Eldritch Horror Theatre

Ah—

Wasn’t demanding a plan for her next advancement already a bit too strict?

It was perfectly understandable for a superior to check on her progress and ask about future plans.

The problem was that once you reached the High Tiers of the Transcendent path, taking even a single step forward was easier said than done.

Countless people spent their entire lives without ever touching the threshold, yet he was treating it like popping jelly beans.

Strictly speaking, it had only been a few days since Wen Li advanced. Was she supposed to produce a plan for Tier 2 right away?

At that moment, it was obvious that even Classmate Liushuang could hardly bear to listen.

”...No. Even Professor Weilong and the others don’t have any ideas regarding this yet,” Wen Li replied.

Fortunately, Eldest Miss Wen possessed excellent psychological fortitude. After a brief moment of stunned silence, she still answered earnestly.

”Lately, their main focus has been confirming the stability of my condition. They’ve even expended quite a few resources on it.”It was clear she was quite grateful, even if she felt that group’s overly cautious attitude was a bit of an overreaction.

It just went to show that Professor Weilong still possessed the lofty pride of an intellectual...

While Wen Li might have been somewhat puzzled, Fu Qian understood the underlying reasons perfectly.

The core issue lay in the critical information Linghui and the others had unearthed last time regarding Eldest Miss Wen’s background: Professor Fu had opened The Bookstore in Shangjing, and he had known this rising star of the Psychic Type long before.

Because of this, Eldest Miss Wen’s placement in the Linghui Courtyard had suddenly turned into an entirely different script.

What followed wasn’t the anger of being toyed with, but rather a speechless sense of shame.

They had failed to notice the problems early on, forcing Professor Fu to take a roundabout approach. He had arranged for Wen Li to brave the danger alone, triggering the hidden risks ahead of time to eliminate them.

For the proud and arrogant members of the Linghui Courtyard, such a situation was probably harder to swallow than an insult to their faces.

Treating Wen Li like a precious treasure and sparing no expense to slightly make up for their oversight was hardly a surprising move.

”It’s not a bad thing, and it can’t even be considered a waste. The Night Watchers might actually be interested in these tests of theirs,” Fu Qian said.

While empathizing with Old Man Weilong and the rest, Fu Qian gestured for Wen Li not to feel bad about the expended resources.

...

”Is the title of Sufferer particularly special to the Night Watchers?”

Professor Fu’s words clearly carried a deeper meaning. As a prime representative of those who listened to advice, Wen Li was highly sensitive regarding her personal safety and immediately caught on.

”It’s possible, especially recently.”

Fu Qian confirmed her suspicion.

Previously, based on her ability type, he had guessed the potential connection between her Divine Path and certain higher entities—such as the Mourning God or Excellency Stomach, who of course now had to be called Father’s Amnion.

And it seemed that recently, his recommendation to the Night Watchers had finally yielded results.

Not only had the latter warmly received Excellency Father’s Amnion, but they had also teamed up with Fu Qian himself to uproot the entity’s stronghold in the sea of mind.

While his recommendation letter might have played a role, it was obvious that Father’s Amnion didn’t exactly have a stellar reputation over there either.

Now that the issue had been smoothly resolved, the danger level of Wen Li—who otherwise stood out due to her rapid advancement—should technically have dropped in the eyes of the Night Watchers.

Even so, the probability of her facing an audit was still quite high.

Since the Linghui Courtyard members were professionals in this field, the tireless test reports they generated might seem like a waste, but they could serve as perfect reference material for the Night Watchers.

Calculating it like that, didn’t this count as Eldest Miss Wen achieving self-salvation by saving others?

After all, considering the situation at the time, she had indeed taken a real risk.

”I understand. Then, if they ask about the cause and effect of the situation, what should I say?”

Wen Li took a deep breath, not forgetting to coordinate their stories in advance.

”Just tell the truth. They shouldn’t give you a hard time.”

Professor Fu naturally didn’t shirk a leader’s most basic duty to shoulder responsibility, directly indicating that there was no need for her to hide anything.

As for whether they would give him a hard time?

Fu Qian could only say he was very much looking forward to it.

”...Has Professor Fu eaten dinner yet?”

Seeing that they had quickly gone over both of their projects and Fu Qian was now unhurriedly sipping tea, Ji Liushuang helped refill his cup, remembering that it was already getting late.

Although brief, this group meeting had undoubtedly been highly beneficial, and the secrets they had heard were extraordinary.

Of course, there was also something less concrete but just as shocking: Professor Fu’s attitude toward the Night Watchers.

Compared to his previously somewhat eccentric demeanor, he now seemed almost completely unafraid to clash head-on with them.

”No. You can ask Jia Keke to arrange something; we’ll just eat a bit here.”

Professor Fu was clearly attached to his seat today. He was actually hosting their team-building dinner right in the Laboratory, completely unwilling to lift his rear from the chair.

...

Even a small shop hadn’t given up its drive to improve.

As Wen Li and Liushuang helped clear things away, the team-building event—which hadn’t even required a change of venue—came to a successful close.

Savoring the lingering taste of a particular fish dish, Fu Qian couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Indeed, not only was the team-building held on the spot, but it had also fully catered to the boss’s tastes. They had specifically bought fish from the Midnight Diner.

Included in the meal was even a complimentary new dish that the owner had just improved the recipe for, and it truly had a unique flavor.

It was only a small detail, but it still made him feel the vibrant side of the world.

In contrast, the old folks seemed a bit lazy.

For example, he himself couldn’t be bothered to move, and even now, Cass hadn’t run over to freeload off their meal.

It was hard to say if that was strictly a good or bad thing, but it seemed there would be no opportunity to exchange scientific research results today.

”Is Professor Fu heading out?”

The usually perceptive Classmate Liushuang seemed to realize something and carefully asked for confirmation.

”Why? I strongly advise you two not to entertain any thoughts of slacking off.”

Appearing to have ”seen through” her thoughts, Fu Qian shot her a glance and motioned to the seat beneath him.

”I can appear behind you two at any moment now.”

...

”We absolutely won’t.”

Professor Fu’s words were undeniably true; the two of them had just seen him materialize directly in that very seat.

Having their boss suddenly pop up behind them while they were happily slacking off in the Laboratory would indeed be a terrifying scenario.

Classmate Liushuang immediately expressed her earnest commitment, vowing to maintain a proper attitude.

”Me too.”

Beside her, Wen Li was also readily accepting good advice, smiling as she promised never to slack off.

”That’s more like it.”

Snorting softly with a look of mild satisfaction, Professor Fu finally left his seat. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back under the watchful eyes of the two young women.

Ever since Professor Lisa left, the Laboratory door hadn’t been fully closed.

A moment later, he walked over and casually pulled it wider. He gazed at the illusory door overlapping it, then took a step inside.

However, that step didn’t lead out into the Academy’s night. Before the eyes of Wen Li and Liushuang, Professor Fu’s figure vanished without a trace.