Chapter 417: Chapter 363: The Reunion of Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu (Thanks to Jin Qiangjiang Luosuo for the additional reward of 1.1 leader)
Late November.
Within the Taiqing Realm.
Zhang Yu is currently studying courses in the artifact crafting department.
Although he’s only been studying for three months, with the support of various factors like the Taiqing Realm, Zhang Yu feels that he’s already completed most of his freshman year curriculum in artifact crafting.
Unfortunately, he has always lacked some practical opportunities.
The vast amount of fundamental knowledge about artifact crafting has flooded his mind, understood by his consciousness, but he hasn’t completed any lab courses or had any real chance to apply this knowledge.
Thinking of this, the general framework of artifact crafting emerges in Zhang Yu’s mind: "The path of artifact crafting starts with refining materials, then completing the basic structure, and finally finishing the mana circuitry, which, when combined with the basic structure, can unleash Immortal Path powers."
"Although, generally speaking, it seems like just these three steps, each of these steps can be broken down into dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of smaller steps depending on the complexity and technical content of the magic treasure."
"And this is just the most basic and old-fashioned magic treasure."
"Nowadays, most magic treasures on the market also need to incorporate talismans to communicate with the Spirit Realm Network."
"Many also need to be endowed with artifact spirits, with basic intelligence."
"On a higher level, there are high-intelligent artifact spirits, which can allow magic treasures and magic remains to self-maintain, self-learn, and self-enhance..."
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Talismans and artifact spirits will not be considered for now."
"Once I’ve thoroughly absorbed the freshman knowledge of the artifact crafting department, I’ll have to practice refining materials, basic structures, and mana circuitry."
Zhang Yu understands that if learning and comprehending these artifact crafting knowledge can be considered as having traveled a distance of 1 meter, then actually applying this knowledge in practice to manufacture magic treasures still has a distance of 99 meters to go.
In that 99-meter distance, not only is it necessary to learn to apply this knowledge, but also to acquire much practical experience, and to cultivate many techniques needed for artifact crafting.
Of course, most importantly... money is also needed.
"The lab, material costs, design blueprints... all need money."
Zhang Yu thought to himself: "Fortunately, I joined Civil Engineering first, otherwise diving directly into the artifact crafting department, I might have gone bankrupt long ago."
"Next, I should continue learning artifact crafting knowledge while cultivating the techniques, saving money from working, and preparing for the upcoming artifact crafting practice."
When leaving the Taiqing Realm, Zhang Yu took a look at his stats on Yu’s book.
Less than three months into his sophomore year, his Dao Heart had reached level 16 (26.6%), and his mana had grown to 848.3 units.
Although the improvement in mana quality had become increasingly slow, it still reached a level of 176%.
As for physical strength, due to focusing on construction techniques, despite using various means and spending a lot of money, the improvement had also slowed significantly from before, now just reaching 16.49 levels.
Both gang qi conductivity and the furthest transmission distance of gang qi had also risen with his cultivation level, reaching 62% and 61 meters, respectively.
Besides, in terms of the progress of the Martial Arts Saint Body, Zhang Yu had already cultivated five techniques.
For the sixth technique, Zhang Yu chose the Star Sky Rushing Pulse Technique, and now it had also been cultivated to level 13.
"Just seven levels away and I can unlock the first-layer effect of the Martial Arts Saint Body."
"I wonder what differences there would be between the Foundation Establishment Stage Martial Arts Saint Body and the Qi Refinement Realm Martial Arts Saint Embryo."
Just then, a notification flashed in Zhang Yu’s eyes, and upon opening it, he saw it was a message from Bai Zhenzhen.
Bai Zhenzhen: Yu Zi, I’ve arrived.
Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up, but considering that the other had just arrived at the Wanfa University City, she would probably need some time to settle down and prepare for the competition.
Just as he was thinking of letting Bai Zhenzhen attend to her affairs first, another message came from her.
Bai Zhenzhen: Mom misses you.
Bai Zhenzhen: Where should we meet?
Bai Zhenzhen: Find a secret place.
...
66th floor of Wanfa University City
In a corner without surveillance and devoid of people.
Zhang Yu suddenly found himself a bit nervous.
Fu Ji said, "Kid, your heart rate’s a bit fast."
Zhang Yu said, "After all, it’s been almost 17 months since Azhen and I last met, although we talk every day there’s always a sense of distance..."
Fu Ji said, "I see, that’s it then."
Fu Ji thought to herself, "I thought it was the effect of that aphrodisiac meat, making you excited at the thought of meeting Bai Zhenzhen."
Then Fu Ji pondered, "Although Zhang Yu never said it out loud, and Bai Zhenzhen, although always trying to restrain and disguise her feelings, both must be gradually becoming aware of the gap between them."
"The vast wealth disparity can turn people into gods and demons. Not to mention, the gap is magnified by the wealth infusion of a Divinity Transformation Divine Monarch."
"Though Zhang Yu may have the opportunity in the future to bridge this gap, and Bai Zhenzhen’s future remains uncertain, at this very moment, they are living in different worlds."
Fu Ji mused in her heart, "Especially with Bai Zhenzhen inviting him out this time and specifically requesting a secret location that wouldn’t be discovered by others."
"Does Zhang Yu feel... that Bai Zhenzhen wants to keep their relationship hidden from others? Does he think he’s being kept in the shadows?"
Fu Ji couldn’t completely confirm this, but with her many years of experience navigating Kunxu, it’s not entirely impossible.
"And if that’s truly the case... it indicates that while Bai Zhenzhen is still communicating with Zhang Yu, unbeknownst to them, their relationship has already changed."
"Or perhaps... from Bai Zhenzhen’s proactive oversight of Zhang Yu, maybe she’s subconsciously placing herself in a higher position than him."
"This might also be unavoidable because Bai Zhenzhen, backed by the Divinity Transformation Divine Monarch, certainly has superior cultivation conditions, a higher cultivation perspective, and a broader dimension of understanding."
"Even subconsciously... she would inevitably think that her knowledge on the Immortal Path surpasses Zhang Yu. Her judgment on the Immortal Path also surpasses Zhang Yu."
Fu Ji pondered to herself, "Thinking about it this way, their relationship is almost destined to change. Then... is this also part of the consideration of the Seven Emotions Divine Monarch? Could it be related to the secrets of the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao?"
"Hmph, if it were up to me, I’d take the opportunity to extract benefits from Bai Zhenzhen, get as much as possible while the chance is there, so I wouldn’t feel bad even if the connection breaks in the future."
"Otherwise, wouldn’t the energy, resources, and time invested in this woman be wasted?"
"Sigh, too bad Zhang Yu, this silly boy, doesn’t have my cold, rational thinking."
Just as Fu Ji was contemplating back and forth in her mind, a gust of night wind blew against Zhang Yu.
The next moment, Zhang Yu felt a tall, strong body embrace him tightly from behind.
"Yu Zi, it’s me."
"We’ve limited time, so I’ll start right away."
Hearing Azhen’s voice, Zhang Yu was about to turn around excitedly when he heard her continue, "It’s a bit large now, you have to endure it."
The next moment, Zhang Yu understood the meaning behind Bai Zhenzhen’s words.
Because he felt her True Spirit Root pushing in from behind, forcibly entering his Dantian.
And having evolved into the Heavenly Spirit Root, the True Spirit Root’s size far exceeded the past.
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "So Azhen had me find a secret place because she wanted to lend me the True Spirit Root?"
At the same time, Zhang Yu felt Bai Zhenzhen’s aura, Bai Zhenzhen’s thoughts, Bai Zhenzhen’s sensations... continuously invading his body, merging through the True Spirit Root.
Zhang Yu still remembered when he was on Kunxu’s first layer, borrowing the True Spirit Root, the True Spirit Root would adjust his physique due to its unique adaptability, aligning the benefits from Bai Zhenzhen to him.
And now Bai Zhenzhen’s Spirit Root had evolved from the Heavenly Spirit Root to the Divine Spirit Root.
Moreover, Zhang Yu hadn’t used the True Spirit Root in a long time.
Thus, the adjustments brought by the Divine Spirit Root were more intense, causing Zhang Yu’s entire body to tremble, his meridians to shrink and expand, and his Dantian to feel forcibly stretched.
Bai Zhenzhen said, "There’s quite a difference between us now, the process will be intense, you have to endure!"
Only to see that the Qi Sea Spirit Root originally in Zhang Yu’s Dantian was completely suppressed by the presence of the True Spirit Root.
The True Spirit Root, evolved into the Divine Spirit Root, actually directly replaced his Spirit Root position temporarily.
Zhang Yu was shocked, "After the True Spirit Root evolved into the Divine Spirit Root, it can actually do such a thing?"
At the same time, Bai Zhenzhen’s laughter echoed beside him, "How is it? Isn’t the True Spirit Root powerful now?"
"I’ve been trying to make the True Spirit Root migrate to your body with a Spirit Root."
Zhang Yu was just about to respond when he felt a unprecedented pain, as if his flesh was being torn apart.
He couldn’t help but curse quietly, "Damn it... why does it hurt so much?!"
Bai Zhenzhen encouraged him from behind, "Endure it, Yu Zi! Once you get through, it won’t hurt anymore."
"By then, my True Spirit Root can enhance you."
Fu Ji also excitedly shouted, "Come on, Zhang Yu! This is the Divine Spirit Root! It’s a treasure many dream of but can’t obtain!"
"You must seize this benefit! Endure it! Hang in there!"
After a long time, Zhang Yu finally felt the pain gradually subside, though still uncomfortable, it no longer affected his basic activities.
He exhaled deeply and turned around, looking at the long-unseen Bai Zhenzhen, this dear friend who immediately lent him the Divine Spirit Root. He helplessly said, "Azhen, what you’re doing is too dangerous, what if someone finds out?"
Bai Zhenzhen smiled nonchalantly, "That’s why I asked you to find a secret place."
"Don’t worry, my current Divine Spirit Root has strong hiding functions. The moment it enters your body, it’s hard to be detected."
Zhang Yu worriedly said, "It’s still too risky, what if people find out your Divine Spirit Root can migrate like this, even replacing others’ Spirit Roots..."
But before he could finish, Bai Zhenzhen embraced him tightly, cutting off all his words.
"Yu Zi... Mom missed you."
Zhang Yu hugged Bai Zhenzhen, thinking about the high school years of unwavering friendship and struggles together. He softly said, "Azhen, Dad missed you too."
Fu Ji anxiously thought on the side, "What are they doing? Just hurry up and test the Divine Spirit Root. Why waste time? Are you all university students? Do you not have any ambition anymore?"