Chapter Eighty-Eight: The Troubled Brewmaster

“Mu, are you sure we need to go?” Ye Chong asked as they walked.

“Yes, Shang’s reasoning is not incorrect. According to the data, Dakun stones can indeed be stimulated to grow through set-form cultivation,” Mu replied.

“Heavens! Cultivation Master!” Just thinking about the pain he’d endured these past days, Ye Chong felt utterly dispirited. The headache had only begun to subside; his head had ached for three whole days—a torment so intense he nearly ground his teeth to dust, but he finally pulled through. Though Ye Chong himself didn’t feel much different, Mu had told him that his mind was now much more focused, his brainwaves stronger than before.

At least there were some results; the suffering hadn’t been entirely in vain! Ye Chong hadn’t even had time to feel relieved before Mu urged him to attend the Cultivation Master classes. Thankfully, in his spare time, Mu taught Ye Chong the gun techniques he’d calculated himself. Mu’s method, as always, was concise and powerful. This set of gun moves could hardly be called a technique—it consisted of only eight movements, not even a combo, just eight basic actions. After countless calculations and optimizations, Mu arrived at the final result. Since ancient gun techniques were long lost, fragments were rare, so Mu relied on principles of physics to determine how to exert less effort and achieve greater effect, and so on. These eight actions were the product of Mu’s simulated calculations.

Fortunately, the modification room was vast—almost a super warehouse. Ye Chong cleared a space and began practicing with the Frost Aria. Ye Chong’s ability to grasp mecha combat techniques far surpassed his ability to learn anything about Cultivation Mastery; he mastered the gun movements quickly, but the damned Cultivation Master material still left him utterly bewildered.

This class was a lab session. In Cultivation Master courses, lab time far exceeded theory.

“Mu, don’t you already know all the Cultivation Master theories? Why do I still need to learn them?” Ye Chong asked, confused.

Mu explained, “Cultivation Mastery is an experience-based profession. The current theories are quite incomplete and prone to logical errors, so Shang and I don’t have an advantage here. Humans, it seems, are better suited for this.”

The head of the Cultivation Master Department at Blue Ocean Academy was Jiang Xiaowei. The principal even put in a word for Ye Chong. Jiang Xiaowei didn’t quite understand why a male student, especially one specializing in mecha mechanics, would be interested in Cultivation Mastery. If it were anyone else, she’d have assumed he was just here to chase girls—after all, the entire department was female, and beautiful ones at that, attracting many adolescent boys. But with Ye Chong, that theory didn’t fit; Jiang Xiaowei had met him before. Such a cold, aloof person could hardly be here for frivolous reasons. Besides, Rui Su’s relationship with him seemed somewhat delicate, and among her students, even those who looked good couldn’t compare to Rui Su.

The Cultivation Master Department was indeed filled with girls, and Ye Chong stood out conspicuously among them. Most of these girls had seen Ye Chong via livestream, but meeting him in person was a first for almost all. Ye Chong’s face was expressionless, almost as if he had “Keep Away” written across his brow. He was deep in conversation with Mu, completely oblivious to the girls around him.

“Oh? There’s such a thing?” Ye Chong asked, surprised.

“Yes. According to the data, many special minerals can be stimulated to grow through various cultivation methods. However, much of this information has been lost, and some of it is damaged. Shang is trying to recover it,” Mu answered.

“Shang is actually willing to do that?” Ye Chong was astonished; Shang always struck him as mischievous and humorous.

“Yes, Shang’s emotional assessment system is far superior to mine, so he cares more about his former origins. Both of us believe this information is crucial in uncovering the origins of this mecha. Shang sees it as searching for his own background. Although I don’t fully understand, if we can trace the origins of this mecha, it will be very valuable for you,” Mu replied calmly.

“That’s true! If you and Shang are so capable, whoever made you two must be even more impressive!” Ye Chong said, full of longing.

“According to the data, the answer is unknown. Besides, your statement is incorrect; I wasn’t made by them, though Shang may have been. My existence was purely accidental,” Mu corrected.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Ye Chong snapped back to reality and stopped, looking around. He had to admit, finding one’s way in certain parts of Blue Ocean Academy was a real test of skill. Luckily, Ye Chong hadn’t lost his sense of direction, and with Mu’s guidance, getting lost seemed harder than not.

The girls around him watched Ye Chong with strange glances, whispering and giggling, sometimes pointing at him. A single male in the Cultivation Master Department was like a beauty suddenly dropped among wolves—especially one as prominent as Teacher Ye Chong.

Ye Chong always ignored such chatter, but his hearing was remarkably sharp; as the whispers grew, it was like a swarm of flies buzzing around his ears—not harmful, but certainly unpleasant.

Ye Chong stood still and swept a cold gaze over the girls. What had been a lively springtime scene instantly became a harsh winter; his icy eyes, sharp as a giant rake, cut through them mercilessly.

The girls fell silent, some even turning pale with fright.

Ye Chong paid them no mind and strode into the laboratory building.

Unlike the spacious modification room, the Cultivation Master lab was divided into countless small, independent rooms for safety. Cultivation experiments were indeed risky; organisms sometimes mutated during cultivation, and such experiments tended to accelerate and intensify the process. Any organism produced this way had to be certified by an authoritative body before it could be released, as it could otherwise threaten or even destroy the ecosystem. Thus, such strict protective measures were necessary.

Ye Chong happened to bump into Jiang Xiaowei, whom he recognized from a few classes. Jiang Xiaowei was surprised to see him but quickly recovered and smiled, “Hello, Teacher Ye!”

Ye Chong replied, “Director Jiang, I hope you’ll guide me.”

Jiang Xiaowei’s smile was gentle and natural, making Ye Chong feel at ease; his expression softened.

Jiang Xiaowei replied politely, “I wouldn’t presume to guide you. If you have questions, feel free to ask me.”

Ye Chong responded courteously, “Thank you.”

After their parting, Jiang Xiaowei thought to herself, this Ye Chong doesn’t seem nearly as difficult as the rumors suggest.

The instructor for this session wasn’t Jiang Xiaowei, but another female teacher Ye Chong didn’t know.

Ye Chong stared at the dizzying array of utensils and countless reagents on the table, his head spinning. The teacher didn’t seem inclined to explain; Ye Chong stood there, unsure how to begin. For someone not even at a beginner’s level, this was like groping in the dark.

Ye Chong frowned slightly, oblivious to the girls’ frequent glances his way.

Just as Ye Chong was at a loss, a timid voice came from nearby, “Ye Zi, can I be your partner?” He’d noticed someone approaching earlier, but didn’t expect it to be an acquaintance.

He looked up to see Ah Xiu standing before him, head bowed, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her department uniform skirt. Her head was so low he couldn’t see her face, but she seemed very tense, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared, mouths agape. Ye Chong was already the center of attention, but Ah Xiu, usually so timid, suddenly showing such courage left them stunned. The entire cultivation room fell silent.

Feeling the weight of so many gazes, Ah Xiu lowered her head even further; Ye Chong wondered if her neck might break if she went any lower. He cast a cold glance at those watching.

The girls, meeting Ye Chong’s gaze, quickly looked away, pretending to be busy with their experiments. The room filled with the clatter of utensils.

Ah Xiu’s arrival was a godsend for Ye Chong, who was struggling, but even so, he showed no emotion, replying calmly, “Of course, Ah Xiu.”

So they knew each other! The girls, who’d been eavesdropping, suddenly realized, and their looks toward Ah Xiu turned much more complicated.

Ah Xiu lifted her lovely face, incredulous, “Ye Zi, really?” Her flawless complexion was tinged with a faint blush, making her look dazzlingly beautiful.

Ye Chong nodded, “Of course.” Finally, someone to help him! Ye Chong rejoiced inwardly.

Seeing him nod, Ah Xiu smiled sweetly and gracefully moved to his side, though her cheeks still showed a hint of shyness.

…

“This is Gallo Blue Cultivation Solution, one of the fifteen basic solutions. Its function is to accelerate the growth of plant-type organisms, providing necessary nutrients…”

“The temperature-controlled cultivation furnace is easy to use; just set it through the light brain, but be careful about a few key points…”

…