Chapter 61: Yu City University

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Yu City University

"Teacher."

Hearing He Yanbing’s inquiry, Ji Zhixing gripped his phone. The corners of his mouth curved up involuntarily into a smile. "My genes have evolved. I just completed the evolution right before you called."

The other end of the line fell noticeably silent for a moment, as if even her breathing had stopped.

"Really?"

Immediately after, He Yanbing’s uncontrollably excited voice rang out. "That’s wonderful! This means you can get into Yu City University this year!"

"I still have to thank you for your support, Teacher," Ji Zhixing said sincerely. A wave of warmth surged in his heart, accompanied by the feeling that he hadn’t let He Yanbing down.

"Stop that. This is all due to your own hard work!" He Yanbing scolded with a laugh.

The two chatted on the phone for over ten minutes before He Yanbing finally hung up.

She was genuinely happy about Ji Zhixing’s genetic evolution.

After the call ended, Ji Zhixing held his phone and stared blankly at He Yanbing’s name on the screen for a moment.

It had only been a little over a month since he awakened the memories of his past life.

But in this short time, he had truly experienced the richness and diversity of this world.

Just as he was about to set his phone on the desk, another call came in.

Ji Zhixing checked the screen—it was Sun Dajun.

He immediately smiled and answered, "Teacher Sun."

"You kid, not bad at all!"

Sun Dajun’s booming voice roared through the receiver, making Ji Zhixing’s ear numb. In the background, there was the CLANG of colliding iron. "I watched your video. Watched it three times! And every time was more satisfying than the last!

"It was seriously impressive, especially the momentum of that staff strike sweeping through an army. I doubt I could ever pull off a strike like that in my life. And the Tingchao Staff Technique—I never expected you to have mastered it so quickly."

Changing the subject, Sun Dajun asked, "Also, let me ask you: since you’ve developed the giantification ability, does that mean your genes are really about to evolve?"

"Not ’about to.’ They have already evolved," Ji Zhixing replied, a smile tugging at his lips.

"What? Already evolved?" Sun Dajun’s voice pitched up sharply before he burst into uproarious laughter. "Hahahaha! Good! Good boy! I knew you could do it! I fucking knew you could do it!"

"Teacher Sun, I might need to borrow the Tide Listening Rod for another two days," Ji Zhixing took the opportunity to say. "I plan to go to Yu City University tomorrow to self-recommend for admission, and I might need to use it."

"Use it as much as you want! Keep it for however long you need!" Sun Dajun waved his hand magnanimously, as if Ji Zhixing were standing right in front of him. "Once you become a student at Yu City University, I might even have to rely on your protection!"

The two chatted for a few more sentences before hanging up.

Just as Ji Zhixing put his phone down and let out a long breath, he heard the faint sound of a key sliding into the lock.

With a CLICK, the front door swung open. His mother, Zhang Yulan, walked in from outside, an unconcealable smile on her face.

"Zhixing, who were you on the phone with?"

Zhang Yulan peeked her head in as she changed her shoes.

"Teacher Sun, and my former homeroom teacher, Teacher He." Ji Zhixing smiled, placed his phone on the table, and naturally reached out to take the grocery basket from his mother’s hands.

The basket was heavy, packed full of fresh meat and vegetables, and even a prepared old hen. She was clearly planning to cook a feast.

He looked at his mother, then glanced at the clock on the wall. It was still much earlier than her usual off-work time. "Mom, why are you back so early today?"

"Because of you, of course."

Zhang Yulan walked over, her smile impossible to hide, and recounted everything that had happened at the supermarket in full detail.

She talked about how shocked the boss had been after seeing the video, how she had praised her in front of all the employees for raising such a good son, and how she had magnanimously given her a paid day off.

After hearing the story, Ji Zhixing shook his head and couldn’t help but laugh. "Your boss certainly knows how to win people over."

"Of course. After all, my son made her look so good." Zhang Yulan sat down next to him, beaming continuously.

But soon after, she looked at Ji Zhixing, seeming a bit hesitant to speak.

Pausing for a moment, she finally couldn’t help but ask, "Zhixing, I saw a lot of people online saying that your genes are about to evolve. Tell Mom, is it true?"

Seeing his mother’s expectant yet nervous expression, Ji Zhixing didn’t hide the truth.

He nodded with a smile. "Mom, my genes have already evolved."

Zhang Yulan froze.

Her mouth fell slightly open, her eyes widening bit by bit. "Already evolved?"

"Yes, they evolved." Ji Zhixing nodded again. "My Three-inch Stone Monkey gene evolved into the Staff Soldier Stone Monkey gene. It’s a second-tier gene. And it’s considered quite powerful even among second-tier genes."

Zhang Yulan sat there, stunned for several seconds, as if she had been petrified.

Then she abruptly stood up, her eyes instantly turning red, her voice pitching up. "You kid, such a huge matter—why didn’t you say so earlier!

"I’ll call your dad back right now! He needs to know about such a joyous occasion!" She immediately pulled out her phone, then paused. "And I have to go buy some more groceries. This isn’t enough!

"I have to cook a real feast today to properly celebrate!"

Zhang Yulan dialed the number as she walked toward the balcony, her steps so light she seemed ten years younger.

Ji Zhixing didn’t stop her. His mother was happy, and he wanted to let her enjoy it.

Moreover, over the past month or so, although she hadn’t said anything, she must have been incredibly worried in her heart.

It was only right to let her feel proud and elated now.

"What did you say? Zhixing’s genes evolved? They evolved into a second-tier gene?" On the other end of the line, Ji Guodong’s voice was filled with disbelief.

"That’s right, second-tier! The Staff Soldier Stone Monkey gene! Ask for time off today too and come back early!" Zhang Yulan said excitedly, her voice so loud it could be heard in the hallway.

"Okay, okay! I’ll ask for leave right away!"

Ji Guodong’s voice turned just as thrilled. "The boss just told me to work overtime, but my son’s genes have evolved—why the hell would I work overtime!"

After finishing the call, Zhang Yulan grabbed her grocery basket and headed out. Upon entering the residential compound, she purposefully took a detour, strolling around beneath the large trees downstairs.

A few neighbors she usually chatted with were sunbathing there. Seeing her approach with her basket, they greeted her one by one.

"Yulan, why are you back so early today?"

"Our Zhixing’s genes evolved—a second-tier gene! I came back early to see him and make him something good to eat so he can replenish his energy," Zhang Yulan replied with a beaming smile, though her gaze kept glancing up toward the window of that particular household upstairs.

Unfortunately, that family’s window was closed and the curtains were drawn. No one could be seen.

She lingered downstairs for quite a while, but never saw the woman from upstairs. Disappointed, she finally carried her basket and headed to the market.

Along the way, whenever she bumped into familiar neighbors, she would stop to chat for a bit, casually mentioning her son’s genetic evolution. She harvested a trail of envy and jealousy.

"What’s going on? Has her Ji Zhixing’s genes really evolved? No way, right? How long has it even been?"

After Zhang Yulan left, the neighbors felt it was inconceivable, looking at each other in sheer disbelief.

How long had it really been?

Was genetic evolution that easy?

"It shouldn’t be a mistake. Zhang Yulan isn’t the type to lie, and something like this would be too easy to expose."

"But a second-tier gene... Tsk tsk, their family is going to turn their fortunes around this time."

They were all somewhat skeptical, yet they had no choice but to believe it.

That evening.

When Ji Zhiyu came home from school, she smelled an appetizing aroma the moment she pushed the door open. Without even putting down her backpack, she ran into the kitchen. "Mom, what’s the occasion today? Why did you make so much good food?"

"It’s a great occasion, of course! Your brother’s genes evolved," Zhang Yulan said cheerfully.

"Really?"

Ji Zhiyu’s eyes widened.

"There’s even a video of your brother online. You can come over and watch it," Ji Guodong called out from the sofa.

"I’m coming!"

Ji Zhiyu immediately ran over.

"God, isn’t my brother way too amazing?"

After finishing the video, Ji Zhiyu’s face was full of marvel.

Ji Zhixing smiled.

He had taken a nap not long ago, fully recovering from the exhaustion of today’s battle. He had even spent some time refining the Golden Chapter.

"Zhixing, I just checked," Ji Guodong said, looking over at him. "Yu City University has a method for self-recommended admission. Do you want to go and give it a try?"

"Yeah." Ji Zhixing nodded. "Teacher He mentioned this to me before as well. I plan to go try it tomorrow."

"Brother, you’re going to attend Yu City University?" Ji Zhiyu looked up in surprise.

Yu City University was the only university for Genetic Cultivators in Yu City Base City. It was also the holy land for all Genetic Cultivators in the city.

Ji Zhixing smiled. "If nothing unexpected happens, that should be the case."

"That’s wonderful!" Ji Zhiyu clapped her hands in excitement.

Learning that Ji Zhixing was going to attend Yu City University, she was truly thrilled to the extreme.

Looking at the smiles on his parents’ faces and his sister’s excited expression, Ji Zhixing felt a deep sense of peace in his heart. The past month of hard work had been worth it.

Upstairs, Wang Yan came home from school. Throwing his backpack onto the sofa, he sidled up to his mother with a smug look on his face. "Mom, I’ve already arranged it with my classmate. Tomorrow night, his older brother will be free, and we’ll call him over then."

"Tomorrow night?" The woman’s eyes lit up, the gloomy cloud on her face dispersing significantly. "Good! Excellent!"

She had been thoroughly frightened by Ji Zhixing last time, but in hindsight, she felt humiliated. This was a Base City with strict laws; would Ji Zhixing really dare to risk his life?

Though she thought this way, they still hadn’t dared to make too much noise at night these past few days, terrified of causing more trouble.

Now that her son was inviting someone who was about to enroll in Yu City University to back them up, she could finally vent her resentment.

Although fights weren’t allowed within the Base City, faced with a student from Yu City University, would Ji Zhixing really dare to remain defiant?

Unless he never planned on leaving the Base City in the future.

The next day.

The early morning sunlight spilled into the room through the window. Ji Zhixing woke up early, ate breakfast, informed his family, and headed out.

He hailed a cab at the compound’s entrance and headed in the direction of Yu City University.

Sitting in the car, Ji Zhixing gazed at the rapidly retreating scenery outside the window, his mind swirling with thoughts.

The car traversed more than half of Yu City Base City before arriving at the destination.

"Yu City University!"

Ji Zhixing paid the fare, pushed the door open, and stepped out. Standing at the university gates, he looked up at the four large, gilded characters. Taking a deep breath, he strode forward.