Eldritch Horror Theatre

A good scientific research environment could indeed increase output to a certain extent and spark inspiration.

This was an accepted ”fact” among the many academic workers of the Academy.

But wasn’t he taking it a bit too far? He could at least put on a show!

Not to mention, judging by his behavior, he probably wouldn’t even spend a few days a year in this place...

It was said that top-tier swordsmen didn’t even need to draw their blades; they could seize the initiative simply by projecting intense emotion through their gazes, even suffocating their opponents.

Meeting Chang Mo’s silent stare, Fu Qian momentarily experienced this legendary skill.

The Sword Comprehension Institute truly was full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons!

Facing her endless, relentless killing moves forged by turning her gaze into a blade, even someone as formidable as Dayun Mingwang could not help but marvel inwardly.

Of course, he was still a long way from actually suffocating.

A heart dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge could brace anyone against any amount of reproach and questioning.”That’s all I can think of for now. Based on Professor Chang’s experience, is there anything else to add?”

Rubbing his temples, Fu Qian put on the look of someone whose energy had been utterly drained by scientific research, to the point his memory was slipping. He asked his colleague to help review his work.

”Nothing else... I will have someone prepare it as quickly as possible.”

Taking a deep breath—it was evident that her ocular arts had consumed quite a bit of energy—Professor Chang couldn’t think of anything more to add for the moment.

”I’ll leave this item here. If you have any new demands or need assistance with anything, please seek me out at any time.”

Without even asking Fu Qian when he would have results, Chang Mo finished her sentence in a single breath with an emotionless tone and stood up to take her leave.

As for the Night Watcher brother beside her, although his expression was a bit strange, he had no objections to the transfer of this project personally endorsed by Li Weixuan.

”Liushuang, are you coming back with me, or do you want to stay here for now?”

Chang Mo had already turned to look at Ji Liushuang next to her, casually asking.

The latter similarly displayed the potential of a top swordsman. From just now until this moment, her posture had been meticulous and her expression perfectly normal, even as she responded to the question.

”I think I’ll stay here a bit longer to go over the details with Professor Fu.”

Nodding slightly, Classmate Liushuang expressed her determination not to slack off.

”Once I finish up here, I will hurry back as soon as possible.”

”Alright, then we’ll be leaving first.”

Seemingly unsurprised by this response, Chang Mo exhaled the breath she had just taken in, her retreating figure looking somewhat dejected.

...

”Professor Fu, is there anything else you need me to do?”

After watching her mentor and the Night Watcher leave, Ji Liushuang didn’t actually hold the long Checklist to confirm anything; instead, she looked directly at Fu Qian and asked.

The latter was currently holding the sphere formed of intertwined finger bones, examining it closely.

”Listening to Professor Chang, it seems the effects of this item are actually positive.”

Ji Liushuang naturally followed his gaze to examine it and offered her commentary.

Admittedly, it was indeed somewhat miraculous.

Even though its shape resembled fused bones, neither its flawlessly pure white luster nor its intertwined curves evoked any sense of evil to the eye.

Instead, there was even a faint hint of holiness to it.

”Yeah. From the sound of it, the Night Watchers’ actions have cost a lot of little kids their chance to turn over a new leaf.”

When he finally replied, Fu Qian was already toying with the Finger Orb, making it spin rapidly in his palm.

”...It can’t be helped. The Night Watchers don’t absolutely forbid ordinary people from possessing transcendent items, but if something with an unknown nature and origin is discovered, they will definitely contain it first.”

Ji Liushuang sighed softly, seemingly able to understand everyone’s choices in this incident.

”Even if the effects don’t appear to be negative, the unknown on a transcendent level is quite dangerous for transcendents, let alone ordinary people.”

”Well said.”

Fu Qian nodded slightly in agreement with his assistant’s perspective and picked up Chang Mo’s evaluation report next to him.

”So, are you interested in exploring the unknown?”

”...Now?”

Faced with this sudden proposal, Ji Liushuang was visibly a bit surprised.

She didn’t doubt Professor Fu’s dedication in the slightest, but they were actually going to take action right now?

Wasn’t that a little too dedicated?

Hmph, since this identity already has the highest farmed Merit Value, I might as well carry this concept through to the end.

Fu Qian, completely sensing her mood, mused to himself at that same moment.

Although he had a considerable degree of freedom in handling this matter, apart from fulfilling his promise to Dean Li, how could a true academic worker lack curiosity?

He was originally one of the parties involved in the incident anyway, and with such a special item appearing, what was wrong with not wanting to wait a moment longer?

”No reward without merit, right? Or are you just in a hurry to get back to the Academy?”

Fu Qian casually explained, pointing at the Checklist Ji Liushuang held, which they had just filled out together.

”I’m not in that much of a hurry. What I told Professor Chang was ’after things are settled’.”

Confirming that he wasn’t joking, Ji Liushuang gave a sly smile. She looked thoroughly eager to participate in Professor Fu’s project again.

”Excellent. Then let’s head out.”

Seeing her twist definitions so adeptly, Fu Qian was quite gratified, feeling deeply that the Laboratory’s culture had been passed on.

Without making any further preparations, he was already walking ahead the very next moment.

”So you already have an idea of exactly what to do this quickly?”

Following closely behind, considering that Professor Fu was completely unhesitant in letting her participate, Ji Liushuang’s question probed much deeper, making no effort to hide her marvel at her leader’s academic acumen.

”That’s because I’m standing on the shoulders of Professor Chang.”

Fu Qian waved the report in his hand, acknowledging this while remaining extremely modest.

”You must remember, borrowing from others is always one of the core principles of scientific research.”

”...Are we also going to make contact with those victims?”

Ji Liushuang clearly remembered the contents Chang Mo had mentioned.

”Are you worried that Professor Chang missed some key information?”

”No, no. From the few cases I’ve seen, Professor Chang’s working attitude is clearly quite serious, and her records are extremely meticulous.”

”Then simply repeating it wouldn’t seem to have much point.”

Hearing the mentor who had always taken good care of her receive Professor Fu’s high praise, Ji Liushuang revealed a hint of joy; however, she clearly didn’t think Professor Fu would make such a rigid attempt.

”Of course not. The next step after borrowing is naturally micro-innovation.”

Fu Qian’s tone was incredibly candid.

”Professor Chang’s line of thought is fine, but it isn’t unrestrained enough.”

”Un... restrained?”

”Correct. She obviously tuned the parameters far too conservatively.”

Recalling his memories as he spoke, Fu Qian quickly determined their heading—Brother Honma’s Residence, a place he had visited once before.

He was naturally in Chang Mo’s records, but with a single glance, one could see that the scale of the testing wasn’t even as much as when he had treated that guy to soup last time.