Chapter 224 - 220: Gathering of Experts
Tower of Knowledge.
Rune experts from all over the Federation were gathered around the White Dawn Meeh Armor, studying and exchanging their own views. As the highest host of this analysis group, the Tower Master of the Tower of Knowledge, Lan Ke, stood quietly not far away, seemingly waiting for something.
“Is Lan Chuanqi waiting for Bai Qi and President Qin?”
Professor Dong walked up to Lan Ke and said, “They have gone to the Holy Relic Tower together; they should be arriving soon.”
Seeing Professor Dong walk over, Lan Ke immediately bowed to him and said, “Professor Dong, you can just call me Lan Ke.”
Professor Dong gave a slight smile and said, “You’re a Legend, and I’m just a Sunrise Master. It’s not quite appropriate to call you by your name.”
Lan Ke shook his head and said, “That is just an old custom, you are my elder, and I dare not claim to be a Legend.”
“You…”
Professor Dong smiled helplessly, but didn’t insist. He was somewhat surprised when he saw Xiao Ding, who had just arrived from outside the door.
“Did Xiao Chuanqi also join the analysis group?”
Lan Ke replied, “The primary function of the White Dawn Meeh Armor is to assist, and the Moon Night Tower is the most specialized in this respect. So, President Qin has asked Master Xiao to help. Master Xiang should be coming soon.”
“With three tower masters, it seems the president is determined to decode the Dual Sky Meeh Armors.”
Professor Dong seemed to understand, and a strange smile appeared on his face.
“I wonder what will happen when Old Qin and Xiao Chuanqi meet?”
Seeing Professor Dong’s demeanor, Lan Ke slightly pursed his lips and said, “Professor Dong, you are as witty as ever. But let’s focus on the task at hand. I don’t think the two elders would have a falling out on the spot.”
“Maybe…”
Just as the two were whispering to each other, Xiang Li, President Qin, and Bai Qi appeared at the door. The Rune Scholars who were discussing the White Dawn Meeh Armor previously, halted their discussions to focus on Bai Qi.
As one of the most prominent Rune Experts in the Federation, they were naturally very interested in this young man who had researched Rune Evolution.
Of course, there were more doubts than admiration.
Rune research was not like other fields; you couldn’t make breakthroughs simply with a little talent. It required long periods of accumulation and study. To their knowledge, Bai Qi’s time spent studying Runes was even less than the time it took him to become a Beast Master.
To claim that Bai Qi could single-handedly develop something as epoch- making like Rune Evolution was totally unbelievable.
It was okay to ignore it at first, as there were other people in the Federation who used their gold to embellish their image like Bai Qi. However, the fact that Zhao Futu had added Bai Qi to the White Dawn Meeh Armor analysis team sparked controversy.
Bai Qi noticed the skepticism in these people’s eyes and scratched his head in frustration.
He didn’t care about their doubt. The evolution of the rune was a result of Old Qin forcing him to research. Besides, he indeed was a novice in the field of runes.
But being stared at by so many people like a panda, was rather uncomfortable.
Maybe he should just go back to his studies, and later ask Old Qin or Xiang Li for their research results.
“Ahem, sorry we are late. Master Xiang and I were conducting an experiment, and it took a while,” President Qin immediately stepped in front of Bai Qi, drawing attention toward himself.
“An experiment? President Qin, weren’t you here to participate in the analysis of the White Dawn Meeh Armor?” a rune expert with a gaunt face asked.
“Yes, that is correct. However, when I heard about Bai Qi’s research on Rune Tier 2 evolution, I decided to conduct an experiment at the Holy Relic Tower. Master Xiang was a witness,” President Qin responded.
“Rune Tier 2 Evolution?!”
There was an immediate uproar. After the formation of the Rune Evolution Research Group, many of them had also applied to join. Some had personally pondered and researched in this direction, so they had a basic understanding. Without exception, they were all stuck on the problem of subsequent evolution.
And now, President Qin told them that Bai Qi had researched the Rune Tier 2 evolution. Was it a case of the research group embellishing Bai Qi’s image again?
“Exactly, it is indeed the Rune Tier 2 Evolution. I witnessed it myself just now. Judging by my evaluation, Bai Qi’s research findings are not perfect, but they are already of promotional value.”
As everyone remained skeptical, Xiang Li also stood up to vouch for Bai Qi. Professor Dong also confirmed the findings.
“Just now, I told everyone that I have good news to share. This is it. I originally wanted to witness the first experiment with you ail, but Master Xiang beat me to it.”
Upon hearing this, Xiang Li apologized, “I apologize, Professor Dong. I was carried away and took Bai Qi to conduct an experiment.”
Hearing the two talk, everyone present fell silent. Although their eyes were still filled with disbelief, there was no doubt left.
With Xiang Li and Professor Dong testifying, it seemed that Bai Qi indeed had researched the Rune Tier 2 evolution. However, considering Bai Qi’s age, they still found it hard to believe.
“Alright, everyone, our task this time is to decode the White Dawn Meeh Armor, not Rune Tier 2 evolution, so let’s put this topic to rest for now.”
Lan Ke’s gaze swept over everyone present, and the room instantly became quiet. Even Xiao Ding and Xiang Li kept quiet.
As one of the Six Tower Masters, although Lan Ke was the youngest, his position was second only to Zhao Futu. Plus, Lan Ke was in charge of the analysis group, so they naturally had to show him some respect.
Was this the intimidation of the Tower Master of the Tower of Knowledge? Bai Qi, obediently falling into line, looked at Lan Ke who easily suppressed the whole scene without any terrifying pressure, without uttering a word.
Lan Ke was Lu Qing’s teacher, and judging by the ruthless demeanor of Lu Qing, he guessed Lan Ke must be the same, and it was better not to provoke her.
“Hmm!”
As soon as this thought crossed Bai Qi’s mind, he felt a heaviness in his chest and saw that, while Lan Ke had been speaking, her gaze had somehow fallen on him, and the pressure was emanating from her line of sight.
“Lan Chuanqi is a Super Apartment Beast Tamer, and you are also a superpowered individual who can perceive others’ hostility, so you’d better not be thinking all kinds of mess,” President Qin warned, noticing Bai Qi’s situation.
A Super Apartment Beast Tamer? Another one who could probe into one’s mind?
A chill ran down Bai Qi’s spine, and he promptly scrambled his thoughts to prevent exposure.
Luckily, Lan Ke didn’t seem interested in probing further into Bai Qi. Instead, she continued, “The rune structure of the White Meeh is very complex. To ensure our progress, I plan to group everyone simply and work collaboratively to analyze it. What do you all think?”
“Agreeable.”
“It’s a good idea.”
Everyone agreed. Though they all were experts in runes, their areas of research differed, and making them analyze together would not necessarily improve efficiency.
Seeing everyone’s consent, Lan Ke slightly nodded and started forming the groups: “For the Energy operation structure: Professor Dong, Wang…”
“For the Defense System structure: Master Xiang, Li…”
II II
“For the Healing System structure: Master Xiao, President Qin,…”
“Above is the temporary group arrangement. Does anyone have any objection?”
After announcing the list, Lan Ke looked at President Qin and Xiao Ding, but both remained silent and turned their heads away without uttering a word.
“Um, Master Lan, which group do I belong to?”
Seeing the atmosphere becoming somewhat heavy, Bai Qi suddenly stood up and scratched his head awkwardly.
“Your talent in runes is commendable, Bai Qi, and you’ve shown results. But your foundation is significantly lacking. For now, I won’t assign you any tasks. You can go to the Tower of Knowledge to perfect your foundation. If interested, visit the various groups,” Lan Ke offered after a moment’s silence.
After all these days of training, she naturally recognized Bai Qi’s talent. He was insightful, unbounded by traditional ideas, easily breaking the norm and capable of doing things ordinary people couldn’t.
However, Bai Qi’s foundation was too weak. Even with his great accomplishments, they were like castles in the air.
Even though President Zhao personally asked Bai Qi to join the Meeh team, Lan Ke hoped Bai Qi would take this opportunity to solidify his foundation.
However, being pointed out his faults in public, an up-and-comer like Bai Qi might not take it well.
“Really? Thank you, Master Lan!”
Surprisingly, Bai Qi, who was “exiled” from receiving compulsory tasks, didn ‘t show any impatience, and on the contrary, seemed extremely satisfied.
No compulsory tasks, plus the freedom to run around among different groups, and free access to the resources of the Tower of Knowledge… what could be better than being free?
Besides, right now, he wanted to help Alpha with the integration of the Phoenix Feather.
“Oh, um, I’ll leave you all be and head out,”
Bai Qi bowed slightly to the crowd and left striding away without waiting for President Qin to say anything else.
Why do I feel that Bai Qi is acting more and more like Luo Xiang?”
Watching Bai Qi leave without any hesitation, Professor Dong couldn’t help recalling Luo Xiang from back in the day, as he displayed a similar demeanor.
I don t think so. This kid Bai Qi is much more active than Luo Xiang,” President Qin smacked his lips, well aware of Bai Qi’s character. If they tried to buckle him down for research, Bai Qi wouldn’t stand for it.
A simplistic example; Bai Qi had initially wanted to modify skeletal creatures
with machinery, but now he went straight for rune evolution.
At the very least, since he came to know Bai Qi, he had never seen him focus on a specific area of study.
“Humph! A restless mind is just a waste of talent,” Xiao Ding suddenly retorted in a cold voice on hearing President Qin’s words, prompting the latter, after holding back for a long time, to finally retort, “You old coot, do you think everyone is as stubborn as you?”
“Tch, one who knows how to live life like you, ended up losing a contract position, didn’t you?”
“You…”
Looking at the two of them arguing like children, Professor Dong sighed helplessly, “These two, as expected, have started arguing again.”
“It was expected. As long as it doesn’t affect the analysis,” Lan Ke casually responded, and then vanished from the spot. Professor Dong, following her example, began to discuss matters with his group members.
These two had been bickering for a lifetime. After a long separation, it was better for them to argue it out now, so it wouldn’t affect the progress of the analysis later.