Xianyin Zhenjun understood that this design competition was not only for students from Wanfa University but also brought together students from hundreds of universities, including the Top Ten, Upper-tier, and Lower-tier schools.

Among these students were Nascent Soul disciples, rising stars cultivated by various schools, children of giant corporations, and even new apprentices of many Nascent Soul Zhenjun from the Top Ten schools—all vying for those 10 military permits.

Even students from Wanfa University’s Artifact Forging Department, as strong as Ye Xingli, Bei Wufeng, and Yan Qianji, had failed to win first place in previous competitions.

“No matter how powerful Ciji is, it’s impossible for her to overshadow so many schools.”

“On the contrary, forcing it like this might make the judges from other schools very resistant.”

“Sigh, at least put on a show and lower the design level a bit; this is too high-profile.”

Xianyin Zhenjun shook his head. As a professor in Wanfa University’s Artifact Forging Department, he would definitely give Zhang Yu a top ten evaluation.

“But I can’t control how other judges choose.”

After reviewing Zhang Yu’s design, Xianyin Zhenjun began to look at other students’ entries.

First were the works of the Nascent Soul disciples. Xianyin Zhenjun nodded repeatedly, thinking to himself that they were indeed high-achieving students from renowned teachers, each having the potential for a top ten spot.

“Especially this Guishen Gong from Tianmo University, with an endless stream of ingenious ideas, truly has the potential for first place.”

Then he looked at the designs from the children of the giant corporations, marveling at their profound family heritage. Each design carried a trend from the upper echelons, giving a refreshing feeling.

“Oh? This Zangxing Ye from Youming University has a solid foundation. I’m afraid he has not only self-studied all of Youming University’s artifact forging courses but also learned from many other schools’ textbooks. His work this time should be able to enter the top three.”

Next were the newly apprenticed disciples of many Nascent Soul Zhenjun from the Top Ten universities.

“The number is a bit smaller than in previous years.”

“The quality is also mediocre. Didn’t they look for good references?”

After flipping through this batch of student works, Xianyin Zhenjun looked at the last two designs, both from students outside the Top Ten universities.

“Only two decent entries from students outside the Top Ten this year?”

Xianyin Zhenjun sighed, “The quality of students from these Upper-tier and Lower-tier schools is truly getting worse each year. In another two years, there might not even be one worth looking at.”

Shortly after finishing the review of all the designs, Xianyin Zhenjun was invited to an internal meeting of the judges.

As Xianyin Zhenjun’s projection entered the meeting room in the Spirit Realm, he heard exclamations.

“Have you seen Zhang Yu’s work? It has ingenuity, depth, a solid foundation, and an unconstrained, imaginative creativity. I think we should just give him first place.”

“Wanfa University has truly cultivated an extraordinary student.”

As he spoke, the other party projected Zhang Yu’s design for everyone present to see.

Xianyin Zhenjun looked over. The speaker’s projection was a constantly spinning, flickering blood mist, which was Xuepo Zhenjun of Youming University.

Although the words were complimentary, Xianyin Zhenjun could detect a hint of sarcasm in them.

Sure enough, another Nascent Soul Zhenjun on the other side chuckled, “Since Ciji personally took a hand in it, if this doesn’t get first place, people will think we judges are blind and don’t understand artifact forging.”

Xianyin Zhenjun looked at the speaker. The other party’s projection was a lotus platform made of white bones, which was Shisui Zhenjun of Baigu University.

Hearing the two speaking in unison, Xianyin Zhenjun calmly said, “It’s normal for students to have references when designing. Which of the contestants in this competition hasn’t received guidance?”

Xuepo Zhenjun of Youming University chuckled, “Well said. I think we should choose Ciji for first place. A Nascent Soul Zhenjun participated, wouldn’t it be unreasonable if they didn’t get first?”

Shisui Zhenjun beside him shook his head and said, “Not so, not so. Ciji Zhenjun is about to reach Nascent Soul stage. This is a quasi-Nascent Soul Venerable participating in a university student competition; how can she lose?”

Xianyin Zhenjun felt a surge of anger at their sarcasm.

Xianyin Zhenjun said calmly, “Both of you, please don’t spread rumors without evidence. This design is the painstaking effort of student Zhang Yu. You cannot claim it was ghostwritten just because his skill level is high.”

“If that were the case, then anyone with a high skill level would be accused of ghostwriting, and we might as well not have the competition.”

At this moment, Tianzhi Zhenjun of Jingang University said, “Xianyin Zhenjun makes a good point. Everyone, let’s return to the main topic and not get sidetracked.”

Hearing Tianzhi Zhenjun come to his aid, Xianyin Zhenjun sent him a private message: “Thank you.”

It was this same Tianzhi Zhenjun who had previously messaged him to check Zhang Yu’s design.

Tianzhi Zhenjun replied: “No problem. Against these crooked paths, we righteous universities naturally need to stand together.”

Tianzhi Zhenjun: “It’s just that Ciji Zhenjun was a bit impulsive this time [smirk].”

Tianzhi Zhenjun: “You don’t plan to forcibly push Zhang Yu to first place, do you?”

Meanwhile, Tianzhi Zhenjun secretly thought, “Ciji… her Nascent Soul evaluation hasn’t passed yet, has it? She’s going to push her disciple into the design competition for a ranking without even bothering to act? Anyone unaware would think she’s already in the late Nascent Soul stage.”

Xianyin Zhenjun quickly explained: “No, no.”

Xianyin Zhenjun: “As long as he gets into the top ten.”

Just then, Xuepo Zhenjun of Youming University said again, “What sidetracked? We are talking about the main topic.”

As he spoke, he continuously magnified the projected design of Zhang Yu, pointing out several ingenious parts, and said, “Isn’t this Ciji’s style? Is this a design a senior student can make? Does he have this knowledge base, this technical experience?”

Shisui Zhenjun of Baigu University chuckled, “I didn’t expect Ciji to have time to ghostwrite for a student. Did she get a lot of money from the student?”

Xuepo Zhenjun followed with a laugh, “I didn’t expect her to even get involved in the vocational school market. It seems your Wanfa University is also going for the low-end route, competing with Jihu?”

Xianyin Zhenjun coldly explained, “Although Ciji Zhenjun provided some guidance, most of the work was completed by student Zhang Yu himself.”

Even as he said this, Xianyin Zhenjun himself lacked confidence.

Just as both sides were arguing, a voice came from the main seat of the meeting room.

“Alright, the True Gods are watching, don’t make a fool of yourselves.”

Everyone fell silent and stopped arguing.

Xianyin Zhenjun glanced over. The speaker’s projection was an unfathomably deep darkness. If he were to describe it, it was as deep as a prison, like a bottomless abyss.

Xianyin Zhenjun knew that this seemingly simple darkness contained very complex Spirit Realm special effects, which were not only expensive but also required a certain level of faith to purchase.

The owner of this projection was Nieyuan Zhenjun of Tianmo University, an experienced Nascent Soul disciple, the vice president of Tianmo University who managed various research affairs, and a top expert in artifact forging at Tianmo University.

Xianyin Zhenjun knew that, whether by background, assets, technology, or industry reputation, Nieyuan Zhenjun was clearly leading the judges this time.

Nieyuan Zhenjun continued, “If disciples’ competitions are all won by teachers ghostwriting, then we might as well compete ourselves directly in the future.”

“If the design competition becomes a joke, how will the Heavenly Court view it? How will the sects view it? In the future, if the higher-ups directly appoint people to grade, what’s the point of us judges?”

“The design competition has schools take turns sending judges to ensure balance, so no single entity dominates.”

“Xianyin, convey what I said today to Ciji. If she still insists on forcing it, then I have nothing more to say.”

Xuepo Zhenjun beside him added, “Yes, I think Ciji is getting senile. How can she help a student like this? It’s devaluing the design competition. If the higher-ups reduce the number of military permits, everyone will lose face.”

But no matter what the other party said, Xianyin Zhenjun clearly could not admit to ghostwriting.

He could only say with a forced smile, “Zhang Yu’s work was definitely done by himself.”

Xuepo Zhenjun retorted, “Xianyin, do you dare to say that to the camera? I’m recording a video now.”

Xianyin Zhenjun felt a surge of anger, but he truly didn’t dare. If the matter of Zhang Yu’s ghostwriting were to be exposed later, that video would become a black mark, damaging his reputation in the industry.

Xianyin Zhenjun could only say, “Isn’t there a test before the awards ceremony? When the time comes, you all can test Zhang Yu’s depth, and then you’ll know if he designed the blueprints himself.”

Xianyin Zhenjun secretly thought, “Ciji, this is the most I can do. You should have your student prepare well.”

However, Xianyin Zhenjun’s words sounded like stubborn defiance to the other Zhenjun present.

Nieyuan Zhenjun said calmly, “Alright, I’ll give Wanfa this face. Ciji’s disciple can be in the top 10 list.”

“However, for this top 10 list, we will select 15 contestants. There will be an on-site test before the awards ceremony, and those with poor performance will be directly removed, so as not to make a joke for the higher-ups.”

“Now, Zhang Yu is one. Who will be the second?”

Xuepo Zhenjun on the side switched off Zhang Yu’s design projection and moved to another design, saying, “I propose Guishen Gong of Tianmo University…”

As the meeting concluded, the judges finalized the list of 15 contestants for the top 10, and the True Gods reported the results to the Heavenly Court.

However, the Heavenly Court’s reaction this time was beyond the judges’ expectations.

Xianyin Zhenjun looked at the notification that appeared before him and thought, “The 15 contestants must undergo a test, which requires completing a themed design on the spot? The final ranking will be based on the comprehensive results of this test.”

Xianyin Zhenjun sighed helplessly, “Ciji, I can’t be blamed for this.”

With that, he had already informed Ciji Zhenjun of the news.

Xuepo Zhenjun of Youming University looked at the notification and snorted, “They don’t trust us anymore.”

Shisui Zhenjun said calmly, “I’m afraid Ciji’s student has run into bad luck. Alas, the methods were too obvious. I said long ago that the design competition shouldn’t be handled this way.”