Chapter 504: Stay in Civil Engineering? Or Change Major?

Looking at Director Gao’s serious gaze, Qu Yunzhen sighed helplessly, pointing at him and saying, “You, despite being younger than me, live like an old-fashioned relic.”

“Students eventually move on; you should think more about yourself.”

Director Gao smiled softly and said, “Principal, Zhang Yu is the successor I value. The future burden of the Civil Engineering Department might fall on his shoulders. In the future, I will have a share in all his earnings, so helping him is helping me.”

Qu Yunzhen was slightly taken aback and frowned, asking, “Zhang Yu is your successor?”

Director Gao nodded. “Precisely. I’ve decided to secure him a spot for postgraduate studies, and I plan to announce it at the banquet shortly!”

Qu Yunzhen nodded in confusion. “Oh!”

Qu Yunzhen quickly sent a message to Magnetism True Lord: “What are you and Old Gao up to?”

Magnetism True Lord replied: “Nothing.”

Qu Yunzhen warned: “Magnetism, with so many people watching today, don’t make a spectacle of yourselves.”

Sensing the doubt on Qu Yunzhen’s face, Director Gao added, “Principal, rest assured, based on my observation, Zhang Yu’s aptitude and character make him an excellent investment. He will undoubtedly be a key figure in the Civil Engineering Department in the future, capable of earning substantial money for the school!”

“Hmm! Hmm!” Qu Yunzhen thought to himself, “Is there some new trick I don’t know about?”

Just then, Zhang Yu arrived in front of Director Gao, who pulled him forward to introduce him to Qu Yunzhen.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Tu Lishan was listening to his student Shi Huaiyu’s report.

Suddenly, his brow furrowed. “What did you say?”

Shi Huaiyu: “Zhang Yu ultimately transplanted the Seven Absolutes Dharma Skeleton!”

Tu Lishan said, “No, I meant the previous sentence! Which department did Zhang Yu transfer to?”

Shi Huaiyu said, “He transferred to the Artifact Forging Department. Didn’t you know, teacher?”

Tu Lishan paused, looking at Zhang Yu and Director Gao not far away. He thought to himself, “Zhang Yu is transferring to the Artifact Forging Department, or rather, to become a disciple of Magnetism True Lord?”

He was about to send the information to Director Gao but then hesitated, recalling another question.

“Does Director Gao already know?”

“Given his centuries-long friendship with Magnetism True Lord, could these two be collaborating on a scheme?”

On the other side, Director Lin listened to Xiaoyun’s report and snorted coldly, thinking, “I knew it. How could Gao Chongguang alone cultivate a student of Zhang Yu’s caliber in just three years?”

“Sure enough, the Artifact Forging Department is providing support! Thinking of Ji Yuanxu, who fell early, Director Lin sighed inwardly, "Perhaps we shouldn’t have been so high-profile when cultivating Ji Yuanxu back then! Acting discreetly, like Gao Chongguang and Magnetism, yields a higher success rate!”

Although the Old Director, Spirit Mountain True Lord, had reached the end of his physical lifespan, his soul now resided in the Spirit Realm. This time, he projected an image to attend the banquet.

Listening to Su Yanyang’s report on the competition, the Old Director’s gaze shifted, and he thought to himself, “It seems Old Gao intends to drag the entire Civil Engineering Department toward artifact forging, completely supporting the impending conflict!”

He also recalled that Magnetism True Lord’s Dharma Skeleton project had incurred the hostility of Acacia University, and remembered the conflict between Myriad Transformations Divine Lord and Nectar Divine Lord. The Old Director realized the turbulent undercurrents involved.

“Do they truly intend to drag Myriad Laws into this?”

The Old Director sighed inwardly, “Alas, in this era of great contention, perhaps it’s not a bad thing for me to retire early!”

Just then, the lighting in the banquet hall changed. Aside from Director Gao’s immediate vicinity, all other areas began to dim.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Director Gao and Zhang Yu, who stood beside him.

Director Gao smiled complacently and slowly began, “Distinguished teachers, dear students, today the sky is clear and bright, mirroring our current mood. The sun burns like fire, and our passion remains unquenchable!”

“The Civil Engineering Department’s competition team, having overcome obstacles and climbed steadily, defeated Vajra University, Sky Sword University, Immortal Soldier University, and Heavenly Demon University, finally securing this year’s championship!”

“Behind this achievement lies the investment of countless spirit coins and countless hours of effort. It is not merely a victory for the competition team itself, but a triumph for our school’s education!”

“Furthermore, student Zhang Yu, participating in an inter-school competition for the first time, made significant contributions in this contest. He upheld the righteous path of civil engineering, bravely led his teammates to defeat Heavenly Demon University, and clinched the crucial final round!”

“I hope he will continue to strive, using this achievement as a solid foundation to shine brightly in the Civil Engineering Department in the future!”

As the audience listened, their expressions varied: Tu Lishan looked peculiar, Qu Yunzhen appeared puzzled, Director Lin wore a disdainful look, and the Old Director was lost in thought.

Meanwhile, many students gazed at Zhang Yu with envy, jealousy, and aspiration, already considering him a role model for the Civil Engineering Department.

The next moment, Director Gao grasped Zhang Yu’s hand and declared, “Today, here, I have another announcement to make! Zhang Yu, in his third year, passed the military civil engineering certificate exam and led his teammates to win the inter-school competition championship. Such extraordinary achievements have not been seen in the Civil Engineering Department for many years. I have decided to nominate Zhang Yu for direct admission to our Civil Engineering postgraduate program, and in the future, I will be his supervising professor, dedicating all my efforts to cultivate him into a pillar of talent beneficial to both the Civil Engineering Department and Myriad Laws!”

As Director Gao finished speaking, the venue immediately erupted in a clamor.

Most of the students present merely envied Zhang Yu’s current glory and were jealous of the immense support he received from Director Gao.

However, for the teachers present, they understood the true weight of Director Gao’s words.

A direct disciple receiving such full support was a bond that transcended ordinary loans, blood relations, or contractual agreements!

The Old Director thought to himself, “He’s treating Zhang Yu like his own son! No, his attitude suggests he’s even closer than a son! And it’s no wonder; if I had a student like this, where every investment was a guaranteed profit, I’d certainly invest more than I would in my own descendants!”

“But isn’t Zhang Yu supposed to transfer to the Artifact Forging Department, and become a disciple of Magnetism?”

The Old Director’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he mused, “Could it be a conflict between the two sides? Seeing Zhang Yu’s potential, both want to snatch him as a student?”

For a cultivator of the Old Director’s age, while “snatching” students or disciples wasn’t common, it was by no means rare. After all, students were somewhat like stocks: excellent students yielded greater returns with more investment, making them prime investment assets.

However, unlike stocks, students couldn’t be invested in by many people. Investment opportunities were limited, naturally leading to competition.

To the Old Director, Zhang Yu at that moment was like a high-quality startup company, where funding opportunities had to be fought for.

Yet, a competition between the Civil Engineering Department and the Artifact Forging Department for a student was something he had never witnessed before.

Previously, such competition for top students usually occurred among the elite departments like Finance, Artifact Forging, and Dao Arts, with teachers vying for wealthy students.

On the other side, Tu Lishan’s eyes widened, and he thought, “What’s going on? Director Gao couldn’t possibly truly be unaware, could he?”

Ye Xingli swallowed hard and instinctively looked at Magnetism True Lord nearby. “What will Master do? There won’t be a conflict right here, will there?”

“Oh?” Director Lin suddenly smiled. “I don’t know what’s happening, but it looks like there’s going to be a good show!”

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu felt Director Gao’s gaze, opened his mouth, and felt a little breathless.

Could he refuse? Feeling the sincerity in Director Gao’s eyes and recalling the care he had received from him over the past three years, Zhang Yu found it incredibly difficult to refuse at that moment.

Then could he accept? The moment he considered the awkwardness of the Civil Engineering Department not being able to enter the sect, Zhang Yu knew it was absolutely impossible for him to pursue postgraduate studies in Civil Engineering.

Forget postgraduate studies; even an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering might be considered a criminal record in the eyes of the sect.

And unable to enter the sect, he would eventually face death due to the ritual’s backlash.

By then, no matter how much Director Gao had invested in him, it would all amount to nothing.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yu frantically messaged Magnetism True Lord: “Master!”

Zhang Yu: “What should I do?”

Magnetism True Lord: “Just find a way to stall for time, or simply brush it off.”

Zhang Yu thought: *Why isn’t Magnetism True Lord anxious or nervous at all? What arrangements or plans has she made?*

Meanwhile, Director Gao looked at Zhang Yu, who had been slow to respond, and asked with a hint of doubt, “Zhang Yu?”

Zhang Yu swallowed and slowly said, “Over the past three years, I’ve learned a great deal in the Civil Engineering Department!”

“The dangerous environment on construction sites has strengthened my physique, the arduous work has honed my cultivation methods, and the various aspects of construction knowledge have significantly boosted my earning potential!”

“And the support from the teachers, Director Gao, all the conveniences you provided me, have made these past three years the period of fastest improvement in my life!”

Just then, a shimmer of light and shadow appeared in the Spirit Realm, and projections of countless spirit coins instantly filled every corner of the entire hall!

A projection, composed of countless spirit coins, slowly stepped forth from the depths of the Spirit Realm and walked directly in front of Zhang Yu.

“Excuse me for the interruption!” a voice announced. “I am Chain Hub True Lord from the Finance Department!”

“Student Zhang Yu, are you interested in joining the Finance Department? Becoming my disciple?”

The audience, witnessing this scene, was once again filled with astonishment!

“Chain Hub True Lord?”

Tu Lishan thought to himself, “This guy must be a disciple of Golden Palace Divine Lord. Golden Palace Divine Lord is one of the three Divine Lords of Myriad Laws University, hailing from the Finance Department, and holds immense sway over the allocation of the school’s various funds and investments!”

Director Lin’s expression subtly shifted. “The Finance Department wants to bring Zhang Yu over? Why wasn’t I informed?”

In contrast to the teachers’ myriad fluctuating thoughts, the students, upon witnessing this scene, had only one thought: “Say yes!” Civil Engineering versus Finance? Was there even a choice? It was like the difference between eating excrement and eating candy! At that moment, many students in the audience, including Gongshu Jin, Ma Xuan, and Feng Tingting, wished they could take Zhang Yu’s place and immediately agree to join the Finance Department.

However, when faced with Chain Hub True Lord’s inquiry, Zhang Yu firmly stated, “I’m sorry, I have no interest in the Finance Department!”

Seemingly not expecting such a straightforward refusal from Zhang Yu, Chain Hub True Lord paused for a moment before adding, “Don’t worry, no matter how much liquidated damages you owe, or what contracts you’ve signed, as long as you join the Finance Department, I will cover it all for you. The matter of your postgraduate admission will also be completely fine, and I will be your postgraduate supervisor in the future!”