**Chapter 6: Alchemy**

Bidding farewell to the wizards, Jie Ming turned and stared at the sparse Logistics Division area, slightly dazed.

He could clearly feel the sudden attention from the previously indifferent Logistics mentors as he turned away.

It was obvious the illusion barrier could only block ordinary apprentices; to these mentors, whose strength he couldn’t even gauge, it was as good as nonexistent.

Though reluctant, since he was already on this sinking ship, he had no choice but to press forward.

That said, Jie Ming glanced at the array of familiar and unfamiliar names in the Logistics area, his scalp tingling.

“It’s like asking a high school grad to pick a college major.”

Muttering to himself, he wandered the Logistics area while calmly pondering:

“Though I don’t want to, since I’ve joined the academy, leaving anytime soon is impossible. I need to strengthen myself while hiding my true nature to prepare for the future battlefield.”

If possible, Jie Ming would’ve loved to abandon his cultivation and switch to the wizard world’s transcendent system to conceal his biggest anomaly.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option.

While Refining Essence into Qi was a near-obsolete method, it had its merits.

Chief among them was that it tightly bound the cultivator’s essence, qi, and spirit.

In simple terms, strengthening one would enhance the others in tandem.

Conversely, severe damage to one could be healed faster by drawing on the other two.

This was a strength, but in the context of “abandoning cultivation,” it was a critical flaw.

The overly interconnected essence, qi, and spirit meant that abandoning his cultivation would irreparably damage his body and soul.

Forget becoming a wizard—he might not even survive.

“Since I can’t abandon it, I’ll have to disguise it as a native power. Maybe after becoming an official wizard, I’ll find other solutions… Besides, I need to consider my future development…”

Jie Ming began assessing himself: what set him apart from other wizards?

His experience of living a second life?

A transcendent system from another world?

Or…

His focus instinctively shifted to the white jade palace deep in his consciousness.

His greatest distinction was, of course, the transcendent knowledge from another world!

“With such a huge advantage and not using it would be a waste, but I can’t use it directly. It needs a disguise, and since this world lacks spiritual qi, that knowledge must be adapted…”

After some reflection, his needs became clear.

For now, he didn’t need to focus on boosting combat strength. His chosen discipline should ideally reveal the essence of this world or at least let him understand and utilize its unique materials, energies, and rules.

“The choice is obvious.”

With his decision made, Jie Ming turned decisively toward a specific area.

As he approached, a strange smell hit him—a mix of molten metal, burning plants, and unknown reagents.

“Alchemy, which fools see as the art of transmuting metals, is in truth a mirror of cosmic principles. This ancient wisdom is not merely the craft of material transformation but a path to the sublimation of the soul…”

Jie Ming silently recited the description on the screen, confirming his choice.

This was it: Alchemy.

A discipline that explored the transformation of matter and soul, delving into the truths of the world.

Mastering it would not only help him adapt the Great Dao Book Pavilion’s techniques to this world but also aid in disguising his powers.

He headed straight to the innermost consultation desk, where a wizard who screamed “alchemist” sat—lean, with sparse hair revealing his scalp, wearing a peculiar monocle that framed sharp, weary eyes.

His knobby fingers were surprisingly nimble, clearly accustomed to handling materials.

“Hello… Mentor Clark.” Jie Ming glanced at the nameplate, pausing briefly. “I’d like to join Alchemy.”

Clark looked up calmly, his gaze seeming to pierce through appearances as he studied Jie Ming.

“Aptitude… level six?” Clark adjusted his monocle, his tone not surprised, merely confirming.

Clearly, Mentor Clark had somehow learned Jie Ming’s test results.

“Yes, Mentor,” Jie Ming replied respectfully.

“A wise choice.” Clark nodded slightly, his flat tone carrying a faint hint of approval. “A dead genius is nothing. Those who survive, even with mediocre talent, will one day see their own horizon.”

“Yes, I’ll heed your teachings.”

Clark seemed pleased with this apprentice. Without further words, he pulled a scroll from under the desk.

The scroll’s surface shimmered faintly, radiating noticeable energy fluctuations.

“The Noren Workshop apprentice contract.” Clark unrolled it for Jie Ming. “Read carefully. If you have no questions, sign it. Once effective, any violation will come at a severe cost.”

Jie Ming took a deep breath and accepted the weighty scroll.

The scroll was small, its displayed content limited.

The text, formed by a glowing screen, seemed to cut off mid-sentence.

Jie Ming glanced at Clark, who offered no explanation.

Feeling a spark of intuition, Jie Ming pretended to inspect the scroll’s sides before “trying” to swipe a finger upward on the screen.

As expected, the text scrolled with his gesture—it was essentially a scroll-shaped display.

Seeing Jie Ming figure out the scroll’s use so quickly, Clark’s stern face broke into a satisfied smile.

Due to the Logistics Division’s quietness and Jie Ming’s earlier performance, other Logistics mentors were secretly watching.

Seeing Jie Ming’s aptitude and Clark’s smug grin, their gazes turned resentful.

When Clark deliberately flashed a boastful smile at them, that resentment morphed into envy and jealousy.