No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

After briefly sharing intelligence about the Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes and the Law Husk of the Seven Absolutes, Director Gao said no more.

After all, in his eyes, these matters were still far off for Zhang Yu. Dropping the topic now was simply a way to plant a seed in his heart.

Would Zhang Yu eventually qualify for a military license? Would he master the Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes?

Even Director Gao couldn’t say for sure at this point.

“Once I teach you the Xuanhuang Mountain-Suppressing Seal, you can ask me anything you need.”

“If you can keep winning first place in your sophomore and junior years, and master three of the Civil Engineering Absolutes, I’ll promote you from registered disciple to personal disciple.”

Tu Lishan, standing nearby, couldn’t help but feel a jolt at those words. Clearly, Director Gao saw enormous potential in Zhang Yu to speak so highly of him.

Zhang Yu, however, found his thoughts drifting again to the presence of the True Lord Magneto, and began to feel the beginnings of a headache. “If this keeps up, by junior year both of them will want to take me on as a disciple?”

“And judging by Director Gao’s attitude today…”

Zhang Yu had the distinct feeling that switching departments was only going to get harder and harder.

Having wrapped up his instructions, Director Gao didn’t linger. With a flash of his figure, his projection in the Spiritual Realm vanished with swift finality.

Tu Lishan turned to Zhang Yu with a kindly smile. “Now that Master Gao has taken you on, that makes us fellow disciples. I’ll call you Junior Brother Zhang from now on.”

Zhang Yu quickly replied, “Senior Brother Tu, thank you for looking out for me all this time.”

“Haha, it’s nothing.” Tu Lishan grinned. “I wasn’t prepared today, but I’ll bring you a gift in a few days—you’re guaranteed to like it.”

The two chatted as they walked, Tu Lishan eager to invest, and Zhang Yu intentionally building rapport. Since they were both from the Civil Engineering Department’s War Faction, their conversation quickly became lively.

Zhang Yu seized the moment to ask, “How are our department’s relations with the Artifact Refinement Department?”

Tu Lishan explained with clarity, “Each of the three elite departments covers a vast domain, crossing into multiple industries.”

“But if I had to sum them up in a single word, I’d say: Finance is capital, Artifact Refinement is technology, and Dao Techniques is energy.”

“Of course, that’s not to say each one is limited to just capital, technology, or energy.”

“For instance, the Artifact Refinement Department also needs capital and energy. The Finance Department likewise possesses its own tech and energy resources.”

“But those three keywords really do encapsulate the essence and goals of each department…”

Listening to Tu Lishan’s measured explanation, Zhang Yu suddenly gained a deeper understanding of the three elite majors.

Tu Lishan continued, “Among the three, Finance and Artifact Refinement both get along well with us in Civil Engineering.”

“But Finance aligns more with the Peace Faction, while Artifact Refinement has stronger ties with our War Faction.”

Zhang Yu asked again, “So the Artifact Refinement Department also believes the university wars will escalate?”

“More than believes,” Tu Lishan said with a bitter laugh. “If someone wasn’t holding them back, those warmongering lunatics in Artifact Refinement would’ve jumped in years ago.”

“They’re dying to sell Law Husks and artifacts across all of Kunxu.”

Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered. “I heard the True Lord Magneto from the Artifact Refinement Department is quite formidable. What’s his relationship with Master Gao?”

“The True Lord Magneto?” Tu Lishan said. “He and Master Gao go way back. They were friends even before joining the faculty at Wanfa University.”

…

In the Spiritual Realm Network.

Director Gao messaged the True Lord Magneto: Took in a promising freshman today.

Director Gao: Civil Engineering freshman Foundation Establishment class ranking. Image file

Director Gao: This top student, Zhang Yu.

Director Gao: Won fair and square, beat that old Lin’s personal disciple with raw Civil Engineering skill.

Director Gao: Old Lin’s video file. You should see how mad he was—completely lost for words, stormed off in defeat.

True Lord Magneto: You’re amazing.

Director Gao raised an eyebrow at that reply. Something felt off about the tone.

True Lord Magneto: So, you’ve officially taken Zhang Yu in?

Director Gao: Yes, as a registered disciple for now. If things go smoothly in a couple years, I’ll make him a personal disciple.

True Lord Magneto: Congratulations on acquiring such a brilliant student.

True Lord Magneto: I’m a little jealous. Talents like him don’t come by easily.

Director Gao’s brow furrowed deeper. He couldn’t quite pinpoint anything wrong, but the words still rubbed him the wrong way.

True Lord Magneto: By the way, I also took in a disciple recently.

Director Gao, intrigued: Oh? Who?

True Lord Magneto: Just someone who pulled a few strings. Not worth mentioning.

True Lord Magneto: If he turns out promising, I’ll introduce him to you later.

…

Magnetic Channel.

Zhang Yu strolled lightly along the road back to his dorm, dropping a message in the group chat to let his roommates know: time to move—luxury dorm incoming.

“Finally reached a milestone.”

He thought to himself, “Next comes the Civil Engineering competition, sophomore courses… and…”

His thoughts turned to Artifact Refinement.

After all, per the True Lord Magneto’s demands, he had to complete Artifact Refinement courses from freshman to junior year and pass all their exams.

Now that final exams were over, Zhang Yu was, in theory, a rising sophomore.

“Time to start studying Artifact Refinement courses too.”

“Oh, and spirit coins…”

Zhang Yu checked his account. With a 10-spirit-coin student loan just deposited, his balance now sat at a grand total of 56 spirit coins.

“That’s enough to unlock my sister’s Dao Seed.”

“But it’ll cost 50…”

Watching his hard-earned savings shrink to just 6 spirit coins made Zhang Yu wince in pain.

Civil Engineering competitions, sophomore coursework, Artifact Refinement exams, and a perpetually empty wallet…

As he mulled it over, the high of ranking first in the Foundation Establishment class began to fade, replaced by the weight of what lay ahead.

Just then, his EyeNet flickered—a message from the competition team group chat.

Ma Xuan: @Ji Yuanshu, finished your exams? How’d it go?

Ji Yuanshu: Not bad.

Ma Xuan: Great. Let’s schedule training tomorrow then.

The rest of the team chimed in to plan training with Ji Yuanshu.

As for Zhang Yu, the backup member, it was like he didn’t even exist. No one in the group addressed him.

…

Ji Yuanshu watched the messages, face darkening, replying politely while doing his best to suppress the churn of fate around him.

After checking his last exam score, he realized his hold on the top spot might be slipping.

But whether it was finance or fate, he couldn’t afford to admit defeat—not until the rankings were officially updated.

Admitting defeat now would trigger immediate backlash from the luck he’d gathered.

So as long as there was a sliver of hope, Ji Yuanshu would not back down—not in front of anyone.

When asked, he’d simply say he did fine.

Just like every time he took first—calm and composed, as if unshakable.

But inside… he couldn’t lie to himself.

As the clock ticked, Ji Yuanshu grew more anxious.

He refreshed the rankings again and again, torn between the desire to know and the fear of seeing the result.

…

Wanfa University City.

Inside the 667th-floor construction site.

While working, Zhang Yu’s eyes twitched—someone had messaged him.

Ying Xin: Senior Brother, congrats! 🎉🎉🎉

Zhang Yu blinked. “What did you just call me?”

Ying Xin: You’re first in the Foundation Establishment class and now a registered disciple of Director Gao. Of course you’re our Senior Brother now.

Ying Xin: I heard you moved into a 30-square-meter luxury dorm?

Ying Xin: Mind sharing your room number? I’ve got a gift for you.

Zhang Yu instantly understood that the “Senior Brother” title was her way of sucking up.

Just then, his alarm went off—must be the ranking update.

He tapped it open right away.

First place: Zhang Yu – Total Score: 2553

Second place: Ji Yuanshu – Total Score: 2551

Third place: Gongshu Jin – Total Score: 2499

Fourth place: Ying Xin – Total Score: 2488

Fifth place: Yu Xinghan – Total Score: 2475

Even though he already had insider info, seeing it laid out on the rankings made Zhang Yu break into a grin.

He replied to Ying Xin with his new dorm address and asked, “What’s the gift?”

Ying Xin: My family’s ancestral bone ash.

Ying Xin: I noticed you didn’t stake a Foundation Stake or perform any blood sacrifices in your exam, so you’re probably short on those materials.

Ying Xin: Our ancestral bone ash is amazing—just sprinkle a pinch during construction, and it boosts structural strength like magic.

Zhang Yu’s expression turned odd. “Isn’t that a bit… forward?”

Zhang Yu: Do you even have enough for yourself?

Zhang Yu: Maybe you should keep it…

Ying Xin: What’s so forward about it?

Ying Xin: If we don’t use bone ash, what, just bury it and waste it? Our ancestors would rise from their graves to scold me for being unfilial.

Ying Xin: Besides, you only need a little at a time—it lasts forever.

Ying Xin: As long as I die with more bone ash left than I’ve used, it’s fine. Each generation just piles on more.

Ying Xin: Are you refusing me because you’re still mad at me?

Under her persistent insistence, Zhang Yu finally accepted the gift.

As they chatted, more messages poured in.

Gongshu Jin: Congrats!

When he didn’t get a response for a while, Gongshu Jin sent a red envelope.

Gongshu Jin: 0.01 spirit coins.

Zhang Yu instantly snatched it and replied: Sorry, I was busy just now. Didn’t see.

Gongshu Jin: Totally understand. 🙏

Gongshu Jin: I just think you’re really awesome. Had to congratulate you.

Gongshu Jin: Next time let’s go try some Law Husks together.

Zhang Yu: Sounds good.

After sending the reply, he immediately switched to another chat window.

A message from Ye Xingli of the Artifact Refinement Department.

Even months later, Zhang Yu still remembered the splendor of that buffet meal she treated him to—her silhouette draped in starlight.

Ye Xingli: Hehe, even over in Artifact Refinement, my teacher’s been talking about you.

Zhang Yu: Who’s your teacher, Senior Sister?

Ye Xingli: The True Lord Magneto.