Chapter 497: Reimbursement and Preparing to Transfer Departments (Thanks to 'Arrietty')

Chapter 497: Reimbursement and Preparing for a Department Transfer (Thanks to 'Arrietty' for the Alliance Leader tip)

Dantian power source temperature critical...

Left arm, third joint oscillation fracture detected...

Spirit-mechanism circuit short-circuit warning...

Watching the endless stream of warning messages flashing before his eyes, Wan Gouxuan realized that his Earth-Surging God had suffered significant damage in the recent collision with Zhang Yu.

Simultaneously, beneath the statistical data, the estimated repair cost was listed: 18.23 Spirit Coins.

Under normal circumstances, Wan Gouxuan would likely have already considered the most graceful way to surrender; after all, continuing the fight would only drive repair costs higher, making it a losing proposition.

But at this moment, with his expenses fully covered, he felt no fear.

In fact, watching the estimated repair costs climb only fueled his fighting spirit, making him yearn to battle until his heart’s content!

"Come again!"

Running the Earth-Surging God at full power once more, Wan Gouxuan replayed Zhang Yu’s astonishing strike in his mind.

"The Earth-Surging God is damaged, but I refuse to believe your flesh and blood is unscathed."

"How many more times can you unleash an attack like that?"

With a thunderous roar, the Earth-Surging God’s power dantian surged violently, spewing layers of gang-qi that repaired the Gen-pulse dharma image, before launching another earth-shattering blow.

"I can unleash that attack eight more times," Zhang Yu mused to himself.

"Using my own gang-qi and physical body to channel and explode the tyrannical, overbearing might of the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, delivering the force of two such strikes in a single move... given my current strength, my physical state will begin to decline after three, with damage stacking continuously."

"After six, the explosive power will begin to drop significantly."

"After nine, I will have reached my absolute limit."

As Zhang Yu pondered, the Mountain-Moving Warrior let out a long howl.

The next moment, the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power erupted, and surging terrestrial gravity converged upon him as the focal point.

In an instant, as the atmosphere was crushed, waves of air rippled outward from his body in every direction.

Amidst the rolling shockwaves, Zhang Yu held a black star in one hand and a white star in the other, charging once more toward the Earth-Surging God.

In the midst of their fierce, tumbling struggle, the two clashed six more times.

The Mountain-Moving Warrior shattered and contracted repeatedly, shrinking to less than half its original size in the blink of an eye.

The Earth-Surging God, meanwhile, collapsed to its knees with a loud thud, its entire frame riddled with massive damage, rendering it incapable of further combat.

Watching this, Zhang Yu said calmly, "It’s over."

During their repeated clashes, Zhang Yu’s mind had been flooded with the structural and functional specifications of the Earth-Surging God.

Several weaknesses regarding its spirit-mechanism circuits and oscillation joints overlapped perfectly with the severe damage now visible on the machine.

All of this was thanks to the "Treasure Appraisal Art" he had been cultivating.

Throughout the relentless combat, beyond pushing his body, gang-qi, and cultivation to their limits, Zhang Yu’s most critical tactic had been using the Treasure Appraisal Art to lock onto targets and maximize the destruction of each strike.

Wan Gouxuan looked up at Zhang Yu, who stood high above him, gazing down.

He watched as the other man opened his palm, the surging Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power gathering once more.

"To think he defeated my Earth-Surging God single-handedly."

Wan Gouxuan sighed inwardly, "This guy... has he really only been practicing the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power for a few months?"

It was at this moment that Wan Gouxuan decided to pause the match and request support.

According to their prior arrangements, this was the required protocol if they encountered a pincer attack from Mo Shangjin.

And right now, Wan Gouxuan felt that Zhang Yu alone was already an insurmountable obstacle.

But after requesting a pause, the student from the Artifact Refining Department responsible for support replied, "Forget it, don't waste the money."

"Even if I help you temporarily repair and upgrade the Earth-Surging God, you won't necessarily beat this Zhang Yu, let alone deal with Mo Shangjin as well."

The other student shook his head. "I need to prepare for this year's Top Ten League, so I won't waste any more time on you."

Without that support, Wan Gouxuan knew the outcome of the match was sealed.

Sure enough, once the pause ended and the match resumed, the Immortal Soldier University team collapsed like a mountain; not only was the Earth-Surging God completely dismantled, but the team members surrendered one by one.

The members of Wanfa University left the arena in high spirits.

In the spectator stands, Director Gao nodded with a smile, thinking, "The next match is the final against Heavenly Demon University."

Director Gao understood that this final was not only important for Zhang Yu, but for himself as well.

If they won this battle, it would be the first major achievement for the Civil Engineering Department since he took charge.

Thinking of this, he looked again at the Magnetic Pole True Monarch beside him and said, "Magnetic Pole, thank you. If not for your help, Zhang Yu wouldn't have grown so quickly."

Magnetic Pole True Monarch opened her mouth. "Old Gao, actually..."

Director Gao: "Hmm?"

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: "Nothing."

She thought to herself, "I'll wait until the Civil Engineering final is over to tell him."

"Once the final ends, Zhang Yu’s comprehensive score will be more than enough. I’ll arrange his department transfer immediately to avoid any complications."

Looking at Director Gao, she mused, "Old Gao, don't blame me. An outstanding student like Zhang Yu only belongs to the strong in Kunxu. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for not being strong enough, or wealthy enough."

Just then, the Thousand-Puppet True Monarch from Immortal Soldier University remarked, "Magnetic Pole, looking at this student's performance, your decryption work is going quite well. You’re going to make a fortune this time. If you’re willing to trade your technology for market access at Immortal Soldier University, we can talk."

Magnetic Pole True Monarch replied coolly, "No interest for now."

Thousand-Puppet True Monarch smiled slightly. "I hear the Nectar Divine Monarch is making rounds, trying to pressure Wanfa University and sanction your Artifact Refining Department. If you’re interested in collaborating, come find me anytime."

"See you at the Top Ten League. Many are looking forward to seeing what surprises your Wanfa University has in store for us."

Director Gao frowned as he listened, thinking, "This project is gaining so much fame that it might make Wanfa the center of the storm, and Magnetic Pole the target of everyone’s ire."

Although Director Gao believed that the escalation of the University War was inevitable and that the Top Ten would eventually be drawn in, he did not want Wanfa to be the first to fall, nor did he want Magnetic Pole to be the spark.

...

On the other side, as Zhang Yu left the arena, he noticed Wan Gouxuan and his team looked calm, even showing a hint of joy and excitement, not at all like people who had lost a match and had their giant puppet dismantled.

Zhang Yu’s intuition was correct. Although Wan Gouxuan had lost, he didn't feel the heartache he had felt last year.

After all, even though he lost, he had at least managed to collect some of Zhang Yu’s sweat from the arena floor... and the repair costs were fully reimbursable, allowing him to replace the puppet’s parts with brand-new ones.

After the competition, Wan Gouxuan went to the pre-arranged Jihu Company. Looking at the list of parts to be replaced, he thought, "Everything is being replaced with Jihu brand?"

"The prices seem to have gone up more than tenfold."

"As expected, the school is purchasing these at high prices from Jihu for the reimbursement; they’re deliberately letting Jihu make a profit."

Wan Gouxuan had no complaints about this, of course. Since he didn't have to pay, the Earth-Surging God would be fully upgraded, and its power would inevitably reach a higher level.

He even suspected that compared to collecting Zhang Yu’s biological samples, this high-priced procurement by Jihu might be more important to certain people.

As he watched the latest, top-tier Jihu parts being installed, Wan Gouxuan felt the spirit of Immortal Soldier University being infused into the machine.

A teacher beside him said, "In the next competition, use this pure-blooded Jihu Earth-Surging God to change every school's perception of Jihu. Just like the pure-blooded Wanfa Craftsman Sect of Wanfa University or the pure-blooded Vajra Forging of Vajra University, this is the inevitable path for an artifact company to rise from low-end to high-end."

Wan Gouxuan gave a slight nod, whispering to himself, "Zhang Yu, we shall cross blades again next year, and I..."

As the thought took hold, his brows knit together; though the Earth-Gushing Divinity had grown stronger, he feared that without reimbursement, his combat prowess next year might fall short of today's mark.

He heaved a silent sigh: "Alas, the Civil Engineering Department of Myriad Laws... I fear there is no hope of victory for years to come."

...

On his way back, Zhang Yu received messages from Director Gao and Magnetic Pole.

Director Gao: In the next battle, Mo Shangjin will join you.

Director Gao: Coordinate well, and strive to secure the championship in the finals.

Director Gao: But if it proves impossible, do not force it. Sky Demon University has always been formidable in this field; preserving your own potential is what matters most.

Director Gao offered his usual encouragement, urging him not to grow complacent, to keep working hard for a strong performance in the finals, and then inquired about Zhang Yu’s recent work and life.

Director Gao: I hear your company is doing well. In a couple of days, I will have Tu Lishan arrange some more projects for you.

Director Gao: Next week, accompany me to meet other professors of the Civil Engineering Department; I want to introduce you to more people.

Director Gao: The future of the Civil Engineering Department will rest on the shoulders of you young ones.

Director Gao: Beyond knowing how to labor on the construction site, one must also possess the right connections.

Director Gao: By the way, remember to apply for the Model Student of the Civil Engineering Department this year; I have already paved the way for you.

Zhang Yu could see that Director Gao truly regarded him as a successor, teaching him the ropes of the civil engineering world regardless of whether he won the final match.

On the other side, the message from True Monarch Magnetic Pole was far more direct.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: If you win the next final, prepare immediately for your transfer.

Zhang Yu: Transferring right after winning the championship? Wouldn't that be too hasty?

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: What? Are you reluctant to leave your Civil Engineering Department?

Zhang Yu: It is not that; I am merely worried that Director Gao will find it hard to let go.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: A qualified teacher would never hinder a student from reaching a greater platform.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Besides, your immediate priority is to ensure victory in the next match.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Though it is but the Civil Engineering Department, Sky Demon University’s program has always been powerful.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Do not fret over your teacher; focus your mind on your own strength and improve yourself as much as possible in the time remaining.

...

Myriad Laws University.

Inside the dormitory.

"Are you injured?"

Le Mulan handed a vial to Zhang Yu; it lacked any label, being nothing more than a simple glass bottle.

She spoke with a touch of unease: "This is... a potion I made. Would you like to try it?"

Le Mulan had no idea how high Zhang Yu’s income was, only that it was vast.

She simply hoped that her most precious concoction could help Zhang Yu, just as it had in the past.

Zhang Yu took the vial and offered a faint smile: "Thank you."

Reflecting that the battle against Sky Demon University was but a week away, Zhang Yu did not waste time resting. After tidying and maintaining his magical artifacts, he resumed his customary practice and work.

In this final week, he had to push himself to the limit.

Recalling his three years of high school and nearly three years of university struggle, he was now on the verge of transferring to the Artifact Refining Department, one step closer to entering the Ten Great Sects. He would not permit a single mistake at this final juncture.

A Journey to the West fairy tale, featuring the Green Ox Spirit, written in a classical style—those interested may take a look~

(End of chapter)