Chapter 505: Financial Talent Poaching (Thanks to ‘樱书ing’ for Sponsoring the Alliance Leader)

For a civil engineering student like Zhang Yu, Archon Lianxu would have had no impression of him just a few months ago.

Even if Zhang Yu had passed the military certification in his third year, Archon Lianxu would likely have only found his name vaguely familiar.

After all, for students, passing the military certification is incredibly difficult, challenging, and rare; out of so many students in a class, perhaps not a single one would pass over a decade.

However, for Archon Lianxu, while passing the military certification was difficult, looking across the entire grade and the entire university, there were quite a few people with military certifications.

For example, almost half of the student groups on his friends list had military certifications.

What truly made Archon Lianxu pay attention to Zhang Yu was the Transcendent Relic experiment.

After all, anything involving Transcendent beings, no matter how small, is a major affair. Moreover, this time it concerned the core technology of Divine Sovereign Qionjiang.

And in the project teams of Archon Ciji and Archon Tianzhang, no other experimental subject succeeded besides Zhang Yu.

Even though the university and project organizations had recently invested more and brought in additional students for testing, there had been no genuine success cases. This applied not only to the Transcendent Relic in Archon Ciji's possession but also, according to Archon Lianxu, to the hidden Transcendent Relic within the Finance Department, which likewise had not found any successful experimental subjects.

Thus, after Jiutianliu failed to secure Zhang Yu, recruiting him into the Finance Department gradually became a new option.

While this option was initially just a contingency plan, Archon Lianxu decided to implement it after Zhang Yu won the inter-university civil engineering competition.

After all, even without considering the Transcendent Relic matter, investing in Zhang Yu based on his demonstrated abilities would definitely not be a loss.

Therefore, at this very moment, Archon Lianxu cast down his projection, intending to personally recruit Zhang Yu.

In his view, personally recruiting Zhang Yu as the esteemed head of the Finance Department would be effortless. As for the reputation of the Civil Engineering Department or Director Gao's standing, Archon Lianxu wondered when they ever had any.

Simultaneously, upon hearing Archon Lianxu's relentless efforts to recruit Zhang Yu, the scene erupted into an uproar.

Especially among the many students present, while they remained silent outwardly, their communications within the spiritual realm surged dramatically.

Someone posted photos of the scene in the class group chat.

"Archon Lianxu from the Finance Department is here to poach Zhang Yu."

"And just when Director Gao was about to recommend Zhang Yu for postgraduate studies!"

Ying Xin: Looks like Senior Disciple Brother is getting a promotion to the Finance Department.

Li Xiao: Can we all apply for loans from Senior Disciple Brother from now on?

Ji Yuanxu, who was working overtime at a construction site, paused slightly, staring at the messages in the chat for a long time without moving.

In the inter-university competition chat!

Shi Huaiyu: It's a talent-poaching war!

Xiao Yunji: It's not just Director Gao trying to recruit Zhang Yu; the Artifact Forging Department and the Finance Department are also after him!

Su Yanyang: If it were me, I'd definitely choose the Finance Department. They're the richest, and they'll even cover the breach of contract fees!

In the department competition chat!

Gongshu Jin: You guys missed out on a big show by not coming to the banquet.

Gongshu Jin: Just when Director Gao announced Zhang Yu's recommendation for postgraduate studies, Archon Lianxu from the Finance Department arrived!

Gongshu Jin: He's directly trying to recruit Zhang Yu into the Finance Department!

Yu Xinghan: Zhang Yu, you're about to become a financial mogul.

Shi Yunxiang: He's ascended!

In the Artifact Forging Department's chat, Ding Ding messaged: At the Civil Engineering celebration banquet, a big shot from the Finance Department descended from the sky, poaching a student on the spot and humiliating the entire Civil Engineering Department.

In that instant, countless messages about the Finance Department's talent poaching spread wildly throughout the spiritual realm. Even photos of Director Gao, Zhang Yu, and Archon Lianxu together were continuously taken and sent.

Under the gaze of countless onlookers, Director Gao snorted coldly, stepped in front of Zhang Yu, and said to Archon Lianxu, "Zhang Yu is a student of my Civil Engineering Department, my disciple. I appreciate your high regard, Archon Lianxu, but joining the Finance Department is out of the question!"

Archon Lianxu, however, merely smiled indifferently and said, "Whether to transfer departments or which teacher to apprentice under, these are all a student's free choices. Why not ask Zhang Yu himself?"

"Director Gao has just taken over the Civil Engineering Department's affairs. It would be best not to act autocratically and damage the friendship between the Civil Engineering and Finance departments, or delay ongoing projects!"

Director Gao's gaze narrowed slightly, understanding that Archon Lianxu was threatening him using various means such as loans, debts, and investments from the Finance Department.

After all, many projects in the Civil Engineering Department required substantial funds for operations, and a significant portion of these spirit coins came from the Finance Department.

It could be said that if the Finance Department were to choke off the Civil Engineering Department, many construction sites would be unable to even pay wages, causing projects to immediately halt.

In the past, the Finance Department had used this tactic to control many internal affairs of the Civil Engineering Department. Often, with just a little pressure, many professors and experts within the Civil Engineering Department would swiftly comply.

But in Director Gao's view, repeated compromises would only encourage the Finance Department to become more aggressive.

Moreover, Director Gao believed that the Finance Department's threats were not always effective. After all, losses in Civil Engineering projects would also mean risks for the Finance Department's loans; both departments should ideally prosper or suffer together.

However, the Civil Engineering Department had too many weak-willed individuals. The Finance Department's slightest threat consistently yielded immediate results, gradually becoming a habit between the two sides.

Just like at this moment, before Director Gao could even respond, many professors, experts, and teachers present began messaging him, urging him to calm down, not to be impulsive, and to have a good talk with the Finance Department.

Director Lin: Calm down, Old Gao. Do you want a bunch of Civil Engineering companies to go bankrupt?

Lang Yougong: Director Gao, the jobs of so many teachers and students are at stake; we can't clash with the Finance Department!

Old Director (Soul Cultivator): Don't fight with the Finance Department. How will we make money if we fight? So many mouths in Civil Engineering are waiting to be fed!

True Person Jiaolei: Director, if a student truly wants to transfer departments, you can stop them for a while but not forever. It's not worth creating conflict with the Finance Department over this!

As Director Gao watched the messages appear in his optical display, he felt as if his body were bound by invisible chains, and a hint of helplessness gradually surfaced on his face.

Just then, Zhang Yu stepped out from behind Director Gao.

He looked directly at Archon Lianxu and stated clearly, "Archon Lianxu, I've just made it very clear. I have no interest in the Finance Department and will absolutely not transfer there!"

Archon Lianxu narrowed his eyes slightly, smiled, and said, "Zhang Yu, you're still young, and you usually bury yourself in construction sites. You might not understand the difference between the Civil Engineering Department and the Finance Department. It truly is a waste of your talent to stay in Civil Engineering. Please reconsider!"

To everyone's astonishment, Zhang Yu directly interrupted Archon Lianxu, stating firmly, "I will not go to the Finance Department!"

Witnessing his words being interrupted and hearing Zhang Yu's resolute refusal, Archon Lianxu's once smiling face instantly became expressionless.

Director Gao, standing nearby, looked at Zhang Yu in surprise, seemingly astonished by his blunt rejection of the Finance Department and his unwavering stance against them.

Simultaneously, lines of text messages popped up again before Director Gao's eyes.

Director Lin: Old Gao, why aren't you persuading your disciple? How can he speak to Archon Lianxu like that? It's so impolite!

Old Director (Soul Cultivator): Quickly make your student apologize to Archon Lianxu! Where's your responsibility as a director? Don't ruin everyone's business!

Director Gao chuckled and said, "Lianxu, I believe my student's meaning has been made clear. Aren't you leaving yet?"

Archon Lianxu said expressionlessly, "Zhang Yu, it seems the contract you signed is indeed very harsh, which is why you're reacting this way!"

"Also, it shows you truly know nothing about the Finance Department! Come with me for a visit; it's not too late to decide after you've seen it!"

Director Gao shouted, "Lianxu, my student has already refused. How long will you keep badgering him?"

Archon Lianxu smiled faintly, "Qingmu, I'm merely inviting your student to tour the Finance Department. Why are you so anxious? Are you afraid he won't return? If you have so little confidence in the Civil Engineering Department, why are you holding onto him so tightly now?"

Just then, Director Lin stepped forward, walked to Director Gao's side, and said with a helpless expression, "Old Gao, Archon Lianxu is just taking Zhang Yu for a tour of the Finance Department. Why are you so agitated?"

Another teacher also stepped forward to advise, "Director Gao, it's a good thing for Zhang Yu to visit the Finance Department. How can we in civil engineering not deal with the Finance Department? It's only good for Zhang Yu's future if he builds good relationships early!"

Director Gao looked at each of the Civil Engineering teachers advising him, feeling both anger and helplessness.

Archon Lianxu smiled faintly, silently watching the scene as if it were a farce.

Just then, a slight tremor rippled through the spiritual realm, and the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Pagoda emerged, instantly blocking the transmission of information within the spiritual realm.

Archon Ciji's cold voice spread throughout the hall: "Enough! Stop spreading messages outside. Do you want other universities to laugh at our Myriad Arts University?"

Archon Lianxu looked at Archon Ciji and smiled, "Ah, Ciji, you finally couldn't hold back. Are you going to make a move?"

Archon Ciji sneered, "Lianxu, today is the Civil Engineering Department's commendation ceremony. You, from the Finance Department, are here singing and dancing, dressed like spirit money. What are you showing off for?"

Archon Lianxu's projection shifted, his body shimmering with spirit coins. Streaks of spirit coin radiance then emerged in the spiritual realm, standing in direct opposition to the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Pagoda without yielding an inch.

Archon Lianxu: "Ciji, what does the interaction between the Finance and Civil Engineering Departments here have to do with you? You should worry about whether you can pay next month's payments!"

Archon Ciji: "Are we responsible for the deficit? The Artifact Forging Department and Civil Engineering Department work diligently, putting in overtime, yet university debt increases year by year, and the money in the accounts dwindles annually. Our salaries in the Artifact Forging Department keep decreasing, while some people earn the most but blame us for the deficits and use loans to choke us?"