Chapter 271: Time Crippled Demon Eye

Starfire Realman decided to guide Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, and naturally he had reviewed their information and past histories, knowing that the two had an unusually close bond, a life-or-death friendship, and would surely support each other in the future.

To be honest, Starfire Realman felt a bit of envy toward their sworn bond.

Starfire Realman was already over 350 years old; having grown up along his own path, he had naturally once had many friends.

But the vast majority of friends he had met in his early years failed to reach the Golden Core realm, so by the time he reached this age, those friends had long since passed away from old age.

As for friendships where one could entrust one’s life, that was even rarer in today’s Kunxu.

Seeing that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen could encounter companions to cultivate and climb the path together even back in high school, Starfire Realman couldn’t help but sigh.

So when considering Zhang Yu’s cultivation route, he also took into account how Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen could help each other.

Starfire Realman continued transmitting his voice to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, “Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, once you enter the Myriad Methods University, one of you studies civil engineering, the other security. In the future, one builds the construction site, the other protects it, and you can look out for each other on the site.”

“Once you’ve saved enough cultivation resources, Zhang Yu, you can switch to the Artifact Refining Department and take the military magical armor path.”

“Bai Zhenzhen, since you excel in combat, you could study military operations.”

“Then Zhang Yu, you can help Bai Zhenzhen forge magical armors, and Bai Zhenzhen can help you test and promote them…”

Hearing Starfire Realman’s transmission, Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Switch from civil engineering to artifact refining? That’s actually similar to the suggestion my sister gave me.”

As for his hard-trained physical body, Zhang Yu really didn’t want to give it up easily, and at this moment he already secretly agreed with Starfire Realman’s suggestion.

“But I can ask Fújī about it after I get back.”

“When I talk to my sister next time, I’ll also have her take a look and give her opinion.”

Although he agreed with Starfire Realman’s suggestion, Zhang Yu still decided to consult a few more trustworthy people for reference.

After all, regarding the choice of university major and the path of future development, Zhang Yu felt he could not be too cautious—this concerned the cultivation path of immortal arts for decades or even centuries, so he had to be meticulous.

At this moment, following Starfire Realman’s suggestion, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen chose the Time-Remnant Demonic Eye and the Formless Wind Fiend.

But right after choosing these two magical armors, Starfire Realman spoke to Deng Bingding, “Deng Roaming Deity, these two magical armors were originally left by Wang Yin, considered his compensation to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen.”

“But doesn’t our Deity Department have any rewards for those who have rendered meritorious service?”

“Especially since Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen risked their lives several times to fight Wang Yin—no reward? You can’t bully my two disciples.”

“And Bai Zhenzhen didn’t get any compensation from you earlier.”

“I’m not asking for materials; just give them a few Foundation Establishment stage techniques.”

Deng Bingding thought to herself, “This kid Starfire really protects these two, and he hit the key point right away—Foundation Establishment techniques.”

She thought about whether Starfire Realman’s behavior was an order from above or, like herself, a deliberate move to improve goodwill.

But upon second thought, Deng Bingding felt it might be both—after all, Starfire was already old, and if he didn’t seize this opportunity with Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, he would probably spend the rest of his life lingering on the First Layer.

While speaking to Deng Bingding, Starfire Realman was also transmitting to Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen, explaining, “Given your spiritual power, one magical armor each is about all you can use. Any more would be excessive, and you couldn’t use them anyway.”

“As for money, medicines, magical treasures, or equipment on the First Layer, they’re all targeted at the Qi Refining market. For you who have already Foundation Established, they have limited effect.”

“It’s more practical to get some Foundation Establishment techniques that you can start cultivating now.”

Starfire Realman seriously warned them, “High school is just the beginning of the immortal path. Although your current results are excellent, never become arrogant or complacent.”

“You must understand that university is where you truly step onto the path of immortal arts. In the next nine months, you must not slack off. Seize every moment to continue cultivating and prepare for entering university.”

“On the First Layer’s technique platform, there are very few Foundation Establishment techniques available—after all, these techniques are sold for spirit coins on the upper layers and there’s little market down here.”

“Since you now have this connection with the Deity Department, asking them for some Foundation Establishment techniques is a good deal, and it will greatly benefit your cultivation over the next nine months.”

“And arranging copyright for them is not difficult for the Deity Department.”

Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen nodded repeatedly, feeling that Starfire Realman made a lot of sense.

But at the same time… a sense of worry rose in both Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s hearts.

Because they had noticed that Starfire, that old man, was being increasingly good to them, more and more like a caring elder, like a teacher who truly cared about them…

If the earlier guidance could be explained as recruiting for the Myriad Methods University and opposing the Oasis Group, then what was the purpose now?

Looking at Starfire Realman before him, Zhang Yu thought of Zhou Chechen, who had once been equally kind to him, and of Wang Yin, who had spent money like water on him.

“Damn… it’s not going to be another one, is it?”

Zhang Yu watched the Starfire True Person, who was still negotiating benefits for them with Deng Bingding, and felt a pang of anxiety: "Don't be like this, old Starfire crook. You're making me really uneasy."

Having spent time in Kunxu, Zhang Yu was now genuinely unaccustomed to someone speaking up for him and fighting for his interests like this. He would rather the other party just ask him for payment directly.

Because based on his short two-year experience in Kunxu, free things often ended up costing more.

Meanwhile, after Starfire True Person's rounds of bargaining, besides the two Artifact Corpses—the Time-Residual Demon Eye and the Formless Wind Demon—Deng Bingding also approved rewards of Foundation Establishment stage techniques.

Among them, aside from the compensation for the three Foundation Establishment techniques he had previously obtained, Zhang Yu received an additional Foundation Establishment technique as a reward—a Breathing Method named the Azure Vortex Qi Art.

Bai Zhenzhen, who had not been granted any Foundation Establishment technique before, was now directly rewarded with two Foundation Establishment stage techniques: the Foundation Establishment versions of Thunder Judgment True Body and the Cold Soul Ice Heart Art.

After dispensing the technique rewards, Deng Bingding extended her hand toward Zhang Yu and said with a slight smile, "Little friend, it's time for you to return the Soul-Shattering Brick, isn't it?"

Zhang Yu returned it reluctantly.

Deng Bingding continued, "And the removal of the Dragon Locus, as well as the implantation of the Time-Residual Demon Eye—do you want to do it now? Your original spine is still stored with me."

Though somewhat unwilling to part with the Dragon Locus inside him, Zhang Yu still nodded: "Let's do it now. Since it's destined to be replaced anyway, it's better to get it done early and start adapting sooner."

So, under Deng Bingding's guidance, Zhang Yu and the others headed to the Oasis Group's Artifact Corpse operating room.

On the way, Starfire True Person commented, "Bai Zhenzhen, these two techniques of yours—one cultivates the physical body, and the other cultivates the Dao heart—both are of decent quality. As long as you find a Foundation Establishment technique for cultivating mana, you'll be set for now."

"As for your Azure Vortex Qi Art, Zhang Yu... heh. Deng Bingding did pick well. It's exactly the Foundation Establishment Breathing Method you were missing, and it will help boost your mana."

"The Azure Vortex Qi Art is of decent quality even among Expert-level techniques. In particular, it has a very wide range for gathering spiritual energy, making it most effective when cultivated on a spirit vein. It also pairs well with your Sea of Qi Spirit Root."

Upon hearing Starfire True Person's assessment, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Suitable for cultivation on spirit veins? Isn't that a pure rich person's technique? How am I supposed to afford that?"

Suddenly, Zhang Yu remembered the message previously sent by Director Red Pagoda Dragon. His eyes flickered, and he thought, "Seems... I might not be completely out of options."

"Though I don't have much money... I do have plenty of seeds."

"I just never expected that during Qi Refining I had to sell myself to earn money for cultivation, and now at Foundation Establishment, I still have to sell myself to earn money for cultivation."

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, thinking that Kunxu really turns people into devils.

Next, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were taken to the Oasis Group's operating room to prepare for the Artifact Corpse transplant.

Starfire True Person followed them in and made a request to the doctors performing the Artifact Corpse surgery: "For Zhang Yu's eye Artifact Corpse, don't use a semi-permanent type. Use a detachable one, so he can swap his own eyeballs and the Time-Residual Demon Eye every day."

Saying this, Starfire True Person explained to Zhang Yu on the side: "Your eyes are also part of your physical body, and moreover, they are excellent materials for refining future Artifact Corpses."

"Your physical body will inevitably undergo dramatic progress and changes as you cultivate in the future."

"If you replace the Time-Residual Demon Eye and then discard your original eyes without ever using them, before long those eyes will be unable to adapt to your body and will be hard to match again."

"So after surgery, unless it's an important occasion, use one eye with the original and the other with the Time-Residual Demon Eye, switching every twelve hours."

"That way, you'll always nourish both eyes with qi and blood, keeping your two original eyes able to adapt to your body's changes."

The Oasis Group's Artifact Corpse surgery technology was evidently very mature. After about an hour, the Dragon Locus inside Zhang Yu was replaced with his original spine.

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

Zhang Yu then sensed the circulation of mana within his body. Approximately 100 units of mana were now being used by the Time-Residual Demon Eye.

"It's like my mana cap has been reduced by 100 units."

"My total mana is still too low—I can't install many more Artifact Corpses."

Zhang Yu glanced at a nearby mirror. His eyes still looked the same as before, but as he willed it, a faint blood-red glow emerged in the pupil of his right eye.

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

"No, it's not that the world has slowed down."

Zhang Yu thought to himself: "The Time-Residual Demon Eye has increased my perception and acceptance of visual information, allowing me to take in more frames per second. In terms of feel... it's like the world has slowed down."

"This is the Time-Residual ability."