Chapter 276: Chapter 272: Even the Pampered Beasts Are So Cunning?

Undead Department.

A minor battlefield in the lecture hall.

Studiously, Li Xin regarded the Steel Skull in front of him, clad in a full suit of armor—it was all yet too much for him to accept.

Just moments ago, he had been soundly beaten by a mere Skeleton soldier that had temporarily evolved by having only some small mechanical armor installed. Even though it wasn’t a main pet, it had still inflicted considerable damage on him.

If a few simple modifications could surpass the pets they’d put so much effort into cultivating, then what was the point of all their hard work?

“Cough, cough…”

Seeing the atmosphere had charged up, Bai Qi lightly coughed twice, drawing everyone’s attention to himself.

“I think everyone here must undoubtedly be wondering the same thing—I know because once I thought that way myself,”

Bai Qi paused for a moment, and then summoned Alpha. The pet’s impressive appearance, combined with its kingly, powerful presence, immediately caught everyone’s eye in the room.

“Those who know me well must be aware that my main pet, ‘Alpha’, also advanced from a servant-level pet. Now, can you see any mechanical constructs on Alpha’s body?”

The crowd shook their heads. Although they could feel the presence of different elements on Alpha, the most prominent was the dense power of the Shadow Department. Not even a hint of anything mechanical was to be seen.

“But, in the early days of my Beast Master journey, it was through appropriate mechanical modifications that Alpha managed to stand out among a sea of pets and got to where it is now,”

“This is something that the Beast Masters of Gusu City should have heard of.”

At Bai Qi’s words, many students from Gusu City were vigorously nodding their heads in agreement.

Quite a few of them had seen Alpha’s battles within the Beast Masters’ Association. It indeed had mechanical modifications, but later as Alpha became stronger, these became fewer and fewer.

“Of course, I am not advocating that everybody should go out and learn about the Mechanical Engineering department. I am simply offering a perspective; be it runes, mechanics, or something else, they are all merely supplementary, and can only serve as auxiliary means to help everyone through the early stages more smoothly.”

At this point, Bai Qi paused, then continued: “My master, the Undead Department’s Titled Legendary ‘Celestial Brilliance’, once said to me that death and darkness are the main themes of the undead, but a few appropriate embellishments can indeed have quite a significant enhancing effect.”

At Bai Qi’s words, whether it was Li Xin on the stage or the others below, all were completely convinced by him, and it sparked off some different thoughts in their minds.

Perhaps they could also try pulling some stunts?

“Phew- Finally managed to bluff my way through. Now the problem is whether I’ll be caught and killed later.”

Bai Qi quietly wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. Indeed, the first part of his last sentence was Celestial Brilliance’s original words, but the last part was something he’d completely added on his own.

But he had even brought up the ‘Anduru Beast’, so one phrase or half-phrases more wouldn’t matter. Moreover, in the end, he had also forcefully brought things full circle.

“Sir Bai, thank you for your instruction. I was too arrogant before.”

After a moment’s silence, Li Xin suddenly stood up and deeply bowed to Bai Qi. Gone were any doubts from before; they were replaced with limitless admiration.

No wonder Bai Chuanqi had exceptionally taken him as a disciple. Indeed, Bai Qi had the qualifications and capability. Comparatively, he who had always prided himself as a genius, felt no different from a firefly.

“Your persistence wasn’t wrong either. Indeed, the power of Shadow is the core strength of the Undead creatures. You just need to be a bit more flexible.”

“I understand!”

Li Xin responded loudly, then returned to his seat, thoroughly convinced. Bai Qi, under the gaze of everyone, hastily left.

He had completed his task, and to stay here longer would be nothing more than inviting trouble.

“It seems that you’re quite suited to this new identity. However, your remarks just now are likely to invite criticism from some of the old-timers.”

Just as Bai Qi was about to take a stroll to the Mechanical Martial Department, Master Duan suddenly appeared behind him like a shadow.

“Master Duan, you’re here too?”

Seeing Duanmeng unexpectedly show up, Bai Qi’s heart missed a beat, commenting, “And the master? Hopefully he’s not here, right?”

Duanmeng nodded, “Of course, he’s here.”

Oh no, I’m done.

Bai Qi felt a sudden darkening before his eyes. If Bai Heguang wasn’t here, he could still figure out a way to bluff his way through later. But now, he was thinking, he was probably done for.

“However, Bai Chuanqi left halfway due to some urgent matter.”

At Duanmeng’s words, Bai Qi immediately regained his spirits and gave Duanmeng a look of exasperation.

Boss, could you please not pause so much when you speak next time? It almost scared me to death!

Seeing Bai Qi like this, even Duanmeng, who always had a straight face, couldn’t help but crack a smile, commenting, “What you said wasn’t entirely unreasonable. If the Undead Department wants to shake off the infamous title of the ‘Undead Catastrophe’, integrating other systems is indeed a good method.”

Saying this, a dangerous glint flashed across Duanmeng’s eyes, continuing, “But, Bai Qi, do you have some resentment towards the Soul Race? This Second Stage Evolution doesn’t incorporate any elements from the Soul Race, does it?””

Er, Boss, weren’ t you also a member of the specialized group? Why are you throwing the blame onto me?

“Ah, I’ll continue to work hard.”

Bai Qi scratched his head and agreed reluctantly.

The discovery of Rune Tier 2 evolution was only an accidental gain from his research on the general terracotta. With the Soul Race and Skeletal Type differing so much in form, it was justifiable for it to undergo the second stage evolution, but it really was a bit too much to ask of him.

Let’s just see if I’ll have time for it at a later date.

Thinking of the pile of unresolved topics he had on hand, Bai Qi felt a chill run up his spine. Silently, he put the Second Stage Evolution of the Soul Race at the very bottom of his list.

Having gotten rid of Duanmeng, Bai Qi no longer felt like hanging out at the Mechanical Engineering Department, so he went straight home.

After messing around all night, the instruments his parents had helped him buy should be almost assembled, perfect time to familiarize himself with them. Secret Realm Base.

As soon as Bai Qi entered the Secret Realm, he noticed a brand new building next to the original Secret Realm Base.

“This commotion, it’s big…”

Looking at Husky, who was directing the Six Sword Servants to perform the final overhaul, Bai Qi smacked his lips, walked over, and asked, “Is this building used to store all the instruments?”

Schuck nodded and said, “Yes, these instruments are very comprehensive and serve different purposes. To avoid confusion, I made some divisions.”

Hearing this, Bai Qi understood. Since Schuck had merged with the mechanical engineering seed, his computing power was increasing daily. He could undoubtedly master this complex task.

“By the way, what’s with the lesson plan! Why does it contain Buddhist scripture?”

Schuck didn’t answer, but he glanced at Beta, who looked guilty. The meaning was clear.

Awoo awoo!

(Humans, you wouldn’t understand, the Undead Department is full of yin energy, which is harmful to your health. Learning some Buddhist scripture is good for warding off evil!)

Bang!

Hearing this, Bai Qi couldn’t help but have a vein pop up on his forehead. He punched Beta on the head, saying, “Warding off evil? Be careful, or I’ll cook you in a hot pot one day!”

Awoo!

(Human, I’m so cute. How can you bear to eat me!)

Looking at Beta’s goofiness, Bai Qi couldn’t be bothered to banter further. He turned to Schuck and asked, “Have all the biology knowledge been input? I want to check it out.”

Although the instruments were in place, Bai Qi’s knowledge in biology was practically zero. He needed to take some time to learn it.

“They’ve been put into the brain. Delta is looking at them now. You can go find him,” Schuckreplied.

“Delta?”

Upon hearing this, Bai Qi was somewhat surprised.

“Yes, Delta said that he has evolved into so many forms that he needs to learn some biology to fully utilize these forms’ abilities. He started studying last night.”

Schuck nodded, “Beast Master, is there anything else? If not, I will go first. I have a few more issues to resolve.”

“Oh, alright, go ahead.”

Bai Qi nodded somewhat blankly, mechanically heading towards the Biology Building. On the way, he spotted Alpha leading the Six Sword Servants in rune carving practice.

Seeing the serious faces of Alpha and the Six Sword Servants, Bai Qi decided to check on Gamma’s status through the contract, somewhat speechless.

Thankfully, at least one of them was behaving normally.

Bai Qi nodded at Gamma, who was enjoying his meal as usual. He was about to withdraw when he noticed that Gamma’s food was different than before.

“Since when did Gamma start plating his food?”

Bai Qi took out his phone and turned on the surveillance camera at Gamma’s location. He was shocked to find a thick cookbook next to Gamma, next to which was a full set of kitchen utensils.

“I’m certain Nicholas influenced him…”

Remembering how Gamma spent a lot of time with Nicholas every time he went to the Green Dragon Secret Realm, Bai Qi put two and two together quickly.

So, he went to learn to be a chef.

“All of them…are indeed like their Beast Master, as excellent as me…”

Bai Qi wore a gratified expression and stopped paying attention to his four pets’ behaviors. He stepped into the Biology Building quickly.

Just as Schuck said, Delta was diligently studying the biology knowledge that Bai Yan had prepared, oblivious to Bai Qi’s arrival.

“Delta, how’s the studying going?”

Blub blub blub.

(Master, you’re here. Delta’s a bit slow in learning, but Delta will try hard.)

Bai Qi nodded, sat down next to Delta, and began studying.

To make Bai Qi’s studies easier, Bai Yan included accompanying holographic teaching. It was almost identical to a live lecture, there was just one problem once he understood the contents. Bai Qi was stumped.

“Biological genes are extremely numerous, but each individual organism adjusts their genetic combinations according to external circumstances. What we can do, is to intervene with these genes…”

The basics of biology start with genes these days?

And gene interference, is that really for a beginner to learn?

Bai Qi went to the brain and opened it to look. To his surprise, Delta was studying advanced genetics.

Are even pets this academically driven these days?