Chapter 732: Interview Over, Breaking Out of the Painting

Chapter 732: The Interview Ends, Breaking Through the Painting

As Xiang Shen’s voice rang out, Xi Shen’s irritated tone also echoed within the Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains Scroll.

Xi Shen: “You really showed up fast enough.”

Xiang Shen chuckled heartily. “If I’d arrived any later, someone would’ve poached my employee.”

Though previously the many demonic gods of the Righteous Alliance and Zhang Yu had been enemies—rivals even—and though Xiang Shen himself had orchestrated three separate ambushes targeting Zhang Yu, it was precisely because of this that they understood Zhang Yu’s true worth all the more clearly.

Whether it was his astonishingly rapid cultivation progress or his prodigious talent in spatial techniques and spatial artifact development, Zhang Yu demonstrated formidable capabilities in production, research, and wealth generation. The mere thought of converting such a gifted and capable cultivator into one of their own believers—imagining him earning fortunes for them in the future—was deeply alluring to both Xi Shen and Xiang Shen.

And beyond that, there was no need to mention the vast assets currently under Zhang Yu’s name—wealth that could be rightfully claimed after the coming great conflict.

Hearing the voice of a second demonic god, Zhang Yu’s heart stirred slightly. He smiled faintly and said, “Are you two here to interview me? It seems I’m quite popular within the Righteous Alliance.”

Xi Shen snorted coldly. “Indeed. This Xiang Shen here has been watching you most closely among all the demonic gods—and even organized several operations against you.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes narrowed instantly as memories flashed through his mind—the attacks he, Yu Xinghan, Le Mulan, and Bai Zhenzhen had endured.

Xiang Shen merely remarked coolly, “Hmph. That only proves my competence. One should always seek out capable employers. Had they listened to me earlier and acted as I advised, Zhang Yu would already be our believer, and our plans would have progressed far more smoothly…”

“Enough, Xiang Shen!” Xi Shen cut in sharply. “How many times must I tell you not to say things that harm unity? We all serve the God King—why do you keep harping on such trivial matters?”

Xiang Shen sneered. “What? Are you trying to ban me from discussing this topic? Silence me? Or censor me?”

“Don’t be absurd,” Xi Shen retorted. “Silencing people—that’s what authoritarian regimes like the Heavenly Court do. I’m merely voicing the collective decision of the majority of our colleagues: please refrain from discussing topics that undermine unity.”

Listening to their increasingly sharp exchanges, Zhang Yu thought inwardly, *These two demonic gods seem to have deep-seated tensions.*

After a moment’s reflection, he abruptly interrupted them. “Gentlemen, if I were to choose one of you as my patron demonic god, how would the terms differ?”

Xi Shen was quick to respond. “I will awaken your latent potential, enhance your innate talent, and grant you access to demonic divine power.”

Xiang Shen cut in immediately. “Every demonic god can offer that! Zhang Yu, if you join my faction, I’ll support you becoming deputy leader of the Righteous Alliance.”

Xi Shen snorted again. “If you follow me, you’ll be my sole direct disciple.”

Xiang Shen countered, “Follow me, and you’ll be my master.”

Xi Shen shot back, “I’ll adopt you as my sworn son!”

Xiang Shen replied without missing a beat, “Follow me, and you’ll be my father.”

A flash of fury crossed Xi Shen’s eyes as he sent a private message to Xiang Shen: “Xiang Zi! Are you deliberately driving up the price against me?”

Just then, Zhang Yu spoke again. “I’ve heard that demonic gods can grant wishes?”

Xiang Shen promptly answered, “I can fulfill three wishes for you—as long as they cause me no loss, no danger, and don’t violate my values…”

Zhang Yu continued calmly, “Gentlemen, I’d also like to hear your plans for your own future development.”

Before Xiang Shen could speak further, Xi Shen sent another message: “Enough. Just state your demands outright—what will it take for you to let Zhang Yu go to me?”

Inside the Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains Scroll, the voices of the two demonic gods fell silent.

Zhang Yu, however, remained unperturbed. He turned his focus back to his cultivation. Around him, layers of swirling aura surged like living creatures, faintly taking on the shapes of various demonic beasts.

Nearby, the gathered Nascent Soul True Lords listened to Zhang Yu’s exchange with the demonic gods, each lost in their own thoughts.

True Lord Tian Xiang couldn’t help but wonder inwardly, *Is Zhang Yu merely playing along—or does he truly intend to surrender?*

Gazing at the flawless expanse of the Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains Scroll before him, Tian Xiang sighed softly.

At that moment, his body jolted as a strand of Zhang Yu’s aura gently pushed him aside. The medicine Zhang Yu had administered stabilized his injuries—for now.

Zhang Yu didn’t pause. Channeling the ever-circulating Myriad Transformations Self-Mastery Profound Art, he addressed another beast-blooded Nascent Soul cultivator. “True Lord Xuan Hu, I need your assistance with something.”

True Lord Xuan Hu, looking puzzled, stepped into the aura—and emerged shortly after with a look of deep satisfaction.

Watching this, True Lord Huang Hu grew increasingly unsettled, his mind racing to decipher what had just occurred.

He sent a telepathic inquiry to Xuan Hu, who remained silent—leaving Huang Hu even more bewildered.

Soon, Zhang Yu summoned Huang Hu as well.

Stepping into the sea of clouds formed by the aura, Huang Hu’s tiger-like eyes scanned the surroundings. Everywhere he looked, fleeting human silhouettes darted in and out of sight—as if this cloud sea held not just Zhang Yu, but an entire crowd.

*Are these humanoid aura constructs?*

While Huang Hu pondered this, Zhang Yu’s voice reached him telepathically: “True Lord Huang Hu, I wish to purchase your beast-blood lineage.”

“Me?” Huang Hu’s heart lurched. He quickly composed himself and said gravely, “I don’t come cheap.”

Now he finally understood what had transpired moments earlier.

*So it’s a transaction—no wonder everyone’s keeping quiet. They must have signed confidentiality agreements about pricing.*

Since it was business, Huang Hu immediately shifted into merchant mode. “Here’s my standard price list—everything from qi to essence, from blood to brain matter. As long as you can pay, anything’s negotiable…”

Zhang Yu glanced at the other’s résumé. “You’ve been the top donor on Tian Yao University’s Seed Donation Leaderboard in the Nascent Soul category for thirty consecutive years?”

Huang Hu replied proudly, “Besides Dao Arts, I also specialize in Breeding Studies. At Tian Yao University, those who donate seeds gain priority access when they need them later. Most cultivators are barely scraping by to pay their Breeding Tax—they don’t have surplus to donate.”

“But cultivators like me, who top the donation charts, can request seed samples from any fellow student at Tian Yao University in the same year—including even Divine Transformation cultivators—to extract their beast-blood lineages.”

“After thirty years of dedicated practice, I can now reliably breed offspring of any beast race within Tian Yao University. I’ve built some reputation in relevant fields and companies.”

Zhang Yu studied him carefully. *This time, I’ve found a true expert. His body contains multiple beast-blood lineages—this will greatly aid my cultivation of the Myriad Transformations Self-Mastery Profound Art.*

He said simply, “Let’s start with ten vials of blood.”

From then on, Zhang Yu immersed himself tirelessly in cultivating the Myriad Transformations Self-Mastery Profound Art within the Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains Scroll.

As his mastery of this art deepened, the number of true doppelgängers he could manifest increased steadily—and each additional clone doubled his cultivation speed once more.

Thus, the faster he cultivated, the quicker he progressed—and within a single day, he propelled the Myriad Transformations Self-Mastery Profound Art from Level 30 to 35… and ultimately all the way to its current limit: Level 40!

Sixteen fully formed clones now hid within the layered aura, and together with his original body, granted him a staggering 17-fold increase in cultivation efficiency.

He mused inwardly, *If I factor in my Nascent Soul Sacred Body, compared to when I first broke through to Nascent Soul, that’s another triple multiplier—totaling 51 times the efficiency.*

During the time Zhang Yu spent breaking through to Level 40 of the Myriad Transformations Self-Mastery Profound Art, the demonic gods never reappeared—whatever had happened outside remained unknown.

Zhang Yu lifted his gaze toward the sky, studying the Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains Scroll before him. *It’s time to prepare how to break through this immortal-grade artifact.*

He knew that with his mastery of spatial techniques and the power of his immortal ancestry, escaping the scroll should be feasible. Yet during the process, he would inevitably suffer backlash from the artifact—possibly even worse than the injuries he sustained breaking through the Celestial Vault last time.

*Given the uncertain situation outside, I must make thorough preparations—to face whatever awaits me afterward in the best possible condition.*

His mind swept over the inventory of equipment, arcane relics, and cultivation arts within and around him, weighing every variable…

Until the name *Sumeru Mountain King Scripture* surfaced clearly in his thoughts.

*This Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains Scroll forms its own world…*

Though Zhang Yu had been quietly cultivating since being trapped inside, he hadn’t neglected exploration.

In fact, even as he trained, he’d dispatched twelve Taihao Sacred Law Flying Swords to scout the surroundings.

And he wasn’t alone—other Nascent Soul True Lords had long since scoured the entire scroll, searching desperately for an exit.

*Though the scroll spans only the size of a small city, with limited vertical range, its mountains, rivers, and earth feel utterly real—as if transplanted wholesale from the outside world.*

The Sumeru Mountain King Scripture, a military-grade Earth and Wood discipline from Tian Yao University—like the Heaven Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Strength—was a martial art that manipulated terrestrial gravitational forces.

But whereas Heaven Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Strength manifested raw force, the Sumeru Mountain King Scripture borrowed the weight of the earth itself—infusing every punch and kick with the crushing heaviness of mountains, and allowing the practitioner to channel incoming force directly into the ground beneath them.

Zhang Yu calculated silently in his mind, "If I cultivate the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture, I can transfer a portion of the counter-shock into the earth and mountain ranges when breaking through the Myriad Li Landscape Scroll."

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu could not help but sigh with emotion, "Once I master the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture, I'll definitely become much tankier."

Considering his future opponents, Zhang Yu could not resist feeling a sense of disgust on their behalf.

While Zhang Yu was making his calculations, the hearts of the several Nascent Soul True Monarchs beside him were sinking further and further.

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon sighed, "A whole day has passed, hasn't it? The rescue is long overdue, and who knows what the state of the war is now."

Hearing these words from True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon, True Monarch Wild Tiger felt a jolt in his heart, suddenly stood up, and said, "Has a day already passed? You've certainly reminded me..."

"I haven't completed my task today."

Watching True Monarch Wild Tiger pull out his tools and begin extracting and collecting seeds, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon could not help but exclaim, "What on earth are you doing?"

"We've already been captured and brought to the Righteous Qi Alliance! We might never even make it back in the future!"

"How can you still be thinking about the rankings?"

True Monarch Wild Tiger, while exerting his efforts, replied, "How do you think I secured the top spot on the leaderboard for thirty years? From the very beginning, I was never a naturally gifted individual in this regard. What geniuses can accomplish in a mere 0.3 seconds might take me three or even five seconds."

"Yet, relying on day-after-day perseverance, regardless of illness or disability, regardless of economic crises or war, I have silently endured, accumulating progress day by day, which is the only reason I can always stand at the peak of the leaderboard."

Hearing this, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon could not help but let a flicker of admiration cross his eyes.

Beside them, Mysterious Fox said indifferently, "Wild Tiger, you speak beautifully, but I see your hands are already trembling. This Myriad Li Landscape Scroll has trapped us thoroughly; surrendering in the future seems to be only a matter of time. You should stop dreaming about that leaderboard of yours..."

With these words from True Monarch Mysterious Fox, none of the Nascent Soul True Monarchs present offered a rebuttal, and the atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.

This was simply because over the past day and night, they had tried every possible method to crack the Myriad Li Landscape Scroll, only for every single attempt to end in failure without exception.

With their wisdom and experience, what True Monarch Mysterious Fox spoke of would likely become reality in nine cases out of ten.

Just then, Zhang Yu looked toward True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon and spoke up, "True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon, I wish to cultivate the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture, a military-grade martial art, through a joint training program." The so-called joint training program was a policy customized by the Top Ten Universities specifically targeting the various benefits of the Righteous Qi Alliance.

Through joint training, students of the Top Ten could concurrently study courses, knowledge, and cultivation techniques from other universities.

However, Zhang Yu had always been occupied with his own affairs and had not yet utilized this training system.

Hearing Zhang Yu's words now, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon asked in confusion, "Right now?"

Regarding teaching Zhang Yu the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon harbored no reluctance.

Even though they were currently disconnected from the Spiritual Realm Network and could not submit the relevant documents, it would be no great matter to retroactively fulfill the procedure afterward.

What True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon failed to comprehend was... what was Zhang Yu cultivating the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture for at this moment?

Zhang Yu, however, simply stated, "I will trouble you then; just charge me according to your usual standard rates."

The presence of True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon before him was precisely one of the reasons Zhang Yu chose to cultivate the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture, because by relying on the joint training policy and the guidance of True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon, he could openly utilize this martial art.

Though mystified by Zhang Yu's intentions, since the other party was willing to pay, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon did not mind instructing him.

Thus, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon first transmitted the digital version of the secret manual to him, and then began to teach the crucial techniques within it.

Yet, before True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon could even finish speaking, he sensed faint strands of Earth Fiend gravitational force surging out from that cluster of astral qi, connecting down into the earth.

"He's beginning to cultivate already?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon offered a helpless sigh, thinking to himself that he still had plenty of critical experience and cultivation knacks left to teach, yet this boy had started practicing just from reading the manual?

At this moment, he only felt that Zhang Yu was looking down far too much upon this martial art.

Exactly as True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon anticipated, that wisp of faint Earth Fiend gravitational force quickly dissipated, and the connection between the other party and the earth was severed accordingly.

Just as True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon was about to offer some guidance, he discovered that Zhang Yu had already activated the Earth Fiend gravitational force once more.

"Again?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon, who had been waiting for the other party to fail a second time, was slightly stunned, because he sensed that Zhang Yu had now completed a connection with the earth, mutually conducting subtle traces of power.

"He succeeded?!"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon stared blankly toward the direction of the astral qi cloud where Zhang Yu resided, feeling as though he himself, who had taken several days just to gain basic entry back then, was a piece of immortal trash unable to even pass the exams for a vocational college.

Yet Zhang Yu was already accustomed to such things, for cultivating the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture with seventeen bodies simultaneously, including his main body, allowed a single session of cultivation to achieve the effect of fifty-one sessions within the Feather Book.

The King of Mount Sumeru Scripture, which was at level zero just a moment ago, now surged to the level of level three in a single breath.

Consequently, when Zhang Yu activated the technique once more, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon beside him was thoroughly shocked yet again.

Sensing a tremor in the earth beneath Zhang Yu as strands of Earth Fiend gravitational force spread outward, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon thought in shock, "Is this someone who has just begun learning? This is already at least level two or even level three, isn't it?"

"Gaining entry after the first practice? Reaching level two or three after the second practice?"

By the time Zhang Yu completed his third cultivation session, his King of Mount Sumeru Scripture had already arrived at the level of level five.

Feeling the rising and falling of the ground, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon fell into profound self-doubt, "Another advancement? This time it is at least the level of level five. No... no... how could it possibly be this fast?"

"Could it be that Zhang Yu cultivated the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture long ago? Is he intentionally putting on a show for me?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon recalled the scene of Zhang Yu first activating the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture; it had indeed been incomparably clumsy, hardly looking like an act.

"Moreover, if he truly were acting now... what would be the point of that?"

As confusion grew deeper within True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon's mind, Zhang Yu's cultivation instead advanced by leaps and bounds, soon pushing the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture to level ten, and then level twenty...

Amidst a rumbling roar, the earth beneath Zhang Yu shook violently, as though a minor earthquake had erupted.

True Monarch Wild Tiger and the others nearby had initially paid little heed to Zhang Yu's desire to learn the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture.

On one hand, this military-grade martial art was merely mediocre among the numerous military-grade martial techniques and Daoist arts.

On the other hand, they did not believe Zhang Yu could achieve any results within such a brief span of time.

Yet, contrary to expectations, the commotion from Zhang Yu's cultivation grew increasingly immense, and in the blink of an eye, it actually sent the earth into violent tremors, drawing everyone's gaze toward him.

"Heavenly Phenomenon!" True Monarch Wild Tiger could not help but ask, "Is this the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture you taught him?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon nodded, but quickly shook his head again, saying with a face full of shock, "I didn't teach him this. I merely gave him the digital manual and haven't even instructed him much... He just started practicing on his own according to the manual."

On the other side, True Monarch Mysterious Fox looked at the collapsing mountain in the distance and gasped, "What level of the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture is this? How is there such a massive commotion?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon replied, "Level twenty... no, it should be level twenty-one now."

True Monarch Wild Tiger cried out in shock, "Level twenty-one? How much time has passed, and he has already pushed the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture to level twenty-one? How can this be possible?"

True Monarch Mysterious Fox's pair of fox ears twitched slightly as she suspected, "Could it be that he secretly learned it long ago?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon rolled his elephant trunk and let out a bitter smile, saying, "I don't know, I can no longer tell."

Amidst the shocked gazes of the various Nascent Soul True Monarchs, Zhang Yu continued his mad rush forward, driving the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture all the way toward the level of level forty.

Sensing the violent tremors throughout the entire Myriad Li Landscape Scroll and watching mountain peaks collapse one after another, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon gradually grew numb.

"Level forty."

"He pushed the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture to level forty just like that?"

True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon could not help but recall the past, "How long did it take me to cultivate the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture to level forty?"

At this very moment, True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon felt that even if Zhang Yu were putting on an act and had already cultivated the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture to level forty beforehand, he was still absolutely brilliant, possessing a talent so formidable it defied belief.

For it had not been long since Zhang Yu broke through to the Nascent Soul realm, and he still had to consolidate his cultivation, raise his basic data, cultivate the techniques of the Immortal Gate, delve into spatial technology, and develop the Realm-Breaking Awl and the Great Void Cloud Cache...

To think that Zhang Yu could have secretly cultivated the King of Mount Sumeru Scripture to level forty amidst all these processes still struck True Monarch Heavenly Phenomenon as terrifyingly profound.

On the other side, True Monarch Wild Tiger remarked, "Incredible... No wonder True Monarch Zhu Yi could attain such achievements at a young age. This sort of talent is truly shocking to the world."

But in the next moment, Sovereign Huanghu gazed upon the Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll before him and could not help but sigh once more.

What good was peerless talent? Trapped now within this Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll, he was no more than a turtle in a jar—lamb awaiting slaughter.

Inwardly, Sovereign Huanghu lamented, “What use is the Sumeru Mountain King Sutra? Even if I cultivate it to level fifty or sixty, I still cannot break free from this Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll.”

Yet scarcely had that thought crossed his mind when the voice of Xi Shen rang out from beyond the scroll.

“Oh? Zhang Yu—I never expected you’d cause such a commotion here.”

“But no matter how much havoc you wreak, it’s useless. This Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll is a celestial artifact brought down by Sovereign Zhanxian himself from his sect. It is not something you can possibly shatter.”

Gazing at the chaos Zhang Yu had wrought within the scroll—skies overturned, earth uprooted—Xi Shen chuckled inwardly: “This boy truly lacks patience. I left him alone for merely a day, and already he’s come to this?”

He mused further: “Xiang Shen has already taken my bribe and will no longer interfere.”

“And Zhang Yu’s mental state is clearly deteriorating. Perfect—it’s time to press him even harder…”

With that thought, Xi Shen spoke again into the Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll: “The path of immortals ultimately bows to strength. The strong dictate the rules and shape the future.”

“And right now, the strongest in this battlefield is none other than Fu Xiantian, leader of the Righteous Alliance.”

“He hasn’t even unleashed his full power yet, yet he’s already completely suppressed the Ten Academies’ Nascent Soul Sovereigns. Your defeat is only a matter of time.”

As he spoke, Xi Shen transmitted an image—a vision of radiant divine lights flickering across the Nascent Soul battlefield.

But now, the number of those lights had changed once more.

“In the past day and night,” Xi Shen declared, “another of the Ten Academies’ Nascent Soul Sovereigns has fallen, and another has surrendered. Only twenty-nine remain.”

Hearing this, the Nascent Soul Sovereigns watching on all felt a chill pierce their hearts. The tide of battle grew ever more dire; hope for the Ten Academies’ victory seemed to fade with every passing breath.

Xi Shen continued: “And besides—since Sovereign Zhanxian could bring down a celestial artifact, do you really think the Alliance Leader, who is both Zhanxian’s master and a true immortal’s disciple… has none of his own?”

“It’s simply that the time hasn’t come yet for him to wield it.”

“Moreover… word has just arrived from the New World: the elder generation of Nascent Soul Lords—Tianyan, Wanhua, Qiqing, and others—have already surrendered…”

Sensing the morale of the cultivators trapped within the Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll plummeting with every word he spoke, Xi Shen smiled faintly and turned his gaze once more upon Zhang Yu.

“Zhang Yu,” he said, “today I shall ask you once again: will you become my devotee?”

Zhang Yu replied, “What of the other demon god from yesterday?”

Xi Shen sneered coldly. “I’ve already sent him packing. Let me make this clear—you needn’t hope for any other demon god to seek you out. No one but me will take you as a follower.”

Zhang Yu nodded slowly. “I understand.”

“Then…”

In the next instant, before the stunned eyes of all present, Zhang Yu abruptly dispersed the protective aura surrounding his body. He raised his clasped hands toward the heavens—and tore violently downward.

With a thunderous, earth-shattering roar, the very space containing the Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll convulsed violently.

Zhang Yu called this realm—the domain carved out by descendants of immortals—the Immortal Realm.

At this moment, as he activated the power of his immortal lineage, he felt the Immortal Realm collide violently with the space of the Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll.

Under that impact, the once-unbreakable scroll began to warp, compress, and fracture—like a small sedan crushed beneath the relentless charge of a massive freight truck.

Simultaneously, waves of fierce backlash surged into Zhang Yu’s body. Some he endured through sheer will; others he redirected into the earth beneath his feet—shattering mountains and pulverizing the land itself.

And before Xi Shen’s astonished gaze, the Myriad-Mile Rivers-and-Mountains Scroll began splitting apart at its center, inch by inch… until a figure forced his way out through the widening rift.

(End of Chapter)