Cracks ran through the building's walls. White paint split and flaked off, falling into the corners like scattered stains, outside the largest room across from the corner.
Ying Lin stood in the doorway and glanced at the massive figure inside. Anbers held up a book, studying its text, with neatly arranged reagents before him.
A crow circled outside, lingered briefly, then swept into the room on a gust of wind. It landed on the shelf beside Wei Yunmo, who placed a pile of scrolls in front of Anbers.
Anbers set down his materials and suddenly looked at him. "How has your homework been going lately?"
"Pretty... well." Wei Yunmo stiffened and stammered, "I have an eighty percent success rate."
"And the remaining twenty percent?"
"..." Wei Yunmo fell silent. Anbers narrowed his eyes slightly and patted his head. "You just can't bring yourself to be ruthless enough. Oh, right, have you ever tried a decapitation experiment? Someone with regenerative abilities might survive even after their head is cut off."
Wei Yunmo thought carefully, then nodded before shaking his head. "Teacher, that's impossible. I've always felt that my regenerative ability comes from my spinal cord. If my head were cut off, I really would die."
"Oh, all right." There was regret in Anbers's voice. He turned toward the two people outside the door and suddenly snapped, "You two slackers!"
Ying Lin and Xi Yijiu shuddered and looked over.
"What are you standing there for? Go find that girl in this building, the one in the white dress! Bring her here. I don't care how you do it, just bring her here!"
Ying Lin and Xi Yijiu lowered their eyes, both utterly deferential. "Yes."
This was exactly what they wanted. They had been struggling to find an opportunity to get away.
But