Chapter 281: Civil Engineering Truly Has a Bright Future
In the Body Refinement Class, Zhang Yu meticulously practiced the Level 20 Spring and Autumn Endless Zen, while his Bionic Eye played back Lang Yougong’s recent guidance in slow motion.
Thanks to the Time-Worn Demonic Eye’s extraordinary capabilities, every moment of Lang Yougong’s demonstration had been captured with perfect clarity, allowing Zhang Yu to repeatedly review, comprehend, and compare his own movements.
“I need to refine my body in conjunction with my Spirit Root…”
“After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, the Spirit Root becomes an integral part of my body.”
As Zhang Yu practiced, he felt his Qi Sea Spirit Root pulse slightly, becoming noticeably more active.
“It’s actually working.”
Zhang Yu’s Spring and Autumn Endless Zen had already reached Level 20, the maximum level achievable for a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation art.
His understanding of this Body Refinement Technique was already profound, but he had previously lacked knowledge of Spirit Root refinement.
Now, enlightened by Lang Yougong’s guidance, he was progressing rapidly. With each refinement of his body and Spirit Root, the Qi Sea Spirit Root seemed to slowly grow within him, further integrating with his physical form.
While Zhang Yu diligently absorbed Lang Yougong’s guidance, relentlessly refining his physical body and Spirit Root, Lang Yougong continued instructing other students. However, by the end of class, several students, including Yu Xinghan and Li Xiao, had not received the body refinement Teacher’s personal guidance.
Lang Yougong addressed them calmly, “Those who didn’t receive guidance today, don’t be discouraged. Body refinement isn’t a matter of a single day. We have plenty of time. We’ll continue in the next class.”
As Lang Yougong vanished in a flash, Li Xiao sighed inwardly, “With Gongshu Jin and Ji Yuanshu’s cultivation resources and Immortal Dao Potential, they hardly need his guidance.”
“Yet we, the truly needy, struggle so desperately to gain his attention.”
“It’s truly a case of the parched dying of thirst while the flooded drown…”
“To earn even a glance from these Teachers, I need to upgrade my Bionic Eye.”
With that thought, Li Xiao’s Bionic Eye displayed his contacts. He selected his uncle, who had climbed to the Second Layer years ago, and sent him a message.
Li Xiao: “Uncle, can you lend me some Spirit Coins?”
Li Xiao: “I want to buy a Bionic Eye — a real Heavenly Eye.”
Uncle: “Don’t you already have a Bionic Eye?”
Li Xiao: “Everyone else is using high-end Heavenly Eyes or Heavenly Craftsman devices. My classmates look down on me for using this cheap one, and the teachers ignore me. It’s really affecting my studies.”
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Uncle: “Just mention my name when you apply. No need to thank me.”
Li Xiao: “Uncle, the platform’s interest rates are too high. Can I just borrow directly from you?”
Uncle: “If you ask me, I’d just have to borrow from the platform myself.”
Uncle: “Besides, if you can’t even handle a student loan while studying at university, what’s the point of being here? You might as well go back to the First Layer and farm. Staying here is just a waste of money.”
Reading the reply, Li Xiao sighed softly, thinking, “He’s right. If I can’t even handle the pressure of a student loan’s interest, how can I ever hope to climb the Immortal Path?”
Recalling Gongshu Jin and Ying Xin’s subtle mockery, and the teachers’ overt or covert indifference, Li Xiao steeled his resolve and clicked on the lending platform link his uncle had sent.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, absorbing the Lang Yougong’s teachings, hurried to his next class.
Time flowed swiftly through one lesson after another. Zhang Yu relished the constant influx of Immortal Dao knowledge into his mind, feeling his cultivation improve almost moment by moment.
Spirit-Flesh Unity, Second Mental Cultivation Technique, Magic Power Quality, Spirit Root Fusion… and the Foundation Establishment Cultivation Art, and the University Sacred Body. Zhang Yu felt like he had an endless list of tasks ahead, with boundless room for improvement.
That evening, after returning to his dormitory, Zhang Yu resumed practicing the Foundation Establishment Body Refinement Seventy-Two Forms at the entrance.
Shortly after Zhang Yu advanced the Foundation Establishment Body Refinement Seventy-Two Forms to the level 13, Bai Zhenzhen’s avatar flashed in his Bionic Eye.
“Yu Zi,” Bai Zhenzhen said with a smile, “did Gongshu Jin bully you again today?”
“No,” Zhang Yu replied, shaking his head. “Actually, my classmates and teachers are quite friendly. It’s just that the customs here are a bit peculiar.”
Bai Zhenzhen: “Oh, right, I met someone here who’s from the Tenth Layer. He has friends studying in the Dao Techniques Department at Myriad Laws University. I’ll introduce you when I get the chance…”
“You’re still planning to switch from Civil Engineering to artifact refinement, right? Then you’ll need to choose a mentor from the Artifact Refinement Department. It might be hard to meet artifact refinement mentors in the Civil Engineering Department, so don’t rush your decision. I’ll ask around for you…”
“And remember to send me your dormitory address so I can send you some things…”
Zhang Yu asked, “Won’t that upset Divine Monarch Seven Emotions?”
“Aiya, don’t worry! Would I ever upset Mom?” Bai Zhenzhen said. “It’s just some food. Sending gifts between friends is perfectly normal — it strengthens our bond, which is part of our cultivation.”
Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen chatted for a while, though Bai Zhenzhen did most of the talking while Zhang Yu listened.
Zhang Yu could sense that this was because Bai Zhenzhen now knew more and had more ways to help him.
He didn’t feel awkward about it. Given their close friendship, they could even share a Spirit Root if needed. Now that Bai Zhenzhen was doing well and taking care of him, he knew he would return the favor when he prospered in the future. It was all perfectly natural.
This time, however, Bai Zhenzhen ended the call first.
“Enough chatting! I need to focus on my cultivation now. Yu Zi, you should study hard and practice diligently too…”
After hanging up, Bai Zhenzhen sighed helplessly.
Just then, a woman’s voice echoed in her ear: “Oh? Why aren’t you staying on the call like yesterday?”
“Hmm… Could it be you’re trying to save him on data charges?”
Hearing the woman’s soft laughter, Bai Zhenzhen pursed her lips and said, “Yu Zi just arrived on the Second Layer and doesn’t have many Spirit Coins. He needs to save his money right now…”
The woman chuckled lightly. “So, it’s just because he’s poor?”
“Good disciple, your ability to value relationships even in poverty is a remarkable talent, one I deeply admire.”
“But without the nourishment of wealth, such a talent is destined to wither with time.”
“Emotions, after all, require financial sustenance. The feelings of the poor are inherently fleeting.”
“Your friend is so impoverished he struggles to afford communication network fees, living like a rat. What right does he have to speak of love? How long can your bond endure before it inevitably deteriorates?”
As she listened, Bai Zhenzhen thought to herself, “This old hag… she’s using the network fees to pressure Zhang Yu, forcing me to maintain communication with him.”
She remained silent, knowing the truth in his words. If Zhang Yu were merely an ordinary poor man, the vast disparity between their circumstances would inevitably create a chasm, gradually eroding their bond.
But Bai Zhenzhen understood something deeper: Zhang Yu wasn’t just poor; he was supremely poor, peerlessly poor, a pauper with heaven-defying innate talent.
“With Yu Zi’s talent and Fu Ji’s guidance,” she thought, “he won’t remain poor forever. He’ll catch up to me eventually.”
Naturally, she kept these thoughts and Zhang Yu’s secrets to herself.
“I believe in Zhang Yu,” she said simply.
The woman’s voice chuckled. “Very well.”
“Let your friend serve as your whetstone, adding fuel to the flames of your future mastery of the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao.”
Myriad Laws University City, 125th floor, dormitory area.
Zhang Yu watched Bai Zhenzhen’s figure disappear, thinking to himself, “A-Zhen… even her speech seemed a bit rushed today.”
“She hung up so early…”
“Could she be worried about the internet fees, trying to save me money?”
The thought ignited a surge of determination within him.
“Damn it! I can’t even afford to communicate freely with my best friend…”
In the next moment, Zhang Yu threw himself into practicing the Foundation Establishment Body Refinement Seventy-Two Forms with renewed fervor.
His body blurred into afterimages as he executed the cultivation art repeatedly, using the simplest, laziest, yet fastest method possible.
An indomitable fighting spirit surged through Zhang Yu’s heart, and an overwhelming Dominating Intent erupted within him. He would become stronger! He would earn more money! He would damn well afford unlimited internet access, so he could connect with Bai Zhenzhen 24/7 without hesitation!
Driven by unprecedented focus and urgency, by the time the first class of the following day began, Zhang Yu had already advanced the Foundation Establishment Body Refinement Seventy-Two Forms to Level 17.
He thought to himself, “At this rate, I should be able to cultivate a basic Foundation Establishment Cultivation Art to Level 20 in just two or three days.”
“That means I can fully master the University Sacred Body in a month at most.”
The first class of the day was Engineering Formation Drafting, a foundational course for the Civil Engineering Department.
The classroom was exceptionally large, capable of accommodating hundreds of students. In addition to Zhang Yu’s class of Foundation Establishment Students, there were also a large number of Qi Refining Students.
A teacher, his entire body radiating golden light, his original flesh and blood completely obscured by his Bionics, stood on the podium and announced, “My name is Tu Lishan, and I am your instructor for this course.”
“This course will primarily focus on the drafting and interpretation of Engineering Formation blueprints.”
As the students gazed at the teacher’s expensive Bionics, many, especially the Qi Refining Students, couldn’t help but feel envious.
At Myriad Laws University, students with greater financial resources were often perceived as having greater Immortal Dao Potential, earning them the admiration of their teachers.
Conversely, teachers with greater financial resources were seen as more authoritative, commanding the trust and reverence of their students.
“Teacher Tu is so rich, how could he possibly be wrong?”
“A teacher who can make this much money must be incredibly skilled!”
“Civil Engineering really has a bright future! Who knew you could earn so much?”
Such thoughts flashed through the minds of countless students in the classroom, and their attitudes toward learning immediately became more focused and diligent.
Tu Lishan continued, “You will all become pillars of the Civil Engineering Realm. The university requires you to understand the Immortal Path, master construction techniques, possess management skills, and obtain professional certifications. These are the core competencies of our Civil Engineering Department.”
“To achieve this — to develop construction proficiency, quality assurance expertise, and pass the construction qualification exams — you must devote your full attention to this course.”
“Remember, every building begins with a formation. Whether it’s the University City beneath your feet or the medicinal fields beyond the city walls, every structure incorporates intricate formations…”