Chapter 437: Signing the Contract

Chapter 437: Signing the Contract

Director Gao: [Magnetic Pole Sovereign]

Director Gao: This is the professor from the Artifact Refining Department.

Director Gao: Didn't I invite her to guide you during the Civil Engineering competition last time?

Zhang Yu: Oh, it’s her? I didn't realize she was from the Artifact Refining Department. You never mentioned it.

Zhang Yu: Since she isn't a professor in our Civil Engineering department, we haven't been in touch since that session, and I’d forgotten her name.

Director Gao: Then what is your take on artifact refining?

Zhang Yu: I am actually quite interested in it.

Feeling Zhang Yu stir slightly in her arms, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign smiled and said, "Behave, don't fidget."

"Am I holding you uncomfortably?"

Zhang Yu: "No... not at all."

The corner of the Magnetic Pole Sovereign's mouth curled up: "So, it’s quite comfortable, then?"

Watching Zhang Yu freeze, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign asked again: "Is it more comfortable in Director Gao's arms, or in mine?"

Zhang Yu: "Huh?"

Seeing Zhang Yu’s dazed expression, Fu Ji sighed: "Zhang Yu, you’re done for. I think this person is the natural nemesis of you Civil Engineering types; neither you nor your master can outplay her."

Zhang Yu responded to Fu Ji in his mind: "I just didn't react in time, I didn't know how to answer."

Fu Ji said: "Just be careful. This person is clearly unscrupulous. The way she talks to you now is very targeted; she must have studied your personality and habits in great detail."

Meanwhile, on the other side, Director Gao had already replied: You want to learn artifact refining?

Zhang Yu: I feel that magical remains and artifacts are indispensable on the path of immortality.

Zhang Yu: Learning more about artifact refining can only be beneficial; it’ll keep me from being swindled when buying gear.

Zhang Yu: As for learning true artifact refining techniques, how could I possibly have the resources?

Zhang Yu: Teacher, right now I just want to focus wholeheartedly on mastering our Civil Engineering curriculum, to quickly cultivate the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power, and make a real impact on the construction sites later.

Director Gao: [Chuckles] Don't be in such a rush, you’ll have your chance to learn.

Zhang Yu: Teacher, does that mean once the military certification comes through, I can attempt the Seven Civil Engineering Trials?

Director Gao: Look at you, impatient again.

Director Gao: As long as the Heavenly Court hasn't announced the results, nothing is set in stone.

Director Gao: Before that, be mindful of your influence; don't spread rumors about the military certification, understand?

Zhang Yu: Understood, Teacher.

Zhang Yu: I’m just so eager to learn the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power.

Watching the exchange between the Magnetic Pole Sovereign and Director Gao, Zhang Yu thought to himself: "Is this Magnetic Pole Sovereign making Director Gao believe... that I am fully committed to staying in the Civil Engineering department to learn the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power?"

Meanwhile, after a few more exchanges, Director Gao asked: Has Director Lin reached out to you?

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign looked at Zhang Yu and asked: "Has he?"

Thus, Zhang Yu immediately recounted everything, including the visit from Director Lin and the old director, along with their offer.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign relayed it all to Director Gao.

A moment later, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign closed the chat window and looked at Zhang Yu: "Soon, old Gao will likely ask you to sign a contract to officially take you on as a disciple."

"Just sign it when the time comes."

Seeming to sense the doubt in Zhang Yu’s eyes, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign said indifferently: "Don't worry, this contract will be quite lenient; it won't restrict you too much."

"As for your relationship with me..."

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign’s lips curled slightly as she looked at Zhang Yu in her arms, wearing a smile of absolute control: "Compared to titles, I care more about practical results."

"For now, before you master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power, just be a good disciple to old Gao."

"My Civil Engineering prodigy, student Zhang Yu."

Zhang Yu asked: "But if I master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Power by my junior year..."

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign dismissed it: "Wait until you’ve actually mastered it before talking."

Although she judged it a possibility, it was clear that in the Magnetic Pole Sovereign’s eyes, the odds were low.

Meanwhile, Ye Xingli, who had been following the Magnetic Pole Sovereign, grew increasingly anxious as they neared the dormitory level where Zhang Yu lived.

"We’re almost at Zhang Yu’s place."

"Why are they still chatting?"

"Should I remind them?"

But seeing the Magnetic Pole Sovereign and Zhang Yu appearing so engrossed in their conversation, Ye Xingli hesitated to interrupt.

...

In a deserted street corner.

With a heavy thud, Zhang Yu was dropped onto the ground like a sack of cargo.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign smiled: "Kid, you ate quite well at the exam site this time."

Zhang Yu gave an awkward smile; he had indeed scavenged some things to eat during the exam.

Zhang Yu: "Sovereign, I’ll head back now."

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign said faintly: "Mm, go on with your business."

Watching Zhang Yu’s retreating figure, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign’s form flickered and vanished without a trace.

"Xingli, you can continue to guide this kid’s artifact refining techniques in the future."

Hearing this, Ye Xingli couldn't help but ask: "Master, you seem... different toward him compared to other students."

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign said coolly: "Different students require different methods of training; this is what we call teaching according to aptitude."

"Do you know Zhang Yu’s roommates?" Zhang Yu’s roommates?

Ye Xingli had never bothered to learn about them, nor did she think there was anything worth knowing.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign continued: "Zhang Yu’s roommates are all fellow villagers from the First Layer."

Ye Xingli was surprised: "Ah? All from the First Layer?"

Ye Xingli didn't consider herself prejudiced against people from the First Layer; she simply felt that most of them were poor, ignorant, and possessed negligible potential for immortality.

That Zhang Yu, a genius who had climbed his way up from the First Layer, had already exceeded her expectations.

She hadn't expected him to still be living with people from the First Layer... how could he stand it?

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign said: "Overall, according to various data, Zhang Yu is a person who values old ties."

Seeming to recall something, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign sighed: "Heh, valuing old ties... how long has it been since I’ve used that phrase?"

...

Zhang Yu returned to his dormitory and collapsed onto his bed with a heavy thud.

His battered body had long since reached its limit, and now that the chaos had finally subsided, every fiber of his being surrendered to the relief of exhaustion.

Tu Lishan: How did the exam go?

Staring at the message, Zhang Yu recalled the waves of concern he had received since finishing his military certification exam, and he sighed to himself: "Who says Kunxu is heartless? As my grades improve, the warmth of human kindness here at Wanfa University seems to grow ever more palpable."

Not long after he lay down, the chilling energy from the ritual began to stir once more; with a helpless sigh, Zhang Yu simply retreated into the Taiqing Realm to continue his studies in advanced artifact refinement.

A few hours later, he received a message from Director Gao, who intended to take him on as an official apprentice and sign a supplementary contract.

Glancing over the terms, Zhang Yu thought that the Magnetic Pole Monarch had been right—the contract was surprisingly lenient and imposed few restrictions.

"But... am I signing this with a corporation?"

"Is this company owned by Director Gao?"

Zhang Yu read on; in essence, the contract stipulated that the company would reimburse him thirty spirit coins per month for his cultivation expenses until he earned his Golden Core certification.

Once he reached the Golden Core stage, he would be required to take on a set amount of work, with profits split fifty-fifty between himself and the firm.

Most of the other details were centered around this arrangement.

"Thirty spirit coins a month," Zhang Yu mused, "that’s three hundred and sixty a year. I never realized I’d become a student capable of spending so much."

Fuji remarked, "A rare, conscientious contract for Kunxu. By these terms, Director Gao is only making a modest profit even after you reach the Golden Core stage."

"But once you break through to the Nascent Soul stage, he stands to make a fortune."

"It seems Director Gao is truly betting on your potential to reach the Nascent Soul."

"As for when you reach the Deity Transformation stage, I expect this contract will need to be renegotiated."

The next day, under the witness of the True Gods, Zhang Yu signed the contract and officially became Director Gao’s apprentice.

Director Gao looked at him with satisfaction and asked, "I told you to focus on your recovery yesterday; why did you discharge yourself from the hospital?"

"Teacher," Zhang Yu replied, "you know my constitution. There’s no need to waste money at the hospital."

"You rascal," Gao laughed, chiding him, "do you think I need you to save money for me?"

With that, he reached out and drew Zhang Yu toward him, his magical power coursing through the boy’s body to inspect his condition.

Immediately, Director Gao sensed that the injuries had indeed healed significantly.

He was particularly struck by the vibrant vitality surging within Zhang Yu’s flesh and blood, which only deepened his satisfaction with his new apprentice.

Maintaining a stoic expression, however, he merely said, "The Civil Engineering Competition is approaching. You must make haste to recover your health, do you understand?"

Zhang Yu was surprised. "Ah? Isn't the competition in December? It’s only October now."

"Starting this year, the competition format is changing," Director Gao explained.

"In recent years, the students' combat proficiency has risen, and the intensity of the matches has grown accordingly."

"Under these conditions, finishing the competition in a day or two leads to too many injuries, increasing costs and preventing students from showcasing their true potential."

"Several schools have protested regarding the inter-school league, so this year, the Civil Engineering Competition will be spread out over several months, with matches held at intervals."

"Our university plans to adopt the same format for the departmental competition."

"It will begin in late October and run through December."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu felt the change was quite reasonable; for him, at least, it was a massive advantage, granting him more time to heal and cultivate his strength.

Director Gao looked at him and added, "There is one more thing I want to tip you off about."

"For the departmental competition, just lead your current team into the top seven and secure a spot among the Seven Absolutes."

"Once the inter-school league begins, I will add you to Mo Shangjin’s team so you can gain some experience alongside him."

Thanks to 'Book Friend 20200217011812767' for the 20,000 reward.

Thanks to 'Praise the Light and the Sun' for gifting Bai Zhenzhen two pairs of external spirit root socks.

(End of chapter)