No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

Looking into Director Gao’s serious gaze, True Lord Qiyun sighed helplessly and pointed at him. “You—clearly younger than me, yet living like an old fossil.”

“Students must be let go eventually. You should think more about yourself.”

Director Gao gave a gentle smile. “Principal, Zhang Yu is the successor I’ve placed my hopes on. The future of the Civil Engineering Department might very well rest on his shoulders. His future earnings will be tied to mine, so helping him is helping myself.”

True Lord Qiyun was briefly stunned. “Zhang Yu is your successor?”

Director Gao nodded. “That’s right. I’ve decided to recommend him for postgraduate studies. I’m planning to announce it at the banquet later.”

True Lord Qiyun nodded in confusion. “Oh.”

He immediately messaged True Lord Magneto:

“What are you and Old Gao scheming?”

True Lord Magneto:

“Nothing.”True Lord Qiyun:

“Magneto, with so many people watching today, don’t make a scene.”

Seeing the doubt on True Lord Qiyun’s face, Director Gao added, “Don’t worry, Principal. Whether it’s his aptitude or character, Zhang Yu is an excellent investment. He’ll definitely become a core figure in the Civil Engineering Department—and make the university a lot of money.”

“Hmm…” True Lord Qiyun thought to himself: Is this some new play I’m not aware of?

Just then, Zhang Yu had arrived in front of Director Gao, who eagerly introduced him to True Lord Qiyun.

Meanwhile, not far away, Tu Lishan was listening to a report from his student, Shi Huaiyu.

His brows suddenly twitched. “What did you say?”

Shi Huaiyu: “Zhang Yu ended up transplanting the Law Husk of the Seven Absolutes…”

Tu Lishan said, “No, the sentence before that. What department did Zhang Yu transfer to?”

Shi Huaiyu answered, “The Artifact Refinement Department. Teacher, you didn’t know?”

Tu Lishan froze slightly and glanced toward Zhang Yu and Director Gao in the distance, thinking, Zhang Yu’s transferring to the Artifact Refinement Department? And under True Lord Magneto?

He almost sent a message to Director Gao, but hesitated—another thought occurred to him.

Could Director Gao already know?

He and True Lord Magneto have known each other for centuries. Could this be a joint setup by the two of them?

Elsewhere, Director Lin listened to Xiao Yunji’s report, snorted coldly, and thought, I knew it. There’s no way Gao Chongguang could’ve trained someone like Zhang Yu in just three years by himself.

So the Artifact Refinement Department was backing him all along.

Recalling the prematurely fallen Ji Yuanshu, Director Lin sighed inwardly, Maybe we shouldn’t have made such a fuss when training Ji Yuanshu. Operating in the shadows like Gao Chongguang and Magneto yields a higher success rate.

Though True Lord Lingyue’s physical body had long since perished, his soul resided in the Spirit Realm. A projection of him had descended to attend the banquet.

Listening to Su Yanyang’s report on the competition, the old director’s gaze flickered as he thought, Old Gao is planning to steer the entire Civil Engineering Department toward Artifact Refinement? Supporting the war effort, no doubt.

He also recalled the hostility stirred up by True Lord Magneto’s Law Husk project from Pleasure and Harmony University, and the conflict between Divine Lord Wanhuan and Divine Lord Nectar. The undercurrents were strong.

Do they really want to drag the Wanfa Sect into the fray?

The old director sighed to himself, Sigh… Great turmoil is on the horizon. Perhaps stepping down early wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

At that moment, the lighting in the banquet hall shifted. Apart from the area around Director Gao, the rest of the venue dimmed.

All eyes turned to Director Gao—and to Zhang Yu standing beside him.

Director Gao, brimming with confidence, smiled and began to speak slowly:

“Teachers, students, today’s clear skies mirror our blazing spirits. Our blood burns hot!”

“The Civil Engineering Department’s competition team has triumphed over Vajra University, Heavenly Sword University, Immortal Soldier University, and Demon-Beast University—overcoming countless challenges to seize this year’s championship.”

“Behind this achievement lies a vast investment of spirit coins and time. This is not just a victory for the competition team—it’s a triumph of our university’s education!”

“And student Zhang Yu, participating in his first inter-university competition, played a pivotal role. He upheld the True Path of Civil Engineering, led his teammates to a righteous and honorable victory over Demon-Beast University, and secured the crucial final match.”

“I hope he continues to push forward and builds on this foundation—so he may shine ever brighter in the Civil Engineering Department.”

Faces around the room shifted in response. Tu Lishan looked perplexed, True Lord Qiyun puzzled, Director Lin sneered with disdain, and the old director appeared lost in thought.

Many students, however, looked at Zhang Yu with awe, envy, and admiration. He had become the Civil Engineering Department’s role model.

Next, Director Gao clasped Zhang Yu’s hand and announced, “I have another matter to declare today.”

“Zhang Yu passed the Military Civil Engineering License exam in his third year and led his teammates to win the inter-university competition. Such extraordinary accomplishments have not been seen in our department for many years.”

“I hereby nominate Zhang Yu for a direct recommendation to our graduate program in the Civil Engineering Department, with myself as his advisor. I will devote my full effort to nurturing him into a pillar of the department—and of the Wanfa Sect!”

As his words echoed, the room buzzed with noise.

Most students were still overwhelmed by Zhang Yu’s dazzling moment—envious of the attention he was receiving.

But the teachers understood the deeper implications of Director Gao’s declaration.

A personally recommended disciple like this went far beyond mere contractual relationships. This was a level of commitment and support akin to raising one’s own child.

The old director mused, This is practically like adopting Zhang Yu as a son. No, judging by that tone—more devoted than to a real son. Not surprising—if I had such a student, one that guaranteed high returns, I’d invest more in him than in my own children.

But… isn’t Zhang Yu transferring to the Artifact Refinement Department under Magneto?

The old director narrowed his eyes. Is this a tug-of-war between the two? Have they both seen his potential and are now fighting over him?

To someone of the old director’s age, snatching students or disciples wasn’t rare.

After all, students were like stocks—invest early in the right one, and the returns would be immense.

But unlike stocks, students couldn’t be jointly invested in. With limited slots, competition was inevitable.

To him, Zhang Yu looked like a top-tier startup, with even the investment window requiring a fight.

Still, a fight between the Civil Engineering and Artifact Refinement departments over a student? That was a first.

Normally, such student grabs only happened among top-tier departments—Finance, Artifact Refinement, Dao Techniques—where wealthy students drew in flocks of instructors.

Tu Lishan’s eyes suddenly widened in alarm. Wait—could it be Director Gao really doesn’t know?

Ye Xingli nervously swallowed and glanced toward True Lord Magneto. What will Teacher do? Could a confrontation break out right here?

“Oh?” Director Lin smirked. “I don’t know what’s going on—but this is going to be good.”

Zhang Yu, under Director Gao’s fervent gaze, opened his mouth. He felt like he couldn’t breathe.

Could he refuse?

He thought back on the care Director Gao had shown him these past three years, and suddenly, saying no felt unbearable.

But could he accept?

Just thinking about how the Civil Engineering Department barred entry into any sect made it clear—he could never pursue graduate studies there. Not even a bachelor’s degree from Civil Engineering would mean anything in the eyes of the sects—it might as well be a criminal record.

And if he couldn’t enter a sect, the ritual backlash would eventually kill him.

At that point, no matter how much Director Gao had invested, it would all be for nothing.

With that in mind, Zhang Yu quickly messaged True Lord Magneto:

Zhang Yu: “Teacher?”

Zhang Yu: “What should I do?”

True Lord Magneto: “Just stall or find a way to brush it off.”

Zhang Yu thought, Why is she so calm? Doesn’t she feel the pressure? What has she planned?

Meanwhile, Director Gao noticed Zhang Yu’s delay and asked with concern, “Zhang Yu?”

Zhang Yu swallowed hard and slowly said:

“These past three years, I’ve learned a lot in the Civil Engineering Department.”

“The dangers on the construction site trained my body. The heavy labor tempered my techniques. The knowledge I gained in construction greatly improved my ability to make money.”

“The support from my teachers, the convenience you provided, Director Gao—all of it made these three years the fastest-growing period of my life…”

Suddenly, the Spirit Realm projection flickered.

Countless spirit coin illusions flooded the hall, reaching every corner.

A figure formed entirely of spirit coins stepped out from the depths of the Spirit Realm and approached Zhang Yu.

“Pardon the interruption.”

“I am True Lord Chainshaft of the Finance Department.”

“Student Zhang Yu, are you interested in joining the Finance Department? Would you like to become my disciple?”

Gasps echoed across the venue.

“True Lord Lianshu?” Tu Lishan thought, Isn’t he the disciple of Divine Lord Jin Que?

Divine Lord Jin Que was one of Wanfa University’s three Grand Lords, hailing from the Finance Department. He wielded tremendous influence over funding and investment allocations.

Director Lin’s expression twitched. Finance wants to poach Zhang Yu? Why didn’t they inform me?

But while the teachers’ minds spun with schemes, the students had only one thought:

Say yes!

Civil Engineering or Finance? Was that even a question? That’s like choosing between dirt and candy!

Gongshu Jin, Ma Xuan, Feng Tingting, and other students wished they could leap into Zhang Yu’s shoes and agree on the spot.

Yet facing True Lord Chainshaft’s offer, Zhang Yu responded firmly:

“Sorry, I’m not interested in the Finance Department.”

True Lord Lianshu blinked in surprise, not expecting such a direct rejection. Then he added:

“Don’t worry. No matter how many breach-of-contract penalties you’ve got, no matter what contracts you’ve signed—if you join the Finance Department, I’ll cover all of it.”

“Your graduate recommendation is guaranteed. I’ll be your advisor from now on.”

Thank you for reading! If you’re enjoying Zhang Yu’s chaotic college cultivation journey, please consider supporting us on Patreon—your help means the world and keeps the translations coming!

Also, don’t forget to rate and review on NovelUpdates—your kind words help more readers discover this gem!

Next Chapter >