The formidable cultivator who arrived was none other than Wen Wubin, the deputy director of the School of Alchemy at Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University.
Following him were several doctoral students he had brought along.
Wen Wubin’s strength exceeded even the thief’s estimations, so it wasn’t surprising that he could subdue him with a single look.
After giving the thief a glance, Wen Wubin turned his attention to Su Mu, nodded in approval, and said with a chuckle, “Not bad, Su Mu. It seems that even if we hadn’t come, it wouldn’t have mattered. For a commoner to defeat a cultivator, even with the aid of Magical Tools, is quite remarkable.”
“Hello, Teacher Wen, thank you for taking the trouble to come here.”
Su Mu emerged from his hiding place with his sister, smiling as he greeted Wen Wubin and nodded to the doctoral students accompanying him.
One person approached the thief and, after a careful look, waved his hand over the thief’s face, causing his appearance to change instantly.
“This guy is Yu Changhai, a wanted fugitive,” the person grunted. “Relying on his abilities, he strayed from the righteous path, engaging in robbery and extortion, bringing shame to all cultivators. He committed crimes in Dian Province two months ago, and who would have thought he’d end up here, targeting Little Su.”
Wen Wubin instructed, “Take him to the police station. I remember the police chief of Yongfang City graduated from our university, right? Have him interrogate thoroughly to see if Yu Changhai came here on his own or if someone is pulling the strings. Whoever it is, daring to mess with someone from Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University is tantamount to declaring war on us!”
Yu Changhai, lying on the ground, nearly wet himself at these words.
Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University? That was one of the top cultivation universities in the country, a true giant in the cultivation world!
These people were from Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University? And Su Mu was, too?
But wasn’t Su Mu just finished with his examination for cultivation and hadn’t even submitted his university choices? How had he been admitted and become a person of Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University?
His mind was filled with question marks.
After Wen Wubin finished giving instructions to his students, his gaze fell on the succulent Magical Tool, and he praised, “This Magical Tool of yours is quite good.”
Clearly, he had witnessed the entire battle.
Smiling, Su Mu said, “Custom ordered from Taobao, do you like it, Teacher Wen? Shall I order one for you?”
Wen Wubin couldn’t help but laugh, waving his hand dismissively, “This Magical Tool suits you, but it’s a bit lacking for me. I appreciate the thought.” He couldn’t help muttering to himself: There are still some skilled people on Taobao, huh.
He didn’t suspect that Su Mu had made the Magical Tool. After all, Su Mu’s abilities were clear; he hadn’t even completed foundation building and could at best make a Level 1 Magical Tool, while this one was clearly Level 3. Su Mu, genius as he might be, couldn’t possibly have made it.
After all, he specialized in alchemical pills, not artifact cultivation. Although he could discern the succulent’s grade, he failed to see that it was a detachable model, nor did he consider that Su Mu, unable to make a Level 3 Magical Tool, had outsourced and modified it instead.
Of course, Su Mu had no intention of deceiving or hiding it from him. After all, the Magical Tool was also going to be put up for sale in the Online Shop. It was just a case of Wen Wubin overthinking.
However, when Su Mu heard Wen Wubin decline the succulent Magical Tool, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After all, the cost of making one was not cheap, and it would have been awkward for Su Mu to charge Wen Wubin if he had wanted one. Of course, if Wen insisted on paying, Su Mu would reluctantly accept the payment.
“Let’s get down to business. This Yu Changhai, whether he came on his own or was sent by someone else, was definitely after your qi refining pill formula.”
With that statement, Wen Wubin was unequivocally telling Su Mu that they knew he was the mastermind behind the special effect qi refining pill, not some mysterious grand alchemist.
Su Mu wasn’t surprised in the slightest.
Initially, when he created the persona of the grand alchemist, it was less about hiding the origin of the special effect qi refining pill and more about creating a buzz for it.
A product released by a renowned creator always seems more reliable and is more likely to make people open their wallets, right?
It’s like how many mobile games today are adaptations of comics or classic video games – because those are big IPs that attract players. In a sense, the grand alchemist was also a big IP.
From the beginning, Su Mu was well aware that the grand alchemist he concocted could fool the average person with no real thoughts on the matter, but anyone with the intent to investigate could easily uncover the truth.
So now that the truth was out, Su Mu remained calm, seeing no reason for surprise.
Wen Wubin, who had been watching him, couldn’t help but mutter to himself, “This young fellow is really composed. Despite his young age, he seems beyond his years… I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
Little did Wen Wubin know, Su Mu had been a person of two lifetimes. In his previous life, as a mobile game planner, he had seen all manner of insults and curses. His mental resilience had long been fortified.
Wen Wubin continued, “In the future, there will surely be more people after the qi refining pill formula. While most will take legal approaches, there’s no guarantee there won’t be lawbreakers like Yu Changhai. What are your plans regarding this?”
They were surprised yet found it natural that Su Mu could improve the qi refining pill. After all, during the specialized subject examination, Su Mu had managed to improve four Level 1 cultivation knowledge formulas. Improving a Level 0 qi refining pill seemed like no big deal. After all, what’s a genius without some remarkable abilities?
Su Mu didn’t reveal his plans but instead asked, “Does Teacher Wen have any good suggestions?”
“You really are clever,” Wen Wubin said with a resigned laugh. “If you’re willing, you could write a theoretical article on the improvements to the qi refining pill. You don’t need to disclose the Formula, just outline the general thought process and pharmacological principles, and include a data chart of the drug efficacy records. We can help you turn it into a published paper. Rest assured, you’ll be the author, and no one will take that from you. In the ‘Affiliated Institution’ field, write the name of our Qingcheng Mountain cultivation university. If anyone has ill intentions towards the Formula, they’ll have to get through us first.”
Wen Wubin made his intentions clear: the cultivation university could help shoulder the burden of the qi refining pill, on the condition that Su Mu join Qingcheng Mountain cultivation university.
“Additionally, take this.”
With a wave of his hand, Wen Wubin sent a sword-shaped brooch flying into Su Mu’s hand.
“This is the school badge of our Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University. It has some protective functions. While it’s not as powerful as your Magical Tools, it can still be useful in a pinch. Inside, there’s a storage space, not large—just one cubic meter—where you can keep your commonly used and valuable items. Moreover, an important feature is its ability to call for aid from the teachers and students of Qingcheng Mountain Cultivation University when you’re in danger. This badge, with its integrated communication, safety, and storage functions, is unique to our university.”
Wen Wubin said with pride.
Su Mu glanced at the school badge in his hand and then at Wen Wubin: “But I’m not a student at your university.”
“You asked for my help specifically, not someone else’s. Doesn’t that indicate your intention to enroll in our school?” Wen Wubin said cheerfully, his face exuding an ‘I’ve already seen through your intentions’ expression.
“No, it’s not that…”
Su Mu started to speak but was abruptly interrupted.
“Old Wen, don’t flatter yourself. Who said Su Mu only asked for your help? We from Emei Mountain Cultivation University have also arrived!”
As these words were spoken, several people entered the room, riding on flying swords.
When they landed, they subconsciously touched their hair, making sure that the Wind-warding Spell they used had kept their hair from getting disheveled by the wind, before they were at ease.
“How did you all get here?” Wen Wubin was taken aback.
Just as the people from Emei Mountain Cultivation University were about to respond, another group arrived in quick succession.
“Sorry for the intrusion, we from West Shu Cultivation University also received Su Mu’s message.”
“Su Mu, we from Southwest University of Science, Technology, and Cultivation are here.”
“Huff, huff… We’re not too late, are we? Su Mu, we rushed over from Salt City as soon as we got your message. Hey, take these bags of spiritual salt; it’s a specialty of our school, and you can’t buy it anywhere else.”
“Eh, you guys are here too?”
“Wow, it’s so lively…”
Su Mu’s bedroom was instantly filled to the brim with visitors, some without a place to stand, had to move to the living room.
Yu Changhai, who had just been treated for his injuries and not yet taken to the police station, listened as these people announced their affiliations and realized in horror that all the cultivation universities of Shu Province had shown up!
Although they all gathered around Su Mu, not a single one paid attention to him. And even though he had recovered some strength and spiritual power, he dared not make a move.
With so many big shots around, who would dare? Go on, try to make a move!
And the question in his heart grew more and more intense: “Just who is this kid?!”
Seeing so many colleagues suddenly appear, Wen Wubin was also stunned and quickly asked, “Su Mu, what… what’s going on here?”
Su Mu wore a guilty expression: “I’m sorry, teachers. I discovered an unusual thief in my home and feared I couldn’t handle him if his strength was too great. I was anxious and didn’t want to alert the thief by calling the Police, so I had no choice but to mass send a message asking for help. I wasn’t sure who would be available, so I sent it to everyone. I never expected all of you to come. I’m truly flattered and deeply grateful.”
“So it was a mass send…”
Wen Wubin’s face fell, like someone in love who suddenly realized they were just an option, his heart shattered.