Heavenly Simulation: Tales of Demons and Gods

Chapter no.49 The Alchemist Association

Shen Xiu woke up with a groan.

She really didn't like mornings.

How she wished she could turn night into her morning.

As she caught sight of the stack of notes fro the night before, she let out a smile.

Perhaps going to class wouldn't be so bad after all.

She quickly got ready for the day, walking to class with a bounce in her step and a smile on her face.

"Good morning, class," she greeted brightly. Her unusual cheerfulness took everyone by surprise.

Why was she so happy today? They all wondered.

Shen Xiu didn't notice their shocked expressions; her gaze was fixed on the back of the room.

But the moment she noticed Nie Li's empty seat, her smile disappeared.

The sudden shift in her mood made the entire class tense.

They could all see the annoyance and disappointment in her eyes.

Without saying it out loud, they all thought

the same thing: She's so unpredictable. Meanwhile, Shen Yue was feeling worried for his aunt.

He wondered what had happened to the arranged marriage plans.

Why wasn't she trying to push him closer to Ye Ziyun anymore?

.....

Nie Li hopped off the rickshaw and found himself standing in front of the Alchemist Association. The building was a sight to behold, majestic and tall, guarded by statues of heavenly thunder lion-dogs at the temple entrance. The roofs soared upwards, almost as if reaching for the sky.

Walking up to the front desk, Nie Li was greeted by a woman sorting through papers. Her hair was neatly arranged, and a badge pinned to her chest identified her as a 'Senior Administrator'. She looked up with a practiced smile.

"What can I do for you, Sir?" she inquired.

Nie Li, following the system's guidance, glanced at a sign pointing towards the Library.

"I'd like to access the library," he said.

The woman's expression changed slightly. "Oh, sir, to enter our library, you'll need an association card."

"I'm not a member," Nie Li replied.

"In that case, you'll need to join the association to access our library," the woman behind the desk informed Nie Li.

Nie Li paused for a moment, then asked, "Is there another way? Like, can I pay for an hour instead?"

The woman hesitated but then nodded. "We can do that," she said.

"Good, how much?" Nie Li asked, hoping for a reasonable figure.

"1000 per hour," the woman replied.

Nie Li balked at the price. "That's too much," he protested.

The woman leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering. "Young master, understand that you're not registered with us. Just allowing you inside could land me in big trouble. Our library contains valuable items—ancient texts, lost recipes, and numerous notes on untested products that could be dangerous."

Hearing her explanation, Nie Li let out a sigh. He knew he needed access to those resources, no matter the cost. Reluctantly, he paid the fee in cash, watching as the woman discreetly slid him a fake card.

"This will get you into the library," she whispered, making sure no one else heard.

"Just be careful," she warned, her voice low. "This card won't hold up under scrutiny from our higher-ranked members, though they rarely visit the library. Don't let anyone see it, and try not to draw attention to yourself. Get in, do what you need, and leave."