Chapter 656: Award Ceremony, Overturn Heaven

There was still one hour until the award ceremony began.

Zhang Yu stood at the bow of the flying boat, gazing at the floating continent not far away, countless thoughts seemingly swirling in his eyes.

He wanted to talk to Fuji, but he was afraid that under the current convergence of attention, he would expose his identity as a follower of the evil god.

And whether it was to Zhang Pianpian, Starfire Cultivator, Director Gao, or even Bai Zhenzhen, he couldn't bring himself to fully disclose the many secrets in his heart.

Watching the fleeting advertisements about the Dharma Realm, life extension, and other celestial techniques passing through the sky, Zhang Yu knew that the Nascent Soul cultivators were subtly reminding him again.

In fact, as the start of the award ceremony drew nearer, and after Zhang Yu had repeatedly failed to state his position to the Nascent Soul cultivators, the Nascent Soul masters from various schools began, in an obvious yet subtle way, to gradually exert more pressure on him before he chose his immortal sect technique.

Video blessings from former teachers and classmates had already been sent to Zhang Yu's eye prosthetics.

The college that had been reduced to ruins due to the Nascent Soul peace talks was also constantly broadcast before Zhang Yu in the form of news reports.

All of this seemed to be constantly issuing him warnings.

Facing all this, a strong sense of loneliness suddenly surged in Zhang Yu's heart.

This time, no one could make the choice for him.

This time, he had to make a choice alone that would affect his own life, the lives of his companions, and the lives of hundreds of millions of people.

This feeling of being alone, this pressure bearing down on him, was like chains that completely bound his body, tightening until he felt he could hardly breathe.

Just then, Yu Xinghan, without Zhang Yu noticing, came to his side and asked, "Have you decided? You seem very unsettled."

"Oh? Is it that obvious?" Zhang Yu smiled faintly and said, "After all, I have to face the pressure from the Nascent Soul cultivators and the sects."

As he spoke, Zhang Yu closed his eyes and slowly said, "To be honest... I feel a bit scared. I don't know if what I'm doing is right or wrong. And this choice, where I can't tell right from wrong, will truly change me, change you, and change the fate of countless people..."

Yu Xinghan said, "It's alright, Zhang Yu. We trust you. No matter what you choose, we have always believed in you."

At the same time, in Yu Xinghan's mind, images of Zhang Yu leading them in fierce battles against the demon sect's Golden Core cultivators appeared, along with scenes of him transforming himself into a follower of the evil god to resist the Double Rest Virus.

Unknowingly, they had long become companions who committed crimes together, killed together, and became followers of the evil god together.

Yu Xinghan said earnestly, "Teacher Starfire once said that the path of immortality is about pressing forward without hesitation. The problems encountered along the way can only be solved by continuing to advance. Practicing relentlessly, moving forward constantly—that is the destiny of every cultivator."

Zhang Yu frowned and slowly said, "But this time, if there's even the slightest mistake, the Nascent Soul cultivators..."

Yu Xinghan said, "If we go bankrupt, the worst that can happen is we start over. If we're in debt, we'll just work hard to pay it off. If we really have to face soul annihilation, then we'll accept our losses. Isn't that what immortal cultivation is all about? From the day we set foot on the path of immortality, we've all been prepared for this."

"Zhang Yu, as long as it's the direction you choose, I'm willing to follow you to the end. This is my choice, Yu Xinghan's choice, and I'll bear the consequences of right and wrong, victory and defeat, on my own."

Crack...

Zhang Yu looked at Yu Xinghan before him and suddenly felt that he was not alone. The chains that had been binding him seemed to snap several at once.

Perhaps he couldn't pour out the secrets in his heart, perhaps he couldn't have unreserved communication, but at this moment, he could truly feel the other's heartfelt support for him.

Just then, Le Mulan also came to their side and said, "Zhang Yu, everyone wants to take a group photo."

Moments later, the spiritual realm projections of Ying Xin, Shi Huaiyu, Xiao Qingxuan, and Shi Yunxiang descended one after another, standing together with Zhang Yu, Yu Xinghan, and Le Mulan.

Surrounded by everyone, Zhang Yu felt that the chains encircling him seemed to shatter several more.

After the photo was taken, Shi Huaiyu asked, "Zhang Yu, which technique have you decided to choose? Is it the Dharma Realm? It's fine if you don't say; I just wanted to ask if the currency price of Wanfa will still go up?"

Xiao Qingxuan next to him said, "Stop asking, Huaiyu."

Shi Huaiyu said, "I just wanted to ask, to earn a bit more..."

Zhang Yu suddenly said, "To be honest, I don't know whether the currency price will rise or not either."

Shi Huaiyu looked at Zhang Yu in surprise and said awkwardly, "Sorry, Zhang Yu, I thought you might know a bit more..."

Zhang Yu looked at everyone and sighed, "This time, I don't know where my choice will lead. I also can't promise you all whether the future will be good or bad."

"So, everyone, try not to invest for now, and be prepared to face anything."

Hearing these words, everyone present felt a hint of heaviness.

Amid this heaviness, Yu Xinghan smiled and said, "Zhang Yu, no matter what, I believe you will succeed."

Shi Huaiyu looked at Zhang Yu and recalled how he had fought alongside everyone against the demon sect's Golden Core cultivator, and how he had repeatedly defeated his opponents, eventually claiming the top spot in the Top Ten Tournament.

Shi Huaiyu said, "Zhang Yu, didn't you say that from then on... if we die, we die together; if we go bankrupt, we go bankrupt together. I, Shi Huaiyu, have chosen many stocks in my life, some profitable and some losing, but in the end, I've come out ahead, which shows my judgment isn't bad."

"And if you ask me which stock I picked best… it's still you. Even now, I believe in my own judgment."

Xiao Qingxuan beside him said calmly, "Even celestial immortals can hardly grasp every direction Kunxu will take, let alone us? Zhang Yu, even if you chose wrong this time, I think it's perfectly normal. But I believe with your potential, even if you chose wrong now, you will succeed again in the future."

Ying Xin smiled and said, "Director Zhang, my family has been civil engineers for six generations. I don't really understand things like Immortal Sect techniques."

"But that… turning to ashes and scattering to the winds, the soul dispersing—that was always our family's ending. No matter how chaotic things get next, it can't be worse than that, right? Since I've come to cultivate immortality, I'm not afraid."

Le Mulan thought about the life-extending effect of the mana within her body, and also thought about Demonic Heavenly University's path to extending life.

To be honest, ever since Kuang Tianqing began promoting the life-extension techniques of Immortal Sect methods, and since the news reports kept recounting the conflicts between schools over those methods, a thought had been rising unbidden in Le Mulan's heart.

Would Zhang Yu reveal the secret that her deep-cold mana could extend life?

Le Mulan kept telling herself that she believed Zhang Yu would not.

But as the discussions in society grew more heated and the friction between the Four Demonic Heavens Schools and the Four Myriad Methods Schools increased, this thought kept flooding into Le Mulan's mind from time to time.

And now, Le Mulan understood that Zhang Yu had never revealed her secret.

Le Mulan spoke, "Zhang Yu, you are the most trustworthy person I have ever met since I was born. Even if you go bankrupt, I will still trust you. At that time, I can lend you all my spirit coins."

Shi Yunxiang said, "Actually… I've been thinking recently about getting a modification surgery to change my appearance to human form—say, looking like you, Zhang Yu…"

"No need, no need." Zhang Yu quickly waved his hand.

At the same time, a series of crisp sounds seemed to ring out around him, shattering most of the chains that bound him.

Not far away, on the other side of the flying boat, True Person Sparkfire smiled and sighed, "Ah, Zhang Yu… if only you had been born five hundred years earlier."

The next moment, he sent a message to Zhang Yu: Go make the decision you think is most right.

True Person Sparkfire: As for what the future holds, it is no longer something you can decide alone.

True Person Sparkfire: Kunxu's future is chosen by everyone in Kunxu.

True Person Sparkfire: All we can do is to do our best and leave the rest to fate.

Meanwhile, in these final moments before the award ceremony, Director Gao also sent a message to Zhang Yu.

Director Gao: Zhang Yu, are you not planning to choose the Realm of Law?

Zhang Yu's heart tightened as he read the message, thinking, "These Divine Transformation cultivators… have they sensed my intention?"

Zhang Yu knew that the Realm of Law would likely bring the greatest profit, but he also understood that it was a technique he could no longer grasp—far beyond his control, and its risks were too high for both him and those at the bottom of Kunxu. So he was unwilling to choose it.

More importantly, choosing the Realm of Law might even hinder his future entry into the sect, trapping him at a lower level for who knows how long.

As for the options offered by other universities, Zhang Yu had not planned to choose any of them, because he still had comrades and teachers staying at Myriad Methods University.

He had already made up his mind.

The next moment, Director Gao sent another message: Not choosing is fine too.

Director Gao: Move forward. Don't look back.

Heavenly Evolution Divine Lord looked at the message Director Gao had sent and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Gao Chongguang… another dog that can't be tamed."

Bai Zhenzhen on the other side also sent a message.

Bai Zhenzhen: Yu Zi, even if I don't have any Immortal Sect sword techniques, relying on my own unparalleled talent, I will sooner or later perfect the Extreme Emotion Sword Path.

Bai Zhenzhen: This is my confidence, Bai Zhenzhen's confidence, and my path of immortality.

Bai Zhenzhen: I don't need you to choose any Red Heart Sword Manual for me.

Bai Zhenzhen: Just go choose the techniques you want.

Bang…

Looking at the message from Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu took a deep breath and felt that the last chain binding him had completely shattered, and the last trace of hesitation in his heart vanished without a trace.

At this moment, unprecedented determination flickered in Zhang Yu's eyes.

And with ten minutes left until the award ceremony, Zhang Pianpian also sent a message to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Pianpian: "Ninefold Heavenly Steps," a total of five moves. Each move is crisp and clean, with top-tier speed. It is an Immortal Sect technique that moves by compressing space…

Zhang Pianpian: "Kunlun in the Palm," a total of three moves. Not as swift as "Ninefold Heavenly Steps," but with a larger range. It is an Immortal Sect technique capable of compressing space…

Looking at the information on immortal sect techniques that Zhang Pianpian had sent, Zhang Yu couldn't help but marvel that his sister truly had far-reaching connections; her grasp on intelligence far surpassed his own.

After scanning the introductions to these two techniques in detail, Zhang Yu quickly made a decision in his mind.

Although the Ninefold Celestial Steps had two more moves than Kunlun in the Palm, its activation speed was faster. Zhang Yu felt that if he were to cultivate it, it would likely be quicker than Kunlun in the Palm as well.

In particular, this footwork technique shortened distances by compressing space, enabling ultra-high-speed movement—a top-tier life-saving skill.

"But still..."

Zhang Yu's gaze fell on the introduction to Kunlun in the Palm, and he thought to himself: "Kunlun in the Palm can compress space to enlarge or shrink people and objects. The immortal arts technology contained within it is the key to advancing the New Infrastructure Era and can also generate sufficient profits."