Chapter 544: Chapter 486: Confrontation Before the Divine Monarch
"That bastard Feng Yuhai!"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch was extremely dissatisfied with Feng Yuhai’s actions in the research department.
"When did my laboratory become his playground?"
"He’s now even meddling with important experimental items; will he next check every chat record of each project team member? Will he monitor everyone’s eye movements?"
"If he’s checking everything, then what do I have left to oversee?"
"As the project progresses and becomes increasingly vital, will he start managing my schedule too? Will he eventually interfere with the project’s funding and personnel?"
Although Magnetic Pole True Monarch was extremely displeased with Feng Yuhai’s actions and was ready to retaliate, she understood... Feng Yuhai’s actions were justified.
As the project’s importance continues to grow, the control over personnel and assets will inevitably become stricter.
"But this control must be in my hands."
Magnetic Pole True Monarch knew that the initiative in project management must remain with her, and she would never hand it over.
Regarding Zhang Yu’s matter specifically, whether to leave the school or not had pros and cons in Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s view, so she planned to ask the subject’s opinion and choose the path that offered more gains.
Upon hearing Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s question, Zhang Yu pondered for a moment and shared his thoughts.
In fact, on his way back, he had already discussed with Fu Ji and made a decision in his mind.
As his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain Shifting Divine Power continued to erase suspicions, the Yin artifact experiment also attracted more attention, making it possible that going off-campus would trigger actions from other schools.
But if he did not leave University City, not only would his income sharply decrease, but he would also have to abandon the long-prepared Civil Engineering competition, which might even affect his success rate of transferring departments...
"If that’s the case, my progress will be hindered, and the possibility of entering a sect in the future will also decrease."
"Especially once this precedent is set, will they further restrict me in the future? Even confining me to the laboratory? Or monitoring me 24 hours a day?"
Zhang Yu absolutely did not want that.
Moreover, compared to the potentially suffocating situation within the school, he perceived that the risks outside weren’t that high.
As long as confidentiality measures are in place, his safety isn’t low.
If he could gain support and protection from Wanfa, his safety would be even higher.
In a truly desperate moment, there was also his sister in the Taiqing Realm to conceal his information in the Spirit Realm.
With the divine Spirit Root copied from Bai Zhenzhen’s body, he could hide his traces.
And the Green Silk Flying Sword could connect directly to the Heavenly Patrol Flying Sword’s network, allowing him to request aid from Magnetic Pole True Monarch, Director Gao, or others at any time...
So upon hearing Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s inquiry, Zhang Yu stated his prepared words: "Teacher, I want to go out."
"I don’t want the experiment to limit my potential on the Immortal Path; I want to earn more money and go further on the Immortal Path."
"As for the risks, I think the risks are controllable..."
Magnetic Pole True Monarch nodded slightly, "You’re thinking quite well, but there are some points that aren’t deep enough yet."
"Come with me to see the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch."
"We will discuss the specific strategy, pros, and cons as we proceed."
Zhang Yu was surprised, "Directly go and see... Divine Monarch?"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch said, "With the Divine Monarch’s endorsement, most constraints can be alleviated, and the project can develop to its fullest potential."
...
University City, 666th floor.
Since the completion of the 666th floor, Zhang Yu had never entered this level again.
Every time he passed by it through the anti-gravity passage or the magnetic tunnel, he could only see the entire floor sealed off, not even knowing where the entrance was.
Zhang Yu often felt curious, curious about what was inside this completely sealed 666th floor.
A confidential laboratory? A storage place for important documents? A treasury for precious Magic Treasures and Magic Remains?
Until today, when he arrived at the 666th floor and saw the blue sky and white clouds, and vast land inside, Zhang Yu was shocked: "This is..."
Magnetic Pole True Monarch calmly said, "Virtual reality technology from the Spirit Realm, where virtual and reality intertwine, seem both real and illusionary."
On the other side, Director Gao said, "When you meet the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch in a while, don’t be startled."
Zhang Yu didn’t know what Magnetic Pole True Monarch and Director Gao had discussed or how they called the other party over; he only knew that Director Gao met up with him and Magnetic Pole True Monarch halfway to the 666th floor.
At this moment, Magnetic Pole True Monarch and Director Gao were leading Zhang Yu across a plain, and soon they saw a village.
One adobe house after another was topped with rough thatch, walls etched with gullies by rainwater, and the ground was filled with mud born after rain.
Listening to the sounds of hens scratching the ground, pigs grunting in their pens, women fetching water, and coughing from kitchen hearths, watching the villagers walking around with grass belts at their waists, patchy fabrics on their bodies, and straw sandals on their feet...
Zhang Yu felt a slight illusion in his heart, as if he had traveled back in time to an ancient rural village.
However, during their journey, the villagers around them didn’t even glance at them, treating him, Director Gao, and Magnetic Pole True Monarch as if they were air, which also made Zhang Yu sense the oddity of the place.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch explained, "None of them are real people, don’t mind them."
The next moment, the three of them stopped in unison, and Magnetic Pole True Monarch and Director Gao slightly bowed toward a villager who was farming, respectfully saying, "Divine Monarch."
Zhang Yu looked at the figure before him, his heart skipping a beat: "Che Yufei?"
The person before him, who appeared to be Che Yufei, showed no sign of the Foundation Establishment Domain, had no ranking projection above his head, and had no trace of Spirit Realm information from inside out, just like an ordinary mortal.
"Che Yufei" glanced at the three of them, smiled slightly, and said, "Magnetic Pole, Qingmu, you’re here?"
Then he turned to Zhang Yu and said indifferently, "You must be Zhang Yu? Do you recognize this new body I just bought?"
His eyes narrowed slightly, as if countless lights and shadows flashed through them, and in the next moment, he smiled slightly and said, "Oh, you’re all from the Civil Engineering Department, participated in projects together, and competed together?"
"You don’t need to overthink, I have a permit for arbitrary possession, Che Yufei is merely one of the new bodies I’ve recently acquired."
Looking at the serene smile of the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch, Zhang Yu seemed to see countless people’s flesh and blood being devoured by him amidst a financial storm.
Zhang Yu hurriedly collected his thoughts and bowed his head respectfully.
The Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch chuckled and continued, "Don’t be afraid, a permit for arbitrary possession is not a free possession permit; it costs money. I won’t just take possession of a living person, that would be letting you profit."
Then the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch glanced at Magnetic Pole True Monarch and Director Gao, remarking casually, "If there’s anything you need to discuss, feel free to say it."
Magnetic Pole True Monarch immediately tapped a fingertip, and several light images abruptly appeared.
She displayed scenes from the Civil Engineering League while saying, "The project’s success in garnering rapid publicity is due to Zhang Yu’s participation in the Civil Engineering League."
"If Zhang Yu continues to compete, it will not only showcase the results but also further publicize and lay the groundwork for future product sales."
"The Civil Engineering League is arguably an excellent publicity opportunity."
Then Director Gao, standing aside, pointed a fingertip, switching the image to the league’s information, pointing to the final prize and saying, "Moreover, the champion of this Civil Engineering Competition can win a military-level construction-specific armor blueprint."
Although Director Gao understood this was a common tactic from above to intensify competition among universities, he couldn’t deny the attractiveness of this prize.
Director Gao continued, "With Zhang Yu and Mo Enting present, it’s an excellent opportunity for the Civil Engineering Department to win the championship, significantly enhancing the reputation of Wanfa University’s Civil Engineering Department and boosting many companies’ stock prices."
Director Gao knew that the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch had indirect holdings in many Civil Engineering Department companies.
Beside him, Magnetic Pole True Monarch added, "A military-level armor could compensate for the Artifact Refining Department’s deficiencies in armor development. With slight improvements by the Artifact Refining Department, it can also become a self-developed military-level skill of Wanfa University."
As she spoke, Magnetic Pole True Monarch waved a hand, displaying Zhang Yu’s various achievements.
In Director Gao’s eyes, Zhang Yu’s accelerated academic performances over three years of university, his military certification in the third year, and his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain Shifting Divine Power mastery made Director Gao puff his chest slightly.
And in the eyes of the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch, Zhang Yu, apart from those Civil Engineering achievements, had also completed the first three years of the Artifact Refining Department’s courses and passed the exams.
Additionally, there were various artifact refining skills studies and plans to switch to the Artifact Refining Department in the future.
The Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch nodded slightly, "Zhang Yu is indeed quite talented. Old Gao, you’ve worked hard."
Director Gao smiled, "It’s not hard, all for the school."
The Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch laughed heartily, "It’s rare to see you so generous; if all the department teachers in the school thought like you, our Wanfa wouldn’t worry about becoming Kunxu’s top university?"
Director Gao felt a slight strangeness in his heart upon hearing this.
But before he could ponder further, he heard the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch continue, "There are indeed advantages to going out, but what about the risks?"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch said, "The risks are controllable..."
Just then, a voice interrupted Magnetic Pole True Monarch, "Magnetic Pole, don’t speak recklessly, who dares guarantee that the risks are controllable?"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch turned, seeing Feng Yuhai’s Spirit Realm projection appeared beside them, looking at them coldly.
The Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch smiled faintly, "I also called Little Feng over, let’s discuss any issues face-to-face, there’s nothing that cannot be negotiated."
Feng Yuhai stared at Magnetic Pole True Monarch and said, "Magnetic Pole, tell me how these risks are controllable?"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch snorted coldly, "With the resources of the school, applying for several Magic Treasures and talismans, isn’t it enough to protect one student?"
"Moreover, I will be monitoring at all times and will descend whenever necessary. This time, didn’t I protect Zhang Yu thoroughly at the Heavenly Sword?"
Director Gao was about to say that he would also support Zhang Yu, but after hearing Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s words, he opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Director Gao thought to himself, "It’s fine, Magnetic Pole’s reputation is greater than mine, her words are more effective."
Feng Yuhai sneered and said, "Student? Is he just an ordinary student? He carries the lab’s achievements, which are the school’s assets."
"And doesn’t mitigating the risks require new investments? Are the school’s Magic Treasures and talismans used just to cultivate talent in your Artifact Refining Department? Magnetic Pole! Is this a school project or your project?"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch shot back, "Don’t shift the topic, we are discussing whether the risk is controllable! All this ’yours, mine nonsense,’ looks like someone wants to seize the project’s credit and make it all theirs."
"Feng Yuhai, do you even know how you got to your position, and how much benefit you got in your account?!"
"What the hell are you saying?!" Feng Yuhai was furious, "I’m preventing school asset loss and reducing project risk, yet you maliciously slander me? Is this how your Artifact Refining Department handles things?"
With a slight trembling of the world, the voice of the Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch slowly resounded, "Let’s discuss matters, everyone is Wanfa’s teacher, don’t attack each other."
Magnetic Pole True Monarch said indifferently, "Feng Yuhai, you said it’s dangerous outside, project personnel are not allowed to go out. Is the school then completely safe?"
"Protecting project personnel is something the school should do. So, whenever there are results, are we to lock them up in University City? Lock them in the lab?"
"On the contrary, participating in competitions has better publicity effects..."
Feng Yuhai’s eyes narrowed, "Fine, speaking of competitions, even if you, Magnetic Pole True Monarch can protect him offsite, what about on the field?"
"If Zhang Yu is beaten and humiliated on his knees by someone in the Civil Engineering League in front of so many people, and they take the material, can you protect him then? Is that beneficial for project publicity?"
"Or are you going to invest more funds into Zhang Yu, and have us win all the competitions in the coming years for him? Will you invest in this bottomless pit?"