Chapter 365: Reunion of Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu (Thanks to Golden Gunsmith Rousseau)

Chapter 365: The Reunion of Bai Zhenzhen and Zhang Yu (Thanks to Golden Gun Artisan Rousseau for the 1.1 alliance leader reward)

Late November.

Within the Taiqing Realm.

Zhang Yu was currently immersed in his courses for the Department of Artifact Refining.

Although he had only been studying for three months, the synergistic effects of the Taiqing Realm and various other factors had allowed him to master the majority of the freshman curriculum in artifact refining.

Regrettably, however, he had been starved of opportunities for practical application.

While a vast ocean of foundational knowledge had flooded his mind and been assimilated by his consciousness, he had yet to complete a single laboratory experiment; he had never once had the chance to put that knowledge into practice.

As he pondered this, the general framework of artifact refining surfaced in his mind: "The path of refining begins with the preparation of materials, followed by the construction of the basic structure, and concludes with the integration of mana circuits. It is the combination of these circuits with the basic structure that allows the artifact to manifest the powers of the Immortal Dao."

"While it may seem like a simple three-step process, each step can be broken down into dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of minor sub-steps, depending on the complexity and technical requirements of the artifact."

"And that is only for the most basic, archaic artifacts."

"Modern artifacts on the market almost universally require the addition of incantations and connectivity to the Spirit Realm network."

"Many are further imbued with artifact spirits, granting them a baseline of intelligence."

"Beyond that, there are high-intelligence spirits capable of self-maintenance, self-learning, and self-enhancement for both artifacts and artifact armors..."

Zhang Yu mused to himself, "Incantations and artifact spirits are not to be considered for now."

"Once I have fully digested the freshman knowledge of the refining department, it will be time to practice the refining of materials, the assembly of structures, and the etching of mana circuits."

Zhang Yu understood that if his current study and comprehension of the refining curriculum represented the first meter of a journey, then the practical application required to actually forge an artifact was the remaining ninety-nine meters.

Within those ninety-nine meters, one must not only learn to apply the theory but also master the nuances of hands-on experience and cultivate the various techniques required for the craft.

And, of course, most importantly... one needed money.

"Laboratory fees, material costs, design blueprints... it is all a drain on the purse."

Zhang Yu thought, "It is fortunate I joined the Civil Engineering department first; had I entered the Refining department directly, I fear I would have gone bankrupt long ago."

"For now, I shall continue to study the refining curriculum while simultaneously cultivating my techniques and working to save money, preparing for the practical work to come."

As he departed the Taiqing Realm, Zhang Yu glanced at the data on his Feather Scroll.

Less than three months into his sophomore year, his Dao Heart had reached Level 16 (26.6%), and his mana had climbed to 848.3 units.

Though the improvement in mana quality had slowed, it had reached a level of 176%.

As for his physical strength, due to his focus on construction-related techniques, progress had been significantly slower than in the past despite various efforts and a heavy investment of funds, currently standing at just Level 16.49.

His Gang Qi conductivity and maximum transmission distance had risen in tandem with his cultivation, reaching 62% and 61 meters, respectively.

Beyond that, in terms of the progress of his Martial Saint Body, Zhang Yu had mastered five techniques.

For his sixth, he had chosen the Star-Firmament Meridian-Clearing Method, which he had already cultivated to Level 13.

"Seven more levels, and I will be able to unlock the first-tier effect of the Martial Saint Body."

"I wonder how the Martial Saint Body of the Foundation Establishment stage will differ from the Martial Saint Embryo of the Qi Refining stage."

Just then, a notification flickered in his ocular implants. He tapped it open to find a message from Bai Zhenzhen.

Bai Zhenzhen: Yu, I have arrived.

Zhang Yu’s eyes brightened, though he reasoned that since she had just arrived at the Wanfa University City, she would surely need time to settle in and prepare for the competition.

Just as he was about to suggest she attend to her own affairs first, another message arrived.

Bai Zhenzhen: Mom misses you.

Bai Zhenzhen: Where shall we meet?

Bai Zhenzhen: Find somewhere discreet.

...

Wanfa University City, 66th Floor.

In a corner shrouded from surveillance and devoid of human presence, Zhang Yu suddenly found himself feeling nervous.

Fu Ji remarked, "Kid, your heart rate is a bit high."

Zhang Yu replied, "It has been nearly seventeen months since I last saw A-Zhen. Even though we communicate every day, it feels as if there is a barrier between us..."

Fu Ji said, "So that is how it is."

Fu Ji thought to herself, "I had assumed it was the effect of the virility-boosting meat, making you excited at the mere thought of seeing Bai Zhenzhen."

She then mused, "Although Zhang Yu rarely speaks of it, and Bai Zhenzhen tries her best to restrain and conceal it, both of them must be gradually feeling the growing chasm between them."

"A massive disparity in wealth is enough to turn people into gods and mortals. Especially when that chasm is reinforced by the vast fortune of a Transformation-stage Sovereign."

"While Zhang Yu may have a chance to bridge this distance in the future, and Bai Zhenzhen’s own future is fraught with uncertainty, at this very moment, they are no longer living in the same world."

Fu Ji sighed internally, "Especially with Bai Zhenzhen asking to meet in a discreet location where they would not be discovered."

"Does Zhang Yu wonder if... Bai Zhenzhen is ashamed of their relationship? That she finds him unpresentable?" Fu Ji could not be certain, but based on her years of navigating the Kunxu, it was not entirely impossible.

"And if that is truly the case... it suggests that while Bai Zhenzhen maintains communication with Zhang Yu, their feelings have changed, perhaps without them even realizing it."

"Or perhaps... judging by the way Bai Zhenzhen takes the initiative to supervise Zhang Yu, she has already, unconsciously, placed herself on a higher pedestal than him."

"This may be inevitable; after all, with the sponsorship of a Transformation-stage Sovereign, Bai Zhenzhen must possess superior cultivation conditions, a higher perspective, and a broader dimension of cognition."

"Even subconsciously... she must believe that her understanding of the Immortal Dao is superior to Zhang Yu’s. That her judgments on the path are more sound than his."

Fu Ji thought, "Thinking of it this way, a change in their relationship seems almost predestined. Is this, then, within the calculations of the Seven Emotions Sovereign? Is it related to the mysteries of the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao?"

"Hmph, if I were the one pulling the strings, I would waste no time in extracting every benefit from Bai Zhenzhen, taking whatever I could while the opportunity lasted, so that I would feel no heartache even if the connection were severed later."

"Otherwise, would all the energy, resources, and time invested in this woman not be in vain?"

"Alas, this foolish boy Zhang Yu lacks my cold, rational mindset."

As Fu Ji pondered these things, a night breeze brushed against Zhang Yu.

The next moment, he felt a lithe, powerful body embrace him from behind.

"Yu, it is me."

"Time is limited, so I will begin immediately."

Hearing A-Zhen’s voice, Zhang Yu was about to turn around in excitement when she added, "It is a bit large, so bear with it."

In the next instant, Zhang Yu understood her meaning.

He felt her True Spirit Root pressing in from behind, forcibly drilling into his Dantian.

Having evolved into a Divine Spirit Root, its dimensions far exceeded what they had been in the past.

Zhang Yu thought, "So, the reason A-Zhen asked me to find a discreet place was because she wanted to lend me her True Spirit Root?"

Simultaneously, he felt Bai Zhenzhen’s aura, her intent, and her sensations... all pouring into his body, merging with his own through the medium of the Spirit Root.

Zhang Yu remembered back on the first level of the Kunxu, when he had borrowed her Spirit Root, it would adjust his physical body through its unique adaptability, channeling the gains from Bai Zhenzhen into him.

And now, Bai Zhenzhen’s root had evolved from a Heavenly Spirit Root into a Divine Spirit Root.

Furthermore, it had been an eternity since Zhang Yu had last borrowed the True Spirit Root.

Consequently, the adjustments brought about by the Divine Spirit Root were all the more violent, causing his flesh to shudder, his meridians to contract and swell, and his dantian to feel as if it were being forcibly pried open.

Bai Zhenzhen remarked, "The disparity between us is quite significant now, so the process will be intense; you must endure it!"

Before his eyes, the sea of qi and spirit root within Zhang Yu’s dantian were utterly suppressed by the emergence of the True Spirit Root.

Having evolved into a Divine Spirit Root, it proceeded to displace the original, temporarily usurping the seat of Zhang Yu’s own spirit root.

Zhang Yu was struck with astonishment: "To think that once the True Spirit Root evolves into a Divine Spirit Root, it is capable of such a feat?"

At that moment, Bai Zhenzhen’s laughter echoed in his ears: "Well? Is the True Spirit Root impressive now?"

"I have been searching for a way to transplant the True Spirit Root into your body, which already possesses a spirit root."

Just as Zhang Yu opened his mouth to reply, he felt as if his entire body were being torn asunder, a wave of unprecedented agony washing over him.

Zhang Yu could not help but growl, "Damn it... why does it hurt so much?!"

Bai Zhenzhen encouraged him from behind: "Hold on, Yu-zi, once you make it through, the pain will subside."

"Then, my True Spirit Root will be able to strengthen you."

Fu Ji added with excitement: "Come on, Zhang Yu! This is a Divine Spirit Root! A treasure that countless people dream of but can never attain!"

"You must accept this gift! Hold on! You must hold on!"

A long while later, Zhang Yu finally felt the pain in his body begin to fade; though some discomfort remained, it was well within the bounds of his basic mobility.

Exhaling a long breath, Zhang Yu turned his head to look at Bai Zhenzhen, whom he had not seen in so long, and at this dear friend who had gifted him her Divine Spirit Root the moment they reunited. He sighed helplessly, "A-Zhen, this is too dangerous; what if someone discovers it?"

Bai Zhenzhen smiled dismissively: "That is precisely why I told you to find a secluded place."

"Rest assured, my Divine Spirit Root now possesses a powerful concealment function; once it enters your body, it will be nearly impossible to detect."

Zhang Yu worried, "It is still too risky. If word got out that your Divine Spirit Root could be transplanted in such a way, even replacing the spirit roots of others..."

Before he could finish, Bai Zhenzhen silenced him with an embrace.

"Yu-zi... Mother has missed you."

Holding Bai Zhenzhen, Zhang Yu recalled their three years of high school, the way they had stood by each other through thick and thin, and he whispered, "A-Zhen, Father has missed you too."

Fu Ji, watching from the side, fretted internally: "What are you doing? Hurry up and test the Divine Spirit Root. Why waste time? Do you call yourselves college students? Have you no ambition at all?"

(End of chapter)