Chapter 157: The Magic Academy – The Sorcerers’ Laboratory

Staring at the rose before him, Wu Qi wished he could keep Sang Chu at the Sorcerers’ Academy and cultivate her there himself.

But he knew the chances of that happening were slim to none.

Just from the look in Sang Chu’s eyes, he could tell she was up to no good, but she simply asked, “Dean, would the Academy be willing to accept this rose?”

“Of course. Your Highness, you really do have a way with things. Losing Rose City is a huge loss for him!”

If only he had someone like her under his command, he would never let her go.

Sang Chu smiled and said, “Then what if I want to stay?”

Wu Qi’s eyes lit up as he looked at Sang Chu. “You—you mean it?”

“Of course. That bunch of people in Rose City are always suspicious of me. Since I have this opportunity, why should I keep roughing it out there? Life at the Academy isn’t bad. I’m not one to suffer for no reason.”

Wu Qi said, “Alright! As long as you want to stay, I’ll give you the highest treatment!”

Sang Chu chuckled softly, “That’s not necessary. I’m not short on money. It’s just that before, I had to support that group of freeloaders—five people living off one person’s flowers. Now that I’m free, I’m sure you know what I’m really interested in, right?”

Wu Qi’s gaze toward Sang Chu changed. How could he not realize this woman had such grand ambitions?

But he pretended not to notice and said,

“Oh? What is it that Your Highness is interested in?”

Sang Chu’s smile was just right. She strolled over to a chair and sat down, saying, “Back when I was in Rose City, I once raised a batch of people, as I’m sure you know. Later, I bought another batch of fine stock, but unfortunately, none of them were what I wanted. My brother liked them, so I gave them to him. I know you, Dean, also like people, but I couldn’t embarrass my brother, so to avoid offending anyone, I’ll give you this hyacinth as a token.”

Sang Chu extended her hand. The Dean hurriedly accepted the flower, took a deep breath of its fragrance, and instantly felt his whole body relax.

“Just say what you want!”

Sang Chu replied, “Dean, you’re straightforward. The people’s tribe can resist the cold, as you know. Their meat is in high demand, and it’s hard to cultivate flowers, plus the process consumes a lot of resources. So, I want the Academy to provide me with people. Of course, I won’t take advantage of you. Every month, I can give you roses—any kind of flower you want. As long as you give me enough people, I can cultivate whatever you need!”

Wu Qi looked at Sang Chu and said in a low voice, “Didn’t Your Highness just say you weren’t short on money?”

“That’s right. In Rose City, a single rose could fetch a sky-high price. But here, it’s worth next to nothing. What I want is power, and only you, Dean, can give me that.”

She made it clear she didn’t want to keep talking in circles. Wu Qi, seeing her resolve, said, “Since that’s the case, would Your Highness like to take a look at my laboratory?”

“Of course.”

Wu Qi and Sang Chu stood up. He looked eager, while she just smiled and, turning around, pressed a small object on the table. Instantly, a magical formation appeared on the wall.

When the light faded, the wall had become a large door. Only upon walking closer did they realize it was an elevator.

They didn’t know how far underground they went, but the air was thick with the smell of blood.

Ding—

The elevator doors opened. Wu Qi led Sang Chu out, and the bloody stench grew even stronger.

Wu Qi asked, “Your Highness, are you afraid?”

Sang Chu smiled, “Dean, do you know how to make flowers bloom more beautifully?”

Wu Qi looked at her, puzzled, but Sang Chu just smiled and said nothing, taking the lead and heading toward the area with the strongest scent of blood.

What kind of laboratory was this?

It was clearly a slaughterhouse.

People were hung up, with basins below to catch their blood. People in white sorcerer robes were busy drawing blood and cutting meat, then carrying it off somewhere unknown.

Wu Qi kept watching Sang Chu’s expression, but she seemed perfectly calm, not even raising an eyebrow.

Sang Chu asked, “Dean, have you angered the entire people’s tribe?”

Wu Qi laughed heartily, “Most of these people are fools. They’ve never seen the world and long for life outside. As long as my men are stationed all over the seas, whenever one tries to escape, I can catch them all at once. Your Highness, come and see.”

Sang Chu followed Wu Qi to a magical formation, where an elderly person was hanging. There was barely any good flesh left on their body, just a single breath left, suspended by magic.

“Dean, this old thing is useless now, isn’t it? Why keep them?”

“You don’t know, do you? Old ones like this are the most valuable. Watch!”

As soon as he finished, he cast a spell. Instantly, frost filled the air, and the old person, stripped of all their scales, shivered violently. But soon, the flesh on their tail began to regrow, as if new meat were sprouting. As their body trembled, they gradually returned to normal.

Sang Chu suddenly understood and laughed, “So that’s why you don’t kill them outright. I was wondering why none of the people in this room had scales left. So that’s the trick!”

“Would Your Highness like to keep watching?”

“Of course. I hope you won’t keep any secrets, Dean. After all, I’m looking forward to being on the same boat as you.”

The little rabbit crouched by Sang Chu’s side, tugging at her anxiously, whispering, [A-Chu, don’t go along with him! This is too evil…]

Sang Chu gave a faint smile, [Don’t worry. I’m just curious how terrifying this Magic Academy can really be. Go see if there are any still alive. If there are, see if you can save them.]

[Okay, I’ll go now!]

The rabbit darted off, but after searching the area, found that those still alive were few and far between. As soon as he tried to touch the magic keeping them alive, they died instantly.

[A-Chu, this Dean is terrifying. To prevent these people from escaping, he’s set up spells and added restrictions. As soon as you touch them, or if the spell stops, they die instantly. There’s no way to save them…]

The rabbit returned, dejected. Meanwhile, Sang Chu had stopped in front of a huge artificial pool, where countless palm-sized people swam.

Wu Qi said, “Your Highness, these are my breeding stock. Want to pick one?”

Pick one?

He was raising people like livestock!

Sang Chu looked at Wu Qi with a smile, “I’m not interested in these. I may eat meat, but I prefer power. Dean, your laboratory is truly impressive. I wonder, could I join you?”

“Oh? Which part does Your Highness want to join? Skinning, harvesting meat, or arranging for breeding?”

Sang Chu replied, “No need to test me, Dean. Since I want to join, of course I’m sincere. I’ll do whatever you want, as long as I get power. At the same time, I’d like a small place of my own here.”"