Unrivaled Miracle Doctor: The God-Defying Demonic Consort

Chapter 814: Chapter 249: The Alchemy Dao of the Alchemy Institute (1st Update)

"...Do you know what I’ve discovered?" Yao Xinghai stared into Mu Qingge’s eyes, as if trying to see into her soul.

Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of caution in the glimmer between her eyelids.

"I have never underestimated myself, but I clearly know where my capabilities lie. When it comes to the role of a commander, overseeing the big picture, strategizing, I’m not as good as you," Yao Xinghai stated bluntly.

His gaze was utterly candid, without a trace of insincerity.

Mu Qingge, however, grew more confused as she listened. There was no joy from the praise in her heart, only questions arising one after another.

"Young Master Yao, why did you bring me here today?"

"You’ve probably already heard about the Divine Tomb," Yao Xinghai finally brought up the main topic.

So it was because of the Divine Tomb!

Mu Qingge suddenly realized.

When Yao Xinghai mentioned the ’Divine Tomb,’ she already guessed why he invited her and said such ambiguous words.

"I know that your relationship with Ji Yaohua and Ying Ze is quite good. You three are likely to set out together on the journey to the Divine Tomb," Yao Xinghai confidently expressed his deduction.

Mu Qingge smiled, neither denying nor confirming it.

Moreover, she did not explain that on the journey to the Divine Tomb, not only would Ji Yaohua and Ying Ze accompany her, but also Xi Qianxue.

Yet, her silence was taken by Yao Xinghai as tacit agreement.

He nodded almost imperceptibly and smiled, "It seems I was right. Today, what I want to ask you is, could your team include me?"

"You?" Mu Qingge curled her lips into a smile.

When Yao Xinghai brought up the Divine Tomb, she had already guessed his intention. So, at this moment when he proposed it, she felt not the slightest surprise.

"Yes, me." Yao Xinghai nodded earnestly.

Mu Qingge’s fingertip lightly tapped the table, playfully, "The reason you gave earlier, is that your reason for wanting to join us?"

Previously, Yao Xinghai had summarized the few top-ranked individuals on the Green Talent List. Initially, his purpose seemed unclear.

But now, it was all clear as day.

Yao Xinghai candidly stated, "The Divine Tomb has not been opened for thousands of years. No one knows what dangers are within. Moreover, it’s likely that not only we, the young generation, but anyone who has a chance will try to enter that continent. This time, who knows how many old monsters will come out of their seclusion to enter. We will face not only our peers but also seniors, once-famous strongmen of the Middle Ages, and possibly anything that the Divine Tomb might present. One more thing, I’ve received news that when the Divine Tomb opens, the Demon Tomb will open as well. Two places, originally unrelated, will overlap partially. This means we might encounter demon cultivators. In conclusion, the journey to the Divine Tomb is undoubtedly fraught with peril and danger. So..."

He suddenly stopped, looking at Mu Qingge.

"So..." Mu Qingge’s smile broadened with amusement, "you need trustworthy and powerful allies to achieve what you desire."

She revealed Yao Xinghai’s ultimate goal with one sentence.

What was it that he wanted?

Naturally, the Divine Status within the Divine Tomb. Not only Yao Xinghai wanted it, Mu Qingge wanted it too, and everyone entering the Divine Tomb desired it.

Yao Xinghai smiled and nodded. He said to Mu Qingge, "My strength is not weak. Bringing me on board will not hold you back, and might even prove beneficial to you."

"However." Yao Xinghai’s eyes flickered, smiling at Mu Qingge, "Even so, I still wish to challenge you at the Alchemy Conference."

"That is only natural," Mu Qingge laughed.

She never feared a challenge. Moreover, it involved her specialty, the Alchemy Dao?

"So, would you be willing to accept me as a companion on the journey to the Divine Tomb?" Yao Xinghai asked.

Yao Xinghai wanting to join was something Mu Qingge did not particularly oppose. As he mentioned, he indeed possessed some strength and wouldn’t be a burden.

However, she still found it curious. She asked, "Why not partner with Wei Molili? Compared to me, the newly crowned top of the Green Talent List, isn’t Wei Molili, who has held the top spot for several terms, more trustworthy?"

Yao Xinghai shook his head with a wry smile, "As I mentioned before, Wei Molili is too old-fashioned and used to going solo. He may not accept me as a partner, and I cannot control him."

Mu Qingge’s suggestion had crossed his mind.

But, he had encountered Wei Molili several times long ago. The impression Wei left him was that of a lone wolf, someone who wouldn’t take orders from anyone, with no sense of teamwork.

If the two were to team up, then the strategist would inevitably be him, not Wei Molili. However, he had no confidence he could make Wei Molili follow his orders, so...

"It seems Young Master Yao has thought it through thoroughly before making the decision," Mu Qingge said.

Yao Xinghai nodded.

Mu Qingge, however, suddenly became humble, "I can’t make the decision on this matter alone. Since it’s a team, I must listen to everyone’s opinions. Fortunately, Ji Yaohua and Ying Ze will both be here during the Alchemy Conference. At that time, Young Master Yao can repeat what you said today to them. If neither of them objects, I naturally will have no objections either."

After speaking, she drank the tea in her cup in one gulp, got up, and took her leave.

In fact, she could have agreed completely on her own, but she was a bit annoyed by Yao Xinghai’s confident demeanor, so she said that deliberately to keep him in suspense.

As she said, she is quite petty!

Yao Xinghai did not stop Mu Qingge from leaving. He watched her figure disappear, his thick eyebrows slightly furrowed. Things, it seemed, were not going as he expected.

He thought Mu Qingge would accept his proposal without hesitation, but unexpectedly, she left him with only an ambiguous answer in the end.

The entire conversation made it look like he had the upper hand and controlled the rhythm. However, he didn’t expect Mu Qingge to pull such a move as she left, turning the tables and becoming the winner.

Yao Xinghai suddenly laughed to himself, murmuring, "It’s getting more interesting, this feeling of meeting an equal opponent is quite nice."

...

Mu Qingge left Yao Xinghai’s residence and returned according to the route in her memory. When she reached the place where she had parted ways with Zhao Nanxing and the others, she saw a beauty in a white dress under a magnolia tree, standing there looking at her.

Seeing her, Mu Qingge smiled and quickened her pace.

"Senior Sister Shang, did you stay here on purpose to wait for me?" Mu Qingge said to Shang Zisu, walking to the tree.

Shang Zisu showed a faint smile and nodded lightly. "After you left, Senior Brother Zhao remembered that you were unfamiliar with the Inner Courtyard and might not find the courtyard assigned to you, so I stayed."

"I appreciate it, Senior Sister." Mu Qingge saluted Shang Zisu.

Shang Zisu’s cold eyes showed a hint of a smile, but she shook her head slowly, indicating it was no bother.

"Where are the others?" Mu Qingge asked.

Shang Zisu said, "Your and Senior Brother Mei’s residences are arranged in the same place; they are waiting there. Let’s meet up with them first, and then I’ll take you to see the Alchemy Dao of the Alchemy Institute."

"The Alchemy Dao of the Alchemy Institute!" Mu Qingge murmured, her eyes shining.

This was what she was interested in!

Shang Zisu led Mu Qingge towards their residence, introducing along the way, "Within the Inner Courtyard, there is an Outer City and an Inner City. The Outer City is the place you passed by just now. The Inner City is where the disciples cultivate; you cannot enter without an Identity Token."

Mu Qingge immediately understood Shang Zisu’s words. So, the Outer City is the living area of the Inner Courtyard, and the Inner City is the learning area. It’s a bit like a university campus in the world she came from.

"We all live in the Outer City, and only when we need to do Alchemy, or check the Elixir Recipe, or consult a teacher, do we enter the Inner City," she said, pursing her lips before continuing, "Actually, we spend most of our time in the Inner City."

Mu Qingge nodded almost imperceptibly, listening silently.

"Qingge, do you know why the Alchemy Institute is called the Alchemy Institute?" Shang Zisu suddenly asked.

This...

Mu Qingge was taken aback, she hadn’t really delved into it. However, remembering what Shang Zisu said earlier, she responded, "Could it be related to the Alchemy Dao in the Alchemy Institute?"

Shang Zisu’s smile became more pronounced, and she nodded, "Indeed, it’s because of the Alchemy Dao that this place is called the Alchemy Institute."

"What is the Alchemy Dao?" Mu Qingge asked curiously.

But, Shang Zisu suddenly became mysterious, saying to her, "You will naturally understand once you see it."

Her enigmatic words stirred a sense of eagerness in Mu Qingge, making her wish she could see the so-called Alchemy Dao in the Alchemy Institute immediately.

With Shang Zisu leading the way, Mu Qingge quickly found out the location of her residence.

There were many buildings here, densely arranged, presumably the residences for new Inner Courtyard disciples, not even a tenth as luxurious as Yao Xinghai’s courtyard.

"In the courtyard, there are points that can be exchanged for necessary medicinal materials and residences," Shang Zisu introduced.

Mu Qingge was surprised; she didn’t expect the Alchemy Institute to have such modern regulations.

"How does one earn these points?" Mu Qingge couldn’t help but ask.

Shang Zisu explained, "In both the Outer City and the Inner City, there are places to accept tasks. Every day, not-yet-completed tasks and their corresponding points are posted there. Inner Courtyard disciples can take them and, once completed, earn corresponding points. Tasks in the Inner City are relatively more difficult than those in the Outer City, and naturally, the points are higher. If you don’t like the environment here, I have some points you can use to exchange for a courtyard you prefer."

"There’s no need." Mu Qingge declined politely. She’s not pretentious; why should she care where she lives? She’s here at the Alchemy Institute not for enjoyment, but for learning. It doesn’t matter where she stays.

Seeing that she genuinely didn’t want to change places, Shang Zisu did not insist further.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw three people happily conversing.

As soon as Mu Qingge appeared, Mei Zizhong immediately stood up, rarely showing a look of impatience, and said to the others, "Let’s go."