Chapter 237: Hehuan

"Qinghe Vocational College of Arts?" Zhang Yu raised an eyebrow. "What you're talking about isn't a university; that's a vocational college, isn't it?"

Tao Lin quickly replied, "How can you call it a vocational college? That's an old term. According to the latest policies, Qinghe College is a legitimate university recognized by the Heavenly Court and the Ten Great Sects, and its degrees are accredited throughout Kunxu.

"The campus spans one thousand square kilometers, with over 100,000 faculty and students. Including support staff, the entire school community comprises over a million people.

"Currently, it offers over 80 popular majors and has partnerships with several major corporations, providing recommended employment opportunities upon graduation..."

"Stop, stop, stop." Zhang Yu waved his hand, cutting him off, and firmly refused, "You don't need to say anything more. There's no way I'm attending a vocational college."

Seeing Zhang Yu about to dismiss him, Tao Lin thought to himself, "As expected, it's not that easy.

"Did that entire speech fail to impress him? Usually, ordinary high school students from the first level, unfamiliar with the second level's ecosystem, would consider Qinghe College's scale quite impressive after hearing all that.

"And..."

Tao Lin carefully observed the undisguised disdain in Zhang Yu's eyes, sensing that his prejudice against vocational colleges was deeply ingrained.

He mused, "Indeed, top students like him inherently carry academic snobbery. The mere mention of 'vocational college' triggers a psychological aversion.

"So, the next step is to see if they'll accept the conditions offered by the higher-ups."

In Tao Lin's view, with the generous conditions offered by Qinghe College, most high school students would likely be tempted. Those with less experience might even agree on the spot.

Thinking this, Tao Lin quickly said, "Student Zhang Yu, Qinghe College is very sincere about recruiting you. Even if you go to one of the Ten Greats, they'll only treat you as one of many excellent students to cultivate.

"However, if you join Qinghe College, you will be the center of the entire academy. The school will spare no effort in cultivating you.

"Firstly, the principal of Qinghe College, True Monarch Corrosion Heart, is a Nascent Soul True Monarch. She is willing to be your teacher and promises to do her utmost to cultivate you into a Golden Core True Person during your time at the college. She might even use the Joyful Union Sect's Yin-Yang Harmony Arts to help you advance your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu hesitated slightly, but he knew his hesitation wasn't due to the Nascent Soul True Monarch or the Yin-Yang Harmony Arts. He was simply stunned by Qinghe College's resolve.

He thought to himself, "Perhaps a vocational college isn't entirely without merit."

Sensing Zhang Yu's slight hesitation, Tao Lin quickly added, "Also, I know you look down on vocational college degrees.

"But True Monarch Corrosion Heart can arrange for you to transfer from a vocational college to a bachelor's program and gain admission to Joyful Union University.

"You might know that Joyful Union University is one of the Ten Greats. Like Qinghe College, both are universities affiliated with the Joyful Union Sect, and True Monarch Corrosion Heart herself graduated from Joyful Union University.

"As her student, you can leverage her connections within Joyful Union University, which is far more advantageous than merely passing the entrance exam directly.

"After all, ordinary university students who enter Joyful Union University must start as cauldrons for senior students.

"However, with True Monarch Corrosion Heart's connections, you'll have direct access to the most advanced Yin-Yang Harmony projects upon entry. You can be taught the ultimate techniques of Joyful Union University, such as the Heaven Devil Drill, Corrosion Heart Plate, Spirit-Flesh Union, and Jade Nectar Devour, by the True Monarch's senior disciples, masters, and even grandmasters.

"By then, not only will you easily meet the university's credit requirements each year, but you'll also undoubtedly become a top student at Joyful Union University..."

Why didn't you just say all this earlier, you scoundrel?! Don't you know how eager I am to learn, how much I want to improve my academic performance at university?

Zhang Yu sighed internally, "The Nascent Soul True Monarch of the Joyful Union Sect certainly knows how to recruit. By offering a way to effectively improve academic performance and cultivation, she's hit exactly where a top student like me is most 'itchy'."

Noticing a subtle change in Zhang Yu's expression, Tao Lin added, "I know the reward for your Foundation Establishment exam is the ability to choose a specific teacher once you enter university.

"But choosing is one thing; whether that person is willing to teach you well afterward is another entirely.

"In universities, the more profound and powerful a teacher's cultivation, the more talented students they'll have, meaning the energy they can dedicate to you will be limited. They won't focus on cultivating you as intensely as Qinghe College would.

"Furthermore... after you join the college, Qinghe College will provide you with 10 study partners, a scholarship of 10 spirit coins annually, a private dormitory building, and free access to the school's dharma remains, spirit roots, and cultivation cauldrons. If you aim to achieve the Golden Core stage in the future, there will even be a dedicated fund allocated..."

However, before Tao Lin could finish, Zhang Yu pushed him out.

Witnessing this, Tao Lin felt surprised and helpless. "He's not even tempted by that? As expected of a top-tier high school student, his resolve, perseverance, and insight are far beyond ordinary people."

Gazing at the closed door, Tao Lin said, "Gentlemen, I've added you as friends. If you have any questions, you can contact me anytime. I'll leave you to it now."

Zhang Yu asked, "Fu Ji, why did you make us refuse? Even if we didn't agree to his offer, it could still be a fallback option, couldn't it?"

Fu Ji retorted impatiently, "With you? And you still want to get by in the Joyful Union Sect?

"Based on my observations over the past year, and considering your performance at the Red Pagoda, your physical constitution is too good, and your self-control is too poor. You have absolutely no talent for cultivating in the Joyful Union Sect."

Zhang Yu's face flushed, but he retorted, somewhat unconvinced, "My self-control is poor? How many high school students can cultivate with their roots like I do? Do you have any idea how much my self-control has improved in just this past year?"

Bai Zhenzhen, standing nearby, nodded and said, "I can testify. Just in the past month, the household's toilet paper consumption has decreased by about 20%. Yu Zi is indeed making continuous progress in that regard."

Zhang Yu exclaimed, annoyed, "Ah Zhen! Who told you to keep track of that?!"

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

Fu Ji sneered, "Why the hell would I need you to tell me? Can't I see it for myself?

"However, Zhang Yu, while you're still practicing solo, those high school students aiming for the Joyful Union Sect have already been 'developing' themselves for three, five, or even over ten years. Do you think you can compete with them?

"A vocational university like the Joyful Union Sect emphasizes fundamental skills cultivated from a young age. How can you compare to them?

"You'll probably be manipulated from the moment you enter the university, completely neglecting your studies and cultivation, and be drained dry by the senior students there.

"This is a weakness you've never encountered or trained. Don't even consider it."

Hearing this, Zhang Yu still felt somewhat unconvinced. It wasn't anything else; he simply believed that on the path of immortal cultivation, one should sometimes challenge their weaknesses to strengthen their will and press forward bravely.

Especially with the confidence granted by his Feather Book, Zhang Yu believed that with just a few more practice sessions, he would quickly master all the ultimate techniques of Joyful Union University and thrive there.

But Fu Ji's next words utterly crushed him: "Don't forget you still have the ritual on you. Entering a vocational college is absolutely impossible.

"And applying directly to Joyful Union University won't offer as many advantages; it's far inferior to the other legitimate Ten Greats."

Zhang Yu sighed deeply, understanding that a future genius of the Joyful Union Sect had completely fallen today, even before rising to prominence.

"The ritual... it deprives me of even the freedom to choose my own university.

"Someday, I'll shatter this idiotic thing."

Fu Ji continued, "Even a minor vocational college has found its way here. It seems the people from Songyang City have mostly gathered.

"Now, open your phones and check your messages to see what's happening."

As Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu turned on their phones, a flurry of messages and missed calls appeared, dazzling both of them.

A moment later, Bai Zhenzhen exclaimed in surprise, "How did everyone find out we passed the Foundation Establishment exam?"

She clenched her fist abruptly and thought to herself, "Damn it! I wanted to announce it to the whole school myself after the college entrance exam, but now I won't get to see their shocked expressions when they find out!"

Zhang Yu exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Wang from Oasis Group wants to donate ten million to us? What's going on?"

Bai Zhenzhen said, "What else could it be? If a company is willing to give us so much money, they must want an even higher return. They're probably looking to invest in us. Do they want us to be their corporate puppets?"

Zhang Yu thought of Lan Ling and Zhou Chechen from before, and his brows furrowed slightly. "They want us to be their puppets again?"

Fu Ji slowly remarked, "If he only donated 100,000, I'd curse him with you.

"But since he's donated ten million to you in one go, I think you should consider what's so bad about being a 'puppet'.

"If you want to acquire spirit roots and complete Foundation Establishment before graduating high school, perhaps Mr. Wang is the key."

So, as Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen continued their diligent cultivation, they occasionally checked their phones for updates and messages.

Finally, two days later, as Zhang Yu advanced the Grand Might Heavenly Armor to the 10th level, his Martial Dao Sacred Embryo also achieved its final effect.

Looking at the effect of this layer of the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo, Zhang Yu felt even more invigorated, sensing another surge in his strength.

"If I were to return to my final duel with Ye Lingxiao now, I probably wouldn't need to struggle for so long; I could defeat him quickly, couldn't I?"

After completing the Martial Dao Sacred Embryo, Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen boarded a train and began their journey home.

However, as soon as they alighted from the train, an unexpected person appeared before them.

"Is that Yue Jincheng and Si Zhouyu, the ones who tailed us last time?"

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

After all, the five shining golden characters above his head—Purple Gold Merit Master—were truly dazzling.

"Someone from the Zhou family?" Zhang Yu's guard went up. "They're waiting for us right here at the station? What do they want?"

At that moment, he was immensely grateful he had listened to Fu Ji and cultivated outside for some time before returning, raising his Martial Dao Sacred Embryo to its final layer. Now, no matter what situation they faced, he would have a few more degrees of certainty.