"Donât worry, just keep at it. Elite Level is nothing."
As Qin Erlong had said, the first three Realms of a Beast Tamer were relatively easy to ascend. However, once one reached Commander Level, each breakthrough became as difficult as reaching the sky.
"Okay, follow me."
Having spent several days at Heart of Woods, Li Shu was quite familiar with the place. With a little guidance from Su Ping, Li Shu had quickly grasped everything.
Besides, there was the now-mature Guan Lili.
With Li Shu and Guan Lili managing the Forest Wolf pack situation, Su Ping really didnât need to worry too much.
Therefore, in the following days, he dedicated all his energy to the Cultivation of Qian Yi.
He had finally managed to evolve the little Paperman to Elite First Rank, breaking through its previous limits. Furthermore, it had even comprehended a new skill, upon which it could further develop.
Having glimpsed such an elusive path of Evolution, giving up halfway wasnât in Su Pingâs character.
In the days that followed, he and the little Paperman Qian Yi spent almost all their time in the Skill Power Testing Laboratory.
For an entire week, Su Pingâs life appeared incredibly monotonous to outsiders: just recording the little Papermanâs skill power.
However, the improvement was minimal, almost negligible.
He even gave up on the One-Word Electric Sword.
Instead, he chose to experiment with other rudimentary forms of Swordsmanship, such as the little Papermanâs "Three Sword Style" form.
With the enhancement of its Sword Body, the "Three Sword Style" Paperman was indeed stronger than before, but it still failed to comprehend any Sword Technique Skills through the mutated Sword Body.
After a week, Su Ping even began to doubt his life choices.
Even the completion of the bridge and the initial emergence of Heart of Waterâs lake didnât capture much of Su Pingâs attention.
All his focus was on the great task of the little Papermanâs Cultivation.
At night, back in his room, Su Ping continued to pore over the heritage notes of the Fengdu Sword King when, suddenly, the phone rang.
"Hello?"
Su Ping didnât even shift his gaze, nor did he check who was calling.
"Su Ping, what have you been up to these days? Your dad sends you messages, and you donât even reply?"
Su Anyongâs voice came through the phone.
Su Ping snapped back to his senses. "Iâve been a bit busy lately. If you have something to say, just say it!"
Su Anyong felt somewhat helpless. In fact, he had called Lao Guan the previous day and knew Su Pingâs current state.
These past few days, "working tirelessly" was an understatement for his condition.
Guan Lili, Li Shu, and Guan Qianshan were all profoundly impressed by him.
Only with such dedication could Su Ping even have a sliver of a chance to achieve such accomplishments.
But this state of neglecting food and rest was genuinely worrying.
Therefore, Su Anyong, perhaps the only person who could persuade Su Ping, made the call.
"Cultivating Pet Beasts isnât something done overnight. Donât put too much pressure on yourself, kid."
"Did Uncle Guan tell you?"
"Yeah."
"Itâs not really about pressure. I just canât figure something out..."
"Canât figure out what? Tell me about it..."
Truth be told, Su Anyong was indeed the only person Su Ping could share this with.
The Paperman was of considerable significance. Without clear results, Su Ping truly couldnât reveal it to the outside world.
Although his fatherâs Cultivation ability was rather lackingâif he had put in even a little effort, things wouldnât have been so dire when Su Ping took overâsome matters were indeed better discussed.
After all, Su Ping might indeed be missing a listener right now.
"Iâve contracted that mutated Paperman."
"Hmm!"
Su Anyong wasnât surprised.
"Research on the Paperman was also put on the agenda some time ago."
"Hmm!"
Su Anyong nodded.
Sure enough,
he thought,
my foolish boy has been driven to this state by that Paperman, the shame of the Necromancy System.
"Over a month ago, research on the Paperman made a qualitative breakthrough! I discovered a skill lost to history and restored it."
"Hmm?"
Su Anyong raised an eyebrow.
But Su Ping paid no heed to the slight change in his fatherâs tone.
"Also, the mutated Paperman I contracted subsequently comprehended two mutated Skills: Paper Body Control and Mutated Sword Body! I believe Qian Yiâs chance for Evolution lies within these two Skills, and that Sword Body..."
"Hmm..."
Su Anyong was already numb from listening.
He had originally thought his son was troubled because of the Papermanâs inherent racial limitations and the apparent lack of hope.
But he hadnât expectedâhe was simply too naive.
Is this kid really my flesh and blood?
Su Anyongâs eyes were filled with utter confusion.
What forgotten Paperman skill from history? What two mutated Skills? What path of Evolution, what self-comprehended Skills? What in the world was all this?
"Thatâs how it is. No matter what I try, Qian Yi just canât seem to manifest those abilities as Sword Technique Skills..."
Su Pingâs voice continued over the phone.
Su Anyong snapped out of his daze. He thought for a moment and, using his meager knowledge of Cultivation, asked, "Is the energy consumption unified?"
Su Ping nodded. "Of course. Iâve run countless tests, attempting to unleash the skillsâ maximum power based on optimal energy consumption..."