Seeing Ping Han ranked first in construction output, True Monarch Tianxiang smiled slightly, pointed at the screen, and said, “Rankings depend on how they are calculated.”

“If we count by the number of kills, it’s a completely different picture.”

The data ranking on the screen suddenly changed from being based on construction output to being based on the number of Yellow Turban Strongmen killed.

In an instant, Zhang Yu rose to first place, with Ping Han in second. Many guests were surprised by this scene. After all, Ping Han’s final mountain-lifting strike, both in terms of impact and scale, surpassed Zhang Yu’s, yet his kill count was unexpectedly lower than Zhang Yu’s.

True Monarch Tianxiang explained, “Although Ping Han’s final attack was grand, it lacked Zhang Yu’s level of control, so its effective lethality was naturally not as high.”

With a thought from him, the screen projected images of the Divine Officers cleaning up the battlefields.

In Ping Han’s examination area, Divine Officers were dividing and moving the ‘small mountain’ Ping Han had angrily thrown, returning it to its original place. Below the overturned ‘small mountain,’ numerous smaller Yellow Turban Strongmen were found buried in pits, still retaining their combat effectiveness.

Director Gao, observing this scene, thought to himself, “When Ping Han’s mountain-lifting strike landed, the larger Yellow Turban monsters bore the brunt and were directly shattered. However, the smaller Yellow Turban Strongmen had an opportunity to dig holes and evade the attack. Furthermore, because the ‘small mountain’ pressed down on the remains of the larger Yellow Turban monsters, it naturally created gaps between the ‘mountain’ and the ground.”

Simultaneously, Zhang Yu’s examination area appeared on the screen. One after another, Yellow Turban Strongmen corpses were cleared out. Each appeared largely undamaged, yet all were precisely incapacitated, with no survivors on the entire battlefield.

Deng Bingding, also watching this scene, grew increasingly shocked. “Zhang Yu is only a junior, right? It hasn’t even been two and a half years since he first entered university, and he’s already made such rapid progress?”

As the battlefield remnants from both Zhang Yu and Ping Han were displayed, True Monarch Tianxiang continued, “Zhang Yu achieved greater lethality with a smaller construction scale and lower cost. Doesn’t this demonstrate that his skill level surpasses Ping Han’s?”

Upon hearing this, many civil engineering experts present nodded repeatedly. After all, knowing how to minimize costs, just like knowing how to inflate prices, is an essential skill for every civil engineer.

Geng Chenyi remarked dismissively, “How can a civil engineering exam be judged by kill counts? It should obviously focus on construction scale, efficiency…”

True Monarch Tianxiang retorted without backing down, “This is an examination for the Military Civil Engineering Certificate, which determines the right to use military-grade martial arts. How can kill counts not be considered?”

As the two sides remained in a deadlock, True Monarch Qiyun, who had remained silent, looked at Director Lin and asked, “Old Lin, what’s your take?”

Director Lin replied, “Ping Han has his strengths, and Zhang Yu has his brilliance. However, Ping Han is, after all, in his final year…”

True Monarch Tianxiang shook his head. “What does it matter if it’s his final year? The Military Certificate is awarded based on merit alone. Are we to consider age?”

One guest suggested, “I think it would be better to let both of them get the Military Certificate.”

True Monarch Qiyun rejected the idea, saying, “The Heavenly Court grants only one spot at most; it’s impossible for both to receive it.”

Director Gao, standing nearby, sighed inwardly upon hearing this. He knew that for the Heavenly Court, no matter how excellent a student was, they had no power to make the Heavenly Court retract a decision.

As various judges and guests voiced their opinions, True Monarch Qiyun summarized, “Both Ping Han and Zhang Yu have commendable qualities.”

“Ping Han possesses formidable magical power, leveraging the Grand Trend of Spirit Transformation and harnessing the power of heaven and earth. In this battle, his performance could be described as world-shaking.”

“Zhang Yu’s martial arts have been forged through countless trials, and his desperate, all-out strike swept the entire field, truly a battle against heaven and earth…”

As he spoke, True Monarch Qiyun’s mind replayed his recent conversation with True Monarch Ciji. In fact, while everyone present was voicing their opinions, he was also repeatedly analyzing the performances of Ping Han and Zhang Yu. He paid particular attention to Zhang Yu, perhaps due to True Monarch Ciji’s influence, not only focusing on Zhang Yu himself but also on aspects of Zhang Yu beyond his martial arts.

“Zhang Yu’s array of magic treasures, though seemingly unremarkable, played a crucial role. Without the augmentation from these treasures, his speed in assimilating construction materials would likely have been much slower, and his remaining strength might not have been sufficient to completely annihilate his opponents.”

Thinking of this, True Monarch Qiyun sent a message to True Monarch Ciji with a question.

True Monarch Qiyun: Ciji, how is Zhang Yu’s artifact refining skill?
True Monarch Ciji: ?
True Monarch Qiyun: [Screenshot of Zhang Yu’s advisor. Image file]
True Monarch Ciji: Oh, I’d forgotten if you hadn’t mentioned it. I did indeed take on such a disciple.
True Monarch Qiyun: I’m overseeing the Military Certificate examination.
True Monarch Qiyun: I want to know Zhang Yu’s artifact refining skill.
True Monarch Ciji: If he were in the Artifact Refining Department, he’d be at least in the top five of his class.

True Monarch Qiyun was slightly surprised by this and asked again, “Which of the magic treasures on him did he refine himself?”

The memory of his conversation with True Monarch Ciji flashed in his mind, and True Monarch Qiyun thought to himself, “This Zhang Yu possesses great talent. The entire university operates as a unified entity. While the inter-university competition for the Civil Engineering Department is important, ultimately, the Artifact Refining Department is more crucial. By supporting Ciji and Zhang Yu, we can allow Zhang Yu to master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Shifting Divine Power before transferring departments… making him an interdisciplinary talent in artifact refining. If he can then, in turn, contribute back to the Civil Engineering Department, fostering further collaboration between the Artifact Refining and Civil Engineering departments, it would add leverage in balancing the Finance Department and incidentally curb the trend of cryptocurrency speculation within the university… Old Gao would surely support this if he knew.”

Although True Monarch Qiyun outwardly never opposed students speculating in Qionjiang Coins, it was clearly impossible for him to be entirely indifferent to their own ‘leeks’ rushing to be harvested by the ‘sickles’ of Hehuan University. True Monarch Qiyun could already imagine the atmosphere that would be created in the Civil Engineering Department if Ping Han secured the Military Certificate.

Of course, whether it was the overall strategic interests of the various departments at Myriad Law University or the analysis of student cryptocurrency trading, these considerations were ultimately based on Zhang Yu’s strength. If Zhang Yu’s strength, from a certain perspective, hadn’t genuinely been a cut above Ping Han’s, True Monarch Qiyun wouldn’t have pondered so much.

His thoughts raced like lightning, but True Monarch Qiyun continued speaking without pause: “…However, Ping Han, though harnessing the vast power of heaven and earth, ultimately lacked perfect control, leaving vulnerabilities and flaws. Zhang Yu, on the other hand, fought for every bit of his power himself, with unparalleled fighting spirit, supplemented by bone ash, flesh, and digestive matter. He constructed an iron defense line that annihilated the most enemies at the lowest cost. To me, that is the true spirit of civil engineering.”

“However, my assessment is just that—my assessment. All the data from today’s examination, along with your insights, will be reported truthfully to the Heavenly Court. The final decision will, of course, be made by the revered Great Gods and Immortals of the Heavenly Court.”

Geng Chenyi, standing by, thought to himself that the exalted Sect Immortals wouldn’t concern themselves with such trivial matters of the Heavenly Court; they would likely leave the decision to the Great Gods. However, the Great Gods wouldn’t divert too much attention to this examination either. Most likely, their subordinate Divine Officers would synthesize the opinions of those present to reach a conclusion.

“Normally, the Heavenly Court doesn’t overturn the on-site recommendations for the Military Certificate examination. Given the current situation, with both True Monarch Qiyun and True Monarch Tianxiang backing Zhang Yu, it’s highly probable that this year’s Civil Engineering Military Certificate will go to Zhang Yu.” Geng Chenyi inwardly lamented, “This Ping Han… what a pity. If he had secured the Military Certificate, it would likely have encouraged many to buy Qionjiang Coins.”

Upon hearing True Monarch Qiyun’s remarks, everyone present shared similar thoughts to Geng Chenyi, understanding that the Military Certificate would most likely be awarded to Zhang Yu this time. Of course, procedurally, everything still needed to be submitted for approval, awaiting the Heavenly Court’s final decision. Before the Heavenly Court officially announced the results, the experts and professors present naturally had no interest in revealing anything prematurely.

Meanwhile, Director Gao, who had been listening to the entire debate, showed a complex expression on his face. In his heart, it would be a great pity if either Ping Han or Zhang Yu failed to secure the Military Certificate. Upon hearing of Ping Han’s likely failure, this regret intensified, significantly tempering his joy over Zhang Yu potentially winning the certificate. He knew this was Ping Han’s last opportunity.

Outside the examination area.

Su Yanyang emerged, looking weak, with lingering regret in his eyes. The thought of having sold his Qionjiang Coins prematurely increasingly agitated him. Just then, he saw Zhang Yu being brought outside the examination area, receiving treatment from a Divine Officer.

Seeing Zhang Yu’s heavily wounded and bloody state, Su Yanyang suddenly felt a good deal better. “Such severe injuries from mere Yellow Turban Strongmen attacks? An overconfident fool, participating in the Military Certificate examination as only a junior?” Su Yanyang thought to himself, “Serves you right for your losses.”

Just then, a furious murderous aura swept over, startling Su Yanyang. He turned to see Xiao Yunji, who had returned to her human form, approaching. Xiao Yunji’s face was distorted, her teeth clenched, and her Dharma Skeleton occasionally twitched as if it had a will of its own. Su Yanyang quietly retreated a few steps, putting as much distance as possible between himself and Xiao Yunji.

He wondered, “Did this woman… also sell Qionjiang Coins?”

Meanwhile, Ping Han approached under everyone’s gaze. Seeing Ping Han completely unharmed and looking calm, Su Yanyang couldn’t help but ask, “Did you sell Qionjiang Coins?”

Ping Han smiled faintly and replied, “If you join the guidance group, you can see my position configurations. But I’m in a good mood today, so I can show you for free.” As he spoke, screenshots released by Ping Han appeared in Su Yanyang’s eye sockets.

Su Yanyang sighed inwardly, “This guy… isn’t he shaken in the slightest?”

Ping Han said, “Junior Brother Su, speculating in coins is something you can’t succeed at without experiencing repeated losses and countless temperings of your Dao heart. If you’re interested, you can join the guidance group. I share my experience and display my operations there every day.” Su Yanyang repeatedly looked at the profit screenshots Ping Han sent and was now considering joining the group.

Xiao Yunji, on the other hand, had no interest in coin speculation at the moment. She looked directly at Ping Han and asked coldly, “What was your array core’s integrity at the end?”

Ping Han casually replied, “100%.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yunji’s eyes dimmed, knowing that her chances of winning were now zero. Other candidates nearby, upon hearing this, also looked enviously at Ping Han, thinking that this genius, who had made a huge profit from coin speculation, would likely also secure this Military Certificate.