Chapter 426

Magnetic Pole True Lord: I heard your students performed quite well in the military certificate exam this time.

Director Gao: Even you've heard about it?

Director Gao: Yes, they did perform well.

Director Gao: Too bad there's only one certificate.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: Then you need to hurry and formally accept Zhang Yu as your disciple.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: So many people were watching in the exam hall. If he performs well, I'm afraid many will try to snatch him up.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: Especially be careful of the other two directors in your department. They might have already made an offer.

Reading the reminder from Magnetic Pole True Lord, Director Gao felt a sense of care from him, and thought to himself: "Although he usually seems a bit unreliable, after all, we've known each other for centuries. In critical moments, this guy still has my back."

As for Magnetic Pole True Lord's reminder, Director Gao had naturally already thought of it himself.

And if it were an ordinary student, if he was willing to be their advisor, the student would probably be more than happy to accept. The whole process would be as simple as him saying a single word.

Once he became a student's advisor, he could designate courses, arrange internships, choose directions for graduate or doctoral studies... In short, as long as the student still wanted to advance, the advisor had immense leverage over them.

In addition to the leverage from the advisor-student relationship, many teachers and students would also sign a contract.

This situation often occurred when the student was exceptionally outstanding.

The advisor had to invest in the student while also ensuring future returns.

Director Gao replied: I understand. I'm already drafting the contract.

…

Seeing Director Gao's reply, Magnetic Pole True Lord smiled faintly, then turned his head to look at Zhang Yu in his arms, as if waiting for Zhang Yu's answer.

Coming to see Zhang Yu today, aside from clarifying what happened during the military certificate exam, Magnetic Pole True Lord's second goal was to confirm Zhang Yu's thoughts, or rather, his ambitions.

Hearing Magnetic Pole True Lord's question, Zhang Yu paused slightly and said, "Teacher Gao is a good person."

"Yeah, Old Gao is indeed good to his own people," Magnetic Pole True Lord said indifferently. "But Old Gao is too weak. He can't protect you."

Feeling Zhang Yu's puzzled gaze, Magnetic Pole True Lord continued, "A genius like you needs enough freedom to unleash your talents."

"The smaller the constraints on you, the more room you have to grow."

"And the greater the constraints on you, the more your potential is wasted, even to the point of breeding resentment and slacking off on the path of immortality."

"It's like a top salesman in a company. Only by giving them more authority and higher commissions will they go all out to create maximum profit. The opposite leads to a lose-lose situation."

"But Old Gao... how much freedom can he give you?"

Magnetic Pole True Lord said calmly, "This isn't a question of whether he wants to or not. It's an objective fact that doesn't change with the will of either of you."

"After all, the fewer constraints he puts on you, the harder it is for him to stop others from poaching you. Don't tell me you won't leave even if someone offers a high price—the ultimate way out of the civil engineering department is to leave the construction site."

"Conversely, the more constraints Old Gao puts on you, the more he suppresses your talent, ultimately blocking your immortal path and making you hostile."

"It's hard for you two to find a balance."

"Simply because Old Gao is in civil engineering—no beautiful flower can bloom on a barren construction site."

"The civil engineering department is also destined to be unable to hold onto a student like you for long."

On the street, Zhang Yu, held in Magnetic Pole True Lord's arms, listened quietly to what he said and had to admit that Magnetic Pole True Lord's words made a lot of sense.

Zhang Yu: "True Lord, are you suggesting that I make our relationship public and switch departments as soon as possible?"

…

Magnetic Pole True Lord: This contract isn't that easy to draft, is it?

Director Gao: Sigh, it is a bit hard to get right.

Director Gao: Others must have already made offers to Zhang Yu too.

Director Gao: I can't make mine too bad, either. Even if he signs now, he'll inevitably hold resentment in the future, and his work and cultivation efficiency will drop drastically.

Director Gao: Besides that, I'm worried about people from other departments poaching him.

In Director Gao's view, Zhang Yu's future advancement to the Golden Core realm was as good as certain, and he had a fair chance at reaching the Nascent Soul realm as well.

So being able to cultivate Zhang Yu, make a bigger cake, and get more returns—that was his real goal.

It wasn’t about wasting the other’s potential and draining him dry at the Golden Core stage or even Foundation Establishment.

After all, to him, the value of a Nascent Soul far exceeded that of a Golden Core.

So how to craft the contract so that it didn’t suppress Zhang Yu’s development while still protecting his own interests… That had Director Gao deliberating for a long time.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: On the Refining Department side, I’ll take the heat for you—I guarantee no one will poach him.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: But I can’t say the same for the Financial Department.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: That bunch of bloodsucking vampires is too vicious, and they’re used to throwing money around. I’m afraid your student won’t be able to hold out.

Looking at Magnetic Pole True Lord’s message, Director Gao sighed inwardly. The moment he thought of Zhang Yu possibly becoming a disciple of Director Lin or even the Financial Department, his expression turned dark.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: I do have an idea.

Director Gao: What idea?

Magnetic Pole True Lord: Forget it, pretend I didn’t say anything.

Director Gao: Don’t give me that. We’ve known each other for centuries—what can’t you say?

Magnetic Pole True Lord: How about I protect you and your disciple?

Magnetic Pole True Lord: You and I could set up a company together, sign Zhang Yu, and if I’m the one protecting you, no one will dare to poach him.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: Actually, forget it. By then everyone in your Civil Engineering Department will definitely say I’m taking your talent away from you.

Magnetic Pole True Lord: Like I’m trying to snatch your disciple.

…

Magnetic Pole True Lord saw that Director Gao hadn’t replied for a while, but he wasn’t anxious. He turned to look at Zhang Yu, who was in his arms, and said, “There’s no hurry about changing departments.”

“Since you’ve already passed the Military Civil Engineering Certificate, stay in the Civil Engineering Department for now. Wait until you’ve learned the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power first.”

“With that military-grade technique as your foundation, your physical body will be the best of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. In the future, when you refine your own dharma body, the benefits will be numerous, putting you far ahead of others.”

“This technique, combined with artifact refining, can also have many wonderful uses. If you can later integrate the technologies of artifact refining and civil engineering, it will be a great help…”

Zhang Yu asked, “What about those two military-grade techniques from the Refining Department—the ‘Heaven and Earth Calamity Formless Mind Soldier’ and the ‘Grand Void Divine Artifact Manual’? Didn’t you tell me earlier to transfer to the Refining Department early so I’d have a chance to learn those two military-grade techniques?”

Magnetic Pole True Lord said, “If you miss the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, you’ll lose it forever. As for the military-grade techniques in the Refining Department, you can learn them later when you take the master’s program in artifact refining. It won’t be too late.”

“It won’t take too much extra time either. While you’re mastering the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power over the next two years, you can also finish all your civil engineering credits early, graduate ahead of schedule, and then take the master’s exam for artifact refining.”

“You’re only delaying your arrival in the Refining Department by two years—in exchange for a military-grade martial technique… it’s well worth it.”

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Yu asked, “Then… will I have a chance to enter a sect in the future?”

“Hmm?” Magnetic Pole True Lord glanced at Zhang Yu in surprise and said, “You want to join a sect?”

Zhang Yu met Magnetic Pole True Lord’s gaze squarely and said frankly, “If one wants to climb the peak of the immortal path, how can one not enter a sect?”

“Quite an admirable ambition.” Magnetic Pole True Lord sighed and said, “I won’t hide it from you, to save you from resenting me later.”

“In this day and age, sects are becoming harder and harder to enter. Not only do you need at least a doctoral degree and Nascent Soul cultivation, but even the awards you win during your undergraduate years must at least be from inter-university competitions, preferably the Top Ten League.”

“But none of that has anything to do with you right now. After all, in the eyes of those arrogant sect members, a civil engineering bachelor’s degree is no different from a junior college diploma—they take one look and throw it away.”

Magnetic Pole True Lord said, “If you want to enter a sect, you’ll have to hurry up and transfer departments by your junior year.”

“But to be honest… by the time you graduate with a doctorate, the sect’s requirements will probably have risen even higher. This path…”

Magnetic Pole True Lord hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “It’s not a path left for ordinary people—it’s left for reincarnations of great powers.”

“Don’t ask for specifics. My advice to you, since you have the opportunity, is to stay in Civil Engineering first. Learn the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power and broaden your foundation. If you one day achieve Nascent Soul, you will never regret today’s choice.”

Magnetic Pole True Lord didn’t say everything, but his meaning was clear—he obviously didn’t think highly of transferring to the Refining Department in junior year to try for the sects.

Zhang Yu asked, “What if I master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power by the end of junior year and then transfer to the Refining Department?”

Magnetic Pole True Lord’s eyes flickered: “Impossible. Not to mention whether you can even master it—just to obtain the Civil Engineering Seven Supremes…”

At that point, Magnetic Pole True Lord paused for a moment, then said thoughtfully, “Actually… it’s not completely impossible.”

Magnetic Pole True Lord explained: “The college wars are intensifying, and more and more schools are preparing for them. All kinds of competitions are being taken more seriously because of the students’ improved strength. In fact, the competition rules have changed every year for the past few years.”

"The cross-school competition for the Civil Engineering Department is naturally being taken more seriously than before."

"This time, Old Gao might arrange for you to join Mo Shang Jin's team to take a shot at the intercollegiate league."

"Under normal circumstances, for you to receive the Seven Absolute Arts of Civil Engineering, even if you have to pass the Seven Trials of Civil Engineering, you cannot avoid the various restrictions of seniority, years of service, and comprehensive scores."

"But with this intercollegiate league opportunity, it is indeed possible to persuade the professors of the Civil Engineering Department to make accommodations, lower the requirements, and give you a chance to learn all the Seven Absolute Arts of Civil Engineering."

Upon hearing these words from the Magnetic Pole True Lord, a phrase surged in Zhang Yu's heart: "Chaos is a ladder. This is indeed my opportunity."

Seeing Zhang Yu's expression of eagerness, the Magnetic Pole True Lord said calmly, "Then go ahead and try."

"But if you don't succeed, then settle down in the Civil Engineering Department and wait until you master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power first."

Zhang Yu nodded firmly, then asked, "And what about Director Gao..."

Just then, a message flickered before Zhang Yu's eye socket—it was a message from Director Gao.

Director Gao: Zhang Yu, what do you think of the Magnetic Pole True Lord?

At that very moment, the spiritual world around Zhang Yu had already been suppressed by the Magnetic Pole True Lord using the Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Tower, and the flowing messages of the spiritual world were as clear as fine hairs in her eyes.

Zhang Yu only felt his body tightly embraced by the Magnetic Pole True Lord, restricting all his movements.

Then the Magnetic Pole True Lord reached out and grabbed the message from Director Gao that had appeared in Zhang Yu's eye socket, and said with a smile, "Don't move. Let me reply to him."

Zhang Yu: Who is the Magnetic Pole True Lord?