Chapter 245: Endurance

"Kid, let's talk."

Gazing at the being before him, whose body seemed like glazed glass and hair like flowing flames, Zhang Yu knew this was the True Immortal Xinghuo, whom he had never met but had heard countless people speak of.

Following the immortal to a rooftop of a tall building, Zhang Yu asked, puzzled, "Senior, is there something you need from me?"

True Immortal Xinghuo laughed heartily, sparks flying from his mouth. "Why be so formal with 'senior'? You and Yu Xinghan are fellow students who practice together. You can just call me Master."

Zhang Yu paused, slightly taken aback. "Master?"

"Yes," True Immortal Xinghuo replied, then chuckled, "Have you decided which university and major you want to choose?"

He looked at Zhang Yu with a half-smile and asked, "It wouldn't happen to be Netherworld University, would it?"

Zhang Yu didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Senior, do you think Netherworld University is unsuitable?"

True Immortal Xinghuo said, "Universities select students based on their grades. Conversely, when students apply, they naturally also choose a university, considering whether it suits them."

"Netherworld University belongs to the Netherworld Palace. The cultivation methods of this sect are infamous for extracting vitality, flaying human skin, and refining living souls. They view all living beings as mere trifles and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, trading anything as long as there's sufficient profit."

"If not for the obstruction of other sects, they would eagerly transform all ten levels into farms to supply them with cultivation resources."

"I'm not saying whether this immortal path is good or bad. I'm just asking if you truly believe this path is suitable for you?"

Zhang Yu then asked, "Then which university do you think is suitable for me, Senior?"

True Immortal Xinghuo said, "Myriad Dharma University has been the orthodox sect of Xuanmen since ancient times, aiming to select the best of the best and cultivate generations of immortal seeds."

Fuji, listening beside them, explained in Zhang Yu's mind, "Selecting the best of the best means competing to death, just to produce an immortal. Before becoming an immortal, everyone is essentially a workhorse."

True Immortal Xinghuo continued, "Students who enter Myriad Dharma University, whether they can become immortals or not, will at least be able to fully utilize their talents and have ample practical opportunities."

Fuji chuckled, "Ample practical opportunities means you'll have to start doing part-time work and overtime during university."

True Immortal Xinghuo then said, "Myriad Dharma University also provides excellent student protection. Everything is done according to rules; as long as you work hard, you can earn money, improve your cultivation, and support yourself."

Fuji said, "Able to support yourself means your income during university won't be very high."

True Immortal Xinghuo said, "Of course, the university also has high demands on its teachers and students, aiming to cultivate every student into an elite, contributing to the company, the sect, and Kunxu."

Fuji realized, "High university demands mean daily performance reviews are tough, and graduating or pursuing postgraduate studies won't be easy."

"'Contributing' means after graduation, you'll work for the company and sect for a long time; they aren't training you for free..."

Listening to True Immortal Xinghuo's promotion and Fuji's explanations, a subtle understanding gradually dawned on Zhang Yu.

"Speaking of the various selection and cultivation mechanisms for immortal talents on Kunxu's first level, and what Fuji once said about... making people desperately scramble upwards, aren't these practices devised by the Ten Great Sects, like the Myriad Dharma Sect?"

"The difference between Myriad Dharma University and Netherworld University... perhaps it's the difference between one needing workhorses and the other needing livestock?"

"So, those who disapprove of the Netherworld Palace's methods are the Ten Great Sects, like the Myriad Dharma Sect, right? Because what they want are workhorses, not tasty livestock."

"Yes, what else?" Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. "The conflicts between the Ten Great Sects... are they not for profit? Could they possibly be about good versus evil?"

Seeing Zhang Yu deep in thought, True Immortal Xinghuo continued, "If you're willing to enter Myriad Dharma University, I can introduce you to my university connections, which should provide you with significant assistance."

"As for myself, I can also act as your Master and offer you some guidance during the remainder of your high school life."

"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. You can take your time to consider your choice."

"Please also convey what I've said today to Bai Zhenzhen later. I'm short on time and will be leaving soon."

"Next..." True Immortal Xinghuo said, "There's also a Righteous God who wants to speak with you."

The next moment, Deng Bingding materialized and said, "Student Zhang, long time no see."

Deng Bingding's purpose in seeking out Zhang Yu this time was to deal with Wang Yin.

Deng Bingding thought to herself, "The Oasis Group's other arrangements on the first level aren't difficult to handle."

"But Wang Yin... he's a troublesome hot potato."

Neither they, the Righteous Gods, nor True Immortal Xinghuo, who was willing to work for money, wanted to personally confront Wang Yin.

After all, taking their salary and overtime pay to deal with the various underlings of the Oasis Group... that was no problem for them.

However, directly offending that young master with a powerful background and getting marked by him was a different matter entirely.

Yet, Wang Yin was like a flag planted by the Oasis Group on the first level, representing the confidence of countless people and attracting numerous talents and powerful families to join.

Deng Bingding understood that as long as Wang Yin remained standing, no matter how many times the Oasis Group's limbs were severed, they would grow back again and again.

That being said, she was unwilling to step forward and suppress this young master, only to be remembered vengefully by this young master of the Oasis Group.

Under these circumstances, Deng Bingding thought of Zhang Yu.

"Zhang Yu's background is unfathomable; he should not fear Wang Yin's resentment."

Moreover... Deng Bingding recalled how, in recent months, Zhang Yu had been by Wang Yin's side, endorsing the Oasis Group, and frequently appearing at Wang Yin's mansions and parties.

Connecting this with Zhang Pianpian behind Zhang Yu, and a certain powerful deity behind Zhang Pianpian, she understood that Zhang Yu was definitely not affiliated with the Netherworld Palace.

"Could this be an intentional arrangement by a certain powerful deity?"

"From the day Zhang Yu took the Foundation Establishment examination, he was already part of the scheme."

"Replacing Ye Lingxiao, getting close to Wang Yin, infiltrating the Oasis Group—was it all just so Zhang Yu could ultimately deal with Wang Yin?"

"If that's the case, then Wang Yin came down to manage the Oasis Group to gain experience, and Zhang Yu is gaining experience by taking down Wang Yin..."

Whenever she thought of this, a chill ran down Deng Bingding's spine. "The waters of Kunxu are always so unfathomable."

"Whether it's us or the Oasis Group, it seems we've long been within the calculations of this mysterious powerful deity, stepping by step towards the outcome he has laid out."

After Zhang Yu heard Deng Bingding's request, he was first slightly stunned, then wondered if Deng Bingding was joking.

"Me? A high school sophomore going to take on CEO Wang of the Oasis Group?"

Zhang Yu inwardly thought that this would truly lead to death, not just his, but possibly Bai Zhenzhen's as well.

However, Zhang Yu was also unwilling to offend Deng Bingding, this powerful deity, and merely wanted to politely refuse.

Deng Bingding said, "To quickly descend to the next level and to replace his spirit root and re-establish his foundation, Wang Yin has crippled his own cultivation and no longer possesses the strength of a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. As for his magic treasures and talismans, there are ways to counter them..."

In short, Deng Bingding's message was that they could create an opportunity for Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen to deal with Wang Yin.

But after Deng Bingding's explanation, she found that Zhang Yu kept refusing.

At first, Deng Bingding thought Zhang Yu's refusal was just for show, but she soon realized that no matter how she tried to persuade him, he remained unwilling to accept.

Deng Bingding, however, wasn't angry. Instead, a new idea formed in her mind.

"Zhang Yu had previously communicated with Zhang Pianpian on the second level, so he must have received instructions from above."

"His current refusal... does it mean it's not yet time to act?"

After much deliberation, Deng Bingding felt more and more certain that this was what he meant. She immediately stopped insisting and allowed Zhang Yu to leave.

True Immortal Xinghuo, watching this scene, frowned and said, "Sending a high school student to fight Wang Yin? What exactly are you Righteous Gods thinking? Even if you're afraid of getting burned and want to find a proxy, isn't this going a bit too far?"

Deng Bingding, however, said faintly, "Hmph, young Xinghuo, that's why you climb up only to fall back down."

"This Zhang Yu is not as simple as you think."

"To completely resolve the matters on the first level and force Wang Yin back up, the final move will likely fall to Zhang Yu."

Zhang Yu returned to his apartment and saw Bai Zhenzhen, who had been cultivating, stand up and happily say, "Yuzi, you're back! I ordered some delicious food; let's eat together."

Bai Zhenzhen didn't know the purpose of Zhang Yu's outing. As Zhang Yu looked at Bai Zhenzhen's happy face, he sighed inwardly, "We've finally achieved some stability. How can I risk my life again?"

"I don't want to risk my life anymore, nor do I want Ah Zhen to keep losing half her life like before."

"Endure, Zhang Yu."

"Silently endure, silently accumulate strength, until your power is great enough, until the day you make your move..."

In the following period, those around CEO Wang noticed that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen rarely attended gatherings.

Many felt that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen seemed to have fallen out of favor with CEO Wang, and a wave of delight immediately surged within them. They tried even harder to curry favor with CEO Wang, hoping to take their place.

At a gathering, Ye Mantian cursed, "Poor dogs like Zhang Yu shouldn't be fed too much. If these bottom-feeders are fed too well, they'll think they're strong enough, stand tall, and become disobedient."

Someone echoed, "You can't give poor people too much money. Throwing money at them works at first, but after too much, they think they're rich too, and they become less obedient."

CEO Wang coolly watched the people around him, who were utterly subservient and had begun collectively insulting Zhang Yu just because of his actions. He saw them like a pack of fawning dogs, and a cold sneer formed in his heart.

He had seen and kept too many such fawning, subservient dogs.

The more he kept such dogs, the more dependent they became, the more timid and docile. When faced with trouble, they wouldn't even dare to bare their teeth, obedient to the point of not even making a sound when their own interests were harmed.

Wang Yin once enjoyed keeping such dogs, but he soon found them to be of little practical use. This was also where he differed from his mother.