Chapter 26: The Grand Alchemist’s Study Habits

Lu Yuan was unaware that his actions, in Ruolin’s eyes, had already become a performance, a mere routine. After nodding towards Ruolin, he lowered his head once more, resuming his study of basic medicinal knowledge.

He flipped through the book, focusing only on the names and illustrations. The properties and descriptions of the medicines were merely glanced over, as he already recognized most of them. Only unfamiliar entries merited a closer, more careful look.

This method of reading made his efficiency incredibly high.

He practically tore through the pages, flipping them with a rapid rustle.

Meanwhile, Ruolin, who was organizing and refining her ideas for new medicines in the same room, initially paid no mind to the continuous rustling sounds emanating from Lu Yuan’s direction. Soon, however, a growing sense of unease settled upon her.

‘Normal people read line by line,’ she thought, ‘how could anyone possibly read that fast?’

She turned her head, glancing at the book in Lu Yuan’s hands, and was immediately struck by a mix of anger and amusement.

‘A “Compendium of Basic Medicinal Ingredients Illustrated”? “Preparation and Maintenance of Pharmaceutical Equipment”?’ she mentally scoffed. ‘Aren’t these books meant for apprentices? Lei Yin, you’re a genius who became a Grand Alchemist at twelve! Do you really need to be reading something like this?’

“Heh heh!”

Unsure whether to be annoyed or amused, Ruolin clasped her hands behind her back and gracefully approached Lu Yuan. “Pardon me, Grand Alchemist Lei Yin,” she began, a hint of sarcasm in her tone, “but what exactly are you doing?”

“Reading a book!”

Lu Yuan replied casually, without even lifting his head.

“Reading a book? Ha?!” Ruolin nearly burst out laughing. ‘Was this man truly not trying to provoke her?’ she wondered.

“A Grand Alchemist, in the alchemy room, reading basic books meant only for apprentices?” she challenged. “Are you trying to humor a three-year-old? If you genuinely wish to make me laugh, please find a more natural and fitting approach, alright? This clumsy act is simply exasperating! It wouldn’t even pass as a bad joke.”

“…”

Lu Yuan continued flipping through the pages.

In preparation for the upcoming Alchemist Assessment, he intended to memorize every basic medicinal ingredient name in this world before the examination began, etching them into his mind. In his previous life, he had been a rogue cultivator, practicing alone, and he detested being disturbed while working.

Ruolin’s active attempt to engage him in conversation struck Lu Yuan as utterly perplexing. ‘He reads his books, she does her work; wouldn’t it be wonderful if everyone just minded their own business?’ he mused.

It was true that Ruolin was beautiful, but Lu Yuan was hardly unacquainted with pretty women. Cultivators, upon reaching profound levels of cultivation, could undergo a complete metamorphosis, transcending the mundane.

In his previous life, the female cultivators of high attainment were each more stunning than the last, yet Lu Yuan had still regarded them as mere mayflies.

‘You, a mere barbarian woman from another world, might possess a certain charm,’ he thought dismissively. ‘But Lu Yuan has neither the time nor the inclination to indulge in idle chatter with you.’

Seeing that Lu Yuan still wouldn’t lift his head, maintaining an air of disinterest, Ruolin felt a surge of frustration. Nevertheless, she lowered herself, speaking earnestly beside him. “Lei Yin, I know what you’ve been through, and I understand the resentment in your heart.”

“Since we both know what’s going on, please prepare seriously for the Alchemist Assessment! This time, we are rivals, and that is where you should perform, where you should rise again. Please stop doing these inexplicable things here!”

After she finished speaking, Lu Yuan finally offered her a slight reaction.

He glanced at Ruolin, then snapped the book shut with a decisive ‘thwack,’ and turned to leave.

“That’s more like it…”

Seeing that Lu Yuan was finally no longer straying further down the wrong path, Ruolin felt a profound sense of a prodigal son returning, a feeling as precious as gold. She nodded in satisfaction, just as she was about to resume her research into pharmacology, when the rustling sound of flipping pages echoed once more.

*Rustle, rustle—*

She turned her head, only to see that Lu Yuan had no intention of leaving. Instead, he had moved to another bookshelf, where, after some searching, he pulled out another book titled ‘Detailed Explanations of Basic Medicinal Ingredients’ and began reading it with evident relish.

“You…”

Ruolin nearly exploded with rage.

‘Lei Yin! Is this truly amusing to you?’

‘Even if you’re putting on an act, at least pretend to read something more profound!’ she fumed. ‘What’s the point of reading a detailed explanation of basic medicinal ingredients?’

‘You look like an absolute idiot!’

‘If your ex-girlfriend weren’t my sister, I wouldn’t waste so many words on you!’ she thought. ‘I used to have a rather good impression of you, but I never imagined you’d be this kind of person!’

Instantly, she stomped heavily, her face stern, and marched directly in front of Lu Yuan. Raising her hand, she pressed it firmly onto the book he held. “Stop pretending, alright? Your acting is so clumsy, you couldn’t even fool a three-year-old.”

“Is there a hole in your head?”

Having his book pinned down, the usually indifferent Lu Yuan’s face showed a flicker of displeasure. “I kindly lent you the alchemy room, so why do you keep bothering me? Didn’t your mother ever teach you how to respect others? If you genuinely have nothing to do, go find a cool place outside to relax; just don’t bother me here!”

‘We’re not even close,’ he thought. ‘Why are you being so persistent and annoying?’

“You… you…”

Ruolin’s delicate body trembled with rage at Lu Yuan’s words. She pointed at him, stammering, utterly at a loss for words.

She was the best friend of Lei Yin’s ex-girlfriend. Back when Lei Yin and his ex had first started dating, she had heard her friend talk about him countless times.

Ruolin had even helped plan several of their dates.

But now… this man was actually telling her she had a hole in her head?

And telling her to go somewhere cool and stay there?

‘I’ll stay… like hell I will!’

She wanted nothing more than to pin Lu Yuan to the ground and beat him senseless. Yet, she found that after delivering his scathing remarks, Lu Yuan had simply resumed reading his book, not even sparing her another glance.

Gritting her teeth and stamping her foot, Ruolin’s jaw clicked audibly.

“You, you! You scoundrel! You used to be such a decent person. How did your personality become so utterly detestable after being dumped just once?!”