From Zhang Yu’s perspective, a torrent of information and matter surged towards a sinister artifact. The souls, thoughts, vital energy, and magical power of the factory workers were all powerfully drawn to it. Even Zhang Yu felt a restless tremor throughout his body, and he knew things would have gone badly if it weren’t for the protection of the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Pagoda. His forehead crystal, in particular, pulsed rhythmically, as if it might fly out at any moment.

In that instant, the sinister artifact, whose origin was unknown, seemed to transform into a black hole, frantically absorbing all memories, emotions, flesh, and magical power. The workers, meanwhile, visibly wasted away, shrinking as if they would soon become mere skeletons.

Just then, another figure descended into the spirit realm. The Omniform Divine Lord stated coldly, “Nectar, you are too presumptuous.” Divine Lord Nectar chuckled and replied, “So what if I am? At worst, I’ll pay for the damages.” “Pay for damages…” The Omniform Divine Lord said faintly, “Very well, how much can you afford?”

The next moment, to Zhang Yu’s surprise, a price increase notification popped up. Then, he noticed that the prices of everything around him began to skyrocket. Whether it was the factory’s equipment, the value of the personnel, the materials scattered everywhere, or even the compensation for college students—everything was surging wildly in price. Observing this scene, Zhang Yu felt surrounded by endless peril; he feared that a single misstep, an accidental bump into something, could lead to his utter ruin.

In the spirit realm, Divine Lord Nectar’s surprised voice echoed, “Old Omniform, since when could you control prices to this extent?” The Omniform Divine Lord replied, “Nectar, this move is called ‘hitting where it hurts.’ Want to fight? Then keep throwing money at it. But… do you really have the ability to outspend me?”

After a cold snort, all the strange phenomena vanished. The sinister artifact that had been attempting to devour everything also disappeared without a trace. Zhang Yu felt his body lighten as everything returned to normal.

Only the damaged factory buildings and equipment, along with the skeletal figures of the factory workers, remained to confirm that what had just occurred was not an illusion.

Recalling the sudden price surge, Zhang Yu immediately used his eye-bone to search for information. He discovered that in just a few seconds, prices throughout the Myriad Dharma University City had undergone a violent fluctuation, rocketing up before falling back to their original state. Zhang Yu gasped, finding this phenomenon even more terrifying than witnessing Divine Lord Nectar destroy the factory.

“The Omniform Divine Lord can manipulate prices in the university city to such an extent in an instant,” Zhang Yu thought. “This means if he wished, a single thought could trigger a level 3 or even level 5 financial storm, or something even more severe, causing countless people in the university city to lose everything…”

“And what kind of economic turmoil would erupt if two Divine Lords from different universities were to clash? How many lives and souls would be destroyed?” He continued to ponder, “No wonder the Ten Greats don’t openly fight. If they truly engaged, how terrifying would the intensity be?” Just the thought sent a shiver down Zhang Yu’s spine.

This wasn’t even about whether one could escape; under the influence of the spirit realm and the economy, even those not directly involved in the conflict could find themselves utterly ruined as Divine Lords clashed.

Zhang Yu couldn’t help but recall something Fuxi had once told him: after he started his company, it wouldn’t be him serving the company, but rather the employees and the company itself depending on him, serving him, handling miscellaneous tasks so he could focus on more important matters. He would be the company’s greatest asset.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Is it the same for universities? It’s not that Divine Lords are dependent on the university, but rather the university depends on the Divine Lords. If the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Court weren’t keeping them in check, universities… might be entirely different.”

Just then, Zhang Yu suddenly heard a voice in his mind. “The things just produced in the factory… they’re all broken.” Zhang Yu was slightly stunned, then realized the voice was coming from the crystal in his forehead.

As Zhang Yu pondered what to do, the voice continued, “Why were the things made from endless overtime simply destroyed like that?”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “They’ll compensate for it anyway.” The voice seemed to hear his thoughts and retorted, “Compensate? Will she repair this place herself?”

Zhang Yu’s heart jolted. “You can hear my thoughts?” The voice continued, “Will it be repaired?”

Zhang Yu didn’t want to answer, but his thoughts didn’t stop: “How could Divine Lord Nectar possibly come to repair it herself? She’ll definitely pay for the damages.”

The Nectar Woman asked again, “Where does the money come from?” Zhang Yu didn’t want to answer at all, but he couldn’t help but formulate a reply in his mind as the questions persisted: “The money comes from work.”

The Nectar Woman then asked, “So Divine Lord Nectar is also working? She works elsewhere, earns money, and then uses it to compensate for these people’s work?”

Zhang Yu remained silent, his thoughts swirling, making his inner monologue contradictory and vague: “Divine Lord Nectar might have to work, but it’s unlikely. In any case, her work must be different from ours.”

The Nectar Woman pressed on, “If Divine Lord Nectar doesn’t have to work, then where does the money for compensation come from? Who will actually do the work to repair the damage here?”

Zhang Yu helplessly thought, “Please stop asking, how would I know all that?” Recalling the recent clash of Divine Lords, Zhang Yu felt a surge of irritation.

“I’ve only just been allowed to leave the campus. This incident with Divine Lord Nectar won’t prevent me from leaving again, will it?”

Just then, True Lord Magnetic Pole approached Zhang Yu and asked, “Are you alright?” “Physically, I’m fine,” Zhang Yu replied, then, after a moment’s thought, pointed to his forehead. “But something in here suddenly started talking to me.”

With Zhang Pianpian’s technical assistance, Zhang Yu was fully capable of communicating with the Nectar Woman in the sinister artifact, so he didn’t need this direct mental link to the artifact. However, if he didn’t mention the artifact’s abnormality now, he would be suspected later if True Lord Magnetic Pole discovered the issue during an inspection.

Hearing Zhang Yu’s words, True Lord Magnetic Pole’s expression subtly changed. She formed a hand seal, and talismans appeared in the spirit realm, binding the rhombic crystal like chains.

The next moment, Zhang Yu felt the crystal in his forehead lose all its spiritual power and fall, caught by True Lord Magnetic Pole. She advised him, “The Divine Lord’s recent actions might have affected this sinister artifact. I will seal it completely for now. Later, you should come with me to the lab for a check-up. If you feel any abnormalities, remember to tell me immediately.”

After a thorough examination, several hours had passed by the time Zhang Yu emerged from the research institute. No physical abnormalities were found, though he would need to continue monitoring himself. What pleased Zhang Yu most was True Lord Magnetic Pole’s assurance that he could continue working off-campus or participate in competitions.

True Lord Magnetic Pole had then calmly stated, “The Divine Lord said you shouldn’t be afraid. If you want to leave the campus, you may. If you truly become scared and hide in the school, wouldn’t outsiders think that the Omniform Divine Lord lost to Divine Lord Nectar? They might even believe the Omniform Divine Lord fears Divine Lord Nectar, which is why he wouldn’t dare let you go outside.”

Not long after, Zhang Yu learned of news spreading from Acacia University: Divine Lord Nectar had descended upon Myriad Dharma University, retrieved her sinister artifact, and apprehended the rogue who had stolen it.

The Celestial Patrol Record forwarded Acacia University’s announcement: “Acacia University Announcement: Our Divine Lord Nectar has successfully recovered a stolen sinister artifact from Myriad Dharma University. The individuals involved have been apprehended. This notice is hereby issued. – Acacia University Administration Office.”

Regarding this, Fuxi sighed, “Alas, Divine Lords are the face of their universities. Every action they take can influence the fluctuating prices of cryptocurrencies, stocks, and futures. Moreover, Nectar Coin recently plummeted, so Divine Lord Nectar would certainly not admit defeat; she would insist she won.”

Soon after Acacia University issued its announcement, Myriad Dharma University also released a statement, declaring that under the protection of the Omniform Divine Lord, the university city had suffered no losses whatsoever.

Fuxi commented, “When you students fight, you can admit defeat or surrender when necessary. But in a clash between Divine Lords, no matter how badly they lose, they can never verbally concede. Whoever says they lost would likely see their coin and stock prices plummet, incurring losses far greater than what they suffered in the actual confrontation. Divine Lords must win, and they can only win.”

Zhang Yu frowned. “The Omniform Divine Lord told me to continue leaving the campus, but won’t Divine Lord Nectar look for another opportunity to act?”

Fuxi pondered for a moment, then replied, “After all, this conflict only drew Divine Lord Nectar because of a Divine Lord’s sinister artifact. A mere individual like you probably wouldn’t provoke a Divine Lord to act personally. Furthermore, Divine Lord Nectar’s action this time must have caused quite a stir among Divine Lords. She likely won’t be able to act so easily again soon, and the Omniform Divine Lord will probably increase the level of protection for you.”

Zhang Yu remarked, “After Divine Lord Nectar’s actions this time, no matter how Myriad Dharma University explains it, other universities will probably assume that our technological breakthrough originated from Acacia University’s sinister artifact, right?”

Fuxi chuckled, “Heh heh, now the speculation about false advertising falls apart. Other universities will believe you genuinely copied Acacia University’s technology, and mass production is just a matter of time.”

At this point, Fuxi further analyzed, “Speaking of this conflict, it seems to have somewhat disrupted the delicate balance that previously existed among the Ten Great Universities. And… you were lured there by a spirit artifact arranged by the Bi-Weekly Sect. Was Divine Lord Nectar also led there by the Bi-Weekly Sect? This Bi-Weekly Sect has immense audacity; are they deliberately trying to stir up conflict between the Ten Great Universities? It feels as if this university war is constantly being instigated by someone.”

The situation of the Ten Great Universities, the thoughts of Divine Lords, the trajectory of the university war… these matters remained ultimately too distant for Zhang Yu at that moment.

In the days that followed, he continued to immerse himself in study and cultivation, making all necessary preparations for the civil engineering competition, for transferring to the Artifact Forging Department, and especially for eventually passing the entrance exam to a sect.

University City, 120th Floor. Fu Xinyao walked down the street, recalling, “Last time, after my tip-off, the Divine Lord descended using another hidden Divine Lord’s sinister artifact, caused a ruckus in Myriad Dharma University City, and then retreated safely. Next, I need to stay in Myriad Dharma University City and continue gathering intelligence…”

Just then, Ping Han said, “That person’s name is Ji Yuanxu; he’s also Zhang Yu’s classmate.” This time, Fu Xinyao had learned her lesson. To avoid being reported and caught, she approached Ji Yuanxu and asked, “Student, are you interested in a free service?”