No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

When he heard Director Gao mention the military certification, Zhang Yu’s expression tightened, and his gaze grew serious.

Ever since he’d first witnessed Mo Shangjin unleash the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might at a remote construction site, he’d been utterly captivated by that military-grade Civil Engineering Technique.

And during the recent civil engineering competition, Mo Shangjin had broken through once more, making the technique even more awe-inspiring—its force shook the heavens and resounded through the firmament.

It only strengthened Zhang Yu’s resolve to master it.

Director Gao caught the ambition and hunger in Zhang Yu’s eyes and smiled faintly. He never feared students having desires or ambition—on the path to immortality, these were essentials.

What he did fear were those who lost their fighting spirit, became complacent, or sought peace of mind too early… That, in his view, was the true stumbling block on the Immortal Path.

“Our department’s military license is called the Military Civil Engineering Certification.”

“There are two categories: Class A and Class B—Class A is for military-grade Law Husks, Class B for military-grade Techniques.”

“The one I’m talking to you about is the Class B—military-grade Techniques…”

According to Director Gao, the Military Civil Engineering Certification exam was held once every two years, always in October.The bar was high. It wasn’t guaranteed anyone would earn the license each time—if no one met the requirements, everyone failed.

“The next exam is next year. That’s still too soon for you.”

“That’s why the plan I’ve drafted is for the one after that—October in two years. That’ll be one month into your fifth year.”

“By then, you’ll have fully mastered the Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes. Once you earn your license, you’ll be ready to integrate all seven and begin training in the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might.”

In Director Gao’s eyes, earning the license in year five and beginning the Heavenly Kunlun Technique at that point was already impressively fast.

At that rate, he expected Zhang Yu to be ready to represent the department in intercollegiate competitions by year six—and possibly place quite well.

But Zhang Yu, hearing he had to wait until year five to even qualify for the training, had only one thought—too slow.

He couldn’t help but speak up. “Can’t I start earlier?”

“Like taking next year’s exam instead.”

“And pushing harder to complete the Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes before then.”

Director Gao raised an eyebrow. After the recent competition, he felt Zhang Yu might be getting overconfident—biting off more than he could chew.

He reminded him, “It’s already December. If you want to sit next October’s exam, you have only ten months.”

“Do you even know who’s testing next year?”

“Su Yanyang and Xiao Yunji—both from this competition—will be taking it.”

“Xiao Yunji aside—her Immortal Path potential ranks among the highest in our entire department. Catching up to her in ten months is nearly impossible.”

“As for Su Yanyang, even though you beat his team in the competition, you should know that in pure cultivation strength, there’s still a big gap between you two.”

“Zhang Yu, you’ve got talent, no doubt—but don’t let that breed arrogance.”

“Instead of forcing yourself to compete with Xiao Yunji and Su Yanyang ten months from now, why not spend three years solidifying your foundation?”

“Master each of the Seven Absolutes, raise your core metrics, and grow stronger across all dimensions. Your moment will come.”

“Cultivation is a long road. Right now, a year feels like a big deal. Three years feels forever. But decades from now, you’ll realize—it was nothing.”

Zhang Yu knew he wouldn’t be able to talk the director out of this so easily.

So he pivoted.

“You’re right, Teacher,” Zhang Yu said humbly. “I shouldn’t be so hasty. I need to build a stronger foundation.”

Director Gao nodded approvingly.

“But… can I still attend the exam?”

“I don’t expect to pass—I just want to see what it’s like. Get a feel for it ahead of time.”

Director Gao thought for a moment. Zhang Yu sounded sincere. That seemed reasonable enough.

“Sure, you can observe. But be careful—if something feels off, pull out immediately. And don’t spend too much money in the process.”

Zhang Yu readily agreed, but inside, he’d already made up his mind:

Next October—I’m passing that exam.

At the same time, he felt a real pressure start to mount.

He was confident he could surpass Su Yanyang.

But catching up to Xiao Yunji in ten months?

That, he wasn’t so sure about.

Her potential was unfathomable—he still had no idea where her limits even lay.

With that settled, Director Gao shifted to discussing Zhang Yu’s training and cultivation roadmap.

Given Zhang Yu’s strong aptitude for martial cultivation, his formidable physique, his passion for civil engineering… and his chronic poverty—

The best place for him to train, Director Gao concluded, was the construction site.

On site, Zhang Yu could practice Techniques, temper his body, earn pharmaceutical subsidies, make money from project work, and contribute to the department all at once. A win on every front.

Every time Director Gao thought about how Zhang Yu had kept working through the chaos of the competition, hitting the required project output just before the deadline… he could only sigh—a natural-born civil engineer with civil engineering in his soul.

“So starting next month,” he said, “I’ll be assigning you to higher-value projects. You’ll train and earn more money at the same time.”

“In addition, your current priority is improving your core attributes. These are the foundations of the Immortal Path—the sooner you reach the Foundation Establishment cap, the better.”

“This is a platinum membership card for Heartforge Pavilion. You’ll get half-off rates—use it to temper your Dao Heart.”

Zhang Yu was delighted to receive the digital card. With this, he could access Heartforge Pavilion’s Spiritual Realm services and level up his Dao Heart faster.

Director Gao continued, “I’ve already upgraded the spirit-energy supply in your dorm to the highest tier. Use it to enhance your mana quickly.”

“As for mana quality—I own several plots in Huolongyuan Mana Production Co., Ltd. and have access to premium corpse components. I’ll be supplying you with 200% mana-quality mana every month.”

Zhang Yu still remembered Huolongyuan from a previous project. He’d helped restore some of their burial zones.

And now, hearing he’d be receiving 200%-grade mana made him practically giddy.

He’d previously bought 175%-quality mana on the black market, and while the early gains were quick, once he neared that threshold, improvements slowed.

Once he exceeded 175%, he needed even higher-quality mana to keep progressing.

And the higher the quality, the more it cost per percentage point.

For someone as broke as Zhang Yu, progress had been crawling.

No wonder Director Gao’s a big shot—he even owns parts of Huolongyuan, Zhang Yu thought.

Director Gao added, “Your physique will keep improving on-site, but we can speed that up too.”

Then, he suddenly asked, “By the way—why have you only been using an ocular Law Husk? Haven’t used anything else at all?”

To him, it seemed odd. Zhang Yu wasn’t rich, sure—but surely he could afford more than one Law Husk by now?

Zhang Yu explained, “I heard that the best Law Husks are custom-forged from one’s own flesh.”

“So I’ve been holding off—training my body until I can afford to commission a custom one.”

“Oh?” Director Gao nodded with faint surprise. “Didn’t expect you to have such long-term plans.”

“You’re right—custom Law Husks forged from one’s own body offer the most potential.”

“But that path is expensive and difficult. Even many wealthy cultivators skip it—they just buy powerful Law Husks off the shelf.”

“Since you’re set on it, I won’t sponsor you any Law Husks.”

“But I will find you a training-type artifact to help. I’ll get one to you in a few days.”

After parting ways with Director Gao, Zhang Yu felt he’d made massive gains.

With all this support, his cultivation path was about to accelerate again.

Wearing the title of Foundation Establishment rank #95 in the Civil Engineering Department and soaking in the respectful stares around him, Zhang Yu thought back on Director Gao’s generosity and couldn’t help but sigh:

Wanfa University’s learning environment really isn’t bad. The teachers… are actually pretty human too.

Meanwhile, Director Gao was already in touch with True Lord Magneto.

Director Gao: Magneto, I want to get Zhang Yu a training artifact for body cultivation.

True Lord Magneto: You really spoil your disciple.

Director Gao: Where’s the best place to buy one?

True Lord Magneto: [Lingxiao Smart Manufacturing shopping site]

Director Gao: Ugh, why let the platforms take all the profit?

Director Gao: I want to buy from you—cut out the middlemen.

True Lord Magneto: Sigh… alright, alright. For the sake of our centuries-long friendship.

Director Gao grinned and typed:

“Foundation-stage max-level physique training efficiency. Portable. No side effects. No upkeep costs. No potential damage. Budget: 5 spirit coins. Can you swing that?”

True Lord Magneto: …Should I become your disciple instead?

Director Gao: Don’t be hasty. Price is negotiable…

…

Wanfa University City, 88th floor.

Zhang Yu began practicing the seventh move of the Martial Saint Body.

During the final showdown with Su Yanyang’s team in the recent competition, even a single-layer activation of the Martial Saint Body had turned the tide.

That only made Zhang Yu look forward to the full set of Chain Diagram Techniques even more.

Especially now that he was about to return to the worksite—he planned to push the Martial Saint Body further so he could work faster and earn more pay.

But beyond that, he had to boost his Dao Heart, mana, mana quality, and physical strength—all at once.

Not to mention his artifact refinement and civil engineering coursework.

Day after day, Zhang Yu found himself so busy it felt like his feet never touched the ground. He wished each day had 48 hours just so he could fit in all the cultivation, learning, and labor he needed.