[Gravity Moss]

Marvelous items often look unremarkable. The eighth item was a large patch of emerald green moss, pushed directly onto the stage on a small cart, not even equipped with a black coffin.

Final’s introduction this time was very brief:

“[Gravity Moss], this is a plant recorded in the Encyclopedia of Oddities, so I won’t go into detail.”

Chen Miemie wasn’t too happy.

This scholar host was so unprofessional—did he think everyone had the Encyclopedia of Oddities memorized? If something needed explaining, you should explain it. Be professional, would you?

Luckily, the [Bridge Maiden] beside her was also a scholar, a real top student.

She added some details:

“[Gravity Moss] doesn’t control the magnitude of gravity—it changes its direction.

Its growth direction is the direction of gravity. When it grows on a wall, the wall becomes a ‘floor.’ This is the favorite thing of witches.

Legend has it that in the Witch City [Tea Party], if you enter the home of a particularly powerful witch, you’ll find the ‘floor’ on the walls, furniture stuck to the ceiling, and people walking on the walls or ceiling.”

Chen Miemie’s face lit up with delight: “I want this one.”

Gongshu Key found it strange: “You’re not a witch, so why are you into this stuff?”

Chen Miemie turned her head away with a hint of disdain, giving her the back of her head:

“And you’re supposed to be a future core member of [The Shedding Clinic]? No intelligence-gathering capability at all—I’m really worried about your organization’s future.”

Gongshu Key looked confused.

She usually kept to herself, spending her time in her workshop studying bridge structures and related formations. She could be described as someone who didn’t care about the outside world, never bothering to look into Chen Miemie’s background.

Du Jun gave a light cough and explained a little, to prove that not everyone at [The Shedding Clinic] was oblivious: “Chen Miemie is a Third Seat Descendant of the witches.”

Gongshu Key nearly turned to stone: “The... the Third Seat Descendant?”

Whether in the past or the present, the Sealed Library was considered the human city with the deepest ties to witches. Even as a shut-in, Gongshu Key knew the weight of being a Third Seat Descendant.

Unlike a blood descendant, a witch’s descendant was unique—they could inherit everything the witch owned. And this was the Third Seat, no less.

“Well look at you, Chen Miemie! With such a big background, and you still asked me to bring you in. And I spent half a day preparing my excuses to go see the Elder grandmother,” Gongshu Key shot back, turning her head away.

Chen Miemie quickly tried to smooth things over. Without her as an explainer, they still had more treasures to see.

While the group chatted, the eleventh item came onto the stage.

This item almost made Chen Miemie laugh out loud.

Inside a small box was a piece of braised beef tripe, with a color that looked like it was ready to be served with drinks immediately.

Before Final could start introducing it, Du Jun let out a light laugh: “This is [Hamburger Workshop]. Even their selection item has something to do with food. They really did bring out that tripe.”

Chen Miemie’s ears perked up instantly.

Gongshu Key was reliable—she was a qualified commentator.

“[Braised Beef Tripe]: Once eaten, the tripe will take up residence in the owner’s stomach, mimicking digestive sounds to speak. It will produce ventriloquism, voicing the thoughts in the owner’s mind.

It will replace the owner’s stomach, forcing them to speak the truth, stripping them completely of privacy. It is commonly used for interrogation and extracting confessions.”

Chen Miemie pursed her lips: “A truth serum, then.”

She was unimpressed by the [Braised Beef Tripe]. But her indifference didn’t last long before the final item on display shattered it.

A large chest was opened, and inside it lay a baby with its eyes closed.

“Wait, is this human trafficking?” Chen Miemie was genuinely shocked.

“It’s not a real baby,” Du Jun said in a low voice.

“This is our organization’s entry—[The Expectation Giant Baby],” Gongshu Key added.

On stage, Final provided more specific details:

“[The Expectation Giant Baby] is not flesh and blood. It is a conceptual existence shaped as an infant.

It is formed by the expectations of others—a baby-like entity condensed from their hopes. Once it possesses someone, a baby representing others’ expectations will sit on their shoulder, forever insatiable.

The possessed person must constantly ‘feed’ it by meeting external expectations, or it will wail, plunging them into self-blame and crushing their spirit.”

After hearing this, Chen Miemie reined in her expression.

As long as it wasn’t a real person.

“Speaking of which,” Chen Miemie said, “once that [Expectation Giant Baby] latches on, won’t the person be forever enslaved by society’s expectations? How vicious and cruel. Really fits your organization’s style.”

“Flattery, flattery,” Du Jun replied, taking it as a compliment.

The selection meeting ended smoothly. Six items received two votes—exactly half.

Chen Miemie followed Du Jun and Gongshu Key to the back office to register their desired items.

As the three entered the office, two people were inside.

The registrar was a young man, and beside him sat the head of this selection meeting, [Stone Speaker].

Du Jun, representing [The Shedding Clinic], registered his intent, making clear that he was determined to secure [The Existence Tax Abacus].

When it was Chen Miemie’s turn, the young registrar didn’t pick up his pen.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you entered using [The Shedding Clinic]’s shared slot. Each faction can only register one item, so you cannot register.”

Chen Miemie’s face darkened, and she was ready to make a scene.

But [Stone Speaker], sitting next to the young man, spoke up:

“Mr. Chen Miemie is a distinguished guest of the Sealed Library. He is entitled to an independent slot. Register him.”

“But...” The young man couldn’t believe it—[Stone Speaker], the head of punishment and known for being strict and impartial, was openly playing favorites.

“Hmm?” [Stone Speaker] glared at the young man with eagle-like eyes.

“Oh, oh, I’ll record it right away,” the young man said, trembling like a small rabbit locked in a hawk’s sights.

Chen Miemie successfully completed the registration and thanked [Stone Speaker] with a smile.

Once outside the room, Gongshu Key punched her on the shoulder: “Your background runs so deep it’s like a dog’s—even [Stone Speaker], who never bends the rules, voluntarily does you a favor.”

Chen Miemie rubbed her shoulder, pretending to be hurt: “Then why don’t you suck up to me? Instead, you actually hit me.”

“Pfft, who wants to.”

Soon, Chen Miemie said goodbye to the two.

After she left, Gongshu Key kept muttering: “All day long, she’s just moving her lips, asking me to look into this and that. Turns out she’s a witch’s descendant with connections everywhere. And she enlists a nobody like me.”

Du Jun let out a light “heh” laugh:

“You, as our organization’s future head, really need to interact more with Chen Miemie. Strength and background are only part of it. Resourcefulness and reading people matter too. Not everyone who smiles at you means you well.”

Sensing there was more to Du Jun’s words, Gongshu Key quickly asked, “What’s going on?”

“[Stone Speaker]’s behavior was unusual. Where there’s something strange, there’s got to be a trick. Whatever his purpose, it shouldn’t be pure goodwill. At the very least, it won’t come without strings attached.

An ordinary young person, when shown favor by a grand scholar, might feel pleased or at least grateful—forming a sense of closeness.

But look at Chen Miemie: the moment she left the room, she dropped her smile. I only noticed after seeing her expression myself.”

That guy Chen Miemie—though he's not old, he's not easy to fool.