Chapter 488: Confrontation Before the Divine Lord

"That bastard Feng Yuhan!"

True Lord Magneto was deeply dissatisfied with Feng Yuhan’s actions at the Research Division.

"When did my lab become his to meddle in?"

"Now he wants to supervise even key experimental subjects. What next? Will he start monitoring every conversation in the project group? Watching everyone's ocular husks?"

"If he's already doing all the monitoring and investigations, what am I supposed to do?"

"As the project progresses and gains importance, is he going to control even my schedule? Next the project’s budget and personnel too?"

Despite her fury, True Lord Magneto knew Feng Yuhan’s actions weren’t entirely unjustified.

As the project's significance increased, stricter oversight of personnel and assets was inevitable.

"But that oversight has to come from me."

She understood well that she had to retain control over project management. She wasn’t about to hand that over to anyone.

As for Zhang Yu's situation specifically, whether or not he should leave campus came with both pros and cons. So she decided to consult him and choose the path that led to the most benefits.

Upon hearing her question, Zhang Yu paused in thought before voicing his opinion.

In fact, he had already discussed it with Fu Ji on the way back and made his decision.

As his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might was further purified, and attention on the Yin Artifact experiment increased, leaving the university city could indeed stir up activity from outside forces.

But staying inside meant a sharp drop in income and abandoning his long-prepared Civil Engineering Competition—not to mention possibly affecting his chances of switching departments.

"If that happens, my cultivation progress would slow, and my odds of entering a major sect would decrease."

"Especially if this sets a precedent. What if they start locking me down? What if I’m confined to the lab? Watched 24/7?"

Zhang Yu wasn’t about to accept that.

Compared to being constantly cornered on campus, the dangers outside didn’t seem nearly as bad to him.

As long as he maintained proper secrecy, his safety wouldn’t be compromised.

And with support from the Wanfa Sect, his protection would be even stronger.

In an emergency, his sister—stationed in the Hall of Supreme Purity—could shield his spiritual realm information.

He also had the Divine Spirit Root copied from Bai Zhenzhen, which could hide his presence.

And the Green-Silk Flying Sword could directly connect to the Sky-Piercing Flying Sword network, letting him call for aid from True Lord Magneto or Director Gao at any time...

So when asked, Zhang Yu gave the answer he had prepared: “Teacher, I’d like to go out.”

“I don’t want to let the experiment limit my immortal cultivation potential. I want to earn more money and go further on the Immortal Path.”

“As for the risks, I believe they’re manageable...”

True Lord Magneto nodded slightly. “You're thinking along the right lines, but you're not seeing everything.”

“Come with me to meet Divine Lord Wanhua.”

“We’ll discuss the pros and cons along the way.”

Zhang Yu was surprised. “We're meeting... a Divine Lord directly?”

True Lord Magneto said, “With a Divine Lord’s endorsement, most obstacles can be removed, and the project can reach its full potential.”

…

University City, 666th Floor.

Since its completion, Zhang Yu hadn’t stepped foot on this floor.

Each time he passed by through an anti-gravity corridor or Magnetic Channel, he could only see it sealed tight. He didn’t even know where the entrance was.

He often wondered—what lay within the completely sealed 666th floor?

A top-secret lab? An archive of vital records? A treasury of rare artifacts and Law Husks?

Until today, when he finally entered and was stunned by what he saw—blue sky, white clouds, vast land.

“This is...”

“Spiritual realm virtual reality technology,” True Lord Magneto said calmly. “Illusion and reality intertwined, indistinguishable from the real.”

Director Gao added, “When you see Divine Lord Wanhua, don’t be too shocked.”

Zhang Yu wasn’t sure what the two had arranged or how they’d summoned such a person. All he knew was that Director Gao had joined them midway.

Now, the three of them walked across a plain and soon came upon a village.

The houses were made of mud bricks, topped with coarse thatch. Rain had carved grooves into the walls. Mud filled the paths from the recent downpour.

He heard the sounds of chickens pecking, pigs snorting, women carrying water, someone coughing by a stove... Villagers passed by wearing straw belts and tattered cloth, feet clad in straw sandals.

Zhang Yu felt as though he’d traveled back in time to an ancient rural village.

But the odd thing was that none of the villagers paid them the slightest attention. They treated Zhang Yu and the others like air.

“They're not real people,” True Lord Magneto explained. “No need to mind them.”

Suddenly, all three stopped.

True Lord Magneto and Director Gao bowed slightly toward a villager working in the fields and respectfully said, “Divine Lord.”

Zhang Yu looked at the figure and was again shocked. “Che Yufei?”

The man before them had no Foundation Establishment Field, no projection floating above his head, no spiritual realm signals—just an ordinary mortal.

“Che Yufei” glanced over and smiled. “Magneto, Aoki, you’re here.”

Then he turned to Zhang Yu with a mild expression. “You must be Zhang Yu. Looks like you recognize the new body I bought?”

His eyes flickered, as if countless images flashed through them. Then he smiled again. “Oh, you were both in the Civil Engineering Department, worked on projects together, even competed side by side?”

“No need to overthink it. I have a Secondhand Body License. Che Yufei is just one of my latest vessels.”

Though Divine Lord Wanhua smiled gently, Zhang Yu felt like he was witnessing the aftermath of a financial storm—countless people’s flesh and blood consumed in one gulp.

Zhang Yu quickly collected himself and lowered his head respectfully.

Divine Lord Wanhua chuckled. “No need to fear. It’s a license for Secondhand Bodies, not a Free Possession Permit. I still have to pay. I wouldn’t possess a living person without compensation—that’d be letting you profit.”

He turned to the others. “So, what brings you here?”

True Lord Magneto raised her hand and summoned glowing projections.

As scenes from the Civil Engineering Competition played out, she explained, “The project's results were quickly promoted thanks to Zhang Yu’s participation.”

“Letting him continue to compete not only showcases our breakthroughs, it also builds up marketing momentum for future products.”

“It’s the perfect publicity opportunity.”

Director Gao followed up by projecting the competition info, pointing at the grand prize. “This year’s champion gets a military-grade construction armor blueprint.”

He knew this was a standard incentive from above—to spur competition between universities—but the reward was undeniably attractive.

“With both Zhang Yu and Mo Shangjin competing this year, it’s a prime opportunity for our Civil Engineering Department to win the championship, boost morale, and raise stock prices.”

Many of those companies were partially owned by Divine Lord Wanhua himself.

True Lord Magneto added, “The military-grade armor could help our Artifact Refinement Department overcome its weakness in that area. Once slightly modified, it would become a new independently developed military technique for Wanfa University.”

As she spoke, she also displayed Zhang Yu’s academic achievements.

His rapid progress in exams, obtaining a Military License in his third year, and cultivating Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might made even Director Gao puff his chest with pride.

Divine Lord Wanhua saw more: Zhang Yu had completed all Artifact Refinement courses from the first three years and passed their exams.

He had trained in various Artifact Refinement techniques and planned to switch departments.

Divine Lord Wanhua nodded. “Zhang Yu is indeed talented. Old Gao, well done.”

Director Gao smiled. “It’s all for the school.”

“Hah! If all our teachers were like you, Wanfa would already be the top university in Kunxu,” Divine Lord Wanhua laughed.

Director Gao felt a strange chill but didn’t speak further.

Then Divine Lord Wanhua asked, “Going outside has its benefits. But what about the risks?”

“They’re controllable,” said True Lord Magneto.

Just then, a voice interrupted her.

“Magneto, stop making baseless claims. Who can guarantee the risks are controllable?”

It was Feng Yuhan, his spiritual realm projection appearing beside them, staring coldly.

Divine Lord Wanhua smiled. “I invited little Feng too. Let’s talk it out directly—nothing we can’t resolve.”

Feng Yuhan locked eyes with True Lord Magneto. “So tell us—how exactly are the risks controllable?”

She scoffed. “With the school’s resources, we can easily provide him with protective artifacts and talismans. Wasn’t I the one who protected him at Heavenly Sword Sect?”

Director Gao was about to chime in, but swallowed his words. He thought, “Let her take the lead. Her name carries more weight.”

Feng Yuhan sneered. “He’s not just a student. He carries experimental results—that makes him school property.”

“And risk mitigation costs resources. Should we throw the school’s artifacts and talismans at him just to train your Artifact Refinement Department students? Magneto, is this the school’s project or your personal one?”

True Lord Magneto shot back, “Don’t change the subject. We’re discussing risk control. You’re trying to steal the project for yourself!”

“Feng Yuhan, do you even remember how you got your position? How many favors and bribes are in your account?”

“Bullshit!” Feng Yuhan roared. “I’m trying to protect school assets and reduce project risk. And you slander me like this? Is that how the Artifact Refinement Department does things?”

The very air trembled.

Divine Lord Wanhua’s voice rang out. “Stick to the issue. You’re all Wanfa teachers—no need for mutual attacks.”

True Lord Magneto said coldly, “You say it’s dangerous outside, so no one leaves. But is the school perfectly safe?”

“Protecting project personnel is the school’s responsibility. Are we going to lock away every successful student forever?”

“Competitions bring greater exposure…”

Feng Yuhan narrowed his eyes. “All right. You say he’ll be safe off-campus. But what about the arena?”

“If Zhang Yu is beaten down during the Civil Engineering Competition, humiliated before everyone, harvested for his materials—will you protect him on stage too?”

“You think that’ll be good publicity for the project?”

“Or should we throw more money at Zhang Yu, make sure he wins every year from now on? You paying for that bottomless pit?”