Chapter 661: Returning Home in Glory 2 (Thanks to Book Friends for helping think of the title)

Chapter 661: Returning Home in Glory 2 (Thanks to the fellow reader for suggesting the title)

Tianhai University.

"Classmate Zhou Chechen, as the president of the high school student council, what was your impression when you first met Zhang Yu?"

Facing the camera before him, Zhou Chechen said resolutely, "The very first time I laid eyes on Zhang Yu, I sensed he was extraordinary, no ordinary fish in a pond, and I was certain he would surely be admitted to the Top Ten in the future."

"I've heard that you and Zhang Yu had a falling out during high school?"

With a vacant look in his eyes, Zhou Chechen said, "Songyang High School boasts a long history, experienced teachers, and an excellent academic atmosphere..."

"Classmate Zhou, I'm asking whether you and Zhang Yu had a falling out during high school?"

Zhou Chechen's lips twitched slightly as he whispered softly, "Don't... don't..."

"Hmm? Focus the camera a bit closer. What are you saying, Classmate Zhou?"

In a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, Zhou Chechen murmured, "Stop talking... stop talking..."

...

In another corner of Tianhai University.

"Classmate Qian Shen, what kind of person do you think Zhang Yu was back in high school?"

"Someone who evolved more completely than I did, breaking through the high school grading evaluation system. As it stands, I believe the university grading system will also undergo reforms because of Zhang Yu's performance..."

...

Within the university town of Wanfa University.

Mo Shangjin nodded. "I'm already preparing to follow Zhang Yu's example and walk out of the civil engineering department just like him. Yes, he has inspired many of us in civil engineering."

Feng Tingting said, "When I first joined the civil engineering department, I was incredibly depressed, but Zhang Yu's story showed me that flowers can bloom even in barren soil. I plan to settle down and cultivate myself, to shine in civil engineering in the future and delve deep into the field of smart architecture."

Rubbing his sleepy eyes, Su Yanyang said, "During the economic crisis, he was the only one willing to lend me money. Even the Nascent Soul seniors wouldn't lend me a dime, but he did. For that alone, I think he's more impressive than a Nascent Soul cultivator."

Facing the camera, Shi Huaiyu said, "Zhang Yu is a good boss. I believe in him."

Shi Yunxiang said, "The salary increase offered by Boss Zhang is currently the highest in the entire second layer of Kunxu. Even if he discriminates against demon descendants, I'm still going to work for him."

Xiao Qingxuan said, "He's the best boss I've ever met. How should I put it... If I had a Golden Core, I'd willingly give it to Boss Zhang to detonate."

Ying Xin said, "My whole family has been working for Boss Zhang for years. Whether it's studying or working, he is incredibly hardworking, replying to my work messages anytime and anywhere."

Yu Xinghan said, "Zhang Yu and I share a bond forged in life and death. Honestly... if Zhang Yu wasn't so strict about the primary gender, or if I were a woman, I would have lain down before the competition and let him drain me dry with his dual cultivation techniques."

Looking at the invitation before him, Yu Xinghan asked, "Is this an invitation to the award ceremony?"

Tu Lishan nodded and said, "The school asked Zhang Yu to select a few classmates to attend the award ceremony, and you're one of them."

Moments later, Yu Xinghan posted the invitation in the school group chat and the hometown group chat, instantly sparking a wave of envy.

Looking at the camera, Le Mulan said, "I watched Zhang Yu fight his way up, step by step..."

Le Mulan looked at Professor Yin Jiurao before her, seeing a look of shame on the other's face, and said, "Sigh, back during the economic crisis, I shouldn't have taken advantage of Zhang Yu's vulnerability."

Thinking that the news of the Top Ten League champion being assaulted by a Wanfa University professor back then might be exposed, Yin Jiurao couldn't help but sigh.

Yin Jiurao said, "Contact Zhang Yu. As long as he doesn't press charges, I can compensate him."

"And Mulan, you too..."

Yin Jiurao pushed forward a sample and said, "This is the stock I kept back then for research. I can share a portion with you so we can research it together, and I'll put your name on the paper."

Looking at the sample before her and listening to Yin Jiurao's proposal, Le Mulan swallowed subconsciously.

...

Meanwhile, in the Spirit Realm.

True Lord Xinghuo gazed emotionally at the decisive battle footage before him, his eyes sweeping over the news headlines, and sighed, "It's been a long time since we had this much Spirit Realm traffic available. The school is quite generous this time."

Li Xuelian, standing nearby, said, "Who would have thought? In less than five short years, Zhang Yu has actually progressed to this extent."

Li Xuelian looked at True Lord Xinghuo and asked, "Father, they want to invite you to the award ceremony. What are your plans?"

True Lord Xinghuo sighed with emotion, "The award ceremony... I never imagined I'd be able to return to the second layer so soon."

Hearing her father's words, Li Xuelian's heart stirred, knowing he intended to make a trip to the second layer.

But thinking of the whirlpool Zhang Yu was now caught in, Li Xuelian couldn't help but frown slightly. "Father, do you really have to go?"

True Lord Xinghuo said, "My meridians are nearly stagnating from staying in the first layer for so long. It's time to seek movement after prolonged stillness."

Li Xuelian reminded him, "Father, Zhang Yu is caught in deep trouble this time. One careless move... and it won't just be a matter of being smashed to pieces."

True Lord Xinghuo said, "I'm just going over to have a chat with him. It won't be a problem."

"I'm afraid my disciple's mind is currently tangled in a thousand threads he can't sort out."

"Wanting me to talk to him about the actual situation is probably the sect's intention as well."

"By the way, where is Yu Xinghan? Tomorrow I'll go to Wanfa first, then to the award venue. Tell him to roll over here and pick me up."

...

The third layer of Kunxu. Zhang Pianpian's consciousness flowed through the Spirit Realm.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, seemingly with countless streams of information swirling within them.

"They actually found their way even to me?"

"So be it."

"I suppose I shall make a trip there."

...

When Zhang Yu left the temporary station at the invitation of the Sovereign of Freedom.

Everyone inside and outside the entire Top Ten League venue received a message.

"Zhang Yu, a Foundation Establishment student in the Artifact Refining Department of Wanfa University, champion of the Top Ten League, and the strongest undergraduate, is now in the same space as you. Any malicious attack against him will result in a fine of one million spirit coins per second. Please mind your words and actions."

In an instant, the countless teachers and students who received the message retreated again and again, wishing they could distance themselves further, fleeing to a place hundreds or thousands of miles away.

At the same time, Zhang Yu had already arrived above the floating continent, quietly gazing down at the arena below.

A beam of divine light descended, and the voice of the Sovereign of Freedom echoed from within, "Let's talk right here."

As he spoke, layers of clouds shimmering with a somber, shadowy radiance enveloped the heavens and the earth.

Meanwhile, the fine's timer started. The Sovereign of Freedom casually tossed out a credit card, letting the weather fines begin to stack, and paid it no further mind.

Only after casually altering the celestial phenomena did the Sovereign of Freedom say faintly, "There are too many eyes in the Spirit Realm here. I don't want our upcoming conversation to be constantly watched by the Heavenly Deduction, and I assume you don't want that either?"

Zhang Yu neither agreed nor disagreed, merely asking, "What does the Sovereign wish to say by summoning me here?"

The Sovereign of Freedom said concisely, "Zhang Yu, I won't preach any grand principles to you. I will only discuss the interests that are vitally relevant to you."

"You want to join the sect, don't you?"

Zhang Yu's gaze sharpened as he looked toward the divine light beside him.

The Sovereign of Freedom said, "No need to be surprised. Your intentions are too obvious, and your climb from the first layer was far too high-profile. If I were the one backing you, I wouldn't have let you be so conspicuous."

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "So they think I have someone backing me?"

Sovereign Zizai continued, "It is only natural for someone of your potential to wish to join a sect."

"But I must tell you, if you choose the Dharma Realm, it will only make it harder for you to be accepted into one."

Zhang Yu asked calmly, "Why?"

Sovereign Zizai replied, "Just how advanced do you think the techniques of the Dharma Realm truly are?"

"The free transmission of magical power, astral qi, cultivation bases, and realms... just how much time do you think you would need to spend exploring and researching the immortal arts embedded within all this?"

"Moreover... do you truly believe that, at your current level, you could ever take a leading role in it?"

Sovereign Zizai shook his head in denial. "Impossible. If you choose the Dharma Realm, you will merely be a key to unlock it, a mere translator of immortal arts."

"Once you disseminate the Chapter of the Dharma Realm's Divine Creation, you will inevitably be left far behind by the Deity Transformation masters during the subsequent grand construction of the Dharma Realm and the great boom in immortal technology."

"At the same time, you would be firmly shackled to this colossal project, standing at the vanguard to bear immense pressure, dragged into the cutthroat intrigues of the Deity Transformation masters, where a single misstep could cost you everything."

"Tell me, wouldn't choosing the Chapter of the Dharma Realm's Divine Creation make it even harder for you to join a sect? Wouldn't it place even more obstacles in your path?"

Zhang Yu said nothing, merely listening in silence to Sovereign Zizai's words.

Unbothered by the silence, Sovereign Zizai continued, "By contrast, the Scripture of Everlasting Spring is far simpler. With your talent and intellect, it would take you but a few years to master its techniques and extend the lifespans of others."

"Your teachers, your classmates, your friends—do you not wish for them to live longer?"

"Even if you merely extend your own life by ten thousand years, do you really fear you wouldn't find an opportunity to join a sect?"

"Zhang Yu, rather than choosing the Chapter of the Dharma Realm's Divine Creation to spearhead an explosion in immortal technology and plunge into the most terrifying, fierce, and perilous struggles of the lower realms, you would be better off choosing the Scripture of Everlasting Spring, living a few more grounded years, and waiting for a truly favorable opportunity."

"Besides, life-extension techniques will not leave you short on earnings, and once spirit coins reach a certain astronomical sum, the difference hardly matters to the likes of us."

"After all, without entering a sect, the highest you can ever reach is Deity Transformation. Even if the Chapter of the Dharma Realm's Divine Creation allows you to earn ten or a hundred times more, you will still merely be a Deity Transformation cultivator in the end. How much difference does it truly make?"

"Think it over carefully. If you have any questions, you may seek me out at any time."

"Wanfa can protect you, and the people behind you can support you, but we and those behind us can do exactly the same."

Watching the fading figure of Sovereign Zizai, Zhang Yu had to admit he was somewhat tempted.

The pressure brought upon him by the Chapter of the Dharma Realm's Divine Creation was simply too immense; compared to a future fraught with the unknown, rife with risks, and filled with uncontrollable variables, the Scripture of Everlasting Spring suddenly seemed far more stable, manageable, and grounded.

Yet, choosing the Scripture of Everlasting Spring would mean turning his back on Wanfa and throwing himself into the embrace of the Four Heavenly Demon Academies.

Thinking of the individuals at Wanfa University, Zhang Yu could not help but heave a long sigh, standing quietly in place without uttering a word for a long while.

At this moment, there were still twelve hours until the awards ceremony began.

(End of Chapter)