Chapter 281: Feather Book Opens Second Chapter

Zhang Yu listened to Tu Lishan, his eyes gradually brightening: "Formations?"

He had already encountered formations in his daily life as early as high school.

Whether it was Songyang High School's Spirit Gathering Formation, the Central Building's Grand Traction Formation, or the Conservation Area's Mountain Protection Formation—Zhang Yu had witnessed and interacted with them all. Yet, he remained vague and ignorant of their inner workings.

After all, this was knowledge he hadn't learned at all during high school.

The more Zhang Yu listened now, the more he felt the profoundness of formations. They were a method to replicate, alter, and even transcend nature through various means like spiritual energy, structure, and materials. They formed the very foundation upon which Kunxu could construct so many super-structures.

In the blink of an eye, the first Engineering Formation Blueprinting class ended.

Just as Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan were about to leave, the glittering teacher walked up to Zhang Yu, drawing the gazes of many students.

The teacher, named Tu Lishan, smiled at Zhang Yu and said, "Zhang Yu, this is your first day meeting me, but I actually saw you during your Foundation Establishment exam."

Zhang Yu paused slightly at this, recalling the final stage of the Foundation Establishment exam, where the audience seats were filled with many high-ranking individuals, representatives from various universities.

Tu Lishan's head flickered; in the projection within Zhang Yu's ocular skeleton, it momentarily transformed into a dog's head before reverting.

"That was my appearance back then," he said.

Tu Lishan smiled and continued, "The moment I saw your performance during the exam, I knew you were naturally gifted for civil engineering. I strongly recommended you to the school."

"Attend the basic courses diligently for the next three months, and when the semester officially starts in September, I'll take you to a construction site to earn money."

Zhang Yu was slightly surprised, "I can start working on a construction site so early?"

Tu Lishan replied, "You'll be working and studying at the same time, and earning some money on the side."

"I know you came from the First Layer and your financial situation isn't great. The construction site is the perfect classroom for you."

"In our civil engineering field, as long as you're willing to endure hardship and work hard for a few years, you'll definitely earn a good living."

He then looked at Yu Xinghan, who was beside Zhang Yu, and said, "Yu Xinghan, you too. Come along when the time comes."

Watching Tu Lishan walk away, Yu Xinghan exclaimed, "There are good teachers at Myriad Laws University after all! He recognized my talent and uniqueness! And he's even giving us a chance to earn money."

"Zhang Yu, let's study hard for the next three months. Once we're on the site, we'll work diligently and earn more money."

"Oh, if only I could earn as much as Teacher Tu someday."

Their conversation had long attracted the attention of many surrounding students.

Especially some Qi Cultivation students, who showed envy in their eyes upon hearing that Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan would be able to work on a construction site and earn money in three months.

Li Xiao, also from the Foundation Establishment class and from Xiandu, witnessed this scene. After some thought, he volunteered and chased Tu Lishan out of the classroom, saying, "Teacher Tu, could you also give me a chance?"

"I want to work on a construction site too."

Looking at Li Xiao, Tu Lishan's gaze shifted slightly, "Are you also from the First Layer?"

Li Xiao's breath hitched slightly upon hearing this. He had been discriminated against countless times in the past two days because of his origin from the First Layer.

However, after seeing him nod, Tu Lishan smiled faintly, "The First Layer is good. Many people look down on those from the First Layer, but I actually particularly admire you students from there."

"I've taught many students over the years, but among them, it's the students from the First Layer who are the most resilient."

As he spoke, Tu Lishan patted Li Xiao's shoulder, "Work hard, and I'll take you to the construction site in three months."

"However, positions on the site are limited. You and Zhang Yu will be competing, so you'll really need to work hard for the next three months."

"But frankly, I have higher hopes for you."

Watching Tu Lishan leave, Li Xiao's heart stirred slightly, and a surge of determination welled up within him: "In three months! I must get into that construction site!"

Walking on the path to the 666th floor, Tu Lishan thought to himself, "Zhang Yu, Yu Xinghan, Li Xiao... they are all promising talents."

Unlike many teachers who preferred students from the upper layers or those with wealth, Tu Lishan favored talented students who lacked money.

He sighed inwardly, "These poor students are the true backbone of our great civil engineering field."

"Otherwise, if everyone wants to be management, who will do the actual work?"

"People like Gongshu Jin and Ji Yuanxu are ten times more talented, but Gongshu Jin is wealthy, and Ji Yuanxu is determined to transfer departments. How could they possibly work like oxen for a few hard-earned coins on a construction site?"

Meanwhile, Zhang Yu and Yu Xinghan walked through the Mag-Lev Passage, heading to their next class.

Suddenly, a voice called out on the way.

"Zhang Yu!"

Zhang Yu's eyes moved, and he looked in the direction of the voice, a surprised expression in his eyes: "Is that... the guy from Xiandu?"

The person who called out to Zhang Yu was none other than Yun Jing, who had once taken the Foundation Establishment exam with Zhang Yu and ultimately lost to Bai Zhenzhen.

Currently, five Qi Cultivation students were beside Yun Jing. One of them looked at Zhang Yu, who was observing them, and said coldly, "Are you also from the First Layer? This doesn't concern you, so if you know what's good for you, scram..."

Civil Engineering Department, Foundation Establishment Class, Rank 13, Zhang Yu.

Seeing the rank displayed above Zhang Yu's head, the person quickly changed his tone, "I'm the one who should scram!"

He then grinned at Yun Jing beside him and said, "Why didn't you tell us you knew a Foundation Establishment student?"

Yun Jing watched the fleeing Qi Cultivation students, then looked at Zhang Yu, whose expression was calm and indifferent, and felt an incredibly complex mix of emotions.

Back when they were on the First Layer, he had been the high-and-mighty lord of Xiandu, while the other was just a country bumpkin.

But a single Foundation Establishment exam had completely altered both their destinies.

Now, he could only look up to this Foundation Establishment class student.

Zhang Yu glanced at Yun Jing and said coolly, "Having trouble?"

He could sense that Yun Jing had just used his presence to scare off the others.

Yun Jing said, "People from the First Layer tend to be isolated in the Artifact Forging Department. I was used to it, but today they went a bit too far..."

"Anyway, thank you for today."

"I will repay this someday!"

Yun Jing cupped his hands towards Zhang Yu and departed.

Zhang Yu watched this scene with a sigh, thinking, "It seems the Yun family isn't doing so well."

Zhang Yu thought that since Yun Jing was Bai Zhenzhen's former opponent, he should definitely tell her this gossip; she would surely be interested.

A moment later, Zhang Yu arrived at his classroom.

The classroom for this lecture was larger, capable of holding over a thousand people.

Zhang Yu knew this was a large inter-departmental course.

At that moment, on the high platform in the classroom, a group of students were promoting: "Hello everyone, we are students from the Dao Arts Department, offering paid Dao Arts services."

"We have the 'Enlightened Mind Art' for photographic memory, the 'Return to Origin Art' to accelerate spiritual energy absorption, and the 'Spring Rejuvenation Art' to assist body tempering. Each of these Dao Arts costs only 0.03 spirit coins for one hour of maintenance."

"We also have the 'Soul Cloud Sea Art,' which allows two people to cultivate simultaneously. The experience accumulated from one session is equivalent to two sessions done individually. You can enjoy one hour for just 0.09 spirit coins..."

"And over here, we have a senior student skilled in lightning arts, proficient in the 'Divine Thunder Wave,' who can assist with body tempering, improve spirit root integration, and enhance the five senses... one hour costs 0.19 spirit coins..."

"Today is the last day of our back-to-school promotion! Simply click the website link to become a member, and all the above services will be available at a 30% discount..."

In front of Gongshu Jin, a Dao Arts Department student was recommending that he sign up for a membership.

Gongshu Jin seemed somewhat interested, listening to the recommended services.

Naturally, a Dao Arts Department student also approached Ji Yuanxu, but this "Layer 6 Lord" merely said indifferently, "I already have a private Dao Arts service team; I don't need these."

Hearing this, the promoting Dao Arts student could only awkwardly withdraw.

Yu Xinghan listened enviously to the Dao Arts students' promotions, sighing, "Being rich is really damn good."

Zhang Yu looked at the 'Soul Cloud Sea Art' mentioned in the promotion, a hint of longing in his eyes: "I wonder if it would be useful for the Feather Scroll. Should I spend spirit coins on it?"

"But at 0.09 spirit coins per hour, even with a 30% discount... all the money I have now would only last about 200 hours. Better to hold off for now."

"Sigh, I'll just write down the website... I can't rush into spending money. Rushing often leads to losses, making one easily exploited."

With around 12 spirit coins in hand, Zhang Yu decided to keep them for now, not rushing to spend.

After all, his understanding of Myriad Laws University was still too limited, and he didn't know much about the various consumption options.

"It's better to continue learning about Myriad Laws University and the Civil Engineering Department, plan thoroughly, and then spend money on cultivation."

A few moments later, the many promoting Dao Arts students left the classroom before class began.

A white-haired old man slowly ascended the platform, looking at the students and saying, "'Martial Dao Vigour Studies,' as the name suggests, teaches you the various mysteries of force, vigor, and methods within martial arts techniques..."

"Whether it's combat, construction, artifact forging, alchemy, medicine refining, or any other aspect, it will, to some extent, be related to our course."

"If your future major also requires courses like fluid vigor, geotechnical vigor, or thermal radiation vigor, then you'll need to study the material I teach even more diligently."

"I know you are all new students. After the basic courses conclude in three months, you'll have a major exam before the official start of the semester."

"If your performance on that major exam isn't good, you can forget about taking advanced courses."

"And those with a strong foundation, don't get complacent. If you want to compete for rankings, that major exam in three months will also be crucial..."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly at this. He knew the instructor was referring to the exam after the basic courses concluded in three months.

Zhang Yu thought to himself, "If I want to improve my rank, I can't relax for any exam."

Over the next two days, Zhang Yu diligently attended classes during the day, constantly absorbing various forms of knowledge.

In the evenings, back in his dorm, he focused on fundamental cultivation techniques. After advancing the 'Seventy-Two Forms of Foundation Body Tempering' to Level 20, he had now also raised the 'Foundation Mind Tempering Art' to Level 17.

"Alright, I'm hanging up, Yu-zi."

"Keep up the good work!"

"The items I sent you should arrive in a few days. Remember to collect them."

After ending another call with Bai Zhenzhen that day, Zhang Yu continued cultivating the 'Foundation Mind Tempering Art' in his dorm.

However, about half an hour later, Zhang Yu felt a faint prickling sensation in his palm; the symbol on his palm had been completely filled with black.

The next moment, accompanied by the vigorous flipping of the Feather Scroll, a new chapter appeared before him, in addition to the Prologue and Chapter 1: Chain Law Diagrams.

Zhang Yu focused his gaze, murmuring to himself, "Chapter Two: Dao Seed Register."