A Sage’s Lecture and a Generous Gift

“What was that all about? So mysterious…”

Watching Youlan disappear into the distance, Ziyao stomped her foot, a disgruntled expression on her face. Was this really how someone expressed their affection? Did people truly like someone in such a way?

Never mind, she wouldn’t dwell on it. Eventually, Youlan would speak up.

And so, on that day, pedestrians across the street remembered the white-haired young girl, pouting and looking utterly vexed.

“So adorable…” Even in anger, she possessed a unique charm.

Naturally, the subject of these observations remained entirely unaware. She was currently knocking on the old master’s office door at the Alchemists’ Guild.

“Is that Ziyao?” The old man’s voice echoed from within. “Come in.”

Opening the door, Ziyao discovered a guest seated with the Guild Master. It was a Seven-Star Wind Mage with a head of white hair, appearing quite amiable.

“Venerable Tranquil Water, I am Frank, the Dean of the Royal Academy of Magic.” The elder rose and bowed to Ziyao.

The Dean of the Royal Academy of Magic? Ziyao raised an eyebrow. Quite an important figure indeed.

Given that this elder was appointed Dean, he undoubtedly possessed exceptional skills. Seven-Star was hardly a low rank, though in this room, he was certainly the weakest of them all.

“Alright, now that everyone is here, I’ll speak.” The old man cleared his throat softly. “Ziyao, are you free the day after tomorrow?”

The day after tomorrow?

“Probably, but I’ll have to check with Aiya first,” Ziyao pondered for a moment before replying. “Is there something important?”

At this, the Dean spoke up. “Venerable Tranquil Water, the matter is thus…”

It was common for the Royal Academy of Magic to occasionally invite powerful mages to give lectures to their students. Two months prior, the Dean had invited the Guild Master to deliver a lecture at the academy, an invitation he had accepted. After confirming the date, the Dean had widely publicized the news of the upcoming lecture throughout the academy. A Grandmaster-level Alchemist! This was an incredibly esteemed figure.

Therefore, the students were overjoyed, with some even beginning to prepare their questions upon hearing the news. However, in the last two days, the old man had suddenly become entangled in various trivial matters, making it impossible for him to spare any time to lecture the students.

Yet, this was a promise he had made, and canceling outright would deeply disappoint the students. Fortunately, a certain ‘salted fish’ had entered his sight. Ziyao, this Sage and Seven-Star Alchemist, had been bored to death these past few days.

“You want me to lecture those students?” Ziyao’s face registered disbelief. “Wouldn’t that be misleading them?”

Could my methods truly be used by ordinary students? They would probably just explode.

“Then tell me, is there anyone more qualified than you?” The old man took a sip of water from his cup. “In terms of strength, you are a Sage. In terms of alchemist rank, you’ve touched the threshold of a Grandmaster.”

Currently, there were only three Sages in the Imperial Capital: the old man himself (Venerable Honglian), one from the Royal Family, and Ziyao. The Royal Sage was not an alchemist, leaving only Ziyao.

“But I genuinely have nothing profound to teach.” Ziyao scratched her head.

The Dean of the Royal Academy of Magic sat beside them, his hands tightly clasped in nervousness. The pressure emanating from the two Sages was truly immense. Although he was considered an outstanding figure among Seven-Star mages, in the presence of Sages, he felt like a newborn child. Furthermore, this chilling pressure emanated unconsciously from the two Sages.

“This lecture script is one I prepared earlier. Why don’t you deliver it on my behalf? After all, we are both Sages.” The old man retrieved a lecture script from his drawer.

Taking the script and flipping through a few pages, Ziyao still wore a troubled expression. “It’s not that I don’t want to go; the script isn’t the problem. But I won’t be able to handle the Q&A session afterward.”

What if some students asked me, “Venerable One, how did you cultivate to become a Sage?” How would I answer? “Good talent, I suppose.” Could I say that? No, I couldn’t.

“Venerable One, you needn’t worry about that question.” At this, the Dean finally mustered the courage to speak. “I will instruct the students not to ask such personal questions. Moreover… perhaps your ideas are correct after all?”

Mages were never a rigid profession; pioneering thought was paramount to them. Sages, for instance, were those who had broken through existing magical systems to advance. One can learn from the strengths of others to overcome one’s own weaknesses.

“Alright… if I have nothing else planned, I’ll go.” After a moment of thought, Ziyao accepted the task. She had indeed been too idle these past few days; finding something to do wouldn’t be bad.

“Thank you so much!” The Dean quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Ziyao.

Accepting the Dean’s bow without a change in expression, Ziyao’s gaze subtly lingered on the old man’s waist. It seemed… she was hinting at something.

“You impudent girl.” The old man chuckled, scolding her good-naturedly. He naturally knew what she was hinting at. She just wanted some small gifts. He was wealthy and could afford them. “Three sets of materials for Silver Moon Elixir.”

“Grandpa is so generous!” Ziyao cheered. What she lacked most right now were these high-grade materials. With these, she would have plenty to do for the next few days.

Silver Moon Elixir was a Seven-Star healing potion, effective at accelerating wound healing and providing a small amount of mana recovery. In truth, its healing effect was only comparable to a Six-Star healing potion, but its almost complete lack of side effects was what earned it its Seven-Star ranking.

Ziyao could also make this potion, but due to the preciousness of its raw ingredients, she currently only had four in stock. With the three sets the old man had just given her, she would have seven—a quantity sufficient to handle most situations.

“Venerable Honglian, this is too much trouble.” The Dean quickly interjected. It was his request; how could he let the old man bear the expense?

“Hahaha, it’s nothing, just small trinkets.” The old man laughed heartily. “This girl has been terribly bored lately. If I don’t find her something to do, she’ll start to rot.”

What more could the Dean say? He could only close his mouth. He couldn’t possibly respond to the old man’s words, especially with the person in question sitting right there.

“Then it’s settled.” Patting Ziyao’s shoulder, the old Sage pulled a book from the bookshelf behind him. “You should read this book, too. It covers the basic knowledge for alchemists.”

“Okay, let me see… Oh my goodness, is this a book you used yourself, Grandpa?” She hadn’t known until she looked, and then she was startled. The book was filled with dense, tiny notes. And they were in the old man’s handwriting.

This book contained the insights of a Grandmaster-level Alchemist into alchemy!

“It’s not valuable; what use do I have for it now? It’s better for you to have it.” Seeing Ziyao’s astonished face, the old man smiled.

This girl was the junior he held in the highest regard.