What’s the point of cultivating immortality if you don’t have money?.

Chapter 569 What are we judges even for?
True Lord Xianyin understood that this design competition was not just for students from Wanfa University, but brought together students from over a hundred universities, including the top ten, upper, and lower schools.

Among these students were Nascent Soul disciples, rising stars cultivated by various schools, children of giant corporations, and even newly signed disciples of many of the top ten Nascent Soul True Monarchs... They were all there to snatch those 10 military certificates.

Students from the Weapon Forging Department of Wanfa University, even those as strong as Ye Xingli, Bei Wufeng, and Yan Qianji, failed to win first place in past competitions.

"No matter how powerful the magnetic poles are, they can't possibly control so many schools."

"On the contrary, if we take such a forceful approach, the judges from other schools will probably be very resistant."

"Sigh, at least put on a show and lower the design level a bit, this is too high-profile."

True Monarch Xianyin shook his head. In any case, as a professor in the weapon-refining department of Wanfa University, he would definitely give Zhang Yu a top ten rating.

"But I can't control how the other judges choose."

After reviewing Zhang Yu's design drawings, Xuan Yin Zhenjun began to look at the other students' entries.

First were the works of the Nascent Soul disciples. True Lord Xianyin nodded repeatedly as he read them, thinking to himself that as expected of a great teacher producing outstanding students, each one was worthy of being in the top ten.

"Especially the genius craftsmen at the Heavenly Demon University, they have endless ingenious ideas and are worthy of being number one."

Then he looked at the design drawings of the children of the giant companies and marveled at how they were indeed from families with a strong academic tradition. Each design carried the style of the upper class and gave people a refreshing feeling.

"Oh? This Zangxingye from Youming University has a solid foundation. He has probably not only taught himself all the weapon-forging courses at Youming University, but also studied many weapon-forging textbooks from other schools. This time, his work should be able to get into the top three."

Then there are the newly signed disciples of many Nascent Soul True Monarchs from the top ten universities.

"The quantity is a bit less than in previous years."

"Their skill level is just average; didn't they even bother to find some references?"

After reviewing all the students' work, Xuan Yin Zhenjun looked at the last two design drafts, both from students who were not from the top ten universities.

"Among students outside the top ten, are there only two with decent qualifications this year?"

The True Lord of Strings sighed, "The quality of these colonels and colonels is really declining year by year. In another two years, I'm afraid there won't be a single one left who is even remotely decent."

Shortly after all the design drawings were approved, Zhenjun Xianyin was invited to participate in the judges' internal meeting.

……

As soon as True Lord String Sound projected into the conference room of the Spirit Realm, he heard a sigh of admiration.

"Have you seen Zhang Yu's work? It's ingenious and profound. Not only is the foundation solid, but the creativity is also imaginative and unconventional. I think we should just give it first place."

"Wanfa University has truly produced an extraordinary student."

As he spoke, the other party projected Zhang Yu's design drawings, showing them to everyone present.

Upon hearing this, True Lord Xianyin looked over. The projection of the speaker was a constantly rotating and flashing blood mist, which was none other than True Lord Xueshui of the Netherworld University.

Although the other party spoke words of praise, True Lord String Sound could detect a hint of sarcasm in them.

Sure enough, another Nascent Soul True Monarch laughed and said, "If we can't even get first place with Magnetism personally taking the lead, people will think that we judges are blind and don't know anything about weapon crafting."

True Lord Xianyin looked at the speaker, whose projection was a lotus platform made of white bones, which was none other than True Lord Erosion of the White Bone University.

Hearing the two of them singing in unison, True Lord Xianyin said calmly, "It's normal for students to have references when designing. Which contestant in this year's competition hasn't received guidance?"

Bloodfall True Monarch of Netherworld University chuckled: "That makes sense. I think we should choose Magnetic Pole as first place. Since a Nascent Soul True Monarch has come to participate, it wouldn't make sense for it not to be first."

The Marrow-Eroding True Monarch shook his head and said, "No, no, the Magnetic Pole True Monarch is about to become a Deity. This is a Quasi-Deity Deity participating in a university student competition. How can he lose?"

Hearing the two men's sarcastic remarks, True Lord Xianyin felt a surge of anger.

The True Lord of Strings said calmly, "You two, don't talk nonsense without evidence. This design drawing is Zhang Yu's hard work. You can't say that someone else wrote it just because he is skilled."

"If that's the case, then whoever has the higher skill level will be accused of using a ghostwriter, and we shouldn't have any more competitions."

Just then, Tianzhi Zhenjun from King Kong University said, "Xianyin Zhenjun is right. Everyone, let's get back to the main topic and stop rambling."

Upon hearing that True Lord Tianzhi had spoken up for him, True Lord Xianyin sent him a private message: Thank you.
It was this very same True Monarch Tianzhi who had previously sent him a message reminding him to look at Zhang Yu's design drawings.

Tianzhi Zhenjun replied: It's alright. Faced with these heretical sects, we, the righteous university, will naturally stand together.
Celestial Wisdom True Lord: It's just that Magnetic Pole True Lord acted a bit impulsively this time [smirking]
Tianzhi Zhenjun: You don't intend to force Zhang Yu to be number one, do you?

At the same time, True Monarch Tianzhi thought to himself, "That guy, Magnetism... hasn't even passed the Nascent Soul review yet, has he? He's going to put on such a show, pushing his disciple into the design competition to get a prize? Anyone who didn't know better would think he'd already reached the late Nascent Soul stage." True Monarch Xianyin quickly explained, "No, no."
True Lord of Strings: As long as we make it into the top ten.
Just then, Bloodfall True Monarch from the Netherworld University said, "Stop rambling, we're getting to the point."

As he spoke, he zoomed in on Zhang Yu's design drawings projected on the screen, pointing out several ingenious details, and said, "Isn't this the style of a magnetic pole? Is this a design that a senior student could make? Does he have the knowledge and technical experience to do this?"

The Marrow-Eroding True Monarch from White Bone University chuckled, "I didn't expect Magnetic Pole to have time to do contract manufacturing for students. Did you take a lot of money from them?"

Bloodfall True Monarch chuckled, "I didn't expect her to get involved in the college market. It seems that your Myriad Laws are also going to take the low-end route and compete with Extreme Tiger for market share?"

True Lord Xianyin coldly explained, "Although True Lord Ciji gave some guidance, Zhang Yu did most of the work himself."

Despite saying that, even True Lord Xianyin himself wasn't confident.

Just as both sides were sticking to their own versions of events, a voice came from the head of the conference room.

"Alright, the gods are all watching, don't make a fool of yourself."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became serious and stopped arguing.

When True Lord Xianyin glanced over, the projection of the person who spoke was a bottomless darkness. If he were to describe it, it would be as deep and dark as a prison, like a bottomless abyss.

True Lord String Sound knew that this darkness, though seemingly simple, contained extremely complex spiritual effects, which were not only expensive but also required a certain level of faith to purchase.

The owner of this projection is none other than the Evil Lotus True Monarch of the Heavenly Demon University, who is also a senior Nascent Soul disciple. As the vice president of the Heavenly Demon University, he is in charge of various research affairs and is also a top expert in weapon crafting at the Heavenly Demon University.

True Lord Xianyin knew that, regardless of background, assets, technology, or industry reputation, the judges this time were clearly led by True Lord Nielian.

Then, True Lord Nie Lian continued, "If all the disciples' matches are won by their teachers, then we should just have them compete ourselves from now on."

"If the design competition becomes a joke, what will the Heavenly Court think? What will the sects think? From now on, people from above will just be sent to judge, what will be the point of having us judges?"

"The design competition allows each school to send judges in turn to maintain balance and prevent any one school from dominating."

“Xianyin, convey what I said today to the magnetic pole. If she still insists on going after that, then I have nothing to say.”

Bloodfall True Monarch chimed in, "Yeah, I think Magnetism is senile. How can they help students pass like this? It's ruining the design competition's prestige. If the higher-ups cut the number of military certificates, everyone will lose face."

But no matter what the other party says, it is clear that True Lord Xianyin would never admit to using a substitute player.

He forced a smile and said, "Zhang Yu's work must have been made by himself."

Bloodfall True Monarch shouted, "Xianyin, do you dare to say it in front of the camera? I'm about to start recording a video."

Xuan Yin Zhenjun felt a surge of anger, but he really didn't dare to do it. If it were revealed later that Zhang Yu had used a substitute player, then this video would become a black mark on his record and damage his reputation in the industry.

True Lord Xianyin could only say, "Isn't there supposed to be a test before the awards ceremony? Then everyone can test Zhang Yu's abilities and see if he designed the blueprint himself."

True Monarch Xianyin thought to himself, "Magnetic pole, this is the most I can do to help. You should let your student prepare well."

However, the words of True Lord Xianyin sounded like a stubborn refusal to admit defeat to the other True Lords present.

True Monarch Nie Lian said calmly, "Alright, I'll give Wanfa face and allow Ciji's disciple to be in the top 10."

"However, for this top 10 list, we will select 15 contestants and conduct a test before the awards ceremony. Those who are too poor will be eliminated to avoid making a fool of ourselves in front of the higher-ups."

"Zhang Yu is one now, who should we choose as the second one?"

Bloodfall True Monarch switched the projection of Zhang Yu's design drawings to another one, and said, "I propose the Ghost God Craftsmanship of the Heavenly Demon University..."

As the meeting concluded, the judges finalized the list of the top 15 contestants, and the righteous deity reported the results to the Heavenly Court.

This time, however, the Heavenly Court's reaction took the judges by surprise.

As Xuan Yin Zhenjun looked at the notification that appeared before him, he thought to himself, "15 contestants will have to take a test and complete a design task on the spot? The final ranking will be based on the combined scores of this test."

The True Lord of Strings sighed helplessly in his heart, "Magnetic poles, you can't blame me for this."

Having said that, he had already informed Magnetism True Lord of the news.

Bloodfall True Monarch of Netherworld University looked at the notice and snorted coldly: "They don't trust us anymore."

The Marrow-Eroding True Monarch said calmly, "I'm afraid that student from the Magnetic Pole got into trouble. Sigh, the trickery was too obvious. I told you long ago that design competitions shouldn't be conducted like this."

(End of this chapter)