Chapter 510: Your Master's Useless—He Can't Protect You
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Every time Ciji Zhenjun touched him, Zhang Yu’s body would involuntarily tremble—like a piece of meat laid out on a chopping block, being inspected and selected at will.
This sensation grew even stronger after participating in experiments overseen by Ciji Zhenjun, subjected again and again to her tests.
Yet when she spoke, Zhang Yu suppressed the unease in his chest and replied calmly:
“I turned down Finance Department’s offer.”
Ciji Zhenjun’s tone remained light. “Their terms weren’t bad—better than what any other department could offer.”
“Are you sure you won’t regret it later?”
Zhang Yu stood firm. “I know Finance Department isn’t for me. Alchemy Department is where I belong.”
Director Gao’s expression darkened instantly. His face twisted with a complex mix of emotions.
Ciji Zhenjun, however, smiled faintly—as if observing a rare specimen, a perfect subject for experimentation. She gently brushed her fingers along Zhang Yu’s arm.
“Whether you’re suited for Alchemy is uncertain… but one thing is certain: you’re ideal as Alchemy material.”
“Don’t you fear that once you transfer, I’ll use you in my experiments?”
“Whether it’s using your body to enhance the Disha Gravity within a Spirit Artifact…
Or refining the secrets of the Hua Shen Spirit Armor by extracting your essence for the RefiningYang Device…
Either way, the results would be excellent.”
Zhang Yu’s body tensed. He clenched his teeth.
“Teacher… as long as I can join Alchemy Department, I’m willing to take the risk.”
Beside them, Director Gao watched, his gaze sharpening. His breath grew heavier.
Ciji Zhenjun chuckled, gently squeezing Zhang Yu’s small hand.
“These hands have been tirelessly manipulating the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power, enduring Disha Gravity’s tempering day and night. They’re becoming ever more suitable for modification.”
“Still… you really want to join Alchemy Department?”
Zhang Yu looked straight into her eyes, unwavering.
“Teacher… you know my dream. One day, I want to enter the Sect.”
“Whatever the risk, I’ll face it.
And compared to Finance Department, Alchemy Department is the only path for me.”
Ciji Zhenjun tilted her head slightly. “Zhang Yu… your chances of entering the Sect are nearly nonexistent. Even so, you’d still bet everything?”
Zhang Yu’s voice was clear, resolute.
“I would.”
Director Gao felt a jolt in his chest. His mind raced.
Enter the Sect? Zhang Yu… really wants that? Why has he never told me…?
Ciji Zhenjun sighed. “If you’re set on joining the Sect, Civil Engineering Department truly can’t support your ambition. Then why didn’t you just join Alchemy Department from the start?”
Zhang Yu exhaled, frustrated. “Because I’m poor. If I’d joined Alchemy directly, I couldn’t afford even the basic cost of completing all the courses and experiments.”
“A teacher from high school told me to start in Civil Engineering, earn money first, then transfer later.”
Director Gao opened his mouth, then closed it. His heart sank.
He had to admit—Civil Engineering Department simply couldn’t nurture Zhang Yu’s dreams.
If he’d heard this ambition from Zhang Yu… what would he have said?
Only one thing: Give it up.
Because while Alchemy Department still held a faint, impossible chance…
Civil Engineering Department offered nothing.
And with Zhang Yu’s poverty, direct entry into Alchemy was a death sentence.
The only path before him had always been to earn money first—then transfer.
Even so, the difficulty of that road was beyond imagination.
Recalling Zhang Yu’s three years of relentless struggle, Director Gao couldn’t help but sigh.
Ciji Zhenjun then asked:
“So, what’s your plan for joining the Sect? And once you’re in Alchemy Department, what will you do?”
Zhang Yu replied:
“I want to compete in the Top Ten League’s Military Competition and win the Celestial Gate-Level Cultivation Technique. If I can claim that, my chances of entering the Sect will be much greater.”
Watching Zhang Yu’s determined expression, Director Gao sighed again.
Competing in the Top Ten Military Competition—fighting for the top spot, claiming a sect-level technique…
Something Civil Engineering Department could never support.
And he, as Director, could do nothing to help.
If Zhang Yu had voiced such a dream here, others would’ve laughed—called it madness.
Yet seeing him slowly, step by step, inching closer to that goal despite how distant it still seemed…
Director Gao had to admit: Zhang Yu was utterly serious. Utterly focused.
In terms of future potential—Civil Engineering offered no soil for his ambition.
In terms of returns—Zhang Yu’s success in Alchemy would bring greater profit to the department.
And in terms of support—Director Gao could no longer lift him.
If anything, he might only become a chain holding him back.
Watching Zhang Yu carry his dream forward with unwavering resolve, Director Gao realized:
There was no longer a single reason to keep him.
Letting go—voluntarily—was the only right choice.
At that moment, messages flooded in from professors, experts, and leaders across Civil Engineering Department.
Lin Director: Lao Gao, Finance Department’s already moving. Get Zhang Yu to apologize right now, or things will get out of hand.
Old Director (Soul Cultivator): Lao Gao, what’s the situation? I heard Finance Department has already made a move.
Director Gao couldn’t hold back.
“Call me ‘Old Director’ out of respect? Fine. But without it, you’re already dead.”
He blocked the man instantly.
The anger released, yet the weight in his chest remained.
In the end… I’m just too weak.
Letting go quietly is better than facing him head-on.
Ciji… did you plan this all along?
Another sigh escaped him.
Watching Ciji Zhenjun still treating Zhang Yu like a prized specimen, Director Gao sent a message:
Handle him gently. He’s nearly at Hua Shen stage. Zhang Yu’s body is the result of years of medicine, cultivation sites, and relentless refinement—now at peak Foundation Establishment standard.
Make sure he’s properly developed into a growth-capable Spirit Armor.
Ciji Zhenjun: Don’t worry, Lao Gao. For your sake, I’ll take good care of him.
Director Gao opened Zhang Yu’s profile, beginning to draft a message in his mind.
He looked at Zhang Yu and Ciji Zhenjun before sending:
Zhang Yu… Finance Department has started their move. Your master’s useless. He can’t protect you.
I’ve arranged for Ciji Zhenjun to take you transfer.
Once you’re in Alchemy Department, study hard. Never forget your goal.
Zhang Yu stiffened in front of Ciji Zhenjun.
“Master… did Director Gao send you to transfer me to Alchemy Department?”
Ciji Zhenjun sighed. “Lao Gao is a man of vision. He did this for your future. You must remember to repay him.”
Zhang Yu said earnestly:
“Director Gao saved my life. He’s my lifelong teacher. I’ll repay him with everything I have.”
Ciji Zhenjun waved a hand. “No need for words. Just fulfill your contract well, earn Lao Gao more profit, and keep him alive a little longer.”
Watching this exchange, Director Gao vanished—his Ling realm projection dissolving silently.
When he awoke in his office, Tu Lishan’s message appeared.
Tu Lishan: Director, some students said Zhang Yu’s been close to Ciji Zhenjun all along.
Before the Civil Engineering finals, he even mentioned transferring to Alchemy Department.
Is this true?
Director Gao: I told him to say that—to boost morale before the match.
It’s part of my arrangement with Ciji Zhenjun. She’s taking him in. Keep it to yourself. Don’t spread it.
After Director Gao left, Ciji Zhenjun’s eyes flickered. She toyed with Zhang Yu’s hand.
“By now, you’ve already completed the first three years of Alchemy Department’s curriculum, and studied much of the rest.”
“But to rank in the Top Ten League? That’s still far from enough.”
Though Zhang Yu had talent, and now had the Hua Shen Spirit Armor boosting his cultivation speed…
Even so, entering the Sect still seemed unlikely to her.
Yet she wouldn’t crush his spirit.
Letting him chase the dream, pushing himself harder—she saw no harm in that.
And the same went for the Top Ten League.
“Securing the right to the Celestial Gate-Level Cultivation Technique? That’s already a tightly guarded secret.”
“But no need to tell Zhang Yu that now.”
“Let him burn with passion, strive with fire. Even if he fails later, he’ll have no regrets.”
Ciji Zhenjun smiled faintly, gazing at Zhang Yu.
“Just having one Military-Grade Technique won’t get you far in the Top Ten League.”
Zhang Yu nodded. “I understand, Teacher. My first goal after transferring is to obtain a Military-Grade Power from Alchemy Department.”
Ciji Zhenjun nodded. “We have several options.”
“Spirit Artifact stream: Tai Hao Sheng Lu Jian Zhen, Zhen Kong Jie Bian Tu, and Tian Ri Huang Shen.
And the Bishui Jinjing Armor—originally from your Civil Engineering Department—can count too.”
“Then there’s Technique stream: Tian Di Huai Jie Wu Xing Xin Bing and Tai Xu Shen Qi Ce.”
“Which one have you considered?”
Zhang Yu’s heart leapt. He wanted to learn them all.
But after hearing her list, he shook his head.
“Teacher, I don’t know which suits me best. And I’m not sure what the process is—do I need to pass a Military License exam?”
Ciji Zhenjun replied calmly:
“Don’t worry. Unlike Civil Engineering Department, where you wait two years for the exam…
In Alchemy Department, if you meet the requirements, you can obtain your license without taking the test at all.”
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