https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-238-Zhang-Yu-s-Foundation-Establishment-Domain/13686758/
Chapter 239: The Union of Desire
(Thanks to ‘Roadside Little Kitchen’ for gifting Bai Zhenzhen 10 pairs of External Spiritual Root Socks)
“Qinghe Arts Vocational College?” Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. “You’re saying this isn’t a junior college? It’s a full-fledged university, right?”
Tao Lin quickly interjected: “How can you call it a junior college? That’s outdated terminology. According to the latest policy, Qinghe Academy is officially recognized as a legitimate university by both the Heavenly Court and the Top Ten Sects—fully accredited across all of Kunxu.”
“It spans one thousand square kilometers, with over 100,000 students and faculty. Including auxiliary staff, the entire campus population exceeds a million.”
“It currently offers more than 80 in-demand majors and has established partnerships with several major corporations—graduates are guaranteed job placement recommendations.”
“Stop, stop, stop.” Zhang Yu waved his hand, cutting off the spiel. “No need to go on. I’m not attending a junior college.”
Watching Zhang Yu turn away as if dismissing him, Tao Lin mentally sighed: So it’s not going to be easy after all.
Did my entire pitch fail to impress him? Most First Layer high schoolers, clueless about the Second Layer’s ecosystem, would’ve been dazzled by that description. They’d think Qinghe Academy is some kind of legendary institution.
And… Tao Lin narrowed his eyes, observing the faint, unhidden disdain in Zhang Yu’s gaze. This guy truly looks down on junior colleges. That contempt runs deep—this is a scholar with a built-in academic elitism. Hearing ‘junior college’ triggers a visceral aversion.
Still… let’s see how they react to the next offer.
In Tao Lin’s mind, the benefits Qinghe Academy was offering were more than generous. Most high schoolers would’ve been tempted—some might’ve even agreed on the spot.
With urgency, he pressed on: “Zhang Yu, the school is genuinely serious about admitting you. Even if you went to one of the Top Ten Sects, you’d just be one among many talented students. But here, you’d be the center of attention. The entire academy would pour resources into your cultivation.”
“First, our principal, Shexin Immortal, is a Nascent Soul Immortal. She personally agrees to be your mentor, promising to dedicate herself to turning you into a Golden Core Immortal during your time here. She’ll even use the Hehuan Sect’s Yin-Yang Harmony Technique to accelerate your progress.”
Zhang Yu paused—just slightly. But he knew it wasn’t the promise of a Nascent Soul Immortal or the Yin-Yang techniques that made him hesitate. It was the sheer determination behind the offer that stunned him.
Maybe… junior colleges aren’t so bad after all.
Noticing the hesitation, Tao Lin seized the moment: “I know you look down on junior college credentials. But Shexin Immortal can arrange a direct transfer to upgrade your degree—enroll you in Hehuan University.”
“You may know Hehuan University is one of the Top Ten, just like Qinghe Academy—both are under the Hehuan Sect. Shexin Immortal herself graduated from there.”
“As her student, you’d have access to her network. That’s far better than trying to enter Hehuan University on your own.”
“After all, ordinary students there have to start as furnace vessels for senior students.”
“But with Shexin Immortal’s influence, you’d immediately be invited to join the most elite Yin-Yang harmony projects. You could receive direct instruction in Heavenly Demon Drill, Shexin Plate, Spirit Flesh Union, Nectar Bite—true secrets of Hehuan University.”
“Then you wouldn’t just breeze through your credits each year. You’d become the university’s top student.”
Why didn’t you say that earlier?! Zhang Yu mentally groaned. You’ve got no idea how much I crave academic excellence. How badly I want to push my grades and cultivation to the next level.
Hehuan Sect’s recruitment strategy is spot-on. They’ve hit the perfect nerve—offering a way to boost both grades and cultivation at once. I’m a scholar, and they know it.
Seeing Zhang Yu’s expression shift slightly, Tao Lin added: “I know the Foundation Establishment Exam reward lets you choose a mentor after enrollment. But choosing one is one thing—getting that mentor to actually teach you? That’s another.”
“In universities, the higher a teacher’s realm, the more genius students they have. You’d get only a sliver of their attention. Not like here, where you’d be the center of focus.”
“Plus… once you’re in, we’ll assign you ten academic companions, grant you 10 Lingbi in annual scholarships, give you a private villa, and provide free access to the school’s Spirit Armor, Spirit Roots, and Training Altars. When you aim for Jin Dan cultivation, there’s even a dedicated fund.”
But before Tao Lin could finish, Zhang Yu gently—but firmly—pushed him out the door.
Watching the closed door, Tao Lin was both astonished and defeated. Even after all that? Not even tempted? No wonder he’s the top student in the country. His discipline, willpower, and insight are beyond ordinary.
He turned to the two others standing nearby. “I’ve added you on WeChat. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I’ll leave you to it.”
Zhang Yu turned to Fujie: “Why did you make us reject him? Even if we didn’t accept, it could’ve been a backup plan.”
Fujie shot back, annoyed: “You really think you can survive in the Hehuan Sect?”
“After a year of observing you—and judging by your performance at Hongta High School—you’re physically too strong, mentally too weak. You have zero potential for Hehuan Sect cultivation.”
Zhang Yu flushed, but protested: “My willpower is weak? How many high schoolers can say they’ve been cultivating with a root for a year? You have no idea how much my self-discipline has improved.”
Bai Zhenzhen nodded. “I can confirm it. In the past month alone, our household toilet paper usage dropped by about 20%. Yu is clearly progressing.”
Zhang Yu groaned: “A Zhen! Who asked you to keep track of that?!”
Bai Zhenzhen shrugged. “Then don’t use my toilet paper. I won’t know, will I?”
Fujie sneered: “Do I need to tell you? I can see it myself.”
“Zhang Yu, while you’ve been training solo, students aiming for Hehuan Sect have already been cultivating—three, five, even ten years deep. Can you really compete with that?”
“The Hehuan Sect isn’t about raw talent. It’s about foundational discipline built from childhood. How can you possibly keep up?”
“You’ll be broken in half before you even step into the university—your studies, your cultivation, all ruined. You’ll be drained dry by those senior students and their ‘sisters’.”
“This is your fatal weakness—something you’ve never trained for, never touched. Just let it go.”
Zhang Yu still wasn’t convinced. There was no real argument—just a deep belief that true progress came from confronting one’s weaknesses, that only by pushing through the hard parts could one grow stronger.
Especially with the Feather Scroll in his possession, he was confident that after a few more trials, he’d master Hehuan University’s secrets and thrive among the elite.
But Fujie’s next words shattered his resolve: “Don’t forget—you still carry the Ritual. You can’t even apply to a junior college.”
“Even if you tried to enter Hehuan University directly, you’d lose all the advantages. You’d be no better off than any other Top Ten student.”
Zhang Yu exhaled deeply. So the future Hehuan Celestial, who was meant to rise, has already fallen before he even began.
Ritual… robbing me of the right to choose my own path.
One day, I’ll crush this damn thing.
Fujie added: “A junior college came knocking on our door. That means the people in Songyang City are gathering fast.”
“Open your phones and check the messages. See what’s going on now.”
As Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu unlocked their devices, a flood of notifications and missed calls poured in—so many it made their eyes spin.
After a moment, Bai Zhenzhen gasped: “How did everyone already know we passed the Foundation Establishment Exam?”
She clenched her fist. Damn it! I wanted to announce it myself after the College Entrance Exam. Now I’ll never get to see their shocked faces.
Zhang Yu blinked. “Wang Zong from Luzhou Group is donating ten million? What’s going on?”
Bai Zhenzhen sighed. “What do you think? If a company gives that much, they want a return. They’re probably trying to invest in us. Are we supposed to become their corporate puppets?”
Zhang Yu thought of Lan Ling and Zhou Chichen. His brow furrowed. “Are we being asked to be dogs again?”
Fujie spoke slowly: “If he donated ten thousand, I’d join you in cursing him.”
“But he drops ten million in one go. Maybe you should reconsider—what’s so bad about being a dog?”
“Want to buy a Spirit Root and complete your Foundation Establishment before graduation? Maybe Wang Zong’s the key.”
So while Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued their cultivation, they kept glancing at their phones—checking messages, updates, new offers.
Two days later, Zhang Yu finally pushed the Dawei Tianzhou to Level 10. His Martial Dao Holy Embryo reached its final First Layer state.
Staring at the result, Zhang Yu felt a surge of exhilaration. He could feel his strength skyrocketing.
If I faced Ye Lingshao now, I wouldn’t have to fight so long. I’d end it in seconds.
With the Martial Dao Holy Embryo complete, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen boarded a train back home.
But as they stepped off, they froze.
Standing before them—unexpectedly—was someone they’d seen before.
“Is that Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouru from last time?” Zhang Yu noticed the young man beside them. Just from his appearance, he and Bai Zhenzhen both sensed danger.
The man’s head shimmered with golden light, bearing five massive characters: Purple Gold Merit Lord.
“Zhou Family?” Zhang Yu tensed. They’re waiting for us right here at the station? What do they want?
At that moment, he was deeply grateful he’d listened to Fujie. He’d trained outside for weeks, pushing his Martial Dao Holy Embryo to its peak. No matter what came next, he’d have a fighting chance.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
