Chapter 359: Quitting the Team and New Team

Chapter 359: Leaving the Team and Joining a New One

Zhang Yu left the training room, feeling the refined Xuanhuang Qi circulating throughout his body, his mind filled with various insights and experiences from cultivating this technique.

In just the past hour and fifteen minutes, through repeatedly circulating the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal... he had actually advanced it to Level 2.

Zhang Yu opened the Yu Book, flipping to the chapter on chain technique diagrams, his gaze sweeping over the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal.

"Is the chain technique diagram set for the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal called 'Overturning Kunlun'?" Zhang Yu thought to himself. "Sounds quite impressive."

Since the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal was one of the Seven Earth-Wood Marvels, Zhang Yu strongly suspected that the remaining six marvels also belonged to this "Overturning Kunlun" chain technique diagram set.

"If I could master all Seven Earth-Wood Marvels, combine them into the Heaven-Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, and add this Overturning Kunlun set... who knows how much money I could earn daily on construction sites."

Just thinking about it made Zhang Yu's heart surge with excitement.

However, the Seven Earth-Wood Marvels only consisted of seven techniques, while sets usually required ten to achieve their ultimate effect. Zhang Yu couldn't help but wonder what the remaining three techniques were.

With a flash in his eyes, the Great Library of Wanfa University appeared before him.

But after searching through numerous martial techniques, earth-wood techniques, and large-scale construction techniques, he couldn't find a single technique belonging to "Overturning Kunlun."

Zhang Yu couldn't help but think, "Like the Great Sage Inheritor, are these techniques also unfindable?"

He remembered that the Great Sage Inheritor of the Remnant Ox Self-Sacrifice Heart Art was similar—aside from the Remnant Ox Self-Sacrifice Heart Art and the Wild Ox Soul-Suppressing Heart Art, no other techniques belonging to the Great Sage Inheritor could be found. It wasn't until he obtained the Boundless Heart Inner Dharma Body in the spirit realm that he acquired the third technique of the Great Sage Inheritor.

"In this case, the remaining three techniques of Overturning Kunlun are either unrecorded black techniques, or military-grade—or even immortal-gate-level techniques—that I can't access."

With this thought, Zhang Yu had no choice but to temporarily give up, realizing that Overturning Kunlun, like the Great Sage Inheritor, was likely not something easily completed.

"It seems that after I train the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal to Level 20, if I continue cultivating techniques, I should first focus on developing the Martial Dao Sacred Body."

Zhang Yu chose the Martial Dao Sacred Body because, based on his experience with the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo during the Qi Refining stage, this chain technique diagram set should greatly enhance the power of his techniques.

His learning goals for the rest of his sophomore year, aside from knowledge from the Artifact Refining Department, included studying large-scale earth-wood construction techniques.

"Coincidentally, some large-scale construction techniques can also contribute to the Martial Dao Sacred Body, and the power-boosting effect of the Martial Dao Sacred Body can, in turn, enhance the power of large-scale construction techniques."

With this in mind, Zhang Yu had already decided: first, advance the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal to Level 20, then begin cultivating large-scale construction techniques while simultaneously working toward the Martial Dao Sacred Body.

"This way, the University Sacred Body will aid cultivation. The Earth-Wood Sacred Body will help withstand harsh environments and potent medicines. The Qi Vein Long Flow will restore mana, and combined with the Formless Laborer, it will enable precise construction."

"Once the Martial Dao Sacred Body is achieved, it will complement large-scale construction."

"With this, my earth-wood system will be quite comprehensive. There will be hardly any project I can't handle, and my work efficiency and salary will far surpass others."

Thinking this, Zhang Yu felt the path of earth and wood beneath his feet grow broader and brighter.

After leaving the Great Library, Zhang Yu noticed someone standing before him—it was Tu Lishan.

It was unclear how long he had been waiting, but upon seeing Zhang Yu, he smiled slightly and said, "Junior Brother, it seems the teacher has passed the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal to you."

Zhang Yu replied, "Senior Brother, do you need something from me?"

Tu Lishan smiled. "Didn't I say I’d prepare a gift for you?"

"Given your potential, Junior Brother, you’ll inevitably need to study intermediate and advanced courses ahead of time."

"So, I thought I’d get you a super membership for Yunxiu Academy."

"From now on, you’ll get a 20% discount on textbooks and online courses at Yunxiu Academy."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. He indeed needed to purchase techniques and online courses, and in greater quantities than Tu Lishan anticipated, as the Artifact Refining Department offered far more courses than the Earth-Wood Department.

Textbooks and online courses at Wanfa University were not cheap, especially those related to the three flagship majors.

With this super membership discount, he could save a significant amount of money.

At the same time, Tu Lishan sent the redemption code for the super membership to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu said, "Thank you, Senior Brother."

Seeing Zhang Yu’s delighted expression, Tu Lishan felt a hint of pride, thinking, "Zhang Yu will continue competing with Ji Yuanshu for the top spot in the class. As their rivalry intensifies, he’ll inevitably start studying ahead."

"This super membership isn’t expensive, but it requires certain privileges to obtain. For Zhang Yu, it’s like adding wings to a tiger."

"From the looks of it, Director Gao intends for him to try for a military certification in the future. If he succeeds, he’ll become another key member of our Earth-Wood Department and likely a future colleague of mine."

With this thought, Tu Lishan felt even more justified in winning him over early.

As for Gongshu Jin? The talent he originally wanted to cultivate? Tu Lishan wasn’t very familiar with the third-place student in the class.

Next, Tu Lishan asked Zhang Yu about his progress with the Xuanhuang Zhenyue Seal, shared some of his own cultivation experiences, and then inquired about the competition.

Tu Lishan asked, "Is Ma Xuan still keeping you as a substitute?"

Upon receiving Zhang Yu’s confirmation, Tu Lishan sneered and said, "It seems he’s taken a side."

Seeing Zhang Yu’s puzzled expression, Tu Lishan explained, "Ma Xuan is a student of the faction led by Spiritual Mountain True Monarch."

"Spiritual Mountain True Monarch is the head of our Earth-Wood Department, but in recent years, due to his advanced age, he’s been busy making money and has largely neglected departmental affairs."

"Ma Xuan’s decision to keep Ji Yuanshu on the field instead of letting you, who ranks higher, play likely means he’s sided with the pacifist faction."

"If you want to surpass Ji Yuanshu in comprehensive competition points, you’ll probably need to join a different team where you can actually compete."

Zhang Yu frowned slightly, realizing that staying in Ma Xuan’s team would mean no opportunity to play. Even if the team achieved a ranking, as a substitute, his comprehensive points would be far lower than Ji Yuanshu’s.

But if he left the team... which team should he join instead?

As Zhang Yu pondered this, Tu Lishan spoke up, "I know another competition team that’s short on members. See if you’re interested."

With that, Tu Lishan sent Zhang Yu the information of one person, saying, "This is the team captain. You can add her as a friend."

After parting ways with Tu Lishan, Zhang Yu added the person as a friend.

Her name was Shi Huaiyu, a fifth-year student in the Earth-Wood Department, ranked 38th in the entire department.

Shi Huaiyu: You must be Zhang Yu, right? Teacher Tu mentioned you. Would you like to join our competition team?

Shi Huaiyu: Our team is strong and experienced. For this departmental competition, we’re aiming to secure a top 10 spot and compete for 6th place.

Hearing this and seeing her ranking, Zhang Yu was immediately intrigued.

Although he hadn’t attended many training sessions in Ma Xuan’s team, he was quite familiar with the competition situation.

Only the top ten teams in the Earth-Wood Competition could earn comprehensive points, with higher rankings yielding more points.

Only the first-place team had the qualification to represent Wanfa University in inter-school competitions.

But forget first place—the top five spots in the competition were typically monopolized by teams composed of eighth, ninth, and tenth-year students.

Middle and lower-year students competed for top 10 spots to earn comprehensive points.

From lurking in the competition group chat, Zhang Yu knew that Ma Xuan and Ji Yuanshu’s goal was merely to secure 10th place and compete for 9th.

Zhang Yu: If I join the team, will I get to play? Or will I be a substitute?

Zhang Yu was particularly wary of this situation and needed to clarify before joining.

Shi Huaiyu: Of course! With your skills, Junior Brother, how could I let you sit idle on the bench?

With that, Zhang Yu immediately decided to join Shi Huaiyu’s competition team.

...

In Ma Xuan’s competition group chat.

Ji Yuanshu noticed that Zhang Yu had left the group at some point.

Naturally, he paid close attention to this rival of his.

So he turned to Ma Xuan and asked, "Has Zhang Yu left the team?"

Ma Xuan: "Yes, he's left."

Ji Yuanshu: "Do you know which team he joined?"

Ma Xuan: "No idea. But any team with the strength to compete for the top ten spots has long been full."

Ma Xuan: "The teams he can join now probably aren't very reliable."

Ma Xuan: "Honestly, he'd have been better off staying here. At least he could have scraped together some comprehensive points."

Ma Xuan: "If he joins some weak team, he'll probably end up with no comprehensive points at all."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuanshu nodded slightly. This meant that right at the start of his sophomore year, Zhang Yu would already be at a disadvantage in terms of comprehensive points—a significant advantage for him.

After ending the conversation with Ma Xuan, Ji Yuanshu lowered his gaze to the coils of copper wire before him and the idol at their center.

He murmured to himself, "Then let it begin... the ritual."

...

Inside the simulated construction site.

Zhang Yu looked at the three people before him in surprise. "Huh? Just the four of us?"

Shi Huaiyu was a physiological female, three meters tall, with fair skin and a robust build.

Her thick, sturdy legs shimmered with a purple-gold hue, emitting a cold metallic luster—clearly some form of magical remains.

But this petite giant now looked at Zhang Yu somewhat sheepishly and said, "Even though there are only four of us, we are indeed..."

She pointed at herself, "Highly skilled."

Then she pointed at Che Yufei and Shi Yunxiang beside her, "Experienced."

Zhang Yu sighed, feeling that his decision to leave the team had been somewhat hasty.

Still, he looked at the three before him. Shi Huaiyu, ranked 38th in the entire department, was undoubtedly reliable in terms of strength.

Che Yufei, now in his seventh year, with his head full of white hair and a face etched with wrinkles, bore the unmistakable marks of a seasoned civil engineering expert—a testament to his physical development and realized potential. Whether in strength or experience, he was dependable.

As for Shi Yunxiang, he was no ordinary person either. Now in his fifth year, as a demon-descendant student, he had spent the past five years navigating various construction sites, always emerging unscathed, without so much as a scratch—proof of his remarkable abilities.

"Plus me..." Zhang Yu thought to himself. "Our team's strength is indeed impressive. We just need to recruit two more members."

(End of Chapter)