Chapter 526: Zhang Yu's Bottom Line

"True Monarch Ciji doesn't really understand laboratory management, school property safety issues, or our work at all."

Feng Yuhan said, "But I cannot ignore her oversight."

As Feng Yuhan spoke, Zhang Yu's consciousness, however, traversed multiple spirit realms and directly entered the Grand Pure Realm.

Zhang Yu was somewhat shocked as he sensed all this: "Can the Grand Pure Realm really break through the blockade? My sister's Dao Seed is truly unfathomable."

Zhang Yu had initially felt that the Grand Pure Talisman was as powerful as Bai Zhenzhen's Green Lotus Sword Embryo, but now he was increasingly convinced that the Grand Pure Talisman's potential seemed even more terrifying than the Green Lotus Sword Embryo.

"Hmm," Zhang Pianpian's eyes opened in the great hall. She said, "You've been blocked."

After Zhang Yu explained the situation to Zhang Pianpian, he heard her lightly chuckle and say, "It's fine. No need to contact anyone; just go back."

Zhang Yu asked, puzzled, "Don't I need to tell True Monarch Ciji about what's happening here?"

Zhang Pianpian replied, "What kind of person do you think Ciji is? Feng Yuhan has been watching her lab, so how could she not have a contingency for this?"

"The moment your Sun-Moon Heaven-Penetrating Bracelet lost connection, she probably already noticed. By now, she might even be secretly observing you and Feng Yuhan."

"If you were to use the Grand Pure Realm as a channel to send a message now, you'd reveal your trump card."

"Go back."

High in the sky.

Director Gao looked down at Zhang Yu and Feng Yuhan and said helplessly, "Ciji, aren't you going to act yet? How long do you plan to watch?"

True Monarch Ciji replied, "Isn't it a good opportunity to use this chance to see what our disciple is made of?"

Director Gao shook his head. "You enjoy testing human nature too much, but human nature can't withstand such tests."

True Monarch Ciji, however, smiled and said, "If a person hasn't gone through rigorous tests, why should I trust them?"

"Of course, I know that everything in this world has a price."

"Therefore, only by understanding a person's approximate psychological price can I feel confident in employing them."

Meanwhile, when Zhang Yu came back to his senses, Feng Yuhan's voice echoed in his ears once more.

"Once you entrust the key organ to me for safekeeping, True Monarch Ciji can apply to me to conduct experiments."

"And as I said, this is a good thing for you."

With that, three hundred spirit coins appeared at Feng Yuhan's fingertips, triggering numerous celestial phenomena.

"The school can offer three hundred spirit coins to completely purchase the copyright to your organs."

After saying this, Feng Yuhan's face was filled with confidence.

He believed that buying a Foundation Establishment student's organs for three hundred spirit coins would leave the student with no reason to refuse.

Gazing at the celestial phenomena caused by the three hundred spirit coins, watching the balance figures shimmering in the air, and listening to the whispers of soul cultivators from the depths of the spirit realm, Zhang Yu indeed hesitated for a moment.

Especially since he was about to refine the prototype of the Heavenly Sun Radiant Deity, it was precisely a time when he needed money.

Although he had received some project support from the Artifact Forging Department during the past period, Zhang Yu had mastered ten artifact forging cultivation methods in one go, incurring considerable expenses. Currently, his bank account had a balance of just over fifty spirit coins.

With the support of these three hundred spirit coins, his upcoming plans would clearly benefit greatly.

Feng Yuhan said calmly, "You also don't need to worry that you won't be able to participate in experiments after handing over the item."

"The item will be kept by me. Whenever you or True Monarch Ciji wish to conduct an experiment, you can apply to me in advance."

"I am also responsible for the security of the lab's assets. I hope you, student Zhang Yu, can understand."

Zhang Yu, however, shook his head firmly upon hearing this and said, "Unless my teacher agrees, I won't sell it."

Feng Yuhan frowned and then continued, "You've recently applied to the school for a project loan, haven't you? The project seems to be the prototype of the Heavenly Sun Radiant Deity."

"The loan application was sent to my office yesterday."

"But if you're unwilling to cooperate with our work, then I don't think you're qualified for the school's loan."

Hearing the other party's threat, Zhang Yu shook his head again and said, "My teacher has guided me step by step to where I am today. Without my teacher's permission, I will not casually sell any part of my body."

High in the sky.

Listening to Zhang Yu's words, True Monarch Ciji burst out laughing and turned to Director Gao beside her, saying, "Old Gao, what do you think?"

Director Gao's expression was complex as he replied, "It seems he really likes you as a teacher."

True Monarch Ciji said, "I, on the other hand, think this kid might be putting on a bit of a show. He couldn't have guessed we were nearby, could he?"

Director Gao sighed. "Ciji, you're too suspicious. Isn't it time to act?"

The next moment, as Director Gao thrust out his palm, terrifying telluric gravity seemed to boil forth.

Zhang Yu felt everything before him violently stretch, twist, and deform, as if the entire world was about to be dragged into a massive void.

"This is... Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power?" Zhang Yu was startled. "Golden Core level? No, this must be at least Nascent Soul level Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power!"

Under the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, which severely distorted even sunlight, the entire world seemed to dim.

At the same time, the chains Feng Yuhan had just deployed shattered completely.

Feng Yuhan looked up at the descending Director Gao and snorted coldly. "Gao Chongguang, are you interfering with the Artifact Forging Department's affairs too? Are you, a useless fellow, content with being used by Xiao Yurong? Running errands for her?"

Xiao Yurong was True Monarch Ciji's original name, and this was the first time Zhang Yu had heard anyone address his teacher in such a manner.

Gao Chongguang said calmly, "Our affairs are none of your business."

Gazing at the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Pagoda faintly emerging in the spirit realm, Feng Yuhan snorted and slowly retreated.

"True Monarch Ciji, my actions are all for the public good."

"The Top Ten Leagues are approaching, and the situation for various schools is severe. My approach is the safest."

As Feng Yuhan departed, True Monarch Ciji appeared before Zhang Yu, looked at him, nodded, and asked, "Are you alright?"

Before Zhang Yu could even sigh in relief, True Monarch Ciji continued, "However, what Feng Yuhan said does make sense."

"Hehuan University has never stopped causing trouble, and there will likely be many maneuvers in the upcoming Top Ten Leagues."

"For safety's sake, it's best if you let me keep the item."

Zhang Yu was slightly stunned upon hearing this, a troubled expression appearing on his face.

True Monarch Ciji said, "Would I ever let you suffer a loss? If Feng Yuhan offered you three hundred spirit coins, I'll give you three hundred spirit coins too."

Yet, Zhang Yu still did not agree.

He recalled his feelings when he first arrived at Kunxu, when he first heard the condition of sterilization for admission.

At that time, he had felt a strong repulsion towards such a condition.

But over the years, under the baptism of Kunxu, he had lowered his bottom line again and again, selling off parts of himself repeatedly.

From time, to labor, to sweat and blood, to seeds... was he finally going to sell even his own organs now?

After studying for so many years, Zhang Yu felt as if he had returned to Songyang High School.

The question from the interviewer in his memory resurfaced: "Have you been sterilized?"

And this time, Zhang Yu did not want to agree.

"For life, for survival, I can be partially assimilated by Kunxu."

"But I don't want to be completely assimilated by Kunxu. I don't want to become a thorough Kunxu native..."

At this moment, a sudden realization flashed through Zhang Yu's mind: from the moment he entered high school, whether or not he was sterilized had perhaps become an anchor point in his heart, a point that distinguished him from the natives of Kunxu.

In his mind, the Four-Headed White Ox roared repeatedly, seemingly also approving Zhang Yu's decision.

So Zhang Yu looked up at True Monarch Ciji and said, "Teacher!"

"Why would I need three hundred spirit coins? Anything on your disciple that you fancy, Teacher, you may take."

"However, your disciple hopes that if I can achieve success in body refining and later break through to the Golden Core or even Nascent Soul realm, I could offer you something of even better quality."

Although Zhang Yu was determined not to let Kunxu breach his final bottom line and to hold firm to his mental anchor point.

He also understood, however, that there was a proper way to do things.

True Monarch Ciji smiled and said, "If you don't want to, then don't."

"Let's go back together."

As they hurried back to the university town with Zhang Yu, True Monarch Ciji privately messaged Director Gao: "This kid actually refused three hundred spirit coins for the sake of a root?"

Director Gao, however, stroked his chin, a slight smile playing on his lips. "It's been a long time since I've seen a student like this."

True Monarch Ciji chuckled and messaged back: "You used to be like this too."

Director Gao's face darkened as he replied, "Why are you dragging me into this?"

True Monarch Ciji: "I was just thinking, our disciples from centuries ago, weren't they all like this when they were alive?"

After a moment of silence, Director Gao replied, "Yes."

Back in Wanfa University Town, True Monarch Ciji grabbed Zhang Yu, preparing to head to the laboratory to continue artifact forging.

Glancing at Director Gao, who was looking over, True Monarch Ciji said, "What? Do you want to come and observe?"

Director Gao: "It's just artifact forging; there's nothing special to see."

"Then I'll leave with Zhang Yu first."

With that, True Monarch Ciji took Zhang Yu to the laboratory, leaving Director Gao to silently watch the two depart.

Another month passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now early September.

During these days, Zhang Yu continued to study artifact blueprints, making rapid progress with the blessings of the Grand Pure Realm and his talent as an artifact prodigy. Unbeknownst to him, he had already mastered nearly half of the preliminary artifact blueprints required to forge the Heavenly Sun Radiant Deity.

At the same time, Zhang Yu watched as True Monarch Ciji used bionic technology to create the Yang Device Dharma Skeleton. After numerous revisions, she finalized the ultimate version and gradually advanced it to level 30, needing only one more level to meet the requirements for replicating Dao Seeds.

It was during these busy days that Zhang Yu began to feel a growing sense of gravity settle over the entire university town.

The new season of the Top Ten Leagues was about to begin.

From Zhang Yu's observations, the conflicts between various universities in this season's Top Ten Leagues seemed more intense than ever before.

Amidst these fierce conflicts, under the watchful eyes of countless people, and largely unanticipated by most...

A financial crisis descended.