Chapter 2942 — Xiao Shu's Betrothal

Following the section on how the Primal Essence Necklace was to be condensed came an appendix: the mental incantation of a Yellow Rank artificer.

Wei Zhao read on with curiosity, but after only a few glances his expression turned odd and helpless. At that moment there were just three words he wanted to say: this is **hard**!

The artificer's mental incantation was complexity itself—far, far more convoluted than even the most intricate alchemist's method for condensing pill fire he had ever seen. Not only was it unbelievably long, the way it circulated through the body was utterly bizarre.

And that was not all. The control methods for the force and temperature of the three-attribute forging flame were entirely separate—three methods, or rather six, since force and temperature each required a different set of controls!

Wei Zhao's mouth twitched twice. He could just picture it: an artificer forging a weapon, muttering under his breath like a man chanting a spell, ceaselessly reciting all manner of incantations, and one slip undoing everything.

His own Xuanyuan Dragon-Taming Art, by contrast, was just one art. True, it split his attention many ways, but changing the flame's force and temperature was accomplished purely by his will—no need to circulate those tangled incantations at all. The instant his intent shifted, the forging flame shifted with it.

Compared side by side, his Xuanyuan Dragon-Taming Art really was absurdly easy. If artificers knew such a simple way existed, they would surely die of envy and rage!

Reading this, Wei Zhao felt profoundly fortunate—he had been sitting in bliss without knowing it!

"Elder Jiao, you really were right. Mine counts as the simple kind!" Wei Zhao said with a bitter smile. This time he had not a shred of temper left.

"Heh, see? Lin boy, you're too impatient. Wanting to become an artificer in a day or two—you underestimate the profession. Many of the famous artificers in history only began studying and groping their way through artificing after their lifespans were endlessly extended at the Heaven Rank!" Jiao Yazi said.

"All right, I was too impatient." Wei Zhao nodded. His martial cultivation had always gone smoothly, so this came as something of a surprise—but once he understood, he naturally calmed down, peacefully restoring his physical and true qi and preparing to keep practicing the condensation of the forging flame...

During class, Shen Yushu received a text message. Her expression shifted slightly, but she recovered her composure at once! It lasted only an instant, and Gu Mengyao beside her noticed nothing amiss.

"Yao Yao, I need to go to the bathroom!" Shen Yushu turned to Gu Mengyao with a woebegone look.

"We're still in class? You're sure you want to go now?" Gu Mengyao had been listening to the lecture, and Shen Yushu's words made her blink in surprise.

"I can't hold it, Xiao Shu's about to wet her pants..." Shen Yushu said, her face the color of wilted vegetables.

"Fine, go on then. I won't come with you." Gu Mengyao stood up to let Shen Yushu out from the inner seat.

Shen Yushu rose and darted out of the lecture hall. The instructor merely glanced over and asked nothing further! University courses were large lectures, two hours at a stretch, and students slipping out to the restroom midway was normal—besides, girls had their monthly cycles and needed the washroom more often. The instructor could not be bothered to ask.

But once out of the classroom, Shen Yushu did not head toward the restrooms. Instead she went to the balcony at the end of the teaching building's corridor, took out her phone, and quickly dialed a number!

The call connected almost at once, and a voice came through—one Shen Yushu hated to the bone yet dared not show it. It was the voice of Yu Yi of the Hidden Yu Family!

"Shen Yushu, you answered quickly this time!" Yu Yi sounded surprised at her speed.

"What is it?" Shen Yushu asked. "If it's about dealing with Wei Zhao, forget it. I can't kill him."

"The matter of dealing with Wei Zhao is set aside for now! The Old Family Head has spoken—this is no longer something you can take part in. You needn't concern yourself with it anymore," Yu Yi said.

Shen Yushu was startled and delighted; the weight finally lifted from her heart. Still, she understood well enough that this was the result Wei Zhao had won for himself. Wei Zhao was strong now, strong enough to kill a Heaven Rank expert in an instant—for the Hidden Yu Family to abandon their designs on him was the wise move!

Outwardly, however, she only gave a very indifferent "Oh," then said, "I understand. Anything else?"

"Yes!" Yu Yi paused, then said, "That matter I spoke to you about long ago—it's time to put it on the agenda. Make your preparations..."

"You mean go marry that so-called outstanding young man... and then receive the inheritance?" Shen Yushu's heart quivered as she asked.

"Correct. The plan for that betrothal and the inheritance is about to begin. Such is your mission as well!" Yu Yi said.

"Then... will you keep your earlier promise, spare my parents, and let me see them?" Shen Yushu hesitated before asking.

"Spare them? Naturally, no problem. But seeing them—that can only happen after you've successfully received the inheritance!" Yu Yi said. "Until you've successfully received the inheritance, your mission is not complete!"

"All right..." Shen Yushu sighed. "When do I leave?"

"Wait for my notice. This time I'm only telling you to prepare yourself mentally—a few months at the shortest, a year or two at most!" Yu Yi said. "And don't tell anyone about this, Wei Zhao included!"

"I know..." Shen Yushu nodded and answered, somewhat helplessly.

"Good. I'm hanging up." With that, Yu Yi ended the call.

Shen Yushu was left alone, standing blankly on the balcony. A long while passed before she came back to herself, put away her phone, and headed back toward the classroom...

For the rest of the class, Shen Yushu seemed dazed, her usual liveliness gone. Gu Mengyao found it puzzling, and when school let out she could not help asking, "Xiao Shu, what's wrong? Is something on your mind?"

"What could be on my mind, Yao Yao? Why would you ask that?" Shen Yushu grinned, baring her teeth. Of course she would not admit it—the matter of the inheritor was no secret anymore, but the Hidden Yu Family had forbidden her to speak of it, holding her parents over her head. Naturally she dared not say a word.

In truth, Yu Yi also feared Wei Zhao would stir up complications. Wei Zhao was no longer the man he had been; if he threw his weight against Shen Yushu's receiving the inheritance, he would surely draw down the wrath of the Five Luminaries Sect—but the Hidden Yu Family would be dragged in as well, and the loss would far outweigh the gain.

"Nothing?" Gu Mengyao was still doubtful. From the way Shen Yushu had looked a moment ago, something clearly was wrong—but now she seemed perfectly fine...