Chapter 709: Sword Spirit Recognition (Requesting monthly tickets, today totaling 7,400 words)

Chapter 709: The Sword Spirit’s Acknowledgment (Requesting Monthly Tickets—Total Today: 7,400+)

Seeing that Lord Yufeng hadn’t replied, Zhan Yun True Lord couldn’t help but rattle off a string of names.

When he reached Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu, Lord Yufeng finally responded.

Lord Yufeng said, “Zhan Yun, I understand your intentions—you’re still trying to struggle. But do you truly grasp what they think?”

Zhan Yun True Lord blinked in slight surprise, then immediately asked, “So it really is Bai Zhenzhen’s doing? And Zhang Yu—is he involved?”

Just then, Zhan Yun noticed the messages he’d sent kept spinning in circles, failing to go through.

The Spirit Realm’s signal had weakened so severely that maintaining communication with Lord Yufeng was becoming impossible.

“Bai Zhenzhen… Zhang Yu… Zhang Yu… Wanfa…”

Staring at Zhang Yu’s avatar in his contacts list, Zhan Yun suddenly felt as though the other man’s hand was impossibly vast and long—and the sky above Tianjian University unbearably dark, suffocatingly black.

“He actually wields such influence?”

“If you have this kind of power, why didn’t you say so sooner? Why didn’t you speak up earlier?!”

Clutching onto one last shred of hope, Zhan Yun began drafting a message to send to Zhang Yu.

Zhan Yun True Lord: “True Lord Zhuyi, I offer my sincerest apologies for everything that has recently transpired…”

His mind raced faster than ever before. With unprecedented speed, he composed a several-hundred-character letter of apology, pledging every possible concession, offering himself up like those mass-produced swords sold in markets—everything he had, he sent straight to Zhang Yu.

When he saw with wide eyes that the message had gone through smoothly, unaffected by the fading Spirit Realm signal, he let out a long, relieved breath.

But the next moment, his heart sank again as a notification popped up in the chat window: “This user is not yet your friend.”

“Heh… Already deleted me as a contact?”

Zhan Yun let out a bitter laugh. “He never intended to exchange another word with me.”

Immediately afterward, the Spirit Realm connection severed completely. Waves of sword intent swept in from all directions, and Zhan Yun felt his spiritual bones, his surrounding treasures, his flying swords—all severed from him, one by one.

…

Inside the meditation chamber.

Bai Zhenzhen sat cross-legged. Before her stood a petite, graceful figure.

This figure appeared as a young maiden dressed like an ancient female swordswoman or knight-errant, her eyebrows sharp as blades, her eyes bright as stars, radiating a dense aura of killing intent.

Bai Zhenzhen knew this was the spirit of the Nascent Soul-grade flying sword from the Sword Repository.

Ever since she’d entered the chamber and lost her Spirit Realm signal, this sword spirit had pierced through countless barriers, arriving before her unnoticed by gods or ghosts, initiating silent communion.

“Hmph,” the sword spirit said. “At least you didn’t sell off the entire Sword Repository outright. Qi Qing wasn’t wrong about you after all.”

“You held firm under Nascent Soul pressure to protect the repository—I provisionally acknowledge you.”

“From now on, with me at your side, your life shall be safe.”

Hearing the spirit’s grandiose tone, Bai Zhenzhen couldn’t help but inquire about her origins—especially since she’d addressed Qi Qing so casually, sparking curiosity about their relationship.

The sword spirit replied proudly, “I was once called Zhan Tian. Later, they claimed that name violated regulations, so they renamed me Qing Tian. You may call me Qing Tian.”

“In my time, I was the foremost disciple of the Supreme Emotion Sword Dao…”

“As for little Qi Qing—she’s my grand-apprentice.”

According to Qing Tian’s account, in life she had been the senior disciple of the Supreme Emotion Sword Sect, her swordplay embodying purest emotion and nature. Even while still at Golden Core cultivation, she had roamed the world, slaying demons and upholding righteousness.

But…

“That damnable traitor framed me! Accused me of practicing dual cultivation arts, claimed I forcibly cultivated with her and stole her cultivation!”

“After that, I was branded a demonic heretic—everyone hunted me. Meanwhile, that villain rose swiftly through the ranks and eventually entered the sect.”

Hearing this, Bai Zhenzhen consoled her gently, “Ancient cultivation methods were too primitive, and cultivators too ignorant—they wrongly condemned dual cultivation as heresy. Rest assured, Elder Ancestor, in our age, no one would discriminate against you for that.”

“Nonsense!” Qing Tian snapped. “I never practiced dual cultivation! That scoundrel fabricated everything!”

She sighed heavily. “Back then, they all claimed I secretly practiced dual cultivation and branded me a demonic seductress.”

“Later, even after the truth came out, they declared my Supreme Emotion Sword Dao itself ‘heretical’ and sealed me away.”

“From beginning to end, my sword-heart never changed—it’s this world that grew ever more mad.”

Shaking her head, Qing Tian added, “Your grasp of the Supreme Emotion Sword Dao shows promise. Show me your sword intent.”

Thus, for most of her time in the meditation chamber, Bai Zhenzhen received instruction from the sword spirit or discussed past and present matters with her.

Until now—Qing Tian suddenly raised an eyebrow and said, “You’re about to leave.”

She looked at Bai Zhenzhen with mild surprise. “I thought I’d have to find a way to spirit you out myself. Unexpectedly, Tianjian University actually did something decent this time.”

In the next instant, Qing Tian vanished without a trace.

“Elder Ancestor?” Bai Zhenzhen called out.

Immediately, the chamber doors swung open. A stream of cultivators poured in, fussing over her with concern.

Soon after, she was escorted to the Sword Repository to complete the handover ceremony.

After politely declining numerous invitations and conversations, Bai Zhenzhen gazed at the vast repository before her, still feeling a trace of bewilderment.

“Is it really over just like that?”

At that moment, Qing Tian reappeared before her, urging, “Enough sighing. Take us out first.”

“I’ve barely awakened—time for a proper stroll outside.”

As she spoke, all thousand swords in the repository trembled in unison, as if answering her call.

Bai Zhenzhen indeed wished to pack them all away, but sensing the surging waves of Supreme Emotion sword intent from each blade, she hesitated. “Elder Ancestor… will they obey?”

Qing Tian laughed heartily. “Worry not. You are a true inheritor of the Supreme Emotion Sword Dao, and your defense of the repository has earned our collective recognition.”

Thereupon, Bai Zhenzhen opened her Grand Void Cloud Vault and began storing the thousand swords, one by one, into her spatial pouch.

“And… I should let Yu Zi know I’m safe.”

…

Third Layer of Kunxu.

Inside the Research Society near the Great Hollow.

Zhang Yu practiced Immortal Sect techniques as usual. Simultaneously, he extended a thread of awareness toward Tianjian University. Upon receiving Bai Zhenzhen’s message, he understood the matter was largely resolved.

Moments later, a message arrived from Lord Yufeng.

Lord Yufeng: “True Lord Zhuyi, thank you for your school’s timely warning. This bitter but necessary medicine has revealed deep-seated maladies within our institution, cleared away shadows, and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation.”

Zhang Yu: “Lord Yufeng flatters me. It is the integrity and righteousness of Tianjian University’s lords themselves that transformed this trial into an opportunity for ascension.”

Reading Zhang Yu’s reply, Lord Yufeng relaxed slightly—then suddenly marveled inwardly. He never imagined that conversing with a mere Core Formation cultivator would make him feel even a hint of nervousness.

Shaking his head, Lord Yufeng began probing and hinting, eager to learn whether his enterprises might secure a foothold in the coming wave of Immortal Dao technological transformation.

As if anticipating this very question, Zhang Yu replied, “Regarding the second-generation Grand Void Cloud Vault technology—we’ve long considered its application in military domains…”

In Zhang Yu’s explanation, the second-generation Grand Void Cloud Vault featured spatial barrier technology capable of actively designating which types of matter could penetrate its boundaries.

And if applied in the military domain, it would render the enemy’s attacks ineffective while allowing one’s own assaults to pass through unimpeded.

By leveraging this advanced technology, one need only launch a spatial pouch of the Grand Void Cloud Vault toward the enemy’s battlefield to unleash devastating destruction.

Zhang Yu dubbed it the Grand Void Thunderbolt.

In Zhang Yu’s eyes, it was nothing more than a missile sheathed in a spatial barrier—one that could strike others freely yet remained impervious to retaliation until the barrier dissipated.

Upon hearing this, Yu Feng Shenjun nodded repeatedly, already envisioning the future scene: Grand Void Thunderbolts detonating high above enemy territory, unleashing torrents of thunderfire upon their ranks, while the foe remained utterly incapable of damaging or intercepting the devices from within.

Zhang Yu continued, “Our factories at Wanfa have already been arranged. Now we need someone to cooperate in producing the launch systems for these Grand Void Thunderbolts.”

Yu Feng Shenjun’s eyes lit up instantly—wasn’t his own flying sword factory perfectly suited for this task?

Although the military market for Grand Void Thunderbolts would undoubtedly pale in scale compared to the civilian market for the second-generation Grand Void Cloud Vault, it was still an undeniably lucrative opportunity.

Especially now, when his enterprises stood on the brink of shutdown and idleness, Zhang Yu’s proposal held even greater allure.

Yet Zhang Yu swiftly shattered his reverie during their subsequent negotiations.

“I’ve already slashed the price to rock bottom—and you’re asking for zero deposit? You expect me to front all the payment myself?”

Yu Feng Shenjun gritted his teeth. “That level of risk is far too great for me.”

Zhang Yu replied coolly, “For every component produced by Po Yao Shenjun and the others, we pay only half a spirit coin as deposit. The remainder is paid incrementally—only after each second-gen Grand Void Cloud Vault sells, or once users begin paying deposits into the shared vault.”

“Your technical threshold is even lower; plenty of manufacturers can handle this work. Had Tianjian University not recently overhauled its academic discipline and cultivated such an excellent business environment, we’d have approached Jingang University—or even Xianbing University—instead.”

Yu Feng Shenjun hurriedly interjected, “Jingang University is little more than a workshop! They still rely on human-sourced materials—there’s no way they could match your projected output.”

“And Xianbing University? They hoard everything! Countless manufacturers have had their techniques stolen there without earning a single coin in return!”

After casually disparaging his rivals, Yu Feng Shenjun pressed his advantage: “Only our Tianjian University is truly fit for this task. Even across ten thousand miles, our long-range flying swords maintain precision within half a meter.”

Zhang Yu responded indifferently, “Tianjian University isn’t the only place capable of doing this.”

Yu Feng Shenjun drew a deep breath. In that moment, he felt like a drowning man grasping desperately at a single straw.

“Just a mere Nascent Soul cultivator…”

“Daring to act so arrogantly, relying solely on his sect and university?”

Feeling utterly cornered by Zhang Yu’s smug certainty—and acutely aware of the steep price he’d have to pay—Yu Feng Shenjun’s body trembled with surging sword qi. He nearly stormed off to Wanfa University to tear Zhang Yu limb from limb.

What he’d imagined as feasting on rich meat had, through his conversation with Zhang Yu, dwindled first to sipping broth—and now even that broth was being diluted with water. Watching his anticipated profits evaporate before his eyes, his fury swelled uncontrollably.

Yet he remembered Zhang Yu’s powerful backers—Ci Ji Shenjun and Qing Mu Shenjun—and the imminent technological upheaval. He recalled the other four Divine Lords of Tianjian University, all Ascended Immortals, who would surely seize this chance to kick him while he was down. And so he understood: he could not act rashly.

“Fine,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “I’ll endure it.”

But Zhang Yu, this Nascent Soul True Lord, was now seared into his memory.

Once, Zhan Yun True Lord had strutted arrogantly through Tianjian University, riding high on his master’s authority.

Now, in Yu Feng Shenjun’s eyes, Zhang Yu was no different—merely borrowing Ci Ji Shenjun’s might to bluster about.

And should the day come when Ci Ji Shenjun withdrew his favor—or decided to sacrifice Zhang Yu—he too would be discarded, just as Zhan Yun had been.

“Fool,” Yu Feng Shenjun sneered inwardly, staring at Zhang Yu’s avatar. “Ci Ji is merely using you as a shield to draw fire. This whole Seven Emotions Sword Vault affair? Clearly just a pretext to squeeze us on price.”

After several cold laughs in his heart, Yu Feng Shenjun ultimately agreed to all of Zhang Yu’s demands.

…

Third Tier of Kunxu, inside the Research Society.

Ci Ji Shenjun glanced at the final quotation submitted by Tianjian University and smiled contentedly. “Zhang Yu, you’ve done well this time.”

“I’d assumed you’d grow nervous or fearful facing an Ascended Immortal—too timid to negotiate directly.”

“Yet not only did you bargain head-on—you drove the price down ruthlessly.”

Gazing at Zhang Yu before him, Ci Ji found himself increasingly reminded of his own younger self—the audacity to slam his fist on the dean’s table demanding research funds.

In Ci Ji’s view, any Nascent Soul cultivator bold enough to stand firm against an Ascended Immortal’s aura possessed commendable Dao-heart.

One daring enough to demand payment directly from an Ascended Immortal? That showed exceptional resolve.

But a Nascent Soul who could face an Ascended Immortal, haggle fiercely, and carve away mountains of profit? Such a person undoubtedly harbored an unshakable will to ascend to the pinnacle of immortality.

After a moment’s thought, Ci Ji decided to burden Zhang Yu further.

“This upcoming product launch…”

…

Second Tier of Kunxu.

Inside Youming University, Wang Yin sighed wistfully. “So it’s finally coming—the new product from Wanfa.”

He logged into the Spirit Realm, projecting himself into the virtual venue of the launch event.

His gaze swept the crowd, and he felt a flicker of surprise. “Zhang Yu… isn’t here?”

“He was present last time, wasn’t he?”

As the launch drew nearer and Zhang Yu still failed to appear, Wang Yin mused inwardly, “Could he have embezzled so much funding that Wanfa finally turned against him? So much so they barred him from attending his own launch?”

Shaking his head slightly, he sighed, “He’s probably watching the livestream like everyone else now.”

But the very next moment, as the launch officially began, a familiar figure slowly materialized onstage—

“Zhang Yu?”

(End of Chapter)