Chapter 780: Enemy, Teacher, Heavenly Sword, Immortal Sect Audit

Chapter 780: Enemy, Teacher, Heavenly Sword, Celestial Gate Audit

Listening to Zhang Yu and Zhan Xian's conversation about high-intelligence artifact spirits, Fu Ji's gaze shifted slightly as she instantly thought of the battle over spiritual energy.

She mused silently, "The industries capable of fighting high-intelligence artifact spirits for spiritual energy are by no means few!"

Just as Fu Ji was about to speak, Zhan Xian beat her to it: "Considering how these high-intelligence artifact spirits consume spiritual energy, the other orthodoxies will not let the matter rest. After all, they are not the only ones in this world requiring it; the Dharma Realm, Dharma medicines, soul cultivators... they will all compete with them."

Fu Ji hurriedly interjected, "I—I was thinking the exact same thing!"

Zhang Yu replied, "Mm."

Reflecting on how the words she had so painstakingly formulated had been snatched right out of her mouth by Zhan Xian, a wave of regret washed over Fu Ji's heart: "I really wanted to say that just now! Blast this mouth of mine, I need to speak faster next time!"

Meanwhile, Gu Qingya continued, "In short, the Primordial Orthodoxy has deep roots, and the person backing Lu Hengzhang is far from simple. As long as he doesn't make a grave error himself, it won't be easy to move him, even after I become minister."

"So Zhang Yu, remember this: if you want to climb higher within the sect, you must first learn to endure."

"Gather your strength diligently, and bide your time."

Looking at Gu Qingya before him, Zhang Yu gave a slight nod, acknowledging the truth in his words.

Gu Qingya smiled mysteriously. "If you encounter any difficulties, you can come find me after hours. I can personally offer you some guidance."

Zhang Yu nodded in gratitude, then thought to himself, "Over this coming year, I must continue to quietly accumulate strength."

"After all, it will take a year before I officially become the group leader and rise to the third rank."

"And within this year, even if Lu Hengzhang's position becomes vacant, it will not be my turn..."

Zhan Xian agreed, "Accumulate strength first and wait patiently for an opportunity. Though high-intelligence artifact spirits are developing rapidly, there are many dissatisfied factions. We need only wait for them to clash like the snipe and the clam, and our chance for promotion will naturally arise."

"But you must also watch out for Lu Hengzhang. As a supporter of the Primordial Orthodoxy, he will never cease his suppression of you."

"It is safe to say that in our future quest for promotion, this fellow, as your direct superior, will inevitably pose a major threat."

...

"Zhang Yu... that wretched beast, I wish for nothing more than to eradicate him."

Lu Hengzhang thought to himself, "Now that this brat has become the leader of Martial Arts Group One, to me... he is a thorn in my side, a bone in my throat."

Although Lu Hengzhang had barely spoken a word to Zhang Yu from the moment the youth entered the sect until this very second...

He understood perfectly well that the two had long since become adversaries.

Yet Lu Hengzhang had never anticipated that a minor cultivator from the lower realm—someone he thought he could pin down effortlessly with a wave of his hand—would seize an opportunity to climb so swiftly, becoming the acting group leader in the blink of an eye, with a promotion to the third rank just a year away.

Furthermore, Lu Hengzhang knew all too well that once the boy became the official leader and reached the third rank, the dynamic between them would turn precarious.

"If the original Zhang Yu posed absolutely no threat to me..." Lu Hengzhang mused inwardly, "then once he becomes the official group leader, he will possess a sliver of leverage against me."

Though opportunities for a subordinate to overthrow a superior were rare, Lu Hengzhang refused to tolerate even a sliver of a threat.

Crushing every danger before it could bloom was his preferred way of handling things.

Lu Hengzhang's voice cut across the Dharma Realm, speaking slowly toward the other end: "Deputy Pavilion Master Yang, during this coming year... I want to find an opportunity to cast Zhang Yu down, ensuring he cannot become the official group leader a year from now."

The person currently in contact with Lu Hengzhang was precisely Deputy Pavilion Master Yang of the Imperial Dharma Pavilion.

Within the Ten Thousand Dharma Sect, the determination of ranks and positions was strictly enforced, and titles used between members brooked no deviation.

Just like now, facing his superior, Lu Hengzhang would not vaguely address him as Pavilion Master, but would precisely invoke his title as Deputy Pavilion Master.

Of course, before this Void-Refining Daoist Lord, who stood a full two ranks higher than him and had already established a Dharma Law, Lu Hengzhang appeared exceedingly deferential.

Even though the man had not projected his manifestation, Lu Hengzhang subconsciously kept his head lowered and his waist bowed, as if listening to guidance, having woven compliance before this leader into his very instincts.

Deputy Pavilion Master Yang's voice drifted through: "Striking down a lower-realm cultivator is only proper."

"However, Gu Qingya will soon take over the position of Minister of the Audit Department. Do not clash with them for the time being."

"Our primary energy must still be focused on the high-intelligence artifact spirits, pushing through the audits for their various related technologies as quickly as possible so they can hit the market."

Lu Hengzhang nodded. He knew that compared to other audits involving artifact forging or Daoist arts, the martial arts sector was ultimately not the most highly regarded path.

Particularly the field of high-intelligence artifact spirits, which had absolutely nothing to do with martial arts.

Lu Hengzhang understood that had it not been for the goal of stopping Luo Wuji from establishing a Dharma Law and preventing his faction from pushing for the further sealing of dark cultivation techniques, coupled with the subtle cooperation of other factions, neither he nor the people behind him would have been this proactive.

Despite knowing that the higher-ups intended to concentrate a massive amount of effort and energy on advancing the high-intelligence artifact spirits, Lu Hengzhang remained somewhat unsatisfied: "Are we truly to just leave a lower-realm cultivator like Zhang Yu be? This brat's talent and background are likely exceptional. Leaving him to his own devices like this..."

Deputy Pavilion Master Yang replied, "A mere Nascent Soul cultivator. What could possibly go wrong if left alone for half a year or a year?"

"Moreover, an opportunity will present itself to you in three months at the earliest, or a year at the latest."

"You shall act when the time comes..."

...

Over the next few days, Zhang Yu spent his time alternating between familiarizing himself with the personnel and operations of Martial Arts Group One, and getting used to his duties as group leader.

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

Inside a training school on the eleventh layer of Kunxu.

A few Soul-Transformation cultivators engaged in outsourced training were currently recounting the scenes of their work under the Void-Refining upper cultivators during a mission a few days prior.

The Void-Refinement realm was a state that Soul-Transformation cultivators from the lower realm forever yearned for yet could never reach.

But the more unattainable it was, the more it fueled their boundless curiosity and longing regarding the various details and powers of that realm.

Perfected Lord Miji listened quietly to their accounts from the side, a trace of regret involuntarily welling up in her heart: "Void-Refinement... I have no hope of achieving it in this lifetime."

Perfected Lord Miji understood perfectly well that as a leader of the ten schools in the lower realm, though she could cover the sky with one hand down there, in the eyes of the sect's upper cultivators, she was merely a tool used to govern the lower realm.

"For the sect, it is enough that this tool possesses the Soul-Transformation realm."

"The sect will not give us the chance to reach a higher realm, much less permit us to break through..."

At this thought, Perfected Lord Miji sighed in her heart: "Furthermore, to break through to Void-Refinement, one must travel to the fifteenth layer of Kunxu. What chance do we have?"

A lifetime of struggle, a lifetime of diligent effort along the path of immortal cultivation, ground to a halt at the Soul-Transformation realm, severed by the hands of others.

Faced with all this, the melancholy accumulating in the hearts of Soul-Transformation cultivators like Perfected Lord Miji was something only they themselves could know.

"In contrast, these outsourced Soul-Transformation cultivators from the ninth and tenth layers actually possess a tiny fraction more opportunity than we do."

Looking at the few Soul-Transformation cultivators still chatting animatedly about 'Void-Refinement', Perfected Lord Miji thought to herself, "Although I hear that the chance for an outsourced worker to become a permanent member is nearly nonexistent in this era, at least there remains a sliver of possibility."

"By comparison, for leaders of the ten schools like us, I fear our only chance to enter the sect is to pass the exam after dying and reincarnating."

As Miji was sighing inwardly, Perfected Lord Aoki gave her shoulder a comforting pat from the side, knowing that his old friend's heart had grown heavy once more.

Meanwhile, an outsourced Soul-Transformation cultivator suddenly spoke up: "Miji, didn't you say your disciple passed the exam to become a sect official? Calculating the time, it has been a few months since they entered the sect, right? How is it that you haven't even met?"

Another Soul-Transformation cultivator from the tenth layer chuckled softly and said, "Miji, given your position, you might not understand the sect well enough. Now that your disciple has entered the sect, I fear he long stopped acknowledging you as his master."

Perfected Lord Miji snorted coldly and countered, "My disciple has just entered the sect and is at his busiest. I was the one who told him he didn't need to come see me."

The outsourced Soul-Transformation cultivators exchanged smiles upon hearing this, completely disbelieving Perfected Lord Miji's words.

They had interacted with sect disciples and understood the attitude of sect cultivators all too well.

Even with their Soul-Transformation cultivation, they were practically transparent in the eyes of most sect cultivators, viewed merely as tools.

Were it not for the various benefits within the sect layers, the immortal coins earned to trade for resources exclusive to the sect, and that illusory chance of transitioning from outsourced to permanent status, they would never have come to the sect to suffer this degradation.

An outsourced Soul-Transformation cultivator sneered in a small private chat: "A sect official's daily work must be finished within four hours. Besides, that disciple of hers is merely a tier-one official. How busy could he possibly be?"

Another person in the small group chuckled, “Hah! She’s probably been out of contact for ages. Even if he’s only a Grade 1 Sect Affairs Officer, he’s still a Sect Lord—why would he bother with some old Nascent Soul cultivator stuck at the fifth layer?”

Just then, across the void, Magnetic Pole Sovereign’s vision flickered—a friend request from the Dharma Realm had arrived.

Friend requests from the Dharma Realm always displayed rank first, position second, and personal name last.

When she saw “Grade 2 Sect Affairs Officer” followed by the title “Acting Team Leader of the Martial Dao Division One, Review Department, Imperial Dharma Pavilion,” Magnetic Pole Sovereign’s thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

Her mind raced like lightning—how could a Grade 2 officer be adding her as a friend?—but before she could finish the thought, the final two characters appeared: Zhang Yu.

A moment later, Magnetic Pole Sovereign cleared her throat loudly and turned toward Qingmu Sovereign, Yin Spring Sovereign, Nielian Sovereign, and the others. “Zhang Yu is about to project himself over—he wants to pay us a visit.”

The several Nascent Soul Sovereigns from the Ten Academies immediately looked at her in astonishment.

In the next instant, light shimmered—and Zhang Yu stood before them.

Seeing the “Grade 2 Sect Affairs Officer” insignia hovering above his head, Qingmu Sovereign, Yin Spring Sovereign, Nielian Sovereign, and the rest were all taken aback.

Yin Spring Sovereign thought to herself, “Zhang Yu got promoted? So quickly?”

Nielian Sovereign was equally stunned: “He’s only been in the sect for a few months—how did he already reach Grade 2?”

Meanwhile, the outsourced Nascent Souls reacted even faster. The moment Zhang Yu manifested, their eyes snapped toward him, minds whirring, information surging between them in a sudden flood.

Unlike the Ten Academy Sovereigns, who fixated on the “Grade 2” designation, the outsourced cultivators focused more intently on the other half of his title: “Acting Team Leader of the Martial Dao Division One, Review Department, Imperial Dharma Pavilion.”

The small group chat erupted instantly.

“Team leaders in the Imperial Dharma Pavilion’s Review Department should be Grade 3, right? Why does it say Grade 2?”

“Didn’t you see ‘acting’? He’ll officially become Grade 3 when he’s confirmed next year.”

“Hss…” Someone more familiar with the Myriad Dharmas Sect’s rules sucked in a sharp breath and typed into the group: “He must’ve just barely made the March evaluation cutoff to hit Grade 2, got appointed acting team leader, and now he’s aiming for the next evaluation next year to jump to Grade 3.”

“It’s practically a battlefield promotion—a triple leap!”

“Could he really be Magnetic Pole’s disciple? She’s probably just a proxy master—holding the title for some big shot who can’t openly claim him. His real master definitely isn’t her…”

At that moment, Zhang Yu became unfathomably deep and mysterious in the eyes of these outsourced Nascent Souls.

They scrambled to their feet and greeted him in unison: “Team Leader Zhang…”

Watching this perfectly synchronized display, Nielian Sovereign, Yin Spring Sovereign, and the others were surprised—and suddenly realized that Zhang Yu’s status as a Grade 2 Sect Affairs Officer was far more formidable than they’d assumed.

Zhang Yu gave the outsourced Nascent Souls a slight nod, then turned to Magnetic Pole Sovereign and Qingmu Sovereign. “Master Qingmu, Master Magnetic Pole—it’s been a while.”

“Sovereign Nielian, Sovereign Yin Spring… greetings.”

Each of them responded politely—but without noticing, these proud Nascent Soul Sovereigns found themselves oddly restrained in the presence of Zhang Yu, a mere Core Formation True Lord.

Just then, Magnetic Pole Sovereign said, “You’re an acting team leader now—your work must be overwhelming. Why come here? Now that you’ve finally entered the sect, you should focus entirely on your duties.”

Zhang Yu smiled faintly. In truth, he’d wanted to contact Magnetic Pole and Qingmu long ago—but one matter after another had kept him occupied until now, when he finally found a sliver of free time and asked Spark True Lord to help locate them.

Hearing her words, he replied gently, “It’s alright, Master—I’m working even as I speak with you.”

Prompted by their eager questions, Zhang Yu briefly recounted his recent experiences, his work, and his rapid promotion.

The Ten Academy Sovereigns now understood clearly: as acting team leader, Zhang Yu would ascend to Grade 3 within a year—an outcome that left them even more astonished.

“Well done,” Qingmu Sovereign said, gazing at Zhang Yu with emotion. “Looking back, I never imagined you’d achieve what you have today.”

Magnetic Pole Sovereign said nothing aloud, but inwardly sighed: *Though I’ll never reach Void Refinement in this lifetime… perhaps one day, my disciple will break through to that realm.*

Watching them, Zhang Yu thought silently: *If the chance arises in the future, maybe I can bring both masters into the Sect Layer to assist me.*

Jianxian chimed in approvingly: “Indeed. You and these two masters have walked through life and death together—trust like this is exceedingly rare in Kunxu. In the Sect Layer, you may find many stronger subordinates than they are now, but companions you can truly trust? That will be hard to come by.”

Zhang Yu nodded slightly. “Trust… is too luxurious in Kunxu.”

Jianxian continued, “Beyond trust, Magnetic Pole and Qingmu also possess considerable talent. Especially Magnetic Pole—her Dao Seed ‘Heavenly Artifice’ has aided us greatly before, and holds much potential for the future.”

After exchanging a few more words with his two masters, Zhang Yu turned to Yin Spring Sovereign and spoke briefly about Wang Yin, relaying the message Wang Yin had entrusted to him. He told her that if she wished to send a reply, she could let him know—he’d ensure it reached Wang Yin before the next Sect Examination.

Having added the Ten Academy Sovereigns as friends and exchanged a few final remarks, Zhang Yu’s projection dissolved, severing the connection.

Magnetic Pole Sovereign sighed dramatically, speaking slowly: “That boy—instead of focusing on work, he wastes office hours visiting us? Sigh… I’ll send him a message later and tell him not to squander time like this again.”

“He’s showing off again!” Yin Spring Sovereign muttered inwardly, recalling the money request Wang Yin had just sent her.

Though she felt a flicker of warmth that her son relied on her so thoroughly, comparing him to someone else’s disciple left a bitter taste in her mouth.

“If only I’d taken Zhang Yu as my disciple back then—made him Wang Yin’s father, so he could look after him a bit.”

The other nearby Nascent Soul Sovereigns also wore thoughtful expressions.

Once, they had believed the path of immortality had long since changed.

In today’s Kunxu, the immortal way demanded self-interest alone—masters and disciples alike were merely tools for one’s own ascent.

But witnessing, time and again, the bond between Zhang Yu, Magnetic Pole, and Qingmu had quietly shifted something within them, stirring memories of a distant past—when reverence for teachers and loyalty among disciples still held meaning.

Nielian Sovereign mused inwardly: *Perhaps… such a master-disciple relationship is worth investing in after all.*

Just then, one of the Nascent Souls who had earlier teased Magnetic Pole about sect protocols approached with a smile. “Magnetic Pole, you’ve taken on quite the disciple! Only a few months in the sect, and already Grade 2 Sect Affairs Officer—his future is limitless!”

Magnetic Pole Sovereign waved a hand dismissively. “What’s so great about Grade 2? He told me himself—it’s high pressure, heavy responsibility, exhausting work, constant overtime threats, cutthroat competition, and endless scheming. You outsourced cultivators have it easier—just keep your heads down and cultivate. No need to worry about all the politics like Sect Affairs Officers do.”

The other’s face stiffened, but he could only force an awkward laugh.

…

At Heaven Sword Sect,

Bai Zhenzhen stared at Zhang Yu’s Grade 2 insignia and felt a surge of determination: *I can’t fall too far behind Yu Zi.*

Her Exam-Sect avatar roared inside her mind: “If you want to catch up, you must follow my guidance—start by mastering the ‘Love-the-Sect’ realm!”

Ignoring the avatar, Bai Zhenzhen instead recalled her first days at Heaven Sword Sect.

Back then, a fellow alumnus from Heaven Sword University had explained the sect’s current technological landscape to her and Wen Wuya.

“With the rapid advancement of immortal arts that harness spirit to command matter, Heaven Sword Sect’s construction of the Sentient Heaven and Earth system is now firmly on track…”

“Rooted in the Sword Intent of Loving the Sect, and supplemented by other emotional sword intents, we drive forward a radiant sword dao technology that surpasses all past and present—ranking first among the Ten Sects today.”

“But different emotions entail vastly different costs, dangers, and difficulty levels in cultivation.”

He looked seriously at Bai Zhenzhen and Wen Wuya: “Shock, shame, fear… these sword intents are relatively safe and suitable for you.”

Wen Wuya exclaimed, “Shock works?”

The man laughed. “Of course! Your current state is perfect—you’ve just ascended from the lower realms. Ideal for cultivating Shock Sword.”

“In contrast, anger, sorrow, pain, disgust, lust, hatred… these carry much higher risks.”

“Sorrow and pain—if too intense, they can drive one mad or even to suicide. Anger, disgust, and hatred are the leading causes of sword-related incidents.”

He declared proudly, “That’s why Heaven Sword Sect has the highest number of certified killers among the Ten Sects.”

“As for lust…”

He explained, “With the growing number of cultivators practicing Lust Sword, our sect’s data on forced cultivation has reached an all-time high.”

He beamed with pride: “In a few years, we’ll likely surpass Heaven Demon Sect and become the premier sect for forced cultivation.”

Hearing this, the Exam-Sect avatar bellowed triumphantly in Bai Zhenzhen’s mind: “Heaven Sword Sect is already number one! All our metrics will soon top the Ten Sects!”

But Wen Wuya’s heart sank. A chill ran through him: *This Heaven Sword Sect is a den of danger—far more perilous than the lower realms.*

Noticing his expression, the man nodded approvingly. “Your state is excellent too—perfect for Fear Sword.”

Bai Zhenzhen furrowed her brow and said, “Is there anything else?”

The other party replied, “Of course there is. There’s also our sect’s current premier sword path—the Nirvana Sword Dao.”

Bai Zhenzhen’s eyes narrowed. “Nirvana?”

The other party explained, “Simpler than shock, fear, or shame… safer than anger, sorrow, pain, disgust, lust, or hatred…”

“So it’s joy, then.”

“Forging the supreme sword path through supreme bliss.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Wuya exclaimed in astonishment, “This sword path… could it be… that as long as one feels joy, they grow stronger? That joy alone can awaken sword intent? That it can reshape heaven and earth?”

The other party nodded. “You’ve got it right.”

Bai Zhenzhen asked again, “Then… what about its flaws? The fact that others still choose different cultivation paths must mean the Nirvana Sword Dao has serious shortcomings, doesn’t it?”

The other party shook his head. “It’s not so much a fundamental flaw in the technique itself—it’s just that the requirements for cultivating the Nirvana Sword Dao are exceedingly high.”

“Because joy… is expensive.”

“The richer you are, the happier you can be.”

“And as one advances deeper into the Nirvana Sword Dao, the demands for joy become ever greater, ever harder to satisfy—requiring ever more wealth to sustain progress.”

Just then, cries of astonishment erupted all around them: “Holy crap! It’s a mortal from the Lower Realm!”

“What? Really a Lower Realm mortal!”

“That’s insane! How did a Lower Realm mortal get up here!”

“Whoa—it’s one who actually passed the entrance exam into our sect!”

Hearing the growing clamor, the cultivator who had been explaining the technical landscape to Bai Zhenzhen and Wen Wuya immediately grabbed them both and hurried off.

“Quick, let’s go! Practitioners of the Shock Sword Dao are gathering—don’t let them swarm us, or we won’t be able to leave at all.”

…

At the Myriad Arts Sect.

Inside the Yufa Pavilion.

Ever since Zhang Yu resumed his duties with the Martial Division, he deliberately set aside part of each day to train in the foundational martial arts of his Nascent Soul Sacred Body.

In the blink of an eye, over a month had passed. He had already pushed his Nascent Soul Sacred Body to (16/16), enhancing its effects by another 20%.

With his new monthly salary deposited, along with bonuses sent by Qu Yizhi, Chu Wangji, and others, Zhang Yu’s savings suddenly surpassed 10,000 Immortal Coins, and his Dao Merit reached 120 points.

Gazing at the balance in his account, Zhang Yu thought inwardly, “At this rate, I’ll be able to afford an Immortal Spirit Root within just a few months—finally resolving that trouble.”

In the days that followed, Zhang Yu continued working while steadily advancing his Nascent Soul Sacred Body, ceaselessly saving money and accumulating the foundations of his immortal cultivation.

Time slipped by day after day—until, before he knew it, seven months had gone by.

Then, like thunder splitting the sky, a piece of news exploded through the Yufa Pavilion:

A newly created immortal sect manual was on its way to the pavilion for review.

(End of chapter)