Within the confines of the Hammer Heart Residence’s spirit world office, You Chuan’s voice cut through the air.

“Zhang Yu’s simulation environment this time was highly suitable for him,” he declared. “Activate a deep connection to aid his breakthrough at the critical juncture. Employ a three-times slow-speed playback, cycling it ten times.”

Upon hearing You Chuan’s instructions, the customer service attendant furrowed their brow. “The pain index of this simulation environment is exceptionally high. Initiating a deep connection may leave residual memories that could impact his mental state.”

You Chuan, of course, understood that activating a deep connection drastically increased the chances of a breakthrough, but also intensified the lingering memories, sensations, and emotions of the simulated environment. Yet, he spoke with nonchalance, “He has already agreed to the user manual. If something were to occur, it would be months from now at the earliest. Who could possibly lay blame upon us?”

The attendant pressed on, “But to expend such extensive computing resources, allowing him to endure such hardship without cost, isn’t that overly generous?”

You Chuan sighed. “There is no other way! Thirty spirit coins guarantee success; that was the original selling point of this package. We gambled on the student’s aptitude being strong enough, their breakthrough forceful enough, to reach the Spirit and Flesh Unity realm within five attempts at most!” He paused, a hint of frustration in his voice. “When we encounter a student like this, whose breakthrough is delayed, we can only accept our misfortune!”

Meanwhile, within the spirit world, Zhang Yu’s eyes snapped open. His mind flooded with the memories of his simulated identity. He was Zhang Yu, a construction worker.

However, due to physical injuries, his work efficiency plummeted. Gradually, no construction site would employ him. Hope arrived with the advancements in technology, specifically the advent of Fa Hai.

“Fa Hai. Tian Gong Group’s groundbreaking product, leading the world with cutting-edge immortal dao technology, enabling everyone to achieve higher work efficiency!” The advertisement blared. “In the future, anyone fitted with Fa Hai will need only work two hours to complete the equivalent of twelve hours of present-day labor!”

“Tian Gong, bringing the benefits of immortal dao technology to Kun Xu!”

Watching the advertisement, Zhang Yu made a painful decision. He sold off everything he could, including his hands and feet, borrowed a substantial sum, and finally had Fa Hai installed. Immediately, his ability to work returned. He was placed on a construction site, where he consumed raw materials and expelled high-quality concrete, his work requiring significantly more technical skill and his salary soaring severalfold!

But good times were fleeting. The newly released Fa Hai in his body began to show severe rejection reactions. Due to a lack of funds, Zhang Yu couldn’t afford the weekly Fa Hai modulation or the monthly maintenance. The first-generation Fa Hai in his body started to age, failing to adapt to his body’s natural changes, triggering structural imbalances. All of this led to a continuous drop in his Fa Hai synchronization rate.

“A synchronization rate too low overworks your scheduling nerves, eventually causing abnormalities in the brain’s cortex layer,” he murmured, recalling the analysis from the company representative. “This is why I experience phantom pain?”

The voice on the other end replied, “Please settle your account first, and we will immediately assist you with Fa Hai modulation!”

“You must understand that your body changes daily. The current Fa Hai cannot actively adapt; it requires weekly modulation to perfectly fit your body. If you fail to modulate it in a timely manner, it will lead to structural alienation and compensatory responses in your flesh and nerves!”

Zhang Yu could no longer comprehend the voice’s subsequent words. Drowning in debt, he had no money! He could only endure the phantom pain, repeatedly executing the Residual Ox Shelter Body Mind Art. But the pain intensified with each passing hour of work, becoming more frequent and more unbearable! The agony of fractured limbs and peeling internal organs relentlessly assailed him. Zhang Yu opened his eyes, seemingly witnessing his own bloody wounds once more!

Under the frenzied operation of the Residual Ox Shelter Body Mind Art, he was on the verge of stepping into the realm of Spirit and Flesh Unity! But at that very moment, a thought surged in his heart!

“Why… why can’t my wounds self-heal?”

Simultaneously, in the dormitory!

Under the influence of the deep connection, the Residual Ox Shelter Body Mind Art in Zhang Yu’s mind spontaneously activated, and the activity of his limbs reached its peak! His flesh continuously undulated, as if trying to heal the severed hands and feet in his mind!

As Zhang Yu in reality reacted intensely, the simulated Zhang Yu also trembled violently! The flesh of his limbs surged, and his mental cultivation technique underwent a breakthrough, seemingly undergoing some active transformation! Just then, a voice seemed to tear through the simulated space, transmitting from the depths of the spirit world into Zhang Yu’s heart-sea!

“Find me!”

Zhang Yu instinctively asked, “Who are you?”

“Find me!” The voice seemed not to hear Zhang Yu’s question, only repeating, “Find my spirit! Find my flesh! Find my magic power!”

When Zhang Yu regained consciousness, he found the connection to the spirit world severed. He removed the spirit world mask, the events that had just transpired replaying in his mind. “I…?” he murmured.

Zhang Yu felt his mental cultivation technique operating naturally, and he had unconsciously stepped into the realm of Spirit and Flesh Unity! But before he could rejoice, a strange website appeared in his mind!

“Was that voice transmitted to me?” he wondered. “Who exactly was he? To be able to contact me within the Hammer Heart Residence’s spirit world environment?”

“Could it be someone from Hammer Heart Residence? Are they always secretly observing me?”

Just as Zhang Yu was consumed by doubt, a communication request floated onto his visual display! When the communication opened, the figure of Manager You Chuan appeared before Zhang Yu.

“Zhang Yu! Student!” You Chuan’s gaze flickered. “Are you… alright?”

Just moments before the critical breakthrough, at the peak of the simulated Zhang Yu’s flesh activity, You Chuan had discovered that the entire simulation environment had suddenly lost connection! Then, a few seconds later, the entire simulation environment collapsed! This phenomenon immediately sent a jolt of fear through You Chuan!

After instructing the customer service attendant to quickly seal the message, intercept logs and related data, You Chuan immediately contacted Zhang Yu! Seeing that Zhang Yu appeared unharmed, You Chuan secretly exhaled in relief. “Good, good!” Although something happening to Zhang Yu was not a significant issue for Hammer Heart Residence, for You Chuan personally, it would be a major blunder!

Observing You Chuan’s strange expression, Fu Ji suddenly inquired, “What happened?”

Listening to Zhang Yu’s account, Fu Ji smiled slightly. “Don’t worry, if there was a real major problem, they wouldn’t just contact you through communication! What happened to you this time is likely a work error on their part!”

“Otherwise, these people from Hammer Heart Residence wouldn’t contact you privately instead of going through company channels! I think we can bluff him!”

Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at You Chuan. “How could your Hammer Heart Residence make such a serious mistake? I almost died in there!”

You Chuan’s heart sank, secretly thinking, *Not good.* Outwardly, he adamantly denied any problems, but inwardly, he was uncertain. He truly did not know what had transpired during those few seconds when the connection was severed!

“You don’t want to take responsibility, do you?” Zhang Yu pressed. “I want a refund, and I want to sue you! I’ve already saved the spirit world data where the problem occurred!”

Hearing these words, You Chuan’s heart sank again. Recalling the simulated environment parameters he had instructed to be adjusted, he sighed and had to engage Zhang Yu in negotiations! After a round of bargaining, both sides gradually reached an agreement.

You Chuan stated, “As long as you don’t pursue the company’s refund process, acknowledge the service as successfully completed, and do not pursue this matter further, I will personally refund you 2.5 spirit coins per month privately for a total of twelve periods!” You Chuan secretly thought, *It’s best if this Zhang Yu doesn’t continue his Spirit and Flesh Unity journey. It’s a waste of computing resources and corrupts our group data. What if something else happens?*

Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. “And interest?”

After another round of negotiation, You Chuan finally conceded to interest, depositing 3.3 spirit coins into Zhang Yu’s account each month, enough for Zhang Yu to cover the monthly installment loan for his Spirit and Flesh Unity journey!

Although Zhang Yu considered extracting more benefits, he understood that he had, in fact, already completed Spirit and Flesh Unity! Coupled with what had transpired in the simulated environment, he was unwilling to reveal either the voice or the activity in his body. Thus, Zhang Yu knew that he couldn’t truly escalate this matter.

*Now it’s a case of both sides being afraid,* he thought. *I can only temporarily bluff him.*

Not long after both sides signed the agreement, Zhang Yu hung up the communication. Thinking about getting the Spirit and Flesh Unity journey for free, he couldn’t help but laugh. “This is a huge gain.”

Fu Ji, however, was more concerned about the website Zhang Yu had received. But Zhang Yu didn’t log in immediately. After some thought, he sent the website to Zhang Pian Pian, asking if there were any issues.

“Where did you get this website?” Zhang Pian Pian questioned, her voice filled with doubt. “This website points to an extremely deep part of the spirit world, almost at the edge of the second layer!”

“It doesn’t look like it’s been there for long, instead, it looks like… it was just generated recently!”

“But the outer perimeter of this website is encrypted and sealed. I can’t see the content inside. Forcibly entering might destroy the information within!”

So, under Zhang Pian Pian’s protection, Zhang Yu logged into that website. After a long time, Zhang Pian Pian couldn’t help but ask, “What do you see?”

“A cultivation technique.” Zhang Yu replied, his voice filled with doubt. “It’s a cultivation technique not found in the grand library!” At the same time, he secretly thought, *It could also be included in the Chain Law Diagram Suit, belonging to the Great Saint Inheritor Suit’s cultivation technique!*

Zhang Pian Pian’s eyebrow raised. “Specifically, what cultivation technique?”

Zhang Yu reported the content of the cultivation technique. After a search in the spirit world, Zhang Pian Pian slowly said, “In all the data I have access to, there is no information about this cultivation technique!”

“This means it is a dark skill method!”

“Dark skill method? What does that mean?” Zhang Yu asked, confused.

Zhang Pian Pian explained, “Cultivation methods not listed in the ten major sects’ Dao藏 catalogs, without registered copyright, and with no record whatsoever!”

“Most people believe dark skill methods are those prohibited and expunged from data records by the ten major sects!”

“They could originate from some extinct sects!”

“Or they could have been created by individuals who have been banned!”

“Then, Senior Sister!” Zhang Yu asked curiously, “Do you think I can cultivate this cultivation method?”

After a moment of silence, Zhang Pian Pian replied, “From the content, I don’t see any danger!”

“In fact, I believe this cultivation method, in terms of quality, is at least pre-military grade, if not military grade!”

“The danger of this dark skill method likely lies in its origin!”

“And the person who transmitted this cultivation method to you might also be watching you!”

“But a cultivation method of this quality, not cultivating it would be too great a waste!” Zhang Pian Pian seemed to weigh the options, then looked at Zhang Yu. “You decide for yourself!”

“But remember, if you choose to cultivate it, you must hide yourself well. Secondly, every time your consciousness enters the spirit world network, do not practice this dark skill method, lest you be watched!”

Not long after Zhang Yu began cultivating this dark cultivation method, time flew by, and it was already the end of August, the final deadline for the final exam!