Chapter 486: Divine Spirit Root and the Sealing (Please Support with Your Monthly Votes)
Facing Jiutian Liu’s request, Tianzhang Zhenjun readily agreed.
Leading the man into the laboratory housing the Yin Device, Tianzhang Zhenjun activated it—yet Qiongjiang Nü Sibashi remained completely unresponsive.
Tianzhang Zhenjun chuckled awkwardly. “The Yin Device still has some imperfections. Not everyone can successfully operate it.”
Jiutian Liu sighed, disappointment clear in his voice. “Looks like I don’t qualify?”
“Can’t we force it to start?”
“Or brute-force it?”
Tianzhang Zhenjun replied, “Ciji Zhenjun is concerned that brute-forcing might cause data loss. I agree—it’s a real risk.”
“Besides, we’ve already achieved results. There’s no need to take unnecessary chances.”
“I believe if we keep following our current path, mass production is just a matter of time…
When that happens, the entire Mutual Cultivation market will be transformed. Every university will face an unprecedented storm. We’ll reshape the world!”
As Tianzhang Zhenjun spoke with growing enthusiasm, Jiutian Liu stared at the silent Yin Device and suddenly said, “You can hear me, right?”
“Just cooperate with me. Help me strengthen my cultivation, and I’ll pay you. How about 50 Lingbi for a try?”
Seeing no reaction from the device, Tianzhang Zhenjun explained, “The Yin Device has been sealed by Ciji Zhenjun. Its intelligence is suppressed, and it can’t communicate externally.”
Jiutian Liu chuckled dryly. “Guess I was being too optimistic.”
“Professional work—only professionals should handle it.”
Meanwhile, back in her own room, Ciji Zhenjun’s mind flickered with the image of Jiutian Liu. She thought to herself: The Jin Que Shen Jun is sniffing around again, eager to invest and grab a share once he sees profit?
She wasn’t surprised.
She understood that while the three Immortals of Wanfa University—though differing in their views on the direction of the University War and the future of Wanfa—often clashed, they also cooperated when it served their interests.
The recent Qiongjiang Coin crash and the Yin Device incident, in her eyes, both bore the unmistakable fingerprints of at least two of the Immortals: Wan Hua Shen Jun and Jin Que Shen Jun. Both had profited handsomely.
Ciji Zhenjun knew the truth: among the Immortals, rivalry and alliance coexisted. Their relationships, forged over millennia, were far too complex for ordinary minds to grasp. To them, only profit was eternal.
...
After returning to his dorm, Zhang Yu was soon greeted by his sister.
After checking thoroughly and confirming he wasn’t under surveillance, Zhang Yu finally exhaled in relief.
“Senior,” Zhang Yu said. “Something might happen on me soon. I need you to keep watch—don’t let anyone find out.”
Zhang Pianpian nodded. She knew her younger brother, like her, carried secrets.
Just as she never questioned the mysteries of her own life, she wouldn’t pry into his.
As long as Lingbi still flowed and their familial bond remained, they would protect and support each other in this Kunxu.
Zhang Pianpian asked, “Is it related to the Ling realm?”
Zhang Yu shook his head. “It’s something happening inside me.”
Zhang Pianpian nodded. “I see. Then it’s probably not serious.”
“I’ll go sit in Taiqing Jing. While cultivating there, I can also use its resources to shield you from prying eyes.”
Without pressing for details, Zhang Pianpian’s consciousness had already withdrawn into Taiqing Jing.
Moments later, Zhang Yu received a message from her.
Zhang Pianpian: You can begin.
Zhang Yu took a deep breath, switching the Third Eye Ability on his Dao Zong Spectrum from Spirit Root to Qinglian Jiantai.
Instantly, he felt Qinglian Jiantai vibrate faintly within his body—but no dramatic change occurred. No wild surge, no loss of control.
“Maybe because I spent too little time in A Zhen’s presence? That’s why the transformation is minimal?”
He studied the Divine Spirit Root. It seemed unchanged from before.
“Better test it.”
To Zhang Yu, the greatest enhancement from the Divine Spirit Root lay in strengthening the Chain Law Diagram Set.
With daily use, that enhancement had been steadily growing. Compared to the initial 1% boost, it had now become substantial.
Today, he tested again, silently calculating in his mind:
University Holy Body—nearly 15% strengthening.
Tu Mu Holy Body—around 13%.
Qi Mai Chang Liu—about 6%.
Martial Dao Holy Body—close to 12%.
University and Martial Dao Holy Bodies are used most often and have grown the fastest.
The numbers match my previous tests.
Did it really not change?
Just as Zhang Yu furrowed his brow, feeling his efforts had been wasted, he received a message from Ciji Zhenjun—about a new contract for laboratory testers.
“40 Lingbi per month?”
“If Mutual Cultivation with the Yin Device, the fee is charged per session, starting at 15 Lingbi…”
“Is this even real?!”
No wonder researching Daoism is so profitable—stealing school funding is way faster than working a construction site!
Still, you need a good mentor leading the project.
Though the contract came with numerous confidentiality clauses and strict requirements, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but laugh at the income figures—pure joy surged through him.
And it was in that moment of elation that he suddenly felt his blood surge, his Martial Energy accelerating, and his body shifting with an odd, subtle change.
“Hmm? This sensation…”
He immediately tested again—only to realize that, under the influence of his joyful emotions, his Divine Spirit Root had indeed strengthened.
The Chain Law Diagram Set’s enhancement increased by a tiny bit.
0.5%? Or was it only 0.3%?
Too faint to tell.
Yet, even so, Zhang Yu’s heart surged with excitement.
So my Divine Spirit Root can now strengthen through emotional states?
Yeah, A Zhen said her Qingqing Sword Dao works the same way—using the Seven Emotions to enhance her sword techniques.
Looks like this Divine Spirit Root has gained a similar mechanism.
Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction—then sighed softly.
Too bad I didn’t spend more time with A Zhen.
He opened Bai Zhenzhen’s profile and sent a message—only to receive no reply.
Ah… I wonder what’s going on with A Zhen.
If she were fine, she’d have messaged me first.
Moments later, Director Gao sent a message—forwarding a series of old news articles from decades ago, even one nearly a hundred years old.
Director Gao: [Sword Saint’s Love Triangle Murders—Hehuan Saintess Skewered Alive!]
Director Gao: [Moral Horror—Father and Son’s Blood Feud! Entire Clan Ruined!]
Director Gao: [Tianjian University Genius Slain—Soul Shattered! Who Pays His Debts?]
Zhang Yu opened his mouth, bewildered. What the hell is this, Old Gao?
Director Gao: If you have time, you should read these.
Zhang Yu thought, I don’t have time for this nonsense.
After a pause, he tapped “Save” and filed them away for later.
He stared at Bai Zhenzhen’s dim profile icon—then suddenly, his gaze sharpened.
Without hesitation, he used his own identity to message Wen Wuya.
Zhang Yu: Wen Wuya, do you know what’s going on with Bai Zhenzhen?
Wen Wuya: She’s undergoing special training with Qingqing God.
Wen Wuya: Why? You want to contact her?
Zhang Yu’s heart leapt. He replied: Would you help?
...
Wen Wuya read the message and a faint smile curled at the corner of her lips.
Shortly after Zhang Yu left and Bai Zhenzhen entered seclusion, Wen Wuya had contacted her mentor, Tianxing Shenjun, seeking advice.
As expected, Tianxing Shenjun showed deep interest in Wanfa University’s breakthrough with the Yin Device—and the brewing conflict with Hehuan University.
When Wen Wuya mentioned she wanted to stay in touch with Zhang Yu, but didn’t want to waste time on Bai Zhenzhen… and feared Qingqing God’s wrath…
Tianxing Shenjun simply told her: Go for profit. Don’t fear the Seven Emotions. I’ll cover the risks.
Wen Wuya thought: Perfect. Now that they’re both out of contact, I can be the bridge between them.
...
Soon after, Zhang Yu received a photo from Wen Wuya—his heart leapt.
Zhang Yu: Is that A Zhen’s hand?
Wen Wuya: This is my hand.
Wen Wuya: You’re kidding, right?
Wen Wuya: What, you want me to send the message directly?
Wen Wuya: Can’t you decrypt it yourself?
Wen Wuya: Need me to teach you?
Wen Wuya: Seriously, you’ve got no grasp of Ling realm tech at all.
Zhang Yu grimaced, embarrassed. He sent the photo to Zhang Pianpian for decryption.
A moment later, the file transformed into a short video, delivered to him.
In it, Bai Zhenzhen smiled brightly:
“Yu-zi, I’m fine. That old geezer can only lock me up in the Top Ten League. I’ll be out soon.”
Seeing her, Zhang Yu relaxed—then quickly asked Zhang Pianpian:
“Could this video be fake?”
Zhang Pianpian replied: “No signs of forgery detected.”
At that moment, Wen Wuya sent another message:
Wen Wuya: From now on, I’ll deliver messages for you.
Wen Wuya: I’ll visit Zhenzhen often. I’ll pass along any news to you.
Zhang Yu: Thank you.
Wen Wuya: No thanks needed. The trade we discussed? Still valid anytime. [Heart Emoji]
Zhang Yu froze. A cold shiver ran down his spine. Without replying, he shut the chat.
Now that he knew Bai Zhenzhen was safe and his Divine Spirit Root had a new clue, Zhang Yu left the dorm, eager to return to the construction site project.
He’d been away for nearly a full day—just to join the Civil Engineering League.
But as he stepped toward the exit of Wanfa University City, crimson warning lines flared before his eyes—suddenly blocking his path.
(End of Chapter)
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