Back at our research laboratory near the Lu Clan, Lu Nian and I documented the test results in writing. Once done with the boring but necessary work, we went our separate ways.
A lot happened in these three months. As planned, I leveled up my magic theory knowledge to top scholars in this country. Of course, just knowledge—whether I can use it as creatively as the real masters is questionable.
For example, even with Parthenon's full manuals on healing element development up to Curse level, I haven't mastered many pro tricks. My max is still treating combat wounds, thanks to ample practice. Super subtle stuff like curing tricky curse aftereffects, soul-body bond weakening, etc., is beyond me for now.
But even what I gained in three months advanced my soul-transfer-between-worlds work hugely. No full transfer yet, but I'm close. Maybe when done, I can even haul live people between worlds. Got ideas.
As I walked the lab corridors, Pikachu ran up, rubbed my leg, jumped on my shoulder, and settled with a smug mug, crunching a lightning element crystal in his paw. Despite regular parallel-world walks and feeding him and Bula top mage cultivation—letting them smoothly break to Senior Chief Commander—he wasn't satisfied. Glutton that he was, he munched anything tasty, power boost or not. He just liked the flavor.
A month ago, it was time to hit the Three-Step Tower again and level up. My only meetup with the girls and Ling Ling that whole time. By their tales and looks, all good. Touring the country, doing missions more relaxed than when I pushed them, sightseeing. Resting body and soul, while building strength and combat experience. Good girls.
Ling Ling adapted great to field Hunter life over consultant. She visibly loved it, true happiness. Hunters League got an ideological workaholic. Or novelty will fade, she'll adjust, less thrilled.
I broke through in spirit and ice elements. Spirit: peak Mid too weak to influence foes reliably, even with sixth spiritual boundary. Ice: boost public combat power—and not just public. Extra step never hurts. My gut says I squashed too many butterflies in Hangzhou for calm. Magic Court's major reshuffles alone prove it.
TuTu broke through in plants to amp Hunter mission power. Summoning next, near Fire Hetera hunt—unlocks second contract space. New light element she's cultivating solo slowly. When she hits natural cap despite my resource mountain, I'll transplant cultivation.
Jiao Jiao broke through in wind for mobility. During hunts, she fed her Totem earrings souls and fully mastered their double-speed boost. Now at second High step with third pseudo-step from transplanted talent, catching her is insanely hard. Not every peak avian Chief Commander could, says a lot.
Oshiete oshiete yo! My phone rang unexpectedly as I reached the training ground, wanting to wall-jump without damaging walls. Great strength control workout!
Checking the caller, I grinned wide. It begins! Answered quick, calming my voice to not sound nervous.
"Hello, Tang Yue, listening. Something urgent? I'm kinda busy."
"Mu Bai, you owe me." Not a question—iron statement.
"Well, sure. For that joke last meet, I agree to atone some guilt. Who knew you'd be so trusting?" I sighed in fake regret and humility.
"..." Frequent breaths and thuds of something blunt on wood from her end. Crackling followed—table or furniture gave out.
"I need your help as Totem Keeper. Can you come to Hangzhou in three days? I'll wait in a private room at Huashen restaurant. Just say my name at reception—they'll show you." Tang Yue continued casually.
"Sure, no problem. Long wanted to see the famous Poisonous Snake. Hope you didn't badmouth me? Wouldn't want a hostile peak Warlord waiting."
"..." Silence answered.
"Tang Yue?" Vague suspicions crept—big catch in her invite.
"You owe me, so come—no refusal, or I arrest your pocket scientist. Don't forget, I signed his innocence and Magic Court cooperation docs." After her threat, Tang Yue hung up.
Listening to the dial tone, cold sweat hit me for a sec. This girl isn't planning to feed me to a giant snake over a few jokes? Suddenly, zero desire for this trip...
Tang Yue's POV.
Hanging up, Tang Yue smiled happily. Finally, she'd gotten—or scared—that cheeky brat! He'll learn not to mislead the Magic Court's Internal Conflict Prevention Deputy! Thinking of his last deception soured her face.
How'd she fall for such a childish trick! She'd already mentally tallied gains from catching the red cardinal... Who cockblocks a girl like that?! She'd envisioned herself heading the Magic Court after Supreme breakthrough—and bam, setup!
Fortunately, uncle considered everything written in the report submitted by Mu Bai a beautiful story to conceal the true source of information inside the Black Church and, deeming it a necessary measure, signed it and placed it in his vault under the stamp of maximum secrecy, so that no one would ever get to it. And glory to the Totem Serpent that she didn't manage to tell anyone about it, and her reputation only grew!
Well, nothing, when this scoundrel arrives, she'll introduce him to her family's patron! Even despite the fact that he's currently undergoing the molting process, which weakens him many times over, he can still manifest the power of a peak Commander-in-Chief for a short time! It'll be pleasant for her to watch this little devil try to survive under his attacks. Of course, she'll stop the serpent before it kills Mu Bai. But definitely not too early...
Smirking slyly again in anticipation of the long-awaited revenge, Tang Yue brushed the splinters from her forehead and went to call the cleaner to carry out the table broken in two and bring a new one from the storage room.