… a sudden incident, Professor Gutes, as the leader of those gathered, calmly addressed the situation. He announced that everyone was dismissed, telling the lingering students to return to class. However, he granted those who had been taken hostage two days of leave to rest and clear their minds, or to seek psychological counseling if needed.

Yang Ying was also among the group considered "hostages," but such a spectacle held no fear for him. If Professor Gutes hadn't acted first, Yang Ying suspected he himself would have been compelled to intervene. In his mind, the whole ordeal felt like watching a deeply immersive, three-dimensional science fiction action film.

It was only in this "movie" that something truly caught his eye: the sheer display of force by the faculty. It left an indelible impression on him.

These professors were people Yang Ying encountered frequently on campus—men and women who always seemed amiable, typically carrying an air of academia, speaking with refined eloquence that bespoke vast knowledge and deep wisdom.

Yet, seeing them in action today revealed a different caliber entirely. These old scholars were anything but passive. The adage "knowledge is power" was brought to its ultimate conclusion in their hands. Nine mechas stormed in, yet before a single ripple could spread, they were swallowed by the tidal wave of power the faculty unleashed.

This single engagement forced Yang Ying to reassess the Glacial Central Academy. Only a few dozen professors had participated in this event, representing a mere fraction of the total faculty. The leader, Professor Gutes, also held the position of Vice Principal. There were several others of equal standing within the academy, not to mention the legendary Principal, whose appearances were as rare as a dragon showing its head. Clearly, the depths of Glacial Central Academy were far greater than they seemed.

Yang Ying reminded himself once more to tread carefully within the Empire; the foundation accumulated over hundreds of thousands of years here was immense, and giving it too much respect was impossible.

“The matter is concluded. Why don’t we grab a bite to eat? My treat. To celebrate our narrow escape. Besides, I owe you a debt of gratitude, Brother Igor, for carrying me. I certainly couldn't have run that fast,” Wuli suggested, his eyes darting with mischief.

“It was nothing, just a small favor. Why thank me?” Yang Ying waved him off dismissively.

“Come on, let’s celebrate together. After sharing such a trial, it would be good to have some fun,” Laya chimed in, seconding Wuli’s proposal.

Sha Hua also nodded. “What Young Master and Miss Laya say holds true. Regardless of the circumstances, you helped Young Master during the crisis. Even if you don’t mind it, we cannot pretend it didn't happen. A meal is simply a small token of our gratitude.”

Sha Hua maintained her perfectly composed demeanor, looking utterly resolute.

Yang Ying tapped his forehead and laughed, “Look at you, making things formal. Alright, we’ll celebrate today. As for my original plan to go to the Virtual Lab and attempt to synthesize the ninety-eighth Tier Seven Potion, that will have to wait until tonight.”

“Yes! That’s wonderful! Let’s go quickly then! I know a fantastic place to eat,” Wuli boomed twice and strode forward, leading the way.

On the other side, the Imperial Mecha Squadron cleaned up the battlefield, exchanged formal thanks with the faculty team for their assistance, and then withdrew back to their quarters.

Soon after, the Yongxue City Police Bureau and various media outlets swarmed the campus entrance, eager to gather further details about the incident. The Academy’s External Affairs department handled their inquiries.

Once the news spread, it created a massive stir throughout Yongxue City. Such a vicious event hadn't occurred in years, and when it did, it struck Glacial Central Academy, involving dozens of students. This provoked considerable public grumbling about the security environment surrounding the school.

However, many conceded that the fact it happened here was almost a stroke of luck. It provided undeniable proof of Glacial Central Academy’s capacity to handle sudden crises. Elsewhere, untold costs might have been incurred just to apprehend or eliminate such desperate criminals.

The nine assailants in this incident, two of whom were peak Third Tier experts, stormed the campus fully armed in their mechas, yet they were all neutralized within the span of a single meal. Aside from the initial vacuum implosion bomb blast, no secondary damage occurred; the outlaws were executed almost without a chance to retaliate, and the students taken hostage were left completely unharmed.

After the event, the prestige of Glacial Central Academy soared to new heights, and concurrently, the perceived security level of Yongxue City improved considerably.

The incident left few visible traces on the campus grounds. Even the section of the courtyard wall damaged by the implosion bomb, along with the hundred-meter radius crater outside it, was fully repaired by the following day.

Wuli treated Yang Ying to a meal at the best restaurant near the Academy. The kid clearly had substantial pocket money, and a discerning palate—the dishes served were impeccably prepared, featuring renowned Imperial cuisine. Although Yang Ying no longer required sustenance for life support, he still partook heartily, and everyone returned satisfied.

Upon returning to the campus, the day was already turning dark. Yang Ying dedicated the entire night to the Virtual Lab. When the sun rose the next day, the remaining…

Shortly after the semester began, Yang Ying had applied for a virtual storage box within the Virtual Lab. He kept every single potion he successfully synthesized inside it. Time did not elapse within the virtual storage box; even a potion placed inside three months prior remained exactly as fresh as the moment it was stored.

Yang Ying instructed his assistant robot to open the storage box. He surveyed the ninety-seven potions created over the past three months. On the shelves, vials of various colors were neatly arranged in several rows, a vibrant, dazzling display that fiercely captured the eye. After confirming the inventory one last time, he placed the final three potions inside and logged out of the Virtual Lab.

With his objective complete, Yang Ying felt profoundly relaxed. He headed to the teaching building, first stopping at Tisia’s office.

Tisia’s office door was never locked when he was present, welcoming any student who needed consultation. However, Tisia was notoriously strict with everyone, including himself; many students preferred seeking advice from other professors rather than him.

As Yang Ying entered, he saw Tisia seated behind his desk. Numerous glowing symbols floated before him, arranging themselves into some kind of structural diagram. Tisia was frowning, pointing and gesturing at these symbols, which shifted position according to his movements.

Yang Ying recognized that Tisia was deep in the study of a potion’s chemical formula. To dedicate every waking moment to research—a true Deputy Director of the Potion Institute.

“Is that you, Igor?” Tisia waved a hand, dissolving the chemical formula, and turned his head.

“It is, Professor Tisia,” Yang Ying stepped forward a few paces, stopping near his desk.

“Sit down,” Tisia gestured toward the empty chair opposite the desk. He asked, “What brings you here? Are you encountering issues with your studies?”

“Yes… in a way, these are academic issues,” Yang Ying replied, settling into the chair. “Professor Tisia, in the three months since school started, I have already met the learning requirements for one hundred Tier Seven courses, and I’ve even covered two hundred. However, as a freshman, Tier Eight courses are not yet unlocked for me. Therefore…”

Tisia’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Two hundred! You truly studied two hundred Tier Seven courses in three months?”

“Not a word of exaggeration.”

Tisia rose, paced a couple of steps, and then scrutinized Yang Ying again, seemingly trying to discern the reason for such rapid assimilation. Even a peak Third Tier expert would struggle to complete a hundred Tier Seven courses in three months; Yang Ying claiming two hundred was astonishing.

However, Tisia knew well that throughout the Empire’s long history, there was no shortage of individuals with supreme talent. While Yang Ying’s claim far exceeded expectations, it wasn't impossible.

“Very well, let me test you first,” Tisia sat down. After a moment of thought, he continued, “Tell me which courses you have studied. Not all of them—one hundred will suffice.”

Yang Ying nodded. He selected one hundred courses from his mind using telepathy and transmitted them to Tisia all at once.

Tisia quickly reviewed the names of the courses in his mind, grasping the breadth of knowledge immediately. “Listen carefully, I’m going to ask questions.”

As a professor of pharmacy and the Deputy Director of the Potion Institute, Tisia was intimately familiar with the hundred courses Yang Ying had listed. Based on these, he began his interrogation.

Yang Ying responded fluently.

Tisia: “When compounding the Youth Never Fades Elixir, what are the three critical points?”

Yang Ying: “Professor, you’re trying to trick me. The Youth Never Fades Elixir has four critical points when compounded, which are…”

Tisia: “Well answered. Let me ask another: The success rate for the Advanced Gene Activation Potion is one in five. What are the potential causes for activation failure?”

Yang Ying: “There are three primary causes, which are…”

The Q&A session lasted for half an hour. Since most of the communication was via telepathy, a great deal of information was exchanged despite the short duration. As the questioning continued, Tisia nodded subtly to himself. He could see that Yang Ying had truly mastered the knowledge from all one hundred courses and applied it with practiced ease.

“Alright, you have passed the theoretical examination,” Tisia allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. “However, for a pharmacist, theory alone is insufficient. You must transform that knowledge into tangible potions.”

I certainly know that, Yang Ying thought, I was prepared for this question. “I have already synthesized one hundred potions based on this knowledge, and they are located in the Virtual Lab.”

“What!” This time, Tisia was genuinely shocked. Mastering two hundred Tier Seven courses in three months was difficult enough, yet Yang Ying claimed to have already synthesized one hundred potions!

This pace of learning left him speechless.

“Quickly, quickly take me to see them.” After a long moment, he collected himself, impatient to examine the potions Yang Ying had created.