Chapter 563: Chapter 504: Stay in Civil Engineering? Or Switch Departments?
Looking at Director Gao’s earnest gaze in front of him, True Monarch Qi Yun sighed helplessly and pointed at Director Gao, saying, "You, even though you’re younger than me, you live like an old relic."
"There will come a day when students must be let go, think more about yourself."
Director Gao smiled gently and said, "Principal, Zhang Yu is the heir I value. The future responsibilities of the Civil Engineering Department might fall on his shoulders, and I’ll have a share in his future earnings. Helping him is like helping myself."
True Monarch Qi Yun was slightly taken aback and frowned, "Zhang Yu is your heir?"
Director Gao nodded, "Indeed, I’ve decided to support him in progressing to research, and I plan to announce it at the banquet later."
True Monarch Qi Yun nodded in confusion, "Oh."
True Monarch Qi Yun quickly sent a message to Magnetic Pole True Monarch: "What are you and Old Gao up to?"
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Nothing
True Monarch Qi Yun: Magnetic Pole, with so many people watching today, don’t mess things up for me
Feeling the confusion on True Monarch Qi Yun’s face, Director Gao further explained, "Principal, rest assured, Zhang Yu, whether in talent or character, is, in my observation, very worth investing in. He will undoubtedly be a critical player in the Civil Engineering Department, capable of earning significant funds for the school."
"Hmm." True Monarch Qi Yun thought to himself, "Could it be a strategy I don’t know about?"
At this moment, Zhang Yu had already arrived in front of Director Gao and was introduced by him to True Monarch Qi Yun.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Tu Lishan was listening to the report of student Shi Huaiyu.
Suddenly, he raised his eyebrows, "What did you say?"
Shi Huaiyu: "Zhang Yu eventually transplanted the Seven Extremes Magic Remains..."
Tu Lishan said, "No, I meant the previous sentence. Zhang Yu transferred to which department?"
Shi Huaiyu said, "To the Artifact Refining Department, teacher, you didn’t know?"
Tu Lishan was slightly taken aback, looking at Zhang Yu and Director Gao in the distance, secretly wondering, "Zhang Yu wants to transfer to the Artifact Refining Department? Under Magnetic Pole True Monarch’s tutelage?"
Just as he was about to send this information to Director Gao, he hesitated and recalled another question.
"Could Director Gao already know?"
"With his centuries-long friendship with Magnetic Pole True Monarch, are the two of them collaborating on a strategy?"
On the other side, Director Lin, hearing Xiao Yun Ji’s report, snorted coldly and secretly thought, "I knew it. How could Gao Chongguang nurture a student as remarkable as Zhang Yu in just three years by himself?"
"Indeed, there is support from the Artifact Refining Department behind this."
Thinking of Ji Yuanshu, who had fallen early, Director Lin sighed inwardly, "Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so high-profile when nurturing Ji Yuanshu. Acting secretly like Gao Chongguang and Magnetic Pole yields a higher success rate."
Although old Director Ling Yue True Monarch’s physical body had perished, his spirit resided in the Spirit Realm, and he descended with a projection to attend the banquet.
Listening to Su YanYang’s report on the competition, the old director’s gaze flickered, secretly thinking, "Old Gao might be steering the entire Civil Engineering Department towards the path of Artifact Refining, fully supporting future conflicts."
Thinking of the hostility the Magic Remains project under Magnetic Pole True Monarch had elicited from Hehuan University and recalling the conflict between Ten Thousand Transformations Divine Monarch and Qiongjiang Divine Monarch, the old director felt the currents beneath the surface were turbulent and unstable.
"Are they genuinely trying to pull Wanfa into the fray?"
The old director sighed inwardly, "Ah, the great contention of this era... In this light, perhaps my early retirement isn’t a bad thing."
Just then, the lighting at the banquet changed, and apart from the area where Director Gao stood, other places began to dim.
Their gazes also focused on Director Gao and Zhang Yu standing beside him.
Director Gao smiled contentedly and slowly said, "Dear teachers, students, today is bright and cloudless, just like how our current mood is as ardent as the sun, our blood remains warm."
"The Civil Engineering Department’s competition team defeated Vajra University, Sky Sword University, Immortal Soldier University, and Sky Demon University, braving thorns and climbing upwards, finally seizing this year’s championship."
"Behind this achievement is an enormous investment of spirit coins and countless hours of dedication. It’s not just a victory for the competition team but a triumph for our school’s education..."
"And student Zhang Yu, participating in inter-school competitions for the first time, made significant contributions in this competition, upholding the righteous path of civil engineering, leading his teammates to honorably defeat Sky Demon University, winning the crucial final."
"I hope he can continue striving forward, transforming this achievement into a solid foundation, and shining brightly in the future of the Civil Engineering Department..."
Listening to these words, the expressions of everyone present varied; Tu Lishan looked peculiar, True Monarch Qi Yun looked puzzled, Director Lin was full of disdain, while the old director was deep in thought.
The myriad of students looked at Zhang Yu with envy, jealousy, and anticipation, already considering him a role model for the Civil Engineering Department.
The next moment, Director Gao held Zhang Yu’s hand and said, "Here today, I also have another announcement to make."
"Zhang Yu, as a third-year student, obtained the Military Civil Engineering Certificate and led his teammates to win the inter-school competition championship. Such extraordinary achievements are unprecedented in the Civil Engineering Department for many years."
"I have decided to nominate Zhang Yu for direct promotion to a postgraduate position in the Civil Engineering Department and will personally become his mentor, dedicating myself fully to cultivating him into a pillar beneficial to both the Civil Engineering Department and Wanfa..."
With Director Gao’s announcement, the scene instantly burst into chatter.
Most of the students present were merely envious of the glory Zhang Yu was basking in, jealous of the support he received from Director Gao.
However, the teachers who were present understood better the value of Director Gao’s words.
A direct disciple fully supported like this surpasses the ordinary existence of loans, blood ties, or contractual relationships.
Old Director thought to himself, "They’re raising Zhang Yu as if he’s a son... No, with such an attitude, he’s probably closer than a son. No wonder, if I had such a student, the investment would definitely be worth it, much more than one would spend on an offspring."
"But... isn’t Zhang Yu planning to transfer to the Artifact Refining Department and become Magnetic Pole Sect’s disciple?"
Old Director squinted slightly and thought to himself, "Could there be a conflict between the two sides? Seeing the potential in Zhang Yu, both want to snatch the student?"
For an elder cultivator like Old Director, incidents of snatching students or disciples, although not rampant, are definitely not rare.
After all, students are akin to stocks; the more investment in high-quality students, the greater the return, making them excellent investment commodities.
However, unlike stocks, multiple people cannot invest in the same student; opportunities are limited, which naturally leads to competition.
In Old Director’s eyes, Zhang Yu appears as a promising startup company, and the chance for funding must be seized.
Yet, seeing the Civil Engineering Department and Artifact Refining Department competing for a student is a first.
Normally, such contests over high-quality students occur in the Finance, Artifact Refining, and Taoist Skill Departments—the prestigious ones, where a group of teachers compete for wealthy students.
On the other side, Tu Lishan’s eyes suddenly widened as he thought to himself, "What’s going on? Director Gao couldn’t... really not be aware, right?"
Ye Xingli swallowed hard and instinctively glanced at the nearby Magnetic Pole True Monarch, "What will Teacher do? Won’t a conflict erupt right here?"
"Oh?" Director Lin suddenly smiled, "Though I don’t know what’s happening, it seems there’s a good show to watch."
At the same time, Zhang Yu felt Director Gao’s gaze on him, opened his mouth, only to feel shortness of breath.
Can I refuse?
Feeling the sincerity in Director Gao’s eyes, recalling the care from the past three years, Zhang Yu found it incredibly difficult to refuse at this moment.
Can I agree?
Thinking of the awkwardness that the Civil Engineering Department cannot enter the sect, Zhang Yu knew he absolutely couldn’t pursue a graduate degree there. Not to mention the graduate program, even an undergraduate degree from the Civil Engineering Department might be seen as a criminal record by the sect.
Unable to enter the sect, he would eventually walk towards death under the ritual’s backlash.
By then, no matter how much Director Gao invests in him, it would ultimately amount to nothing.
Thinking of this, Zhang Yu quickly messaged Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Teacher?
Zhang Yu: What should I do?
Magnetic Pole True Monarch: Just find a way to stall or brush it off.
Zhang Yu wondered why Magnetic Pole True Monarch seemed so calm and unconcerned. What arrangements and plans had she made?
Meanwhile, Director Gao, noticing Zhang Yu’s prolonged silence, asked in confusion, "Zhang Yu?"
Zhang Yu swallowed and slowly began, "Over the past three years, I have learned a lot in the Civil Engineering Department."
"The hazardous environment at the construction sites has honed my physique, the heavy work has tempered my cultivation technique, and the knowledge of various construction methods has greatly enhanced my ability to make money."
"Moreover, the support from the teachers and the various conveniences provided by Director Gao have made these three years the fastest growing period of my life..."
Just then, in the Spirit Realm, a flash of light and shadow appeared—projections of countless spirit coins immediately filled every corner of the hall.
A projection composed of innumerable spirit coins slowly stepped out from deep within the Spirit Realm and came before Zhang Yu.
"Sorry for interrupting everyone."
"I am Chain Hub True Monarch from the Finance Department."
"Student Zhang Yu, are you interested in joining the Finance Department? Become my disciple?"
Witnessing this scene, everyone was astonished once again.
"Chain Hub True Monarch?" Tu Lishan thought to himself, "This guy is a disciple of the Golden Palace Divine Monarch, right?"
The Golden Palace Divine Monarch is one of the three Divine Monarchs at Wanfa University, coming from the Finance Department, and has significant influence over the allocation of funds and investments at the school.
Director Lin’s expression shifted slightly, "The Finance Department wants to pull Zhang Yu over? Why haven’t I been informed?"
But unlike the myriad thoughts swirling in the teachers’ minds, the students watching only had one thought.
Agree!
Civil Engineering Department or Finance Department? Doesn’t even need a choice; it’s like eating dung versus sugar.
At this moment, Gongshu Jin, Ma Xuan, Feng Tingting, and many other students below wished they could replace Zhang Yu and immediately agree to join the Finance Department.
But facing Chain Hub True Monarch’s inquiry, Zhang Yu steadfastly said, "Sorry, I’m not interested in the Finance Department."
Surprised by Zhang Yu’s straightforward refusal, Chain Hub True Monarch paused, then added, "Rest assured, no matter how much breach fee you have, or what contract you’ve signed, as long as you join the Finance Department, I’ll handle it for you."
"There will be no problem with being recommended for graduate studies; I’ll be your graduate advisor in the future as well."