The Head Prefect of Alchemy faculty's Vegetation Hall, Zheng Liang, was a third-year student. He was handsome with sword-like brows and eyes like stars. He had an elegant bearing about him. When he arrived, he had a faint smile, but when he saw Wang Baole and the girls surrounding him, his expression turned odd.
It was as though Wang Baole's entire body was emitting a luster akin to a Spirit Stone at that moment. And the girls' passion made Zheng Liang smile wryly. He had mixed emotions that stemmed from the sore feelings of seeing someone from another faculty come to his own faculty to hit on girls.
However, he was a Head Prefect after all. He quickly shrugged away those thoughts and, with a laugh, revealed an amiable smile.
"Are you Junior Brother Baole? I'm Zheng Liang from the Alchemy faculty!" Zheng Liang wore a warm look as he walked over with a smile. There were seven or eight students that followed him. All of them endured the strange feelings in their hearts as they greeted Wang Baole. Simultaneously, they sized him up, since he had become extremely famous in recent days. Even they had paid attention to his escapades.
"Greetings, Senior Brother Zheng!" Wang Baole noticed Zheng Liang and hurriedly extricated himself from the sellers. He went forward to cup his fists. As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve, took out a Spirit Stone of 90% purity, and handed it over.
"Senior Brother Zheng, I'm someone who has always been impressed with people that focus on alchemy. I should have prepared a gift on my first trip here, but since I'm in a rush, I hope you will accept this Spirit Stone I personally refined." Wang Baole placed the Spirit Stone in Zheng Liang's hand amid laughter.
The Spirit Stone was a way of returning the favor of the Crystal Memory Pill. Besides, he had deliberately made it known that he had personally refined the Spirit Stone. Zheng Liang's smile immediately widened. He did not stand on ceremony with Wang Baole and put away the Spirit Stone before taking out a bottle to hand it to Wang Baole.
"Junior Brother Baole. Inside is a Spirit Clearing Pill I refined. It can clear one's mind, and it makes memorizing things a lot easier."
One had the intention to befriend, while the other was tactful. Soon, the two were talking cheerfully.
The students who had followed Zheng Liang exchanged looks and saw the recondite look in each other's eyes when they saw this scene. They realized that Wang Baole really lived up to his reputation. Even if he was lacking in other aspects, just his way of treating others made him spectacular.
With Zheng Liang leading the way, the duo proceeded forward. Along the way, they would encounter other students from the Alchemy faculty who would greet them with cupped fists.
Soon, the duo became more acquainted with each other. After all the scenic points of the Alchemy faculty were introduced, Zheng Liang invited Wang Baole to his Head Prefect Pavilion with a smile.
This Head Prefect Pavilion was different from the Dharmic Armament faculty's as well. Most obvious was the surrounding vegetation, which was filled with Spirit Qi, and when Wang Baole saw it, he could not help but marvel.
Zheng Liang chuckled as he said generously, "Junior Brother Baole, if you like it, I can get someone to send you some of their seeds. You can plant them around your cave abode as a decoration."
Wang Baole immediately thanked him. As he looked at the handsome Zheng Liang in front of him, he felt that they clicked well. Hence, he took out four Spirit Stones of 90% purity and handed them over.
The moment Zheng Liang saw that, he was immediately delighted. He carefully took them, cupped his fists, and bowed at Wang Baole.
"Thank you, Junior Brother Baole!" He had a very sincere expression. He was indeed in desperate need for Spirit Stones of 90% purity, and he also wished to befriend Wang Baole. With Wang Baole being so generous, his fondness for Wang Baole was greatly elevated. He got up, took out two pill bottles, and placed them in front of Wang Baole.
"Junior Brother Baole, there are a total of five Crystal Memory Pills here. Unfortunately, that is all I have, but don't you worry. I'll arrange to buy more for you."
According to their agreement over the voice transmission ring, they would exchange a Spirit Stone for a pill. When Wang Baole saw that Zheng Liang had taken out an additional two, he knew that he was returning a favor with a favor. Hence, he smiled, thanked him, and put them away. He began conversing with Zheng Liang, and although it was their first meeting, they gradually regretted that they had not met earlier amid their joy. Finally, Zheng Liang decided to extend an invitation to Wang Baole after hearing about his interest in pill refinement.
"Junior Brother Baole, if you are in no hurry to return, why don't I bring you to tour our Alchemy faculty's alchemical labs? They are extremely big, allowing for thousands of people to refine their pills at the same time. Inside is bustling, and people aren't usually permitted entry."
Wang Baole was indeed curious about alchemy. He agreed readily, and with Zheng Liang leading the way, he arrived in the famous alchemical labs of the Alchemy faculty. They were located in the Alchemy Peak's interior and were massive in size. The moment he entered, Wang Baole felt a hot gust of air embrace him. He could see everything in the massive space ahead at a glance.
There were thousands of alchemical cauldrons inside the space, with many Alchemy faculty students refining pills by the side of the alchemical cauldrons. There were chambers lining the surroundings with herbal fragrances flowing out of them.
The scene was very spectacular, and it made Wang Baole deeply shocked when he swept his gaze over the lab.
"How is it? There are some differences compared to the Spirit Cauldron Cave of your Dharmic Armament faculty, right?" Zheng Liang laughed as he led Wang Baole in. When the surrounding people saw him, they immediately greeted him respectfully.
Wang Baole could not help but exclaim, "I thought that pill refinement was similar to artifact refinement in the past. But from the looks of it, there are quite a number of major differences."
He had not been to the Dharmic Armament faculty's Spirit Cauldron Cave either, but he had heard of it. In principle, it was only opened to senior students who had grasped a certain level when it came to the study of Spirit Kernels. In there, they could easily gain rudimentary experience at fusing material and creating simple, ungraded Dharmic Artifacts.
While Wang Baole was marveling at his surroundings, his gaze suddenly came to a pause. He saw a girl among the group of people. She was wiping her sweat and was jumping for joy as she opened the alchemical cauldron's lid in front of her. She seemed to even let out a pleasant cry of surprise.
"Bunny!" Wang Baole's eyes lit up as he raised his hand to shout a greeting.
"Zhou Xiaoya!"
Bunny was opening a cauldron, happily looking inside at the pills that she had refined by herself. She carefully took them out, but when she heard someone call out to her, she curiously looked up and around. Soon, she saw Wang Baole waving his hands at her. She was immediately pleasantly surprised.
"Baole!" Bunny's eyes were very bright. Her already pleasant mood turned to joy after seeing Wang Baole. She hurriedly ran in front of Wang Baole.
"Zhou Xiaoya? Junior Brother Baole, I remember that back when you first joined the Dao College, you had once confessed on the Spirit Intranet." Zheng Liang swept his gaze at Zhou Xiaoya as he gave Wang Baole a teasing look. At the same time, he remembered Zhou Xiaoya's name and was prepared to inform his subordinates to take good care of her.
Although Zheng Liang had brought up past matters, Wang Baole laughed out loud due to his thick skin. However, Zhou Xiaoya was thin-skinned. Her face blushed immediately. She lowered her head, feeling a little embarrassed, but she suddenly recalled something and looked up again. She stretched out her tiny hand and said happily, "Baole, I can already refine pills now. Look, this is a Rainbow Pill I just refined. Does it look pretty?"
Zhou Xiaoya was very excited, as though she wanted to share her joy with Wang Baole. In the middle of her palm was a colorful pill that appeared as beautiful as her.
"Xiaoya, I find your hands prettier," said Wang Baole with a blinking smile.
Bunny immediately blushed again as she glared at Wang Baole, but deep down, she felt very happy.
"By the way, where's Du Min?" Wang Baole recalled Du Min when he saw Bunny. He could not help but look around, but there were just too many people. He could not instantly pinpoint her.
"Sister Du Min isn't here. She's really impressive. She has been taken in as a disciple of the Alchemy faculty's dean." Bunny had an envious look, but she also had a pleased look. It was as though the more excellent Du Min was, the happier she would be.
"That impressive?" Wang Baole was taken aback.
"Junior Brother Baole, you also know Du Min?" Zheng Liang was astonished when he heard Du Min's name. He began to explain when he noticed Wang Baole looking at him.
"This Du Min is quite a remarkable person. Her talent in alchemy is astonishing. She has been taken in as a disciple of our faculty dean. Although she's not Head Prefect, her status and standing are extraordinary as well."
Wang Baole touched his nose. He had the feeling of taking a blow before he could even flaunt his identity as Head Prefect in front of her. However, Wang Baole could understand when he recalled the experiences Du Min had undergone since she was young.
"She's an A-grade student. She has been one since she was young!" While Wang Baole felt a little sour deep down, he also felt that he needed to work harder. If not, it would be embarrassing if he were overtaken by Washboard Min.
He had a casual chat with Bunny, but she had no choice but to bid Wang Baole farewell reluctantly as she had yet to complete the refinement of another cauldron of pills. She then returned to continue the refinement.
As for Wang Baole, he watched for a moment before suggesting his departure. With Zheng Liang sending him off, he walked to the entrance of Alchemy Peak.
Having sent Wang Baole here, Zheng Liang looked at him and suddenly whispered, "Junior Brother Baole, we hit it off very nicely, and it might seem that I am saying too much as someone you've just met, but I do have to warn you that the complexities of your Dharmic Armament faculty run deep."
Wang Baole's expression changed as he listened carefully. When Zheng Liang saw Wang Baole's expression, he continued in a low voice. "Previously, the three Head Prefects of your Dharmic Armament faculty were unlike the Head Prefects of the other faculties. They were very united.
"It also has to do with them having close ties with the Vice-Chancellor. Therefore, it results in your Dharmic Armament faculty's dean having nearly no authority in matters regarding college discipline!
"And the main reason your Dharmic Armament faculty's Head Prefects are united has to do with the Spirit Kernel Head Prefect, Lin Tianhao. He has a huge background. Unfortunately, I have not been able to discover his true identity."
Zheng Liang shared whatever he knew with Wang Baole and warned him before patting him on the shoulder. He bade farewell and left after telling him that the pills he had previously bought would be sent to the Dharmic Armament faculty.
Wang Baole blinked when he saw Zheng Liang walk far away. He could tell the good intentions from the warning that Zheng Liang had given to him. After some thought, he kept it close to his heart.
Isn't it because he has a powerful father. He is a Head Prefect, but so am I. What's there to be afraid of?
Didn't Zhuo Yifan also have a background? Didn't he get beaten by me as he rightfully deserved!
With this conclusion, Wang Baole immediately relaxed. As he hummed a tune with his hands behind his back, he returned to Dharmic Armament Peak. The moment he entered the cave abode, he saw Liu Daobin reverently standing there with a bag. He appeared to have been waiting for quite some time. When he noticed Wang Baole, he took a deep breath, adjusted his clothing, and walked quickly to Wang Baole to bow with cupped fists.
"Greetings, Head Prefect!"
"Ah, Daobin, you came. You must have waited quite some time. Why didn't you tell me you would be coming?" Wang Baole smiled faintly. He felt that ever since Liu Daobin became an inspector, it felt like he had turned into a completely different person. He was particularly fastidious about the rules, and the way he did things was very comforting.
"It's nothing. I just came as well," said Liu Daobin with a smile. He entered the cave abode upon Wang Baole's invitation. However, he was always one step behind Wang Baole. This scene made Wang Baole feel like he had learned a new trick.
After entering the cave abode, Liu Daobin deftly cleaned the place, moving the many empty Ice Spirit Water bottles and snack bags into a corner. Following that, he took out some spirit tea in a very practiced manner before offering it to Wang Baole.
This scene prompted Wang Baole to lift his teacup to take a sip, as well as ask out of curiosity, "Daobin, what does your family do?"
"About that… My dad is the Deputy City Lord of our hometown, Phoenix City. To be honest, I have been frequently seeking my dad's help on how to do certain things," said Liu Daobin with a little embarrassment and awkwardness.
"Deputy City Lord?" Wang Baole's eyes widened. He had a marvelous feeling rise up in him. Before he came to the Dao College, Phoenix City's Deputy City Lord had definitely been a major figure in Wang Baole's eyes. Now, such a major figure's son was under him. This made the marvelous feelings inside him become more intense.
"Ahem. Daobin, it's almost the holidays. Speaking of which, this is the first time I've been away from home for such a long period of time. I kind of miss Phoenix City." Wang Baole coughed dryly, feeling inexplicably pleased as he put down his teacup.
"Although our Phoenix City is small, it's a place with quite an abundance of treasures such as its local products. Head Prefect, I wasn't acquainted with you in the past, but for the vacation this time, you have to give me a chance to shine," Liu Daobin said immediately. In fact, he had no intention of taking up the career of an official, but ever since Wang Baole promoted him in the Dao College, he realized that being an inspector seemed to suit him even more.
Especially with him now having realized that whatever he had seen and learned from his father from a young age was bearing fruit ever since he became inspector.
Wang Baole was very pleased hearing what Liu Daobin had to say. He smiled slightly and asked him more about the College Discipline Department before raising his tea cup.
This motion of lifting his tea was something he learned from his high officials' autobiographies. In it, Wang Baole discovered that many high officials seemed to enjoy drinking tea. From time to time, they would lift their tea cup, and a lot of knowledge could be gained in between the time the tea cup was lifted and placed down.
Although he did not understand it completely, he felt that such an action brought out his stature; therefore, he began mimicking it.
When Liu Daobin noticed Wang Baole lifting the tea cup, he was taken aback. He recalled the actions his father took when he was with his subordinates. He immediately understood that Wang Baole was done with exchanging pleasantries with him. Wang Baole was waiting for him to explain the reason for his appearance here. Therefore, he took out a package from his bag. He placed Spirit Stones, pills, and some daggers, which were not Dharmic Artifacts, to the side.
"Head Prefect, after I became an inspector, many students came to gift me items. Some of these gifts are very valuable. In my fluster, I was unsure whether I should accept them or not. Accepting them makes me a little disturbed, but not accepting them makes me afraid that I'll disappoint their sincerity." Liu Daobin smiled wryly as he looked at Wang Baole, his eyes looking very candid.
A hint of surprise flashed in Wang Baole's eyes. He had recently heard people at the College Discipline Department snitching about Liu Daobin accepting bribes. However, all Wang Baole did was take mental note of it and not question his subordinate. Now that he was seeing these items, Wang Baole's attitude toward Liu Daobin was that of satisfaction and approval.
"They're not overly valuable items. You should not disappoint the students given how sincere they are. Keep them." Wang Baole smiled as he lifted the tea cup and placed it down again.
Liu Daobin was observing Wang Baole's expression from the very beginning. When he saw Wang Baole's smile looking warmer than before, he immediately heaved a sigh of relief. He knew that he had taken the right course of action. Hence, he cupped his fists and thanked Wang Baole.
He took back half the items he had taken out, leaving behind two of the most valuable pills as he said, "Head Prefect, you aren't lacking in anything. I'm just offering a gift to you at the expense of others to show my sincerity as your subordinate. I will never forget how you saved me during the Hallucination Nexus test."
He cupped his fists again. He raised the issue about the test once again since it was this matter that was the intrinsic reason for having a better relationship with Wang Baole than others!
"Oh?" Wang Baole's eyes lit up. He felt that Liu Daobin seemed to be much wiser with his choice of words. Furthermore, he could learn things from him. He felt that Liu Daobin's words especially comforted him, and he could tell the intent from them. He beamed even more as he raised his hand and pointed at Liu Daobin.
"Sigh, you can stop with your probes. Take them for yourself."
Liu Daobin gave an embarrassed look but did not store away the items. He stood there and chatted with Wang Baole. As for Wang Baole, he did not tell to him to take away the gifts again either. After asking about Liu Daobin's studies and giving him a few words of encouragement, Wang Baole picked up his tea cup again and sipped it.
This time, it was a way to politely ask Liu Daobin to leave. Wang Baole felt that Liu Daobin must have learned the knowledge from his father and would likely know his intention. He was also very pleased with his ability at handling official situations.
"Head Prefect, I do have a presumptuous request. I hope you can agree to something on account of my diligent hard work." Liu Daobin took a deep breath, as though he did not notice Wang Baole's intentions. He cupped his fists and gave a deep bow to Wang Baole. He picked up an empty Ice Spirit Water and looked extremely earnest.
"Head Prefect, can you give me this bottle?"
"What did you say?" Wang Baole frowned immediately when he realized that Liu Daobin did not seem to have understood his intentions. But when he heard his request, he was also taken aback. He nearly spewed out the mouthful of tea while looking at Liu Daobin in a daze. Wang Baole never expected that Liu Daobin's serious request would be for an empty bottle.
Liu Daobin quickly went forward to pat Wang Baole on the back as he spoke with a very earnest tone.
"Head Prefect, don't belittle this bottle. You might not be aware, but currently in Head Prefect Pavilion, and even in the Dharmic Armament faculty, there are too many students who revere you greatly. After all, you are not only a talented person who managed to become Head Prefect in less than a year. More importantly, with the connivance of Jiang Lin, the inspectors abused their power, causing many of the students to fear them and not speak a word despite their anger. Furthermore, with you reforming the College Discipline Department, everyone appreciates it.
"Everyone wishes to rub off a bit of your otherworldly aura. If this bottle is taken out by me, everyone will go nuts for it!
"My trip here was actually due to a request from everyone. They wish that you sell them the empty bottles and snack bags on account of how diligent they have been." Liu Daobin looked gingerly at Wang Baole after he finished his sentence.
Wang Baole slowed down his breathing. He had seen many gift rejection instances from the high officials' autobiographies. All sorts of gifting methods had been used, but what Liu Daobin had done was a first. His expression could not help but turn odd as he pondered if it was something Liu Daobin had learned from his father.
With this thought in mind, Wang Baole came to a greater realization that Liu Daobin's father was someone rather extraordinary.
"Head Prefect, please be sympathetic toward them and give them a chance!" Liu Daobin had a look as if he was bemoaning the fate of all mankind. He bowed once again, looking as though he would not get up if he did not receive Wang Baole's agreement.
Finally, under Liu Daobin's repeated pleas, Wang Baole finally sighed reluctantly.
"Fine, fine. It's true I should not disappoint everyone. However, be sure not to make this a precedent. Also, Daobin, you must not disappoint everyone with matters in the College Discipline Department. Remember this well."
Liu Daobin immediately turned excited as he quickly thanked and gave his confirmation. He thought to himself how useful the trick his father had taught him was. Next, he picked up the empty bottles and snack bags from the ground as though they were treasures before leaving gratefully.
Only when he left did Wang Baole suddenly stand up. He circled his cave abode a few times before taking out his tiny notebook, recording everything that Liu Daobin had used today.
"A talent, Liu Daobin is a talent. His father's abilities are even greater. He might one day become City Lord!"
Wang Baole gave great approbation, feeling that he had widen his knowledge. Deep down, he enjoyed the feeling of being fawned upon, especially when the flattery was so ingeniously executed. It left Wang Baole even more satisfied.
Three days quickly passed. When Liu Daobin came again, he brought more than ten pill bottles with him.
These pills were meant to supplement one's memory. Although the effects were inferior to those that Zheng Liang had gifted, Wang Baole eagerly needed them. Wang Baole could not help but sigh once again upon seeing this. Liu Daobin was indeed a talent.
His belief was that he could not disappoint such a talent, so a reward was needed. After some thought, Wang Baole suddenly spoke up just before Liu Daobin was about to leave.
"Daobin, investigate Sun Qifang's case."
Wang Baole had previously read about Sun Qifang's case when he took over the College Discipline Department. It had contained detailed information and background of the person in question from when he was young, much of which was unknown to outsiders. His family ran an artifact refinement shop, and he came from an honest family. He had once been a student of the Dharmic Armament faculty, but he had violated the Dao College's rules by stealing a recipe from the Dharmic Armament faculty's Treasure Repository. This secret recipe contained the creation method of a particular Spirit Kernel.
He had planned on handing over the recipe to his family clan after stealing it.
After all, nearly all the artifact refinement recipes in the Federation were in the hands of the four great Dao Colleges. Ethereal Dao College's Dharmic Armament lineage was the best among the four great Dao Colleges, so it contained an extremely huge number of recipes. Furthermore, there was a very strict confidentiality about them. Students that failed to reach a particular level had little chance of coming into contact with them. Even if they did, the knowledge was not to be spread externally.
Although Sun Qifang had stolen the recipe because he had some skill, he had not been fast enough to take it away before being discovered by the Spirit Stones Head Prefect Pavilion's inspectors. He had been remanded to the Spirit Stones College Discipline Department, awaiting Wang Baole's final decision.
As the recipe that was stolen was not particularly important, the matter's importance was variable.
Back when Wang Baole read the case, he had immediately sensed that something was odd about it. However, his mind had not been with it, so he had paid no attention to it. He planned on getting his men to investigate the matter before fairly handling it.
Now, with Liu Daobin being so sensible, he decided to hand the case to him. Handling such a case in the College Discipline Department represented power itself.
"When investigating Sun Qifang, make sure to have a sense of propriety." Wang Baole gave Liu Daobin a look before lifting his tea cup again. This time, he did not immediately place it down.
Liu Daobin was pondering over Sun Qifang's case that Wang Baole had mentioned when he noticed Wang Baole lift up his tea cup. He immediately understood that Wang Baole was politely signaling for him to leave. He bade farewell and left.
Wang Baole smiled smugly when he saw Liu Daobin's departing back. He felt that he had learned a lot from Liu Daobin. By fusing it with the high officials' autobiographies, he was already very adept in the art of handling subordinates.
He took another look at the pills as he took them out one by one. After carefully studying to confirm that they had not been unsealed before and that there were no problems with them, he swallowed the pills with glee.
In a good mood, he continued his memorization of Inscriptions.
Meanwhile, Liu Daobin, who had walked out of Wang Baole's cave abode, quickly contacted his father on the way back to his dormitory. His eyes lit up when his father pointed out the crux of the matter.
So, the crux of what Head Prefect said was in his last sentence… have a sense of propriety!
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