Chapter 433: Can't Help But Hum Lightly

Su Yanyang and another candidate gathered around Ping Han, asking for his insights on cryptocurrency trading. In their eyes, this senior, who had quietly accumulated experience and eventually secured the Military Certificate by leveraging Nectar Coins, possessed much worth learning.

Ping Han patiently answered their questions and ultimately succeeded in recruiting them into his paid guidance group. During their conversation, Ping Han subtly inquired about their exam performance, confirming that both had performed poorly and were no longer eligible for the Military Certificate.

Ping Han then glanced at the dispirited Xiao Yunji, thinking to himself, "Xiao Yunji became like this after asking me about the integrity of the array core. She most likely lost to me in that aspect!" As for the battered and bloody Zhang Yu nearby, Ping Han had never considered the third-year student a rival. Now, seeing him severely injured, Ping Han was even more convinced that he had no chance of securing the Military Certificate.

Observing the situation of the other candidates, Ping Han felt 99% certain that he would secure the Military Certificate this time. Although he maintained a calm demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, as the Military Certificate was exceptionally crucial for a student.

"With this Military Certificate, I'll be able to cultivate the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power!" Feeling the Seven Earth-Wood Wonders he had cultivated for years within his body, Ping Han felt a sense of profound satisfaction, as if his wish had been granted. "Not only do I have a chance to compete for first place in the inter-university league, but with the Heavenly Kunlun Mountain-Moving Divine Power, my chances of success in future graduate school exams and securing the Golden Core Certificate have vastly increased. It's a clear path ahead!"

At this moment, Ping Han felt an endless surge of hope for his future path of immortality, and he couldn't help but hum softly to himself. However, he quickly suppressed his excitement, constantly reminding himself to steady his Dao heart and avoid any mistakes at this critical juncture. "Even achieving the Golden Core in the future is just the beginning; my path to immortality is still very long!"

Thinking this, Ping Han smiled slightly at Xiao Yunji and said, "Xiao, a single exam failure is nothing. Why not learn about Nectar Coins? They will certainly be of great benefit to your future cultivation!" Xiao Yunji looked up at Ping Han, sensing that the extremism and arrogance he had displayed after profiting from cryptocurrency purchases were now gone.

Ping Han's mental state was indeed excellent at this moment. Especially with Xiao Yunji, whom he now considered a defeated opponent rather than a rival, she could instead become a source of potential for his immortal path. Seeing a hint of hesitation in Xiao Yunji's eyes, Ping Han remained unfazed and continued, "How about I send you a document first? You can take a look and learn more, and if you're interested, we can discuss it further!"

After sending the document to Xiao Yunji, Ping Han turned to Zhang Yu and said, "Junior Zhang, are you interested in learning more? It will definitely transform you and greatly increase your chances of success in the next Military Certificate exam!" Seeing Zhang Yu shake his head, Ping Han didn't mind. In any case, Zhang Yu didn't seem to have much money in his estimation, so he simply went back to answering Su Yanyang's questions.

While Ping Han and the others were conversing, Zhang Yu received a message from his homeroom teacher, Jiao Lei.

True Immortal Jiao Lei: "Director Lin asked me to relay a message to you!"

True Immortal Jiao Lei: "If you are willing to become his disciple, he is willing to help you gain entry into the Finance Department and approve a loan of 600 spirit coins!"

Upon seeing the number 600 spirit coins, Zhang Yu felt his heart pound violently, almost injuring his internal organs again. "600 spirit coins? With 600 spirit coins..."

As Zhang Yu's mind wandered, another course instructor added him as a friend and messaged him: "Student Zhang Yu, True Monarch Lingyue wishes to take you as a disciple. Are you interested?" The instructor continued: "The terms are negotiable and will certainly not be less favorable than other offers!" True Monarch Lingyue was the Head Director of the Earth-Wood Department, and also the Nascent Soul True Monarch whom Tuli Shan referred to as the "Old Director."

Seeing the messages relayed first by Director Lin and then by the Old Director, Zhang Yu's mind, which had been buzzing with excitement over the 600 spirit coin loan, gradually calmed down. "It seems my Military Certificate exam performance has caught their attention! They even think I'll probably get the Military Certificate, even though the Heavenly Court hasn't announced anything yet."

After calming down, Zhang Yu didn't rush to accept Director Lin's or the Old Director's offers, merely keeping open the option to consider and negotiate further. Zhang Yu's gaze casually swept over Ping Han and the others nearby, but his mind was already contemplating his own future path.

"Director Lin is backed by the Finance Department, and a 600 spirit coin loan is a very generous offer, enough to make my cultivation speed soar! But the Finance Department isn't suitable for me. It requires connections, networks, and vast amounts of capital; it's not a path one can succeed on with just talent and skill! Moreover, the Finance Department has too many ways to exploit people. Approving a 600 spirit coin loan right off the bat like this! Who knows how many traps await me!"

Although he was reluctant to let go of the 600 spirit coin loan, Zhang Yu knew he was not qualified to choose the path of the Finance Department, not even with the Military Certificate. Then the image of True Monarch Lingyue appeared in his mind: "Setting aside the development path of the neutral faction, the Old Director himself is a huge red flag!"

Zhang Yu had spent a considerable amount of time in the Earth-Wood Department, and with the help of well-informed individuals like Tuli Shan and Tingting, he was privy to a lot of information. For instance, True Monarch Lingyue was very old and nearing the end of his lifespan, and had been trying every possible method to extend it for years. "The Old Director is practically half a step into the spirit realm already. If I become his disciple, will he have the time and resources to cultivate me, to exchange for future returns? He probably won't wait for the returns I might bring him in the future! More likely, I'll be completely drained of my value the moment I enter his tutelage, all to extend his life!"

After a moment's thought, Zhang Yu understood that neither Director Lin nor the Old Director were good choices. However, even though Zhang Yu didn't intend to choose either of these paths, it didn't mean they were useless. "Director Gao, and True Monarch Ciji, will likely seek me out to talk soon. Keeping these two paths open can help raise my value."

A moment later, the candidates were sent back to the University City of Myriad Laws University by Deng Bingding. Before the candidates left, Deng Bingding sent them a website address. "The exam results have been reported to the Heavenly Court, which will complete the approval and announce the results within 15 business days!" This website was where the exam results would be published.

Upon hearing this, Ping Han couldn't help but ask, "What's the fastest it could be?" Deng Bingding glanced at Ping Han, a hint of undetectable pity in his eyes, and calmly said, "The Heavenly Court is also very busy. It will take at least 3 to 5 business days."

Moments later, everyone dispersed, and Deng Bingding took Zhang Yu to the hospital for a check-up. Deng Bingding remarked, "Student Zhang Yu, I can't believe that in less than two and a half years of university, your progress has surpassed that of your entire three years in high school!"

The two exchanged pleasantries along the way, and after arriving at the hospital, Zhang Yu asked the doctor to prescribe a bag of medicine, then voluntarily requested to be discharged. He thought to himself, "With my recovery ability, even though this injury is severe, a few days of rest should be enough. There's no need to stay in the hospital for observation! And Old Gao isn't having it easy; I should save him some money. This bag of medicine will suffice."

But as Zhang Yu slowly walked down a street, he noticed that all the shops on both sides were closed, and at some point, there were no pedestrians around. Zhang Yu looked up at the street's entrances and exits and saw that passersby seemed unable to see the road, completely ignoring it and walking around it.

Just as Zhang Yu felt a surge of doubt and surprise, a figure, appearing as if cloaked in a starry night, walked up to him. Zhang Yu said, surprised, "Senior Sister Ye?" Ye Xingli looked at Zhang Yu with a strange expression, then silently took out True Monarch Ciji's Profound Heaven Orb. The next moment, a slender figure in an elegant palace gown appeared, which was the avatar True Monarch Ciji had previously used to converse with Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu instantly realized that this street had been taken over by True Monarch Ciji's Nine Heavens Primordial Yang Grand Array. All matter intertwined with the spirit realm was suppressed by it, making the street invisible to the eyes of others.

Zhang Yu: "True Monarch..."

True Monarch Ciji privately messaged: "How did you do on the Military Certificate exam?"

After a conversation with True Monarch Qiyun, True Monarch Ciji understood that Zhang Yu must have performed exceptionally well in the Military Certificate exam, even showing the potential to secure it, which was why True Monarch Qiyun had inquired about the situation. However, True Monarch Ciji decided to ask in person. After all, only from Zhang Yu himself could he get the most accurate account of what happened during the exam.

So Zhang Yu sent a message, briefly explaining the situation. True Monarch Ciji nodded slightly and replied with satisfaction: "Excellent, excellent. I thought you were just taking it casually, but I didn't expect such a pleasant surprise!"

With that, True Monarch Ciji touched Zhang Yu's wound and sighed softly, "With such severe injuries, why aren't you resting more in the hospital?" Zhang Yu replied, "I have a good constitution; a few days of rest will be enough. There's no need to waste money in the hospital! True Monarch, is there something you need?"

True Monarch Ciji calmly said, "You're heading back to your dorm, aren't you? Let's talk on the way!" With that, True Monarch Ciji reached out and scooped Zhang Yu into his arms. "You're so heavily injured; don't wander around by yourself. I'll take you back!"

Ye Xingli, standing nearby, watched this scene with a face full of shock. The conversation between True Monarch Ciji and Zhang Yu had taken place via private message, so Ye Xingli was unaware of its content. Now, watching True Monarch Ciji pick up Zhang Yu and start walking away, Ye Xingli, in her astonishment, subconsciously blurted out, "Master, there are people outside!" True Monarch Ciji waved his large sleeve, instantly concealing Zhang Yu, and casually replied, "It's fine. With my personal concealment, no one will notice."

Watching True Monarch Ciji walk down the street with Zhang Yu in his arms, Ye Xingli followed behind, feeling a surge of disbelief in her heart. Recalling the past, she confirmed one thing: this was the first time she had ever seen her Master, or her Master's avatar, holding anyone else. "Has Master gone mad? How could someone so calm, so aloof, so self-contained carry another student back to their dorm?"

Meanwhile, held in True Monarch Ciji's arms, Zhang Yu became increasingly nervous. Especially feeling the constant flow of people around them, even though he knew that under True Monarch Ciji's concealment, no one should be able to see him, he still felt awkward.

Zhang Yu immediately said, "True Monarch, please just tell me what you need directly!" True Monarch Ciji chuckled lightly, looking at Zhang Yu in his arms, and said, "Old Gao carried you like this during the exam too, didn't he? What do you think of him?"