Chapter 263: Time Remnant Demon Pupil

Realized Immortal Xinghuo, having decided to mentor Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, naturally familiarized himself with their backgrounds and pasts. He knew they shared a profound and life-saving bond, recognizing that they would undoubtedly benefit each other in the future.

To be honest, Realized Immortal Xinghuo felt a certain envy for their deep, life-and-death friendship.

Realized Immortal Xinghuo was over 350 years old. Throughout his journey, he had naturally made many friends.

However, most of the friends he knew in his early years never achieved the Golden Core realm. By the time he reached his current age, those friends had long since passed away from old age.

As for friendships deep enough to entrust one's life, such bonds were even rarer in today's Kunxu.

Witnessing Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen find companions in high school with whom they could cultivate and ascend together, Realized Immortal Xinghuo couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

Therefore, when considering Zhang Yu's cultivation path, he also factored in the mutual benefits between Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.

Realized Immortal Xinghuo continued to transmit his voice to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen: "Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, once you enter Ten Thousand Dharma University, one of you will study civil engineering, and the other security. In the future, one will build construction sites, and the other will protect them. You can also look out for each other on the job."

"Once you've accumulated enough cultivation resources, Zhang Yu, you can transfer to the Artifact Forging Department and specialize in military-grade artifact bodies."

"Bai Zhenzhen, you excel in combat, so you can study military operations."

"Then, Zhang Yu, you can help Bai Zhenzhen forge artifact bodies, and Bai Zhenzhen, you can help him test and promote them..."

As Zhang Yu listened to Realized Immortal Xinghuo's transmission, he thought to himself, "Civil engineering then switching to artifact forging? This is somewhat similar to the advice my sister gave me."

Zhang Yu truly didn't want to easily abandon the physical body he had painstakingly trained for so long. At this moment, he already vaguely agreed with Realized Immortal Xinghuo's suggestion.

"However, once I get back, I can ask Fu Ji again."

"And next time I talk to my sister, I'll ask her for her opinion too."

Although he agreed with Realized Immortal Xinghuo's advice, Zhang Yu still decided to consult a few more trusted individuals for reference.

After all, when it came to choosing a university major and a future development path, Zhang Yu felt he couldn't be too careful. This decision concerned his immortal cultivation path for decades, even centuries, to come, and thus required meticulous consideration.

At this very moment, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, acting on Realized Immortal Xinghuo's advice, chose the Timeworn Demonic Eye and the Formless Wind Demon artifact bodies.

But right after these two artifact bodies were chosen, Realized Immortal Xinghuo spoke to Deng Bingding again, saying, "Deng Youshen, these two artifact bodies were originally left by Wang Yin, serving as his compensation to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen."

"But does our Divine Department have no rewards for those who have rendered meritorious service?"

"Especially Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen; they risked their lives multiple times in the fight against Wang Yin. Should they receive no reward? You mustn't bully my two disciples."

"Furthermore, Bai Zhenzhen didn't receive any compensation from you previously."

"I'm not asking for any materials. Just give them a few cultivation techniques for the Foundation Establishment stage."

Hearing this, Deng Bingding secretly thought that Xinghuo truly protected these two disciples, and had immediately grasped the key point: Foundation Establishment stage cultivation techniques.

She mused that Realized Immortal Xinghuo's behavior might either be an instruction from higher-ups or a deliberate attempt to gain favor, similar to her own.

But on second thought, Deng Bingding considered that it might be both. After all, Xinghuo was old; if he didn't seize this opportunity with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, he might live out the rest of his life stuck on the first layer.

While speaking to Deng Bingding, Realized Immortal Xinghuo also transmitted an explanation to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen: "Given your current magical power, equipping one artifact body each is about right. Any more artifact body rewards would be superfluous."

"As for money from the first layer, or items like medicines, magic treasures, and equipment, they are primarily for the Qi Refining stage market and would have limited effect on you, who have already reached Foundation Establishment."

"It's more practical to acquire some Foundation Establishment stage cultivation techniques that you can start practicing immediately."

Realized Immortal Xinghuo sternly reminded them, "High school is merely the beginning of the immortal path. Although your current achievements are outstanding, you must never become arrogant."

"Remember that university is where you truly embark on the path of immortality. For the next nine months, you must not slack off. Seize every moment to continue cultivating and prepare for university."

"On the first layer's cultivation technique platform, very few Foundation Establishment stage techniques are available. After all, these techniques are sold for spirit coins on higher levels, and there's little market for them below."

"It's rare that you now have a connection to the Righteous Gods. Asking them for some Foundation Establishment stage techniques is a very good deal and will greatly aid your cultivation over the next nine months."

"Furthermore, approving a copyright for these techniques won't be difficult for the Righteous Gods."

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen nodded repeatedly, feeling that Realized Immortal Xinghuo made a great deal of sense.

But at the same time... a sense of worry arose in Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's hearts.

This was because they noticed that the old man Xinghuo was becoming increasingly kind to them, more and more like a benevolent elder, a teacher who cared deeply about them...

If his previous guidance could be explained as recruiting for Ten Thousand Dharma University or opposing the Oasis Group, what was the reason now?

Looking at Realized Immortal Xinghuo before him, Zhang Yu thought of Zhou Chechen, who had also shown him great care, and Wang Yin, who had generously spent a fortune on him.

"Damn it... not another one, right?"

Zhang Yu looked at Realized Immortal Xinghuo, who was still negotiating benefits with Deng Bingding on their behalf, and felt a surge of panic. "Don't be like this, old man Xinghuo. You're making me scared."

Having been in Kunxu for a long time, Zhang Yu was genuinely unaccustomed to someone speaking up for him and fighting for his interests. He would rather they simply charged him directly.

Based on his short two years of experience in Kunxu, what was free often ended up being more expensive.

Meanwhile, after Realized Immortal Xinghuo's persistent requests, Deng Bingding approved rewards of Foundation Establishment stage cultivation techniques, in addition to the Timeworn Demonic Eye and Formless Wind Demon artifact bodies.

Among these, Zhang Yu received an additional Foundation Establishment stage cultivation technique reward, on top of the three he already had. This was a breathing technique called Verdant Eddy Qi Gong.

Bai Zhenzhen, who had not previously been granted any Foundation Establishment stage cultivation techniques, was directly rewarded with two this time: the Foundation Establishment versions of True Thunder Strike Body and Cold Soul Ice Heart Art.

After the techniques were awarded, Deng Bingding extended her hand towards Zhang Yu and smiled faintly. "Young friend, it's time to return the Soul-Wounding Brick to me, isn't it?"

Zhang Yu reluctantly handed it back.

Deng Bingding continued, "And the removal of the Flood Dragon Spiritual Axis, as well as the implantation of the Timeworn Demonic Eye—do you want to do it now? Your original spine is still stored with me."

Although Zhang Yu was somewhat reluctant to part with the Flood Dragon Spiritual Axis in his body, he nodded. "Let's do it now. It's destined to be replaced anyway, so it's better to do it early and adapt sooner."

So, guided by Deng Bingding, Zhang Yu and his companions headed to the Oasis Group's artifact body operating room.

En route, Realized Immortal Xinghuo commented, "Bai Zhenzhen, these two cultivation techniques of yours, one for cultivating the physical body and the other for cultivating the Dao heart, are both of good quality. If you can acquire one more Foundation Establishment technique for cultivating magical power, it will be temporarily sufficient."

"Zhang Yu, this Verdant Eddy Qi Gong of yours... Heh, Deng Bingding chose well. It's precisely the Foundation Establishment breathing technique you lack and can help you increase your magical power."

"Among expert-level techniques, Verdant Eddy Qi Gong is quite good, especially its wide range for gathering spiritual energy. It's most effective when cultivated on a spiritual leyline, and it pairs well with your Qi Sea Spiritual Root."

Hearing Realized Immortal Xinghuo's comments, Zhang Yu secretly thought, "Suitable for cultivation on spiritual leylines? Isn't that purely a rich person's technique? How can I afford to cultivate that?"

Suddenly, Zhang Yu recalled the message from Director Hongtalong, his eyes shifting as he thought, "It seems... it's not entirely without opportunity."

"Although I don't have much money... I have a lot of seeds."

"I just didn't expect that I'd have to sell myself to earn money for cultivation during the Qi Refining stage, and I'd still have to sell myself to earn money for cultivation after reaching Foundation Establishment."

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, *Kunxu, you truly turn people into devils.*

Next, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were led to the Oasis Group's operating room to prepare for the artifact body transplantation.

Realized Immortal Xinghuo followed them in and made a request to the artifact body surgeons: "Zhang Yu's eye artifact body should not be semi-permanent. Use a detachable design so he can replace his own eyeball and the Timeworn Demonic Eye daily."

He then explained to Zhang Yu, who was standing nearby, "Your eyes are part of your physical body, and excellent material for forging artifact bodies in the future."

"As you continue to cultivate, your physical body will undoubtedly undergo significant progress and changes."

"If you replace your eyes with the Timeworn Demonic Eye and then completely abandon your original eyes, they will soon become unable to adapt to your physical body, making them difficult to match again."

"Therefore, after the surgery, unless it's an important occasion, use one original eye and one Timeworn Demonic Eye, rotating them every 12 hours."

"This way, you'll continuously nourish both your original eyes with Qi and blood, allowing them to constantly adapt to the changes in your physical body."

The Oasis Group's technology for artifact body surgery was clearly very mature. About an hour later, the Flood Dragon Spiritual Axis in Zhang Yu's body was replaced with his original spine.

His eyes were also modified. Although they looked no different from before, the eyeballs could be detached and replaced by gently pressing inward twice.

Zhang Yu then sensed the flow of magical power within him. Approximately 100 units of magical power were being used by the Timeworn Demonic Eye.

"It felt as if my magical power limit had been reduced by 100 units."

"My total magical power is still too low; I can't even equip multiple artifact bodies."

Zhang Yu looked into a nearby mirror. His eyes still appeared the same as before, but with a shift of his thoughts, faint blood-red glints appeared in the pupil of his right eye.

Immediately afterward, Zhang Yu felt the world before him slow down...

"No, the world isn't actually slowing down."

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "The Timeworn Demonic Eye is enhancing my perception and reception of visual information, allowing me to process more frames per second. Subjectively... it feels like the world has slowed down."

"This is the time-residual ability."