Chapter 327: Chapter 323: New Progress in Rune Evolution

Looking at Alpha still holding the gesture of a sword, but his hand was empty, Bai Qi curiously approached him, but Alpha took the initiative to back away.

Clink Clink.

(Boss, be careful, I’m not yet able to control the range of the Pursuing Wind Barrier.)

“Pursuing Wind Barrier?”

Bai Qi glanced at the Pursuing Wind Blade slowly appearing in Alpha’s hand, and a flood of information rushed into Bai Qi’s mind.

“I see, so even though it hasn’t formed a force field, it can still exert some of the effects of a force field?”

The Pursuing Wind Barrier, a semi-developed force field, was an attached ability of the Pursuing Wind Blade. It could form a barrier around the blade, which not only wouldn’t affect the Blade’s attack but could also conceal the blade, therefore increasing attack range.

In simple words, it was equivalent to transforming the Sword Storm and Wind Wound into passive attributes of the Pursuing Wind Blade.

“Very good, even though you didn’t acquire a second force field, it might have an unexpected effect.”

Bai Qi nodded in satisfaction as he watched Alpha put the Pursuing Wind Blade behind him.

Maybe influenced by Bai Qi, Alpha stretched out two more palms from behind, each holding the Sword of Death and the Pursuing Wind Blade.

Together with the original Gravity Sword and the Undying Sword, from a distance, Alpha looked like a four-winged huge sword-wielding Angel.

“Fifth Stage Monarch, finally you have some ability to defend yourself.”

Bai Qi patted Alpha’s back. The once fragile Little Skeleton had now become so powerful. Thinking back, it was really hard to imagine.

Clink Clink.

Alpha seemed to sense Bai Qi’s emotions, and its skull lowered slightly, actively expressing admiration.

Howl… Howl…

(Why do I feel, the stinky bone has left me behind again…)

Feeling Alpha’s aura become stronger again, Beta was somewhat upset, and its deep blue eyes unconsciously drifted towards Gamma and other beasts.

How about I suppress the weak instead?

However, just as this thought came to Beta, a pair of deep eyes locked on him.

Howl～

(I was joking～)

Beta timidly avoided Jerry’s gaze. Although Jerry is one of his split personalities, every time Beta saw Jerry’s eyes that seemed to penetrate his heart, Beta instinctively felt guilty.

…

Nile City Association.

Luo Xiang, looking at the mechanical beings in the sky carrying repair materials, couldn’t help but give Bai Qi a thumbs up.

“Congratulations, you’ve achieved what no Beast Soul Warrior has ever achieved. You’ve even taken it right inside the Association’s building.”

Bai Qi was speechless and said, “Instructor Luo, can you stop fooling me?”

“Alright, I’ll discuss serious matters with you.”

Luo Xiang shrugged his shoulders and said, “This operation will be added to the evaluation score of the third stage of the intensive training. But when making a public announcement, we will mention only the exploration of the Mythical Secret Realm. The mouse hunt operation won’t be mentioned.”

“Remember not to spill the beans, including the things you saw in the deep secret realm.”

Bai Qi nodded. Although he was somewhat puzzled by the Federation’s sudden significant expenditure to clear fifth stage warriors hidden inside the Federation, he was not a bigmouth himself. He just needed to do his own thing.

“Things here are somewhat settled. You can come back with me to Gusu City later. If I don’t get you back, President Qin and others might start nagging me.”

Regardless of Bai Qi’s talent in Beast Control, just the few studies of Bai Qi alone had already involved many interests of different forces. Not to mention agonizing over it, even mentioning it a few times everyday could be considered restrained.

“Alright.”

Bai Qi nodded. The exploration of the Mythical Secret Realm had brought significant gains to his pets, and they needed some time to digest them properly. He himself needed a quiet environment to do some research.

The technology of merging machine and flesh that he had been researching for a long time had finally shown some results due to the No. 5 Compound. He naturally had to seize the opportunity and finalize the research.

…

Gusu City.

Seeing Bai Qi safely descend from the North Eagle, President Qin’s eyebrows gradually relaxed, but he quickly switched to a furious demeanor and said, “Kid, you finally thought of coming back. You sent a message a week ago and you’re only coming back now?”

“Didn’t I just pass by the Jiuli Group and stayed a little longer?”

Bai Qi sheepishly shrank back, originally he thought of coming back straightaway. But because he was traveling with You Kui, Bai Qi took the opportunity to visit the Jiuding Group and asked his parents some questions.

But as it turned out, as soon as he asked, his mother figured things out and exposed the researcher behind the scenes, Delta.

Then, for the next few days, Bai Qi was made to serve as a translation officer, responsible for facilitating communication between Delta and his parents. If it wasn’t for Instructor Luo who couldn’t stand it anymore and came asking for him, he would probably still be at Jiuli Group.

However, it wasn’t entirely without gains either.

“Forget it, it’s fine since you’re back.”

President Qin sighed and said, “That’s timely, the Undead Department has sent over the courses you’ve missed. When you have time, make sure to make them up.”

Having said that, President Qin handed Bai Qi his course schedule. Upon seeing the number of missed classes, Bai Qi’s face went stiff. After double-checking his schedule, his expression contorted.

He had only been away for a short time, and yet he accrued over thirty missed lectures, all of them important ones. It felt as if they were trying to run him ragged.

“Oh yes, the Rune Evolution Group contacted me. They’ve found a way to evolutionize runes on organic creatures and would like you to take a look.”

“And the Rune Mechanical Armament Group is having some design issues. They’re interested in your thoughts.”

“And then… hey, where are you going, Bai Qi?”

“I just remembered I forgot something at Jiuli Group. I’ll be right back.”

“Do you really think you can escape… ”

“…”

Seeing Bai Qi’s desperate countenance, Luo Xiang sympathetically patted him on the shoulder and comforted, “With great power comes great responsibility, youngster. Brace yourself. There will be more of these situations in the future.”

“Instructor Luo, please, no more comforting. I’m afraid I might lose hope one day.”

Bai Qi slapped his face to brace himself, then turned to President Qin, “President, could you contact the Undead Department and ask them to fill my schedule with classes for the next few days? I’ll head straight to the Rune Evolution Group.”

“Giving it all you’ve got?”

“Giving it all I’ve got.”

“Alright.”

Seeing Bai Qi’s dramatic resolve, President Qin’s lips curled upward in amusement. He had no intention of stopping him.

…

The Rune Evolution Research Group.

Bai Qi smoothly entered the research institute of the group and after taking a glance at the researchers hard at work, he went straight to Professor Dong’s office.

“Bai Qi, you’re back?”

Having just completed a rune, Professor Dong put down his pen and looked at the travel-weary Bai Qi, smiling slightly.

“Yes, I just returned today.”

Bai Qi nodded, his gaze sweeping over the basic rune in front of Professor Dong, “Professor Dong, why are you interested in practicing basic runes?”

As a general rule, the primary focus of rune masters was ancient runes. Practicing basic runes was something only rookies engaged in.

“Not practice. Recently, dealing with all of you young people has given me some fresh insights, hence I’ve set about reorganizing our current rune system, planning to create a foundation in runes which should lower the difficulty for entering the field.”

“Rune Fundamentals?”

Bai Qi looked at the draft that Professor Dong handed him. All the records on it were the basic runes from every system, annotated in detail. It was similar to teaching children how to read.

“Professor Dong, are you planning to introduce runes to children?”

Bai Qi put down the rough draft, looking at Professor Dong with some surprise.

“Indeed. Currently, the demand for runes far exceeds the past and their applicability is increasing. Relying solely on four years of university is too long, so I’m considering whether training can start earlier.”

Professor Dong nodded and continued, “While it’s not feasible to implement this across the Federation, but starting from a young age to establish their foundation, the effect will certainly be profound.”

“That’s for sure. When that happens, the entire Federation will thank you, Professor Dong.”

Admiration appeared on Bai Qi’s face. To select the fundamental runes from so many systems and annotate them, the workload was much greater than for Professor Dong’s Rune Dictionary. It also demanded a high level of professional competence from himself.

Thus, almost no one wanted to waste time on something seemingly pointless. After all, the same amount of time could be used to explore a few new runes and undoubtedly reap greater rewards.

However, if Professor Dong achieved this, perhaps in twenty years, or even ten, a large number of rune talents would emerge in the Federation.

“Don’t make it out to be grander than it is. I’m just doing something I should’ve done a long time ago.”

Professor Dong smiled faintly and said, “Moreover, if not for you, runes may still be a niche profession.”

“Cough cough… now that you put it this way, I feel guilty, Professor Dong.”

Bai Qi shrank back, looking slightly awkward. Professor Dong didn’t seem to mind and asked:

“So, your hurry to be here, is it regarding the rune evolution on flesh and blood creatures?”

Bai Qi nodded, “President Qin mentioned it earlier, and I immediately rushed over. I should occasionally take part in the research group’s activities.”

“Actually, it’s still just a preliminary idea. While we’ve conducted some experiments, only one has succeeded. But your arrival might turn things around.”

As he said this, Professor Dong suddenly laughed. “Interestingly, this idea came from Rune Mechanical Armament, so it’s also thanks to you.”

“Rune Mechanical Armament?”

At that, Bai Qi paused, following Professor Dong to the experimental area, curious. Upon seeing the giant machinery festooned with countless mechanical arms, inscribing runes on an Arctic Ice Wolf, Bai Qi’s eyes twitched slightly.

Has the age of tattoos finally arrived?