Chapter 66

“Then this Gu Ming—”

“Let him stay. If someone’s handing over the registration fee, we might as well take it. Once he becomes an alchemist, he can disgust Chu Yan too.”

A smirk lifted at the corner of Xia Ye’s lips.

“Understood.” The name Gu Ming was immediately added to the list.

—

The next day, Xia Ye’s recruitment plan finally reached its target of 50 participants.

He then publicly announced that the first phase of the recruitment was officially closed.

Many who had hesitated earlier and missed the registration deeply regretted it, while those who had signed up felt nothing but relief.

Among those relieved was Gu Ming.

—

At the Chu family residence.

“A beastman can become an alchemist? And the registration fee is two billion? This Dan Sect is basically running a blatant money-grabbing scheme, and you actually believe it?” Lan Yu scoffed.

After causing a scene at Chu Ning’s birthday banquet, he had been sent back to his husband’s family by his wife. It was only yesterday that he was reluctantly allowed to return to the Chu family.

And as soon as he got back, he learned that his wife had vented her anger on Chu Yan, locking up their darling daughter for a long time.

Not only that, but Gu Ming had actually divorced Cao Ya, moved back to the main house, and even asked his wife for two billion just to participate in some so-called beastman alchemist program.

His wife had truly lost her mind to indulge that brat!

This wasn’t just about wasting money—it was a direct provocation against their daughter’s status!

“Get in touch with the Dan Sect and ask for a refund. Two billion! That’s enough to buy you several wedding dowries!”

Gu Ming frowned.

“The registration fee is non-refundable, and I can’t back out either. Do you have any idea how much was spent on Chu Yan all these years—just to keep her healthy and boost her mental power?”

“Let’s not even talk about anything else—her monthly allowance alone is in the tens of millions. Compared to that, spending two billion to make me an alchemist—is that really too much?”

His father was still as biased toward Chu Yan as ever.

For a long time, Gu Ming had thought it was because he was a son while Chu Yan was a daughter.

But later, when Chu Ning came back, his father remained just as partial to Chu Yan.

Even after learning that Chu Yan wasn’t actually his biological daughter, his father still favored her—even going so far as to verbally abuse Chu Ning.

It was at the birthday banquet, when Chu Ning exposed the truth, that Gu Ming finally understood—

His father wasn’t just biased—he simply didn’t love them.

His father was the very type of shameless, fickle-hearted scum he despised most.

“You dare compare yourself to Yan Yan?! She’s a female! She’s the future heir of the Chu family! And you? What are you?!” Lan Yu erupted in fury.

He had thought his outburst would intimidate Gu Ming.

But instead of fear, Gu Ming’s expression darkened, twisted into something sinister.

“Hmph. The future heir of the Chu family?” Gu Ming sneered. “Mother has never publicly confirmed that, has she?”

Lan Yu had never seen Gu Ming like this before, and for a moment, he was actually startled.

“Mother has already promised me—as long as I become an alchemist, she will arrange a political marriage for me.“

Gu Ming took a step closer, lowering his voice.

“Chu Yan, that bastard child—she may bear the Chu surname, but she isn’t Mother’s real daughter.”

“Don’t think for a second that your affair with Chu Lan is going to just blow over. Watch and see—Mother will deal with you sooner or later.“

Lan Yu’s body trembled violently.

“You—you—Gu Ming—!”

He raised his hand, ready to slap him—

But Gu Ming caught his wrist in a vice grip.

A cold, piercing gaze bore into Lan Yu.

“A shameless adulterer like you—who gave you the right to lay a hand on me?”

Lan Yu staggered back, nearly losing his balance.

“Y-You—what did you just say?”

Gu Ming’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

“I said—you’re an adulterer!“

“Lan Yu, you’re nothing but a faithless, disgraceful cheater who sides with outsiders against your own family!”

“No wonder Chu Ning refuses to acknowledge you. And from now on—you’d best not call yourself my father either.”

With that, Gu Ming flung Lan Yu’s wrist aside.

Lan Yu stumbled, almost falling to the ground.

“You—you ungrateful brat! You’re a disgrace!” he shrieked, hurling curses at Gu Ming’s retreating figure.

But Gu Ming never stopped walking.

—

Dan Sect had already notified him to report in the next day.

For the next month, he would be undergoing rigorous closed-door training there.

At this moment, he had no desire to deal with any more Chu family affairs.

All he cared about was passing the training and becoming an alchemist.

—

A new day.

Xia Ye didn’t stay at the Marshal’s Mansion but instead headed to the Dan Sect Headquarters.

At 10 AM, all beastman recruits for the alchemist training program were gathered in a large conference room on the eighth floor—including Gu Ming.

Once inside, he immediately recognized several familiar faces.

Most of the recruits came from elite families on Emperor Star, and some were even from top-tier noble houses.

“You see those two over there in white shirts and linen coats? Those are the Sixth and Ninth Young Masters of the Chen family.”

“And over there—those three belong to the Wang, Liu, and Zheng families.”

“In this room, almost everyone is from an aristocratic background. People like us? Our status is considered low,” whispered Zhao An, a friend of Gu Ming’s.

Gu Ming swept a glance around, recognizing several faces.

Now he was even more certain—joining Dan Sect was the right choice.

“If they’re all here, that means we made the right decision.”

“Status doesn’t matter now. We’re all Dan Sect disciples, and from now on, only strength matters. Let’s just focus on working hard.”

“Mm.” Zhao An nodded in agreement.

“Oh, right—did you hear? The Empress also joined this program. He’ll be arriving soon with the Fifth Prince. Do you think he’ll train with us?”

Gu Ming’s gaze flickered across the room.

“Hard to say. Let’s wait and see.”

Just as he finished speaking, Xia Ye and Bai Rui entered the room.

The entire hall fell silent instantly.

The two beastmen stood side by side—one breathtakingly elegant, the other devilishly seductive—bearing an uncanny resemblance to each other.

They were none other than the Empress, Bai Rui, and the Fifth Prince, Xia Ye.

The beastmen in the room were momentarily stunned by their beauty.

Then, someone took the lead—

“Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Your Highness!” The entire room bowed in unison.

The Empress smiled.

“Rise, everyone.”

“From today onward, I am here as a Dan Sect disciple, just like all of you.”

“In training, we are equals—so there is no need for excessive formalities.”

As soon as he said this, the room erupted into murmurs.

The rumors were true—the Empress had actually joined Dan Sect.

Xia Ye glanced at a nearby guard.

The guard immediately raised his voice—

“Everyone, take your seats! The meeting is about to begin!”

The room quickly quieted as everyone found their seats.

Bai Rui cast a glance at his son before finding a seat for himself.

Xia Ye stepped onto the podium, waiting for silence before speaking.

“Welcome, everyone. I am Xia Ye, and I am honored to welcome you all to Dan Sect.”

Bai Rui was the first to applaud.

The rest of the beastmen quickly followed suit.

Xia Ye scanned the room, then raised his hand for silence.

“Now, let me introduce Dan Sect and our Beastman Alchemist Training Program.”