what was to come.

"Once I select a specific immortal sect technique..." Zhang Yu mused inwardly, "I will inevitably face backlash from my detractors."

"Yet within these immortal techniques lies the very technology capable of reshaping the world."

"Compared to the profits of altering the world, the so-called resources to push me to the Golden Core, Nascent Soul, or even Spirit Transformation realms... pale into insignificance."

"How could I possibly make a hasty decision without first thoroughly understanding the risks and rewards involved?"

More than simply being handed money, what Zhang Yu truly desired were the channels and frameworks to amass vast wealth on his own.

He had no intention of remaining entirely dependent on their handouts all the way to the Spirit Transformation realm.

Moreover... Zhang Yu also wanted to know exactly what impact the Dharma Realm would have on the world, and how it would transform everyone's lives.

Thus, gazing at the Spirit Transformation Divine Lord before him and feeling the sheer majesty radiating from his presence, Zhang Yu forced himself to meet the man's eyes, speaking as calmly as he could, "Headmaster, I wish to know the process and objectives of the Dharma Realm's construction... and my place within it."

"I want to know how the Dharma Realm will change the world."

The Heavenly Evolution Divine Lord's gaze shifted slightly, and a smile touched his lips as he looked at Zhang Yu.

He mused inwardly, "Is this kid trying to gather more intelligence to weigh the profits and risks? Does he want to involve himself in the construction of the Dharma Realm, to... take a seat at the table?"

The Heavenly Evolution Divine Lord spoke, "Zhang Yu, the waters of the Dharma Realm run far too deep for you to navigate in your current state. The more you know, the more it will work against you..."

The oppressive aura of a Spirit Transformation cultivator crashed down upon them, leaving the medical student nearby trembling violently.

Yet Zhang Yu gritted his teeth and said, "Headmaster, I want to know."

Seeing the unwavering resolve in Zhang Yu's eyes, the Heavenly Evolution Divine Lord glanced at the divine protection talisman on the youth's person, then finally shook his head and said, "Then follow me."

...

Inside the mourning hall for Dao Qiankun.

Li Shiwei, second place in the Dao Arts Department, walked in slowly, saying, "Brother Dao, Zhang Yu took first place. He beat Kuang Tianqing. Our Wanfa University has won..."

But before the words fully left her lips, she stared in astonishment at the empty bier, "Where is Brother Dao's body?"

Soon after, news of the theft of Dao Qiankun's corpse gradually spread, though few people cared much about it anymore.

Meanwhile, within the university town of Wanfa University.

Trembling with agitation, Ping Han read the news of Zhang Yu's championship, feeling as though his heart were bleeding.

"How did he win? How could Zhang Yu possibly defeat a peerless genius like Kuang Tianqing?"

However, as he read the subsequent reports coming from Hehuan University, Ping Han's expression grew increasingly grave.

Ping Han exclaimed in shock, "The forces of all universities are mobilizing, converging entirely on the school borders. Could a deployment of this scale mean an all-out war?"

Just then, a wisp of consciousness from the Nectar Divine Lord arrived, instructing them to act according to their latest plans.

Ping Han knew that what was communicating with him now was merely a single thought from a Spirit Transformation cultivator; as a powerhouse of that realm, if the Nectar Divine Lord were to strike with full force, he could simultaneously interfere with hundreds of regions and communicate with countless individuals.

Much like the brain of the entire Hehuan University, controlling its countless tentacles and assets to strike at innumerable places, the economic crises and financial storms he could trigger terrified Ping Han just to think about.

At that same moment, the figure of the Myriad Transformation Divine Lord materialized in the Spirit Realm, looking at the Nectar Divine Lord as he said, "Nectar, I don't recall inviting you to Wanfa."

The Nectar Divine Lord replied coldly, "Myriad Transformation, if Zhang Yu chooses an immortal technique he shouldn't, then let the war begin."

Reading the message sent by his counterpart, a murderous intent surfaced in Myriad Transformation's eyes, "You want an all-out war? Aren't you afraid the economic crisis will sweep all the way down to the sixth layer?"

Just then, the voice of the Freedom Divine Lord from Tianmo University echoed over, "So what? At worst, we bankrupt the second through sixth layers entirely; you can start over from scratch, and we shall simply reincarnate."

(End of Chapter)