Eldritch Horror Theatre

Aren’t you being a little too ruthless?

Executive Yama Su’s decision was certainly surprising, but Professor Fu’s response left everyone dumbfounded. In that moment, Lisa and the others stared at him in near unison.

A dignified High-Tier Transcendent of the Night Watchers and head of the Extraordinary Incident Investigation Team just borrows your space for a moment, and you immediately turn around and ask her to be a volunteer for your experiment?

Talk about wringing every ounce of value out of a person. The problem was, who had the free time to mess around with his nonsense—

”Alright. I was just waiting for a response from the Council anyway.”

Su Gao nodded, raising no objection to the arrangement.

...She actually agreed? Wasn’t she even going to ask what he planned to have her do?

Faced with this overly detached exchange, the onlookers felt their brains go numb.

But no one here was a fool. Naturally, they didn’t think a High-Tier Transcendent was naive enough to be sold off by a sketchy professor with a few casual words.

The only explanation for her ready agreement was that their relationship was far from ordinary, making such an effortless favor a trivial matter.Professor Fu truly had a vast network of connections; all those field expeditions hadn’t been for nothing.

Furthermore, the earlier Meteor Shower Incident was likely far more complicated than it appeared.

”Thank you in advance.”

Fu Qian shamelessly copied Su Gao’s way of expressing thanks. Nodding, he turned to Lisa and pointed at the top of her head.

”Regarding the Blood Wedding you mentioned earlier, it sounds like Dean Casi somewhat acknowledges the bloodline inheritance of transcendent power?”

...

How had this suddenly turned into a regular meeting, going through projects one by one?

The shift in topic was far too abrupt. Lisa almost failed to process it.

”That’s right. Casi firmly believes that bloodline offspring hold a very special significance for transcendent power.”

Fortunately, she quickly realized she wasn’t the only one looking dazed. Regaining a shred of composure, she braced herself to answer.

”Although we can’t confirm the core factor driving this effect, nearly all bloodline inheritances experience breaks in the chain—meaning transcendents give birth to ordinary offspring, and ordinary people in turn give birth to transcendents.

”But Casi has always believed that behind these seemingly illogical accidents, there must be a decisive factor we have yet to understand. Its specific form might be far more abstract than ordinary flesh and blood. In fact...”

Lisa glanced at Ji Liushuang beside her.

”Casi has always been deeply interested in the Sword Comprehension Institute because he feels that, compared to our innate abilities, cultivation talent might reflect bloodline influence more sensitively, making it a valuable reference.”

”An excellent line of thought.”

He listened earnestly, his gaze following Tutor Lisa.

Fu Qian watched Ji Liushuang, but his thoughts were actually on the Bronze Circlet from earlier.

Despite carrying the Ji clan bloodline and nominally being the next family head, she hadn’t even inherited the Ash Descent ability.

Yet upon wearing the Bronze Circlet, Ji Liushuang had still received what appeared to be a warning left specifically by her ancestors.

He had been quite curious about how this identification mechanism worked from the very beginning.

It seemed fitting for a fellow member of the Pillars of Apocalypse; Dean Casi was clearly paying close attention to this major subject as well.

His idea to set aside sectarian prejudice and use cultivation as an observation subject was genuinely fascinating upon closer thought.

After all, there were plenty of examples out there. The rate of bloodline transmission for cultivation talent was visibly much higher.

For instance, Dean Li Weixuan and his grandfather, as well as the massive crowd making up the West Plain Huang Clan.

Of course, due to the Record of True Transcription incident, their numbers might not be so flourishing anymore.

”Sorry, I didn’t realize this was an important item at first.”

While Fu Qian was deep in thought, Professor Lisa seemed to realize something. She deftly took the Crown off her head and handed it to Su Gao, explaining with a hint of caution.

”For me?”

Faced with this sudden gesture, Su Gao simply looked down at the Crown, making no move to take it.

”The matters regarding Laria and the Benevolent Curse Institute...”

Su Gao’s confusion successfully triggered even greater confusion in Professor Lisa. In the next moment, she whipped her head toward Fu Qian, her voice turning dark.

”Oh, it’s fine. I was just bored earlier, so I took it out to admire it.”

Fu Qian looked as if this were the most natural thing in the world.

I knew it—

This guy never explicitly stated that the Crown had anything to do with the Benevolent Curse Institute.

But it’s absolutely impossible for this all to just be a misunderstanding!

If this guy hadn’t deliberately struck that posture to mislead me, I might not have been so willing to rack my brain over it...

Professor Lisa looked as if she wanted to smash the Crown directly into Fu Qian’s face.

”Thank you very much. I’ve learned a lot.”

Unfortunately for her, he didn’t bat an eye, simply smiling as he thanked her in a completely sincere tone.

...

”Next time, you can just ask directly.”

Even in her current mood, Lisa could feel the sincerity behind his thanks, making it difficult to unleash her pent-up anger.

After some internal struggle, she finally scoffed, deciding not to stoop to his level.

”Understood, Professor Lisa. You can hold onto that as well.”

Fu Qian’s attitude was completely impeccable. Maintaining a constant smile, he merely pointed at the Crown in her hand without reaching for it.

Huh?

Even though it wasn’t anything incredible, wasn’t leaving it with her a bit too generous?

In her surprise, Lisa couldn’t help but glance at Ji Liushuang beside her, clearly reminded of the girl’s prepaid salary.

This truly was a top-tier laboratory at the Academy. The perks were genuinely fantastic.

”If I remember anything else, I’ll let you know.”

Her hesitation lasted only a fleeting moment before Professor Lisa made up her mind. She withdrew the hand offering the Crown and even promised follow-up technical support while she was at it.

”Alright.”

Chuckling, Fu Qian picked up his cup and took a sip of tea.

”I’m glad everything is settled. If Your Excellency has any questions, please feel free to seek me out at any time.”

Perhaps she was thirsty from drinking too much alcohol, but Professor Lanaya—who had been watching the situation develop from the sidelines—had clearly consumed the most tea.

Now that she saw matters smoothed over and peace restored, she was quite satisfied. As she prepared to take her leave, she made sure to address Su Gao with a completely serious expression.

Of course, it was impossible for her to return to her nightlife. The sky outside was already growing bright, and the time when a day’s plan begins in the morning was about to commence.

”It seems that aside from the Meteor incident, things have been fairly quiet around the Academy lately?”

As Su Gao nodded in thanks, Fu Qian casually asked a question from the sidelines.

”It’s been alright... Why?”

Instantly put on guard by the question, Lanaya stared at Fu Qian, terrified that this guy was about to cause trouble for her again. She looked like she was on the verge of a stress response.

”Nothing. Just hoping it stays that way.”

Offering this pleasant blessing with a smile, Fu Qian said no more.

It seemed Eldest Miss Wen was still living quite comfortably at the Academy. She hadn’t felt anything was amiss, nor had she come running to look for this enthusiastic person he had recommended.