Chapter 259: Zhang Yu's Influence

At the moment Zhang Yu and Wang Yin began their confrontation, within the divine power network, the righteous gods on both sides were balancing each other while also maintaining order at the scene. They seemed divided into two factions, sitting together in a vast conference room, with the entire battlefield displayed on the table in the center. And at the very heart of the battlefield was the fight between Zhang Yu and Wang Yin.

Simultaneously, streaks of divine power crisscrossed the heavens and earth, continuously monitoring bank accounts, talismans, live broadcast channels, and more. Someone at the scene had just pulled out their phone, intending to secretly record, only to see a piracy fine notification pop up on their screen.

Huang Zichou scoffed, "Do you have broadcast rights? How dare you pirate recordings in front of so many righteous gods?"

Just then, Mu Guiyin, a righteous god standing opposite, said, "Huang Zichou, you're still concerned about piracy? Have you thought about what to do if you lose?"

Huang Zichou glanced at Mu Guiyin and replied, "Old man, the last time I saw you constantly speaking up for Ye Lingxiao, I knew you must have received benefits. You were backing Oasis Group even then, weren't you?"

Mu Guiyin immediately retorted angrily, "Don't slander me! Whoever I support, it's always for the sake of the Heavenly Court and Kunxu. If Oasis Group performs well, I support them; my conscience is clear on that. You should worry about what Zhang Yu will do after he loses! Wang Yin was born a company shareholder and a Level-5 believer. He's incredibly talented, chosen by the higher-ups as a reform pioneer..."

At that very moment, Wang Yin on the field was slammed to the ground by Zhang Yu. As Zhang Yu pulled out the Soul-Shattering Brick and began a furious assault, Mu Guiyin suddenly stopped speaking, and many righteous gods at the scene widened their eyes in shock.

"How is this possible? What is the origin of this pauper?""One and a half hours... and he can defeat Wang Yin?""Could this be a plan by the higher-ups?"

As the numerous righteous gods at the scene watched this, even they, with all their vast experience, displayed expressions of astonishment and then fell into deep contemplation. In their view, it was impossible for a Layer-1 student like Zhang Yu to defeat Wang Yin. There was only one possibility for Zhang Yu to defeat Wang Yin: someone from the higher echelons had intervened. At that moment, Zhang Yu instantly became enigmatic in their eyes.

Meanwhile, Huang Zichou's gaze shifted as he sensed fluctuations in divine power at the scene. "Is Wang Yin unable to resist and about to use a semi-automatic talisman?" Evidently, at this critical juncture, the opponent no longer cared about their previous promises.

Just as Huang Zichou was about to suppress the opponent's talisman, Mu Guiyin leaped forward and, with a wave of his hand, completely sealed off the divine power network around Wang Yin. Mu Guiyin exclaimed, "How dare this Wang Yin attempt to violate the agreement right under the noses of so many righteous gods? Given his conduct, I believe Oasis Group's approach is too radical. How Layer 1 should be reformed still needs careful consideration."

Huang Zichou chuckled, about to mock him, when he realized he had received a Favorability Talisman from Mu Guiyin. Looking at the number on the Favorability Talisman, Huang Zichou couldn't help but feel a sense of respect; the other party was indeed a senior worthy of his study.

Deng Bingding raised a hand, quieting the gods' clamor, and calmly instructed, "Everyone, prepare for the aftermath. Ultimately, it's up to us to clean up the mess created by Oasis Group. Incidentally, it's also time to tidy up Layer 1. This is the decree of the Myriad Laws Sect..."

At Ziyun High School, it was still class time. However, due to the decisive battle between Zhang Yu and Wang Yin, neither teachers nor students seemed to have their minds on their lessons. So, during the martial arts class, the teacher simply played the live broadcast, guiding students to watch and comment on it.

"Manager Wang is so rich! I heard the overtime pay under him is the highest in Songyang. It would be great to work for him after graduation.""What Manager Wang said makes so much sense. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have known our purchasing power here is so strong, and things are actually quite cheap.""He's even opening 'human farms' to raise mortals? I never thought someone so rich could also be so kind."

Le Mulan listened to the whispers of her classmates around her, her face showing no particular surprise. After all, wealth meant handsomeness, power, and excellence in all aspects—these were the concepts she had been exposed to since childhood. Yet, for some reason, as she watched the two combatants on the screen, she felt a small flicker of hope, and even knowing how faint it was, she couldn't help but entertain it. She wanted Zhang Yu to win.

"Why?""Rich people beating poor people... isn't that how it should be?""Why would I hope the poor person wins?""Is it because..." Le Mulan murmured to herself, "In front of Wang Yin, I'm not much different from Zhang Yu, just another poor person? Is this what it feels like to be poor? Powerless... hopeless... no chance of victory... only to be slaughtered... Is being poor really this terrible?"

While the students below whispered, the teacher commented from above, "Pay close attention to this battle. It's rare to see a wealthy person of Manager Wang's caliber make a move in Layer 1, perhaps only a few times in decades. Students with the means can rewatch it repeatedly when they get home. After all, the battle is expected to end quickly; Zhang Yu should be defeated very soon. Your assignment for today is to write a reflection after watching, analyzing the reasons for Zhang Yu's defeat..."

As Lian Tianji listened to the teacher's analysis, his face grew grimmer, like a gambler who had lost everything. "It's over, it's truly over. If Zhang Yu loses, won't he be unable to pay me back?"

Just then, Zhang Yu on the screen violently yanked Wang Yin up and repeatedly slammed him to the ground. Accompanied by the repeated thuds in the video and the sickening thud of the Soul-Shattering Brick hitting Wang Yin's head again and again, the entire classroom gradually fell silent. Only, everyone's gaze toward the screen seemed different from before. Could it be that a high-ranking, wealthy individual like Wang Yin could also be defeated by someone from Layer 1?

Lian Tianji suddenly leaped up, feeling as though Zhang Yu had given him a mighty push on his path to immortality.

Inside Songyang High School, the students were also watching the live battle. As they watched Zhang Yu pick up the Soul-Shattering Brick and strike Wang Yin's head repeatedly, they felt as if the entire world was shaking. Each blow seemed to land not just on Wang Yin's head, but directly on their hearts.

Qian Shen watched Wang Yin finally fall to the ground, motionless, feeling immense shock in his heart. "Zhang Yu, the strongest high school student in Layer 1 under the complete College Entrance Examination system, can even defeat a top student from the upper layers. What does this mean?"

Qian Shen slapped the square box in front of him, exclaiming excitedly, "This proves that the College Entrance Examination system indeed spans multiple layers of Kunxu! As long as we reach the top within this system, those of us below are no weaker than those above."

Zhao Tianxing's voice came from the square box, "Old Qian, be careful! Don't smash me to death."

Qian Shen apologized profusely, then reassured, "Old Zhao, I'll take you to the office in a bit to help you fill out the transfer application. You don't need to worry. The College Entrance Examination system is so perfect. Since soul cultivators are also part of this system, it means this path is definitely viable. Study hard when you go to Mangshan High School; in the future, you might not be worse than regular high school students."

Inside Hongta High School, numerous demon-descendant students listened to Wang Yin's propaganda, their expressions incredibly complex. Xiong Wenwu mused inwardly, "So that's it... No wonder so many breeding bases in the sanctuary are being shut down. Oasis Group plans to stop breeding demons and instead breed humans. In that case... will the demon descendants of Layer 1 gradually die out?" Thinking of this, Xiong Wenwu's expression dimmed slightly.

It wasn't until he saw Zhang Yu, brick by brick, smash Wang Yin until he could no longer resist, that Xiong Wenwu finally breathed a sigh of relief. He looked down at his vibrating phone and saw a message from An An.

An An: Wenwu, quick, look! Zhang Yu won!An An: Our jobs will be safe now, right?An An: Without Oasis Group's influence, the sanctuary will continue to breed demon descendants in the future, won't it?

Deng Bingding's consciousness drifted through the vast divine power network of Layer 1. Countless pieces of information flowed before her: online comments, bullet comments in videos, data on likes, views, and shares, and even conversations collected by microphones on phones, computers, and other devices. Through this massive amount of information, she could perceive the impact on the entirety of Kunxu's Layer 1 after the battle between Zhang Yu and Wang Yin, as well as the evolving trends.

"As for the wealthy, once the wall falls, everyone will push it down, completely carving up Oasis Group. Some families will rise, while others will fall. And the students..."

"Mortals who haven't yet entered high school, both inspired by Zhang Yu and intimidated by Wang Yin, resolutely decided to strive even harder to pass the high school entrance exam. Students already in high school were similarly motivated by Zhang Yu and wanted to study harder."

Deng Bingding mused, "In the coming years, if we continue to promote Zhang Yu, it will likely motivate many students, won't it?" This wandering god understood very well that with limited quotas, everyone becoming more diligent wouldn't necessarily increase the number of students who passed the high school entrance exam or ascended to Layer 2. Deng Bingding sighed inwardly, "Their efforts don't necessarily guarantee them a better life. But at the very least, their diligence can make Layer 1 more prosperous and provide more excellent resources to the layers above."

Thinking this, Deng Bingding couldn't help but sigh again, "The higher-ups truly have far-reaching plans. By leveraging existing forces, neutralizing threats, and counteracting, they simply dismantled the Nether Palace's reform plan, reorganized Layer 1, and ensured peace for many more years."

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu was unaware of the impact his battle had on Layer 1. He lay quietly on the operating table, surrounded by over a dozen doctors who were continuously treating him. In his recent battle with Wang Yin, although Zhang Yu suppressed his opponent shortly after it began and ultimately secured victory, he knew the process had been fraught with peril, and his body had suffered severe injuries from Wang Yin's full-force attacks. Not only was one arm twisted and necrotic, but the meridians, muscles, and bones throughout his entire body had also been severely damaged by Wang Yin's protective aura. When he finally defeated Wang Yin, Zhang Yu knew he was close to his own limit.

Fortunately, the blessing of the Martial Dao Holy Embryo greatly enhanced Zhang Yu's internal and external self-healing abilities, allowing him to gradually recover once he stopped sustaining injuries. This powerful vitality prompted continuous exclamations of admiration from the doctors treating him.

True Immortal Xinghuo, standing by, was also observing Zhang Yu's condition, thinking, "Despite suffering such severe injuries, he's actually recovering on his own. Even without medical treatment, most of his wounds would likely heal on their own." True Immortal Xinghuo, possessing countless practical combat experiences, had naturally endured various injuries, both minor and severe, and held an unparalleled understanding of the human body. Precisely for this reason, he could now fully grasp just how extraordinary Zhang Yu's displayed physique was.

"He only just completed Foundation Establishment today. What a... dominant physique. Could it truly be the legendary Martial Dao Holy Body? How much medical expense will this save?"