Director Gao: [True Lord Magnetism]
Director Gao: This is the teacher from the Refining Department.
Director Gao: Didn’t I invite him to guide you during the last Civil Engineering competition?

Zhang Yu: Oh, it’s him? He’s from the Refining Department? I didn’t know that until you mentioned it. After all, he’s not a teacher from our Civil Engineering Department, and we didn’t have much contact after that guidance session. I don’t even remember his name.

Director Gao: So, what’s your opinion on refining?

Zhang Yu: I’m quite interested in refining.

Feeling Zhang Yu stir slightly in his arms, True Lord Magnetism smiled and said, “Be good, don’t squirm.”

“Or am I holding you uncomfortably?”

Zhang Yu: “No… it’s not that.”

True Lord Magnetism’s lips curved slightly. “So, it’s very comfortable then?”

Looking at the stunned Zhang Yu, True Lord Magnetism asked again, “Is it more comfortable in Teacher Gao’s arms, or in mine?”

Zhang Yu: “Huh?”

Seeing Zhang Yu’s dazed expression, Fu Ji sighed, “You’re done for, Zhang Yu. I think this guy is the natural bane of your Civil Engineering Department. Neither you nor your master can outsmart her.”

Zhang Yu replied to Fu Ji in his mind, “I just didn’t react quickly enough and didn’t know how to respond.”

Fu Ji said, “Anyway, be careful. This person is clearly unscrupulous. The way they’re talking to you now is very targeted; they must have thoroughly studied your temperament and habits.”

Meanwhile, Director Gao on the other side had already replied: You want to learn refining?

Zhang Yu: I believe magical remains and artifacts are indispensable on the path of cultivation. Learning more about refining will definitely be beneficial and harmless. It could even help me avoid being scammed when buying artifacts. As for learning actual refining techniques, where would I get the resources for that? Teacher, right now I just want to focus wholeheartedly on diligently mastering our Civil Engineering knowledge and quickly cultivate the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, so I can make a big impact on construction sites in the future.

Director Gao: [Smirking] Don’t worry, you’ll have opportunities to learn.

Zhang Yu: Teacher, does that mean after I get my military certificate this time, I can try the Civil Engineering Seven Trials?

Director Gao: See, you’re rushing again. As long as the Heavenly Court hasn’t announced the results, nothing is set in stone. Before then, be mindful of the impact and don’t spread rumors about the military certificate. Understood?

Zhang Yu: Understood, Teacher. I just really want to learn the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power.

Watching the conversation between True Lord Magnetism and Director Gao, Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Is True Lord Magnetism trying to make Director Gao think… that I’m wholeheartedly committed to staying in the Civil Engineering Department to learn the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power?”

Meanwhile, after a few more exchanges, Director Gao asked: Has Director Lin looked for you?

True Lord Magnetism looked at Zhang Yu and asked, “Has he approached you?”

Zhang Yu immediately recounted everything, including Director Lin and the old director approaching him and their offers. True Lord Magnetism relayed all of this to Director Gao.

A moment later, True Lord Magnetism closed the chat window and said to Zhang Yu, “Next, Old Gao will likely contact you soon to sign a contract and formally accept you as a disciple.”

“Just sign it when he does.”

Sensing the doubt in Zhang Yu’s eyes, True Lord Magnetism said calmly, “Don’t worry, this contract will be relatively lenient and won’t bind you too much.”

“As for your relationship with me…” True Lord Magnetism’s lips curled slightly as he looked at Zhang Yu in his arms, a smile showing everything was under control. “Compared to a formal title, I care more about the practical outcome.”

“For now, until you cultivate the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, just be a good disciple to Old Gao.”

“My Civil Engineering prodigy, Zhang Yu.”

Zhang Yu asked, “What if I cultivate the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power by my third year…?”

True Lord Magnetism said dismissively, “We’ll talk about it when you’ve achieved it.”

Although he judged this possibility to exist, it was clear that in True Lord Magnetism’s view, the likelihood was not high.

Meanwhile, Ye Xingli, who had been following True Lord Magnetism, grew increasingly anxious as they approached Zhang Yu’s dorm floor.

“We’re almost at Zhang Yu’s place.”

“Why are they still talking?”

“Should I remind them?”

But seeing True Lord Magnetism and Zhang Yu deep in conversation, Ye Xingli hesitated whether to interject.

At an deserted street corner, with a heavy thud, Zhang Yu dropped to the ground like a truckload of goods.

True Lord Magnetism smiled. “Kid, you ate pretty well at the examination venue this time.”

Zhang Yu gave an awkward laugh; he had indeed picked up a few things to eat during the exam.

Zhang Yu: “True Lord, I’ll head back now.”

True Lord Magnetism said calmly, “Alright, go on with your business.”

Watching Zhang Yu’s retreating back, True Lord Magnetism’s figure flickered slightly and then vanished without a trace.

“Xingli, you can still guide this kid’s refining techniques more in the future.”

Hearing True Lord Magnetism’s words, Ye Xingli couldn’t help but ask, “Master, he seems… different from your other students.”

True Lord Magnetism said calmly, “Different students naturally require different methods of instruction. That’s called teaching according to aptitude.”

“Do you know Zhang Yu’s roommates?”

Zhang Yu’s roommates? Ye Xingli hadn’t really looked into them, nor did she see any reason to.

True Lord Magnetism continued, “All of Zhang Yu’s roommates are from his hometown on the first floor.”

Ye Xingli was surprised. “What? They’re all from the first floor?”

Ye Xingli believed she held no prejudice or discrimination against people from the first floor. She just thought most of them were poor and foolish, with extremely weak potential for immortal cultivation. Zhang Yu, a genius who could climb all the way up from the first floor, was already very much beyond Ye Xingli’s expectations. She hadn’t expected Zhang Yu to still be living with people from the first floor… How could he manage that?

True Lord Magnetism said, “Overall, based on various information, Zhang Yu is someone who values old relationships.”

As if recalling something, True Lord Magnetism sighed, “Heh, valuing old relationships… how long has it been since I used that phrase?”

After Zhang Yu returned to his dorm, he flopped down onto his bed with a thud. His severely injured body had long been overwhelmed; now that various matters had finally concluded, he couldn’t help but relax completely.

Tu Lishan: How was the exam?

Looking at the message from Tu Lishan, and recalling the waves of concern he had received after the military certificate exam, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly, “Who says Kunxu lacks human touch? As my grades improve, the human touch at Myriad Arts University seems to grow stronger.”

Soon after Zhang Yu lay down, the chilling power of the ritual surged again. With a helpless sigh, Zhang Yu simply went to the Taiqing Realm and began studying the subsequent refining courses there.

Several hours later, Zhang Yu received a message from Director Gao, who intended to officially accept him as a disciple and sign a supplementary contract.

After glancing at the contract’s contents, Zhang Yu thought to himself that True Lord Magnetism had indeed been right; the contract was relatively lenient and didn’t bind him too much.

“But… I’m signing with a company?”

“Is this Director Gao’s company?”

Zhang Yu continued reading. In summary, according to the contract, the company would reimburse him 30 spiritual coins per month for his cultivation expenses until he obtained his Golden Core qualification certificate. Once Zhang Yu broke through to the Golden Core stage, he would be required to undertake a certain amount of work, and the profits would be split 50/50 between him and the company. Many other details were also based on this arrangement.

Zhang Yu exclaimed, “30 spiritual coins a month, that’s 360 spiritual coins a year! I never thought I’d become a student who could spend this much in a year.”

Fu Ji commented, “This is a rare conscience contract in Kunxu. According to its terms, Director Gao will only make a small profit after you reach the Golden Core stage.”

“However, once you break through to the Nascent Soul stage, he’ll make a huge profit.”

“It seems Director Gao is really betting on you reaching the Nascent Soul stage.”

“As for when you reach the Soul Transformation stage, this contract will likely need to be renegotiated.”

So the next day, Zhang Yu and Director Gao completed the contract signing under the witness of a Righteous God, and Zhang Yu officially became Director Gao’s disciple.

Director Gao looked at Zhang Yu, nodded with satisfaction, then asked, “I told you to get proper treatment yesterday, why did you run out of the hospital on your own?”

Zhang Yu said, “Teacher, you know my physique; there’s no need to waste money at the hospital.”

“You rascal,” Director Gao chuckled, scolding him. “Do I really need you to save money for me?”

With that, he reached out and pulled Zhang Yu over, letting his spiritual power circulate through Zhang Yu’s body. This allowed Director Gao to feel that Zhang Yu’s internal injuries had indeed healed significantly. Especially feeling the vigorous life force within his flesh and blood, he grew increasingly satisfied with Zhang Yu as a disciple. However, he remained outwardly calm, only saying, “The Civil Engineering competition is coming up soon. You need to quickly recover your health, understand?”

Zhang Yu was surprised. “Huh? Isn’t the Civil Engineering competition in December? It’s only October now, isn’t it?”

Director Gao said, “Starting this session, the competition format is changing again. After all, in recent years, students’ practical combat skills have been improving, and the intensity of the competitions has been increasing. In such circumstances, finishing the competition in one or two days makes it too easy for injuries, increases competition costs, and prevents students’ full potential from being perfectly showcased.”

“Regarding inter-school competitions, schools have been protesting. So, this year, the Civil Engineering inter-school league will be changed to having a few matches every once in a while, extending over several months to complete the entire event.”

“Our university also plans to adapt the in-department competition this way.”

“The competition will run from late October until December.”

Hearing Director Gao’s words, Zhang Yu also thought this change was quite good. At least for him, it was excellent news, giving him more time to recover from injuries and improve his strength.

Director Gao looked at Zhang Yu and continued, “There’s one more thing I want to give you a heads-up about.”

“For the in-department competition, just lead your current team to finish in the top seven and secure a spot in the ‘Seven Prodigies’.”

“Once the inter-school league begins, I’ll add you to Mo Shangjin’s team. You can go with him and gain some experience.”