Chapter 676: Taiqing Realm Level 3 (Thanks to 'Heng Wu' for tipping the Alliance Leader)

Chapter 676: Taiqing Realm Level 3 (With thanks to 'Hengwu' for the Alliance Leader bounty)

After transferring the 1,000 spiritual coins to Zhang Pianpian, Zhang Yu reboarded the flying vessel alongside the numerous True Monarchs.

Aside from the four Nascent Soul corpses that had been divided, Zhao Ruoli, who was only of the Golden Core stage, had long since been beaten to death and split up as well.

In truth, when they were distributing the gains from the four Nascent Souls just now, Zhao Ruoli had already been factored in; it was merely that a paltry Golden Core paled so thoroughly beside four Nascent Souls that True Monarch Qingming had not bothered to point her out explicitly.

Before their departure, the True Monarchs issued a strict gag order, requiring everyone present to keep silent regarding the news True Monarch Liujin had just revealed—namely, the intelligence that they could resurrect through the Dark Spirit Realm, and that Kunlun would inflict deficits upon each academy.

Yet whether it was Zhang Yu or the various Nascent Soul True Monarchs, everyone understood at this moment that such news could not be concealed for long, and the Top Ten Academies would likely face another bout of turbulence.

Gazing at the fourth layer in the distance, which was still locked in bitter combat, everyone felt that since the outbreak of the war, the rebel forces had advanced triumphantly, scoring victory after victory. In stark contrast, things had gone entirely awry for the Top Ten Academies, which were gradually showing signs of defeat.

On the flying vessel, though everyone’s minds were churning with thoughts because of True Monarch Liujin’s words, the atmosphere among the True Monarchs grew harmonious once more following the recent distribution of wealth.

After conversing with each of the True Monarchs, True Monarch Qingming made his way to Zhang Yu’s side.

Looking up at the black curtain that shrouded the fifth layer of the Kun Ruins, True Monarch Qingming sighed with emotion, "A chaotic era is both a crisis and an opportunity."

"If it were ordinary times, killing four such Nascent Souls would likely not only yield no profit, but would instead cost us dearly."

Zhang Yu nodded in heartfelt agreement, thinking silently to himself, 'War... there are indeed exorbitant profits to be made. But one must be on the winning side, or rather, the side with greater power.'

True Monarch Qingming continued, "Zhang Yu, Sovereign Ciji still holds a Deity Transformation Certificate in her hands. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred, and he replied casually, "Master is resourceful and strategically astute; every single move she makes has profound meaning. How could someone like me possibly see through it?"

True Monarch Qingming was not to be deflected by Zhang Yu’s superficial answer, stating directly, "I wish to ascend to Deity Transformation. Sovereign Anzhen and Sovereign Qiyun both support me. What do you think?"

Zhang Yu smiled, "With so many people supporting you, it doesn't matter what a mere Golden Core like me thinks."

At this moment, Zhang Yu did not harbor many thoughts regarding the Deity Transformation Certificate. After all, he had only recently entered the Golden Core stage; it would still take a very long time before he reached the peak of Nascent Soul and could attempt Deity Transformation.

Furthermore, as the current situation grew increasingly difficult, Zhang Yu did not believe the Deity Transformation Certificate in Master Ciji's hands would be kept for that long.

However, faced with True Monarch Qingming’s inquiry, Zhang Yu was unwilling to give a definitive refusal too easily.

After all, though he was not competing for the Deity Transformation Certificate, there were other Nascent Souls who would. Zhang Yu was still waiting for those other Nascent Soul True Monarchs to line his pockets with money.

True Monarch Qingming pressed further, "I am asking you whether you support my ascension to Deity Transformation."

Looking at Zhang Yu before him, True Monarch Qingming knew that although Zhang Yu could not yet play a pivotal role in the current great war, the youth was not only the disciple of Sovereign Ciji but also bore a strategic-grade immortal sect cultivation method. His future prospects were boundless, and he carried immense weight in Sovereign Ciji's heart.

In True Monarch Qingming’s view, no matter whom Zhang Yu chose to support for Deity Transformation, it would clearly provide no small amount of leverage.

True Monarch Qingming added, "If you help me this time, I will give you my full support when you wish to strike for Deity Transformation in the future."

Yet Zhang Yu still offered no promise, only saying with a smile, "Everything must ultimately depend on Master’s wishes. My words carry no weight."

Staring at Zhang Yu, True Monarch Qingming thought to himself, 'Still holding out for a better price? Wanting more?'

'Nearly 2,000 spiritual coins back and forth, and you’re still not satisfied?'

'Forget it, as long as this fellow doesn't oppose me, it will suffice.'

Though secretly annoyed, True Monarch Qingming had no intention of stopping his financial overtures. In his view, so long as he maintained a steady flow of benefits to ensure Zhang Yu did not pull the rug out from under him, it remained a worthwhile investment.

After exchanging a few more words, the two parted ways. Soon after, Zhang Yu received a message from Zhang Pianpian.

Zhang Pianpian: ???

Zhang Yu: Senior sister, take it and spend it.

Zhang Yu: My income is plentiful right now, just enough to support you. The situation ahead is dangerous, so you should quickly increase your strength as well.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, 'A massive windfall just arrived. Even after giving away this 1,000, there won't be a shortage of spiritual coins to delay my leveling progress.'

He knew he possessed no talent for talismans and spirit realm technology. With the war becoming increasingly perilous, an increase in Zhang Pianpian's strength would be of great assistance to him, not to mention that the elevation of the Taiqing Talisman itself was an enhancement to his own power.

This time, Zhang Pianpian did not refuse as she had in the past.

It was only when Zhang Yu returned to his dormitory, intending to resume his cultivation, that Zhang Pianpian sent another message: Meet at the usual place.

With a stir of his heart, Zhang Yu immediately summoned the Jade Book to look, and discovered that the Taiqing Talisman had already risen to Level 3.

"As expected, the upgrade is complete."

Delighted, Zhang Yu immediately sensed the upgrade effects of the Taiqing Talisman. A moment later, he opened his eyes, a look of astonishment flashing through them.

In the next instant, he arrived within the Taiqing Realm. Sure enough, he saw Zhang Pianpian already sitting cross-legged in the grand hall, quietly awaiting him.

Seeing Zhang Yu’s arrival, Zhang Pianpian smiled faintly and said, "Brother, you have done me another great favor this time."

Zhang Yu laughed, "Sister, you and I depend on each other to forge ahead along this treacherous path of immortality. I have always kept the care you showed me in the past close to my heart."

Hearing Zhang Yu's words, Zhang Pianpian fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before shaking her head and saying, "Come, let me show you the changes in the Taiqing Realm."

Although he had already gained some understanding through the Dao Seed Registry of the Jade Book, Zhang Yu still listened patiently to Zhang Pianpian’s explanation.

The two stepped out of the grand hall. As Zhang Yu followed Zhang Pianpian into the backyard of the Taiqing Realm, he discovered that a massive pond had appeared there at some unknown point.

Within the pond, thunderclouds surged and lightning flickered. It was filled not with water, but with a pool of pure lightning.

Looking at this lightning pool, Zhang Pianpian introduced, "This pool is named the Soul-Attracting Pool. It possesses the effect of ferrying departed souls and seizing remnant consciousness..."

According to Zhang Pianpian’s explanation, this Soul-Attracting Pool could actually be activated in the material world, seizing the remnant consciousness of the deceased around either Zhang Yu or Zhang Pianpian.

Specifically, whenever someone died within a hundred-meter radius of Zhang Yu or Zhang Pianpian, the Soul-Attracting Pool would naturally activate, extracting a portion of remnant consciousness from the departed soul.

This remnant consciousness consisted primarily of knowledge; it could be information regarding a certain cultivation method, the design blueprint of a certain Dharma treasure or Dharma remains, or perhaps some form of immortal sect technology.

Generally speaking, the more deeply ingrained the knowledge and information was in the mind of the deceased, the higher the probability that the Soul-Attracting Pool would seize it.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, 'It’s like drawing a lottery for skill books after a person dies.'

Zhang Pianpian remarked with some emotion, "The activation of this Soul-Attracting Pool is completely imperceptible. It will neither affect the Spirit Realm’s conversion of soul cultivators, nor will it interfere with the deceased’s reincarnation."

"With such a pool, one can quietly accumulate a vast wealth of immortal knowledge and collect the cultivation methods of various sects."

"Especially in turbulent times like these, the efficiency of the Soul-Attracting Pool will be even higher."

"Speaking of reincarnation, you should have heard something about it by now, right?"

Due to Dao Qiankun's live broadcast during the Top Ten Leagues award ceremony, the news that 'reincarnation exists' had already spread widely among cultivators.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu nodded and said, "I've heard some talk of it. When I was choosing an immortal sect cultivation method back then, Dao Qiankun once had me select the Six Paths World-Evolving Book, saying it contained the latest reincarnation technology."

Zhang Pianpian was not surprised by this. Looking at the roiling lightning-water in the pool, she continued, "Ever since the connection with the upper spatial structures was severed, I can faintly feel... the reincarnation system of the second to fifth layers has undergone a massive shift. This is likely the backup plan left behind by that immortal."

"Brother." Zhang Pianpian turned her head, looking at Zhang Yu with a solemn expression. "The coming war will only grow more intense and perilous. My advice to you is to put all your effort into elevating your immortal sect cultivation method."

"The Kunlun within the Palm is your best protective talisman for what lies ahead."

Zhang Yu nodded and said, "Sister, you must be careful as well."

Zhang Pianpian smiled and said, "Rest assured, this great war is precisely the opportunity of a lifetime that I could have only dreamed of."

She thought silently to herself, 'Without this war, how could I ever find a chance to rid myself of a Great God?'

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu sensed the Dao Seed information of the Taiqing Talisman, thinking to himself, 'To elevate the Taiqing Talisman to Level 4, I need to assist sister in devouring three to five Children of God.'

'What exactly are these Children of God?'

Zhang Yu did not ask directly, deciding instead to return and question Fuji first to see if that evil god knew anything regarding this matter.

Then, Zhang Yu suddenly frowned, looking at the lightning pool before him with a sigh. "Sister, even with this Soul-Attracting Pool to extract someone else's cultivation method, if we don't have the copyright, it probably won't be of much use, right?"

Hearing this, Zhang Pianpian merely smiled faintly. "In normal times, that would indeed be troublesome."

"But now that the Orthodox Gods are absent, and with the demonic cults and evil gods eyeing us like tigers watching their prey, the various academies naturally have flexible policies to deal with it."

“As for Wanfa here, if you obtain any uncopyrighted techniques outside the Wanfa system, you can wash them before use...”

In Zhang Pianpian’s introduction, the so-called washing of techniques meant repackaging uncopyrighted methods, establishing them as new techniques, and registering them under Wanfa University’s name, at which point they would naturally possess copyright.

“This practice was originally something Tianyan Shenjun excelled at and loved to do; many within the Dao Arts Department had, over the years, cooperated with Tianyan Shenjun to establish a complete workflow.”

“However, now this set of practices is being applied more openly and righteously, solely to counter the Evil Gods’ tactic of providing various knowledge through open sources.”

Zhang Pianpian said, “If you wish to wash any technique but find it inconvenient to operate yourself, you may entrust it to me to resolve.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu asked joyfully, “Then can military-grade techniques be washed as well?”

Zhang Pianpian shook her head. “Military-grade techniques possess too high a technical content; washing them is troublesome enough on its own, not to mention they involve various types of military certifications. I do not recommend you attempt to wash them.”

After finishing his exchange with his sister, Zhang Yu immediately threw himself back into cultivation.

……

At the same time.

Deep within the Dark Spirit Realm.

A figure composed of clusters of colorful light materialized before Xi God.

Xi God looked at the figure before him and said, “Xiang God, you have failed.”

Xiang God replied coldly, “It cannot be termed a failure. Although we did not capture Zhang Yu, this operation yielded quite a bit of intelligence.”

Xi God laughed. “Judging by your attitude, it seems you are unwilling to give up?”

Xiang God said, “Did you not watch the video I sent you? The strength Zhang Yu displayed this time is far beyond what should be expected of someone who has only entered the Golden Core stage for a few months.”

“His rate of progress is astonishing. If he continues to advance like this, I fear that in less than a year, he will have the qualification to assault the Nascent Soul realm.”

(End of Chapter)