Chapter 352: Zhang Yu's Two Teachers

Chapter 352: Zhang Yu’s Two Teachers

After briefly explaining the information about the Seven Ultimate Techniques of Civil Engineering and the Seven Ultimate Method Skeletons to Zhang Yu, Director Gao did not elaborate further.

After all, in his view, these matters were still too distant for Zhang Yu. His casual mention was merely to plant a seed in the young man’s mind.

Whether Zhang Yu would eventually obtain his military certification or master the Seven Ultimate Techniques of Civil Engineering in the future was something even Director Gao could not predict at this moment.

“After I teach you the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal, feel free to ask me any questions at any time.”

“If you continue to secure first place in your sophomore and junior years and master the Three Ultimate Techniques of Civil Engineering, I will promote you from a nominal disciple to a direct disciple.”

Upon hearing this, Tu Lishan, who was standing nearby, felt a stir in his heart. He thought to himself that Director Gao’s words clearly indicated a high regard for Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu, meanwhile, was once again reminded of the existence of Magnetic Pole True Monarch and felt a subtle sense of annoyance. “If this continues, won’t both of them want to take me as their disciple by my junior year?”

“And judging by Director Gao’s attitude today…”

In this situation, Zhang Yu felt that the obstacles to transferring to another department seemed to be growing.

After finishing his instructions, Director Gao wasted no more words. With a flash, his spiritual realm projection vanished swiftly and decisively.

Tu Lishan looked at Zhang Yu with a warm smile and said, “Since Master Gao has taken you as his disciple, we are now fellow disciples. I’ll call you Junior Brother Zhang from now on.”

Zhang Yu quickly replied, “Senior Brother Tu, thank you for always looking out for me.”

“Hehe, it’s nothing, nothing,” Tu Lishan said. “I didn’t prepare anything today, but in a few days, I’ll give you a gift that I’m sure you’ll like.”

As they walked out together, Tu Lishan was eager to invest in Zhang Yu’s future, while Zhang Yu was keen to build a good relationship. Both belonged to the war faction of the Civil Engineering Department, and they soon found themselves engaged in a lively and pleasant conversation.

Zhang Yu seized the opportunity to ask a question: “What is the relationship between our Civil Engineering Department and the Artifact Refining Department?”

Tu Lishan explained in simple terms: “Each of the three top-tier majors encompasses a wide range of fields and spans multiple industries.”

“But if I had to summarize each with a single word, then the Finance Department represents capital, the Artifact Refining Department represents technology, and the Dao Arts Department represents energy.”

“Of course, this doesn’t mean the three majors are limited to capital, technology, and energy.”

“For example, the Artifact Refining Department inevitably requires support from capital and energy, while the Finance Department certainly masters a lot of technology and energy.”

“It’s just that these three words truly capture the characteristics and pursuits of the three majors…”

Listening to Tu Lishan’s detailed explanation, Zhang Yu gained a deeper understanding of the three top-tier majors.

Tu Lishan continued, “Among the three majors, Finance, Artifact Refining, and our Civil Engineering Department all have good relationships.”

“But Finance is closer to the peace faction, while Artifact Refining has a better relationship with our war faction.”

Zhang Yu asked another question: “Does the Artifact Refining Department also believe that the university war will inevitably escalate?”

“More than just believe,” Tu Lishan said with a bitter smile. “If not for those holding them back, the warmongers in the Artifact Refining Department would have joined the fray years ago.”

“They can’t wait to sell magical artifacts and method skeletons to the entire Kunxu.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered, and he asked, “I heard there’s a Magnetic Pole True Monarch in the Artifact Refining Department who is very powerful. What is his relationship with our master?”

“Magnetic Pole True Monarch?” Tu Lishan said. “He and Master Gao have been good friends for many years. They knew each other even before they started teaching at Wanfa University.”

…

In the spiritual realm network.

Director Gao sent a message to Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “I took in a promising freshman today.”

Director Gao: “Civil Engineering Department, freshman foundational class ranking. Image file.”

Director Gao: “This Zhang Yu, the first-place student.”

Director Gao: “He won fair and square, relying on solid civil engineering skills to defeat Old Lin’s direct disciple.”

Director Gao: “Old Lin. Video file.”

Director Gao: “Look how angry he is. I refuted him until he was speechless, and he eventually fled in defeat.”

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “You’re amazing.”

Reading the reply, Director Gao couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, feeling that something was off.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “So, you’ve taken this Zhang Yu under your wing?”

Director Gao: “Yes, as a nominal disciple. If everything goes well in the next two years, I plan to make him my direct disciple.”

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “Congratulations on acquiring such an outstanding disciple.”

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “I envy you. It’s not easy to find such a talented student.”

Director Gao frowned again. He felt there was something implied in the other’s words but couldn’t pinpoint any fault.

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “Speaking of which, I’ve also taken in a disciple recently.”

Director Gao asked curiously: “Oh? Who is it?”

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “Someone who came through connections. Not worth mentioning.”

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: “If he makes something of himself in the future, I’ll introduce him to you.”

…

Magnetic Passageway.

Zhang Yu walked briskly on his way back to the dormitory while sending a message in the dormitory group chat, notifying his roommates to prepare to move into a luxurious new dorm.

“Finally achieved a milestone goal,” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “Next up are the Civil Engineering Department competition, sophomore-year civil engineering courses, and…”

He thought of the Artifact Refining Department courses.

After all, according to Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s requirement, he had to complete the Artifact Refining Department courses from freshman to junior year and pass the exams.

With the freshman-year final exams now over, Zhang Yu was theoretically a quasi-sophomore.

“I need to start thinking about taking Artifact Refining Department courses too.” “Oh, and there’s also the matter of spirit coins…”

Zhang Yu checked his savings. With the 10-spirit-coin student loan deposited, his balance had risen to a total of 56 spirit coins.

“That should be enough to activate my sister’s Dao Seed.”

“But it costs 50 spirit coins…”

Thinking about the spirit coins he had painstakingly saved, which would soon be reduced to a mere 6, Zhang Yu felt a pang of heartache.

The Civil Engineering Department competition, sophomore-year courses, Artifact Refining Department courses, and his perpetually low account balance…

As he pondered, the sense of relief after securing first place in the foundational class gradually faded, replaced by the realization that even more tasks awaited him in his sophomore year.

Just then, a faint light flickered in Zhang Yu’s eye socket—a message had been posted in the competition team’s group chat.

Ma Xuan: “@Ji Yuanshu, finished your exams? How did they go?”

Ji Yuanshu: “Not bad.”

Ma Xuan: “Let’s arrange training for tomorrow then.”

Other members of the competition team also chimed in, discussing training plans with Ji Yuanshu.

As for Zhang Yu, the substitute team member, he seemed to be invisible, completely ignored in the group chat.

...

Ji Yuanshu stared at the messages in the group chat, his expression growing increasingly grim. While politely responding, he struggled to suppress the aura of fortune swirling around him.

After checking the results of the final exam, he realized he might not hold onto his first-place position.

But whether it was finance or fortune, he absolutely could not admit defeat until the very last moment.

Because the moment he conceded, the accumulated fortune within him would immediately begin to backlash.

So, as long as there was even a sliver of hope, he would not admit defeat to anyone before the rankings were updated tonight.

To others' inquiries, he would only say he had performed well.

Calm and composed, just as he had been every time he secured first place in the past, he maintained an unshakable demeanor.

But while he could present this facade outwardly, inwardly... Ji Yuanshu could not deceive himself.

As time passed, Ji Yuanshu grew more and more anxious.

He refreshed the leaderboard over and over again, both eager and afraid to know the results.

...

In the Ten Thousand Arts University District.

Inside the construction site on the 667th floor.

Zhang Yu, who was working, noticed a flicker in his vision as someone sent him a message.

Ying Xin: Senior Brother, congratulations! [Fireworks][Fireworks][Fireworks]

Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback: What did you call me?

Ying Xin: You're now the top scorer in the Foundation Establishment class and a registered disciple of Director Gao. That definitely makes you our senior brother in the Foundation Establishment class.

Ying Xin: Senior Brother, I heard you moved into a luxurious 30-square-meter dorm?

Ying Xin: Could you tell me your room number? I have a congratulatory gift for you.

Zhang Yu's heart stirred, immediately understanding that this "senior brother" was a flattering nickname.

Looking at the constantly ringing alarm, he knew the rankings must have been updated.

He quickly opened it to check.

First place: Zhang Yu, total score 2553

Second place: Ji Yuanshu, total score 2551

Third place: Gongshu Jin, total score 2499

Fourth place: Ying Xin, total score 2488

Fifth place: Yu Xinghan, total score 2475

Although he had already received insider information, seeing his name and score at the top of the rankings, Zhang Yu couldn't help but smile.

Seeing Ying Xin's message, he replied with his new dorm address and asked: What are you planning to give me?

Ying Xin: It's my family's ancestral ashes.

Ying Xin: I noticed during the exam that you didn't use living stakes or blood sacrifices, so you probably lack materials in that area, right?

Ying Xin: My family's ancestral ashes are especially effective. Just sprinkle a handful during construction, and the building's strength will definitely improve.

Reading Ying Xin's message, Zhang Yu replied with a strange expression: Isn't that a bit... presumptuous?

Zhang Yu: Do you have enough for yourself?

Zhang Yu: Maybe it's better to forget it.

Ying Xin: What's presumptuous about it?

Ying Xin: If ashes aren't used, are they just buried and wasted? If our ancestors knew, they'd jump out of their graves and scold me for being unfilial.

Ying Xin: And don't worry, you only need to use a little each time. It lasts a long time.

Ying Xin: As long as I use less ashes in my lifetime than what I leave behind, it's fine. Each generation will only have more.

Ying Xin: Senior Brother, if you don't accept it, do you still have issues with me?

After Ying Xin's persistent insistence, Zhang Yu finally agreed to accept the gift.

While Zhang Yu was talking to Ying Xin, more people sent him messages.

Gongshu Jin: Congratulations.

After waiting for a long time without a response from Zhang Yu, Gongshu Jin sent a red envelope.

Gongshu Jin: 0.01 spirit coins.

As the 0.01 spirit coins were instantly accepted, Zhang Yu replied: Sorry, I was busy just now and didn't see it.

Gongshu Jin: No problem, no problem. [Praying hands emoji]

Gongshu Jin: I just think you're really amazing, Zhang Yu. I wanted to congratulate you.

Gongshu Jin: Next time you're free, let's go test the Dharma Remains together.

Zhang Yu: Sure thing.

Zhang Yu casually replied to Gongshu Jin's message and immediately focused his attention on another chat window.

It was a congratulatory message from Ye Xingli of the Artifact Refining Department.

Although several months had passed, Zhang Yu still remembered the lavishness of this senior sister from the Artifact Refining Department treating him to an all-you-can-eat buffet. In his mind flashed her figure, as if draped in a galaxy.

Ye Xingli: Hehe, even in the Artifact Refining Department, I heard my master mention you.

Zhang Yu: Senior Sister, who is your master?

Ye Xingli: Magnetic Pole True Monarch.

(End of Chapter)