https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-399-Zhang-Yu-s-Military-License-Plan/13686996/
Chapter 400: The First Alchemy
Early December.
Since the end of the competition, Zhang Yu had been tirelessly traversing every corner of University City, seizing every chance to improve himself.
Inside the Taiqing Jing that day, Zhang Yu activated his Fourfold Mind, amplifying his thoughts by 20 times, as he immersed himself in the Alchemy Course.
As he studied, a familiar sigh escaped him.
"Ah, no wonder Alchemy Department students rely on the Ling界 Network or Dao Arts to double their learning efficiency. Even with my Fourfold Mind and 20x acceleration—equivalent to 80x acceleration—I’m only 7 times faster than a student using Ling界 acceleration at 10x. And that’s not even factoring in my limited daily study time, while they can further boost efficiency with Dao Arts and Spirit Armor..."
Zhang Yu shook his head.
"To meet Ciji Zhenjun’s new goal and complete the Alchemy Course by the end of Second Year? This is going to be tough."
Still, learning knowledge was relatively simple for Zhang Yu. The real challenge lay in the practical experiments tied to the Alchemy Course.
But he had Ciji Zhenjun as his teacher—someone who could guide him through it all.
Ciji Zhenjun: You’re ready to start practicing?
Zhang Yu: Yes. I’ve covered the basics. I’d like to try my first Alchemy.
Zhang Yu: Though I’m not sure how to prepare properly.
Ciji Zhenjun: First Alchemy—what are you planning to craft?
Zhang Yu: I want to make a pouch of Tianqing Sand.
Ciji Zhenjun: Tianqing Sand? Hmm. Trying to complement your Human-Form Qi Aura? That’s a solid idea.
Ciji Zhenjun: The difficulty isn’t high—perfect for a first attempt.
Ciji Zhenjun: For preparation, you’ll need four things: materials, copyright, lab access, and equipment.
Ciji Zhenjun: Forget it. I’ll have Ye Xingli show you around.
Zhang Yu: Will she guess our connection?
Ciji Zhenjun: Don’t worry. Xiao Ye’s sharp. She knows what to keep quiet—and what to protect.
---
In the classroom, Zhang Yu listened to the lecture while subtly sensing changes within his body.
In his dantian, the Qinglian Jiantai quietly bloomed. The power of this Divine Spirit Root surged through every vein, continuously reshaping and refining his physical form.
Ever since Bai Zhenzhen had given him the Qinglian Jiantai, Zhang Yu had refrained from openly using its power—afraid of exposing it. But he’d been quietly reaping its passive benefits.
"Though Third Eye Ability and Qinglian Jiantai both fall under the Spirit Root category in the Dao Zong Spectrum, they can’t be used simultaneously.
But Third Eye Ability is mainly for combat, while Qinglian Jiantai can remain active as a passive—perfect for cultivation and study."
From previous experiments, Zhang Yu knew the Qinglian Jiantai possessed an adaptive enhancement ability.
And given how dramatically the Chain Law Diagram Set had transformed his body, the Qinglian Jiantai now amplified the effects each time he switched diagrams. Over time, his body began to retain partial benefits of the sets—even without actively wearing them.
Lately, he’d been alternating between Tu Mu Holy Body and Qi Mai Chang Liu most often. Thanks to the Qinglian Jiantai’s reinforcement, he now felt a faint echo of those sets’ effects—though still barely perceptible.
"Still too weak. But with time, it’ll become clearer."
Zhang Yu wasn’t impatient. As long as the Qinglian Jiantai remained active, it didn’t interfere with his training or studies.
As the class ended, Zhang Yu turned to leave—only to be stopped by a voice.
It was Feng Jiu, the Dao Heart Class instructor.
Feng Jiu: Interested in joining this year’s Ling界 competition at year’s end?
Zhang Yu shook his head.
Zhang Yu: Sorry, Teacher. I don’t have any real edge in Dao Heart. I’d just embarrass myself.
He knew his limits—only a 16th-level Dao Heart. Entering the Spirit Realm competition would be a waste of time. He had too much to learn and too little time.
After parting with Feng Jiu, Zhang Yu walked out of the classroom surrounded by Yu Xinghan, Ying Xin, and Gong Shuijin.
As they passed through the corridor, students from the cultivation tracks instinctively stepped aside, their eyes filled with respect.
Li Xiao strained to squeeze closer to Zhang Yu—only to find his path blocked by Yu Xinghan, Ying Xin, and Gong Shuijin, who were already glued to Zhang Yu’s side.
He gritted his teeth inwardly: "Damn it. I came to follow Senior Brother first. Now those two—Ying Xin and Gong Shuijin—have attached themselves tighter than underwear."
Gong Shuijin glanced over.
Gong Shuijin: Zhang Yu, there’s a gathering coming up. You in?
Zhang Yu: Is there buffet food?
Gong Shuijin: Obviously. If it’s not a buffet-level party, why would I even mention it?
Zhang Yu: Count me in.
---
Back in the dorm.
Zhang Yu held a Xuanzao Relic, silently absorbing its 200% quality Martial Energy.
It was the relic recovered from Director Gao’s tomb in Hilong Garden.
As the high-grade Martial Energy flowed into his body, gradually diluted by his own, Zhang Yu felt a subtle but definite rise in the quality of his own energy.
"Good. Good. My Martial Energy Quality is rising again."
Just then, a message arrived from Teacher Jiao Lei Immortal.
Jiao Lei Immortal: Zhang Yu, interested in bringing your talent to Peace Faction?
Zhang Yu’s pulse quickened.
“Peace Faction wants to recruit me?”
“No tricks, right?”
Zhang Yu: Teacher, don’t say things like that. I don’t want Director Gao to misunderstand.
Jiao Lei Immortal: Our sincerity is genuine.
Jiao Lei Immortal: If you’re willing to sever your master-apprentice bond with Director Gao and become Lin Director’s disciple, you’ll get a 200 Lingbi low-interest loan immediately—not including future benefits.
Zhang Yu swallowed hard, staring at the message.
“Peace Faction really is backed by the Finance Department. That loan amount is insane.”
“Should I secretly keep my bond with Director Gao, and split the 200 Lingbi with Lin Director?”
After all, he already had Ciji Zhenjun as an underground master. Another wouldn’t hurt.
Jiao Lei Immortal: If you’re interested, take a look at this contract.
Zhang Yu’s expression hardened instantly.
“Ah… of course it’s not that simple.”
“This contract covers every angle—no loopholes at all.”
Zhang Yu: Sorry, but forget it. Director Gao has done too much for me. I’d never betray him.
---
In the Alchemy Lab.
Ye Xingli stood beside the workbench, her skin shimmering with faint, starlike glimmers—like scattered galaxies.
She studied Zhang Yu with growing curiosity.
“Master actually sent me to guide him?”
“But Zhang Yu’s from Civil Engineering Department, right?”
“Even if he learns a bit about Spirit Armor or Spirit Artifacts, it’s only for maintenance or shopping.”
“Why would he need to actually practice Alchemy?”
Her mind raced with questions. The connection between Zhang Yu and Ciji Zhenjun suddenly felt far more complicated than it appeared.
Zhang Yu, meanwhile, laid out his materials with precision.
"Sky-blue ore, Conductive Spirit Liquid, Fiber Composite Membrane, Cooling Liquid…"
After double-checking everything, he looked up at Ye Xingli.
Zhang Yu: I’m ready to begin.
She nodded.
She watched as he carefully cut the sky-blue ore, used Gang Qi to inject the Conductive Spirit Liquid, activated the Lihuo Furnace with Martial Energy to set the shape, sprayed the Fiber Composite Membrane, and stabilized the Martial Energy Circuit.
“Definitely a first-timer.”
But she sensed something deeper: Zhang Yu had rehearsed the steps countless times. Though clumsy, he followed every detail without error.
She knew Alchemy broke down into three stages: material preparation, basic structure, and Martial Energy Circuit.
Tianqing Sand—being one of the simplest Spirit Artifacts—had all three steps simplified. Its maximum Spirit Artifact Level capped at 10, and it could even serve as raw material for other artifacts.
When used, a handful was scattered to serve as a conduit for Gang Qi, improving conductivity and reducing consumption speed.
After Zhang Yu finished, Ye Xingli examined the result.
“Purity is average. Efficiency is low. Level 1 Spirit Artifact, at best.”
Spirit Artifact Level was a grading system corresponding to Dao realms.
Because different Dao levels meant different body types and life forms, artifacts from Level 1 to 10 were most effective for Qi Refining Realm cultivators.
Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, whose bodies and Martial Energy had fused, found artifacts below Level 11 largely ineffective. Only Level 11 and above brought meaningful enhancement or damage.
“Zhang Yu’s Alchemy talent is clearly average. To pass the Department’s exam, he’ll need long practice.”
“Why did Master send me to guide him? Surely not to take him as a disciple?”
“Impossible. Even if Zhang Yu had potential, Master and Director Gao have been friends for centuries. He wouldn’t steal his disciple.”
Ye Xingli shook her head. “I’m overthinking it.”
Zhang Yu picked up the Tianqing Sand he’d crafted. With a flick of Wuxiang Force, he pressed a tiny grain—about the size of a fingernail—into it.
The Wuxiang Force briefly flashed a faint blue glow. The Gang Qi within it grew slightly more refined.
“This batch should last me dozens of Wuxiang Force uses.”
“But the material cost was nearly 0.03 Lingbi.”
“Copyright fee, lab rental, equipment—totaling close to 1 Lingbi.”
“Alchemy really is a cash sink.”
“If I keep this up, I’ll bankrupt myself.”
Originally, Zhang Yu had hoped to use these practice sessions to craft simple Spirit Artifacts for Wuxiang Force and Shenhan Force—improving his work efficiency.
But seeing his results and the cost, he winced.
“This is the simplest Alchemy…”
He glanced at the Feather Scroll: Tianqing Sand (Level 1) (0/10)
“Ah… I’ll just take it slow.”
(End of Chapter)
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