Chapter 284: Feather Letter Opens

Chapter 284: The Feathered Letter Unfolds

Listening to Tuli Shan’s words, Zhang Yu’s eyes gradually brightened. “Formations?”

Formations—he had already encountered them in his daily life as early as high school.

Whether it was the Spirit Gathering Formation at Songyang High School, the Traction Formation at the Central Tower, or the Mountain Protection Formation in the reserve… Zhang Yu had witnessed and interacted with them all, yet their inner workings remained hazy and unknown to him.

After all, this was knowledge that had never been taught during high school.

Now, the more Zhang Yu listened, the more he sensed the vastness and profundity of formations. It was a method that utilized spiritual energy, structure, materials, and other means to replicate nature, alter it, and even transcend it—the very foundation that enabled Kunxu to construct so many superstructures.

In the blink of an eye, the first lesson on engineering formation drafting had ended.

Just as Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan were about to leave, they saw the radiant teacher walk up to him, drawing the sidelong glances of many students.

The teacher named Tuli Shan smiled at Zhang Yu and said, “Zhang Yu, today is your first time meeting me, but I saw you during your cohort’s Foundation Establishment exam.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback, recalling the final round of that Foundation Establishment exam. The audience seats had been filled with many upper-class individuals, all representatives from various universities.

Tuli Shan’s head flickered, transforming into the shape of a dog’s head in the projection of Zhang Yu’s eye sockets before reverting to its original form.

“That was my appearance back then.”

Tuli Shan chuckled and said, “The moment I saw your performance in the examination hall, I knew you were naturally suited for the Civil Engineering department. I strongly recommended you to the university.”

“Focus on the foundational courses over the next three months. Once the formal semester begins in September, I’ll take you to the construction site to earn some money.”

Zhang Yu was slightly surprised. “We can enter the construction site so early?”

Tuli Shan replied, “Work while you study, and earn some money along the way.”

“I know you come from the first level and your financial situation isn’t comfortable. The construction site is the perfect classroom for you.”

“In our civil engineering field, as long as you’re willing to endure hardship and work hard for a few years, you’ll definitely earn a substantial amount.”

He then turned to Yu Xinghan beside Zhang Yu and said, “Yu Xinghan, you too. Come along when the time comes.”

Watching Tuli Shan’s retreating figure, Yu Xinghan sighed with emotion. “There are still good teachers in Wanfa University—ones who can recognize my talent and uniqueness! And they even give us opportunities to earn money.”

“Zhang Yu, let’s study hard over the next three months. Once we’re on the construction site, we’ll work diligently and earn as much as we can.”

“Ah, when will I ever earn as much as Teacher Tu?”

Their conversation had long attracted the attention of many students around them.

Especially some Qi Refinement students, who, upon hearing that Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan could enter the construction site to earn money in three months, revealed looks of envy in their eyes.

Li Xiao, a Xian Du native in the same Foundation Establishment class, also witnessed this scene. After a moment’s thought… he volunteered to chase after Tuli Shan, catching up to him outside the classroom and saying, “Teacher Tu, could you give me an opportunity too?”

“I also want to work on the construction site.”

Looking at Li Xiao before him, Tuli Shan’s eyes flickered slightly. “Are you also from the first level?”

Hearing this, Li Xiao’s breath hitched slightly. Over the past two days, he had faced differential treatment countless times because of his identity as a first-level resident.

But upon seeing the other party nod, Tuli Shan smiled gently. “Being from the first level is good. Many people look down on those from the first level, but I actually particularly admire students like you who come from there.”

“I’ve taught many students over the years, but among them, it’s always you first-level students who endure hardship the most.”

With that, Tuli Shan patted Li Xiao’s shoulder. “Work hard. In three months, I’ll take you to the construction site.”

“However, positions on the construction site are limited. You’ll be competing with Zhang Yu and the others, so you’ll need to work hard over the next three months.”

“But to be honest, I have higher hopes for you.”

Watching Tuli Shan’s departing figure, Li Xiao felt a surge of excitement in his heart, a wave of fighting spirit rising within him. “In three months! I must get onto the construction site!”

Walking on the path toward the 666th level, Tuli Shan thought to himself, “Zhang Yu, Yu Xinghan, Li Xiao… all promising talents.”

Unlike many teachers who preferred students from higher levels or wealthy backgrounds, Tuli Shan favored students who were both talented and financially disadvantaged.

He sighed inwardly. “These impoverished students are the true backbone of our civil engineering world.”

“Otherwise, if everyone wants to be in management, who will do the actual work?”

“Gongshu Jin and Ji Yanshu are ten times more outstanding, but Gongshu Jin is wealthy, and Ji Yanshu is determined to transfer departments. How could they possibly toil like oxen on a construction site for a few hard-earned coins?”

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan walked through the magnetic passageway, heading toward the classroom for their next class.

Suddenly, a voice called out along the way.

“Zhang Yu!”

Zhang Yu’s gaze shifted, looking in the direction of the call, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. “That’s… the Xian Du native?”

The person calling Zhang Yu was none other than Yun Jing, who had once participated in the Foundation Establishment exam with him and ultimately lost to Bai Zhenzhen.

Beside Yun Jing were five Qi Refinement students. One of them, eyeing Zhang Yu coldly, said, “Are you also from the first level? This has nothing to do with you. If you know what’s good for you, scram…”

Civil Engineering Department Foundation Establishment Class, Rank 13: Zhang Yu

Seeing the ranking that appeared above Zhang Yu’s head, the student quickly changed his tone. “I should be the one to scram!”

He then turned to Yun Jing beside him with a grin. “Why didn’t you mention earlier that you know a Foundation Establishment student?”

Yun Jing watched the Qi Refinement students scatter in panic, then looked at Zhang Yu’s calm and composed expression, feeling an indescribable complexity in his heart.

Back on the first level, he had been the lofty Xian Du master, while the other was just a country bumpkin. But a single Foundation Establishment exam had completely altered their destinies.

Now, he could only look up to this student from the Foundation Establishment class.

Zhang Yu glanced at Yun Jing and said coolly, “Ran into trouble?”

He could sense that Yun Jing had just used his influence to scare off the others.

Yun Jing replied, “First-level residents tend to be isolated in the Artifact Refining Department. I’ve grown accustomed to it, but today they went too far…”

“Anyway, thank you for today.”

“I will repay this favor someday!”

Yun Jing cupped his hands toward Zhang Yu and left.

Watching this scene, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. “It seems the Yun family’s situation isn’t favorable.”

Zhang Yu thought to himself that since Yun Jing was once Bai Zhenzhen’s opponent, he must share this gossip with Bai Zhenzhen. She would surely be very interested.

A moment later, Zhang Yu arrived at the classroom for his next class.

This classroom was even larger, capable of accommodating over a thousand people.

Zhang Yu knew this was a cross-departmental major course.

At the front of the classroom, a group of students was promoting their services. “Hello, everyone! We are students from the Dao Arts Department, offering paid Dao Arts services.”

“We have the Mind Illumination Art for photographic memory, the Origin Return Art to accelerate spiritual energy absorption, and the Revitalization Art to aid physical refinement. These Dao Arts cost only 0.03 spirit coins for one hour.”

“We also have the Soul Cloud Sea Art, which allows two people to cultivate synchronously. The experience accumulated from one cultivation session is equivalent to two sessions in the past. It costs only 0.09 spirit coins for one hour…”

“Here, we have a senior skilled in thunder techniques, proficient in Divine Thunder Waves, who can assist in physical refinement, improve spiritual root fusion, and enhance the five senses… one hour costs 0.19 spirit coins…”

“Today is the last day of the opening semester event. Simply visit the website to become a member and enjoy a 30% discount on all the above services…”

Before Gongshu Jin, a Dao Arts Department student was recommending that he sign up for a membership.

Gongshu Jin seemed rather interested, listening attentively to the recommended services.

Naturally, there were also students from the Dao Arts department who approached Ji Yuanshu. However, this sixth-floor lord merely said indifferently, "I already have a private Dao Arts service team, so I don’t need these."

Upon hearing this, the promoting Dao Arts student could only leave awkwardly.

Yu Xinghan listened somewhat enviously to the promotions from the Dao Arts students and sighed, "Having money is really damn good."

Zhang Yu looked at the Soul Cloud Sea technique described in the introduction, a flicker of longing appearing in his eyes. "I wonder if it would be useful for the Feather Book. Should I spend spirit coins on it?"

"But 0.09 spirit coins per hour, even with a thirty percent discount... All the money I have now would only last for 200 hours. Better forget about it for now."

"Sigh, I’ll just save the website for now... Spending money shouldn’t be rushed. Rushing leads to losses, and losses make you easy prey."

With roughly twelve spirit coins in hand, Zhang Yu decided to hold onto them for the time being and not spend them hastily.

After all, his understanding of the Myriad Arts University was still too limited, and he knew little about the various spending options.

"It’s better to continue learning about the Myriad Arts University and the Civil Engineering department, plan carefully, and then spend on cultivation."

A moment later, the many promoting Dao Arts students left the classroom just before class began.

An elderly man with white hair and beard slowly stepped onto the platform, looked at everyone, and said, "Martial Force Studies, as the name suggests, teaches you the mysteries of various forces, energies, and methods in martial arts techniques..."

"Whether it’s combat, construction, artifact forging, alchemy, medicine-making, or other aspects, they all relate to this course in one way or another."

"If your future studies include courses like Fluid Force, Geotechnical Force, or Thermal Radiation Force, then it’s even more important to learn what I’m about to teach."

"I know you are all freshmen of the new academic year. After the three-month basic course ends, there will be a major exam before the semester officially begins."

"If your exam results aren’t up to par, don’t even think about taking advanced courses."

"Those with a strong foundation shouldn’t get complacent either. If you want to compete for rankings, the major exam three months from now is also crucial..."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly upon hearing this, knowing the elder was referring to the exam after the three-month basic course.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "If I want to improve my ranking, I can’t slack off in any exam."

Over the next two days, Zhang Yu studied diligently during the day, absorbing all kinds of knowledge.

At night, back in his dormitory, he focused on foundational techniques. After advancing the Seventy-Two Forms of Foundation Body Refinement to level 20, he had now pushed the Foundation Heart Refinement method to level 17.

"Alright, I’m hanging up now, Yu."

"Keep up the good work!"

"The things I sent you should arrive in a few days. Make sure to collect them."

After ending the call with Bai Zhenzhen that day, Zhang Yu continued practicing the Foundation Heart Refinement method in his dormitory.

But about half an hour later, Zhang Yu felt a slight stinging sensation in his palm. The symbol on his palm had been completely filled with black.

The next moment, as the Feather Book flipped violently, a new chapter appeared before him, in addition to the prologue and the first chapter, the Chain Method Diagram.

Zhang Yu focused his gaze and murmured to himself, "Chapter Two: The Dao Seed Register."

(End of Chapter)