Chapter 230

Chapter 230

The rush of water poured from the silver-plated faucet. Eve stood alone in the brightly lit washroom, meticulously scrubbing each finger.

A faint tremor beneath her feet—the starship’s engines rumbling to life for takeoff—signaled that all participants from the five schools had successfully boarded.

The Additional League’s organizing committee, identical to that of the Five-School League, was backed by Senior Alchemists who spared no expense. Despite the small number of participants, they had chartered an entire standard-model starship, rather than opting for a medium-to-large vessel or hitching a ride with the military.

Given its location, the Military Division of the First Empire Academy was situated in the suburbs just outside the capital planet’s central district, a mere half-hour drive from the starship port. As expected, they were the first to board. Eve then greeted two last-minute additions: Senior Baili, the former Vice Chief of the Melee Department and Isabella’s trusted assistant after Qin Mengde; and Ning Yibei, the former Chief of the Command Department, a member of the Ning family, one of the Luo Clan’s Eight Surnames.

Senior Baili possessed a stern, reserved demeanor, rarely smiling. Her deep brown hair was neatly cut just below her ears. Even for Eve, the top scorer in the Five-School League, Baili offered only a curt nod in acknowledgment. Eve privately thought she resembled the earlier Qin Mengde—though it might simply be that Isabella favored efficient, taciturn subordinates.

Senior Ning Yibei, by contrast, appeared far more amiable. A genial smile graced his face as he shook Eve’s hand, promptly introducing himself and his abilities.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, junior. My Spiritual State is an A-level ‘Listening White Deer,’ allowing me to read minds and probe intentions three times a day, within a ten-meter radius,” Ning Yibei explained politely, releasing her hand after a brief shake. “I’ve long admired your reputation, and with your achievements in the Five-School League, I doubt anyone would object to you taking command in this league. Please don’t hesitate to treat me as an equal, and feel free to assign me any tasks directly during the competition.”

His appearance was rather unremarkable, especially among S-class Spiritual State users known for their overall genetic superiority, yet his perpetual warm smile easily fostered goodwill.

Given the Luo Clan’s characteristic discretion, Eve harbored suspicions about the true grade of his Spiritual State.

The ability to hear thoughts might seem minor, but any power linked to mental consciousness invariably ranked at least mid-to-high level. Moreover, Ning Yibei had held the position of Department Chief for three years, leading Eve to believe he possessed genuine capabilities.

She did not decline his suggestion for her to lead. Based on the Five-School League results, it was only logical for the First Empire Academy to assume command. As for Isabella and the others, they were late additions, and participants from the other four schools might not readily accept them. Thus, having Eve take charge was indeed the most suitable arrangement. Ning Yibei’s straightforwardness was likely intended to reassure her.

Eve replied courteously, “Thank you for your confidence, senior.”

After the introductions, she found an excuse to retreat to the washroom. In the spacious, soundproofed area, only the sound of running water could be heard. A moment later, another figure appeared in the polished mirror—green hair braided and draped over her shoulder, wearing a half-face mask as usual. She leaned in from Eve’s left side, hands behind her back, and grinned. “Waiting here alone for so long—who are you expecting?”

“I thought you’d hide until the league ended,” Eve said indifferently. “Was that crystal placed in the league by you?”

Gu Zhaoxi freely admitted, “Yes.”

“What was the purpose?”

“What else could it be?” Gu Zhaoxi pulled her head back, spun around, and reappeared on Eve’s other side as she moved away from the sink, still grinning. “I finally found a promising candidate for advancement to Senior Alchemist, but you’ve been stuck. I was anxious to figure out why.”

“So, did you find out why?”

Eve asked casually, but Gu Zhaoxi fell silent for a moment, blinking.

This was precisely what puzzled Gu Zhaoxi the most. She didn’t doubt the crystal’s capabilities—after all, it came from that woman—but the fact remained that Eve had not been summoned to the divine realm.

To investigate, Gu Zhaoxi had temporarily left the Five-School League and returned to the capital planet, rummaging through her dust-filled library until she found a plausible explanation.

Gu Zhaoxi pulled a key from her sleeve. Its fan-shaped handle was inlaid with a rice-grain-sized ruby, surrounded by alchemical engravings forming a ritual pattern, and handed it to Eve.

“This is the key to the divine realm. Normally, when a Senior Alchemist advances, their first visit to the divine realm is through a direct summons. The key is only needed for the second visit,” Gu Zhaoxi shrugged. “But there are exceptions. Some people have unique spiritual bodies that even ‘she’ cannot forcibly summon. They need the key to open the door. The previous Five-Star Alchemist who died couldn’t be summoned initially and had to use the key to enter. You’re probably in the same situation.”

Eve reached out instinctively. For some reason, the ruby on the key felt familiar. But before her fingers touched it, the plain, ancient bronze key vanished into a stream of light, disappearing completely. Simultaneously, Eve sensed something intangible yet present added to her spiritual sea.

She touched her chest. Gu Zhaoxi added, “It’s bound to your spiritual body now. Single-use only.”

“Does this mean anyone with this key can enter the divine realm?”

“Yes. As long as you have a strong intention, the key can take you to the divine realm’s gate in an instant.”

Hearing this, Eve quickly reined in her burgeoning curiosity, forcibly diverting her attention from the key in her spiritual world to listen to Gu Zhaoxi’s instructions.

“The key can only take one person at a time, and only a Five-Star Alchemist can make one. So, each person has a limited quota—one key. In your special case, you might get two. But if you misjudge and accidentally bring someone who isn’t a Senior Alchemist into the divine realm, the person who gave you the key—me—will also be punished. So, if you can sense the summons from the divine realm, try your best to go on your own. After all, the Philosopher's Stone... is limited, so we should save it where possible.”

Midway through, Gu Zhaoxi deliberately hesitated for a moment, but Eve guessed the hidden part: “The Philosopher’s Stone?”

“You even know about that?” Gu Zhaoxi exclaimed in surprise. “Good guess.”

“No, Long Quan told me,” Eve pursed her lips, finally asking the question that had been on her mind. “Why does he always help me? We’ve hardly interacted.”

“Oh, that? Well... hmm?” Gu Zhaoxi made a face as if she had bitten into something sour, struggling to find the right words. After a moment, she squeezed out, “He hasn’t really given up anything. Those things are insignificant to him. Just accept his kindness—Long Quan won’t harm anyone.”

“......” Eve asked, “Then, is there anything he needs?”

She still felt uncomfortable accepting favors without reciprocation.

“You actually think you can offer something a Five-Star Alchemist wants but can’t obtain? I don’t know if you’re being considerate or overreaching,” Gu Zhaoxi looked at her with interest. “If you insist on repaying him, there is one thing you can try: among the people from the Federation, there’s a young girl surnamed Lin. Try to establish a good rapport with her during the competition. If you can help, Long Quan will come to you himself.”

A young girl surnamed Lin... Lin Cuimei again.

Eve had initially thought she was just a distant relative of the Luo Clan, probably holding some status in the Federation, but she hadn't expected both Luo Wenqing and Gu Zhaoxi to bring her up even before the competition started.

Just how mysterious was Lin Cuimei’s background?

Eve raised an eyebrow slightly, her mind filled with doubts, but she readily agreed, “Alright, I’ll do my best.”

-

The starship traversed the boundless starry ocean, heading straight for the competition planet.

Students from the other four schools had already arrived. Despite being on the same side, the thirty-five participants were clearly divided into four factions—not five, because Blue Star Comprehensive had once again teamed up with the Imperial University of Science and Technology.

When Eve pushed the door open, she was met with this highly disjointed scene.

After a moment of silence, she caught Luo Wenqing's eye. When the latter edged over along the wall, Eve closed the door slightly and asked, “What’s going on?”

“Just what you see. No arguments, no fights,” Luo Wenqing said. “Pure non-cooperation. Especially Imperial Arts and Sciences. Blue Star Comprehensive is bold but not very smart. Yang Haibo has a grudge against me. Capital People’s University is just a group of oddballs. None of the schools are useful, okay?”

“......”

Despite having too many thoughts to express, Eve still asked, “What grudge do you have with Yang Haibo?”

Though Luo Wenqing often annoyed people, she was also generous. It was rare for anyone to hold a grudge against her. Moreover, from what Eve knew of Yang Haibo, he seemed serious but had a good temperament. It was hard to imagine any enmity between them.

Her curiosity was unmistakable. Luo Wenqing glanced at her and, as if ignoring the question, switched topics to something Eve had previously asked her to do: “You told me to inform the others at First Empire Academy about the Federation’s situation. I’ve done that. But why not tell the other four schools?”

“Because it’s unnecessary,” Eve said.

As if to confirm her words, a beeping sound came from inside the room. Even standing outside the door, they could hear a familiar, calm, measured voice through the panel.

“Good day, participants. I am Legion Commander Chris Otto of the Fourth Legion, responsible for overseeing safety during this league. Also, with the competition approaching, there are some matters I need to clarify in advance...”

When Luo Wenqing realized who was speaking, her mind went blank for a moment. But then she remembered Isabella was inside too.

In a quick, light step, she opened the door a crack. Seeing that Qin Mengde was only present as a holographic projection, and Isabella, surrounded by First Empire Academy members, looked calm, Luo Wenqing breathed a sigh of relief. She turned and gave Eve, who was leaning idly against the wall, a light punch, whispering irritably, “Why did you call Qin Mengde here?”

“Because she’s credible,” Eve said, puzzled. “And we need a pre-game briefing anyway.”

Even before the Five-School League, there was a small pre-match briefing.

Luo Wenqing: “...Ugh, I can't with you! I can’t even bother to scold you!”

She’d been scared for a moment, thinking the starship would be destroyed by the former master and subordinate today. Thankfully, it was just a projection.

“It’s not like there’s some deep hatred. Why are you so nervous?”

Eve patted Luo Wenqing’s shoulder and urged, “Get inside and listen up!”