Chapter 424

Watching Ping Han, whose construction output ranked first, Heavenly Image True Monarch smiled slightly, pointed at the light screen, and said, "Ranking, well, it also depends on how you rank them."

"If we calculate based on the number of kills, it's a different picture again."

The data ranking in the light screen suddenly changed, shifting from the original ranking by construction output to a ranking by the number of Yellow Turban Warriors killed.

In an instant, Zhang Yu occupied the top spot, with Ping Han in second place.

Seeing this, many guests were somewhat surprised. After all, Ping Han's final earth-uprooting strike had surpassed Zhang Yu in both momentum and spectacle, yet unexpectedly, Zhang Yu had outdone him in kill count.

Heavenly Image True Monarch explained, "Although Ping Han's final strike was impressive, it lacked Zhang Yu's control, so its effective lethality was naturally insufficient."

With a thought, he projected onto the light screen the scene of the attending gods clearing the battlefield.

On Ping Han's examination field, the gods were splitting and moving the "small mountain" he had just hurled in rage, restoring it to the distance.

Beneath the overturned small mountain, a large number of smaller Yellow Turban Warriors were buried in the pits, still retaining their combat effectiveness.

Watching this, Director Gao thought to himself, "Ping Han's earth-uprooting strike smashed down, and the large Yellow Turban monsters bore the brunt, shattered directly."

"But the smaller Yellow Turban Warriors had an opportunity to dig pits and evade the attack."

"Moreover, because the 'small mountain' pressed down on the remains of the large Yellow Turban monsters, it itself created gaps between the 'mountain' and the ground."

At the same time, Zhang Yu's examination field also appeared on the other side.

Body after body of Yellow Turban Warriors was cleared out, each one seemingly not heavily damaged but precisely destroyed—none survived across the entire battlefield.

Also watching this, Deng Bingding grew increasingly shocked in his heart: "Zhang Yu is only a junior, right? It hasn't even been two and a half years since he first entered university, yet he has already advanced by leaps and bounds to this level?"

As the battlefield remnants of both Zhang Yu and Ping Han were displayed, Heavenly Image True Monarch continued, "Zhang Yu achieved higher lethality with a smaller construction scale—that is, lower cost. Doesn't this prove that his skill surpasses Ping Han's?"

Hearing this, many civil engineering experts present couldn't help nodding repeatedly.

After all, how to reduce costs and how to raise costs were both essential skills for every civil engineer.

Geng Chenyi disagreed, saying, "In a civil engineering exam, how can you compare kill counts? Of course, you should look at the scale and efficiency of construction..."

Heavenly Image True Monarch did not yield, saying, "This is an exam for the Military Civil Engineering Certificate, which determines the right to use military-grade martial techniques. How can kill count not be considered?"

As the two sides argued, Qiyun True Monarch, who had remained silent all along, looked at Director Lin and said, "Old Lin, what's your take?"

Director Lin said, "Ping Han has his merits, Zhang Yu has his strengths, but after all, Ping Han is from the last batch..."

Heavenly Image True Monarch shook his head: "So what if it's the last batch? The military certificate only values talent. Does it care about seniority?"

One of the guests said, "I think it's better to let them both obtain the military certificate."

Qiyun True Monarch denied this, saying, "The Heavenly Court can grant at most one slot. It's impossible for both to get it."

Hearing this, Director Gao sighed inwardly. He knew that no matter how excellent a student was, they had no right to make them retract their decision.

After various judges and guests expressed their views, Qiyun True Monarch summarized, "Both Ping Han and Zhang Yu have commendable aspects."

"Ping Han possesses powerful dharma, borrowing the momentum of the Nascent Soul and harnessing the power of heaven and earth; in this battle, he could be called earth-shaking."

"Zhang Yu's martial arts are thoroughly tempered; with a desperate strike he swept the field, which can be called battling heaven and earth..."

While speaking, Qiyun True Monarch's mind flashed back to his earlier conversation with Magnetic Pole True Monarch.

In fact, as the attendees voiced their opinions one by one, he was also repeatedly studying the performances of Ping Han and Zhang Yu.

Especially Zhang Yu—perhaps due to Magnetic Pole True Monarch's involvement, Qiyun True Monarch not only paid attention to Zhang Yu but also noticed the parts of him beyond his martial arts.

"Zhang Yu's array of magical treasures may seem unremarkable, but they played a huge role."

"Without the boost from these treasures, his speed in digesting construction materials would have been much slower, and the remaining power at the end might not have been enough to annihilate all enemies."

Thinking of this, Qiyun True Monarch sent a message asking Magnetic Pole True Monarch a question.

Qiyun True Monarch: Magnetic Pole, what is Zhang Yu's skill in artifact refinement?

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: ?

Qiyun True Monarch: Screenshot of Zhang Yu's instructor. Image file

Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Oh, I almost forgot about him if you hadn't mentioned it. I did take on such a disciple.

Qiyun True Monarch: I am presiding over the Military Certificate Exam.

Qiyun Zhenjun: I want to know Zhang Yu’s level in artifact refinement.

Ciji Zhenjun: If he were in the Artifact Refinement Department, he’d at least be in the top five of his class.

Qiyun Zhenjun was slightly startled upon hearing this, then asked again: Which of the magical artifacts on him were crafted by himself?

The memory of his conversation with Ciji Zhenjun flickered through his mind, and Qiyun Zhenjun thought to himself: “This Zhang Yu has great talent.”

“The whole school is one chessboard—though the cross-department competition in the Civil Engineering Department is important, in the end the Artifact Refinement Department is even more crucial.”

“By accommodating Ciji and Zhang Yu, we can let Zhang Yu master the Tiankunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power before he transfers departments… becoming an interdisciplinary artifact-refinement talent.”

“If he can then give back to the Civil Engineering Department, fostering further cooperation between the Artifact Refinement and Civil Engineering departments, adding a counterweight to check the Finance Department, and incidentally curbing the coin-speculating atmosphere in the school…”

“Old Gao would surely support it in his heart.”

Although on the surface Qiyun Zhenjun never opposed students speculating in Qiongjiang Coins, seeing his own leeks rush to be reaped by the scythes of Huanhe University, it was clearly impossible for him to have no objections at all.

Qiyun Zhenjun could already imagine what atmosphere would arise in the Civil Engineering Department once Ping Han obtained the Military Certificate.

Of course, whether considering the big picture of the various departments at Wanfa University or the coin-speculation analyses among students, the foundation of all these thoughts ultimately rested on Zhang Yu’s strength.

If it weren’t for the fact that Zhang Yu’s strength was, from a certain perspective, indeed a notch above Ping Han’s, Qiyun Zhenjun would not have thought so much. Thoughts flashing like lightning in his mind, Qiyun Zhenjun continued speaking without pause: “…But though Ping Han wields the power of heaven and earth, vast and mighty, he ultimately cannot control it perfectly, leaving loopholes and imperfections.”

“Every bit of Zhang Yu’s power is earned through his own struggle. With unmatched fighting spirit, supplemented by bone ash, flesh and blood, and waste, at the lowest cost, he forged a steel defense line that annihilated the most enemies. In my view, that is the true spirit of civil engineering.”

“But my evaluation is only my evaluation.”

“Today’s entire exam data and the views of all present, I will faithfully report to the Heavenly Court. The final result will naturally be decided by the great gods and immortals of the Heavenly Court.”

Gengchen Yi thought to himself: The lofty sect immortals would hardly bother with such trivial affairs of the Heavenly Court; it would likely be left to the great gods to decide.

But the great gods would hardly spare much attention for this exam; most likely, the orthodox gods under them would synthesize the opinions of those present to reach a conclusion.

“Normally, the Heavenly Court does not overturn on-site recommendations for the Military Certificate exam. Given the current situation, both Qiyun Zhenjun and Tianxiang Zhenjun are backing Zhang Yu, so the Military Certificate for this term’s Civil Engineering Department will probably be given to Zhang Yu.”

Gengchen Yi thought to himself: “This Ping Han… what a pity. If he had obtained the Military Certificate, he might have driven many people to buy Qiongjiang Coins.”

Upon hearing Qiyun Zhenjun’s words, the thoughts of everyone present were similar to Gengchen Yi’s; they understood that the Military Certificate this time would most likely go to Zhang Yu.

Of course, procedurally, everything still had to be sent up for approval, awaiting the Heavenly Court’s decision.

Before the Heavenly Court truly announced the result, the experts and professors present naturally had no interest in leaking it early.

Director Gao, who had been listening to the debate all along, now wore a complex expression.

In his heart, whether Ping Han or Zhang Yu failed to obtain the Military Certificate, it would fill him with deep regret.

Hearing of Ping Han’s loss, this regret grew even heavier, to the point that even his delight over Zhang Yu gaining the certificate was significantly diluted.

Because he knew this was Ping Han’s last chance.

…

Outside the exam hall.

Su Yanyang walked out with a look of exhaustion, his eyes still filled with lingering regret.

Especially when he thought about his premature sale of Qiongjiang Coins—the more he thought about it, the more agitated he became.

Just then, he saw Zhang Yu being carried out of the exam hall, receiving treatment from an orthodox god.

Seeing the other party’s body covered in blood and mangled flesh, Su Yanyang suddenly felt much better.

“Just an attack from a mere Yellow Turban Warrior, and he’s this badly injured?”

“Overestimating himself—only a junior and he dares to take the Military Certificate exam?”

Su Yanyang thought to himself: “Serves you right, you’ll lose everything.”

Just then, a violent wave of killing intent swept over, startling Su Yanyang.

He turned his head and saw Xiao Yunjing, who had returned to human form, walking over.

At this moment, Xiao Yunjing’s face was twisted, her teeth clenched, and the skeletal prosthetics on her body twitched from time to time as if they had a will of their own.

Su Yanyang silently stepped back a few paces, keeping as much distance from Xiao Yunjing as possible.

He thought to himself: “This woman… did she sell her Qiongjiang Coins too?”

At the same time, Ping Han also walked over under everyone's gaze.

Su Yanyang, seeing the other party completely unharmed and looking perfectly calm, couldn't help but ask, "Do you have Nectar Coins to sell?"

Ping Han said with a faint smile, "If you join the guidance group, you can see my position allocation."

"But since I'm in a good mood today, I'll let you take a look for free."

As he spoke, Su Yanyang's eye sockets already displayed the screenshots that the other party had released.

Su Yanyang sighed inwardly: "This guy... doesn't he waver even a little?"

Ping Han said, "Junior Su, when it comes to trading coins, you can't achieve anything without suffering losses over and over again, without repeatedly tempering your Dao heart."

"If you're interested, you can join the guidance group. I share my experience and show my operations there every day."

Su Yanyang looked repeatedly at the profit screenshots Ping Han had posted, and at this moment, he also felt the urge to join the group.

On the other side, Xiao Yunji was not interested in coin trading at the moment. She looked directly at Ping Han and asked coldly, "When it ended, what was your array eye integrity?"

Ping Han said casually, "100%, I guess."

Hearing these words, Xiao Yunji's eyes darkened, knowing that her chances of victory had already dropped to zero.

The other examinees on the side, upon hearing this, also looked at Ping Han with envy, thinking that this genius, who had made a huge profit from coin trading, would probably also win the military certificate this time.