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Chapter 436: Mentor Selection – The Path Ahead
Ciji Zhenjun: I heard your students did quite well in this year’s Military License Exam.
Director Gao: Even you’ve heard about it?
Director Gao: Yes, they performed well.
Director Gao: Though only one license was awarded.
Ciji Zhenjun: Then you’d better act fast and officially take Zhang Yu as your disciple.
Ciji Zhenjun: With so many eyes watching in the Examination Hall, if he performed well, everyone will be after him.
Ciji Zhenjun: Especially be careful of the other two department heads from your section—someone might have already made an offer.
Seeing Ciji Zhenjun’s message, Director Gao felt a quiet warmth—this old friend, though seemingly unreliable at times, truly had his back in a pinch. After all, they’d known each other for hundreds of years.
As for the warning, Director Gao had already considered it.
For an ordinary student, becoming his disciple would be a dream come true. The entire process would take just a single word from him. Once a mentor, he could assign courses, arrange internships, and choose the student’s direction—whether for postgraduate studies or PhD programs. As long as the student had ambition, the mentor held immense influence.
Beyond the formal mentor-student bond, many pairs also signed a contract—especially when the student was exceptionally talented. The mentor invested in the student, expecting a return down the line.
Director Gao replied: I understand. I’m already drafting the contract.
…
Watching Director Gao’s reply, Ciji Zhenjun smiled faintly, then turned his gaze back to the boy in his arms—Zhang Yu—waiting quietly for his answer.
Today’s visit wasn’t just to learn what had happened during the Military License Exam. The second purpose was to understand Zhang Yu’s true aspirations.
Hearing Ciji Zhenjun’s question, Zhang Yu blinked slightly. “Director Gao is a good man.”
“Indeed,” Ciji Zhenjun said calmly. “Old Gao does look after his own. But he’s too weak—he can’t protect you.”
Feeling Zhang Yu’s confusion, Ciji Zhenjun continued:
“Someone like you—a true prodigy—needs freedom to unleash your full potential.
The fewer the constraints, the greater your growth.
The more you’re bound, the more your talent is wasted—perhaps even breeding resentment, leading you to abandon the immortal path.”
He paused, then added:
“Think of it like a top salesperson in a company. The more autonomy and commission they’re given, the harder they work, the greater the profit. Without it? Both sides lose.”
“And Old Gao—what kind of freedom can he really offer you?”
Ciji Zhenjun’s voice remained calm:
“This isn’t about whether he wants to or not. It’s an objective truth—unaffected by your will or his.”
“After all, the less control he has over you, the easier it is for others to lure you away. Don’t tell me you’d never leave for a high offer. The ultimate path out of the Civil Engineering Department isn’t staying on the construction site.”
“Conversely, the tighter the leash he puts on you, the more he stifles your talent—eventually blocking your immortal path and breeding hostility.”
“There’s no balance between you two.”
“Because Old Gao is from the Civil Engineering Department—a barren land. You can’t expect beautiful flowers to bloom there.”
“The Civil Engineering Department will never hold onto a student like you for long.”
On the street, Zhang Yu sat cradled in Ciji Zhenjun’s arms, listening in silence. He had to admit—Ciji Zhenjun was right.
Zhang Yu: “Master, are you suggesting I publicly declare our connection and transfer departments early?”
…
Ciji Zhenjun: This contract won’t be easy to draft.
Director Gao: I know. It’s tricky.
Director Gao: Others have already offered Zhang Yu terms.
Director Gao: I can’t offer too little, or even if he signs now, resentment will grow later—his work and cultivation will suffer.
Director Gao: And I’m afraid others will try to steal him.
To Director Gao, Zhang Yu’s ascension to Jin Dan was already certain, and a shot at Yuan Ying was very real.
So the goal wasn’t to exploit him early—burning him out at Jin Dan or Foundation Establishment.
No. He wanted to nurture Zhang Yu, grow the cake, and reap greater rewards.
Because to him, a Yuan Ying cultivator was worth far more than a Jin Dan.
So how to structure the contract—how to protect his own interests without throttling Zhang Yu’s growth? That had kept him up for days.
Ciji Zhenjun: The Alchemy Department side I’ll handle. No one will try to steal him from you.
Ciji Zhenjun: But the Finance Department? That’s another story.
Ciji Zhenjun: Those bloodsuckers are ruthless. They’ll throw money around like fools—worried you might not resist.
Seeing Ciji Zhenjun’s words, Director Gao sighed inwardly. The thought of Zhang Yu becoming Lin Director’s or the Finance Department’s disciple made his face darken.
Ciji Zhenjun: I do have a solution.
Director Gao: What?
Ciji Zhenjun: Never mind. I’ll keep it to myself.
Director Gao: Don’t play games. We’ve known each other for centuries—what’s there to hide?
Ciji Zhenjun: How about this—let me protect you and your disciple.
Ciji Zhenjun: Let’s form a company together. Sign Zhang Yu under us. I’ll shield you both—no one will dare to poach him.
Ciji Zhenjun: …Actually, scratch that.
Ciji Zhenjun: They’d say you handed your talent over to me.
Ciji Zhenjun: Like I’m stealing your disciple…
Ciji Zhenjun watched Director Gao’s silence, not pressing. Instead, he turned back to Zhang Yu and said gently:
“Transferring departments isn’t urgent.
Since you’ve already earned the Military Civil Engineering Certificate, stay in the Civil Engineering Department for now.
Focus on mastering the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power first.”
“With that military-grade technique as your foundation, your physical body will become the finest spiritual material—ideal for forging spirit armor. You’ll gain a massive lead over others.”
“Combined with Alchemy, it can yield many benefits.
If you ever merge Alchemy and Civil Engineering, it’ll be a powerful advantage.”
Zhang Yu asked: “But what about the two military-grade techniques in the Alchemy Department—Tian Di Huai Jie Wu Xing Xin Bing and Tai Xu Shen Qi Ce?
You previously said I should transfer early to have a chance to learn them.”
Ciji Zhenjun replied:
“The Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power—once missed, it’s gone forever.
The Alchemy Department’s military techniques can wait.
You can always study them later—when you apply for their master’s program.”
“Not much time lost.
By the time you master Tian Kunlun, you can also finish your undergraduate credits early, graduate ahead of schedule, and then take the Alchemy Department’s master’s entrance exam.”
“Just a two-year delay.
In exchange for one military-grade martial art?
It’s worth it.”
After a moment of silence, Zhang Yu asked: “Then… if I do this, will I still have a chance to enter a Sect?”
“Hm?” Ciji Zhenjun raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You want to join a Sect?”
Zhang Yu met his gaze straight on. “If I’m to climb the immortal path to its peak, how can I not enter a Sect?”
“Respectable ambition,” Ciji Zhenjun said, nodding. “I’ll be honest with you—no point in hiding it, so you don’t blame me later.”
“In this era, Sects are harder than ever to enter.
You’ll need at least a Doctorate, Yuan Ying cultivation, and even undergraduate achievements—must have won awards in inter-school leagues, preferably top ten.”
“But none of that matters to you right now.
To the Sect’s elitist group chat, a Civil Engineering bachelor’s degree is no different than a junior college diploma.
They’d glance at it and discard it without a second thought.”
Ciji Zhenjun continued:
“To enter a Sect, you’ll need to transfer by your third year.”
“But honestly… by the time you graduate with a Doctorate, the requirements will have risen even higher.
This path…
It’s no longer for ordinary people.
It’s reserved for those reborn from great masters.”
He paused, then added:
“Don’t ask for details. My advice?
If you have the chance, stay in Civil Engineering for now.
Learn the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power, broaden your foundation.
When you eventually reach Yuan Ying, you’ll never regret this choice.”
He didn’t finish the sentence—but the meaning was clear.
Ciji Zhenjun had little faith in Zhang Yu transferring to Alchemy and aiming for the Sect in his third year.
Zhang Yu asked: “But what if I master Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power within this third year, then transfer?”
Ciji Zhenjun’s eyes flickered.
“Impossible. Not only do you have to master it—just getting the Civil Engineering Seven Supreme is already a hurdle.”
He paused, then added thoughtfully:
“Though… not entirely impossible.”
Ciji Zhenjun explained:
“University Wars are escalating. More schools are preparing. Student strength has risen, and competitions are getting more serious—each year, the rules change.”
“Civil Engineering’s inter-school contests are now taken far more seriously than before.”
“This time, Old Gao might just assign you to Mo Ejin’s team—give you a shot at the Inter-School League.”
“Normally, to earn the Civil Engineering Seven Supreme, you’d have to pass all seven requirements—subject to strict rules on seniority, academic records, and comprehensive scores.”
“But with this Inter-School League opportunity, the professors might make exceptions—lower the bar just enough to let you complete all seven.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu felt a spark ignite in his mind:
Chaos is the ladder. This really is my chance.
Seeing Zhang Yu’s expression, Ciji Zhenjun said simply:
“Then go for it.”
“But if you fail—stay in the Civil Engineering Department, focus on mastering Tian Kunlun. No rush.”
Zhang Yu nodded firmly.
Then he asked: “What about Director Gao?”
At that moment, a message flashed in Zhang Yu’s Eye Armor—direct from Director Gao.
Director Gao: Zhang Yu, what do you think of Ciji Zhenjun?
At that instant, the Ling realm around Zhang Yu was sealed by Ciji Zhenjun’s Jiutian Yuanyang Tower. The flow of Ling information was laid bare before her—every signal, every whisper, crystal clear.
Zhang Yu felt his body suddenly pulled tighter—Ciji Zhenjun’s grip unyielding, restricting all movement.
Then, with a flick of his hand, Ciji Zhenjun plucked the message from Zhang Yu’s Eye Armor, and grinned.
“Don’t move. Let me reply for you.”
Zhang Yu: Who is Ciji Zhenjun?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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