Chapter 239: He Huan (Thanks to 'Lu Bian Xiao Chu' for Sending Bai Zhenzhen 10)

Chapter 239: Bliss (Thanks to 'Roadside Chef' for sending Bai Zhenzhen 10 pairs of External Spirit Root Socks)

"Qinghe Vocational Arts Academy?" Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Isn't that a junior college, not a university?"

Tao Lin quickly replied, "How can you call it a junior college? That's an old term. According to the latest policy, Qinghe Academy is a legitimate university recognized by both the Heavenly Court and the Ten Great Sects, with a degree acknowledged throughout Kunxu."

"The campus covers a thousand square kilometers, with over 100,000 faculty and students, plus support staff, making the total population over a million."

"Currently, it offers more than 80 popular majors and has partnerships with many giant corporations, guaranteeing job placement upon graduation..."

"Stop, stop, stop." Zhang Yu waved his hand to cut him off and refused decisively, "You don't need to say any more. I'm not going to a junior college."

Watching Zhang Yu, who was about to ask him to leave, Tao Lin thought to himself, "It's not that easy, as expected."

"Did that whole spiel fail to fool him? An ordinary first-layer high school student, unfamiliar with the second-layer ecosystem, would have thought Qinghe Academy's scale was impressive after hearing that."

"And..."

Tao Lin carefully observed the undisguised disdain in Zhang Yu's eyes, sensing that his contempt for junior colleges was deeply ingrained.

He thought to himself, "Indeed, this kind of top student carries academic discrimination in their bones. Just hearing the words 'junior college' triggers a psychological aversion."

"Now it depends on whether they'll accept the terms offered from above."

In Tao Lin's view, with the generous conditions Qinghe Academy was offering, most high school students would likely be tempted, and those with less insight might agree on the spot.

With that in mind, Tao Lin hurriedly said, "Student Zhang Yu, Qinghe Academy is very sincere about recruiting you. Even if you go to the Ten Greats, they'll only treat you as one of many outstanding students."

"But if you enter Qinghe Academy, you'll be the center of the entire school. The academy will devote all its resources to cultivating you."

"First, the principal of Qinghe Academy, Erosion Heart True Lord, is an Infant Transformation True Lord. She is willing to be your teacher and promises to do her utmost to train you into a Golden Core True Person during your time at the school, even using the Union Sect's Yin-Yang Union Technique to boost your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu hesitated slightly, but he knew it wasn't because of the Infant Transformation True Lord or the Yin-Yang Union Technique; he was simply shocked by Qinghe Academy's determination.

He thought to himself, "Junior colleges might have their merits after all."

Sensing Zhang Yu's slight hesitation, Tao Lin quickly added, "Also, I know you look down on a junior college degree."

"But Erosion Heart True Lord can arrange for you to upgrade from junior college to a full university, enrolling in Union University."

"You might know that Union University is one of the Ten Greats, and like Qinghe Academy, it's under the Union Sect. Erosion Heart True Lord graduated from Union University."

"As her student, you can leverage her connections at Union University, which is far more advantageous than directly enrolling there."

"After all, ordinary students entering Union University have to start as cauldrons for senior students."

"But with Erosion Heart True Lord's connections, you'll have direct access to the top-tier Yin-Yang Union projects, learning techniques like Heavenly Demon Drill, Erosion Heart Disk, Spirit-Flesh Union, and Nectar Devouring from the True Lord's senior sisters, master, or even grandmaster."

"Then, not only will you quickly complete your university credits each year, but you'll also become a top student at Union University..."

Why didn't you say all this earlier, you bastard? Don't you know how eager I am to learn and improve my grades in university?

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, "The Infant Transformation True Lord of the Union Sect really knows how to recruit. She immediately hit the sweet spot for a top student like me by offering a way to effectively boost grades and cultivation."

Noticing the slight change in Zhang Yu's expression, Tao Lin added, "I know the reward for this Foundation Establishment exam is that you can designate a teacher after entering university."

"But designating is one thing; whether that teacher is willing to teach you well is another."

"In universities, the higher the teacher's realm and strength, the more genius students they have under them. The attention they can give you is limited, unlike Qinghe Academy's focused cultivation."

"Also... after you join the academy, Qinghe Academy will give you 10 study partners, an annual scholarship of 10 spirit coins, a standalone dormitory building, and free access to the school's Dharma remains, spirit roots, and cultivation cauldrons. When you aim for Golden Core in the future, there will be a special fund..."

But before Tao Lin could finish, Zhang Yu pushed him out.

Watching this, Tao Lin was both surprised and helpless: "Not tempted even by this? Truly a top-tier high school student, with far greater composure, perseverance, and insight than ordinary people."

Looking at the closed door, Tao Lin said, "You two, I've added you as friends. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime. I won't disturb you further."

Zhang Yu asked, "Fuji, why did you make us refuse? Even if we don't agree, it could be a backup plan."

Fuji said irritably, "You think you can make it in the Union Sect?"

"Based on my observations over the past year, combined with your performance at the Red Tower, you're too healthy, too weak in self-control, and have no talent for cultivation in the Union Sect."

Zhang Yu blushed but retorted, "I'm weak in self-control? How many high school students can cultivate with a root like me? Do you know how much my self-control has improved in just this past year?"

Bai Zhenzhen nodded beside him and said, "I can vouch for that. Just in the last month, the household's toilet paper consumption has dropped by about 20%. Yu Zi is indeed making steady progress in this area." Zhang Yu snapped, "Ah Zhen! Who told you to keep track of that?!"

Bai Zhenzhen said flatly, "Then don't use my paper next time, and I won't know."

Fuji sneered, "Do I need you two to tell me? Can't I see it myself?"

"But Zhang Yu, while you're still cultivating solo, those high school students aiming for Union University have already been developing themselves for three, five, or even ten years. Can you compete with them?"

"Union Sect is an arts university that emphasizes basic skills from childhood. How can you compare?"

"You'd probably be toyed with as soon as you enter, wasting your studies and cultivation, drained dry by those senior brothers and sisters at Union University."

"This is your weak spot—something you've never touched or trained. Don't overthink it."

Zhang Yu was still unconvinced, not for any particular reason, but because he felt that on the path of immortality, sometimes one must challenge their weaknesses to strengthen their will and forge ahead.

Especially with the confidence from the Feather Book, he believed that with a few more tries, he could quickly master all the techniques of Union University and thrive there.

But Fuji's next words crushed him: "Don't forget you still have the ritual on you. Entering a junior college is absolutely impossible."

"Directly applying to Union University doesn't have that many advantages; it's far inferior to other regular Ten Greats."

Zhang Yu sighed deeply, realizing that a future Union Sect prodigy had already fallen before rising today.

"The ritual... it doesn't even give me the freedom to choose my own university."

"One day, I'll smash this stupid thing to pieces."

Fuji continued, "Even a lousy junior college has come knocking. It seems the people in Songyang City have gathered enough."

"Open your phones and check the messages. See what's happening now."

As Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu opened their phones, a flood of messages and missed calls appeared, dazzling them.

After a moment, Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, "How does everyone know we passed the Foundation Establishment exam?"

She clenched her fist and thought, "Damn! I wanted to announce it myself at school after the college entrance exam. Now I won't get to see their shocked expressions!"

Zhang Yu said in surprise, "Mr. Wang from Oasis Group wants to donate ten million to us? What's going on?"

Bai Zhenzhen said, "What else could it be? A company willing to give that much money only wants higher returns. They probably want to invest in us. Are we supposed to become corporate dogs?"

Zhang Yu thought of Lan Ling and Zhou Chechen from before and frowned, "They want us to be dogs again?"

Fuji said slowly, "If he donated 100,000, I'd join you in cursing him."

"But since he's donating 10 million in one go, I think you should consider what's so bad about being a dog?"

"If you want to buy spirit roots and complete Foundation Establishment before high school graduation, the solution might lie with this Mr. Wang."

So, over the next two days, while Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued to cultivate diligently, they occasionally checked their phones for messages.

Finally, two days later, as Zhang Yu pushed the Great Heavenly Armor to Level 10, his Martial Saint Embryo achieved its final effect.

Seeing this effect of the Martial Saint Embryo, Zhang Yu felt even more inspired, sensing another surge in his strength.

"If I were to face that final duel with Ye Lingxiao now, I probably wouldn't need to struggle for so long. I could defeat him quickly."

After completing the Martial Saint Embryo, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen boarded the train and began their journey back.

But as soon as they got off the train, an unexpected figure appeared before them.

"Isn't that Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu, who followed us last time?"

Zhang Yu also noticed a young-looking man beside the other party; just from his appearance, he and Bai Zhenzhen could sense that he was not to be trifled with.

After all, the five glittering golden characters above his head—Purple Gold Merit Master—were far too dazzling.

"A member of the Zhou family?" Zhang Yu grew wary in his heart. "They're waiting for us right at the station? What do they want?"

At that moment, he felt immensely grateful that he had heeded Fuji's advice, training outside for a while before returning, elevating his Martial Saint Embryo to the final layer. Now, no matter what situation arose, he could face it with a bit more confidence.

(End of this chapter)