Chapter 426: The Temptation of the Refining Department

Zhang Yu was toying with the Golden-Thread Jade Bi in his hand.

This magical artifact was about the size of a person's chest, appearing as a flat, circular jade object with a palm-sized hole in the center. Its surface was covered in intricate golden patterns, resembling complex mana circuits that spread across the entire bi.

As Zhang Yu infused it with his mana, the Golden-Thread Jade Bi floated into the air. Simultaneously, various parameters of the Golden-Thread Jade Bi, such as its mana capacity, power output, and operating duration, appeared in Zhang Yu's ocular interface.

"Activate Follow Mode," Zhang Yu ordered softly.

As he gave the command, faint glows emerged from the Golden-Thread Jade Bi, locking onto Zhang Yu. The bi then gently drifted behind him, hovering silently like a halo behind his head, moving as he moved.

Besides Follow Mode, the Golden-Thread Jade Bi also featured Attack, Defense, and Free modes, each possessing basic intelligence to act according to rules set by Zhang Yu.

"Still, it's not as precise as controlling it myself," he mused. With a thought from Zhang Yu, the Golden-Thread Jade Bi behind his head emitted a brilliant glow, illuminating the entire dormitory like a miniature sun. However, Zhang Yu only released a burst of light and did not activate more functions.

"It wouldn't be good if I broke anything in the dorm. I'll try more when I'm at the construction site." Thinking this, Zhang Yu then separately infused the Golden-Thread Jade Bi with mana from his Deep Cold Meridian and Fiery Sun Meridian. He knew that infusing different types of specialized mana would drastically alter the Golden-Thread Jade Bi's effects.

"With the Golden-Thread Jade Bi, my efficiency at the construction site will improve even further." As this thought crossed his mind, Zhang Yu instinctively checked his bank balance: he had 36.15 spirit coins remaining.

Over the past few months, his income had steadily risen, thanks to Zhang Pianpian's monthly 5-spirit coin repayment, Wen Wuya's 10-spirit coin monthly subscription, and his continuous full-effort work at the construction site. However, Zhang Yu's savings had not significantly increased, purely due to the exorbitant costs of artifact refinement. Especially for more advanced refinement techniques, the expenditure, whether for spirit coins consumed in the simulation lab or for purchasing materials in reality, only grew higher. It was only because Zhang Yu's basic attributes had gradually reached the limit of Foundation Establishment, eliminating the need to spend spirit coins on cultivation, that he saved a sum each month. Otherwise, his current savings would have been even lower.

"If it weren't for the subsidies from my full-time work at the construction site, my progress in artifact refinement would probably be much slower."

Just as Zhang Yu was playing with the Golden-Thread Jade Bi, True Monarch Ciji sent him a message.

True Monarch Ciji: The Golden-Thread Jade Bi is well refined.True Monarch Ciji: I have a suggestion for you.True Monarch Ciji: Let Xingli help you take orders. I've already spoken with her about it.

Zhang Yu's heart stirred slightly as he asked, "Are these orders for artifact refinement?"

True Monarch Ciji: You've mastered Azure Sand, Grand Unity Golden Liquid Pills, and the Golden-Thread Jade Bi quite well, haven't you?True Monarch Ciji: I know you lack capital and don't have enough spirit coins to stockpile materials.True Monarch Ciji: So, take orders for artifact refinement and earn a crafting fee.

Zhang Yu was, of course, delighted by this prospect. Even if it was just a crafting fee, it would undoubtedly be more efficient than earning money at the construction site. However, Zhang Yu understood that the order volume would likely not be high, as most people would still choose large companies and platforms to purchase magical artifacts. Nevertheless, even if he could take two or three orders a month, it would be a significant supplement to his cultivation. Reflecting on this, Zhang Yu couldn't help but feel grateful to True Monarch Ciji. His teacher truly understood what he lacked most at the moment.

Just then, True Monarch Ciji sent Zhang Yu another gift: a cultivation technique called the *Treasure Appraisal Art*. Although seemingly simple in name, the *Treasure Appraisal Art* was a cultivation technique Zhang Yu had known about for a long time but had never bought. This was because its usage rights alone cost a hefty 50 spirit coins, with a monthly renewal fee of 1 spirit coin.

The reason for its high price was that the *Treasure Appraisal Art* allowed for the appraisal of numerous magical artifacts and remains, which involved the copyrights of countless such items. The monthly renewal fee was due to the *Treasure Appraisal Art* being continuously updated, constantly incorporating newly discovered and created magical artifacts and remains from Kunxu. As one of the co-creators of the *Treasure Appraisal Art*, True Monarch Ciji had a certain number of annual authorization quotas.

True Monarch Ciji: Since you've embarked on the path of artifact refinement, the basic ability to identify magical artifacts and remains is essential.True Monarch Ciji: Consider this *Treasure Appraisal Art* my gift to you after you pass the artifact refinement exam in your sophomore year.True Monarch Ciji: As for the Golden-Thread Jade Bi, that's Director Gao's gift to congratulate you on passing the artifact refinement exam.

"Does Director Gao even know he's congratulating me on passing the artifact refinement exam?" Zhang Yu thought to himself.

Zhang Yu replied, "Thank you, Teacher." He quickly downloaded the *Treasure Appraisal Art* and stored it in his ocular interface. While browsing, he also noticed that the *Treasure Appraisal Art* belonged to the Chain Law Diagram set: Prodigy of Artifact Refinement.

"Unlike the manufacturing techniques for various magical artifacts, the *Treasure Appraisal Art*, as a cultivation technique, can actually trigger Chain Law Diagrams," Zhang Yu mused.

Zhang Yu understood that on the path of artifact refinement, besides the manufacturing techniques for various magical artifacts and remains, many cultivation techniques could also enhance one's related abilities in artifact refinement. Examples included the *Treasure Appraisal Art* he now possessed, as well as techniques like the *Five Thunders Primordial Refinement Art*, the *Mortal Dust Weapon Refinement Art*, and the *Dragon Vein Treasure Forging Art*. However, these cultivation techniques differed from most of those Zhang Yu had practiced in the past, as they all belonged to Daoist arts.

Expensiveness was a defining characteristic of these Daoist arts; not only were their usage rights costly, but the expenses required for their cultivation far exceeded those of martial arts techniques. Up until now, the cultivation techniques Zhang Yu had practiced were either pure mental cultivation methods, breathing exercises, or martial arts techniques. This was truly the first time he had qualified to practice a Daoist art like the *Treasure Appraisal Art*. The biggest reason for this was the exorbitant cost of Daoist arts.

"Daoist arts often require special materials for cultivation, such as various types of thunder and fire, or unique substances like 'mortal dust qi' and 'heavenly gang qi,' or even specific environments like dragon veins and yin acupoints. Some Daoist arts also consume extreme amounts of spiritual energy, and furthermore, require purchasing specialized mana that one does not possess. If the techniques involve artifact refinement, they often require various magical artifacts to aid in cultivation..."

Zhang Yu sighed inwardly. This was why he hadn't chosen to cultivate artifact refinement techniques after embarking on the path of artifact refinement. After all, merely acquiring the manufacturing techniques for various magical artifacts was already a huge financial burden for Zhang Yu; he simply had no money left for artifact refinement cultivation techniques. According to Zhang Yu's original plan, he would only consider artifact refinement cultivation techniques after his artifact refinement skills had reached a certain level, allowing him to break even financially.

"This is probably also why artifact refinement cultivation techniques aren't required in the first three years of the Artifact Refinement Department's curriculum. Pursuing both paths simultaneously would create immense financial pressure, which many students in the Artifact Refinement Department likely couldn't bear."

Therefore, Zhang Yu grew increasingly delighted as he looked at the *Treasure Appraisal Art*. With True Monarch Ciji's gifted usage rights, it truly saved him a significant expense.

True Monarch Ciji: Are you sure you want to continue concealing our relationship? Won't you come and study in the Artifact Refinement Department?

Zhang Yu: Apologies, True Monarch. Director Gao has been very kind to me; I don't want to hurt him.

"After this final exam, I'll have mastered three of the Seven Civil Engineering Marvels," Zhang Yu thought to himself. "And for the upcoming civil engineering competition, I've already asked Director Gao: the top seven will also be rewarded with two slots for the Seven Civil Engineering Marvels. If I secure one of those slots, that means I'll have mastered four of the Seven Civil Engineering Marvels. Then, once I obtain my military certificate, and if I can pass three more of the department's seven civil engineering trials, gaining another three Marvels..."

As he thought this, Zhang Yu felt as though he could already see the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Might, a military-grade martial arts technique, beckoning to him.

True Monarch Ciji: Although I can continue to guide you in artifact refinement knowledge and secretly grant you a degree from the Artifact Refinement Department, if you don't publicly join the Artifact Refinement Department, you won't have the opportunity to master its true ultimate arts.True Monarch Ciji: For instance, our department's two military-grade cultivation techniques, the *Heaven-Earth Calamity Formless Mind Weapon Art* and the *Grand Void Divine Artifact Strategy*.True Monarch Ciji: Also, military-grade magical remains and artifacts like the Heavenly Sun Brilliant God, the Vacuum Tribulation Transformation Diagram, and the Grand Hao Sacred Law Sword Array—you won't have the chance to learn or acquire them.True Monarch Ciji: For example, your senior sister Ye Xingli has already cultivated the *Grand Void Divine Artifact Strategy* and is about to complete the refinement of the Vacuum Tribulation Transformation Diagram.

Fu Ji commented, "The Artifact Refinement Department is indeed more formidable than the Civil Engineering Department; it has far more military-grade powers."

Zhang Yu's heart stirred. "Is True Monarch Ciji trying to tempt me with all this?" he wondered. Yet, he had to admit, it was impossible for him not to be tempted in the slightest by True Monarch Ciji's words. But even if he were to go to the Artifact Refinement Department to learn these military-grade powers, Zhang Yu still wanted to first master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Might in the Civil Engineering Department. After all, he was already nearly halfway there on this path.

Fu Ji chuckled, "True Monarch Ciji initially just gave you an opportunity to become her disciple out of convenience. After last year's civil engineering competition, however, she recognized your physical talent and was willing to offer you a chance to be a secret disciple. Now, seeing your talent in artifact refinement, True Monarch Ciji likely believes you have a strong chance of mastering the Artifact Refinement Department's military-grade powers, and thus wants to make your relationship public in the future."

Zhang Yu nodded slightly, thinking to himself that he had indeed gradually perceived True Monarch Ciji's changing attitude towards him through their repeated interactions.

Fu Ji continued, "She's definitely trying to tempt you now. Even if you really intend to transfer to the Artifact Refinement Department, it won't happen overnight. You can absolutely use this time to master the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Might. There's no need to reveal your relationship prematurely and incur Director Gao's displeasure. True Monarch Ciji must also know this. I think she's just giving you a little temptation in advance to solidify your resolve to make your relationship public in the future."

Zhang Yu: I need to consider it.

True Monarch Ciji: No rush, take your time to think it over.