https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-102-Military-Merit-Rewards-Special-Beastmaster-Unit-/13009363/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-104-Wolfwood-Codex-Level-3-Mind-s-Eye-/13009365/
Chapter 103: The Codex's Experience, the Mystery of the Origami Figure!
Chapter 103: The Codex's Experience, the Mystery of the Origami Figure!
"Why is it that after spending several decades in the Heart of Wood, I feel like I haven't had as much excitement as you have in just one month?"
Gazing at the small origami figure in the distance and listening to Su Ping's words, which might have come from a secret realm, Su Anyong took a drag from his cigarette and blew out a smoke ring with a slight grimace. The smoke ring slowly floated upwards:
"You've perfected the ancestral breeding evolution method, and out of the blue, you've developed a new beast companion evolution method. On top of that, you've discovered a secret realm in our backyard, and you're asking me what else you've been up to this month?"
Su Ping opened his mouth to speak but refrained from mentioning Qin Xiaoxue. As a man of honor, he felt embarrassed to talk about his soft rice-eating situation.
So, he awkwardly changed the subject:
"What do you know about the secret realm, and what's your take on it?"
"Don't you already know everything? It's a beastmaster space left behind by ancient powerful beastmasters, some unintentionally, and some deliberately set up for inheritance."
Su Anyong replied calmly:
"Of course, the value of the secret realm is worth acknowledging. So, when the time comes, you can also choose to develop it alone or cooperate with other organizations!"
"Hmm?"
Su Ping gave his father a strange look:
"Why don't you stay and work with me?"
Su Anyong shook his head:
"I still have unfinished business in Beihan City, and your stepmother is waiting for me there. I came back this time to check on you and Old Sha, but it seems I've overestimated myself."
Indeed, he had overestimated himself. Su Anyong felt like the Heart of Wood had become even more prosperous without him, more so than ever before.
Could it be that he had been holding the Heart of Wood back?
Su Anyong wondered.
Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Su Anyong turned his gaze towards the small origami figure, narrowing his eyes slightly:
"Do you want to contract this little thing as your second beast companion?"
Su Ping nodded matter-of-factly.
"This origami figure is indeed a bit peculiar. According to what you said, it can freely enter the secret realm, probably because it has a direct connection with the realm. Additionally, it has undergone a mutation related to the gold element, but..."
"But what?"
Su Ping looked at Su Anyong.
His father's expression turned serious:
"The origami figures are considered a disgrace to the undead element, do you know why?"
Su Ping nodded: "Because they're weak, right?"
"Yes, they are weak, but you should know just how weak they are! Not only are they weak, but they also have only one race skill, that paper body folding, a useless skill that allows them to change their body, and nothing more. No other race skills are listed in the Divine Beast Codex. As a breeder, you should understand the implications of this."
Su Ping's eyebrows furrowed.
He understood the meaning behind Su Anyong's words.
Race skills represented the direction of development and evolution. As Liu, the vice president, had taught in his class, race skills were crucial in determining the evolution path and the potential routes of evolution.
Skill growth and breeding direction were closely tied to the choices made in evolution.
Having fewer base race skills meant that the research for evolution paths would be severely limited, making the task incredibly challenging.
However, his furrowed brows weren't solely due to this reason.
There was another, simpler reason.
In the Divine Beast Codex, the origami figures were listed with only one race skill: paper body folding.
He looked at Su Anyong with suspicion:
"Do all origami figures only have this one skill? Are there no others?"
"Of course, there are others. Like your mutated figure with its absurd Golden Blade Technique, and skills bred through training. But the Lynx Wolves have four race skills, while the origami figures only have one."
Indeed, Su Ping had been too busy to pay much attention to the small origami figure and its paper body. He had only been focusing on its sword techniques and the combination of rapid spellcasting with the Golden Blade Technique.
As a result, his understanding of origami figures was still quite basic.
Could the Divine Beast Codex be wrong? Could the origami figures truly lack the so-called paper body splicing skill?
After all, his father had said so!
But that was impossible!
This thought was quickly squashed by Su Ping before it could even take root.
Nonetheless, at this moment, Su Ping felt a surge of curiosity towards the origami figures, a weak yet unique undead race beast companion.
Su Anyong didn’t notice the change in Su Ping’s expression and continued:
“So, if you want to contract this thing, it’s best to take a look at the situation inside the secret realm. As I understand it, the evolution path of the origami figure is rather ordinary. Even after evolving, the racial ceiling doesn’t exceed the Elite Sixth Rank.”
Su Anyong didn’t directly advise Su Ping to give up on contracting the paper figure. In his view, even if it were to mutate, the paper figure couldn’t compare to a Forest Wolf. As for the secret realm, it was indeed precious, but no matter how valuable the things inside were, they couldn’t outweigh the importance of a contracted beast for his son.
However, he knew his son’s character all too well—strong-willed and with his own ideas. All he could do was present the facts and provide arguments based on his experience and knowledge.
But Su Ping didn’t pay attention at all. Instead, his interest grew even more intense, and he decided that when he had the time, he would buy a batch of origami figures to study them thoroughly.
Seeing Su Ping remain silent, Su Anyong didn’t say anything more. Instead, he looked at the small paper figure standing in the corner of the garden, continuously practicing its sword techniques. With a grin, he said:
“But I have to admit, this little thing is quite interesting. It’s a shame that time is short; otherwise, I would really want to stay and see what kind of secret realm could produce such a thing. Alright, get some rest early. Tomorrow, that guy from the Beastmaster Corps will bring the people over. I’ve already boasted about you to them, so don’t embarrass me!”
Su Ping shot Su Anyong a look.
He already knew about Zhang Lie’s arrival and had no objections to his father negotiating with the other party. Although the old man was unreliable, Su Ping still trusted his ability to be a tough negotiator.
Su Ping wasn’t in a hurry. He continued to train the other Forest Wolves for a while and then did some mathematical permutations and combinations with Old Sha before returning to his room.
The night passed slowly.
In the early morning, the oppressive heat of the autumn tiger spread recklessly after the dawn broke.
Su Anyong was right. The next morning, several figures stood straight in the Wooden Heart Breeding Base. Besides Zhang Lie, there were ten more!
Each one of them stood tall and straight, exuding a firm and resolute aura, but their eyes and expressions betrayed an uncontainable curiosity as they looked at the place where they were to execute this special and secret mission.
These ten individuals were the elite chosen from Zhang Lie’s Wolf Battalion. Some were veterans, while others were already company or battalion-level officers.
However, this competition was part of a major reform in the Linye Ground Force, where temporary tactical teams were formed for the competition. There was no need to distinguish by rank or position.
Just being elite and proficient was enough.
Su Ping was startled when he opened the door and saw this lineup.
“Greetings, Breeder Su!”
The hearty greeting broke the morning silence and completely dispelled any remaining drowsiness in Su Ping.
He looked speechlessly at Zhang Lie, who was smiling.
“So early?”
“Breeder Su, there’s no help for it. Your father should have told you; this competition is crucial for the Legion. Time is of the essence, so we have to trouble you, Breeder Su. Don’t worry, if you have any resource requirements, just let us know. Additionally, the Battle Credit earned from each successful breeding will be paid to you!”
Zhang Lie brought more people than the required five, but it was reasonable.
Firstly, there’s a chance of failure in breeding and evolving. What if several fail and we can’t get to five?
Secondly, bringing more people gives Su Ping more options to choose from, right?
Su Ping yawned:
“No need to rush, we have plenty of time!”
Indeed, there was plenty of time. If not for Zhang Lie’s early arrival, Su Ping might not have gotten up to meet them, as he had more important matters to attend to that morning.
But now, he could only force himself to be alert and look at the ten Beastmaster soldiers from the Legion.
“Everyone, summon your Forest Wolves!”
Although Old Sha had just evolved and eagerly presented himself, giving Su Ping the opportunity to further his research on the Thousand Trees Wolf, his father had also mentioned that if he could help the Wolf Battalion achieve good results, he would receive a substantial reward.
Honorary ranks and military merits were indeed quite enticing to Su Ping.
Therefore, this matter couldn't be taken lightly.
Among all the criteria, the most crucial one was the Sunlight Absorption skill level of these Forest Wolves that were about to be bred. This was the most important standard of measurement.
In the evolution of the Thousand Trees Wolf, the Sunlight Absorption skill level represented the potential of the evolved Thousand Trees Wolf.
To achieve results, at the very least, those with only a Proficient rank in Sunlight Absorption should be excluded.
With a single command from Su Ping, dazzling rays of light illuminated the area, and Su Anyong followed behind Su Ping, remaining silent as he watched his son's selection.
In Su Ping's mind, this should have been a simple step—using the True Eye to assess the quality of these Forest Wolves.
However, Su Ping quickly realized his mistake.
He had initially thought that with ten people, there would naturally be ten Forest Wolves.
But he discovered that he still didn't fully understand the Beastmaster Legion.
These elite beastmasters from the Wolf Battalion each had two Forest Wolves, and some even summoned a third one, clearly indicating that they were Overlord-ranked beastmasters.
Su Ping's eyes widened in surprise as he used the True Eye to examine all the twenty-plus Forest Wolves.
Indeed, as Zhang Lie had said, the Forest Wolves he brought were indeed the elites of the Wolf Battalion.
Among these twenty-plus Forest Wolves, almost every one of them had reached the peak, and two of them had even broken through the racial limit, just like Old Sha, reaching the Commander First Rank.
It was evident that they had consumed exceptional resources to achieve this breakthrough.
Out of the ten selected Forest Wolves, eight had Sunlight Absorption at the Master rank, one had reached the Perfect rank, the same as Old Sha, and the last one had only the Proficient rank.
Just as Zhang Lie had said, for the elite team's battle, only five were needed, and the remaining five were there as backups.
Su Ping also wanted to see the differences in potential between the evolved Thousand Trees Wolves with Sunlight Absorption at the Proficient, Master, and Perfect ranks.
This would further enhance his understanding of the evolved form of the Thousand Trees Wolf.
"Alright, leave these Forest Wolves here. You all can go back to your duties, and come check on them from time to time! Commander Zhang, I'll send you the resources I need later. Let's start the breeding in two days."
Su Ping waved his hand, indicating that the selected Forest Wolves could stay, and with Old Sha and his father present, there was no need to worry about any mishaps.
The matter with the Legion was an unexpected detour, and although it would likely be his main task for the upcoming period, Su Ping wouldn't neglect his primary responsibilities.
Old Sha's success had already proven the completeness and correctness of the Thousand Trees Wolf breeding.
He didn't need to obsess over it like before.
After speaking, Su Ping quickly returned to his room and lay down again.
Seeing Zhang Lie's bewildered expression, Su Anyong said, "Commander Zhang, don't take it to heart. This kid has a bad case of morning grumpiness. Alright, leave the Forest Wolves here, and send the resources I need in two days. Also, would you like to stay for breakfast?"
"Sure, sure, then I'll trouble you, Su Breeder! No need for breakfast."
Zhang Lie and his team left immediately.
Before leaving, they all glanced back at Old Sha, who was standing not far away, with a hint of reluctance in their eyes.
Was this the evolved form bred by Su Breeder?
This Forest Wolf was like a Qilin! It truly stirred the heart and soul.
Could their Forest Wolves also transform into such a magnificent form?
It was something to look forward to.
If his sweet dreams were interrupted, Su Ping would also have his share of morning grumpiness. However, his urgency to return wasn't due to this.
The reason was simple. Earlier that morning, the Divine Beast Codex had already given its response:
[After spending an intimate day with two Forest Wolves, your Wolfwood Codex experience +80 points.]
[Wolfwood Codex experience: (2015/2000). Experience is sufficient for the codex. Do you wish to upgrade?]
Finally, the experience for the Wolfwood Codex upgrade was enough!
The promise of over 20,000 words was barely fulfilled, and tonight, I'll see if I can squeeze out another chapter.
(End of Chapter)
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