Chapter 460: Vast Sea and Clear Sky Artifact Refining Department, Fighting King Kong Again

Chapter 460: The Vast Horizons of the Artifact Refining Department, Battling the Vajra Once More

As the Profound Yin Heavenly Pearl bloomed with layers of radiance, the avatar of the Magnetic Pole Sovereign materialized before Zhang Yu.

The slender figure, draped in ornate palace robes, sat upon an office chair and regarded Zhang Yu with satisfaction. "I must confess, I underestimated you. In such a short span, you have truly mastered the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power."

"While timing and the grace of Sovereign Qiyun played their parts, your innate aptitude for the martial path was an indispensable element."

With that, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign patted her own thigh and commanded, "Come here."

"Let me examine your body."

Knowing his future lay within the Artifact Refining Department, Zhang Yu could only grit his teeth and seat himself upon her lap.

He felt the Sovereign’s fingers trace across his frame, threads of mana drilling into his meridians to probe his physical state.

Zhang Yu felt like a piece of fine raw material for crafting, subjected to the constant, critical appraisal of the Magnetic Pole Sovereign.

"Not bad, not bad at all," the Sovereign murmured. "Your flesh now carries a trace of the Earthly Fiend’s gravitational pull; this is the tempering effect of the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power."

"Through years of practice and the application of this art, the practitioner’s blood and flesh unconsciously absorb a primordial force. In every movement—walking, sitting, or resting—one can unleash the Earthly Fiend’s gravity."

"If one’s cultivation is high enough and their insight into the art sufficiently deep, even flesh severed from the body would retain that trace of gravitational force, imbued with an adaptability to it. It would truly be a superior material for forging flying artifacts or defensive treasures."

Zhang Yu felt a tremor in his heart and forced a smile. "Sovereign, are you thinking of using some of my... flesh to forge a treasure?"

In that moment, Zhang Yu felt as humble as a junior college student.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign held him, stroking his small hand while laughing. "What nonsense are you spouting? As a dignified Nascent Soul Sovereign, would I covet your Foundation Establishment-level materials?"

"I am merely thinking that none of the past masters of this art have studied artifact refining; there is a vast void in this field at Wanfa University."

"If you can combine the mysteries of the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power with artifact research—for instance, successfully refining your own flesh into a Dharma Skeleton—that alone would be enough to publish several papers."

"In this process, should you make any discoveries or introduce even a slight innovation in the craft of Earthly Fiend gravity, you would secure a place in academic research after reaching the Golden Core stage, and you could truly assist me in my own work."

Zhang Yu nodded, lost in thought.

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign continued, "Let us speak of your transfer."

"Since you have mastered the art, have you decided to move to the Artifact Refining Department after your sophomore year?"

Zhang Yu’s expression turned solemn. He nodded earnestly and said with sincerity, "Teacher, the Civil Engineering Department is excellent. There is a future to be had there, and Director Gao has treated me well, but... I yearn for progress."

"I wish to walk further on the path of immortality, to pursue a master’s and a doctorate, perhaps even to enter the Great Sect."

"I know only the Artifact Refining Department can fulfill these dreams."

"People climb to higher places, just as water flows to lower ones. Though the Civil Engineering Department has been kind, our Artifact Refining Department offers a far vaster horizon," the Magnetic Pole Sovereign said with a sigh. "As long as your mind is made up, that is enough."

"However, Old Gao is the director of Civil Engineering. While I will assist you, it is impossible for him to be entirely indifferent."

"You must prepare yourself for the pressure."

At that moment, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign’s gaze flickered. She casually approved a request from Yan Qianji, and the man’s projection from the Spirit World descended.

Yan Qianji reported, "Sovereign, we have encountered an issue with the artifact spirit decryption; we require your guidance..."

The Magnetic Pole Sovereign replied coolly, "Tell me, what is the problem?"

As Yan Qianji reported, he looked at the Sovereign and a thought surfaced: "Why does it look like... the Magnetic Pole Sovereign is holding someone in her lap?"

Though her lap appeared empty, Yan Qianji knew such things could be masked, and her posture was far too suggestive of cradling a person.

"But is it possible?" he wondered. "Someone like the Magnetic Pole Sovereign, holding someone? It couldn't be Ye Xingli, could it?"

Filled with curiosity and astonishment, Yan Qianji disconnected after finishing his report.

Zhang Yu, unable to see the projection of the private communication, only felt that the Sovereign had been speaking with someone remotely.

Once the call ended, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign continued, "The Seven Absolutes Dharma Skeleton of the Civil Engineering Department, while not military-grade, can coordinate to greatly enhance the power of the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power. It has a unique synergy with Earthly Fiend gravity."

"Remember to take all relevant blueprints before you transfer; they will be excellent references for your future Dharma Skeleton forging..."

Fu Ji, listening to the guidance, thought to herself: "You two master and apprentice are truly intent on stripping the Civil Engineering Department bare. Once the essence of their Mountain-Moving Divine Power and their Seven Absolutes Dharma Skeleton are taken to the Artifact Refining Department, what will be left of Civil Engineering? It will practically become a sub-department of the Artifact Refining program."

After finishing her instructions, the Magnetic Pole Sovereign patted Zhang Yu’s shoulder. "Go back now. Focus on the competition. Do not rush the transfer; I will arrange everything."

...

Late January.

At the construction site.

As Zhang Yu shifted his hand seals, the mountain in the distance erupted with a roar. As it surged into the sky, it was churned by invisible vortices, rapidly pulverized into a sky full of dust.

Zhang Yu pointed a finger, and a wave of Earthly Fiend gravity shot out, instantly gathering the billowing dust.

Through his practice at the site, his Kunyuan Technique had reached the 20th level—the peak of Foundation Establishment. This meant his Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power had also reached the 20th-level standard.

Combined with the amplification from the first layer of the Chain-Artifact Diagram’s "Inverting Kunlun," Zhang Yu’s mastery could now cause immense environmental destruction.

He had once tested it in the empty wilderness; even without using his full strength, the result was shocking.

Regarding his full potential, he had only one judgment.

"Earth-shattering."

Just then, Zhang Yu saw a message from Feng Tingting.

Feng Tingting: Zhang Yu! Have you heard? The Magnetic Pole Sovereign was holding someone in her office late at night!

Zhang Yu: Huh?

Feng Tingting: It must be some top-tier artifact material for the Sovereign to be playing with it so late at night.

Zhang Yu: Perhaps.

Feng Tingting: I’m so curious about who could be held like that by the Sovereign.

Feng Tingting: I wish she’d toss me some scraps.

Zhang Yu: Where did you hear this?

Feng Tingting: Why do you ask? I don't just go around revealing such things.

Zhang Yu shook his head, thinking that with the Sovereign’s cultivation, she surely wouldn't let anyone see that it was him.

Hours later, as another day passed, Fu Ji audited the employees' workloads and calculated their wages before reporting to Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu sent out the payments one by one, feeling a pang of pain as his account balance dwindled.

"Sigh, just hold on a little longer. After all, this is Wanfa University’s own project; they won't default on my payments. A batch of funds should arrive next month."

The soul cultivators who received their pay sent messages of thanks.

Zhao Tianxing: Thank you, Boss Zhang.

Hu Yuntao: Thank you, Boss Zhang.

Ying Xin’s Grandfather: Thank you, Boss Zhang.

Seeing Zhang Yu pay out wages so readily, Fu Ji couldn't help but say, "This is a long-term contract for the whole project, not daily labor with lower pay. You don't need to pay them every day."

"We aren't a big corporation, and the project funds haven't arrived yet. I think it would be fine to hold their pay for a month or two after the project ends."

"That’s a lot of capital tied up. You could use it for your own cultivation, or spend more time in the Spirit World simulating artifact refining techniques when you aren't at the site."

Zhang Yu shook his head and said, "Zhao Tianxing started his path late and wasted much of his freshman year; he is in desperate need of money."

Mo Tianyi has been a soul cultivator for a long time, and his monthly expenses are substantial.

Hu Yuntao and Che Yufei are buried in debt, and their financial situations are even more dire.

As for the members of the Ying family, it goes without saying; at their advanced age, the daily costs to sustain them are unavoidable. Since they have come here to assist me, I have no desire to squeeze their wages.

Fuji was stunned by these words: "You brat... why on earth are you coddling your employees like this?"

She fumed, "Good spirit coins, why must you hand them out to staff every single day? Isn't that just throwing money into the abyss?"

Zhang Yu replied calmly, "It is not as if the accounts are empty."

Fuji retorted, "This will never do; you are gutting the company's competitiveness. How can we grow and thrive in the future?"

"Since you have appointed me as your Chief Financial Officer, you must listen to me on this matter."

In truth, Zhang Yu did not know how to answer Fuji’s question.

He even understood that, from a certain perspective, Fuji was not wrong; suppressing labor costs would indeed bolster the company’s competitive edge.

But at this very moment, while he possessed the means to avoid cutting wages, Zhang Yu had no desire to do so.

He could not even imagine the tone he would need to adopt to discuss such things with Zhao Tianxing or Che Yufei.

After her attempts at persuasion proved futile, a thought suddenly struck Fuji, and she said, "You brat... so you are just going to squeeze me alone for the sake of this entire company, aren't you?"

Zhang Yu offered a consolation: "You are a shareholder, after all. Once I have developed this properly, you will reap endless benefits."

In that moment, a realization dawned upon Fuji: "Damn it... in this company of Zhang Yu's, it seems I am the only one who cannot resign."

Several days later.

Zhang Yu accompanied Shi Huaiyu, Su Yanyang, and the others to Vajra University.

Today was the day they would meet Vajra University in the losers' bracket to determine who would be the true failure of this tournament.

Gazing down from the flying vessel at the shimmering, golden university below, everyone except the nonchalant Zhang Yu felt a mixture of tension and anxiety, clearly lacking full confidence in the upcoming competition.

(End of chapter)