Chapter 710: The Changes Brought by Zhang Yu, Heavenly Court Countdown (7,600 words)

Chapter 710: The Change Brought by Zhang Yu, Heaven’s Countdown Begins (7600+)

On the stage of the press conference, Zhang Yu looked out at the university leaders and elites below, his gaze sweeping over the projections representing Nascent Soul and Core Formation cultivators. He knew that at this very moment, countless eyes from the Ten Great Academies were fixed upon him—and that the heretical gods of the Righteous Alliance, demonic sects, and traitors were watching just as intently.

At this instant, he had become the epicenter of Kunxu Layers Two through Five, poised to unleash a tide that would sweep across the world.

Zhang Yu understood this press conference would be etched into history—and that his name, as its host, would be spoken countless times in the future, replayed again and again by generations yet unborn.

The thought sent a faint tremor through him.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, “this is a day I’ve long awaited.”

“Previously, Wanfa developed the Grand Void Cloud Repository and introduced the concept of personal spatial platforms, bringing spatial technology into the daily lives of cultivators. It transformed everyone’s routines utterly—and inspired endless imitation and emulation from competitors.”

“And today, I have the honor of standing here to unveil three revolutionary new products.”

“They will completely dismantle the existing logistics industry—and forge an entirely new ecosystem…”

…

Wang Yin watched Zhang Yu on stage, speaking with effortless eloquence about the second-generation Grand Void Cloud Repository, his eyes wide with astonishment.

He wasn’t merely stunned by the product’s groundbreaking innovations—he was even more shocked that Zhang Yu himself had been chosen as the presenter.

“Spatial layering, anti-gravity, spatial lockdown… This new Grand Void Cloud Repository has already surpassed every spatial pouch currently on the market.”

“This is a product of a new era—one that will herald Spatial Pouch 2.0 and surely be immortalized in history. But…”

Wang Yin stared fixedly at Zhang Yu, his thoughts surging like ocean tides: “Why? Why entrust such a pivotal announcement to Zhang Yu? Shouldn’t this be Magneto Sovereign’s role?”

“Has he truly become so indispensable to Wanfa—and to Magneto Sovereign—that they’d place him front and center like this?”

“Are they already grooming him as the true heir to their legacy?”

“But… wasn’t he just someone loafing around the research institute, siphoning off funds?”

Suddenly, Wang Yin recalled their first meeting.

Back then, he’d been the son of Yin Spring True Lord. After losing to Zhang Yu, he’d pushed himself relentlessly—years later, he’d finally ascended to become the son of Yin Spring Sovereign, rising from Core Formation scion to Nascent Soul heir, a meteoric ascent by any measure.

Yet compared to Zhang Yu’s achievements, his own progress seemed pitifully insignificant.

That man had climbed from a penniless wretch in Layer One to the de facto second-in-command of Wanfa University, named heir to Magneto Sovereign—and now presided over affairs of the Spatial Technology Research Institute.

Meanwhile, Wang Yin remained nothing more than a lowly assistant in Youming University’s spatial lab.

“It’s not just my cultivation realm he’s surpassed… Even my status—and my talent for leeching off elders—has been utterly eclipsed by him.”

As these turbulent thoughts churned within him, a message arrived from Yin Spring Sovereign beside him.

Yin Spring Sovereign: Send me Zhang Yu. I want to add him as a contact.

Wang Yin whipped his head around. “Mother, you want to add Zhang Yu as a friend? You’re a Nascent Soul Sovereign! He’s merely Core Formation—what merit does he have that you’d reach out to him yourself? Let me handle it for you…”

Yin Spring Sovereign gazed at Zhang Yu onstage with keen interest. “That boy’s standing isn’t what it used to be. If you stood before him now, your status might actually seem… beneath his notice. He may not even bother acknowledging you.”

“The second-gen Grand Void Cloud Repository represents a revolutionary leap—one that will reshape the balance among the Ten Academies. There are many matters I must discuss with him directly.”

She sighed. “This breakthrough is simply too massive. We’ll likely have no choice but to deepen cooperation with Wanfa going forward.”

“And frankly,” she added with a wry smile, “talking to that lad seems far less taxing than dealing with Magneto.”

Then she turned to Wang Yin and explained gently, “Besides… my foolish child, what does cultivation level matter? If it concerns profit, I’d add even a Qi Refining novice without hesitation. Without that kind of vision, why cultivate the Dao at all?”

With that, she urged again, “Hurry up and send his contact.”

Watching his once-lofty mother now eagerly seeking entry into Zhang Yu’s circle of friends, Wang Yin felt a pang of helpless resignation.

As he sent the request, a sudden unease gripped him. He remembered Starfire Zhenren from Layer One, recalled how Qingmu Sovereign had backed Zhang Yu during his days in Wanfa’s Civil Engineering Department—and now Magneto Sovereign himself…

He couldn’t help but warn, “Mother, be careful when talking to Zhang Yu. Don’t let him take advantage. That guy… seems especially skilled at freeloading off elders.”

Yin Spring Sovereign laughed. “Nonsense! Who do you think I am? Would I let some greenhorn swindle me?”

Meanwhile, onstage, Zhang Yu had begun detailing the logistics network and sharing system enabled by the second-generation Grand Void Cloud Repository.

“To ensure every cultivator can access the Grand Void Cloud Repository—to bring spatial technology into every household—we’re officially launching Shared Void, alongside the personal edition!”

…

Kunxu Layer Three.

Research Institute.

Yan Qianji, Bei Wufeng, Jin Jun, Zi Yunzhen, Su Yunni, and others gathered together, awaiting the live broadcast of the press conference.

Glancing around, Yan Qianji asked, “Isn’t Zhang Yu coming to watch with us?”

Jin Jun replied, “His Lordship has his own arrangements. He might be watching live at the venue itself.”

Yan Qianji shot him a sidelong glance, harboring no fondness for this sycophant who orbited Zhang Yu like a moon.

Inwardly, he grumbled, “Magneto Sovereign’s team has already developed the next-gen Grand Void Cloud Repository, yet Zhang Yu shows zero interest in spatial research—barely visits the lab once a month.”

“Such waste! If I had his advantages, I’d have embedded myself deep within Magneto Sovereign’s inner circle by now—perhaps even joined the development team for the new Grand Void Cloud Repository.”

When Zhang Yu’s figure appeared onscreen, confidently expounding the new features, Yan Qianji’s expression twisted in utter bewilderment.

“How is this possible? Zhang Yu spends all his time skimming funds and cultivating—never once contributed to spatial tech research. Why on earth would they make him the presenter?”

He couldn’t help but lament: Ever since Wanfa changed presidents, the heavens themselves seemed to have darkened. Here he was—a devoted technician—relegated to contract work, while Zhang Yu, who squandered resources on personal cultivation, received lavish promotion.

The injustice burned like bile in his throat.

Beside him, Jin Jun burst into laughter. “His Lordship truly lives up to his title! To host this press conference proves he enjoys the president’s utmost trust!”

Yan Qianji snorted derisively, dripping with sourness, “He’s barely spent any time studying spatial tech—how can he possibly explain it clearly? What if he messes up?”

Sensing another argument brewing, Bei Wufeng quickly interjected, “If the president chose His Lordship to host, it means he believes Candlelight Zhenjun is capable. Perhaps, beyond our sight, His Lordship has already gained profound insight into the Grand Void Cloud Repository’s technologies.”

…

Xianbing University.

Tian Shenggong and a group of peers waited for Wanfa University’s press conference to begin, ready to watch the livestream together.

A nearby student gazed at Tian Shenggong with undisguised admiration. “Senior, you’re barely thirty and already working in our university’s spatial lab under Thousand Puppet Sovereign! Your future is limitless!”

Another chimed in, “Indeed, Senior Tian! With your talent, you’ll surely claim a prominent place in the field of spatial technology.”

A third added, “Our Void Casket already dominates the spatial pouch market—you’ll undoubtedly become a leading figure in this industry…”

Tian Shenggong offered a modest smile, outwardly humble—but inwardly, pride swelled within him.

Though lab work had been grueling, he felt his progress had been immense. More than that—he sensed something deeper:

“Among cultivators under thirty, I’m likely the foremost pioneer in spatial arts.”

Just then, as Wanfa’s press conference commenced, he saw Zhang Yu step onto the stage.

“Zhang Yu is hosting?!”

“What right does he have?!”

Tian Shenggong froze, his first instinct flaring: “Could it be that the new Grand Void Cloud Repository failed? Did Magneto Sovereign’s team lose confidence and throw Zhang Yu out there to take the fall?”

But as Zhang Yu unveiled spatial layering, spatial lockdown, anti-gravity—one revolutionary feature after another—Tian Shenggong realized the truth: the new Grand Void Cloud Repository wasn’t a failure at all. It was terrifyingly superior to every other spatial pouch on the market.

And that anti-gravity function… posed an existential threat to Xianbing University’s prized Void Casket.

Tiansheng Gong muttered inwardly, “The original small capacity of the Void Casket was precisely designed to suit lower-tier cultivators. Now that Wanfa has perfected anti-gravity functionality, weight is no longer a limiting factor for spatial pouches… What competitive edge does the Void Casket still hold against the Grand Void Cloud Repository?”

He knew full well—if the Void Casket failed to upgrade and incorporate anti-gravity capabilities of its own, it would soon be rendered obsolete.

“But even if we add anti-gravity… can it truly rival the Grand Void Cloud Repository?”

Almost immediately, Tiansheng Gong saw Zhang Yu appear on the live stream, beginning to speak about Shared Grand Void.

As he listened to Zhang Yu’s declaration that Shared Grand Void would soon flood every street corner—making it accessible even to Qi Refining disciples—Tiansheng Gong’s face paled.

The mid-to-low-end market was precisely Xianbing University’s primary battleground. To Tiansheng Gong, Shared Grand Void felt like a dagger thrust straight into the heart of their business model—capable of driving Xianbing’s Void Caskets into relentless retreat.

And the fact that someone could helm such a pivotal product launch…

Watching Zhang Yu on the livestream, Tiansheng Gong realized the other’s status within Wanfa had already soared far beyond anything he’d imagined.

He recalled their first encounter during the Top Ten Leagues—a fierce but narrow victory for Zhang Yu. Back then, their abilities were nearly matched. Tiansheng Gong could never have foreseen that in just one or two short years, the gap between them would widen so drastically.

…

In another corner of the Research Society—

Inside the quiet meditation chamber Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen often used for cultivation—

Bai Zhenzhen sat alone, watching the live broadcast.

Beside her, the Sentient Sword Spirit of Qingtian observed her beaming expression and couldn’t help remarking, “So this is the one you’ve chosen as your object for cultivating the Path of Extreme Emotion?”

“Your taste in people leaves much to be desired.”

Bai Zhenzhen raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

The sword spirit continued, “This Zhang Yu has too bright a future, too much fame, and far too much wealth. Such a cultivator faces endless temptations—especially from those seductive Huanhuan demonesses who’ll stop at nothing to drain both his cultivation base and his purse. All this… could easily send your Path of Extreme Emotion spiraling into demonic deviation.”

“We practitioners of the Path of Extreme Emotion should choose ordinary, easily manageable cultivators as our objects…”

Bai Zhenzhen couldn’t help but interject, “Ancestor, times have changed. The new generation of cultivators doesn’t cling to such outdated notions. Every method of cultivation is merely a technique for self-improvement along the Immortal Dao.”

“Besides,” she added softly, “Zhang Yu isn’t just my cultivation partner—he’s also my good brother, my good son, my good father. If not for him tirelessly supporting me through part-time work back then, I might still be stuck on the First Layer.”

She sighed. “I, Bai Zhenzhen, am not one to forget kindness. I won’t hinder my good brother’s progress just for the sake of my own cultivation.”

“In fact,” she said with quiet resolve, “if my good brother ever needs help—with anything at all—I wouldn’t hesitate to lend him a hand.”

Upon hearing these words, the sword spirit fell momentarily silent, then let out a long, mournful sigh before vanishing into thin air.

“What misfortune! How has the next heir of our Path of Extreme Emotion turned out like this?”

Bai Zhenzhen glanced toward where the spirit had disappeared and offered gently, “Ancestor, everyone else is progressing—you shouldn’t stay stagnant either.”

The sword spirit’s voice echoed faintly: “Get lost!”

Bai Zhenzhen shook her head and returned her gaze to the ongoing product launch livestream.

…

Near the Great Hollow—

Yu Xinghan watched the Wanfa University product launch livestream alongside his colleagues.

This counted as a company team-building activity—and thanks to Zhang Yu’s directive, it didn’t count as break time at all. On the contrary, it was logged as overtime, eligible for overtime pay.

Consequently, every employee present wore broad smiles, radiating an unprecedented sense of ease.

After all—who wouldn’t rejoice at earning overtime wages without actually working? To them, it sounded too good to be true.

Indeed, when employees later recounted this to outsiders, nobody believed them—most suspected it was some kind of scam.

Watching this scene unfold, Yu Xinghan thought to himself, “Just what is Zhang Yu thinking? This round of overtime payments is going to cost a fortune.”

He wasn’t alone in this concern. Others like Fu Ji and Ying Xin had voiced outright opposition—especially Fu Ji, who found the practice of paying overtime without actual overtime utterly heartbreaking.

“Irrational overtime pay is a calamity for both nation and institution! If this continues, universities will cease to be universities, and the state itself may collapse!”

Yet despite Fu Ji’s earnest pleas, Zhang Yu remained unmoved in his unilateral decision.

As Yu Xinghan pondered this, his eyes drifted over his coworkers’ appearances.

Unlike typical construction firms or work crews, he’d gradually noticed that his company’s employees had, over time, grown uniformly slimmer and more classically beautiful in feature.

At first, he’d found it odd—but after some investigation, he realized this was no coincidence. People matching this aesthetic were simply more likely to be hired.

“Could it be… due to Zhang Yu’s personal tastes?” Yu Xinghan mused inwardly. “More and more people are conforming to his aesthetic preferences.”

“For they’ve come to understand—those who fit this look find it easier to get close to Zhang Yu, easier to seize opportunities, easier to earn raises…”

Noticing several passersby whose features bore uncanny resemblances to himself, Bai Zhenzhen, and Le Mulan, Yu Xinghan shook his head again. “As Zhang Yu’s status rises, so too does his influence.”

And Yu Xinghan knew this influence extended far beyond mere appearances.

Take, for instance, the Songyang Faction within the company—a group formed by fellow townspeople from Songyang City on the First Layer.

Apparently sensing that hometown ties made one more likely to receive Zhang Yu’s favor and promotion, more and more Songyang natives had joined the company—and unconsciously began mimicking Zhang Yu’s habit of looking after his own, fostering remarkable unity.

Once they learned that Zhang Yu valued loyalty, cherished old bonds, and upheld ancient virtues, Yu Xinghan even overheard members of the Songyang Faction using archaic phrases like “righteousness above all” and “ready to take a blade for a friend.”

Now, watching Zhang Yu shine brilliantly on stage at the product launch, Yu Xinghan could almost foresee a fresh surge in his influence—one that would ripple through the entire company, the whole university, and even beyond.

Just then, as Zhang Yu unveiled the Shared Cloud Repository initiative, cheers erupted from the crowd of employees.

Nearby, Ying Xin, Shi Huaiyu, Xiao Qingxuan, and Shi Yunxiang all lit up with excitement.

Ying Xin murmured, “Shared Cloud Repository? This thing will become as universally adopted as Eye Relics—standard spatial gear for everyone.”

Shi Huaiyu nodded vigorously, silently resolving, “I’m applying to the Alchemy Engineering graduate program.”

Shi Yunxiang watched Zhang Yu on stage and thought, “Even if Civil Engineering pays well now, in the long run, it still can’t compare to Alchemy Engineering.”

A shared impulse stirred within them all: to leave Civil Engineering, to depart the construction company—to once again follow Zhang Yu into uncharted frontiers.

This urge stemmed partly from rational analysis, but even more from instinctive trust.

They sensed that drawing closer to Zhang Yu, aligning themselves with his path, would grant them far greater prospects along the Immortal Dao.

Yu Xinghan, standing nearby, perceived this sentiment clearly—not only among his colleagues like Ying Xin, Shi Yunxiang, Shi Huaiyu, and Xiao Qingxuan, but among many other Civil Engineering students as well.

He sighed inwardly. “They all see Zhang Yu as the ultimate role model—eager to mimic his trajectory, leaping from Civil Engineering into Alchemy Engineering.”

…

At the launch venue—

Nielian Shenjun sighed. “Shared Grand Void… Wanfa intends to completely revolutionize the existing logistics ecosystem.”

“From now on, countless logistics companies will collapse. Most people will meet their daily shipping needs simply by using Shared Grand Void.”

“A revolutionary breakthrough has birthed an entirely new ecology.”

If that were all, Nielian Shenjun might still harbor hope of catching up—he refused to surrender such a vast market without a fight.

But then Zhang Yu announced Wanfa’s collaborations with Jingang University and Tianjian University—and expressed eagerness to forge similar partnerships with other institutions.

That was when Nielian Shenjun understood: the road ahead would be far steeper than he’d imagined.

“Heh… Not everyone shares my stubborn will to compete.”

He could already envision it: once Wanfa University extended its olive branch—willing to cede partial profits, even trade technology for market access—

“Soon enough, numerous universities will join forces with Wanfa to establish joint ventures, all eager to claim a share of Shared Grand Void’s spoils.”

“Even within Tianmo University,” he thought bitterly, “far more will rush to collaborate directly with Wanfa for profit than support my call to ‘double down and fight to the end.’”

Lord Nielian understood clearly that urging Tianmo University to keep pouring resources into this venture would yield no profits in the short term and carried substantial risk. To many cultivators—even Nascent Soul Lords—it seemed far wiser to simply follow Wanfa and steadily earn returns.

He didn’t expect to dissuade the other Lords from cooperating, but at the very least…

“We must continue pushing independent research and development alongside cooperation. Even if funding is reduced… we must preserve at least one ember—a single chance to compete with Wanfa.”

“That should also help us negotiate better terms with Wanfa next time, shouldn’t it?”

From this angle, Lord Nielian believed he could smoothly secure unanimous support from all the Lords.

Meanwhile, across the realm, Lord Qiankui of Xianbing University grew increasingly alarmed as he watched the presentation unfold. “How can they roll out so many new features all at once? Impossible to copy… utterly impossible!”

Especially troubling was the ecosystem Wanfa’s Shared Tai Xu promised to build—it sent chills down his spine.

“No choice. We must partner with Wanfa—and while cooperating, we must crack their technology.”

“We need to lure them into setting up factories and companies right here at Xianbing University…”

Elsewhere in the audience, Lords Ciji and Qingmu sat side by side, their expressions calm and serene.

Watching Zhang Yu on stage, Lord Qingmu sighed wistfully, “He must be our finest disciple, wouldn’t you say?”

“How time flies… before we knew it, he’s already reached Core Formation.”

Lord Ciji nodded. “Zhang Yu will become the pillar of Wanfa. That’s precisely why we had him chair this meeting—to lay the groundwork…”

Lord Qingmu’s eyes flickered. “You mean… for when we eventually reveal his achievements in spatial techniques?”

“Of course,” Lord Ciji replied matter-of-factly. “Right now, I’m merely shielding him beneath my name. But sooner or later, he’ll have to bear that honor—and that burden—himself. This is just preparation, letting him taste it early.”

Lord Qingmu gave a faint nod, gazing at Zhang Yu onstage with evident pride.

But soon after, his expression soured as he glanced at the data scrolling across his ocular implant.

“Sigh… more and more students from Civil Engineering are applying to switch into Artifact Refinement for their master’s degrees.”

At that moment, Lord Qingmu couldn’t decide whether to be angry at the exodus—or proud that his students were growing more ambitious.

…

As the launch event progressed, news of the new-generation Tai Xu Cloud Vault and Shared Tai Xu set the entire Spirit Realm ablaze.

Everywhere, voices buzzed with discussion.

The same fervor gripped the Shadow Spirit Realm.

Among the core figures of the Righteous Alliance—Lords Xiang, Xi, Bao, Lianshu, and Baotong—all watched the live broadcast intently.

Lord Xi spoke coldly, “That spatial lockdown technique—isn’t it drawn straight from the Celestial Dao method ‘Three Realms, Ten Directions: Supreme Void Barrier’? How has Wanfa’s Ciji mastered it to this degree?”

Lord Lianshu replied, “It’s not just mastery. Frankly speaking… Ciji’s application of this art into talismans may already surpass everyone present here.”

“Perhaps only the Alliance Master himself could decisively outmatch her.”

At those words, the entire chamber fell silent. Whether demon lords or Nascent Soul cultivators, all wore grave expressions.

After a long pause, Lord Bao finally broke the silence. “In your expert judgment—if this new Tai Xu Cloud Vault technology were applied to military operations, specifically on the current three-tier battlefields—what effect would it have?”

Lord Lianshu answered, “Mass-deployable spatial barriers capable of material filtration and high-speed movement.”

“To be honest, this would completely revolutionize battlefield tactics and pose a severe technological threat. We’re talking about a generational gap.”

“How severe?” Lord Bao pressed.

“It would shatter our existing defensive systems and rewrite the tempo of war itself…” Lord Lianshu explained.

Lord Bao grew impatient. “Stop beating around the bush. Be clearer.”

“If we fail to develop countermeasures or equivalent technology…” Lord Lianshu said gravely, “once the Ten Academies complete mass deployment, any combat below the Nascent Soul tier… they’ll crush us like insects underfoot.”

Lord Bao let out a heavy sigh. “Eighteen months have passed since the Great Upheaval of Heaven and Earth.”

“In all that time, we’ve failed to unify Tiers Two through Five.”

“According to the Heavenly Court’s own announcement, they’ll return in roughly half a year.”

“But considering worst-case scenarios—they might return even earlier.”

“In fact, every month from now on carries that possibility… and it grows stronger each day.”

“And now you tell me—not only can you not resolve the Ten Academies in the time remaining, you can’t even defeat them?”

“This isn’t about cultivation levels,” Lord Lianshu countered. “It’s a generational disparity in spatial arts. Given enough time to reverse-engineer their tech—or if the Alliance Master personally upgrades our talismans—”

“There is no more time!” Lord Bao cut in sharply. “The likelihood of the Heavenly Court’s descent increases daily. Everyone… it’s time to make a decision.”

Hearing this, every cultivator and demon lord present stiffened.

They knew exactly what “decision” Lord Bao meant.

It was the desperate plan to utterly shatter Kunxu’s Fifth Tier—to detonate it completely, tearing it free from the Heavenly Court’s detection range and buying precious time.

Thinking of the vast assets stored across Kunxu’s five tiers, every heart clenched with painful reluctance.

Seeing their hesitation, Lord Bao sneered coldly, “What are you clinging to? If the Heavenly Court descends, you’ll lose not just Tier Five—but Tiers Three and Four too. Everything you own, everything you’ll ever be—through lifetimes, through eons, until the end of samsara—will be forfeit.”

“The situation is dire. We have no time left for hesitation.”

“We must activate the Fifth-Tier Shattering Protocol immediately.”

Lord Lianshu drew a deep breath and sighed. “I agree.”

Turning to the other Nascent Soul Lords, he urged, “Don’t let greed blind you. The threat of the Heavenly Court must come first.”

“As long as we avoid their interference, no matter what we lose now, we can win it all back.”

With his endorsement, more and more cultivators voiced their support.

Watching this unfold, Lord Bao gave a slight, satisfied nod. “No objections—excellent.”

“I’ve already reported this matter to the Alliance Master.”

“He should emerge from seclusion shortly. You may begin preliminary preparations. Let us await his return…”

Just then, a voice echoed in everyone’s ears.

“No need to wait.”

“I am already out.”

A hazy silhouette materialized before the assembly in the Shadow Spirit Realm.

At the sight of that figure, every cultivator and demon lord cried in unison, “Alliance Master!”

This peerless disciple of an immortal—the strongest among the Righteous Alliance, supreme master of the ‘Three Realms, Ten Directions: Supreme Void Barrier’—even as a mere projection, radiated boundless confidence, instantly dispelling the gloom that had hung over them.

The man known as Fu Xian Tian, the Alliance Master, fixed his gaze on Zhang Yu in the livestream and spoke.

“Lord Bao is correct. Tier Five must be destroyed.”

“But there is one more thing we must do.”

“Within one month… I will annihilate every Nascent Soul cultivator among the Ten Academies.”

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(End of Chapter)