The research central was different from anything else Anji had ever seen in the sect. It was a hive-like building guarded by many spells. She had no idea how everyone knew where to go as there were many floors to the blockish building. Even from above, Anji could tell it would be a maze inside with so many corridors and stairs. Not all levels were aligned, and some had many intersections.
"Remember to follow me closely," Senior Researcher Mo finally spoke, preparing for their arrival. "It’s a rat’s maze inside, and these lab rats are a different species from the others. Once you get lost, not even I could locate you."
Shuddering at the overly complicated structure, Anji wondered who built this mind-boggling fortress full of uncoordinated corridors. After they landed on the roof, Anji noticed how uneven it was. It was as if someone had decided to add onto an initial structure to the existing brick building. There was even some construction going on on the other side as if they were building a new room on top of the existing building.
"Welcome to the research central," he finally put Anji down. "The most mysterious place in the Mystical Qilin Sect. I don’t live here, and I don’t intend to live here. Those who do have aren’t sane. There are a few senior researchers who live here as well, so don’t just talk to anybody you see. Stick close to me."
Nodding, Anji quickly walked beside the senior researcher. It did not merely appear to be a madhouse. It felt and sounded like one as well. She had no idea what she was hearing with so many influences. Something like a human’s scream was heard among animal noises. The place inside the barrier was as noisy as a fish market. It was a mystery how anyone could survive this hellish environment. No wonder Senior Researcher Mo claimed that there were no sane people in the research central.
Was this the final evolution of those who dedicated their all to research and knowledge?
Following the senior researcher down several flight of stairs, Anji finally started to understand why some people would choose to live here. Although it was constantly bustling with activity, there was almost everything that anyone could need in this place without leaving the area.
Unlike the western district, where Anji had to walk very long distances to get to one place or find something, the research central had everything. There were even multiple options. Despite the chaos, there was order within it. That order defied common sense, but the effectiveness of the lawless system spoke for itself.
"A kid? What is a kid doing here?"
"Is that a child? Whose lost child is that?"
"Outsiders? We’re getting visitors? I can’t believe there are outsiders who would willingly come to this pit. Are they converting?"
All around them, Anji could hear the unveiled speculations of curious onlookers. Their observations and obvious curiosity were very different from the silent judging stares. It felt somehow refreshing to hear things directly instead of reading and guessing intentions. Despite the ratlike colony structure, Anji was beginning to understand why some researchers preferred to live here. It was heaven for socially inept researchers who were solely dedicated to understanding the unknown.
After taking several turns and stopping a few times to ask for directions, they finally made it to Researcher Xi’s supposed labs. Every researcher here had their own quarters. However, Anji learned they owned the quarter and had no assistants. Moreover, the lab they owned was not on loan. Although they had to produce results, unlike regular research labs, there was no three-year time limit for it.
"The only prerequisite criteria was to have submitted an approved project to the council for judging. They used to have a written exam as well but decided it was useless to create that test because most applicants who are applying to live here answer the questions weirdly."
Weirdly? Anji had so many questions, but Researcher Xi opened the door.
"My angel is here! Thank you, Senior Researcher Mo! I thought I would have to personally kidnap her. Who would have thought you would bring her to me? Come in! Come in, let’s not stand on ceremony."
Kidnap?! Anji immediately clutched onto the senior researcher’s leg. Researcher Xi’s cheerful attitude did not match her intentions and choice of words. Senior Researcher Mo did not seem like the person to kidnap and fool a child. He had been very truthful from the start. The only conclusion Anji came to was how Researcher Xi was trying to sow discord among them by lying. She was a dangerous individual.
Seeing how Anji was afraid of her, Researcher Xi squealed, and the words that came out of her mouth only solidified Anji’s bad first impression of her. Thankfully, Senior Researcher Mo was around.
"Xi Hua, that’s enough. You’re scaring her. If you can’t behave, we’re not doing this internship. You can figure out the spells alone."
Hearing the threat, it was as if something loose in Researcher Xi’s brain finally reconnected. For a long while, she stared at Senior Researcher Mo until a look of recognition registered in her eyes.
"Senior! Why are you here?"
Researcher Xi’s behaviour was something that medical arts could not explain. Doctor He mentioned there could be an illness of the mind and the heart if the illness was absent in the physical body. Heart demons are things that many cultivators have to conquer before they can advance to the next stage. If they failed, there would be severe repercussions. Could it be that Researcher Xi was someone who was damaged in the head after failing to cultivate to a higher level? ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveIꜰire.net
Sighing, Senior Researcher Mo carefully introduced Anji this time. Looking sane, Researcher Xi greeted Anji politely with a smile and apologised if she behaved rudely earlier.
"Sometimes, I feel like I’m forgetting something. If it happens, just knock me out. I’ll be fine when I wake up," Researcher Xi smiled apologetically. "It’s something that happens to the rats living in this place. They call it the academic zone disease."
Academic zone disease? It was something Anji had never heard of. Curious but cautious, she followed Researcher Xi inside with Senior Researcher Mo close behind her. Would they make it through today smoothly with such a rough start?