Chapter 546: Chapter 488: He’s Different
The day after Zhang Yu returned to the dormitory, he still hadn’t received permission to leave school, so he planned to continue his artifact refining cultivation.
Seeing Zhang Yu enter the Artifact Refining Laboratory, he first grabbed a mass of flickering bright yellow flame, inhaled it into his body, and then let it repeatedly flow and circulate through his meridians, continuously infusing mana into it, and refining it together with his mana.
Next, he directed this bright yellow flame and his own mana into a second-hand magic treasure on the lab table, forming a special restriction, gradually altering the nature of the entire magic treasure.
While Zhang Yu continued to circulate his energy, each pulse of mana seemed to evoke a faint dragon roar within the magic treasure, and even the surface of the magic treasure appeared with subtle dragon-scale-like markings, as if the entire magic treasure had come alive.
The artifact refining technique Zhang Yu was practicing at that moment was named the "Dragon Vein Treasure Casting Technique".
And the bright yellow flame was the so-called dragon vein power.
Zhang Yu sighed, "Alas, mixed and impure, clearly an artificial dragon vein."
Fu Ji said, "Nonsense, where can ordinary people find a true dragon vein nowadays? It’s already good enough to have an artificial dragon vein to use."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yu shook his head and focused back on cultivating the technique.
The technique he was practicing at that moment was distinct from the various artifact refining skills he had previously practiced.
Those artifact refining skills were based on different design blueprints to craft different magic treasures.
But the "Dragon Vein Treasure Casting Technique" he was cultivating now granted him the ability to infuse dragon vein power into various magic treasures to enhance their performance.
There are many such techniques that enhance artifact refining ability, like various mastery over true fire; for example, Taoist techniques such as the "Divine Fire Control Manual" that can improve a cultivator’s material refining capability.
There are also Taoist techniques related to restrictions, such as the "Twelve Cloud Restriction Techniques", which can enhance a cultivator’s ability to layer restrictions on magic treasures, providing greater power and auxiliary functions for future magic treasures.
And various other artifact refining techniques that are hard to categorize, like the "Five Thunder Severe Crafting Technique", "Worldly Troops Forging Art", and "Sword Nourishing Art"...
Apart from these techniques that enhance refining abilities, there are also techniques related to the use of magic treasures, like the "Artifact Command Essentials", "Azure Dragon in Sleeve", and "Treasure Stealing Art", which can enhance the power of magic treasures during usage or affect the opponent’s magic treasures in battle.
In the field of artifact refining, besides various magic treasure blueprints, artifact refining techniques are equally vast and diverse, involving almost every trade and field.
The reason Zhang Yu chose to cultivate the "Dragon Vein Treasure Casting Technique" was solely because it could complete his set in the Chain Technique Map—Artifact Refining Prodigy.
When Zhang Yu was granted the "Treasure Appraisal Technique" artifact refining technique by the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, he speculated that the set effect of "Artifact Refining Prodigy" should enhance his refining abilities, making it a set effect worth completing as early as possible.
However, back then, learning each artifact refining blueprint and the various manufacturing methods of magic treasures had already cost him too many spirit coins.
And cultivating artifact refining techniques wasn’t cheap either, making it hard for Zhang Yu to afford both. He had to prioritize learning magic treasure blueprints to complete exams and enhance his earning capability.
But now Zhang Yu’s income had skyrocketed, providing him with the financial basis to cultivate artifact refining techniques.
"Dragon Vein Treasure Casting Technique" Level 7 (0/70)
After another successful infusion of dragon vein power, Zhang Yu looked at the second-hand magic treasure in front of him, thinking, "It seems to be nearly saturated."
"Alas, cultivating this technique is expensive; it requires purchasing cheap old magic treasures to practice and also buying materials like dragon vein power."
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "If they don’t let me go out to earn money at construction sites, relying solely on the lab stipend and some other minor incomes really make it hard to afford."
Just then, specific arrangements regarding external work and competition participation were sent over.
"First is a magic treasure named the ’Sun-Moon Transcendent Bracelet’, funded temporarily by the project group for my use."
Zhang Yu opened the introduction of this magic treasure, thinking, "This Sun-Moon Transcendent Bracelet is somewhat similar to the Green Silk Flying Sword, as both can connect to the Spirit Realm Network."
"However, the Green Silk Flying Sword is based on the eighty-four thousand Heavenly Patrol Flying Swords arranged by Sky Sword University on the second floor."
"Whereas the Sun-Moon Transcendent Bracelet relies on the sun and moon in the sky."
Though Zhang Yu had long heard that the sun and moon in the second floor sky of Kunxu were constructed by Wanfa University—immensely large magic treasures capable of radiating a Spirit Realm Network covering the entire Kunxu Second Floor.
But only today, after reading the Sun-Moon Transcendent Bracelet’s manual, did Zhang Yu learn that the one resembling the sun is called the "Sun-Patrol Golden Crow" and the moon-like one is "Long Night Jade Palace."
"The Sun-Moon Transcendent Bracelet can directly connect to these two magic treasures at any time, allowing one to call for school support whenever needed."
"This is perfect as it saves the step of routing through the Heavenly Patrol Flying Sword from Sky Sword University."
Thinking of this, Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction.
Besides the Sun-Moon Transcendent Bracelet, the school also approved an increase in Zhang Yu’s confidentiality level, making it difficult for outsiders to track his whereabouts.
Also included were permissions for a series of magic treasures and talismans, which could be immediately utilized when the Magnetic Pole True Monarch offers support to Zhang Yu.
"With this, it should be relatively safe."
Reading up to this point, Zhang Yu took a relieved breath, finally being able to go out to work without worrying about expenses exceeding his income.
In the company chat group, Zhang Yu directly sent a message: "Start work! Get ready to get moving!"
Zhao Tianxing: "Received!"
Mo Tianyi: "Received!"
Che Yufei: "Received!"
Upon receiving Zhang Yu’s message, the whole company chat group immediately became lively.
Zhao Tianxing and others, who had stalled for two days due to Zhang Yu’s situation, also let out a sigh of relief.
Zhao Tianxing thought, "Finally able to go back to the construction site. The odd jobs these past couple of days were nowhere near as good as the conditions on-site."
As Zhao Tianxing’s soul cultivation career grew increasingly rich, he realized more and more that in the realm of soul cultivation, there is always someone willing to work. For someone with a vocational degree, work opportunities are scarce, and good work opportunities are even scarcer.
...
Just as Zhang Yu headed out for work.
Ping Han, physically and mentally exhausted, exhaled deeply.
Only to be stopped by Fu Xinyao, who said, "Hold it in, don’t release it carelessly."
Ping Han had no choice but to tightly close his mouth.
Fu Xinyao smiled slightly and continued, "So, how is it? How does it feel to cultivate with your juniors?"
Suppressing the humiliation in his heart, Ping Han slowly said, "As long as you’re satisfied."
At that moment, Ping Han began to tremble violently, and noticing this, Fu Xinyao’s gaze shifted as he stepped outside onto the street.
Examining the data transmitted by the device, Fu Xinyao quickly locked his eyes on Yu Xinghan.
"Over a thousand self-study sessions?" Fu Xinyao’ gaze flickered. "Wanfa University still has such talents?"
Feeling the tension of the device, Fu Xinyao asked, "Do you know him?"
Ping Han hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed and said, "He’s a friend of Zhang Yu."
"Oh?" Fu Xinyao laughed, "That’s perfect then."
On the other side, Yu Xinghan suddenly furrowed his brow, feeling as if someone was calling him.
Turning his head, he saw Fu Xinyao standing in a little alley, waving at him continuously.
"Hey, classmate, want to train together?"
Yu Xinghan smiled slightly as he approached and asked, "What’s the price?"
At the same time, he had already started recording with his eye device, thinking to himself, "Damn... trying to poach business near our store?"
"I see you don’t have a license, let’s report it first."
...
After finishing his day’s work, Zhang Yu hurried back to school to participate in the Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s experiment.
And this time, after the launch of Lady Qiongjiang Forty-Eight, the diamond-shaped crystal-like device turned into a mark that clung tightly to Zhang Yu’s forehead and didn’t leave for more than half an hour.
"No way..." Zhang Yu touched the device on his forehead with an unpleasant expression and said, "What’s going on?"
The Magnetic Pole True Monarch, standing beside him, mused, "This device has equipped itself onto you, it’s probably trying to follow you."
Zhang Yu doubted, "Follow me? Why?"
The Magnetic Pole True Monarch didn’t answer. Instead, he said, "Step out of the laboratory and see."
Watching Zhang Yu step out of the lab, with the device still clinging to his forehead, the Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s gaze slightly wavered and continued, "Leave the research institute and see."
Zhang Yu exclaimed, "Ah? This... won’t cause trouble, will it?"
The Magnetic Pole True Monarch replied, "With me watching, what trouble could it be?"
As Zhang Yu left the laboratory, the Magnetic Pole True Monarch followed in secret, occasionally sending messages to guide Zhang Yu.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Don’t always cover your forehead.
Zhang Yu: Wouldn’t it be too conspicuous?
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: What’s conspicuous about it? With my restriction, others can’t recognize this as the Divinity Transformation Remains.
Zhang Yu lowered his hand, looking at the street ahead, yet felt a bit at a loss.
Noticing Zhang Yu’s demeanor, the Magnetic Pole True Monarch said: Just wander around.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Walk wherever you feel like.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: In the process of walking, try to feel the changes of the device, it might guide you.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: But remember, you absolutely must not communicate with her.
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: If you find you can hear her voice, tell me immediately.
Zhang Yu, looking resigned, could only walk and sense at the same time. Just then, a message from Zhang Pianpian appeared in his eye device.
Zhang Pianpian: No need to reply, I’m secretly sending you a message.
Zhang Pianpian: I’ll communicate with the Artifact Spirit to see what she really wants to do.
Entering the Divinity Transformation device with her mind, Zhang Pianpian asked: Lady Qiongjiang Forty-Eight, what do you want to do?
Lady Qiongjiang Forty-Eight: I sense the presence of my kind.
Lady Qiongjiang: I want to find them.
Zhang Pianpian: Your kind?
Zhang Pianpian: Do you mean highly intelligent artifact spirits? Where are they?
Lady Qiongjiang Forty-Eight: I don’t know, but they’re calling me.
Zhang Pianpian: Why attach yourself to Zhang Yu?
Lady Qiongjiang: Because he’s different, unlike most people here.
Zhang Pianpian: How is he different?
Lady Qiongjiang: He’s more noticeable.
Zhang Pianpian: More noticeable?
Lady Qiongjiang: He’s self-studied over a thousand times.
Lady Qiongjiang: In the crowd here, he’s distinctively noticeable, we can recognize his uniqueness at a glance.