Chapter 276: University Rankings
A seemingly ordinary young man walked in. He was neither tall nor imposing, and there was no visible trace of Bionic enhancements on his body.
Yet none of the students dared to underestimate him. This was not merely due to the Foundation Establishment Domain emanating from him, but also because he was completely enveloped in a bubble-like barrier that shimmered with the radiance of a magical artifact.
In the next moment, his voice materialized directly in their minds: “I am Ji Yuanshu.”
Ji Yuanshu: “I don’t want to come into contact with the Second Layer’s air. I’m using the Wind-Stabilizing Pearl to isolate myself from the surrounding air currents. Please don’t get too close.”
Ji Yuanshu: “I can hear your conversations and communicate with you telepathically.”
The students exchanged bewildered glances. Finally, Gongshu Jin stood up and took the initiative to welcome Ji Yuanshu, introducing himself and the others.
Gongshu Jin frowned inwardly. “A Sixth Layer guy… what’s he doing in the Civil Engineering Department? Tch, now he’s definitely going to be the top student in the class.”
Meanwhile, Ji Yuanshu surveyed the room, thinking, “Apart from Gongshu Jin, there’s no one worth paying attention to. These people and I will never operate in the same realm.”
“As for Gongshu Jin… to avoid unnecessary conflict, I should probably let him know my plans.”
Watching Gongshu Jin surrounded by the crowd, Ji Yuanshu sent him a direct telepathic message: “I’ll take first place in the Foundation Establishment Class of the Civil Engineering Department for three years, then transfer to the Finance Department.”
Gongshu Jin smiled slightly and nodded.
He knew that after Ji Yuanshu left, he would become the top student, monopolizing the annual class prize.
As for the first three years…
Gongshu Jin thought, “Losing three years isn’t so bad. At least I’ll secure the remaining seven and avoid conflict with him.”
“Besides, once he’s in the Finance Department, he might even be able to help me…”
Ji Yuanshu’s first three years, Gongshu Jin’s subsequent seven — with just a glance, they seemed to have already settled the distribution of the top student prize in the Foundation Establishment Class for the next decade.
As for the other students in the class, neither of them paid them any attention.
Zhang Yu was watching the Sixth Layer Master when Yu Xinghan suddenly clapped him on the shoulder, exclaiming in surprise, “Zhang Yu! Look! A Sixth Layer Foundation Establishment Student just arrived!”
Zhang Yu rolled his eyes and muttered, “You’re fucking… how delayed are you? You’re just noticing now?”
On the other side of the room, as the group gradually resumed their conversation, Li Xiao suggested, “After the class meeting today, let’s all go out for a meal together?”
He genuinely wanted to cultivate relationships with these elite students and integrate into their social circle.
Ying Xin scoffed, “Myriad Laws University doesn’t do group meals.”
Gongshu Jin smiled and produced a medicinal pill. “I only take Grain-Abstaining Elixirs daily, aside from my regular medication.”
Ji Yuanshu said coolly, “I can control my digestive system. I don’t need external aids and have no need to eat.”
Feeling the mocking gazes around him, Li Xiao’s face flushed slightly. He realized he had made another fool of himself, and his resentment toward his First Layer status deepened.
Just then, a Golden Core Domain descended, signaling the arrival of the Foundation Establishment Class teacher.
Golden Core Grand Cultivator True Person Scorching Thunder has entered within 10 meters of you. Please remain still to avoid accidental injury.
Like the Foundation Establishment Domains of the previous students, this Golden Core True Person actively contracted the range of his Golden Core Domain.
The figure was entirely enveloped in crackling electricity. As soon as he materialized in the classroom, his gaze locked onto Ji Yuanshu.
Messages from their respective friends list instantly appeared on their Bionic Eyes.
True Person Scorching Thunder: “Yuanshu, long time no see. How is Martial Uncle doing?”
Ji Yuanshu: “Master recently gained another 100 years of lifespan and is in excellent spirits.”
Through the Bionic Eye connection, the two exchanged greetings without anyone else noticing.
True Person Scorching Thunder then turned to address the assembled students. “I am True Person Scorching Thunder, your future class director.”
“Some of you are continuing students who have been here for several years, while others are freshmen fresh out of high school.”
“I’ll treat you all as newcomers and cover everything you need to know.”
“Starting tomorrow, the first three months will be a standardized Foundation Establishment Stage curriculum.”
“After these three months, you’ll be free to choose your courses.”
“During your ten years here, you can graduate as soon as you meet the credit requirements…”
“However, since you’ve all entered the Foundation Establishment Class, I imagine graduation is merely your minimum goal. The Graduate Entrance Examination and professional certifications should be your primary targets. Your first year of Foundation Establishment is crucial, now is the time to start planning for your future…”
Zhang Yu listened attentively as True Person Scorching Thunder explained the details about academic credits, course selection, and other related matters.
The True Person then began discussing the importance of academic rankings.
“Rankings… reflect your academic achievements at the university.”
“They are determined by a combination of factors: the credits and grades from completed courses, extracurricular competitions, projects, and other activities.”
“The rankings are categorized by Cultivation Realm, starting with the most basic… such as the class rankings for our Foundation Establishment Class.”
“Next is the overall ranking for the Civil Engineering Department, regardless of year level. This is generally the domain of senior students; you’ll have a chance to compete for it in a few years.”
“Then comes the total ranking for the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, followed by the university-wide ranking across all departments.”
“Each ranking list is updated daily, with the final rankings determined at the end of each academic year. Rewards are given to the top-ranked students…”
“As first-year Foundation Establishment Students, you shouldn’t worry about the other rankings yet; those are the domains of senior students. Focus primarily on your class ranking.”
“The top student in each year’s class ranking will receive a scholarship of 3 Spirit Coins and a cultivation art.”
“The cultivation art is one of the Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering from our Myriad Laws University.”
True Person Scorching Thunder said with some pride, “The Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering are unique cultivation arts exclusive to the Civil Engineering Department of Myriad Laws University. Each of the Seven Absolutes is a top-tier Expert-Grade Technique.”
“Mastering three of these techniques allows you to combine them into a single cultivation art approaching military-grade.”
He added encouragingly, “And if you can master all seven techniques and obtain the Military Civil Engineering Certificate, you can merge the seven energies into one, mastering the military-grade cultivation technique — Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power.”
Though True Person Scorching Thunder spoke encouragingly, his primary focus was on Ji Yuanshu and Gongshu Jin.
He thought to himself that Ji Yuanshu had likely already claimed the rewards for the first three years, gathered enough to combine three techniques, and then transferred to another department.
On the other hand, Gongshu Jin had a very high probability of mastering all Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering within the remaining seven years.
“The only question is whether he’ll have the ability to obtain the Military Civil Engineering Certificate and ultimately merge the seven energies into one…”
In a corner unnoticed by True Person Scorching Thunder, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up. “What’s this Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power… sounds badass.”
Fu Ji said, “But seven years is way too long. Won’t that delay your department transfer? Unless you finish your Civil Engineering undergraduate degree and then apply for an Artifact Refinement Master’s.”
“Plus, to get this thing, you’ll have to compete with someone at the Sixth Layer and another at the Fourth Layer.”
Zhang Yu replied, “Since I joined the Ten Greats, I was going to have to compete with these guys anyway, right?”
He glanced at the black symbol on his palm, now about half-filled, and thought, “Come on, Feather Book, don’t let my talent go to waste.”
True Person Scorching Thunder continued with routine reminders for University City.
“…Whether you know this or not, I must reiterate: planting is strictly forbidden in University City.”
“Some students used to secretly grow hydroponics in their dorms. They were immediately expelled, permanently stripped of their university privileges, and no amount of Spirit Coins could save them.”
“So don’t let me find any leaves in your dorms. If I do, no one can protect you.”
“Also, for those eating cement mixed with medicine to save money, remember to only consume it when your stomach Qi is excessive. If your digestive system feels overloaded, vomit it out. One piece of cement, used in this cycle of eating and purging, can maintain your digestive health for a month. Absolutely do not just eat it without vomiting, you’ll end up passing cement and causing internal injuries.”
“Don’t laugh. Do you think no one has bankrupted themselves by passing cement? It happens often to Qi Refinement Students from the First Layer. Even though you’ve already reached Foundation Establishment, take this as a warning and avoid making such a foolish mistake.”
After covering all the essential precautions, True Person Scorching Thunder added, “Oh, right. The scholarships for new High School Foundation Establishment students should be credited to your accounts today or tomorrow. There’s also an additional reward…”
Zhang Yu’s heart quickened. During his recruitment talks with Myriad Laws University representatives, he had negotiated a scholarship of 2.5 Spirit Coins.
True Person Scorching Thunder called out several names: Ji Yuanshu, Gongshu Jin, Ying Xin, Li Xiao, and Yu Xinghan.
These five, along with Zhang Yu, comprised all of the High School Foundation Establishment students in the Foundation Establishment Class.
True Person Scorching Thunder continued, “Since you all passed the Foundation Establishment Examination in high school, you’ll receive discounts on cultivation arts within the Foundation Establishment Class. Basic cultivation arts are at a 60% discount, intermediate-grade cultivation arts at 40% discount, and expert-grade techniques are 20% cheaper.”
“Next… Zhang Yu.”
True Person Scorching Thunder announced only this name. “You’ve done exceptionally well. You took the Foundation Establishment Examination in your first year of high school and earned your Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate in your second year. You’re the first person in high school history to pass the Foundation Establishment Examination on their first attempt.”
“When you exchange cultivation arts at the Great Library, you’ll receive a 80% discount on basic cultivation arts, a 60% discount on intermediate-grade cultivation arts, and a 40% discount on expert-grade techniques.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s heart leaped with joy. He thought to himself, “All that effort for the Foundation Establishment Examination was worth it after all.”
After all, Myriad Laws University sold all Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation arts for Spirit Coins, and every additional discount meant significant savings.
As True Person Scorching Thunder spoke, the students turned to look at Zhang Yu, their faces showing surprise.
Even Gongshu Jin, who had previously dismissed Zhang Yu, raised an eyebrow. “He earned his Foundation Establishment Qualification Certificate in his second year of high school? That means he beat third-year students when he was still a second-year?”
“But based on his basic data, he hasn’t shown any advantage from achieving Foundation Establishment a year earlier than me… Could it be because the cultivation conditions in the First Layer are too poor?”
“So buying his life should be quite cheap.”
In Gongshu Jin’s mind, First Layer people were the kind who would be eternally grateful and risk their lives for him in exchange for a few Spirit Coins.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuanshu was also scrutinizing Zhang Yu. His gaze swept over Zhang Yu’s body, and the model of his Bionic Eye flashed in his vision: Time-Worn Demonic Eye.
“He achieved Foundation Establishment a year before me, yet his basic stats are about 30% lower.”
“This suggests he lacks proper cultivation resources, yet he’s equipped with a top-tier Bionic Eye?”
“What a peculiar fellow.”
With that thought, Ji Yuanshu briefly searched for Zhang Yu’s information on the Spirit Realm Network. Moments later, he found a historical record of a discontinued product on the Oasis Group’s shopping platform.
Next, True Person Scorching Thunder pointed at Ji Yuanshu and said, “Ji Yuanshu, you’ll be the Class Monitor from now on. Create a group chat later and add everyone.”
True Person Scorching Thunder thought to himself, “Ji Yuanshu is a Sixth Layer Person after all. He’s steady, reliable, and capable of commanding respect. Unlike those unreliable First and Second Layer types.”
He added, “We won’t be holding class meetings anymore. Any issues will be resolved through the Spirit Realm Network.”
With that, True Person Scorching Thunder transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished into thin air. His visit had been brief, lasting barely fifteen minutes.
After the teacher left, the students were promptly added to a group chat created by Ji Yuanshu.
Gongshu Jin suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to Li Xiao. “You’re from the First Layer, right? Do you know Zhang Yu? He must be quite famous there, right?”
Seeing Gongshu Jin’s apparent interest in Zhang Yu, a flicker of jealousy flashed through Li Xiao’s heart. He quickly replied, “He’s from a small town, but he’s definitely famous in our area. He beat up his boss, someone who gave him over a hundred million in funding…”
Li Xiao embellished the story of Wang Yin’s incident, painting him in a negative light. Gongshu Jin frowned slightly. “So ungrateful?”
Li Xiao quickly added, “The fight between his boss Wang Yin and him was broadcast to the upper layers. If you check, you might still be able to find the recording.”