https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-518-Hold-On-Tight-Thank-you-What-Should-We-Eat-Tonight-for-your-MVP-donation-/13687220/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-520-Did-You-Know-Your-House-Was-Infested-with-Ghosts-Thank-you-Jiahua-for-your-MVP-donation-/13687222/
Chapter 519: Dragged into a Soul Cultivator (Thanks to 'Geineer' for the MVP Reward)
Lei Jizhenjun was a figure shaped like translucent glass, with not a single trace of flesh or blood visible across his entire body.
That was because nearly ninety-nine percent of his physical form had been replaced by Spirit Artifacts.
Around him, countless Spirit Energy Circuits snaked from the floor and walls, connecting directly to his body, channeling vast amounts of Spirit Energy and data.
The radiant glow of the First Layer Array enveloped him, blurring his features into an indistinct silhouette.
It was said that this Lei Jizhenjun never left his office—his true body remained seated there permanently, rarely stepping out. He traversed the Ling Realm only through his consciousness, projecting his presence across distant locations.
But to Zhang Yu, the man’s stillness was more like a statue in a temple than a living being.
Zhang Yu knew Lei Jizhenjun belonged to the Spirit Artifact school within the Alchemy Department—what Feng Tingting had once called the “old fossil” faction. They scorned flesh and blood as outdated, dismissed Spirit Armor as heretical, and insisted that true immortality lay in the complete transformation of humanity into Spirit Artifacts.
As for this doctrine, Zhang Yu kept silent. His own cultivation level in the Dao of Alchemy wasn’t high enough to judge its validity.
What troubled him now was a single, nagging fear: Could this man harbor human prejudice?
He remembered the discrimination he’d faced since arriving at the Alchemy Department—first because he was originally a Civil Engineering major, then because of his Original Physical Body.
In the Alchemy Department, the Spirit Armor faction looked down on those with Original Bodies. Those with more Spirit Armor scorned those with less. The expensive were contemptuous of the cheap. And the Spirit Artifact faction? They despised both the physical body and the Spirit Armor—both were flawed, in their eyes.
Could it be that Lei Jizhenjun is dragging my Project Funding just because he dislikes me?
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Lei Jizhenjun finally spoke.
His face, like polished crystal, showed no movement of lips—but sound formed in the air, vibrating directly into Zhang Yu’s ears.
“Zhang Yu, is it?”
Zhang Yu smiled politely. “Yes… about the Project Funding…”
Lei Jizhenjun’s voice was cold. “I told you not to come back bothering me.”
Zhang Yu explained, “Master, our company is small, cash flow is tight. Right now, I’m personally covering the salaries for my team…”
Lei Jizhenjun’s tone remained indifferent. “Who in this field isn’t spending their own money? Why should you be exempt? If you can do the work, do it. If not, leave.”
Zhang Yu blinked, stunned. He was about to mention his connection to Ciji Zhenjun—just in case this man accidentally destroyed the family shrine of his own mentor—when Lei Jizhenjun added:
“I know you’re Ciji Zhenjun’s newest disciple.”
“But everyone who comes to me must follow the rules.”
Zhang Yu hesitated. “Uncle…?”
Lei Jizhenjun cut in sharply. “Who told you to call me ‘Uncle’? We don’t do personal ties here. That’s exactly what’s ruined Wanfa University.”
A cold, thunderous scoff echoed in Zhang Yu’s skull, making his head reel.
Lei Jizhenjun continued. “As long as you follow procedure, your Project Funding will be granted. No less, no delay.”
“Alright. You can go now. Don’t linger here—it’s disrupting my work.”
Zhang Yu stepped out of the office, face grim.
Was that guy serious? Does Kunxu really have such a strict, iron-fisted leader?
Should I go to the master for help?
He shook his head. Not yet. Until he understood the full picture, he wouldn’t act rashly.
He didn’t know how close Ciji Zhenjun and Lei Jizhenjun truly were—nor whether this matter involved any of his master’s interests.
To gather information, Zhang Yu’s first thought was Zhang Pianpian. Then Feng Tingting, the Alchemy Department’s student. Lastly, Senior Sister Ye Xingli.
Not long after he sent his inquiry, a reply flashed on his Eye Armor.
The first to respond was Feng Tingting.
Feng Tingting: You didn’t go there wearing your Original Physical Body, did you?
Zhang Yu: Yeah. What else am I supposed to wear? That’s the only body I’ve got.
Feng Tingting: Lei Jizhenjun’s a notorious old fossil in the department. The most rigid proponent of pure Spirit Artifact ideology.
Feng Tingting: Even a dog walking past his classroom would be forced to wear a Spirit Artifact collar.
Feng Tingting: Showing up as flesh and blood? He’d never look at you straight.
Reading her message, Zhang Yu’s suspicion confirmed: Lei Jizhenjun really was a human supremacist.
Just as he was about to thank her, she added:
Zhang Yu, when are we renting a lab together and doing Alchemy?
Feng Tingting: Ugh… since I switched to Civil Engineering, the Alchemy Department’s been ignoring me more and more.
Zhang Yu sighed. Feng Tingting and I are probably the two most unfairly judged in this entire department.
Then came Ye Xingli’s message.
Ye Xingli: Did you pay?
Zhang Yu: Pay?
Ye Xingli: I don’t know if Civil Engineering used to coddle you, or if you’re just completely clueless.
Ye Xingli: Alchemy Department isn’t some magic realm. It’s just a few floors, a few labs. Money has to be earned separately.
Ye Xingli: With so many projects, so many priorities—how do you decide who gets what, who goes first?
Zhang Yu: Should I just send money directly to Lei Jizhenjun?
Ye Xingli: Lei Jizhenjun is pure as the wind. He won’t take your money directly.
Ye Xingli: [Bian Hao] is his student. Go to him.
Zhang Yu stared at the business card Ye Xingli sent.
So it really comes down to money after all.
He added Bian Hao, explained his situation, and after some discussion, received a donation link.
“Public Welfare Laboratory?”
Zhang Yu stared at the page. His blood boiled.
“10 Lingbi?”
What the hell… My pre-tax Project Funding is barely over 20 Lingbi. After paying staff and taxes, I’m lucky to take home 10 or 11 Lingbi. And they want me to throw in 10 right away?
He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger.
He replied: Can I give less?
Bian Hao: Bro, how much you give isn’t up to me.
Bian Hao: Everyone else is donating heavily. Those who give little get nothing.
Bian Hao: If you give too little, your donation might as well be wasted.
Bian Hao: Let’s be honest—there are plenty of others ready to take your spot.
Zhang Yu rolled his eyes. This is getting out of control.
He stared at the number again, mentally recalculating his monthly income:
- 40 Lingbi from Laboratory subsidies
- 30 Lingbi in reimbursements from Ciji Zhenjun and Director Gao’s company
- Over 10 Lingbi from sister’s loan repayment
- 10 Lingbi for Wen Wuya’s monthly package
He’d assumed the Alchemy Department’s Civil Engineering projects would become a steady monthly income.
But now? Not only was it unstable, but after deducting this donation, the actual profit was far less than he’d imagined.
Looking at the numbers on his Eye Armor, Zhang Yu cursed under his breath:
So in the end, my monthly “earnings” come from:
- 40 Lingbi from fraud
- 30 Lingbi from connections and reimbursements
- 10 Lingbi from family loans
- 10 Lingbi from wealthy patrons’ gifts
But after three years of grinding, building tech, collecting Spirit Artifacts, hiring staff… the hardest work earns me the least?
He considered quitting the Alchemy Department’s Civil Engineering projects altogether.
But he knew he couldn’t.
First, there were too many mouths to feed at his company.
Second, despite his high income, his expenses were also mounting. Every extra Lingbi from Alchemy projects mattered.
He sighed inwardly. To build Alchemy Genius, you need sheer repetition—countless attempts to level up your Alchemy Techniques.
Man… leveling ten Alchemy Techniques to Level 20 in a few months? That’s like cultivating ten Dao Arts to Level 20 in the same time…
No normal Alchemy student could afford that. Even Dao Arts Department disciples probably couldn’t match my spending.
Zhang Yu knew most Alchemy students didn’t go all-in on multiple techniques. They specialized, hired others when needed—like when Zi Wen Zhen once hired him to cast the Dragon Vein Treasure Forging Decree to strengthen Wuxing Qi.
If it were just about burning money to reach Alchemy Genius, I could handle it. I can afford it, and still save some Lingbi each month.
But now I’ve got to prepare for the Tian Ri Huang Shen prototype refining.
He knew that once Alchemy Genius was complete, the next step would be refining the Military-Grade Spirit Artifact prototype.
That project would cost a fortune—research, materials, equipment, lab rentals.
He and Fujie had already estimated a minimum of 300 Lingbi. With waste, mistakes, and unforeseen costs, it could easily hit 500 Lingbi.
And how many projects ever stayed within budget?
The more he thought about the future expenses, the more he wanted to earn.
They say 1000 Lingbi is enough to reach Jin Dan. But to break into the Top Ten League, to enter a Sect… can a mere Jin Dan really carry me?
Just as he was lost in thought, Zhang Pianpian replied.
Zhang Pianpian: Lei Jizhenjun has delayed so many Project Fundings—bankrupted several companies, turned over hundreds into Soul Cultivators.
Zhang Yu: There’s no way to fix this?
Zhang Pianpian: If this were a few hundred years ago, I’d tell you to give up.
Zhang Pianpian: But now? As long as he’s in Kunxu, as long as he’s within the university system—whether Jin Dan or Yuan Ying, they must follow the rules.
Zhang Pianpian: Within the rules, he can crush you without a word.
Zhang Pianpian: But if he steps beyond them… even a Yuan Ying Immortal would be struck down by heavenly thunder.
Zhang Yu paused, thoughtful.
You mean… he’s already overstepped the rules?
Zhang Pianpian: I haven’t found the specifics yet. But the evidence suggests he’s sitting on a massive storm.
Zhang Yu: Why?
Zhang Pianpian: Haven’t you wondered—other companies spent more than you, even much more. So how did they make it back?
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
