Late November.

In the Taiqing Realm, Zhang Yu was studying the courses of the Artifact Forging Department. Although he had only been studying for three months, with the blessings of the Taiqing Realm and other factors, Zhang Yu felt he had completed most of the first-year courses in Artifact Forging.

However, he regretted that he had always lacked opportunities for practical application. While a vast amount of fundamental knowledge about artifact forging had flooded his mind and was understood by his consciousness, he hadn’t completed any experimental classes or had a single opportunity to truly apply this knowledge.

As he thought about this, the general framework of artifact forging emerged in Zhang Yu’s mind: “The Way of Artifact Forging begins with refining materials, followed by completing the basic structure, and finally, establishing the mana circuit. The mana circuit, combined with the basic structure, can then unleash immortal power.”

“Although it seems like just three steps overall, each of these steps can be broken down into dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of smaller sub-steps, depending on the increasing complexity and technical sophistication of the magical artifact.”

“And this is just for the most basic, old-fashioned magical artifacts.”

“Magical artifacts on the market today generally also require the addition of talismans and communication with the spiritual realm network.”

“Many also need to be endowed with artifact spirits, possessing basic intelligence.”

“Beyond that, there are highly intelligent artifact spirits that enable magical artifacts and even spiritual remains to self-maintain, self-learn, and self-enhance…”

Zhang Yu thought to himself, “Talismans and artifact spirits are not a priority for now.”

“Once I’ve thoroughly digested all the first-year knowledge of the Artifact Forging Department, it will be time to practice refining materials, creating basic structures, and establishing mana circuits.”

Zhang Yu understood that if learning and comprehending the knowledge of the Artifact Forging Department was like taking one step, then truly applying that knowledge to create magical artifacts in practice was still ninety-nine steps away. Within those ninety-nine steps, he would not only need to learn how to apply the knowledge but also gain practical experience and cultivate many of the techniques required for artifact forging.

And most importantly… he would need money.

“Laboratories, material costs, design blueprints… it all costs money.”

Zhang Yu mused, “Good thing I joined Civil Engineering first; otherwise, I’d probably be bankrupt if I had gone straight into Artifact Forging.”

“Next, I’ll continue learning Artifact Forging knowledge, cultivating techniques, and working to save money, preparing for future practical artifact forging.”

Upon leaving the Taiqing Realm, Zhang Yu glanced at the data on his personal ‘Feather Book’. In less than three months since the start of his sophomore year, his Dao Heart had reached Level 16 (26.6), and his mana had increased to 848.3 units. Although the improvement in his mana quality was gradually slowing, it had still reached a level of 176.

As for his physical strength, due to his focus on construction techniques, it had increased much slower than before despite various methods and significant expenditures, now just reaching Level 16.49. His True Qi conductivity and maximum True Qi transmission distance had also risen with his cultivation level, reaching 62 and 61 meters respectively.

Furthermore, regarding the progress of his Martial Dao Sacred Body, Zhang Yu had already mastered 5 cultivation methods. For the sixth method, Zhang Yu chose the Star-Cloud Meridian Rushing Art, which he had now cultivated to Level 13.

“Just 7 more levels, and I’ll be able to activate the first layer of the Martial Dao Sacred Body’s effects.”

“I wonder how this Foundation Establishment stage Martial Dao Sacred Body will differ from the Qi Condensation stage Martial Dao Sacred Fetus.”

Just then, a message flashed in Zhang Yu’s ocular display. He opened it to see it was from Bai Zhenzhen.

Bai Zhenzhen: Yu Zi, I’m here.

Zhang Yu’s eyes lit up, but he figured she would need time to settle in and prepare for the competition, having just arrived at Myriad Law University’s university town. As he was about to suggest Bai Zhenzhen attend to her own matters first, another message came through.

Bai Zhenzhen: Mom misses you.
Bai Zhenzhen: Where should we meet?
Bai Zhenzhen: Find a discreet place.

Myriad Law University Town, 66th Floor.

In a corner not covered by surveillance and devoid of human presence, Zhang Yu suddenly found himself feeling a bit nervous.

Fu Ji said, “Kid, your heart is beating a little fast.”

Zhang Yu replied, “Ah Zhen and I haven’t seen each other in almost seventeen months, after all. Although we communicate daily, it always feels like there’s a barrier…”

Fu Ji said, “Oh, I see.” Fu Ji secretly thought, “I thought it was the effect of the aphrodisiac meat making you excited at the thought of seeing Bai Zhenzhen.”

Then Fu Ji thought again: “Although Zhang Yu doesn’t usually say it, and Bai Zhenzhen tries her best to restrain and hide it, both of them must be gradually feeling the gap between them.”

“A vast disparity in wealth is enough to transform the difference between people into that between humans and gods. And this is especially true with the chasm-like gap created by the wealth infused by a Divine Transformation Monarch.”

“Although Zhang Yu might have a chance to bridge this gap in the future, and Bai Zhenzhen’s future is also quite uncertain, at this moment, they are already living in different worlds.”

Fu Ji sighed inwardly, “Especially since Bai Zhenzhen initiated this meeting and specifically requested a discreet location where they wouldn’t be discovered.”

“Will Zhang Yu feel… that Bai Zhenzhen doesn’t want people to discover their relationship? Does she consider Zhang Yu ‘unpresentable’?”

Fu Ji couldn’t be entirely sure, but based on her years of experience traversing Kunxu, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

“And if that’s truly the case… it means that even though Bai Zhenzhen is still communicating with Zhang Yu, their feelings for each other have subtly changed.”

“Or rather… considering Bai Zhenzhen’s initiative in supervising Zhang Yu, perhaps she has, without realizing it, placed herself in a position higher than his.”

“This might also be inevitable, as Bai Zhenzhen, with the sponsorship of the Divine Transformation Monarch, undoubtedly has superior cultivation conditions, a higher cultivation perspective, and broader cognitive dimensions.”

“Even if it’s subconscious… she will inevitably believe that her understanding of the Immortal Path is superior to Zhang Yu’s, and her judgments on the Immortal Path are also superior to his.”

Fu Ji mused, “Thinking this way, their relationship is almost destined to change. So… is this also part of the Seven Emotions Monarch’s plan? Is it related to the mysteries of the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao?”

“Hmph, if I were in charge, I’d seize the opportunity to extract as much benefit as possible from Bai Zhenzhen now. Even if ties were cut in the future, I wouldn’t feel bad.”

“Otherwise, wouldn’t all the effort, resources, and time invested in this woman be wasted?”

“Sigh, it’s a shame Zhang Yu, this foolish boy, doesn’t have my ruthless, rational way of thinking.”

Just as Fu Ji was lost in her thoughts, a night breeze swept over Zhang Yu. The next moment, Zhang Yu felt a slender, powerful body embrace him from behind.

“Yu Zi, it’s me.”

“Time is limited, so I’ll just begin directly.”

Hearing Ah Zhen’s voice, Zhang Yu was about to excitedly turn around when he heard her continue, “It’s a bit big now, just bear with it.”

The next instant, Zhang Yu understood what Bai Zhenzhen meant. He felt her True Spirit Root slowly push its way in from behind, forcibly entering his dantian. After evolving into a Divine Root, the True Spirit Root’s size far exceeded what it had been before.

Zhang Yu inwardly thought, “So Ah Zhen asked me to find a discreet place because she wanted to lend me her True Spirit Root?”

At the same time, Zhang Yu felt Bai Zhenzhen’s aura, Bai Zhenzhen’s consciousness, Bai Zhenzhen’s sensations… continuously surging into his body, integrating with him through the True Spirit Root. Zhang Yu remembered that when he borrowed the True Spirit Root back on Kunxu Layer One, its unique adaptability would adjust his physical body, transferring the benefits from Bai Zhenzhen to him.

Now, Bai Zhenzhen’s spirit root had evolved from a Heavenly Spirit Root to a Divine Root. Furthermore, Zhang Yu hadn’t borrowed the True Spirit Root in a very long time. Therefore, the adjustments brought by the Divine Root were much more intense this time, causing Zhang Yu’s entire body to tremble, his meridians to contract and expand, and his dantian to feel forcibly stretched open.

Bai Zhenzhen said, “The disparity between us is quite large now, so the process will be intense. You have to endure it!”

Zhang Yu watched as the Qi Sea Spirit Root in his dantian was completely suppressed by the appearance of the True Spirit Root. The True Spirit Root, having evolved into a Divine Root, actually replaced it directly, temporarily taking over Zhang Yu’s spirit root position.

Zhang Yu was shocked: “After evolving into a Divine Root, the True Spirit Root can even do something like this?”

At the same time, he heard Bai Zhenzhen’s laughter in his ear: “How about it? Isn’t the True Spirit Root powerful now?”

“I’ve always been trying to find a way for the True Spirit Root to migrate into your body, since you have a spirit root.”

Just as Zhang Yu was about to answer, he felt an unprecedented tearing pain throughout his body, as if his flesh and blood were being ripped apart. Zhang Yu couldn’t help but groan, “Damn it… why does it hurt so much?!”

Bai Zhenzhen encouraged him from behind, “Hang in there, Yu Zi, it’ll stop hurting once you get through it.”

“Then my True Spirit Root will be able to strengthen you.”

Fu Ji also exclaimed excitedly, “Come on, Zhang Yu! This is a Divine Root! It’s something countless people dream of but can never obtain!”

“You absolutely must accept this benefit! Endure it! Endure!”

After a long while, Zhang Yu finally felt the pain in his body gradually subside. Though still uncomfortable, it was within a range that no longer affected his basic activities.

Letting out a long breath, Zhang Yu turned his head to look at Bai Zhenzhen, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. He looked at his close friend, who had immediately lent him her Divine Root, and said helplessly, “Ah Zhen, what you’re doing is too dangerous. What if someone finds out?”

Bai Zhenzhen smiled carelessly, “That’s why I asked you to find a discreet place.”

“Don’t worry, my Divine Root’s concealment ability is very strong now. The moment it enters your body, it’s very difficult to detect.”

Zhang Yu worried, “It’s still too risky. What if people find out your Divine Root can migrate like this, and even replace someone else’s spirit root…”

But before he could finish, Bai Zhenzhen’s embrace silenced the rest of his words.

“Yu Zi… Mom misses you.”

Zhang Yu held Bai Zhenzhen in his arms, thinking of their unwavering companionship and shared struggles throughout their three years of high school. He gently said, “Ah Zhen, Dad misses you too.”

Fu Ji, standing nearby, fretted internally: “What are they doing? Hurry up and try out the Divine Root! Why waste time? Are you even university students? Don’t you have any ambition?!”