https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-512-I-m-Not-Pretending-Anymore-I-m-Alchemy-Lord/13687210/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-514-Zhang-Yu-s-Jin-Dan-Simulation-Score/13687216/
Chapter 513: Ascension to the Alchemy Department
Though Ying Xin had already heard the news from her family’s ancestral elders, witnessing with her own eyes as Zhang Yu’s ranking above his head shifted from Civil Engineering Department to Alchemy Department still left her utterly stunned.
“Real-life ascension,” Ying Xin thought, her heart pounding. “Senior Brother has ascended—from the construction site of Civil Engineering, straight into the Alchemy Department!”
Beside her, Gong Shuijin burst into raucous laughter, trembling with excitement. “Yes! Wonderful! My friend, this is fantastic!”
Feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze, Gong Shuijin quickly clenched his hands to keep them from shaking, stammering: “I… I’m so happy for Senior Brother!”
Suppressing the uncontrollable grin tugging at his lips, he shouted, “Let’s celebrate Senior Brother’s transfer to the Alchemy Department!”
By the side, Yu Xinghan rolled his eyes. “Jesus… you’d think you were the one who switched departments.”
He muttered inwardly: You’re just itching to claim the top spot now that Zhang Yu’s gone. Everyone knows that little game you’re playing.
Shi Yunxiang, meanwhile, was snapping photos, pondering whether to post them on Moments.
Earlier, Zhang Yu had crushed Xiang Shan, drawing countless curses from Demon Descendants. If they found out I’m friends with him, they’d call me a traitor, a demon’s ally.
But things have changed. Back then, it was a human—Zhang Yu—beating down a Demon Descendant. Now? It’s an Alchemy Master stomping a Civil Engineering dog. Who can argue with that?
Though he wasn’t a student at Tianyao University, Shi Yunxiang knew its world well: a single race equaled a single major, and a major defined one’s race. In the eyes of Demon Descendants, Zhang Yu’s transfer was akin to a lowborn caste ascending to a noble one. Not only was it justified to defeat Xiang Shan—it was perfectly acceptable to humiliate him beyond reason.
Ying Xin turned to Gong Shuijin. “From now on, stop calling him Senior Brother. We’re not in the same department. I think ‘senior’ would be better.”
Gong Shuijin snapped to attention instantly. “Right, right! You’re absolutely right—need to change the title. Definitely should!”
Around them, workers and security guards alike watched in envy and awe at this rare spectacle.
“Man, having the Alchemy Department tag on your head—it really changes everything.”
“Look at Alchemy Department’s No. 48—don’t the characters look bigger?”
“It’s not just the size. Look at the names: Alchemy vs. Civil Engineering. One has cultivation and tools, the other just dirt and wood. Just by name, you can tell—Alchemy is clearly more refined, more cultured.”
Ji Yuanchi, overhearing the workers’ chatter, hurried over and stared at Zhang Yu’s fading back, eyes locked onto the name above his head as if trying to decipher it with sheer will.
But the distance was too great. Even with his Ji Hu-brand Spirit Armor, the detail was blurred.
“Can’t see it,” he muttered. “I can’t see it now.”
That day, Ji Yuanchi didn’t stay late. Instead, he found Fu Xinyao, who offered free emotional release services, and poured out every ounce of bitterness, jealousy, resentment, and fury he’d been bottling up.
“Zhang Yu! Why did you get transferred to Alchemy Department?!”
“Three years on the construction site in Civil Engineering—you know nothing about Alchemy!”
“Corruption! It’s all corruption! I can’t even see the depth of the rot in Wanfa University!”
Ping Han, listening to Ji Yuanchi’s outburst, felt his entire being shaken by the seismic news.
“Zhang Yu… transferred to Alchemy Department? How? How could he get in?”
Fu Xinyao frowned. “Damn. Wasted so much time on those Civil Engineering students. Now I’ve gotta find a way to connect with Alchemy Department.”
“Alchemy Department… uh. Tougher than expected.”
…
Meanwhile, Zhang Yu, having left the construction site, immediately felt the world open up wider than ever before.
Every time he passed someone, a flicker of respect flashed in their eyes. People silently stepped aside, unwilling to block his path.
His Eye Armor constantly pinged with friend requests—so many that he had to disable the feature.
Even the ads in his vision changed.
The usual Ji Hu-brand and local vendor promotions vanished, replaced by premium brands like Wandao Jiangzong and Jin Gang Xuan Zao.
The streets themselves seemed transformed. Once chaotic, now sleek and dazzling—neon signs gave way to elegant, high-end billboards, glowing with opulent light displays, clearly tailored for the wealthy Alchemy Department students.
Even the terrain had shifted.
“Wait… was there a shortcut here before?”
“Is this… Alchemy Department’s Dedicated Anti-Gravity Passage?”
“And a Spirit Artifact Store only visible to Alchemy students?”
“Huh? Was there actually a street here?”
“Wait… why do things feel so much more expensive now?”
After walking a few blocks under his new identity, Zhang Yu finally realized: the Wanfa University City seen through the eyes of Civil Engineering Department and that of Alchemy Department were worlds apart.
“In the eyes of Alchemy students, the university city is bigger, more luxurious, more convenient… and way more expensive.”
“Guess I’ll have to ask Civil Engineering students to do my shopping from now on.”
At that moment, several foremen from the construction site sent him apologies.
Zhang Yu didn’t care. The pressure had come from the Finance Department—these foremen had no power to change that.
Though he’d joined Alchemy Department, he couldn’t override the Finance Department’s decision. The 669th Layer Construction Site project remained out of reach.
Still, Alchemy Department had plenty of factory and building projects. He’d need to build closer ties with professors and find ways to get his company some work.
Just as he was pondering, messages flooded in—like snowflakes falling from the sky.
Mo Ejin: Congrats! From now on, I’ll be your Spirit Armor repair guy.
Su Yanyang: Senior… I’m gonna miss you so much.
Che Yufei: Boss Zhang, I’m all in with you. Just call me when there’s a shift.
The Class Group Chat exploded with messages—celebrations, shock emojis, and disbelief.
Zhang Yu glanced at the Civil Engineering Class Group Chat, now flooding with updates.
“I’m no longer part of Civil Engineering… they’ll probably kick me out soon. Should I leave first?”
He shared the thought with Teacher Jiao Lei Immortal.
Jiao Lei Immortal: No need to rush.
Jiao Lei Immortal: The school rules don’t say you have to leave the group after transferring.
Jiao Lei Immortal: Civil Engineering is always your home. Stay in the chat—come back anytime you want.
Then he checked the Songyang Hometown Group—sure enough, it was also erupting with news.
Mo Tianyi: Zhang Boss has officially transferred to Alchemy Department!
Mo Tianyi: This is the first Alchemy student from Songyang City—truly, no one has done this before, and no one will after.
Lan Ling: Mo Ge, is Zhang Boss hiring? I’m from Shanhe University, too—also in Civil Engineering.
Mo Tianyi: “You too”? What’s that supposed to mean?
Mo Tianyi: From now on, when we talk about Zhang Boss in this group, don’t refer to him as a Civil Engineering student.
Mo Tianyi: And please… don’t bring up his past work in Civil Engineering.
Zhang Yu shook his head slightly. Xiao Mo still acts too rash, but at least he means well.
Even if I don’t care, to many, being from Civil Engineering is still a stain.
Fujie said: “If Civil Engineering is like a sickly yellow, then Alchemy is pure gold. The yellow itself isn’t bad—but compared to gold, it just looks like a pile of dung.”
“You’ll be seen through biased eyes now. But don’t worry. Once you earn your reputation with real Alchemy mastery, people will stop staring.”
“The only real concern,” she added, “is when you’re choosing a Sect to join. That could be affected.”
Zhang Yu’s eyes narrowed. “Even that?”
Fujie nodded. “It could. To erase that background? That would take a high-level cultivator—someone at the Hua Shen realm or above. Only they can wipe the record clean, sever the karmic ties, and hide your origins.”
Meanwhile, more students in the Songyang Hometown Group began asking about Zhang Yu and his company—many expressing interest in part-time work.
Zhang Yu’s new Alchemy Department status had dramatically boosted his company’s image and growth potential.
Deep Ling’s Zhao Tianxing, watching the chat flood with messages from Upper and Lower School students all envious of his junior college job, felt his Mosaic grin stretch wider.
He looked up—there, in the low-resolution space, was a photo of himself and Zhang Yu on the award stage, glowing faintly, showing crisp details.
Though his income had improved, Zhao Tianxing had stayed in the same cheap apartment to save money.
Now, his roommates—his classmates, his boss—were all messaging him, their voices echoing through the dim, flickering space, filling it with a cascade of exclamation marks.
Soul Cultivators: !!!!!!
…
Back at the university, after completing the department transfer procedures, Zhang Yu was pulled into the Alchemy Department Class Group Chat by his new homeroom teacher, Lian Huo Zhenjun.
As he joined, the students greeted him with scattered welcome messages—then quickly returned to their own conversations.
Zi Wen Zhen: I scored 56,733 on the Jin Dan Simulation Benchmark—above 72% of students.
Another Student: Wow, your simulation score’s gone up again?
Zi Wen Zhen: Just a bit of improvement. Try it yourselves—what score would you get if you forged your Jin Dan now?
Su Yun Ni: I got 79,251—top 15% of the class.
Zi Wen Zhen: That’s probably the highest in the class!
Su Yun Ni: Not good enough yet. Keep pushing. My goal? Hit 250,000+ before forging my Jin Dan.
Zhang Yu read through the messages, realizing they were discussing the Jin Dan Simulation Benchmark Score.
“Huh. In the Songyang Group, people talk about jobs and side gigs. In Civil Engineering’s chat, it’s all about construction projects. But look at these Alchemy third-years—they’re already discussing benchmark scores, thinking about the quality of their future Jin Dan.”
That’s the real difference.
Curious, Zhang Yu clicked on the shared website link in the chat, eager to see what score he’d get if he forged his Jin Dan right now.
(End of Chapter)
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