Ping Han and another examinee were huddled beside Suo Yanyang, eagerly picking his brain for insights on coin speculation. To them, this senior who had quietly built up strength and seized the Military License with Nectar Coins was a model worth studying.
Suo Yanyang responded patiently to their questions and eventually succeeded in pulling both of them into his paid mentorship group.
While chatting, he also subtly inquired about their test performances. After confirming that both had underperformed and were no longer contenders for the Military License, he shifted his attention.
Glancing over at the dazed and crestfallen Xiao Yunji, Suo Yanyang mused to himself, “She’s been like this ever since asking me about array node completeness. She must’ve lost to me on that front.”
As for Zhang Yu, bloodied and battered nearby—Suo Yanyang had never considered this third-year student a serious rival. Seeing him so gravely injured only reinforced that belief. In Suo Yanyang’s eyes, there was no way Zhang Yu could walk away with the Military License.
Sizing up the other candidates, Suo Yanyang felt ninety-nine percent certain that the license was already his.
Though his expression remained composed, a surge of excitement welled up in his chest. After all, the Military License was an enormous milestone for any student.
“With this license in hand, I can finally cultivate the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might…”
Feeling the Civil Engineering Seven Absolutes that he had trained for years flow powerfully through his body, Suo Yanyang was filled with the satisfaction of a dream fulfilled.
“This doesn’t just mean a real shot at winning the interschool tournament. With the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Might, my odds for grad school and the Gold Core License shoot way up. My path ahead is smooth sailing.”
In this moment, the road of immortality before Suo Yanyang shimmered with boundless promise. A hum of joy rose unbidden from deep within him.
But he quickly stifled the emotion, repeatedly reminding himself to steady his Dao Heart. He couldn’t afford to slip now.
“Reaching the Gold Core stage is just the beginning. My immortal path still stretches long ahead.”
With that thought, he turned to Xiao Yunji and smiled gently. “Junior Xiao, a single failed exam is no big deal. Interested in learning more about Nectar Coins? They could really boost your future cultivation.”
Xiao Yunji looked up at him, surprised to find that the earlier edge of arrogance she’d seen in him—born of his crypto gains—seemed to have mellowed.
Indeed, Suo Yanyang’s mood was excellent. Xiao Yunji was now a defeated rival in his eyes—no longer a threat, but rather a source of potential for his own future.
Seeing hesitation flicker in her gaze, he didn’t push. Instead, he added, “Why don’t I send you a file first? Take a look, and if it piques your interest, we can talk more.”
After sending the file, he turned to Zhang Yu. “Junior Zhang, care to learn more? This could completely transform you—and seriously boost your odds in the next Military License Exam.”
When Zhang Yu shook his head, Suo Yanyang didn’t mind. The guy didn’t seem to have any money anyway, so he turned back to answering Ping Han’s questions instead.
While Suo Yanyang continued his pitch, Zhang Yu received a message from his homeroom teacher, Immortal Jiao Lei.
Immortal Jiao Lei: Director Lin asked me to pass along a message.
Immortal Jiao Lei: If you’re willing to become his disciple, he’ll pull strings in the Finance Department and approve a 600-spirit-coin loan for you.
The moment he saw “600 spirit coins,” Zhang Yu felt his heart lurch—nearly worsening his internal injuries.
“600 spirit coins?!”
“If I had that kind of money…”
As Zhang Yu’s mind spiraled into wild calculations, another teacher sent him a friend request and messaged him: “Zhang Yu, True Lord Lingyue would like to take you as a disciple. Are you interested?”
The message continued: “All terms are negotiable. He won’t offer you anything less than the others.”
True Lord Lingyue was the formal director of the Civil Engineering Department—also known as the “Old Director,” a Nascent Soul cultivator known as Tu Lishan.
Faced with these back-to-back offers from Director Lin and the Old Director, the high of the 600-spirit-coin offer began to wear off, and Zhang Yu’s mind cleared.
“Looks like my performance in the Military License Exam has caught their attention.”
“Even though the Heavenly Court hasn’t released results yet… they already think I’ve got this in the bag?”
Now calm, Zhang Yu didn’t rush to accept either offer. He simply replied that he’d consider and be open to further discussion.
Glancing casually at Suo Yanyang and the others, his mind turned toward the road ahead.
“Director Lin’s offer comes with Finance Department backing. That 600-coin loan could turbocharge my cultivation pace, but…”
“The Finance Department isn’t for me. That path demands deep connections, a strong background, and a constant influx of money. Talent and technique alone won’t cut it.”
“Besides, they’re notorious for milking people dry. Starting off with a 600-coin loan? Who knows how many traps are hidden in the fine print.”
As tempting as it was, Zhang Yu knew he wasn’t cut out for the Finance Department—not even with the Military License.
Then another figure came to mind—True Lord Lingyue.
“Let’s not even talk about the Neutral Faction’s growth strategy for now. The Old Director himself is already a walking red flag.”
Zhang Yu had been in the Civil Engineering Department long enough—and with the help of well-connected peers like Tu Lishan and Feng Tingting—he’d picked up plenty of inside info.
Like the fact that True Lord Lingyue was old, very old. His lifespan was running out, and he’d been frantically seeking ways to extend it.
“The man has one foot in the Spirit Realm already. If I become his disciple… will he even have the time or resources to train me? Or will he just drain me dry for one last shot at longevity?”
It didn’t take much thinking for Zhang Yu to realize neither offer was a good fit.
But just because he wasn’t planning to choose either path didn’t mean they were useless.
“Director Gao, and True Lord Magneto—they’ll probably reach out to me soon, too.”
“Keeping these other options in hand might help me negotiate a better deal.”
Moments later, the examinees were transported back to Wanfa University City by Deng Bingding.
Before they departed, Deng Bingding sent them a link.
“The exam results have been submitted to the Heavenly Court. They’ll complete the approval process and publish results within fifteen business days.”
“This is the website where the results will be posted.”
Suo Yanyang couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the fastest it could be?”
Deng Bingding gave him a glance—one tinged with a trace of pity that Suo Yanyang didn’t quite catch. “The Heavenly Court is busy. Give it at least three to five business days.”
Soon after, the group dispersed, and Deng Bingding escorted Zhang Yu to the hospital for a checkup.
On the way, Deng Bingding remarked, “Zhang Yu, who would’ve thought… your progress in these two and a half years of university has outpaced all three years of high school.”
They chatted amiably as they walked. Once at the hospital, Zhang Yu had the doctor prepare a bag of medicine, then immediately asked to be discharged.
He thought to himself, “With my recovery rate, a few days of rest should do the trick. No need to stay in the hospital and rack up bills. Better to save Old Gao some money. This bag of meds will be enough.”
But as Zhang Yu strolled down a nearby street, he suddenly noticed something strange: all the shops on both sides were shuttered, and not a single pedestrian was in sight.
He looked up toward the ends of the street. People were walking past—but it was as if this street didn’t exist. No one glanced its way; they all detoured around it.
As confusion and unease gripped him, a silhouette emerged before him, draped in what seemed like starlit night.
Zhang Yu blinked. “Senior Sister Ye?”
Ye Xingli regarded him with an odd expression and then silently drew out the Xuanpin Celestial Pearl of True Lord Magneto.
In the next instant, a regal figure in palace robes emerged—none other than the same avatar of True Lord Magneto who had once spoken to Zhang Yu before.
Zhang Yu instantly realized that this street had been sealed off by the Nine-Heavens Solar Yang Pagoda. All matter entangled with the Spirit Realm was suppressed. This street had become invisible to the mortal eye.
“True Lord?”
True Lord Magneto messaged privately: “How did the Military License Exam go?”
After speaking with True Lord Qiyun, she’d concluded that Zhang Yu had likely performed extraordinarily—enough to catch attention. But she wanted to hear it from him directly.
Zhang Yu replied with a concise summary of the situation.
True Lord Magneto nodded. “Not bad, not bad. I thought you were just taking it for practice. Didn’t expect a pleasant surprise.”
Then she gently touched his wound and sighed, “You’re this badly hurt—why not stay in the hospital a while longer?”
Zhang Yu said, “My body recovers fast. Just need a few days of rest. No point wasting money in the hospital.”
“True Lord, is there something you wanted to discuss?”
True Lord Magneto said calmly, “Heading back to your dorm? Let’s talk as we walk.”
With that, she reached out and pulled Zhang Yu into her arms. “You’re in no shape to walk. I’ll carry you back.”
Ye Xingli looked on in astonishment.
The conversation between Zhang Yu and True Lord Magneto had all been private, so she hadn’t heard a word. Watching her master scoop Zhang Yu into a bridal carry and head off, Ye Xingli blurted out, “Master, there are people everywhere outside!”
True Lord Magneto waved her sleeve, shielding Zhang Yu from view, and said casually, “It’s fine. With my concealment, no one will see.”
As she cradled Zhang Yu and strode down the street, Ye Xingli followed behind, waves of emotion churning in her chest.
In all her memories, she had never seen her master—nor even her master’s avatars—carry anyone.
“Has Master gone mad?”
“So cold, so proud, so aloof… and now she’s carrying a student back to his dorm?”
Meanwhile, wrapped in her arms, Zhang Yu was growing increasingly nervous.
Even though he knew no one could see him thanks to her concealment, the bustle around them still made him feel awkward.
He said hastily, “True Lord, if you have something to say, please just say it.”
True Lord Magneto chuckled, looking down at him. “Old Gao carried you like this on the battlefield too, didn’t he?”
“What did you think of him?”
Chapter 433: Couldn’t Help But Hum
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