Terri Duzem, a na rich with legend, an outstanding Alchemist, a solitary traveler, and an extraordinary Doctor.
He was also the savior of Zheng Qing’s group of sprites.
From the first sester of freshman year until now, Zheng Qing has known this reclusive Hermit for a long ti. It’s safe to say that among all the students at Jiuyou Academy, even the entire First University, his understanding of Doctor Duzem is second to none.
It was precisely because of this that when he linked the ’Subordinate Philosopher’s Stone’ developed by Doctor Duzem with the Raven’s demon flesh transplant experints in his mind, he accepted this possibility with little hesitation—the obsessive and slightly neurotic Alchemist indeed might be involved in the Ravens’ illegal experints.
However, having a lead is one thing, while being able to investigate it is another.
Doctor Duzem, aside from his obscure connection with the newly fad Legendary Wizard Mouse Immortal, had also received significant funding from the Zhongshan Jiang Family. The first ti Zheng Qing t this Doctor, it was Jiang Yu who brought him along.
Moreover, since Jiang Yu was also a mber of the Absolution Hunting Team, both emotionally and logically, this matter couldn’t bypass her. After class, the young cost student hurriedly stopped the Witch who intended to go to the library and briefly analyzed his hypothesis with her.
"How do you plan to investigate?" The Witch asked bluntly.
"How about visiting the Doctor directly and having a simple chat?" The boy suggested uncertainly: "Didn’t Old Yao give us two talismans he drew earlier? We should be safe enough."
Of course, in addition to the two pieces of talisman paper exuding a legendary aura given by Old Yao, the blue snake hiding in his ear, the blood-painted Fu Bullet, as well as San You Bookstore in Beta Town, all contributed to Zheng Qing’s confidence in making a direct visit.
That being said, they couldn’t just crash into Doctor Duzem’s yard as recklessly as seven- or eight-year-old children visiting neighbors, brazenly voicing their doubts.
After settling Li ng, on Friday evening, Jiang Yu and Zheng Qing brought along a sowhat listless sprite and knocked on the door of the Abnormal Life Research Institute.
Since Doctor Duzem demonstrated substantial value during the Black Prison battle, this previously dilapidated research institute had changed considerably compared to when Zheng Qing first visited.
Not to ntion the probing glances cast from secret corners after entering the winding alley, or the significantly heightened walls on both sides of the gate, covered with lush vines even in winter. The gate itself stood in stark contrast to its initial state.
The dark green tal gate seed to be oiled, shimring with a deep luster in the evening twilight. It was engraved with nurous complex runes, occasionally producing sparks as magic power, like lightning, traversed the fine lines of those runes.
Zheng Qing knew that this was the reaction of magic power with the air when it overflowed from a state of magical concentration. Even at First University, not many laboratories would keep their doors in such a high-energy state.
The Door-guarding Charm Board originally missing from the two gates had long returned to its place, proudly sporting new war robes, flashing weapons, and strutting around in high spirits. Only the Golden-eyed White Tiger beside Yu Lei retained the sa lazy deanor as all the Big Cats Zheng Qing had seen, as if it had just woken up.
The white doorplate was no longer hanging above the doorfra but was instead embedded in the left side of the enclosing wall, taking on a neat, square appearance. At the top, it still read ’Abnormal Life Research Institute,’ followed by several lines of smaller text:
——First University’s ’Duzem Alchemy Laboratory’, dedicated to condensed magic power research and high-energy alchemy, with profound expertise in the man-made Philosopher’s Stone.
——Legendary Wizard ’Mouse Immortal’s’ collaborator;
——Sponsored by the Zhongshan Jiang Family.
"The Doctor returned to the school?" Zheng Qing stared at the first line on the doorplate, looking very surprised: "I rember when I ca over recently, this place was the sa as before..."
"It just happened recently." Jiang Yu’s voice echoed in his ear, carrying a hint of sarcasm: "I think it’s probably because Mouse Immortal’s advancent ceremony was mostly successful, so everyone politely added a few lines to the sign... Otherwise, all we’d see now is a smoldering pit."
The thick, broad leaves of the flourishing vines on the wall swayed uneasily, rustling softly. Zheng Qing was startled by the Witch’s bold and sharp attitude, sneaking a peek at her.
The Witch’s face wore the sa faint smile as usual, as if those words hadn’t co from her mouth.
"Ahem," the young cost student cleared his throat loudly, trying to vaguely wrap up the conversation: "I thought the laboratories of First University would be located within those research institutes on campus... did not expect to see one here."
"It’s the school sealing it up, and the school unsealing it too. If the Doctor had any resilience left, he wouldn’t have shackled himself all over again," Jiang Yu casually remarked: "Anyway, having a Legendary Wizard overseeing things, maintaining a certain level of freedom and collaboration, should be the optimal solution."
Zheng Qing had never known the Witch to be so daring, feeling a chill down his spine, as if countless needle-like gazes were pricking him from the winding, shadowy alley behind.
It’s not like I said it!
The boy thought bitterly, raising his hand to tug on the brass ring on the gate, causing the previously ornantal bell to jingle sharply with a series of urgent rings. Both Door Gods lowered their eyes, scrutinizing the two uninvited guests.
Soon, a foot-wide panel on the gate was roughly pulled open, revealing an elderly, wrinkled face with gray hair, belonging to Doctor Duzem’s servant, that elderly man nad Constantin.
Zheng Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing the young cost student, the old man’s initially impatient look slightly froze, then his gaze moved past the warlock’s shoulder, spotting Jiang Yu standing behind him. His face imdiately blood into a gentle smile, and he directly opened the gate.
"Good evening, young miss and sir." He bowed politely but showed no intention of inviting the two guests inside: "I wonder what brings you here so late?"
Zheng Qing looked up at the sky.
Although the winter night’s darkness arrived early, there was still a hint of light above, far from ’so late.’
"Good evening, sir." Jiang Yu changed her previous cutting tone to politely greet, then straightforwardly said: "We have so questions about Alchemy and want to consult Doctor Duzem."
"The young master is not ho now." The old servant seed to guess the purposes of the visitors, skillfully repeating the lines he had said many tis: "The young master has been very busy during this ti, nowhere to be seen every day. I don’t even know when he’s ho. He’s been eating little, hardly having ti for a cup of coffee..."
The two young Wizards exchanged glances upon hearing this.
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