Chapter 326: Dao Heart and the Mind Demon
As the figure lunged forward with terrifying speed, Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered. He spun around in an instant, unleashing a torrent of Wuxiang Yun’gang that surged out in spiraling waves, crashing forward with a thunderous roar.
Boom!
The collision of their martial energies sent shockwaves through the air. Zhang Yu staggered back several steps, his expression grim as he locked eyes with the attacker.
"You?"
The man standing before him—sudden, ruthless, and unmistakably hostile—was none other than Tian Yang, the team leader.
Zhang Yu felt the turbulence within his body—the surge of martial energy, the pulsing of blood in his veins—and his brow furrowed.
"My mission was assigned by Tian Yang himself."
"This area is remote, isolated, right in a blind spot of the surveillance grid... He planned this."
"He waited for me to be alone... and then attacked?"
As his mind raced, Tian Yang spoke calmly, "Wang Zong sends his regards."
Zhang Yu froze.
Wang Yin?
The name triggered a memory—the powerful Wang Zong of Luzhou Group, the man who had clashed with him repeatedly in the First Layer, and who had even sent enforcers to retaliate afterward.
At the same time, Tian Yang’s assault descended like a relentless storm, a relentless barrage of attacks, each one heavier than the last, aiming to crush Zhang Yu in mere strikes.
The technique he wielded was known as Da Feng Tian Chen Zhang, a martial art inspired by the chaos of construction sites—dust storms, airborne particulates, the endless struggle to control pollution.
Now, as he attacked, his martial aura roiled like a swirling cloud of dust, shifting unpredictably, striking from angles no human should be able to reach—just like the invisible, suffocating haze of construction site pollution, designed to engulf and bury the target.
This technique was already formidable—its strength lay in its blend of deception and unpredictability. Against weaker opponents, it was nearly unstoppable, allowing the user to toy with their prey like insects beneath a magnifying glass.
Tian Yang had believed this would be the case.
"This Zhang Yu won’t last ten moves."
But by the fifteenth strike, Tian Yang’s confidence began to waver.
Thanks to the Shican Modong and his Third Eye Ability, Zhang Yu saw every motion clearly—every shift, every feint, every intent behind the strike.
But seeing wasn’t enough.
Zhang Yu was just an ordinary university student, diligent and hardworking, with no real experience in life-or-death combat. Even if he understood the movements, he couldn’t instantly devise a counter.
Yet he didn’t need to.
Ever since entering Wanfa University City, Zhang Yu had harbored a quiet resolve: In a place like Kunxu, combat ability might not be as vital as academic skill—but one must still have a weapon for survival.
But in the relentless pursuit of cultivation, he’d never found time to train his fighting skills.
Until now.
With the arrival of the Third Eye Ability, Zhang Yu had found a new way to fight—one that required little time or effort, yet could deliver immediate combat effectiveness.
He called it the 55 Opening Method—a strategy that ensured he could hold his ground against any opponent, no matter the odds.
Now, Zhang Yu roared, activating the Zhanmo Yanshou Jue, instantly boosting his Physical Strength Level.
At the same time, his Third Eye Ability went into full mimicry—copying not just the movements, but the essence of Tian Yang’s technique.
In Tian Yang’s stunned disbelief, Zhang Yu mirrored him perfectly—matching each strike with the same form, the same power, the same timing.
At first, Tian Yang was confident. “Even if he copies my moves, my cultivation level is far superior. I’ll break him with sheer force.”
But then, Zhang Yu’s resilience became undeniable.
His Wuxiang Yun’gang was already expertly attuned to dispersing force. Combined with the Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin technique—using an opponent’s strength against them—the Tu Mu Holy Body’s incredible resistance, the No. 20 Secret Steel reinforcement in his bones, and the Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique that kept his body in peak vitality…
All of it turned Zhang Yu into a living fortress.
Tian Yang felt it—each strike hitting like a rock against stone. The force didn’t shatter him. It vanished, absorbed, redirected.
At first, Tian Yang thought Zhang Yu had learned his martial art.
"Did he study Da Feng Tian Chen Zhang?"
"Or is he just a prodigy, stealing my techniques right in front of me?"
But soon he realized: the movements were identical—but the flow of martial energy, the internal structure, was completely different.
Zhang Yu’s aura wasn’t attacking. It was dissipating. Absorbing. Redirecting.
"Not copying my technique… just copying the form? But how is he so damn durable?"
Tian Yang stared at Zhang Yu—lucid, energetic, unshaken—feeling the unyielding hardness of his limbs, the way each strike sank into him like water into mud.
He felt… nauseated.
"This kid is insanely tough."
"Hitting him feels worse than working overtime on a construction site."
"Who the hell designed his fighting style? This is pure harassment."
"Fine. Enough."
With a roll of his eyes, Tian Yang slammed his foot into the ground, leaving a ripple of afterimages as he vanished—reappearing tens of meters away in a blur.
"Alright, that’s enough. No more."
He waved a hand, his gaze on Zhang Yu now tinged with something like respect.
"Not bad, Director Gao’s new recruit. Your constitution? Perfect for working overtime on a construction site. You’d leave everyone else in the dust."
Zhang Yu blinked, surprised at the sudden cessation.
"You’re not here to exact revenge on me? For Wang Yin?"
Tian Yang laughed.
"I’ve got a friend at Youming University. He told me Wang Yin did want someone to teach you a lesson."
He paused, then added with mock solemnity:
"But my friend? He’s not on Wang Yin’s side."
Tian Yang crossed his arms. "We’re both from Wanfa University. Both in Civil Engineering. Both under Director Gao’s wing. Why would I betray you for a few coins?"
"Besides," he grinned, "I’d rather use this as an excuse to ask Wang Yin for something."
"Come on, let’s record a fight video."
"I was worried you’d act too stiff, so I did a surprise attack."
He shook his head.
"I just wanted to throw a few punches, push you to the edge—but you just kept going. I didn’t expect you to survive more than a dozen strikes."
But now, the video… it might be even better than he’d planned.
Zhang Yu frowned. "What do you mean?"
Tian Yang leaned in. "I pretend to beat you up. Then I send the video to Wang Yin, and ask for a reward."
"Once the deal goes through—whatever he gives me—I’ll split half the Lingbi with you, at market value."
"Frankly, I need some things from Youming University. If you’re willing to keep cooperating, we can squeeze even more out of Wang Yin."
As Tian Yang turned and walked away, Zhang Yu remained uncertain.
Was he lying? Or was this real?
Zhang Yu thought, "I’m in Wanfa University… and Wang Yin still hasn’t given up?"
Fujie chuckled from within his mind. "When someone’s this obsessed, it’s usually not just about revenge or profit. There’s another possibility…"
"Could it be… your presence is affecting his Dao Heart?"
"What you did in the First Layer clashed violently with his principles. You ruined his grand plan. He hates you—deeply."
"And if you’ve become his Mind Demon… then this obsession makes perfect sense. Not just a grudge. It’s a threat to his Dao. To his cultivation."
Not long after, Zhang Yu received a message.
A transfer of 0.5 Lingbi.
“I actually made 0.5 Lingbi?”
The thought sent a thrill through him—especially knowing it came from Wang Yin, the same man who had humiliated him countless times.
Deep within his mind, the white cow in his spirit sea let out a low, triumphant bellow. The Cannibal Cow Serenity Heart Technique flowed more smoothly than ever. His body felt more alive, more vibrant.
The next day, Zhang Yu gathered Yu Xinghan and Li Xiao to help keep watch, then headed to the agreed-upon meeting spot.
"So, what’s the plan today?" Zhang Yu asked. "You gonna beat me up again? Should I make it more dramatic—spit blood?"
Tian Yang waved his hands. "A fight video? The last one was just a spar. No depth."
"This is a university city. No one’s going to let you get killed—or even seriously hurt. Even if I filmed it, Wang Yin has his own sources. He wouldn’t believe it."
"No," he said, grinning, "today’s video is about overtime."
---
Youming University City.
After leaving the First Layer, Wang Yin hadn’t returned to the headquarters of Luzhou Group. Instead, he went back to his mother’s workplace, taking on a temporary, low-profile position to recover—both physically and spiritually.
Without the chance to obtain the Divine Spirit Root, he was forced to rebuild from scratch—re-entering the Foundation Establishment Realm through the Celestial Spirit Root.
Facing his mother again, he had to admit—she had been right all along.
"You can’t treat the dogs below you too kindly."
"Feed them too much, and they’ll stop obeying. They’ll even start thinking they can sit at the table."
But in his heart, the failure in the First Layer burned like acid.
Zhang Yu… and Bai Zhenzhen.
Bai Zhenzhen was no longer a concern. But Zhang Yu…
Every time he thought of Zhang Yu—still studying, still cultivating, still advancing on the immortal path—Wang Yin felt a gnawing agony.
Now, Zhang Yu was like a thorn in his heart, growing deeper with each passing day.
And it was slowing Wang Yin’s progress in re-cultivating his Dao Heart Level.
He remembered his own cultivation of Dizhe Huangxin—a Dao Heart technique forged by drowning a city in wealth, by dominating the masses, until he forged an ultimate will of absolute power.
"Yet in the First Layer, I had everything—wealth beyond measure—and still couldn’t control a single man: Zhang Yu."
"That lowest of First Layer scum—given my favor, and instead of gratitude, he ruined my plan."
"Now, I’m worth a hundred times more than him… and still can’t crush him."
Each thought twisted his soul. The Dizhe Huangxin began to falter—its flow interrupted, choked.
Wang Yin realized: Zhang Yu had become his Mind Demon.
A flaw in his Dao. A crack in his spirit. A contradiction to his very will.
"Either I slowly resolve it—wear down the hatred, reshape my mind…"
"Or… I utterly humiliate him. Break him. Crush his pride. Let me feel vengeance."
It was in this state that he reached out through intermediaries and connected with Tian Yang.
Not long after, he received the video.
The footage showed Zhang Yu—enduring the barrage, standing firm, showing incredible resilience.
Wang Yin’s brow darkened.
He sent Tian Yang 1 Lingbi, then demanded more—more humiliation, more torment, even a live stream.
Tian Yang refused.
He countered with a higher price.
As the negotiation stalled…
Another video arrived.
This one showed Zhang Yu—working overtime, cultivating relentlessly, his cultivation level rising, his wealth growing, his eyes blazing with determination.
Wang Yin’s mind froze.
The Dizhe Huangxin choked again.
And then, a message from Tian Yang:
> If you don’t accept my terms, I’ll make sure Zhang Yu keeps working—nonstop. His cultivation, his wealth… every day, growing stronger.
> You can’t stop it.
> And you can’t win.
---
(End of Chapter)
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