Chapter 755: Success in Nine Steps! (Short of a little over 100 words to reach 9,000, yesterday)

Chapter 755: Nine Steps to Success! (Just over 100 words short of 9,000; yesterday’s word debt plus interest has been repaid.)

Gazing at the four radiant figures before him, Zhang Yu thought inwardly, “The broadcast must have started by now.”

“All interviews are proceeding simultaneously and being streamed live—who knows how many people are watching mine right this moment?”

But in the next instant, Zhang Yu banished all distractions from his mind and focused entirely on the interview unfolding before him.

His eyes swept first over the four examiners seated ahead. Yet their projections blazed with such overwhelming brilliance that their true forms remained utterly indistinct—like distant stars hanging high in the heavens, visible only as searing halos of light, their actual shapes obscured beyond recognition.

Zhang Yu understood: this was both an expression of arrogance and a necessary safeguard.

The Spirit Realm or Dharma Network inhabited by these higher beings contained information and data volumes vastly exceeding those of lower realms. Transmitting their full presence here might trigger localized spiritual turbulence—or even cause severe lag across the entire Spirit Network.

Thus, for now, only a sliver of their consciousness had been relayed through the Spirit Realm, sufficient merely to sustain communication during the interview.

Though their appearances remained veiled, Zhang Yu could discern their identities from the accompanying textual annotations projected beside them in the Spirit Realm.

First, the chief examiner occupying the central seat—Zhang Yu mused inwardly, “Lu Hengzhang, Deputy Director of the Review Department at the Yufa Pavilion. The Review Department is surely one of Yufa Pavilion’s core divisions; all approvals concerning cultivation manual copyrights ultimately pass through their hands.”

“If I join Yufa Pavilion’s Review Department someday, this Lu Hengzhang would likely become my superior.”

At that very moment, Deputy Director Lu’s voice echoed across the Spirit Realm.

“Zhang Yu,” he said, tone devoid of inflection, “I see you studied in the Civil Engineering Department from your freshman through junior years. What prompted your sudden shift to the Artificer Department?”

…

Third Level of Kunxu.

Tu Lishan, watching the live stream, felt his heart sink upon hearing this question. He sighed inwardly, “Here it comes—and right at the start, no less. Even though civil engineering in the lower realms has entered a new era, to those old fogies up above, it’s still seen as the domain of the poor and powerless.”

Fourth Level of Kunxu.

Mo Shangjin was immersed in university reconstruction efforts—but today, while working, he too watched the interview unfold.

Hearing the examiner’s question, Mo Shangjin paused briefly in his task, thinking ruefully, “Even someone like Zhang Yu, who’s reached this height—his very first question still dredges up the ‘black mark’ of his civil engineering origins?”

Feng Tingting watched anxiously, worrying silently, “Could this examiner harbor bias against civil engineering? Hmph… but it’d be strange if upper-level examiners didn’t look down on it…”

Meanwhile, Shi Huaiyu, Ying Xin, Xiao Qingxuan, Xiang Shan—and countless others from civil engineering backgrounds—all fixed their eyes on this pivotal moment in the interview.

They all knew: the dialogue between Zhang Yu and Deputy Director Lu would shape the fate of countless civil engineering students for generations to come.

…

Outside the interview chamber, Yun Zhiguang sat coldly in the spectator seats, sneering inwardly, “Hmph—a mud-stained civil engineer dares dream of entering a sect? Do you think this is some ancient era? Modern sects have no need for such low-tier talent.”

Inside the chamber, Zhang Yu faced the blazing examiner as though staring directly into the sun itself.

Yet his expression remained calm as he declared, “Because I believe the fusion of civil engineering and artifice represents the most promising frontier of the future…”

Deputy Director Lu’s voice drifted back, utterly neutral: “During your enrollment, large-scale construction projects across the Ten Great Realms have largely ceased. Economic indicators for civil engineering have declined year after year. On what basis do you claim it holds promise?”

Zhang Yu answered firmly, “Because the synergy between these two disciplines yields results greater than the sum of their parts—enabling us to create epoch-defining innovations.”

With a single finger, he summoned a projection: the climactic battle against the Righteous Alliance on the Fifth Layer.

“By combining artifice and civil engineering techniques, we pierced the heavens, seized control of grand formations, and completed massive infrastructure projects in record time—successfully halting the Righteous Alliance’s advance…”

As Zhang Yu spoke, another examiner chimed in: “Artifice plus civil engineering—now that’s truly worth pursuing.”

Zhang Yu turned toward the voice—it came from the examiner seated at the deputy position.

This figure was wreathed in dense divine energy; a mere glance or thought from him seemed capable of piercing through everyone present.

Glancing at the Spirit Realm annotation beside him, Zhang Yu realized: “Fourth-Rank True God Geng Jiachen—the Patrol God Geng. He must be Heaven Court’s representative here, overseeing this interview as a check on power.”

Zhang Yu knew well: amid the delicate balance between Heaven Court and the sects, even if certain sect members wished him to fail, they wouldn’t pose impossible questions.

“With Heaven Court’s oversight, no matter how difficult the sect’s questions may be, there will always remain a path for me to succeed.”

In fact, Zhang Yu almost hoped the challenges would grow harder.

After all, in this tense standoff between Heaven Court and the sects, greater pressure on him might mean lighter burdens for Bai Zhenzhen and the others.

Patrol God Geng continued, “Deputy Director Lu, Zhang Yu speaks wisely. Without the fusion of artifice and civil engineering, they wouldn’t have held out until Heaven Court’s arrival.”

“One could say it was precisely this synthesis that saved Layers Two through Five.”

“And with spatial technology advancing, Layers Two through Five have now entered an age of grand reconstruction—making civil engineering more critical than ever. It is a cornerstone of the new era, a field of immense strategic importance.”

As Zhang Yu laid bare the contributions of artifice and civil engineering in that final battle, countless viewers across the Ten Academies instinctively straightened their spines with pride.

Some had personally participated in those constructions; others worked in civil engineering themselves. All now felt a profound sense of shared honor—especially upon hearing praise from a Fourth-Rank True God.

Shi Huaiyu murmured, “Even a Fourth-Rank True God affirms civil engineering’s potential! Maybe I should just stay in civil engineering for grad school after all.”

Mo Shangjin took a deep breath and unhidden every civil engineering project from his resume.

Feng Tingting hastily recorded the exchange: “The stigma of civil engineering—washed away from this day forward!”

Tu Lishan reflected with emotion, “It’s because of Zhang Yu—the greatest civil engineer to emerge from the lower realms—that our field’s decades of humiliation are finally erased.”

He could already foresee: in the coming years, civil engineering would likely become a coveted major among students, perhaps even elevated by some institutions as a flagship specialty.

Meanwhile, inside the interview chamber, Deputy Director Lu remarked coolly, “The upgrades on Layers Two through Five are trivial matters. Sects have no need for such rudimentary civil engineering techniques.”

Patrol God Geng chuckled, “That’s not necessarily true. Should sects ever seek to modernize equipment, rebuild infrastructure—or even undergo total reconstruction—they’ll find civil engineering indispensable.”

As he emphasized the word “reconstruction” twice, the atmosphere in the chamber instantly grew heavy. An invisible pressure surged between the two examiners, their clashing wills pressing down upon everyone present—and even radiating through the Spirit Realm, casting a suffocating weight over countless distant viewers.

Just then, a third examiner interjected smoothly, “Ahem, gentlemen—today’s interview belongs to Yufa Pavilion. Let’s not stray off-topic.”

Zhang Yu glanced toward the speaker. From the Spirit Realm annotation, he recognized him as Qi, an official from Fuyao Pavilion responsible for personnel appointments—a figure Zhang Yu mentally dubbed “Supervisor Qi.”

Deputy Director Lu and Patrol God Geng ceased their exchange and immediately announced the interview rules.

Four questions would appear sequentially. For each, Zhang Yu and Wu Xiang True Lord would simultaneously provide answers, which all four examiners would jointly evaluate.

For beings of their stature, assessing two responses at once posed no difficulty whatsoever.

Indeed, listening to thousands—even tens of thousands—of voices concurrently would be effortless for them.

Zhang Yu glanced sideways at Wu Xiang True Lord—only to find his companion’s form and voice completely vanished from perception.

“So from now on, we’ll answer questions in total isolation from one another?”

He also noticed they’d been granted permission to access Martial Techniques One through Ten.

“This suggests the upcoming questions will involve Wu Xiang Combat Simulation,” he deduced.

At that moment, the first interview question materialized:

“How would you handle a serious disagreement with a co-reviewer regarding the legal scope of protection for a technical proposal?”

Simultaneously, a one-minute countdown appeared in the Spirit Realm projection—marking the candidates’ preparation window.

Watching this, Shi Huaiyu pondered, “Could it be… bribes? But in a place like a sect, that probably won’t fly.”

In Ye Xingli’s livestream, she and her fans were watching the interview together.

Studying the question, Ye Xingli mused aloud, “Probably clarify the disagreement, communicate professionally, escalate to superiors for guidance, then conduct a post-mortem review? Not sure if that’s sufficient…”

While countless viewers debated possible answers, Wu Xiang True Lord had already begun responding.

“I would swiftly establish leadership based on three criteria: hierarchical rank, cultivation realm superiority, and asset holdings…”

"It is a competition of rank, realm, and wealth..." Yun Zhiguang sat in the audience, listening to True Lord Wuxiang's reply, thinking to herself: "This question tests one's communication, organization, and coordination skills within the sect."

"The poor listen to the rich, the rich listen to those with higher realms, and those with higher realms listen to those with higher ranks. Only by accurately judging this can one carry out work within the sect."

"And rank ultimately decides everything. Within the same department, a higher-ranking person holds almost absolute authority over a lower-ranking one. This is the sect."

"If one hasn't even realized this point, it shows a lack of collaborative thinking and an absence of the sect's grand vision."

Meanwhile, Yun Zhiguang was also listening to Zhang Yu's answer.

Zhang Yu: "...In conclusion, obeying my superiors is my sole answer."

With the conclusion of the first question's answers, both received their scores simultaneously.

Seeing that both True Lord Wuxiang and Zhang Yu scored eighty points on the first question, Yun Zhiguang thought to herself: "Both of them used standard sect-style answers. An appetizer like this cannot widen the gap at all. It seems the decisive, major questions are still to come."

Right at that moment, the second question materialized.

Seeing the content of the question, Yun Zhiguang's eyes lit up: "A talisman question?"

Looking at the question, True Lord Wuxiang's eyes also flickered with a confident gleam, thinking to himself: "That kid Zhang Yu didn't minor in talismans at university. He is no good at talisman professional theoretical knowledge. I am bound to win this question."

Although True Lord Wuxiang had focused his main energy on martial cultivation after his reincarnation, talismans remained a technique he utilized daily.

After all, whether at university or during his study and cultivation on the tenth floor of Kunxu, talismans could provide an abundance of convenient functions.

Zhang Yu, however, frowned slightly. He could only try his best to summon his memories from the Sect Examinations, attempting to answer this question through the talisman professional theoretical knowledge stored within them.

At the same time, many spectators watching this question let out a long sigh.

Ye Xingli thought to herself: "Junior brother does not seem proficient in the theoretical knowledge of talismans. I wonder if he can answer this question."

True Lord Miaoshou said, "How could they ask about talismans?"

True Lord Tiansha said, "The Law Governance Pavilion is the institution that approves all kinds of cultivation methods. Martial arts methods are cultivation methods, and talisman-type methods are naturally cultivation methods too. Having such a question is quite normal."

"However, this time it is a contest of strength between the Heavenly Court and the sects. Since there is a question where Zhang Yu is at a disadvantage, there will surely be a question where Zhang Yu holds the advantage."

With the conclusion of Zhang Yu and True Lord Wuxiang's answers, their scores for the second question emerged, showing fifty-two for Zhang Yu and eighty for True Lord Wuxiang.

Witnessing this scene, Bei Wufeng's heart sank: "Right now, True Lord's total score is one hundred and thirty-two, while Wuxiang's total score is one hundred and sixty. If he wants to catch up, he must surpass Wuxiang in both of the remaining two questions."

Wang Yin said in annoyance: "That useless Zhang Yu! After all these years, how could he still not spend a little effort on talismans!"

Xiangshan, who was working, twitched his elephant trunk, shouting in his heart: "You just brought honor to the Civil Engineering Department a moment ago, don't you dare lose here."

Tianshenggong murmured: "It must be because he didn't use the Extreme Tiger Talisman Script simulator. Alas... If I had known, I would have gifted him a super membership so he could invoke it in the spiritual realm every day to practice talismans."

At this moment, countless spectators who saw the score gap grew anxious, worrying for Zhang Yu.

Meanwhile, the third interview question had already manifested before everyone.

"Two martial artists have respectively developed 'Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fist' and 'Astral Cloud Palm'. The core principle of both is 'transforming a martial artist's internal energy into a trackable energy field', but their application scenarios and structural designs differ slightly."

"Faced with this conflict akin to patent disputes, how would you define the scope of protection for both to avoid duplicate authorization or protection loopholes?"

Along with the release of the question, the relevant contents regarding the two martial arts were also sent before Zhang Yu and True Lord Wuxiang.

At the same time, the one-minute preparation time had begun its countdown.

On the first floor of Kunxu, Songyang High School had organized all its students to cheer for the interview.

The former star physical education teacher, now Principal Wang Hai, looked at this question and thought to himself: "This is asking for an explanation of the process to judge differences in martial arts copyrights, isn't it?"

He pondered it repeatedly, only to feel that a one-minute duration was truly far too tight.

Wang Hai sighed in his heart: "If it were me, I'm afraid I wouldn't even have finished reading the first few pages of one of the martial arts manuals before the minute passed."

Looking at Zhang Yu on the screen, Wang Hai thought to himself: "Do your best, the most outstanding student I have ever taught in my life."

On the second floor of Kunxu, though the old director of the Civil Engineering Department had become a soul cultivator, he was also paying close attention to this live broadcast.

Looking at the question content, he said in shock: "To read through two secret manuals and distinguish the scope of copyright protection within one minute? Can the two of them truly accomplish such a thing?"

On the third floor of Kunxu, True Lord Tiansha's brow was tightly knit: "One minute... How can one distinguish the copyright protection differences between two such similar martial arts? Is it merely to speak of the methodology?"

In the audience seats, while Yun Zhiguang watched the interview, she also scanned various pieces of information in the spiritual realm.

Seeing the discussions among numerous low-level cultivators regarding the exam question, she sneered in her heart: "Finish reading the secret manuals in one minute? A bunch of fools. To pass this question, what is required is the ability to circulate both cultivation methods after that one minute."

"The victory or defeat of this question was already decided before the start."

Inside the interview venue, the moment True Lord Wuxiang saw the third question, a look of joy surfaced on his face. And the confidence originally displayed due to the second question swelled even further at this moment.

"This question is also my advantageous question."

Within True Lord Wuxiang's mind, he recalled the guidance he had received over the past two weeks.

"Without the seniors of the Law Governance Pavilion revealing it, Zhang Yu probably still doesn't know at this moment that Martial One to Martial Ten, those ten sets of martial arts we cultivated in the previous re-examination, were originally split from a world-shaking cultivation method."

"And these ten sets of martial arts are the ultimate techniques used by the Law Governance Pavilion to simulate the world's martial arts and accelerate review work!"

Over these past two weeks, True Lord Wuxiang had been delving into the ten sets of martial arts every day, studying the secrets of how Martial One to Martial Ten simulated the world's martial arts.

The subtleness and profundity therein forced him, who had studied martial arts for two lifetimes, to constantly marvel. If someone hadn't revealed the secrets of the ten sets of martial arts to him, he feared that even if he spent another year, it would be difficult to thoroughly integrate them and exert the effect of simulating martial arts.

One could see that after rapidly skimming through the two secret manuals for one minute, a surge of astral qi suddenly erupted from within True Lord Wuxiang's body.

Level ten Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fist—simulated execution!

The next moment, he had abruptly simulated the "Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fist". Each streak of astral qi he struck out was like the roaring of cannons, blasting out bursts of thunderous noise.

Immediately following that, he transformed his fists into palms, and the astral qi billowed out like rolling mist and clouds.

Level ten Astral Cloud Palm—simulated execution!

After simulating the two sets of martial arts in succession, the differences between these two martial arts and the scope of copyright protection were already entirely clear to him, and so he began to answer.

At this moment, True Lord Wuxiang thought to himself: "Heh, I suppose countless cultivators from the first to the tenth floors are already stunned on the spot at this moment, feeling shocked and incredulous at my simulation of two great martial arts within a single minute..."

At this very moment, countless cultivators across the entire first to tenth floors did indeed feel shocked, but it was not because of True Lord Wuxiang, but because of Zhang Yu.

Just as True Lord Wuxiang simulated the two great martial arts, Zhang Yu carried out a simulation in exactly the same manner.

Level forty Ten-Thousand-Mile Divine Fist—simulated execution!

Level forty Astral Cloud Palm—simulated execution!

Simulated executions were carried out simultaneously on both sides, virtually placing the disparity between the two right before their eyes.

Compared to True Lord Wuxiang's appearance of surging astral winds with a single punch, when Zhang Yu struck out with a punch at this moment, it was as if it would overturn heaven and earth. The raging astral qi was like the heavenly river pouring backward, seeming as though it would blast a hole right through the sky.

Witnessing this scene, True Lord Miaoshou said in shock: "This... What is the meaning of this situation? Could it be that Zhang Yu has cultivated these two martial arts before?"

True Lord Tiansha shook his head, his emotions surging as he said: "It is impossible for them to test questions they have already learned."

Miaoshou said in astonishment: "Then to cultivate a martial art to such a degree in one minute? Is that possible?"

True Lord Tiansha also felt shock and bewilderment: "It is indeed impossible."

And with Zhang Yu's subsequent narration, countless spectators only then came to know that Zhang Yu and True Lord Wuxiang were performing simulated executions of these two cultivation methods.

Within Songyang High School on the first floor of Kunxu, the eyes of countless teachers and students shone as they watched this scene, looking at Zhang Yu on the screen as if looking at an immortal.

Wang Hai also could not help but laugh heartily and freely.

And listening to the content narrated by the two on the interview field, Miaoshou sighed with emotion: "There actually exists such wondrous martial arts in the world? To simulate and circulate a martial art in the span of a single minute? It is truly incredible."

True Lord Tiansha said: "It is indeed incredible, but between one incredible feat and another, there exists an absolute chasm."

"Compared to True Monarch Wuxiang, Zhang Yu was actually able to simulate and operate the Level 40 effect—it is simply a supernatural feat. This signifies that the distance between the two in their comprehension of the martial dao is as vast as clouds and mud."

Yet True Monarch Tiansha also understood that, although a massive gap existed between their simulation effects, the interview question tested their ultimate judgment regarding the scope of copyright protection for the two martial arts; while a disparity in martial arts lent an advantage, it would not bring about a world of difference in their scores.

The next moment, the scores for the third question materialized for both candidates, and just as True Monarch Tiansha had anticipated, the gap between the two sides was by no means a world of difference.

True Monarch Tiansha murmured secretly in his heart, "But he has chased back quite a bit."

They were 95 points for Zhang Yu and 75 points for True Monarch Wuxiang.

"Excellent! Now President Zhang is at 227 and Wuxiang is at 235, the gap has narrowed all at once!" Watching this scene, Shi Huaiyu hastily bought a bit more Yu-debt to celebrate.

At the construction site, accompanied by a buzzing vibration, Fu Xinyao cursed, "Don't be so damn excited, the concrete is spilling out."

Ping Han remarked, "A beautiful win, he should be able to catch up on the next question, right?"

Outside the interview venue, Yun Zhiguang's gaze froze as she watched this scene, thinking to herself, "Zhang Yu... no one from the Law-Governing Pavilion should be teaching him. Just whose guidance did this fellow receive? To actually cultivate Martial One through Martial Ten to such a level in so short a time?"

At this moment, Yun Zhiguang discovered that her past estimation of Zhang Yu's talent had suffered from a severe error.

The talent for the martial dao displayed by her opponent was even more formidable than she had previously estimated.

Furthermore, the assistance provided to Zhang Yu by the Heavenly Court probably far exceeded her expectations as well.

Yun Zhiguang could not help but curse inwardly, "Those fellows from the Heavenly Court are simply shameless, helping Zhang Yu elevate to this level in such a short time? How is this any different from cheating?"

"The final question must suppress him, no matter what."

Yun Zhiguang narrowed her eyes and looked toward the next interview question, and when she saw the contents of this final question, her heart could not help but breathe a slight sigh of relief.

"A cultivator has submitted a patent application for the 'Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique', claiming it integrates modern body-tempering technology with traditional ancient martial arts, capable of substantially enhancing body-tempering."

"However, this technology is suspected of 'plagiarizing the secret canonical texts of the ancient sect, the Divine Elephant Gate', and neither party can provide a complete chain of hereditary evidence. What investigative and cross-examination methods would you adopt to distinguish an 'ancient text reproduction' from 'technological innovation'?"

Seeing this final question, Yun Zhiguang had already gradually relaxed, and a faint smile could not help but appear at the corners of her mouth.

"For this question, Wuxiang is certain to win."

The reason she could make this judgment was solely because the information Yun Zhiguang possessed made her absolutely certain of it.

"Martial One through Martial Ten—though this set of techniques is a unique instrumental martial art used by the Law-Governing Pavilion to review techniques, reputed to be capable of simulating all martial arts under heaven... it ultimately has its limitations."

"Leaving aside those higher-level immortal sect techniques that are difficult to imitate, there is another kind of martial art... one that remains useless even if imitated."

Yun Zhiguang knew that such a martial art was none other than body-tempering techniques.

"After all, body-tempering techniques require the physical body to be tempered step by step; only while tempering can the technique level increase. The level of a body-tempering technique is not just a reflection of martial dao skill, it is closely bound to the physical state of the body."

"Which means that even if one can simulate martial arts, it is very difficult to make various judgments regarding body-tempering techniques."

Yun Zhiguang understood that if it were merely thus, both sides would only be standing at the same starting line.

Yet it just so happened there was one more piece of information, a piece of information possessed only within the sects, which the Heavenly Court absolutely did not possess.

"True Monarch Wuxiang—this fellow inherited the legacy of an ancient sect in his past life."

"That sect was precisely the Divine Elephant Gate."

"Regarding the understanding of the Divine Elephant Gate's secret canonical texts, it is absolutely impossible for Zhang Yu to surpass him."

"Particularly since this technique's moves are concise and its content is not complex, True Monarch Wuxiang will comprehend it even faster."

"And the Heavenly Court has not yet completely mastered the data within these sect-governed regions. This... is the cause of your defeat."

Just as Yun Zhiguang was rapidly analyzing and making her judgment, Deng Bingding on the other side felt his heart sink.

"To think it is a body-tempering technique?"

Deng Bingding thought secretly, "If it comes to reviewing this body-tempering technique, pure simulation is useless, right? If he cannot catch up on this question... then it's a loss."

"Zhang Yu... what should be done?"

At the same time, countless spectators within Levels 1 through 10 also pondered the difficulty of this final question.

Su Yanyang thought to himself, "Body-tempering techniques can by no means take effect within a short time. To judge superiorities and inferiorities, one needs to predict in advance."

True Monarch Tiansha murmured, "At this time, what is being tested is the accumulation of both sides in body-tempering martial arts. Whoever possesses more accumulation and deeper experience will be able to make a more accurate judgment."

True Monarch Miaoshou said, "This Wuxiang is several decades older than Zhang Yu; I am afraid his accumulated body-tempering experience is only higher, not lower, than Zhang Yu's."

On the first layer of Kunxu, Wang Hai stood up without realizing it, looking at Zhang Yu in the interview as if he were seeing once more that student who diligently performed body-tempering cultivation in the training room.

His fists tightened unconsciously: "Zhang Yu is exceptionally gifted, with astonishing drug resistance. The first time I saw him, I knew he was good material for body-tempering. There will definitely be no problem."

Meanwhile, accompanied by the conclusion of the one-minute countdown, True Monarch Wuxiang had already begun to answer with confidence: "The Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique possesses no genuine points of innovation. The immortal dao principles contained within, as well as the logic of its combination with ancient martial arts, have long been included in the secret canonical texts of the Divine Elephant Gate..."

"The core principles of both are completely identical, with only formal adjustments made, rendering it a reproduction..."

While speaking, True Monarch Wuxiang even displayed the entry-level effect of Level 1 Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique, showcasing his own understanding of this technique.

Beyond this, his narrative was well-founded and filled with orderliness; whether regarding the Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique or the secret canonical texts of the Divine Elephant Gate, he knew them like the back of his hand. Even spectators who possessed absolutely no understanding of these two martial arts felt it was profound yet simple after listening, making it immensely persuasive.

Yet Zhang Yu on the other side did not give an answer at the very first moment, merely standing in place as if he had fallen into some sort of silence.

Watching this scene, Vice Minister Lu spoke: "Zhang Yu."

Looking at Zhang Yu who remained silent, Vice Minister Lu said coldly, "Zhang Yu, answer the question immediately."

Accompanied by the lighting up of the red warning light, the hearts of countless spectators felt as if they were fiercely tugged. They knew that next, if he did not begin to answer the interview question within three seconds, he would suffer a tragic elimination.

Watching this scene, Zhao Tianxing grew nervous: "Ah Yu!"

Working overtime while watching the live broadcast, Chang Buxiu thought secretly, "True Monarch Zhuyi will not lose!"

In the sanctuary of the first layer, the lesser panda An'an, who was likewise watching the live broadcast, could not help but clasp its paws together as if offering a prayer.

But Zhang Yu was still waiting... waiting... waiting...

Time, at this moment, seemed to slow to the absolute extreme within his consciousness.

Whether it was the divine light all around, the voice uttered by the examiner, or the flashing countdown before his eyes—each and every thing at this moment slowed to the limit.

This was Zhang Yu's perceptive power—after the layers of thinking within his mind accelerated to the limit, his perception of time and space reached an incredible degree of acuity.

At this moment, the sixteen white oxen in Zhang Yu's mind roared frantically, as if they wanted to squeeze out every inch of potential and every trace of resource within his thinking.

And the direction in which these resources and this potential poured was precisely Zhang Yu's sixteen monster beast clones.

Right now, after shrinking their forms and gathering inside his body, these sixteen monster beast clones of Zhang Yu were frantically cultivating the contents of the Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique within him.

Every trace of his brainpower, every trace of his energy, was thrown into the cultivation of the "Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique".

Sixteen monster beast clones brought a full sixteen-fold acceleration to his cultivation.

Meanwhile, the Level 12 Nascent Soul Saintly Body brought a full 3.4-fold efficiency to his cultivation.

Thus, Zhang Yu, who seemingly stood motionless at this very moment, was frantically pushing forward the "Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique" under a full 54.4-fold efficiency.

Finally, under the urging of the examiner, at the very last second remaining on the countdown, and beneath the gazes of countless spectators, classmates, teachers, colleagues, and companions, Zhang Yu moved.

With the first step taken, his form expanded abruptly, spectacularly displaying the effect of Level 2 "Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique".

Immediately following, with the second step taken, his muscles and tendons twitched repeatedly as astral qi howled inside and outside his body, letting out a beast-like roar; the "Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique" pushed to Level 4!

Immediately following, with every step taken, the anomalies upon Zhang Yu's body expanded drastically; the form of his entire person went from two meters to the ten-meter mark in the blink of an eye, and layers of astral qi transformed into a suit of golden divine elephant armor to envelop him.

Those layered masses of flesh and blood gradually manifested the coarseness of an elephant monster.

Stepping out nine times in succession, Zhang Yu had spectacularly pushed the "Nine Heavens Divine Elephant Technique" to a full Level 20.

And compared to the martial anomalies displayed by his technique, even a casual observer could instantly perceive the vast gulf between him and True Lord Wuxiang standing nearby in their mastery of this very art.

Nine steps—accomplished!

Wang Hai, witnessing this spectacle, suddenly thrust both fists into the air, pointing at Zhang Yu on the screen, and burst into hearty laughter as he declared to his students below, “That’s my disciple!”

True Lord Tiansha felt utterly thunderstruck: “In merely nine steps, he’s pushed a body-forging technique to such an unprecedented height?!”

Wang Yin let out a long breath, then a flicker of resignation passed through his eyes. “So this is your true talent? Losing to you back then… I suppose it wasn’t unjust after all.”

Ping Han’s voice trembled with awe: “See that? That’s the very man who defeated me! It wasn’t my fault—I was just unlucky… just unlucky…”

Hearing sobs emanating from the magical artifact, Fu Xinyao gently patted it, murmuring consolingly, “There, there, don’t cry. Everyone knows now—we really were just unlucky.”

Meanwhile, in the spectator stands outside the interview hall, Yun Zhiguang’s expression turned deathly pale as she watched the scene unfold: “It’s not a simulated technique… This guy… this guy actually pushed a body-forging method this far in one go? And to level twenty?!”

Yet regardless of her disbelief, Yun Zhiguang knew full well that this performance had already far surpassed True Lord Wuxiang’s.

Indeed, not even True Lord Wuxiang—and certainly none of the sect disciples seated in the audience—could have achieved such a feat without relying on external aids.

Yun Zhiguang fixed her gaze fiercely upon Zhang Yu: “Zhang Yu…”

Still, a sliver of hope lingered within her heart: “If their judgments align and their conclusions prove similar, then Wuxiang won’t fall too far behind in points—he still has a chance to win…”

Amidst the countless watching eyes, Zhang Yu slowly opened his mouth and spoke: “Based on my experience advancing this body-forging technique to level twenty, I’ve integrated the new energy-circulation logic of Yaoyi martial arts.”

“This art isn’t mere replication—it’s innovation.”

Please vote for Moon Tickets!

(End of Chapter)