Inside the library, Mu Ningxue noticed the boy in front of her staring at her intently, and a hint of displeasure immediately appeared on her otherwise cold features.
Since entering the Imperial Capital Institute, she had already encountered several admirers like this, and some had even caused disruptions to her daily life.
"Classmate, do you need something?" Mu Ningxue said coldly.
This was, after all, the Imperial Capital Institute, and the person in front of her didn't seem much older than her. Mu Ningxue didn't want to create any trouble for her family.
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about something."
Zhou Haoyu withdrew his gaze from the top of Mu Ningxue's head. Mu Ningxue was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, but compared to that dazzling treasure chest above her, even an ice-cold beauty had to take a backseat.
After receiving Spiritual Power from the first chest he opened, Zhou Haoyu only looked forward even more to what the next treasure boxes might hold.
But this treasure chest's unlocking condition was quite troublesome!
[Unlock Condition: Engagement.]
Three thousand strands of silver hair, skin like ice and jade there was no doubt the girl before him was Mu Ningxue.
Zhou Haoyu suddenly remembered that in the original story, the Zhou Family had indeed once had a marriage arrangement with the Mu Family.
However, it wasn't with him, but with his cousin Zhou Youhong.
Still, with his current status within the family, replacing him wouldn't be too difficult. The real problem was how to bring it up with his father and grandfather.
With the treasure chest right in front of his eyes but still locked, Zhou Haoyu was practically itching with impatience.
Mu Ningxue glanced at Zhou Haoyu with a strange look. This guy really was different from the other pursuers he gave off the feeling that something was a little off in the head.
Mu Ningxue returned to her seat and immediately refocused on the book in her hands.
Although the Zhou Family was only a second-tier noble family, it was at least established in the Imperial Capital. The Mu Family, on the other hand, was just a minor clan and had very limited means to support Mu Ningxue.
Zhou Haoyu didn't act like clingy gum sticking to Mu Ningxue's side, as that would only disgust her.
Due to the influence of the Ice Crystal Bow, Mu Ningxue was constantly in a state of Ice Invasion, and even some of her emotions had been affected she was a true Ice Beauty in every sense.
Talking about love with someone in her state was completely unrealistic.
To complete this treasure chest condition, Zhou Haoyu figured he would have to start with Mu Zhuoyun and the Mu Family.
But things didn't go as he wished. For quite a long period after that, Zhou Haoyu kept looking for a way to fulfill the treasure chest's condition, yet never found the right opportunity.
After all, he was only sixteen. If he went to his dad and said he wanted to marry Mu Ningxue, he'd probably be rewarded with a "fist of love."
This kind of thing would have to be brought up by his dad or grandpa there was no way Zhou Haoyu could initiate the conversation himself.
And so, time passed day by day, and in the blink of an eye, another year went by.
Over the course of that year, Zhou Haoyu had cultivated his Space Element to the Intermediate Level, and his Lightning Element to Basic Level, Tier 3.
Apart from training, Zhou Haoyu also encountered another treasure chest, this time from Jiang Yu—disciple of Pang Lai, the Head of the Magic Court!
[Unlock Condition: Gain the favor of Night Rakshasa.]
As expected of Jiang Yu he truly was a devoted cat lover!
After getting to know Jiang Yu, Zhou Haoyu finally began to understand some of the patterns behind his golden finger.
First, not everyone had a treasure chest. Only a very small number of individuals, like Mu Ningxue and Jiang Yu, possessed one.
As for why the middle-aged Awakener who helped him awaken had one, it might have been because he assisted Zhou Haoyu in awakening his Element.
Back when Zhou Haoyu was first awakening, he hadn't seen a treasure chest above the man's head. The treasure chest only appeared afterward and it was already open.
So the likely unlock condition was "Complete the Elemental Awakening."
A few months after getting to know Jiang Yu, Zhou Haoyu finally managed to gain the favor of Night Rakshasa. Although he got scratched many times in the process, at least he managed to fulfill the condition.
[Reward: Greatly Enhanced Talent in the Summoning Element!]
Upon seeing the reward, Zhou Haoyu couldn't help but roll his eyes. He didn't even have the Summoning Element what was he supposed to do with this reward?
Wait a second… it might actually help during his Intermediate Awakening!
Thinking along those lines, Zhou Haoyu gently stroked Night Rakshasa's fur again. He had to admit the texture was absolutely amazing, better than any cat he had ever petted.
Perhaps it was due to the reward taking effect, but this time Night Rakshasa didn't resist instead, it leaned into Zhou Haoyu's palm.
"Zhou Haoyu, you're the third person Night Rakshasa has ever willingly let touch it," Jiang Yu said, eyes wide in surprise.
Zhou Haoyu only smiled without replying. The second person had to be Jiang Yu's mentor Pang Lai, the Chief of the Magic Court, a National Guardian Archmage, and the country's number-one Summoner.
Undeniably a top-tier powerhouse!
"What a pity. If you had the Summoning Element, your talent would definitely be extraordinary!" Jiang Yu sighed.
"Maybe," Zhou Haoyu replied with a smile. In truth, he was planning to awaken the Summoning Element for his Intermediate Awakening.
The Summoning Element was extremely powerful in both early and late stages of cultivation, and since Zhou Haoyu had exceptionally strong spiritual energy, he knew that the further one progressed in the Summoning Element, the more vital spiritual energy became.
Just then, Zhou Haoyu's phone rang in his pocket. It was a call from his father.
"Dad, what's up?"
"Come back to the clan for a bit. Your grandpa has something to discuss with you."
"Alright."
After agreeing, Zhou Haoyu turned to Jiang Yu and said, "I'll come find you again in a few days."
Jiang Yu looked at Zhou Haoyu strangely. This guy came to him every couple of days and only to pet his cat.
What else could that be if not a bit… twisted?
Once back at the clan, Zhou Haoyu immediately headed to the small courtyard where his grandfather lived.
"Grandpa, don't tell me you're giving me another big treasure?"
Zhou Haoyu blurted out casually the moment he arrived.
Though Zhou Xian's hair was completely gray, he was still full of vitality.
Just as he took a sip of tea, Zhou Xian choked on it from his grandson's words.
"What, you think money grows on trees?"
Zhou Xian gave his grandson an annoyed glare and said, "Once you reach the Intermediate Level in your cultivation, I'll find someone to craft you a set of Armor-Type Magic Artifact."
"Actually, what I really want is Offensive Magic Equipment specifically small sword-type ones. Of course, if you have needle-type ones, even better. I'm not greedy just give me a dozen or twenty."
From Zhou Haoyu's perspective, what he currently lacked most were offensive magic tools to complement his Spiritual Power.
Besides, he already had a Defensive Magic Artifact, so the armor-type gear could wait. It wasn't urgent.
Upon hearing his grandson's outrageous request, Zhou Xian didn't get angry. Instead, he chuckled.
"What do you need that many magic tools for?"
"They're useful, that's all," Zhou Haoyu replied vaguely.
Zhou Xian shook his head helplessly. Compared to Magic Artifacts, Magic Equipment wasn't all that expensive.
"Now, to the real matter. The Mu Family wants to arrange a marriage alliance. What do you think?" Zhou Xian said.
"The Mu Family?" Zhou Haoyu paused for a moment, then asked, "Who is it?"
"Mu Tingying. She's about your age and has pretty decent talent. I think it's a good match."
"No."
"I only want Mu Ningxue!"