Zhang Yu was toying with the Golden Jade Disc in his hand. This magic artifact was about the size of a person’s chest, appearing as a flat, circular jade object with a palm-sized hole in its center. Its surface was covered in intricate golden patterns, resembling complex mana circuits, which spanned the entire disc. As Zhang Yu infused it with his mana, the Golden Jade Disc floated into the air.

Simultaneously, various parameters of the Golden Jade Disc, such as mana capacity, power output, and operating duration, appeared in Zhang Yu’s ocular display.

“Activate follow mode.” As Zhang Yu calmly commanded, faint light appeared within the Golden Jade Disc, locking onto him. The disc then slowly drifted behind him, hovering like a halo behind his head, moving with his every step.

In addition to the follow mode, the Golden Jade Disc also had attack, defense, and free modes, all equipped with basic intelligence allowing them to operate according to rules set by Zhang Yu.

“Still, it’s not as precise as manual control,” he mused.

With a thought from Zhang Yu, the Golden Jade Disc behind his head emitted a brilliant radiance, illuminating the entire dorm room like a small sun. However, Zhang Yu only released a burst of light, not activating any more functions.

“It wouldn’t be good if I broke something in the dorm,” he thought. “I’ll wait until I get to the construction site to try more.” With that in mind, Zhang Yu then separately infused the Golden Jade Disc with mana from both the Profound Frost and Blazing Sun meridians.

He knew that infusing different types of specialized mana would significantly alter the disc’s functions.

“With the Golden Jade Disc, my efficiency at the construction site will improve even further.”

Thinking this, Zhang Yu instinctively checked his bank balance, which showed 36.15 Spirit Coins remaining. In recent months, his income had steadily increased due to Zhang Pianpian’s monthly 5 Spirit Coin repayments, Wen Wuya’s 10 Spirit Coin monthly subscription, and his continuous hard work at the construction site.

Yet, Zhang Yu’s savings hadn’t grown much, simply because the expenses for artifact refinement were too high. Especially for advanced refinement techniques, the Spirit Coins consumed in simulation labs and the cost of materials in reality grew exponentially. It was only because Zhang Yu’s basic attributes were gradually reaching their Foundation Establishment limit, eliminating the need to spend Spirit Coins on cultivation and saving him a monthly expense; otherwise, his current savings would be even lower.

“If it weren’t for the subsidies from my full-time work at the construction site, my artifact refinement progress would likely be much slower.”

As Zhang Yu was examining the Golden Jade Disc, True Monarch Magnetic Pole sent a message.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: You’ve refined the Golden Jade Disc well.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: I have a suggestion for you.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Let Xing Li help you take orders. I’ve already spoken to her about it.

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred slightly. He asked, “Are these orders for artifact refinement?”

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: You’ve mastered Azure Sand, Grand Unity Golden Liquid Pills, and the Golden Jade Disc quite well, haven’t you?
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: I know you lack capital and don’t have Spirit Coins to stock materials.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: So, take orders for artifact refinement and earn a craftsmanship fee.

Zhang Yu was naturally delighted by this prospect; even just earning a craftsmanship fee would undoubtedly be more efficient than working at the construction site. However, Zhang Yu understood that the order volume wouldn’t be large, as most people would still choose larger companies and platforms when purchasing magic artifacts. Still, even taking two or three orders a month would be a significant subsidy for his cultivation.

Thinking this, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but feel grateful to True Monarch Magnetic Pole. His teacher truly understood what he lacked most at the moment.

Just then, True Monarch Magnetic Pole sent Zhang Yu another gift: a cultivation method called the “Treasure Appraisal Art.” Though its name seemed simple, this was a cultivation method Zhang Yu had long known about but had never acquired. This was because its usage rights cost a hefty 50 Spirit Coins, plus a monthly renewal fee of 1 Spirit Coin. The reason for its steep price was that the Treasure Appraisal Art was a technique used to appraise numerous magic artifacts and remains, which involved the copyrights of countless such items. The monthly renewal was necessary because the Treasure Appraisal Art was constantly being updated, incorporating newly discovered and created magic artifacts and remains from Kunxu. As one of the co-creators of the Treasure Appraisal Art, True Monarch Magnetic Pole had a certain number of annual authorization slots.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Since you’ve embarked on the path of artifact refinement, the ability to identify magic artifacts and remains is essential.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Consider this Treasure Appraisal Art my gift to you for passing your artifact refinement exam in your second year.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: As for the Golden Jade Disc, that can be considered Old Gao’s gift to congratulate you on passing the exam.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Does Director Gao even know he’s celebrating me passing the artifact refinement exam?”

Zhang Yu replied, “Thank you, teacher.” He quickly downloaded the Treasure Appraisal Art and stored it in his ocular display.

While browsing, he also saw the Chain Spell Formation Set to which the Treasure Appraisal Art belonged: “Artifact Refinement Prodigy.” Zhang Yu mused, “Unlike the manufacturing techniques for various magic artifacts, the Treasure Appraisal Art, as a cultivation method, can actually trigger a Chain Spell Formation.”

Zhang Yu understood that on the path of artifact refinement, besides the manufacturing techniques for various magic artifacts and remains, many cultivation methods could enhance one’s related abilities in this field. Examples included the Treasure Appraisal Art, the Five Thunder Refinement Technique, the Mundane Armament Forging Art, and the Dragon Vein Treasure Casting Art, among others. However, unlike most of the cultivation methods Zhang Yu had previously practiced, these all belonged to the category of Daoist Arts.

Expensiveness was a characteristic of these Daoist Arts; not only were their usage rights costly, but the expenses required for their cultivation also far exceeded those for martial arts techniques. Up until now, all the cultivation methods Zhang Yu had practiced were either pure mental techniques, breathing techniques, or martial arts techniques. This was his first time being qualified to practice a Daoist Art like the Treasure Appraisal Art. The primary reason for this was the exorbitant cost of Daoist Arts.

“Daoist Arts often require special materials for cultivation, such as various types of thunderfire, unique substances like ‘mundane qi’ or ‘heavenly gang qi,’ or specific environments like dragon veins or yin points,” he thought to himself. “Some Daoist Arts also consume extreme amounts of spiritual energy, or require purchasing specialized mana that one doesn’t possess. If a cultivation method is related to artifact refinement, it often needs various magic artifacts to aid in cultivation…” Zhang Yu sighed internally. This was why, after embarking on the path of artifact refinement, he hadn’t chosen to cultivate any artifact refinement techniques.

After all, merely acquiring the production techniques for various magic artifacts already placed immense financial strain on Zhang Yu; he simply had no money left for artifact refinement cultivation methods. Zhang Yu’s original plan was to only consider artifact refinement cultivation methods once his refinement skills had improved sufficiently to achieve financial balance.

“This is probably also why artifact refinement cultivation methods aren’t required in the first three years of the Artifact Refinement Department’s curriculum,” he reasoned. “Pursuing both paths simultaneously would create too much financial pressure; many students in the Artifact Refinement Department probably couldn’t handle it.”

Consequently, Zhang Yu grew increasingly delighted as he looked at the Treasure Appraisal Art before him. Having True Monarch Magnetic Pole’s gifted usage rights truly saved him a significant amount of money.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Are you sure you want to continue concealing our relationship? Won’t you come to study in the Artifact Refinement Department?
Zhang Yu: Apologies, True Monarch, Director Gao has been very good to me. I don’t want to hurt him.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “After this final exam, I’ll have mastered three of the Seven Wonders of Civil Engineering. And I’ve already asked Director Gao about the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition; the top seven contestants will also be rewarded with two slots for the Seven Wonders of Civil Engineering. If I secure one of those slots, that means I’ll have mastered four of the Seven Wonders. Then, once I get my military certificate, and if I pass three more of the department’s seven civil engineering trials, gaining three more of the Wonders…” As he considered this, Zhang Yu could almost see the Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Might, a military-grade martial arts technique, beckoning to him.

True Monarch Magnetic Pole: Although I can continue to guide you in artifact refinement knowledge and secretly grant you a degree from the Artifact Refinement Department, if you don’t publicly join the department, you won’t have the opportunity to master its true ultimate techniques. For example, our department’s two military-grade cultivation methods, the “Heaven and Earth Calamity Formless Mind Weapon” and the “Grand Void Divine Artifact Strategy,” along with military-grade remains and artifacts like the “Heavenly Sun Blazing God,” the “Void Tribulation Transformation Diagram,” and the “Taihao Sacred Law Sword Array,” you won’t have the chance to learn or get your hands on them. Your senior sister, Ye Xingli, for instance, is already practicing the “Grand Void Divine Artifact Strategy” and is about to complete the refinement of the Void Tribulation Transformation Diagram.
Fu Ji commented, “The Artifact Refinement Department is indeed more powerful than the Civil Engineering Department; it has far more military-grade powers.”

Zhang Yu’s heart stirred. “True Monarch Magnetic Pole is trying to tempt me, isn’t he?” Yet, he had to admit, it was impossible for him not to be at least slightly swayed by True Monarch Magnetic Pole’s words. But even if he were to go to the Artifact Refinement Department to learn these military-grade powers, Zhang Yu still wanted to first master the Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Might in the Civil Engineering Department. After all, he was already nearly halfway there on this path.

Fu Ji chuckled, “True Monarch Magnetic Pole initially just offered you an apprenticeship out of convenience. After last year’s Civil Engineering Competition, she saw your physical talent and was willing to take you on as a secret disciple. Now, having witnessed your talent in artifact refinement, True Monarch Magnetic Pole probably believes you have a strong chance of mastering the Artifact Refinement Department’s military-grade powers, which is why she wants to make your relationship public in the future.”

Zhang Yu nodded slightly, thinking how he had indeed gradually perceived True Monarch Magnetic Pole’s changing attitude towards him through their successive interactions.
Fu Ji continued, “She’s definitely trying to tempt you now. Even if you were to transfer to the Artifact Refinement Department, it wouldn’t happen instantly. You can certainly use this time to master the Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Might. There’s no need to reveal your relationship prematurely and incur Director Gao’s displeasure.”
“True Monarch Magnetic Pole undoubtedly knows this too. I think she’s just offering you a taste of what’s to come, to solidify your determination to make the relationship public in the future.”

Zhang Yu: I need to think about it.
True Monarch Magnetic Pole: No rush, take your time.