Chapter 772: Zhang Yu Carries 3 Groups on His Shoulders (Thanks to 'Nan Yan minam')

Chapter 772: Zhang Yu Carries Group 3 on His Shoulders (Thanks to "Nanyan minami" for the Alliance Master donation)

After a deep exchange with Qu Yizhi before him, Zhang Yu finally learned that Lu Hengzhang, the current Deputy Director of the Review Department and a holder of the fourth rank, had been subtly suppressing him from the shadows.

And the reason behind this suppression...

"A conservative?" Zhang Yu pondered inwardly. "But is this the collective will of the entire conservative faction, or merely Lu Hengzhang's own initiative? Or perhaps, the directive of someone even higher within the conservative ranks?"

Zhang Yu immediately dismissed the likelihood of it being the entire faction's collective will; after all, if that were the case, the pressure he faced would be far more immense than this trifling amount.

Zhang Yu voiced his doubts to Qu Yizhi, but unfortunately, Qu Yizhi possessed no answers to this riddle either.

"The interior of the conservative faction is highly intricate. There are the original cultivators from the Genesis of the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect, there are those who entered later through the examinations, and even those who transferred from other sects. Do you truly believe they could all share a single mind?"

"Those who entered five hundred years ago, those who entered three hundred years ago, and those from a century ago—these people hail from completely different eras. How could their perspectives be identical?"

"Whether sliced horizontally by factions or vertically by generations, they can be carved into far too many distinct cliques."

Qu Yizhi remarked, "Deputy Director Lu bears the brands of many factions upon his soul. I, too, remain ignorant as to what exactly drew his attention toward you."

"Yet I can sense that while he no longer pays much heed to the progress of Martial Arts Group 3, he is likely orchestrating other schemes to deal with you."

This was precisely one of the reasons behind Qu Yizhi's choice: he felt that Lu Hengzhang's instructions to him were merely a casual pawn placement, and that the man's true fatal strike against Zhang Yu lay elsewhere.

Zhang Yu seized the opportunity to inquire about the supreme leader of the Review Department, Director Luo Wuji.

According to what he had learned from the sect examination materials and the solemn warnings from Zhanxian, he knew that within the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect, a department chief wielded near-absolute authority over their entire domain.

Luo Wuji’s attitude would naturally exert a profound influence over Zhang Yu's subsequent endeavors within the Review Department.

Qu Yizhi spoke, "In theory, Director Luo is also considered part of the conservative faction. However, he personally holds no great animosity toward the University Clique..."

According to Qu Yizhi, Director Luo was originally the Deputy Director overseeing the Daoist Arts Group of the Review Department, and had begun acting as the interim Director since the year before last.

Because he had not yet been formally instated as the Director, he had not been granted the Void Refinement License and remained at the Soul Transformation stage.

Qu Yizhi continued, "But from what I have gathered, after the evaluations this coming March, there is a very high probability he will be officially promoted."

"This matter of cracking down on our group is likely an attempt to secure another grand achievement before March, further solidifying his performance review and increasing his chances of formal promotion and breakthrough."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly, thinking to himself, "Factional alignment is merely a label. Even a conservative cultivator won't necessarily suppress those who rose through the university exams. What ultimately dictates a cultivator's final choice in the sect is always the calculation of their own self-interest."

"If I am to counter Lu Hengzhang, it seems I must seek the patronage of Luo Wuji."

Following this, Zhang Yu inquired about the circumstances of several other leaders within the Review Department.

As Qu Yizhi's narrative unfolded, Zhang Yu gained a far deeper understanding of the Review Department, and indeed, the entire Law Governance Pavilion.

While speaking, Qu Yizhi closely observed the expressions on Zhang Yu's face, particularly the fluctuations of his magical power and the shifts in his spiritual and dharma realm signals.

Based on the fruits of his observations, he felt that the information he had just provided must be of no small assistance to Zhang Yu.

And upon realizing his own reaction, Qu Yizhi suddenly let out a bitter laugh in his heart: "I, a group leader of the third rank, am actually reading the face and expressions of a mere first-rank sect clerk? Is he the leader, or am I?"

Sensing the intrusion of these stray thoughts, Qu Yizhi's heart sank as he chided himself, "At such a critical juncture, how can I allow my mind to wander?"

With a mere flicker of intent, Qu Yizhi directly administered a dose of magical elixir to himself through the dharma realm, instantly stabilizing his mind and suppressing all remnants of reluctance, defiance, anger, and grievance.

Simultaneously, his intellect grew exceedingly clear as he thought, "Right now, the performance of the entire Martial Arts Group 3 rests upon Zhang Yu's shoulders. The members must beg him just to secure their results. He... is the true leader of Group 3."

"But as long as he excels, I, as the nominal leader, will naturally reap the reflected glory..."

"Even if Zhang Yu is destined to rise, no matter how fast he goes... according to standard procedure, it will still take a few years. During this period, won't the top performance of our group still be credited to my name as leader?"

He then bowed toward Zhang Yu and said, "True Lord, there were too many eyes outside just now. I offer you my apologies here. The future of Martial Arts Group 3 depends entirely on your leadership."

At this moment, not a single trace of negative emotion surfaced on Qu Yizhi's face. Having suppressed his inner turmoil, let alone bowing before Zhang Yu, he would have no objection even if the youth commanded him to kneel right then and there.

Zhang Yu hastily stepped forward to support Qu Yizhi back up: "Group Leader, the only reason I failed to visit you earlier was truly because my workload was too demanding..."

Qu Yizhi, however, spoke with an expression of profound sincerity: "It is I who should have come to see you long ago."

"True Lord, please guide me in my duties as well."

Thus, after the working day concluded, Qu Yizhi accompanied Zhang Yu back to the dormitory, introducing him before the assembled group members: "Starting today, Group Leader Qu Yizhi will join our study guidance group."

Qu Yizhi smiled and added, "Off the clock, there are no leaders. Like all of you, I am here to learn from True Lord Zhang. There is no need for restraint; carry on as you normally would."

Yet, the crowd remained silent, their eyes turning unanimously toward Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu spoke, "Let us welcome Group Leader Qu."

Watching the crowd applaud in perfect unison under Zhang Yu's command, Qu Yizhi's heart sank slightly as he lamented inwardly, "Zhang Yu’s control over this group runs far deeper than I anticipated."

"This boy has already completely hollowed out my authority."

And when he witnessed Zhang Yu simultaneously simulating and fusing two distinct martial arts techniques, Qu Yizhi’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

As a third-rank sect clerk, both his vision and experience far eclipsed those of his subordinates.

He knew that the ten martial arts packages, from Martial One to Martial Ten, encompassed everything under the sun. Once thoroughly integrated, they could form a simplified version of the "Formless Martial Adaptation," capable of mimicking any martial art in the world.

As one's research into martial arts deepened, their foundations accumulated, and they progressed into the cultivation of subsequent techniques like Martial Eleven and Martial Twelve, a cultivator's capacity to simulate techniques would grow exponentially stronger.

Qu Yizhi had witnessed numerous formidable martial artists within the Review Department display breathtaking prowess in the art of technique simulation.

Yet, the astonishing speed with which Zhang Yu completed the simulation, while continuously shifting and blending the simulated techniques, still struck Qu Yizhi with immense shock.

"So that's how it is... is that truly it? No wonder Zhang Yu possesses such terrifying efficiency in his work."

"This youth's martial talent has likely surpassed everyone within the Martial Arts Department."

"Is it innate? Or has someone placed a colossal wager upon him?"

At this moment, Qu Yizhi felt increasingly grateful for the decision he had just made.

As a veteran third-rank sect clerk of many years, Qu Yizhi possessed a remarkable sensitivity to the inner workings of the sect.

"Within the sect, the more wealth one possesses, the more power one wields. But only with higher rank and authority can one secure more wealth and acquire more immortal cultivation resources."

"And if one wishes to grasp greater authority within the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect, immortal technology is the royal road."

"Under the guidance of the Celestial Emperor and the planning of the various immortals of the Ten Thousand Dharmas Sect, the pursuit of technological upgrades, progress, and innovation is the foremost priority of the sect."

Qu Yizhi gazed at the youth before him, musing, "A Zhang Yu possessing such martial potential... his prospects for promotion far outstrip anyone present."

"But for a native of the lower realms to possess such potential... is it reasonable?"

"And if this martial potential was bought for him by someone else, that would be even more terrifying."

"No, perhaps if this martial potential is entirely innate... that would be the most terrifying thing of all."

Consequently, from that moment on, Qu Yizhi became exceedingly amiable in Zhang Yu's presence, causing the collaborative dialogue between the two to flow with absolute smoothness.

When Wen Zhiwei, who belonged to the same Martial Arts Group 3, arrived, the scene that greeted her eyes was Qu Yizhi behaving precisely like a compliant student, meekly accepting guidance before Zhang Yu, his eyes glazed from the relentless onslaught of memory transfers.

"Group Leader!" Wen Zhiwei thought in utter astonishment. "We clearly agreed that no one would cooperate with Zhang Yu. Why has even the Group Leader surrendered now?"

Sensing that she was losing her composure, Wen Zhiwei instinctively reached for the dharma realm, intending to administer a dose of magical elixir to herself.

However, after glancing at her remaining balance, she ultimately decided to hoard her funds and abstained from the injection.

Thus, she could only continue to stare in wide-eyed shock at Zhang Yu and Qu Yizhi, feeling as though the very sky above Martial Arts Group 3 had entirely collapsed.

On the other side, after completing the exchange of thoughts with Zhang Yu via the mental seal of official documents, Qu Yizhi immediately summoned the power of the dharma realm, intending to replicate the memories and transmit them to his outsourced subordinates so they might comprehend them instantly.

Yet, the moment he recalled the contents within his mind, just a breath before the transmission could occur, Qu Yizhi suddenly forgot everything completely.

"Why can I no longer remember it?"

“The memory I’m about to transmit to the outsourced staff is…”

As he furrowed his brow slightly, racking his brain over and over, all that finally echoed in his mind was a single line of text: *Your membership has expired. Please renew to continue using the High-Speed Memory Transmission feature.*

Qu Yizhi pursed his lips, instantly renewed his subscription, then transmitted the memory to the outsourced team, assigning them to handle the paperwork tomorrow.

Having finished this, Qu Yizhi struck up another conversation with Zhang Yu about memory transmission, lamenting how Zhang Yu’s Document-Thought Imprint technique still wasn’t convenient enough. He recommended Zhang Yu switch to the Dharma Realm’s memory transmission service—direct memory infusion was far quicker and easier than the cumbersome exchange of thoughts via Document-Thought Imprint.

Zhang Yu, unwilling to let the Dharma Realm casually access his memories, naturally refused. He merely smiled and offered no reply.

Just then, the ambient spiritual essence in the air began thinning out. Around them, people started grumbling, “The spiritual essence is cut off again?”

After some questioning, Zhang Yu learned that for the past year, sporadic interruptions in spiritual essence supply had become common within the Sect Layer.

Upon hearing this, Zhan Xian frowned. “Spiritual essence interrupted?”

In his view, the Sect Layer siphoned vast resources from Layers 1 through 10. Given the sheer abundance of spiritual essence and provisions within the sect, such an interruption should have been impossible.

“And with the sect’s level of Immortal Dao technology,” Zhan Xian added, “any malfunction occurring once or twice would’ve been swiftly repaired.”

“If interruptions are happening persistently… there’s only one explanation: spiritual essence is genuinely running short.”

Zhang Yu was astonished. “Can spiritual essence really run out?”

Zhan Xian sighed. “Any resource, no matter how abundant, is ultimately finite—and spiritual essence is no exception.”

“Under normal usage, given the current number and cultivation levels of cultivators, it should still be sufficient.”

Zhan Xian’s expression grew grave. “I fear… something unknown has emerged within the sect, consuming vast amounts of spiritual essence.”

Though curious, Zhang Yu knew this issue was far beyond what he could investigate at the moment. After exchanging a few more words with Zhan Xian, he returned to his work.

With the entire Martial Dao Third Team—including their leader, Qu Yizhi—now thoroughly subdued, the group, under Zhang Yu’s relentless drive, transformed into a frenzied machine of productivity, rapidly escalating their collective performance.

This surge in output gradually shifted the team members’ emotions—from shock, to admiration, to dread, and finally to outright terror.

“True Lord! Please, no more overtime! We truly can’t take any more!”

Qu Yizhi tugged at Zhang Yu’s sleeve, pleading earnestly, “Our performance this month has already increased by over thirty percent. If we keep pushing like this… future work will become impossible.”

Zhang Yu glanced around and saw Chu Wangji, Wen Zhiwei, and the others all watching him with anxious eyes, clearly terrified he’d push them further.

Over recent weeks, the Martial Dao Third Team had been utterly exhausted—and frightened—by Zhang Yu’s relentless pace.

They understood all too well that their current achievements rested entirely on Zhang Yu’s shoulders. If performance kept soaring… it would soon exceed anything they themselves could sustain.

Beneath the crushing weight of Zhang Yu’s overwhelming output, they felt as though karmic pressure itself was suffocating them.

Faced with their collective plea, Zhang Yu immediately agreed.

Truth be told, he hadn’t planned to keep escalating performance anyway. After all, if he maintained this breakneck pace indefinitely, would he be trapped in endless labor forever?

He still intended to preserve some margin—to carve out time outside of work each day.

Yet he also meant to seize this opportunity: using his immense karmic momentum to subtly discipline the team, making future management easier.

Thus, the Martial Dao Third Team gradually resumed its original rhythm. Time slipped unnoticed past February and into March.

…

At the monthly meeting,

the leaders of the Audit Department proceeded as usual, methodically advancing through the agenda, reviewing reports and discussing each team’s status.

What puzzled some leaders, however, was the presence of Zhang Yu—a mere Grade 1 Sect Affairs Officer—at the meeting.

Many silently speculated it had something to do with Zhang Yu’s promise last month.

When the February performance data for the three Martial Dao teams appeared on the projection screen, the assembled leaders’ eyes sharpened, astonishment flashing unmistakably across their faces.

Both Martial Dao Team One and Team Two, under Luo Wujī’s directives, had seen modest gains—12% and 8% respectively.

But compared to Martial Dao Team Three’s staggering 32% increase, those figures paled into insignificance.

Murmurs rippled through the room:

“How did they achieve such a leap?”

“What method did they use?”

“Did the whole team take loans just to work overtime?”

Luo Wujī, the department head, laughed heartily. “Team Three’s breakthrough lays a solid foundation for our quarterly targets—it’s injected us with a powerful dose of confidence. This isn’t just a testament to Zhang Yu’s personal capability, but also clear proof that Team Three’s strategic direction is correct.”

“I propose we invite Zhang Yu to share his approach—to distill his methods into replicable, scalable practices and present them to everyone here…”

As Zhang Yu spoke fluently before the assembly, a cold glint flickered briefly in Lu Hengzhang’s eyes. *This kid… really knows how to seize opportunities to climb higher.*

*But the higher you climb, the harder you fall.*

*These mortals from the lower realms—merely being allowed entry here is already an unimaginable blessing.*

*Yet they still scheme to ascend further, eyeing positions within the sect. Truly insatiable.*

Lu Hengzhang knew that within the Myriad Dharmas Sect, conservatives generally aimed to protect the interests of sect cultivators.

But even among them, opinions diverged sharply—especially regarding lower-realm cultivators.

Some believed the sect should select the most brilliant talents from below, harvesting their creativity, inspiration, and ingenuity to advance the sect’s Immortal Dao technologies.

Others argued that, given the sect’s current zero birthrate, they should actively recruit more lower-realm cultivators as cheap labor.

Still others advocated opening full vertical mobility—any qualified individual from below should be permitted to work in the upper realms.

To Lu Hengzhang, all these ideas were heretical nonsense.

“They’re just a bunch of old fogeys craving cheaper labor, desperate to drive down cultivation costs, greedy for ever more—willing to sacrifice mid- and lower-tier sect cultivators for their own gain.”

“Even willing to let the Heavenly Court’s influence seep in.”

He opposed such notions fiercely.

As a Grade 4 Sect Affairs Officer and a pillar of the Myriad Dharmas Sect, Lu Hengzhang belonged firmly to the faction that rejected any lower-realm cultivator encroaching upon sect resources.

“This sacred Immortal sanctuary is turning more and more like those mundane corporations and schools below. What propriety remains?”

In his view, even outsourced staff ought to be purged entirely.

His faction was numerous, and over the years they’d enacted countless statutes—using outsourcing contracts, temporary residency rules, work tenure limits, and other mechanisms—to steadily erode the privileges of lower-realm cultivators in the upper realms.

Among them were mighty cultivators who sought to establish a grand Dao-lineage—one that would sever Heaven and Earth entirely, closing forever the path for lower-realm aspirants to enter the sect.

That lineage had grown increasingly stringent, drastically reducing the number of lower-realm disciples admitted.

But then came the chain of upheavals: the Immortal Rebellion, the vanishing of Layer Six, the University War, and the normalization of lower-realm sect examinations… shattering that lineage to the brink of collapse. The dream of severing Heaven and Earth lay in ruins.

Lu Hengzhang understood this was a clash of Dao-lineages, a struggle between factions.

Complete isolation of the lower realms was now impossible.

Fortunately, that great power had shifted strategy: instead of total exclusion, the new aim was suppression—to erect an invisible barrier that would permanently extinguish lower-realm cultivators’ hopes of advancement.

And Lu Hengzhang was deeply involved in this effort.

He knew this path alone could secure support for his future breakthrough into the Nascent Soul stage.

And once he achieved that, the statutes he enacted would intertwine with the powers backing him, mutually reinforcing one another.

His peripheral vision swept briefly over Department Head Luo Wujī. A cold smirk curled inwardly. *Luo Wujī… this time, I’ll drag you down with me.*

*The position of Audit Department Head—and the Nascent Soul Certification—suit me far better than you.*

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was saying, “…and I must especially thank Team Leader Qu for his unwavering support over the past month.”

“And besides, if Minister Luo hadn’t personally selected me last month, I never would have achieved these results.”

Luo Wujī: “It has nothing to do with me—don’t credit me for your success. Team Leader Qu, why don’t you share your takeaways from this month as well?”

After Qu Yizhi finished speaking, Luo Wujī summed up: “This victory belongs not only to Zhang Yu alone but is the fruit of our entire team’s coordinated efforts. Moving forward, I hope Zhang Yu and the rest of you can pass on your experience to Martial Arts Teams One and Two, so that together we may create a sky ablaze with stars.”

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(End of chapter)