The master alchemist took the stack of papers with great curiosity—and high expectations. It was rare for young noble heirs to attempt joining the Alchemist Association, especially the son of the city lord. But since Ye Qingtian seemed respectful and composed, the master figured he was genuinely serious about it.
He began reading the answers.
However, as his eyes slid over the carefully written lines, his expression started to shift.
First, he raised his eyebrows. Then, he narrowed his eyes, rereading a particularly complex response about the interaction between the Snow-Sun Star Herb and Lotus-Flower Herbs. Then he furrowed his brow, as if something felt off—but the more he read, the more everything made perfect sense.
"Hahaha. Good, very good." The old man smiled, his belly shaking slightly as he analyzed the answers. He then turned to Ye Xiu and bowed slightly. "I congratulate the Ye family—for giving birth to an alchemy genius."
Ye Xiu narrowed his eyes, and Xiao Lan also looked on curiously, not understanding what was happening. But the old man simply walked over to Ye Qingtian and patted him on the back three times.
"Young Qingtian," he began, his voice echoing through the hall, full of enthusiasm, "your answers are... impressive. Not only correct, but well-reasoned. In several questions, you showed a level of understanding that goes far beyond memorization. You already have your own opinion on this path."
A sigh of relief escaped Ye Xiu, and his shoulders relaxed. Xiao Lan beamed with pride. But Ye Qingtian maintained his composure, with only a glint of satisfaction showing in his eyes.
"Your score is 100%," the master announced, and both Ye Xiu and Xiao Lan widened their eyes in surprise. "Not only did you pass, but you achieved the highest score I've ever seen on the apprentice test. Congratulations, Ye Qingtian. You are now an Alchemy Apprentice."
"Thank you, Master." Ye Qingtian bowed respectfully. The old man then pulled a simple robe from his interspatial ring and handed it to him. "This is what all apprentices wear, but it's your choice whether you want to wear it or not."
Of course, Ye Qingtian had no intention of exchanging his clothes for a simple robe. So after thanking him and arranging a schedule to visit the Association for practice, he and Ye Xiu headed back home.
On the way, Ye Xiu kept glancing at the young man beside him, wondering if he was really the genius the alchemist claimed he was.
"What is it, Uncle Xiu? Surprised?" Qingtian asked with a smirk, noticing the stare.
"Ptui!" Ye Xiu scoffed. "Becoming an apprentice is easy. Let's see you when you have to refine pills yourself." He said, forgetting it was him who had said earlier how hard it was.
Ye Qingtian shook his head and stopped talking.
When they arrived home, both Ye Zhong and Ye Zhiqian were extremely pleased by the news. Ye Zhiqian hugged Qingtian so tightly she nearly smothered him in her soft, generous bosom, only letting go when Qingtian tapped her arm.
"As expected from my little genius." She smiled, looking into his violet eyes.
"Yes, yes. Your son," Ye Zhong coughed beside them, making Ye Zhiqian roll her eyes at him.
"Qingtian, by the way," Ye Zhong called with a smile, "since you wanted a free pass to the Sacred Orchid Institute's library, I got one for you. But you can't spend the night there like regular students—you must return before dark."
"Really, Father? You got it?" Ye Qingtian was thrilled. The entity that had sent him to this world had promised he'd be able to read any language here, to complement his first wish. He hadn't tested this yet, since all the books at home had already been translated.
And if he remembered correctly, the Institute's library was one of the city's greatest treasures—not a treasure of gold or jewels, but of hidden knowledge.
"Hahaha! Of course, why would I lie to you!?" Ye Zhong felt extremely proud seeing the expression on his son's face. He then pulled out an ID card and handed it to him.
"Thank you, Father."
Ye Qingtian, who had originally planned to return to his room right away, grabbed the card and, after thanking his father once more, dashed off to the library.
---
The Sacred Orchid Institute Library was massive—at least four or five times the size of the Snow Wind Family's library. And rightfully so. Ninety percent of the books there were written in ancient languages that modern people couldn't understand.
Except for Ye Qingtian, of course.
He immediately skipped the translated books and went straight to volumes from the Dark Era or the Sacred Empire. After finding several intriguing texts, Ye Qingtian began his reading marathon.
---
— Three Years Later —
Seated on a bed was a handsome young man. He appeared to be around thirteen, but if someone said he was fifteen or sixteen, no one would doubt it.
He had long black hair, tied back with a jade dragon hairpin, and sharp, refined facial features. His eyebrows were like swords, and his violet eyes shone faintly.
Even sitting down, he looked imposing, standing at a remarkable 1.82 meters tall—and he was only thirteen.
Naturally, this young man was Ye Qingtian. And beside him, as had become routine over the past few years, was Ye Ziyun.
In three years, the girl who once trembled at the thought of sleeping alone had blossomed into a breathtaking young woman.
Her sleep-mussed dress had ridden dangerously high on her legs, revealing smooth skin and the alluring curve of her thighs. Higher still, her soft breasts were nearly exposed—a sight he took in without looking away, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
It wasn't the first time he'd seen her like this. There had been many other times when she was in even more compromising states, and she never seemed to mind. Over the years, she had become a private vision—his, and his alone—and that gave him a sense of possession he had no intention of resisting.
"Nie Li… you'd better not be living your second life here. If you even think of her, I won't hesitate to make you disappear." A cold glint flashed in Ye Qingtian's eyes.
In this world, incest wasn't forbidden. Unlike the modern world, where it would lead to complications, here the energy of the soul wouldn't even allow a fetus to form if it was "sick." Moreover, if the lineage was strong enough, a union could produce an exceptionally powerful descendant.
At first, Ye Qingtian had only seen Ye Ziyun as a younger sister, nothing more. But as they spent more time together and he watched her grow and change, his feelings gradually shifted.
And from what he had observed and sensed over the past few years, he was fairly certain her feelings weren't so different from his own. So, he had decided to protect her—until both were ready to take that step.
Thinking of that, a gentle smile curved his lips. He moved his hand, and without hesitation, brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. Ye Ziyun seemed to sense it and murmured softly, shifting slightly and reaching out, as if searching for him unconsciously.
"Qing-ge!?"
She woke suddenly, sitting up in bed when her hand didn't find his body beside her. But when she saw him sitting there, watching her, a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she whispered softly, "Good morning, Qing-ge!