Why Cultivate Without Money? : Chapter 490: He Is Different (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 490: He Is Different (Seeking Monthly Votes)

The day after Zhang Yu returned to the dormitory, he had yet to receive permission to leave campus, so he decided to continue his practice of artifact refinement.

Zhang Yu entered the refinement laboratory, first grasping a mass of distorted, flickering bright yellow vapor. He drew it into his body, circulating it repeatedly through his meridians, continuously infusing it with his own mana until the two were fused into a singular, condensed essence.

He then channeled this mixture of vapor and mana toward a second-hand magical treasure on the workbench, weaving a complex restriction into its structure, bit by bit altering the very nature of the artifact.

As Zhang Yu continued his rhythmic exertion, each pulse of mana seemed to elicit a faint, draconic roar from within the treasure. Faint, scale-like patterns rippled across its surface, as if the object were stirring into life.

The technique Zhang Yu was practicing was known as the "Dragon Vein Casting Art."

And that bright yellow vapor was what they called the power of a dragon vein.

"Sigh," Zhang Yu lamented, "Impure and diluted. You can tell at a glance it came from an artificial dragon vein."

Fu Ji retorted, "Don't be absurd. Where would you find a true dragon vein these days? You should be grateful there's even an artificial one to use."

Zhang Yu shook his head and refocused on his practice.

The technique he was currently cultivating differed from the various refinement skills he had practiced before.

Those skills were about crafting specific treasures based on blueprints.

But the "Dragon Vein Casting Art" was about acquiring an ability—the power to infuse the essence of a dragon vein into various treasures to enhance their performance.

There were many such techniques to bolster one's refinement prowess. For instance, arts like the "Divine Mirror of Fire Control" allowed practitioners to master true flames, thereby improving their ability to refine raw materials.

Then there were restriction-based arts, such as the "Twelve Cloud-Script Prohibitions," which allowed a refiner to stack more complex seals onto an object, granting it greater power and auxiliary functions.

There were also esoteric arts that defied simple classification, such as the Five-Thunder Refinement Method, the Red Dust Weapon-Forging Art, and the Sword-Nurturing Technique.

Beyond these, there were techniques for the application of treasures—the Art of Controlling Vessels, the Green Dragon in the Sleeve, and the Treasure-Stealing Art—which could amplify an artifact's might during combat or even disrupt an opponent's gear.

It could be said that the field of artifact refinement was as vast and varied as it was deep, touching upon nearly every industry and domain.

Zhang Yu chose the "Dragon Vein Casting Art" simply because it was a piece of the set he needed for his "Refinement Prodigy" set bonus in the Chain-Law Diagram.

Ever since the Magnetic Pole Monarch had bestowed the "Appraisal Art" upon him, Zhang Yu had suspected that the "Refinement Prodigy" set bonus would enhance his overall refinement capabilities—a benefit that would pay dividends the sooner it was completed.

However, he had already spent a fortune on blueprints and manufacturing methods.

Refinement techniques were even more expensive, and Zhang Yu could not afford both. He had prioritized blueprints to pass exams and increase his earning potential.

But now, with his income skyrocketing, he finally had the financial foundation to pursue these specialized arts.

Dragon Vein Casting Art: Level 7 (0/70)

Having completed another infusion, Zhang Yu looked at the second-hand treasure and thought, "It seems to be reaching saturation."

"Sigh, this path is costly. I have to buy cheap old treasures to practice on, and then purchase the dragon vein essence as raw material."

Zhang Yu mused, "If they keep me from going to the construction site to earn money, relying solely on the lab stipend and miscellaneous income would make this nearly impossible to sustain."

Just then, the specific arrangements for his off-campus work and the upcoming competition arrived.

"First, a treasure called the Sun-Moon Heaven-Reaching Bracelet. The project team is covering the costs and lending it to me temporarily."

Zhang Yu opened the description. "This bracelet is similar to the Azure Silk Flying Sword; both are treasures used to connect to the Spirit Realm network."

"But the Azure Silk Flying Sword relies on the eighty-four thousand Sky-Patrol swords deployed by Heaven Sword University on the second layer."

"The Sun-Moon Heaven-Reaching Bracelet, however, relies on the sun and moon in the sky."

He had long heard that the sun and moon above the second layer of Kunxu were massive artifacts created by Myriad Dharma University, radiating a network that covered the entire region.

Only after reading the manual did he learn that the sun-like artifact was called the "Sun-Patrolling Golden Crow," and the moon-like one was the "Long Night Jade Palace."

"The bracelet can link directly to these two artifacts, allowing me to call for school support at any time."

"That’s perfect. It saves me from having to go through Heaven Sword University's network."

Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction.

In addition to the bracelet, the school had upgraded his security clearance, making it difficult for outsiders to track his movements.

He was also granted access to a series of treasures and talismans, which he could summon instantly should the Magnetic Pole Monarch need to support him.

"This makes things much safer."

Zhang Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Now, he could work off-campus without worrying about his expenses exceeding his income.

In the company group chat, Zhang Yu sent a message: "Start work! Get ready!"

Zhao Tianxing: "Received!"

Mo Tianyi: "Received!"

Che Yufei: "Received!"

With that single message, the group chat buzzed with activity.

Zhao Tianxing and the others, who had been idle for two days due to Zhang Yu's situation, finally relaxed.

Zhao Tianxing thought, "Finally back to the site. The odd jobs I did these past two days were nothing compared to the conditions at the site."

As his career as a soul cultivator progressed, Zhao Tianxing understood one truth: if you don't do the work, there are plenty of other soul cultivators who will. For someone with his qualifications, job opportunities were rare, and good ones were even rarer.

...

While Zhang Yu was out working, Ping Han, physically and mentally exhausted, let out a deep sigh.

He was immediately pressed down by Fu Xinyao, who whispered, "Hold it in. Don't let it out."

Ping Han, helpless, clamped his mouth shut.

Fu Xinyao smiled faintly. "How is it? How does it feel to practice alongside the students of the past?"

Ping Han suppressed the humiliation in his heart and said slowly, "As long as you are satisfied."

Just then, Ping Han began to vibrate violently. Sensing this, Fu Xinyao’s gaze shifted, and he stepped out onto the street.

Scanning the data transmitted by the Yin-artifact, Fu Xinyao quickly locked onto Yu Xinghan.

"Over a thousand self-study sessions?" Fu Xinyao’s eyes flickered. "Myriad Dharma University has such talent?"

Sensing the tension in the Yin-artifact, Fu Xinyao asked, "Do you know him?"

Ping Han struggled for a moment before sighing. "He is a friend of Zhang Yu."

"Oh?" Fu Xinyao laughed. "That works out perfectly."

On the other side, Yu Xinghan suddenly frowned, feeling as if someone were calling to him.

He turned his head and saw Fu Xinyao standing in the alley, waving at him repeatedly.

"Classmate, want to practice together?"

Yu Xinghan smiled and walked over. "What’s the price?"

At the same time, he activated the recording function in his ocular implants, thinking, "The hell... trying to steal business near my shop?"

"You don't even have a license. I'm reporting you first."

...

After finishing his day's work, Zhang Yu hurried back to school to participate in the Magnetic Pole Monarch's experiment.

This time, after the Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight was activated, the diamond-shaped crystal Yin-artifact transformed into a mark, pressing firmly against Zhang Yu's forehead, where it remained for over half an hour without fading.

"No..." Zhang Yu touched the artifact embedded in his forehead with a grimace, asking, "What is happening here?"

True Lord Magnetic Pole stood by, lost in thought, and remarked, "This artifact has equipped itself to you of its own volition; it seems it wishes to follow you."

Zhang Yu asked, bewildered, "Follow me? Why?"

True Lord Magnetic Pole did not answer, saying only, "Step out of the laboratory and see."

Watching Zhang Yu exit the lab with the artifact still fused tightly to his brow, True Lord Magnetic Pole’s eyes flickered, and he added, "Leave the research institute and see."

Zhang Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? This... won't something go wrong?"

True Lord Magnetic Pole replied, "With me watching, what could possibly go wrong?"

As Zhang Yu left the laboratory, True Lord Magnetic Pole followed in the shadows, observing and sending messages from time to time to guide him.

True Lord Magnetic Pole: Stop constantly covering your forehead.

Zhang Yu: Won't that be too conspicuous?

True Lord Magnetic Pole: What is there to be conspicuous about? With my seals in place, no one will recognize this as a Nascent Soul Dharma Relic.

Zhang Yu lowered his hand and looked at the street before him, feeling a sudden sense of aimlessness.

Observing Zhang Yu’s demeanor, True Lord Magnetic Pole said: Just walk wherever you like.

True Lord Magnetic Pole: Go wherever you feel inclined to go.

True Lord Magnetic Pole: As you walk, focus your heart on sensing the changes in the artifact; she may guide your path.

True Lord Magnetic Pole: But remember, you must never communicate with her.

True Lord Magnetic Pole: If you find that you can hear her voice, tell me immediately.

Zhang Yu wore a look of helplessness, forced to walk while attempting to sense the artifact, when suddenly a message from Zhang Pianpian appeared in his ocular interface.

Zhang Pianpian: Don't reply, I am messaging you in secret.

Zhang Pianpian: I will communicate with the artifact spirit and see what it is she truly intends to do.

Projecting her consciousness into the Nascent Soul artifact, Zhang Pianpian asked: Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight, what are you doing?

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight: I have sensed the aura of my own kind.

Nectar Maiden: I wish to go and find them.

Zhang Pianpian: Your own kind?

Zhang Pianpian: Do you mean high-intelligence artifact spirits? Where are they?

Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight: I do not know, but they are calling out to me.

Zhang Pianpian: Why attach yourself to Zhang Yu?

Nectar Maiden: Because he is different—unlike most of the people here.

Zhang Pianpian: How is he different?

Nectar Maiden: He is more distinct.