Chapter 507: You Started When?

Observing the change in Jiutian Liu's expression, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "He's getting anxious."

Jiutian Liu, however, couldn't comprehend it. He couldn't understand why Zhang Yu would bring up the matter of joining a sect.

"Joining a sect... is that even something you can consider? Do you even qualify to think about it?"

But in the next moment, Jiutian Liu realized, "This guy... he's probably using the sect as leverage to drive up the price."

A cold sneer formed in Jiutian Liu's mind as he continued walking forward with Zhang Yu, saying softly, "Every prodigy who enters a sect is a true chosen one. Their entry into a sect is determined even before they are born!"

Zhang Yu was astonished to hear this. "Before birth?"

Zhang Yu had thought it was already impressive how some wealthy individuals surpassed countless others from the moment they were born. Now, Jiutian Liu was telling him that some people's admission into a sect was decided even before their birth?

Jiutian Liu said plainly, "Some are born imbued with the destiny of heaven and earth, their future entry into a sect determined from their parents' generation. A single strand of their hair is more precious than your entire being!"

"Others endure arduous cultivation throughout their lives, their foundations thousands, even tens of thousands of times stronger than yours, and they enter the sect by virtue of their transcendent skills!"

"And then there are those... who absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, taking the essence of yin and yang to be born, their place in a master's lineage determined long ago!"

Jiutian Liu turned his head and looked at Zhang Yu as if he were a child who had spoken out of turn. He said flatly, "If this were two hundred years ago, in ancient times, your current level might have allowed you to enter a sect. But with the immortal cultivation techniques available back then, could you have reached your current level at this age?"

"Now, whether or not one can join a sect is decided even before birth. What right do you have to contend for it?"

At this point, Jiutian Liu changed his tone, offering consolation. "However, not being able to enter a sect isn't necessarily a bad thing. There's a different kind of freedom to be found below!"

Zhang Yu secretly thought, "If it's so free 'below,' why don't you go to the first level?"

Jiutian Liu, naturally unaware of Zhang Yu's thoughts, continued, "Moreover, with the support of the Finance Department, the heights you can reach in the future will far exceed your imagination!"

"Once you join, we will gather destiny for you, ensuring at least a hundred trending topics annually, with over a million daily exposures. We'll make your name known throughout Wanfa University and to all university students, turning you into a top influencer in your niche, with soaring destiny!"

"With the Finance Department's network, countless businesses will seek to collaborate with you, bringing in substantial advertising revenue, allowing you to monetize your destiny. We guarantee that you will face no financial obstacles throughout your cultivation, even up to the Nascent Soul stage!"

"Furthermore, there's traffic restriction support. Even if you are suppressed and your traffic is limited by Qiongying Divine Monarch, we can help you investigate the situation and even unblock it through the Eight Divine Departments..."

Zhang Yu asked, "Can I truly not enter a sect?"

Jiutian Liu chuckled in exasperation. Pointing at Zhang Yu, he said, "Stop using the sect to bargain! The conditions we're offering you today won't be surpassed by any other department—not the Artifact Forging Department, and certainly not the Civil Engineering Department!"

"If anyone tells you they can help you enter a sect, there's only one possibility: they are deceiving you!"

"Because no one else can fulfill your request, except for a liar!"

But no matter what Jiutian Liu said, Zhang Yu understood that he could not join the Finance Department!

After all, the Finance Department's approach of playing with finance, destiny, traffic, high leverage, and insider trading—this entire series of tactics—simply didn't align with him and wouldn't allow him to fully leverage his strengths!

In contrast, the Artifact Forging Department would not only better utilize his strengths and help him achieve greater success, but Magnetic Polarity True Monarch had also been very supportive of his development. Moreover, his current experimental project on the Transcendent Soul Dharma Body was still in Magnetic Polarity True Monarch's hands!

Whether from a rational perspective, a long-term view, or personal sentiment... in Zhang Yu's eyes, the Finance Department held far less appeal than the Artifact Forging Department!

All things considered, joining the Artifact Forging Department would also lead to a higher success rate for entering a sect in the future!

Looking at Zhang Yu, who seemed impervious to persuasion, Jiutian Liu realized that the task his senior brother had assigned him was about to fail, and his expression inevitably darkened slightly!

He said coldly, "Zhang Yu, I advise you to carefully reconsider your answer today!"

"Your loans, your destiny's trajectory, your company's projects... they are all connected to the Finance Department!"

"From what I know, there isn't much money left in your and your company's accounts, is there?"

Zhang Yu understood that Jiutian Liu was clearly threatening him!

Perhaps after rejecting the Finance Department this time, his loans would be blocked, and he might even have his destiny seized.

His company's operations might also run into trouble. But Zhang Yu still shook his head. "I'm sorry, I truly have no interest in the Finance Department!"

Watching Zhang Yu's departing back, Jiutian Liu's eyes held a mixture of disbelief and the anger of being rejected!

Since joining the Finance Department, Jiutian Liu, as a member, had always been the center of attention wherever he went. Countless people surrounded him, flattering him, just to gain a small amount of the Finance Department's resources!

He had always been the one to refuse others on behalf of the Finance Department. When had anyone ever rejected their Finance Department's investment?

"Zhang Yu..." Jiutian Liu shook his head and murmured, "Idiot!"

Shortly after Zhang Yu left the Finance Department, messages began to appear in his eye-skull!

All the messages reported problems with his company's ongoing projects and that partners were temporarily suspending collaborations!

Zhang Yu thought, "Is it starting already?"

He knew that many construction companies in the Civil Engineering Department obtained loans from the Finance Department or took on projects from the Finance Department's real estate companies!

A small fluctuation in funds, a change in work procedures, or a delay in project payments from the Finance Department... any of these could lead to significant losses for construction companies!

Zhang Yu understood that the Civil Engineering Department's construction companies pausing their cooperation with him was just a word from the Finance Department, and even Director Gao would find it hard to stop!

Meanwhile, messages arrived from Ying Xin!

Ying Xin: "Boss, there's no money in the company account. Employees haven't received their wages for the past two days!"

Ying Xin: "Also, they're asking me to ask you, why have the projects suddenly stopped?"

On the other side, shortly after Zhang Yu's departure, the Civil Engineering Department's banquet also ended unhappily!

At this very moment, in Magnetic Polarity True Monarch's office!

Director Gao's projection appeared. Looking at Magnetic Polarity True Monarch, he said, "Your earlier warning was correct; the Finance Department truly has set its sights on Zhang Yu!"

"Unfortunately, although I've sped things up, they still intervened!"

"The importance these guys placed on this matter was beyond my initial expectations!"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch, of course, understood the Finance Department's level of concern this time. After all, it was she who had recently, through Heavenly Scroll True Monarch, continuously released updates on the Transcendent Soul Dharma Body experimental progress, repeatedly highlighting Zhang Yu's importance and provoking the Finance Department!

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch said, "Aren't you worried Zhang Yu might just join the Finance Department after his visit?"

Director Gao's mind replayed the scene of Zhang Yu rejecting Chain Hub True Monarch. He mused, "He's braver than I was in my youth, and smarter too!"

"I believe he won't be easily intimidated by the Finance Department!"

"But even if he stays in the Civil Engineering Department, I can't protect him!"

In Director Gao's eye-skull, messages also appeared about the suspension of some of Zhang Yu's company projects and partnerships!

Director Gao understood that this was just the beginning. If no one protected him, Zhang Yu would face increasingly severe blows from the Finance Department!

In the history of Wanfa University, there had been talented students who, after rising, were completely crushed by the Finance Department!

Thinking of this, Director Gao looked at Magnetic Polarity True Monarch and said, "Magnetic Polarity, please take Zhang Yu under your wing. Only you can protect him!"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch sighed and said, "But he is your carefully cultivated disciple after all. How could I..."

But then Director Gao suddenly said, "Zhang Yu wanted to join the Artifact Forging Department a long time ago, didn't he?"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch: "Why do you say that?"

Director Gao said, "I noticed he's been learning artifact forging techniques!"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch said plainly, "It's not unusual for someone from the Civil Engineering Department to also study some artifact forging techniques. They're always useful for controlling magical artifacts and maintaining Dharma bodies in the future..."

Director Gao interrupted, "When did you two start?"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch: "What are you talking about?"

Director Gao: "Was it that time... when I asked you to mentor Zhang Yu during the civil engineering competition? Did you take a liking to him then?"

"Or was it when I asked you to help him craft a magical artifact?"

"Or perhaps when he obtained his military certificate and I spoke to you about him?"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch said, "Old Gao, don't overthink this. Zhang Yu's aptitude and talent are good, but they don't compare to our friendship. If you want him to stay in the Civil Engineering Department, I can help you!"

Director Gao smiled helplessly. "If I force him to stay in the Civil Engineering Department now and watch him be continuously suppressed by the Finance Department, wouldn't he resent me for the rest of his life?"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch looked seriously at Director Gao and asked, "Chongguang, are you angry?"

"Angry?" Director Gao said flatly, "As someone from the Civil Engineering Department, what right do I have to be angry?"

"Besides, you've given me plenty of face this time. How could I be angry with you? You are the head of the Artifact Forging Department. How dare I be angry with you?"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch sighed, "Alas, Chongguang, it's not what you think!"

Just then, Zhang Yu's avatar appeared in the air, indicating he had arrived outside the door and was requesting entry!

Director Gao: "He's here to see you!"

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch said, "I asked him to come!"

As they spoke, the office door opened, and Zhang Yu walked in!

However, due to Magnetic Polarity True Monarch's active interference, Zhang Yu could not see Director Gao at that moment, while Director Gao could clearly see both Zhang Yu and Magnetic Polarity True Monarch!

Magnetic Polarity True Monarch beckoned Zhang Yu closer and asked, "How was the Finance Department?"

Zhang Yu then began to recount his entire experience visiting the Finance Department, explaining everything to Magnetic Polarity True Monarch!

Just then, Magnetic Polarity True Monarch patted Zhang Yu's head and said, "You rejected the Finance Department's invitation?"