Chapter 357: Leaving the Team and Forming a New One
Zhang Yu left the training room, feeling the condensed Profound Yellow Qi circulating through his body. His mind was filled with insights gained from practicing the cultivation art.
In just one hour and fifteen minutes, through repeated practice of the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal… he had actually advanced it to Level 2.
Zhang Yu opened his Feather Book and flipped to the chapter on Chain Formation Diagrams, his gaze sweeping over the entry for the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal.
“The Chain Formation Diagram Set for the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal is called Inverted Kunlun?” Zhang Yu mused. “It sounds incredibly powerful.”
Since the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal was one of the Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering, Zhang Yu strongly suspected that the remaining Six Absolutes also belonged to this Inverted Kunlun Chain Formation Diagram Set.
“If I could master all Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering and combine them into the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, and then add this Inverted Kunlun set… Heaven knows how much money I could earn daily on construction sites.”
Just the thought made Zhang Yu’s heart race with excitement.
But the Seven Absolutes of Civil Engineering only comprised seven cultivation arts, whereas sets typically require ten to achieve their final effect. Zhang Yu couldn’t help but wonder what the remaining three arts were.
Zhang Yu’s Bionic Eye flashed, and the Great Library of Myriad Laws University materialized before him.
He scoured through countless martial dao techniques, Civil Engineering Department techniques, and large-scale construction cultivation arts, but he couldn’t find a single cultivation art belonging to this Inverted Kunlun set.
“Just like the Great Sage’s Heir, I can’t find the complete set of cultivation arts either?” Zhang Yu thought to himself.
He recalled that the Great Sage’s Heir of the Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art had faced a similar dilemma. Aside from the Crippled Ox Body-Sacrifice Heart Art and the Desolate Ox Soul-Quelling Heart Art, no other cultivation arts belonging to the Great Sage’s Heir could be found, until he obtained the Immeasurable Heart Inner Dharma Body in the Spirit Realm, finally granting him a third cultivation art of the Great Sage’s Heir.
“In this case, the remaining three cultivation arts of the Inverted Kunlun are either unrecorded black arts or military-grade, possibly even Immortal Sect-level techniques that I lack the authority to access.”
With this realization, Zhang Yu reluctantly gave up for the time being, understanding that completing the Inverted Kunlun, like the Great Sage’s Heir’s cultivation arts, would likely prove to be a daunting task.
“It seems that after I refine the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal to Level 20, my next focus should be advancing toward the Martial Dao Sacred Body.”
Zhang Yu chose the Martial Dao Sacred Body based on his experience with the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo during the Qi Refining Stage. He believed this Chain Method Diagram Set would significantly enhance the power of his cultivation arts.
His learning goals for his second year, aside from knowledge from the Artifact Refinement Department, centered on mastering large-scale Civil Engineering Department cultivation arts.
“Perfect! Some large-scale Civil Engineering cultivation arts can also contribute to forming the Martial Dao Sacred Body. And the Sacred Body’s power-enhancing effects can further amplify the potency of these Civil Engineering arts.”
With this in mind, Zhang Yu resolved to first push the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal to Level 20, then begin practicing large-scale Civil Engineering cultivation arts while simultaneously working toward completing the Martial Dao Sacred Body.
“This way, I can use the University Sacred Body for general cultivation, the Civil Engineering Sacred Body to withstand harsh environments and Tiger Wolf Medicine, and Qi Meridian Everflow to replenish Magic Power. Combined with the Formless Warrior, I’ll be able to perform precision construction.”
“Once the Martial Dao Sacred Body is perfected, it will synergize perfectly with large-scale construction projects.”
“With this comprehensive Civil Engineering system, there will be virtually no project beyond my capabilities. My work efficiency and income will far surpass those of my peers.”
As Zhang Yu pondered this, he felt the Civil Engineering Great Dao beneath his feet grow increasingly vast and luminous.
Upon exiting the Great Library, Zhang Yu was surprised to find Tu Lishan waiting for him.
Tu Lishan, who had been waiting for an unknown amount of time, greeted him with a smile, “Junior Brother, it seems the teacher has already passed on the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal to you.”
Zhang Yu replied, “Senior Brother, do you have something you wanted to discuss?”
Tu Lishan chuckled. “Didn’t I mention I’d prepare a gift for you?”
“Given your potential, Junior Brother, you’ll undoubtedly need to study intermediate and advanced-level courses ahead of schedule.”
“So, I arranged for you to receive a Super Member status at Cloudy Peak Academy.”
“From now on, you’ll get a 20% discount on all textbooks and online courses purchased through Cloudy Peak Academy.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up immediately. He indeed needed to purchase cultivation arts and online courses, and his required volume would likely far exceed Tu Lishan’s estimates, given that the Artifact Refinement Department’s curriculum far surpassed that of Civil Engineering.
At Myriad Laws University, all textbooks and online courses were quite expensive, especially those related to the Three Elite Majors.
With this Super Member discount, he could save a significant amount of money.
At the same time, Tu Lishan had already sent Zhang Yu the Super Member redemption code.
“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Zhang Yu said, his face beaming with gratitude.
Seeing Zhang Yu’s delighted expression, Tu Lishan felt a surge of pride. “Zhang Yu will undoubtedly continue vying with Ji Yuanshu for the top spot in the class. As their rivalry intensifies, they’ll inevitably start studying ahead.”
“This Super Member isn’t expensive, but it requires special access to obtain. For Zhang Yu, it’s like adding wings to a tiger.”
“Director Gao seems keen on having Zhang Yu try for the Military Certificate in the future. If he succeeds, he’ll become another valuable asset to our Civil Engineering Department — and likely my future colleague.”
With these thoughts in mind, Tu Lishan grew even more convinced that his early cultivation of goodwill with Zhang Yu had been a wise move.
As for Gongshu Jin? The talent he had originally intended to nurture? Tu Lishan was barely acquainted with the class’s third-ranked student.
Next, Tu Lishan asked Zhang Yu about his progress with the Profound Yellow Mountain-Suppressing Seal, shared some of his own cultivation experiences, and then inquired about the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition.
Tu Lishan asked, “Is Ma Xuan still keeping you as a reserve team member?”
After Zhang Yu confirmed this, Tu Lishan scoffed coldly. “Looks like he’s chosen his side.”
Seeing Zhang Yu’s puzzled expression, Tu Lishan explained, “Ma Xuan is a student of True Monarch Sacred Mountain’s faction.”
“True Monarch Sacred Mountain is the director of our Civil Engineering Department, but these days, with his lifespan dwindling, he’s preoccupied with earning money and rarely manages departmental affairs.”
“The fact that Ma Xuan would rather keep Ji Yuanshu in the starting lineup instead of you, who ranks higher, suggests he’s aligned himself with the Peace Faction.”
“If you want to surpass Ji Yuanshu in Comprehensive Points for the competition, you’ll likely need to switch to a competition team where you can actually play.”
Zhang Yu frowned slightly, realizing that staying with Ma Xuan’s team would guarantee him no playing time. Even if the team placed well, his Comprehensive Points as a reserve member would still fall far short of Ji Yuanshu’s.
But leaving the team… which one would he join instead?
As Zhang Yu pondered this, Tu Lishan, standing beside him, said, “I know of another competition team that’s short on members. Would you be interested in joining?”
Tu Lishan sent Zhang Yu the team captain’s contact information, saying, “This is Shi Huaiyu, the team captain. You can add her as a friend.”
After parting ways with Tu Lishan, Zhang Yu added the captain as a friend.
Her name was Shi Huaiyu, a fifth-year student in the Civil Engineering Department, ranked 38th in the entire department.
Shi Huaiyu: “You must be Student Zhang Yu, right? Teacher Tu mentioned you. Would you like to join our competition team?”
Shi Huaiyu: “Our team is strong and experienced. In the department’s upcoming competition, we’re aiming for the top 10 and vying for 6th place.”
Hearing this and seeing her ranking, Zhang Yu’s interest was immediately piqued.
Although he hadn’t attended many training sessions while on Ma Xuan’s team, he had gained a good understanding of the competition landscape.
Only the top ten teams in the Civil Engineering Competition receive Comprehensive Points, with higher rankings earning more points.
Only the first-place team qualifies to represent Myriad Laws University at the Inter-University Competition.
But forget about first place — for years, the top five spots have been monopolized by teams composed of eighth, ninth, and tenth-year students.
Lower-year students typically compete for positions within the top ten, aiming to secure Comprehensive Points.
Zhang Yu had been eavesdropping on the contest group’s chat logs, learning that Ma Xuan and Ji Yuanshu’s team aimed to secure tenth place while striving for ninth.
Zhang Yu: “If I join your team, will I get to participate in the competition? Or would I be a reserve player?”
Having experienced this situation before, Zhang Yu felt a lingering sense of unease and wanted to clarify his role before committing.
Shi Huaiyu: “Of course, Junior Brother! You’re so skilled, how could I bear to leave you idling on the bench?”
With that assurance, Zhang Yu immediately decided to join Shi Huaiyu’s competition team.
In Ma Xuan’s contest group, Ji Yuanshu noticed that Zhang Yu had left the group at some point.
Naturally, Ji Yuanshu was keenly interested in his rival.
He asked Ma Xuan, “Has Zhang Yu left the team?”
Ma Xuan replied, “Yes, he has.”
Ji Yuanshu inquired, “Do you know which team he joined?”
Ma Xuan responded, “No idea. But any team with a chance of making the top ten would have filled their roster long ago.”
“The teams he could join now probably aren’t very promising,” Ma Xuan continued. “He’d have been better off staying here, at least he could have earned some Comprehensive Points.”
“If he joins some weak team, he’ll likely end up with zero Comprehensive Points.”
Ji Yuanshu nodded slightly at this. This meant Zhang Yu would start the Second-Year with a significant deficit in Comprehensive Points, giving Ji Yuanshu a major advantage.
After ending his conversation with Ma Xuan, Ji Yuanshu lowered his gaze to the concentric circles of copper wire and the divine statue at their center.
He murmured to himself, “Then let’s begin… the ritual.”
Inside the simulated construction site, Zhang Yu stared at the three figures before him in astonishment. “Ah? Just the four of us?”
Shi Huaiyu, a biological female, stood three meters tall with fair skin and a muscular build. Her thick, powerful legs shimmered with a metallic, purple-gold sheen, radiating an icy, metallic chill — clearly some kind of Bionic.
Yet this gentle giant now gazed at Zhang Yu with a hint of embarrassment, saying, “Even though there are only four of us, we’re definitely…”
She pointed to herself. “Highly skilled.”
Then she gestured to Che Yufei and Shi Yunxiang beside her. “And highly experienced.”
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, realizing he might have quit the team too hastily.
Still, as he surveyed the trio before him, Shi Huaiyu, ranked 38th overall in the All-Attribute rankings, was undoubtedly a reliable powerhouse.
Che Yufei, a seventh-year senior, possessed the hallmark traits of a Civil Engineering master: a head of white hair and a face etched with wrinkles, signs of his advanced physical development and realized potential. Both his skill and experience were unquestionable.
Shi Yunxiang, standing on the other side, was no ordinary student either. A fifth-year monsterfolk student, he had spent the past five years working at various construction sites, yet always emerged unscathed, not a single scar on his body. This alone spoke volumes about his capabilities.
“And with me…” Zhang Yu thought to himself. “This team’s strength is truly impressive. We just need two more members.”