Che Yufei, who hadn’t participated in many competitions, couldn’t understand Su Yanyang’s actions. He asked, “What’s going on? Aren’t they attacking? Shouldn’t the offense be seizing every second to launch an assault?”

Shi Huaiyu exhaled and slowly explained, “A direct assault is only used when there’s an enormous gap between the two sides. Most matches among the top ten won’t be played like this. Since a civil engineering competition is, at its core, about civil engineering, the primary objective is naturally civil engineering capability. Combat is just part of the competition environment. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be a rule against killing people. Su Yanyang is too cautious, so he’s not giving us any chance for a head-on fight. He’s going to use their most skilled abilities to overwhelm us. Their next step should be to cover the area with an armored layer…”

As Shi Huaiyu spoke, everyone felt the ground beneath their feet vibrate violently. Simultaneously, the distant earth undulated, and layers of black barriers rose, rapidly expanding in their vision like successive city walls.

Shi Huaiyu murmured, “After being enhanced by Earth Fiend God, they’re using Minor Triad combined with ‘Turning Earth to Steel’ and ‘Twisting Earth to Gold.’ First, they move the soil, then shape and reinforce it, and finally refine metal elements to further increase its strength. Next should be the formations…”

The next moment, everyone felt a change in the spiritual energy in the air, and their expressions shifted slightly. Immediately, various tremors emanated from underground, growing in intensity and spreading further, as if the entire arena had become a massive construction site.

Shi Huaiyu explained, “The armored layer is to protect the formations. Once the formations are complete, they will start devouring spirit veins, disturbing the foundation, and changing the terrain… After the spirit veins are consumed, it will be difficult for us to recover our magic power. Once the terrain is controlled, they will alter the geological structure to make it unsuitable for construction, causing our bunkers to deform and collapse directly…”

Che Yufei helplessly said, “Their abilities are too strong; I’m afraid we don’t stand much of a chance.” Facing such a grand display, everyone present felt the urge to retreat.

Zhang Yu frowned as he watched this scene, knowing he couldn’t let his teammates’ morale continue to drop. His gaze shifted, and he spoke, “Everyone, do you know how many teachers are watching us right now? Most of the department’s teachers, all three directors, are watching our competition. To surrender directly like this, in front of all the teachers… do you think you’ll be able to hold your heads high in the Civil Engineering Department afterward?”

Upon hearing Zhang Yu’s words, Che Yufei and the others, who had just been contemplating retreat, were jolted.

Zhang Yu continued, “And have you thought about this? What a rare opportunity this is to showcase yourselves? How difficult was it in the past to get such a chance to demonstrate your abilities to so many teachers? Whether you win or lose, at least give it your all and show your best.”

Listening to Zhang Yu, Che Yufei had to admit that he had a point. Especially recalling the changes after making it into the top ten of the competition… if they surrendered now, it would likely leave a bad impression on the many leaders of the Civil Engineering Department. Conversely, if they demonstrated their abilities in this match, even if they lost in the end, it would probably be more useful than submitting a stack of resumes. Moreover, Zhang Yu’s status as Director Gao’s unofficial disciple added a few more layers of credibility to his words for Che Yufei, Shi Yunxiang, and others.

“Hahahaha.” Che Yufei laughed loudly and said, “You’re right, Zhang Yu. This is a great opportunity for us to display our skills. How could we retreat so easily?” He let out a roar, his muscles trembling violently. Amidst puffs of white mist, he visibly aged by a year or two, and the wrinkles on his face deepened imperceptibly. Che Yufei grinned and said, “Let’s give it one more shot.”

But as he aged, his aura surged repeatedly. Leaving a blur behind, he instantly appeared beside the construction materials. As his body continuously flashed back and forth, the bunker’s foundation rapidly changed at a visible pace.

Zhang Yu, watching this scene, opened his mouth and looked at the aging Che Yufei, unable to help but say, “You don’t have to push yourself *that* hard…”

Shi Yunxiang said from the side, “Don’t worry. It’s just a bit of lifespan; Old Che knows his limits. And you’re right, we’ve finally made it in front of the leaders; we can’t just come for nothing. How else can we show our civil engineering spirit without sacrificing some years?”

Shi Yunxiang let out a roar, similarly activating a burst-type technique. He then activated his hand-bone artifact, creating a deep pit with a few powerful strikes.

The abilities the two displayed at this moment weren’t just powerful construction skills like building foundations and producing cement. They were also adept at setting up formations, as if they had done it countless times. This was because during their usual construction work, they had become accustomed to setting up formations themselves to earn an extra installation fee, thus mastering various basic formations taught by the Civil Engineering Department professors.

Witnessing this, a squad of Formless Warriors appeared behind Zhang Yu, while dragon-shaped qi roared around Xiao Qingxuan. Everyone else also fully committed, rushing to assist and further accelerate the bunker’s construction.

Watching everyone work at full capacity, Shi Huaiyu touched his waist and spoke to the artifact inside his “ghost kidney”: “Help me calculate how much time we have left.” The soul cultivator within the kidney replied, “I’m only here to suppress the ghost kidney; I’m not responsible for other services.” Shi Huaiyu retorted, “I purchased the ‘Ghost Kidney Suppression and Portable Calculation Package,’ and it explicitly states that the ghost kidney also provides calculation services.” Shi Huaiyu added, “I know you can access the spirit realm’s calculation pool; don’t play dumb with me.”

The soul cultivator reluctantly agreed and, after a moment, provided the result: “Based on your current progress, you should be able to complete the bunker and formations in approximately 40 minutes.”

Shi Huaiyu then asked, “What about them?”

The soul cultivator replied, “Based on the data I have, their spirit vein control will exceed 50% in about 20 minutes.”

Shi Huaiyu’s gaze sharpened at this. “That fast?”

The soul cultivator said, “According to my calculations, their final spirit vein control will be around 74%, while yours will be 26%. They will have complete control over the terrain. Once they exert their power to alter the geological structure, all your current efforts will be in vain.”

Shi Huaiyu frowned slightly and immediately sent the calculated data to the group chat. Everyone instantly understood that they couldn’t outcompete the other team in construction capability if they continued this way.

Inside the spirit realm. A teacher, observing Zhang Yu and Su Yanyang’s match, nodded slightly and commented, “Now this is a civil engineering competition! Su Yanyang is taking a steady approach, setting up large formations and fighting a tough battle; it’s all about overwhelming the opponent with superior force.” Wei Huai, a teacher from the Peace Faction, stated, “This is the disparity in funds and assets. What’s the point of Zhang Yu’s side fighting so desperately? Can they outcompete that much money?” Neither Tu Lishan nor Lang Yougong, the teachers from the War Faction, offered a rebuttal. After all, Su Yanyang’s team was clearly dominating the other side with their displayed abilities. Tu Lishan didn’t acknowledge Wei Huai’s comment at all, instead shifting the topic to Mo Shangjin, who was also gaining a significant advantage on another front.

But just then, Wei Huai continued, “Still wrong.” He shook his head repeatedly. “Rushing out at a time like this, isn’t that just reckless bravery? Charging into someone else’s grand formation? Only the Security Department would be so foolhardy.”

Tu Lishan turned his head and saw Zhang Yu, Xiao Qingxuan, and Tian Yang rush out of their construction site together, charging towards the fortifications built by Su Yanyang’s team. The tall, winding, metallic-sheened barriers grew larger and larger in the eyes of the three.

Meanwhile, Shi Huaiyu’s voice continuously reached their ears via the competition group chat. Shi Huaiyu: “With the assistance of the Earth Fiend God and their formations, he can completely suppress my Minor Triad. I’ll stay at the construction site with Che Yufei, Shi Yunxiang, and the others to complete our construction. But no matter how fast we are, we can’t be faster than Su Yanyang’s team. To gain an advantage in this round, the only way is to find a way to slow down their construction efficiency. Steal construction materials, sabotage… in short, you must find a way to cause them trouble…”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “We’re clearly the defending side in this round, yet we have to counterattack. Is this the disparity in construction capabilities?”

As Zhang Yu and his team stepped past the barriers, they found these towering, layered defenses, like successive city walls, overlapping behind them and obscuring the sky. Their internal structure was complex and winding, resembling a twisted, deformed insect nest.

Moreover, Shi Huaiyu’s voice completely vanished as soon as they entered.

Xiao Qingxuan frowned. “The network is down.”

Tian Yang, standing beside him, shook his head. “It’s the Great Formation of Boundary Separation. It can block the connection between the material world and the spirit realm’s network.”

Zhang Yu said, “Shi Huaiyu has a lot of information on Su Yanyang’s team and can tell us the progress of both sides at any time. We can’t lose contact with her.”

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu looked at the Azure Silk Flying Sword wrapped around his finger and asked, “If we connect to the spirit realm’s network through the Sky-Patrolling Flying Sword of Heavenly Sword University, can we break through the Great Formation of Boundary Separation?”

“Sky-Patrolling Flying Sword?” Tian Yang’s eyes lit up. “The Great Formation of Boundary Separation here was hastily set up by Su Yanyang in the arena. With the power of the Sky-Patrolling Flying Sword, we can naturally break through it easily. However, there are three of us. If all three use this method to break through the Great Formation of Boundary Separation, the consumption might be significant.”

Zhang Yu nodded. The data fees for the Sky-Patrolling Flying Sword were much higher than regular internet fees.

Xiao Qingxuan helplessly said, “Charging into someone else’s formation naturally incurs consumption. Those without enough spirit coins naturally don’t even qualify to breach formations. Like me, I’m currently in debt, so I can’t use the Sky-Patrolling Flying Sword.”

Tian Yang looked at the Azure Silk Flying Sword in Zhang Yu’s hand and said, “I have a method to communicate with the Sky-Patrolling Flying Sword and then transfer the spirit realm’s sword intent into your bodies. That should break this Great Formation of Boundary Separation.”

The Azure Silk Flying Sword was inserted into Tian Yang’s head like an antenna. As a pained expression flashed across his face, he extended a palm from each hand, striking Zhang Yu and Xiao Qingxuan respectively. “Here you go. This is my last bit of data for the year… It’s all for you. Use it sparingly.”