Kuang Tianqing coldly swept a glance at Li Shiwei and said indifferently, “Dao Qiankun’s death has nothing to do with me.”

“Compared to killing him off-stage, I’d rather look forward to killing this defeated opponent in the grand arena of this competition.”

Li Shiwei shouted, “But you were the last person to meet Dao Qiankun that night!”

Kuang Tianqing flicked his fingertips and said nonchalantly, “What I did and said when I went to see Dao Qiankun, I’ve already told the patrol team, and it’s been confirmed that it has nothing to do with Dao Qiankun’s death.”

“If anyone is still dissatisfied, they can go and talk to your school’s leaders.”

With that, Kuang Tianqing urged, “Hey? Can the auction continue?”

Just as Dao Qiankun’s body was about to be auctioned again, a projection suddenly appeared at the scene, stopping the funeral.

“Apologies, everyone, I’ve personally bought Dao Qiankun’s entire body. I hope you’ll give me face and not continue participating in today’s auction.”

Someone at the scene immediately recognized the projected person as Dao Shuyi, Dao Qiankun’s elder from his sect. Although he was only a Yuanying Zhenjun, he was of the same generation as Tianyan Shenjun and a powerful figure in the leading enterprise, Wandao Group.

Following Dao Shuyi’s words, ninety-nine percent of the people at the scene gave up on continuing to participate in the auction.

After Dao Shuyi’s bidding, the remaining people also ceased their efforts.

Before leaving, Zhang Yu came to Dao Qiankun’s body and, looking at the smile on his face, thought to himself, “You talked about changing the world, about preserving a useful body… but you died first.”

“Now, not only can you not change the world, you can’t even be a Soul Cultivator.”

Just as Zhang Yu was sighing, he saw four characters faintly glowing on the other’s chest: “Xianren Houyi” (Descendant of Immortals).

Ye Xingli, standing nearby, saw Zhang Yu’s stunned expression and asked doubtfully, “Junior Brother?”

Zhang Yu immediately collected himself and thought, “Dao Seed can still be seen? But… isn’t Brother Dao dead?”

“Could it be that Brother Dao isn’t dead?”

Zhang Yu looked at Dao Qiankun, whose face was rosy as if he could open his eyes the next moment. That sentence of his seemed to echo clearly in his ears again.

“You can also hide behind me; I will do my best to protect you.”

At this moment, a curiosity arose in Zhang Yu’s heart—a curiosity he himself found absurd, reckless, and childish. He wondered if something would happen if he now hid behind Brother Dao.

However, looking at the surrounding crowd and the wall Brother Dao was leaning against, Zhang Yu knew that even if he wanted to do so, he had no opportunity at this moment.

“And how could Brother Dao not be dead? His condition must have been checked by a Huashen Shenjun; if they say he’s dead, then he’s definitely dead.”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Instead of suspecting Brother Dao isn’t dead, perhaps… does the Dao Seed Spectrum say it must be a living person?”

“Or, for some Dao Seeds, like this Xianren Houyi, can it be a dead person too?”

Zhang Yu didn’t know if his guess was correct, but looking at Dao Qiankun’s corpse before him, he felt a sense of reluctance.

Just then, a voice came, “You’re Zhang Yu, aren’t you?”

Zhang Yu turned his head and immediately saw Dao Shuyi’s projection.

Dao Shuyi looked at the reluctance in Zhang Yu’s eyes and said, “I’ve heard people talk about you.”

“For a while, I will temporarily store Dao Qiankun’s body on his flying boat. If you wish, you can go and keep him company.”

Zhang Yu was surprised, “Ah?”

Dao Shuyi casually said, “I’ve heard people say that you are also a person of strong character, with the demeanor of ancient cultivators. And my nephew also acts in a rather ancient style. If he knew that a friend came to mourn him after his death, he would probably be quite happy.”

Zhang Yu nodded upon hearing this and said, “Thank you, Senior Dao, I do wish to spend more time with Senior Brother Dao Qiankun.”

On the way out, Ye Xingli said, “It seems Senior Dao Shuyi is also a ‘Chonggu’ faction. Taking Dao Ge’s body is probably out of remembrance and respect, like the ancients, and he likely doesn’t intend to profit from it.”

“‘Chonggu’ faction?” Zhang Yu knew that the so-called ‘Chonggu’ faction referred to cultivators whose ideas and habits still carried traces of ancient times, deeply influenced by the old era, and even advocated ancient practices in certain aspects.

“This is also normal, after all, many cultivators themselves are ancient people.”

“But even if they ‘Chonggu’, it’s only one aspect, they can’t fully align with the ancients.”

He thought, “After all, in Kunxu, only the wealthy can be ‘Chonggu’; without money, one doesn’t have the qualifications to ‘Chonggu’.”

As Zhang Yu and his companions were leaving the funeral, they saw Kuang Tianqing, who had gone outside, being interviewed.

A reporter asked Kuang Tianqing, “Student Kuang, what are your thoughts on Dao Qiankun’s suicide?”

Kuang Tianqing said indifferently, “I feel sorry for him; he wasn’t able to personally witness the arrival of the new era.”

The reporter’s eyes lit up, as if sensing a big news story, and immediately asked, “What do you mean by the new era?”

Kuang Tianqing smiled proudly and said, “After winning first place in this year’s Ten League competition, I will choose ‘Wangu Changchun Jing’ from the immortal sect cultivation methods.”

“The purpose of this cultivation method is to extend one’s lifespan by ten thousand years.”

“I will dedicate myself to studying this method and develop a more affordable lifespan-extension technology.”

“Before too long, all cultivators below the tenth level will have their lifespans extended by at least 300 years.”

“Everyone will have more time to earn money, more time to cultivate, and more opportunities to strive for immortality…”

Kuang Tianqing’s words quickly echoed like thunder throughout the Spirit Realm, even overshadowing the news of Dao Qiankun’s death and all other voices in the university world, sparking countless public opinions and discussions.

And Ye Xingli, upon hearing Kuang Tianqing’s words, also narrowed her eyes and said, “Without Brother Dao to contend with Kuang Tianqing, the success rate of the Tianmo Four Schools’ plan has indeed greatly increased.”

“If they truly manage to acquire the method of extending life by ten thousand years, then the university world will likely usher in a great change unseen in a thousand, or even ten thousand, years.”

At the same time, Kuang Tianqing, still being interviewed, suddenly turned his head and smiled slightly at Zhang Yu.

And a message from him appeared in Zhang Yu’s eye sockets.

Kuang Tianqing: Dao Qiankun is dead; in the upcoming matches, no one will protect you.

Kuang Tianqing: If I were you, I’d seize the time to cultivate and spend less time on useless things like today.

Kuang Tianqing: At least that way, you can bring me more fun in the future.

Zhang Yu: Kuang Paopao (Running Kuang), who ran twice, tell me all this when you meet me next time and don’t run.

Kuang Tianqing laughed, and his gaze towards Zhang Yu became even more meaningful, replying: Zhang Yu, as the prey, you are becoming more and more enticing.

Feeling the undisguised malice in Kuang Tianqing’s eyes, Zhang Yu no longer paid attention to him.

Zhang Yu knew that Kuang Tianqing was not wrong about one thing: he should indeed seize the time to cultivate now.

Without knowing when the Ten League competition would resume, every extra day of cultivation might offer limited progress for others, but for him, who was cultivating ‘Yaosheng Wanbian Shenjing,’ every day brought immense improvement.

Yaosheng Wanbian Shenjing Level 12 (5/120)

That night, shortly after Zhang Yu advanced Yaosheng Wanbian Shenjing to Level 12, a new notification about the Ten League competition arrived.

“The final round is starting again tomorrow?”

Zhang Yu scanned the various chat records in the group chat, and a large amount of information appeared before his eyes, a thoughtful look flashing through them.

“According to many people, the Wanfa Four Schools have been asking for a continued postponement, to re-select contestants to replace Dao Qiankun.”

“The Tianmo Four Schools, on the other hand, demanded the competition continue, selecting one student from the eliminated ones to advance.”

“But in the end, it was the Heavenly Court that quelled all disputes and ordered the Ten League competition to proceed.”

Just then, Director Gao’s communication request appeared in Zhang Yu’s eye sockets.

Director Gao: “Zhang Yu, I’ve heard everything. Are you alright? The upcoming matches will probably be increasingly dangerous; you must pay attention to your safety.”

At this point, Director Gao’s face was filled with solemnity: “Recently… at the 666th floor, a huge amount of supplies are coming in and out daily, a large portion of which are various foods and nutrients.”

“Zhang Yu, your side might be the eye of the storm next; you must be careful.”

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred. He remembered that the 666th floor was where Wanfa’s Vice Principal, Wanhua Shenjun, stored his body.

Zhang Yu had once met Wanhua Shenjun there with Ciji Zhenjun.

Zhang Yu thought, “Are they starting large-scale orders there? Does this mean Wanhua Shenjun is about to make a move?”

Director Gao continued, “I originally wanted to ask Ciji Zhenjun about the situation, but she suddenly went into seclusion to refine artifacts, cutting off all external contact.”

Director Gao said in a deep voice, “She might not be able to help you with anything that comes up next.”

“If you…”

At this point, Director Gao said with some reluctance and helplessness, “If you encounter trouble, go find that woman.”

Zhang Yu asked doubtfully, “That woman?”

“Bai Zhenzhen,” Director Gao said. “Aren’t you two on good terms?”

Zhang Yu looked at Director Gao with some surprise. He remembered that Director Gao had always disapproved of his close association with Bai Zhenzhen.

Now he heard Director Gao say, “If you encounter trouble there that you can’t solve, just go find her.”

“Her master is Qiqing Shenjun after all, and she has some capabilities.”

The next morning.

All 30 contestants participating in the final round arrived at the venue.

Dao Qiankun’s empty spot was filled by a contestant from the second relay race, specifically the strongest contestant from the 7th-ranked team, Mu Qiansi from Hehuan University.

At this moment, as ten streams of Huashen divine light lit up in succession, the contents and rules of the final competition appeared in the sky.