Su Ping followed Qin Xiaoxue into the long corridor. "What did Dong Muxuan say to you?" Qin Xiaoxue finally asked, once she was sure no one was paying attention.
Su Ping gave her a strange look. "What could there be? I saw them right after I arrived. Given my connection with Dong Muyun, I just chatted with him about this Secret Realmâspecifically, how Magic Capital Academy manages these Secret Realms."
"Humph, there are many things you donât know!" Qin Xiaoxue snorted lightly. "It seems your relationship with that âQueen Dongâ has become quite close lately!"
Su Pingâs expression didnât change. "Yes, there have been several collaborations requiring the channels of the Dong Family and Tianyun Group, as well as Dong Muyunâs personal abilities."
Qin Xiaoxue didnât elaborate further, as she wasnât very interested in such matters; all her attention was focused on Su Ping. "What exactly have you been researching these past few days? If the old lady hadnât forbidden it, I would have gone straight in to find you."
At the mention of this, Su Ping was undoubtedly a bit frustrated. "Donât mention it. I made some gains on my trip out, but I donât have a clear research direction..." He suddenly paused, looking at Qin Xiaoxue. "Right, are there any teachers at Magic Capital Academy who are experts in ancient scripts?"
"Of course! Many professors in the history department are experts in this field. Itâs just that the history department is considered one of the academyâs least noticeable disciplines. If it werenât for the breeding of some ancient-type Pet Beasts, the academy would probably want to abolish the subject."
Su Pingâs eyes lit up. He was now very eager to decipher the contents of that ancient manuscript. He wanted to understand the ancient Beast Tamerâs insights and experiences regarding the generation and suppression cycle of the Five Elements, as recorded from the Secret Realm. This would help further perfect the Papermanâs standard assembled form and continue Qian Yiâs cultivation. As for Feifei from the Mechanics Department, he had no expectations regarding the creation of a mechanical body for the so-called Five Elements Cycle energy device.
"Thatâs great. Could you introduce me when the time comes?" Su Ping asked.
"Of course, no problem," Qin Xiaoxue replied. "What is it? Is the item you obtained from ancient times?"
"Exactly!"
"But Iâll tell you upfront," Qin Xiaoxue continued, "those old guys who study ancient history are stubborn and prickly. If your item doesnât interest them, I canât help you."
Qin Xiaoxue seemed quite biased against these history department professors. Su Ping didnât mind. The script in that diary was so rare that even online searches yielded very little comparable information. Moreover, it was written on paper, leading Su Ping to suspect it was likely a transcription from ancient times, not an original document in that script. Besides, Su Ping truly couldnât bring himself to read it; even a glance made him dizzy. He even wondered if the Book was enchantedâotherwise, why would looking at it make him so drowsy? If he had to rely on himself to completely decipher the secrets in that diary, he feared it would take years. With specialists available, Su Ping naturally saw no reason to expend so much effort.
As they chatted casually, the long corridor finally came to an end. As expected, a spatial vortex appeared before them, one Su Ping was all too familiar with. This distorted vortex, however, was different from the wild Secret Realms Su Ping had previously encountered. Mechanical gateways flanked this vortex. They seemed to be for some kind of detection, similar to those used for airplanes and trains. Qin Xiaoxue didnât explain, and Su Ping couldnât be bothered to ask. Leading Old Sha, who was curiously looking around, Su Ping stepped into the spinning spatial vortex.
After the spatial transition, the relatively dim corridor they had been in vanished. In its place was a wide, open expanse. Clearly, the name âLinhai Secret Realmâ itself indicated the environment and conditions within. Lush greenery met the eye; a vast expanse of forest and vegetation stretched out before them. Occasional low, rolling hills were interspersed throughout the landscape. Notably, a Sun still shone in the sky; clearly, sunlight was indispensable for a forest-type Secret Realm.
"Letâs go. Woodheadâs third phase of evolution is also nearing completion."
Finally, atop a small hill within the Linhai Secret Realm, Su Ping saw the motionless Sang Sheng and five equally still Woodheads. Yes, five of them. Under the illumination of the Polyhedral Mirror, besides the central Woodhead, there were four other Woodhead avatars. Though called avatars, they were, in reality, indistinguishable from the original Woodhead. The womanâSang Shengâstood behind the mirror, her immense spiritual power maintaining its illumination. Upon seeing Su Ping arrive, she smiled and nodded at him. Clearly, powering the Polyhedral Mirror for an entire night was not a difficult task for her.
Su Ping raised an eyebrow. "Where is the Wolf Emperor Breeder?"
"Uncle Li had some matters to attend to," Sang Sheng explained. "He went to the city center this morning; it seems an old friend needed him. Since the situation here is stable, the old lady let him go first."
Su Ping glanced at Woodhead. Its condition was stable and indeed no longer required constant supervision.
But can I test Old Shaâs power here?
"Xiao Ping," Sang Sheng said, "I heard from Xiao Xue that you wanted to test some Pet Beast Skills? The Linhai Secret Realm will refresh at noon, and everything will be restored then. This is the best testing ground! What Skills do you want to test?"
Su Ping didnât hide anything and patted Old Shaâs neck. "The Wanmu Wolfâs Super-Rank Skill Fusion is complete. I want to test its power. It wonât affect Woodheadâs evolution here, will it?"
Qin Xiaoxue blinked, then belatedly turned her head, her beautiful eyes narrowing suspiciously at Su Ping.
Didnât you say you hadnât made any significant achievements?
Even Sang Sheng blinked.
The Super-Rank Skill Qin Erlong mentioned on the phone... itâs already complete? No wonder this brat wanted to use the Wanmu Wolf in the breeding competition. No wonder heâs so confident.
Sang Sheng let out a breath, calming the slight disturbance in her spiritual power, then said, "Donât worry. With me here, no fluctuations will affect Woodheadâs evolution. So, you can try as much as you like!"
With her reassurance, Su Ping immediately felt at ease and patted Old Sha on the head. "Old Sha!"
"AWOO..."