Chapter 493

In the rest area outside the arena.

During the timeout.

The members of the Wanfa team gathered together, their expressions somewhat solemn.

Mo Shangjin sighed helplessly: "Sorry, everyone. If we continue, the spirit coins invested will exceed my budget and affect my future career, so... I can't go on."

The others had no objection—whether it was Su Yanyang, Xiao Yunji, Shi Huaiyu, or Xiao Qingxuan, they all thought that if they were in Mo Shangjin's position, they would probably make the same choice.

This was the strength of military-grade power.

Facing Xiang Shan, who had an additional layer of military-grade power, the gap between the two sides was this huge.

Having truly felt this power, everyone present had already begun considering surrender.

After all, even Mo Shangjin had withdrawn, making the power disparity even greater.

And under the reformed inter-school league rules this year, any surrender, injury, withdrawal, or death... meant no replacements could be brought in, just like on a real battlefield—personnel loss was personnel loss, so now they couldn't even replenish their numbers.

Su Yanyang thought to himself: "Should I be the first to speak? If we keep fighting, the losses will only get bigger, right? Ah, I don't want to keep stubbornly holding on."

Shi Huaiyu thought to herself: "Everyone is probably thinking of surrendering, right? Then... it's time to show my decisiveness..."

Just as she was thinking this and was about to step forward to take the responsibility of leading the surrender, she saw Zhang Yu had already stepped out before her.

Watching this scene, everyone's eyes shifted. Su Yanyang thought: "Zhang Yu, sure enough, he's got guts, always able to be the first to lead a surrender."

Just as similar thoughts arose in everyone's minds, Zhang Yu slowly spoke: "We can't replenish our numbers, but the opposing Xiang Shan also can't—he's the only one left."

Xiao Yunji's expression changed, thinking: "Zhang Yu... could it be he's not thinking of surrendering?"

Zhang Yu continued: "And if we win this time, we won't just get bonus and comprehensive points—we'll also get the design blueprints for military-grade armor. Everyone should know the value of those blueprints."

"Besides, our resumes will have an extra entry about defeating the stronger enemy, overcoming the Xiang Shan who wields two military-grade powers..."

Xiao Yunji's heart stirred; she naturally wanted the benefits Zhang Yu mentioned, but thinking of Xiang Shan's terrifying strength... she found it hard to muster the will to fight again.

After all, facing Xiang Shan with two military-grade powers... how could they possibly win?

Just then, Zhang Yu spoke up: "Everyone, if you're willing to trust me... then join me for one last push."

He looked at Mo Shangjin and said: "Senior, I'd like to borrow the Seven Absolute Dharma Remains from you."

Upon hearing this, Mo Shangjin paused for a moment, looking seriously at Zhang Yu.

The same thought surged in his heart and in everyone present.

"Can we... believe you?"

As if sensing everyone's thoughts, Zhang Yu took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and finally made up his mind: "Actually... I'm from the Artificing Department."

Mo Shangjin: "Huh?"

The others also stared blankly at Zhang Yu, not knowing what he was talking about.

Zhang Yu revealed his Artificing Department exam scores and a group photo with Magnetic Pole True Lord, then continued: "I am a disciple of Magnetic Pole True Lord. After this Civil Engineering Competition is over, I will officially transfer to the Artificing Department."

Everyone stared at this in shock, their eyes full of disbelief.

Zhang Yu... is an artifact bro?

No... weren't we all eating dust at the construction site together? Why did he have to become an artifact bro?!

Su Yanyang looked repeatedly at Zhang Yu's Artificing Department exam scores, feeling bitterness in his mouth, bitterness in his heart, and bitterness throughout his whole body.

Even if Zhang Yu had thoroughly defeated him before, that was a civil engineering student defeating a civil engineering student. But now why did he have to go to the Artificing Department? Couldn't he just keep crushing me in the Civil Engineering Department?

Meeting everyone's shocked gazes, Zhang Yu continued: "Everyone, please trust me once more. I, from the Artificing Department, will definitely lead all of you from the Civil Engineering Department to win this competition."

Looking at the artifact bro before them, everyone instantly felt that his words had skyrocketed in credibility.

Shi Huaiyu was the first to step forward and say, "I believe you."

Xiao Qingxuan also nodded: "Then let's keep fighting."

Xiao Yunji looked at Zhang Yu's gaze and said, "You're from the Artificing Department. I trust you."

Su Yanyang sighed: "You're from the ace major; we'll listen to whatever you say."

Finally, everyone's gaze focused on Mo Shangjin.

Mo Shangjin felt at that moment as if he had thought through many things... the friendship between Director Gao and the Magnetic Pole Lord... the Magnetic Pole Lord's endorsement for Director Gao... Ye Xingli repeatedly coming to the dormitory here... Feng Tingting's abrupt department transfer.

"So that's how it is—Teacher and the Magnetic Pole Lord have been playing this grand chess game of uniting the Civil Engineering and Artifact Refining departments all along?"

At that moment, Zhang Yu spoke up: "Senior Mo, I can pay the rent..."

"No need." Mo Shangjin said with a slight smile: "After we're done, just pay the repair fee."

"Hurry up and find someone to transplant it."

"Our sizes aren't quite the same, and there isn't much time for you to adjust. The doctor might also be a bit rough in order to save time, and then there's the synchronization rate..."

Hearing Mo Shangjin's words, Zhang Yu said firmly: "It's fine—I can still hold out for one match."

A moment later, with the doctor's arrival, Zhang Yu felt his arms being temporarily separated, and then a strange sensation came over him as the complex artificial meridian structure gradually connected to his body.

The skin and flesh on his back were replaced with the dharma remains of anti-gravity ribbons.