It's good that you're fine. From now on, just stay home and cultivate," Zhou Xian said sternly.
Zhou Haoyu was not only born with dual elements, but at a young age had already reached mid-tier in three elements, and he had even taken Chief Pang Lai as his teacher. His future was boundless.
As long as he cultivated step by step, he would definitely reach the peak of the Super Tier someday, elevating the Zhou family to a whole new level.
"Grandpa, how can a powerful mage possibly be raised by staying cooped up at home? Even the top universities send students out for wilderness training every year," Zhou Haoyu said.
Zhou Haoyu had no intention of being confined. He still had so many treasure chests left to open!
Zhou Xian let out a sigh. Of course he knew this might hinder Zhou Haoyu's growth, but the sudden news had thrown him into panic.
Zhou Haoyu was the Zhou family's hope for rising again he absolutely couldn't be allowed to meet with any accident.
"I'll find someone to forge you a set of Armor Magic Equipment in a few days," Zhou Xian said.
Zhou Haoyu was instantly delighted and quickly added, "Grandpa, I already have some plans regarding Armor Magic Equipment. What I lack now are some rare minerals."
"What do you need minerals for? Don't tell me you're learning forging? That's just a waste of your cultivation time," Zhou Xian said disapprovingly.
Seeing that his grandfather wasn't pleased, Zhou Haoyu immediately denied it. "No, my teacher knows a blacksmith. But to forge a top-quality Armor Magic Equipment, he still lacks a few rare minerals."
Zhou Xian didn't doubt it. Pang Lai, as the Chief of the Magic Court, knowing a few skilled blacksmiths was perfectly normal.
Besides, forging techniques weren't easy to learn. Even if Zhou Haoyu truly wanted to study forging, there's no way he'd make real progress in such a short time.
"Tell me what you need. I'll try my best to get them for you," Zhou Xian said.
Zhou Haoyu immediately pulled out a long list and handed it to Zhou Xian.
Zhou Xian only skimmed through it, and was instantly stunned by the densely packed names of minerals on it. Some of them he hadn't even heard of before.
Zhou Haoyu had clearly slipped in some extras for himself. Compared to searching slowly through the magic markets, handing the list to his grandfather was much more efficient.
As long as a portion of these minerals was gathered, Zhou Haoyu would be able to forge Soul-grade Magic Equipment.
"You rascal, just got home and you're already giving your grandpa such a 'gift,'" Zhou Hong glanced at the list too and gave Zhou Haoyu a hearty smack on the back.
"Standard practice," Zhou Haoyu waved his hand casually.
Zhou Hong shook his head helplessly, then turned to chat idly with Mu Zhuoyun. Before long, they naturally began discussing the marriage.
Mu Zhuoyun was very eager. The Mu family did indeed need an opportunity like this to catch their breath.
Zhou Hong, on the other hand, was much more composed. Now that Zhou Haoyu's future looked so promising, marrying too early might actually become a burden.
What's more, Mu Ningxue's peerless beauty and ice-jade complexion she was practically a deadly poison.
If Zhou Haoyu fell into the trap of love and lust, wouldn't that be a tragic waste of talent?
After a round of discussion, Mu Zhuoyun left with Mu Ningxue. He still had to settle the rest of the Mu family members.
"The Mu family wants to get the marriage done quickly. What do you think?" Zhou Hong looked at his son and asked.
"I think giving her a title is fine, but let's skip the wedding for now. My studies take priority," Zhou Haoyu replied after thinking it over.
Backing out of the engagement was never an option only a brain-dead person would do that.
Besides, there would definitely be other treasure chests in the future with similar unlocking conditions. Like Mu Nujiao's treasure chest Zhou Haoyu would never leave a chest unopened.
That would betray his principles.
Zhou Haoyu not only wanted to open treasure chests with keys he wanted to use the 'key' to unlock Mu Nujiao as well!
Of course, that depended on whether he fulfilled the unlocking conditions.
"Mu Ningxue is fine, but with your current status, there are even better options," Zhou Hong hinted.
Zhou Haoyu instantly understood what his dad meant, but abandoning a fiancée? He'd never do something like that.
More importantly, he didn't want to see Mu Ningxue with someone else in the future.
Besides, even if he swapped fiancées, with his current position, he'd only end up with someone like Mu Tingying at best. At most, he'd no longer be treated like a live-in son-in-law.
As for top-tier rich heiresses like Irene of the British Grand Dukedom, only the direct heirs of top aristocratic families would stand a chance of marrying them.
"Dad, do you really think I'm the kind of guy who climbs the ladder by relying on women?" Zhou Haoyu retorted.
Zhou Hong was instantly choked this brat was being way too blunt.
Thanks to Zhou Haoyu's words, Zhou Hong finally broke out of the fixed mindset of aristocratic political marriages.
With Zhou Haoyu's talent and background, there was absolutely no need for him to become some tool in a family alliance. Letting him develop freely was clearly the best choice.
"Fine, we'll do it your way."
"Oh right, Dad there may be some trouble coming for the Mu family. Help them out where you can."
"You think I need you to remind me?!"
Soon after, Zhou Haoyu's role in escorting students in Bo City reached the ears of some high-ranking officials.
To boost morale, the Magic Association deliberately publicized the incident, and Zhou Haoyu became widely known overnight.
Two days later, at Imperial Capital University
"Zhou Haoyu, I've heard all about what you did in Bo City. Now that your age and cultivation both meet the requirements, I can file an application for you to enter the main campus early. What do you think?"
Inside the Dean's office, Dean Songhe sat in his chair, looking at Zhou Haoyu with a benevolent smile.
What Zhou Haoyu had done in Bo City had brought honor to Imperial Capital University. Dean Songhe naturally felt more and more pleased with him.
"Dean, I'd prefer not to enter the main campus just yet," Zhou Haoyu said after a moment's thought.
He had to participate in the academy exchange two years from now. If he didn't intervene, Imperial Capital University's exchange students would almost certainly be completely wiped out.
Moreover, with his butterfly effect in play, some unexpected developments might happen.
Of course, Zhou Haoyu was convinced that Lu Nian had a treasure chest on him as one of the Eight Soul Essences, it was a given.
Dean Songhe also had a treasure chest, but the unlocking condition was a bit outrageous.
[Unlock Condition: Strip him of his Headmaster title.]
Zhou Haoyu had absolutely no fondness for Dean Songhe in fact, there was a bit of aversion. If he could replace the guy, then why not?
This old man acted all kind and gentle on the surface, but in truth he was utterly indifferent and avoided any kind of trouble like the plague.
There weren't actually that many true villains in the world, but hypocrisy was still an accomplice of evil.
The Demon Element had initially been authorized for research by the Huaxia military, but had since been strictly forbidden. Lu Nian was now conducting private research, and Songhe was essentially his protector.
Perhaps in Songhe's eyes, if someone were to create an entirely new magic element, it would be an earth-shattering feat worthy of being remembered in the annals of history.
Songhe wasn't the only one aware of Lu Nian's research. Mu Zhanzheng also knew, and even many high-level officials were aware they just chose to turn a blind eye.
In the end, it all came down to profit!