https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-467-Company-Cost-Optimization-and-Participation-in-a-Major-Experimental-Project/13687117/
Chapter 466: Cracking the Yin Device, Dual Degree
Inside the Taiqing Jing at this moment.
Zhang Yu was conducting a simulation experiment to upgrade the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan.
As the experimental equipment activated, waves of fire burned fiercely, and the state of the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan gradually changed.
Zhang Yu was using his newly acquired Qi Shu Xiangbian Technique to transform the pill between solid, liquid, and gaseous states.
Once refinement succeeded, the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan would be capable of freely shifting among the three states and seamlessly integrating with the cultivator’s Gang Qi—transforming along with it, unlocking countless extraordinary applications.
Zhang Yu thought to himself: Once I master this Alchemy Technique up to Level 20, I can try upgrading my Taiyi Jin Ye Dan in the real world. I’ll also be able to merge my several pills into one.
He mused: Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power is incredibly powerful in both destructive force and control—but it lacks defensive capabilities.
Recalling the previous battle, he realized: Especially against attacks like Da Ri Zhu Xiang, neither Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power nor Jiuxiao Yun Kongjin could effectively block it.
Can’t keep relying on my body to absorb every hit.
I need defense.
Zhang Yu understood clearly: as his strength grew and he entered the competition for Military-Grade Powers, his Spirit Artifact needed to evolve to fill the gaps in his abilities.
Defensive resistance against attacks like Da Ri Zhu Xiang, mobility on the battlefield, reconnaissance capacity, stealth—these were all essential.
...
Meanwhile, deep within the Spirit Realm.
Ciji Zhenjun reviewed the latest project report, her expression flickering with surprise.
At first, the decryption of Hua Shen Yin Qi progressed rapidly.
But as the work deepened, progress slowed drastically—due to the exponential increase in spell complexity, which drastically reduced everyone’s efficiency.
Yet now, in the report, she noticed a breakthrough from a student named Zhang Pianpian—her recent progress was extraordinary, even uncovering unique patterns hidden within the Hua Shen Yin Qi spells.
This could dramatically accelerate decryption. If everyone adopts Zhang Pianpian’s method, we might finish the entire project in just a few days.
Thoughts of curiosity stirred in Ciji Zhenjun’s mind.
She glanced at Zhang Pianpian’s file—and immediately noticed the unusual connection between her and Zhang Yu.
They’ve known each other since high school.
After entering university, they even lived together.
Seem to have supported and helped each other consistently?
But what truly stunned her was the sheer volume of classified data embedded in Zhang Pianpian’s file.
Even I can’t access it?
Still, Ciji Zhenjun was no novice—her experience and cunning allowed her to piece together clues, using the spiritual realm information-gathering capabilities of the Jiutian Yuanyang Tower.
Could this be related to the Department of the Common People? she speculated.
And this Zhang Pianpian—she seems to have access to high-grade Spiritual Realm Cave Residence computational resources. That’s how she accelerated progress so much.
To command Heavenly Court-level resources like that—her connections must be extraordinary.
Zhang Yu’s alchemical progress is lightning-fast—could this be the reason?
But Zhang Yu didn’t join the Spellcraft Department… Is it purely because Zhang Pianpian is helping him out of personal debt?
Ciji Zhenjun shook her head. Too little data to unravel the truth.
Yet she chuckled softly: Civil Engineering Department, Alchemy Department, now Spellcraft Department… My disciple really does know how to make connections everywhere.
...
Back in the dormitory.
Inside the Taiqing Jing.
The space was now wrapped in layers of mist, continuously emitting a mysterious aura as if emanating from the heavens themselves.
Zhang Pianpian slowly opened her eyes.
Now that I’ve unlocked the Side Hall Simulation Capability, I can successfully disguise the Taiqing Jing as a Heavenly Court resource.
Ciji Zhenjun must be fooled.
With that in place, Zhang Yu’s next major breakthrough in alchemy—no matter how significant—shouldn’t surprise her anymore.
A faint smile tugged at her lips.
But in an instant, she suppressed it, refocusing on the spellwork before her.
Time is running short.
I need to hurry.
...
In the Civil Engineering Department office.
Director Gao reviewed Zhang Yu’s project progress.
He nodded in satisfaction: This kid’s getting more skilled, more reliable every day.
Next time, I’ll introduce him to some people.
More projects mean more income—helps him advance further along the Xian Dao Road.
At this moment, Director Gao was already envisioning Zhang Yu leading the competition team to dominate the university’s Civil Engineering Championships for seven straight years after graduation—each year crowned champion, lifting the company’s stock and securing massive project wins.
After university, Zhang Yu would continue under his guidance, earning his master’s and doctorate degrees, passing the Yuan Ying review, becoming his top disciple.
Who knows? Maybe one day he’ll join me on the battlefield, helping reshape the future of Wanfa University—and the entire academic engineering landscape.
Just as Director Gao drifted into these dreams, Ciji Zhenjun sent a message.
Ciji Zhenjun: Did you know Lao Wang’s apprentice from Security Department didn’t graduate?
Director Gao: Yeah, heard about it. Probably failed due to imbalance in subjects.
Ciji Zhenjun: Such a promising student—never expected this.
Ciji Zhenjun: But luckily, she has a dual degree.
Ciji Zhenjun: Even if she didn’t complete her Security Department degree, she still has another—otherwise, ten years of study would be wasted. She’d be ruined.
Director Gao: Why bring this up now?
Ciji Zhenjun: I’ve been thinking—dual degrees are becoming more popular outside schools. One major just isn’t enough for student cultivation anymore.
Ciji Zhenjun: To be blunt—if one field’s job market collapses, the other can save them.
Ciji Zhenjun: Studying two at once saves time, fosters cross-disciplinary thinking, boosts competitiveness, and builds a broader network. Right?
Director Gao frowned, pausing to consider.
Then he replied: Current academic pressure is already high. It’s hard to convince students to take on another major.
Ciji Zhenjun: Together, we’re two people—can’t we outweigh one student?
Ciji Zhenjun: We’ve known each other for centuries. Of course, you’ll support me.
Ciji Zhenjun: You’re not going to oppose me, are you?
Ciji Zhenjun: Old Gao?
Director Gao stared at the message, brows furrowed.
What is she getting at? Could it be…?
Just as doubt and unease clouded his mind—
Ciji Zhenjun sent another message:
Ciji Zhenjun: I’ll tell Feng Tingting tomorrow. She’ll come to the Civil Engineering Department to earn a second degree.
Ciji Zhenjun: She’ll cultivate in both Civil Engineering and Alchemy—become a plug-and-play, multi-skilled talent—focused on the Intelligent Construction field.
Director Gao’s eyes lit up.
He wholeheartedly approved of Alchemy Department talent coming to study Civil Engineering.
At the same time, he sighed inwardly: Gosh, what was I even thinking?
Ciji and I have been friends for centuries. She’s the head of the Alchemy Department, with dozens of top students under her. Why would she want to steal one of my students?
He replied: No problem. I’ll personally arrange it.
...
In the Ling realm, Ciji Zhenjun watched Director Gao’s reply and smiled faintly.
From that moment on, the decryption efficiency of Hua Shen Yin Qi skyrocketed—propelling the entire project team forward at a rapid pace.
Before long, time reached mid-February.
Ciji Zhenjun led a group of researchers around the Spirit Artifact in the Ling界.
Now, the Artifact Spirit no longer showed any signs of mental fluctuations—its presence was as still and blank as a blank sheet of paper, floating silently before them.
After leading the team through months of intense effort, the decryption had reached a major breakthrough.
Ciji Zhenjun had successfully suppressed most of the Artifact Spirit’s intelligence—reducing its mental capacity from that of an adult to that of a five-year-old.
She chose this non-violent approach—not to forcefully seize control of the Yin Device—because she wanted to observe the original, unaltered operation of Hua Shen Yin Qi.
She needed to fully understand the intricate workings of this high-intelligence Artificial Spirit.
A violent takeover would risk destroying vital data.
For Ciji Zhenjun and Wanfa University, acquiring control of Hua Shen Yin Qi was not the ultimate goal.
Decoding Hehuan University’s technology, mastering Qiongjiang God’s secrets—that was the true objective.
Beside her, the Spellcraft Department Professor said: Phase one complete. Now, we just need to keep using this Yin Device in experiments, collect massive data—slowly unraveling Hehuan University’s technology. One day, we might even open a new Mutual Cultivation college here.
Ciji Zhenjun chuckled: Indeed. And you’ll be the founding father of our university’s Mutual Cultivation field.
But in the next attempt, Ciji Zhenjun realized the Hua Shen Yin Qi had strict requirements for activation and operation.
Too high a cultivation level—doesn’t work.
Too low—also fails.
Qiongjiang God’s picky indeed. Even with the device reset to default settings, it still imposed countless screening conditions.
She mused: So far, students seem to be the best candidates.
It almost feels like Qiongjiang God designed this Yin Device specifically for student interaction.
The professor nodded: Call in a group of students for the trial.
One student’s eyes brightened: Teacher, how much will we get paid?
Paid? The professor laughed. This is Hua Shen Yin Qi—its spirit is already suppressed. Just talking to it will bring you benefits. If anything, you should be paying me.
Better yet—don’t post it publicly. Let’s keep it quiet.
Notify only the top ten students from each department—those interested can apply.
A student asked: But which students exactly?
The professor paused, then said: Top ten from each department—anyone interested can sign up.
He turned to Ciji Zhenjun: What do you think, Ciji?
Ciji Zhenjun nodded: Let’s go with that for now. See how it goes.
(End of Chapter)
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