Chapter 261: The Zhang Yu Effect

Just as Zhang Yu and Wang Yin began their bout—

Within the Divine Power Network, the Righteous Gods balanced each other while maintaining order at the scene.

It was as if they had split into factions, seated around a colossal conference table. Projected onto the table’s surface was the live battlefield.

At the center of it all: Zhang Yu and Wang Yin's duel.

Meanwhile, threads of divine power wove across the world, monitoring bank accounts, Talisman Books, livestream channels...

Someone in the crowd had just pulled out their phone to record stealthily when a piracy fine notification popped up on the screen.

Huang Zichou let out a cold snort. “Got a broadcasting license? Filming pirated footage right in front of so many Righteous Gods?”

From across the table, Mu Guiyin replied, “Still worried about pirated streams, Huang Zichou? Have you thought about what you'll do if you lose?”

Huang Zichou shot him a glance. “Old fart, you were bending over backward to praise Ye Lingxiao last time. Clearly someone bought you off. Bet you were already standing behind the Oasis Group back then.”

Mu Guiyin bristled. “Don’t slander me! I’ve always supported Kunxu and the Heavenly Court. If Oasis is doing good work, I’ll back them—I have a clear conscience.”

“You should be worrying about what happens if Zhang Yu loses!”

“Wang Yin was born a corporate shareholder and a Level 5 Follower. The boy’s got insane talent—he was handpicked as a reform pioneer...”

Just then, Wang Yin was slammed to the ground by Zhang Yu.

With each swing of the Soul-Crushing Brick, Mu Guiyin fell silent, and the surrounding Righteous Gods gaped in disbelief.

“What?! Who the hell is this broke kid?”

“Just ninety minutes... and he beat Wang Yin?”

“Could this be... part of a higher-up’s scheme?”

Even these seasoned deities couldn’t hide their astonishment. In their view, there was no way a first-year like Zhang Yu could take down Wang Yin.

If he did win, then someone from above must have intervened.

In that instant, Zhang Yu became a complete mystery in their eyes.

Huang Zichou’s expression shifted as he felt fluctuations in the divine network.

“Wang Yin’s about to trigger an Auto-Sigil?”

Apparently, the situation had escalated to the point where Wang Yin no longer cared about the prior terms.

Just as Huang Zichou moved to suppress the sigil, Mu Guiyin had already stepped forward and sealed off the divine link enveloping Wang Yin.

Mu Guiyin shouted, “How dare Wang Yin try to breach our agreement under the eyes of so many Righteous Gods?”

“With conduct like this, Oasis Group is clearly moving too fast. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate the reforms on the First Floor.”

Huang Zichou chuckled, about to mock him—until he noticed Mu Guiyin had sent him a Favor Charm.

Seeing the number on it, Huang Zichou grew solemn. “What a master... truly worth learning from.”

Deng Bingding raised a hand to silence the clamor and issued a calm command.

“Prepare to clean up.”

“The mess Oasis Group made—of course it falls on us.”

“And while we’re at it... time to tidy up the First Floor.”

“This comes by decree of the Wanfa Sect.”

…

Purple Cloud High.

It was still class time.

But because of Zhang Yu and Wang Yin’s duel, neither teachers nor students could focus.

So in Martial Arts class, the teacher simply put on the livestream and used it as a teaching tool.

“Director Wang is seriously loaded! I heard he pays the highest overtime wages in all of Songyang. Getting hired by him after graduation would be amazing.”

“Everything he says makes sense! I didn’t even realize our local purchasing power was so high.”

“He’s planning to open a Human Breeding Center? I didn’t expect someone so rich to also be this kindhearted.”

As whispers filled the room, Le Mulan sat with no visible reaction.

After all, being rich meant being attractive, powerful, and outstanding. That was the worldview she’d been taught since childhood.

Yet even so, when she looked at the screen, watching the duel unfold, a tiny hope stirred within her heart—one she couldn’t suppress.

She wanted Zhang Yu to win.

“Why?”

“Rich beating poor... isn’t that how it’s supposed to go?”

“Then why do I want the poor to win?”

“Could it be…” she murmured in her heart, “...that in front of Wang Yin, I’m no different from Zhang Yu? Just another poor person?”

“So this is what poverty feels like?”

“Powerless… hopeless… no chance to win... only waiting to be trampled…”

“Being poor... really hurts.”

Around her, classmates chattered, while the teacher commented, “Pay close attention. You may never see someone as wealthy as Director Wang throw down like this again in your entire lives on the First Floor.”

“Those with the means should rewatch this later.”

“The fight will end quickly, I’d wager. Zhang Yu should be defeated soon.”

“Your homework today is to write a reflection on why Zhang Yu lost…”

But Lian Tianji’s face grew gloomier with every word.

Like a gambler watching his last chip slip away. “It’s over. If Zhang Yu loses, won’t he default on his debts?”

Just then, on screen, Zhang Yu yanked Wang Yin up and began slamming him down again and again.

With each brutal impact, with every strike of the Soul-Crushing Brick to Wang Yin’s skull, the classroom grew quieter and quieter.

Their gazes toward the screen changed.

So even someone as elite and untouchable as Wang Yin... could be beaten by someone from the First Floor?

Lian Tianji shot to his feet, feeling as though Zhang Yu had shoved him forward on his own path to immortality.

…

At Songyang High—

The students watched the same livestreamed battle.

When Zhang Yu picked up the Soul-Crushing Brick and smashed it into Wang Yin’s head again and again and again, it was as though the entire world shook with each blow.

Each strike landed not just on Wang Yin’s skull, but on their hearts.

Qian Shen stared as Wang Yin finally collapsed, unmoving.

“The strongest First Floor high-schooler under the full Gaokao evaluation system… even able to defeat the top-tier prodigies from above.”

“What does that say?”

Qian Shen slammed his hand onto the nearby speaker box. “It proves the Gaokao really

is

a multi-floor-standardized system!”

“If we hit the top within this framework, even First Floor folks aren’t weaker than those above!”

Zhao Tianxing’s voice came from the box. “Old Qian, watch it! You almost smashed me!”

Qian Shen apologized repeatedly, then said warmly, “Don’t worry, Old Zhao. I’ll take you to the office right after this and help you fill out your transfer form.”

“With such a perfect Gaokao system—and since soul cultivation students are included—there’s definitely a path forward.”

“Once you get into Mangshan High, study hard. You won’t be any worse off than regular students.”

…

At Red Tower High, among the many demon-kin students—

They listened to Wang Yin’s propaganda with complicated expressions.

Xiong Wenwu muttered to himself, “So that’s it… No wonder all the Protected-Zone Breeding Facilities are getting shut down.”

“Oasis Group doesn’t want to breed monsters anymore… they’re planning to breed

humans

.”

“In that case… will First Floor demon-kin slowly go extinct?”

The thought cast a shadow across his face.

But when Zhang Yu slammed Wang Yin down until he no longer moved, Xiong Wenwu finally exhaled.

He glanced down at his buzzing phone—An’an had messaged.

An’an: Wenwu, look! Zhang Yu won!

An’an: We can keep our jobs now, right?

An’an: Without Oasis Group interfering, the Protected Zones will still breed demon-kin, right?

…

Deng Bingding’s mind roamed through the vast Divine Power Network spanning the First Floor.

Information flowed past her: online comments, live bullet chats, likes, shares, plays—

Even snippets of conversations captured through countless microphones and devices.

Through this ocean of data, she could feel the ripple effect of Zhang Yu’s victory.

“The rich are turning on Oasis Group, tearing it apart piece by piece.”

“Some families will rise. Others will fall.”

“And the students…”

“Those still in middle school are now inspired by Zhang Yu and intimidated by Wang Yin. They’re more determined than ever to get into high school.”

“Those already in high school are just as moved, and want to work even harder.”

Deng Bingding thought to herself, “If we keep promoting Zhang Yu, I bet he’ll inspire plenty of students for years to come.”

She knew all too well—slots were limited. Harder effort wouldn’t magically increase admissions to high school or the Second Floor.

Their efforts wouldn’t guarantee better lives.

But their efforts

would

make the First Floor more prosperous, and produce more high-quality resources for the upper levels.

She sighed inwardly.

“The higher-ups play the long game.”

“Push and pull, strike and shift... and just like that, the Netherworld Palace's reform plan is broken.”

“The First Floor’s been reshuffled. Now we’ll get a few years of peace again.”

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu had no idea what kind of ripple his fight had caused.

He was lying quietly on a surgical table, surrounded by over a dozen doctors performing constant treatment.

Though he’d dominated Wang Yin soon after the battle began and emerged victorious, Zhang Yu knew how close it had been.

His body had taken heavy damage under Wang Yin’s full-strength attacks.

One arm was mangled and necrotic. His meridians, muscles, and bones were severely damaged by Wang Yin’s Martial Qi.

By the time he struck the final blow, Zhang Yu himself was nearing collapse.

Fortunately, the Martial Saint Embryo’s effects greatly enhanced his healing rate. As long as he took no further injuries, his body had already begun recovering.

Even the doctors surrounding him couldn’t help but marvel at his resilience.

Standing to the side, Xinghuo Zhenren watched him intently.

“To suffer this much damage... and still recover this quickly?”

“Even without medical help, his body would’ve started healing on its own.”

As someone with extensive battlefield experience, Xinghuo Zhenren understood the human body deeply.

Which made him even more impressed.

“He only just formed his Foundation today.”

“Such a domineering physique… Could it really be that Martial Saint Body from the legends?”

“How much would this kid save on medical bills?”