https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-423-The-Ingenious-Use-of-Xiao-Sanhe/13687051/
Chapter 422: Final Exams Over, Overnight Rich (Please Vote for Me)
Looking at Zhang Yu’s image in the video feed, Tu Lishan thought to himself: That full set of Spirit Artifacts must’ve cost a fortune in Lingbi. Director Gao really does have his eyes on this kid.
Just then, after finishing watching Zhang Yu’s video, Director Gao responded:
“Once confirmed he’s first, let him finish early.”
Tu Lishan rolled his eyes inwardly, muttering: So biased. Can’t we make Zhang Yu work a little longer?
Tu Lishan: Understood.
Tu Lishan: Don’t worry, I’ve been watching closely.
Not long after, Gong Shuijin, who had been grinding away in silence, suddenly noticed something strange on the Ranking List—Zhang Yu’s name, which had been hovering above his own head, had frozen. His wage statistics had stopped.
"Huh? Zhang Yu stopped working?" Gong Shuijin first thought something had gone wrong. But soon, he received confirmation: Zhang Yu had submitted his exam early and left.
"Left this early?!"
But then Gong Shuijin understood Zhang Yu’s strategy. Even though Zhang Yu had stopped working, the wage data still frozen above everyone’s heads remained untouched—yet it was more than enough to crush all competitors.
Watching the scene, Ji Yuanchi couldn’t help but let out a faint, bitter smile.
"Just a simple math problem..."
"Even with the remaining time, multiplied by our efficiency and pay rates, we still couldn’t catch up to Zhang Yu."
At that moment, every student in the Examination Hall felt the towering name and number on the Ranking List like a vast, sky-obscuring hand—one that had effortlessly crushed them all beneath its palm, no matter how hard they tried to rise.
…
Soon afterward, the final exam rankings were calculated, converted into Comprehensive Scores, and compiled into the new class ranking.
Ji Yuanchi stared at the results: Zhang Yu still ranked first, Gong Shuijin second, Ying Xin third, and Yu Xinghan fourth. He exhaled slowly.
Competition…
Even before the exam began, he’d known he couldn’t surpass these four without competition points. But seeing the rankings confirmed still sent a sharp pang through his chest.
Especially now, Zhang Yu’s All-Department Ranking had jumped from 95th to 62nd after this final exam.
Gong Shuijin, Ying Xin, and Yu Xinghan had all earned their own All-Department rankings—mid-80s, and in the high 90s, respectively.
"Phew…"
It’s not my fault, Ji Yuanchi thought. It’s just the War Faction’s influence. Zhang Yu got access to resources I could never imagine. That’s why Gong Shuijin and the others are now far beyond their actual strength.
As long as I win the upcoming Civil Engineering Competition…
The new Civil Engineering Competition was approaching. This time, Ji Yuanchi’s team was stronger than ever—formed by the powerful alliance of Ma Xuan and Su Yanyang.
With the seniors from last year having graduated, the new cohort had no legacy figures to contend with.
This time, we’re stronger than last year. The old top ten are gone. If things go right, we might even break into the top five.
He believed this time, he’d finally secure a competition ranking. And he needed to.
After all, the seven credit cards in his mind were already at their maximum capacity. If he didn’t break through this year, didn’t gather more Qi Yun…
It’s fine. Just technical adjustments. This time, I’ll definitely make it.
Once I get results, I can show off everywhere and rebuild my Qi Yun.
Ji Yuanchi desperately wanted to use the common tactics of the Finance Department—publicly flaunting his success—to rebuild his Qi Yun.
But right now, he had no standing, no scores, no ranking to boast about.
…
In a luxurious dorm room, Zhang Yu scrolled through chat messages across various groups, his lips occasionally curling into a smile.
"Zhang Yu’s insane. Second-year, ranked 62nd across the department—watching him, I really think he’ll master the Civil Engineering Seven Supreme."
"Wealth, talent, constitution—get one of these, and you’re already a legend. I never thought the Civil Engineering Department would have someone with all three. He’s not human—just too damn strong!"
"Dao Heart is shattered. Look at Zhang Yu’s scores. Now look at mine. I’m trash."
Yu Xinghan walked into the dorm and found Zhang Yu staring blankly at thin air, smiling like an idiot.
“What’re you staring at?” he asked.
Zhang Yu licked his lips, calm and composed: “A minor breakthrough in cultivation. I can’t help but feel joy.”
Inside, Zhang Yu felt the deepest regret: he could only watch others praise him—there was no real reason to boast himself.
If I tried to show off on purpose, it’d feel cheap.
Ah, screw it. I’ll just post a moment.
Damn, the Finance Department’s the real dream. When you’re strong, you can brag all you want—everyone just says it’s for cultivation, for Qi Yun.
Soon, messages of congratulations flooded in. He glanced through them one by one—responded to familiar faces, ignored the rest.
Che Yufei: Dude, you’re on fire!
Shi Yunxiang: Old Car and I talked it over. If you want to recruit anyone, just say the word.
Shi Huaixu: Congrats, junior. Your name’s spreading across the Civil Engineering Department. Our teacher even mentioned you in class today.
Li Xiao: [0.1 Lingbi] Brother, can you take me in the competition this year?
Ying Xin: Senior Brother, saw you’ve got a lot of Spirit Artifacts? Need a Soul Cultivator?
Gong Shuijin: [1 Lingbi] Thanks to all my friends who’ve silently stood by me. Sincere blessings for your happiness and lasting friendship!
Director Gao: Tomorrow, same place. I’ll pass on the Third Supreme.
Seeing Director Gao’s message, Zhang Yu’s heart leapt.
Finally… the Third Supreme.
Now I can finally assemble Xiao Sanhe.
The first time he’d seen Ma Xuan use Xiao Sanhe, Zhang Yu had been utterly envious.
After enduring countless battles in the Civil Engineering Competition, he’d come to realize: in Kunxu’s Civil Engineering world, mastering Xiao Sanhe was a must for any true expert.
Once I learn it, my chances of passing the Military License exam will skyrocket.
For the rest of the day, Zhang Yu continued attending classes and working, silently waiting for tomorrow’s Technique lesson.
Meanwhile, with the final exams over, departmental and grade-wide results were unveiled. Zhang Yu wasn’t the only one making waves.
Every department had its legends. Every year had its champion.
And this time, after the Civil Engineering Department’s exam, one new name rose from obscurity.
Ping Han—now a senior, ranked second in the entire department, having just ascended from the previous year’s Senior Ten after their graduation.
Feng Tingting: Junior, heard about your Civil Engineering Department’s Ping Han?
Feng Tingting: He’s gone viral. Crypto Trading.
Feng Tingting: Showed up for the exam in top-tier Spirit Artifacts and Spirit Armor.
Feng Tingting: Then went around contacting everyone who once refused to lend him money for Crypto Trading.
Zhang Yu’s eyes flickered. Ping Han had just sent him a message.
Ping Han: Crypto Trading profit screenshot. Image file.
Zhang Yu stared at the numbers in the image. His expression froze.
Profit of over 400 Lingbi?
He made that much?
Ping Han: Ah, junior… when I asked you for money, I was truly broke.
Ping Han: Broke to the point I couldn’t afford medicine.
Ping Han: If you’d lent me money back then, you’d be sharing in this profit now.
Seeing Ping Han’s message, Zhang Yu finally understood what Feng Tingting had meant.
Soon, he saw Ping Han’s messages cropping up everywhere in group chats.
Ping Han: Mo Ejin, saw my profits?
Ping Han: Regretting not lending me money, huh?
Ping Han: You could’ve made even more if you’d trusted me.
Ping Han: Xiao Yunji, are you regretting it now?
Ping Han: If you’d lent me money, I could’ve made you over 1,000 Lingbi.
Ping Han: Now it’s all mine. This Military License? I’m taking it. No room for you.
Ping Han: @Everyone, Crypto Trading profit screenshot. Image file.
Ping Han: To all those who told me not to trade crypto—look at this.
Ping Han: My skill in Crypto Trading is top-tier in the Civil Engineering Department.
Ping Han: My earning power exceeds 99.99% of you.
Ping Han: Construction Site? I won’t be going there after I get my Military License.
Ping Han: There’s a much wider world waiting for me—the Investment Circle.
Reading through the screenshots of Ping Han’s boasts, Su Yanyang clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles turned white.
This guy… actually made all that money?
Damn it!
Ping Han was already strong before. But the debt burden had crippled him—no Spirit Armor, no Spirit Artifacts. His strength had been severely weakened.
Now that he’s made this much Lingbi… his power must’ve skyrocketed. He really is the second-best in the department.
Thinking about competing against such a monster next month for the Military License… Su Yanyang felt a knot of frustration tighten in his chest.
He sighed deeply. This Military License… my chances are slim.
…
“Ping Senior, can you take me under your wing for Crypto Trading?”
“Ping Han Senior, I want to learn from you!”
“Senior, here’s money—take it. If I lose, it’s on me.”
Ping Han watched the messages pour in, a slow, satisfied smirk spreading across his face. The long-held frustration inside him finally burst free.
He replied to each one, dragging everyone into his investment group chat.
Mo Ejin, Xiao Yunji… and Zhang Yu. None of them replied?
Hmph. Don’t know how to respond, huh?
Wait till I get my Military License next month. Then I’ll show you all.
And when I need funds again… let’s see if you’ll invest this time.
…
Zhang Yu skimmed through the circulating screenshots in various group chats.
Ping Han… was he just suppressed for too long?
Fujie commented: Some people are like that—especially in Crypto Trading. When poor, everyone looks down on them. But once they get rich… they go full show-off, everywhere, screaming their success.
And the more they brag, the more Lingbi they attract. More capital. More momentum. It snowballs.
Zhang Yu narrowed his eyes. “So you’re saying… he can keep making money?”
Fujie shrugged. “I’m not Hua Shen God. Not a Finance Department powerhouse. How would I know?”
We don’t even know how he pulled off this win.
But if he really wants to raise funds next, he’ll definitely blow up his story—how he made it all happen.
Zhang Yu nodded slowly. Then sighed.
And of all times… he had to get rich now.
That Military License exam next month? This Ping Han just became a serious threat.
(End of Chapter)
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