Chapter 397: Joy of the Winner

Chapter 397: The Joy of the Victor

Within the Magneto-Magnetic Conduit.

Gongshu Jin surged forward at high speed, scrolling through the notifications flooding his bone-shard terminal.

The moment his progress was confirmed, he had broadcast the news of his seventh-place finish in the Civil Engineering Competition and his acquisition of the usage rights for the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal to his social circle.

To Gongshu Jin, this was only natural; if one made progress, one had to flaunt it ruthlessly. Otherwise, how could one increase their loan limits? How could family bonds be sublimated? How could blood ties be maintained? How could one keep up with classmates?

As his post went live, a deluge of comments poured in.

There were congratulations, inquiries for details, offers of emergency funds, and a relentless parade of vendors peddling pills, Daoist service packages, and all manner of immortal products, each promising exclusive discounts.

Even some fellow students from the Fourth Layer, currently residing on the Second, sent him messages of interest.

Although Gongshu Jin had joined a few group chats for Fourth Layer expatriates and added a handful as friends, he had never been particularly prominent among them—not while stuck in the Civil Engineering department, lacking a top-tier ranking or the title of class valedictorian.

The rare attention from these Fourth Layer peers filled Gongshu Jin with a heady sense of delight.

Just then, another message arrived.

Ji Yuan-shu: Gongshu Jin, greetings.

Gongshu Jin mused to himself, "Oh? Isn't this the former class topper, now relegated to fifth place?"

With the final settlement of the competition scores, the class rankings—which had been razor-thin—shifted dramatically.

Gongshu Jin, Ying Xin, and Yu Xinghan, who had occupied the third, fourth, and fifth spots, each climbed a rank, effectively shoving Ji Yuan-shu down to fifth.

Every time he thought of this "Sixth Layer Lord" he once had to look up to, now being firmly trampled beneath his own feet, Gongshu Jin felt every cent spent had been worth it.

Gongshu Jin: What do you want?

Ji Yuan-shu: May I ask if the other portion of the Seven Absolutes in your team was given to Zhang Yu?

Gongshu Jin: Yes.

Ji Yuan-shu: The War Faction provided you with quite a bit of support, didn't they?

Gongshu Jin: Without Director Gao’s backing, we certainly wouldn't have made it this far.

Ji Yuan-shu: [Thumbs Up]

After ending the exchange with Ji Yuan-shu, a thought blossomed in Gongshu Jin’s mind.

"Come to think of it, if I can master the three Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes before Ji Yuan-shu and grasp the Lesser Triad, perhaps I can keep the upper hand over him for the rest of my academic career."

How could he outpace Ji Yuan-shu?

He had tried throwing money at himself, but failed.

Later, he threw money at the competition team and successfully secured the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal.

"To be precise, it wasn't just throwing money at the team; it was an investment in my faith in Zhang Yu."

"I must continue to cultivate my relationship with Zhang Yu. If another opportunity like this arises, I must grasp it with both hands."

"What does Zhang Yu like?"

Gongshu Jin sifted through his mental files on Zhang Yu.

"Overtime? Pills? Meals? Massages?"

...

The Ying Clan Ancestral Hall

Ying Xin: I’ve secured seventh place in the Civil Engineering Competition!

Ying Xin: [Ranking Screenshot.jpg]

Third-Generation Patriarch: Good, good, good. Did you use the ashes?

Ying Xin: Great-grandfather, it was thanks to smearing your ashes on the arena floor that we managed to hold our ground during the first half of the final match.

Fifth-Generation Patriarch: You can now be considered a core student of the War Faction. The next step is to find a way to apprentice under a prestigious master.

Fifth-Generation Matriarch: Send the ashes whenever you need them; we’ll mail you more money if you run short.

Fourth-Generation Patriarch: Especially that Zhang Yu—you must build a strong rapport with him. It would be best if you could convince him to join our family.

Ying Xin: I’ve probed him, but I suspect he’s one of those ascetic types who has no interest in such things. He only has eyes for cultivation and overtime.

Feeling the warmth of her family’s concern, Ying Xin smiled faintly.

Suddenly, her gaze sharpened. "Where is the First Ancestor?"

Fifth-Generation Patriarch: The First is currently in a state of suspended consciousness.

Fifth-Generation Patriarch: The cost to maintain his cognition is rising; we have to keep him frozen most of the time to survive on the lowest possible budget.

Fifth-Generation Patriarch: But it’s fine. As long as we pay our dues on time, he can hold on a while longer.

Ying Xin sighed inwardly. Even if they could hold on, as more descendants were frozen, and as the unfrozen generations grew increasingly estranged from the First Patriarch... defaulting on the payments was ultimately just a matter of time.

Unless a descendant could rise above the rest, strike it rich, and secure a fortune, there was no chance for the ancestors to live another life—until the funds ran dry once more.

...

Yu Xinghan observed the muscle fibers of Shi Huaiyu with his Three-Eyed Vision.

He channeled energy into his fingertips, driving pulses of force deep into her body.

Simultaneously, a stream of mana followed, weaving through her meridians.

This was a massage technique Yu Xinghan had learned from Professor Gong of Construction Health Management. It could soothe muscles, alleviate meridian wear, and improve the efficiency of mana cultivation.

Yet, while learning these arts, Yu Xinghan realized they were also lethal techniques designed to destroy flesh and meridians.

When he asked Professor Gong about this, the professor chuckled. "It does indeed incorporate some ancient assassination techniques."

"But keep that to yourself. Modern assassination relies on wealth. If you're rich, you can kill however you please; if you're poor, you can't even kill a mortal. Assassination techniques are useless."

"You have a talent for physical therapy and rehabilitation. With the university landscape shifting and the clouds of war gathering, I believe there will be a massive market for recovery and therapy in many fields, not just construction. You must work hard."

Watching Shi Huaiyu moan in comfort, Yu Xinghan proposed, "Senior Sister, I can perform a kidney maintenance session for you in a moment. Would you like to open a membership card?"

"I guarantee it’s more cost-effective than going to a clinic."

During this period, Yu Xinghan had developed almost every member of the competition team into a client, and through them, he was beginning to reach even more senior students. Thinking of his rising comprehensive score and income, Yu Xinghan felt increasingly grateful that he hadn't wasted his time joining this team.

Just then, Yu Xinghan received a message from Lian Tianji.

Lian Tianji: Brother Xinghan, I saw your post. Congratulations on taking seventh place.

Yu Xinghan: I saw the photo you posted, too. Is that girl your classmate at Hehuan University?

Lian Tianji: That is me.

Yu Xinghan: Huh?

Lian Tianji: After I successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage, I transferred to the department's Yang-Polarity Class. Here, only the class topper gets to be a man.

Yu Xinghan: Huh?!

Lian Tianji: Conversely, in the Yin-Polarity Class, only the class topper gets to be a woman.

Lian Tianji: I pondered the choice of class quite carefully, but in the end, I decided to endure the bitterness first to enjoy the sweetness later.

Just then, Shi Huaiyu, under Yu Xinghan’s command, let out a pained groan and asked, "Yu Xinghan, what are you doing?"

Yu Xinghan apologized profusely, quickly refocusing his attention back onto Shi Huaiyu.

At the same time, a voice echoed repeatedly within his mind.

"Zhang Yu! Hehuan University is not our paradise!"

"But if we were not local students, but rather visitors..."

Yu Xinghan had to admit that a sense of intrigue was stirring within him.

At that moment, Li Xuelian also sent a message.

Li Xuelian: Good results; it wasn't a waste to nurture you and Zhang Yu back then.

Li Xuelian: I’ve put you in touch with a group of wounded soldiers from the Security Department.

Li Xuelian: See if you can manage to do some business with them.

...

Yu Xinghan returned to the dormitory, intending to discuss the intelligence regarding Hehuan University with Zhang Yu, but a glance at the other’s current state told him he was on a call with Bai Zhenzhen.

Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu and said happily, "Your team actually took seventh place in the departmental competition this time?"

Zhang Yu nodded and began recounting the process of the competition, listening to which brought a radiant smile to Bai Zhenzhen’s face.

Bai Zhenzhen: "That’s wonderful! We are both getting closer and closer to the Top Ten Leagues."

Zhang Yu nodded: "Yes, Zhen, let’s improve together; maybe one day we can even enter the sect together."

Fu Ji thought to herself: "One is participating in the Inter-School League, the other in a departmental competition; the gap is vast indeed... Bai Zhenzhen is really gilding the lily for Zhang Yu."

Bai Zhenzhen: "Haha, in this competition, the Green Silk Flying Sword Mom gave you worked well, didn't it?"

Zhang Yu: "It worked well enough, but there were too few of them. Could you get me some more?"

Bai Zhenzhen: "Do you really think they can be made just by pulling out a strand of hair? They are forged from Seven-Emotions Sword Intent; they don't just appear on command."

Bai Zhenzhen: "Besides, as your strength increases, these Green Silk Flying Swords will become less effective. You can just switch to a new magical treasure then."

Zhang Yu, however, shook his head and said: "No need to switch. Even if I don't use it for combat, this Green Silk Flying Sword can connect to the network at critical moments. I want to keep it with me always."

Bai Zhenzhen suddenly asked with curiosity: "You keep it on you at all times?"

Zhang Yu smiled and raised his right hand, showing the Green Silk Flying Sword worn like a ring on his finger, and said: "Yes, I carry it with me everywhere. It can connect to the net in the wild and cut materials at the construction site; it’s incredibly convenient."

Bai Zhenzhen looked at the strand of hair on his finger and asked: "Then... you don't wear it when you're... playing, do you?"

Zhang Yu was slightly stunned, then retorted in annoyance: "That’s not playing! That’s work; that’s how I make money. Don't forget, you were the one I raised to high school graduation bit by bit like that."

Bai Zhenzhen: "Mm-hmm... work."

Bai Zhenzhen added: "By the way, can you stop getting tangled up in so much nonsense with Wen Wuyai?"

Zhang Yu nodded: "I get paid just for posting random things every day; I can't stop that."

Bai Zhenzhen rolled her eyes: "Every time he sees me now, he talks to me about civil engineering and construction sites. I’m damn near sick of him."

Zhang Yu said: "Then I’ll think of a way."

After Bai Zhenzhen ended the call, the voice of the Seven-Emotions Divine Lord emerged in her ears: "You two, what exactly do you take Wen Wuyai for?"

Bai Zhenzhen was startled by the sudden voice, then patted her chest and said: "For Zhang Yu’s wallet, of course."

The Seven-Emotions Divine Lord asked curiously: "Even now, do you still not feel that the gap between you and Zhang Yu is too great?"

"Not to mention Zhang Yu himself, even the most outstanding student in their department is far inferior to Wen Wuyai."

"Wen Wuyai is a friend on your level; in the long run, he is the connection better suited for you."

Bai Zhenzhen said: "Mom, if everything is viewed through the lens of money and profit, is that still affection? Can one still cultivate the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao?"

The Seven-Emotions Divine Lord replied indifferently: "If one transforms wealth and profit into a component for measuring emotion, why could that not also be the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao?"

Bai Zhenzhen said: "But if one can transcend all of that and drive the sword intent with pure, ultimate emotion, isn't that what you would rather see, Mom?"

"Are you trying to fathom my thoughts?" The Seven-Emotions Divine Lord chuckled: "The time and life of a Deity Transformation stage cultivator are far broader than you imagine. Instead of guessing my motives, you would be better off spending more time recognizing the most authentic thoughts within your own heart."