https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-418-Alchemy-Exam-Thank-you-aghfh-for-your-support-as-Patron-/13687046/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-420-Second-Year-Final-Exam-The-12-Masters-/13687048/
Chapter 419: The Allure of the Alchemy Department
(Thank you, reader 20230821175232114)
Zhang Yu idly twirled the Golden Thread Jade Disc in his hand.
The Spirit Artifact, roughly the size of a human chest, resembled a flat, circular jade disc with a palm-sized hole at its center. Its surface was intricately engraved with dense golden patterns—like a complex Martial Energy Circuit—covering the entire disc.
As Zhang Yu infused his Martial Energy into it, the disc floated into the air.
At the same time, his Eye Armor projected a detailed display of the Golden Thread Jade Disc’s parameters: Martial Energy capacity, power output, operational duration, and more.
"Follow mode activated."
With a soft command, the disc shimmered with faint, ethereal light. It locked onto Zhang Yu and slowly drifted behind him, hovering like a halo at the back of his head, mirroring his every movement.
Besides the follow mode, the disc also had attack, defense, and free modes—each equipped with basic intelligence, capable of acting according to rules Zhang Yu had set.
"Still not as precise as doing it myself."
Zhang Yu mentally willed it, and the disc erupted in dazzling light—like a miniature sun—illuminating the entire dorm room.
But he stopped there, releasing only a brief burst.
"Wouldn’t want to break anything in the dorm. Better save the real tests for the Construction Site."
With that thought, he fed the disc two different types of specialized Martial Energy: Deep Cold Mana Vein and Yanyang Dao Mai.
He knew that feeding it different energies would drastically alter its functions.
"With this disc, my efficiency at the Construction Site will definitely improve."
Zhang Yu glanced down at his Bank Deposit. It still had 36.15 Lingbi.
Over the past few months, his income had soared—thanks to Zhang Pianpian’s monthly 5 Lingbi repayments, Wen Wuya’s 10 Lingbi monthly package, and relentless labor at the Construction Site.
Yet his deposit hadn’t grown much. The reason? Alchemy costs were astronomical.
Especially as he progressed, each Alchemy Technique required ever more Lingbi—both for Simulation Lab consumption and real-world material purchases.
Only because his core attributes had now reached the Foundation Establishment limit—meaning he no longer needed to spend Lingbi on cultivation—had his expenses stabilized. Otherwise, his balance would’ve been even lower.
"And if it weren’t for the income from the Construction Site, my Alchemy progress would’ve been painfully slow."
Just then, Ciji Zhenjun sent him a message.
Ciji Zhenjun: The Golden Thread Jade Disc is well-crafted.
Ciji Zhenjun: I have a suggestion.
Ciji Zhenjun: Have Xingli take on orders for you. I’ve already spoken to her.
Zhang Yu’s heart stirred. He replied:
"Is this about Alchemy orders?"
Ciji Zhenjun: You’ve mastered Tianqing Sand, Taiyi Jin Ye Dan, and the Golden Thread Jade Disc, haven’t you?
Ciji Zhenjun: I know you lack capital, can’t afford to stockpile materials.
Ciji Zhenjun: So take on commissioned Alchemy work—just earn some labor fees.
Zhang Yu was overjoyed. Even just earning a fee was far more efficient than working at the Construction Site.
But he understood: the order volume wouldn’t be large. Most people still preferred big companies and established platforms for Spirit Artifacts.
Still, even two or three orders a month would be a crucial boost to his cultivation.
He felt deep gratitude toward Ciji Zhenjun—his teacher truly understood what he needed most.
Then, another message arrived.
A gift: a technique titled Jianbao Jue.
The name was simple, but Zhang Yu had long known of it—yet never bought it.
The reason? Its usage required 50 Lingbi upfront, plus a 1 Lingbi monthly renewal fee.
The price was so high because Jianbao Jue was a technique capable of identifying countless Spirit Artifacts and Spirit Armors—each tied to complex copyright protections.
The monthly renewal? Because the technique was constantly updated, incorporating newly discovered and newly created Spirit Artifacts and Armors from the Kunxu realm.
As a co-creator of Jianbao Jue, Ciji Zhenjun received a limited number of annual authorization slots.
Ciji Zhenjun: Since you’ve chosen the Alchemy path, the ability to identify Spirit Artifacts and Armors is essential.
Ciji Zhenjun: This Jianbao Jue is your gift—upon passing your second-year Alchemy exam.
Ciji Zhenjun: As for the Golden Thread Jade Disc—consider it Old Gao’s congratulations for passing your Alchemy exam.
Zhang Yu mentally frowned: Does Director Gao even know I’m celebrating my Alchemy exam pass?
He replied:
"Thank you, Teacher."
He quickly downloaded Jianbao Jue and stored it in his Eye Armor.
As he browsed through it, he noticed its Chain Law Diagram Set: Alchemy Genius.
Zhang Yu thought: Unlike the crafting techniques for Spirit Artifacts, this technique can actually trigger Chain Law Diagrams.
He understood now—on the Alchemy path, there were not just crafting skills, but also various techniques that enhanced one’s Alchemy abilities.
Like Jianbao Jue, or Wulei Lian Ji Fa, Hongchen Lian Bing Shu, Dragon Vein Zhu Bao Jue…
But these techniques were fundamentally different from the cultivation methods Zhang Yu had used before.
They all belonged to the Dao Arts Technique category.
And Dao Arts Techniques were expensive—both in initial cost and in cultivation expenses.
They required rare materials: various types of lightning fire, red dust qi, Tian Gang Qi, or special environments like Dragon Veins and Yin Caves.
Some consumed massive amounts of Spiritual Energy, forcing users to buy specialized Martial Energy they didn’t naturally possess.
And Alchemy-specific techniques often demanded Spirit Artifacts as cultivation aids.
Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. This was why he hadn’t chosen to cultivate Dao Arts Techniques—despite their power.
The production of Spirit Artifacts alone was already a crushing financial burden. He simply couldn’t afford to add Alchemy Techniques to the list.
His original plan had been to wait until his Alchemy skills reached a point of self-sufficiency—where income matched expenses—before even considering such techniques.
"This explains why Alchemy Department’s first three years don’t require Alchemy Techniques."
"Trying to walk both paths at once? The financial pressure would break most students."
Now, staring at Jianbao Jue, Zhang Yu felt immense relief.
With Ciji Zhenjun’s gift, he’d saved himself a massive expense.
Ciji Zhenjun: Are you really going to keep hiding our relationship? Won’t you come study in the Alchemy Department?
Zhang Yu: Sorry, Zhenjun. Director Gao has been very kind to me. I don’t want to hurt him.
Zhang Yu thought: After this semester’s final exam, I’ll master three of the Civil Engineering Seven Supreme techniques.
And for the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition, I’ve already asked Director Gao—the top seven get two additional Civil Engineering Seven Supreme slots each.
If I win one more, that’ll be four in total.
Then, once I get my Military License, pass three of the department’s seven Civil Engineering tests, and acquire three more Supreme techniques…
At that thought, Zhang Yu could almost see the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power—a Military-Grade Martial Art—calling to him.
Ciji Zhenjun: Though I can still guide you in Alchemy and secretly grant you Alchemy Department credentials,
Ciji Zhenjun: You won’t gain access to the department’s true secrets unless you officially join.
Ciji Zhenjun: For example, our two Military-Grade Techniques: Tian Di Huai Jie Wu Xing Xin Bing and Tai Xu Shen Qi Ce.
Ciji Zhenjun: Not to mention Military-Grade Spirit Armors like Tian Ri Huang Shen, Zhen Kong Jie Bian Tu, and Tai Hao Sheng Lu Jian Zhen—you won’t even be able to learn or touch them.
Ciji Zhenjun: Like your senior sister, Ye Xingli—she’s already cultivating Tai Xu Shen Qi Ce, and is close to completing the Refining Fujie evaluation.
Fujie chuckled: "The Alchemy Department really is superior to the Civil Engineering Department. So many Military-Grade powers!"
Zhang Yu’s pulse quickened. Ciji Zhenjun is clearly tempting me.
But he couldn’t deny it—those words stirred something deep within him.
Yet, even if he wanted to join the Alchemy Department, he first wanted to master Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power in Civil Engineering.
He’d already come so far down that path.
Fujie continued: "She only offered you a disciple role at first—out of convenience. But after last year’s Civil Engineering Competition, she saw your physical talent and offered you a secret disciple status. Now that she’s witnessed your Alchemy talent, she likely believes you might one day master the department’s Military-Grade powers—so she’s preparing to reveal our relationship publicly."
Zhang Yu nodded silently. He had sensed the shift in Ciji Zhenjun’s attitude over time.
Fujie added: "She’s tempting you now—but even if you do transfer, it won’t happen overnight. You still have time to master Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power first. No need to rush and break things with Director Gao. She knows this. She’s just giving you a little taste of temptation—so you’ll be more certain about your future decision."
Zhang Yu replied:
"I need to think about it."
Ciji Zhenjun: Take your time. No rush.
(End of Chapter)
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