https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-419-The-Allure-of-the-Alchemy-Department/13687047/
Chapter 420: Second Year Final Exam (The 12 Masters)
It was already late August. The day of the Second Year final exams had arrived.
Students from the Foundation Establishment Class of the Civil Engineering Department had, without noticing, spent two full years immersed in their studies.
Inside the Dao Heart Examination Hall, Feng Jiu’s gaze swept across the performances of each examinee within the Ling Realm.
Li Xiao, piloting his Flying Barge at breakneck speed, made a decisive choice between a Youming University student and a Junior College Student—crashing straight into the latter and eliminating him.
Then came ten Junior College Students, a hundred, two hundred… until he reached three hundred. At that point, doubt began to stir in his heart.
Feng Jiu gave a slight nod. “This question is a bit outdated. Today’s students find it too easy—should’ve been retired.”
“After all, Junior College Students have lost so much value lately. Now it’s just a simple math problem. It doesn’t test the heart at all.”
On another Light Screen, Yu Xinghan had been subjected to a Transformation Technique, turned into a wild dog. Afraid of losing his job if he remained a dog, he desperately scoured for employment, honing his canine skills in a bid for survival.
Feng Jiu nodded again. “Even in the depths of despair, he never gave up. Becoming a dog didn’t stop him from chasing work—truly commendable Dao Heart.”
On yet another screen, Ying Xin faced pressure from the Double Rest Cult, and chose to die rather than submit. He refused to yield, even in death.
Feng Jiu nodded. “This one’s timely—probably a new addition. Refusing to bow to a heretical sect, holding fast to his right to work overtime… another fine spiritual seed.”
“Seems the school’s anti-cult education has really paid off.”
On another Light Screen, Gong Shuijin stood at a construction site, lifting the corpse of a fallen comrade and activating the spirit armor embedded within it, using the body’s residual energy to shake the very earth.
Feng Jiu nodded approvingly. “Carrying on his comrade’s legacy, turning grief into labor strength—working until the very last moment. Well done.”
Feng Jiu pondered. “But these past few questions all revolve around work… could this be due to the influence of the Double Rest Cult?”
On another screen, Feng Jiu watched Ji Yuanchi, now a demon-blooded being, repeatedly resist the primal urge to devour his own family’s flesh. In the end, he succeeded in raising his demonic kin, then sold them off to earn his first fortune.
Feng Jiu murmured, “Overcame the hunger for blood, suppressed the bonds of family—no other path but the Dao. A solid solution. Most important, the resolve shown throughout the process was truly steadfast.”
On another screen, Zhang Yu faced forced demolition, managed to hide inside a house, and secured a higher demolition compensation by being “inside” the structure during the process.
Feng Jiu nodded. “Risked his life for a gamble—exhibited great ambition and daring. But Zhang Yu’s Dao Heart must be deeper than this. The next question should be harder.”
As Feng Jiu observed each student’s performance in the Foundation Establishment Class, he remarked, “Each one displays extraordinary willpower. Each is a top-tier talent. All have made remarkable progress over the past year.”
“Excellent students—no slackers among them.”
…
In the Martial Energy Examination Hall, students took turns undergoing assessments of their Martial Energy quantity, quality, and Gang Qi transmission efficiency.
Li Mingbo, the Martial Energy instructor, could only stare in disbelief.
“Zhang Yu, First Layer—his Martial Energy metrics are all at the top. He’s completely surpassed Ji Yuanchi, who’s Sixth Layer.”
A First Layer student defeating a Sixth Layer one—completely, overwhelmingly—left Li Mingbo reeling, as if the natural order had been inverted.
Then he glanced at Yu Xinghan.
Also a First Layer student, yet already among the top five in the class, so close to fourth place that it was almost palpable.
If it weren’t for Zhang Yu’s meteoric rise, Yu Xinghan’s results alone would’ve been enough to shock Li Mingbo.
Then he looked at Li Xiao. A small nod. “Now this is what a First Layer student should look like.”
…
In the Physical Strength Level Examination Hall, Zhang Yu surged ahead, streaking through the complex obstacle course like a storm wind, tearing through buildings with each passing surge, sending clouds of dust and debris flying into the sky.
Inside his body, vital energy surged like molten lava, churning and surging with every breath.
With the 20th Level Physical Strength Level driving him forward, Zhang Yu forced open the gates of explosive techniques—Zhanmo Yunshou Gong, Chunqiu Wujin Chan—pushing his physical form beyond its limits. Though he couldn’t break the Foundation Establishment ceiling, he managed to unleash a sliver of power just beyond the 20th Level.
Under such overwhelming force, his body bore immense strain. Flesh and blood were torn apart with every movement, as if his body were burning from within.
But with the Body Activation enhancement, his flesh was constantly torn—then instantly repaired. Especially under the加持 of the Martial Dao Holy Body, the activated form carried the subtle essence of the Martial Dao, allowing him to distribute the damage evenly. His body’s destruction and regeneration remained in perfect balance.
Meanwhile, every muscle movement was perfectly controlled by the Martial Dao Subtlety, enabling him to unleash speed, power, and acceleration far beyond normal limits—his turns sharp and precise, his motion never slowing.
Ji Yuanchi, meanwhile, was caught in a whirlwind of spiritual armor, constantly accelerating, yet unable to close the gap.
“Damn it… my straight-line acceleration is faster than his, but…”
Looking at the twisted, uneven terrain, Ji Yuanchi was forced to slow down and turn repeatedly, never able to unleash his full speed.
And in this simulated war environment, he had to dodge constant incoming attacks.
But Zhang Yu?
He let a bolt of lightning fire crash straight into his face—colliding violently with a swirling cloud of mist around his visage.
In the explosion, Zhang Yu’s form didn’t falter. Instead, using the Martial Dao Subtlety and the Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin enhanced by the Martial Dao Holy Body, he harnessed the blast’s force, using it to accelerate even further.
Ji Yuanchi watched in disbelief as he accelerated again and again—only to be forced to stop by turns and dodges.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu grew faster, stronger, surging ahead—leaving Ji Yuanchi farther and farther behind.
“Why?”
“Why have I given everything?”
“Why am I falling further behind?”
Staring at Zhang Yu’s distant silhouette, Ji Yuanchi felt like he was watching someone whose Comprehensive Score kept rising—while he remained powerless to catch up. A rising tide of bitterness and frustration flooded his heart.
…
As the exams continued, Zhang Yu dominated every single one, displaying overwhelming superiority—winning each with undeniable, unquestionable authority, securing his position as class leader.
Yu Xinghan snapped a photo of Zhang Yu sprinting forward, capturing his triumphant run to first place, and uploaded it to Zhang Yu’s backup Mutual Cultivation group.
Yu Xinghan: Zhang Yu photo. Image file
The group erupted in messages.
“Zhang Yu running—so damn hot!”
“With that kind of money, he’s gonna look good no matter what he does.”
“Group leader, take more pics!”
“Group leader, did Zhang Yu reply?”
Yu Xinghan: The number of applicants is too high.
Yu Xinghan: I discussed it with Zhang Yu—first, you all pay a potion fee. Then he’ll join you for a meal of medicine.
Yu Xinghan: Remember—only the medicine. Nothing else.
“Wait… only the medicine?”
Yu Xinghan: Depends on how you perform. He might pick one of you to cultivate with.
…
Time passed. The final exam arrived—the Civil Engineering Department Professional Ability Exam.
To objectively assess each student’s professional skills, this year’s exam, like last year’s, was based entirely on real-world scenarios.
Even more so—this year’s test was held on the actual construction site, at the 668th Layer.
Tu Lishan surveyed the class.
“This time, to ensure your exam reflects your true performance under real working conditions, we’ve moved the Examination Hall directly to the real construction site.”
“For the next 12 hours, this entire area will be completely shut down—no workers except you.”
“We’ve paused all overtime. For you.”
The students were stunned. Whispers spread through the room.
“You’re shutting down the entire construction site for 12 hours?”
“All for our exam?”
“What a massive gesture!”
Zhang Yu fumed inwardly. “Damn it… you’re just using us as free labor, aren’t you?”
Yu Xinghan seethed. “12 hours of exams? 12 hours of free work? Are you even human?”
Ying Xin raged silently. “Why does everyone only dare to curse in their heads? Isn’t there a single brave soul here in the Civil Engineering Department?”
Tu Lishan continued. “This year, your main focus has been Large-Scale Construction Capability.”
“So this exam is no different—testing your ability to manage large-scale construction.”
“I’ve assigned each of you a unique construction task, covering various major projects. You’ll have more work than you can handle in these 12 hours—enough to push you to your limits.”
As he spoke, a stream of task data appeared in everyone’s Eye Armor—lists of large-scale construction projects they could undertake in the current site.
They also saw their wage statistics—currently all zero.
Tu Lishan said, “You’ve all seen the wage data, I assume?”
Zhang Yu’s heart leapt. “Wait… there’s actually pay? Tu Lishan… I was wrong about you!”
Tu Lishan added, “The scoring is simple: based on your completion rate of large-scale construction tasks.”
“In short, your final score is determined by how much you earn. The more you earn, the higher your score.”
“We believe this is the most accurate reflection of your Large-Scale Construction Capability after a year of study and cultivation.”
Yu Xinghan raised his hand. “So when do we get paid?”
Tu Lishan smiled. “Your wages have already been converted into more important scores.”
“Of course, you’re free to refuse the conversion.”
Yu Xinghan cursed silently. “Damn it… what a piece of work.”
(End of Chapter)
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