Chapter 237: Joyful Union
“Azure River Art Vocational College?” Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow and said, “What you’re talking about isn’t a university, it’s a vocational college, right?”
Tao Lin quickly said, “How can you call it a vocational college? That’s an old term. According to the latest policies, Azure River College is an orthodox university recognized by both the Heavenly Court and the Ten Great Sects, a degree acknowledged throughout all of Kunxu.”
“The entire campus covers one thousand square kilometers, with over 100,000 students and teachers. Including related support staff, the whole school has a population of over a million.”
“We currently offer more than 80 popular majors and have established partnerships with numerous giant corporations, offering recommended employment opportunities right after graduation…”
“Stop, stop, stop.” Zhang Yu waved his hand, cutting the man off, and refused flatly, “You don’t need to say any more. There’s no way I’m going to a vocational college.”
Seeing Zhang Yu about to ask him to leave, Tao Lin thought to himself, As expected, it’s not that easy.
Did that whole string of words fail to impress him at all? An ordinary high school student from the first layer, unfamiliar with the ecosystem of the second, would have thought Azure River College’s scale was quite remarkable after hearing that.
And…
Tao Lin carefully observed the undisguised disdain in Zhang Yu’s eyes and could feel that the other party’s discrimination against vocational colleges was bone-deep.
Sure enough, top students like this carry academic prejudice in their very bones. The mere mention of ‘vocational college’ already triggers a psychological aversion.
Next, let’s see if they accept the conditions offered from above.
In Tao Lin’s view, with the generous terms offered by Azure River College, the vast majority of high school students would probably be tempted. Those with a bit less experience might even agree on the spot.
Thinking of this, Tao Lin hurried to say, “Student Zhang Yu, Azure River College is extremely sincere about recruiting you. Even if you go to one of the Ten Greats, they will only treat you as one among many outstanding students.”
“But if you enter Azure River College, you will be the center of the entire institution. The school will devote all its resources to cultivating you.”
“First, the principal of Azure River College, True Monarch Etching Heart, is a Nascent Soul True Monarch. She is willing to be your teacher and promises that during your time at the school, she will do her utmost to cultivate you into a Golden Core True Person, even using the Joyful Union Sect’s Arts of Yin and Yang Union to help you raise your cultivation.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s actions faltered slightly, but it wasn’t because of some Nascent Soul True Monarch or Arts of Yin and Yang Union that he hesitated; he was simply shocked by Azure River College’s determination.
He thought to himself, Perhaps vocational colleges have their merits after all.
Sensing Zhang Yu’s slight hesitation, Tao Lin quickly added, “Also, I know you look down on a vocational college degree.”
“But True Monarch Etching Heart can arrange for you to transfer and test into Joyful Union University.”
“You might know that Joyful Union University is one of the Ten Greats. Like Azure River College, it is a university under the Joyful Union Sect. True Monarch Etching Heart herself graduated from Joyful Union University.”
“As her student, you can leverage her connections within Joyful Union University, which is a far greater advantage than if you were to enroll directly.”
“After all, ordinary students who enter Joyful Union University have to start as cauldrons for the upperclassmen.”
“But with True Monarch Etching Heart’s network, you’ll immediately have the opportunity to participate in the most top-tier Yin and Yang Union projects, to be taught special techniques such as Heavenly Demon’s Penetration, the Heart-Etching Disk, Spirit-Flesh Union, and Jade Nectar Devouring by the True Monarch’s senior sisters, master, or even grandmaster.”
“At that time, not only will you be able to complete your university credit requirements quickly each year, but you’ll also definitely become a top student at Joyful Union University…”
Why the hell didn’t you say all this earlier, you brat? Don’t you know how eager I am to learn and improve my grades in university?
Zhang Yu sighed internally, “The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Joyful Union Sect really knows how to recruit. She immediately scratched the itch of a top student like me with the method of effectively improving grades and raising cultivation.”
Sensing the slight change in Zhang Yu’s expression, Tao Lin added, “I know the reward from this Foundation Establishment exam allows you to designate a teacher after you enter university.”
“But designating is one thing; whether they are willing to teach you properly after being designated is another matter entirely.”
“In a university, the higher the realm and the more powerful the teacher, the more genius students they have under them. The energy they can allocate to you is limited, unlike the focused cultivation you’d receive at Azure River College.”
“Also… after you enroll, Azure River College will give you 10 study companions, a scholarship of 10 spirit coins per year, a private dormitory building, and free use of the school’s bionics, spiritual roots, and training cauldrons. And in the future, if you want to break through to Golden Core, there will be a special fund allocated…”
But before Tao Lin could finish, he was pushed out by Zhang Yu.
Witnessing this scene, Tao Lin was both surprised and helpless, He’s not even tempted by this? As expected of a top high school student, his concentration, willpower, and experience are far beyond that of an ordinary person.
Staring at the closed door, Tao Lin said, “You two, I’ve added you as friends. If you have any questions for me, you can contact me at any time. I won’t disturb you any further then.”
Zhang Yu asked, “Fu Ji, why did you make us refuse? Even if we don’t agree, we could have kept it as a backup option, right?”
Fu Ji said resentfully, “You think you can survive in the Joyful Union Sect?”
“Based on my observations over the past year, combined with your performance at the Red Pagoda, your physique is too good and your self-control is too poor. You have absolutely no talent for cultivating in the Joyful Union Sect.”
Zhang Yu’s face reddened, but he was somewhat unconvinced, “My self-control is poor? How many high school students can cultivate with a root like me? Do you have any idea how much my self-control has improved this past year?”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded from the side and said, “I can testify. The consumption of toilet paper at home has decreased by about 20% in the last month alone. Yu-boy is indeed making continuous progress in this area.”
Zhang Yu said, annoyed, “Zhen! Who told you to keep track of that?!”
Bai Zhenzhen said flatly, “Then stop using my paper next time, and I won’t know.”
Fu Ji sneered, “Do I need you two to tell me? Can’t I see for myself?”
“However, Zhang Yu, while you’re still in your solo practice, those high school students who are determined to get into the Joyful Union Sect have already been developing themselves for three, five, or even more than ten years. How can you compete with them?”
“Artistic universities like the Joyful Union Sect emphasize fundamental skills from a young age. How can you compare to them?”
“I’m afraid you’d be played like a fiddle the moment you enter university, completely neglecting your studies and cultivation, and be sucked dry by that group of senior brothers and sisters at Joyful Union University.”
“This is a weakness you’ve never been exposed to or trained in. You’d better not think too much about it.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu was still a bit unconvinced. He didn’t mean anything by it, but he felt that on the path of the Immortal Dao, one sometimes had to challenge their weaknesses to strengthen their will and forge ahead.
Especially since Zhang Yu had the confidence of the Feather Book, he believed that with a few more practice sessions, he could quickly master the various unique skills of Joyful Union University and thrive there.
But Fu Ji’s next sentence completely crushed him, “Don’t forget you still have the ritual on you. Attending a vocational college is absolutely impossible.”
“And applying directly to Joyful Union University doesn’t come with as many advantages, far less than the other proper Ten Greats.”
Zhang Yu sighed deeply upon hearing this, understanding that a future prodigy of the Joyful Union Sect had fallen today before he could even rise.
“The ritual… it doesn’t even give me the freedom to choose my own university.”
“One day, I will shatter this idiotic thing.”
Fu Ji continued, “Even a crummy vocational college has tracked you down here. It seems the people in Songyang City have more or less gathered.”
“You two should turn on your phones and check your messages to see what the situation is now.”
As Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu turned on their phones, a barrage of messages and missed calls popped up, dazzling them.
A moment later, Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed, “How does everyone know we passed the Foundation Establishment exam?”
She clenched her fist tightly, thinking to herself, Damn it! I was going to announce it to the whole school myself after the college entrance exams. Now I won’t get to see the shocked expressions on their faces when they find out!
Zhang Yu said in surprise, “Mr. Wang from Oasis Group wants to donate ten million to us? What’s going on?”
Bai Zhenzhen said, “What else could it be? For a company to be willing to give so much money, they must want a higher return. They probably want to invest in us. Are they trying to make us their corporate dogs?”
Zhang Yu thought of Lan Ling and Zhou Chechen from before, his brow furrowing slightly, “They want us to be their dogs again?”
Fu Ji said leisurely, “If he donated 100,000, I’d curse him out with you.”
“But the man donated 10 million to you in one go. I think you can consider it. What’s so bad about being a dog?”
“If you want to buy a spiritual root and complete Foundation Establishment before graduating high school, the method might lie with this Mr. Wang.”
So, in the following days, while Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued to train hard, they would occasionally turn on their phones to check for information and messages.
Finally, two days later, as Zhang Yu pushed the Great Might Heavenly Helm to the 10th level, his Martial Dao Holy Embryo finally achieved its last layer of effect.
Looking at this effect of the Martial Dao Holy Embryo, Zhang Yu felt increasingly excited, sensing that his strength had once again skyrocketed.
“If the current me were to go back to the final duel with Ye Lingxiao, I probably wouldn’t have to fight for so long and could defeat him quickly, right?”
After completing the Martial Dao Holy Embryo, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen boarded a train and began their journey back.
But just as they got off the train, they saw an unexpected person appear before their eyes.
“Isn’t that Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu who were following us last time?”
Zhang Yu also saw a young man standing next to them. From his appearance alone, he and Bai Zhenzhen could tell that he was not someone to be trifled with.
After all, the five glittering golden characters above his head—Purple-Gold Merit Master—were simply too dazzling.
“Someone from the Zhou family?” Zhang Yu raised his guard. “They’re waiting for us right here at the station? What do they want?”
At this moment, he was incredibly grateful that he had listened to Fu Ji and trained outside for a while before returning, raising the Martial Dao Holy Embryo to its final layer. Now, he would have a better grasp on whatever situation he might face.