Li Yang forced a laugh: “That’s great. Impressive.”
She meant it—she hadn’t gained a single point.
Zhong Kun thought she was sparing his feelings by not sharing her own gains.
Not wanting to embarrass himself further, he changed the topic: “By the way, the exchange has been selling low-price Second-Grade pills these days.”
Li Yang: “Uh…”
Zhong Kun grinned: “I know you can’t afford them, just bragging—I snagged 10!”
What could Li Yang say?
She just smiled and repeated, “That’s great. Impressive.”
This time, it sounded a bit perfunctory.
But Zhong Kun couldn’t tell.
He thought she was sincere.
After all, his only edge over Li Yang was his money.
Just then, the sound of clacking abacus beads approached.
A hunched, silver-haired old lady with an explosive hairstyle zoomed up to Li Yang.
“Student Li Yang!”
Li Yaowan’s shout was full of vigor.
Despite sprinting dozens of miles, she wasn’t out of breath—a Sixth-Grade peak expert, even with a shattered core furnace, was still in top shape.
Zhong Kun, startled, stammered, “P-Professor Li!”
He knew Li Yaowan but couldn’t fathom why this eccentric Alchemy Department professor was rushing to find Li Yang.
She looked eager, almost as if she feared someone would steal Li Yang away.
Zhong Kun’s curiosity peaked.
He was about to head to the training room but stopped to eavesdrop.
Li Yaowan squeezed between Zhong Kun and Li Yang.
From afar, she’d noticed this Zhong kid—handsome, dressed flashily…
These noble families often trained kids for strategic marriages.
This guy might be one.
Separate them, must separate them!
Li Yaowan plastered on a smile and said to Li Yang, “You little rascal, leaving just like that? Didn’t you want to see the Agriculture Department’s cultivation data? I’ll take you to check it out.”
Li Yang smiled: “Professor Li, about those conditions…”
Li Yaowan shot a wary glance at Zhong Kun and said, “Let’s talk at the research institute.”
Li Yang said calmly, “It’s already clear. Your costs are too high, Professor. I won’t trouble you. It’s simple enough for me to handle myself. Those 50 Second-Grade high-tier Star-Inducing Pills I listed at the exchange…”
Zhong Kun, eavesdropping, froze.
What?
What’s that?
Those 50 Second-Grade high-tier Star-Inducing Pills were listed by Li Yang?
Where did she get them?!
Noticing Zhong Kun’s expression, Li Yang timed her words perfectly: “My teacher said not to beg others. We’ll just spend more time and effort. Eventually, we’ll buy back the Natural Department’s research institute.”
She deliberately mentioned the Natural Department and the research institute to let Zhong Kun overhear.
Tricking noble family kids?
Start with little Kun.
Li Yang first revealed her identity—that she was behind the 50 Second-Grade high-tier Star-Inducing Pills.
Then, by bringing up the Natural Department and the institute, she planted a logical chain in Zhong Kun’s mind: the Natural Department could refine pills, and they did it so well that even Li Yaowan, the genius vice-professor of the Alchemy Department, was fawning over her.
And Zhong Kun was indeed imagining along those lines.
What was the Natural Department?
He’d never heard of it!
Zhong Kun was already itching to run back and ask his family elders.
Li Yaowan, oblivious to this, was only worried Zhong Kun might steal her prize.
After frantically separating the Zhong kid, she lowered her voice to Li Yang: “Good girl, why go through all this trouble? Just come with me, and I won’t just show you the Agriculture Department’s data—I’ll help you study it!”
Li Yang smiled at her.
Li Yaowan’s lips moved, mouthing: “73!”
But Li Yang said, “64.”
Li Yaowan: “!”
Li Yang added, “I’ll need Professor Li’s help studying the Agriculture Department’s cultivation data in the future.”
As a seasoned businesswoman, Li Yaowan knew this was Li Yang’s combo move—winning her over.
But her heart still skipped a beat!
She’d already accepted 73 points, as long as she could keep this alchemy prodigy from being poached.
But…
Li Yang offered 64 points—who could resist extra cash?
It struck Li Yaowan’s heart like a hammer.
Her heart pounded with emotion, and she even considered handing over the 716 Institute…
No, impossible, not a single point less than 900,000!
The two headed to the 716 Institute, leaving Zhong Kun stunned.
What just happened?
What’s the deal with the Natural Department?!
Zhong Kun hurriedly called his great-grandfather, who soon replied: “Dear grandson, the Agriculture Department is called the Natural Department in the Star Realm.”
…
The Agriculture Department sounded mundane, but why did the Natural Department sound so badass?
Zhong Kun got excited, wheedling his great-grandfather: “Great-grandpa! I miss you, but I can’t return to Donghua Province yet. Talk to me more, tell me about this Natural Department…”
The “retired” Zhong family patriarch, already bored, was delighted by his great-grandson’s coaxing and chuckled as he began: “The Natural Department, in the Star Realm, was once humanity’s hegemon…”
Li Yang and Li Yaowan returned to the director’s office at 716.
Li Yaowan swiftly produced a contract: “Shall we sign the dual-major student contract first?”
Li Yang took it, read it carefully, then looked up: “Teacher, let’s tweak this clause.”
She pointed to the pill sales revenue split.
Li Yaowan’s heart tightened, forcing a laugh: “If you’re having second thoughts, we can revert to 73…”
Before she finished, Li Yang shook her head: “The split’s fine. I just think purifying pills is too simple. Let’s change it to refining pills.”
Li Yaowan: “!” What’s going on? Was this little rascal turning over a new leaf? Why was she showering her with benefits? It felt so good she suspected a trap.
Li Yang said calmly: “Low-quality pills are failed products with inherent limitations even after purification. Plus, I don’t like cleaning up others’ messes. Compared to simple pill purification, I want to tackle something more challenging, like refining pills.”
Li Yaowan: Li Yang was right.
Low-quality pills did have limitations, and purification was indeed simple for her.
Using such a genius to clean up after a bunch of alchemy failures was an utter waste.
Li Yaowan said, “Fine! Your call.”
Li Yang didn’t hesitate and signed promptly.
Moderate concessions lead to win-win cooperation.
Li Yang wasn’t ready to go solo yet.
Pills were a massive prize eyed by countless people.
Entering the field alone with her current strength would only make enemies and slow her “main quest”—advancing her realm.
For now, choosing a reliable partner was the most cost-effective move.
Plus, this dual-major contract only applied during her school years.
Once she graduated, it would lose its binding force.
What happened next would depend on the situation.
If the partnership went well, they’d continue; if there were conflicts, she could cut losses in time.
After signing, Li Yaowan beamed, cheerfully saying, “Come, I’ll show you the Agriculture Department’s cultivation data!”
Li Yang stood, saying, “Great.”
Li Yaowan led her out of the office toward the depths of the institute.
They reached an archive room with heavy security.
Li Yaowan closed her eyes, seemingly verifying access with mental energy.
Soon, she opened her eyes, and the archive door unlocked.
Instead of entering, Li Yaowan looked solemnly at Li Yang: “I’m sure Dean Si can hear this. You can ask your teacher—I’m not dodging responsibility; I’m looking out for you.”
Before she continued, Si Kui spoke in Li Yang’s mental sea: “Don’t read too much. Your mental strength can’t handle it.”
At the same time, Li Yaowan said, “Your mental value is high for Second-Grade, but it’s far from enough for these materials. I’ll only open a portion suitable for you. Read carefully, and stop immediately if you feel dizzy or overwhelmed.”
Li Yang nodded: “Understood.”
Li Yaowan added, “Dean Si, please temporarily disconnect from Li Yang.”
She’d agreed to let Li Yang access the data, not Si Kui.
If Si Kui saw it, her 900,000 points would go down the drain.
Si Kui didn’t respond.
Li Yang said in her mental sea: “Teacher, don’t worry. Professor Li won’t harm me. As you said, she values the Alchemy Department too much to act under your nose.”
Moreover, Li Yaowan valued Li Yang’s status as an alchemy prodigy.
If Li Yang were in danger, Li Yaowan would likely be more anxious than anyone.
Si Kui: “Hm.”
Her faint hum echoed lightly in Li Yaowan’s ears.
The half-step Supreme’s overwhelming pressure made Li Yaowan’s hair stand on end, her back hunch further, and sweat bead on her forehead.
When the pressure dissipated, Li Yaowan wiped her brow and said, “Dean Si really cares for you.”
Li Yang smirked proudly: “Of course!”
Li Yaowan chuckled, finding this cunning girl finally showing some of the innocence expected of an 18-year-old.
“Come on,” Li Yaowan said seriously.
“Don’t overdo it. If your mental sea gets damaged, it’ll affect your cultivation.”
She took Li Yang’s hand and placed it on a dark, heavy panel.
Instantly, Li Yang felt like she’d plunged into a vast ocean, swimming through endless text.
The overwhelming flood of information left her unable to think.
A soft whoosh sounded.
A golden light shield enveloped Li Yang, and Li Yaowan’s voice rang out: “Hurry and look, I can’t hold it for long.”
Li Yang finally recovered from the overwhelming wave of information.
She exhaled lightly and said, “Okay!”
Outside was a raging sea of data, but inside the golden shield, Li Yang swiftly grabbed at the “text” flying around.
It felt strange, like catching buzzing insects.
The moment she grasped the darting text, its contents instantly flooded into her mind.
“Second-Grade mutated wheat… Second-Grade mutated corn… Second-Grade mutated leeks… Divine Soil nurturing… Star Ash Soil…”
Li Yaowan said, “That’s enough.”
With that, they exited the vast ocean of text and returned to the archive room.
Li Yaowan’s back was soaked with sweat, showing how much effort it took to support Li Yang for even this short time.
Li Yang felt dizzy and unsteady, only managing to stand with Li Yaowan’s help.
“How was it? Did you find the data you needed?”
Li Yaowan asked.
Li Yang had indeed seen a lot of useful information.
As expected of the “Agriculture Department”—the predecessors had researched countless mutated crops!
At the same time, she found a nurturing guide for “Divine Soil.”
So, that farmland was called “Divine Soil.”
The name alone screamed value, no wonder it was a treasure on par with the Tree Tower.
Feng Yiqiao’s guide on using the farmland wasn’t complete.
With Star Ash Soil for nurturing, Divine Soil could support continuous crop planting.
Li Yang didn’t elaborate on what she saw, only asking, “Professor Li, do you know where I can get Star Ash Soil?”
“That…” Li Yaowan replied, “You can obtain it from the Star Ash Secret Realm.”
“Star Ash Secret Realm?”
“It’s one of the seven major secret realms of Zhongdu Military Academy. Let me check…”
Li Yaowan looked it up and said, “As I thought… I wasn’t wrong. The first-place winner of the annual freshman monthly exam gets a chance to enter the Star Ash Secret Realm for cultivation.”