446: Chapter 446 Deer Tremor!

Xiao Huo was silent for a moment, then shook his head again.

"He cannot be invited."

"Why?"

"Because Vice Dean Yuan Chong happens to be away traveling at the moment."

"A Grandmaster Artifact Refiner of his level won't easily stay in one place."

"Every so often, he travels through the myriad worlds to find rare Materials and observe the Artifact Refining methods of other races in search of a Breakthrough."

"Since he's gone, there's no telling when he'll return."

"And you have to head to the Yellow Springs Galaxy on October 1st. There definitely won't be enough time."

Hearing this, Qin Yan's expression immediately slumped.

It felt as though he had seen the dawn of hope, only for the door to be ruthlessly slammed shut in his face.

There was a Grandmaster Artifact Refiner, there was creation divine iron, and he was clearly only one step away, yet he was stuck because of timing.

This feeling was even more painful than having no hope from the start.

Seeing Qin Yan's dejected look, a hint of a smile appeared at the corners of Xiao Huo's mouth.

"However..."

"Our school's Grandmaster Artifact Refiner is away, but I happen to know of an Grandmaster of Artifact Refining."

An Grandmaster of Artifact Refining?!

Qin Yan's heart leaped. The hope that had just been extinguished instantly flared up again!

He looked up, staring intently at Xiao Huo, waiting for him to continue.

Seeing this, Xiao Huo waved his hand and poured cold water on him:

"Don't get your hopes up too early."

"I'm not well-acquainted with that Grandmaster of Artifact Refining. Furthermore, he has a notorious habit—every time he forges a spirit weapon, his asking price is outrageously high."

"And what material do you have? creation divine iron! The price he'll ask for forging such divine material will be even more terrifying."

"Let me put it this way: even with my wealth, I couldn't afford the fee to have him take action."

Qin Yan fell silent.

He didn't know how deep Teacher Xiao Huo's pockets were.

But he knew that Xiao Huo was a half-step alchemy grandmaster; his wealth was far beyond what an ordinary Martial Artist could compare to.

If even his teacher said he "couldn't afford it," just how ridiculous must the price be?

"Moreover," Xiao Huo continued, "when this person forges a spirit weapon, it also depends on his mood. If he's in a good mood, he might accept; if he's in a bad mood, he won't agree even if you offer an astronomical price."

Qin Yan: "..."

The hope that had just flared up was extinguished once again.

He sighed, his voice tinged with helplessness. "It seems that forging the spirit weapon will have to wait for later."

"Hahaha!"

Xiao Huo suddenly burst out laughing.

There was a hint of mischief and a bit of pride in that laughter.

Qin Yan looked at his teacher blankly.

What's so funny?

"Xiao Yan, oh Xiao Yan," Xiao Huo restrained his laughter, but his eyes still held a teasing glint. "It is indeed incredibly difficult for others to ask that Grandmaster of Artifact Refining to take action."

"But as for you... you have a chance."

Qin Yan was stunned.

He had a chance?

How come he didn't know?

He didn't recall knowing any Rank 8 Grandmaster of Artifact Refining.

Seeing Qin Yan's bewildered expression, Xiao Huo's smile deepened.

"Here's a hint: that Rank 8 Grandmaster of Artifact Refining's surname is Lu, his name is Lu Zhen, and his Family is based in Modu City."

Lu Zhen?

Qin Yan quickly reviewed the people he knew in his mind.

But he found that there truly was no one named Lu Zhen among them.

Wait!

Surnamed Lu...

A flash of inspiration struck Qin Yan's mind, and he instantly thought of someone—

His little Senior Sister, Lu Youyou!

The surname Lu was rare to begin with, and Lu Youyou was a native of Modu, with her home right there in Modu City.

More importantly, his teacher said he had a chance to have that Grandmaster of Artifact Refining forge something for him.

Putting it all together, his target was instantly locked onto Lu Youyou.

"Teacher, do you mean that Senior Sister and this Grandmaster of Artifact Refining belong to the same Family?"

Qin Yan asked, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.

Xiao Huo nodded, the smile on his face growing even broader.

"Correct. And they're not just from the same Family; that girl Youyou is actually that fellow Lu Zhen's granddaughter, and she's quite favored by him."

"That old man has a very eccentric temper with others, but he dotes on this granddaughter of his to no end."

Qin Yan was dazed.

Then, a surge of joy welled up from the bottom of his heart.

Hope was rekindled once more.

Lu Youyou was his little Senior Sister.

They had entered the sect together and had a very good relationship.

If Lu Zhen was Lu Youyou's grandfather, and if Lu Youyou was truly that favored—

Then it really wasn't entirely impossible for him to ask Lu Zhen to perform Artifact Refining.

Qin Yan's mood became incredibly complex at this moment.

Since arriving at the Alchemy Room today, his emotions had been like a roller coaster, repeatedly fluctuating between joy and sorrow.

Now, he finally had a clear direction.

"As for what comes next, go and discuss it with Youyou. If Youyou steps in, Lu Zhen will very likely agree to help you with the Artifact Refining."

He didn't say anything more.

He had given all the reminders he could for this matter.

As for personally going to intercede—that was impossible.

Although Xiao Huo was also a half-step alchemy grandmaster and held some status at Modu University of Martial Arts, his weight was still far too little compared to an Grandmaster of Artifact Refining like Lu Zhen.

If even Lu Youyou's personal intervention failed, then showing his old face would be useless.

"Alright, Teacher."

Qin Yan nodded, keeping his teacher's words firmly in mind.

Afterward, the two discussed some details—roughly how long it would take to forge the spirit weapon, Lu Zhen's personality, and so on.

Xiao Huo told him everything he knew without reservation.

A quarter of an hour later, Qin Yan took his leave.

Standing outside the door, he took a deep breath. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately pulled out his communicator and sent a message to Lu Youyou:

[Senior Sister, I have a favor to ask. Is it convenient to talk?]

After sending the message, Qin Yan stood there waiting.

Before long, the communicator vibrated.

Qin Yan saw that it was a video call request from his Senior Sister.

He answered immediately.

The communicator screen lit up, revealing Lu Youyou's delicate and pretty face.

She seemed to be in a room at the moment, with antique furnishings behind her.

"Junior Brother, what is it?"

Lu Youyou blinked her lively large eyes, a slight smile on her lips. "It's rare to see you so serious about 'asking for a favor.' Go ahead, let your Senior Sister hear what this big matter is."

Qin Yan didn't beat around the bush. He briefly and concisely explained his Breakthrough to Rank 5, his need to forge a natal spirit weapon, and how he learned from Teacher Xiao Huo that Lu Zhen was an Grandmaster of Artifact Refining and Lu Youyou's grandfather.

"...So, Senior Sister, I'd like to ask for your help in introducing me to your grandfather."

"To see if the old gentleman would be willing to help me forge this natal spirit weapon."

After Qin Yan finished speaking, he waited quietly for a response.

However, on the other end of the communicator, there was silence.

The slight smile on Lu Youyou's delicate, pretty face froze.