https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-436-Mentor-Selection-The-Path-Ahead/13687069/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-438-Military-License-Announcement/13687082/
Chapter 437: Signing the Contract
Director Gao: [Ciji Zhenjun]
Director Gao: This is the teacher from the Alchemy Department.
Director Gao: Didn’t I invite her to guide you during the Civil Engineering Competition last time?
Zhang Yu: Oh, right—so you’re the one? I didn’t even realize you were from the Alchemy Department.
Zhang Yu: I mean, we’re not from the same department. After that one session, we never had any contact—I didn’t even remember your name.
Director Gao: What do you think of Alchemy?
Zhang Yu: I’m actually quite interested in it.
A faint stir came from within his arms. Ciji Zhenjun smiled gently. “Be still now. Don’t squirm.”
“Am I making you uncomfortable?”
Zhang Yu: “No… not at all.”
Ciji Zhenjun’s lips curled slightly. “So it’s comfortable, then?”
Seeing Zhang Yu freeze in confusion, Fujie sighed. “Zhang Yu, you’re doomed. I can tell—this woman’s a natural enemy to your entire Civil Engineering lineage. You and your master can’t even outwit her.”
Zhang Yu mentally replied to Fujie: “I just wasn’t quick enough to respond. I didn’t know how to react.”
Fujie said: “Just be careful. She’s clearly ruthless. The way she’s talking to you now—it’s targeted. She’s studied your personality, your habits, inside and out.”
Meanwhile, Director Gao had already responded:
You want to study Alchemy?
Zhang Yu: I think Spirit Armor and Spirit Artifacts are essential components of the Xian Dao path.
Zhang Yu: The more Alchemy knowledge I have, the better. It’ll help me avoid getting scammed when buying Spirit Artifacts.
Zhang Yu: As for actually learning real Alchemy techniques—well, I don’t have the resources for that.
Zhang Yu: Right now, I just want to focus fully on mastering our Civil Engineering Department’s teachings. I want to quickly cultivate the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power and then go out and prove myself on the Construction Site.
Director Gao: [Smirking]
Don’t rush. You’ll have your chance.
Zhang Yu: Teacher, does that mean once my Military License comes through, I can start attempting the seven Civil Engineering trials?
Director Gao: Look at you—still so eager.
Director Gao: As long as the Heavenly Court hasn’t announced the results, nothing is settled.
Director Gao: Until then, keep this quiet. Don’t go spreading word about the Military License. Understood?
Zhang Yu: Yes, Teacher.
Zhang Yu: I just… really want to master the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power.
Watching the exchange between Ciji Zhenjun and Director Gao, Zhang Yu thought to himself: Is this woman making Director Gao believe I’m wholeheartedly committed to staying in the Civil Engineering Department and mastering that power?
After a few more casual words, Director Gao asked:
Has Lin Director come looking for you?
Ciji Zhenjun glanced at Zhang Yu. “Did she?”
Zhang Yu immediately recounted everything—how Lin Director and the old director had approached him, their offer, the terms. Ciji Zhenjun relayed it all to Director Gao.
A moment later, Ciji Zhenjun closed the chat window and turned to Zhang Yu. “Now, Old Gao will probably come to you soon and ask you to sign the Contract. Officially make you his disciple.”
“Just go ahead and sign when he does.”
Sensing the doubt in Zhang Yu’s eyes, Ciji Zhenjun added calmly:
“Don’t worry. The Contract will be lenient. It won’t bind you too tightly.”
“And as for our relationship…”
Ciji Zhenjun’s lips curled again, his gaze soft as he looked down at Zhang Yu in his arms. “Compared to formal titles, I care more about real results.”
“For now, while you’re still mastering the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power, just be Old Gao’s good disciple.”
“My Civil Engineering Department prodigy, Zhang Yu.”
Zhang Yu asked: “What if I manage to master the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power before my third year…?”
Ciji Zhenjun waved a hand dismissively. “We’ll talk about it when it happens.”
Though he acknowledged the possibility, it was clear to Ciji Zhenjun that the chance was slim.
Meanwhile, Ye Xingli followed silently behind Ciji Zhenjun. As they drew closer to Zhang Yu’s dorm floor, her anxiety grew.
“This is almost where he lives.”
“Why are they still talking?”
“Should I say something?”
But seeing Ciji Zhenjun and Zhang Yu still deep in conversation, Ye Xingli hesitated—should she interrupt?
…
In an empty alleyway, a heavy thud echoed as Zhang Yu landed on the ground like a sack of cargo.
Ciji Zhenjun smiled. “Kid, you really ate well in the Examination Hall this time.”
Zhang Yu chuckled awkwardly. He had picked up a few snacks during the exam.
Zhang Yu: “Master, I’ll head back now.”
Ciji Zhenjun: “Mm. Go ahead.”
Watching Zhang Yu walk away, Ciji Zhenjun’s form shimmered—then vanished without a trace.
“Xingli, you can still guide him in Alchemy from time to time.”
Hearing this, Ye Xingli couldn’t help but ask: “Master, you… seem different with him than with other students.”
Ciji Zhenjun replied coolly: “Different students require different methods. That’s called teaching according to individual aptitude.”
“Do you know Zhang Yu’s roommates?”
Zhang Yu’s roommates?
Ye Xingli hadn’t paid attention, nor did she see the need.
Ciji Zhenjun continued: “They’re all old friends from First Layer.”
Ye Xingli blinked. “Wait—all of them from First Layer?”
She wasn’t biased—she genuinely believed most First Layer people were poor, simple-minded, and had negligible Xian Dao potential.
Zhang Yu, a genius who’d climbed from First Layer all the way up, had already surprised her.
Now, he was still living with them? How did that even work?
Ciji Zhenjun added: “From everything I’ve seen, Zhang Yu is a man who values loyalty and old ties.”
A faint, almost nostalgic smile crossed his face. “Hah… ‘loyalty to old ties.’ I haven’t said that word in ages.”
…
Back in the dorm, Zhang Yu collapsed onto his bed with a thud.
His battered body had finally reached its limit. With everything finally settled, his entire frame relaxed into exhaustion.
Tu Lishan: How’d the exam go?
Seeing Tu Lishan’s message, Zhang Yu sighed inwardly.
Who says Kunxu lacks humanity? The more I improve, the warmer the people here get.
Not long after, the cold aura of the Ritual resurfaced. Zhang Yu groaned.
“Fine, I’ll just head to the Taiqing Jing and keep studying Alchemy.”
Hours later, Director Gao sent him a message: he wanted to formally adopt Zhang Yu as his disciple and sign a Supplementary Contract.
Zhang Yu glanced at the Contract’s terms. Just as Ciji Zhenjun said—light on restrictions, generous in spirit.
“But… is this with a company?”
“Is this Director Gao’s company?”
He kept reading. Overall, the terms were clear: the company would cover 30 Lingbi of cultivation expenses per month—until Zhang Yu passed the Jin Dan Qualification Certificate exam.
Once he reached the Jin Dan stage, he’d be required to take on a certain amount of work. Profits would be split 55 between him and the company.
Most other details followed this framework.
Zhang Yu muttered: “30 Lingbi a month… that’s 360 a year. I didn’t even realize I’d become someone who spends that kind of money.”
Fujie commented: “Rarely do we see a company offer a contract this fair. According to this, once you hit Jin Dan, Old Gao barely makes a profit.”
“But once you break into the Yuan Ying Period? That’s when he really starts profiting.”
“So he’s clearly betting big on you making it to Yuan Ying.”
“And if you ever reach Hua Shen Period? This Contract will definitely need to be renegotiated.”
The next day, Zhang Yu signed the contract with Director Gao in front of Zheng Shen—officially becoming his disciple.
Director Gao studied Zhang Yu, nodding in approval. Then he frowned. “I told you to rest. Why did you run off from the hospital?”
Zhang Yu: “Teacher, you know my Constitution. No need to waste money lying in a hospital bed.”
“Kid,” Director Gao chuckled, “do you think I’m that stingy?”
He reached out and pulled Zhang Yu close. Martial Energy flowed through Zhang Yu’s body.
After a moment, Director Gao sensed the healing progress—his wounds were far better than expected.
Most striking was the vibrant vitality pulsing through his flesh and blood.
A genuine smile tugged at his lips. This one’s going to be a gem.
Still, he kept his expression calm. “The Civil Engineering Competition is coming up. You need to rest and recover properly. Got it?”
Zhang Yu blinked. “Wait—wasn’t the competition in December? It’s only October now?”
Director Gao: “This year, the format’s changing.”
“With students’ practical skills improving every year, the competition intensity has risen too.”
“Holding the whole thing in just one or two days? Too risky. It leads to injuries, increases cost, and doesn’t allow talent to shine.”
“Schools have been complaining for years. This year’s Inter-School League will now be spread out—several matches every few weeks, over several months.”
“Our department’s internal competition will follow suit.”
“Starting in late October, it’ll run all the way to December.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yu felt the change was a blessing. More time to recover, more time to grow stronger.
Director Gao looked at him. “One more thing—before the competition starts, I’ll give you a heads-up.”
“Just get your current team into the top seven. Secure the Seven Absolute spot.”
“Then, when the Inter-School League begins, I’ll add you to Mo Ejin’s team. You’ll go with him and see what real high-level competition looks like.”
(End of Chapter)
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