Chapter 769: Outstanding Working Ability

Chapter 769: Exceptional Working Ability

Inside the Yufa Pavilion, within the office area of Martial Arts Team Three.

Chu Wangji glanced toward Zhang Yu's station, only to see that the young man had left Ye Xingli behind to handle things alone and headed straight for the cultivation chamber, not long after arriving at the office.

"These past few days... that kid has been soaking in the cultivation chamber every single day, hasn't he? He's definitely got drive, but that's not how vetting work is done."

Chu Wangji shook his head, thinking to himself, "With only four hours of working time a day, one should seize every minute of it and utilize the resources of the internal dharma-realm to boost efficiency. What's the point of just burying your head in bitter training?"

Chu Wangji knew that following the "Never Work Overtime" reform initiative launched within the Wanfa Sect, anyone working more than four hours a day would be fined.

For many positions, daily quotas—such as how many products to manufacture or how many dharma treasures to inspect—had to be completed strictly within those four hours.

However, there were also many roles, like the martial arts copyright vetting tasks that Chu Wangji handled, which were not well-suited for daily quantitative measurements. These usually came with completion deadlines ranging from a few days to several weeks.

Thus, in response to the sect's "Never Work Overtime" slogan, the Vetting Department's strategy was to provide only four hours of official working time after clocking in. During this window, employees could use various facilities in the office area and connect to the internal dharma-realm for free.

Once those four hours were exceeded, a fee was required to use any of the office facilities, and connecting to the internal dharma-realm would incur charges as well.

Chu Wangji thought to himself, "Ever since paid overtime was introduced, the entire Vetting Department has cut costs and increased efficiency. Not only has productivity surged, but there's even a stream of overtime revenue coming from the employees..."

Chu Wangji still remembered when the four-hour workday first started, how he had stumbled and scrambled, paying out of his own pocket just to work every day.

Later on, he upgraded his immortal gate dharma treasures and his dharma-carcass, and even purchased and mastered Martial Eleven and Martial Twelve beyond the usual range of Martial One through Ten. He had drained most of his savings and emergency funds just to frantically boost his working capability.

"...Combined with a bit of strict management over the outsourced workers, I finally managed to compress my working hours to within four hours a day."

Thinking of this, Chu Wangji couldn't help but feel a wave of anxiety. "The water temperature in this sect is getting hotter and hotter."

"Those old fogies up top spend all day coming up with ways to mess with us. Who knows to what extent they will raise the performance metrics next time."

...

While Chu Wangji was lost in thought, Zhang Yu had already stepped into the cultivation chamber on the other side.

Accompanied by the howling wind of his punches, Zhang Yu's figure flickered in and out of sight within the room.

The vetting process for martial arts techniques involved more than just the initial clerical review; the next step required verifying the technique itself.

The auditor had to summarize the immortal path technologies contained within, compile test data, and then search through technical archives to verify whether it possessed novelty, inventiveness, and practical utility.

Throughout this entire process, one had to constantly rely on the various facilities of the Yufa Pavilion, particularly the database of the internal dharma-realm.

Zhang Yu was well aware that normally during this stage, an auditor might need to go through multiple rounds of communication with the submitting party, requesting them to provide more data and materials before a final conclusion could be reached.

But he had a more direct method.

For him, simply using the Feathered Script to push the technique before him straight to its absolute limit was the fastest, most convenient, and most thorough way to understand it.

With each push of the technique, Zhang Yu's understanding of it grew deeper and deeper, as if he had cultivated it year after year.

For instance, the "Zhengxin Shouyi Punch" he was currently reviewing was a foundational body-tempering fist technique for the Nascent Soul realm, capable of using 108 moves to separately refine every single shred of flesh and blood throughout the body.

As Zhang Yu's body suddenly expanded, the muscles and bones across his entire frame vibrated in unison, and the 16 beast clones hidden within his body began running the technique all at once.

Zhang Yu's main body unleashed punch after punch, stirring up a turbulent gale with his fists.

By the time he finished the entire routine, Zhang Yu had completely mastered the basics of this martial art and had raised it to Level 4 in a single breath.

And this was already the fifth technique Zhang Yu had cultivated over these past few days.

Combined with the techniques he originally possessed, Zhang Yu's Nascent Soul Sacred Body had reached a level of (17/12). As long as he turned 12 of these techniques into nourishment, he could elevate the Nascent Soul Sacred Body to a level of (5/13).

Although he already met the requirements to upgrade his Nascent Soul Sacred Body, Zhang Yu was in no hurry to do so.

He planned to wait until the value accumulated to (25/12) before upgrading, so that once the advancement was complete, he could directly reach the level of (13/13).

This optimization of his operations ensured that his Nascent Soul Sacred Body would have no gap period, avoiding the (5/13) state and allowing him to continuously maintain the full effects of the physique.

During these days, while Zhang Yu continuously pushed his martial arts levels, Ye Xingli was handling the corresponding paperwork.

At first, it was just the preliminary review of checking materials, but as Zhang Yu progressed, Ye Xingli's workload grew heavier.

Once Zhang Yu pushed a martial art to its limit, completely mastered it, and knew it inside out, he would list out the documents that needed to be prepared and the relevant data entries that needed to be searched based on his mental grasp of the immortal path technology involved. This was used to verify the novelty, inventiveness, and practical utility of the martial art.

Tasks such as archiving various test data, requesting information searches, and gathering data on similar martial arts were all assigned to Ye Xingli.

After completing the search and organization of the data, Ye Xingli would submit everything to Zhang Yu.

Then, Zhang Yu would enter the Taiqing Realm, and under a 20-fold acceleration state, swiftly review the materials before arranging the next steps of the work.

Between the back-and-forth of the two, the vetting report gradually grew substantial and complete.

Relying on his innate talent to rapidly master techniques every day, Zhang Yu's working efficiency was incredibly high.

However, up until now, he had not fully completed a single vetting report for any technique.

This was solely because the final step of the vetting process required going to the Qiudao Pavilion, establishing a connection to the Dao Repository, and conducting the final confirmation and submission.

Only after passing the final review of the Dao Repository could a technique vetting report be considered truly finished.

Zhang Yu could feel that auditors like them were like sieves. After washing through all kinds of data, they cleared away the dross, left behind the essence, and finally sent it to the Dao Repository.

"But applying for the Dao Repository is still a bit troublesome, and it takes a lot of time to open the connection each time..."

With this thought in mind, Zhang Yu decided to wait until the vetting reports were mostly done before connecting to the Dao Repository all at once to complete the submissions.

In the blink of an eye, the four-hour working time came to an end.

A reminder about paid overtime popped up before Ye Xingli's eyes, startling her into hurriedly disconnecting from the Yufa Pavilion's internal dharma-realm.

Although an urge to keep working still stirred within her heart, she could only look on with a sigh since she had no money to pay for overtime.

Fortunately, she could feel that under Zhang Yu's driving force, the vetting work was progressing incredibly smoothly.

"Zhang Yu... he truly is a supreme genius in martial arts. No matter what technique ends up in his hands, it takes less than a day for him to gain a profound understanding of it, and he quickly figures out the optimal way to conduct the review."

"At this rate, all 24 sets of techniques should be completely vetted within a month, right?"

Thinking about how she only needed to handle clerical work during this period, Ye Xingli couldn't help but feel deeply moved.

Especially when she saw the other outsourced workers around her straining desperately, even starting to consume their own immortal path potential just to work, she felt increasingly fortunate that she had come to the sect alongside Zhang Yu.

After clocking out, Zhang Yu brought Ye Xingli along to the dormitory assigned by the Yufa Pavilion.

Originally, outsourced workers were not assigned dormitories—only official sect officials received them—so Zhang Yu simply had Ye Xingli move in with him.

In any case, the dormitory assigned to him spanned several hundred square meters, a space far too large for him to use up alone.

Upon returning to the dormitory, Zhang Yu continued to cultivate his martial arts, only pausing slightly after pushing the "Zhengxin Shouyi Punch" all the way to Level 40.

At this moment, countless figures flashed through Zhang Yu's mind. All sorts of fist techniques seemed to be deeply engraved into the depths of his heart, turning into an accumulation born of his diligent study and hard training.

In the next instant, a gleam flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes as he activated the chain diagram of the "Formless Martial Arts Exhibition," simulating and running the Level 40 "Zhengxin Shouyi Punch" in a single breath.

"For test data, it really is better to use the 'Formless Martial Arts Exhibition' after all."

"After all, in Martial Arts Team Three, almost all the auditors complete their technique simulations and testing through that 'Martial One' series of techniques."

Possessing a foundation of a Level 40 "Zhengxin Shouyi Punch" himself made it even easier and simpler for Zhang Yu to simulate the technique with "Formless Martial Arts Exhibition." It was completed almost with a mere thought, requiring absolutely none of the slow pushing and testing that other auditors had to endure.

Afterward, Zhang Yu planned and arranged the subsequent work, leaving not much time left for the day.

Thus, Zhang Yu and Ye Xingli began working together to design blueprints for Golden Core realm dharma treasures, accumulating progress for the subsequent elevation of his Dao Seed.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Martial arts techniques are merely a stepping stone. If I want to climb up quickly and reach higher ground in the future, I cannot avoid dabbling in contents like Daoist spells and weapon refining."

"Indeed," Zhanxian evaluated. "From bottom to top, the Wanfa Sect is constantly driving and refining immortal path technology."

"Controlling, leading, and monopolizing immortal path technology is the way authority is manifested within this system, and its ultimate masterpiece is the orthodox lineage."

"So... to pursue a higher rank and greater power within this system, one must drive the upgrade of immortal technology, lead its progress, and pioneer its innovation; that is what truly defines a good talent in the eyes of the immortals."

Just as Zhang Yu was seizing every single second, constantly adding to his accumulation, he suddenly felt a slight swelling sensation in his lower abdomen—Bai Zhenzhen was greeting him once more.

"Yuzi, are you done with your busy work for today?"

"Your supervisor really holds you in high regard; they assigned you so many tasks the moment you arrived."

"I'm still sitting on the cold bench right now, endlessly reading study materials..."

Splitting off a thread of his consciousness to chat with Bai Zhenzhen for a few moments, Zhang Yu's attention shifted back to the avatar of Perfected Lord Spark.

However, unlike the previous avatar of Perfected Lord Spark, the current image looked exceptionally elegant and handsome; not only did he appear far younger, but he also exuded waves of vigorous vitality, looking just like a dashing young man in his early twenties.

"After Teacher Spark grew younger, did he deliberately change his avatar as well?"

Zhang Yu knew that the rejuvenation of Perfected Lord Spark's appearance had begun the moment he broke through to the Nascent Soul realm, and after entering the sect, the youthfulness had become even more pronounced.

"Is it because of the immortal qi?"

Information regarding immortal qi flashed through Zhang Yu's mind: "Within the sect levels from the 11th to the 20th floor, the higher one goes, the greater the concentration of immortal qi."

"And the higher the concentration of immortal qi, the greater the benefit to a cultivator."

"The immortal qi concentration on the 11th floor is roughly between 0.1% and 1%, which is already enough to grant a cultivator almost eternal youth, lasting until the very moment their lifespan expires..."

Zhang Yu had to admit that although the expectations within the sect were high and the affairs were busy, the various conditions were truly excellent; no wonder everyone squeezed their heads to stay in the sect.

In the days that followed, Zhang Yu plunged headfirst into his work, and in the blink of an eye, more than twenty days passed.

...

On this day, as Zhang Yu pushed yet another cultivation method to the level of rank 40, his Nascent Soul Sacred Body also reached a state of (27/13).

With a mere thought from Zhang Yu, a total of 13 cultivation methods transformed into nourishment, completely pouring into his Nascent Soul Sacred Body.

The initial Nascent Soul Sacred Body, after satisfying the conditions for the number of cultivation methods at 6/10, 8/10, and 10/10, had gained a layer of special effects for each milestone, which were increasing the distance the Nascent Soul could leave the body, enhancing the buff effects of Nascent Soul cultivation methods, and improving the cultivation efficiency and results of Nascent Soul cultivation methods.

And after unlocking the Infinite Chain Dharma Diagram, when the data of the Nascent Soul Sacred Body was pushed to 12/12, the fourth layer of special effects was unlocked:

The effects of the Nascent Soul Sacred Body were enhanced by 20%. And at this very moment, Zhang Yu's Nascent Soul Sacred Body unlocked the fifth layer of special effects. Infinite-Nascent Soul Sacred Body (14/14): The effects of the Nascent Soul Sacred Body are enhanced by 20%.

Looking at this fifth layer of special effects, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "As expected, it seems that the future special effects of the Nascent Soul Sacred Body... will probably all be 20% effect enhancements."

In an instant, Zhang Yu felt his Nascent Soul tremble under the enhancement of the Nascent Soul Sacred Body, and his comprehension and mastery of various cultivation methods within his mind improved imperceptibly once again.

If he were to learn another cultivation method now, Zhang Yu was confident he could push it to rank 40 even faster.

Even without binding the specialization of the Feathered Tome, Zhang Yu felt that relying solely on his 16 demon-descendant clones and his own Nascent Soul Sacred Body, learning a Nascent Soul cultivation method would probably not be too slow.

And his work over the next two days also confirmed the thoughts in Zhang Yu's heart.

Not only was the speed of cultivating methods faster, but even using the Formless Martial Arts to simulate cultivation methods became much easier.

"It saves me at least 1 to 2 hours every day."

Zhang Yu rejoiced silently in his heart, "As my Nascent Soul Sacred Body continues to improve, I will have more and more free time to spare every day."

What would he use the extra time for?

Zhang Yu's answer, of course, was to complete more work.

...

While Zhang Yu was immersed in his work, silently accumulating his own foundation, time slipped away unnoticed until it arrived at February 1st.

"Zhang Yu has been in your group for a month now, hasn't he?"

Hearing the voice coming from the Dharma Realm, Qu Yizhi, the leader of the Third Martial Arts Group, quickly said, "Yes, it has been a month..."

Different from his usual state when facing his subordinate group members, Qu Yizhi's face was filled with reverence at this moment, his body subconsciously slouching as he listened intently to that voice in the Dharma Realm.

The reason Qu Yizhi could be so reverent, and even a bit flattering, was simple: the one conversing with him was none other than the Deputy Director of the Review Department, Lu Hengzhang, who held the 4th professional rank.

Although he appeared to be only 1 rank higher than Qu Yizhi, the gap between Lu Hengzhang and Qu Yizhi was far, far greater than the gap between Qu Yizhi and a rank 1 sect clerk.

For instance, the entirety of the First, Second, and Third Martial Arts Groups fell under Lu Hengzhang's jurisdiction.

And this Deputy Director of the Review Department was precisely the very interviewer who had made things difficult for Zhang Yu during his interview by immediately asking about his dark history in civil engineering.

Hearing Lu Hengzhang inquire about Zhang Yu's situation now, Qu Yizhi explained in detail: "...I saw that Zhang Yu was quite capable, so I assigned him a lot of work. However, looking at it now, he seems somewhat lacking in ability, and his completion isn't doing very well."

Over the past month, apart from the 24 sets of basic cultivation methods he had thrown to Zhang Yu at the beginning, Qu Yizhi had occasionally thrown more tasks to Zhang Yu afterward.

There was troublesome document work, basic cultivation method reviews in obscure fields, and some time-consuming and labor-intensive basic heart-method reviews...

In short, Qu Yizhi handed over to Zhang Yu all kinds of cultivation method reviews that he deemed the most troublesome, the least nutritional, and the most wasteful of time.

In Qu Yizhi's view, these tasks, one after another, were like mountains transforming into his giant hand... sufficient to suppress Zhang Yu firmly in the position of a rank 1 sect clerk.

Upon hearing Qu Yizhi's report, Lu Hengzhang responded indifferently with a few words and then ended the communication.

Yet Qu Yizhi let out a sigh of relief; he knew this leader of his concealed his emotions well and would never expose any feelings in front of subordinates.

The fact that the other party could listen to his report calmly at this moment indicated that he was satisfied with the results of his work.

Indeed, the one who had requested Qu Yizhi to suppress Zhang Yu a little was precisely this Deputy Director of the Review Department, Lu Hengzhang.

"Zhang Yu, blame your own poor background if you must."

"But since you are young anyway, settle down under my hands for a few decades, and you might not be without an opportunity in the future."

Thus, having ended the call and satisfied his leader's request, Qu Yizhi relaxed and connected to the internal Dharma Realm, participating in the Review Department's monthly meeting accompanied by thought acceleration.

Before the meeting began, Luo Wuji, the Director of the Review Department, revealed a slight smile on his lips and nodded toward Qu Yizhi's projection.

Feeling the smile of this rank 5 sect clerk, Qu Yizhi's heart froze for a moment, followed by a surge of excitement: "Is the Director showing goodwill to me?"

He racked his brains endlessly, thinking about what exactly could have happened to warrant the other party's smile toward him.

The meeting of the Review Department proceeded in an orderly manner, and the performance of each review group from the previous month was listed one by one, beginning to receive feedback from the leaders.

When the performances of the First, Second, and Third Martial Arts Groups were listed simultaneously, Qu Yizhi did not think much of it at first.

Generally speaking, the First Martial Arts Group was always far ahead, while the monthly performance of their Third Martial Arts Group was roughly equal to that of the Second Martial Arts Group.

"However, having pressed quite a few tasks onto Zhang Yu's head this month, our performance might fall short of the Second Martial Arts Group..."

But in the next instant, looking at the data emerging in the projection, Qu Yizhi's head went entirely blank with a buzz.

Staring at the vastly leading performance of the Third Martial Arts Group, Qu Yizhi's heart was filled with utter confusion: "Is this... our group's performance? When did we submit so much?"

At the same time, Luo Wuji, the Director of the Review Department, smiled and said, "The performance of the Third Martial Arts Group has improved tremendously this month; this margin of progress can be said to be among the best across all groups."

"Particularly the young new member of your group, Zhang Yu; his individual performance reached 124 points, crowning the entire Third Group."

"Looking at it this way, there is still great potential to be unearthed in the review work of martial arts cultivation methods."

"As expected of young cultivators, we should indeed add more burdens to their shoulders and let them attempt more work and challenges."

"The department has decided that starting next month, the performance appraisal targets for martial arts reviews will be raised a bit further..."