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Chapter 199 - New Alchemist Master
🕑 Added 2024-12-23 07:00:13 +0000 UTCA few days after Leyvi and the group departed from the Mercenary City, news about the disappearance of fifteen mercenary groups spread throughout the city and the entire region. The incident became the subject of conversations in inns, marketplaces, and taverns, sparking both intrigue and fear. This news also spread to all hunting grounds in the region.
To ordinary people, the news was just another shocking story that would soon be forgotten. Life went on as usual for most, as they carried on with their daily routines. However, to those in the mercenary world, the disappearance of these fifteen groups was akin to a dire warning. It was a chilling reminder that their actions did not go unnoticed and could invite unforeseen consequences.
Why? Because they knew exactly what kind of people the missing groups were. These weren't ordinary mercenary groups; they were notorious for their vile deeds. Fearing for their lives, the remaining mercenary groups involved in similar vile activities stopped immediately.
The people who had previously been victims of these groups cheered and celebrated, feeling they had finally received a semblance of justice. Some even organized small feasts in gratitude for what they saw as divine retribution.
Due to this incident, women mercenaries began returning to the hunting grounds without fearing being targeted by men. They could finally walk with their heads held high, free from the oppressive fear that had once gripped them. As for how long this reprieve would last? Only time will tell.
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The return journey was far smoother than the initial one. There were no attacks by flying demonic beasts and no incidents of being captured or jailed. Leyvi and Anda chuckled at the irony of how peaceful their travels felt compared to their earlier trials.
Whenever demonic beasts approached their airships, Senior Sister June would intimidate them with her aura, scaring them away.
Chloe and the other mercenary women were shocked when they sensed June's Soul Formation aura. They exchanged glances, silently questioning how someone of her caliber was traveling with this group. Why was a Soul Formation expert like her traveling with Alchemist Panda's group? Was there more to them than they had initially thought?
During this return trip, Leyvi felt somewhat stressed because, whenever he passed by any of the mercenary women, they would glare at him or regard him with wariness.
Ladies, I know you've had bad experiences with men in the past, but don't act like I'm the one responsible please, he thought.
Leyvi hoped they could overcome their past trauma because, if this behavior persisted, it could lead to trouble in the future.
---
Leyan Family Mansion
"Hmm... Golgo Family. Looks like they have a secret business operating behind the scenes. They're incredibly bold. Even the past city lords didn't notice this," Layla muttered, shaking her head with her eyes closed. She had seen what one of her Mini Laylas had observed somewhere within the city.
"I have to make this case a priority to solve once I have people to command. I didn't expect such a technique to exist. If this continues, there won't be many cultivators left in Bara City in the future."
Over the past three months, she had used her mini-clone ability to spy on her targets, uncovering dirty secrets and evidence of their shady dealings to use as ammunition later. She discovered that the underground society in Bara City was quite extensive.
So far, nobody had detected her mini-clones, which were adept at hiding. They could even change clothes based on her wardrobe. As a result, she had started buying all sorts of odd costumes so her mini-clones could disguise themselves as needed.
A grass costume, a pebble costume, a branch costume, a leaf costume, and many more. Layla had many hours meticulously planning their disguises for every situation, treating each operation with the precision of a master tactician.
Throughout her investigations, she discovered many strange occurrences behind the scenes, causing her considerable headaches. Her desk was piled with notes and diagrams detailing the tangled web of schemes she had uncovered. However, what she had uncovered just now was the most harmful in the long term if left unchecked.
"Eh? Two airships! They're back!" Layla exclaimed, opening her eyes as a smile lit up her pretty face. Another Mini Layla above the city gate had spotted them from afar.
She immediately informed everyone that Leyvi and the others would arrive home soon.
The maids stopped cultivating and exited their rooms. They had enjoyed plenty of free time over the past three months, focusing on cultivation.
Although their lives were carefree now, that didn't mean they could idle away their time. They had to seize the opportunities given to them to improve themselves.
Selene Goldstone had also spent most of her time cultivating in her room. She had even more free time than the maids. Occasionally, Layla would seek her advice on handling certain issues since she was the young lady of a prestigious alchemy family.
"Aw, it's so boring. Maybe I should have gone with them to the Mercenary City. I can't even join the weekly secret lessons with the maids and Layla because I haven't done it with Leyvi yet." Her cheeks flushed as she thought about her hesitation.
"I should have been bolder! Come on, Selene! You can do it, girl!" she encouraged herself.
"Oh? They're back! Go, Selene, go! This time, I'm going to be bolder!"
In the alchemy room, Dorin Homun had spent most of her time practicing alchemy. Did she suddenly develop a love for it? Not at all. She was simply using it as a means to avoid Ava Clover, who had been observing her constantly.
She knew Ava was watching for any opportunity to discipline her if she acted arrogantly or tried to recruit handsome men. Frustrated by the constant surveillance, Dorin took refuge in the alchemy room, diving into alchemical practice.
Unexpectedly, after significant effort, she managed to produce her first tier-3 product, advancing from Alchemist Teacher to Alchemist Master. Her progress in alchemy then accelerated, leading to more successes.
With her newfound abilities, her confidence—and arrogance—grew exponentially.
"Ho ho~ It turns out I'm also a dazzling alchemy genius, just like my sister. I was merely lazy before. If I'd put in the same effort as her, I might have already surpassed her achievements!" she mused.
"If they knew about this, they'd be begging me to return home. Ho ho~. If I flaunt my abilities as an Alchemist Master now, all the handsome men in the city will flock to me, begging to be my followers. Ah, what a beautiful life."
Dorin suddenly sensed something and quickly checked the array communication device. "I see. That country bumpkin is back. Now that I'm an Alchemist Master, he should show me more respect."
As soon as Dorin left the alchemy room, she saw Ava waiting for her. The sight of Ava instantly soured her mood, but she tried to maintain her composure.
"Can you stop bothering me?" Dorin asked, clearly vexed.
"When have I ever bothered you? I'm just making sure you don't cause trouble for the family," Ava replied nonchalantly.
"Hmph! When have I caused trouble? Also, I am an Alchemist Master now. You should show me more respect. Call me 'Esteemed Legendary Gorgeous Alchemist Master Dorin' from now on!" Dorin declared haughtily.
"Oh? You want more respect?"
"Yup. Come on, barbaric girl, call me 'Esteemed Legendary Gorgeous Alchemist Master Dorin.'"
"Alright then, here's your respect," Ava replied.
In an instant, Ava moved behind Dorin and pressed her fists lightly against both sides of Dorin's head, applying just enough pressure to be uncomfortable.
"Ouch! Ouch! It hurts! Barbaric girl, what are you doing? Let go of my beautiful head!" Dorin protested, trying to push Ava's hands away, but to no avail.
"What do you mean? This is how a barbaric girl like me shows respect."
"Ouch, no! I don't want your respect anymore! Let me go! You're ruining my brain! I'm getting retarded!"
"Aww, that's too bad. Why does everyone dislike my way of showing respect?" Ava teased before finally letting Dorin go.
Dorin rubbed her head and stared resentfully at Ava. Hmph, it's a mistake to brag in front of this barbaric girl. I should brag to someone else.
Not long after, Leyvi arrived at the Leyan Mansion. Following him were all the people who had come from the Mercenary City, including June and her junior sisters.
"Hahaha! I'm back again! I want to spar with Ava this time and see if I've improved. Maybe I won't get beaten up so badly!" Leyvi exclaimed with excitement.
"Oh my, oh my. Do you enjoy being beaten up, Leyvi? I can help with that," Senior Sister June chimed in teasingly.
"Uhh... Fairy Maiden June, you're a Soul Formation expert. Why are you bullying a mere Foundation Building ant like me?"
"Hehe, don't worry. I can restrain my strength to your level," June said with a mischievous smile.
Leyvi rolled his eyes. "No thanks."
Meanwhile, Chloe and the others observed their surroundings as they entered the city, surprised by the generally low cultivation levels of the people there.
Soon, Layla approached them at the gate alongside Selene and the maids.
Their eyes lit up when they saw Leyvi—it was clear they had missed him greatly.
"Welcome back, husband," Layla greeted with a warm smile.
"Hahaha! Layla, you're looking more and more like a city lord now. Very elegant!" Leyvi said, praising her outfit.
He looked up and saw Dorin and Ava standing on the third-floor balcony, observing them. Are they best friends now? He wondered.
Turning his attention back to Layla, Leyvi said, "These women are the people we recruited for you, and those are their family members."
"Thank you, husband. You can leave it to me now. I'll arrange accommodations for them right away," Layla assured him.
