It was undeniably Fluid Alchemy.
Every piece of theory, every spiritus circuit, every technique of material property interference and spiritus refinement used within it was drawn entirely from the fundamentals of Fluid Alchemy, seasoned with further extensions of modern alchemy.
Of course Professor Ye knew how to do this.
After all, Ji Jue had submitted everything he knew to her. Yet she had merely glanced over the fundamental theory and practical applications, treating the subsequent content with utter disinterest. Once she confirmed there were no hidden dangers, she had simply tossed it back to Ji Jue and paid it no further heed.
Just like that, merely by drawing analogies and scratching the surface... she had casually left Ji Jue in the dust by a hundred thousand miles!
While Ji Jue was still engrossed in the basics of Fluid Alchemy, Professor Ye had already begun practicing the technique in reverse!
Since the essence of Fluid Alchemy lay in elevating the inner nature of a material to drive the enhancement of its form and vessel, why couldn't it be applied backwards?
As long as one shackled and sealed the outer physical form of matter, then conversely, no matter how pure or powerful its internal essence was, wouldn't it be forced to yield to the limitations of its vessel?
Externally, it functioned just like a seal, using ordinary physical vessels to imprison and shackle spiritual entities.
This could no longer be called Fluid Alchemy. Perhaps one could build upon this foundation to develop an entirely new branch—Solid Alchemy, maybe?
It was just that a lofty path in Ji Jue's eyes held little research value to Professor Ye, who couldn't be bothered to pursue it.
"Did you see clearly?"
Professor Ye reached out, holding the hardened mercury bead before him.
Ji Jue pondered for a long time. "A little."
"Do you understand it?" Ye Xian asked again.
Ji Jue answered honestly, "The principle, roughly."
"Then that's good enough. Take it and figure it out on your own. If there's anything you don't understand theoretically, analyze it carefully. This will be your curriculum for the coming period."
Professor Ye waved her hand dismissively and tossed the mercury bead into his palm, slipping back into hands-off mode. "It's merely an application technique that's moderately useful to you. It doesn't have much of a future, so don't get obsessed with it.
"A surface grasp is enough."
After all, its practical scope was far too narrow.
Techniques for spiritus containment and sealing were hardly rare; one could grab a handful of them from the Ascension branch alone. What mattered were extensibility and convenience.
Only for a Celestial Chosen proficient in Fluid Alchemy like Ji Jue did it possess considerable value.
Once mastered, it allowed him to transform mercury directly into a spiritus cage, regulating capacity simply by adding or removing mercury.
At the same time, it enabled him to store mechanical spiritus and deploy it when critical, without having to cram it all into his own soul. Otherwise, stuffing all manner of junk in there would eventually turn him into who knew what kind of monstrosity. Storing remnant spirits in mercury would also spare him the embarrassment of having no materials at hand when he needed to use the Soul-Calling Bell.
In any case, the path had been laid out before Ji Jue; how far it could be developed would depend entirely on his own needs and the effort he invested.
Ye Xian had no doubts about this.
After all, when a freak who pressured his teacher every few days grew wild, no one could predict what unrecognizable shape he might take.
"Get some good rest over the next few days. Once the holiday is over, things are going to get busy."
Finally, when they returned to the study, Ye Xian pulled open a drawer and brought out a box. "This is for you."
Curious, Ji Jue opened the cardboard box. Inside lay a small, square plastic case that looked like some kind of authentication key plugged into a computer.
There wasn't a single seam anywhere on it. Shaking it slightly, he felt it was entirely seamless inside, even exhibiting what felt like an aversion to Deus Ex Machina.
Beneath the small case lay a complete set of credentials and a work badge.
Printed on the badge was Ji Jue's ID photo.
When he picked it up and examined it closely, he noticed the title below it and was struck dumb—Deputy Director of Technical Development, Haian Auto Works?
What the hell?
Had this Pal of a laborer barely returned home, only to be thrown straight into a sweatshop to scrape together a living?
"Don't worry, it's just in name,"
Ye Xian said with a wave of her hand. "You don't need to report for work, and naturally there's no salary. If you're interested, you can poke around, but don't expect those unambitious slackers to give you any pleasant surprises."
Ji Jue's expression twitched.
Truth be told, he looked down on the place.
Not even the young locals of Yacheng cared about that brand anymore. Decades ago, when Haian Auto Works was the emblem of Yacheng, it had indeed enjoyed a period of glory.
Unfortunately, due to shifting policies, changing times, and various other factors, it had spiraled into decline at breakneck speed, failing to produce a single influential product since.
Such a product nurtured by local protectionist policies was now merely clinging to life with no prospects to speak of.
Its most famous product was the knockoff van ubiquitous on the streets of Yacheng today—its styling, chassis, suspension, and engine were all wholesale copies of Universal Heavy Industries' classic model.
Simple, reliable, sturdy, and durable.
And cheap.
Even so, with Universal Heavy Industries steadily lowering prices and offering perks on the original model, sales had been declining year after year.
A clear loser, half dead.
Still, half dead or not, it was at least a major local enterprise. How had Professor Ye gotten her hands on these credentials and this identity card?
They couldn't be counterfeit, could they?
"Consider it compensation, of sorts,"
Professor Ye said indifferently over her teacup. "Earlier, to find someone to take over his mess, Chen Xingzhou was willing to give me a seven percent stake. After you meddled, you actually saved me some trouble.
"As of now, I should be the fourth-largest shareholder of Haian Auto Works."
"Oh, awesome, Teacher!"
Ji Jue immediately launched into a string of flattery without hesitation, though he couldn't help wondering in his heart: given Professor Ye's status, she wouldn't look twice at such a meager stake even if it were given to her for free.
It was a straight-up liability, wasn't it?
Professor Ye cast him a glance, not bothering to explain. She pointed at the credential, gesturing for him to turn to the very last page. Only then did he notice a remarkably understated watermark emblem at the bottom.
A falcon with outspread wings?
Holy shit?
For real?
Ji Jue's eyes went wide. He stared at it for a long while before instinctively fishing out his phone to search. After digging for quite some time, he finally found corroboration tucked away in an obscure corner of Haian Auto Works' garbage official website.
He couldn't hold back a sharp intake of breath.
This actually worked?!
Haian Auto Works was indeed garbage now and likely wouldn't ever take off in the future. But decades ago, during its founding days, that term's Governor of Yacheng—whether to line his pockets or produce political achievements—had spared no effort in promoting it. Combined with the era and prevailing policies, when it registered, it directly obtained something rarely seen in other companies...
Military manufacturing certification!
Even now, it remained on the military's list of contractors. Theoretically, it possessed the qualifications to participate in Military Department biddings, take on outsourced projects, manufacture military hardware, maintain equipment, and much more.
Although it had subsequently failed to capitalize on the opportunity, allowing these operations to be gradually eaten away and pushed aside by other corporations until it couldn't even get on the track, a certification was still a certification!
"With this, you can legally carry weapon prototypes and tools, as well as access the Federation Military Department's database to review weapon blueprints below Class C..."
After finishing her tea, Professor Ye glanced at the stunned Ji Jue and added:
"All of them."
Ji Jue's hand trembled instantly.
How was this just an ID card?
This was a legal firearm permit! More than that, if utilized properly... he might just transition directly into an arms dealer in Yacheng's underworld!
Ji Jue could practically picture himself tossing his conscience aside while his bank account balance surged like a rocket!
"This... is for me?" he asked, still incredulous.
"Otherwise? You think I'm playing with you?"
Professor Ye didn't care about his petty schemes in the slightest. "Just one thing: I still have use for the company, so don't cause any messes. Aside from that, do whatever you like."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Ji Jue blurted out, eyes wide, singing Professor Ye's praises from the bottom of his heart. If it weren't so inappropriate, he would have broken into a hymn right then and there.
Professor Ye remained unperturbed.
"Don't be so quick to thank me. The time when you'll have to risk your life is yet to come."
Finally, she pushed a notice across the desk.
It was a transfer order issued by the Artisans Association's Ring of Taiyi, and the Tide Sound Workshop was responding to the mobilization.
Spearheaded by the headquarters of the Federation Security Bureau, it summoned numerous masters and artisans to rebuild fortifications and blockades, aiming to settle everything in one decisive blow... completely isolating Vile Folly and severing the catacomb disaster once and for all!
An event unprecedented in Haizhou for decades!
"I have already submitted the roster. You will participate as my assistant and subordinate. If we succeed, you can at least ride on my coattails from the sidelines and pick up plenty of achievements and honors.
"If we fail, both you and I might not even leave corpses behind."
Ye Xian concluded with a question: "We depart for Quancheng in seven days. Any problems?"
Ji Jue thumped his chest without hesitation.
"Through fire and water, Teacher!"
A top boss leading a dungeon run with tutoring, guidance, and hands-on practice—plus actual drops, who knew how many materials were waiting... Hesitating at a time like this would mean he wasn't even human!
***
"Hey, Brother Feng. You free?"
The moment he reached the garage, Ji Jue couldn't wait to dial Lu Feng's number.
"What's up?"
The voice on the other end was lazy and rhythmic, sounding as if the speaker were vigorously picking his toes.
Slacking off during work.
In any case, since Ji Jue hadn't gotten straight to the point and had time for pleasantries, it meant nothing serious had happened.
"There's a job. I need a hand from you and Sister Layla,"
Ji Jue said. "In a few days, I'll try to secure you guys an armament credential. If our luck holds, we'll swap our shotguns for cannons and give our gear a complete upgrade."
"Holy crap! That awesome?!"
On the other end of the line, Lu Feng straightened up, rubbing his hands in excitement. "Who are we killing? The governor?!"
"No rush on the governor. Let's start by picking up our old trade..."
Ji Jue rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You haven't gotten rusty with your sheet metal and welding, have you?"
"You kidding? Your brother's seen more chassis and engines than the girls you've touched!" Lu Feng thumped his chest eagerly. "Did we finally get a lead on snagging those two self-propelled artillery pieces we were scheming about last time?"
"We did make a little headway on that, but this isn't about that."
Ji Jue turned around, looked at Little Niuma wriggling behind him to assert its presence, and patted its bodywork.
As the saying went, before the troops moved, the provisions had to go first...
A fine horse deserved a fine saddle.
Little Niuma had been starved for so long without a proper meal; it was high time for a deluxe overhaul!
He raised his phone, holding an image of an armored vehicle on the screen before the headlights, and smiled slightly.
"Would you like add-on composite armor, double-wishbone coil-spring independent suspension, a spiritus-shifting primary and auxiliary gearbox, and a Rhino-pattern vehicle-mounted heavy machine gun?"
***
Outside the window, the speeding Little Niuma exited the factory gates and roared into the distance.
Ye Xian's gaze finally settled upon the vintage landline phone ringing ceaselessly in the corner—an incoming call on a dedicated line.
"Director Yan?" Ye Xian picked up the receiver and asked with mild curiosity, "I believe I made my intentions quite clear. Or are you unsatisfied with a temporary setback and looking for a chance to save face?"
"They were merely a few cloned mouthpieces; tearing them apart for fun is of no consequence. I'd like to think we still share some measure of rapport."
A gentle voice spoke from the other end of the line. "Besides, advanced studies rely on mutual willingness; a forced melon isn't sweet. If he's unwilling, it makes no difference to us.
"It was merely a gesture. The hospital acknowledges this rapport."
"Is that so?"
Ye Xian's brows furrowed slowly. "Then it seems there is no good news?"
"That depends on who you ask..."
Yan Xueqian sighed with emotion. "The testing department just issued a report. Comparing it against previous clinical records, I can conclude: the efficiency of Vortex Planting has dropped once more. The measured aberration rate of related flesh-refining techniques has also decreased, whereas the mental frequency constant of the Ascension branch has slightly elevated."
Even if the change was dozens or hundreds of decimal places out, no matter how insignificant,
a change was a change.
It could not come from nothing, nor occur without cause.
According to the measurements, every technique, ritual, and related discipline involved in that Chrono Ruin's core had shifted a fraction closer to Sovereign Virtue!
Which meant that after that night, Sovereign Virtue had grown a tiny bit stronger, while Vile Folly had weakened by a hair.
One waxed as the other waned.
"In other words..."
"Indeed. The fourth observable Virtuous Transmutation of this year!"
Yan Xueqian chuckled softly. "Don't you plan on explaining to your student what a magnificent achievement he has attained? Beyond any doubt, he possesses the qualifications to amend the world."
"It is far too early. We can discuss it when I, as his teacher, am satisfied,"
Ye Xian said coldly. "Before then..."
"I understand, I understand," Yan Xueqian replied smoothly. "Preserving patient confidentiality is a doctor's sacred duty."
"Is that so? And dragging a patient onto the operating table for research?"
"Treating illness and saving lives is never easy. Thus, at times, it is all the more necessary for patients to offer a little... cooperation."
Yan Xueqian's tone took on a meaningful edge. "After all, materials never walk into the furnace on their own, do they?"
"Perhaps?"
Ye Xian concluded, "Materials might just walk into the furnace on their own, but if anyone reaches a hand into my furnace, I wouldn't mind having a few extra materials."
The call was terminated.
In the silence, Ye Xian gazed at the sunlight outside the workshop.
Through the cracked window came the ceaseless sound of the tides.
Suddenly, she felt an urge to summon that brat Ji Jue back and give him a beating...
Was being a teacher always this exhausting?
She certainly hadn't been this annoying back in her day!
Chapter 179