In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

After finishing up with matters concerning the Adventurers' Association, Wang Yan went to the Lambad Restaurant to get some food to go before heading home.

After a simple meal, he and "Seventy-Two Xuanming" began packing up the things they had bought from Dolly.

All I can say is that Dolly truly lives up to her name.

The goods, worth over two million, almost filled every corner of Wang Yan's new home.

From tools and instruments needed for mechanical arts to instruments used for studying runes, and alchemy tables needed for alchemy... all kinds of instruments are very complete.

It can be said that even without the five advanced instruments that Kavi gave, what Dolly brought was enough to meet Wang Yan's research needs.

In addition to the tools and equipment mentioned above, Dolly also packed a bunch of high-end items, including some rare mechanical parts and elemental blocks.

Not to mention mechanical parts, whether it's rutile or Nordkalite, these are the favorite commodities of underground smuggling forces. As long as you don't drink alcohol, there will be people who want them.

Elemental blocks are the purple elemental materials in the game.

In the game, it's not scarce; any random traveler can pull out a whole bunch of them.

In reality, Wang Yan and Falushan used elemental fragments when they went to the desert.

Why? Because element blocks are simply too expensive to use.

As mentioned before, a single elemental fragment can power a toothpaste production line, and it is said to be a crystallization of 2 e of energy.

Element blocks are dozens of times more powerful than element fragments.

Yes, in the game, you can combine three elemental fragments into one elemental block, but in reality, this is completely impossible.

The energy concentration inside each level of element crystal increases exponentially.

The dozens of elemental blocks in Dolly's gift pack are more than enough for Wang Yan's laboratory.

As for higher-grade elemental crystals... such as the [Solid Topaz], in the terms of the cultivation world view, they are rare and precious materials containing the laws of heaven and earth.

This material is basically not available on the market.

After finishing packing up the goods Dolly had brought, Wang Yan breathed a sigh of relief and his gaze fell on the "Seventy-Two Xuanming" that was swirling gracefully in the air.

The little guy was slowly circling around him, occasionally swaying slightly, as if trying to get praise.

"Thank you for your hard work," Wang Yan said casually. "If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have been able to manage all this stuff by myself."

Before he finished speaking, the light around "Seventy-Two Spinning Beams" suddenly brightened, and its originally gentle spinning became lighter and faster. It even drew a small circle around Wang Yan's shoulder before floating back to his side.

This is how the little guy shows affection.

Wang Yan couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to gently tap the cube on the surface of "Seventy-Two Luminaries": "So easily pleased? It was just a casual remark."

Upon hearing this, "Seventy-two Xuanming" not only did not restrain himself, but became even more lively.

It rubbed against Wang Yan's palm, then slowly rose and hovered in front of him. The runes on its surface alternated between dark and light, as if it were 'speaking' in its own way.

Wang Yan did not equip it with a language module. This thing seems simple, but it is actually quite difficult.

At least for now, Wang Yan is not capable of writing a logical language module that can be miniaturized and incorporated into the "Seventy-Two Xuanming".

I played with the little guy for a while.

Wang Yan began his daily practice: first, he would read for two hours, and then he would practice the "Purification of the Three Karmas Mantra".

Thanks to the big gift package from Dolly, Wang Yan's bookshelf now has many more new books that he hasn't read yet.

This meant that Wang Yan wouldn't need to update his inventory for a while.

"Seventy-two Xuanming" seemed to know that its master was doing his homework. It quietly flew to the desk, put away the runes around it, and quieted down.

Time slipped away quietly in the moonlight.

……

The next day.

Wang Yan's biological clock woke him up on time.

I moved yesterday, and today I need to see my advisor to explain the location of my new home and the topics I will be researching.

After a quick wash and changing into clean clothes, he reached out and summoned the "Seventy-Two Xuanming" sword, which landed on his wrist, gently fitting and transforming into a protective shield.

Heading out!

When I arrived at my mentor's house, I found the door open.

Wang Yan was somewhat shocked and couldn't help but look at the sky. Could it be that he had overslept?

Wait, it's still 8 a.m.

At this hour, shouldn't my cute female mentor still be sleeping, waiting for me to come in, clean up, and make breakfast before quietly appearing at the kitchen door?

"Mentor, I'm here."

Wang Yan called out and then walked in.

In the living room, Falushan was sitting at the dining table eating breakfast, which was porridge, and there were also side dishes on the table.

Beside her sat a figure familiar to Wang Yan.

"Huh? Claire, what are you doing here?"

The moment Wang Yan saw Ke Lai, he felt the power of the Flower Goddess's blessing within him tremble slightly.

"Long time no see, Mr. Wang Yan." When Ke Lai saw Wang Yan, she smiled brightly. "I'm here to help Senior Falushan with some work."

"Work?" Wang Yan looked at Falushan with the eyes of a kitten that had discovered its owner had a new cat. "Teacher, is there any work I can't do and need to trouble Ke Lai with?"

Facing Wang Yan's somewhat resentful gaze, Fa Lushan subconsciously looked away for a moment before realizing—she was the mentor!

She immediately straightened her back, raised her chin slightly, and tried to make her voice sound more righteous: "Of course it's something only Cole can help with! Hmph, you foolish apprentice, are you questioning your mentor?"

Wang Yan's gaze remained fixed on her face, but he said in response, "I just... wanted to share the burden with my mentor."

Although the words were kind, the tone sounded somewhat sarcastic.

Seeing the amusing standoff between the master and apprentice, Cole finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

She smiled and quickly waved her hand to explain, "Mr. Wang Yan, please don't misunderstand. Actually, every now and then, I accompany Senior Falushan to Port Omos to visit some children. Today is the appointed day, so I came here early this morning."

"Children?" Wang Yan was taken aback at first, then realized, "Oh, my junior brothers and sisters?"

“Yes, those are the kids.” Erosan nodded, giving Wang Yan a disapproving look. “Those kids are very interested in mechanical arts. They’re going to start preschool at the Order Academy this year, so I have to keep an eye on them.”

"Huh?" Wang Yan was a little confused. Did they really need to keep an eye on this?

Erosanne was immediately annoyed: "They are interested in mechanical arts, and I trained them, but what if they choose the Shahavara Academy after entering the Faculty? Wouldn't that be doing all the work for someone else? That's why I visit them every year."

As she spoke, she glared at Wang Yan again: "In the past, Ke Lai always accompanied me, but as the senior brother, you should go in the future too. You must bring them into our school, otherwise how can we revitalize it!"

Wang Yan's lips twitched, and he quickly changed the subject: "That mentor, I've already moved. The address is not far from Elhesen's house."

The interruption diverted Eros's attention: "Oh, that's a good spot."

“Mhm.” Wang Yan nodded in agreement, then said, “Mentor, there’s one more thing. For my next project, I’m planning to go to Nordkalley.”

"Nordkalai? That's so far?" Ella frowned at first, then nodded. "Are you going to find materials?"

Wang Yan: "Well, on the one hand, it's to collect materials, and on the other hand, Nordkalley is a gathering place for people from different civilizations, as well as ancient forces like the Frostmoon Children. I think it will be very helpful for the development of the project."

“Okay, then let’s apply for the research project. Remember to apply for study abroad funding from the academy,” Erosham agreed.

As her apprentice, Wang Yan's assignments required her approval; otherwise, they would be illegitimate.

However, generally speaking, instructors do not restrict students' assignments, especially in today's educational institutions.

In addition, Erosan previously mentored Wang Yan on the research project, and the thesis could be Wang Yan's, but Erosan handled all the application procedures.

This time, since Wang Yan is undertaking his own research project, he will naturally have to handle the procedures and funding himself.

After saying that, Ella pointed to the kitchen: "Breakfast made by Cole, and more."

Cole stood up: "I'll get you some..."

Wang Yan interrupted her directly, pressing Ke Lai back into her chair: "No need, I can do it myself. It's been a long time since I've had Ke Lai's cooking, I'm really craving it."

“…If Mr. Wang Yan likes it, he can…he can come to Huacheng Guo.” Ke Lai’s face was slightly red, but she still said it with great courage.

“Okay, when I get back from Nordkalai, I’ll come to the rainforest to visit you and Tina. Don’t complain about how much I eat then.” Wang Yan said as he walked toward the kitchen.

However, a strange look still lingered in his eyes.

The moment he met Cole, the angelic blessing within him instantly activated.

It was even more active than when I first met Ziqiao.

If the angel's blessing upon meeting Ziqiao was like encountering an acquaintance, then...

So, touching Claire is like seeing a family member.

"So... Cole has something related to the Flower Goddess?"

After a moment's thought, Wang Yan arrived at the answer: "Is it a remnant of a demon god...?"

Thinking to himself, Wang Yan had no intention of directly confronting Ke Lai.

As far as he knew, Cole had indeed been injected with demonic remnants, but Cole was now living a better and better life, so there was no need to bring up those past events in front of her.

After serving the porridge, Wang Yan returned to the living room.

Estelle and Claire were talking, seemingly about bringing some gifts for the children.

Wang Yan then remembered: "By the way, mentor, I want to write a fairy tale book. Do you have any suggestions?"

"Fairy tale? How did you come up with the idea to write this?" Erosanne asked.

Wang Yan recounted how she had told stories to the children in the desert.

Eros nodded slightly: "Writing a book is certainly a good thing. After you finish writing it, the academy can help with the printing... Are you planning to make money, or what?"

Wang Yan quickly replied, "I won't make that money."

"Then you can collaborate with the academy, print it at your own expense, and then send it to the children."

"Okay, let's do it that way then."

With the income from Dolly's side, and the income from the Feiyun Chamber of Commerce in the future, Wang Yan can afford to give away some storybooks.

Chapter 150 Project Application (17.3k/20k, bonus chapter for Alliance Leader "Just Got It")

After having breakfast at Erosan's house, Wang Yan accompanied the two to the Grand Bazaar to buy some gifts for the children.

Actually, Wang Yan didn't quite understand why they didn't go to Omos Port to buy it.

After all, it's a port, so the goods there are certainly no worse than those in Sumeru City, and in some ways, they might even be better and more plentiful.

But this was how his mentor did things, so Wang Yan had no choice but to obey. Otherwise, his mentor would jump up and slap himself on the head.

“Since you’re going to work on a new project, you don’t need to go this time. Write a letter to your junior brothers and sisters,” Erosan said to Wang Yan. “Encourage them to become my students when they grow up, and tell them that you have also learned a lot about mechanical arts from me.”

Wang Yan felt helpless, but faced with her mentor's earnest gaze, she still wrote a letter to the three students she had never met.

-----------------

To those who have not yet placed the finest delicacies in the temple

Hello everyone! I am Wang Yan, the eldest disciple of Teacher Falushan.

Although we haven't met yet, I've heard about you from the teacher and know that you are all smart and good kids who love mechanical arts.

The teacher often mentions you, saying that you are particularly interested in mechanical arts and have strong hands-on skills.

This makes me especially happy because mechanical arts is truly a super interesting subject!

I learned many amazing skills by studying with Teacher Falushan.

For example, I can make small mechanical birds that can fly on their own, mechanical assistants that help move things, and I can also bring ordinary wood and metal to life and turn them into useful tools.

The teacher is incredibly knowledgeable and always comes up with ingenious and fun ideas. Every time I listen to her lecture, it's like an adventure, full of surprises.

Unfortunately, I'm about to leave for a very far place to work on a new research project, so I won't be able to visit you with my professors. I feel particularly regretful about that.

So I'm writing this letter in the hope of bringing you my greetings and encouragement.

- I hope you can always maintain your curiosity about mechanical arts and knowledge.

When you grow up a bit and get into the Faculty of Education, it would be wonderful if you could choose Ms. Erossen as your mentor!

In that case, we can become true senior and junior brothers and sisters. Then, I can share the interesting mechanical tricks that our teacher taught me with you, and we can also explore more fun inventions together.