Inside Ye Xingli’s laboratory.

Although Zhang Yu could now rent his own independent laboratory from the Artifact Forging Department, he stayed here to save money.

At this moment, Zhang Yu casually twisted open a medicine bottle and poured a dozen pills into his mouth. These pills replenished his magical power, physical strength, mental energy, and various nutrients needed by his body, while also reducing the need for sleep.

As for cement, Zhang Yu stopped eating it back in his first year of university. By then, he could control his digestive system to suppress the damage caused by excessive digestion to his body, making cement unnecessary for satiety.

Just as Zhang Yu was casually taking his medicine and finishing a meal, a rich scent of meat wafted from nearby.

Zhang Yu glanced over and saw Zi Yunzhen eating large chunks of meat.

Meat, like rice, used to be a rarity and a luxury in the university town of Wanfa University.

Although medicine could provide most of the nutrients needed by the body, the vital energy and nourishment provided by Tianjing Rice, Diqi Wheat, and various demon beast meats, which enhanced the body’s foundation, were difficult for medicine to match.

Zhang Yu still remembered the satisfaction he felt from freeloading at Ye Xingli’s buffet banquets.

Looking at Zi Yunzhen heartily eating meat now, Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Is this meat imported from Tianyao University?”

As Zhang Yu smelled the aroma of the meat, he felt an awkward sensation, thinking that this meat from Tianyao University could have been stripped from anything.

After all, Zhang Yu had visited many demon-kin schools with his projects and even competed at Tianyao University. He knew clearly that these demons also considered speaking demon-kin as a source of meat.

Turning his head, Zhang Yu mused, “These guys in the Finance Department are really good at stirring things up.”

“Imported meat… has allowed countless students to eat meat.”

“Imported various raw materials and components, lowering costs, and increasing the profits of countless companies.”

“Just these two points alone, I don’t know how many people will support the Finance Department’s move to court Tianyao.”

“Even if the workers on construction sites object, it’s useless.”

Zhang Yu remembered Yu Xinghan saying earlier that with the vigorous development of the university town’s infrastructure and repair projects, even slightly lazier civil engineers on construction sites could earn substantial income. To snatch workers, various construction sites had even raised their wages.

However, with the introduction of Tianyao workers, the previously raised wages were pushed back down.

Although the workers opposed this, too many people in the university town benefited from the cooperation with Tianyao. Even the executives of civil engineering companies made a lot of money due to lowered costs. What did the workers’ objections matter?

Zhang Yu’s gaze swept over the messages in the Top 50 group chat.

Jiu Tianliu: The massive amount of spirit coins allocated by the university for the construction of the university town should go to the truly wealthy people to fund their research into more advanced immortal cultivation techniques and enhance the university’s overall competitiveness… Should it go to the workers so they can earn more? Just so they can eat more medicine, eat more food, and live a few more years? How could one waste spirit coins like that?

However, although civil engineering wages in the university town had been suppressed, the number of civil engineering projects outside the campus continued to grow.

Many civil engineering students and teachers genuinely felt that… the university war was still ongoing, and even expanding.

Zhang Yu sighed in his heart, “Only the Ten Greats have ceased hostilities.”

“As the conflicts among the Ten Greats were forcibly suppressed, the colleges, junior colleges, and vocational schools below the Ten Greats have not seen a de-escalation; instead, the conflicts have become more intense.”

“The construction of the university town is the beginning of a civil engineering spring. Civil engineering business will become increasingly easier to do.”

“This is good for my upcoming cultivation plan.”

While pondering, Zhang Yu’s gaze returned to the document displayed in his eye-gaze.

Defeat Bei Wufeng in five months! Participate in the Ten Greats League in seven months! Obtain Immortal Sect cultivation techniques!

To achieve these goals, Zhang Yu still had much to do, which he had listed one by one in his plan.

“Win the design competition in three months, obtain the Military Artifact Forging Engineering Certificate (Class B), and cultivate the Artifact Forging Department’s military-grade cultivation technique, Tiandi Huaijie Wuxing Xinbing.”

Zhang Yu chose this cultivation technique because, compared to another one, Taixu Shenqi Ce, Tiandi Huaijie Wuxing Xinbing was a technique focused on the application of magical artifacts, used to enhance their power, making it more suitable for him to achieve results in the Ten Greats League.

And what did the design competition test?

“Of course, commercial value.”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Cost, practicality, market… these are the keys to the design competition.”

“And with Tiangong Kaiwu, plus the combined experience of my master and me, designing a winning product shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Coincidentally, I’m also currently collecting information with my senior sister, hoping to design a product suitable for vocational students to meet the requirements of replicating Dao seeds.”

“In that case… I’ll use this information and optimize the design of another product with Tiangong Kaiwu—a product more suitable for the design competition—which should be enough to win. Also, a new product designed entirely by me can avoid copyright disputes with Ye Xingli.”

Through Magnetic Pole True Monarch and Ye Xingli, Zhang Yu had understood that the design competition emphasized commercial value. As long as the forged artifact product had good commercial value, its performance and grade were not the most crucial factors.

This was also why Magnetic Pole True Monarch had suggested he participate in the design competition first.

Thinking of how he could quickly revise blueprints with the power of Tiangong Kaiwu, Zhang Yu secretly felt fortunate that he had acquired Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s Dao seed.

The existence of Tiangong Kaiwu greatly saved his time, allowing him to quickly produce needed blueprints by simply gathering enough information.

While collecting information, Zhang Yu naturally did not intend to waste time. He decided to simultaneously begin the refinement of his second military-grade magical artifact.

For Zhang Yu, who had already obtained the Military Artifact Forging Engineering Certificate (Class A), as long as the department approved his application, he could learn the blueprints for other military-grade magical artifacts.

With Magnetic Pole True Monarch as his master and his current achievements, it would not be difficult for him to get his application approved.

“Taihao Shengli Jianzhen…”

Zhang Yu looked at the design blueprint before him. This was the second military-grade magical artifact he had chosen after considering all aspects.

“While refining the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen, I will collect information, complete the design blueprints, and finally participate in the design competition.”

“Before challenging Bei Wufeng, I must complete the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen and cultivate Tiandi Huaijie Wuxing Xinbing.”

“After completing these two military-grade powers, the next target will be the Bishui Jinjing Jia…”

Looking at the schedule in his plan, Zhang Yu nodded slightly and then looked at his bank balance: 150 spirit coins.

Spirit coins clearly had a great impact on his cultivation speed.

However, in recent days, with Zhang Yu’s arrangements, Tianri Huangshen had successfully integrated into the company team and was continuously earning spirit coins for him on the construction sites.

Just as Zhang Yu was writing his plan now, he also allocated a portion of his consciousness to remotely control Tianri Huangshen.

After all, relying solely on soul cultivation made it difficult to fully control such a military-grade magical artifact.

Zhang Yu secretly estimated, “With the 40 spirit coin lab subsidy, Director Gao and Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s 30 spirit coin reimbursement, and my sister’s repayment, plus Tianri Huangshen’s work… I can probably spend 100 to 110 spirit coins on artifact forging each month.”

“That should be enough.”

Then Zhang Yu briefly sensed the Qinglian Sword Embryo within him.

As the Divine Spirit Root continued to adapt to his Chain Method Diagram set, the Qinglian Sword Embryo’s boost to the University Saint Body was now close to 20, to the Civil Engineering Saint Body nearly 21, to the Qi Meridian Everflow around 10, and to the Martial Dao Saint Body about 23.

Although the Artifact Forging Prodigy was acquired late, with Zhang Yu’s continuous use over the past six months, the Qinglian Sword Embryo’s boost to it was also approaching 10.

Feeling the vibrant life of the Qinglian Sword Embryo, Zhang Yu revealed a slight smile. He understood that this silent strengthening of the Divine Spirit Root was also an important trump card for his assault on the Ten Greats League.

Just then, Su Yunni and another student from the Artifact Forging Department entered the laboratory, looking at Zhang Yu with some trepidation.

Zhang Yu interviewed them briefly, then sent them to Zi Yunzhen.

Zhang Yu said to Zi Yunzhen, “Xiao Zi, arrange for them to familiarize themselves with our lab rules and learn the knowledge needed for the upcoming refinement of the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen.”

Upon hearing this, Su Yunni looked surprised, “We’re going to refine the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen next?”

Zi Yunzhen also raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering if Zhang Yu was being too hasty.

Zhang Yu waved his hand, without explaining anything, and left the task of training the newcomers to a proud-looking Zi Yunzhen. He then continued writing his plan and immersed himself in the Taiqing Realm to study textbooks.

He intended to quickly review the basic knowledge required for the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen through accelerated learning in the Taiqing Realm.

Then he would start refining related magical artifacts to improve his mastery of the knowledge, and only then could he officially begin the refinement of the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen.

This time, Zhang Yu was determined to complete the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen faster than he had completed Tianri Huangshen.

Days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was March.

Zhang Yu, who had completed his basic studies in the Taiqing Realm, began simulating artifact refining experiments in the Taixu Illusory Realm.

The related immortal cultivation techniques contained within the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen were dismantled by Zhang Yu into 13 magical artifacts.

As long as Zhang Yu upgraded the blueprint level of each of these 13 magical artifacts to level 20, he would have completely mastered the techniques required to refine the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen.

Unlike refining Tianri Huangshen, which involved spending a lot of time in a physical laboratory, Zhang Yu now spent more time simulating the refinement of the 13 magical artifacts in the Taiqing Realm.

After all, Zhang Yu no longer needed to leave traces everywhere as he did when refining Tianri Huangshen.

Thus, under the astonished observation of Zi Yunzhen and Su Yunni, although Zhang Yu didn’t refine magical artifacts many times each day, he made rapid progress with each attempt.

Su Yunni thought to herself, “Is he using these magical artifacts to verify the immortal cultivation techniques needed for the Taihao Shengli Jianzhen? But this speed… a magical artifact that was level five yesterday can be refined to level 10 today?”

Zi Yunzhen was also shaken, “This speed is too fast! Is it because the competition with Jin Jun completely unleashed his potential? Or has prolonged high-pressure work made him increasingly proficient in laboratory operations?”

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they would definitely suspect that Zhang Yu had found someone to do the work for him.

The assistants didn’t know the reason for Zhang Yu’s rapid progress. They could only bite the bullet and study hard, striving to catch up with Zhang Yu’s speed, hoping to successfully assist him and do miscellaneous tasks in the upcoming project.

After all, another military-grade project was a very important project experience for them.

One day, while Zhang Yu was practicing blueprints, he received a message from Qiqing Shenjun.

Qiqing Shenjun: How is your Jijing Jiandao cultivation progressing?

Zhang Yu’s expression stiffened, and he replied: Not bad, not bad.

Qiqing Shenjun: Humph.

Qiqing Shenjun: You should give Zhenzhen a gift.

Qiqing Shenjun: She is currently at a critical juncture in her sword dao breakthrough. If you give her a gift she likes, it will be of great help to her.

Looking at the message from Qiqing Shenjun, Zhang Yu fell into contemplation.

Helping Zhenzhen achieve a breakthrough was something Zhang Yu would definitely do; he was just thinking about what gift would be best.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Zhang Yu, and he brought up the hosiery artifact originally designed for Ye Xingli.

“I remember promising Ah Zhen a pair of stockings back in Xiandu.”

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu smiled slightly, activated the power of Tiangong Kaiwu, burned his Dao heart, and began revising the blueprint before him.

“I want a blueprint for… the most suitable stockings for Bai Zhenzhen.”

In an instant, countless knowledge and information seemed to flash through his mind, like ten thousand thunderous explosions, ultimately generating a brand-new magical artifact design blueprint.

Tianjian University.

Bai Zhenzhen, who was diligently cultivating, suddenly opened her eyes and heard Qiqing Shenjun’s voice: “Don’t just train blindly. The best way to break through a bottleneck is to find Zhang Yu.”

Bai Zhenzhen said, “Yu Zi needs to do more than I do to get good results in the Ten Greats League. Let’s not waste his time…”

As she said this, a message appeared in her eye-gaze.

Seeing the smile on Bai Zhenzhen’s lips, Qiqing Shenjun said faintly, “What’s wrong? Smiling foolishly again?”

Bai Zhenzhen: “Nothing.”

Zhang Yu: Ah Zhen, this is the most suitable stocking blueprint I designed for you. I’m giving you the copyright. You can find someone at Tianjian University to refine it for you.

Bai Zhenzhen: No rush, I’ll just wait until you’re free to refine a pair for me.

While Zhang Yu’s artifact refining progress was swift, the information collection progress regarding vocational students was not as fast.

Ye Xingli sent a message saying: Relying solely on scattered questionnaires from vocational students, the completeness and efficiency of information collection are too poor.

Zhang Yu asked: Senior Sister, what are your plans?

Ye Xingli: I plan to conduct simulated experiences in the Spirit Realm to personally experience the lives of vocational students.

Ye Xingli: I heard you also plan to research vocational student products. Want to come along? There’s a discount for two people.

Zhang Yu: I’m in.

Ye Xingli: There are many experience projects. I’ll send them to you, and we can each choose our own.

Looking at the experience project introductions sent by Ye Xingli, various life scripts of vocational students appeared.

Zhang Yu felt like these were documentaries, except he would enter them and become the master of the documentary.

“Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong grew up together, went to high school together, and got into a vocational college together as childhood sweethearts…”

Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened, “Is it a vocational college romance story?”

“After they got into vocational college, they both studied the Love Cultivation Department and were assigned as a pair to learn the Grand Dao of Dual Cultivation, living a life of boundless joy…”

Zhang Yu was surprised, “Are vocational students that happy?”

“Finally, on the last day of the first academic year, Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong walked into the examination hall together. They each had to face multiple dual cultivation examiners and witness each other being defeated, losing their armor, and their limbs going limp under the examiners’ attacks.”

“Those whose Dao hearts retreat are suitable for the Deep Love Dao founded by Lingxi Shenjun and will transfer to the Deep Love Class in their second year. If their Dao hearts are resilient, or even strengthened, it means they are suitable for Qionjiang Shenjun’s Romantic Dao and will transfer to the Romantic Class in their second year…”

“Although Xiao Ming and Xiao Hong each transferred to different classes, they never forgot each other…”

Watching their three years of love and affection in vocational college, Zhang Yu took a deep breath: “What the hell… Is this really the life of a vocational student?”

He shook his head, feeling that this script was too advanced for him, and quickly flipped to the next page, looking at other vocational student experience projects.