Chapter 282: The Feather Book Opens
As Zhang Yu listened to Tu Lishan’s words, his eyes gradually lit up. “Formations?”
Formations were something he had encountered in daily life since high school.
Whether it was Songyang High School’s Spirit Gathering Formation, the Central Building’s Great Traction Formation, or the Protected Area’s Great Mountain Protection Formation… Zhang Yu had witnessed and interacted with them firsthand, yet their inner workings remained shrouded in mystery, completely unknown to him.
After all, this was knowledge never taught in high school.
The more Zhang Yu listened, the more he sensed the profound depth and complexity of formations. They were a method of replicating, altering, and even transcending nature through the manipulation of spiritual energy, structural design, materials, and other means. This was the very foundation upon which Kunxu had built its many superstructures.
In the blink of an eye, the first Engineering Formation Drafting class had ended.
Just as Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan were about to leave, the teacher, radiating golden light, approached them, drawing the attention of many students.
Teacher Tu Lishan smiled at Zhang Yu and said, “Zhang Yu, this is our first meeting today, but I saw you at your Foundation Establishment Examination.”
Zhang Yu was slightly taken aback, recalling the final round of the Foundation Establishment Examination. The audience that day had been filled with dignitaries, representatives from various universities.
A flicker passed through Tu Lishan’s mind, and in the projection from Zhang Yu’s Bionic Eye, his head briefly transformed into that of a dog before reverting to its original form.
“That was the image I used back then,” Tu Lishan said with a smile. “The moment I saw your performance in the Examination Field, I knew you were a natural fit for the Civil Engineering Department. I strongly recommended you to the university.”
“Focus on your basic cultivation arts for the next three months. Once the official semester starts in September, I’ll take you to construction sites to earn some money.”
Zhang Yu was surprised. “We can go to construction sites that early?”
“Work while you learn,” Tu Lishan replied. “And earn some pocket money while you’re at it.”
“I know you came from the First Layer and your family’s finances aren’t great. Construction sites are the perfect classroom for you.”
“In the Civil Engineering Realm, as long as you’re willing to work hard and put in a few years, you’re guaranteed to earn a good living.”
He then turned to Yu Xinghan, who was standing beside Zhang Yu. “Yu Xinghan, you too. Come along when the time comes.”
Watching Tu Lishan’s retreating figure, Yu Xinghan sighed, “There are still good teachers at Myriad Laws University who recognize our talent and unique qualities! They even give us opportunities to earn money.”
“Zhang Yu, let’s study hard for the next three months. When we get to the construction site, we’ll work hard and earn as much as we can.”
“Ah, I wish I could earn as much as Teacher Tu someday.”
Their conversation had already drawn the attention of many students nearby.
In particular, some Qi Refining students, upon hearing that Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan would be earning money at a construction site in three months, couldn’t hide the envy in their eyes.
Li Xiao, the Immortal Capital native in the same Foundation Establishment Class, witnessed this scene. After a moment’s thought, he volunteered to chase after Tu Lishan, catching up to him outside the classroom. “Teacher Tu,” he said, “could you give me a chance too? I also want to work at the construction site.”
Tu Lishan’s gaze flickered slightly as he looked at Li Xiao. “You’re also from the First Layer, aren’t you?”
Li Xiao’s breath hitched slightly. He had already faced discrimination countless times in the past few days due to his First Layer origins.
Seeing Li Xiao nod, Tu Lishan smiled faintly. “The First Layer isn’t bad. Many look down on those from the First Layer, but I actually admire you students from the First Layer.”
“I’ve taught many students, but over the years, the First Layer students have consistently shown the greatest resilience.”
Tu Lishan patted Li Xiao’s shoulder. “Work hard. In three months, I’ll also take you to the construction site.”
“But remember, there are limited positions at the site. You’ll be competing with Zhang Yu and the others, so you need to give it your all for the next three months.”
“To be honest, I have high hopes for you.”
Watching Tu Lishan’s departing figure, Li Xiao’s heart stirred with renewed determination. A surge of fighting spirit coursed through him. “Three months from now! I’ll definitely make it to the construction site!”
As Tu Lishan walked toward the Sixth Layer, he mused, “Zhang Yu, Yu Xinghan, Li Xiao… all promising talents.”
Unlike many teachers who favored students from higher layers or wealthy backgrounds, Tu Lishan preferred those who were poor but talented.
He sighed inwardly, “These impoverished students are the true backbone of the Civil Engineering Realm.”
“If everyone wants to be managers, who will do the actual work?”
“Gongshu Jin and Ji Yuanshu are ten times more exceptional, but Gongshu Jin is rich, and Ji Yuanshu is determined to switch departments. Why would they toil like oxen for meager wages at a construction site?”
On the other side, Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan were walking through the Primordial Magnetic Channel, heading to their next class.
Suddenly, a voice called out:
“Zhang Yu!”
Zhang Yu’s gaze shifted, following the direction of the shout. Surprise flickered in his eyes. “Isn’t that… an Immortal Capital native?”
The one who had called out to Zhang Yu was Yun Jing, who had once participated in the Foundation Establishment Examination alongside him, ultimately losing to Bai Zhenzhen.
Five Qi Refining students stood beside Yun Jing, sizing up Zhang Yu. One of them sneered, “You’re just a First Layer student too? This is none of your business. Know your place and scram…”
Zhang Yu, 13th Place, Civil Engineering Department Foundation Establishment Class
Seeing the ranking that appeared above Zhang Yu’s head, the student quickly changed his tune. “I’m the one who should scram!”
He then turned to Yun Jing with a sheepish grin. “Why didn’t you mention you knew a Foundation Establishment Student earlier?”
Yun Jing watched the Qi Refining students scatter in panic, then glanced at Zhang Yu’s calm expression. His heart churned with complex emotions.
Back on the First Layer, Yun Jing had been the arrogant Immortal Capital ‘Grandpa’, while Zhang Yu had been just a country bumpkin.
But the Foundation Establishment Examination had completely altered their fates.
Now, he could only look up to this student from the Foundation Establishment Class.
Zhang Yu glanced at Yun Jing and said casually, “Trouble?”
He could sense that Yun Jing had just used his reputation to scare off the others.
Yun Jing replied, “First Layer students often face isolation in the Artifact Refinement Department. I’m used to it, but today they went too far…”
“Anyway, thank you for today.”
“I’ll repay this debt someday!”
Yun Jing cupped his hands in a traditional gesture and departed.
Watching this scene, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, “The Yun Family’s situation must be dire.”
Remembering that Yun Jing had once been Bai Zhenzhen’s rival, Zhang Yu resolved to share this gossip with her — she’d find it fascinating.
Moments later, Zhang Yu arrived at the lecture hall.
This classroom was enormous, capable of accommodating over a thousand students.
Zhang Yu knew this was a cross-departmental lecture.
On the elevated platform, a group of students were promoting their services: “Greetings, everyone! We’re students from the Dao Techniques Department, offering paid daoist arts services.”
“We offer the Clear Mind Technique for photographic memory, the Origin Returning Technique to accelerate spiritual energy breathing, and the Rejuvenation Technique to enhance body refinement. These daoist arts cost just 0.03 Spirit Coins per hour.”
“There’s also the Divine Soul Cloud Sea Technique, allowing two people to cultivate simultaneously. Each session accumulates experience equivalent to two regular sessions, all for just 0.09 Spirit Coins per hour…”
“Over here, we have Seniors skilled in Thunder Magic who can assist with body refinement, improve your Spirit Root integration level, and enhance the five senses… at a rate of 0.19 Spirit Coins per hour…”
“Today is the final day of our opening promotion! Sign up for a membership online to enjoy a 30% discount on all services…”
A Dao Techniques Department student was promoting the membership to Gongshu Jin, who listened with genuine interest.
Meanwhile, another student approached Ji Yuanshu, but the Sixth-Layer Master simply replied, “I already have a private daoist arts service team. I don’t need these.”
Hearing this, the Dao Techniques Department student trying to make a sale could only awkwardly retreat.
Yu Xinghan listened to the Dao Techniques Department student’s pitch with envy, sighing, “Having money is really fucking great.”
Zhang Yu gazed at the Divine Soul Cloud Sea Technique described in the brochure, a hint of longing in his eyes. “I wonder if it would be useful for the Feather Book. Should I spend Spirit Coins on it?”
“But at 0.09 Spirit Coins per hour, even with a 30% discount… with all the money I have now, I’d only have enough for 200 hours. Better hold off for now.”
“Sigh, I’ll just save the website for now… You can’t rush spending money. Rushing just leads to losses and getting fleeced.”
Zhang Yu decided to hold onto his roughly 12 Spirit Coins for the time being, not rushing to spend them.
After all, his understanding of Myriad Laws University was still too limited, and he knew little about the various expenses involved.
“I should continue learning about Myriad Laws University and the Civil Engineering Department, make a proper plan, and then spend money on cultivation.”
Moments later, the swarm of Dao Techniques Department students left the classroom before class began.
A white-haired elder slowly ascended the stage, addressing the crowd: “Martial Dao Force Studies, as the name suggests, will teach you the profound mysteries of force, momentum, and technique within martial dao techniques…”
“Whether it’s combat, construction, artifact refinement, alchemy, medicine crafting, or any other field, this course will be relevant to some extent.”
“If your future specialization requires courses like Fluid Force Dynamics, Geotechnical Force Dynamics, or Thermal Radiation Force Dynamics, then mastering the material I’m about to teach becomes even more crucial.”
“I know you’re all freshmen. Remember, there’s a major examination at the end of the three-month foundational course.”
“Fail that exam, and you can forget about advancing to higher-level courses.”
“Even those with strong foundations shouldn’t get complacent. The exam in three months will be critical for determining your rankings…”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly, understanding that the speaker was referring to the examination at the end of the three-month foundational course.
“If I want to improve my ranking, I can’t afford to slack off on any of the exams,” Zhang Yu thought to himself.
Over the next two days, Zhang Yu diligently attended classes, absorbing knowledge like a sponge.
Back in his dorm that evening, he focused on his basic cultivation arts. Having already pushed the Foundation Establishment Body Refinement Seventy-Two Forms to Level 20, he was now advancing the Foundation Establishment Mental Cultivation Technique to Level 17.
“I’m hanging up now, Yu Zi.”
“Keep up the good work!”
“The things I sent you should arrive in a few days. Remember to pick them up.”
After ending another call with Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu resumed practicing the Foundation Establishment Mental Cultivation Technique in his dorm.
About half an hour later, Zhang Yu felt a slight stinging sensation in his palm. The symbol on his palm had filled completely with black.
In the next moment, the Feather Book flipped violently, and a new chapter appeared before him, following the prologue and Chapter 1, the Chain Formation Diagram.
Zhang Yu stared intently, murmuring to himself, “Chapter 2: Dao Seed Register.”