Chapter 488: Confrontation Before the God-Emperor
(Thank you, 'Crazy Night Without End,' for loading Zhang Yu with an excessive amount of dog food.)
“Feng Yuhao, you bastard!”
Ciji Zhenjun was furious at Feng Yuhao’s actions within the Research Division.
“My Laboratory—when did it become his to meddle in?”
“He’s already stepping into matters involving crucial experimental subjects. Next, will he be scanning every team member’s chat logs? Monitoring every Eye Armor?”
“If he’s already doing all that, then what’s left for me to do?”
“And if the project keeps growing in importance… will he be overseeing my schedule too? Even meddling in project funding and personnel decisions?”
Of course, though Ciji Zhenjun was deeply incensed and already preparing her countermove, she also understood—Feng Yuhao’s actions had logic behind them.
As the project’s significance grew, tighter control over personnel and assets was inevitable.
“But that control must be mine,” she insisted.
She would not surrender the reins of project management. Not to anyone.
And regarding Zhang Yu specifically, the pros and cons of allowing him to leave the campus were equally balanced in her mind. So she decided to consult the man himself—seeking the strategy with the highest chance of success.
When Ciji Zhenjun asked for his opinion, Zhang Yu paused thoughtfully. In truth, he had already discussed the matter with Fujie on the way back, and had reached a decision.
With his Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power steadily purifying, and the Yin Device experiment drawing increasing attention, stepping outside University City could indeed trigger movements from rival schools.
But staying within the campus meant drastic income loss, the abandonment of a meticulously prepared Civil Engineering Competition, and possibly even jeopardizing his chances of transferring departments.
“If I stay,” Zhang Yu said, “my progress will stall. My future path into the Sect will be narrowed.”
“Worse, once this precedent is set—will they lock me down further? Confine me to the Laboratory? Monitor me 24/7?”
He refused to accept such a fate.
And compared to the suffocating pressure he might face inside the campus, the risks outside didn’t seem so daunting.
With proper secrecy, his security was already strong.
With Wanfa’s support and protection, it would be even stronger.
In the worst-case scenario, he still had his elder sister, stationed in Taiqing Jing, to conceal his spiritual realm information.
He carried a Divine Spirit Root cloned from Bai Zhenzhen, allowing him to hide his true form.
And the Green Silk Flying Sword could instantly connect to the Heaven-Scanning Flying Sword Network, enabling him to summon help from Ciji Zhenjun or Director Gao at any moment.
So when Ciji Zhenjun asked, Zhang Yu gave his prepared answer:
“Teacher… I want to go out.”
“I don’t want to let the experiment restrict my Xian Dao potential. I want to earn more, to go further on the path.”
“As for the risks—well, I believe they’re manageable.”
Ciji Zhenjun gave a small nod. “You’re thinking clearly. But there are still points you haven’t fully considered.”
“Come with me. We’ll meet Wan Hua Shen Jun.”
“We’ll discuss the specifics—pros, cons, strategy—along the way.”
Zhang Yu blinked in surprise. “Directly… to see the God-Emperor?”
Ciji Zhenjun replied, “With the God-Emperor’s endorsement, we’ll bypass nearly all obstacles. The project will reach its full potential.”
…
University City, 666th Floor
Since the completion of the 666th Floor, Zhang Yu had never set foot inside this First Layer again.
Every time he passed through the Anti-Gravity Channel or Yuan Ci Channel, he only saw the entire First Layer sealed off—no entrance in sight, no way to know where it was.
He’d often wondered: What lay within this sealed-off realm?
A top-secret Laboratory? A vault holding critical data? A treasure trove of rare Spirit Artifacts and Armor?
But now, standing here, seeing the endless blue sky, the vast open plains, and the distant, rolling hills, Zhang Yu was stunned.
“This… is?”
Ciji Zhenjun spoke coolly. “The virtual reality of the Ling界. A fusion of illusion and reality—indistinguishable, yet not quite real.”
Director Gao added, “Don’t be alarmed when you meet Wan Hua Shen Jun. Just act naturally.”
Zhang Yu had no idea how Ciji Zhenjun had summoned Director Gao, or what they’d discussed. All he knew was that the man had joined them halfway through their ascent to the 666th Floor.
Now, Ciji Zhenjun and Director Gao led Zhang Yu across a vast, open plain. Soon, they reached a small village.
Huts made of mud bricks, thatched roofs worn thin by time, walls pitted by rain. Puddles of mud dotted the ground.
The sounds of a hen scratching for food, pigs grunting in their pen, a woman hauling water, coughing from the kitchen stove—
The villagers, their waists tied with frayed rope, cloaked in patched cloth, feet bare in straw sandals—
For a moment, Zhang Yu felt as if he’d been transported back to a forgotten era, a rural village from ancient times.
But the villagers didn’t look up. They ignored the three visitors completely, treating them as invisible.
Ciji Zhenjun explained, “They’re not real people. Don’t pay them any mind.”
Suddenly, the group stopped.
Ciji Zhenjun and Director Gao both bowed slightly toward a farmer tending his field.
“God-Emperor.”
Zhang Yu stared at the figure before him—his heart jolted.
“Che Yufei?”
The man before him bore no Foundation Establishment Domain. No Rank projection floated above his head. Not a single trace of spiritual realm presence. He looked like an ordinary mortal.
Che Yufei glanced at them, then smiled faintly. “Ciji, Qingmu. You’ve come.”
He turned to Zhang Yu, his expression calm. “You’re Zhang Yu, right? You seem to know this body of mine?”
His gaze sharpened slightly—fleeting flashes of light danced within his eyes. Then he chuckled. “Ah… we’re both from the Civil Engineering Department. Shared a project. Competed together, didn’t we?”
“Don’t overthink it. I have an Arbitrary Reincarnation License. Che Yufei is just one of the physical forms I’ve recently acquired.”
As Zhang Yu stared at the serene smile of Wan Hua Shen Jun, he couldn’t help but see the storm of finance—millions of lives devoured in a single bite.
He quickly composed himself, bowing deeply.
Wan Hua Shen Jun chuckled. “No need to fear. An Arbitrary Reincarnation License isn’t free. It costs real money. I don’t just steal bodies—wouldn’t let you have the upper hand.”
Then he turned to Ciji Zhenjun and Director Gao. “So. What’s on your minds?”
Ciji Zhenjun raised her hand. A cascade of light burst forth.
She displayed the Civil Engineering League footage. “The reason this project gained rapid visibility is because Zhang Yu participated.”
“If he continues, it’s not just a showcase—it’s promotion. A perfect platform for future product launches.”
“The Civil Engineering League is a golden opportunity.”
Director Gao tapped his fingers. The scene shifted to the competition details. He pointed at the prize:
“The champion of this year’s Civil Engineering Competition wins a Military-Grade Armor Design Blueprint—specifically for construction use.”
Though Director Gao knew this was standard practice—used by higher-ups to intensify competition among universities—the prize was undeniably tempting.
“With Zhang Yu and Mo Ejin on our team, this is our best chance to win. A victory would boost our department’s reputation—and our university’s stock value.”
He knew well that Wan Hua Shen Jun held indirect stakes in many companies linked to the Civil Engineering Department.
Ciji Zhenjun added, “This Military-Grade Armor can fill the gap in our Alchemy Department’s armor development. With minor refinements, it’ll become another self-developed Military-Grade secret art for Wanfa University.”
She waved her hand again, revealing Zhang Yu’s record:
His explosive academic progress over three years, his top-ranking status, his early achievement of the Military License in his third year, and his cultivation of the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power.
Director Gao’s chest swelled with pride.
But Wan Hua Shen Jun saw more—Zhang Yu’s completed coursework in the Alchemy Department, his cultivation of various Alchemy Techniques, and his clear intention to transfer into the department.
Wan Hua Shen Jun nodded slowly. “Zhang Yu is indeed a talent. Old Gao, you’ve done well.”
Director Gao smiled. “Just doing my part for the school.”
Wan Hua Shen Jun laughed. “Rare to see such generosity. If all our teachers cared this much for the school, Wanfa wouldn’t just be a top-tier university—it’d be the number one in Kunxu.”
Director Gao felt a strange unease, but before he could react, Wan Hua Shen Jun continued:
“Going out has benefits. But what about the risks?”
Ciji Zhenjun said, “The risks are manageable…”
At that moment, a voice cut through the air:
"Ciji, don't lie. Who can guarantee the risks are controllable?"
Ciji Zhenjun turned.
Feng Yuhao’s Ling boundary Projection appeared beside them, his expression cold.
Wan Hua Shen Jun smiled faintly. “Ah, Xiao Feng. I’ve called you here too. Let’s settle this face-to-face. Reason it out—there’s nothing we can’t discuss.”
Feng Yuhao locked eyes with Ciji Zhenjun. “Ciji. Explain how the risks are可控.”
Ciji Zhenjun sneered. “With the school’s resources, we can easily acquire a few Spirit Artifacts, a few Spells. Can’t we protect one student?”
“And with me constantly monitoring, ready to descend at any moment—didn’t I protect Zhang Yu perfectly during the Tianjian incident?”
Director Gao had been about to speak, vowing to protect Zhang Yu too. But hearing Ciji Zhenjun’s words, he closed his mouth.
Better, he thought. Her name carries more weight. Her words will carry more authority.
Feng Yuhao laughed bitterly. “Student? Is he a regular student? He carries the results of our Laboratory—meaning he’s school property.”
“And protecting him isn’t free. Are we to pour Spirit Artifacts and Spells into training your Alchemy Department’s next recruit? Ciji—this is a school project, or is it your personal one?”
Ciji Zhenjun snapped back, “Don’t shift the topic. We’re talking about risk! Not your people, my people—this is about someone trying to seize the project for themselves!”
“Feng Yuhao—how did you even get your position? How much did you siphon from the account? You know the answer.”
Feng Yuhao roared, “What the hell are you talking about? I’m trying to prevent asset loss and reduce risk—yet you slander me like this? Is this how your Alchemy Department operates?”
The air trembled slightly.
Wan Hua Shen Jun’s voice rang out, calm yet firm:
“Speak your concerns. We’re all teachers of Wanfa. No need for personal attacks.”
Ciji Zhenjun replied coolly: “You claim the outside is dangerous. That personnel mustn’t leave. But is the campus 100% secure?”
“Protecting our people is the school’s duty. So now, every time we produce something—do we lock everyone inside University City? Inside the Laboratory?”
“Competing in events actually brings better publicity.”
Feng Yuhao’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. Let’s talk about competition. Even if you can protect him outside, what about on the field?”
“If Zhang Yu gets beaten down in the Civil Engineering League—humiliated, stripped bare in front of thousands—then taken apart for study… can you still protect him?”
“Will that even help the project’s image?”
“Or are you going to keep pouring money into him—so we have to win every competition for him from now on? How much of this endless pit are you willing to fund?”
(End of Chapter)
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