No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Ji Yuanshu stared bitterly at Zhang Yu’s social feed, muttering, “Damn it…”

He could already see himself losing even the last chance to switch teams. He wouldn’t earn a single point from this year’s competition, and the gap between him and the likes of Gongshu Jin, Ying Xin, and Yu Xinghan would only grow wider. As the class’s fifth-ranked student, he was destined to be dragged into endless darkness—by seven merciless credit cards.

Just then, Ji Yuanshu suddenly received a message.

Ping Han: “Does your team still need people?”

…

Meanwhile, on another side of the city, Li Xiao closed his chat with Ji Yuanshu and arrived at the construction site on the 668th floor.

But when he found Zhang Yu’s location, he saw that Ying Xin was already there, sleeves rolled up and wielding Martial Qi, helping Zhang Yu with the labor.

Zhang Yu said, “Xiao Ying, I can handle this myself.”

Ying Xin replied, “No, no. I love shoveling dirt. Been doing it since I was a kid. I feel itchy all over if I don’t get my hands dirty.”

Watching the scene unfold, Li Xiao was mildly surprised. “Ying Xin got here this early?”A voice from nearby chimed in—Gongshu Jin.

“Early? According to security around here, she’s been helping Zhang Yu for days already.”

Gongshu Jin added, “It really pays to have a few soul cultivators in the family. At least the news gets to you early.”

“She’s probably one of the very first in our class to know Zhang Yu passed the Military License Exam.”

The very day the exam ended, Ying Xin had heard all about Zhang Yu’s performance from her great-grandfather.

Since then, she’d been turning up by Zhang Yu’s side now and then.

And more recently, she’d started receiving messages from people offering spirit coins to buy her backup slot—many of the offers were tempting, even to her.

Li Xiao sighed inwardly. “Sigh… I don’t have the kind of pedigree Ying Xin does. I can’t even flatter properly. Her slot is getting more locked-in by the day.”

Just then, Divine Power surged in the sky. Under the watchful eyes of Li Xiao, Ying Xin, and the others, beams of golden light formed steps, manifesting one by one in midair.

Many nearby workers were startled and turned to watch, curious.

Deng Bingding descended slowly, flanked by several Righteous Gods. Looking at Zhang Yu, he chuckled warmly. “Zhang Yu, congratulations.”

“I’m here to issue your Military Civil Engineering License.”

Zhang Yu looked calm and composed, but those beside him—Ying Xin, Gongshu Jin, Li Xiao—were visibly excited.

At some point, Tu Lishan had appeared beside Zhang Yu.

Deng Bingding glanced at Tu Lishan in surprise and asked, “You are?”

Tu Lishan smiled slightly. “I’m Tu Lishan, Zhang Yu’s Fundamentals of Civil Engineering instructor.”

Deng Bingding nodded. “Teacher Tu, you’ve cultivated a true pillar of Wanfa University.”

Tu Lishan laughed. He’d come here today for this very moment: to be in the photo when Zhang Yu received his military license.

Deng Bingding spread his palms. A radiant golden certificate shimmered into view, projected from the Spiritual Realm and floating in front of Zhang Yu.

“Zhang Yu, may fortune flow your way, and may you continue advancing on the Immortal Path. May you bring new glory to Wanfa and Kunxu.”

The next moment, the certificate transformed into a streak of light that Zhang Yu gently reached out and caught.

As the certificate landed in his hand, Zhang Yu saw his ranking across all departments skyrocket.

This was the comprehensive point boost from the military license. It instantly launched him from over sixtieth place all the way up to twenty-ninth.

Watching this, Gongshu Jin thought to himself, “If Zhang Yu weren’t just a third-year, still lacking credits from upper-level civil engineering courses, his rank would be much higher.”

“My friend’s strength… can no longer be measured by comprehensive points or department rankings.”

Then Ying Xin, Gongshu Jin, and Li Xiao all crowded in for a group photo with Zhang Yu, proudly holding his military license, and each posted it to their feeds.

Ying Xin: “Senior brother passed the military license exam. Wishing him continued success.”

Gongshu Jin: “My best friend got his military license today. Celebrating together!”

Li Xiao: “A third-year who earned his military license! Pride of our whole floor!”

At the same time, Tu Lishan received a message from Director Gao.

Director Gao: “Was the license awarded?”

Tu Lishan: “Yes, Director.”

Tu Lishan: [Photo of military license award]

He had already snapped the perfect shot—Righteous Gods descending on a jobsite, issuing a military license to a student with mortar on his clothes. He made sure to capture himself and the whole site in the frame.

Director Gao: “Nice photo. 👍”

Director Gao: “Truly captures the spirit of the Civil Engineering Department.”

Director Gao: “Send it to the department group.”

Director Gao: “And don’t forget the school’s news site and socials.”

…

In the Civil Engineering Department teacher group chat:

Tu Lishan: “Congrats to our third-year student Zhang Yu for successfully passing the military license exam! 🎉🎉🎉”

Tu Lishan: [Photo]

Civil Engineering teachers: 👍😲🎉

Lang Yougong: “Isn’t he Director Gao’s student?”

Another teacher replied: “Director Gao’s teachings are really something. The only two students in the department with military licenses are both his.”

Another one chimed in: “Director Gao, red envelope, please?”

Director Gao: “It’s thanks to everyone’s collective effort.”

Director Gao: “We must all continue to work hard and carry forward the spirit of civil engineering, building our department stronger.”

Meanwhile, Director Lin stared coldly at the group’s flattery, sneering to himself: “Hmph, one military license… You’d think he became headmaster.”

He messaged Immortal Jiao Lei: “Keep trying to poach Zhang Yu. Tell him anything’s negotiable.”

He muttered, “Even if we can’t get him, it’ll at least cause some internal friction.”

But Immortal Jiao Lei soon replied: “No can do, Director. Zhang Yu already signed.”

Immortal Jiao Lei: “I checked—his company’s backed by the Artifact Refinement Department. True Lord Magneto is one of the shareholders.”

Director Lin cursed inwardly: “Damn you, Gao Chongguang. Talking about unity while selling off department talent to line the Artifact Refinement Department’s pockets.”

Immortal Jiao Lei: “Should we keep pushing?”

Director Lin: “Put it on hold for now.”

…

Back on the jobsite, the glowing image of the military license had faded from everyone else’s view. Only Zhang Yu could still see it through his EyeNet interface.

Reading through the detailed provisions, Zhang Yu’s mind churned.

Then he opened his ever-refreshing message feed.

Yu Xinghan: “You got your license? Damn it, I couldn’t make it—had to work overtime.”

Yu Xinghan: “Tonight you must bring the license and take a photo with me.”

…

Che Yufei: “Senior, Shi Yunxiang and I talked it over. Should we pay you a bit of a team fee?”

Zhang Yu: “Don’t call me senior.”

Che Yufei: “Your grades are way better. You are my senior.”

When Zhang Yu didn’t reply, Che Yufei grew anxious.

More people were bidding on his competition slot, making him both tempted and frustrated.

“Do I go for the ranking or the money?”

…

Shi Yunxiang: “I’m getting a new heart Law Husk soon. Want my old Lionheart?”

Shi Huaiyu: “Zhang Yu! You bought Nectar Coins on 100x leverage?!”

Shi Huaiyu: “Holy crap, Su Yanyang said he’s gonna have to sell a kidney to cover his losses!?”

Zhao Tianxing: “Zhang Yu, can I repost your photo from social media?”

Feng Tingting: “Junior! You’re on the news! [Congrats to Wanfa University’s Civil Engineering third-year Zhang Yu for earning his Military License]”

Ye Xingli: [3 Spirit Coin Red Envelope] “Congrats”

Ye Xingli thought to herself, “Master said he values old bonds… A red envelope should count as a bond, right?”

Zhang Yu silently accepted Ye Xingli’s 3-spirit-coin envelope and mused, “Wanfa University sure has a strong sense of community. Is this really still Kunxu?”

Just then, his eyes narrowed—Ma Xuan and Su Yanyang had both added him as a friend.

Ma Xuan: “Zhang, any open slots on your team? I’m willing to pay. Price is flexible.”

Su Yanyang: “Bro, I messed up.”

Su Yanyang: “Can I buy a competition slot? I’ll pay 20 Spirit Coins.”

Su Yanyang: “Don’t worry, I’ve made money trading coins. I’ll definitely pay up.”

Seeing the offer, Zhang Yu felt a moment of temptation.

But when he thought of his current teammates, he realized he couldn’t bring himself to broach the topic—and simply shook his head helplessly.

Then he noticed he was being pinged in the Songyang Locals group chat.

He clicked in and scanned briefly. It started with Lian Tianji hyping Nectar Coins, with many people flattering him.

Then Zhao Tianxing chimed in.

Zhao Tianxing: “Just helped my boss pass the Military License Exam.”

Lan Ling: “A vocational student taking the Military License Exam? 🤦‍♂️”

Zhao Tianxing: [Official license pass list]

Zhao Tianxing: “Zhang Yu got the license. I was just there to lend a hand.”

Mo Tianyi: “Old Zhao, your Level-20 artifact handling was on point.”

Lan Ling: “Level-20 artifact?”

Mo Tianyi: “Both of us were on Level-20 artifact control duty. Even the soul cultivator we worked with was a Wanfa graduate.”

Qian Shen: “What’s Zhang Yu’s current ranking?”

Qian Shen: “Wanfa’s ranking system has issues…”

…

As Zhao Tianxing watched the hometown group’s admiration, questions, and curiosity pour in—especially from students at 36 Academies and 72 Lower Academies—he felt a rare sense of pride swell in his chest.

He looked up at the no-longer-dark Spiritual Realm abode around him and felt a surge of satisfaction.

Since gaining credentials from helping with the exam, his income had grown again, and he’d moved from his former dark-space quarters into a proper Spiritual Realm dwelling.

Surrounded by pixelated walls and a pixelated body, Zhao Tianxing smiled faintly. Life was definitely looking up.

Just then, one of his boxy, pixel-faced roommates messaged him: “Old Zhao, can you refer me to your hometown friend’s team? I’ll pay you a finder’s fee.”

“I’m almost at the mind-melting phase. Promise I won’t slack.”

Another roommate PMed: “Zhao, you know everyone. You’re connected to Wanfa students with military licenses. Can you refer me too? I’m near the end of my lifespan—I’ll work hard.”

And yet another said: “I’ll give you half the commission. Just get me into Wanfa. I wanna see what the ‘Ten Great Academies’ are like.”

Looking at the string of messages, Zhao Tianxing instinctively scratched his head—then remembered his body didn’t allow for movements that precise.

He frowned slightly, torn, but eventually replied one by one, sincerely: “I can ask around, but no promises.”