https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-383-Zhang-Yu-First-in-Total-Contribution-Across-the-Field/13686973/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-385-Confrontation-with-Su-Yanyang/13686975/
Chapter 384: Ciji Zhenjun's Covert Guidance
Outside the arena, Shi Huaixu and Che Yufei stepped out together, their faces lit with smiles.
Che Yufei thought to himself: Made it into the Top Ten—worth every penny of the repair fees now.
Then, unable to help it, he turned to look at Zhang Yu, his eyes filled with awe.
How could he hold off Ma Xuan and the others for so long? This kid’s already on par with upperclassmen in direct combat. And he’s only in his Second Year!
Che Yufei felt the stirrings of another rising star in Civil Engineering—just like how he’d once seen Mo Ejin emerge.
Beside him, Shi Yunxiang and the others stared at Zhang Yu with a mix of shock and admiration.
Shi Huaixu asked with concern: “Are you okay? Any serious injuries?”
Zhang Yu gave a slight nod. “Fine. Nothing major.”
After a brief reply to his teammates, Zhang Yu stepped away from the group and stared at the message from Ciji Zhenjun.
He thought quietly: Fujie, what’s this all about?
Fujie replied: You really need me to spell it out? Clearly, after Director Gao watched your performance, he’s taken an interest in you. And now he’s setting demands—it’s a clear sign he wants you as his disciple.
Even with my decades of experience across Kunxu, I can tell—your potential is undeniable. Even if you never master Alchemy, you’ll still be a master-level talent in the field.
Zhang Yu’s first thought was how much his body could be sold for.
Then he frowned inwardly. Damn it—how deeply has Kunxu corrupted me? Thinking like this…
He shook his head. No. If I’m going into Alchemy, I’m not just going to be a raw material exporter. I’m going to build high-end manufacturing. That’s the real future.
Fujie said: Then prove it. Study hard. Take every Alchemy course you can. Get that reward from Ciji Zhenjun as soon as possible.
Better yet—beat the deadline. They’re asking you to finish the entire three-year Alchemy Department curriculum by the end of your Second Year. But you should aim to finish three months early—ideally six. Show off your talent like a peacock spreading its feathers. Lay the groundwork for your transfer to Alchemy Department.
Director Gao: I’ll have someone send you more medicine shortly.
Director Gao: If you’re not healed before the next match, don’t bother showing up.
Zhang Yu hesitated, reading the message.
Is it wrong… to secretly connect with Ciji Zhenjun and eventually defect to the Alchemy Department? Wouldn’t that betray Director Gao?
Fujie snorted: You mean—eating the benefits of the Civil Engineering Department, soaking up their training, and then betraying them to join the elite Alchemy Department?
Isn’t that exactly what every Civil Engineering student dreams of?
You’re growing. You’re rising. But what about Director Gao? Do you really want to keep dragging him down in the backwater of Civil Engineering?
Zhang Yu replied: I’m not saying I shouldn’t do it. But… what if I become too good? I’ve already soaked up so much from the Civil Engineering Department. What if they refuse to let me go? And if I leave… will they come after me?
The thought sent a chill down his spine. A true immortal like Ciji Zhenjun keeping tabs on me?
Fujie said: Once you’re in the Alchemy Department, you’ll have Ciji Zhenjun’s protection. Theoretically, you’ll be safe.
Still, if you’re nervous, ask him directly. Test the waters.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then sent a message:
Master, are you and Director Gao close?
Ciji Zhenjun: We’ve been friends for years.
Seeing the instant reply, Zhang Yu couldn’t help but marvel: Even after getting a Competition Ranking, teachers now reply faster than ever.
Ciji Zhenjun: I know what you’re worried about.
Ciji Zhenjun: Old Gao… he’s not exactly generous when it comes to people.
Ciji Zhenjun: But I’m not like him.
Ciji Zhenjun: As long as you’re strong enough, meet my standards—there’s no need for formal master-disciple ties.
Ciji Zhenjun: I can guide you in secret, quietly. You can even earn a second degree in Alchemy Department without ever officially transferring.
Zhang Yu’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Ciji Zhenjun… actually seems pretty reasonable.
Fujie thought to himself: I’ve got a feeling he’s just using the Civil Engineering Department’s resources to train his own student.
After all, Zhang Yu will still have to take the Postgraduate Entrance Exam to enter Alchemy Department. So in the end… he’ll end up in Ciji Zhenjun’s hands anyway.
Director Gao: Where are you? Why aren’t you replying?
Zhang Yu quickly replied: Just felt a bit unwell. Didn’t get to respond in time.
Director Gao: Rest up then.
After ending the exchange with both Ciji Zhenjun and Director Gao, Zhang Yu exhaled softly, feeling a weight lift.
That Top Ten finish… wasn’t for nothing.
Even though the official rewards hadn’t been handed out yet, Zhang Yu already felt the benefits.
Now… I’m closer to the Alchemy Department than ever before.
Just then, a loud argument erupted nearby. Zhang Yu turned to see Ma Xuan’s team in disarray.
Ji Yuanchi: You had four people! Four people!
One senior, one Fifth Year, two Sixth Year students!
In a confined space like that—how could you not subdue a Second Year for so long?
Bu Ziran sneered: What’s your rank in the department? What’s your competition disruption score? Your combat duration ranking? You know nothing.
Ji Yuanchi snapped: This isn’t just about numbers! It’s because you used that tactic to lock me out! I was the one shielding Cong Na from Shi Huaixu’s pursuit!
At that moment, the substitutes joined in, demanding a refund.
Yang Yan and Ji Susu stared grimly at the invoice from the Spirit Armor Rental Company.
Ma Xuan was distracted, his eyes constantly drifting toward the arena.
After a heated argument, the team disbanded, each member walking off in silence.
Ma Xuan returned to the battlefield to collect the Silver Sand.
Ji Yuanchi turned back one last time, glaring at Zhang Yu, then stormed off without looking back.
His heart burned with fury: War Faction… you won.
Meanwhile, Ji Yuanchi felt the Qi Yun surging uncontrollably within his mind.
He knew—because he hadn’t made it into the department’s Top Ten, the backlash was coming. Worse, this was a second surge, triggered before the first one had fully dissipated.
He sent a message to Lin Director:
Master, I need money—urgently.
No reply.
He tried reaching out to his senior brothers—no one responded.
Finally, he messaged the Evil God who had helped him complete the Ritual.
Evil God: Buy another credit card.
Ji Yuanchi: Two cards?
Evil God: Double-card cycle. Use fortune to suppress fortune—delay the backlash again.
Ji Yuanchi: But I’m broke.
Evil God: You still have that new Spirit Armor, don’t you?
…
Zhang Yu turned his gaze from Ji Yuanchi’s retreating back and saw Yu Xinghan, Ying Xin, and Gong Shuijin rushing toward him from the bench.
Ying Xin called out: Senior Brother!—then stood quietly, watching Zhang Yu like a junior student admiring an upperclassman.
If I can just make the bench every year… I’d gain so much advantage.
But next year’s competition will be even fiercer…
No—back home, I need to burn more of Grandpa’s ashes and send them to Senior Brother.
Gong Shuijin felt a deep sense of defeat.
Now the class first place… I’ll never get it.
The thought of spending his entire university life living in Zhang Yu’s shadow made his heart sink.
Yu Xinghan, seeing Zhang Yu covered in bloodstains, despite knowing his Constitution was extraordinary, couldn’t help but ask: How are you feeling? Can you afford medical treatment?
Everyone turned to look.
Xiao Qingxuan spoke coolly: I’ll go with him to the medical room. Let’s check his condition.
Zhang Yu nodded. Yeah. I’ll go with Xiao Qingxuan.
Director Gao might send someone with medicine. Could you grab it for me?
Walking behind Xiao Qingxuan, Zhang Yu asked curiously: Are you going to treat me?
Xiao Qingxuan shot him a cold glance. What? Afraid I’ll ruin you with ancient medicine?
Zhang Yu chuckled nervously. Though he looked badly injured, thanks to Xiao Qingxuan’s on-field healing and his own accelerated bodily regeneration, his internal injuries were already half-healed. Most external wounds had sealed. His condition was stable.
Xiao Qingxuan said flatly: Treatment came in time. Your Constitution is strong. No major issues. Just rest, take your medicine, avoid intense activity. You’ll be fully recovered in one or two days.
Zhang Yu asked: Can’t you just fix me up a little? I still have another match.
Xiao Qingxuan glanced sideways. Another match? You made Top Ten—aren’t you satisfied? You really want to win again?
Zhang Yu countered: Why not?
After a long silence, Xiao Qingxuan said slowly: I don’t have a medical license. I can’t perform paid treatments.
Zhang Yu: Then treat me for free.
Xiao Qingxuan laughed bitterly. From what I know, anyone who dares do free treatments openly gets eliminated by the pharmaceutical companies.
But after glancing at Director Gao’s message, she sighed and said: Fine. I’ll treat you one more time.
But remember—my healing ability is logged in the pharmaceutical database. A secret treatment like this? Fine. But if I do it for more than one person, it’s suicide. So after the competition, don’t come looking for me. And don’t bring anyone else.
Also—Top Ten teams don’t have weak members. If you face a team far stronger than yours, learn to walk away. Don’t throw your life away trying to win.
Director Gao: Treat him. I’ll handle everything else.
…
On another front, Ma Xuan was cleaning up the Silver Sand when he received a message from Su Yanyang.
Su Yanyang: I watched your match. That’s not how Civil Engineering Competitions are fought.
Su Yanyang: Civil Engineering is about construction. You just kept fighting. If you wanted battle, join the War Faction.
Ma Xuan: I thought we could overwhelm them in one go.
Su Yanyang: You’re relying too much on raw power. You’ve lost the essence of Civil Engineering Competition.
Su Yanyang: Spend another year deepening your skills. Study Construction Technology. Stop trying to solve everything with brute force.
Ma Xuan: Got it. I understand.
Just as Ma Xuan thought the conversation was over, a new message arrived:
Competition Schedule. Image File
He opened the image—his eyes widened.
The next match: Su Yanyang was facing Zhang Yu’s team.
Su Yanyang: Study this. Learn how to truly play Civil Engineering Competition.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
