Chapter 660: Returning Home Wealthy and Successful is Like Wearing Silk Clothes in the Dark

Chapter 660: Returning Home in Glory, or Walking in the Dark in Brocade

Had anyone else been invited by the Divine Lord of Heavenly Deduction, Zhang Yu could have easily brushed them off, listening to their words at most and treating them as mere reference intelligence.

But facing Director Gao before him, Zhang Yu found it impossible not to listen and treat the matter with the utmost seriousness.

Thus, Zhang Yu smiled and said, "Teacher, I haven't truly made up my mind about this matter yet. Since you're here, perhaps you could help me weigh the options."

Director Gao said gravely, "Did the Divine Lord of the Seven Emotions ever tell you about the drawbacks of the Red Heart Sword Art?"

Zhang Yu's heart stirred; although he harbored considerable reservations about the Red Heart Sword Art recommended by the Divine Lord of the Seven Emotions, seeing Director Gao so solemn still filled him with surprise and curiosity.

Seeing Zhang Yu shake his head, Director Gao beat around no bush and said straightforwardly, "The so-called pure flawlessness and utmost sincerity of the Red Heart Sword Art simply means doing everything according to one's own personality and emotions."

"In the words of cultivators, it is the mindset of 'if I cannot control my personality, then let my personality control me,' or 'trust my feelings and let them drive my sword path to the fullest,' and other such notions."

"A person cultivating such a technique will increasingly follow their feelings and personality, not only failing to adapt but even refusing to change their mind when staring death in the face."

"If the world were full of such people... what do you think would happen?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yu felt a chill in his heart... and said, "Endless strife?"

Director Gao said, "If too many people cultivated the related immortal dao technologies, it could indeed plunge the world into chaos, creating a scene I can scarcely imagine, but those above are unlikely to let such a situation occur.

"The more likely outcome is that cultivators would be confined within certain limits, and arrested for debts, bankruptcies, and other reasons, then refined into various magical treasures to serve as tools for spiritual interference with matter, becoming premium energy sources."

"After all, utilizing the immortal dao technologies within the Red Heart Sword Art does not necessarily require one to cultivate it personally."

Director Gao sighed, "Compared to cultivating it oneself, having the poor cultivate it and then refining them into tools and treasures would likely become the mainstream in the promotion of this technology."

"One could say that once the immortal dao technologies of the Red Heart Sword Art begin to spread, whoever becomes a pure-hearted child will suffer, be exploited, and be devoured."

"Therefore, the proliferation of the technologies in the Red Heart Sword Art will likely follow a process similar to the spread of soul cultivation techniques."

"In time, numerous colleges and universities will be established to recruit relevant students."

At this point, Director Gao looked at Zhang Yu with absolute seriousness and continued, "And as a primary cultivator of the Red Heart Sword Art, directly learning this technique, what kind of impact will you face when that time comes?"

"I fear the situation will be even worse... controlled by your personality and emotions, you might be ensnared in a joint scheme by the Deity Transformation Divine Lords, falling into massive debt and becoming a tool in their hands."

Director Gao sighed and shook his head, saying, "The risks involved are far too high, which is why I urge you to abandon the Red Heart Sword Art and absolutely not choose this immortal sect technique."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly and said, "Teacher, I understand. I will keep everything you've said close to heart."

Director Gao continued, "Let me give you the full picture. This information wasn't entirely gathered by myself; most of it was collected and compiled by the Principal, then handed to me to pass on to you."

"There may be some exaggeration in it, but I still feel the risk is too great."

Zhang Yu listened silently and continued to nod.

Director Gao went on, "As for the Dharma Realm... you've probably guessed that this is not just the Principal's will, but the will of the Upper Sect."

"The establishment of the Dharma Realm concerns the arrangements of the Upper Sect; if it ultimately fails, even the Deity Transformation cultivators will be in trouble."

Zhang Yu's gaze shifted slightly. "Did the Principal tell you this as well?"

Director Gao sighed and said, "The actions of the Top Ten Universities could not possibly lack the mandate of the sects behind them, not just Wanfa, but the other schools as well."

"However, with the various schools currently vying for power, a temporary balance has been reached, making your choice all the more crucial at this moment."

At this, Director Gao smiled faintly. "If you have any thoughts, you can tell me. Although I'm here to deliver their message, I can just as easily deliver yours."

Zhang Yu's eyes flashed as he asked, "I want to learn more about the immortal sect techniques. Is there a way? Preferably intelligence on all of them."

Director Gao was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. "That's quite a tall order. Intelligence on all immortal sect techniques is probably impossible... but I'll ask around for you."

Before leaving, Director Gao added, "By the way, the Four Heavenly Demon Schools might get together to exchange ideas with you. You know they want to promote life-extension technologies, so it should be about that."

"The school is aware of this exchange, so don't feel burdened. Just listen to what they have to say."

Watching Director Gao's retreating figure, Zhang Yu let out a breath of relief.

The conversation with his teacher had made Zhang Yu feel that he was no longer isolated and alone in facing the pressure brought by the Deity Transformation cultivators.

Just then, a friend request appeared in Zhang Yu's ocular implant.

Principal of Heavenly Demon University, Divine Lord of Freedom: Let's talk.

...

The Third Layer of Kunxu.

In Wang Yin's ocular implant, the final match between Kuang Tianqing and Zhang Yu was playing on a loop.

Watching the footage of Zhang Yu's ultimate victory, Wang Yin murmured, "The strongest undergraduate..."

"Truly the strongest undergraduate."

"And not just the strongest undergraduate."

Feeling the mental technique churning fiercely in his mind, Wang Yin didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

As he watched the entire Top Ten League tournament, and as Zhang Yu won match after match, Wang Yin felt the weight of his own defeat growing ever heavier.

Zhang Yu's victories continuously inspired him, unknowingly driving his mental technique to fierce progress, yet also making Zhang Yu seem increasingly invincible in his mind.

Wang Yin felt as though he was forever living in Zhang Yu's shadow.

"It won't be long before he forms his Golden Core, will it?"

Now a graduate student who had obtained the Golden Core Certificate and become a Golden Core True Person, Wang Yin thought to himself, "With his potential, he'll probably catch up to me in both realm and stats soon, and then surpass me." Just then, a message appeared before Wang Yin, sent by his mother.

Mother: The school wants to ask you some questions about Zhang Yu.

Wang Yin: Ask me?

Mother: Didn't you fight Zhang Yu on the First Layer? You added him as a friend afterward. The school is going to communicate with Zhang Yu and wants to ask for your opinion.

Wang Yin's expression grew complex; after a moment's thought, he began to reply: He is the strongest opponent I have ever met in my life, my lifelong rival...

After Wang Yin finished, his mother replied: Wait a moment.

Mother: They said they're pulling you all into a group chat to discuss and exchange ideas.

Wang Yin thought to himself, "Us?"

A moment later, Wang Yin found himself pulled into a group chat. Besides him, there was Ye Lingxiao from the First Layer's Immortal Capital, currently studying at Netherworld University.

There was also Kuang Tianqing, who had just finished the Top Ten League and was currently in a state of soul cultivation.

And there was a student from Hehuan University named Lian Tianji.

The group's organizer spoke: The Deity Transformation cultivators want to understand Zhang Yu better. Get together and discuss your views on him.

...

The First Layer of Kunxu.

Songyang City.

Songyang High School.

Physical education teacher Wang Hai, martial arts teacher Lei Jun, and other teachers who had instructed Zhang Yu were all invited to a conference room at this moment.

Just as they were wondering what this sudden arrangement was all about, a video began to play in the conference room, showing the footage of the Top Ten League finals.

"Zhang Yu?"

"What competition is this?"

"Is this Foundation Establishment? Is this fucking Foundation Establishment?"

As the video concluded, a profound silence descended upon the conference room, as if every teacher present had been plunged into a state of utter astonishment.

Only after the final frame faded did a staff member step before the assembled faculty and announce, "This footage was transmitted from the Second Tier; it captures the finals of the Top Ten Universities Tournament."

"As the video demonstrates, student Zhang Yu has triumphed in the finals, claiming the championship of the Top Ten Tournament and the title of the most powerful undergraduate alive."

"Moving forward, he will select an immortal sect technique to cultivate."

Hearing these words, the teachers' minds were once again thrown into violent turmoil.

"An immortal sect technique?" Wang Hai felt as though he had been struck by lightning, his mind echoing the same disbelief: "My student has become the strongest university student? And he's going to study an immortal sect technique?"

Lei Jun replayed the battle scenes in his mind over and over, his expression a complex tapestry of emotions as he thought, "What a ruthless ambush, what a brazen provocation... Zhang Yu's combat skills have long since surpassed my own entirely, and his style of fighting is now beyond anything I could have imagined, yet at least he still employs many of the principles I taught him."

Beside him, Wang Hai raised his hand and asked, "Could I get a copy of this video?"

Wang Hai had already decided to pin this video to the top of his social media profile and play it on a loop at his fitness studio; it would be the ultimate promotional tool.

Hearing this, Lei Jun glanced over as well, calculating that if this news spread, his hourly tutoring rate would surely skyrocket once again.

At the same time, he glanced down at the four characters embroidered on his chest reading 'Martial Arts for Great Use,' wondering if he should replace them with a photo of Zhang Yu holding his trophy.

The staff member replied, "The video has not been released to the public just yet, but it will be very soon, so please be patient."

"The reason we have gathered you all here today is that Wanfa University wishes to produce a documentary about Zhang Yu, the champion of the Top Ten Tournament, and they need to interview his high school teachers."

"In a moment, we will conduct individual interviews with each of you and record a video of well-wishes, which may be shown to Zhang Yu himself, so please prepare your thoughts carefully."

"By the way, where was Zhang Yu's old classroom? Are the desk and chair he used still there?"

...

The Second Tier of Kunxu.

Shanhe University, an elite institution under the umbrella of Wanfa.

Having just finished a grueling thirty-six-hour shift, Lan Ling saw a notification flash across his ocular interface: to his utter surprise, the department head was requesting to add him as a friend.

Flattered and overwhelmed, Lan Ling accepted the request, only for a message to arrive instantly: Lan Ling, did you and Zhang Yu attend the same school?

Startled, Lan Ling replied: Yes.

Department Head: Wanfa University is producing a documentary about Zhang Yu and needs to interview you.

Lan Ling's mind reeled in shock: "A documentary about Zhang Yu?!"

Although he knew Zhang Yu had fought his way to the grand finals of the Top Ten Tournament and was profoundly astounded by the feat, Lan Ling had never truly believed Zhang Yu could defeat Kuang Tianqing.

Exhausted from consecutive overtime shifts, Lan Ling had not yet watched the recent finals, and a sudden thought now involuntarily sprang to his mind.

"Could it be that Zhang Yu..."

He hurriedly searched the Spirit Realm for intelligence on Zhang Yu, and instantly, a massive deluge of information cascaded before his eyes.

Zhang Yu Transforms Kunxu! The World Needs Zhang Yu! The Direction of the Future Rests in Zhang Yu's Hands...

Staring at these sensational headlines one after another, Lan Ling's expression grew dazed, and a profound sense of panic instantly washed over him.

"What do I do? Am I supposed to admit that I bullied Zhang Yu back in high school?"

(End of Chapter)