https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-283-Civil-Engineering-Really-Does-Have-a-Future/13686832/
Chapter 284: The Feather Scroll Unfolds
Zhang Yu listened to Tu Lishan’s words, his eyes gradually brightening.
"Array?"
Array—something he’d already encountered in daily life during high school.
Whether it was the spirit-summoning array at Songyang High School, the traction array in Central Tower, or the mountain-protection array in the Protected Zone—Zhang Yu had seen them all, touched them, yet never truly understood their inner workings.
After all, such knowledge wasn’t part of the high school curriculum.
But now, the more he listened, the more he sensed the profound depth of Array arts.
It was a method that harnessed spirit energy, structural design, and material science to replicate nature, alter it, even transcend it—the very foundation that allowed Kunxu to erect so many superstructures.
Before he knew it, the first class of Engineering Array Drawing and Interpretation had ended.
Just as Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan were about to leave, the golden-clad teacher stepped toward him, drawing stares from surrounding students.
Tu Lishan smiled warmly at Zhang Yu.
"Zhang Yu, today’s your first day meeting me—but I’ve already seen you before. I watched you during the final round of the Foundation Establishment Exam."
Zhang Yu blinked in mild surprise. He remembered that final exam—the audience stand had been packed with high-ranking figures, representatives from various universities.
Then, with a flicker, Tu Lishan’s face in Zhang Yu’s Eye Armor projection morphed into a dog head—then snapped back to normal.
"Back then, I looked like that," Tu Lishan chuckled. "When I saw your performance in the exam hall, I knew right away—you were born to be a Civil Engineering prodigy. I recommended you to the school without hesitation."
"Focus on your foundational courses over the next three months. When school officially resumes in September, I’ll take you straight to the construction site—earn while you learn."
Zhang Yu’s eyes widened slightly.
"Already going to the site this soon?"
Tu Lishan nodded.
"Work and study in parallel. Plus, earn some extra income along the way."
"I know you’re from the First Layer. I also know your financial situation isn’t easy. The construction site is the perfect classroom for someone like you."
"Here in Civil Engineering, if you’re willing to endure hardship and put in real effort for a few years—you’ll definitely make good money."
He turned to Yu Xinghan beside Zhang Yu.
"And you too, Yu Xinghan. Come along when the time comes."
Watching Tu Lishan walk away, Yu Xinghan sighed in admiration.
"Even at Wanfa University, there are still good teachers—ones who see talent and uniqueness. And they’re giving us real opportunities to earn."
"Zhang Yu, let’s study hard for the next three months. Once we’re on the site, we’ll work hard and earn as much as we can."
"Man… I wish I could be as successful as Master Tu one day."
Their exchange hadn’t gone unnoticed.
A cluster of students nearby—especially several from the Alchemy Department—had been listening intently.
Seeing Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan set to earn money so soon, their eyes gleamed with envy.
Li Xiao, a Xian Du student from the same Foundation Establishment Class, watched from a distance. After a moment’s thought, he stepped forward, chasing after Tu Lishan.
"Master Tu! Please give me a chance too!"
"I want to go to the construction site as well!"
Tu Lishan glanced at him, his expression shifting slightly.
"You’re from the First Layer too, aren’t you?"
Li Xiao’s breath caught.
He’d been reminded of his First Layer status too many times in the past few days—always met with disdain.
But when Li Xiao nodded, Tu Lishan smiled.
"First Layer? That’s great. Most people look down on First Layer students, but I actually admire them the most."
"I’ve taught many students over the years—but none have shown the kind of grit and resilience you First Layer kids possess."
He placed a hand on Li Xiao’s shoulder.
"Keep pushing. I’ll take you to the site in three months."
"Though, the positions are limited. You’ll be competing with Zhang Yu and the others. So make the next three months count."
He paused, then added,
"To be honest… I have higher hopes for you."
Watching Tu Lishan vanish into the distance, Li Xiao felt a surge of fire ignite within him.
"In three months… I have to make it onto the site!"
As he walked toward the 666th floor, Tu Lishan murmured to himself:
"Zhang Yu, Yu Xinghan, Li Xiao… all solid talent."
Unlike many teachers who favored the wealthy or elite, Tu Lishan had a soft spot for those with talent but little money.
He sighed inwardly:
"Those who struggle—they are the true backbone of our Civil Engineering world."
"If everyone wanted management roles, who’d actually do the work?"
"Gong Shuijin and Ji Yuanchi are ten times better, sure—but Gong Shuijin’s rich, and Ji Yuanchi’s already decided to switch departments. Why would either of them come to the site for a few hard-earned Lingbi?"
---
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan strolled down Yuan Ci Channel toward their next class.
Suddenly, a voice called out.
"Zhang Yu!"
Zhang Yu turned, his gaze flickering with surprise.
"That’s… that guy?"
The one calling him was Yun Jing—the Xian Du cultivator who had once competed in the Foundation Establishment Exam, only to be defeated by Bai Zhenzhen.
Now, Yun Jing stood with five Alchemy Department cultivators, eyeing Zhang Yu with wary scrutiny. One of them sneered:
"You’re from the First Layer too? This isn’t your place. Get lost—unless you want trouble—"
The number 13 flashed above Zhang Yu’s head—Civil Engineering Department, Foundation Establishment Class.
The man instantly changed tone.
"Uh… I’m the one who should leave!"
He turned to Yun Jing with a forced grin.
"You knew about the Foundation Establishment students, and you didn’t say anything?"
Yun Jing watched the five Alchemy students scatter, then turned to Zhang Yu, whose expression remained calm.
His emotions were tangled—confused, overwhelmed.
Back in the First Layer, he’d been a towering Xian Du elder, while Zhang Yu was just a country boy.
But that one Foundation Establishment Exam had turned their fates upside down.
Now, Yun Jing could only look up at Zhang Yu—no longer the superior, but the peer.
Zhang Yu glanced at him.
"Got yourself into trouble?"
He could sense Yun Jing had used his presence to scare the others off.
Yun Jing exhaled.
"First Layer students in the Alchemy Department often get isolated. I’ve gotten used to it… but today, they went too far."
"Anyway… thanks for tonight. I’ll repay you someday."
With a bow, Yun Jing left.
Zhang Yu watched him go, feeling a pang of melancholy.
Looks like Yun’s family is in rough shape.
He mentally noted: I must tell Bai Zhenzhen about this. She’ll love hearing the gossip.
A few moments later, Zhang Yu entered the classroom.
It was larger than any he’d seen—a vast hall capable of holding over a thousand students.
He knew this was a cross-departmental lecture.
On the high stage, a group of Dao Arts students were promoting their services:
"Hello everyone! We’re from the Dao Arts Department, offering paid Dao Arts services!"
"We have the Clear Mind Technique—perfect for instant memorization. The Return to Origin Technique speeds up Spirit Energy Breathing. The Regeneration Technique aids Body Refining. All of these cost just 0.03 Lingbi for one hour!"
"And the Spirit Soul Cloud Sea Technique? It allows two people to synchronize cultivation—experience gained in one session equals two days of solo training! Only 0.09 Lingbi for one hour!"
"Over here, we’ve got a senior skilled in lightning Dao, capable of the Divine Thunder Lightning Wave—great for enhancing Body Refining, improving Spirit Root fusion, and sharpening the five senses. One hour: 0.19 Lingbi!"
"Today’s the last day of orientation—click the link to become a member and get 30% off all services!"
At Gong Shuijin’s side, a Dao Arts student approached, trying to sell him a membership.
Gong Shuijin showed mild interest, listening attentively.
Another student approached Ji Yuanchi—only to be met with a cool, dismissive glance.
"I already have my own private Dao Arts team. No need for this."
The student left with a sheepish smile.
Yu Xinghan watched, sighing wistfully.
"Money really does rule everything."
Zhang Yu studied the description of the Spirit Soul Cloud Sea Technique, a flicker of longing in his eyes.
"I wonder if this would help with the Feather Scroll… Should I spend Lingbi on it?"
"But even at 70% off, 0.09 Lingbi per hour… with my current savings, I can barely afford 200 hours. Better hold off for now."
"Ah well… just bookmark the link. Spending money too fast? That’s how you get ripped off. That’s how you become a grass."
With around 12 Lingbi in hand, Zhang Yu decided to keep it for now.
He still knew too little about Wanfa University—about its costs, its systems, its opportunities.
"Better keep learning about Wanfa, about Civil Engineering… plan carefully before spending a single Lingbi on cultivation."
Moments later, the Dao Arts students packed up and left just before class began.
An old man with silver hair and beard stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome to Martial Dao Power Studies. As the name suggests, we’ll explore the mysteries of force, energy, and technique in martial arts."
"Whether you’re fighting, building, alchemizing, refining pills, or any other pursuit—this course touches on all of them."
"If you ever take advanced classes in fluid force, soil mechanics, or thermal radiation—this foundation will be essential."
"I know you’re all freshmen. The foundation course ends in three months, and you’ll face a major exam before the semester begins."
"Fail that exam, and you won’t qualify for advanced courses."
"Those with strong foundations—don’t get complacent. The rankings matter. That exam will shape your future."
Zhang Yu nodded silently.
He knew exactly what the teacher meant—three months from now, the final exam.
To improve my rank—I can’t afford to slack on a single test.
The next two days passed with Zhang Yu attending classes, absorbing every bit of knowledge.
At night, he returned to his dorm to focus on Basic Techniques, pushing the Foundation Establishment Body-Refining Seventy-Two Forms to Level 20, and advancing the Foundation Establishment Mind-Refining Law to Level 17.
"Alright, I’m hanging up, Yu."
"Keep pushing!"
"I sent you something—should arrive in a few days. Don’t forget to check it."
After ending another call with Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu resumed practicing the Foundation Establishment Mind-Refining Law.
But after about half an hour, a sharp sting shot through his palm.
The symbol on his palm had turned completely black.
In an instant, the Feather Scroll flared violently—its pages flipping rapidly—until, beside the prologue and Chapter One: Chain Law Diagram, a brand-new chapter appeared before him.
Zhang Yu stared, whispering to himself:
"Chapter Two… Dao Zong Spectrum."
(End of Chapter)
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