https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-557-The-Top-50-and-the-New-Eye-Armor/13687380/
Chapter 556: Awarding the Military Alchemy Engineering Certificate (Class A)
Within the Experiment Level of the Alchemy Department.
This was the floor housing numerous students and leased laboratories.
At this moment, Lian Huo Zhenjun—ever the pragmatic veteran—felt a flicker of hesitation in his heart.
“With all these dazzling effects piled on top of each other… I wonder how many Eye Armors will even survive the onslaught.”
“What if it all flickers and stutters? What will people even see?”
Sighing, he shook his head. He’d spent years working on the ground, intimately familiar with the students’ real-world conditions. “These top brass… one and all… completely out of touch with reality. How can Foundation Establishment or Qi Cultivation withstand such intense Ling Realm fluctuations?”
But he also knew—he couldn’t go back and change their orders.
Yet if a massive Eye Armor crash occurred, not only would the announcement of the Military License fail to reach everyone clearly, but any accidental damage or disruption…
That, he feared, would end up being blamed squarely on him.
“No accidents.”
“But still need to make it grand. Need to deliver the message accurately.”
“There’s only one way.”
After a moment of deep thought, Lian Huo Zhenjun reluctantly reached out to someone he knew in the Spellcraft Department and asked for a Zhangmu Spell.
“Ah… I wonder if this one’ll even get reimbursed.”
Shaking his head, he activated the spell.
A surge of invisible Divine Power erupted from his position, spreading outward through the Ling Realm like ripples across a still pond.
Then, with a single downward flick of his finger:
“Brightness reduced!”
“Resolution lowered!”
“Ray tracing disabled!”
“Visual detail set to minimum!”
As the Zhangmu Spell flared to life, Lian Huo Zhenjun scrutinized the performance of his own Eye Armor.
A slow, satisfied nod followed.
“Now… it’s safe to issue the Military License.”
…
In the laboratory, Jin Jun was deep in the final stages of refining the Tian Ri Huang Shen Prototype Machine, surrounded by a team of assistants.
All thoughts of Zhang Yu had long since vanished from his mind.
Right now, Jin Jun’s entire focus was locked onto the prototype before him—every fiber of his being poured into the work.
But then, abruptly, a line of text flashed across his Eye Armor:
“Important Notice Incoming! Please pause all current work and await official announcement.”
Just as Jin Jun began to wonder what this could be, the world in his vision darkened instantly.
Then, like a film reel snapping into focus, the entire visual field dimmed in a visible, accelerating wave.
Everything around him blurred and simplified—objects fractured into crude mosaic blocks, the world reduced to basic geometric forms.
In an instant, it felt as though they’d been yanked into a distant, hazy realm.
Seeing the panic spreading among his team, Jin Jun raised a hand.
“Stay calm. This is a major school-wide announcement. To protect our Eye Armors from overload, the system is automatically adjusting our visual feed.”
Then—light exploded.
A torrent of radiant, celestial light burst forth like a supernova in the void, illuminating every corner of the lab like stars emerging from darkness.
Clouds of divine mist swirled, celestial banners unfurled. It was as if countless immortal beings had descended from the heavens, showering the world with applause.
And in the next heartbeat, enormous, towering characters erupted across the sky—each one pulsing with divine energy, layered with intricate effects, so dazzling that some students’ Eye Armors stuttered slightly.
“Congratulations to Wanfa University, Alchemy Department’s Zhang Yu!
In the refinement of the Tian Ri Huang Shen Prototype Machine, Zhang Yu has not only achieved unprecedented progress—completing all 1 to 15 refinement levels within just two months—but has also demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship, with performance metrics reaching university-leading standards.
Moreover, through innovative cost optimization, refinement expenses have been significantly reduced.
Therefore, the Military Alchemy Engineering Certificate (Class A) is hereby awarded.
We hope Zhang Yu continues to strive for greater breakthroughs in the path of Alchemy.”
At the sight of this, teachers in other labs couldn’t help but mutter under their breath:
“Jesus… a Military License, and they’re throwing a goddamn fireworks show? Anyone would think he’d won the Top Ten Championship.”
But Jin Jun froze.
His eyes widened. A wave of disbelief washed over him.
“…Really? Level 15? He actually reached Level 15?”
In that instant, the intense focus that had gripped him moments ago evaporated. His body felt drained. The work before him suddenly seemed meaningless.
Not just Jin Jun. Almost every person in the lab stood stunned, dazed—shocked that their own project team had quietly slipped into defeat without them even realizing it.
Su Yun Ni, though she’d anticipated some outcome, still stared blankly, her heart sinking.
“All this time, all this effort… and it all ended like this?”
Then, Jin Jun’s eyes narrowed. A cold realization struck him.
“Making such a spectacle… everyone’s going to know Zhang Yu got the Military License.”
“Soon, everyone will know I lost to him—lost to a Civil Engineering transfer who’s only been here less than a year.”
“Zhang Yu’s going to become famous… but it’s my reputation that’s being crushed.”
Fury surged through him. His Martial Energy flared violently. Veins bulged across his arms. Blood roared in his ears.
He could already picture it—the blow to his Alchemy prestige, the shrinking research budget, the lowered loan caps, fewer investors showing interest…
…
Meanwhile, in another lab, Zhang Yu was calmly sketching in the air with his fingers, writing notes within his Eye Armor.
Having submitted the prototype and passed the review, he’d already been confident—this time, the Military License was practically guaranteed.
Still, to him, this was just the beginning.
“Now it’s early February. With about six months left until the September Top Ten League…”
“To win the championship, I’ll need to master at least four Military-Grade powers.”
“Besides the Tian Kunlun Shifting Mountain Divine Power, and the soon-to-be-acquired Tian Ri Huang Shen, I’ll need to unlock two more within the next half year.”
“But even with four… that’s only on par with last year’s level of Dao Qiankun, Jiutian Liu, and Yan Qianji.”
“To truly beat them this year…”
Zhang Yu typed in his Eye Armor:
“Best case: master five Military-Grade powers.”
“That’s three more to go in the next six months… possible?”
He didn’t know. But he’d do his best.
“First, nail the Design Competition—secure one Military-Grade Alchemy Technique.”
“By then, the Bishui Jinjing Armor should be nearly cracked. I’ll apply to refine it.”
“And see if I can uncover anything related to the ‘Great Saint’s Successor’ set.”
He began listing possible targets.
“Three more… that’ll likely cost over 500 Lingbi.”
“Money’s still tight…”
“Ah. Once I get the Military License, I’ll immediately refine the Tian Ri Huang Shen to unlock its full Military-Grade capabilities.”
As for what he’d do with the 20th-level Military-Grade Puppet once completed?
Zhang Yu had no intention of using it in battle.
Why would he risk destroying a puppet he’d spent hundreds of Lingbi building?
If fighting was needed, he’d do it himself.
Just as he was deep in planning, the world around him went dark.
Then—like the sky splitting open—
The announcement of the Military License bloomed before his eyes.
Zhang Yu showed no shock. He’d expected it.
But he hadn’t expected such a massive reaction.
Lian Huo Zhenjun’s projection appeared before him.
“Zhang Yu, I never thought you’d achieve this within a year of transferring.”
“No wonder Ciji Zhenjun placed such high hopes in you.”
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Zhang Yu accepted the certificate.
Instantly, his ranking skyrocketed.
First, his class ranking surged to #1.
Then, his department ranking shot up, leaping to #13.
Then—like a cocoon bursting—his department rank shattered.
A new title emerged from the fragments:
University Ranking: #44
Wanfa University, Undergraduate Level
At the same time, three options appeared in his Eye Armor:
- Toggle between Department and University rankings.
- Show only University Ranking.
- Show only Department Ranking.
Zhang Yu paused.
If he’d earned this as a student from Security or Transportation, he might’ve chosen to hide his department rank.
But he wasn’t that kind of person.
He’d never forget where he came from.
He selected the first option—both ranks displayed.
Lian Huo Zhenjun smiled.
“Congratulations, Zhang Yu. With this Military License, you’ve broken into the top 50 of the entire university. From now on, your University Ranking will be visible to all—no longer just an ordinary student.”
“Even the Inspection Team will need to notify the department head before they can take action against you.”
Zhang Yu’s chest tightened. He could barely contain his excitement.
And then—
A flood of messages poured in.
Finance Department Student (Huaizhi Xia):
Zhang Yu, your academic status has changed. Our previous policy is now updated. Here’s a new loan discount offer—exclusive to high-performing students.
Zhang Yu smirked.
“Not bad. Finance Department’s sharp. Once they sensed my earning potential, they’re already trying to reel me in.”
Alchemy Department Academic Secretary:
Zhang Yu, students who’ve mastered Military-Grade Alchemy techniques are now eligible for subsidized lab leasing and discounted materials.
Ye Xingli:
Little brother, here’s the Alchemy Department’s Military-Grade Student Group Chat. I’ll add you.
[Group Chat Link]
Yan Qianji:
[Group Chat Link]
Newcomer, welcome to the全校 top 50 Group Chat. Join us.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report