Versatile Mage: The Young Master of Zhou Family

"Mu Ningxue?"

"The Mu Ningxue with the Innate Seed?"

Zhou Xian looked at Zhou Haoyu with a strange expression. That Mu Ningxue wasn't just highly talented she also possessed peerless beauty and was quite famous in the Imperial Capital.

Although Mu Ningxue hadn't been in the Imperial Capital for long, she already had quite a few admirers at the Imperial University.

"You've met her?" Zhou Xian didn't think Zhou Haoyu would bring this up without reason, so he asked.

"I've seen her a few times," Zhou Haoyu nodded and replied.

As a scion of a noble family with exceptional cultivation talent, Zhou Haoyu knew that an arranged marriage was practically unavoidable.

Since he couldn't avoid it, he preferred to choose Mu Ningxue as a 'tool'.

That's right in Zhou Haoyu's heart, Mu Ningxue was merely a tool.

All of it was for the sake of opening treasure chests!

"Mu Ningxue may be gifted, but she's ultimately just a collateral line. Mu Tingying is of the main line," Zhou Xian said with a frown.

"Grandfather, being from the main line is good, but the Mu Family is massive. There are too many direct descendants. Besides, if I really married Mu Tingying, the initiative would lie with the Mu Family. What if they took this opportunity to strike against our Zhou Family?"

"Mu Ningxue may be from a collateral branch, but her talent is outstanding. Most importantly, the Mu Family wouldn't interfere with our Zhou Family's businesses because of her. They might even offer significant support."

As Zhou Haoyu calmly laid out his reasoning, Zhou Xian's brows gradually relaxed, and a look of astonishment appeared on his face.

He never expected his grandson to possess such insight.

In fact, there was another reason Zhou Haoyu didn't mention Mu Tingying was a jealous woman, totally unfit to be a wife.

"After hearing what you've said, Mu Tingying truly doesn't seem suitable. Mu Ningxue may be from a collateral line, but she possesses an Innate Seed. With proper nurturing, she will definitely become your capable aide in the future."

Zhou Xian's eyes gleamed. His grandson truly was extraordinary.

This world had no shortage of gifted individuals, but many of them eventually faded into mediocrity.

Zhou Haoyu not only possessed dual innate elements, but he also understood how to weigh pros and cons. His future was limitless.

Perhaps the Zhou Family could flourish under his leadership.

Zhou Haoyu smiled without responding. In the early stages, Mu Ningxue was a huge headache even the Mu Family avoided her.

But high risk came with high reward. Zhou Haoyu was well aware of Mu Ningxue's immense potential.

Most importantly, he didn't want to be too deeply entangled with the Mu Family one misstep, and they'd be swallowed whole.

But for now, he could still make use of some Mu Family resources. Ideally, he could use this opportunity to elevate the Zhou Family to a first-tier household.

Suddenly, Zhou Haoyu remembered the Fire Vein beneath the volcanic hot spring in Sun Ridge. If they could obtain the development rights to that Fire Vein, the Zhou Family would surely soar.

But this matter needed to be approached slowly. Without a Fire Element Holy Spirit, entering the depths of the volcanic hot spring was virtually impossible.

Unless he revealed the location to the Mu Family—but that would be akin to bargaining with a tiger.

After tossing the engagement matters to his grandfather and father, Zhou Haoyu went to the Imperial Capital Magic Association.

It was time to awaken his third element.

Under the guidance of the front desk lady, Zhou Haoyu arrived in front of Awakening Room No. 3.

"Mr. Xu, this is the person here for a magical awakening," the receptionist said respectfully to a middle-aged man.

"Hold on... it's you!"

Xu Meng was just about to delay the process when he suddenly realized the young man looked familiar. After a moment's thought, he remembered.

He had a deep impression of Zhou Haoyu—someone who had awakened Lightning and Space as his initial elements. Without a doubt, a top-tier prodigy.

In just two short years, he had already reached the Intermediate Level?

Zhou Haoyu hadn't expected the Awakener to be an acquaintance either. He immediately smiled and cupped his hands, "Long time no see, Mr. Xu."

"You're here for your Intermediate Awakening?" Xu Meng asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Zhou Haoyu nodded.

Cultivating to Intermediate Level in two years wasn't overly outrageous. Zhou Haoyu had already prepared an explanation.

"I've focused all my efforts on the Space Element. I haven't even started cultivating Lightning yet," Zhou Haoyu proactively explained.

"Tsk tsk, smart move. Once you reach the Intermediate Level, cultivating Lightning will indeed be much faster. You've managed to bring Space to Intermediate in just two years you're absolutely one of the most outstanding prodigies I've ever seen."

Xu Meng didn't hold back his praise, his eyes full of admiration for Zhou Haoyu.

Not only did he have incredible talent, but he also knew how to leverage his strengths his future was boundless!

"What element do you plan to awaken this time?" Xu Meng asked.

"The Summoning Element," Zhou Haoyu answered firmly.

The Summoning Element was strong in the early, middle, and late stages. Most importantly, it allowed him to capitalize on his powerful spiritual strength.

If he awakened an Elemental System instead, he'd have to spend additional resources to purchase a Soul Seed or Spirit Seed.

Zhou Haoyu had previously opened Jiang Yu's treasure chest and obtained "Greatly Enhanced Summoning Element Talent," so his chances of awakening the Summoning Element this time should be quite high.

Xu Meng looked at Zhou Haoyu with a strange expression. Why did this sound just like Zhou Hong insisting on awakening the Summoning Element?

However, Xu Meng didn't say much. He immediately led Zhou Haoyu into an enclosed small room, where an Awakening Stone was placed.

Xu Meng also placed several Summoning Element Guiding Stones around the Awakening Stone, then said to Zhou Haoyu, "You can begin."

Zhou Haoyu nodded and placed his hand on the Awakening Stone.

With his previous experience, Zhou Haoyu quickly found a moon-white stardust in his spiritual world.

Summoning Element!

After completing the awakening, Zhou Haoyu opened his eyes, the corners of his lips slightly raised.

"Congratulations on getting what you wanted," Xu Meng said with a smile.

If it had been someone else awakening the Summoning Element, Xu Meng might have been surprised. But since it was Zhou Haoyu, he wasn't shocked at all.

Zhou Haoyu intentionally glanced above Xu Meng's head, but no new treasure chest appeared.

So it seems the first chest was just a beginner's gift pack?

Although it was a bit disappointing, the main goal of this trip had already been achieved.

After chatting casually with Xu Meng for a bit, Zhou Haoyu left the Magic Association of the Imperial Capital.

As soon as he got home, Zhou Haoyu received a message from his father. The gist of it was that Mu Zhuoyun had already arrived at the family estate.

That Mu Zhuoyun would pay a visit so quickly clearly showed he was very pleased with the proposed marriage.

Though the Zhou Family was only a second-tier noble house, they were still a noble family of the Imperial Capital. Compared to the Mu Family, they were like a colossal entity.

Most importantly, Zhou Haoyu's talent even surpassed that of Mu Ningxue.

In Mu Zhuoyun's eyes, this was practically a pie falling from the sky a deal with nothing but benefits!

After receiving the message, Zhou Haoyu immediately headed to the family council hall.

Even before entering, he saw a silver silhouette a beautiful figure seated quietly like a snow lotus beneath a middle-aged man.

That middle-aged man was chatting with Zhou Hong, and from their demeanor, it was clear he was in a passive and weaker position.