https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-515-Who-Said-Switching-Majors-Can-t-Match-Pure-Blooded-Alchemists-Thanks-to-Xie-Longqi-for-the-MVP-Donation-/13687217/
Chapter 516: Personal Brand Maintenance
(Thanks to 'Deng Du Jiangdi Feng' for the MVP donation)
Zi Wen Zhen stared at the parameters of the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan for the umpteenth time, her breathing growing heavier with each passing moment.
She couldn’t help but ask, “You really made this all by yourself?”
In her mind, she thought: Could it be that Ye Xingli Senior Sister helped him?
A Civil Engineering student… how could he possibly reach this level?
Zhang Yu remained calm in response: “Didn’t you see the creator’s signature on the Spirit Artifact?”
Zhang Yu: “I did it entirely on my own. Are you implying I forged it?”
In the Alchemy world, fabricating a Spirit Artifact was tantamount to a mortal grudge—one that could ruin a family’s fortune. Zi Wen Zhen dared not provoke such a feud, especially not with someone favored by the mighty Ciji Zhenjun.
Zi Wen Zhen: “I didn’t mean it that way…”
Zi Wen Zhen: “I’m just… stunned.”
Zi Wen Zhen: “I never thought a Civil Engineering student could refine the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan this well.”
Zi Wen Zhen: “And push the Dragon Vein Treasure Forging Decree all the way to Level 20?”
Zhang Yu replied without hesitation: “Without extraordinary talent, how could Ciji Zhenjun have even agreed to transfer me?”
Seeing Zhang Yu’s smug tone, Zi Wen Zhen felt a surge of irritation—but when she glanced back at the Spirit Artifact’s parameters, she bit back her frustration. After all, the Spirit Artifact was the ultimate proof of an Alchemist’s skill. As long as the results were undeniable, all doubts could be silenced.
Zhang Yu asked: “Zi, do you still need the Dragon Vein Treasure Forging Decree service?”
Zi Wen Zhen: “Yes.”
Zhang Yu: “What kind of Spirit Artifact?”
Zhang Yu: “Send me the parameters so I can take a look.”
Zi Wen Zhen hesitated, glancing at the array flag she planned to infuse with Dragon Vein energy. A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
After a moment’s pause, she sent the data: [Wuxing Qi]
Then quickly added: “This Wuxing Qi isn’t my peak level. I’m just using it temporarily for experiments.”
Zhang Yu: “3 Lingbi.”
Zi Wen Zhen: “Accepted.”
Seeing the price, she agreed without hesitation. This was exactly why she’d gone to Ye Xingli in the first place—her rates were fair.
As an Alchemy Department student, Zi Wen Zhen had commissioned custom work from upperclassmen before. While big companies offered reliable, mass-produced Spirit Artifacts with stable quality and various Ling-level support services, they often fell short on personalized requests—either unable to fulfill them or charging exorbitant prices.
That’s where Alchemy masters came in. With secondary refining, one could enhance an artifact’s Spirit Artifact Strength, unlock extra functions, or upgrade the Artifact Spirit’s intelligence.
And even the same brand and model of Spirit Artifact could differ dramatically after different custom refinements.
After finalizing the details, Zhang Yu and Zi Wen Zhen signed the contract. All that remained was for her to send over the artifact, then wait for Zhang Yu to complete the refinement before returning it.
After collecting the deposit, Zhang Yu, though deeply reluctant, still transferred 0.3 Lingbi as commission to Ye Xingli.
Ye Xingli: “No need to send it. You’ve now established your name in the Alchemy Department. You don’t need me shielding you anymore.”
Zhang Yu: “Senior Sister, I’ve relied on you for so long to bring in clients. I’m still new here—struggling to find my footing. I’ll still need your help introducing more business.”
Seeing Ye Xingli finally accept the commission fee, Zhang Yu exhaled in relief.
After all, my reputation is still unknown. And with my Civil Engineering background, I’d never get any real orders without her help.
Still need Senior Sister to keep bringing in work.
Beyond business, Zhang Yu had another reason to keep Ye Xingli close—her Dao Seed.
Ye Senior Sister secured such a high rank in the design competition early on. Her Alchemy talent must be extraordinary—she almost certainly has a Dao Seed.
Besides his mentor, Ciji Zhenjun, Zhang Yu had decided to cultivate a closer relationship with Ye Xingli, hoping to one day replicate her Dao Seed.
……
A few days later, Zi Wen Zhen received the returned Spirit Artifact. After testing it, she couldn’t help but mutter: “It really is Level 20 of the Dragon Vein Treasure Forging Decree.”
She wanted to show off, so she immediately posted the details in her small group chat. Soon, replies poured in.
“Wen Zhen, you finished refining the Wuxing Qi?”
“Did you get someone to infuse it with Dragon Vein energy?”
“Wow, this is seriously high-level. How much did it cost?”
Zi Wen Zhen smirked. “You won’t believe this…”
Zi Wen Zhen: “Zhang Yu did it for me.”
Rong Xuan, ranked 8th: “Zhang Yu? That Civil Engineering dog did it? You’re joking.”
Zi Wen Zhen glanced at their chat history and the screenshots of the Taiyi Jin Ye Dan—she almost sent them, wanting to prove she was in the know. But after thinking twice, she decided against it without Zhang Yu’s consent.
Instead, she replied: “We talked. His Alchemy skill isn’t half bad.”
Zi Wen Zhen: “Taiyi Jin Ye Dan at Level 20. Dragon Vein Treasure Forging Decree at Level 20.”
Rong Xuan: “Impossible. How could he study Alchemy while still working on construction sites?”
Zi Wen Zhen: “If he weren’t talented, why would Ciji Zhenjun have pulled him into the Alchemy Department?”
Another voice: “Maybe it’s just a result from the Hua Shen Spirit Armor experiments.”
Another: “Yun Ni, this might actually threaten your first place.”
Su Yun Ni, ranked #1 in her class for three consecutive years, paused at the message. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
She had long since shifted her focus from class rankings to department-wide standings. After all, being #1 in class was a foregone conclusion for her.
But now, a Civil Engineering transfer student had entered the class and landed second place—threatening to even challenge her dominance?
The thought made her blood run cold.
If a Civil Engineering student surpasses me and takes the class rank #1 title… how would the other Alchemy students mock me? My personal brand value would plummet. My company’s revenue would suffer too.
The realization ignited a fierce determination within her.
No way will I let this Civil Engineering student beat me.
This semester’s Final Exam—must be flawless.
With that resolve, Su Yun Ni immediately adjusted her cultivation plan. She reduced the portion of advanced topics she’d been studying early, instead increasing time spent reinforcing her Third-Year course material.
Zhang Yu, of course, had no idea what was brewing in his classmates’ minds.
As for the Final Exam? He didn’t give it much thought.
After all, he’d already completed all three years of Alchemy Department coursework and passed Ciji Zhenjun’s exams.
Now, his main focus was on mastering the Alchemy Genius. Once that was done, he’d move on to building the Tian Ri Huang Shen Prototype Machine. The Final Exam? Just a formality.
That evening, back in his dorm, Zhang Yu was pleasantly surprised to see his sister, Zhang Pianpian—something of a rare sight since she’d become deeply involved in the Hua Shen Spirit Armor research project and advanced to Level 2 of Taiqing Jing.
Now, seeing the Spellcraft Department Rank 10 badge atop her head, Zhang Yu exclaimed: “Senior Sister, your rank went up again?”
Zhang Pianpian nodded. “I’ve been entering a few competitions lately—boosting my score a bit. Helps with qualifying for the Top Ten League.”
She smiled. “You switched to Alchemy Department, huh? Good. In a couple of years, you’ll be eligible too.”
Seeing her progress, Zhang Yu’s brief sense of pride immediately faded. He tightened his resolve—more work, more cultivation, and soon, he’d earn his own shot at the Top Ten League.
……
A few days after the transfer, Zhang Yu messaged Ciji Zhenjun:
“Teacher, has the Finance Department’s sanction not stopped yet?”
Ciji Zhenjun: “I can’t control that.”
Ciji Zhenjun: “Forget it. Don’t bother me. There’s a project at the factory—have your company take it.”
Zhang Yu: “Thank you, Teacher.”
Ciji Zhenjun: “Huh?”
Zhang Yu: “[1 Lingbi] Thank you, Teacher.”
Ciji Zhenjun: “Hmm.”
Zhang Yu stared at the chat, thinking: So after this Civil Engineering project in the Alchemy Department, I’ll have to pay my teacher a cut too.
Arriving at the factory site, Zhang Yu realized it was a campus expansion project for the Wanfa University Alchemy Department—a satellite factory.
Unlike massive Civil Engineering projects, this one was small-scale. The portion assigned to Zhang Yu’s company could be handled entirely by his team.
“I’ll get 20 Lingbi in project funding. Not as much as the big Civil Engineering gigs, but I won’t have to spend much time on it.”
Zhang Yu calculated: He’d only need to come in for a few days to activate the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power. The rest could be handed off to Ying Xin’s grandfather and Zhao Tianxing.
After reviewing the situation, Zhang Yu realized: Alchemy Department projects weren’t numerous, but small, recurring ones kept coming—perfect for his current stage, allowing him to focus more on Alchemy.
The only problem? When will the first payment come?
Once that’s in, everything will flow smoothly.
He checked his deposit. Though he’d taken on a few Alchemy jobs lately, constant cultivation and out-of-pocket expenses for Civil Engineering projects meant his Lingbi balance remained stubbornly stuck around 10 Lingbi.
……
As days passed, it was now mid-March.
White-hot flames danced in the air, swirling at Zhang Yu’s command.
Finally, he pushed the Yuhuo Shenjian to Level 20.
“Phew… now I can cultivate the fourth technique of the Alchemy Genius.”
“With a Level 20 Yuhuo Shenjian, I can now use it to refine materials for Spirit Artifact repairs.”
A spark of excitement surged through him.
Spirit Artifact repair came in many forms—shell restoration, component fixing, Spirit Energy Circuit reconnection, intelligence upgrades for the Artifact Spirit—each requiring specialized skills.
But the Yuhuo Shenjian, with its intense heat, was ideal for reshaping and repairing an artifact’s outer shell.
There are plenty of people needing repairs. This could bring in a steady income.
Just then, another message arrived—this time from Wen Wuya, with an attached image.
Zhang Yu opened the file with ease. A video of Bai Zhenzhen popped up.
She smiled brightly. “Yu-zi? You’ve successfully transferred?”
“Great! Now you’re officially in the Alchemy Department—not stuck in Civil Engineering anymore. Not only will it sound better when you tell people, but it’ll also make joining the Top Ten League much easier.”
“My situation’s good. The management’s loosening up. I might be out soon… and then I’ll come find you.”
As Zhang Yu watched Bai Zhenzhen’s cheerful smile, he couldn’t help but smile back.
But then, the screen flickered.
A sudden cascade of rainbow-colored light burst forth from the image.
(End of Chapter)
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