https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-331-Secret-Weapon-Deep-Cold-Mana-Vein/13686888/
Chapter 330: Hot-Blooded Civil Engineering
Zhang Yu switched into Qi Mai Chang Liu, feeling the rapid recovery of his Martial Energy. He waved it off casually. "No problem. Just focus on boosting your Martial Energy quality."
"You should feel it too—your Martial Energy is about to break through a major bottleneck."
Le Mulan nodded. Lately, she’d sensed her inner Martial Energy growing increasingly cold and oppressive. Though it didn’t harm her directly, it occasionally leaked uncontrollably, triggering strange phenomena in the surroundings.
A deep instinct stirred within her. At this rate, in just another one or two weeks, her Martial Energy would undergo a fundamental transformation.
And this astonishing leap in quality? It was all thanks to Zhang Yu.
The enhanced Martial Energy also made her cultivation far more efficient, accelerating her progress. As a result, Second Layer’s Le family had begun investing more resources into her training.
Thinking of this, Le Mulan glanced at Zhang Yu, a quiet pang of realization in her heart. Who would’ve thought the massive investment she’d once poured into him would now come back to her, doubled and repaid in kind.
At that moment, Zhang Yu handed her another measuring cup. "Oh, and here’s this batch for you."
Le Mulan nodded. "Once Lingbi clears, I’ll transfer it to you."
Feeling the warm residue inside the cup, her experienced instincts kicked in. "This was produced just moments before I arrived. That’s fast."
"Zhang Yu’s production efficiency has really picked up lately… is it because he’s been taking too many Tonifying Medicines?"
After restoring his Martial Energy, Zhang Yu wasted no time and left the dorm, hurrying back to the Construction Site.
The cemetery renovation was already more than halfway complete. The remaining time was precious—every second he spent there breathing Technique Spirit Energy was invaluable.
"Too bad Wang Zong won’t be here to keep me company this time."
Walking through the familiar underground passage, Zhang Yu arrived at today’s assigned work zone.
As usual, he activated the Detection Ritual within his body, scanning the area for nearby surveillance cameras.
With so many secrets tied to him, he’d long since developed the habit of memorizing camera placements—just in case.
But this time, as the Ritual Power pulsed through him, Zhang Yu frowned slightly at a wall on his left. “There’s a hidden camera here?”
“Could it be… specifically targeting me?”
The thought sent a chill down his spine. He activated the Monitoring Ritual, attempting to seize control of the camera.
The next moment, the monitor’s feed appeared in his mind’s eye.
“What… is this?”
The footage revealed a multi-angle camera—one that could see both the active Construction Site and a hidden tunnel behind a wall.
“A secret tunnel?” Zhang Yu manipulated the surveillance feed, staring at the chaotic, hastily dug hole beyond the wall.
“This isn’t part of any official project,” he thought. “It looks like someone’s been digging this in secret.”
Curiosity flared. Who had dug this? Why?
But after a moment’s reflection, Zhang Yu decided not to pursue it.
Who knew what secrets lay hidden inside? What interests, what dangers, might be tied to it?
For the next few days, he acted as if he’d never noticed the tunnel at all—continuing his routine work and breathing Technique Spirit Energy, as usual.
Then, one day, he received a message in the class group chat from Jiao Lei Immortal.
Jiao Lei Immortal: Students interested in joining this year’s Architecture Competition may now sign up. If you’re interested, let me know.
Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered. He knew that with major competitions opening up, students had more opportunities than ever to boost their Comprehensive Score.
Relying solely on academic performance wasn’t enough to stay at the top of the school rankings.
So he approached Jiao Lei Immortal to learn more.
He discovered this was an annual event—highly prestigious for students in Architecture and Civil Engineering. The competition combined both architectural design and civil engineering construction.
The structure of the event? First, internal selection rounds within Wanfa University’s department, then the top teams would be sent to compete against other universities.
“Finals are at Tianyao University, scheduled for year-end.”
“But departmental qualifiers begin in the second half of this semester.”
“Even though the official competition doesn’t start until next term, registration and team formation are already underway. After all, teams need time to gel.”
Soon after, Tu Lishan messaged him.
Tu Lishan: Heard about the Architecture Competition?
Tu Lishan: There’s a team recruiting. You should give it a shot.
Tu Lishan: You’re only a freshman—don’t worry about results. Just gain experience.
Following Tu Lishan’s advice, Zhang Yu set aside time the next day and headed to the Construction Site on the 667th Floor.
At the agreed-upon location, he saw a tall, slender girl warming up.
Her physique wasn’t particularly muscular, and the Rank tag above her head made Zhang Yu pause.
“Civil Engineering Department has girls like this?” he wondered.
Cong Na, a senior from the Civil Engineering Department, ranked fifth in her class, spoke coolly. “Zhang Yu, right? Let me explain.”
As she explained, Zhang Yu understood: the team already had five members, but they needed one more Civil Engineering student to handle the actual construction work.
Cong Na cracked her joints with a series of sharp pops, then smirked. “I’m here to test you.”
Though Zhang Yu had been recommended by Tu Teacher and ranked second in class, he was still just a freshman.
In her eyes, bringing in a first-year was nothing but a burden—useless for real work, possibly just hoping to ride on the team’s coattails.
Even if Zhang Yu was genuinely skilled, she’d prefer someone older. Senior students had more hands-on experience.
Her goal was simple.
Let him back down.
“Make him realize this isn’t a place for first-years.”
Zhang Yu nodded. “How’s the test?”
Cong Na sent him the blueprint. “I’ve already sent you the plans.”
“Complete the rebar assembly shown on the blueprint within ten minutes. That’s your pass.”
“But just like real competition—this is wartime simulation. I’ll be attacking you at random intervals to disrupt your work.”
“Any questions?”
Zhang Yu glanced at the blueprint, mentally cursing.
Damn it. Another test just to make me do unpaid labor? No surprise—this team’s exactly like Tu Lishan’s. The same ruthless spirit.
Still, he nodded. “No problem.”
The countdown began: 3… 2… 1.
In an instant, Zhang Yu blurred forward, unleashing a surge of violent Qi.
His palm struck the air—dozens of rebar rods tens of meters away were swept up and hurled toward the frame.
Then, with a flick of his fingers, streams of Qi flared. At a distance of several meters, the binding wire leapt into the air, spiraling and wrapping around the rebar with precision.
Cong Na watched, impressed. “Not bad. Fast movements.”
“Let’s raise the stakes.”
She took a step forward—her palm shot toward Zhang Yu’s back, a devastating Broken Sinew Palm.
With that technique’s power, she was confident she could twist every rebar into useless tangles, wiping out all his progress.
If she landed a few more blows, she wouldn’t be surprised if his bones snapped.
But Zhang Yu, with his Third Eye Ability, had already anticipated her move. As soon as she shifted, he countered with a palm of his own, spiraling Qi surging toward her.
Boom!
Her palm shattered his Qi barrier—but she didn’t stop. She surged forward, relentless.
Inside her mind, cold amusement. “Low Qi transmission rate. This kind of power… can’t even slow me down. Freshmen really are unreliable.”
She closed in, palms flashing in a storm of strikes, forcing Zhang Yu to turn and defend.
Zhang Yu thought: So this is “Hot-Blooded Civil Engineering”? You’re supposed to build while fighting?
But under her relentless assault, he quickly realized he couldn’t focus on construction.
As a senior, she outmatched him in strength and speed. Even if he used the 55 Combat Method to mimic her movements and fight back, he could only parry—never break through.
His combat system’s weakness was laid bare.
“Not bad at taking hits,” Cong Na thought, pressing him back. “But in real competition, toughness isn’t enough.”
She watched, satisfied, as his work ground to a halt.
Just a few punches and the job stops. Real competition is far more dangerous than this.
He’s way out of his depth. Time to quit.
Just as she thought it, a humanoid figure of Qi shot past her—charging straight at her.
“Low transmission rate. Even as a humanoid form, what good is it?”
She raised a hand, ready to shatter it.
But then—she froze.
The figure wasn’t just mimicking her form. It was using her exact technique, her exact force—the same Broken Sinew Palm.
“What…?”
How?
Impossible.
Boom!
Her palm collided with the Qi figure’s. The force was identical—same technique, same power.
Her eyes widened.
The figure exploded into mist.
But before she could react, another humanoid Qi form charged at her—blocking her path.
Boom!
Another exploded. Another formed.
One after another—each identical to her, each striking with the same palm, the same power.
She was trapped—surrounded by clones of her own technique.
And behind the shield of Qi, Zhang Yu turned back to work, hands blurring through the rebar, weaving it with lightning speed.
(End of Chapter)
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