https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-508-Finance-is-Finance-Wanfa-is-Wanfa/13687206/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-510-Your-Master-s-Useless-He-Can-t-Protect-You/13687208/
Chapter 509: When Did It Start?
(Thank you to ‘Jiang Sipid’ for the Patronage of the Alliance!)
Seeing Jiutian Liu’s expression shift, Zhang Yu thought to himself: He’s panicking now?
But Jiutian Liu was genuinely bewildered. How could this Zhang Yu—this nobody—possibly bring up the Sect?
Entering the Sect… was this even something he could think about? Was this even his place to dream of?
Then, realization struck him. This guy… he’s just using the Sect as a banner to demand absurd terms.
A cold smirk curled at the corner of Jiutian Liu’s lips. He continued leading Zhang Yu forward, voice low and layered with disdain.
“Those who enter the Sect are true prodigies—chosen by fate itself. Long before they were born, their destiny was sealed: to join the Sect.”
Zhang Yu blinked, genuinely surprised.
“Before they were born?”
He’d thought it was already astonishing that some wealthy elites surpassed countless others the moment they drew breath. But now Jiutian Liu was telling him there were people whose fates were decided before they even existed?
Jiutian Liu remained impassive.
“Some are born from the Qi Yun of heaven and earth, their futures predetermined by their ancestors. Every strand of their hair is worth more than you could ever dream of.”
“Others have endured two lifetimes of cultivation, their foundations already thousands of times deeper than yours. They enter the Sect not by merit, but by innate transcendence.”
“And then there are those… born from the essence of the universe, drawing nourishment from yin and yang. Their positions within their sects were set from the very beginning.”
Jiutian Liu turned to look at Zhang Yu—like a teacher gazing at a child who’d just said something utterly foolish.
“If we were back two hundred years ago, your current level might’ve qualified you for entry. But back then, with the Immortal Dao Technology of the time, could you have reached this level at your age?”
He paused, then added, almost pityingly:
“Now? Whether or not you can join the Sect is already decided—before you’re even born. So what right do you have to even compete?”
He softened his tone slightly.
“Still… not entering the Sect isn’t necessarily a curse. There’s freedom down here. A life of your own.”
Zhang Yu thought with dry amusement: If it’s so free down here, why don’t you go to the First Layer yourself?
Jiutian Liu, of course, had no idea what Zhang Yu was thinking. He pressed on:
“And with the support of the Finance Department, your future potential far exceeds anything you can imagine.”
“Once you join, we’ll gather Qi Yun for you—over a hundred Hot Search rankings per year, daily exposure surpassing a million. The entire Wanfa University, even every college student, will know your name. Your Qi Yun will soar to the heavens.”
“With the Finance Department’s Network, countless businesses will come knocking for collaboration. You’ll flood with ad revenue, turning Qi Yun into real wealth. No financial barriers will ever slow your Cultivation, not even when you reach Yuan Ying.”
He continued, “And with Traffic Limiting Support—should the Qiongjiang God ever suppress or restrict your visibility—we can summon the Eight Great Righteous Gods to investigate, even unblock you.”
Zhang Yu asked, “So… no chance at all to enter the Sect?”
Jiutian Liu let out a short, incredulous laugh. He pointed at Zhang Yu.
“Stop using the Sect as leverage. The offer we’ve given you today is already the absolute highest. The Alchemy Department? No. The Civil Engineering Department? Absolutely not.”
“If anyone says they can get you into the Sect, there’s only one explanation—they’re lying.”
“Because no one else could possibly meet your demands.”
But no matter how hard Jiutian Liu argued, Zhang Yu knew one thing: he would never join the Finance Department.
Because this whole system—manipulating Finance, Qi Yun, Traffic, high leverage, insider trading—was utterly alien to him. It didn’t align with his strengths at all. It would only cripple his potential.
Meanwhile, the Alchemy Department was different. It played directly to his advantages. Ciji Zhenjun had already shown him great favor, and Zhang Yu still held the experimental project on Hua Shen Spirit Armor in her hands.
From every angle—rational calculation, long-term vision, even personal loyalty—Zhang Yu saw the Alchemy Department as far more valuable than the Finance Department.
And in the end, joining the Alchemy Department would actually give him a better chance of entering the Sect.
Seeing Zhang Yu’s unwavering stance, Jiutian Liu felt a chill. He thought of his older brother’s instructions—now in danger of failing in his hands. His expression darkened.
“Zhang Yu,” he said coldly, “I advise you to reconsider your answer today.”
“Your loan, your Qi Yun trends, your company’s projects—all of them are tied to the Finance Department.”
“As far as I know, your account and your company’s funds are nearly empty.”
Zhang Yu understood clearly: Jiutian Liu was threatening him.
If he refused, his loan might be cut off. His Qi Yun could be seized. His company might face financial collapse.
But Zhang Yu shook his head.
“I’m sorry. I truly have no interest in the Finance Department.”
Watching Zhang Yu walk away, Jiutian Liu’s eyes flickered with disbelief—and then fury.
Since joining the Finance Department, he’d always been the one turning people down. He’d been the center of attention, surrounded by sycophants, all vying for a sliver of the Department’s resources.
Never had someone rejected the Finance Department.
“Zhang Yu…” Jiutian Liu muttered, shaking his head. “A fool.”
Not long after Zhang Yu left the Finance Department, his Eye Armor lit up with a cascade of messages.
All of them were urgent: project partners had abruptly suspended collaboration.
Zhang Yu thought: So it’s begun.
He knew that many construction firms in the Civil Engineering Department relied on Finance Department loans—or contracts with Finance Department real estate ventures.
A minor fluctuation in funds. A change in procedure. A delay in project funding—any of these could devastate a company.
Zhang Yu understood: the suspension of collaboration was nothing more than a command from the Finance Department. Even Director Gao couldn’t stop it.
Meanwhile, Ying Xin sent another message:
Ying Xin: Boss, the company account is empty. Staff wages haven’t been paid in two days.
Ying Xin: Also, they’re asking—why did the projects suddenly stop?
On another front, the Civil Engineering Department’s banquet ended in silence.
Back in Ciji Zhenjun’s office, Director Gao’s projection materialized. He looked at her and said, “You were right. The Finance Department has targeted Zhang Yu.”
“Even though I accelerated our movement, they still managed to insert themselves.”
“These people take this far more seriously than I expected.”
Ciji Zhenjun knew full well how serious the Finance Department was. After all, it was she who had, through Tianzhang Zhenjun, repeatedly leaked progress updates on the Hua Shen Spirit Armor experiments—deliberately stoking the Finance Department’s interest.
Ciji Zhenjun asked, “Are you worried he’ll go to the Finance Department and join them?”
Director Gao recalled Zhang Yu’s refusal of Lian Shu Zhenjun’s offer. He sighed.
“He’s more courageous than I was at his age—and smarter too.”
“I believe he won’t be swayed by the Finance Department’s pressure.”
“But even if he stays in the Civil Engineering Department… I can’t protect him.”
On his Eye Armor, messages about project suspensions flooded in—same as Zhang Yu’s.
Director Gao knew this was only the beginning. Without protection, Zhang Yu would face increasingly brutal attacks from the Finance Department.
Wanfa University’s history had seen such cases before: brilliant students who rose fast—only to be crushed by the Finance Department’s machinations.
He looked at Ciji Zhenjun and said, “Ciji… take Zhang Yu under your wing. Only you can shield him.”
Ciji Zhenjun sighed. “But he’s your carefully nurtured disciple. How can I…?”
Then Director Gao said suddenly, “Zhang Yu wanted to join the Alchemy Department from the start, didn’t he?”
Ciji Zhenjun frowned. “What makes you say that?”
Director Gao replied, “I noticed he’s been studying Alchemy techniques.”
Ciji Zhenjun said calmly, “It’s not unusual for Civil Engineering to study Alchemy. Future mastery of Spirit Artifacts, maintenance of Spirit Armor—those skills are essential.”
Director Gao cut in sharply:
“When did it start?”
Ciji Zhenjun blinked. “What?”
Director Gao pressed: “Was it when I asked you to mentor Zhang Yu during the Civil Engineering Competition? Did you take a liking to him then?”
“Or when I asked you to help craft his Spirit Artifact?”
“Or when I discussed him with you after he obtained his Military License?”
Ciji Zhenjun said firmly, “Lao Gao, don’t read too much into this. Zhang Yu has talent, yes—but not enough to surpass our friendship. If you want him to stay in Civil Engineering, I’ll help you.”
Director Gao let out a bitter chuckle.
“Keep him here now? Watch him get crushed by the Finance Department? Do you think he’ll ever forgive me for that?”
Ciji Zhenjun stared at him. “Chongguang… are you angry?”
“Angry?” Director Gao replied, voice flat. “What right do I have to be angry? I’m just a Civil Engineering Department man.”
“And you’ve given me enough face. I’m the one who should be grateful. You’re the head of the Alchemy Department. How could I ever be angry with you?”
Ciji Zhenjun sighed. “Ah, Chongguang… it’s not what you think.”
At that moment, Zhang Yu’s avatar appeared in midair—signaling his arrival at the door, requesting entry.
Director Gao said, “He’s here.”
Ciji Zhenjun replied, “I asked him to come.”
As the office door opened, Zhang Yu stepped inside.
But thanks to Ciji Zhenjun’s intervention, Zhang Yu couldn’t see Director Gao—only Ciji Zhenjun could see both of them clearly.
Ciji Zhenjun waved him over.
“Tell me,” she asked, “how was the Finance Department?”
Zhang Yu began recounting everything—every word, every moment, every subtle threat.
And then, Ciji Zhenjun gently rubbed his head.
“You turned down the Finance Department’s offer?”
(End of Chapter)
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