Having the genes of a demon king, I never intended to be a kept man.

Yu Li was somewhat at a loss, nervously stammering, "I..."

Professor Li's gaze swept over Yu Li's attire with a cold look.

As Yu Li's former mentor, he knew all too well what kind of family Yu Li came from.

Professor Li could tell at a glance that the clothes Yu Li was wearing were enchanted, and the fabric was woven from sacred camphor wood. Given Yu Li's original family background, it was absolutely impossible for her to afford such clothing.

Could it be that this little girl has caught the eye of some high-ranking nobleman?

It seems there is only one possibility.

Of course, Professor Li didn't think that the nobleman was interested in her alchemical skills, since hiring a mid-level alchemist wouldn't be worth a nobleman spending so much money.

That can only mean...

Professor Li pondered for a moment, then suddenly gave a wry, mocking smile. In Asen City, there were plenty of wealthy nobles and spoiled brats; even a commoner, if they had no scruples and wanted to make money, still had ways to do so.

"I used to think you were a well-behaved and honest child, but I never expected you to be so arrogant."

Professor Li scoffed again, "These young people nowadays... Hmph, they just do whatever comes to mind. They haven't even learned how to write the words 'down-to-earth,' yet they dream of reaching the heavens all day long!"

"While I admit that you, as a non-supernatural being, have some talent for becoming an intermediate alchemist at such a young age, you are clearly now lost in arrogance. Scientific research is not as easy as you imagine, and alchemical innovation is not something an apprentice of your level can touch. If even someone of your level could create alchemical potions, it would be an insult to alchemists!"

"You're trying to do original experiments without even having a solid foundation? Do you think you're playing a child's game?"

"If customers knew that the buff potions and energy potions they bought were created by a mid-level alchemist, what would they think? Would they still buy them?"

It's no wonder that Professor Li was so dismissive of what Yu Li wanted to do.

Even as a top-tier alchemist, he has never created a single original alchemical potion to date!

All the potions he concocted in his life were made according to the contents of the alchemy potion catalog left by his predecessors, following the detailed proportions and methods step by step.

Professor Li had previously attempted many original experiments, but without exception, they all failed.

He had once dreamed of creating original works.

If one can create a best-selling potion and obtain the Empire's research patent, not only will he earn a large sum of gold coins, but his fame and status will also rise sharply, and it is even possible that he will be ennobled as a minor nobleman.

But after actually putting it into practice, you realize how difficult it is to conduct original experiments!

Professor Li spent a great deal of money on original experimental research in the first half of his life, but the final result was one heavy blow after another...

In Professor Li's view, creating an original alchemical work is something only a Saint-level alchemist can do.

That's why he felt so disdainful when he heard that Yu Li, a mid-level alchemist, wanted to conduct original experiments.

It's like graduating from elementary school and telling others that you want to become the richest person in the country.

"..."

Yu Li didn't utter a word. She lowered her head, feeling tears welling up in her eyes, but she twisted her fingers tightly around her clothes, trying her best to hold back the tears.

"I think you shouldn't waste your money!"

Professor Li said coldly, "Here's what we'll do: 800,000 yuan for you to sell me that Heavenly Profound Beast Bone. Anyway, if you take it back for research, you're just wasting resources..."

"No." Yu Li's voice suddenly rang out.

These were the two words the girl had ever uttered without hesitation and with the utmost determination in her entire life.

"What?" Professor Li frowned. "You rascal..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yu Li had already turned and run away with her Heavenly Profound Beast Bone in her arms.

"Stop! Did I say you could leave?!" Professor Li shouted sternly, feeling that Yu Li was really impolite.

But Yu Li didn't stop.

She ran with her head down on the cobblestone street, her silvery-white hair swinging as she ran.

Along with it, large tears, like glistening, transparent pearls, fell onto the time-worn stone path and disappeared...

......

Ye Family.

Ye Ge sat at the table in the bedroom.

A large black sword sat on the table.

Demon Sword: Dark Soul Dragon.

Night Song: "..."

The Demon Sword: "......"

Night Song: "..."

The Demon Sword: "......"

This is different from the situation in the Chu family's secret chamber.

At this moment, the Demon Sword lay flat on the wooden table in front of Ye Ge, looking quiet and still, without any evil aura leaking out, nor any rustling or indescribable whispers, as if it were asleep.

Simply put, it's like playing dead.

After a few minutes of standoff, Night Song spoke slowly, "Alright, Ghost Dragon, stop playing dead, I see you." (in demonic language)

The Demon Sword: "......"

"Sorry...sorry...the host you are trying to reach is not currently home. Please visit again later, or you can leave a message in three seconds...please don't misunderstand, this is an automated reply...(magic language)"

Night Song: "..."

Is it alright if I'm not at home?

"Okay, so you're going to try to act cute with me, huh?"

Ye Ge narrowed his eyes, reached out, and grabbed the hilt of the Ghost Dragon Sword.

hum-

Consciousness escaped into a dark space that resembled the universe.

With his hands in his shirt pockets, Ye Ge looked up and saw the black dragon coiled in the universe before him.

"Hey," Ye Ge greeted casually.

Guilong: "?!?"

"How...how did you get in???"

Ye Ge smiled and said, "Is it that difficult to get in?"

His innate talent as a weapon spirit grants him the ability to communicate directly with the weapon spirits residing within them.

When Ghost Dragon saw Night Song, a look of utter terror immediately appeared on its face. That vivid expression seemed completely out of place with its enormous and majestic appearance.

This black Eastern dragon was ridiculously large, almost like a mountain range winding through the universe. Black scales covered every inch of its body. Ye Ge thought its body was probably longer than the Great Wall of the Empire!

"..." Ghost Dragon secretly realized his mistake. He had originally planned to feign death for a thousand years, until Night Song's lifespan ran out and he died, then he could be resurrected. But he hadn't expected Night Song to be able to directly enter the Demon Sword's space. This human brat with the bloodline of a mutated demon king was truly lacking in martial ethics...

"Cough cough cough..."

Guilong coughed twice: "Um... I was asleep just now and didn't hear any noise outside."