CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: SECRET REALM? QIN XIAOXUE’S DEPARTURE AND PROMISE! (SECOND UPDATE)

Sun Chaoju and President Liu did not stay for long. After a brief chat about the Forest Wolf’s cultivation, they left. Vice President Liu, before departing, reminded Su Ping not to forget to attend his lecture when the time came.

Su Ping also inquired about the specific time and confirmed his attendance.

Vice President Liu was a Senior Breeder skilled in wolf-type Pet Beasts, and such Breeders were not plentiful in the Dragon Nation. They were all figures renowned in their own right. Learning more about his theories would only benefit Su Ping’s study of Pet Beast cultivation, with no drawbacks.

Qin Xiaoxue, on the other hand, was not in a rush to leave. It wasn’t until the other two had departed that she patted Su Ping on the shoulder.

"Good lad! You’ve really made me proud this time! Those two old chaps were so distrustful at first, they almost told me to my face I’d been swindled. Seeing them like this now is just delightful!"

It was clear that Qin Xiaoxue was indeed very happy today.

However, Su Ping didn’t rush off to meticulously study Accelerated Casting and Woodhead’s Evolution methods. He stayed, clearly having some business with Qin Xiaoxue.

He didn’t ask directly but instead said with a smile, "Now that I have Accelerated Casting, I’m quite confident. How about leaving Woodhead with me a bit longer? I can cultivate that Skill for him too."

His confident inquiry was met with a refusal from Qin Xiaoxue. "No need. Summer break is almost over, and I’ll be tidying up to return to Magic Capital in a couple of days."

Upon hearing this, even Su Ping was taken aback. After all, he had grown accustomed to having Qin Xiaoxue around during the past half-month.

But he quickly gave a light smile. "Well then, have a smooth journey, and don’t forget to message me when you get to Magic Capital."

It was Qin Xiaoxue, however, who turned her head and gave him an odd look, before seemingly explaining as she continued, "Actually, the purpose of Woodhead learning so many Skills was indeed for his Evolution. The Evolution path of the Crown Wolf Emperor requires a Forest Wolf to master eight Skills before the initial cultivation plan for Evolution can begin! Thanks to you, we’ve finally achieved this!"

"Crown Wolf Emperor?"

This was an Evolution path Su Ping had never heard of before.

Qin Xiaoxue did not withhold any information. "Yes, it’s a Pet Beast with the Racial Potential to reach Emperor Level. But given the name, you should be able to guess."

Saying this, Qin Xiaoxue spoke with some regret, "It’s a pity your Xiao Qing has a mutated bloodline; otherwise, he could also try this path. The old lady still has some stock of the Heart of Woods and the Thorny Crown. If you come to Magic Capital’s Beast Taming Academy, with my connections, trying this Evolution path wouldn’t be a problem."

Heart of Woods?

Thorny Crown?

Su Ping did not know what the latter was. But he did know the former.

It was an Emperor Level Peak resource of the Wood Element, with a value beyond imagination. In the mobile app’s marketplace, materials of this Level were not sold publicly; there was no price set for them.

Su Ping pursed his lips, suppressing the complex emotions rising within him. He could only offer a faint smile. "I believe Xiao Qing’s future development and Evolution will be no less impressive than Woodhead’s!"

"AWOO!" Xiao Qing, who had come out to his side, howled in agreement. Strong... Evolve...

Woodhead, however, merely glanced at this little brother, Xiao Qing, uninterested. Now at Elite Peak, Woodhead was wiser than Xiao Qing and naturally understood he would soon part ways with Su Ping. Therefore, reluctant to leave, he didn’t want to argue about such trifles.

"By the way, when Woodhead evolves in the future, can I watch in person?" Su Ping seemed to have thought of something and suddenly asked.

Qin Xiaoxue naturally nodded in agreement. "No problem. You can come over then, or I might find some time to return to Linzhou."

As she said this, Qin Xiaoxue suddenly added without any particular reason, "By the way, your Talent is Pet Beast Home, right?"

Su Ping nodded. "What about it?"

"Nothing."

Qin Xiaoxue didn’t elaborate, and Su Ping didn’t inquire further. The pleasantries were over, and it was time to discuss serious matters.

"I think I know why Dong Muyun wants to acquire my family’s business," Su Ping said.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xiaoxue abruptly turned her head to look at him. "What reason?"

Unable to contact his unreliable father, and among all the people he knew, it was indeed Qin Xiaoxue, whom he had only known for a little over ten days, that Su Ping could trust the most.

Su Ping didn’t conceal anything and recounted last night’s events to Qin Xiaoxue.

When he mentioned the ripples in the space, Qin Xiaoxue’s face showed a look of understanding. "A Secret Realm? I see!"

After that, Qin Xiaoxue looked at Su Ping with a complex expression. "Su Ping, do you have any idea what a Secret Realm is worth? And you just told me about it like that?"

As he looked at Qin Xiaoxue at that moment, Su Ping thought to himself, if it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t even know the thing was called a Secret Realm, let alone its value. But at a time like this, telling the truth would be just plain stupid, wouldn’t it?

He blinked and looked calmly at Qin Xiaoxue. "I trust you!"

Sincerity is the ultimate move.

Qin Xiaoxue was taken aback. Then, as Su Ping watched, she blushed for the first time in her life and, without thinking, quickly turned away and spoke at a rapid pace, "A Secret Realm is the ownerless Beast Taming Space left behind by a powerful Beast Tamer upon their death. There’s no corresponding course in the basic taming academy; only Advanced Colleges teach about it. Secret Realms are incredibly rare, precious, and dangerous. Some may contain the heritage of the Beast Tamers who left them, or even descendants of their Pet Beasts, along with various resources—all can be found within a Secret Realm. In the Dragon Nation, there’s a special organization called the Qintian Monitor; their duty is to detect the emergence of Secret Realms throughout the nation to prevent powerful Pet Beasts from emerging and harming other Beast Tamers. However, if a Secret Realm appears on private property, then the owner of the land has the right to deal with it. They can choose to explore it themselves, hand it over to the Qintian Monitor, or even sell it to others."

After finishing in a rush, Qin Xiaoxue took a deep breath and then continued, "Su Ping, I can’t give you any advice about your Secret Realm, but rest assured, if you don’t want to sell it, no one can force you!"

Having said that, Qin Xiaoxue, as if possessed, suddenly stood up, grabbed Woodhead, who let out a pitiful cry, and ran quickly toward the door.

Her hasty departure left Su Ping unable to react. Just when he thought Qin Xiaoxue had left for some unknown reason, she suddenly returned, holding the nearly breathless Woodhead, whose eyes were rolling back. With her cheeks still flushed, she stood at the door of the reception room, looking at a baffled Su Ping.

"Su Ping, work hard for the professional Beast Tamer assessment in a year’s time! It’s important! So right now, you need to focus on improving your strength! I’ll be waiting for you to participate!"

"?"

Su Ping was even more confused. He then saw Qin Xiaoxue truly disappear without a trace this time.

He pondered for a while. What on earth was that woman talking about at the end? How do these things even connect? And waiting for *me* to take the professional Beast Tamer assessment? She’s already been admitted to Magic Capital’s Advanced Beast Taming College, so why would she wait for *me* to take an assessment? Don’t tell me she hasn’t taken it yet? Not likely, right? Besides, even if she hadn’t, *I’ll* be taking *my* assessment here in Jianghai Province, while she should be in Magic Capital. We’re worlds apart! What’s there to wait for?

Su Ping looked suspicious and utterly confused. Indeed, Miss Qin’s thinking can be a bit muddled at times.

However, just then, Su Ping suddenly started. He leaped up from the sofa and, in a few quick strides, rushed to the front door of his Heart of Wood Cultivation Base, shouting, "You haven’t paid yet!"

However, Qin Xiaoxue was nowhere to be seen in front of the door.

At that moment, Su Ping was once again plunged into self-doubt. Was Miss Qin just toying with me? That escape act, running off without paying—that doesn’t seem like someone with a muddled mind! Could it be that I was too naïve?

Shaking his head, Su Ping decided not to dwell on it. The help Qin Xiaoxue had given him was far more valuable than a mere million or two.

Right now, the most important thing was undoubtedly his spoils.

Su Ping took out the USB drive, excitement shining in his eyes.