Chapter 494: Mountain-Moving Mighty Warrior (Thanks to 'Duck Immortal Equal to Heaven' for Gifting Alliance Leader)

Chapter 494: The Mountain-Moving Warrior (Thanks to 'Duck Immortal Qitian' for the alliance-level tip)

As the final exams concluded, Zhang Yu secured the top spot in his class, as he had in previous years. With the boost from his comprehensive score, his ranking in the Civil Engineering Department climbed to 23rd overall.

Consequently, he became eligible for new merit-based loans. Between his class rank and his department standing, he secured over 20 spirit coins in low-interest student loans.

Though Zhang Yu’s income was now substantial, his expenses were equally daunting.

The manufacturing and maintenance costs of magical artifacts, the purchase of complex crafting blueprints, the practice of refining techniques—each item alone could have employed a small army of his fellow civil engineering students.

With this new infusion of 20 spirit coins, his account balance hovered near 60.

Beyond the loans, high rankings naturally brought other perks: weekly food rations and discounts on various campus facilities. Zhang Yu had grown accustomed to these benefits, even finding them a bit stingy, though to other students, they were objects of immense envy.

With more spirit coins in his account, Zhang Yu felt they must be put to use to further his cultivation; after all, increasing his cultivation was synonymous with increasing his earning power.

"If I don't spend, how can I improve my strength? How can I earn even more?"

Driven by a yearning for the peaks of the Immortal Path, Zhang Yu plunged once more into the crafting laboratory.

For now, his primary goal for increasing his strength was acquiring new military-grade power, but that path remained closed until he could transfer to the Crafting Department.

Yet, even if that power remained out of reach, in Kunxu... as long as one had money, even if one’s base stats had reached the limit of their current realm, there was always room to grow.

Especially for Zhang Yu, who sought the path of the crafter: as long as he had capital, he could refine his skills while manufacturing more artifacts to generate wealth, continuously fueling both his earning capacity and his cultivation.

Take, for instance, Level 669 of the University City at this very moment. Ying Xin’s grandfather was leading company employees like Zhao Tianxing and Che Yufei, operating Zhang Yu’s artifacts to complete a project.

Watching the Earth-Shattering Bottle churn out concrete under his control, Zhao Tianxing felt a surge of satisfaction. "To think that a junior college student like me could be working on a project for the University of Ten Thousand Dharmas every single day."

Walking the site on Level 669, especially when controlling the artifacts alongside actual students, Zhao Tianxing felt as though he, too, had become a student of the prestigious university.

Leveraging his connections in the Civil Engineering Department and the artifacts he provided, Zhang Yu allowed his company to secure simple construction contracts within the University City even when he wasn't there himself.

After deducting employee wages, taxes, artifact recharging, maintenance, and the commission for the Earth-Moving Mountain guild, Zhang Yu still cleared 0.1 to 0.2 spirit coins daily.

"It’s a small amount... but it doesn't require me to lift a finger!"

Whenever he thought of his employees working for him while he conducted experiments in the lab, his account balance quietly ticking upward, Zhang Yu found this passive income far sweeter than anything he earned through direct labor.

Fu Ji nodded in agreement. "Cooking a meal yourself is satisfying, but money earned by employees is even sweeter. This kind of passive income is far more precious than the active income of working for oneself."

Zhang Yu nodded repeatedly. "Indeed."

Fu Ji reminded him, "Recently, thanks to my efforts, the company’s efficiency has improved again..."

Zhang Yu replied, "Keep up the good work, President Fu. Once the company grows, I certainly won't treat you poorly. I hope you can grow alongside the company."

Fu Ji cursed inwardly: "You bastard... you’re just refusing to pay a salary, aren't you?"

...

Just as Zhang Yu was shuttling between the construction site and the laboratory, Jiutian Liu from the Finance Department sent him a friend request.

Jiutian Liu: Hello, fellow student Zhang Yu.

Jiutian Liu had added him through the recommendation of True Monarch Tianzhang.

Looking at this top-ranked student in Finance and the second-ranked student in the entire university, Zhang Yu felt a sense of gravity.

The last time he had seen a student with such a high ranking, it was Yan Qianji, the top student of the Crafting Department and third in the university.

Zhang Yu: Can I help you?

Jiutian Liu: I wish to rent a portion of your body—just a part. The extent depends on the test results.

Zhang Yu: What do you mean?

Jiutian Liu: I know it’s abrupt, but with the Ten Great Leagues approaching, my time is tight. I need to improve my cultivation faster.

Jiutian Liu: I believe the Yin-Artifact experiment of True Monarch Magnetic Pole is a good opportunity.

Jiutian Liu: I want to rent a part of your body to take your place in the experiment.

Zhang Yu refused point-blank: Sorry, not interested.

Zhang Yu knew he couldn't agree. The experiment was his cover for "whitewashing" his cultivation. If he let Jiutian Liu take his place... the lie would be exposed in an instant.

Seeing the rejection, Jiutian Liu’s eyes flickered with surprise. "Refused so bluntly?"

Jiutian Liu: Don't you want to ask about the price?

Zhang Yu: Sorry, really not interested.

Jiutian Liu: Fellow student Zhang Yu, I think you should reconsider.

Jiutian Liu: The fallout from the Yin-Artifact experiment is growing. While the benefits of standing at the center of this storm are great, the risks are equally significant.

Jiutian Liu: The arrival of the Divine Monarch of Nectar was only the beginning.

Jiutian Liu: I think rather than continuing to take risks, you should cash out now and walk away.

Before Jiutian Liu could send another message, Zhang Yu replied: I am really not interested. You don't need to say anything more.

Sensing the impatience in the other’s tone, Jiutian Liu paused, then chuckled. "Heh, this kid... he's quite greedy."

"Then let's see how long you can hold onto that position."

"When you finally want to quit, the price might not be what it is today."

...

As Zhang Yu’s spirit coins were consumed in waves, his account balance dropped below 20.

His Taiyi Golden Liquid Pill scale expanded once more, and after blending with his Gang Qi, the power of his energy was further enhanced.

His Dragon Vein Treasure-Casting Technique also leveled up to 20, marking the completion of the second major technique for his Chain-Artifact set.

When he attempted to release his Gang Qi in the simulated construction site, golden flames poured out, enveloping his body like layers of golden armor.

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Yu was encased within a five-meter-tall golden-armored warrior.

This small giant resembled the one he had once crafted with the Small Triad, but it was far more powerful and refined—an upgraded version of the Formless Spirit General, which Zhang Yu dubbed the "Mountain-Moving Warrior."

The body of the Mountain-Moving Warrior was composed of protective Gang Qi mixed with the Taiyi Golden Liquid Pill, shimmering with a metallic luster like a golden puppet.

Beneath the outermost solid armor lay layers of liquid armor and gaseous armor infused with the Nine Heavens Sky-Void Force. Through this solid-liquid-gas tri-state mode, it provided astonishing defensive capabilities.

Furthermore, the surface of the golden armor was etched with dragon scales, a result of the Dragon Vein power added after he re-refined it with his level 20 Dragon Vein Treasure-Casting Technique.

Under the influence of the Dragon Vein power, Zhang Yu could now channel a portion of incoming attacks into the earth, enhance the buffs he received from formations, and accelerate his mana recovery speed while within them.

Compared to the Formless Spirit General of the past, the Mountain-Moving Warrior could be propelled by his own Gang Qi combined with the Heaven-Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power. It no longer required the manipulation of external sand and stone; its strength, speed, and explosive power were far more terrifying.

Zhang Yu thought to himself: "According to intelligence, the strongest asset of the Immortal Soldier University’s Civil Engineering Department is that giant military-grade puppet."

"It will be perfect to use my Mountain-Moving Warrior to confront it head-on and prevent that giant puppet from breaking through to our lines."

Just then, True Monarch Magnetic Pole, standing beside him, asked, "Your Dragon Vein Treasure-Casting Technique is really at level 20?"

Zhang Yu replied quickly, "Yes."

Zhang Yu: "Ever since that Yin-Artifact experiment, I’ve felt an indescribable familiarity with this technique."

Zhang Yu: "Then, as I practiced, it felt faster and faster, as if I had already mastered it long ago."

True Monarch Magnetic Pole observed the faint dragon scale patterns on the Mountain-Moving Warrior and said, "Let's test it."

The test confirmed that Zhang Yu had indeed reached level 20 in the Dragon Vein Treasure-Casting Technique, leaving the True Monarch clicking his tongue in wonder.

"It’s only been half a month, hasn't it? To raise this crafting technique to level 20 just like that?"

"Unbelievable, truly unbelievable."

"No wonder the two divine lords of Joyful Union University cultivated at such an astonishing speed, yet they were so tight-lipped about this technique."

"I'm afraid it was through this technique that they transferred the cultivation of countless people onto themselves."

"Hmph, likely a good portion of that cultivation was infringed upon."

Beyond this, during this period, Zhang Yu's Tiankunlun Mountain-Shifting Divine Power had successfully advanced to level 20 in laboratory tests, leaving True Lord Tianzhang both shocked and delighted.

True Lord Ciji: "That's good. The stronger you are, the greater your chances in tomorrow's match at the Immortal Soldier University."

"Fight well tomorrow, but be ready to surrender at any moment. Old Gao and I will watch your match through the Spirit Realm."

……

The next day.

The Immortal Soldier University was located in a bottomless pit, with the entire campus extending downward along the cave, forming an immensely vast underground city.

Wan Gou Xuan, from the Civil Engineering Department of Immortal Soldier University, along with several other team members, gathered together, looking at the teacher before them.

The teacher was handing out pieces of magical remains to them, saying, "Zhang Yu has confirmed his participation in the competition."

"Once the contest begins, find an opportunity to take turns using these remains. Follow the methods instructed by the professor to test his physical body, extracting every possible material from head to toe."

Wan Gou Xuan nodded confidently, saying, "Don't worry, teacher. The Earth Surge Lord is in peak condition. I won't give Zhang Yu any chance—I'll thoroughly crush him."

Picking up the magical remains, Wan Gou Xuan recalled the humiliation from last year when Mo Shang Jin had shattered his medical insurance, and thought to himself, "Mo Shang Jin, the shame you brought upon me, I will now take out on your junior. I will leave on his body the mark of a crushing defeat at the hands of Immortal Soldier University."

But thinking of Mo Shang Jin, Wan Gou Xuan also voiced his concerns.

The teacher replied, "Don't worry. If Mo Shang Jin buys a resurrection and shows up, there will naturally be people to boost your combat power."

"What you need to focus on is finding an opportunity to end this as quickly as possible, without giving Zhang Yu any chance to surrender."

Requesting monthly votes.

(End of chapter)