Chapter 303: The University War
Zhang Yu: “How much do you know about the University War?”
Zhang Pianpian: “Although each university has its own strengths and areas of specialization, and the Ten Greats each focus on different primary fields, some overlap is inevitable.”
Zhang Pianpian: “When competition between universities intensifies beyond a certain point, it can escalate into armed conflict.”
Zhang Pianpian: “However, thanks to mediation by the Ten Greats, full-scale wars are rare; most conflicts remain localized.”
Zhang Pianpian: “Top-tier institutions like Myriad Laws University, one of the Ten Great Universities, never personally engage in direct combat. They typically resolve issues through negotiation, consultation, or competition in the Ten Greats League…”
Listening to Zhang Pianpian’s explanation, Zhang Yu gradually formed his own understanding of the University War.
When he shared his understanding with Tu Lishan, the latter replied, “Not bad. It seems you’ve been paying attention to this topic.”
Tu Lishan: “Although Myriad Laws University doesn’t directly participate in combat, we do provide support when our sister institutions face armed conflicts.”
Tu Lishan: “This field project involves constructing a Bionic production line for one of our sister universities. It’s a major project led by the Artifact Refinement Department, in collaboration with our Civil Engineering and Architecture Departments. It will likely take two to three months to complete.”
Tu Lishan: “With the increasing frequency of University Wars in recent years, there will be many more projects like this in the future. This is the golden age for our Civil Engineering Department. Work hard for a few years, and securing a permanent position here will be no problem.”
Fu Ji chuckled as she read Tu Lishan’s message. “So they’re just using other universities as cannon fodder while selling magical artifacts, production lines, and various supplies on the side?”
Zhang Yu nodded slightly. “It seems the Civil Engineering Department really can make a lot of money.”
Zhang Yu suddenly remembered another question. “Teacher, what about our classes?”
Tu Lishan: “Don’t worry. The construction site will have Spirit Realm Network access, so you can attend online classes.”
On the other side, after finishing his conversation with Zhang Yu, Tu Lishan reopened Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin’s profiles in his Bionic Eye.
Zhang Yu was an exceptionally useful, expendable talent, a fact Tu Lishan had confirmed during the First Layer Foundation Establishment Exam.
Tu Lishan mused to himself, “Given the department’s current strategy, our approach to cultivating talents like Zhang Yu across all grades leans toward short-term investment. We aim to maximize their potential, squeezing every last drop for immediate gains within the next few years.”
“After all, with the University War likely to escalate, we’ll need a cohort of individuals whose Cultivation Realm doesn’t need to be exceptionally high, but who possess the courage and tenacity to execute projects.”
In Tu Lishan’s view, there could never be too many talents like Zhang Yu — the more, the better.
“In contrast, Gongshu Jin represents a long-term investment with far greater cultivation value.”
Tu Lishan knew Director Gao had already decided to groom Gongshu Jin as a long-term cultivation target.
“Gongshu Jin will likely be the next inheritor of Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power. After all, Ji Yuanshu is transferring to the Finance Department.”
“Given the current circumstances, it’s crucial to prepare early and cultivate students who wield military-grade Power.”
“Once the current senior cohort graduates, Gongshu Jin will become the Civil Engineering Department’s flagship figure for the next few years, with the potential to compete in the Ten Greats League in the future.”
After reviewing Zhang Yu and Gongshu Jin’s profiles, Tu Lishan shifted his focus to the project participants from other grades.
As he scanned the long lists of names, it was clear that far more students had been chosen from the upper grades compared to the mere two from the freshman class.
Construction Site on the 666th floor.
As dawn broke, Zhang Yu finished his overtime shift and returned to the dormitory area on the 125th floor.
The moment he stepped inside, Zhang Yu sensed a violent gust of wind rushing toward him, followed by a fist hurtling forward with explosive force.
A faint smile flickered across Zhang Yu’s face as he casually intercepted the fist, already joining Yu Xinghan in their street-side cultivation session.
Despite his recent grueling schedule, Zhang Yu made every effort to practice with Yu Xinghan. They refined their bodies in tandem, stimulating their Spirit Root integration levels according to the teachings of Lang Yougong.
With Zhang Yu’s assistance, Yu Xinghan’s Spirit Root integration level had steadily improved.
Particularly in recent days, Zhang Yu had been taking numerous medications, some of which, even in their semi-finished state, possessed the ability to enhance Spirit Root Integration.
After consuming Zhang Yu’s blood, Yu Xinghan felt a substantial increase in his integration level, gradually reaching a critical threshold.
Following yesterday’s massage session, Yu Xinghan sensed his Spirit Root being further stimulated, as if on the verge of a breakthrough.
Indeed, Yu Xinghan’s regular visits to the massage parlor served a dual purpose. Beyond relieving physical fatigue, he had discovered that the technicians could also provide services to accelerate Spirit Root Integration.
After a night of preparation, Yu Xinghan sensed something stirring within him. He sat cross-legged in his dormitory for a long time, meditating in stillness.
When Zhang Yu returned, Yu Xinghan leaped to his feet, feeling a rhythmic pulse course through his entire body, as if something had pierced through him from head to toe.
As Yu Xinghan and Zhang Yu exchanged blows, each clash of fists and feet, each surge of Gang Qi, intensified the feeling within Yu Xinghan’s heart.
Finally, with a long howl, Yu Xinghan felt his Third Eye twisting in his mind, already grown to the center of his forehead.
This Third Eye was the Spirit Root he had possessed since birth, the very one he would use to achieve Foundation Establishment.
Simultaneously, a faint scar appeared on Yu Xinghan’s forehead, resembling a closed eye when viewed from a distance.
With Zhang Yu’s assistance, Yu Xinghan had finally increased his Spirit Root integration level to 90%.
Empowered by this Third Eye, Yu Xinghan had always been able to see in a full 360-degree field of vision and rapidly learn others’ movements by precisely mimicking their muscle contractions.
Now that his Spirit Root integration level had reached 90%, Yu Xinghan sensed that the Spirit Root could accomplish even more.
He smiled faintly, his eyes brimming with confidence as he turned to Zhang Yu. “Let’s continue,” he said. “But be careful — I might be a little terrifyingly strong now.”
In the next moment, their figures clashed once more.
With each punch and palm strike Zhang Yu unleashed, Yu Xinghan mirrored them perfectly, meeting Zhang Yu’s fists with fists and palms with palms, as if facing his own reflection in a mirror.
At that moment, Yu Xinghan realized he could flawlessly replicate Zhang Yu’s every move.
Through further experimentation, Yu Xinghan discovered he could perceive the strength of Zhang Yu’s Magic Power and Gang Qi, discerning the true nature of his techniques.
Moreover, the flow of spiritual energy around them became crystal clear to his eyes, allowing him to sense each Cultivator on the street practicing breathing techniques to absorb spiritual energy.
He could also sense the spiritual energy surging through the surrounding buildings, flowing in all directions through their spiritual energy circuits.
“Haha,” Yu Xinghan chuckled inwardly. “With this ability — to copy techniques and see through illusions — I’m invincible in any fight at my level.”
“But… what’s the point of just being able to fight?”
A moment later, Yu Xinghan thought again, “Copying someone else’s movements should be used for learning and cultivation, not just fighting.”
Having tested and understood the improvement in his Spirit Root, Yu Xinghan stopped his movements and called Zhang Yu to head to class together.
In Zhang Yu’s vision, he witnessed firsthand the transformation of Yu Xinghan’s Dao Seed, evolving from its original state as the Third Eye Mystic Power Spirit Root to Level 1.
As Zhang Yu walked to class, his gaze swept over the Feather Book floating beside him. As the Feather Book flipped past the preface and first chapter to the second chapter, the Dao Seed Register, he saw that the once-blank page now displayed the words “Third Eye Mystic Power Spirit Root Level 1.”
After activating this Dao Seed, Zhang Yu sensed a faint presence like a third eye forming behind his forehead.
Empowered by this Third Eye Mystic Power, he immediately gained 360-degree vision, capable of seeing everything around him — front, back, left, right, and all directions simultaneously.
A thought struck Zhang Yu: “No wonder Yu Xinghan could dodge so well before. He could actually see behind him.”
Next, as Zhang Yu turned his gaze toward the others around him, he felt their movements become unprecedentedly clear. He even sensed that with a mere thought, he could replicate the actions of anyone he saw.
Recalling Yu Xinghan’s earlier imitation of him, Zhang Yu mused inwardly, “So that’s how it works… He can actually copy other people’s movements?”
“If this synergizes with my Feather Book’s cultivation art specialization, does that mean… I can learn any External Martial Art with just a glance?”
“Too bad I can’t see the flow of Magic Power within others’ bodies.”
“Still, I can discern the strength of their Magic Power, allowing me to judge the true intentions behind their attacks.”
“Hmm, I can also see the flow of spiritual energy.”
Sensing the myriad abilities granted by the Third Eye Mystic Power, Zhang Yu smiled inwardly. “A remarkable talent. And now it’s mine.”
“But this Third Eye Mystic Power is only at Level 1 right now. That means it can still be upgraded, right?”
Zhang Yu turned to Yu Xinghan beside him, focusing intently on sensing the Dao Seed within him.
Yu Xinghan, feeling Zhang Yu’s intense gaze, grew slightly uneasy, wondering if Zhang Yu was secretly filming him with his Bionic. Meanwhile, Zhang Yu thought to himself, “I’ve got it. To upgrade the Third Eye Mystic Power further, Yu Xinghan needs to raise his Spirit Root integration level to 100% and boost his Magic Power to 500 or higher.”
Zhang Yu was already anticipating the new abilities the Third Eye Mystic Power would unlock at Level 2.
Beyond the Third Eye Mystic Power, he also thought about Le Mulan, who had been preparing for her Foundation Establishment exam these past few days.
“I hope Le Mulan successfully establishes her Foundation.”
Zhang Yu was also looking forward to discovering the full potential of her Profound Cold Meridian.
After school that day, Zhang Yu followed Tu Lishan to the Finance Department’s teaching floor.
Walking through the Finance Department’s corridor, Zhang Yu’s first impression was one of immense scale.
The entire Finance Department’s teaching floor stood an unprecedented 100 meters tall, with each floor boasting ceilings at least 8 meters high.
This felt strikingly unfamiliar to Zhang Yu, who had grown accustomed to compressing his body and adapting to the cramped spaces of Myriad Laws University City.
His second impression of the Finance Department was one of tranquility. The entire building was shielded from all advertisements, completely eliminating the chaotic Spirit Realm Projections that usually cluttered his vision.
As he felt the warm, moist spiritual energy radiating from the floor beneath his feet, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but exclaim inwardly, “Is this floor… made of Spirit Stones?”
Although Spirit Stones had long been phased out as currency, the Finance Department’s use of them as floor tiles still struck Zhang Yu as akin to someone paving their floor with cash.
For a moment, he felt an overwhelming urge to squat down and pick up the Spirit Stones.
Tu Lishan explained beside him, “The Finance Department teacher I’m introducing you to today is Xu Lingzi. He reviewed your performance during the Foundation Establishment Exam and is here to help you secure a low-interest loan.”
As they spoke, the pair entered an office.