CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47: SIDE EFFECTS OF THE WOLF SMOKE HERB, THE VALUE OF THE LABORATORY! (SECOND UPDATE)

At the very bottom of the Catalog, above the previously recorded logs, a new entry appeared:

[Discovery of the partial effects and applications of Wolf Tobacco on the Forest Wolf, Forest Wolf Catalog Experience Points +100. Fully understanding and excavating the specific effects and uses of Wolf Tobacco can yield additional experience points.]

As expected!

A look of unimaginable joy surfaced in Su Ping’s eyes as he firmly fixated on the Forest Wolf that had completed its comprehension.

But soon, a slight frown creased Su Ping’s forehead.

As the light faded, the small Forest Wolf appeared before Su Ping’s eyes.

And the Eye of Truth quickly assessed the status of the young wolf:

[Forest Wolf (Wild - Weak)]

[Current Level: Common Seventh Rank]

[Racial Potential: Elite Tenth Stage]

[Skills: Sunlight Absorption (Beginner), Accelerated Growth (Beginner), Vine Strangling (Proficient), Self-Healing (Beginner), Heart of Woods (Beginner)]

Indeed, from the feedback of the Eye of Truth, it seemed there was no change or difference in the young wolf; even the Heart of Woods skill had already appeared on this little fellow.

The pervasive scent of grass and trees further confirmed this.

The state of weakness was nothing much.

However, the biggest issue was that, prior to this, to ensure the experiment would not be affected, Su Ping had specifically chosen two wolves of the same level and realm for cultivation.

And the realm of these two wolves was Common Eighth Rank!

This meant that while the Wolf Tobacco had indeed further enhanced the Forest Wolf’s affinity with the Heart of Woods, it had caused a decrease in its own level realm.

What was the principle behind this?

Su Ping frowned, but for the moment, he couldn’t figure it out. It was then he truly felt what it meant to be ’lacking knowledge only when it’s needed.’

Still, he quickly made a mark on the young wolf and wrote down this research discovery in his notebook as a record.

Afterward, without wasting any more time, Su Ping took out a sickle from his Beast Taming Space and continued harvesting the vast expanse of Wolf Tobacco.

Before, Su Ping hadn’t been sure and therefore hadn’t tried anything more complex.

But now it seemed that the effects of the Wolf Tobacco definitely held a mystery beyond his imagination.

He needed to extract the essence directly and begin live experiments.

However, while he had some refining equipment at home, he was still missing certain items. For instance, his home cauldron, though generally sufficient, would be too cumbersome for extracting essence from Wolf Tobacco. The process would be too demanding in terms of both time and labor.

There were also some instruments needed for observation and recording.

Thinking of this, Su Ping, who had just harvested a large amount of Wolf Tobacco, also felt a bit of a headache.

Some materials and resources were widely available online and in the real world, but when it came to precision instruments only used by Breeders, he really didn’t know where to buy them.

Luckily, Su Ping now had some connections.

"Hey, Su Ping? It’s rare for you to call me. Could it be that you’ve finished your bet with Xiao Sun?"

Probably no one in Linzhou knew more about this area than Vice President Liu.

Meeting Vice President Liu’s hearty laughter on the other end, Su Ping played coy for a moment: "You’ll know about that in a couple of days. Old Liu, I wanted to ask, where can I buy equipment for extracting material essence and cultivation instruments for observing materials? I have some new ideas and want to give them a try."

"Haha, I guessed as much. Su Ping, do you know what the most important thing for a Breeder is?"

Perhaps because Su Ping was being coy, Vice President Liu didn’t answer directly but instead asked a question in return.

"What?" Su Ping asked obligingly.

"It’s naturally the laboratory! With your ability, you could certainly come to our Breeder Association and apply to rent a private laboratory. Of course, if you’d prefer to buy your own equipment, that’s also an option. Our Breeder Association sells it."

Having said that, Old Liu went straight to the point: "The instrument you mentioned for extracting material essence? Our Breeder Association has three types, each with its own strengths and effects. We also have the other equipment you need. I’ll send the details directly to you. After you take a look, you can place the order right away."

At this point, Vice President Liu seemed very straightforward: "When you’ve placed your order, give me the order number, and I’ll use my authority to give you the maximum discount."

Su Ping revealed a smile: "Then I must thank you. I’ll come to see you when I have time!"

"When will that be? I’ll adjust my schedule," came the chuckling voice of Vice President Liu, causing Su Ping to falter in his speech.

He pursed his lips, about to speak, when he heard laughter from the other end of the phone: "Hahaha, just joking with you, kid. However, if you have time, you could come over at the end of the month. I’ll be teaching a class at the Breeder Association that is only accessible to wolf-type Pet Beast Breeders.

"I don’t know if it will be of any use or help to you, but no matter how talented a Breeder is, it’s best not to always work in isolation."

This time, Su Ping’s eyes truly lit up. Even though he had the help of the Myriad Spirit Beast Atlas, it was like being handed an advanced-level math Olympiad problem along with its solution. While he now knew the answer and could replicate it for an identical problem, the underlying problem-solving methodology, the ability to draw parallels, or to extrapolate from it, was entirely beyond him.

A book is invaluable at the right time, and he certainly wouldn’t miss such an opportunity.

Excitedly hanging up the phone, Su Ping then opened the website address Old Liu had sent, which only member Breeders of the Breeder Association were qualified to use for purchasing.

However, upon looking, Su Ping was stunned.

He seemed to understand why, when he asked Old Liu about purchasing equipment, Old Liu had bluntly told him that he could go to the Breeder Association to apply for a laboratory rental first.

Because the things in front of him were just too damn outrageous:

[Automated Polymer Mechanical Core Compression Extraction Machine: An integrated machine controlled by a Mechanical Core, capable of compressing all types of resources except Elemental Type, extracting the essence according to its needs, and condensing it into...]

There was a long, convoluted description, of which Su Ping understood little. What he did see clearly was the string of zeros trailing after the price of this large machine, which resembled a cross between a large toilet and a washing machine, connected to a computer screen.

At this moment, Su Ping fell into deep thought. Old Liu just said he could give me a discount within his authority. So, how big could his discount be?

Could he discount three hundred million down to one million? Hmm, even ten million would be acceptable!

Clearly, if this were a dream, Su Ping’s thoughts might have a chance of becoming reality.

Unfortunately, this was real life.

And that was just the cost of purchasing one machine, not including usage costs and the purchase of other machines.

Instantly, Breeder Su, who just moments ago had felt his funds were sufficient, gazed at the innumerable stalks of Wolf Tobacco crammed into his tiny Beast Taming Space and roared at the heavens:

I need customers! I need to make money! I need to build my own lab!