In Sumeru, pretend to be a scholar

Wang Yan was immediately at a loss for words: "Teacher, shouldn't the selection of the sage be finalized soon?"

“Well, it’s been empty for a long time, so it’s about to be settled.” Erosham nodded and said, “But it won’t hinder your future competition for the Sage. Once you become the Sage of the Intellectual School, you have to take the Mechanism back from me.”

Erosan's tone was somewhat fierce.

"Let's change the subject." Wang Yan finished packing his things and took them to the kitchen. He then called out loudly from inside the kitchen, "Mentor, I'm planning to move. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Change houses? Oh, right, you need an independent laboratory now, that small house is definitely not enough."

Erosan understood Wang Yan's need to change houses. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Why don't you rent one in the luxury housing area? You and Elhesen have a good relationship, right? It's right next to his house."

"Or, go ask Vizier if there are any houses for sale in Sumeru City. You can buy one and then decorate the laboratory yourself."

"Buy a set? How much would that cost?" Wang Yan shouted while washing the dishes.

“How would I know? I’m not a real estate agent, teacher. Go back and ask Vizier.”

Eros replied.

She genuinely didn't know.

Wang Yan came out of the kitchen and sat down next to Falushan: "Okay, I'll ask Faliha later."

After speaking, Wang Yan took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Falushan: "Teacher, have you seen the materials on this before?"

The paper contained a list of materials needed to make the Jade Carriage.

Erosan took it, glanced at it, and frowned slightly: "Where did you get this order?"

“Back in Liyue, a senior gave me a recipe for making Celestial Mechanisms, and this is the list of materials,” Wang Yan said.

The Jade Carriage isn't really a Celestial Mechanism. After all, Zibai is closer to the Celestials and Lunars than to the Liyue Celestials.

However, there's no need to explain it so clearly; it's reasonable to say it's a magical technique used by immortals.

"【Azure Jade Marrow】is actually the chalcedony of Azure Jade. This material is a high-quality material for engraving runes. However, chalcedony is rare, while Azure Jade plates are more common, and some large merchant guilds have them."

"【Cloud-patterned Golden Paulownia Wood】is a type of wood that grows in a special rock elemental environment. It gets its name from the cloud-patterns on its surface. It is also a high-quality material for mechanical arts. This material is only found in Liyue; I have never heard of it anywhere else."

"I've only heard of this material, 【Neon Glow Gauze】. It's said that in ancient times, people would capture the seven-colored arcs that appeared in the sky at sunrise and sunset, weave them into gauze, and then offer them to the messengers from the sky."

"【New Sprouts of Earth Veins】This is easy. The Order Institute has a lot of them in stock. This thing is part of the evolution of earth veins."

"【Moonlight Silver】...I haven't heard of it, but as far as I know, most of the materials related to moonlight come from Nordcalle."

"..."

It can only be said that Erossen is indeed a senior. She can talk about some of the dozens of materials on the list. Even if they are not complete, at least there are some clues.

After saying that, Falushan threw the list back to Wang Yan: "Hmph, these are all very precious materials. It seems that your senior gave you a very powerful technique."

For some reason, Wang Yan seemed to detect a hint of jealousy in his cute female mentor's tone.

It's like a child seeing their best friend make a new friend.

"Alright, alright, hurry up and go, I still have things to do." Eros suddenly urged him to leave. "Go and settle the house matter first. You can try looking for information at the Wisdom Palace; they might have it."

"If you really can't find him, go to the academy and look for Rifat. This junior is a candidate for Grand Master and is very familiar with the Palace of Wisdom."

"Or you could ask Kavi and Elhesen."

Wang Yan was pushed out the door by his mentor, and then watched the door slam shut with a 'bang,' shook his head helplessly, and then called out into the room:

“Mentor, although I have accepted gifts from other seniors, you are still the one I respect the most!”

"Get out!"

"Okay, then you should get some rest and catch up on your sleep."

Get it done.

Wang Yan smiled, turned around and left.

After walking away, Wang Yan suddenly realized: Oh no, I forgot to show my mentor the "Seventy-Two Xuanming".

'Why don't we drag our advisor out of bed and show her our work?'

After thinking about it, Wang Yan shook his head and gave up.

It's not that I can't pull my mentor up, but I'm afraid he'll get angry and kill me.

Chapter 141 Mundane Matters (3k)

After leaving his mentor's house, Wang Yan walked down Baoshang Street, passed through Tianbi Pond Square, and soon arrived at the commercial street where he had met Faliha last time.

Sure enough, Fariha was standing in front of a spice stall, head down, taking notes, her expression serious and focused.

"Fariha," Wang Yan called out.

Farihar looked up, a smile flashing in her eyes, closed her notebook, and walked over: "Wang Yan? You're back from Liyue. Did you have fun at the Lantern Festival?"

"It's still pretty good," Wang Yan said with a smile. "You're still so busy."

“A Vizier’s secretary, it’s always these kinds of trivial matters,” Fariha said casually, gesturing to the side. “Let’s talk over there.”

As they walked to the roadside, Faliha spoke up, "Did you call me here to ask me something again? Is it about expanding the project, or...?"

Wang Yan shook his head and said, "The toothpaste project has already been handed over to Old Master Sangge Mahabayi. I have something private to discuss with you this time."

"Personal matter? Okay, go ahead."

"I want to buy a house in Sumeru City, the kind with an independent laboratory. My mentor, Erosan, suggested that I ask Vizier directly. I was thinking of asking you first if you have any connections or suggestions?"

Wang Yan said.

Farriha's eyes lit up: "Buying a house? It seems the toothpaste business has indeed helped you accumulate quite a bit of wealth."

After saying that, she pondered for a moment and said, "There are indeed some properties around the Academy that are occasionally sold, especially those left behind by scholars who have retired or been transferred to other places. However, those in good locations with laboratories... are not cheap."

"How much do you need?" Wang Yan pressed.

“According to the market prices in Sumeru City, a detached house near the Church of God with a standard laboratory would cost at least two million Mora.” Farri Hatton paused, observing Wang Yan’s expression. “If it’s in the luxury residential area near the residence of Secretary Elhesen, it might be even more expensive, over three million.”

"Of course, this is just the room price. If there are complete renovations and laboratories inside... there will be additional charges."

Wang Yan mentally estimated his current savings; he currently had approximately two million Mora.

In addition, the toothpaste dividends from January and February are still in Dolly's accounts, which are estimated to amount to three or four million Mora.

In that case... buying a detached house near the church should be enough.

However, it will definitely cost a lot of money... Will I have enough money to buy materials and such later?

Damn it, I couldn't afford a house before I transmigrated, and I still can't afford one after I transmigrated.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Two million... I can consider it. Faliha, could you keep an eye out for me? If you find a suitable property, please let me know."

“Of course,” Fariha readily agreed. “I’ll mention it to Mr. Nizam when I get back; he’s better informed. Also, the Church’s Property Management Office occasionally lists some internal properties, which may be priced slightly lower than the market price, but require an internal recommendation from the Church. Now that you’re a disciple of Senior Falushan and have projects on your hands, you should meet the requirements.”

"Thank you so much." Wang Yanzhen said. "Also... are there any houses with laboratories available for rent now? I need to make some progress before buying a property, as my previous house is no longer sufficient."

“Of course,” Fariha said with a smile. “How about I show you another house?”

Wang Yan also smiled.

On his very first day in Sumeru City, it was Fariha who showed him the houses. Several months have passed in the blink of an eye, and now he has finally established himself in Sumeru City.

"So is Laiila still in the office?"

"I don't know, but I guess so."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked towards the accommodation area.

...

As soon as I arrived in the luxury residential area, I saw a familiar figure coming out of a house next door.

"Hmm? Wang Yan, when did you get back?" Kavi smiled as soon as he saw Wang Yan.

"I just got back today," Wang Yan said with a smile. "You only just left the house at this hour?"

"I drank too much with some people from the academy yesterday, so I'm resting today," Kavi explained, then looked at Faliha next to Wang Yan, "What's going on here?"

Wang Yan explained his plans to move to a new house.

Kavi agreed, saying, "You should get a house with a laboratory."

He usually conducts experiments at the Miaolun School Academy, after all, he is a pillar scholar of the school. On the other hand, someone like Wang Yan, who studies outside with Falushan and doesn't even go to the academy often, definitely needs to prepare his own laboratory.

As he spoke, Kavi seemed to remember something and continued, "I've heard that there's a custom of celebrating a move in Liyue. Even though you're just renting a place temporarily, I should still express my gratitude."

“Perfect timing. After I finished my last project, the school awarded me a batch of specialized instruments for mechanical engineering, some of which are the latest models. I don’t need them right now. I’ll organize them and send them to you later.”

His previous project was Dolly's Spaceship.

Wang Yan had no idea how much funding the Miaolun faction had received from Dolly.

But judging from Kavi's appearance, the amount of equipment the school awarded him must be considerable.

Wang Yan didn't stand on ceremony and smiled as he agreed, "Then thank you in advance. How about this, I'll treat you tonight. Let's invite Elhesen and have a drink together at the Lambad Tavern."

“Great!” Kavi’s eyes lit up. The thought of having a drink made him wide awake. “You and Secretary Fariha go ahead with your work. I’ll go find that guy Alheisen.”

Wang Yan nodded to Kavi: "See you tonight."

Kavi waved and turned to walk towards the Church of Jesus: "See you at the tavern tonight!"

After he left, Fariha smiled and said, "Mr. Kavi is still so enthusiastic. Wang Yan, shall we continue looking at houses? I remember there are two more properties with separate workrooms ahead, which should meet your requirements."

"It's close to here, making it convenient for you friends to communicate."

Wang Yan's eyes lit up. A house very close to Elhesen's house? That must be pretty good.

“Okay, let’s go take a look,” Wang Yan nodded.

Farha led Wang Yan along the stone-paved road in front of Elhesen's house. They walked less than fifty meters before stopping in front of a detached building that looked similar.

“This is it.” Fariha took a set of keys from her file bag and skillfully opened the gate.

The house in front of me was indeed very similar to Elhesen's house. It was also a gray-white stone structure built along the roots of the sacred tree, with simple and clean lines, and the roof was covered with green terracotta tiles unique to Sumeru.

“This house is also an asset managed by the Faith Institute. It was originally the residence of a retired Habantha. He moved to Port Ormos to retire last year, and the house was then taken over by the Institute.” Fariha introduced as she pushed open the heavy wooden door. “Because it belongs to the Faith Institute, the interior decoration… well, it’s more ‘academic’ style.”

The so-called academic style is very simple.

Wang Yan followed her into the house.

As Fariha said, the interior space is spacious, but the furnishings are extremely minimalist.

Upon entering, you'll find a high-ceilinged hall with dark, durable stone slabs on the floor and unpainted, natural-colored stone walls. The only decorations are a few simply designed wall lamps.

There was very little furniture: a large wooden table, a few chairs, an empty bookshelf, and nothing else.

“The first floor mainly consists of the living room, dining room, and kitchen, and over there is the bathroom,” Fariha pointed to the corridor on one side of the living room. “The main focus is on the second floor.”

The two walked up the stone steps against the wall to the second floor.

The second floor is divided into three main areas: a sizable bedroom with a window facing the street; an equally spacious study with recessed areas in the walls for bookshelves; and the room that Wang Yan is most satisfied with is the one behind the heavy oak door at the end of the corridor.

Farriha pushed open the door: "This is the independent laboratory."

The room was larger than Wang Yan had expected, about forty square meters.

The walls and floors are covered with easy-to-clean gauze, the roof has reinforced ventilation duct openings, and drainage ditches are reserved in the corners of the walls.

A sturdy stone laboratory table was installed on one side wall, with grooves for fixing containers and an anti-corrosion coating on the table surface.

The other end of the room was empty, but there were signs of use, indicating that some devices had been installed there before, but were removed when the owner left.

The windows are located high up and equipped with adjustable blinds, which can both ensure lighting and control the intensity of light.

"The laboratory's basic protective and ventilation systems are intact. The previous owner was a scholar of the Elemental Theory, who often conducted small-scale alchemy experiments." Fariha patted the experimental table. "The water and elemental force interfaces are inside the walls. If needed, you can ask someone from the Mystic Theory to activate and debug them. Of course, the cost will be borne by the individual."

Wang Yan slowly walked around the room and nodded in satisfaction.

The space is sufficient, the basic conditions are complete, and the location is so close to Elhesen and Kavi, making it convenient to communicate and ask questions.

Although it looks empty now, that's precisely why there's space to arrange things according to my needs.

"What about the rent?" Wang Yan had already made up his mind and asked directly.

“30,000 Mora per month,” Fariha quoted the price. “This is an internal price for scholars. If an outsider were to rent this spot, it would cost at least 50,000 Mora.”

"Uh...won't the old senior mind?" Wang Yan remembered that Faliha said this was the house of a retired Habantha scholar.

Farriha shook her head: "That's what the older generation meant."