https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-275-The-Promise-with-Bai-Zhenzhen/13686813/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-277-Foundation-Establishment-Class/13686815/
Chapter 276: Reunion with Zhang Pianpian
"Number 686, Zhang Yu."
As the call echoed through the hall, Zhang Yu stood up and walked toward the interview room.
Though his academic records had already met Wanfa University’s admission requirements, and he had signed the enrollment agreement in advance, the interview process remained unavoidable.
When Zhang Yu stepped into the interview chamber, he offered the three examiners a casual smile and said, "Good afternoon. I’m Zhang Yu from First Layer Songyang City Songyang Advanced Daoist High School."
The lead examiner glanced at him and asked, "Why did you choose to apply to Wanfa University?"
Zhang Yu replied with calm indifference, "Because Wanfa University is one of the best universities. To break through Jin Dan, to transcend the Yuan Ying stage, and to enter a true sect—of course, I must attend the best institution."
The three examiners exchanged faint smiles. One of them then asked, "How do you manage your study and rest schedule?"
Zhang Yu answered just as calmly, "I don’t rest."
Another examiner inquired, "How many university courses have you completed so far?"
Zhang Yu responded, "As you can see, I’m already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. All general Qi Refining Realm courses have been fully completed."
"I’ve also self-studied Civil Engineering Department techniques—Digging Palm, Crane Claw, Racing Leg, Elevator Leap—and have reached Level 10 in all of them."
As the examiners reviewed his resume, their gazes grew increasingly approving.
The lead examiner finally spoke, "Zhang Yu, I understand you haven’t undergone sterilization. What’s your take on university sterilization? Do you think it’s necessary for students?"
Zhang Yu remained composed. "Sterilization is an escape for the weak."
"To me, mere bodily hormones are nothing more than obstacles I can suppress with sheer willpower."
"These things aren’t barriers on the Dao path—they’re tools. They can be transformed into fuel for cultivation."
"My resume includes proof of seed trading transactions from First Layer. The frequency and quality of those trades should be enough to demonstrate the strength of my Dao Heart."
The three examiners exchanged glances, each wearing a look of clear admiration.
Finally, they stood in unison and extended their hands toward Zhang Yu.
"Zhang Yu, welcome to Wanfa University."
…
As Zhang Yu stepped out of the interview room, he saw Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan already waiting—having finished their own interviews.
Yu Xinghan said, "Let’s go, Zhang Yu. Time to register. Then we’ll pick our dorms."
At that moment, a feminine voice called out from behind.
"Zhang Yu… it’s been a long time."
All three turned. There, approaching slowly, was Zhang Pianpian.
Two years apart, and she remained as elegant and radiant as ever—her aura even more vibrant than before.
Her appearance hadn’t changed much, except for her eyes, now a striking amber hue—clearly enhanced by an Eye Spirit Armor.
The marking above her head—“Wanfa University Spellcraft Department Foundation Establishment Realm No. 49”—and the glowing halo at her nape drew the attention of everyone nearby, instantly making her the center of attention.
Zhang Yu almost blurted out “Sister,” but then caught himself, instead saying, “Senior, you’re here.”
Zhang Pianpian smiled faintly. “You’ve grown taller.”
“Come on. I’ll take you to register first, then treat you to a meal.”
Under Zhang Pianpian’s guidance, the three of them completed enrollment, registration, and tuition payment.
Though they had brought enough tuition funds, Zhang Pianpian encouraged them to take out student loans—marking their first debt since arriving in the Second Layer.
The first year’s tuition was 0.5 Lingbi. Starting from the second year, interest accrued—0.005 Lingbi monthly—until the full amount was repaid in one lump sum upon graduation.
Zhang Pianpian said, “Don’t be afraid. Now that you’re in the Second Layer, if you don’t fully unleash your Xian Dao potential, how can you progress?”
“Better to invest that 0.5 Lingbi in your studies than to pay it all upfront.”
As Zhang Yu glanced at the recommendation form with Zhang Pianpian’s name, he couldn’t help but mutter, “Sister… Senior, does this mean we’re now your referrals?”
Zhang Pianpian replied, “Since it’s happening anyway, let me handle it for you.”
“Come on. Let’s pick a dorm.”
Throughout his journey across Wanfa University City, Zhang Yu had already sensed a distinct characteristic: the entire city was packed into a vertical structure measuring over 3 kilometers in length and width, with a height not exceeding 10 kilometers.
As a result, the internal space utilization was extremely high—though, in reality, the space was painfully cramped.
Seeing their assigned dormitory confirmed his suspicion.
"Lower-tier dorm: 20 people per room, 20 square meters total. Two toilets and six showers shared among every First Layer."
Zhang Yu stared, speechless. "This… is worse than a chicken coop."
Yu Xinghan added, "Upper-tier luxury suite: 15 square meters, one living room, two bedrooms, one bathroom."
Zhang Yu frowned. "Fifteen square meters? And still calling it a luxury suite? And 1 Lingbi per month? That’s insane."
Zhang Yu’s current funds, including the 5 Lingbi from Bai Zhenzhen, totaled just 9.94 Lingbi—enough to rent for only nine months.
The middle-aged woman handling dorm assignments scoffed, eyeing him sideways. "Newcomers from below, huh? In the Second Layer, every inch of land is priceless. How can you compare it to your rural backwater?"
"Decide quickly. There are plenty of others waiting."
Yu Xinghan suggested, "Maybe we could share?"
Le Mulan nodded in agreement. "If we split it three ways…"
Zhang Pianpian interjected, "Four people, then. Let’s split the rent."
She smiled. "Four people sharing a mid-tier dorm saves a lot. No need for that luxury suite—just a 5-square-meter mid-tier room."
She pointed to the price tag. "0.2 Lingbi per month. Split among four people—only 0.05 Lingbi each."
Internally, Zhang Pianpian thought: Compared to my classmates now, these three are actually more trustworthy. Living together will save me a lot of effort.
Zhang Yu looked at his senior and thought, She’s already ranked 49th in the Spellcraft Department—how can her finances still be this tight?
Fujie added, "In the Second Layer, space is everything. Even the strongest must learn to save on rent. Better to invest in your studies than in fancy housing."
Zhang Yu sighed softly, eyeing the tiny dorm. "Four people in five square meters? Can we even fit?"
Zhang Pianpian said, "Though it’s only five square meters, it’s four meters high—so it can be split into two levels."
"Plus, the dorm has an extra Spirit Energy supply, perfect for meditation and breathing techniques."
"Other than storing things, washing, and charging devices—what more do we need? Four people are more than enough."
"And though the space is small, people can adapt. You can contract your body to fit."
Seeing Yu Xinghan and Le Mulan nod in agreement, Zhang Yu finally gave a reluctant nod. The four of them signed the lease for a standard mid-tier dorm.
…
Wanfa University City, 125th Floor, Dormitory Zone.
The entire 125th Floor was only four meters high. Rows of mid-tier dorm rooms lined the corridor like coffins.
Zhang Yu watched the floating arrows and guiding paths in midair—eye spirits projecting navigation cues.
After Zhang Yu opened the door, a tiny 5-square-meter dorm appeared before them.
Le Mulan couldn’t help but exclaim, "It’s so small!"
She’d never lived in a space this cramped before.
Zhang Pianpian said, "The door’s narrow—only one person can enter at a time. You two go in one by one to stow your luggage. Then I’ll take you out to eat."
"After dinner, you’ll probably have your first class meeting tonight, right?"
"Oh, and remember—when entering the dorm, shrink your body. It’s a must-know skill for saving money in the University City."
Zhang Yu shouldered his luggage and, as he stepped inside, deliberately contracted his muscles and joints, reducing his height to about 1.7 meters—slender and compact.
Though this made movement easier, the room still felt suffocatingly small. The constant crouching and curling left him with a persistent sense of confinement.
Zhang Yu thought, No wonder everyone in the city seems shorter. They’ve all adapted to shrinking their bodies. Nothing like the towering cultivators of the First Layer.
After stowing their belongings, the group followed Zhang Pianpian to a pharmacy on the 128th Floor.
They called it “dinner,” but in reality, it was just medicine.
Yu Xinghan stared at the pills in his hand. "I’ll just make some synthetic food instead."
Watching Yu Xinghan and Zhang Yu prepare synthetic food, Zhang Pianpian said calmly, "Your synthetic food will run out eventually. You need to get used to eating Second Layer’s meals."
"Sure, it’s not tasty—but the nutrients in the medicine are complete. Eating takes minimal time."
"The only downsides? Hard to feel full, and cultivators’ digestive systems are too strong. Long-term fasting can damage your gastrointestinal tract."
She then pulled out a piece of cement. "So most people here mix a little cement with their medicine."
Even Zhang Yu, who had seen countless trials in the Kunxu First Layer, was startled to see Zhang Pianpian swallow a small chunk of cement.
Zhang Yu asked, "You eat cement? Is there nothing else?"
Zhang Pianpian chuckled. "Cement’s cheap. In Wanfa University City, it’s everywhere—just break off a piece, and you can temporarily fill your stomach. It gives fullness and helps suppress digestive fluids, protecting your gut."
"So the Second Layer’s food market wasn’t just crushed by pharmaceutical companies—it was wiped out by both pharmaceutical and Civil Engineering firms."
"Especially after the Civil Engineering Department introduced edible cement, people could eat cement with medicine and get full while getting all their nutrients. The restaurant industry collapsed completely."
Zhang Yu was still stunned. Civil Engineering? They’re dominating the food scene now?
Zhang Pianpian added, "And remember—don’t dig for cement in monitored zones. You’ll be fined if caught."
"Oh, by the way—you two are both from the Civil Engineering Department, right? Once you start work on a construction site, you’ll be fed for free. Just grab cement from the site and eat it raw."
Yu Xinghan asked, "Can we grow our own food?"
Zhang Pianpian gave him a sideways glance. "You want to join the underground farming underworld? I won’t stop you from joining a faction or two in university, but the dark farming scene? Too dangerous."
"You might not understand, but in the University City, privately growing any plant is a serious violation of school rules and law—enough to get you expelled."
"Planting? That’s something only universities and corporations are allowed to do."
…
After dinner, Zhang Yu said goodbye to Le Mulan and Zhang Pianpian, then headed with Yu Xinghan to the first class meeting of the Civil Engineering Department Foundation Establishment Class.
Arriving at the 130th Floor teaching zone, the two stepped into the designated classroom—only to feel several pairs of eyes immediately lock onto them.
"Show your College Entrance Exam scores and basic cultivation data," one of the instructors said. "We’re compiling rankings. Let’s see where you stand in this class."
(End of Chapter)
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