Chapter 209: What Is Your Relationship with Yan Jun?

Today's class was a practical alchemy session personally taught by Qin Zhiyu, and it was also the most highly valued course by alchemists.

For other students, Qin Zhiyu's classes were also the most worthwhile because he was the only first-rank alchemist at the Alchemist Academy. Lady Ye was rumored to be first-rank, but others were quite uncertain, and despite many inquiries, no one had heard of her accomplishments. Even outside the Alchemist Academy, few in the entire capital had heard of her; it was as if she had entered through the back door.

When it came to choosing a mentor, Qin Zhiyu was undoubtedly the most popular, his doors almost bursting from the number of applicants. Fewer people sought Lady Ye as their mentor, and the vast majority were likely drawn not by her knowledge, but more by her beauty...

Of course, Lu Xingzhou would never admit he was among the latter. He respected Lady Ye for her high skill, naturally. What beauty? No one could tell with her veil on.

Qin Zhiyu's classes were in high demand, but few were fortunate enough to be selected, as the process was somewhat more politically influenced.

Even without Lady Ye, Qin Zhiyu likely wouldn't have chosen Lu Xingzhou and his disciple; it was too troublesome. Moreover, he already had more candidates than he could handle from the various princes and dukes.

In fact, if Chen Yu hadn't caused that incident during the trial, he would most likely have been assigned to Qin Zhiyu. However, Qin Zhiyu was now quite resistant to the idea.

It's understandable that Prince Jin's influence extends far, but you cannot break the rules.

What kind of act is it to directly order the killing of a student? If you have the guts, kill them outside!

However, Chen Yu's qualities alone were truly commendable. Even knowing that Qin Zhiyu had strong objections towards him, he remained remarkably stable and showed no sign of panic while demonstrating his alchemy practice.

Qin Zhiyu watched for a moment, then shook his head, "What a pity."

Chen Yu's expression remained unchanged. "Please give me your guidance, Dean."

"Inner elixir and outer elixir, though seemingly distinct, are in fact one. The elixir originates internally and manifests externally, born externally and promoted internally. If the heart's fire is unstable, how can the elixir's fire be at peace?"

Chen Yu remained silent.

Qin Zhiyu patted his shoulder. "With an unsettled heart, how can one truly advance? Be cautious."

After speaking, he left Chen Yu's alchemy furnace and walked over to Lu Xingzhou and his disciple.

A'nuo was roasting a sweet potato.

Qin Zhiyu: "..."

"Although today was a practical class on fourth-rank elixirs, useful for most students, it was indeed meaningless for you two. But if you're so capable, why don't you skip a grade? What's the meaning of roasting sweet potatoes in my class?"

"Oh, Sir," A'nuo said with an apologetic smile. "My breakfast was stolen, and I'm a bit hungry. You don't mind if I eat a sweet potato first, do you, Sir? I'll complete my alchemy assignments on time..."

"...Who stole your breakfast?"

"It was bad people from the Imperial Academy, who came to provoke us at the Alchemist Academy! Dean, you must stand up for our Alchemist Academy!"

Qin Zhiyu suppressed a "you've got to be kidding me" expression. The rigidly upright old man had no idea how to deal with such nonsense.

It was like his little granddaughter causing trouble at home; he was filled with both frustration and amusement, and finally could only blurt out, "If you bother me again, I'll go beat up your father."

So he actually went to reprimand A'nuo's master: "How can you be a master, letting your disciple come to class hungry?"

Lu Xingzhou: "..."

A'nuo needs to eat elixirs; regular food doesn't fill her up. She's just being greedy...

Never mind.

Qin Zhiyu sniffed. "What kind of elixir are you refining now?"

Practical classes are naturally meant for refining standardized elixirs. Why does yours smell different from everyone else's?

Lu Xingzhou offered an apologetic smile. "Oh, just... just messing around on my own."

Qin Zhiyu looked at him with a stern face. "This effect... promotes hair growth?"

"Uh-huh. So many people are troubled by their receding hairlines. As alchemists, it's our duty to solve the urgent problems of the people, don't you agree, Dean?"

Qin Zhiyu's lips twitched, but he ultimately said nothing.

Receding hairlines? Your own hairline is quite robust, isn't it?

But then again, this fellow can refine elixirs to promote hair growth on specific body parts, so it's natural he could apply it to the scalp. This would truly be a meritorious act for the many people troubled by receding hairlines. Qin Zhiyu looked at him with a stern face for a while, and finally said, "The materials could be more affordable and widely available. Keep working on it."

Lu Xingzhou hurriedly replied, "Absolutely."

Qin Zhiyu said, "The bone marrow transplant method you proposed has been under research at the Alchemist Academy lately. The first experimental case has already begun; would you like to go see it yourself?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "I only have some theoretical knowledge; my practical skills are not as good as the masters here, so there's no need to see it... If the first case succeeds, just let me know."

Qin Zhiyu gazed at Lu Xingzhou. "If that's the case, your name might not be recorded for this achievement."

Lu Xingzhou smiled casually. "I don't really deserve any credit. The main credit goes to those who have been diligently researching. I merely offered some words; what does that count for?"

Qin Zhiyu's gaze became somewhat complex. "I hope you are truly so indifferent to fame and fortune."

"I still want fame..." Lu Xingzhou smiled. "Fame in the Dean's heart is still fame."

Qin Zhiyu was silent for a moment, then switched to a private transmission: "Your mentor has already been set as Lady Ye, not me."

"That's not important. The Dean is still our master, after all."

Qin Zhiyu nodded. "Lady Ye is also at the academy today observing the bone marrow transplant experiment. She wants you to find her after class."

"Understood, thank you, Dean."

After class, they arrived at Lady Ye's office. Lady Ye was leaning back in her chair, eyes closed, resting.

Lu Xingzhou hesitated slightly; she looked so tired. If this were a male master, he could go butter him up, offer a massage or something. But this was a female master...

Lu Xingzhou gave A'nuo a look. A'nuo reluctantly stepped forward and gently tapped Lady Ye's shoulder with her small fist.

Ye Tinglan didn't open her eyes. Her tone was half-amused, half-chiding: "What, so unwilling...? Lu Nuonuo, are you not my disciple?"

A'nuo said, "I'm very strong! I was afraid it would hurt Master if I pressed too hard."

"Heh." Ye Tinglan was clearly displeased. "Never mind, you don't need to tap."

A'nuo immediately dropped her hand and even suggested, "My master has excellent technique, do you want him to do it?"

Ye Tinglan: "?"

Lu Xingzhou: "..."

A'nuo glanced at Lu Xingzhou disdainfully. What kind of expression was that? Both cowardly and useless. A'nuo really worried herself sick over him.

But then Ye Tinglan said, "Today's bone marrow transplant method was very successful. If this reaches His Majesty, I wonder what his thoughts will be."

Lu Xingzhou weighed his words carefully. "Does Master mean you don't want His Majesty to try this?"

"His condition is beyond help with this. I'm afraid he'll make a fuss and order common people to be matched for him, which would be a waste of manpower and resources." Ye Tinglan paused here. "However, if such a situation truly arises, you don't need to blame yourself. This matter is unrelated to you; your method is good and can save many people."

Lu Xingzhou generally understood why Lady Ye, despite her powerful cultivation, looked so tired. In fact, she was mentally exhausted. The Emperor caused many insightful people to feel troubled, and she was not the only one.

"So, why bother, Master? You're just a master in the academy... even your sect is a reclusive one. What does the rise and fall of the mortal world have to do with you, Master?"

"Since I've involved myself with the academy, it's naturally with the idea of paving the way for my sect's reemergence."

"So, Master, you're observing the current Emperor to see if he's suitable for your sect's reemergence?"

"Something like that." Ye Tinglan opened her eyes and smiled. "Do you think he's suitable?"

Lu Xingzhou said directly, "It's not the right time. You can continue to observe."

Ye Tinglan asked with interest, "You're slandering the Son of Heaven like this, right in front of me?"

"Master is important. Since Master asked, then no matter who it is, the answer will be what it should be."

"So honest?"

"Naturally."

"Then can you tell me, why, after two days, your primal yang is gone?"

Lu Xingzhou's eyes widened. "You can tell that?"

"I am an alchemist, and a top one at that." Ye Tinglan spoke with exasperation: "You are also an alchemist; you should know very well that retaining primal yang is extremely beneficial for many types of cultivation! You can't even maintain it at such a young age? Do you still want a future?"

"But my cultivation has increased, hasn't it...?"

Ye Tinglan said scornfully, "It's nothing but an evil method of draining and supplementing; what is there to be proud of? How is this different from those who take elixirs to cultivate?"

"But this is orthodox dual cultivation."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

What kind of orthodox dual cultivation could increase one's power so much overnight! Even though Ye Tinglan had never 'eaten pork,' how could she not possess this basic knowledge?

"Well..." Lu Xingzhou deliberated for a while before saying, "What is learned on paper is superficial; one must practice personally to truly understand..."

A'nuo's eyes widened.

Master, A'nuo misunderstood you. I just called you cowardly, but it turns out you're not cowardly at all; you've really grown some guts!

"Thud!" An invisible large hand slapped Lu Xingzhou to the ground, where he twitched a few times and then lay still.

Ye Tinglan acted as if she had done nothing. She calmly picked up the cup on the table and took a sip of spirit tea. "The poem was decent, but your strength is lacking. No idea what kind of rubbish you learned in the Yama Temple."

"Cough, cough." Lu Xingzhou laboriously climbed up from the ground. "Is Master acquainted with the Yama Temple?"

"Not very, I only know two or three people." Ye Tinglan glanced at him. "Since you said that when your Master asks you a question, the answer will be what it should be... then what if I ask you about the Yama Temple?"

Lu Xingzhou thought to himself, 'Here it comes.'

The reason Lady Ye looked at him differently and wanted to take him as a disciple was primarily—at least half of it—the intention to closely monitor the "Judge of Yama Temple." It was rare that she had held back until now to ask.

Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment and then chuckled, "Aside from anything that might endanger the Yama Temple's privacy, which I cannot speak of directly, there's really nothing else I can't say."

Ye Tinglan nodded. "Then what is your relationship with the King of Hell?"

"As is well known, superior and subordinate."

Ye Tinglan was clearly not satisfied with this answer. She looked at Lu Xingzhou's calm gaze and finally didn't press further, merely saying, "As far as you know, is the King of Hell's cultivation truly only first-rank?"

Lu Xingzhou smiled. "The first question already stumps me, because I truly don't know the King of Hell's specific cultivation level... especially if she intends to conceal it."

"She keeps it from you too? Even if you're just a subordinate, you're her right-hand man."

"The King of Hell, a first-rank cultivator whose name shakes the Great Qian, yet she wouldn't even heal a mere broken leg for her subordinate... Does that kind of treatment sound like a right-hand man?"

Ye Tinglan was silent.

In fact, it was precisely this reason that led many outsiders to believe the Judge had become marginalized in the Yama Temple. If he truly held power, he could personally order subordinates to find medicine to heal his leg; why would he need the King of Hell?

So some who guessed Lu Xingzhou's identity might think capturing him held no value for the Yama Temple, but Ye Tinglan instinctively didn't think so.

But then Lu Xingzhou continued, "She hides many things from me... I still don't know her origin. Does Master think she trusts me, her former Judge, very much? In fact, her intimacy with me can't even compare to that between a master and a disciple... If Master wouldn't tell me your own secrets, then she certainly wouldn't either."

Ye Tinglan smiled faintly. Lu Xingzhou's words were also a clever counter-attack, essentially asking if Yuan Muyu's origin was related to her "Cloud-Hidden Immortal Sect."

She finally spoke slowly. "Alright, I'll change the question... The King of Hell's strength is rarely seen in the world, and she has many plans for establishing a sect. Why then did she choose to create an assassin organization? Is there a reason for this? You assisted in establishing the Yama Temple from start to finish, so you should know the whole story. Is it convenient for you to say?"

A'nuo carefully glanced at Lady Ye.

There was only one cup on the table, and it was the one Lady Ye had just drunk from. Where else could there be water?