Chapter 564: Pre-Competition Preparations

“It’s said that the current Spirit Rhythm Divine Lord of Pleasure and Harmony University was once unable to take even the first step in his youth, his Dao Heart repeatedly retreating instead.”

“But through those repeated retreats, he gradually walked another path, ultimately comprehending the Way of Profound Sentiment—only by feeling emotion could one transcend emotion; only by transcending emotion could one reach deep emotion; and only through deep emotion could one forget emotion.”

“To be able to love anyone, to embrace all beings under Heaven with equal affection—only then could one reach the ultimate state of emotionlessness. That was the Supreme Way of Profound Sentiment.”

“With that single improvement, the output of that cultivation method increased severalfold overnight.”

“And similar refinements have continued to appear year after year. It is precisely this relentless spirit of constant advancement that laid the foundation for the modern rise of the Pleasure and Harmony Sect.”

Listening to Zhang Yu talk about the history of Dual Cultivation techniques with such confidence, Fu Ji said, “Looks like you paid real attention in those illusionary lectures.”

Zhang Yu replied, “Naturally. My original goal was to gather genuine information about vocational college students. Even in a simulated realm, I have to study seriously—can’t miss a single detail.”

“This college simulation realm is actually quite useful. I’ve learned a lot of extracurricular knowledge from it.”

“Well… there are some strange bits, but I think it’s worth continuing.”

Since he and Ye Xingli had already paid with spirit coins, Zhang Yu proceeded to select several different scenarios to experience.

When it was over, he received a message from Ye Xingli.

Ye Xingli: How was it, junior? Learned anything?

Zhang Yu: A great deal.

Zhang Yu: My ‘college content concentration’ is so high now it’s starting to scare me.

Ye Xingli: Haha, these scenarios really capture some essence of college life.

Ye Xingli: But they still don’t feel real. Too exaggerated, too sensationalized. They turn college life into entertainment.

Ye Xingli: None of them truly reflect what real college life is like.

Ye Xingli: Their data probably isn’t very reliable either.

Zhang Yu nodded slightly. “Real college life… no one really cares about that.”

“Or rather, the users who can afford this kind of spiritual simulation service aren’t the type to care about the real lives of vocational students.”

“They just treat it as a novelty, entertainment—or maybe a way to temper their Dao Heart.”

He replied: Senior Sister, you’re right. These scenarios do help us sense some of a college student’s temperament.

Zhang Yu: But if we want to reference them for artifact design, they’re far from enough.

Ye Xingli: Looks like we’ll have to collect data from real students.

Recalling what he had just seen in the illusion, Zhang Yu’s eyes glimmered. “Let’s just buy it from them.”

“We can pick a batch of students from different regions of the second floor, enrolled in various colleges under the Ten Major Sects.”

“Have these students record their daily lives through their EyeNet orbs and sell the footage to us.”

“That way, by fast-forwarding through their recordings, we can quickly gather massive amounts of first-hand data.”

Ye Xingli: Brilliant idea. Let’s do it.

Ye Xingli: I can recruit a group through my fans.

Zhang Yu: I know quite a few students myself.

Ye Xingli: Then we’ll each gather data and consolidate it in a month.

Zhang Yu: Deal.

Zhang Yu wasn’t in a hurry to end his information collection early. For someone who possessed Heavenly Craft Opens Creation, modifying design schematics was never the hard part.

Information was. Only with enough accurate data could he provide Heavenly Craft Opens Creation what it needed to generate the perfect designs.

Soon after, Zhang Yu posted a new task in the Songyang hometown group—purchasing daily EyeNet recordings from college students.

The response was overwhelming.

“Do you want footage from soul cultivators?”

“My EyeNet memory’s limited—can I sell it in a few-hour chunks?”

“Any requirements for video quality?”

After answering a few questions, Zhang Yu found it too time-consuming and handed the task off to Fu Ji.

Zhang Yu said, “Fu Ji, you know what I need. Just make sure the data we collect is as real and efficient as possible.”

Fu Ji asked, “Budget?”

Zhang Yu replied, “We’re talking about daily college life—how expensive could it be?”

“The rice rations I get each week as a top student could probably feed them for a year.”

Fu Ji sighed, “Save what you can! You just made a few spirit coins and you’re already splurging?”

Zhang Yu said, “They’re fellow townsfolk. Don’t squeeze them too hard.”

Meanwhile, many of the group’s college students perked up with interest.

Pleasure and Harmony University’s Lian Tianji: What about university students’ daily videos?

Shanhe University’s Lan Ling: Do you accept footage from higher institutes?

Zhang Yu: No, just vocational students.

With the acquisition handled by Fu Ji, Zhang Yu delved once again into the Supreme Purity Realm to begin another session of artifact-refinement simulation.

Inside that inner world, Zhang Yu’s progress was astonishing. He silently calculated, “By the end of March, I should be ready to begin forging the Grand Solar Saint-Law Sword Array.”

…

At the same time, in the laboratory of True Lord Magneto—

She frowned at the freshly completed Law Husk before her. “Why does this design… have such a college vibe?”

“Is my sense of aesthetics declining?”

True Lord Magneto decided to review the latest design theses later to refresh her artifact-design sensibilities.

Just then, the lab’s basic artificial spirit notified her of a message.

“Oh? Zhang Yu’s registered for the design competition?”

“Good. I suppose it’s time to introduce him to a few people.”

…

In Ye Xingli’s laboratory—

Zhang Yu sent out a new contract to Ziyun Zhen and the other two assistants.

“The new contract’s about the same, just with a few added confidentiality clauses. Take a look and sign if you’re fine with it.”

For his upcoming Grand Solar Saint-Law Sword Array project, Zhang Yu wouldn’t need any official review this time, which meant no public announcements or unnecessary exposure.

Besides, his refining skill had grown rapidly with each session—his technical mastery improving with every project.

Especially since the number of artifact blueprints under his belt was growing, and the Refining Genius trait’s efficiency boost was becoming ever more pronounced…

To avoid leaks, Zhang Yu decided to have his assistants sign new nondisclosure agreements.

The three assistants—Ziyun Zhen, Su Yunni, and the others—found nothing strange about it. They had worked in labs before, and confidentiality clauses were entirely standard. After a quick glance, they each signed under the witness of the Righteous Gods.

Zhang Yu smiled in satisfaction. “Good. Let’s focus on studying hard this month.”

“I expect to begin formal refining of the Grand Solar Saint-Law Sword Array by the end of March.”

Ziyun Zhen’s heart trembled; Su Yunni exclaimed, “By the end of March? Isn’t that too soon? Can we really finish all the technical prep in time?”

Zhang Yu said calmly, “That’s not your concern. Your job is to finish the necessary training by then and not drag the project down.”

“When it’s done, you’ll all get bonuses.”

Seeing the mix of excitement and pressure on their faces, Zhang Yu merely smiled. Having spent over a year in the Artifact Refinement Department and observing the labs of several True Lords—including Ye Xingli’s—he had learned one truth: high-pressure environments were the norm.

Assistants had to be squeezed a little to bring out their full potential and keep progress on schedule.

The three assistants took a deep breath, offering no objection. After all, juggling study and labor under pressure was the norm for artifact refiners.

Sure, 99% of their work might be the same as what any competent college student could do.

But that remaining 1%—and the discernment to tell which part was which—required solid cultivation knowledge and technical foundation.

Before the Grand Solar Saint-Law Sword Array’s official forging, extensive study was essential.

For the sake of that promised bonus—and more importantly, a military-grade project on their résumé—the assistants threw themselves into their studies with renewed vigor.

Shortly afterward, Zhang Yu received a message from True Lord Magneto.

True Lord Magneto: Got a minute?

Surprised to see his master message him first, Zhang Yu quickly stopped what he was doing.

Zhang Yu: Yes.

True Lord Magneto: I’ll tell you about the design competition.

True Lord Magneto: This year’s judges include one from our Wanfa University, one from Vajra University, and three others—from Netherworld University, Heavenly Demon University, and Whitebone University.

True Lord Magneto: Wanfa’s judge is True Lord Xianyin. I’ve already spoken to him for you.

True Lord Magneto: As for the other four, you’ll need to prepare gifts.

Zhang Yu: Gifts?

True Lord Magneto: Of course. What competition doesn’t involve gifts?

Zhang Yu: What kind of gifts?

True Lord Magneto: What else but spirit coins?

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “So blunt…”

True Lord Magneto: I’ll send you the price list. Once you’ve prepared the coins, let me know.

Zhang Yu stared at the list, heart tightening. “Four Nascent Soul True Lords… over a hundred spirit coins total? Not much for them—but for a college student, that’s robbery!”

He had thought his finances were finally stable, but he hadn’t expected to bleed so much again.

Zhang Yu: Can it be any cheaper?

True Lord Magneto: That is the cheapest.

True Lord Magneto: If you weren’t my disciple from Wanfa, you wouldn’t even have the chance to give gifts.

True Lord Magneto: Remember—don’t go lower than the number I gave you. Offer less, and they’ll definitely mess with you.

True Lord Magneto: But don’t go higher either. You’ll ruin the market.

Zhang Yu: And after I give them the coins, I’ll be guaranteed a military license, right?

True Lord Magneto: After you pay, you’ll earn the right to compete fairly with the other people who also gave gifts.