Chapter 1619 - 924: The Price—All Beings Are Enemies of the Path

Listening to Tai Yue Bai’s narrative, Zhang Yu felt that nothing seemed surprising. From a numerical perspective, choosing Layer One is indeed the most rational decision.

But as Tai Yue Bai looked at the silent Zhang Yu in front of him, a moment of clarity flashed in his heart.

He slowly said, "I remember... Layer One is your hometown, right?"

"Don’t you want to sacrifice your hometown?"

Tai Yue Bai sighed, "Such emotions and thoughts, I haven’t seen in Kunxu for too long and unconsciously overlooked this point."

As he spoke, Tai Yue Bai’s eyes already revealed various information and records about Zhang Yu, especially the data and experiences Zhang Yu left on Layer One.

Originally, the Upper Cultivators of the sect naturally wouldn’t care about Zhang Yu’s specific experiences on Layer One.

But looking at Zhang Yu’s expression, Tai Yue Bai suddenly understood that in the other party’s heart, Layer One was not a garbage dump, not a table full of jars and pots, but a place with special significance.

At the same time, Tai Yue Bai combined this with other records of Zhang Yu, and a thought surged in his mind, "Is that what this so-called nostalgia is about?"

"The feelings for his homeland, for the people around him, for his companions... could this also be the reason why Elder Ying chose you?"

"Having strong emotions that modern Kunxu people lack, maybe this is what distinguishes you, Zhang Yu, from others, but it may also be an obstacle that hinders your further progress..."

Having completed the lightning-fast contemplation, Tai Yue Bai continued, "If you really don’t want the Lower Realm to be involved in the Upper Realm’s struggles, then put the pilot program in the sect."

Tai Yue Bai said indifferently, "But have you thought about the fact that even placing it in the sect comes with a price?"

Hearing Tai Yue Bai’s words, Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened, "What are you trying to say?"

Tai Yue Bai stared at Zhang Yu and said word by word, "Placing the pilot program in the sect, you are then at odds with all the Legislative Refining Void within the sect, and the backers behind them."

"To deal with a Level 6 Sect Affairs Officer like you, they might still have some scruples and proceed according to the rules, dealing with debts, sect affairs, processes, and business."

"But what about those people around you?"

After further perceiving Zhang Yu’s characteristics, Tai Yue Bai intended to empathize with the other’s feelings and thoughts... to persuade Zhang Yu.

"Those sect affairs officers who are lower-ranked than you, and those outsourced people you brought up, they will all become targets of attack."

"The more you value them, the more you employ them, the more enemies will target them."

A trace of sadness flashed in Tai Yue Bai’s eyes, as he recalled and said, "What happened to the descendants and disciples of Elder Ying, you are not unaware of."

"Their hearts, livers, kidneys, spleens, and lungs, every inch of flesh was sold. Every thread of will was worked to the brink of self-destruction, to the moment of mental collapse. Even their memories were sliced into countless pieces, becoming remnants in the Law Realm, drained to the last ounce of value, still emitting silent wails in every corner of the world..."

"Zhang Yu, if you do not wish for Layer One to become the price, then those around you will become the price. This is our world now, this is Kunxu, everything has a price..."

Tai Yue Bai solemnly stated, "Even if the Immortal Emperor supports you, he wouldn’t protect each person under your command, to him, that’s just a normal cost."

"Everything and everyone has a price; whether it’s the Immortal Emperor or us, as long as we move forward, a price must be paid."

"Are you sure... you’re prepared to bear the cost of setting the Law Chain pilot within the sect?"

Seeing Zhang Yu not responding, Tai Yue Bai sighed and patted his shoulder, "Think about it carefully. I’m not forcing you to sacrifice Layer One, but this is indeed the most sensible choice at the moment."

Watching Tai Yue Bai’s departing figure, Zhang Yu sighed, remaining silent for a long time.

At the same time, even Zhang Yu’s usually bustling mind was at this moment tranquil and silent.

Fu Ji thought to herself, "It’s either Layer One or the Lower Cultivators around Zhang Yu, one side must suffer."

In fact, from Fu Ji’s perspective, as long as Zhang Yu continues to climb, it’s only natural that there’s loss and damage among his subordinates, considering that they exist to be expended anyway.

Even not having much loss now, in Fu Ji’s view, is incredibly fortunate, also because Zhang Yu’s rise was too quick and the time too short.

Yet Fu Ji knows that Zhang Yu has feelings for his companions that far exceed those of ordinary Kunxu Cultivators.

"At this time... anything said would upset Zhang Yu."

"Whether Upper Realm or Lower Realm, let Zhang Yu decide for himself."

However, not long after Tai Yue Bai left, Zhang Yu received a message from Yu Xinghan.

Yu Xinghan: "Zhang Yu, Shi Yunxiang has been severely injured..."

Zhang Yu’s eyes slightly narrowed, and memories of Shi Yunxiang rushed to his mind.

Shi Yunxiang, a student Zhang Yu met while studying in the Civil Engineering Department at Wanfa University. They worked together, participated in civil engineering competitions together. They even fought together against the Demon Sect Golden Core during the financial crisis, committed crimes together, fought in wars together, and finally saved the world from collapse during the decisive battle of the university war.

Now, Shi Yunxiang, along with Xiao Qingxuan, Mo Enting, Gongshu Jin, Su Yanyang, and others, came up about half a year ago with Tu Lishan, Bei Wufeng, and others who passed the sect examination.

Over the past six months, Shi Yunxiang, working as an outsourced employee of the Netherworld Property Department, focused on adapting to sect affairs while diligently preparing for future sect assessments.