Eldritch Horror Theatre

Inside the secret room, his words shocked everyone present.

Old Man Weilong and his companion clearly looked heavy-hearted, their vigilance plain to see.

Fu Qian didn’t mind their reaction. After all, his track record was truly atrocious.

Whether it was snatching people and secret treasures or simply engaging in malicious mockery, there was precedent for it all.

Though the two before him were veterans of the transcendent realm, they were clearly used to having the upper hand. They weren’t exactly slick when it came to handling a situation like this.

They also held some prejudice against Professor Fu’s professionalism.

After his brief shock, Old Man Weilong already looked to be tallying his assets in preparation for a potential robbery.

Little did they know, an academic’s focus must always remain on academics.

”It’s simple. I have a friend who is very interested in your training model.”

Amid the slightly oppressive atmosphere, Fu Qian eventually smiled and waved a hand to break the tension.”If possible, I hope the two professors might do me a favor when the time is right and give her a chance to further her studies at Linghui.”

Huh... what?

When it came to education, the two professors were undoubtedly veterans. Not to mention, a wildly successful case was standing right next to them.

However, the revelation that Professor Fu was also delving into education clearly dealt them quite a shock.

So much so that after hearing his requested compensation, they fell silent for a long time. They didn’t even exchange a glance.

Instead, Wen Li quietly looked over from the side, exchanging a brief glance with him.

Everyone knew she was that successful case, so her reaction wasn’t surprising.

But for Fu Qian, it was clear that Wen Li knew exactly who he was talking about.

He had just mentioned earlier that Chief Yuan was quite envious of her achievements.

”Currently, the hidden dangers on our end haven’t been completely eliminated. It’s truly hard to guarantee there won’t be risks... If it’s Professor Fu’s friend, why not arrange for them to go to Apocalypse for an exchange?”

However, some things were better left unsaid. Wen Li had no intention of adding anything, and Professor Weilong finally spoke up, albeit sounding a bit troubled.

”Oh? I actually understand the difficulties.”

With his eyes narrowed slightly, Fu Qian’s smile didn’t waver.

Under-the-table admissions deals were indeed a sensitive area. One careless move could ruin half a lifetime of good reputation.

It made perfect sense that the two old professors would fiercely protect their reputations.

But as everyone knew, doing a favor for a colleague was also perfectly reasonable.

”Student Wen Li is also my friend, and isn’t she furthering her studies at Linghui?”

Fu Qian pointed at the newly advanced Demigod Realm expert beside him, his tone turning profound.

...

Just what is this guy trying to do?

At that moment, it was as if one could hear the two old professors’ inner voices echoing through the Underground.

Even after a brief moment of thought, the sheer absurdity of Fu Qian’s request was hard for them to digest.

”Professor Fu is joking... But even if you are serious, please rest assured that it wouldn’t be a problem at all. Linghui welcomes such talent at any time, just like Wen Li.”

Their immediate reaction was to try and end this topic as quickly as possible.

Recovering his wits, Weilong laughed it off and even shot a pointed glance at Wen Li to express his determination.

In short, under Professor Fu—the Academy’s rising star—applying both grace and might, it seemed they had finally relented.

As for Wen Li, who had just received Weilong’s glance, she merely withdrew her gaze without changing her expression, lowering her head in silence.

Very good. Eldest Miss Wen’s acting skills were as reliable as ever.

Fu Qian praised her inwardly.

His words just now might have sounded a bit shocking at first. They could even be interpreted as him voluntarily exposing that the two of them had been putting on a double act earlier.

But the same words could give off a completely different impression depending on the context.

Rather than him using a counterexample to expose that he and Wen Li had known each other for a long time—and that he had just been taking advantage of their joint training program—it was far more likely that his words were a threat.

He was signaling to Professor Weilong and the others that he had gradually won over this newly advanced Demigod Realm expert. If they refused such a tiny request, they couldn’t blame him for twisting the facts later and attributing all the credit for nurturing the youngest Demigod Realm expert to Apocalypse.

No matter how much integrity you had, you still had to answer for the resources Linghui had invested, right?

Hmph. Because under-the-table deals were hidden from the public eye, there was often no need to keep up a facade of harmony.

Faced with his final chips, the two old-school intellectuals finally submitted.

”Haha, I was just messing around. Seeing both professors looking a bit heavy-hearted, I just wanted to liven up the atmosphere.”

And so, knowing when to stop, the arrogance in Fu Qian’s eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by a warm amiability.

He even went along with Old Man Weilong’s words, waving it off as just a joke.

”We all belong to the same Academy; we merely have differing philosophies. Apocalypse and Linghui should be helping each other anyway—”

Before Weilong and his companion could say anything more, Fu Qian walked over to the seated body and stared down at it.

In just that brief moment, tiny tendrils of flesh were already weaving together continuously over the stark white skull.

A grotesque new face was rapidly forming.

That instantly explained why there was so much of it under their feet.

”Wen Li, use the Kaleidoscope on him.”

He watched for only a short moment before turning back to Wen Li to issue the instruction.

...

Huh?

Professor Fu’s attitude had taken a sudden one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn. The underlying logic was a complete assault on the senses, making them seriously wonder if there was something wrong with his head.

Regardless, as far as Weilong and his companion were concerned, things were at least getting back on track.

Even if he was just spewing hot air, at least it pertained to the task at hand. But this—

A collective silence descended on the room once more. It wasn’t until Wen Li, who was also slightly taken aback, recovered, voiced her acknowledgment, and stepped forward that the two professors’ gazes followed her.

”He... is in a very fragile state now.”

Recalling Fu Qian’s earlier words, Weilong hesitated before choosing to offer a reminder.

”Professor Fu, this isn’t the time to fool around.”

Professor Yang’s words were much blunter by comparison; it was almost as if they wanted to kick him out.

”Didn’t you set up certain protective measures?”

Unfortunately, Professor Fu’s tolerance for the day was still holding strong. Completely unbothered by the hostile tone, he simply countered with a casual question.

”We did... but his condition is just too terrible right now. Subjecting him to such an intense stimulus, even if it doesn’t break him, will cause him a considerable amount of unnecessary pain.”

Weilong didn’t look completely devoid of confidence, but he couldn’t help frowning as he explained, emphasizing the risks of such an action.

”Understood—”

Despite his aggressive momentum, Professor Fu clearly wasn’t someone who refused to listen to advice. He gave a slight nod before turning back to instruct Wen Li.

”Remember to pick a more cheerful tune.”