Chapter 244: Hehuan

"Qinghe Vocational Academy of Arts?" Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a technical college, not a proper university?"

Tao Lin quickly said, "How can you call it a technical college? That's an outdated term. According to the latest policy, Qinghe Academy is a fully recognized university by both the Heavenly Court and the Top Ten Sects, with a degree accepted throughout Kunxu."

"The campus covers a thousand square kilometers, with over 100,000 faculty and students. Including all support staff, the entire school has a population of over a million."

"Currently, it offers more than eighty popular majors and has partnerships with several major corporations, guaranteeing job placement opportunities upon graduation..."

"Stop, stop, stop." Zhang Yu waved his hand to cut off the speaker, refusing outright. "You don't need to say any more. There's no way I'm going to a technical college."

Watching Zhang Yu about to ask him to leave, Tao Lin thought to himself, "Just as I expected—this wasn't going to be easy."

"Did that whole spiel really not impress him at all? An ordinary high school student from the First Layer, unfamiliar with the Second Layer's ecosystem, would have thought Qinghe Academy's scale was truly impressive after hearing those words."

"And besides..."

Tao Lin carefully observed the undisguised disdain in Zhang Yu's eyes and could feel that his contempt for technical colleges was deeply ingrained.

He thought to himself, "Sure enough, academic elitists like this look down on diplomas from the very core of their being. Just the mention of 'technical college' triggers a psychological aversion."

"Let's see if they'll accept the terms the higher-ups have offered."

In Tao Lin's view, with the generous conditions Qinghe Academy had put forward, most high school students would probably be unable to resist temptation. Those with slightly less experience might agree on the spot.

Thinking this, Tao Lin hurriedly said, "Student Zhang Yu, Qinghe Academy is sincerely invested in recruiting you. Even if you went to the Top Ten, they would only treat you as one of many outstanding students to be cultivated."

"But if you enter Qinghe Academy, you will be the center of the entire school. The institution will pour all its resources into developing you."

"First of all, Qinghe Academy's principal, Shixin Zhenjun, is a Nascent Soul True Lord. She is willing to be your teacher and promises that during your time at the school, she will do everything in her power to help you become a Golden Core True Person. She may even use the Hehuan Sect's Yin-Yang Union technique to boost your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu's movements hesitated slightly. But he knew his hesitation wasn't because of a Nascent Soul True Lord or Yin-Yang Union; he was simply shocked by Qinghe Academy's determination.

He thought to himself, "Maybe a technical college isn't entirely without merits."

Sensing Zhang Yu's slight pause, Tao Lin quickly added, "Also, I know you look down on technical college diplomas."

"But Shixin Zhenjun can arrange for you to upgrade from associate to bachelor's degree and enroll at Hehuan University."

"You might know that Hehuan University is one of the Top Ten. Like Qinghe Academy, it's under the Hehuan Sect, and Shixin Zhenjun is herself a graduate of Hehuan University."

"As her student, you can leverage her connections at Hehuan University, which is far more advantageous than enrolling there directly."

"After all, ordinary university students entering Hehuan University have to start as cauldrons for senior students."

"But with Shixin Zhenjun's connections, you'll have direct access to the top-tier Yin-Yang Union projects once you're in. You'll be taught the ultimate techniques of Hehuan University—such as the Heavenly Demon Drill, the Shixin Disk, the Spirit-Flesh Union, and the Nectar Devourer—by the Zhenjun's senior sisters, her master, or even her grandmasters."

"By then, you'll not only easily complete your university credits every year, but you'll definitely become one of Hehuan University's top students..."

Why the hell didn't you just say all this from the start? Don't you know how eager I am to study and improve my grades in university?

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly: "A Nascent Soul True Lord of the Hehuan Sect really knows how to recruit. She immediately hit the sweet spot for an academic overachiever like me by promising a way to effectively boost grades and cultivation."

Noticing the slight change in Zhang Yu's expression, Tao Lin added, "I know that the reward for this Foundation Establishment exam is the chance to designate a teacher after entering university."

"But designating is one thing; whether that teacher is willing to properly teach you is another."

"In universities, the higher and more powerful the teacher, the more talented students they have under them. The energy they can devote to you is limited. They won't give you the focused cultivation that Qinghe Academy will."

"Also... after you arrive at the academy, Qinghe Academy will provide you with ten study companions, a scholarship of ten spirit coins per year, a standalone dormitory building, and free access to the school's remains of the dead, spirit roots, and cultivation cauldrons. In the future, when you aim for the Golden Core, there will be a special fund allocated..."

But before Tao Lin could finish, Zhang Yu pushed him out the door.

Watching this, Tao Lin felt both surprised and helpless: "Even this doesn't move him? Truly the top high school student—his composure, perseverance, and insight are far beyond ordinary people."

Staring at the tightly shut door, Tao Lin said, "You two, I've added you as friends. If you have any questions you want to ask me, feel free to contact me anytime. I won't disturb you any further."

Zhang Yu asked, "Fuji, why did you make us refuse? Even if we don't agree to him, we could still keep it as a backup plan, right?"

Fuji said impatiently, "You? Trying to make it in the Hehuan Sect?"

"Based on my observations over the past year, combined with your performance at the Red Tower, your body is too strong, your willpower is too weak, and you have no talent whatsoever for cultivation in the Hehuan Sect."

Zhang Yu's face reddened, but he refused to concede. "My willpower is too weak? How many high school students can cultivate while holding their root like I do? Do you have any idea how much my willpower has improved in this short year?"

Bai Zhenzhen nodded from the side. "I can vouch for that. Just in the past month alone, the household's toilet paper consumption has dropped by about twenty percent. Yu'er really has been steadily improving in that regard." Zhang Yu snapped, "Zhen! Who told you to keep track of that?!"

Bai Zhenzhen said calmly, "Then next time, don't use my paper, and I won't know."

Fuji sneered, "Do you think I need you to tell me? Can't I see it myself?"

"However, Zhang Yu, while you were still cultivating solo, those high school students aiming to get into Hehuan University had already been developing themselves for three, five, or even over ten years. Can you outplay them?"

"Hehuan University, an arts-type university, emphasizes basic skills cultivated from childhood. How can you compete with them?"

"I'm afraid that as soon as you enter the university, you'll be toyed with, completely neglecting your studies and cultivation, and be drained dry by those senior brothers and sisters at Hehuan University."

"This is a weak point you've never touched or trained. You'd better not think too much about it."

"Zhang Yu still felt unconvinced. No other reason—he just thought that on the path of immortality, sometimes one should challenge one's weaknesses to strengthen willpower and advance courageously."

"Especially since Zhang Yu had the confidence from the Feather Book, he believed that with a few more practices, he would quickly master all kinds of superb techniques at Hehuan University and thrive there."

"But Fuji's next sentence completely crushed him: 'Don't forget you still have the ritual on you. Entering a university is absolutely impossible.'"

"'Directly applying to Hehuan University doesn't have that many advantages; it's far inferior to other legitimate top ten universities.'"

"!"

"Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu let out a long sigh, understanding in his heart that a future Hehuan prodigy had completely fallen before even rising today."

"'The ritual... it takes away even my freedom to choose my own university.'"

"'One day I'll smash this stupid thing to pieces.'"

"Fuji continued: 'Even this crappy university found its way here. It seems the people from Songyang City have mostly gathered.'"

"'Turn on your phones and check the messages to see what's happening.'"

"As Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu turned on their phones, a flood of messages and missed calls appeared, making them both dizzy."

"After a moment, Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed in surprise: 'How does everyone already know about us passing the Foundation Establishment certification?'"

"She clenched her fist and thought: 'Damn! I was planning to personally announce it to the whole school after the college entrance exam, and now I won't get to see their shocked expressions!'"

"Zhang Yu said in surprise: 'President Wang of Oasis Group wants to donate ten million to us? What's going on?'"

"Bai Zhenzhen said: 'What else could it be? A company willing to give so much money can only want higher returns. They probably want to invest in us. Are they asking us to be corporate dogs?'"

"Zhang Yu thought of the past Lan Ling and Zhou Chechen, and frowned slightly: 'They want us to be dogs again?'"

"Fuji said slowly: 'If he donated 100,000, I would join you in cursing him.'"

"'But he donated ten million to you in one go. I think you should consider what's wrong with being a dog?'"

"'If you want to buy a spirit root and complete Foundation Establishment before high school graduation, the solution might lie with this President Wang.'"

"So in the following days, while Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued cultivating diligently, they occasionally opened their phones to check messages and notifications."

"Finally, two days later, as Zhang Yu pushed the Dawei Tianzhou to the tenth level, his Martial Dao Saint Embryo finally achieved its final effect."

"Seeing this effect of the Martial Dao Saint Embryo, Zhang Yu felt even more inspired, sensing another surge in his power."

"'If I could go back to that final duel with Ye Lingxiao, I probably wouldn't need to struggle so long; I could defeat him quickly now.'"

"After completing the Martial Dao Saint Embryo, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen boarded the train and set off on their return journey."

"But as soon as they stepped off the train, they saw an unexpected person appear before them."

"'Is that the Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu who followed us last time?'"

"Zhang Yu also noticed a young man beside them. Just from his appearance, he and Bai Zhenzhen could tell he was not to be trifled with."

"After all, the five glittering golden characters above his head—'Purple Gold Merit Lord'—were simply too dazzling."

"'From the Zhou family?' Zhang Yu became vigilant: 'They're waiting for us right in the station? What do they want?'"

"At this moment, he was extremely grateful that he had listened to Fuji and cultivated outside for a while before returning, raising his Martial Dao Saint Embryo to the final level, so that no matter what happened next, he would have a bit more confidence."