Chapter 00180: A New Lesson
# A New Lesson
Chapter 180
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 180: A New Lesson
"Ah?" Ji Jue was utterly confused.
"Don't even talk about the Sage Realm. Just the Heavenly Realm alone is already far beyond your reach. It's so distant that you have no real sense of it, which is why you dare to act so recklessly time and time again."
Ye Xian shook his head: "The relationship between the Chosen and the Supreme Good is inherently close. The Chosen draw upon the power of the Supreme Good to achieve their own greatness. At the same time, the power of the Supreme Good is also manifested through many Chosen. The relationship between the two is like what is described in modern alchemy—the 'Whole' and the 'One.' Without the 'One,' the 'Whole' cannot be complete, and without the 'Whole,' the 'One' is meaningless. But once a Chosen becomes a Heavenly Being, the distinction between them and the Supreme Good becomes blurred. To some extent, they can be considered a part of the Supreme Good. The Sage Realm, or the Dragon Realm, is even more profound and distant. Sages etch their marks into time, laying the foundation for the origin of all things. Even in death, their imprints remain eternally within the world of the Supreme Good. The power they leave behind and the paths they forge continue to manifest and flow through various rituals and phenomena. The most notable example is the Fluid Alchemy she created... If she hadn't proven herself as a Sage, do you think Fluid Alchemy would have been elevated to such heights? If she hadn't given her permission before her death, do you think you could have learned it so quickly?"
To ordinary people, those who reach such a realm are no different from gods.
Their power merges with the world itself, becoming a part of the Supreme Good, flowing through all related domains.
Just like the two Sages who laid the foundations for the Federation and the Empire—Heavenly Overseer and Earthly Guardian.
Even though they died hundreds of years ago, the two nations are still governed by the Heavenly Origin Laws they established, which have maximized the stability of their territories.
The likelihood of disasters and upheavals is far lower than in other regions, sparing them from the constant struggle against natural calamities like the islands in the Endless Sea...
The endless strife and division among the Four Central States are also the result of the accumulated grievances and hatred from generations of Heavenly Beings.
"It's best to maintain a sense of reverence in all things. Unless absolutely necessary, don't touch certain things, understand? Well, it's useless to just talk about it. You'll understand once you suffer the consequences. As your teacher, the only reminder I can give you is this—don't rely on the favor of Mercury from the past and become arrogant. The Supreme Good is ever-changing, and the principles of Sages are the same. It's already a miracle that a trace of their essence has survived to this day. That is the last trace she left in this world. Future researchers can only confirm the existence of the pioneers by observing these fragments, rediscovering the lost techniques and paths."
Professor Ye's expression grew serious: "If you squander this favor recklessly, you will eventually exhaust the last bit of Mercury's essence within the Supreme Good. Do you understand?"
Ji Jue, sitting in his wheelchair, instinctively tried to stand up, but his body twitched, and he couldn't get up.
He could only struggle to sit up straight and nod solemnly.
Although he didn't understand most of it, he at least grasped one thing—the ancestral blessings are limited.
If the descendants squander too much, they will eventually exhaust the little legacy left behind.
This is not good for Ji Jue, nor for anyone who might learn Fluid Alchemy in the future.
So, don't push your luck.
Know when to stop.
Besides... even with the help of the Ghost Fetus, a disposable tool, Ji Jue had felt like his brain was about to be shaken loose by the Soul-Summoning Bell last time.
Such a rare, coincidental event couldn't be relied upon as a life-saving measure in critical moments.
Seeing Ji Jue's serious expression, Ye Xian nodded slightly, unsure whether he was pleased or disappointed.
He had originally planned to punch Ji Jue a few more times if he didn't get the message.
But it seemed he could save himself the trouble.
"Since your 'Miraculous Hands' and 'Spiritual Primacy' have both undergone qualitative changes, and with the help of 'Non-Aggression,' your level in Fluid Alchemy should be sufficient to qualify as a Craftsman."
After a brief pause, Ye Xian continued: "Your study and research in modern alchemy need to accelerate. Someone might come to approach you soon, but don't pay attention to the invitations and promises from the Association. With me here, the pressure from the Taiyi Ring won't reach you. You don't need to curry favor with those people. Also, if you don't want to be kicked out by me, never apply to register as a Craftsman using Fluid Alchemy, understand?"
Ji Jue was slightly stunned.
Professor Ye's unusually stern tone and warning made him a bit nervous—though he hadn't said it out loud, Ji Jue had once considered taking the easy way out.
If the modern alchemy Craftsman exam was too troublesome, he thought he might use Fluid Alchemy as a shortcut.
"Do you know how wealthy the Taiyi Ring is?"
Ye Xian asked bluntly, not waiting for an answer: "Currently, over 99% of modern alchemy patents are registered by Association members and monopolized by the Association. Every year, the wealth the Association gains from these patents alone is enough to make the finance ministers of the Federation and the Empire wake up in cold sweats. Not only that, but the power, status, and privileges of Craftsmen. The formulas, materials, and techniques required by Craftsmen... In today's world, every Craftsman—no, everyone who practices alchemy—cannot avoid the influence of the Taiyi Ring. Do you really think such a colossal entity would be harmonious internally?"
Ji Jue didn't answer.
It was obvious even to a fool.
Just look at the bureaucrats in the Academic Affairs Office of Tianmen University, who fight tooth and nail over a bit of power.
The Taiyi Ring would only be worse—more exaggerated, more brutal, more dark.
"Even within the Association, Craftsmen are divided into ranks—factions, origins, status, race, even their areas of expertise... Apprentices without a thirst for exploration and discovery have no chance of becoming Craftsmen, and those who do become Craftsmen will never allow themselves to be subordinate to others, nor will they allow others to surpass them."
Ye Xian suddenly asked: "You've seen a concrete example, haven't you?"
Mhm, right in front of me.
Of course, Ji Jue didn't dare to say that out loud.
He could only nod vigorously: "Yes, yes, Master Kong is exactly like that."
Ye Xian's expression didn't change.
He gave Ji Jue a sidelong glance, half-smiling, but didn't continue the topic.
Instead, he said slowly:
"This is why I'm warning you—you can use Fluid Alchemy to submit your work, but at the same time, as part of the evaluation, you'll need to provide a detailed explanation of all its principles and applications. In simple terms, you hand over this technology, and in exchange, you get a fourth-class status within the Association, watching as all possible directions are patented by others, completely blocked off. During annual meetings, you might not even get a ticket to attend. Being allowed to stand outside and listen would be considered a great favor. The mainstream in the industry today is modern alchemy. Although most of them are a bunch of scheming individuals, it's still the mainstream. Other schools aren't nonexistent, but they're treated like protected species—kept around as examples of diversity, but no one really takes them seriously. You'd be dozens of ranks lower, and even then, these fools would still be fighting among themselves."
Professor Ye sneered and said slowly: "Don't play games with fools, and don't make friends with idiots. After passing the registration exam as a legitimate modern alchemy Craftsman, you can specialize in Fluid Alchemy, gradually gather others, train apprentices, and even form your own faction. That's the way to maximize your benefits and establish your foundation, understand?"
Ji Jue wasn't foolish enough to ignore such golden advice.
He nodded like a chicken pecking at rice.
But at the same time, he couldn't help but wonder: "Isn't there any infighting in modern alchemy?"
"Of course there is, and it's much more brutal and insane," Ye Xian replied without hesitation.
"But you don't need to worry about that."
"... Why?" Ji Jue couldn't help but ask.
Ye Xian simply smiled, exuding warmth and dignity, the demeanor of a true master: "Because in the academic world, only our faction gets to oppress others."
As for those outside the academic world who dared to oppress her... they've all become research materials now.
Silence fell suddenly, and Ye Xian finally looked back at Ji Jue, as if filled with expectation: "So, you need to work harder, understand?"
Ji Jue swallowed dryly and nodded frantically.
He was afraid that if he hesitated even a little, his teacher might consider him a stain on her academic reputation and clean house right then and there.
But he had to admit... although his teacher was petty, hot-tempered, cold, and demanding, that last sentence was just too damn cool.
Ji Jue felt like little stars were about to pop out of his eyes.
Compassionate, magnanimous, and kind—truly the excellent qualities passed down through our lineage!
"Good. I originally didn't plan to let you waste more time on classical alchemy, but given the current situation, you can't afford to take it slow anymore."
Ye Xian tossed the repaired Soul-Summoning Bell into Ji Jue's lap: "Let's start the next lesson, the part you need most right now."
She said: "Let me see your progress in Spiritual Materialization."
Ji Jue picked up the bell and rang it without hesitation.
With the first ring, a shimmering blue flame rose from the opened Spiritual Material cage.
With the second ring, the activation was complete.
With the third ring, the phantom of a Spiritual Hand appeared briefly above the bell.
Then, from the gathered blue flames, a blood-stained figure in white slowly emerged, straightening up.
Its face, covered in stitches, bore a cheerful smile that sent chills down the spine.
Its mutated limbs were covered in sharp bone spikes, and its claws were razor-sharp.
The doctor from the Temporal Ruins Hospital had been shaped by Ji Jue.
With the Mercy Blade in hand and the countless records left by the doctors inside, it was like a blueprint for Ji Jue.
He could just sketch it out as needed, adjusting based on the situation.
Unfortunately, without that crucial strand of obsession, it was just a tool, filled with malice.
"Good."
Ye Xian examined it for a moment and nodded: "Although it lacks blessings, its composition is very stable. As a tool, it's more than enough to handle most ordinary transformation periods."
She said: "Have it attack me."
Ji Jue rang the bell again without hesitation.
He wasn't worried at all.
If this tool ghost could so much as scratch a single hair on Professor Ye's head, he'd write his name backward.
Why waste precious class time pretending to care about teacher-student camaraderie?
The moment the bell rang, the mutated doctor's body vanished.
Endless blue flames spread out, then condensed into sharp claws, slashing toward Ye Xian's heart.
From behind.
The Spiritual Claws, as sharp as scalpels, were wrapped in crimson, filled with malice, aiming straight for the vitals.
But then, they seemed to hit an invisible wall, shattering and dissipating instantly.
The doctor let out a piercing scream and vanished again, lurking in the shadows like a monster, waiting for an opportunity.
Until Ji Jue rang the bell again, issuing the command to attack.
With a roar, the doctor's body reappeared from the blue flames, swelling in size.
Its mutated face bore a fanatical smile as it lunged at Ye Xian.
And then, it saw her raise a finger.
At her fingertip.
A drop of metal, crystal clear like dew—Mercury!
She had just picked it up from the ground.
Ji Jue's eyes widened in shock, and then he saw something unbelievable—as if an invisible vortex had appeared, a storm of souls erupted from that drop of Mercury, instantly engulfing the entire basement.
Then, the screeching remnant of the doctor was helplessly pulled by the terrifying force, its limbs transforming, growing slender, as it was dragged into the drop of Mercury.
Completely devoured!
Finally, spiritual circuits appeared on the surface of the Mercury, layer upon layer of seals wrapping around it.
It hardened into a small bead.
The bead vibrated slightly, as if something inside was struggling violently, but eventually, it fell silent.
No more sound.
"I... a Poké Ball!?"
Ji Jue exclaimed in shock, forgetting his pain.
He climbed out of his wheelchair, examining it closely, and after a long while, he finally confirmed his suspicion:
"This is... Fluid Alchemy?"
---
Old author Hu Fu has started a new book!
If you liked his previous work, *The Abyss Express*, you can check out *Martial Spirit Radiance*.
I really like his style!
(End of Chapter)