Chapter 447: Granted the Four Absolutes (Thanks to 'Addicted to Auto Chess ing')

Chapter 447: Bestowed the Fourth Absolute (Thanks to 'Addicted to Auto Chess' for the 10 pairs of silk stockings)

Che Yufei: Zhang Yu, I’ve thought it over. I’ve decided to sell my spot on the competition team.

Watching the message from Che Yufei, Zhang Yu chose not to intervene.

After all, whether one chooses to continue competing to bolster a resume and gain higher comprehensive scores, or to cash out now for spirit coins to spend elsewhere, these are deeply personal choices.

Especially since Che Yufei is already an eighth-year student, he possesses the maturity and judgment to decide which path best suits his future.

Seeing Zhang Yu’s consenting reply, Che Yufei sighed inwardly: "With my current strength, staying on the team won't bring in much money, and eventually, I’ll just become an eyesore. Better to trade for spirit coins early and leave everyone with a good impression."

"Sigh, if I had met Zhang Yu a few years earlier, perhaps my life would have taken a very different turn."

On the other side, Zhang Yu looked at the person who had finally purchased the team spot and asked in the competition group: Is there any problem?

Shi Huaiyu: No problem.

Shi Huaiyu: Highest bidder wins, and he has already paid me.

The only reason Zhang Yu asked was because the person who won the bid was Su Yanyang. Although Su Yanyang was a neutral party and his inclusion had been approved by Director Gao, still...

Recalling the past conflicts between him and Shi Huaiyu, Zhang Yu felt compelled to seek the group's opinion.

But clearly, to the students of Wanfa University, whoever pays the most is the one to listen to—that was a matter of course. Even past grievances were nothing more than a light frost in the morning sun.

In the competition group.

Che Yufei has left the group.

Su Yanyang has joined the group.

Warning: Su Yanyang is associated with multiple legal and credit risks. Please be mindful of your property security.

Seeing the alert pop up after Su Yanyang joined, Zhang Yu thought to himself: "Just how many people does this guy owe money to?"

Su Yanyang: Hello everyone, it is an honor to join the competition team. Thank you all for this opportunity.

Shi Huaiyu: Cut the crap, pay up first.

Su Yanyang did not delay this time, quickly transferring the total of 26.7 spirit coins.

One-third of this sum went to Zhang Yu, one-third to Che Yufei, and the remaining third was split equally among the four official team members.

Having made the payment, Su Yanyang felt a pang of regret. His finances had been tight for the past year, and after finally earning some spirit coins through Qiongjiang coins recently, he had turned around and spent the majority of it in a blink.

"The money I worked so hard to earn has gone straight into Zhang Yu and the others' pockets." He hesitated internally: "Qiongjiang coins are trending well lately; should I try using some leverage?"

Elsewhere, Zhang Yu watched his savings climb to 51.05 spirit coins, marveling at how quickly his wealth was accumulating.

"With the investment from Director Gao and my steadily increasing income from part-time work, my monthly surplus keeps growing."

"Where should I spend it next?"

The first option that surfaced in Zhang Yu’s mind was to invest in artifact-refining techniques, slowly piecing together the 'Artifact Prodigy' set of diagrams.

In the past, such Daoist techniques were prohibitively expensive, making it difficult for Zhang Yu to balance learning various artifact-crafting skills with the study of refining methods.

"I can afford a bit more now, but..."

Zhang Yu thought of his sister Zhang Pianpian’s 'Taiqing Realm.' If he saved a bit more, he could send her 100 spirit coins directly to upgrade the Taiqing Talisman to level 2.

"The Taiqing Realm has always been a great help to me. If it upgrades to level 2, I wonder what kind of improvements it will bring."

After some thought, Zhang Yu decided to invest in his sister first.

"After all, upgrading the Taiqing Realm only costs 100 spirit coins. Once completed, it will surely be a massive boost to my development."

"As for the Artifact Prodigy set, the cumulative cost of mastering those techniques would far exceed 100 spirit coins, and there’s no telling how long that would drag on."

The thoughts of the competition team and his savings flickered through his mind, and his decision was made.

His focus returned to the present, to the simulated laboratory of the Spirit Realm.

He skillfully operated the equipment, refining various materials. He was practicing a new artifact-crafting technique—the 'Hundred-Treasure Chest.'

As the number of artifacts he carried grew, Zhang Yu had begun to feel the inconvenience of lugging them all around.

The Hundred-Treasure Chest was an artifact designed to store other artifacts. Shaped like a chest as tall as a man, it could perform anti-gravity subsonic flight and project artifacts at supersonic speeds, allowing for rapid response and support.

...

Time flew to early November.

On this day, the simulated battlefield roared with thunderous sounds, dust and smoke billowing into the sky.

Zhang Yu stood atop his Formless Spirit General, colliding violently with the three-headed, six-armed Xiao Yunjie. The Formless Spirit General moved all four arms in unison, each hand gripping a golden weapon forged from Taiyi Golden Liquid Pill, locked in a fierce struggle with Xiao Yunjie.

With every collision, Xiao Yunjie was forced back, his dharma skeleton and artifacts emitting constant warnings.

Remembering how Zhang Yu had been chased all over the field by him just last year... a look of wonder couldn't help but cross Xiao Yunjie’s face.

Meanwhile, Su Yanyang, Shi Huaiyu, and Xiao Qingxuan had broken through to the rear, wreaking havoc on the construction site of Xiao Yunjie’s team, leaving the newly erected structures in ruins.

Watching Xiao Yunjie being completely suppressed and beaten by Zhang Yu on the other side, Su Yanyang showed a look of satisfaction: "The money was well spent."

In the end, Zhang Yu’s team won the match with an overwhelming advantage.

With the conclusion of this competition, the top ten rankings within the department were finalized.

Zhang Yu checked the standings; his team had climbed to second place, trailing only the team led by Mo Shangjin.

Zhang Yu thought to himself: "Second place is likely the limit."

Although he held the right to challenge, Zhang Yu understood that challenging Mo Shangjin’s team was meaningless. After all, Mo Shangjin’s 'Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power' alone was enough to sweep them aside.

Zhang Yu mused: "Once the challenge matches end next week and the rankings are set, I will officially obtain the Seven Absolutes quota and be bestowed the fourth absolute."

...

While Zhang Yu followed his routine of study, cultivation, and competition, the price of Qiongjiang coins continued to climb.

The leadership of Wanfa University and the Civil Engineering Department issued repeated warnings about the risks, advising students to withdraw early.

However, the students, already caught in a frenzy, were largely deaf to these suggestions.

Especially after the results of the second round of the Qiongjiang 'Dual Cultivation' lottery were announced, and several students from Wanfa University were among the winners, this fanatical atmosphere reached its peak.

Ping Han: Junior Zhang Yu.

Ping Han: Did you see my social media post?

Ping Han: I won the lottery! I’ll be heading to Hehuan University soon to attend the Thousand-Person Cultivation Assembly [Smug].

Looking at the message, Zhang Yu curled his lip, thinking: "This guy really loves to show off."

Beside him, Yu Xinghan said with envy: "Damn it... I’m so jealous. I really want to kill Ping Han and take his place."

Zhang Yu replied: "The Qiongjiang God has so many incarnations; they aren't all female. Who knows, maybe the one assigned to Ping Han is male?"

Yu Xinghan sighed: "Zhang Yu, in matters of dual cultivation, one shouldn't be so rigid about gender. We should discard these outdated ideas inherited from the lower layers as soon as possible."

...

With the departmental rankings finalized, Zhang Yu’s team successfully secured second place.

Following the rise in his comprehensive score, Zhang Yu’s departmental ranking jumped to 25th overall.

At the same time, the bidding for the second Seven Absolutes quota began in the group.

Shi Huaiyu cast a glance at his account, yet in the end, he could not bring himself to liquidate his Qiongjiang coins.

Su Yanyang had already squandered a fortune in spirit coins to secure his place on the competition team, and with his remaining capital recently sunk into Qiongjiang coins, he was left without the means to join the auction.

Thus, the second of the Seven Absolutes quotas ultimately fell into the hands of Gongshu Jin.

Contemplating this outcome, Gongshu Jin was overcome with exhilaration: "To think that despite never once securing the top rank in class, I am now on the verge of mastering a second Earth-Wood Absolute!"

The following day, under the tutelage of Director Gao, Zhang Yu delved into the Dragon Pulse Induction chapter, the fourth of the Earth-Wood Absolutes.

This technique allowed one to sense the subterranean ley lines, drawing upon the pulse of the earth to amplify one's own vitality; as long as his feet remained planted on the ground, he could unleash formidable physical strength and explosive power.

An hour later, watching Zhang Yu demonstrate his grasp of the Dragon Pulse Induction, Director Gao nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Prepare yourself well. Starting in December, you shall join Mo Shangjin and the others to begin training for the Inter-University League."

"Following the recent reforms to the tournament structure, the matches will be spread out, likely spanning several months. Learn diligently from Mo Shangjin and his team, and take this opportunity to observe the caliber of the other universities..."

Having dutifully absorbed the Director’s guidance, Zhang Yu asked with irrepressible eagerness, "Teacher, what of the remaining Seven Absolutes?"

Director Gao replied, "Of the seven Earth-Wood arts, you shall join me for the one under my supervision in due time."

"As for another, I have already reached an agreement with the overseeing professor; he will summon you before the year is out."

"As for the final one..." Director Gao furrowed his brow, "that is under the purview of Director Lin. I am still searching for a way to assist you there."

"Do not be impatient; focus on refining the martial arts you currently possess."

Upon leaving the training hall, Zhang Yu bypassed his usual artifact-refining practice, heading instead to the construction site, where he labored while simultaneously cultivating the Dragon Pulse Induction.

It was then that Zhang Yu suddenly received a message from Zhang Pianpian.

Zhang Pianpian: You didn't buy any Qiongjiang coins, did you?

(End of chapter)