"Old Four said you want to learn alchemy. I’m good at it, so just ask me if you don’t understand anything," Ouyang Tianyun said, a hint of warmth on his face.
Zhu Yanyi nodded with a smile. "Okay."
"Let’s go. It’s rare that our Alchemy Department has a new disciple. Today, Old Eight is treating us," Ouyang Tianyun announced.
"Why should I pay?" Jin Gui felt something was off. "If your department gained a disciple, shouldn’t your department treat everyone?"
"Among us, don’t you have the most money?" Ouyang Tianyun asked directly.
"Why do you think that?" Jin Gui refused to admit he was rich, even though he was relatively wealthy.
"Because your name has 'Gold' and 'Precious' in it," Zhu Yanyi blurted out.
Ouyang Tianyun gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of my direct junior sister. That’s exactly what I meant."
Jin Gui froze, mouth agape. She pointed at Ouyang Tianyun, then at Zhu Yanyi, and turned to Gu Jun and the others. "Look how united the Alchemy Department seniors and juniors are. Why are you all just laughing at me?"
"I just want free food. It doesn’t matter who pays," Mi Xiao answered seriously.
Gu Jun shrugged slightly. "It’s fine for a junior brother to be filial to his senior brother. I won’t say anything. I just want to eat."
Jin Gui rubbed his forehead in frustration. He turned to look at Shi Chengchen, who was looking down at the ground, seemingly trying to find a flower in the dirt.
Actually, it didn’t matter who paid. But these words highlighted the slight distance between them. They went directly to a nearby restaurant called Jiayao Restaurant, took a window seat, ordered dishes, and started chatting while waiting.
Mi Xiao spoke up. "I heard you were in seclusion these days, Third Senior Brother. Why did you come out?"
Ouyang Tianyun sighed. "I didn’t want to come out. But the pill I was refining today failed, so I came out for some fresh air. I happened to meet Old Four, so we decided to gather."
"Our academy has too few people. If we had hundreds or thousands of students like other academies, it would be so lively," Mi Xiao said with a sigh.
"Don’t dream. With the personalities of our elders and teachers, and their strict requirements for disciples, having fifteen students is already a gift from the Heavenly Dao," Jin Gui said directly.
In the early days of the Sage Academy, the number of students could be counted on two hands. Now, it was more than two hands. To Jin Gui, this was already a huge progress.
Zhu Yanyi listened to their chat while observing the teahouse. She noticed some tea sets nearby, asked the waiter for a pot of hot water, and took out her own tea leaves. While they chatted, she brewed a pot of tea and poured it for everyone.
Ouyang Tianyun saw Zhu Yanyi’s tea-making skills and her eyes flashed with interest. "Fifteen, you also know about tea art?"
Zhu Yanyi nodded. "In my original world, my master taught me medicine and some other things."
"What else do you know besides tea art?" Ouyang Tianyun asked curiously.
"I know a little about that," Mi Xiao spoke before Zhu Yanyi could answer. "In her world, Fifteen was not only a little divine doctor but also a talented girl. She can not only make tea but also cook."
"What else?" Ouyang Tianyun continued.
"I don’t know," Mi Xiao replied.
"Pfft." Zhu Yanyi laughed at Mi Xiao’s words. Gu Jun shook her head directly. "I say, Little Nine, besides eating and drinking, what else do you remember?"
"Shopping. Playing," Mi Xiao said as if it were natural. "In life, eating and drinking are very important, okay?"
Zhu Yanyi smiled silently. Mi Xiao was still Mi Xiao. She indeed didn’t remember much besides eating, drinking, and playing.
"When I was young, I didn’t have specific interests to cultivate, so I learned a little bit of everything, like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I’m not an expert, just learned the basics. At least when talking to people, I won’t be excluded," Zhu Yanyi introduced herself with a smile.
"Really? I used to like playing chess too. Let’s play a game sometime," Ouyang Tianyun said with a smile.
"Okay," Zhu Yanyi nodded with a smile. Winning or losing didn’t matter; it was just a hobby.
"Fifteen, Third Senior Brother is a chess addict. You better be careful," Mi Xiao said seriously.
Zhu Yanyi chuckled lightly. "Playing chess with Third Senior Brother is just for fun. I’m not entering any competitions, so don’t worry too much. I won’t cry if I lose."
"That’s good. Participation is what matters. Can I join?" Shi Chengchen asked. "I learned a little at home, but since no one taught me, I gave up. Here, I actually plan to learn these things in the Miscellaneous Academy."
"Of course. It’s originally for entertainment. Come to the Alchemy Department when you’re free, and we’ll play together," Ouyang Tianyun agreed straightforwardly.
Gu Jun finally interjected. "I remember your other half said you were proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."
Gu Jun looked at Zhu Yanyi with a smile. Zhu Yanyi knew that "other half" referred to Yan Aohan.
"She’s just flattering me. I only learned the basics," Zhu Yanyi said. Thinking of Yan Aohan, a trace of longing appeared on her face. It had been more than two years since they last met, and she really missed him now.
"Little Fifteen’s other half?" Jin Gui asked curiously.
"Little Fifteen has a fiancé. she protects her very well," Gu Jun said with a smile.
"Isn’t that inappropriate? Little Fifteen is here now. In the future, she will likely end her connection with the mortal world. Her lifespan will definitely be much longer than ordinary people. If she is engaged to a mortal, it’s not proper," Jin Gui said.
Gu Jun smiled elegantly. "Don’t worry. Little Fifteen’s fiancé is also a cultivator. In fact, he is more powerful than any of us. When he comes here to visit Little Fifteen, you’ll know who he is."
It wasn’t that Gu Jun wouldn’t reveal Yan Aohan’s identity. Yan Aohan’s identity was very respectable and mysterious to them, so he didn’t say it. Keeping it this way was actually very good.
Curiosity appeared in the eyes of Ouyang Tianyun and the others, except for Mi Xiao. But since Gu Jun didn’t say it, Mi Xiao wouldn’t ask either. She had that kind of sense.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "She might be busy recently. When she is free, she will naturally come to see me. Then you’ll meet her. Actually, my current cultivation level was brought out by her."