Chapter 270: Heading to the Second Layer of Kunxu

Several days later.

Inside the hospital.

Zhang Yu abruptly sat up in bed, looking around the spotless ward with a hint of confusion.

Beside the bed, True Man Xinghuo's voice came through: "I figured you'd be waking up around today, but you're even a bit earlier than I expected."

Zhang Yu sharply turned his head, looking at True Man Xinghuo beside him, and murmured, "I..."

The next moment, he rubbed his head, feeling a sharp pain in his brain.

"Hiss..." Countless images flashed through Zhang Yu's mind, and he gradually remembered what had happened.

"The explosion... then the building suddenly collapsed."

"I tried to jump from the window to the adjacent building, but someone pushed me back..."

Then a shower of building materials came crashing down.

Zhang Yu remembered resisting fiercely with his Formless Cloud Aegis and Nine Heavens Cloud Empty Force. After finally being buried, he voluntarily entered the suspended animation state of the Spring and Autumn Endless Zen and tried his best to maintain the Decaying Ox Self-Sacrifice Heart Technique.

He thought of nothing, contemplated nothing, only felt himself sustaining the growth of his flesh and blood in a dark world of consciousness.

The next moment, Zhang Yu suddenly reacted: "Where's A-Zhen? How is A-Zhen?"

True Man Xinghuo looked at Zhang Yu with a somewhat complex gaze and said, "Don't worry, she's fine."

Zhang Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Did the Righteous Gods arrive? Did they catch the people who attacked me?"

He said, full of murderous intent, "Who attacked me? I'll make them pay until they're dead!"

True Man Xinghuo said, "Two dying Foundation Establishment cultivators. They blocked the network near the apartment building and used disguised data to temporarily make the Righteous Gods believe everything was normal in the area."

Zhang Yu asked, "Were they caught?"

True Man Xinghuo said indifferently, "They committed suicide before being captured, and all their assets were laundered before their deaths. Clearly, they were prepared for the mission to fail."

"As for the people behind them, based on the clues Deng Bingding has uncovered so far... it might be Wang Yin of Oasis Group."

Zhang Yu's eyes narrowed: "Him again."

True Man Xinghuo said calmly, "However, his actions this time crossed a line, especially since you've already negotiated terms with Myriad Law University and are a pre-approved talent. Attacking before the college entrance exam is an extremely egregious act."

"The physical bodies and souls of hundreds of related individuals have been dealt with, and the Oasis Group above has also paid a large fine. Wang Yin should not dare to use such methods against you again in the future."

Zhang Yu said coldly, "He'll use other methods?"

True Man Xinghuo said, "Normal academic competition and commercial competition, of course, no one will interfere with."

True Man Xinghuo secretly thought to himself: "But... is it really just Wang Yin? To pay such a heavy price just to deal with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen?"

"Did Wang Yin also sense their potential? Trying to eliminate a potential threat in advance?"

"Or perhaps Underworld University, or even Underworld Palace... someone noticed Zhang Yu's extraordinary qualities just like I did? And wanted to nip this future genius student of Myriad Law University in the bud?"

True Man Xinghuo couldn't be sure and could only keep this speculation to himself for now.

In any case, Zhang Yu would be heading to Myriad Law University in another month. Once he entered Myriad Law University, he wouldn't have to worry about pressure from Underworld University.

As for the remaining month, he decided to spend more time with Zhang Yu, both for protection and to use the last opportunity to further guide him.

Just then, Zhang Yu looked at his phone and said, "Why can't I reach A-Zhen?"

True Man Xinghuo was silent for a moment, then finally said, "During her fight with those two Foundation Establishment cultivators, A-Zhen awakened her Divine Spiritual Root."

"It was precisely the emergence of her Divine Spiritual Root that attracted the Righteous Gods to the scene earlier."

Zhang Yu's face suddenly changed upon hearing this. He thought to himself, "Damn it! A-Zhen always suppressed her True Spiritual Root to prevent it from evolving. Those two must have forced her to unleash it."

Zhang Yu anxiously looked at True Man Xinghuo and asked, "What happened to A-Zhen then?"

Observing Zhang Yu's change in expression, True Man Xinghuo surmised that Zhang Yu likely already knew about Bai Zhenzhen's spiritual root secret.

Whenever he thought of this, True Man Xinghuo felt a sense of emotion: "I never imagined that these two disciples I've guided would both surprise me more than the last."

"I originally thought Zhang Yu, with his suspected Martial Dao Saint Body, was a rare genius I would encounter only once in my lifetime."

"But I never expected Bai Zhenzhen to be even more formidable, possessing a natural evolving spiritual root that even evolved into a Divine Spiritual Root... her talent surpasses Zhang Yu's."

However, True Man Xinghuo knew it wasn't the time to dwell on that. After hearing Zhang Yu's question, he replied, "She was taken away by the Righteous Gods."

"But you don't need to worry. According to Deng Bingding... Bai Zhenzhen is currently fine. In fact, she was taken under the protection of the Seven Emotions Divine Lord of Heavenly Sword University and will likely enroll there in the future, becoming his disciple."

True Man Xinghuo explained, "The Seven Emotions Divine Lord is a Soul Transformation Sword Immortal who has always sought a successor for the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao. It's said that he greatly admired Bai Zhenzhen during her Foundation Establishment exam."

Zhang Yu paused slightly upon hearing this, thinking, "Deng Bingding did mention that during the initial Dao Heart test, a prominent figure was quite pleased with A-Zhen's performance in the illusion, which is why A-Zhen, who wasn't even first place at the time, was given an interest-free loan."

"Could it have been this Seven Emotions Divine Lord? Can a Soul Transformation Sword Immortal... see the contents of the Foundation Establishment exam?"

Zhang Yu also recalled that when the top ten institutions offered their terms, it was Heavenly Sword University that gave A-Zhen the best admissions conditions.

True Man Xinghuo continued to console him: "Even with a Divine Spiritual Root, A-Zhen has already reached Foundation Establishment. Forcibly removing a Divine Spiritual Root would render it useless. Now, being nurtured by a Soul Transformation Divine Lord from Heavenly Sword University is actually a good thing."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly. Although he still felt somewhat uneasy, he knew there was nothing he could change at the moment.

"She's still on the first level, isn't she? Can I go see her?"

True Man Xinghuo shook his head: "After the college entrance exam, she'll move to the second level. But her current security clearance is extremely high; no one can see her."

"But rest assured, once you both enter the second level and attend university, you'll have opportunities to meet."

Watching Zhang Yu visibly relax a little, True Man Xinghuo sighed inwardly: "While it's true that a Divine Spiritual Root would be rendered useless if removed after Foundation Establishment, it's not as if there's no way to refine both the person and the root into a Dharma Cadaver."

However, True Man Xinghuo wasn't sure if the Seven Emotions Divine Lord would do such a thing, so he decided not to mention it to Zhang Yu and cause him unnecessary worry.

Besides that, he also thought of another issue.

"Alas, I never thought I'd miss something like this. Bai Zhenzhen's talent actually far surpasses Zhang Yu's."

"Now that she possesses a Divine Spiritual Root and has become the disciple of a Soul Transformation Divine Lord, if the Seven Emotions Divine Lord truly intends to cultivate her... it's likely that after entering university, the cultivation gap between Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu will rapidly widen, and the distance between them in terms of rank, wealth, and status will also grow further."

Looking at Zhang Yu, True Man Xinghuo thought, "Even the closest high school friends, their relationship might gradually change in the end."

True Man Xinghuo had seen too many similar situations, but he knew that anything he said to Zhang Yu now would be useless. Ultimately, Zhang Yu would have to experience and process all of this himself, slowly.

Just then, Zhang Yu got up from the bed, twisting his body and performing the movements of the Spring and Autumn Endless Zen, as he said, "Master, I feel like my body is almost fully recovered. Can I start training directly?"

At this moment, Zhang Yu's eyes were filled with fighting spirit, seemingly burning with an endless desire for power and cultivation.

True Man Xinghuo nodded: "You are indeed almost recovered. Let's go. Don't exercise here; you'll disturb other patients."

Over the next month, in addition to cultivating within the spiritual meridian, True Man Xinghuo tirelessly guided Zhang Yu in his daily rigorous training, almost day and night.

Especially sensing Zhang Yu's intense thirst for the path of immortality and cultivation, True Man Xinghuo became even more dedicated in his guidance.

Meanwhile, Yu Xinghan occasionally joined in, undergoing True Man Xinghuo's hellish training alongside him.

At the same time.

Within a certain spiritual meridian on the first level.

Bai Zhenzhen, who was cultivating, suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Deng Bingding in front of her, saying, "Deng Youshen, could I trouble you to deliver a message to Zhang Yu?"

Deng Bingding smiled slightly: "No problem. What message do you want to send?"

Looking at Bai Zhenzhen, Deng Bingding secretly sighed to himself: "To think it's an evolving spiritual root, already a Divine Spiritual Root now. In the future, won't it evolve into an Immortal Spiritual Root? Wouldn't that make her a true sect prodigy?"

"From this perspective, Zhang Yu might just be a cover-up."

"This Bai Zhenzhen is likely the true talent they intend to cultivate, right?"

Thinking of this, Deng Bingding grew even more impressed by the higher-ups' foresight: "This move was too well-hidden. If Underworld University hadn't inadvertently stumbled upon it this time... hmm? Could it be... Underworld University was also using Wang Yin's actions as a pretext, and their real target wasn't Zhang Yu at all, but rather to eliminate Bai Zhenzhen early on?"

Deng Bingding couldn't be sure, but he felt that Bai Zhenzhen in front of him was becoming increasingly important and mysterious.

"Compared to her, Zhang Yu seems like an ordinary student."

"However, their relationship seems quite good for now. I should maintain good relations with both of them."

Inside the training ground.

Zhang Yu lay on the ground with his limbs twisted, enduring the pain as he painstakingly straightened each dislocated limb.

Just then, a message arrived on his phone, sent by Deng Bingding.

"A-Zhen asked him to relay a message to me?"

Bai Zhenzhen: Yuzi, I'm fine. Do well on your college entrance exam. Once you're up there, I'll find a way to come to you.

Zhang Yu felt a sense of calm looking at his phone.

True Man Xinghuo's voice came: "Had enough rest? How much longer are you going to lie there?"

Zhang Yu gritted his teeth, already standing: "Let's continue."

A month quickly passed.

With the end of the college entrance exam, Zhang Yu and the others concluded their three years of high school.

That day, on the flying ship heading towards the Ascension Platform.

Zhang Yu looked at Songyang City, which was growing smaller and smaller beneath him. The past three years seemed to flash continuously through his mind.

Just then, Yu Xinghan's hand patted his shoulder, saying, "Bro, what do you think about us enrolling in Heavenly Sword University after we go up? With Sister Zhen protecting us, wouldn't it be easier to get by?"

Zhang Yu had considered this question. He shook his head now and said, "Forget it. Neither you nor I are good at what Heavenly Sword University teaches. Going there would only hold A-Zhen back."

Zhang Yu knew that his current accumulations were all in preparation for the path of Myriad Law University.

Going to Heavenly Sword would definitely slow down the efficiency of his strength improvement.

He thought to himself: "In this world, strength is ultimately the most important thing. Without enough strength, what good is it to see A-Zhen?"

"Without enough strength, one can't even protect oneself."

Le Mulan walked over and asked, "Zhang Yu, you're also choosing Myriad Law University, right? Which department are you planning to enter?"

Zhang Yu replied casually, "Civil Engineering."

Le Mulan was slightly surprised: "Ci... Civil Engineering?"

Just then, a scream rang out. Zhang Yu sharply turned to look and saw Xiong Wenwu pinned to the ground, with several people kneeling on top of the "black bear" (Xiong Wenwu).

"You rascal, what are you hiding in your butt? Are you smuggling contraband?"

"Stop squeezing!" Xiong Wenwu said, his face red: "You're squeezing my hemorrhoids that flared up two days ago."

At the same time, a groan echoed in Zhang Yu's mind.

"How long have I been asleep?"